Cushing Today — Fall 2023 by Cushing Academy

Today

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Cushing Academy Magazine

Penguin Paths STORIES OF PERSONAL JOURNEYS AT CUSHING AND BEYOND

Contents TA B L E O F

STAY CONNECTED TO CUSHING! CushingAcademyFans groups/CushingAcademyParents groups/CAPenguinNation @cushingacademy Cushing Academy Alumni Network @CushingAcademy youtube.com/cushingacademy flickr.com/cushingacademy

36 Graduation

44 Personal Journeys

The Class of 2023 launches into the next phase of life, buoyed by encouragement and Penguin pride.

Yenae Gebru ’23 and Spencer Butterfield ’00 share their stories about how Cushing has helped shape their path.

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Today

Cushing

Cushing Academy exists for students and develops curious, creative, and confident learners and leaders. Cushing Today is a publication of Cushing Academy’s Office of Marketing + Communications. Head of School Dr. Randy R. Bertin P’21, ’22, ’24, ’25 Associate Head of School Catherine Pollock Director of Marketing + Communications Christian Housh Director of Advancement Greg Pollard Magazine Design Good Design, LLC, gooddesignusa.com

2 From the Head of School 4 On School Street 52 Penguin Nation

52 Letter from the Alumni Council 58 Class Notes 64 In Memoriam

52 Alumni Weekend So many Penguins in one place! Check out the fun we had together in June.

Contributing Writers + Editors Dr. Randy R. Bertin P’21, ’22, ’24, ’25 Christian Housh Amy Logan Christine Foster Photography Jon Ashley Ed Collier Norman Eggert Gary Fournier Christian Housh

Tom Kates Felicity Liao ’26 Steve Musco Philip Wexler P’19

Illustrations David Hamilton

66 Annual Report

Cushing Today welcomes your class notes, photography, story ideas, and comments. Please send them to communications@cushing.org, call (978) 827-7000, or mail to:

ON THE COVER

Communications Office Cushing Academy 39 School Street Ashburnham, MA 01430

Marvin MusiimeKamali ’23 embraced many roles at Cushing — from student to athlete to student body co-president.

Certain parts of this magazine link to extra content including photos, videos, and our website. Look for QR codes and links to explore more.

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Connection AT CUSHING

uring Alumni Weekend, I visited with Norma (Barclay) Merolla ’48 and John MacDowell ’48 who were celebrating their 75th reunion. It was one of the highlights of my summer, and I shared a photo of our meeting (shown here) to kick off faculty orientation and the beginning of the new academic year. Before Norma even saw John at the Reunion reception, she heard his voice — which hadn’t changed in 75 years — and immediately knew he had arrived. Over the course of our lively conversation, they reminisced about their connections at Cushing — connections to their peers, connections to the faculty that guided them, and connections to the buildings and spaces on campus that brought back cherished and formative memories. Our conversation was a delightful reminder that while times may have changed, the core and impact of a Cushing education has stayed the same: empowering students, making strong connections, and building a foundation for a lifetime of independence, learning, and the pursuit of excellence. My visit with Norma and John helped inspire this year’s theme at Cushing: Back to Basics. We are focusing on renewing and strengthening those foundational principles that make up the core of the Cushing Academy experience. It is an opportunity to ensure that our mission of existing for students and developing curiosity, creativity, and confidence remains the bedrock of everything we do.

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his issue of Cushing Today focuses on the Personal Journey. As defined in our Portrait of a Graduate, our Personal Journey is one in which we strive to be self-aware, self-disciplined, and self-controlled. It is the Journey where we learn not only to take initiative, adapt, and persevere, but also to live with optimism, passion, a sense of humor, and humility. You’ll find evidence of the Personal Journey throughout the magazine: in the adaptability of recent graduate Yenae Gebru ’23, who achieved success — and won a prestigious, full scholarship to the University of Rhode Island — by overcoming challenges with grit, maturity, and optimism; in the passion of new Trustee Spencer Butterfield ’00, whose curiosity leads him in a life filled with adventure, purpose, and connection; and in the 35-year career of faculty member Bob Macioci ’23 (Hon.),

who started at Cushing in 1988 as a part-time guitar teacher and retired this summer having served as Dean of Students, Director of Summer Session, and Head of the History Department. The common thread in all of these Personal Journeys is connections — profound connections — that started at Cushing. Connections to classmates, to faculty, to ideas, to places. These are the same connections that, 75 years later, Norma and John celebrated at their reunion — and they are connections that I hope you continue to celebrate and cultivate as a valued member of Penguin Nation.

Randy R. Bertin, Ed.D. Head of School

What Am I? > I am made of gorgeous wood and do an important job 24 hours a day. > One Penguin made me in memory of another. > If you look closely, you can see hints of Scotland in me. > There is one piece of me that might make you picture a sunny day on a beautiful beach. > The person I honor lives on in the hearts of Penguins everywhere. > I include Latin wording that speaks to the ethos of the person I recall. See page 72 for the answer!

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Cushing Moments At Cushing’s Capping Ceremony — which is held a few days before Commencement — seniors celebrate the individuals who have helped them the most in their Cushing Journey by asking them to put their mortarboard on their head for the first time. Akadia Ndur ’23 chose Director of College Counseling Emily Roller and Assistant Director of Admissions and Multicultural Recruitment Aaron Santos ’06.

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CLASS OF 2023 COLLEGE COMMITMENTS

Athletic Accolades 2022–23 ALL-CONFERENCE ATHLETES WINTER

SPRING

> Marvin Musiime-Kamali ’23 > Luke McEldon ’23 > Adrian Uchidiuno ’23

> Daniel Domeniconi ’24

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY > Landan Resendes ’24 > Ryan Philbrick ’23 > Ethan Gardula ’23 GIRLS’ ICE HOCKEY > Sammy Taber ’23 > Rylie Jones ’23 BOYS’ ALPINE SKIING > Matthew Haigh ’25

BOYS’ LACROSSE

GIRLS’ LACROSSE > Caroline Lilley ’23 > Mackenzie Babine ’26 SOFTBALL > Ace Asadoorian ’23 > Jamie Calkins ’23 > Sara Moeller ’23 TRACK + FIELD > Sam Spiegel ’24 > Rachel Adegoke ’24 > Candace Maple ’26 TENNIS > Mauro Gonzalez Marin ’24

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BASEBALL

BOYS’ LACROSSE

> Brandon Arsenault ’23 Bentley University > Diego Taveras ’23 Johnson & Wales University

> Preston Briggs ’23 Salisbury University > Jaden Cronin ’23 Endicott College > Walker Thorne ’23 Dean College > Sean Mandel ’23 Southern New Hampshire University > Mike McGuirk ’23 Florida Southern College > Davis Gillies-Holt ’23 University of New England

BOYS’ BASKETBALL > Marvin Musiime-Kamali ’23 University of Akron > Jack Margoupis ’23 University at Albany > Nate Bledsoe ’23 Worcester Polytechnic Institute > Adrian Uchidiuno ’23 Brown University

GIRLS’ LACROSSE > Piper Boudreau ’23 University of New Hampshire

BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY > Ryan Philbrick ’23 University of New Hampshire > Ethan Gardula ’23 University of Connecticut GIRLS’ ICE HOCKEY > Rylie Jones ’23 Northeastern University > Sammy Taber ’23 Boston College > Jamie Ryan ’23 University of New England > Delaney Williams ’23 Assumption University > Caroline Lilley ’23 Assumption University > Lilly Corso ’23 Assumption University

GIRLS’ SOCCER > Dyllan Crowell ’23 Franklin Pierce University SOFTBALL > Jamie Calkins ’23 St. Anselm College > Skyla Grenier ’23 Allegheny College > Ace Asadoorian ’23 Colby College VOLLEYBALL > Skyla Grenier ’23 Allegheny College

Scholastic Art Award Winners C

ushing visual artists received two National Medals, five Gold Keys, six Silver Keys, and three Honorable Mentions in the 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Here is some of the winning work.

Untitled, Jihye Lee ’26, Gold Key, National Medal, Mixed Media

Untitled, Mingrou “Remy” Dai ’23, Silver Key, Digital Art

SCAN ME! See our art award winners in the 2023 Cushing Academy Visual Arts Magazine.

Better Days, Adriano Baussan ’23, Silver Key, Painting

Those Who Are Disappearing, Chunming “April” Lin ’24, Gold Key, Herb Block Award for Editorial Cartoon, Mixed Media

SCAN ME! Check out more artwork in the 2023 edition of Patchwork, Cushing’s literary magazine.

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On Campus and Around the Region, Penguins Give Back on Tony Fisher Day A

full-circle moment in this year’s Tony Fisher Day of Service to Others came when a student working with the Boston-based charity Cradles to Crayons — which delivers gently used clothing to children in need — found a Cushing sweatshirt in the midst of mounds of donated clothing. “You can see that you’re a part of this whole thing,” says Director of Student Activities Donny Connors. “It was eye-opening, that what they’re doing really does count.” Every year the Cushing community comes together to dedicate a day to serving others. The tradition was established 19 years ago to honor and remember the late trustee and longtime Board Chair M. Anthony “Tony” Fisher ’69, who died in a plane crash on the way to visit campus in 2003. “Tony Fisher ranks there on the Mount Rushmore of Cushing alums, not only for his generosity, but because of what the school meant to him and how he paid that forward,” says Greg Pollard, Cushing’s director of advancement. In 2023, Tony Fisher Day projects included students preparing chicken at the Franklin County Food Bank, painting a room for use in the Gardner Community Action Committee’s food distribution center, and working in the garden that supplies much of the produce to food banks throughout New Hampshire. There is intentionality about the student volunteer experience. Students in ninth grade give back on campus, doing things like field

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CUSHING’S ANNUAL DAY OF SERVICE MAKES BIG IMPACT maintenance, spring cleanup, or collecting items from dorm donation boxes. Those collection boxes benefit the Ashburnham Food Bank, which sells the items in a yard sale. Connors says the proceeds allow them to fill the shelves for those in need in the area for almost two whole months. Sophomores head off campus, aiming to make an impact in Cushing’s immediate neighborhood. They rehab little league fields and work in local churches and libraries. Juniors focus on giving back in environmental

settings such as nearby state parks and land trusts. This year’s sites included Walden Pond and Tully Lake conservation area. Seniors go beyond the immediate environs to make a difference in Boston and beyond. After nearly two decades, the tradition is completely woven into the fabric of Cushing life. “When guides give prospective students tours, I always hear them talking about Tony Fisher Day,” Connors says. “I love that this day of service means so much to our students.”

Tony Fisher Day x Day of Giving

COMING IN 2024! Cushing Academy is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Tony Fisher Day in 2024 by combining it with the Cushing Day of Giving — helping cement a connection between the campus community and Penguins everywhere. “Both of these events — Tony Fisher Day and the Cushing Day of Giving — help catalyze acts of service and of giving back,” says Greg Pollard, director of advancement. “When we saw an opportunity to celebrate the events on the same day, particularly on the 20th anniversary of Tony Fisher Day, we knew we had to do it.” The 2023 Cushing Day of Giving was a record breaker, bringing in more than 500 gifts and inspiring spirited competition between several classes, especially 1969, 1985, and 2013. Pollard looks forward to growing that competitive spirit in the future and finding unique ways to incorporate the Day of Giving with the Tony Fisher Day of Service. “Cushing is known for its competitive spirit and community support,” says Pollard, “and we’re hoping to tap into this DNA as we find ways to encourage all of Penguin Nation to give back.”

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR APRIL 25, 2024! Be on the lookout for ways to participate in the Tony Fisher Day x Day of Giving Celebration

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Cushing Moments Whether they look fierce or playful, Cushing athletes love the chance to mug for the camera on media day.

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Softball Soars to a Second Consecutive Championship GIRLS FINISH THE SEASON WITH IMPRESSIVE 18–1 RECORD

ushing’s softball players entered the 2023 season with the highest of sky-high expectations. They were on a nearly unheard-of 40-game winning streak, including 10–0 during a pandemictruncated 2021 season and a flawless 20–0 in 2022. Their last loss was a 3–1 defeat in the 2019 championship versus #1 seed Cheshire Academy, before the 2020 season was canceled by COVID. At that time, many of the 2023 players were still in middle school. The team started the regular season by continuing the winning streak, despite tough competition. Every team the girls faced wanted to end the winning streak and came ready to give it their all. “We were in that situation where we were definitely going to get everybody’s best game,” says Coach Aaron Santos ’06.

