Bulletin Board | Spring/Summer 2006

bulletin board Spring/Summer 2006

Inside

efs faculty profile

Christine Cooke learning along

Aquarium of Niagara efs alumna

Katie Wilton ’85

For Alumni, Families, and Friends of Elmwood Franklin School

www.elmwoodfranklin.org

The Bulletin Board is published twice a year by the Development Office for alumni, families, and friends of Elmwood Franklin School.

Julie Raynsford, Director of Development Editor/Writer: Sally Jarzab, Communications Coordinator Design and Layout: Rebecca Murak, Development Associate Elmwood Franklin School is Western New York’s oldest pre-primary through eighth grade independent school, emphasizing high academic achievement, good study skills, and positive character development. Elmwood Franklin accepts qualified students without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.

Corrections: Bridget Baird’s ’81 first name was misspelled in the Alumni News section of the Fall/Winter 2005-2006 issue.

board of trustees

alumni council

2006-2007

2006-2007

Alice Jacobs, President Philipp L. Rimmler, Vice President James Gately, Treasurer Grace Walsh Munschauer ’70, Secretary

Stephen Kellogg, Jr. ’77, President Joshua Bruzgul ’88, Vice President

George Bellows Steven Biltekoff Matthew Enstice Annette Fitch Robert Glenning Arthur Glick ’71 Michael Hogan Alison Keane George Kermis Seymour Knox IV ’69 Andrea Kuettel Madeline Ambrus Lillie ’64 Eric Lipke Elizabeth Duryea Maloney ’70 Teresa Miller Gail Mitchell Trini Ross

Amy Decillis Bard ’86 Gitti Barrell ’71 Kristin Schoellkopf Borowiak ’82 Missy Kennedy Cleary ’72 Elizabeth Wettlaufer Cox ’79 Kary Fronk ’91 Charles Hahn ’68 Susie Lenahan Kimberly ’64 Madeline Ambrus Lillie ’64 Joshua Lippes ’93 Kim Rich Lupkin ’80 Elizabeth Duryea Maloney ’70 Howard Saperston III ’85 Mary Franklin Saperston ’60

contents FEATURES 3

thinking beyond Learning from a Master: the EFS community bids a fond farewell to Keith W. Frome

5

efs welcomes EFS welcomes a new headmaster, board president and trustees

9

efs graduates Class of 2006

12 commencement speaker Bill Gisel ’62 (Gr. 4) 17 alumna profile Katie Wilton’85 13 faculty profile Christine Cooke 15 thinking beyond The role of theatre at EFS 7

parent council speaker series Parents & Perfection and Limit-Setting Made Simple

21 learning along Learn with the EFS first graders at the Aquarium of Niagara 26 student perspective Personal History 29 efs sports

DEPARTMENTS 1

from the headmaster

33 from development 20 names in the news

23 day to day 27 news of note 28 names in the news 34 alumni update 35 alumni news

The 5 th transp /6h grade m orted audien usical Peter Pa ces to Never n land.

from the

headmaster Dear Elmwood Franklin Community:

In November of 1996, Elmwood Franklin entered my bloodstream. For nearly 10 years now, I have lived the EFS way and not a day (or even a minute) has gone by when I have not thought about our school in regard to its present state and its future prospects. During the winter of 1996 and the spring of 1997, I kept a diary of my preparation to become a headmaster for the first time and to move my family to Buffalo. I read through this diary the other day and found it remarkable just how far our school has come in a little less than a decade. I take no ownership of this progress; I am just happy and proud to have been part of a team of trustees, teachers, generous donors, administrators, staff members, parents and children who knew that Elmwood Franklin could move to the next level.

EFS has always been a great educational institution carefully tended by loving trustees and professionals. Ten years ago we were ready to advance to a new level. Consider the following. In 1996-1997, • We had enrolled only 276 students for the 1997-1998 school year; • Our teacher salaries were far below the median for Buffalo public school teachers; • We did not have an admissions director or office, nor did we have a marketing plan; • Our student body did not reflect the rich diversity of Western New York; • Our name recognition was the lowest among the independent schools in the Buffalo area; • Our Upper School was a rabbit’s warren of disconnected rooms; • The Upper School life sciences lab was too small for experiments; • Our theatre did not seat the whole school and had no air conditioning; its lack of technology hampered dramaturgical innovation; • Our playground equipment was made of wood and outdated; • The library held only a Lower School collection of books and materials; • We had only two computers in the library, both of which were disabled; • We did not have email or Internet service or voicemail; • All report cards were hand written; • The teachers did not have phones in their rooms; • We did not have a receptionist at the front door;

1

• • • • •

We did not have a nurse; We did not have a whole-school math coordinator; Interscholastic sports did not start until 7th grade; We did not have a band or a chorus; We could not find a parent to volunteer to be the president of Parent Council.

Since then, we have built our enrollment to 380, equipped the school with the latest technology, rebuilt almost 70 percent of the school, built a first-rate research library, gained national media attention through our Achieve program, built an updated playground, created a vibrant parent volunteer organization, and added staff positions in health, math, drama, admissions and development.

Why were we able to accomplish all this? I think there are two basic reasons. One, Elmwood Franklin had been so well tended by previous generations that we had no debt and our endowment was strong and growing. This gave us the economic launching pad to grow. Two, Elmwood Franklin has, and has always had, soul. The culture of our community is one of loving rigor and continuous growth. We have always been thinking beyond. The combination of soul and financial health proved to be potent, and our school exploded with new ideas, new facilities, new programs, new students, and new families all residing on the traditional sturdy platform of our historic mission.

Achieve: The Elmwood Franklin Center for Tutoring and Enrichment is yet another step beyond where we are now. Recognizing the need to maintain our school’s relative affordability and the potential to enact our mission in a different model, the Board has given me the charge next year to market our newest program to as many customers as possible. Achieve has had a great first year, serving more than 150 students from 50 different schools and partnering with the Amherst public school system to provide enrichment classes to its students. The eyes of the independent school world are watching us, for if we can get Achieve to cruising altitude, others will duplicate it.

The next decade will only bring more innovation and growth at Elmwood Franklin.

Tony Featherston IV is a seasoned independent school professional with an inclusive and humane vision of a safe and vigorous school community. I am so looking forward to learning from his leadership. In 2016, I want to read Mr. Featherston’s state-of-the-decade letter, which might begin something like this: “In 2006 can you believe that our elementary school students attended classes in a facility built in 1950? Back in 2006 our computers were large and unwieldy and land locked. And we didn’t have a playing field large enough to host a home lacrosse game. Remember when Achieve was just a store-front in Clarence? ” And so on and on and on into the day and into the night, the eternal cycle of growth and vision at Elmwood Franklin sustains us generation after generation.

I have learned and grown more in the past decade because of this community than any other period in my life. Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sincerely,

Keith W. Frome Headmaster 1997-2006

2

thinkingbeyond

Learning

from a Master...

The Elmwood Franklin Community Bids a Fond Farewell to Keith W. Frome While there is a specific and lengthy job description for the position of headmaster, we can be sure it does not come close to covering Keith Frome’s many roles. He has been a wise and kind father figure, instilling confidence and belief in our children. He has been a philosopher and scholar, sharing his insight and knowledge on the workings of the world. He has been a team captain, unifying the faculty and staff into a sound and solid partnership. He has been a fastidious caretaker, tending Elmwood Franklin’s traditions and cultivating its growth. He has been a four-star general, who upon winning one battle immediately goes on without rest to face the next challenge. And he has been a renegade trailblazer, discovering new opportunities and leading us in exciting directions. And now, as he forges ahead on a different path, we formally recognize all of these roles he has taken on throughout the past nine years, and yet another one he will continue to play — that of our friend and our family.

• • •

The Board of Trustees honored Keith with the Margaret G. Swift Service Award at a special reception held at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society in May. The award was presented by EFS Corporation member Doug Swift ’70, a former EFS trustee and parent, for whose mother the award is named.

The award was established in 1989 as a vehicle to recognize special members of the EFS family for their good works toward the school. The award can be given at any time to anyone—parent, former parent, faculty, administrator, Top: Keith accepts the Margaret G. Swift Service Award presented by Doug Swift ’70.

Bottom: Former Board presidents Michael Joseph and Leslie Zemsky honor Keith at the award reception.

trustee, corporation member or friend. The service to the school can be of any type, but must be extraordinary in effort, achievement and/or longevity.

Past recipients include Margaret G. Swift, Virginia Seibert, Barbara Hourihan, John White, Joe Stewart, Cathy Wettlaufer and Beth Swift.

3

“The greatest pleasure of a parent is to observe the progression of our children as they mature and gain new skills… the Prep student tying her shoe, the eighth grader mastering algebra. We forget that as adults, we too are learning, progressing, evolving. Over the past nine years we have been fortunate to observe—no, participate—in the evolution of Keith Frome and with him, our Elmwood Franklin School. We are all better for it.”

-Lori Bassett, Parent Council President 2005-2006

Nine for 9

after-school sports program on 12 teams of four

We asked the EFS administrators to list the

different sports. Interscholastic sports now begin

major accomplishments the school has achieved

in grade 3. In addition, Lower School students get

since 1997. Here are just nine of the major

active on the expanded playground constructed

advances Elmwood Franklin has seen throughout

in 2001.

the past nine years—under Keith’s direction, the

Faculty: Elmwood Franklin boasts a top-notch,

Board of Trustees’ governance, and with the hard

committed faculty with an extraordinarily low

work and support of many individuals and the

annual attrition rate of 2 percent.

entire EFS community.

Enrollment: Enrollment has climbed to maximum capacity, up by more than 100 students, and the

Library Media Center: The 3,000 square foot

growing waiting pool is proof of EFS’ outstanding

Library Media Center built in 1999 houses more

reputation in the community.

than 10,000 volumes and resources in a warm

Giving: Over the past nine years, annual giving

and inviting environment.

has more than doubled to reach an all-time high

Johnston Theatre: Linked with new band and

sum as well as nationally-respected participation

choral rooms, the Johnston Theatre’s 475-seat

rates among parents and alumni.

facility constructed in 2003 is truly state-of-the-art.

