AdvancingFenn Love of the School Prompts Support “
M
y brother, Kyle [’73], and I had a couple of great parents,” declares Clint Bajakian ’77, senior music manager at Sony Computer Entertainment. Throughout the boys’ time at Fenn, their parents, Amy and Vincent Bajakian, “recognized more and more how special and wonderful the school and its community were—how talented and caring were the faculty, and how excellent were the academic and athletic programs.” The Bajakians were drawn by their appreciation of the School into increased involvement in the Fenn community. Amy covered an expectant Jean Carter’s art classes, and the families became close friends. Vin served on the Board of Trustees for a time, helping to steward and expand the School’s capital endowment. When Amy asked that a bequest be set up to support Fenn after her death, representing her and her late husband’s wishes, her sons were not surprised. “My parents loved the school, in great part due to the vicarious experience they enjoyed through Kyle and me,” Clint says. “Long ago they adopted the desire to support Fenn so passionately.”
Clint and Kyle say there were countless held in her lap, complete with “occasional experiences of them being boys at Fenn parent singing and approving that their parents witnessed or heard about. commentary, laughter, and applause.” One is the forty-yard piggy back ride Billy Susan served on the Stride gave Clint “in my futile attempt to Fenn Board of Trustees tackle him on a fumble return in from 1973 to 1982. scrimmage.” And Clint will never forget the She died in 2012 at the science classes spent collecting maple sap age of 81, and “nothing and making syrup with founding I say can do justice to Headmaster Roger Fenn, whose “kind, the force of nature she patient leadership inspired us toward a was and remains,” Paul deeper and more respectful appreciation of Susan Morrison Mayer says. the natural world.” Pamela Miller Ness, librarian and Amy and Vincent’s love for Fenn is an teacher from 1987 to 1992, waxes lyrical example of the many members of the when she speaks about what Fenn still extended Fenn family—alumni, their means to her and why she continues to parents, and former faculty members—who support the School in the form of a continue to support the School with a bequest. “Unlike many schools, there is no bequest or other type of testamentary gift. gap between the mission statement and the Another is Susan Morrison Mayer, a reality of nurturing the whole child,” she lifelong educator and volunteer, and mother says. of Paul Slye ’77 and David Slye ’74. Paul, Pamela says that Fenn is a community cofounder and managing member of “that allows both boys and adults to take Brentwood Capital partners, says he is “not risks that can foster growth.” Though she surprised that Fenn has somehow figured came to Fenn as a librarian, she was offered into our memory of Mom’s remarkable life a ninth grade advisee group (“which I and Susan’s living legacy.” adored”), and then a fourth grade social Susan, and Paul’s father, George, with studies class (“which began my journey help from his grandparents, “facilitated the from librarian to teacher”). A year later she move that would change my life for the pursued training in teaching children with better,” he says of coming to Fenn. His learning differences (“which was a segue to mother “enjoyed and encouraged the my future work as a learning specialist”). entire spectrum of my Fenn experience, From the moment Pamela arrived at including academics, sports, music, and Fenn, “I felt embraced by community,” she friendships.” Paul still has tapes of band says. She believes in supporting the School and choral concerts captured on a “because it played a crucial and deeply primitive cassette recorder his mother cherished role in my life journey.” 1975 lacrosse team members Clint Bajakian ’77, wearing number 40, and his fellow lacrosse players, l to r bottom row: Stephen Byrd ’77, Peter Brooke ’76, unidentified boy, David Campbell ’76, Eric Jenny ’77, Alan Price ’76, Ronnie Owens ’76. Second row, next to Clint: George Janes ’75, Chip Orcutt ’77, Tick Ticknor ’76, Peter Hochmeyer’77, Ben MacArthur ’77; behind Ben is Chris Borden ’77. Back row, l to r: Steve Carell ’77, John Brooke ’77, Jon Byrd ’76, Sam Smyth ’76, Billy Cummings ’75, and coach Arnold Klingenberg. Missing from photo is Steve Arnold ’76.
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