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Then came the game against Westminster School. Westminster scored against the Penguins in extra innings with the bases loaded and two outs on a walk — a heartbreaking end to the winning streak. “We’d had three years of everything falling our way. That day, things did not fall our way,” recalls Santos. Sometimes, however, a bump in the road helps get you focused on the real point of the journey. The team regrouped and refocused on their true goal — defending their championship. They won six more games to go 16–1 in the regular season, secured the #2 seed in the WNEPSAC playoffs, and advanced to the finals with a 1–0 victory over #3 seed Kingswood Oxford.

A Rain Delay and an Unexpected Run for Provisions on the Way to the Finale The 2023 championship game set up to be a rematch of the Penguin’s 2019 loss against #1 Cheshire Academy, their last loss before the historic 40-game win streak. “No one on our roster was here for that 2019 game — but I did receive some text messages from the captains of the 2019 team [Sara Abrahamson ’19 and Jalynd McDonald ’19]. They definitely wanted the 2023 team to exact revenge,” notes Santos. Getting the championship win was a journey in and of itself. The team arrived at Cheshire Academy hoping to clean up before the rain that was expected. Then in the top of the fifth inning, with light rain falling and Cushing leading 4–0, one of Cheshire’s players slipped.

The umpires stopped play. The teams waited. The rain stopped and they prepared to go back on the field. But the umpires looked at the diamond again and pronounced it unplayable — just a few outs short of what otherwise would have been ruled a complete game (five innings) and championship victory. The team bunked, unprepared, in rooms at a nearby hotel. Assistant Coach Katie Ftorek procured emergency clothing, toiletries, and phone chargers at a local department store to get the girls through the night. In the morning they came out swinging, scoring four more runs in the last two innings and winning 8–0 to clinch the WNEPSGSBA Class B Championship. Rylie Jones ’23 and Lilly Corso ’23 had standout performances offensively, and Sara Moeller ’23 delivered defensively, allowing just one hit and pitching 13 strikeouts. The biggest highlight was arriving back to Cushing with a police and fire escort to at least half of the student body gathered to cheer for the champions. “It was an awesome experience for the team,” Santos says. “Especially for our four-year seniors Ace Asadoorian ’23, Rylie Jones ’23, and Lilly Corso ’23. They finished their Cushing softball careers 48–1!”

SCAN ME! See the 2023 Softball Team’s triumphant return to campus.

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Cushing Moments While a “waddle” is a group of penguins on land, a “raft” is a group of penguins at sea. And when penguins swim in the ocean, what are they doing? Eating. Hence the name of Cushing’s new food truck: The Raft.

Since its introduction this spring, The Raft has been a huge hit. Here a waddle of Penguins, including Chelsea Mukete ’23 and Mateah Scher ’24, line up for some delicious breakfast treats in front of the Main Building.

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FEBRUARY 27: Architectural Design students visit design studios and tour construction sites of some of the most innovative and sustainable building projects in Boston. #PoweredByCuriosity

Our Social Semester FOLLOW US TO SEE THE YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS ON CUSHING’S SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDS. CushingAcademyFans groups/CushingAcademyParents groups/CAPenguinNation @cushingacademy Cushing Academy Alumni Network @CushingAcademy youtube.com/cushingacademy flickr.com/cushingacademy

MAY 1: There was so much going on around campus last week, including practice for the Spring Dance Concert. #PoweredByMovement

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FEBRUARY 20: Jennifer De Leon signs copies of her award-winning book Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From. The acclaimed author spoke during All School Assembly about representation and inclusion in children’s and young adult literature. #PoweredByCuriosity

FEBRUARY 24: We love having student families on campus almost as much as our students do! #CushingCommunity #WinterFamilyWeekend

MAY 2: Happy National Teacher Appreciation Day! We are so fortunate to be #PoweredBy such brilliant and committed teachers. Thank you! #ThePowerOfCushing

MAY 21: Prom suits these Penguins! #PoweredByProm

#ThePowerOfCushing

JANUARY 23: MINUTE TO WIN IT! Cushing Dorms (and one suspiciously prolific Faculty Team) compete in the Ping Pong Ball Chopstick Challenge during All School Assembly. #PoweredByPingPong

JANUARY 25: Students celebrated Lunar New Year by making festive decorations for the Dining Commons and preparing a variety of delicious dumplings! #PoweredByPeople

FEBRUARY 14: Happy Valentine’s Day! #PoweredByDonuts #ValentinesDay

MARCH 28: The Class of 2023 signs a structural beam which is raised and installed as a key building block of Cushing’s new Residence Hall and Wellness Center. The new building will open in 2024. #PoweredByPens

MARCH 31: It was fantastic to see so many future Penguins on campus for our first Revisit day! Meanwhile, our current students have had a busy first week back in Ashburnham after Spring Break. #PoweredByPeople

APRIL 11: Yesterday, Cushing hosted the Girls* in Sports Leadership Summit. Student athletes from Cushing and 12 other schools shared experiences of confidence, empathy, and captaincy with workshop leaders and keynote speaker @harvardcrimson Athletic Director Erin McDermott.

MARCH 6: In a tightly contested game, Prep Boys’ Basketball falls to Worcester Academy 67–69 at the NEPSAC Class AA Championship hosted at Clark University. #PoweredByCompetition

JULY 18: Penguin Nation alumni, families, faculty, and friends gathered at The Ridge Club in Sandwich, MA, yesterday for a fiercely contested 10th Annual Cushing Golf Tournament. Thank you all who attended for your continued support of the #CushingCommunity! #RollPens

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Cushing Moments

Close faculty-student connections are at the heart of a Cushing education. Faculty member Fabian Lara (center), shown here working with Riley Cohan ’24 (left) and Mikaela Cafaro ’23 (right), was honored by the senior class with the 2023 yearbook dedication: “His approachability and willingness to help others reflects his selfless attitude...he has positively impacted so many people on this campus in so many different ways.”

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Remembering the 1998 Girls’ Hockey Championship WHAT STICKS IS THE MEMORY OF A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

wenty-five years ago, Cushing’s girls’ hockey team accomplished something extraordinary. Just in its second year of existence, they won the league championship. But what sticks with them a quarter of a century later is not the score or the memory of who got the winning goal against Kimball Union Academy, but the strong sense of support from the Cushing community. Emily Hudak Ries ’99 can still picture the excitement on campus. The girls’ squad played that winning game at home and the boys’ team bus arrived back at Cushing with them having won their championship, too. With a framed photo of the team in her hands, she relives the memories of such a special group, who expected all season to make it to the final game. A large chunk of the team went on to make their mark in

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Division I college hockey programs. Ries played at The Ohio State University. “When you live with your teammates, you are all there for a common reason. It makes it that much easier,” she says. Current Girls’ Varsity Head Coach Val Bono-Bunker ’97 played on Cushing’s squad in its first year, 1996–97, and is still in touch with many from the small 1998 championship squad. “What they remember are the families that were in the stands, the teachers, the coaches, the advisors that were all celebrating and watching their success and cheering them on,” BonoBunker says. “It was more about the feeling of being together as a family, bringing a championship to Cushing.” That success began a tradition of excellence in girls’ hockey that remains at Cushing today. “We were still in the beginning phases of

It was more about the feeling of being together as a family, bringing a championship to Cushing.” —COACH VAL BONO-BUNKER ’97

creating the powerhouse that we have now,” Bono-Bunker says. At the heart of that unusual success was support at the highest levels from Cushing. “Wayne Sanborn, who was the athletic director at the time, did not just say that he supported women’s athletics. He lived it,” says Bono-Bunker. “He created an environment where we could succeed in everything we did because of the tools we were given. We were given ice time and opportunities to work out and were training with some of the best kids in the country. That’s what helped us succeed so quickly.” A final special thing from that championship squad is the continued connection many of the players have to Cushing. Several, like Kim (Vallone) Bourque ’99, have gone on to watch their own children become Penguins, including Bourque’s daughter, Kyla Bourque ’20. “It’s fun to see that next generation of champions coming through,” Bono-Bunker says.

Girls’ Ice Hockey Builds a Team Family During Strong Season GRADUATING SENIORS INCLUDE LEAGUE MVP SAMMY TABER

he 2023 Cushing girls’ varsity ice hockey season will be remembered not only for the dominance of marquee player Sammy Taber ’23, but also for the group of four-year players she was part of who made their mark both on and off the ice. Taber (pictured, second from left) led the squad as one of eight seniors, who along with her three co-captains — Rylie Jones ’23, Caroline Lilley ’23, Jamie Ryan ’23 — spent all four years of high school playing for Cushing and are a huge reason for the continued growth and success of the program. “She is probably one of the most talented individuals that I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach,” says Coach Val Bono-Bunker ’97. “Just raw talent — born with a skating stride and power in her play that most kids work their whole lives and never achieve. Plus, she loves the sport, so much of her free time was spent on the ice, playing and learning and growing as a hockey player.” Taber, who will continue playing at Boston College, graduated as the all-time leader in points for girls’ hockey. She earned 2022–23 NEPSAC League Player

of the Year honors as a senior, led the league in total points at 51 for 2023, and scored 78 goals and had 63 assists in only 78 games over the course of her career at Cushing. In addition, she was a valued member of the broader Penguin community, playing field hockey and softball. Outside of Cushing, she was a member of the bronze medal-winning 2023 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team and won the 2023 John Carlton Memorial Trophy, given annually by the Boston Bruins to the outstanding female and male student-athletes in Massachusetts high school or junior hockey. Taber achieved these accolades in the midst of a season that included some hard breaks, with injuries hampering the ability of the team to reach their highest potential. The squad finished third in the league with a record of 16–11–3. “Our team did not earn a championship banner this year; however, we played at that level. We’ve done a really great

job of creating a team’s worth of highlevel players with college-level talent. We have a locker room full of multisport athletes who have helped bring our female athletic community to the highest level in the league, both on and off the ice,” says Bono-Bunker. Bono-Bunker will remember the way that the team became a true family and had a positive impact on campus. “The community that we’re building is far beyond the sport,” she says. “This year was a tremendous year of eight seniors graduating, all three- and four-year impact seniors, and that creates great culture not just in our locker room, but in the dorm and in the classroom as well.”

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Cushing Moments For the winter musical, students take center stage in one of the first productions of ALiEN8, a new musical by Kate Brennan and David Lee White.

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Penguins Finding a Home in Hollywood CUSHING FILM FESTIVAL SHOWCASES SILVER SCREEN SUCCESSES

here are 2,966 miles between Ashburnham and Hollywood, but Cushing Academy has a presence in the film industry. From actors to directors, from the silent screen to the present, Penguins have made their mark in the industry. Today’s students are more likely to stream a movie on their phone or laptop than have the collective experience of attending a new release in a theatre. They might sit in assembly beside a picture of Bette Davis ’26, but not really understand the sway her acting has on audiences. Even fewer might know that the brilliant contemporary director Paul Thomas Anderson ’89 once lived on campus, too. Two faculty members with a passion for films created the Cushing Film Festival on campus to change that. English teachers Logan Cody and Simon Hunt teamed up to create a slate of films to expose students to a range of movies featuring artists associated with Cushing. Offerings in the series ranged from the silent-era classic The Phantom of the Opera to Bumblebee, a Transformers action flick featuring John Cena ’95. The legendary Davis received two screenings dedicated to her films. For Hunt, at its heart, the festival was about exposure. “Teaching high

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schoolers, what you want to do is give them lots and lots of opportunities to experience things — and not everything’s going to stick. A really robust and healthy school will do that in lots of different arenas — academic stuff, sports stuff, cultural stuff,” says Hunt. “I think you just want to throw things at them and see what connects and not limit their experience even by their own preferences. Occasionally we have to force students out of their comfort zone a little bit.” Seeing works involving Cushing alumni can also ignite a new passion. “To think that 100 years ago, this funny dude in the silent movie sat in this assembly and had these experiences, too, there’s a sort of commonality of experience,” says Hunt. “It creates the

ONE OF THE GREATEST FILMS EVER MADE If you’ve never seen fellow Penguin Bette Davis on the silver screen, All About Eve is a great place to start. Consistently listed as one of the top 100 films of all time, it showcases Davis at her sardonic best and earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. “All About Eve proved to Hollywood that Bette Davis wasn’t ready to quit and it remains one of the greatest films ever made,” says the movie review website Rotten Tomatoes.

feeling of potential — the idea that a fulfilling life in the arts is possible.” Lore has it that Bette Davis was just 18 years old when she saw Henrik Ibsen’s The Wild Duck, which inspired her to pursue a career in acting. Perhaps this film festival will launch the next Cushing star.

