Gordon School Alumni Magazine Spring 2013

Gordon

alumni connection

Spring 2013

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Dear Gordon Friends, When graduates reflect on their Gordon experience we frequently hear about the impact of their experience here: that their teachers encouraged them to become self-directed learners, critical thinkers and empathic citizens of the world.

The extraordinary teaching and learning that builds this foundation is showcased in our new What Matters video series. This series explores our classrooms in action, introduces some of our faculty members and provides a snapshot of what strong multicultural practice looks like. Watch the series today at www.gordonschool.org/whatmatters.

This issue of the Alumni Connection features several alumni employing the lessons they learned at Gordon in their work as educators, researchers and leaders in their communities.

They each reflect on the Gordon teachers and experiences that continue to have a lasting impact on them today.

This March, Gordon announced the launch of the Second Century Campaign. Led by co-chairs Susanna Rhodes Beckwith ’84 and Curt Beckwith, and Heidi and Bernie Buonanno, this capital campaign seeks to enrich our theater and music programs, enhance community spaces and invest in Gordon’s long term financial security. We are excited by the promise of this campaign and how it will benefit future generations of Gordon students and families. For more information visit 4

www.gordonschool.org/secondcentury.

We hope you will continue to stay in touch with Gordon School. Download the alumni mobile

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app at www.gordonschool.org/mobilecommunity to stay in touch with your classmates and up-to-date on school news and events. You can also follow us online through Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.

As always, Gordon School is enormously grateful for the continued support we receive from our alumni and their families.

Sincerely,

Siobhan Sheerar Welsh Associate Development Director

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enrichenhanceinvest On Wednesday, March 6th, over 250 parents, faculty, alumni, parents of alumni, and grand-

parents gathered to celebrate the launch of the Second Century Campaign for Gordon School.

Board Chair Bernie Buonanno, Trustee Susanna Rhodes Beckwith ’84 and Head of School Ralph L. Wales presented the ambitious plans for the campaign.

The Second Century Campaign initiatives include a new performing arts center, new Middle School music and band classrooms, after school classroom space, activity room renovations, a new dining facility and funds for endowment.

1: Campaign Co-Chairs Susanna Rhodes Beckwith ’84 and Curt Beckwith 2: Amanda and Ted Fischer, Campaign Co-Chair Bernie Buonanno, Glen and Carrie Elliott 3: Director of Diversity and Multicultural Practice Kim Ridley and Head of School Ralph L. Wales 4: Michaela and Andrew Kelton 5: Luis and Olinda Matos 6: Head’s Advisory Council Co-Chair Johnnie Chace and Liz Pannell 7: Amanda and Chip Riegel 8: Mindy Matouk and Campaign Steering Committee member George Matouk 9: Evan and Kendra Mitchner 10: Greg and Amy Lupica, Middle School Faculty member Jennifer Becker and Jeffrey Fox, Trustee Bob Fine ’89 and Susan Fine 11: Kim Dimeo and Lower School Director Maryanne Pieri 12: Faculty member Toni Dumville, Emily Bresnahan-McRae ’97, Faculty member Amy Cohen, Head’s Advisory Council Co-Chair Rob Glancy ’97, Andrea Weisman Russell ’97

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envision In 2008, the Board of Trustees articulated a vision for how the school’s facilities can best complement the academic program in the long term. The resulting facilities and landscape master plan protects the school’s existing resources, both natural and man-made, making more efficient use of the school’s current footprint while preserving the open outdoor Th e Com

space that has distinguished Gordon’s program for over one hundred years.

T he S e con d Cen tu ry Ca mpa ign for G ord on Sch ool

Enriching Music and Theater Education

$2.6 million

Performing arts center Middle School band classroom Middle School music classroom Enhancing Community Spaces

$2.3 million

After school programs classroom The Commons (activity room renovations) Dining facility Investing in Gordon’s Future

$2.2 million

Funds for financial aid, unrestricted, and facilities endowments Total

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$7.1 million

Mi ddle Sch ool

a rts facility

ath letic st ora ge

wc st ora ge

Mi d d l e Sc h ool Ba n d Cl a ss room wc wc

pe offices

p e r for ming

th eater st ora ge

st ora ge

Music C la ss room

a f t er sc h ool prog ra m c l a ss room

wc servery Din in g Fa cility

m o ns

“

Gordon works to answer the question ‘what is the most basic thing

that we need now in order to achieve our mission?’ The Second Century b el l t ow e r

Campaign fits right into that model. We are investing in exceptional

teaching practice, and elevating the strong academic experience that

”

Gordon already provides.

