Derby Magazine Spring/Summer 2019

SPRING // SUMMER 2019

GRACE GALKO ’14 DISCOVERS JOY IN MEDICINE • MODEL UN CLUB AT THE UNITED NATIONS • DERBY DAY 2019

1985

THEN // NOW

DERBY ACADEMY is a co-educational, Pre-Kindergarten through

Grade 8 school that nurtures the development of the child by providing opportunities for the maximum intellectual, emotional, and physical growth of each student. That mission is as important now as it was three centuries ago.

2019

CONTENTS // IN THIS ISSUE

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Joe Perry reflects on the close of the academic year and how Derby students are prepared for success in an interdependent world.

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CAMPUS NEWS

Campus is buzzing with performances, guest speakers, and community events.

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EARTH WEEK

Derby expands its sustainability efforts and explores innovative ways to reduce waste.

10 MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS

FEATURES

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JOY RIDE Grace Galko ’14 returns to the South Shore to aid the greater community as an emergency medical technician.

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Upper School students shine in the spotlight with performances of Godspell and Aladdin.

22 LAST CHAPEL & DERBY DAY 2019

The School celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of 2019.

38 CLASS NOTES

See what our alumni are up to—from college and career news, to birth and wedding announcements.

THE WORLD STAGE Members of Derby’s Model UN Club present at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City.

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HEAD OF SCHOOL Joseph J. Perry, Jr. COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Connor Gleason COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATES Colleen D’Alessandro Christina Young Tessier PRINTER Fowler Printing & Graphics

Please send letters to the editor, class notes, obituaries, and changes of address to: DERBY ACADEMY 56 Burditt Avenue Hingham, MA 02043 781-749-0746 (ext. 210) alums@derbyacademy.org Cover: Grace Galko ’14

FOLLOW DERBY ON SOCIAL /derbyacademy @derbyacademy @derby.academy /derbyacademyorg

WITH EVERY GRADUATION, I’m

reminded of just how much our children have grown into young adults, ready to rise to the occasion and take their first steps into a larger world.

Our students are becoming global changemakers and as they continue down their educational path, they realize that their actions locally are setting the foundation for global change and the ability to make a difference.

In just the last few months, so much has happened at Derby. The School went “green” for our first Earth Week, expanding on our themes of sustainability and living cleaner, healthier lives. We asked our community to think about the small actions we can take to create change, not just on the local level, but also the global level. Our Model UN Club traveled to NYC and shared ideas on climate change resolutions and sustainable development at the United Nations headquarters alongside thousands of students from around the world.

We also connected with Derby alumna Grace Galko ’14 who provides medical care to our extended community as

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an EMT, and truly embodies Derby’s motto: “Improve Both Mind and Heart.”

Our students are thinking beyond themselves, beyond their town borders, and engaging and aiding others to make a difference. Derby prepares students to succeed in an increasingly interdependent, global community. Our recent graduates of the Class of 2019 are leaving Derby with a real sense of their role in the world and we are so excited to see what they will accomplish.

The success of our students has been a direct result of the encouragement and guidance from so many of our dedicated community members.

The support you give makes all the difference in the world.

I hope your summers have been relaxing and productive. While I encourage all of you to continue to expand your horizons, know you’ll always have a place back here at Derby.

Joseph J. Perry, Jr. P’17,’19,’26 Head of School

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018-2019

PRESIDENT Paul D. Scanlon P’16,’18

VICE PRESIDENT Lori W. Cashman P’19,’19,’22,’22,’23

TREASURER Hugh M. Kelly P’19

SECRETARY Christie O’Connor P’16,’18,’21

TRUSTEES Michelle M. Buckley ’94, P’26 John Drew P’20,’21,’25,’25 Robert R. Fawcett, Jr. P’18,’19,’21 Kate Finnerty (Ex-officio) (PA Rep) P’23,’28 Caroline Curtis Hayes ’99 Jean M. Jones P’95,’97 Mark K. Jones P’14,’17 Pamela B. Marshman P’15,’20 Kristen Maxwell P’17,’18,’20 Metri R. Metri P’16,’17,’18,’21 Jennifer Lowe Newell ’90 Suzanne Norris P’22,’25,’28 Joseph J. Perry, Jr. (Ex-officio) (Head of School) P’17,’19,’26 Jay K. Sadlon P’92,’96 Leigh King Schwartz P’12,’14,’17,’18

TRUSTEES EMERITI Jane Cheever Carr ’50, P’75,’77,’79,’82, GP’03,’05 Harry W. Healey, Jr. P’72,’73,’74,’75,’77,’79,’86 Patricia B. Leggat P’85 Elizabeth M. Loring P’97,’99,’01 Bruce H. Minevitz P’00,’04

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PAWS & CLAWS ABOVE, “Delilah” from Dog Bones Dog Therapy curled up with Middle School students in early spring to enjoy an endless supply of pats and scratches behind the ears as students read aloud.

BELOW, licensed raptor

rehabilitator Jim Parks, of Wingmasters, introduced students to a 33-year-old female red-tailed hawk during an Earth Week presentation on threatened animals. The Massachusetts-based group is dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of North American birds of prey. Read more about Derby’s Earth Week activities on page 8.

VISITING VOICES

STORY BOOKS

THIS SPRING, artist and illustrator

Mike Weymouth P’84,’86,’91, GP’24 worked with students in the Lower School to create picture books and discuss the relationship between stories and images.