THE CUSHING FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP > The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Arthur Edmund Carewe, actor

> What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) Bette Davis ’26, actor

> All About Eve (1950) Bette Davis ’26, actor

> Punch Drunk Love (2002) Paul Thomas Anderson ’89, director

> The Wrong Man (1956) Norma Connolly ’45, actor

> The Last Colony (2015) Juan Agustin Marquez ’00, director > Bumblebee (2018) John Cena ’95, actor

From Actors to Playwrights CUSHING PRODUCES STUDENT-WRITTEN PLAYS IN A NIGHT OF ONE-ACTS

t started with an off-the-cuff remark. Performing Arts Chair Julia Ohm mentioned to her advanced acting and directing students that she wasn’t sure what to stage for the spring play. That’s when Fiona Riley ’24, piped up: “I wrote a play,” she said. Then two other students stepped forward with options to consider as well. “Hey, this is serendipitous,” Ohm remembers thinking. “You don’t know where this is going to land. They could be fabulous — they could also be just very experimental and not right for producing on this level. But they were absolutely workable,” says Ohm. In the end, Cushing put on a sampling of one-act plays for the spring production — the three debut works written by students and two by American playwright David Ives. It was a journey that took the students well beyond what they had expected.

The offering by Ace Asadoorian ’23 — Bad Advice Larry — grew out of a character developed with sibling Owen Asadoorian ’26, in elementary school. In the play, Larry sneaks terrible advice columns into the school newspaper, developing an unexpected cult following. “I’ve actually always wanted to have people perform something that I wrote,” says Ace, who graduated in the spring and is now a first-year student at Colby College. “It was just so great to see someone embodying a character that I made on stage.” Matthew Heim ’24 knew he wanted to incorporate his passion for politics into his play, A Reluctant Utopia. Matthew’s work ended up being a social commentary about a communist utopia, where the citizens are oblivious to their good fortune. “It was really interesting to see the actor’s point of view,” Matthew says.

“One character that we put in for the comedy aspect — a robot — I thought would be more monotone, but the actor portrayed it filled with life. I thought that was a better way to portray it, so it was a really good decision on his part.” Fiona’s play was a bit different and more introspective — a conversation between two people in a magical world where the protagonist has powers of empathy that allow her to experience what another person is feeling by touching them. When she first mentioned the play to Ohm, it wasn’t even typed out. Fiona had sketched it out long-hand in her special dark blue notebook. She was stunned when Ohm suggested they stage it: “I was pretty shocked. I was like, ‘What? Are you sure?’” Acting in her play — Fiona played empathetic Amelia in Connection — made her a bit more critical of her own work. “I found a few things I didn’t like about it as an actor versus as a playwright. I think the constant dialogue was a challenge as an actor. We had some moments of silence, but just not a lot. Being on and always being in character was hard,” she says. Ohm, who has written her own plays and guided the young playwrights, says the experience of staging student plays took them a step beyond what acting and directing had: “Acting is one thing, but when someone is saying your words and you have an idea exactly of how that should be said, and someone is taking liberties with it or someone forgets them, it’s very humbling on a whole different level.”

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Cushing Moments Hirokazu Yano ’23 escorts Matt Cavicchi ’09 to the Dana-Farber recovery area after Cavicchi finishes running the 127th Boston Marathon. Since 2000, Cushing Academy — in partnership with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge — has organized student leaders to help assist runners after they cross the finish line on Boylston Street.

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An Interview with Cushing Boys’ Hockey Coach Paul Pearl TEAM SUCCESS, COMMUNITY CULTURE, AND TAKING HIS PLACE IN A STORIED HISTORY As he enters his third season, Paul Pearl, head coach of Cushing’s Varsity A boys’ hockey team, sits down with Christian Housh, director of marketing and communications, to discuss motivation, culture, and working in a storied prep program.

What’s been your biggest surprise in your first two years at Cushing? From the outside looking in, I didn’t understand how interconnected this community is. You can’t come here and just be a hockey player — you won’t like it and it won’t be a good experience. And you can’t come here and just be a student. Whether it’s hockey or athletics or the arts, you’ve got to spread your wings here. Everything kind of plays off each other. I think that’s really cool. I tell the families looking here, Cushing is more than just the hockey piece — the school piece, and the living piece, and the community piece are all going to be huge for you. And if you want that, which most kids do, you’re going to love it here.

What attracted you coming from Division I to prep school? Why make that jump? This was a big move for me from college, and I’ve loved every minute of it. I wanted to get back to being a head coach again. And coaching this program is as close to working in college hockey as you can be without being in college.

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You are dealing with really high-end athletes — but instead of pulling them into college as a recruiter, I’m pushing them into colleges from here, which has been great and really rewarding. You know, at a college or a university, you’re not sitting down and having dinner with one of your player’s math teachers and talking to them about how the kid did on his test. [In college,] everyone has their

silos. There are just no silos here at Cushing. Everybody works together for the same common goal. We’re all interconnected all the time. I’ve had different people ask me, “What if this job opens or that job opens?” I keep saying the same thing: I am not going anywhere. I really love working at Cushing Academy. There’s a long pipeline here, going back to before they even built Iorio

Arena. Coach [Steve] Jacobs P’02, ’04 did a remarkable job getting great players here and coaching them. Coach [Bill] Troy P’10, ’11 has done an unbelievable job coaching and mentoring, and Coach [Frank] Cirone is a great hockey coach and teacher. There are so many people that have been here for a long period of time and seen sustained success. Then we have young guys like Dan Fontas ’98, P’26 and Tyler Stillings, who bring so much energy and passion for Cushing hockey. Hopefully, the present and the past can all mix together.

How does your team — boys’ Varsity A — fit in with the overall hockey program at Cushing? We’re the pinnacle within the boys’ group. We have a junior varsity team that would be the younger kids — kids learning how to play, kids working their way up. Then we have Varsity B. Those are really good players, playing against local varsity teams and being very, very competitive with them, winning a lot of games. I think any kid who comes to Cushing who wants to play at the college level, he would aspire to play for Varsity A. That would be a normal progression. Do we have kids who come right in and play Varsity A? Absolutely. But we also have kids who work their way up through the program, and that’s good to see, too. And then there’s our girls’ program, which Val Bono-Bunker ’97 has built into a prep power. We have girls’ JV and Varsity — and then the three boys’ teams, and then instructional hockey in the spring. I think a close to a third of students here at Cushing participate in ice hockey in one form or other. It’s a great part of our tradition and kind of the culture that’s grown around here. Our kids play hockey — and certainly it’s one of the reasons many of them choose Cushing — but it’s not what defines them.

The Varsity A boys’ ice hockey team poses after winning last year’s Watkins Tournament. The team finished the season with a record of 25–3–2, also winning the Groton School/Lawrence Academy Holiday Hockey Tournament and making it to the 2023 NEPSAC Championship Game.

Whether it’s hockey or athletics or the arts, you’ve got to spread your wings here. Everything kind of plays off each other.” —PAUL PEARL, HEAD COACH, VARSITY A BOYS’ ICE HOCKEY

Some school programs are almost like hockey academies. One thing that I’ve been impressed by is how much you emphasize that hockey is just one component of the players’ Cushing experience. We want them to do everything here and be part of everything. My players’ passion is hockey, and we want to feed that. That’s why we have the facilities and the coaching and the ice time. It’s just that we’re very careful to make that part of their experience and not their entire experience. It’s all done within the framework of being a Cushing student and a productive member of the community.

You encourage your kids to take time off in the spring, to try something different. Can you talk about that? No one needs to do anything 12 months a year. Playing another sport is very valuable. There’s a value in being part of a different team, too, especially when you may be a potential Division I hockey player who has to now be the backup second baseman on the baseball team. I think it teaches you a little bit about yourself. It’s either a chance for you to learn how to be a different type of teammate, or to use your leadership skills from a different spot. That part’s really, really good for any kid.

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Keith Yandle ’05 and Brian Yandle ’02 meet the team in the locker room during the Watkins Tournament

You’ve had a lot of great success in your first two years, including the one seed in the Elite 8. What is your goal? To keep producing really good kids who go on to be college hockey players. I have always been more process-driven — our process is teaching kids how to play within a team framework while also developing them as players. I think the wins and losses, they take care of themselves. We try to win every game, no question. But we focus on the individual player’s success within the team structure. That’s what I’m asking the kids to do, so that’s what we try to do, too. I think it is a great lesson for a player to learn that his success comes from working towards team success.

able to experience all that, I thought that was pretty good. Winning the Watkins and LA tourneys was great, too. Also, here’s a stat [Assistant Head Coach] Bill Troy pulled out that amazed me: of the 23 kids we had on our roster, 21 were on the honor roll! Maybe this is just the old hockey guy in me, but being able to debunk the myth of the dumb hockey player is something that excites me greatly. At this year’s Watkins Tournament — which we won — it was fantastic having the Yandle brothers [Keith Yandle ’05, a long-time NHL defenseman and NHL Ironman and Brian Yandle ’02, a two-time All-American and ice hockey coach] come in and speak to the team. I think the kids loved that, and I think the brothers did a great job.

What have been some highlights of your tenure so far?

What are your expectations for next season?

The whole experience has been a highlight! Last year going to the finals. Getting there and having the kids be

We’ll be pretty good. We obviously are losing some talented players who meant a great deal to the program.

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We’ll definitely need some returning players to step up. But there are some new kids coming in, some very talented ones; so we’ll see how it meshes. Every team is different every year, and I am excited to work with this one.

What about strategy and the mechanics of the game? I think there are a lot of different ways to play a game strategically, and all of them work when you establish the right foundation in the beginning. But if you don’t get the basics — if you don’t create a good team culture with kids all pulling the oars in the same direction — I don’t care where you are or how many good players you have… if you don’t have that, then the other stuff won’t work. There’s no secret sauce in terms of the X’s and O’s, but I do think it’s important to create a hardworking culture. We got to that point last year. I still think there’s even further we can take this. Hopefully we will.

A QUARTER CENTURY OUT

Hockey Championship Still Front of Mind I t has been 25 years, but Dan Fontas ’98, P’26, who today coaches Cushing’s Varsity B team, can easily recall Cushing’s 1998 Boys’ Hockey NEPSAC Championship. “You couldn’t have asked for a better championship game,” he says of the final showdown against Deerfield Academy. “It all came down to the wire and one goal. Both goaltenders played out of their minds.” Fontas’ memories of what made that moment possible go back even further in the year. The 1997–98 regular season was an up and down one, where Cushing lost a half-dozen games. “We kind of snuck in there and were able to lean on our experiences throughout the season,” Fontas says. “When push came to shove, we were the ones pushing back.” A turning point came at the Lawrence Academy Holiday Tournament. The three captains — Fontas, Tim Foster ’98, and Peter Metcalf ’98 — gathered the team together in a hotel room and asked each player to clarify his role. Not everyone would be a star, but everyone had an important part to play. It is a lesson that Fontas still shares with his Varsity B players. “I think once we had that heart-to-heart talk with the team and guys accepted where they were in the pecking order and what they could bring to the team, we really took off from there,” Fontas says. “From there we were able to put the building blocks together.” In the end, it was Fontas’ shorthanded goal (where a team’s on-ice players are outnumbered by the

Tim Foster ’98, Mike Barry ’98, Pete Metcalf ’98, Dan Fontas ’98, P’26, Rich Devin P’04, ’24, ’27, Steve Jacobs P’02, ’04, Jeremy Wilson ’99, and Brian Teixeira ’99 pose during a championship reunion at Iorio Arena.

opposing team’s) that clinched the victory. “That weekend probably got me the opportunity to play Division I college hockey,” says Fontas, who went on to play at UMass Lowell. As the anniversary approached, the players got back in touch on a group chat, sharing memories of that special moment. “It’s kind of funny to see some of the text threads that go back and forth among us, just like we were back in high school,” Fontas says. “It’s pretty memorable for sure.

“I tell this to my hockey players today: You do not have many opportunities to win championships. I don’t care what level you’re at, whether you’re a 14U player, a high school player, a junior player, a college player, or a professional player — you may be able to count on one hand how many times you’re going to be in an actual championship game so you cannot take it for granted,” Fontas says. “For me, that was my championship. It’s very memorable. It’s something that I continue to hold very close.”