Ralph L. Wales, Head of School

For more information on ways to participate in the Second Century Campaign please contact Kerrie Donahue, Development Director at 401-434-3833 x117 or visit gordonschool.org/secondcentury.

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Campus Notes

Head’s Advisory Council

College Alumni Luncheon

This fall, the Head’s Advisory Council

Lucy Kahn ’06 (Sarah Lawrence College ’14

welcomed new Co-Chairs Johnnie Chace

and Milton Academy ’10), Alix Bowman ’05

(Parent of Sarah ’97, Ben ’97, Nathaniel ’00

(Spelman College ’13 and Wheeler School ’09),

and Lilly ’03) and Rob Glancy ‘97. Johnnie

and Susannah Wales ’05 (Hamilton College ’13

and Rob continue the success that began under

and Wheeler School ’09) returned to Gordon

the tenure of Sally Lapides and Annie White

in January to share their reflections on their

’87. The Council met this fall and discussed

educational experiences with this year’s eighth

Gordon’s financial and strategic planning

grade class.

which included information about the Second Century Campaign. The conversation was led

Gordon Middle School Musicians Named All-State

by Trustee Susanna Rhodes Beckwith ’84 and

In November, five Gordon students passed the

Class of 2013 Civil Rights Trip

Head of School, Ralph L. Wales. The Council,

audition for the Rhode Island Music Educator’s

The Class of 2013 traveled to Georgia and

which consists of fifty alumni and parents

Junior All-State Festival. Approximately eight

Alabama in February for the twelfth annual

of alumni, reflected on Gordon’s current

hundred seventh, eighth and ninth graders from

Civil Rights Trip. They visited the Southern

demographic and the enrollment trends that

throughout the state also auditioned. The Junior

Poverty Law Center where they met with Hate

exist in the Rhode Island landscape of

All-State Performance was held on Sunday,

Crimes Investigator Anthony Griggs and Ashley

independent schools.

Jackson of the Center’s LGBT Rights Team.

The trip had a new stop this year, the Grey-

High School Alumni Breakfast

hound Bus Terminal where Freedom Riders

The December high school alumni breakfast

were beaten while attempting to integrate the

provided alumni from classes 2009-2012

bus waiting room in 1961. Students recognized

an opportunity to reconnect with their Gordon

how Freedom Rider James Zwerg, along with

classmates and teachers prior to the winter

SLPC’s Anthony Griggs, modeled two ways

assembly.

that white men can work against racial injustice.

The Civil Rights Trip is funded by the BreadyLapides Eighth Grade Educational Trip Fund which was established through the generosity of Richard Bready (parent of Arika ’02 and Max ’03) and Sally Lapides (parent of Ian Barnacle ’99 and Emmett Barnacle ’03) and the Class of 2003 Museum Admissions Endowment Fund.

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March 24th. Several Gordon graduates also made it into the festival: Lilli Maris ’12, Ping Promrat ’12, Toria Rainey ’10, Sherry Romanzi ’10 and Lindsay Waller ’09.

Middle School Theater Performances

Karla Harry Visiting Author

The Middle School performed Haroun

Joseph Bruchac, a prolific author and gifted

and the Sea of Stories this fall. The script

storyteller whose work often draws on his

is an adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s

Abenaki ancestory, was this year’s Karla Harry

novel. This March, Middle School students

Visiting Author. Bruchac is the author of

performed a production of Fiddler on the

more than 120 books for children and adults.

Roof. Jonah Parker ’10 spent a day directing

The best selling Keepers of the Earth: Native

Middle School actors as they prepared for their

American Stories and Environmental Activities

scenes. Jonah’s acting performance in the film

for Children and others of his “Keepers” series,

Breakfast with Curtis continues to receive

continue to receive critical acclaim and to be

glowing reviews.

used in classrooms throughout the country.