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MOTHERLY MELODIES

MAMASTEPH, aka Stephanie

Chase, performed on campus, sharing her stories from her work on the South Shore as an accomplished musician, singer, and songwriter.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

COMMUNICATING through an

interpreter, Jaimi Lard—who is blind and deaf—addressed overcoming obstacles and living with a disability. As an advocate for people with deafblindness, she defines her world more by her ingenuity, than by her disability.

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Chess

JOIN THE CLUB A NUMBER of new clubs came to campus this spring: The Chess Club introduced students in Grades 4–8 to knights, kings, and queens, while conversational Spanish clubs had students across divisions saying “hola!” Grade 3 students learned more about Chinese language, culture, and customs in the new Mandarin Club.

Mandarin 6

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Conversational Spanish

CLASS ACT

MUSIC, dancing, singing, comedy...

The Talent Show had a little of everything as students shared their amazing talents with the Derby community this April.

ARTISTIC EVENING

THE VISUAL and performing

arts took center-stage during Arts Night this May. Inspiring paintings, ceramics, and wood and sewing projects adorned the Roy Campus Center, while musical performances filled the Larson Hall stage with creative expression and talent.

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“

DERBY GOES GREEN FOR EARTH WEEK Students stepped forward and really looked into how much impact even small efforts can make

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”

DERBY HELD its first annual, all-school Earth Week this spring, bringing together faculty and students to expand recycling efforts and explore innovative ways to reduce waste.

The week-long event was introduced by the School’s announcement of receiving the Bronze Award by the National Wildlife Federation’s Eco-School USA for Derby’s efforts in sustainability. The recognition is the result of the School’s waste audit and subsequent action plans, the creation of sustainability clubs in both the Middle and Upper Schools, and on-campus recycling and composting efforts that are saving 76 pounds of food waste from entering a landfill and producing 16 pounds of recycling—every school day.

“We’re very proud of how students stepped forward and really looked into how much impact even small efforts can make,” said Derby Sustainability Club Chair Anne Benjamin. “We have come a long way by composting at lunch, reducing individual waste at snack time, and improving environmental awareness and recycling efforts on campus.”

“The Bronze Award is a show of the Derby community’s commitment to sustainability,” said Derby Environmental Education Coordinator and Upper School Sustainability Club Co-Advisor David Kleberg. “This is just the start! Earth Week connected student enthusiasm with simple, but significant actions they can take.”

With days like Mother Earth Monday and Turn it Off Tuesday, each day of Earth Week focused on a sustainability theme and challenged the community to make impactful, straightforward actions to help the environment.

Students designed solar ovens to learn more about alternative energy.

Morning Meeting presentations on water consumption, threatened biomes, and ways to reuse materials shed light on the challenges and solutions for sustainability. Beans were planted in the gardens as students learned about cultivating healthy crops, and recycled materials were collected as the campus grew its appreciation for the environment.

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A BEAUTIFUL CITY

STUDENTS enlightened audiences with the vision and music of Godspell in March.

“This is a story about love, compassion, and good will,” said Director Shawn Verrier.

“Costumes were picked by the students, who embraced the challenge of creating their own authentic characters onstage.” Intricate lighting effects and interactions with the audience created a transformative experience. John Bernatavicious ’19 and Nikhil Rich ’20 accompanied the live band, playing an integral role with the rock and lyrical hip-hop music.

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A FRIEND LIKE ME GRADE 6 students took audience members to “A Whole New World” with

the musical production of Aladdin in May. With dazzling media effects, magic carpet rides, and classic songs, students delivered an exceptional performance.

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COOL RUNNINGS DESPITE the rain and cold, runners

crossed the finish line with a smile at Derby’s second 5K Race and Fun Run in May. Cheers of support from the sidelines lifted spirits as families and friends ran the streets of Hingham during the fun and healthy community event. Congratulations to Josh Bergers ’18 (pictured right) on his second consecutive win of the 5K race!

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FIELD OF DREAMS

IT WAS THE ANNUAL clash of the Derbies, Toppers, Lights, and Darks as

students went head-to-head during Field Day this June. After a day of fierce competition, the Derbies and the Lights captured the wins!

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JOY RIDE

GRACE GALKO ‘14 returns home for summer break to work as an emergency medical technician, combining her passions for medicine and helping others.

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W

HILE SOME COLLEGE

students return home for summer break to wait tables, catch up on sleep, or watch over beaches as lifeguards, Derby alumna Grace Galko ’14 is in the back of an ambulance finishing a 12-hour shift.

At Clemson University, Galko is on the pre-med track as a sophomore studying biology and genetics, and is planning to enter medical school upon graduation.

As a transfer emergency medical technician (EMT) at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Galko serves as a critical link between health care systems, transporting and providing medical care to patients as they move to and from medical facilities to receive treatment. While riding in the back of

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an ambulance, Galko typically works with geriatric, psychiatric, or cancer patients and is responsible for taking vitals, stabilizing, and overseeing their care to and from the hospital. Her responsibility as an EMT runs much deeper than just numbers or science; Galko often finds herself connecting with her patients during their transport, listening to their life stories, providing emotional support, and uncovering the human side of medicine in the process.

Galko can trace some of the critical principles she values today as an EMT back to her time at Derby, particularly noting how the faculty supported her curiosity and desire to learn. “The faculty treat you like a real person,” she

says. “They value you and treat you with the maturity that helped me realize, ‘My ideas are valuable, and therefore I should keep thinking.’”

Unlike the large class sizes she experienced at public school before coming to campus, Galko’s teachers at Derby were able to provide notable attention to their students, where they fostered individual creativity and motivated them to think outside the box to make connections across subjects. But what Galko remembers most was feeling admired and believed in by her teachers—the impact of which she still feels today. “Something that I value a lot in my life is being respected, and giving people respect,” she says. “I thought it was nice that they respected and encouraged their students.”