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A Cushing Stalwart Retires After 35 Years BOB MACIOCI SERVED FROM MUSIC TO HISTORY TO SAFETY TO SUMMER SESSION

ob Macioci first walked in the door at Cushing Academy in 1988 as a part-time guitar teacher. Thirtyfive years later, he has retired as a beloved faculty member, department chair, former dean of students, and director of the summer session. As longtime campus safety coordinator, Macioci spent some of his final years at Cushing overseeing pandemic protocols, which Head of School Randy Bertin says “set the gold standard in keeping our community safe, a contribution that was especially important in our navigation of campus life during COVID.” Macioci never expected to spend his career at Cushing. Before taking the part-time guitar teaching position, he had worked as a professional guitarist, traveling the country with his band, Lightning Rose. The hard rock group

recorded four albums of original music on the Bandit Record label. They were then offered a major label recording contract in 1985 and toured extensively in the Northeast and around the country. “I almost turned [Cushing] down because I was a professional musician. We were dealing with record companies and touring, and that was the dream,” remembers Macioci. “Teaching guitar was only to help pay the rent.” He hesitated again in year two, when he was offered a spot teaching three days a week. “But something in me said yes. Then I just never looked back from there. I think I started with six students in 1988 and ended up with 35 at its peak,” says Macioci. “That was a great experience, just working with kids and being able to use my experience from performing professionally. The kids wanted to hear

stories of what the business was like, and so I was able to share that with them.” After a decade of teaching music, Macioci, who has a bachelor’s in social science from Southern New Hampshire University and an M.Ed. in curriculum design and school administration from Cambridge College, moved into the classroom as a history and economics teacher, later becoming chair of the history department. One of Macioci’s favorite things about Cushing was the opportunity to contribute in many roles over the years. Macioci enjoyed hockey when he was younger and in 1995 Athletic Director Dave Kormann asked if he would coach the boys’ junior varsity team. “Being able to do that was a great thing professionally,” Macioci says. “Cushing hockey has a wonderful reputation, and I was able to get lots of guidance from the varsity coaches.” In 2004, Macioci was appointed Dean of Students, which included campus safety. In this role, primarily overseeing campus discipline, he valued seeing kids grow. “Students who ran into trouble on campus would learn from their mistakes and really thrive with structures and

SCAN ME! Lightning Rose: “Come Back Again” from their debut album.

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That was a great experience, just working with kids and being able to use my experience from performing professionally. The kids wanted to hear stories of what the business was like, and so I was able to share that with them.” —BOB MACIOCI, FACULTY support from the school,” Macioci recalls. He also was instrumental in making the Holiday Stroll a memorable tradition. It began when a few students asked to decorate their dorms, become a friendly competition between the dorms, and then turned into a formal event. “The stroll started as simply a few of us visiting the dorms to judge the winner,” recalls Macioci. “Over the years it has evolved into a much larger event with the dorms providing refreshments and entertainment to the strollers to try to sway their decision. It’s a great tradition and I’m glad it continues each year.” In 2010 Macioci initiated a character education program called the Virtue Project. It was a student-run program that focused on a specific theme/virtue each month. The initiative helped support a healthy school community and was featured in a 2013 article in Independent School Magazine.

In 2017, Macioci took on the role of director of summer session, only to face the shutdown of everything when the pandemic arrived in 2020. “We were resilient,” Macioci says. “We were one of the first schools — one of the only schools — in 2021 to run their summer session in person. Nearly all of our peer schools continued to run online in ’21, but we opened up, and it was challenging and difficult, but we got it done. Now we are pretty much back to normal.” Over the years, Macioci found many ways to incorporate his passion for music into his work at Cushing. He participated in many jazz performances — and for more than two decades, he concluded the final assembly of the year by playing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on guitar accompanied by a faculty vocalist. What began as a gift to the senior class has become a beloved year-end tradition. Another of Macioci’s favorite musical memories is of performing Aerosmith’s “Dream On” with Naveen Sharma ’19 at an assembly where faculty member Bill Troy P’10, ’11 spoke about his passion for running the Boston Marathon to raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “That just resonated with the kids and with the community, and it’s one of those songs that is across generations,” he says.

In the end, Macioci says he stayed because of — and will miss most — the Cushing community. “In those 35 years, we’ve been through a lot together,” he says. “I think that’s the heart there — how much we give every day, especially in a boarding environment. The rewards are just great along the way.”

At Commencement, Bob Macioci receives an honorary diploma with the Class of 2023.

Bob Macioci poses with Riley Carr ’21 at Summer Session graduation.

Bob Macioci performs “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” with fellow faculty member Chelle Salvucci at the final assembly in 2023.

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Cushing Moments

The 100 Days Celebration is a special reception for seniors that marks their final 100 days at Cushing. One of the highlights of the evening is when students receive personal notes from faculty. Here Jamie Ryan ’23, Lilly Corso ’23, and Piper Boudreau ’23 react to their letters. FALL 2023

Celebrating the ‘Unwavering Determination’ of the

Class of 2023

SCAN ME! Watch the full coverage of the 2023 Commencement.

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Head of School Dr. Bertin Urges Graduates to Get Comfortable with the Contradictions FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE SEEN A WORLD FULL OF CHAOS during their high school years, Head of School Dr. Randy Bertin’s message to Cushing’s Class of 2023 — drawn from a documentary on the band U2, who provided the soundtrack to his own high school years — provided inspiring insight. “One quote struck a chord with me, and I believe it holds relevance for you as well,” Bertin said. “The lead singer, Bono, shared these words: He said, ‘My life really opened up as an artist when I realized that you don’t have to resolve every contradiction.’ “The last part of that line stuck out to me: ‘You don’t have to resolve every contradiction.’ In fact, I would go a step further and propose that being at the center of contradictions is the place to be if you want to grow and learn. If we marinate in the contradictions, it allows us to build more empathy and understanding. It allows us to stay in the middle of fluid situations as we navigate through life — which is itself fluid and ever changing.” Cushing’s graduating seniors had already shown that ability during their final year at the Academy. “We experienced tremendous highs and lows, moments of pure joy, and times of grief and profound pain,” recalled Bertin. “We tasted victory and we endured defeat. Yet, as we navigated it all side by side, I remained constantly inspired by the unwavering determination of our community.…Our path was far from straightforward. It was riddled with contradictions and shades of gray, for life rarely presents us with distinct, mutually exclusive options. It is within these contradictions that our true test lies.” As these newly graduated Penguins headed out into the world, Bertin reminded them that American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote that “the test of a firstrate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” “Thinking of Fitzgerald’s words, you’ve proven to yourself and others that on your journey, you can withstand these contradictions, understand them, and then function, make decisions, move forward, and grow.” Congratulations — and continue to embrace contradictions, Class of 2023!

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In His Own Words: The Journey of 2023 Valedictorian

Guanyi “Edison” Chen ’23 The earnest and endearing voice of Cushing’s 2023 Valedictorian and 2022–23 Student Body Co-President became a familiar one to Cushing’s community during the past four years. A passionate community builder and budding politician, Guanyi “Edison” Chen ’23 helped galvanize the student community through the COVID crisis and beyond.

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HERE — IN HIS OWN WORDS DRAWN FROM MULTIPLE SPEECHES — IS HIS STORY: My name is Guanyi Chen and you can call me Edison. I am a four-year senior from Suzhou, China. (Convocation Speech, September 2022) My journey started like many other Cushing students. I knew nobody at Cushing and no one had any expectations of me. I am standing here today because I worked hard to find out what I want to do and who I want to be. (Journey Talk, May 2023) I can relate this journey to a Chinese proverb — — which describes the four steps necessary for success in life: self-cultivation, regulation of the family, governing the country, and peace in the world. I think of my Journey as an alternative version of this ancient wisdom. (Valedictorian Speech, May 2023) The first step was to cultivate myself. The [academic] schedule was not easy to follow. I showed up at Honors Biology at the wrong period three times in a row. Now — to be fair — I did have some consistency, because I was exactly one block early for all three classes. (Valedictorian Speech, May 2023) As I was having the most fun as a student, the world turned upside down. On March 13th, 2020, I packed up my stuff and headed for spring break. Little did I know that I would not return to campus physically until 17 months later because of COVID. (Journey Talk, May 2023) A large chunk of my high school experience would be about endless Zoom conferences. (Convocation Speech, September 2022) As a sophomore I reminded myself every day that although I am online, I need to give my full effort in class. Because I was online, class participation became a competition, sometimes with classmates in the classroom, sometimes with my internet connection. (Journey Talk, May 2023) I tried to walk out of my comfort zone, to reestablish the bonds between my friends online. That’s when “Penguins’ Corner” got started. (Journey Talk, May 2023)

DURING THE PANDEMIC, CHEN CREATED “PENGUINS’ CORNER,” A VIDEO SERIES OF CURATED ZOOM INTERVIEWS WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY, TO HELP KEEP THE CUSHING COMMUNITY CONNECTED. I thought I came to Cushing to be a completely different person, but this place taught me — maybe more than anything else — to have self-love. I am very thankful for the package of qualities I learned from my parents. It was my dad’s spirit of entrepreneurship, the vision of getting something out of very little and turning that something into everything.… During lockdowns, that became my approach to media projects with visuals, interviews, and data analysis, all of them done online and in my bedroom. (Valedictorian Speech, May 2023) Junior year prepared me for more mature decision-making, and it taught me the challenges my classmates are having, and that eventually stimulated my passion for running for student body co-president. (Journey Talk, May 2023) Three years ago I never had such ambitions, but the time has changed. Cushing has changed. And so have I. (Speech for Student Body President Election, April 2022) If you want to go to Boston more frequently, if you want better art and club events, if you seek better food, and if you want bigger crowds at home games, Edison will be your guy. (Speech for Student Body President Election, April 2022)

CHEN WAS ELECTED AND SERVED AS STUDENT BODY CO-PRESIDENT WITH MARVIN MUSIIME-KAMALI ’23. The last part of the Journey [from the Chinese proverb] includes bringing peace to the world. I know: what a big thing to talk about! I don’t know how it’s going to turn out…but one thing we can be certain of is the present. Because of our many challenges during high school, we have become battle-tested. (Valedictorian Speech, May 2023) COVID taught us to get ready for the impossible — and it is your mental toughness and self-belief that will guide you and your friends through hard times. (Convocation Speech, September 2022) It was my mom’s profession in journalism, that delicate attention to details, and the no-quit attitude on opportunities…. During college application, that became my approach to the countless essays. (Valedictorian Speech, May 2023) We walked our own path. We wrote our own stories. We are our own — and the only — Class of 2023. (Passing of the Staff speech at the Awards Ceremony, May 2023)

PENGUIN VOCA

Journey Talks: Throughout the year, seniors share insights about their Journey at Cushing during Assembly. These are called “Journey Talks.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Edison, thank you for teaching us to persevere, to embrace differences, and to write our own stories. We wish you the best of luck at Duke and beyond. (Edison is a first-year student at Duke University.)

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Authenticity, Showing Up,

Giving Back Tetris CEO Imparts Wisdom to Cushing Graduates Maya Rogers ’96 stood before the Class of 2023 with a stark awareness of how quickly the years have passed since her own time at the Academy. She remembered an ancient past when John Cena ’95 was “just another classmate (although probably the most popular guy in school)” and Kurt Kublbeck P’16 (who is now the head of the science department and just started his 29th year at Cushing) was a new, young teacher. As the commencement speaker and the 2023 recipient of the Cushing Academy Leadership Award, the Tetris CEO shared three pieces of wisdom with the Class of 2023: BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF. “It was the summer of my sophomore year in high school, and I knew I needed to turn some things around. I met some kids from Tokyo that attended boarding schools. I had never even heard of boarding schools, but I knew that was what I needed to do. This was not a decision that was borne out of careful planning, but a sudden gut feeling, a beacon from my heart…. It was the first time that I took charge of my own life.” YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP. “By the time I became CEO in 2014, I wasn’t handed the business on a silver platter. The business had been struggling, declining for years. Every conversation I had with my chief financial officer was about how the business wouldn’t survive next year. But, long story short, I found ways to diversify and expand our business. And today, Tetris continues to be loved globally by people of all ages and all cultures. Billions of Tetris games are played every day. Today we have Tetris beyond games — in toys, apparel, lifestyle goods, and a new Apple TV+ movie. Today, we’re a growing and thriving business, and we are just scratching the surface of what’s to come.”