Thanks to the Karla Harry Visiting Author

Teacher Residency Program Spring Placements

Fund and additional support from the Gordon

The third cohort of Gordon’s Teacher Residency

Community Association, Bruchac’s four-and-

Program with Roger Williams University is

a-half day visit was the longest author visit

immersed in their spring teaching practicum.

since the program began in 2007. Bruchac

The seven residents, including alumni Kristy

worked with students from every grade level,

Castro ’01 and Anna Burnham ’02, are being

leading workshops that had students exploring

mentored by several Gordon faculty members.

their own voices through storytelling and

This talented and energetic group of aspiring

conversations about historical fiction and

teachers has brought their diverse experiences,

biography.

backgrounds and passion for teaching into Gordon’s classrooms this year. For more

Rhode Island State Poet

information on Gordon’s Teacher Residency

Rick Benjamin was named the new State Poet

Program visit www.gordonschool.org/

Laureate of Rhode Island. According to the

residency.

Providence Journal, this position makes him “the principal advocate for poetry in Rhode

Sixteenth Visiting Artist Announced

Island.” Since 2009, Benjamin has taught an

Rebecca Goodale will be Gordon’s sixteenth

extended series as a guest in Gordon’s seventh

Britt Nelson Visiting Artist, working with fourth

grade humanities classrooms. In a recent

and sixth grades and students in the seventh

interview with WGBH radio, Rhode Island’s

and eighth grade visual arts elective. Goodale

state poet Rick Benjamin was asked about

has been documenting the flora and fauna of

recognizing young talent. In his answer, he

southern Maine since 1999, in a series of books

recalled an encounter with Nellie Harvey ’12

handmade by the artist in small limited editions.

in a Gordon classroom. Rick Benjamin will

She serves as adjunct professor, teaching book

return to Gordon this spring to continue his

arts and design, at the University of Southern

work with our seventh grade students.

Maine.

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We Bid Farewell

This June, three dedicated teachers,

Linda Mullin, Diana Reeves and

Susanne Toothaker, will step away

from the classroom. Between them,

Li n d a M u l l i n

Susanne Toothaker

Linda began teaching at Gordon in 1981 as

Susanne has been an exemplar of early

a substitute teacher and became a full-time

childhood practice for each of her fifteen years

classroom teacher soon after. Over the years,

teaching at Gordon. Her positive spirit is infec-

she has nurtured hundreds of students’

tious, most centrally for the children she guides

enthusiasm for new knowledge and today

and nurtures. In 2006, Susanne co-led the

provides the structure and loving presence

school’s self study process with Teacher Resi-

within which her first graders thrive.

dency Program Director Lynn Bowman when Gordon was last evaluated by the Association

they will have provided sixty-eight

years of dedicated work and

thoughtful instruction. Through-

out their time at gordon, they

have guided over 800 students

and supported families with

care and good counsel. Notably,

as lead teachers do, each of

them has worked to embrace new

initiatives and pushed their practice

toward GORDON’s aspirations.

Linda was integral in the creation of a school-

of Independent Schools in New England.

wide facilities and landscape master plan in the late ’90s. Her clear thinking and practical

Susanne holds an in-depth understanding

ideas assisted work that ultimately resulted in

of Gordon’s foundational principle—child-

the Campaign for Gordon’s Future which built

centered education. She has taken this basic

the Joukowsky Family Library, the Nelson Field

tenet and imbedded it within the context of

House, the Sharp Early Childhood Center,

multicultural teaching. She brings themes

the Collis Music Classroom, the Chace Middle

around racial identity into her instruction

School Building and the Mann Family Early

and works diligently to make sure every family

Childhood Playground. During the years of

feels full membership in her classroom.

Gordon’s summer camp, Linda was often the camp director’s right hand. Recently, Linda

“The week I entered Mrs. Toothaker’s class, I

has served as a cooperating teacher for the

felt like I had entered “real” school. I had left

Teacher Residency Program mentoring future

behind the sand and dress up box next door

elementary educators.