Now as an EMT, Galko has passed that respect on to her patients—and has earned their respect in return. “I got into EMT work because I love medicine and biology,” she explains, “but I also love it because the people I work with are phenomenal…I didn’t realize how it can make you feel. They brighten my day. Honestly, it’s humanizing what I do.”

Sometimes, Galko explains, the patients don’t even realize that she’s there, especially if they are suffering from mental confusion or disorientation as a result of a medical condition.

Nevertheless, the 19-year-old still feels that it’s “such a joy” to sit beside them and provide support, even when some can’t grasp the awareness of her presence. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ll hold your hand. That’s totally fine with me. You keep talking.’ I have heard so many crazy life stories in the back of an ambulance...it’s really an honor.”

“

I DIDN’T REALIZE HOW IT CAN MAKE YOU FEEL. (MY PATIENTS) BRIGHTEN MY DAY...

IT’S HUMANIZING WHAT I DO.

”

It’s not just the patients with whom Galko practices respect; she’s also earned the respect and admiration of her predominately male coworkers, many of whom are much older than she.

“A lot of the time it’s easy to see me as really young in the business, because I work with a lot of older guys,” Galko

explains, adding that at 19, she’s entrusted with a considerable amount of responsibility—people’s lives are literally on the line. “I respect my coworkers tremendously, and they respect me.”

But working as an EMT is certainly no easy feat; Galko always has to be at her best when her patients are, understandably, at their worst. “A lot of times it gets worse at night,” she says, recalling a recent experience caring for a patient with dementia, and another who had suffered a stroke.

“It’s definitely scary, but I don’t panic... you have to stay calm in a lot of challenging situations.”

Despite the unnerving aspects of her job, Galko wouldn’t change anything about it. She originally got into medicine because she loves biology, but it has become more than that to her.

Through real-world experience, Galko now views the field in a more threedimensional way, opening her mind and heart to the stories and personalities that come with each patient—many of whom grew up in Hingham, just like her. “Coming back to Hingham to help people and give back to my town, that’s phenomenal,” she explains. “I didn’t go into it thinking about that, and so now that I get the chance to give back, it’s really cool.”

When Galko isn’t in an ambulance, you might find her on the water, serving as coxswain and coach at Hingham Maritime Center, as well as coxing the men’s club crew team at Clemson. Previously, Galko rowed on the women’s team for Hingham High

School, but due to suffering a broken ankle, she transitioned to coxing. Now, she hasn’t just earned the respect of her EMT coworkers, but also her crew, where she’s responsible for directing her team.

Galko’s passion for helping others and giving back was instilled at an early age at Derby. “In such a small encouraging community, there’s a real push for leadership,” she says. “I feel like you can see every individual very clearly there. That was a really big thing for me…The faculty is always watching in an encouraging way. They genuinely believe in you.”

From here, Galko’s path is only getting brighter. With goals of one day becoming a neonatologist, she aspires to continue blending the science and humanity of the medical world. “I want to do the academic side of it,” she says, adding that being an EMT has changed her perspective of medicine entirely. “I also want to do something with patient care, because that’s become more important to me after doing this…I honestly take such joy in some of my patients. They’re wonderful.”

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THE WORLD STAGE

DERBY’S MODEL UN CLUB PRESENTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS IN LATE MARCH, Derby Model UN

Club members attended the Change the World International Model UN 2019 Conference, a three-day event at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City.

Joined by more than three-thousand middle and high school colleagues from around the globe, the conference was an immersive experience for Derby’s Grade 7 and 8 students to solve global problems in the same arena as UN ambassadors.

The event tasked students to adopt the role of diplomats and discuss the issues of climate change and renewable energy as a means of sustainable development.

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sessions to form the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, one group of Derby Middle School students worked to create resolutions that would provide renewable and realistic energy sources for nations to adopt. Another group of Derby students participated at the high school level to discuss sustainable development in post-conflict areas.

“It was an authentic, engaging learning experience,” said Michael Bowler, director of teaching and learning and Model UN Club advisor at Derby.

“They got to be in the place where global diplomacy happens, and with this year being the 30th anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down, it’s appropriate the students are breaking

down barriers, and are coming together to communicate and accomplish a common solution.”

Representing their nations on the global stage to present, defend, and debate strategies, students worked alongside their international peers.

As delegates, students adopted the socio-political affairs of their nations, balancing their personal beliefs, and presenting their research to their fellow ambassadors and committee chairs. Language and cultural barriers, time restrictions, and professional decorum mirrored the actual forum and proceedings of the United Nations.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will treasure forever,” said Tochi Anuonyemere ’19, who represented Thailand at the conference. “How many kids can say they presented SPRING // SUMMER 2019

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at the UN? It was a great opportunity to try to leave my mark and do something positive.”

Representing Bulgaria, Charlotte Wolford ’19 enjoyed working with the international students during the event.

“We could see all sides of a position.

Our different experiences brought different perspectives, and we learned that by working together, we could find a new solution.”

For their outstanding efforts, Grade 7 student Nikhil Rich and Grade 8 student James Peng won Best Position Paper, while Grade 8 students Tanner Burnett and Eliza Farley received the Delegate Award, which recognized the best delegate in the room, as voted on by their peers.