GIVE BACK. “In addition to growing my family business, I co-founded a start-up accelerator 10 years ago, with a vision of transforming Hawaii into a thriving tech hub. We’ve now invested in 110 companies from Hawaii and around the world…. I can proudly say that what we have created inherently changed the trajectory of Hawaii’s tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem.” She ended by reminding the graduating class that time will fly for them, too: “Perhaps two decades from now, you may find yourself in my place, delivering a speech to a new generation of high school graduates. In an ironic twist of time, they will be wearing the same fashion trends you are wearing today. And you will reminisce about your own school days when writing your own speech was a necessity because we were still using ChatGPT 4. If you have to explain what ChatGPT was, well, let’s just say it would be like trying to explain fax machines to a generation that only knows smartphones. “So, congratulations, again, to the Class of 2023. May your SCAN ME! journey be filled with endless Maya Rogers ’96 possibilities and may you always was profiled in the follow the beat of your own heart.” Winter 2023 edition of Cushing Today. 41

Teacher of the Year:

Building a Team

+ Real Relationships

LARRY KLINE ARRIVED AT CUSHING Academy with his eyes on a straightforward goal: improving the lacrosse program. A coach with a decade of experience at the collegiate level, including at his alma mater, Binghamton University, and a background in psychology, Kline was a strong pick. But his Cushing journey has opened to him a chance for an even broader influence — not just growing players, but shaping student lives, in and out of the classroom. He works with Cushing Penguins on their emotional lives, modeling how to be vulnerable and to ask for help. His impact in both arenas has been noted. Last spring he won Cushing’s Reitman Teacher of the Year Award and was also named as US Lacrosse (National) and Northern New England Lacrosse League (Regional) Coach of the Year. Kline’s first challenge at Cushing was lacrosse. In a school where students have lots of great athletic options to consider, he needed to convince athletes to come out for the team, in order to field a full team. From the start, his focus was mindset rather than simply winning: “I told everyone, ‘I don’t care about our record or our outcome. Right now we need to get our culture right. We need to have our values in line. We need to be doing the right things on campus. We need to become the team that people want to support.” He urged the players to show up at friends’ games to watch them play, and to demonstrate leadership in their classrooms and their dorms. The team’s record was weak, 3–11 in 2021–22, but Kline thought they were headed in the right direction. His approach paid off. In 2022–23, players returned with solid values and a strong work ethic, improving to a 10–6 record for the year. They set multiple program records including most wins for the season. More important to Kline, though, student GPAs improved, players were recruited to college teams, and they demonstrated the values he had hoped to infuse into the program. Along the way, Kline, who has a master’s in psychology and also taught a psychology seminar at Cushing, developed a reputation for his rapport with students. He showed up outside the classroom as much as possible — in the dining hall, on the fields, in the dorms. His gift for this rapport was noticed, and he was asked to take a role in the Office of Student Affairs.

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“It’s about establishing a good foundation with the kids,” Kline says. “Then you can challenge them. They won’t accept your challenges without first having a relationship with you.” His own journey informs how he works with students. A native of Beverly, MA, Kline says he figured out early how to achieve, both as a student and as an athlete, winning a spot on the lacrosse team at Binghamton and then all-athletic honors. After college, he worked for a few years in a congressional office on Capitol Hill before returning to coaching at Binghamton University, Stony Brook University, UMass Lowell, and Washington College in Maryland. But he struggled to share his internal life with friends and family. “What I did not know how to do until much later in life was to deal with my emotions, to be honest with people about what I was feeling, handle pressure, handle anxiety. I didn’t really know how to form the relationships that I wanted to form,” Kline says. “It took me a lot of introspection, a lot of reflection, and a lot of honesty with the people in my life. Once I asked for that help, it was like a whole new journey and a good one.” This year, Kline is taking his skills beyond the lacrosse team and his psychology seminar. Bolstered by a second master’s, this time in clinical mental health counseling from Antioch University in Keene, NH, he has joined Director Jennifer Bernard ’90, P’21, ’23 and Associate Director Melissa Cahl in Cushing’s expanded counseling office, bringing an opportunity for students to also work with a male counselor. “I’m hoping just to open up a few more doors,” he says. “Maybe the male athletes on campus who weren’t comfortable going [for counseling] before, maybe they will be now, which I think could be a game changer.”

Class of 2023

College Matriculation Allegheny College

Los Angeles College of Music

University of Akron

American University

Loughborough College, UK

University of Arizona

Arizona State University

Loyola Marymount University

University of California, Davis

Assumption University*

Lynn University

University of California, Irvine*

Bentley University*

McGill University, Canada

University of California, San Diego

Boston College*

Merrimack College*

University of Colorado Boulder

Boston University*

Miami University, Oxford*

University of Illinois

Brandeis University

Milton Campos Law School, Brazil

Brown University

Mount Holyoke College

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Bryant University*

The New School*

University of Michigan

Case Western Reserve University

New York University*

University of Minnesota

Colby College

Northeastern University*

University of New England*

Colorado College

The Ohio State University

University of New Hampshire*

Cornell University

Pepperdine University

University of Pittsburgh

Dean College

Purdue University

University of Rhode Island

DePauw University

Rhode Island School of Design

University of Rochester*

Duke University

Saint Anselm College

University of Stirling, UK

Elon University

Salisbury University

University of Toronto, Canada

Endicott College

Santa Clara University

University of Washington*

Florida Southern College

Southern New Hampshire University

University of Windsor, Canada

Franklin Pierce University

Stevenson University

Villanova University

The George Washington University

Suffolk University

Washington University in St. Louis

High Point University*

Syracuse University*

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Johnson & Wales University

Trinity College

Lawrence University

University at Albany, SUNY

Urbana-Champaign

* Multiple Students

Personal Journeys For so many Penguins, the journey through Cushing is pivotal. Whether finding inspiration, a belief in oneself, or forever friends, the time in Ashburnham yields a tremendous influence on what follows. Here two Penguins share about their personal journey.

“It really just made me realize that I want to do what I can to make their lives better.”

From Caretaker to Cushing Leader to Aspiring Nonprofit Founder Yenae Gebru ’23 Wins Full Scholarship to University of Rhode Island

hen Yenae Gebru ’23 was a little girl, adults commented on how mature she was, showing a gift for leadership, long before anyone would have called it that. Her twin brother, Yaacob, has nonverbal autism. Her older brother, Elijah, has Tourette syndrome and functional neurological disorder, where the brain doesn’t send information correctly to the rest of the body. From childhood, Gebru took responsibility for herself and also helped with her siblings. “Ever since I was able to bathe myself, use the microwave, and dress myself, I’ve kind of been my own caretaker,” she wrote in her college application. “By the time I was 10, I was helping prep meals and feed my twin brother while my mother would deal with Elijah’s behavioral tics.” Her experience growing up with siblings with disabilities has profoundly shaped her life and inspired her to develop a vision to give back. The next step on that road began this fall, when she enrolled at the University of Rhode Island as an Alfred J. Verrecchia Business Scholar. The program provides Gebru with a full scholarship, plus additional benefits as a student who has demonstrated academic and leadership abilities.

A Journey Through Cushing Gebru’s Cushing connection began years before she entered; her cousins are Mikala Malboeuf ’15 and Mollee Malboeuf ’19. As she grew up in Ayer, about 30 minutes west of Ashburnham, Gebru would come to campus to watch the older girls play basketball. It was a respite from life at home where she helped Yaacob eat, shower, use the bathroom, and get off the bus from school, communicating with him using an iPad-like device that speaks aloud. She also shared sweet moments,

Gebru is surrounded by her family during her signing day for the University of Rhode Island. FALL 2023

such as tickling his arm or jamming out to favorite music with him when she was driving him to medical appointments. “He likes the piano and we’ll just dance with him. We all have our own sort of relationship with him,” she says. The chance to attend Cushing meant more opportunities for Gebru to focus on herself. “I was sad leaving my family my freshman year, but I was kind of ready to have my own space,” she says. “I was ready to have my own light shine on me.” Still, being away from her family was tough. Gebru, who speaks openly of having struggled with anxiety and depression, missed them tremendously, and her mother came to visit regularly. Then COVID hit, sending everyone home for the final stretch of Gebru’s freshman year. She returned as a sophomore, facing new pandemic rules to keep the campus safe — no outside visitors and no weekend trips home. In addition to playing basketball and volleyball as she did freshman year, she added lacrosse in the spring. “I was doing as much as I could to keep myself active, and I ended up loving that,” she says. “I had so many friends that year that, even though it was most difficult for my anxiety — being away from my family — it was probably one of my favorite years.” Junior year was a time of internal growth. Facing surgery for a torn ligament in her right ankle, she stepped back from sports, which affected her mental health. But Gebru used the

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network of support she developed during the first two years at Cushing, especially turning to her advisor, Dr. Dalia Juarez, for support. “I definitely got closer with Dr. J. Without her I truly don’t know what I would have done,” Gebru says. “She was my rock junior year.” Senior year Gebru eyed a new challenge, running for president of the student body. She lost the election, but Student Activities Director Donny Connors saw her speech and was impressed. He invited her to be president of the Student Weekend Activity Team (SWAT), a role in which she thrived. “She really cared about the student body and wanted to make sure that everybody had something to do that they liked,” says Connors. The way Gebru embraced her role and led the community through SWAT was remarkable, says Juarez. “She takes those moments of what we would call failure — like losing the student body election — thinks about them, and says, ‘Okay, so what do I need to do next? How can I grow from this?’ I find that to be a really unique way of viewing oneself. Not many teenagers know how to carry and function through failures, and Yenae does that very well, while also being a leader to people her age, younger, and even older.”

“I’ve definitely evolved greatly due to the environment that Cushing gave me — the help I had. Dr. Juarez and Ms. Roller and Mr. Connors are my big three people that were by my side when things got hard, pushing me to be the best person possible. I truly don’t know what I would do without them.”

Heading to College, with a Foundation of Cushing Behind Her Those who have walked beside her the last four years feel confident that Gebru will grow even more in college. For years, she had her eyes on attending New York University, but after living through the COVID years and limitations on visiting her family, she began to think that staying closer to home would be better. With the help of Director of College Counseling Emily Roller, Gebru crafted a list of schools within two or three hours of home. When she visited the University of Rhode Island, she fell in love. “When I walked on campus, it had the exact community feel that I wanted,” she remembers. “Everyone was saying hi. Everyone had a smile on their face.” URI made Gebru’s college shortlist because of its outstanding program in nonprofit administration — winning the full-ride scholarship was an extra bonus. Roller was not surprised that URI saw what makes Gebru special. “I think a lot of young folks have great passion. She really has lived experience,” Roller says. “I can see why that was a compelling enough story to say, ‘Hey, I think this person’s worth a little bit more investigation.’ The core of everything that I think she’s drawn to is this underlying idea of giving voice or giving resources to those that don’t have them.” Gebru’s dream, inspired by her brothers, is to start an organization that provides support for children around the

Gebru chose Emily Roller, Dalia Juarez, and Donny Connors to cap her at Cushing’s Capping Ceremony.

world with disabilities who face barriers to diagnosis or treatment or inclusion. “It really just made me realize that I want to do what I can to make their lives better,” she says. “As a kid, I was like, ‘I can’t do anything right now, but when I’m older, I want to be able to help.’” She points to the support and encouragement she received at Cushing as pivotal in shaping her as a leader. “I’ve definitely evolved greatly due to the environment that Cushing gave me — the help I had,” Gebru says. “Dr. Juarez and Ms. Roller and Mr. Connors are my big three people that were by my side when things got hard, pushing me to be the best person possible. I truly don’t know what I would do without them.” Roller says the feeling is mutual. “Yenae gave as much to Cushing as she got — if not much more, in my opinion. So, I think it was a pretty great, symbiotic relationship.”

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Spencer Butterfield ’00 with his wife, Cary, and family. Above, images from the 1999 Junior Prom, which set the stage.

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From Bermuda to Ashburnham and Back Spencer Butterfield ’00 Approaches Life with Adventure and Purpose

he journey Spencer Butterfield ’00 has embraced follows a winding road. He began life on an island of pink-sand beaches, headed to New England, and then — with his curiosity as a guide — built an eclectic career out of his interests and passions. Along the way there are common themes. Butterfield is an adventurer, embracing what life presents, building each experience on the one that came before it. He centers his life around people and giving back, always looking for ways to inspire and serve others.