Pushing Up the Sky: The power of cooperation

Upper School: Two new science centers, a music

has become a foundation for our student body

center, art studio, foreign language rooms and

since the establishment of the Pushing Up the

two mathematics suites have transformed the

Sky Awards, now renamed the Keith W. Frome

Upper School.

Pushing Up the Sky Awards.

Athletics: Combining good sportsmanship with

Respect: More than just a buzzword, respect has

friendly competition, the EFS sports program has

been the ongoing theme, the ongoing example,

grown to involve more than 150 players in the

and the ongoing legacy of Keith’s tenure.

4

efswelcomes

Tony, pictured here with daughters Riley and Lucy, will join EFS as headmaster in July 2006.

EFS Welcomes Ne w Headmaster

Anthony Featherston IV Anthony G. Featherston IV will become the new headmaster of Elmwood Franklin School beginning July 1, 2006. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously for his appointment following an extensive professionally-conducted national search that involved a committee of trustees, parents, faculty and alumni.

Tony comes to EFS from Pine Point School, a pre-K to ninth grade independent school in Stonington, Conn., where he has served as middle school director since 2001. He has also held the positions of assistant head of school and assistant director of development for alumni affairs.

A former history teacher, Tony holds a BA in history from Boston College and a master’s degree in education from Brown University. He has been actively involved with the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools and was selected by the National Association of Independent Schools for an E.E. Ford Fellowship for Aspiring Heads.

Tony joins our community with his wife, Helen Roy, and two daughters, Riley and Lucy (pictured above), who will join the student body next year. Look for a full profile and interview with Tony in the next Bulletin Board.

5

efswelcomes

Officers for 2006-2007 President: Alice Jacobs Vice President: Philipp Rimmler Treasurer: James Gately Secretary: Grace Munschauer Board president Alice Jacobs, co-chair of Elmwood Franklin’s AEIOU capital campaign, joined the EFS Board of Trustees in 2000. An attorney who formerly practiced corporate and immigration law at Hodgson Russ, LLP, Alice earned her JD from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Colgate University. She is actively involved in community service, currently serving on the governance boards of the WNY Women’s Fund, the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, and the Maria Love Convalescent Fund. She previously served as co-chair of the United Way Annual Campaign, as well as co-chair of the Fall in Fashion luncheon to benefit the WNY Women's Fund, as chair of the Roswell Park All Star Night, and on the membership committee of the Roswell Park Alliance. Alice and her husband Jeremy live in Buffalo and have two children attending Elmwood Franklin: Melissa, Class of 2008, and Justin, Class of 2010.

New Trustees Trini Ross has been an assistant United States attorney in the Western New York District of the United State Attorney’s Office since 1995. She has also served as an adjunct professor with the University at Buffalo School of Law, Canisius College, Niagara University, and SUNY Brockport. A graduate of Leadership Buffalo, Ms. Ross was selected in 2003 by the Daily Record as one of ten “Up and Coming Attorneys” in Western New York. A graduate of the UB Law School, Ms. Ross holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Rutgers University and an undergraduate degree in sociology from SUNY Fredonia. She lives in Buffalo with her husband Geoffrey Seals. Their son Khari is in the EFS Class of 2010.

Michael Hogan is president of Envoy International, a private foreign exchange trading group formed in 1991 that quickly expanded to an international organization with locations across the United States and Canada. Mr. Hogan is a member of the World Trade Center Association and numerous local business groups. He has served as president of the Westminster Early Childhood Program Advisory Board and currently serves the WECP Advisory Board as a budget committee member. Mr. Hogan holds a degree in biology from the University of Rochester. He lives in Buffalo with his wife, Dr. Harriette Hogan. They have three children enrolled at EFS: Colin ’10, Matthew ’11, and Brandon ’15.

Robert Glenning is executive vice president and chief financial officer of Kaleida Health. Mr. Glenning attended Clarkson University and Siena College and was awarded a MBA and a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is a certified public accountant and holds leadership positions on several boards, including president of Univera Community Health and treasurer for Visiting Nursing Association of WNY and VNA Home Care Services. Mr. Glenning is a member of the Healthcare Management Financial Association. He lives in Amherst with his wife Elizabeth. Their son Ethan is in the EFS Class of 2013.

Matthew Enstice is executive director of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. He holds a BA in English from Hobart College and a MBA degree from Canisius College. He is a board and founding member of the South Buffalo Charter School, and serves on the boards of Downtown Neighborhood Development Inc., the Erie Niagara Regional Partnership, and the Buffalo Renaissance Foundation. He lives in Snyder, with his wife Jessica ’89. Their daughter Molly is in the EFS Class of 2015.

a message from the

board president Just as I am sure this is a bittersweet time for Keith, it is so for the Board of Trustees, who have worked hand-in-hand with Keith to help achieve some of the many milestones attained by the school under his guidance. The Board and Keith operated as a true partnership, and the wisdom, work and humor we shared will be missed by all. At the same time, we look forward to the continued development of our Achieve program under Keith’s leadership, as well as the opportunity to witness the continued development of Keith’s other talents and passions.

We cannot thank Keith enough for his extraordinary leadership of EFS. We are also all looking forward to the knowledge and energy that we feel our new headmaster, Tony Featherston, will bring to EFS. Having become acquainted with Tony through our search process, I can enthusiastically say that I am certain the Board and the school will benefit from the partnership that Tony will bring to us. We will be welcoming Tony and his family to the school and the community in early July.

In addition to saying goodbye to Keith, we must also say goodbye to three trustees who have given exceptional service to EFS during their tenure, Scott Friedman, Michael Joseph and Cynthia Stark. Their wise counsel, support and dedication to the school have been tremendous and they will all be missed.

In particular I would like to thank Michael Joseph who has been our Board president for the last three years. Building on the legacy created by past Board chairs, Michael’s superb leadership of the Board has set the framework for a smooth transition to a new headmaster and has positioned EFS to remain at the forefront of independent school education into the future.

We welcome four new trustees to the Board for the upcoming school year: Matt Enstice, Robert Glenning, Michael Hogan and Trini Ross. Each of them brings unique expertise and experience to the Board which will be valued in the years to come. We have an exciting year ahead of us, with a new headmaster and an upcoming strategic planning process, and I am confident that the Board and the EFS family will rise to the challenge.

Have a wonderful and restful summer and please join me in welcoming Tony and his family to our community.

Very Truly Yours,

Alice Jacobs Board President

6

parentcouncil

Parents &

Perfection

“What we need to reinforce in our children is the enjoyment of learning and the process of working hard.

The goal should be excellence, not perfection.”

Is there really a parent out there who expects his or her child to be perfect?

Probably not—kids are, after all, only human. But when parents place a lot of importance on external measures of perfection such as test scores and grades, they are unwittingly seeking perfection from their kids, and, according to Linda F. Pessar, M.D., a professor of clinical psychiatry, doing them a disservice in the long run.

“When you’re expected to be perfect, you can only lose,” explained Dr. Pessar. A past EFS parent, Dr. Pessar spoke on the subject of parents and perfection the morning of April 24 as part of the EFS Parent Council 2006 Speaker Series.

“Perfection is an inappropriate goal for anyone, and especially for children, whose rates of cognitive development are variable,” she told an audience of EFS parents. “What we need to reinforce in our children is the enjoyment of learning and the process of working hard. The goal should be excellence, not perfection.”

Perfection versus excellence: what may sound like the splitting of hairs is actually a crucial difference in attitude, approach and outcome. Perfection, Dr. Pessar explained, is most often defined by external measures, such as grades, scores, rankings and stats. Excellence, on the other hand, is self-defined and selfregulated, evidenced by such practices as hard work, responsibility, commitment, planning, and effort. Routine excellence, rather than a mark of A+ or a score of 100%, is what builds enthusiasm and selfesteem in children and leads to lifelong achievement.

“Parents don’t have to tell their children

7

that school is important. Children know from a very young age that being smart is an important attribute,” Dr. Pessar insisted.

“Instead, parents need to reinforce the process, the habit of working hard. It’s not about virtue; it’s about pragmatism. Hard work prevails.”

So if parents shouldn’t focus on grades, what should they focus on? Dr. Pessar’s answer is participation, becoming actively involved in the learning process without supervision or judgment. It’s an endeavor that benefits both child and parent.

“Studying together offers the opportunity to break through the parent-child hierarchy,” Dr. Pessar said. Often, shared discussion and problem-solving take place, and parents come away learning something new about the subject matter as well as something new about their children. The key is to look at the process of learning as a worthwhile pursuit in and of itself, not as a means to an end. It’s an attitude toward learning that will serve them throughout life. Too often, Pessar acknowledged, children think that one should aim to achieve just to please the world, when real integrity is found in the intrinsic value of hard work.

LINDA F. PESSAR, M.D. is a psychiatrist and associate professor of clinical psychiatry and family medicine at SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, where she is also director of medical student education in psychiatry. She received a medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City, and completed a psychiatry residency at New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City.

speakerseries

Limit-Setting

Simple

made

“Teaching kids to set their own limits is a major task of parenting that takes 18-plus years. It is a process, not an accomplishment.” So says Tracy Welchoff, PhD, a licensed psychologist with a practice in Williamsville, who spent the morning of May 10 speaking to parents as part of the EFS Parent Council Speaker Series. And though she entitled her presentation Limit-Setting Made Simple, she acknowledges that the endeavor is far from easy. But with planning and perseverance, parents can learn and apply the principles of effective limit-setting themselves.

Consistency. “Make the rules and the reactions as consistent as possible,” Dr. Welchoff advises. “Our kids are smart; they will learn what they can get away with.”

They come to know that parents won’t always follow through with punishment in all situations, such as when in a public place, she points out. “It’s important that they learn that unacceptable behavior is unacceptable anywhere.”