The club’s conference at the United Nations was not its first dive into diplomacy. Since the club began in 2012 when then-Grade 7 student Helena Jensen ’13 suggested the School take more interest in international affairs, Derby’s Model UN Club has grown its participation and merit to a significant level. Regular appearances at conferences in Boston and surrounding areas often result in students returning to campus with esteemed awards and recognitions. In the last three years alone, students have won 46 awards at conferences competing against student-diplomats from the Park School, Charles River School, Milton Academy, and the Roxbury Latin School, among others.

“In education, authentic experiences like this go deeper and make more of an impact,” added Bowler. “In a diverse, global world, Model UN clubs like Derby’s help students respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views and understanding.”

The benefits of the club expand the scope of what is learned in classrooms.

Students develop negotiation strategies and improve their public speaking skills so they can confidently lead and collaborate, all the while acquainting students with current global issues.

The experience is unscripted, so students must sharpen their interpersonal skills and react to changes and challenges in the moment to be successful. During this process, students shift how they view themselves and begin to see themselves as part of a larger global community.

They become more empathetic and become the future leaders and global changemakers.

In the fall, students attended the Global Leadership Conference at Suffolk Law School, addressing a malaria pandemic alongside nearly 200 other students from 15 area-schools. Derby took home three Best Delegate awards for their performance—the highest award given.

Last December, students were invited to participate in a special conference at Northeastern University, reserved for the top delegates from each school.

The “crisis” conference paired delegates with students from other schools to represent members of the European Union. Delegates reacted in real-time to aggressive actions as Belarus sought to join the European Union. Trew Strong ’19 and Connor Steele ’20 earned Best Negotiator awards for their diplomatic roles in their committee.

Whether presenting at the local or global level, Derby’s Model UN Club continues to broaden the definition of what students view as their community, preparing students for the future in a unique way and expanding the horizons of what students thought was possible.

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LAST CHAPEL

HEAD OF SCHOOL JOE PERRY addressed

guests in Larson Hall as Last Chapel commemorated the close of the academic year and celebrated the academic, athletic, and artistic excellence, and social responsibility of the graduating Grade 8 class.

Head of PS/LS Scot Chandler and faculty member Mary Ellen Olson shared humorous anecdotes, fond memories, and words of wisdom with students, and Sophia Fawcett ’19 announced the Grade 8 class gift of creating an outdoor classroom space and improving access to Broad Cove.

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LAST CHAPEL AWARDS Elvira Butterworth Prize for History Charlotte Wolford ’19

Susan Feins ’85 Prize for Excellence in Science Trew Strong ’19

Francis Ranieri Mathematics Award Rahina Abubakar ’19

Wheelwright Family Prize in English Jessica Fisher ’19

Michael J. Connelly Latin Prize Tanner Burnett ’19

Martignetti Prize in Modern Languages ABOVE, ELIZA SADHWANI ’19 delivered the

Grade 8 Address, reflecting on her classmates, her time at Derby, as well as the important lessons of facing one’s fears, welcoming change, and finding motivation to overcome challenges.

“Fear has held me in its grip so many times in my life that I finally decided to hold it in my grasp and use it to motivate me instead,” she said.

“Positive thinking, hard work, perseverance, and self-discovery can help us overcome (fear).

Challenges can actually push us and help us to achieve our goals. For most of us, Derby is a safe harbor, a place we felt happy and where we have overcome most of our lives’ challenges. And now, it’s time for us to go. The unknown of high school and the future are so exciting, but, of course, with that excitement comes fear. We do not need to fear change. We do not need to fear challenges.

We do not need to fear the unknown...I encourage not only my graduating class, but also all of you to remember this to help you succeed in the next chapter of your life: Persevere, be creative, think positively, step out of your comfort zone, do something that you fear and lean on the people who care about you, because that is the Class of 2019 recipe for success.”

AJ Cashman ’19 Henry Synnestvedt ’19

Coyle-Driscoll Art Prize Jackson Landy ’19

Zildjian Music Award John Bernatavicius ’19

E. Brooks Robbins Coaches Award Hockey Coach Ted Anastos P’13,’15,’19

Edward R. Foley Citizenship Prize Kevin Farmer ’20

Susan Feins Award Eliza Sadhwani ’19

Grade 8 Spirit Awards Leighton Kelly ’19 Jessica Fisher ’19

Spirit Team Recognition Amelia Compson ’19 Eliza Farley ‘19 Ty Cashman ’19 Calder Perry ’19 SPRING // SUMMER 2019

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DERBY DAY

THE HALF-MILE WALK DOWN Fearing Road

is filled with smiles, cheers, and excitement as one journey ends and another begins. The 228th Derby Day celebrated the Derby community and leading the way were parade marshals Jessica Fisher and AJ Cashman, the two academically top-ranked Grade 8 students.

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SONGS LIKE “I Can Sing a Rainbow,” “Walk a Mile,” and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” showcased the musical talent of Derby students and faculty as the Derby community filled McKelvey Gym during the morning’s Choral Concert.

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AFTER A REMARKABLE 22-year career

at Derby, John Houghton announced his retirement. As a history teacher, a division head, and associate head of school, John has been an integral part of Derby; instrumental in honoring the traditions of the School, while at the same time incorporating more project-based learning opportunities and developing original programs for students and faculty.

On Derby Day, a special tribute by faculty member Aileen Nalen shared stories from the community and reminisced about John’s time at Derby: “It is fitting that Derby’s motto is “Improve Both Mind and Heart,” because as he has cared deeply for the whole child, John has worked simultaneously to inspire a love of learning and an appreciation for history through his carefully scaffolded lessons tailored to both stretch students’ thinking and meet their needs as varied learners. John’s effective leadership, high standards, and professionalism earned him the respect of the full Derby community. He embodies the values of excellence and hard work.”