An Islander Makes New England Connections Butterfield was born and raised in Bermuda, a British island territory with a population of just more than 60,000. Cushing Academy wasn’t Butterfield’s first foray north. At age 13, he went to The Fessenden School, which he attended through ninth grade. He entered Cushing as a sophomore. What initially drew Butterfield to Cushing was snowboarding — a sport that remains a passion, but which he ended up pursuing only briefly here. Instead, when he got to Ashburnham, he found that he wanted to spend less time on Mount Wachusett and more time on campus, where he immersed himself in extracurricular activities and developing lifelong friendships. It is a theme that runs throughout Butterfield’s journey: the curious pursuit of an interest that generates a new experience that morphs into new connections and new directions. Like many Penguins, friendships were a cornerstone of Butterfield’s Cushing experience. On his first day, Butterfield met a Penguin who would change his life: John “Ship” Shipley ’00. Shipley, who now works for a craft brewing company in Florida, remembers their initial meeting vividly. “I went to

the dorm room, and he was there, with his turntables and his braided hair and a huge jacket and big baggy jeans,” says Shipley. “I was blown away. I was like, Who is this guy? Who am I living with? I couldn’t even understand him. He had such a deep island accent. I could not understand him at all — just a true island, reggae, DJ guy. We just kind of hit it off right away. We got along great.” Shipley and Butterfield roomed together for the remainder of their time at Cushing, and more than a quarter of a century later they remain the best of friends. “He’s still a really good friend. And I really cherish the relationship I have with him,” Butterfield says.

It is a theme that runs throughout Butterfield’s journey: the curious pursuit of an interest that generates a new experience that morphs into new connections and new directions.

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Another longtime Cushing friend is Che Santos ’99. Santos entered as a postgrad when Butterfield was a junior, so they only overlapped for a year, but the connection continued through years and distance. Today Santos is a police officer in Cambridge, MA, and whenever Butterfield is in the Northeast, the two connect. Most recently they attended a Boston CelticsMiami Heat game, betting against Shipley, the Floridian. At the end of junior year, Butterfield’s Journey brought him another major gift — an introduction to Cary, the woman who would become his wife. She was attending Ethel Walker School in Connecticut, and was a longtime family friend of Shipley’s. Shipley remembers saying, ‘Spencer, I’ve got the girl for you, man.’ The pair didn’t date then — each had a significant other at home at that time — but they did attend the Cushing junior prom together, and that set the stage for them to reconnect years later in Florida. Today the couple has three children, ages 15, 12, and 7.

In the Midst of a Broad-Ranging Career, a Journey Home Immediately after graduation, Butterfield attended Northeastern University. He enjoyed the opportunities for co-ops — where students take a term off and work in a business — but was attracted to explore other options.

“I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into a [business] major at that time,” he recalls. He took a break from college to pursue a passion for motocross and motor mechanics. Intending to return after a year, he attended Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Florida. This was the start of a pattern where Butterfield built a successful business and then leveraged the experience into something else. Butterfield began by buying and selling motorcycles. Next, he co-founded his own yacht donation company — a move that allowed him to tap into his strong belief in service. Donors received tax write-offs and he was able to use the donated yachts for short-term mission trips, delivering food, medical, and school supplies to the Bahamas. Along the way, Butterfield also found success investing in Florida’s then-booming commercial and residential real estate market. By 2007, Butterfield hit a decision point: his father was running Butterfield & Vallis, which was founded by Spencer’s great-grandfather in 1918. He asked Butterfield to return to Bermuda to join the company. The timing was fortuitous. “I had no idea what was coming with the implosion of the Florida real estate market,” says Butterfield. “That certainly wasn’t foresight, it was just coincidental — but I am grateful that we made the decision we did [to return to Bermuda] and that we weren’t involved in the turmoil that ensued with real estate in Florida.”

Butterfield and John “Ship” Shipley ’00 take in a view of campus from the top of the clock tower on the Main Building.

Butterfield attends a recent Celtics game with Aaron Santos ’06, Che Santos ’99, and his son. 50 C U S H I N G T O D A Y

Investing in Himself and Others Butterfield’s next big move involved timing that was a bit trickier. In February 2020, Butterfield, who by then was serving as CEO of Butterfield & Vallis, purchased a majority stake in the company — just a month before the COVID pandemic broke. “I thought I’d sunk myself in debt,” Butterfield says. “Because of COVID, we actually never got to have the celebratory dinner that I was going to host for our directors and attorneys.” But the company, which distributes food to hotels and restaurants that were hard-hit by pandemic restrictions, as well as to grocery stores, recovered quickly. “We’ve been able to adjust the business and make changes that were forced on us through COVID,” Butterfield says. Butterfield & Vallis, which employs around 200 people, is one of the largest businesses on the island, and Butterfield leads with a mindset of nurturing and seeking success for each person in the firm. His LinkedIn profile describes himself simply as “team member.” The Butterfields run a tight ship, with regular drug testing — making the company a safe haven for many who have gotten clean. More than 10 percent of staff are recovering addicts. “We are always looking for potential — seeking ways that an intern can get on a path forward to being a manager. As a company, what resources can we bring to bear to ensure that each person is developing and growing to reach their full potential?” says Butterfield. “And, of course, that strategy is good for the company, too.” Butterfield comes from a family with a legacy of generosity and has always been dedicated to giving back locally. His company website describes their focus as “distribution with a difference” — and the local newspaper is dotted with stories that demonstrate a commitment to the people of Bermuda. “He’s always kind of looked out for people and given back,” remembers Santos. “That’s him. He’s been doing that ever since he was a kid.” Joining the Cushing Academy Board of Trustees in 2023 (see sidebar) is a natural full-circle experience for the boy who got so much from his Cushing friends. “Cushing connected me with Ship — and Ship connected me with my wife,” Butterfield says. “I am so grateful to Cushing for all of those things that are important to me, and I’m excited to give back.”

Welcome to Our New Trustees Joining the Cushing Board of Trustees in 2023 are two Bermudians, Spencer Butterfield ’00 (see accompanying story) and George Thomas P ’24. Both men bring to the Board valued business acumen and a heart for giving back. Thomas is a global business executive with more than three decades of experience in investment banking, information technology, and internal audit. Today he is the global chief operating officer of XB Market Ventures, a firm led by pioneers of institutional electronic trading and financial technology investment, which develops digital asset market infrastructure solutions. Throughout his career he has worked at international powerhouses such as PwC, Citigroup, and General Electric. He has a long history of serving on corporate and nonprofit boards, including UNC’s Gillings School of Public Health. Thomas participated in a multi-year initiative to deliver a comprehensive Reform Plan to the Government of Bermuda. One additional area of expertise is cybersecurity and data privacy. Since 2017, Thomas has been a guest lecturer at Harvard Law School each semester, teaching cybersecurity within the context of corporate governance. “I am grateful for my child’s experience at Cushing and appreciative that I can give back by sharing my expertise,” says Thomas. Thomas has a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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PENGUIN

Nation FROM REUNIONS TO

Alumni Weekends In June I returned to campus for my 20th Reunion and it was an amazing experience. If you haven’t been back to Cushing recently, I highly encourage you to return!

GET INVOLVED!

Interested in learning more about the Cushing Alumni Council or opportunities to help build regional engagement? Reach out to Director of Alumni Relations Brett Torrey ’85 at brtorrey@cushing.org.

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I’m excited to share that moving forward, Reunion Weekends will become Alumni Weekends. Even though this may seem like a small shift, if my experience this summer is any indication, I completely understand why. It was great to meet with members of my class, but it was also a tremendously rewarding experience connecting with alums from different eras — like Janice (Abraham) Nelson ’74 and Frank Redd ’74, who were scouting the event for their upcoming 50th celebration — and former faculty. While Alumni Weekends will continue to celebrate classes with major milestone reunions (5, 10, 15, 25, 50, etc.), the hope is to create an annual event where you are likely to meet up with classmates from different years, make connections with Penguins from different eras, and want to return to Ashburnham again and again.

ALUMNI COUNCIL UPDATE Alumni Weekend is also when we hold our annual Alumni Council meeting, which is open to all alumni. As you can see by the list of new members in the sidebar, our Alumni Council is growing. One of the major goals that we expressed at our summer meeting is expanding the reach of our alumni network and getting more regional engagement going forward. Be on the lookout for more opportunities to connect with Penguin Nation in your neck of the woods. I can tell you from my experience working with the Alumni Council and meeting with alumni in Ashburnham and at other Cushing events that interest in connection is at an all-time high. It is so rewarding to reconnect — if you’ve been thinking about it, now is the time! Roll Pens!

ALUMNI COUNCIL MEMBERS Chelsea Cummings Koski ’03, Chair Elliott Ventura ’78, Vice-Chair Dean Boecher ’67 (new) Valerie Bono-Bunker ’97 Jack Casady ’15 (new) Matt DeFeo ’82 (new) Robin Lockwood Hall ’78, P’16 Kathleen Zimmerman Marlow ’99 Babs Marrone, ’70, P’11 (new) Hayley Moore ’04 David Nevins ’16 Mary O’Neill ’13 Hassan Robinson ’91 (new) Kurt Scanio ’92 (new) Kim White Sousa ’75, former faculty (new) Marina “Boo” Vernon ’07

Chelsea Cummings Koski ’03

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DEDICATED MEMBER OF LEGACY FAMILY AND ALUMNI COUNCIL HONORED

David Nickless ’70 Receives Thomas Parkman Cushing Alumni Service Award David Nickless ’70, P’02 has been a Penguin more or less since birth. His father, Richard, was Class of 1949 and his mother, Barbara, was Class of 1950. But Nickless never took his Cushing connection for granted. Instead, he has nurtured it. He has become a Penguin parent (his daughter Margaret ’02 followed in his footsteps at Cushing), has served on the Alumni Council, and has played a major role in bringing together alumni who graduated in the years near him. For that, Nickless was honored with this year’s Thomas Parkman Cushing Alumni Service Award. This recognition is presented annually at reunion to an alum who displays extraordinary commitment, dedication, passion, and service for Cushing

Academy and to the betterment of society. Director of Alumni Relations Brett Torrey ’85 says that Nickless distinguished himself by serving for the last five years as a member of the Alumni Council, including in the role of secretary. His professional expertise as a lawyer has been especially valued on the Council. As an added bonus, Nickless’s wife, Deborah Phillips, is practically an honorary alumna. The couple has hosted numerous gatherings for the Class of 1970 at their Fitchburg home over the years. “He’s dedicated. He’s straightforward and to the point,” Torrey said in announcing the award. “He’s loyal as the day is long — and it’s because he cares and wants to see our school be the best it can be.”

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S AV E T H E DAT E !

June 7–9 Alumni Weekend 2024

SCAN ME! See more of the 2023 recap and keep up to date with next year’s celebration.

WHY I GIVE

From Cushing to California FOREVER FRIENDSHIPS KEEP MATT ROUSSEAU ’82 CONNECTED

att Rousseau ’82 gives back to Cushing Academy because it gave the boy-next-door a launchpad to a successful career and lifelong relationships. Rousseau grew up in Gardner, just down the road from Ashburnham, and followed his brother, Mike ’80, to Cushing. “It was a decision that wasn’t easy, but it was really important. It was all based on the quality of people that I was able to meet during that process,” Rousseau says. “Faculty like Guy Bramble, Wayne Sanborn — all people who have made an impact, looking back on my life over the years.” Cushing also gave Rousseau two of his closest friends, Matt DeFeo ’82 and Matt Cone ’81. “We were the Matt Club in high school,” Rousseau says. “Rather immature, but we kept the brand. They’re lifelong friends. We text just about every week and I’m godfather to Colin, one of Matt DeFeo’s kids.” He counts many of his coaches as influential in his life. He wrestled under Paul Dowling and played baseball for another Gardner native, Wayne Hancock. “I knew Coach Hancock’s father and brother who was also a coach,” Rousseau says. “I have a lot of respect for the Hancock family.” In the 40 years since he graduated from Cushing, Rousseau graduated from the University of New Hampshire and got into the sales side of the technology business in Boston. Eventually he saw an opening in California and made the leap. “I never thought I was going to stay here the rest of my life, but it was something that felt really good,” he says. He married, had two children, who are now grown, and lives in the East Bay outside of San Francisco. For the past 10 years, Rousseau has run a sales team for VMware, which produces visualization software that makes cloud computing possible.

(Inset) From left to right: Matt DeFeo, Matt Rousseau, Matt Cone. Notably (and amusingly) the “Matt Club” was positioned in the yearbook between “Spanish Club” and “Korean Club.” (Above) The Matts revisiting Cushing’s campus.