Consequences. “Consequences need to make sense and fit the situation,” Dr. Welchoff recommends. Parents should have appropriate consequences prepared ahead of time, since no one reacts well when mad. Many times, there are natural consequences of a given situation (such as missing recess at school for not completing a homework assignment) that parents try to protect their kids from. Dr. Welchoff advises that parents let such consequences occur when possible, and when not, give out logical, meaningful consequences decided upon with a clear head. In “repeat offense” cases, in which the same misbehavior is happening again and again, she recommends using lots of positive reinforcement in addition to

consequences.

Conciseness. “Long-winded explanations are not necessary or effective,” Dr. Welchoff states. Keep it short, simple, and direct—no lectures. And you need not bother answering all those whiny why, why, why’s; they’re just a child’s way of drawing things out.

Compassion. Have compassion for kids, even when they are breaking the rules.

“This doesn’t mean caving in,” Dr. Welchoff states. “But you can recognize their hardship. Be fair and understanding, and try to see things from their perspective.”

Respect. “As early as possible, parents need to enforce zero tolerance for disrespect from their children,” Dr. Welchoff states. “Err on the side of strictness with this one, because it can undermine every other limit you’re trying to set.” It’s just as important for parents to acknowledge and reward respect when their kids do use it and to model respect in their interactions with others: spouses, teachers, coaches, strangers, and of course, their children themselves.

Creativity and commiseration.

Dr. Welchoff encourages parents to share their “battle stories” with one another, as well as tips and strategies they have found to be useful. “Limit-setting is hard work,” she acknowledges. “Parenting is hard work!” Parents should, every so often, pick a park bench at the playground and find a resource in each other.

“As early as possible, parents need to enforce zero tolerance for disrespect from their children. Err on the side of strictness with this one, because it can undermine every other limit you’re trying to set.”

TRACY N. WELCHOFF, PH.D. is a licensed psychologist with a practice in Williamsville.

She works with adults and children of all ages and specializes in addressing depression, anxiety disorders, childhood behavior disorders, eating disorders and sports psychology.

8

efsgraduates

The Elmwood Franklin School

Class of 2006 From left to right Seated: Brett Notarius, Jake Cappuccino, Allison Joseph, Madeline Friedman, Jasmin Koleini, Chelsea Wooten Cerre, Grace Niswander, Jordan Joseph, Jacob Stark, Ari Goldfarb Row 1: Michael Jurnack, Peter Lynn, Hannah Sorgi, Jarrett Almand, Devin Friedlander, Peter Loree, Dieter Clauss, Brea Bates, Jacob Shedd, Denise Winters, Samuel Cohen, Alexander George, Kilby Bronstein, Alex Rutland, Carol Sullivan, Norman Toy, Jacqueline Sanders, Michael George, Thomas Liptak Row 2: David Zemsky, Stephen Kellogg, Edward Spangenthal, Jordan Sternberg, Dillon Joseph, Christian Young, Ramsey Gayles

9

classof2006

high school choices Jarrett Almand

Nichols School

Brea Bates

Buffalo Seminary

Kilby Bronstein

Buffalo Seminary

Jake Cappuccino

Nichols School

Chelsea Wooten Cerre

Buffalo Seminary

Dieter Clauss

Nichols School

Samuel Cohen

Canisius High School

Devin Friedlander

Nichols School

Madeline Friedman

Buffalo Seminary

Ramsey Gayles

Nichols School

Alexander George

Nichols School

Michael George

Nichols School

Ari Goldfarb

The

class of 2002

h e a d s

t o

c o l l e g e

Alex Alvarez

Villanova University

Fernando Alvarez

Fordham University

Christopher Alvarez

Canisius College

Hope Blinkoff

Vassar College

Hannya Boulos

Georgetown University

Nichols School

Alexander Bozer

SUNY Geneseo

Allison Joseph

Buffalo Seminary

Mac Capppuccino

New York University

Dillon Joseph

Nichols School

Joseph Cianciosa

SUNY Buffalo

Jordan Joseph

Buffalo Seminary

Katherine Demakos

St. Lawrence University

Michael Jurnack

Starpoint High School

Angeline DiSarno

Ithaca College

Stephen Kellogg

Nichols School

Nicholas Edson

SUNY Buffalo

Jasmin Koleini

Buffalo Seminary

Christina Fattouch

Mercyhurst College

Thomas Liptak

Canisius High School

Sarah Finn

Colgate University

Peter Loree

Nichols School

Claire Franczyk

Fairfield University

Peter Lynn

St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute

Natalie Franczyk

University of Richmond

Grace Niswander

Buffalo Seminary

Colin Freeburg

Canisius College

Brett Notarius

Canisius High School

Contessa Gayles

Columbia University

Alexander Rutland

Canisius High School

Hanna Gisel

Williams College

Jacqueline Sanders

Buffalo Seminary

Alexandra Hare

Niagara University

Caitlin Holland

Niagara University

Jacob Shedd

Nichols School

Eric Lux

University of Florida, Jacksonville

Hannah Sorgi

Nichols School

Wesley Mabee

The College of William & Mary

Edward Spangenthal

Nichols School

Michael Modrzynski

Ithaca College

Jacob Stark

Nichols School

Brian Moreland

University of Hartford Art School

Jordan Sternberg

Nichols School

Brittany Pingtella

Niagara University

Carol Sullivan

St. Mary’s High School

Jared Russell

SUNY Brockport

Norman Toy

Canisius High School

Tessa Scott

SUNY Geneseo

Denise Winters

Parkview High School (GA)

Alison Skalyo

Undecided at time of printing

Christian Young

Nichols School

Elliott Tubbs

Mercyhurst College

David Zemsky

Nichols School

Andrew Warner

Reed College

10

efsgraduates

the

highway of memories

composed collaboratively by the Class of 2006 and

It’s high tide now and we must abandon

Push the rewind button and once again be waiting

arranged by Ansie Baird ’51

The raft we’ve been floating on together.

For a chance on the swings. When my only worldly care

A blink of an eye,

Our memories compose a melody

Was what day of the week was goulash day.

That’s how fast.

That sings throughout the halls.

There is music in the distance, burning through me,

A blink of an eye.

One measure of this song ends

As if each memory had its own soundtrack.

Ten years gone.

And another song begins.

The candles on the birthday cake multiply

I gaze into the mirror and recall.

We have embarked upon so many maiden voyages:

And we remember even more: late night phone calls,

A sudden rush of sadness

Football at recess, band concerts, ice cream socials,

sleepovers, the parties where we danced

Sweeps over us all.

Science experiments, games of capture the flag,

Dust on a broom. I sweep it away.

Sunny days in old Quebec, freezing nights at

waltzing through the chapters of our lives.

From decades to seconds,

Pathfinder.

I remember it as though it were yesterday.

Ten sweetly golden years

Not everything was perfect.

Or was it yesterday? I do not remember.

Whisper in my ear.

Not everything went wrong.

Time whisks the moments into the wind,

But it all had a meaning,

But I’m not finished with you yet, Elmwood Franklin.

Like an old love song.

You will always be with me.

Like blowing sawdust off a workbench.

Some say we’ve lost time but I say we’ve found time.

Memories glisten like diamond statues

I want to go back to Letchworth and build a shelter.

Forever sculpted by the chisel of my past,

I want to go back to long midnight hikes

Forever hammered in my heart.

And whitewater rafting. I want to rest

Laugh. Cry. Keep it there. Don’t move.

Something is hiding behind the desk

And take a deep breath.

I don’t want to forget.

In the dark corners of my mind.

But something is pulling at my heart. Stop the clock!

I gaze at the familiar landscape speeding away

I drink warm tea on the porch of my life,

Some say we’ve spent time but I say we’ve gained time.

As the bus of time advances fast towards the last exit

Knowing what is making me so blue:

At EFS uncommon things are common every day.

I am leaving my childhood behind.

Imagine a place where a student knows more

On the highway of memories. Outside jokes.

Inside jokes.

About certain things than the teacher,

Our chronicles have passed so fast. Wickedly fast.

And it’s celebrated, embraced.

And we enter the final bars of this ballad,

Being crumbled in the basket

It’s cool when we can learn together from each other.

This swan song to our childhood.

As my childhood story starts to end.

It’s rare to find a place like this.

Once we took the giant leap across the main lobby

Once we hid under the umbrella of youth,

We have wept here, like the weeping of a willow,

Into the Upper School. Now we leave by the

I hear the sound of paper

Safe from the downpours of the world.

Like the cry of a song bird.

Life is like a ruler, always measuring.

Can we postpone the ocean’s fury,

Onto a field called The Rest of Your Life.

But time flies too fast if you take your life in inches.

Stop the waves from crashing the shore?

We will wipe away our tears and say

A bell rings out. Are you down for the count?

You feel as though Robin Hood’s bow and arrow Are piercing your heart.

11

until eternity,

gym door

EFS was a glorious lesson.

If I could only pause the video running though my mind,

And thanks again to everyone for giving us this blessing.

commencementspeaker

bill

gisel

’ 62

Addresses the Class of 2006

“...At Rich Products, we have a wide variety of food

products, but my personal favorites are the desserts.

With our desserts, we usually start with the same basic quality ingredients—sugar, eggs, and flour—but then we have many different things we can add next, different flavors and fillings and toppings, and it really broadens the range of choices and options we have.

Each of your lives is really, in a sense, a dessert in the making. At Elmwood Franklin, you’ve started off with those basic quality ingredients, and now as you go on to high school and beyond, you’ll have the option to add those special flavors and fillings and toppings to choose what your ‘life’s dessert’ is going to be like.

There’s a really important lesson that we’ve learned at Rich’s about the process of making desserts. And that is, whenever we have tried to copy someone else’s dessert, when a competitor comes out with something really good and we figure we have to copy it because it’s so successful, we inevitably fail. But when we focus on what we think is a great dessert, what is really going to taste good, what people are really going to like, then we inevitably succeed.