Head of School Joe Perry announced the renovation and naming of the Middle School quad in John’s honor, reflecting on John’s influence on Derby’s culture, curriculum, and community. “He has been the soil that has helped so many students plant roots and allowed them to grow toward their potential. John has provided the nutrients, guidance, boundaries, and space for our students to play and prosper. His holding the reins of our Middle and Upper School for over two decades has helped create the Derby we are today.” Congratulations, John!

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A FAVORITE longstanding Derby

Academy tradition, the procession makes its way toward New North Church to commemorate the graduating class.

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HEAD OF SCHOOL Joe Perry offered

opening remarks at New North Church, congratulating students, and asking that they hold onto the relationships and memories they’ve created while at Derby.

“You will always have this time and this comfort to look back on and draw strength from, however, today marks a new beginning; a time when you step forth and break out of your comfort zone,” Mr. Perry said. “To grow and experience your own path. Your time, to walk at your own pace. Your time, to 32

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follow your own compass. Your time, to set your own destination. You are ready. You are prepared. You know right from wrong. You know healthy from unhealthy. You can lead. You can follow.

You can dance. You can skip. You will fall. You will soar. You are ready.”

Derby Academy’s two highest awards, the Madam Sarah Derby Pin and the Academy Pin, are presented to a girl and boy from the eighth grade who most nearly embody the values of the Derby community through demonstrated effort, interest and

positive contributions in academics, arts, athletics, and extracurricular activities. This year, Elizabeth McDougall received the Madam Sarah Derby Pin and John Cronin received the Academy Pin. First awarded in 1987, the Waters Prize was established to honor former Headmaster Thomas Waters who presided over Derby Academy from 1968 to 1984. This year, faculty member Ali Moore was awarded the Thomas J. Waters Prize for excellence in teaching.

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“

DEDICATE YOUR MINDS AND YOUR HEARTS TO FINDING THAT GLORY IN EACH PERSON AND YOU WILL INDEED MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

THE REV. JENNIE BARRETT SIEGAL, senior pastor at Old

South Union Church in Weymouth, delivered the Derby Lecture, congratulating the graduates on their successes at Derby and offering advice as they continue on their educational journeys: “Your words are powerful. Use them for good. Derby Academy graduates, that is the opportunity and the challenge that you will have, not just as you leave this place and go on to high school, that is the opportunity and the challenge that you will have as you live the rest of your life. Your words are powerful. Use them for good,” Rev. Siegal said.

“You have been challenged to grow as students, with brilliant minds and as people with caring hearts. And now you get to carry your mind and your hearts out into the world, a world 34

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that is in desperate need of people who are both intelligent and kind. Because with minds and hearts connected you can use your words to do incredible good in the world. With minds and hearts connected, you can use your words to speak goodness and love into a world that is too often filled with hatred and division. You can use your words to call forth justice and peace from a world too often focused on oppression and violence. You can use your words to build up the dignity of all people in a world too often focused on tearing people down. Words are such powerful things. And you, you can use your words to do such incredible good.”

She concluded by advising the graduates: “Dedicate your minds and your hearts to finding that glory in each person and you will indeed make this world a better place.”

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MATRICULATION

CLASS OF 2019 Boston College High School

Noble and Greenough School

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School

Northfield Mount Hermon School

Dexter Southfield

Norwell High School

Duxbury High School

Scituate High School

Hingham High School

South Shore Charter Public School

Holderness School

St. George’s School

Middlesex School

Tabor Academy

Milton Academy

Thayer Academy

Newton Country Day School

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MATRICULATION

CLASS OF 2015 Babson College

Furman University

University of Illinois

Boston College

Harvard University

University of Miami

Boston University

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

The University of Notre Dame

Bryant University

Loyola Marymount University

University of Oregon

Cornell University

Providence College

University of St. Andrews—Scotland

Dartmouth College

Sacred Heart University

University of Tampa

Dickinson University

Savannah College of Art & Design

University of Utah

Drexel University

Syracuse University

University of Vermont

Duke University

Texas Christian University

Vanderbilt University

Elon University

Trinity College Dublin—Ireland

Washington and Lee University

Fairfield University

Tulane University

Whitman College

Fordham University

United States Naval Academy

Williams College

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A LU M N I

CLASS NOTES

1940s MARJORIE DEAN BURGARD ’47

writes: “I graduated in 1947. I am a world-class senior rower and now live at the Village of Duxbury. I enjoy rowing, painting, and writing.”

1970s GAIL BLEAKIE MIDDENDORF ’73

writes: “We’ve sold our very old Victorian house and moved into a very new carriage townhome. It’s only a few minutes from our old house. Our oldest, Blake (28), is getting married in October and we’re thrilled. They’ll live in Wilmington, DE where Blake is a police officer. Our youngest, Wesley (26), lives in New York City and is loving life in the big city. We get up to Cohasset fairly often and in April we celebrated the 99th birthday of my mom, Eleanor Gleason Bleakie ’37.”

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1950s THERE WAS A LOT of talk about Derby in late May as siblings

(l-r) Amy Sylvester Katoh ’55, Susan Sylvester Kaloustian ’51, and Albert (Ky) Sylvester ’49 gathered for a “crawfish boil” in Sylva, NC. Amy was visiting from Tokyo, Japan and Susan had flown in from San Diego.

AMANDA TRIPP HAYES ’96

and Ryan Hayes welcomed Heath Vincent Hayes on May 10, 2019.