“There is that giving back concept, to make it affordable for other kids. Cushing was only going to draw so many day students and so we were in our own special group, but I spent so much time at Cushing, people didn’t even realize I was a day student.” — M AT T R O U S S E AU ’ 82

When Rousseau reflects on his Cushing experience, he especially appreciates those who made it possible for him to enroll in the first place. “There is that giving back concept, to make it affordable for other kids,” he says. “Cushing was only going to draw so many day students and so we were in our own special group, but I spent so much time at Cushing, people didn’t even realize I was a day student.” The continuing contact keeps Rousseau connected despite living 3,000-plus miles away. “Our wrestling team went undefeated our senior year, and we recently honored Paul Dowling — and in preparation for that we got this group text going,” Rousseau says. “That was five years ago and we still keep that group text going. These are meaningful relationships to me. They had a big impact on my life. And quite honestly, they’re still active relationships for me. I still draw upon them, and I am still rooting for everybody.”

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Notes

CLASS

The sun broke in through the rain, bringing a rainbow to this waddle. See more about Reunion on page 52.

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Reimagining Realism (Ohio University Press). In July, I gave a

1945

paper at an international Henry James conference in Kyoto, after

Shirley (Foynes) HargravesBerl writes, “I have moved from Vermont to Durango, CO, with my grandson Coe, his wife, Whitney, and three great-grandchildren, Aris (7), Lillian (5), and Eve (3). Life goes on!”

1958 Ken Wheeler writes, “I’m sorry I missed the 65th reunion of the Class of ’58. However, Lynda and I had the opportunity to join a group of friends on a trip in early June that included five days in Rome, a seven-day cruise along the northern Mediterranean, and two days in Barcelona. It was an opportunity too good to pass up. The trip was both interesting and exciting with all the unforeseen twists and turns of my youthful travels. Despite the usual physical challenges of my age, I still play softball three days a week and pickleball three days a week. Thus, I was able to fully participate in all of the onshore activities. Although I know travel is becoming more difficult for most of us, I hope to see some of my classmates at a future reunion. Best wishes to all of you.”

1962

which my wife, Gina (whom I met at Cushing!), was able to join me for a week of travel in Japan. Still very much enjoying being another ‘Dr. J’!” Wally Bachmann ’69 and his friend met up with Thiravat Na Pombejara ’70 in Thailand.

1974 Atim George writes, “In addition to securing a Fulbright Specialist grant to pursue my project ‘Arts and Generative Leadership’ at Nigeria’s Lead City University, I have been awarded the Archie Green Fellowship from the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress, for my project ‘Playing the Angel’s Game: Perspectives of Black Foreign Service Women,’ where I will have the opportunity to interview Black Foreign Service workers and highlight their lives and the work that they do at home and abroad. More can be learned from the Library of Congress. I am also a recipient of the inaugural American Folklore Society’s Gerald L. Davis Project Pathway Award for my work on the life of the late President Dr. William R. Tolbert, Liberia’s 20th head of state. Learn more from the American Folklore Society at americanfolkloresociety.org.”

Susan (Stirling) Woody writes, “I’ve lived in Baltimore for the last 50 years. I recently lost my dear husband but keep busy reading, playing bridge, and spending time with grandchildren here and in Glen Cove, NY, when I visit.”

Notes

CLASS

1977 Chuck Johanningsmeier writes, “I was very pleased at the publication last December of a new anthology of American literature that I co-edited, entitled

1980 In May 2023, Hank Coyne was inducted into the Phoenixville Area High School Wall of Fame (PA). He was a dedicated teacher and coach for the school for 36 years and established the Wall of Fame in 2004 to recognize “the contributions of a diverse group of graduates, current or former employees, volunteers, and/or friends of the District.”

Class of 1985’s Charlie Thornton, Matt Kallas, Ed Cadogan, Pete Adeson, and Sam Roebuck reunited on Cape Cod for their annual weekend get-together.

1987 Shoji Hattori recently received the Officer of the Year Award for having exceptional teaching skills and dedication to the firearms training program at the Los Angeles Police Department. Shoji has been a full-time police officer with the LAPD since 2008 and is currently assigned to the Training Division, Firearms Training Section as a senior primary firearms instructor with a rank of Police Officer III.

Shoji Hattori ’87

1990 Sabina (Clifford) Widmann writes, “On June 21, 2023, I married Brian Henderson, who I met in 1991. We actually reconnected in 2019 through Facebook! We got married in front of 140 people at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse in San Diego.”

Sabina (Clifford) Widmann ’90

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1991 Doreen (Hobson) McPaul writes, “I have recently become a new member of the board of trustees for the Irish Cultural & Learning Foundation (ICLF). I’m super excited to volunteer my time to another worthy organization. I am very proud to be Navajo and Irish. The Irish Cultural Center in Arizona is a place where Irish culture and values are shared and celebrated. If you have

were not rewarding enough, in 2021 I was nominated and

Emily attended second grade in the village. Emily is now fluent

which was founded in 1982 by former President Jimmy Carter

selected for a Presidential Distinguished Service Award for

in French, and the two of them had too many adventures to list

and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with

the Irish Abroad in the category of charitable works. I got to

here. I was able to go back and forth from our home in Gilbert,

Emory, to advance peace and health worldwide. Emily works

travel to Dublin to receive the award from President Michael

AZ, several times and already miss the traveling. I am still with

with national and international media outlets to spotlight the

D. Higgins in December 2021. It was an incredible experience

the Mesa Police Department, where I am currently the Internal

human rights of some of the most marginalized people and

that I will never forget. Serving on the ICLF board of trustees is a

Affairs lieutenant and hope to be promoted to commander in

has been a link between highprofile Carter Center leadership

way of giving back, but also feels like I’m completing a circle and

the next year. Would love to hear from everyone at Kurtscanio@

and the media for more than two decades. Her recent projects

returning to a new beginning.”

icloud.com or (480) 283-3830. Hope all is well.”

have included high-profile

not been to the Irish Cultural Center — seriously, a castle in uptown Phoenix — you must check it out! I had the privilege of serving as the Navajo Nation Attorney General from January 2019 to January 2023. During the pandemic, I was tasked to oversee donation efforts, including a hugely successful collaboration with the Irish Cultural Center that generated much-needed supplies to assist the Navajo Nation. As if that

1992 Kurt Scanio writes, “This past year has been an amazing adventure for all of us. My wife, Julie, and our daughter, Emily (8), were able to live in our family home in Gy, Switzerland (near Geneva) from August 2022 to July 2023. Julie was still able to work for IBM from there while

Events

1994 In April 2023, Emily (Howard) Staub received the Award of Distinction from Emory University, which recognizes employees for their outstanding contributions to the Emory community. Emily currently serves as associate director of The Carter Center,

Emily (Howard) Staub ’94

UPCOMING

The coming year brings more remarkable opportunities for Penguin Nation to gather together. Keep up to date on all Cushing events: cushing.org/events > April 25 Cushing Day of Giving/Tony Fisher Day The Cushing Day of Giving is an opportunity for families, friends, and alumni from all over the world to help support the people and programs that make us Cushing by donating directly to the Academy. Be on the lookout for more details about how we are celebrating this year in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of Tony Fisher Day.

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> May 25 149th Commencement We are excited to celebrate the graduating Class of 2024. > June 7–9 Cushing Academy Alumni Weekend While we are especially celebrating class years ending in 4 and 9, all alumni are welcome! > July 15 Golf Tournament Our 11th Annual Cushing Academy Golf Tournament will once again be held at the beautiful Ridge Club in Sandwich, MA. For additional information, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Advancement Office at (978) 827-7400.

WHY I GIVE

Two Years at Cushing that Changed Her Life JOHANNA CHANIN ’79 REMEMBERS BELONGING, AN EXPANDED PERSPECTIVE, AND THE IRANIAN REVOLUTION

or a girl raised in a small city in Georgia, the most transformative thing about getting an education at Cushing Academy was the exposure to so many different people with radically different experiences. Johanna Chanin ’79 recalls that during her senior year the Shah of Iran was overthrown, leaving the lives of her Iranian classmates drastically changed. “To know students who were living in one world and then, a month later, facing a completely different reality. Their country was in a full-blown revolution,” Chanin recalls. Chanin also remembers classmates from Saudi Arabia and South Korea and throughout the United States. “What I loved was being in another part of the country from where I’d grown up and being exposed to students from all over the U.S. and, of course, outside the U.S.,” she says. “It was just incredible to be on a campus that was so inclusive.” Chanin arrived at Cushing for her junior and senior years, largely to take advantage of better educational opportunities than those offered in her public high school at home. “It turned out to be a wonderful experience in every way. As you can imagine, in the years and decades since then, I’ve been part of many, many different kinds of communities, but never elsewhere have I felt so immediately part of a community and so welcome. That is an abiding memory of Cushing — that instant sense of belongingness,” she says. Chanin’s experience was so positive that her sister Rebecca Chanin ’85 followed her to Ashburnham. After graduation, Chanin earned her bachelor’s degree from Boston College and then moved to Washington, D.C. She attended law school at George Washington University and spent several decades practicing law, getting married,

and raising two daughters. She retired five years ago to focus on supporting local and national organizations. Chanin sits on several boards, leading one and serving on the executive committees of two others. She gives to Cushing because of the impact just two years there has had on her life. “I had teachers and mentors, including coaches and dorm parents, who substantially influenced the way that my life developed from that point forward. They really were just extraordinary people. I can’t think of anything more significant to creating a good life than having wonderful influences during such formative years,” she says. As someone who has done legal work for colleges, universities, and independent schools over the years, she has real insight into the fact that tuition alone does not cover the cost of education. “As a matter of where I like to give money and support, Cushing is not a hard choice for me. It’s one that I feel strongly about and I feel it uses its resources wisely.”

“I’ve been part of many, many different kinds of communities, but never elsewhere have I felt so immediately part of a community and so welcome. That is an abiding memory of Cushing — that instant sense of belongingness.” —J O H A N N A C H A N I N ’ 7 9

FALL 2023

PENGUIN N AT I O N

fundraising efforts including The Center’s semifinalist bid for the MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change Competition to eliminate river blindness from the world’s most endemic country, as well as the soon-tobe released (2023) documentary on South Sudan’s epic Guinea worm eradication journey. Emily’s photographs are routinely used to depict the beauty, dignity, and circumstances of the people The Carter Center serves.

1996 Jay Philbin Hockey Development was founded to help growing athletes maximize their potential on and off the ice. Hockey camps are held in Newburyport and on the North Shore of Massachusetts and focus on fundamental power skating, high-speed puck handling and scoring, small area/ battle games, and off-ice speed, agility, balance, mobility, strength and explosiveness training. Learn more at jayphilbinhockey.com.

1999 Kim (Vallone) Bourque writes, “I have been married for 22 years and reside in Hampstead, NH. My daughter, Kyla ’20, will be a senior at Union College this fall majoring in political science and minoring in law; she also plays on the women’s lacrosse team. My son, Braydon (Pinkerton Academy ’22), will be a sophomore at Rivier University studying health science and will play on the men’s lacrosse team. My husband, Scott, and I enjoy hanging out at our lake and attending our kids’ games. I also joined a professional women’s

C U S H I N G TO D AY

SEND US YOUR

News!

Please send your news, notes, and photos to be included in the next issue of Cushing Today. Professional milestones, family news, fun facts, mini CA reunions — let your fellow Penguins know what you’ve been up to! Email your submissions to alumni@cushing.org. Be sure to include your full name and class year! Join the Penguin Nation Facebook group by searching for “Cushing Academy Penguin Nation” or visiting facebook.com/groups/CAPenguinNation. Request to join, a member of our Advancement Team will approve, and you’ll be in touch with almost 3,000 other members of Penguin Nation.

tackle football team this past year, the NH Rebellion, as the quarterback. We play in Division 3 of the WFA, and I was one of two women on my team chosen as an All-American.”

more about Farmer’s Fridge and to find a location, visit www.farmersfridge.com.

2004

Conor Sheary signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in July 2023. He had 37 points (15 goals and 22 assists) in 82 games for the Washington Capitals last season.

Farmer’s Fridge, founded by Luke Saunders, is now available at 45+ Costco stores in the Midwest, in addition to current availability in 500 fridges in airports, hospitals, office buildings, and more across the United States. To learn

2010

2012 Katherine (Lavenue) Morrow and her husband, Christopher, welcomed their daughter Charlotte Ann on June 11, 2023. Congratulations!

Kim (Vallone) Bourque ’99

Connor Leggett ’13

Katherine (Lavenue) Morrow ’12

2013 Connor Leggett married Melissa Boudreau in Ocala, FL, in May 2023. His groomsmen included good friends and classmates Tim Lemieux, Brian Sjoblom, and Phil Young.