Judy Garland once said, Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of somebody else.”

- excerpted from the 2006 commencement address by Bill Gisel ’62 (Gr. 4), chief operating officer for Rich Products

12

"If you are a dreamer, come in.

If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...

If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire, For we have some flaxgolden tales to spin.

Come in!

Come in!"

- Shel Silverstein 13

facultyprofile

christine

cooke drama director, and Upper School English and public speaking instructor Years at EFS: 2

dancing, Christine somewhat sheepishly

playwright Tom MacVittie.”

Education: BFA in theatre arts from UB; MS

admits that she is “completely addicted” to

Her take on Elmwood Franklin: “I just can’t

in elementary education and gifted and

the television show Lost. “I spend lots of

stress enough how much I love this,”

talented education from Medaille College

time, probably too much, discussing the

Christine says of her job. “Never in a million

Hometown: “I am a Buffalo girl with strong

hidden secrets with friends and trying to

years did I think I would have a job where I

family ties. Elmwood Franklin has allowed me

solve the mysteries. I also read any play I

could combine my loves of theater and

to remain in the town I love and have a

can get my hands on and enjoy converting

teaching children. I’ve never felt happier or

career that I not only love, but that I can be

children’s books into plays.”

more proud or more welcome than I do here.

proud of.”

Heroes: “My high school directors, Ron

It is truly like a family.” And, like any good

How she got the theater bug: “In my first

Norris and Larry Albert. They taught me

actress, she has her list of supporting cast

grade play, not only did I not get a leading

professionalism and how to push myself to

members to thank: Christine particularly

role like all my friends, my part was to lead

be better. If I can instill those aspects in my

values the assistance of Joan Good, Dee

the audience in saying the Pledge of

students, I will be proud. Also, my parents,

Drew, and Margot Vincent.

Allegiance. I knew then I was capable of

for supporting me and being my champions

What her colleagues say: Besides being

much more theatrically.” Since then,

every step of the way.”

called one of the nicest, most warm hearted,

Christine has more than made up for that

Motto: “Teaching is one-fourth preparation

dedicated and genuine people you’ll ever

dramatic injustice by appearing in numerous

and three-fourths theater.”

meet, Christine wins the admiration of her

plays and commercials, even starring in a

Something you may not know about

fellow teachers for her means of enforcing

locally-produced movie.

Christine: She is the cofounder of a

her creative authority. “When children

Favorite plays: Wicked, Burn This, Three Days

professional theater production company

attempt to give unwanted suggestions

of Rain

called lightsedge theater company. “We

during rehearsal, she will wave her hands in

Dream role: Elphaba in Wicked, Anna in Burn

have produced several plays, such as Bash by

big circles in their general direction and say

This, or Ophelia in Hamlet

Neil LaBute, Crave by Sarah Cane, and The

AC-TOR and then point to herself and

Last book she read: The Day on Fire, based

Fever by Wallace Shaun (which played in

declare DEE-REC-TOR!” said cohort Dee

on the life of poet Arthur Rimbaud

Buffalo and New York City), as well as

Drew. “It’s very effective.”

Hobbies and interests: Besides singing and

original works like Five Stories High by local

14

thinkingbeyond

The 13-foot-long crocodile with glowing red eyes and huge snapping jaws in hot pursuit of Peter Pan has a secret.

The secret is, inside, he is not really a ferocious beast at all. Inside his frightening exterior, he is really just a fifth-grade boy, a boy who initially wanted to steer clear of the spotlight, but now—transformed by this frame of plastic tubing and fabric—has gone on to steal the show.

That’s the magic of theater—that anyone can wear a mask, don a costume and assume an entirely new persona, and, in the process, find out something new about their own true selves and abilities. You’re not just the person that you are in class, on the field, at the dinner table. You’re also the person that you are on stage: fearsome, heroic, funny, brave, charming, applauded.

Experiencing that magic as a child is an amazing experience, one that benefits kids in numerable ways. Studies detailing these benefits are everywhere. One of the most comprehensive, called Champions of Change: The Impact of the Arts on Learning, involved seven teams of researchers using diverse methodologies to examine the impact of arts education on young people. Their findings demonstrate that, when well taught, the performing arts provide students with authentic learning experiences that engage their minds, hearts and bodies and nurture the development of cognitive, social and personal competencies.

“Performing allows outgoing students a chance to shine, creative students a chance to create,

15

shy students a chance to build self-confidence, and all students a chance to be a part of something they can be proud of,” concurs Christine Cooke, EFS drama director. “Everyone has something special, some way they can stand out.”

Immersion in theater and performance is a hallmark of the EFS experience, starting with the youngest of students. Class plays are a yearly rite of passage beginning in first grade, and in Upper School the curtain rises to even bigger, more elaborate joint productions, with a fifth/sixth grade musical (a knock-out this year with Peter Pan) and a seventh/eighth grade play (this year’s was the ambitious Midsummer’s Night Dream).

Performance isn’t limited to dramatics, however; the play’s the thing, but it’s not the only thing. Enabling children to become comfortable on stage and speaking to a group requires a whole spectrum of exposure. Public speaking is part of the regular curriculum starting in Prep—with students continually facing opportunities to stand up and shine.

Christine assists by teaching effective presentation skills (“Start with an anecdote to break the ice,” she instructs), tips on projection and poise, and, of course, advice on overcoming stage fright.

“Speaking in public is the second biggest fear of Americans, the first being death,” noted Christine, who makes it her goal to help

children get around this fear. Like any branch of learning, it comes easier for some kids than for others. “I think it is important to remember that your audience is on your side—they want to like you,” Christine reassures. She encourages her students to make sure they’re well-rehearsed, take some deep breaths, and then just go for it. The results are often amazing, even to a seasoned theatergoer like Christine. It may be funny to watch, but it takes imagination, skill, and a lot of guts to stand up in front of your peers and perform your own one-man-band version of the song Funky Town, complete with jingle bells and kazoo, as one student did for a performance assignment of “Stupid Human Tricks.” After pulling off a feat like that, you begin to see your abilities in a whole new light.

There is compelling research that performing arts support academic success; sustained involvement in the theater is shown to correlate with higher achievement in mathematics and reading. However, as the student in the crocodile costume, the student playing disco on the kazoo, or the student who confidently takes on a lead role would attest, these experiences are valuable not only for their ability to promote learning in other disciplines, but for their ability to enhance students’ understanding of themselves, each other, and the world around them. It fits with the Elmwood Franklin mission of educating the “whole child,” and it is an extraordinary opportunity to come by at this level of schooling, made possible, of course, by Elmwood Franklin’s state-of-the-art facilities.

“It is wonderful to watch the transformation the students go through. One student who as a fourth grader was terrified just to step on stage had the lead role in the seventh and eighth grade play this year,” said Christine. She finds that it helps to allow students to have some control, some creativity over their performance. “I really strive to find something special for each student to enjoy and be proud of,” she says. She enjoys adapting plays and stories for each group of students, accommodating specific talents and fears, so that everyone is included in a way he or she can be comfortable with. There’s an irony at work here: let them just be themselves, and they will inevitably become something new.

“The Johnston Theatre is a tremendous space that allows me to challenge myself artistically as a director and teacher,” Christine raves. “I really enjoy having the ability to use sophisticated lighting and sound effects and to create movies. This theater is better equipped than a lot of professional theaters in town!”

Students, too, appreciate and benefit from the theater’s technology. It’s not unusual for kids to stick around for hours after school learning how to use the equipment and testing out its capabilities—yet another arena for learning that students face upon entering the world of theater. The opportunities for discovery are endless.

16

alumnaprofile

In

Katie Wiltons’

world sautéing is hot, baking is sweet, stirring is very stirring, and teaching kids is the frosting on the cake.

Katie Wilton ’85, the founder of a unique enterprise known as Cooking with Katie, is on a roll, so to speak, with her mission to build the abilities and confidence of middle school students through cooking instruction. Cooking classes, television appearances, and now a new cookbook are part of her recipe for promoting the development of basic culinary skills, fostering creativity and originality, and instilling the value of doing for others.

Katie, who knew from an early age that she wanted to be a teacher, received a BA in elementary education from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio in 1993. But while she was teaching sixth grade language arts in New Canaan, Conn., her longtime interest in cooking began to boil over. She made the decision to enter the culinary world and combine her two passions—teaching and cooking. Katie enrolled at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts near Boston, where she earned her professional chef ’s diploma. She began teaching children’s cooking classes on the weekends and researching opportunities for teaching children how to cook.

Years of classes, several media appearances, and a fun and informative website later, Cooking with Katie is now quite a venture. Katie made her longest TV appearance to date as a guest on Buffalo Matters last October on Fox 29 and UPN 49. Katie’s newest project is her just-released cookbook, You’re the Cook!

A Guide to Mixing it up in the Kitchen. The book is specifically designed for Katie’s target audience of “tweens”— kids between the ages of 9 and 14, who are just beginning to learn the art of cooking. Filled with bright colors, step-bystep photographs and lots of fun tips and techniques, the cookbook focuses on four food products: eggs, cheese, pasta, and berries. How and where the food is harvested or produced, nutritional information and proper storage is discussed for each food product, followed by five recipes using that particular food. The book is now available at both Talking Leaves locations in Buffalo or on Katie’s website www.cookingwithkatie.com.

Katie is generous about sharing her expertise with the Elmwood Franklin community, regularly donating tween cooking parties to the EFS annual auction. Despite the mileage (she now lives in Massachusetts), her ties to Elmwood Franklin remain strong. It’s a family bond—Katie is the fourth child of five Elmwood Franklin alumni (Frank ’77, Annette ’80, Lucy ’82, and Ben ’87).

Her parents, Frank and Annette ’48 Wilton, have been closely involved in the school throughout the past 30+ years, each serving as trustees. Mrs. Wilton, also an alumna, is a life member of the EFS Corporation.

17

“I absolutely believe that I would not be where I am today if not for the education I received at Elmwood Franklin.”