SCOTT SADLON ’96 and

Jessica Ludy welcomed Lucia Sadlon on February 25, 2019.

1990s Early last spring, BRYAN GAUTREAU ’94 was admitted into Hingham High School’s Hall of Fame for being a four-year varsity player in both ice hockey and lacrosse. Bryan continued to play Division 1 lacrosse at Fairfield University. In his senior year, he was selected to participate in the famous English Lacrosse program in Manchester, England, where he coached three lacrosse teams. Bryan and his wife, Kristen, have three children: Luke, Kylie, and Kameron.

Pictured (l-r): Bryan Gautreau ’94, former faculty and coach Brooks Robbins P’82,’84, and Corey Zahner ’94.

MONIQUE DYMENT WOHLGEMUTH ’96 and

Mark Wohlgemuth welcomed Hazel Everly Wohlgemuth on December 23, 2018.

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CENTER ICE

DERBY LACED UP for the annual Walter Sullivan Alumni Family Hockey

Game this February. Members of the Derby community met at center ice for some friendly competition and fun at the rink!

GEOFF McWILLIAMS ’98 and Ali McWilliams welcomed Lily

Marie McWilliams on May 31, 2019.

KATE ZAHNER ’96 and Jerry

Cadorette welcomed Zavien Cadorette on January 28, 2019. He joins big brother Zach, age 5.

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Congratulations to JASON RILEY ’98 on his marriage to Bailey James on April 13, 2018 in Lexington, KY. The happy couple celebrated the birth of their daughter, Bennett Kathryn (Bennie Kate) Riley, on March 21, 2019 in Carmel, IN.

Pictured (l-r): Lily Mulcahy ’02, Megan Mulcahy ’99, and Colin Mulcahy ’06.

CAROLINE CURTIS HAYES ’99

and Pat Hayes welcomed Josephine (Josie) Carolina Hayes on May 5, 2019.

GARDNER LORING ’99 and Martha Loring welcomed Nina Elizabeth Loring on May 26, 2019. Nina joins big sisters (l-r): Rosie (3 ½) and Aldie (almost 6).

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LISA NAHILL ’00 married Paul

Rabinovich on June 9, 2019 in Canton, MA.

PAMELA WESSLING ’99 and

Jason DeRosa welcomed Camilla Chace DeRosa on May 25, 2018.

KATE LEWIS YALNIZ ’00 married Ozan Yalniz on July 14, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey.

2000s

NATALIE CURTIS LAUREN CAHILL DAVIS ’00

and Will Davis welcomed Bennett Henry Davis on May 14, 2019.

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THORNE ’01 and Nate Thorne welcomed Curtis Yates Thorne on January 9, 2019.

DOWNTOWN CROSSING DERBY ALUMNI, faculty, and friends gathered for an after-work reception in downtown Boston this April to reconnect and raise a glass with classmates.

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SAYRE McAULIFFE CIRIELLO ’02 and Rob

Ciriello welcomed Lilah Margaret Ciriello on February 6, 2019.

FUN IN THE SCRUM

ALUMNI from the classes of

2001–2019 returned to campus for the annual Alumni Rugby Game this June. Cheers from the sidelines supported the former classmates and teammates as they reunited for a fun afternoon on the pitch.

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SOLANGE CONNOLLY ’03

and John Jannetty welcomed Onelia Maria Jannetty on March 31, 2019.

MARGARET PILCZAK FALLON ’03 just completed her second year as a medical

resident in pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital and has been selected to serve as chief resident in pediatrics at Massachusetts General for the 2020–2021 academic year. Maggie graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 2006, Harvard College in 2010, and Harvard Medical School in 2017. She currently resides in Boston with her husband Doug, their one-year-old son Kenneth Martin, and their dog “Rory.”

MEGAN DALY MULKERN ’05 and Lucas Mulkern welcomed Mackenzie Claire

Mulkern on February 20, 2019.

Pictured (l-r): Family members Patti Daly, Megan Mulkern ’05 with Mackenzie, Marissa Daly ’07, and Derby Athletic Director Paul Daly after Last Chapel.

Have you been following EVAN GIIA? Better known to the Derby and Hingham community as EMMY GIARUSSO ’06, the Brooklyn-based, Berklee College of Music alumna, and electronic vocalist has already established herself as a force to be reckoned with. The BBC Radio 1 backed single, “Heat of the Moment” amassed over 1.5 million plays across streaming platforms, followed by the Hype Machine #1 single, “Brave.” In 2018, Emmy released tracks on well-known record labels like Warner Music and ODESZA’S Foreign Family Collective. Classically trained in opera, Emmy’s voice adds a unique touch to her indie/pop/ electronic sound.

REBECCA NAHILL ’05 is engaged to Christopher Michael. A late summer

WILLIAM OLIVER ’06 is back

wedding is planned.

pursuing his theatre dreams in the New England area. After several productions in local community theatres (such as The Company Theatre and the Hingham Civic Music Theatre), he is starring as Corny Collins in Hairspray at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, Rhode Island the last two weekends in August.

Congratulations to MARY DIPESA ’06 who recently launched her ALOOSE company in Los Angeles, CA. As its owner and clothing designer, her mission is to make better clothes and less waste by launching a sustainable, ethically-focused women’s clothing line featuring two pieces, made right. “An ode to timeless style and quality craftsmanship, our designs are beautiful and created to last. We challenge consumers to think differently about their purchases. We ask: how long will you own the next item that you purchase? And we invite you to join the slow fashion movement and change the way we consume. The ALOOSE woman is informed but hopeful. Cool but cares. And mindfully picks clothes that can last a lifetime.”