Notes

CLASS

Anny Nguyen ’13

WELCOME TO THE

Congratulations to Anny Nguyen, who married Thanh Phan on June 12, 2023. Richey Boyd ’14

2014

WEDDINGS Sabina (Clifford) Widmann ’90 and Brian Henderson June 21, 2023

Richey Boyd and his bride, Tatum, married in April 2023 with many CA friends in attendance!

Connor Leggett ’13 and Melissa Boudreau May 2023

2015

Anny Nguyen ’13 and Thanh Phan June 12, 2023

Congratulations to Jack Casady and his wife, Emily, who welcomed their daughter Lucy Marie on January 24, 2023! Brooke Stadler married Jerett Watnick at Villa Erba in Lake Como, Italy, in June 2023!

Brooke Stadler ’15

Richey Boyd ’14 and Tatum Geary April 2023 Brooke Stadler ’15 and Jerett Watnick June 2023

2018 Eric Ulery writes, “I’ve been living in Arizona for the past three years and attending flight school with the hope of flying private jets someday. I am currently working on instructor ratings and starting to teach some. I plan to go to Florida this winter and fly seaplanes for float

Waddle!

BIRTHS Charlotte Ann to Katherine (Lavenue) Morrow ’12 and Christopher Morrow June 11, 2023.

Eric Ulery ’18

Lucy Marie to Emily and Jack Casady ’15 January 24, 2023

FALL 2023

PENGUIN N AT I O N

In Memoriam Here we include the names of those whose passing we have learned of as of August 21, 2023. We extend our deepest sympathies to their families, classmates, and friends.

Summer Session 2023 alumni interns pictured with Director of Alumni Relations Brett Torrey ’85 include: (back row) Breanna Wilson ’19, Karabo Muhammad ’21, Michael Bertin ’21, Rachelel Wu ’20, (front row) Lily Stone ’22, Matthew Bertin ’22, Zahira Branch ’22 and Lily Riley ’22

1942

1958

Barbara Hall Coffin

Jane Wilbur Brown

1949

1964

Suzanne Poore Davis

Noreene Flynn Sneed

Janet M. Loring Jane Bailey Strete

1950 Mary Downer Barrett Edward D. Dilorenzo

1966 Joseph Adams III

1969 Peter E. Natti

certifications. I had a great time hosting my uncle Brett Torrey ’85

Hill-Chauncy Hall School as a teaching fellow in the fall, but

and his family in my hometown of Thorne Bay, AK, for a week of

I’m certain I will be back for Summer Session 2024!”

family fun and my mom’s recent wedding. Shout out to all from the Class of 2018 and hope to see you at our 10th reunion!”

2020 Rachelle Wu writes, “This

2019 Breanna Wilson writes, “I have always loved Cushing! Starting when I was 8 years old, I would help my mom out in the Business Office at times and attended Summer Session during junior high before attending Cushing for four years. During college, I worked in the bookstore on the weekends. I recently graduated from Assumption College, majoring in mathematics and minoring in education. This is my second Summer Session working as a teaching assistant. I will be heading off to Chapel

C U S H I N G TO D AY

1951 Richard B. Durgin Joan Clark Frost

1985 John P. Moynihan

1952

2001

Jennifer Stace

Henry R. Breckenridge

1953

2006

Paul F. Manning

Robert W. Delehanty

summer has been a fantastic experience for me. In total, I did two hands-on internships. I did my first internship in North Carolina for a camp based on the Autism Society called Camp Royall. This internship helped me understand people who are on the autism spectrum and learn how to supervise and take care of them. The second internship I did was right here in the Summer Session Office at Cushing Academy. I know hands-on the other side of things and how everything runs as a faculty and what it feels like to be a teacher.”

2021 Cooper Caiozzo is doing well and enjoying his time at Bentley University. He sends his best to faculty member Beth Stone P’19, ’22, the “best high school advisor out there!”

After working in Cushing’s Maintenance Department this past year, Kiernan Wilson will start training in the fall with the United States Army Special Forces. Much like his sister, Breanna ’19, Kiernan grew up on campus, attending Summer Session and then Cushing for two years. We wish Kiernan all the best!

Discover the

power

of Cushing Academy

this summer

3-week Session:

June 30–July 20, 2024 5-week Session:

June 30–August 2, 2024 Grades 6–12 Academic + Enrichment Programs Boarding and Day Options Available

cushing.org/summer

Be a part of the change. Cushing Academy students are following in the footsteps of graduates from years past and actively preparing to transform the world through academic studies, community service, and the teamwork of athletics and the arts. Your donation goes directly to equip students to change the world, both now and in the future. Be a part of the change. Support the Cushing Academy Annual Fund.

Give to Cushing Academy Today. W W W.C U S H I N G .O R G / G I V E

FALL 2023

CUSHING ACADEMY

Annual Report 2022–23

66 C U S H I N G T O D A Y

FALL 2023

ANNUAL REPORT

You Make the Difference DEAR FELLOW PENGUINS, It is with great pleasure that we extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for making this past year an unprecedented success in philanthropy. It is our honor to announce that the 2023 fiscal year signifies a remarkable achievement for our community, as we have raised a record-breaking $1.6 million through our Annual Fund campaign. This tremendous accomplishment is a testament to the unwavering dedication and belief that our alumni, families, and friends have in the transformative power of a Cushing education. Your generosity has not only surpassed expectations, but has set a new standard for the impact we can collectively create. Furthermore, we are delighted to share that your philanthropic spirit has reverberated far beyond the Annual Fund, encompassing a grand total of over $3 million in support. Your generosity has touched our endowment, campus programs, and initiatives that enrich the holistic educational experience we offer to our students. Your commitment to our shared vision is shaping the present and future of Cushing Academy, empowering us to provide unparalleled opportunities for growth, learning, and excellence. This success is not merely measured in numbers, but in the lives that are transformed, the dreams that are realized, and the potential that is unleashed because of your dedication. Your contributions have laid the foundation for a brighter tomorrow, fostering an environment where innovation thrives, and where each student is given the chance to excel. As we reflect on this extraordinary journey, we recognize that this achievement would not have been possible without the collaborative spirit that defines the Cushing community. It is your trust, support, and belief in our mission that inspire us to continue pushing the boundaries of educational excellence. In the coming year, we look forward to building upon this momentum, channeling your generosity into even more transformative opportunities for our students, faculty, and campus. Your continued partnership empowers us to shape the future leaders, thinkers, and change-makers of the world. Once again, thank you for your remarkable commitment and support. Together, we are elevating Cushing Academy to new heights, and together, we will continue to transform lives and inspire greatness. With deep gratitude and enthusiasm,

Joseph Marzilli Chair, Board of Trustees

68 C U S H I N G T O D A Y

Randy R. Bertin, Ed.D. Head of School

Dana E. Barnes ’83 Chair, Advancement Committee, Board of Trustees

2022–23 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Joseph Marzilli, Chair and Treasurer Melissa Irving Christensen ’00, Vice-Chair M. Elizabeth Akers P’10, ’13, ’17 Dana E. Barnes ’83 Randy R. Bertin, Ed.D, P ’21, ’22, ’24, ’25, Head of School, ex officio Ken Fei-Fu Chang ’92, P’22 Douglas A. Cramer ’83 Richard S. Lapidus Kristine Pelletier Kimberly Sweeney Samson P’16, ’19 Matt G. Siegel ’82

ALUMNI COUNCIL Chelsea Cummings Koski ’03, Chair Elliot Q. Ventura ’78, Vice-Chair David M. Nickless ’70, P’02, Secretary Valerie A. Bono-Bunker ’97 Robin Lockwood Hall ’78, P’16 Kathleen Zimmerman Marlow ’99 Hayley M. Moore ’04 David H. Nevins ’16 Mary M. O’Neill ’13 Damon B. Tyson ’86 Marina G. Vernon ’07

INTEREST EXPENSE $0.5M

ANCILLARY SERVICES $0.6M

31%

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS $10.3M

14%

FACILITY MAINTENANCE $4.8M

Expenses

19%

GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE $6.4M

14%

DEPRECIATION EXPENSE $4.6M

19%

FINANCIAL AID $6.2M

Philanthropy Is Essential

$33.4 M

TOTAL EXPENSES

92%

At Cushing, philanthropy is essential, as it empowers us to address diverse needs and shape a brighter future. It’s not just about financial contributions; it’s about you directly impacting our students and the global educational landscape. Your belief in Cushing’s significance fuels positive change, making great things possible.

TUITION $29.6M

Revenues

IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, CUSHING’S TOTAL PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT EQUALED $3.5M.

FEES & OTHER $2.5M

$32.1 M

TOTAL REVENUE

FALL 2023

ANNUAL REPORT

Cushing Annual Fund The Cushing Academy Annual Fund remains the single most impactful way our alumni, parents, and friends can make a difference in the life of the Academy and our students. Annual Fund gifts are unrestricted and can be spent where the need is greatest to maximize the immediate impact on today’s students, faculty, and programs, while also offering the flexibility to take advantage of emerging opportunities and respond to unanticipated needs and challenges.

CUSHING ANNUAL FUND DOLLARS-RAISED SUMMARY

$0.61M $0.82M $1.32M FY17

FY18

$1,606,660 TOTAL RAISED

FY19

FIRST-TIME DONORS

23%

OF DONORS INCREASED THEIR GIVING 70

C U S H I N G TO D AY

$1.33M

$1.46M

$1.61M

FY20

FY21

FY22

FY23

$1,523 AVERAGE GIFT SIZE

Cushing Annual Fund Summary

217

$1.52M

1,055

TOTAL DONORS

SCAN ME! See the complete 2023 Cushing Academy Donor List.

Day of Giving On April 25, 2023, Penguins came together in support of the place where it all began. It was not a coincidence that our 3rd Annual Day of Giving was also World Penguin Day! Over a span of 1,865 minutes, more than 500 members of the Cushing community joined forces to celebrate the multitude of unique journeys — past and present — of growth and self-discovery at Cushing. Thank you for supporting the 385 young people at Cushing whose journeys are just beginning!

$320,054 TOTAL RAISED

SH I NG U C DAY OF

576

TOTAL DONORS (131% OF GOAL!)

GIVING Top 5 Classes

22%

NEW DONORS

BY # OF DONORS

1985 • 29 DONORS 1969 • 25 DONORS 2013 • 15 DONORS 1991 • 9 DONORS 1986 & 2016 • 8 DONORS

A PRIL 2 5

DONORS FROM

AUSTRIA MEXICO BERMUDA RWANDA BRAZIL SAINT BARTHELEMY CANADA SAUDI ARABIA CHINA SOUTH KOREA ENGLAND SWITZERLAND HONG KONG TAIWAN INDONESIA THAILAND JAPAN UNITED STATES LEBANON VIETNAM FALL 2023

W H AT AM I?

What am I? ANSWER: In memory of M. Anthony “Tony” Fisher ’69, Trustee Emeritus Don Irving P’00 created a clock and donated it to Cushing Academy, where it has found a home in the lobby of the Emily Fisher Landau Center for the Visual Arts. The clock is built of cherry and features a seashell inlay. “I had always been fascinated by a clock of my grandmother’s that had been brought over from Scotland,” says Irving. “I knew that Tony always enjoyed his annual golf trip to Scotland, so I decided to base his clock around that Scottish design. It’s not easy to personalize a clock, but I chose some subtle design elements that carried a memory of Tony. I used a seashell inlay, for example, because we often visited Tony’s home on Martha’s Vineyard.” The inscription Non sibi sed aliis translates to “Not for himself, but for others,” which Irving says fitted Fisher perfectly. —Text adapted from Cushing Yesterday & Today, 2016

C U S H I N G TO D AY

Add your legacy to the

Cushing Story

Thomas Parkman Cushing created his legacy when he founded Cushing Academy over

150 years ago. Through his last will and testament, he expressed his desire to establish a school for “rising and future generations.” Because of that gesture, his story lives on in the generations of students that followed, their lives transformed by their education at Cushing. When you include Cushing Academy in your long-term plans, you add to that story and create your own legacy.

Be a part of our story. For inquiries and details please contact Greg Pollard, Director of Advancement grpollard@cushing.org or (978) 827-7400

CUSHING ACADEMY

39 School Street Ashburnham, MA 01430 www.cushing.org

Address Service Requested

2023 RUST CUP CHAMPIONS! Varsity B boys’ ice hockey capped a great 18–4–3 season with a 3–2 victory over Avon Old Farms to claim the 2023 Rust Cup trophy. “Our players’ commitment to learning and improving not only led to an impressive record, but also helped set a new standard for competitiveness on Varsity B,” says Head Coach Dan Fontas ’98, P’26, who helped lead the team to the championship in his second season coaching at Cushing.