We recently spoke with Katie to find out what else is cooking with this busy alumna.

How old were you when you started cooking? Who first taught you to cook?

“The person who taught me to cook was Mary Devine who lived with our grandmother Gar. I used to sit on a red stool – which is now in my kitchen – and help Mary prepare fun finger foods while we visited with Gar. It was when I was 12 that I really took an interest and Mary shared some of her recipes with me.”

Is there a difference between following a recipe and learning to cook? “One of the messages I try to convey is that a recipe is a guideline, and that with the exception of baking, recipes can be altered and ingredients substituted—but this only can be successful if the ‘cook’ is knowledgeable about food products. Knowing how to prepare food and when to add a food product to a dish is all critical for a dish’s success!”

In this age of frozen meals and fast food take out, why should kids even bother to learn to cook? “The result of the frozen meals and fast food is an overweight youth. Cooking is a life skill, and when one cooks it is often for other people, which teaches the value of doing for others.

Having tweens prepare family meals provides an opportunity for families to come together, eat a meal and share stories, and provides parents with an opportunity to praise the tween for this contribution to daily family activities.”

It used to be that mothers and grandmothers would impart the family’s traditions of food and cooking to their children. Has that changed? “While there are still a few families out there where a parent or two are passing on the gift of cooking, I have found that with both working parents, this has often become a low priority. I also have found that many parents themselves have not received any culinary instruction so they are unable to teach it to their children.”

What are the benefits for kids from learning how to cook? “My primary reason for teaching tweens how to cook is that I believe that it can instill confidence. It is a life skill that essentially you do for others, and when you make a dish and people say ‘That was delicious!’ the tween feels good about him or herself.”

Do you see any differences between boys and girls when it comes to cooking?

Do boys have any pre-conceived notions about cooking being “woman’s work?” “While most of my cooking classes have a good mix of girls and boys, I do believe that there is still a stigma attached to cooking, which I find ironic, because when you think of the top chefs in the world, most are men.”

What made you single out tweens in particular? “Ever since fourth grade at EFS I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and it was after I went through

middle school that I decided that was the age group I wanted to teach.

Middle school was a very impressionable time for me and is the perfect time to teach cooking!”

I picture a dozen tweens in a room with sharp knives, open flames, and lots of stuff to knock over and spill, and I get nervous. Can kids of this age really be trusted in the kitchen? “Every tween is different regarding maturity, dexterity and responsibility. I think parents are the best judge of whether their son or daughter is ready to cook on their own and if parents are unsure – cooking is a terrific activity to do together! I must say, the scene you describe is just like one of my cooking classes which I have been conducting for the past 10 years and I love it!”

What makes a good tween-friendly recipe? “A recipe should include food items that this age group typically enjoys; it should have a reasonable amount of steps (five to eight), and include step-by-step photographs so the tween can visualize the recipe each step of the way.”

How long did it take to create the cookbook? “I have known for years that I wanted to create a cookbook specifically for 9- to14-year-olds, and once the decision was made to self-publish it took a year to come to print. What an amazing experience – I learned so much. We had a design team in place that we have been working with for five years and they helped us with the basic layout and colors. We were incredibly lucky to choose an excellent photographer with an assistant who was organized and talented. They introduced us to a great food stylist who made all the food look awesome for the photographer. A very close friend was our recipe tester to make sure the amounts and flavor were correct. As you can see, it was a huge team effort with lots of people with special talents coming together to make my vision a reality.”

How did you develop the recipes? “We actually had a lot of help from tweens around the country. We surveyed tweens about what kind of food they would like to learn about and they responded back with the top choices: eggs, berries, cheese and pasta. That helped us narrow it down. Then I immediately put in the recipes I have used in my classes that are always a hit. One mother told me that she has made the cheesy chicken salad casserole so many times because her family just loves it. I love to try new restaurants and I read cookbooks and cooking magazines which often inspire an idea for a recipe. We have lots of willing friends and their kids who have tasted and tested recipes and given us great feedback.”

Any tours or signings planned? “The cookbook has been very well received! It received a favorable review from The Christian Science Monitor and is now available in 31 bookstores across the country and many have already re-ordered. I have done several radio shows and many articles have been written about the cookbook! I have over 12 author signings and cooking classes lined up across New England and hope to be in the

18

alumnaprofile

Delicious!

Here are two of Katie’s favorite recipes she would like to share with the EFS community.

For additional recipes or for more information about Cooking with Katie, visit www.cookingwithkatie.com.

Cream Cheese Fil ed Strawberries 12 large strawberries 12 blueberries 4 ounces cream cheese 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon honey 2 tablespoons brown sugar

1. Gently wash strawberries and pat dry. Remove green leaves and scoop out some of the center of the strawberries with a melon baller. Cut a bit off the bottom of each strawberry so that they will sit up on a plate. Wash blueberries, pat dry and set aside.

The Wilton Family (from left to right): Katie ’85, Lucy ’82, Ben ’87, Frank ’77. and Annette ’80.

Buffalo area in July 2006.”

What’s next for Cooking with Katie? “Right now the focus is to get the word out about You’re the Cook! I have radio interviews, author signings and hope for some television appearances. Then, a second cookbook and hopefully a TV series – Cooking with Katie Across America!”

Where do you reside now? “I live in Middleton, MA which is north of Boston. I love our community, I love the fact that I can be in the city in 30 minutes and I love that you can be in NH, ME, VT, and NYC in a matter of a few hours! I live with my sister and my three English bulldogs, Putty, Atticus and Dozer.”

Any hobbies? “I enjoy playing with my dogs, watching movies, gardening, SCUBA diving, reading, traveling, and trying new restaurants.”

How often do you visit Buffalo? “Mom and

19

Dad live in East Aurora, so we get back to Buffalo several times a year. We just love a taco from Elmwood Taco and Subs, a roast beef on weck at Eckles and a good Bisons game!”

You’re very supportive of Elmwood Franklin.

What does EFS mean to you today?

“I absolutely believe that I would not be where I am today if not for the education I received at Elmwood Franklin. EFS was such a nurturing environment for fostering confidence and it provided me with so many opportunities to get involved in sports, theatre and government. The teachers and administration really believed in us and supported us. The educational foundation I received at EFS enabled me to take advantage of other exceptional educational institutions (Buffalo Seminary and Wittenberg University) throughout my life, and for that I am most appreciative!”

2. Place cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla, and honey in a medium bowl. Mix with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Place the mixture in a pastry bag or a sealed bag to pipe filling into strawberries.

3. Pipe the cream cheese filling into each strawberry, sprinkle with some brown sugar and top with a

Pizza Wontons

2 mozzarella sticks 10 thin slices pepperoni 10 round or square wonton wrappers 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoon water pasta sauce 1. Cut mozzarella stick in half lengthwise and then cut in to 1/2-inch pieces. Place the 2 tablespoons of water in a cup. Lay out 5 wonton wrappers, place a slice of pepperoni in the middle and then place two pieces of the mozzarella on top of it. Dip your finger in the water and then run your finger around the edge of the wonton wrapper. Fold the wonton wrapper over and seal the edge by pressing down with your fingers. Set aside on a plate.

2. Place a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. When it is warm, add the olive oil and swirl it around. Carefully place the pizza wontons in the pan. Brown for about 1 minute on each side using tongs to flip them over. Remove pan from the heat.

Add remaining water to the pan, (be very careful because it will splatter) and quickly cover with a lid.

3. Let sit for 1 minute. Carefully remove cover.

Place on a serving plate and serve with a small amount of warm pasta sauce. Eat immediately.

namesinthenews

efs plays to

host

swiss

teacher

Aurelia Bleiker, an elementary teacher from Zurich, Switzerland visited Elmwood Franklin for three weeks during April and May, spending much of her time with Sybil McGennis’ third grade. A teacher for 29 years, Ms. Bleiker came to Elmwood Franklin to experience classroom life as well as the language of the curriculum and of the classroom in an English-speaking context.

Such visits are a part of the regular training of Swiss primary school teachers with a component of English. We asked Ms. Bleiker to share her impressions of her visit before she left.

aurelia

bleiker

riddles or poems; then we look at a subject of science (presently egg, tadpole, frog). Our reading and writing part is often connected with science. Mostly every week I take the kids out into the school garden or to the forest or to some museum, theatre, or concert. From first grade on, our kids come from 8:15 to 12, then go home or to ‘lunch table’ until 1:45. School is out at 4 or 4:30. The kids walk back and forth on their own or with other kids.

What have you learned while visiting here at EFS? “I’ve learned so many great things at this excellent school that it is very hard to tell you all of them. Within three weeks I’ve noted down dozens of riddles, terms and expressions which are new to me. I’ll also keep in mind a good portion of the rules in between the lessons, the speed within the subjects, the love spread within.”

What things are the same?

“First graders write with a pencil as well, but only then do we start with letters and numbers. Two years of kindergarten are socializing, playing, drawing and painting time. We have about the same number of kids in a class (20 to 25) in about the same size classroom. We teach mostly the same subjects, but I myself do it in a whole language approach. We do have a library, but no computer room. On both sides, parents seem to care about their kids’ education.”

What things are most different from classrooms in Switzerland?

“Swiss elementary school teachers mostly all teach different subjects themselves. We do have a different schedule every day; each week, a student has 3 hours of gym or swimming, 2 hours of music, 2 hours of French from fifth grade on, and 2 hours of English from second grade on. Mostly every day we have language, math, science and art. I usually start the day with some

What are your plans and goals for the future?

“My own personal goals have always been to teach children to respect our planet, saving food, water, and energy, and protecting the environment. I’ll go back to Zurich to teach first to third graders, looping from one class to the next each year. From Buffalo I take with me many new ideas, inspirations in all subjects for which I’d like to thank you all most cordially.”

20

learningalong

Come along and learn with the EFS first graders on their trip to the Aquarium of Niagara “Look how cute he is!” marvels a student upon her first close-up look at a flounder.