SAMMY SEARS ’06 is engaged to Jeff Agnew. A spring wedding is planned.

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MARK SETIAN ’07, who is currently serving in the Army,

CHARLIE CLINTON ’15 took a leave of absence from

recently became a Green Beret in the United States Army Special Forces. Thank you for your service, Mark!

Exeter after his freshman year to pursue professional ballet training—a passion he discovered because of his dance/ theatre teacher at Derby. He received a full scholarship from one of the best men’s training programs in New York City and accelerated his high school education to graduate a semester early. He was accepted to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, Pace University’s School of Performing Arts, and UMass Boston. However, he will defer college to be part of the studio company of Sarasota Ballet, for which he signed a contract in March.

2010s ALY CLINTON ’12 graduated cum laude from Exeter and is now double majoring in ASL/English interpreting and theatre at Northeastern University with a minor in psychology. She is also working in the Division of Genetics at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

EMILY BARRON ‘12

DERBY ALUMNA Emily Barron ’12 returned to Derby’s Primary

and Lower School to observe and assist the students and faculty as part of a work study opportunity at Boston College. “It feels good to be back,” said Emily, who supported the Pre-K through Grade 1 classes this spring. “The feel is still the same; the whole community is welcoming and trying to make it all about the kids.”

Emily is going into her senior year at BC, majoring in applied psychology and human development and hopes to enter a graduate program that focuses on early childhood or elementary education.

“A lot of what I’m reading and writing about during the school year is what I’m actually seeing happening here in real time. You’ll be reading about a developmental theory or teaching model, but when you see it play out in the classroom, it’s really interesting.”

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Five Derby alumni from the CLASS OF 2015 were inducted into Noble and Greenough School’s Cum Laude Society before their graduation in late May. Pictured (l-r): Lily Farden (Harvard), Nick Bern (Williams), Cali Bianchi (Harvard), Desmond Herzfelder (Harvard) and Ben Fernando (Dartmouth).

Early last spring, LILY FARDEN ’15 was honored with numerous awards after wrapping up her exceptional career with the Noble and Greenough School’s girls hockey team. She was named the New England Prep School Athletic Conference Division 1 Player of The Year and Most Valuable Player of the Independent School League for the 2018–19 season. She was also honored as a First Team All-New England and First Team All-ISL defenseman for the third year in a row. The Boston Bruins also chose Lily as the female recipient for their annual John Carlton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the outstanding male and female high school hockey player in Massachusetts who combines exceptional hockey skills with academic excellence. During the 2018–19 hockey season, Lily helped lead her Nobles squad to the ISL title and the NEPSAC championship game, where they failed to defend their NEPSAC crown against Kent School. In her four years at Nobles, Lily amassed over 100 points, winning three ISL banners and two NEPSAC Division 1 Championships. For the past two years, she has been a USA Today Preseason All-American, an All-USA Girls Hockey Player of the Year Finalist and a member of the American Family Insurance All-USA Girls Hockey Team. She was a two-sport captain and was a three-sport varsity athlete for four years at Nobles in field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse. In addition to her success on the ice, Lily has received many accolades in field hockey; being named First Team All-ISL in 2016, 2017, and 2018 and First Team All-NEPSAC in 2017 and 2018. Lily also excelled in the classroom earning Highest Academic Distinction at Nobles for four consecutive years. Lily will continue to play ice hockey at Harvard University.

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LIZZIE JACOBSON ‘15 DERBY LIFER and alumna Lizzie Jacobson ’15 returned to

the Pre-K classroom this trimester as part of a work study program at Hingham High School. Lizzie will be studying education at Sacred Heart University in the fall, and she jumped at the chance to return to the Primary and Lower School for some real-world classroom experience.

“I’ve always loved the whole community feeling at Derby,” said Lizzie, who is assisting with day-to-day activities in the classroom. “I’m really able to see why a certain lesson plan works or learn how to best address an individual child’s needs.”

Lizzie credits the students for her interest in early childhood education. “At Derby, they constantly want to absorb the material. The students here are open to anything and eager to learn.”

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It’s like taking a trip down memory lane for Lizzie, who is studying under Sandra Loud, her former Pre-K teacher. “The rooms are still vibrant, a lot of my favorite traditions, like the Mystery Box, have stayed. It’s so nice to see familiar faces like Mr. Condrick and Ms. Nalen, but it’s also satisfying to meet the new teachers, who are so perfect for their job.”

“I spent ten years here,” Lizzie said. “I had a long time to make relationships with teachers and friends, and when you do leave, you’re like ‘When can I go back?’ Everyone in the Lower School has been so welcoming to me.”

As she begins her freshmen year, Lizzie will be taking a wealth of knowledge with her, from implementing curriculum, to how to communicate with parents, to honing her classroom management skills. “The individualized attention, the amount of heart the teachers give to these kids—you can’t compare it to anything else.”

HARRISON HU ’17 was named an All-Scholastic All Star for

boys track by The Boston Globe. Harrison just finished his sophomore year at Boston College High School.

FACULTY Former faculty member RUSS PAULIN and his wife have built an “energy-neutral” home in Scituate. Russ taught math and coached boys athletics at Derby in the mid-70s.

Faculty member SIYI YE married Zhichuang Sun on May 18, 2019. In attendance were Derby faculty members: Pictured: Back row (l-r): Alison Moore, Thalia McMillion, and Susan Ploss.

Middle row (l-r): Lauren Brooks, Lynn Cornell, Annie Peterman, and Michael Bowler.