The flat fish is dull brown, lumpy looking, and completely skewed, but still, it is strange, fascinating, and to this child’s eye, even cute. It’s only one of the many wonders the first graders glimpsed on their trip to the Aquarium of Niagara where they got a close-up look—and in some cases a first-hand feel—at a wide assortment of remarkable marine life.

Founded more than 40 years ago by a small group of chemists and scientists to introduce a type of synthetic sea water, the Aquarium of Niagara was billed as the first inland oceanarium and became a model for the operation of land-based aquariums. Since then, the Aquarium has become a valuable institution for education and recreation, welcoming more than eight million visitors, tourists, teachers, and students through its doors. Now more than forty exhibits showcase 1,500 aquatic animals from around the globe. Here’s your chance to meet a few of the kids’ favorites…

21

Peruvian Penguin

Horseshoe Crab

The Aquarium of Niagara is one of only 17 institutions in North America to house a colony of the endangered Peruvian penguin. Peruvian penguins, also known as Humboldt penguins, are warm weather penguins found mostly along the coasts of Chile and Peru. These penguins are known for the way they “fly” underwater at speeds of up to 20 miles an hour, using their strong wings as flippers and their feet and tails to steer, while taking in small fish and krill and eating them whole. It was molting season for the penguins at the Aquarium, and the stiff, overlapped feathers that waterproof and insulate their bodies were being shed in patchy clumps.

Horseshoe crabs may look scary with their armored shells and spiked tails, but they actually pose no threat to humans. Horseshoe crabs are not even true crabs; they are related to spiders, scorpions and ticks. These “living fossils” date back about 350 million years, even before dinosaurs!

The Peruvian penguin population is considered vulnerable due to overfishing of food species, egg collecting, hunting, and loss of habitat. Their droppings have been used as fertilizer called guano, and harvesting the guano has caused serious damage to their habitats.

Horseshoe crabs have four eyes, two large compound eyes on the side of the shell and two simple eyes or ocelli, in the front of the shell. A horseshoe crab’s mouth is underneath its helmet-like shell, located in the middle of its ten walking legs. Though spear-like in appearance, its tail is not used for defense but to help flip the animal over should it become turned onto its back. The kids, who had the opportunity to pick one up from the Aquarium’s Touch Tank, were told to hold onto a horseshoe crab like a big bowl of cereal—which they did, carefully scooping up these strange creatures that can grow to 12 inches wide and 20 inches long.

California Sea Lion

Electric Eel

Of near-celebrity status among the kids, the California sea lions made a big splash (literally) with the students. Distinct from seals, which the Aquarium also houses, sea lions can be identified by their loud barks and roars (which is why they’re known as “lions of the sea”), by their smooth, solid brown coats, and by their strong front flippers, which they use to swim at speeds of up to 25 miles an hour. In the wild, sea lions are cautious animals, and they dive into the water at any sign of danger, where they spend most of their time.

Famous for their ability to produce strong electrical currents of up to 650 volts, electric eels are actually not true eels, but they are truly electrifying!

They are found in the Amazon River Basin in South America, preferring marshy or stagnant areas where other fishes find it difficult to live due to the low dissolved oxygen levels.

Males, called bulls, are darker and bigger than females and have a thick furry mane around the neck. Adult male sea lions can grow up to eight feet long and weigh up to 850 pounds. Females grow to around 200 pounds and six feet. These intelligent and social animals are easily tamed and trained, and the kids watched attentively their amazing feats and tricks.

Electric eels often grow to be six to nine feet in length. Their internal organs are all in a small area behind the head, with nearly 90 percent of the body being tail. Up to 6,000 electroplates are arranged like a dry cell in the tail.

The body of an electric eel is similar to a battery: the tail end of the eel has a positive charge and the head region is negatively charged. When the eel touches its tail and head to other animals, it sends electric shocks through their bodies that can stun or kill.

22

daytoday 101 reasons to love school: Students celebrated 101 Dalmatian Day in the first grade by making From the director’s chair: Guest

and donning

speaker Kevin Samuels, a

Dalmatian-style ears.

commercial director living in Los

“Spotted” here are

Angeles, visited Jon Carlson’s art

Emma Catipovic and

classes in January. Mr. Samuels

Jeremiah Bialkowski.

spoke about his education and career path, presented several of the nationally-broadcast commercials he directed, and explained the process of how a commercial is conceived, staged, filmed and edited.

Journey to freedom: As they read and learned about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, Prep II students created a mural depicting the arduous journey that fugitive slaves took to escape to their freedom in the North and Canada.

23

daytoday

Passing the torch: Lower School students celebrated the start of the Winter Olympics in February with their own ceremony. Students represented participating nations and re-enacted the flag presentation and lighting of the torch while learning the history of the games.

Hard to resist: Seventh and eighth graders took part in a resistance training program in January and February with visits to the North Buffalo Fitness Center. Under the supervision of a certified training and fitness specialist, students learned and practiced proper weight training techniques and studied basic muscle physiology.

Expect the unexpected: Dr. Richard Quinn, a former educator and administrator who is now a training officer with the Town of Lancaster Office of Emergency Management, helped the Sixth Grade get prepared with a presentation on emergency planning. Dr. Quinn, along with teacher Neil Connelly (who is also a member of the emergency team), discussed different types of emergencies and provided information on how to assemble disaster supply kits and develop family emergency plans.

Voila!: Mme. Papagni’s Eighth Grade French class assisted First Grade French students in making their own berets.

24

daytoday

Bonjour Quebec!: (Pictured above) Seventh graders enjoyed the annual trip to Quebec City in May. They spent four days exploring winding streets Slam!: Poetry slams are

through the historic city, visiting

all the rage, combining

Montmercy Falls, and touring the

poetry with

Chateau Frontenac.

performance and encouraging poets to

The power of music: (Pictured at

focus on what they're

left) The Seventh Grade chorus

saying and how they're

performed at Roswell Park

saying it. Second, third

Cancer Institute in December as

and fourth graders got

part of the hospital’s “Music in

into the spirit by

the Lobby” program, which

hosting their own three-

promotes music’s capacity to

day event.

modify mood, soothe pain, calm Bed sheets of the gods: Mighty Zeus threw his thunderbolt, wise

nerves and relax the mind and

Athena carried her shield and fiery Hephaestus managed to find a red

body.

toga when the Fifth Grade dressed up as ancient Greek gods and goddesses in April. The students researched and wrote about the topic, produced illustrated reports, and gave oral presentations in the Johnson Theatre. J.D. Jones, a 1996 EFS alumnus who happened to be a substitute teacher for Mrs. Fatin that day, fondly remembered his own presentation as Hermes in Mrs. Drew's history class!

25

studentperspective

Personal

History

Fourth graders learned that history is not just a bunch of facts in a text book; it is quite literally the story of their lives. Students explored the annals of their family history by becoming curators of their own history museum, displaying and documenting family photographs, mementos and heirlooms—true historical artifacts that show history is still alive among us all.

Abreham and Amalie Maras born in 1888.

This brass lantern from the 1700’s was given to the great-great grandfather of Stewart Whitney.

From a photograph of Austin Egri’s great-grandmother.

These field glasses were used

by Daniel T. Roach, great grandfather of Caroline Hogan, during WWI.

This 96 year old penny belonged to the grandfather of Hunter Bielat.

Coming to America Austin Egri welcomed his grandparents Gyuri and Kata Egri to class to speak about their emigration from Budapest, Hungary in 1956. Children were engrossed by the account of their harrowing escape from Communism by foot, by train and by plane to start a new life for their family in the United States.

The “Little Cherub” doll was created by Harriet Flanders, the grandmother of Michael Rapaport, to accompany her book of the same name.

news

of

note The Harlem Book Fair comes to Buffalo on July 7 and 8 with free readings, book signings, interactive children’s activities, seminars, panel discussions and celebrity authors. Elmwood Franklin takes place in the excitement by running “Buffalo Haiku,” a children’s workshop that teaches kids the haiku poetic form and leads them to write their own haiku about Buffalo and its symbols. Each haiku will be read at the event and then reprinted onto a tapestry to be displayed at the Buffalo Public Library.

The workshop is facilitated by Margot Vincent, Cricket Gordon and Keith Frome.

27

Need stock advice? Just have your own “quiet conversation” with Hannah Elsinghorst, Sarah Miller, Taylor Gillespie and Erica Dalton (pictured below). This team of stock-savvy EFS sixth graders finished second overall in the fall Stock Market Game, turning out a profit of $45,000 in just ten weeks in a stock market simulation game sponsored by Buffalo State College and The Buffalo News. Each team in the division, which included more than 150 mostly high-school level teams, was allotted $100,000 in “virtual money” to invest in stocks or mutual funds and could buy or sell at any time during a ten-week period. Under the guidance of math teacher Neil Connelly, the students studied the different stock exchanges and the terminology used in investing, and learned how to read the paper or access the Internet to check their stocks.

Hannah, Taylor, Sarah and Erica amassed an amazing $145,000 in ten weeks—42 percent above the S&P 500 rate of growth! Going into the final week, this team held first place but were nosed out by St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute on the final day. Other EFS teams also did well in the Elementary Division. Susan Winkelstein, Grace Clauss, Sukie Cleary and Madeleine Schlehr finished third during the fall.

The boys were not to be outdone as Murray Bibas, Gabe Bialkowski, Matt Stefura and Paul Fix took the top spot in the spring event in the Elementary Division. The seventh grade of Sandy LoFaro, Gabi Reed, Natalie Gerich Brabson and Sara Wlodarczyk finished second, while sixth graders Ryan Tick, John Loree, Lachlan Kellogg and Lucas Walsh captured the third place spot.

Hannah, Taylor, Sarah and Erica were honored at an awards luncheon on May 15 at the Hearthstone Manor in Depew. Representing the team, Hannah explained the team’s strategy and indicated which stocks were largely responsible for their success. They each received $75 for their efforts, money which surely will be invested wisely!

namesinthenews Student News Elmwood Franklin ranked first at the seventh grade level and fourth at the sixth grade level in the Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara Region in the 2005-2006 Math League contest. Top rated students in the region include EFS seventh graders Drew Slawson, first place; James Dryden, second place; and Daniel Healy, fourth place.

EFS had several students rank at a national level in this year’s National French Contest, who were honored at an awards ceremony on May 18 at Depew High School. Hijab Khan and Erica Dalton tied for 10th place nationally, and Sarah Miller placed sixth in the nation. Madeline Cleary just missed the top ten with an 11th place finish. Zander Metz was also honored for his outstanding score, but was excluded from official competition due to having a French speaking parent. Three eighth graders had scores high enough to be national winners: Jake Cappuccino, Jacob Shedd and Trey Toy all tied for second place in Western New York and eighth place in the nation, and Jacob Stark placed fifth in Western New York.

EFS Spanish students fared well on the 2006 Spanish National Exam, competing against well over 600 students. In the regular category (students that begin Spanish instruction at the middle school level) Carol Sullivan placed third in the Western New York region. In the outside category (students who began Spanish instruction in the elementary grades), Grace Niswander placed third in the WNY region, Allison Joseph and Hannah Sorgi fourth, Ed Spangenthal fifth, Alexander Rutland sixth, Stephen Kellogg seventh, and Jordan Joseph tenth.

National Junior Honor Society inductions in January included 23 new members: seventh graders Kevin Acker, Natalie Gerich Brabson, Evan Brannen, Rachel Catipovic, Sarah Collins, Matthew Dearing, William Downing, James Dryden, Geoffrey Fatin, Patricia Haddad, Daniel Healy, Alyssa Henry, Alison Johnston, Grace Liptak, Sandy LoFaro, Alexandra Mathews, Andrew Slawson, William Tiftickjian, Nicole Trubish, Sara Wlodarczyk, and Sara Zywiczynski; and eighth graders Jordan Sternberg and Christian Young.

Blue-Gray captains for the second semester were Carol Sullivan, girls Gray captain; Karson

Humiston, girls Gray co-captain; Ramsey Gayles, boys Gray captain; Scott Zachau, boys Gray co-captain; Grace Niswander, girls Blue captain; Lindsay Mathias, girls Blue cocaptain; Jake Cappuccino, boys Blue captain; and James Dryden, boys Blue co-captain.

Pushing Up the Sky awards were presented in February to the following students: fifth graders Michelle Moreland and Joey Todaro; sixth graders Nickolaus Osinski and Erica Dalton; seventh grader James Dryden; and eighth graders Ed Spangenthal and Brea Bates. In May, the following students were presented the award: fifth graders Molly Mathias, Kayla Brannen and Maxcy Gayles; sixth graders Gabe Bialkowski, Nicole Casacci and Victoria Lester; seventh graders Jack Knox and Grace Liptak; and eighth graders Dillon Joseph and Trey Toy. The ECMEA 2005-2006 All-County Music Festival included Natalie Gerich Brabson and Alexandra Mathews in the all-county band.

Selected to perform with the choral groups were Charlotte Geise and Madeleine Schlehr in the Erie County Elementary Chorus and Jarrett Almand, Steve Kellogg, Grace Liptak, Peter Loree, Hannah Sorgi, Jordan Sternberg, and Sara Wlodarczyk in the Erie County Junior High Chorus.

Adelaide Clauss won second place in Division 1 of the 2006 SPCA School Contest for Humane Posters and Creative Writing and received a medal and a cash award at an awards reception in June. Her poster will be displayed for one year in the SPCA auditorium.

Natalie Gerich Brabson was included in the 2005/2006 edition of Who’s Who Among Outstanding Middle School Students.

Catherine Williams went with her teammates from the Delaware Invaders to the soccer nationals at Florida's Wide World of Sports Complex in January, where they placed 10th in the nation.

Faculty/Staff News Lee Campbell has joined the Development staff as auction coordinator.

Her husband,

Leon Smith III, is a 1960 alumnus of Elmwood Franklin.

Paintings by Maria DiMarco and photographs by Rebecca Murak were displayed in the Anderson Lobby of the Johnston Theatre in winter and spring of 2006. Elmwood Franklin is proud to celebrate the artistic talents of our community with the display of original artwork in any media in this space. Works are presented on a rotating basis throughout the year. Contact Julie Raynsford in the Development Office for information.

Keith Frome will publish a second book, entitled How’s My Kid Doing? 101 Questions and Answers about Schools and Education, to be published by Crossroad Publishing in 2007. His previous book, What Not to Expect: A Meditation on the Spirituality of Parenting, was named the Best Book of 2006 on Family Life and Spirituality by the Catholic Press Association.

Judy Gerich was selected to participate in the 2006 George Washington Teachers’ Institute for Middle School Teachers at Mount Vernon in July, an eight-day educators’ residency held at Mount Vernon.

Pat Petersen appears in a television commercial for Aspen Dental broadcast across the Eastern seaboard.

Parent News James Domagalski was recently appointed chairman of the Erie County Republican Party and was profiled in PoliticsNY.net Magazine.

Scott Friedman and EFS grandparent Bob Rich have co-authored Secrets from the Delphi Café: Unlocking the Code to Happiness, published by Vesta Publishing, a book that explores the nature of happiness and the quest to attain it.

Laura Mangan was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service in May. This award recognizes her groundbreaking achievements and service as associate director of the Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy.

Chris Mathias was honored in the 2006 Honors Convocation at Buffalo State College in April.

28

EFSSports Winter and spring sports at

Elmwood Franklin are all about

developing skills, staying active, practicing teamwork—and bringing home a championship isn’t too bad either! Congratulations to our many athletes and coaches for giving it their all this year.

29

2006 Basketball

2006 Lacrosse

8th Grade Boys Team

7th/8th Grade Girls Team

6th/7th/8th Grade Boys Team

This team turned out a phenomenal season,

The girls had an even season playing in the

The season included a four-game winning

winning 12 out of 16 games, including a 43 to

Buffalo Ken-Ton Division III League, with 5 wins

streak in the 10 game spring schedule.

21 victory over Nichols. The team performed

and 5 losses.

Congratulations to our sixth graders who

admirably in the Christ the King Tournament,

completed their first lacrosse season and to

with a 43 to 32 victory over St. Benedict’s and

5th/6th Grade Boys Team

eighth grader Ed Spangenthal, who scored 27

two nail-bitingly-close losses (Cheektowaga 52

This young team finished with a hard-working

goals for the season.

– EFS 47 and St. Gregory’s 39 – EFS 36.).

4 win/6 loss season in the Father Schauss

Congratulations to Ramsey Gayles for his

League.

selection to the All-Tournament Team!

6th/7th/8th Grade Girls Team The highlight of the season for this team is

7th Grade Boys Team

always the play days. This year’s overnight trip

5th/6th Grade Girls Team

These boys gave it a great shot and claimed 4

was to Sewickley Academy in Pittsburgh, PA,

With 10 wins and only 2 losses in the regular

wins and 6 losses playing the Independent

where the girls missed claiming victories but

season, it’s no surprise these girls took first

League.

made a valiant effort with improved play. A

place as Buffalo Ken-Ton League Junior Varsity Champs!

Nichols play day saw a split of 2 wins and 2 7th/8th Grade Girls Team

losses.

This team faced tough competition in the 3rd/4th Grade Boys/Girls Team

Independent League and worked their way to 4

In their first-ever season, these players made

wins and 6 losses overall.

quite a mark for themselves with 8 wins and 4 losses overall. They triumphed in their first playoff game against Queen of Heaven 28 to 12, then just missed victory in their second play-of game against St. Vincent DePaul, 23 to 20.

30

31

“Movement is as natural to learning as breathing is to living. It is not a frill. Movement is the way some people learn best.�

- early childhood education expert Mimi Chenfield, as quoted in Scholastic Early Childhood Today, April 2006

32

fromdevelopment

As always, we thank our many parent, grandparent and alumni volunteers for their support during the past academic year.

Dear EFS Community, Since we are a pre-K to 8th grade school, much of our focus in the Development office inevitably falls on parent involvement. But we never forget how privileged we are to have more than 2,000 alumni within the EFS community. We are also privileged to have the Elmwood Franklin School Alumni Council, a group of 16 individuals committed to developing, maintaining and strengthening the relationship between the school and its alumni. The council serves as the alumni liaison to school administration, specifically the Development office. In the coming year, we are making strategic efforts to raise awareness of the Alumni Council and to encourage participation from all alumni, local and not so local. Alumni Council members for 2006/2007 are listed on the inside front cover.

Objectives The Alumni Council makes strategic efforts to • Maintain communication with alumni • Update EFS with current contact information for alumni • Inform alumni of current school happenings and involve alumni in those activities • Solicit social and financial support from alumni • Share the accomplishments of alumni with the EFS community

33

Activities The Alumni Council organizes and participates in activities including but not limited to • Organizing two events during each fiscal year • Selecting a Commencement speaker • Participating in the Annual Fund phone-a-thon • Contributing to the EFS Auction by donating items and/or attending the event

Structure The Alumni Council represents a broad cross section of EFS alumni. Alumni Council members serve a four-year term and are expected to contribute to the objectives defined above.

Meetings are typically held every other month.

Each council member is required to serve on at least one of the following sub-committees: • Event Planning Committee • Career Speaker Series Committee • Auction Involvement Committee • Annual Giving Committee It is a goal of the Development office to have a revamped web site by September 2006 that will include the full school calendar and pages for auction and parent council, as well as an alumni on-line directory. In order for the directory to be successful, it is critical for all alumni to complete the contact information card enclosed in this magazine. A current mailing address and email address allow EFS to stay in touch with alumni on a regular basis. We are

striving to have a regional event once a year. We will alternate between the East Coast and West Coast each year. We are currently planning an event in New York City this fall.