Front row (l-r): Mary Ellen Olson, Alice McWilliams, Kathleen Malone, Siyi Ye and her husband, Zhichuang Sun, Lorena Kavande, and Anne Benjamin.

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SAVE THE DATE

FALL FAIR

PARENTS & ALUMNI Are you getting multiple Derby magazines?

Please visit www.derbyacademy.org/update to send us your correct mailing address and contact information.

FOOD, RIDES, & FAMILY FUN!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5

Engagements, births, marriages, or job news? Send us news and photos of the events in your lives! We want to hear about it and so do your classmates!

DERBYACADEMY.ORG/FALLFAIR

Email Derby at: alums@derbyacademy.org

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IN MEMORIAM Pictured: Laura Wheelwright Farnsworth ’48 front row, second from the right, with classmates in the mid-40s.

1948

LAURA WHEELWRIGHT FARNSWORTH ’48 was born June 6, 1931 in Boston

and passed away March 22, 2019. Laura was predeceased by her sister, Mary “Mimi” Wheelwright Cifaldo ’47, and her brother, Charlie Wheelwright ’45.

Laura grew up in Cohasset, attended Derby, and led an active life from an early age, with passions for gardening, sailing, hiking, and sports. Laura graduated from Connecticut College in 1953 with a BA in Fine Arts. After returning to Boston and working for several years, she married Sidney Farnsworth on March 15, 1958.

Laura remained active throughout her life, instilling a love of nature and sport in all members of her family. She taught her family to ski, play tennis, identify birds, animals, trees, and flowers, and led the way on summer vacations in the mountains and lakes of New Hampshire. While raising her family, Laura learned to play squash and rose to a top 20 nationally ranked amateur in the early 1970’s. She was excellent at everything she focused her energies on: sports, gardening, fundraising for her alma maters, cooking, knitting, sewing, and of course, parenting. Laura served as president of the Women’s Squash Racquet Association, was actively engaged in the Wellesley Unitarian and Congregational churches, as well as the Wellesley Garden Club. Laura was also a passionate participant and volunteer for many years at the Boston Flower and Garden Show. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Sidney, her three sons, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

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brother Richardson White ’47, sons and granddaughters, and predeceased by his brother, Frank H. White ’50.

Born to Richardson White and Cornelia Hallowell White in Boston, he was raised in Cohasset. His father was a Harvard-educated sculptor, gentleman farmer, and Mayflower descendant. His mother was a Quaker and descendant of suffragette Lucretia A. Mott.

1950

DONALD WHITE ’50, of Philadelphia,

an internationally known archaeologist at the University of Pennsylvania and curator of the Penn Museum’s Mediterranean section, died November 21, at the age of 83 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Starting in 1973, Donald spent three decades teaching and inspiring students in a classroom in West Philadelphia and on archaeological digs halfway around the world. He held the titles of professor of classical archaeology and curator-in-charge of the museum’s Mediterranean collection before retiring in January 2004. As an explorer of the past in Libya or Egypt, Donald was larger than life, said his son, Arthur. Because of that, he was often typecast as Indiana Jones and nothing could have irritated Donald more.

“He hated the notion of Indiana Jones because he thought Indiana Jones stole antiquities,” his son said. “But sometimes Donald was a dashing and really handsome man. At Penn he would wear suits and ties. In the field, he had a funny hat that he wore. My mom went with him on all the excavations.”

Donald is survived by his wife, Joan,

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predeceased her in 1999. The couple made their home in Hingham, but spent summer stretches in their camp on Lake Champlain in upstate New York.

She belonged to two luncheon groups of retired Derby teachers, and also to a French speaking group. Edie was active in the Garden Club of Hingham, and in the Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist. She taught sewing and history at Derby Academy for 17 years from 1970–1987, and until the time of her passing, Edie was Derby’s oldest known living faculty member. Friends and strangers may remember Edie best of all as the lady who perched on a stool outside her Main Street home on the Fourth of July with a huge American flag that covered the entire front of the house, ringing a cowbell to spur Fourth of July runners to the finish line. So for many, she came to be known simply as “The Flag Lady.” Last fall, Derby spoke with Edie about her family’s time as students at Old Derby. To hear her story, visit www.derbyacademy.org/history

FORMER FACULTY MEMBER EDITH GRAY EARLE P’63,’65,’67,’67,’68,’77

passed away April 26, 2019, at the age of 96. Born in Boston in 1922, “Edie” was raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, but spent almost equal time in Hingham, especially during the summer months.

She also spent many childhood summer months on Lake Champlain at a French language camp for girls, L’Ecole de Champlain. After graduating from the Kent Place School in Summit, New Jersey, Edie matriculated at Wellesley College, from which she graduated in 1944. Having majored in zoology and minored in biology, she then went to work in a Boston hospital laboratory where she worked with blood samples and tested food for pathogens. Edie married Roger Rushmore Earle, who

We are saddened to learn of the recent passing of alumna Eleanor Gleason Bleakie ’37.

Mrs. Bleakie was not only believed to be our oldest living alum, she was a beloved fixture in the Cohasset community and a loyal supporter of Derby.

A full tribute will appear in the next issue of the Derby Academy Magazine.

MIND // HEART

“IMPROVE BOTH MIND AND HEART” is woven into every fiber of the Derby experience—from the science labs where students extract DNA from strawberries, to the spotlight of the Larson Hall stage where Kindergarteners make a splash with The Rainbow Fish.

56 burditt avenue hingham, ma 02043 address service requested

Parents: If this issue is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of the updated mailing address by contacting us at alums@derbyacademy.org