Nominations to the Alumni Council are always welcome. Should any alumni have interest in joining the Alumni Council, please call me at 716877-5035, ext. 115 or let me know in writing.

Shifting gears to parents, we are fortunate to see at least half of our parent population involved with various events and programs at the school. We consistently have more than 100 parents involved in planning and pulling off our annual auction. This year’s auction was a huge success, netting more than $193K for the school.

More details on the auction’s success will be highlighted in our Annual Report, which is mailed during August. Moving forward to our 2007 Auction on February 10, I am happy to introduce Lee Campbell as our Auction Coordinator. With a background in advertising, marketing and merchandising, Lee is a current board member for the Maria Love Convalescent Fund, co-leads the decorations for the Nichols School auction and is active with the Buffalo Philharmonic, among several other community involvement roles. Lee has already met with incoming auction chairs Sharon Coverdale Dougherty, Marcy Liberti and Cindy Zachau. I will be involved with the auction as well, with Lee managing the day-today details (setting up committee meetings, coordinating the acquisitions, working with the caterer, and the list goes on…) Please join me in welcoming Lee to Elmwood Franklin School.

The Development office will be planning several events for our various constituents to meet incoming Headmaster Tony Featherston, IV during the fall months. As always, we thank our many parent, grandparent and alumni volunteers for their support during the past academic year.

Enjoy the summer months,

Julie A. Raynsford Director of Development

alumniupdate

family ties

There is a sizable group of alumni and students who are making a family tradition out of an Elmwood Franklin education. This group makes up a valuable resource for Elmwood Franklin’s future. Not only are their families shaped by the school, but the school is inevitably shaped by their families. What’s more, some families, like the Kellogg family (pictured at left), have been a part of Elmwood Franklin School for more than 75 years.

Six graduates in the EFS Class of 2006 have a parent and/or grandparent who is an alumnus/a of Elmwood Franklin School.

Counter-clockwise (from top to bottom): • Jennifer Prince Bronstein ’74 and Kilby Bronstein; • Stephen Kellogg, Jr. ’77, Stephen Kellogg III, and Stephen Kellogg, Sr. ’51; • Philip Niswander ’69 and Grace Niswander; • Jacqueline Sanders and Stephen Sanders ’78; • Jacob Stark and Ansie Baird ’51.

Not pictured are: • Peter Lynn and Harriette Heussler ’49.

Attention Elmwood Franklin School Alumni This is not about fund raising but more about raising some fun. We are trying to start the Elmwood Franklin School Alumni Athletic Association. Our aim is to open the EFS sports facilities to Elmwood Franklin alumni and provide an exciting athletic league for all to enjoy. We would also like to re-establish and

create relations between all generations of alums. Once we have a committee together, we will organize a variety of sports that will be available for everyone to enjoy. This is a great way to get back into sports and have a fun time. Please fill out the enclosed postcard and let us know if this idea appeals to you.

Thank you for your cooperation and hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

James D. Jones ’ 96 34

alumninews

James R. Gardner ’98 graduated Magna Cum Laude from American University in May.

1934

1961

Mimsey Olmsted Potts writes from Newtown, Penn., “I live an active life as resident member of the Pennswood Village Corporate Board. My computer is a challenge as I make posters and programs for our concerts committee, as well as being on our UN-USA Chapter of Bucks County and head of our liaison committee with George School.”

Trudy Mollenberg was recently honored as a 2006 Champion for Children by the New York State Association for the Education of Young Children (NYSAEYC) for her work with the Success by Six program. She was also nominated for the WNY Women’s Fund Athena Award.

1949 Howard T. Saperston, Jr. and his wife Mary Franklin Saperston ’60 report that their grandson Maxwell Saperston will enter Prep I next fall as the fourth generation to attend Elmwood Franklin School. Another grandson and future EFS student, H. Truman Saperston IV, was born Oct. 1, 2005.

1952 Mary Ellen Daniels McCormick writes from Oconomowoc, Wis., “With six grandchildren, now I wish they were able to go to EFS—what a great start we received in the late 40’s and early 50’s!”

35

1968 Suzanne Murray-Bissonnette writes from Simsbury, Conn., “EFS holds so many wonderful memories for me. I still see Mary (Kitty) Kelley regularly, and I saw Peggy Anthone in California last summer. I am very happily remarried (10 years!) and have an 18-year-old daughter who just graduated from Miss Porter’s now on her way to Connecticut College. My identical twin 17-year-old boys will be seniors at Loomis Chaffee this fall. Whew—it all flies by! If you are in the Simsbury, CT or Washington, NH area come find us!”

1974 Steven Ambrus wrote from Bogotá, Colombia to tell us that he continues his work as a newspaper

reporter and essayist while enjoying travels to Venezuela, Ecuador and Spain.

1986 Brigid Hughes is the founding editor of A Public Space, a new independent quarterly magazine of literature and culture that features the talents of new and established writers of fiction, poetry, and essays. For more information visit www.apublicspace.org.

1988 Patricia Hughes is assistant curator at PaceWildenstein, a New York City art gallery. She organized the recent show “Breaking & Entering: Art and the Video Game,” an exhibition of works by seven artists working at the forefront of the digital medium. Patricia is a graduate of Brown University. She recently wed Colin Brady and currently lives in New York City.

1989 Adrian Benjamin Burke is an attorney specializing in European litigation at the law firm of Paul Weiss in New York City, where he also

alumninews lives. His article entitled “Tracing Richard J. Burke, Irish-American Journalist” appeared in the December 2005 issue of The Irish Genealogist, tracing the life and ancestry of Adrian’s late grandfather, a former Buffalo Evening News journalist. Adrian also studies filmmaking at the Digital Film Academy of New York.

1990 Ashley Gaye Godell attends George Mason University where she is earning a master’s degree in public administration. Ashley works as a consultant in the federal services practice of BearingPoint in McLean, Va. She recently wed Timothy Kowalcyk.

Jordan Matthew Jayson is living in Greenwich, Conn. and working for S.A. Cohen and Co. as an international financial consultant concentrating on the London market. As a hobby, he coaches lacrosse.

1991 Kary Fronk received her EdM from SUNY Buffalo in English education in September 2005.

Jacqueline Jayson Iak was named Rookie of the Year for First American Equipment Corporation.

She lives in Victor, N.Y. and is the mother of Jackson Thomas, born May 16, 2006.

Jacqueline is sister-in-law to EFS teacher Jenna Piazza.

Jennifer Jayson Dunsby lives in Waterloo, N.Y.’s wine country, where she owns and operates an independent educational consulting firm. She has a four-year-old son, Gavin Joseph, and her second child, born on April 24, 2006, is a girl named Lilly Anne Kersting Dunsby.

through Spain and Turkey last August, stopping to visit former classmate Can (Jon) Celik, who was studying in Turkey.

1999 Matthew Edson is working toward his commercial pilot degree.

Carolyn Faust is enjoying a summer job at Champlin's Marina and Hotel out at Block Island, Rhode Island, working in the business office. She will continue at UMaine at Ft. Kent in the fall.

2001 Adam Goldfarb attends Colby College, where he was named to the fall semester Dean’s List.

2002 Joseph Cianciosa has graduated from St. Mary's High School in Lancaster. He was awarded the Zyga Memorial Scholarship for leadership, generosity and personal perseverance. He also received recognition for three years of participation in the Model UN, participation in Government, participation in the school musical for four years, exemplary service and performance on the yearbook staff, exemplary service on the recruitment team, and perfect attendance for the 2005-2006 school year. Joseph will enter SUNY at Buffalo this fall.

Wesley Mabee was named to the 2006 AllWestern New York Scholar-Athlete spring sport team for boys lacrosse. He will enter The College of William & Mary this fall.

2004 Ana Hare, along with her Swimkins synchronized swim team, recently won first place in the Swedish Open. Ana’s team won the duet, the combo and the team event. Prior to that, Ana was named a Scholar Athlete at the Senior Zone Championships in Morton, Mass.

Kevin Kaminski traveled with James Gardner

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Circle Z Ranch, resident managers Ginny and Jim Cosbey, former EFS parents, extend a special invitation to the Elmwood Franklin School community to come and enjoy a true Southwestern guest ranch.

Receive a 10% discount for any reservation made from November 2, 2006 to April 30, 2007.

For every reservation made mentioning Elmwood Franklin School, Circle Z will make a $150 donation to the school!

Call now to book or for more information!

Offer subject to availability.

CIRCLE Z RANCH

Gregory Faust is currently living in Virginia and just bought his first house.

James R. Gardner graduated Magna Cum Laude from American University in May with degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. He plans on attending law school in the fall. James is the son of James A. Gardner of Buffalo and Kate R. Gardner ’62 of Sarasota, Fla.

Take the chill out of fall.

P.O. Box 194 Patagonia, AZ 85624

Nicholas Edson was awarded Amherst Central High School's Guy Vastola Award as a varsity athlete who exemplifies team spirit, leadership, and citizenship.

1997 1998

CIRCLE Z RANCH

Ethan Notarius competed in Alpine skiing at the Empire State Games in February at Whiteface Mountain, in Lake Placid, New York.

Trelsie Sadler recently received the New

888-854-2525 www.circlez.com

England Sportsmanship Award in the 16 and younger category. She is a nationally ranked tennis player and was named Most Valuable Player for the girls' varsity tennis team at the Groton School.

2005 Joanna Cianciosa has finished her freshman year at St. Mary's High School in Lancaster, where she received a President's Education award, a student senate award, a perfect attendance award, and an award for best effort in religion.

In Memorium Prudence Hemenway Hodge, Class of 1932, passed away on April 28, 2006.

36

efsremembers1906

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 1818 Buffalo, NY

104 New Amsterdam Avenue Buffalo, New York 14216-3399 phone 716.877.5035 fax 716.877.9680 www.elmwoodfranklin.org

TO PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If this magazine is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Development Office by phone 716-877-5035 or by email development@elmwoodfranklin.org with the correct mailing address.

Thank you.