“My favorite memory of Mrs. Mullin was when she read Julie Edwards’ book, The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles out loud to our class. I can still remember sitting around on the floor with my classmates in rapt attention while Mrs. Mullin read the story to us with some great voices, too! I always loved reading, but having this imaginative and suspenseful book read to us was one of my favorite Gordon memories. It’s still one of my all time favorite books.”

—Courtney DeStefano ’01

in preschool, and was eager to start learning about stuff. I wasn’t that sure what that “stuff” was going to be. Mrs. Toothaker’s big smile and warm hug greeted me on the first day.

During that year, I was excited to realize that the things that Mrs. Toothaker wanted to teach me (a unit about bats after reading Stellaluna, and a lesson on Sri Lanka) meshed so neatly with my own interests. What a coincidence.

I also felt special when she arranged for Trevor Cusack to be my reading buddy, and come into the classroom to read with me. I went to school every day, excited to see my friends and excited about what I would discover. To be honest, I don’t remember the facts I learned in Kindergarten, but I remember the feeling of a class that didn’t seem like hard work, but play.

It’s this little kernel that I think I carried out of Mrs. Toothaker’s classroom: the best kind of learning should not feel like work at all.”

—Dylan Neel ’07

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alumni profile

Courtney DeStefano ’01

Di a n a R e e v e s

Cour tney DeStefa n o ’01 i s a hi sto ry

What have you enjoyed about your first two

In her twenty-three years at Gordon,

teacher , athleti cs co a ch an d do rm

years of teaching?

Diana has consistently brought purposeful,

par ent at Th e Ma sters Sch o o l i n Do bbs

I want my students to leave my class seeing

individualized instruction to her classroom.

Fer ry, NY. Sh e i s a g radu ate o f Mo ses

the big picture. It is such a rewarding moment

Whether it has been in first grade, where

B r own ’0 5, Ski dmo re C o lleg e ’09 an d

when a student makes a comment in class,

she taught for nine years, or in third grade,

B oston C o lleg e ’11.

or in their writing, or in the hallway that shows they are thinking critically and that the pieces

where she started in 2001, Diana’s deliberate and focused practice has provided

Why did you decide to go into the teaching

of the puzzle are coming together. Those

an example for her teaching peers.

profession?

moments are little celebrations for me, know-

During the second year of my Master’s program

ing that I have helped them—albeit in a small

Diana is an expert in differentiated instruc-

at Boston College, the History Department

way—to change the way they think about the

tion and known nationally for her work in

asked me to be a teaching assistant for their

world around them.

gifted and talented education. In 1997, she

core history course, Europe and the Modern

was recognized with the Presidential Award

World. I was responsible for leading four

for Excellence in Mathematics and Science

discussion sections a week that helped supple-

teaching. In the past three years, Diana

ment the course lectures. In addition, I held

has been a key participant in the Teacher

office hours to help my students improve their

Residency program serving as a cooperating

written work, and help them before exams. Even

teacher and course instructor while author-

though it was a lot of work, it was by far the

ing the Cooperating Teacher Handbook.

most rewarding part of my graduate experience.

Her children Sarah ’96 and Ryan ’98 are

Being a teaching assistant cemented in my mind

both graduates of the school.

that I am a people person and that I would do

How did your Gordon experience shape who

the most good not by being up to my elbows in “Mrs. Reeves was such a kind and caring

dusty books in an archive, but rather by having

person. She always had a big smile and

daily conversations with my students to explain

was ready to help out on a project or go

how and why our world is the way it is today.

on an adventure with you. She inspired me to push forward and branch out into

What are your responsibilities at the Masters School?

you are today?

As a teacher, my Gordon experience has provided me with a model for great teaching.

I often find myself thinking, “How would this have been done at Gordon?” In preparing my lessons and in my approach with my students, I try to emulate the behavior I learned from the teachers I had at Gordon. I have often employed Mrs. Bowman’s method of inquiry based learning to come to a deeper understanding of a primary source document. When a student is struggling with a certain topic, I remember the kindness and patience that Mr. Dorsey showed me in my pursuit of trying to master the concepts in his class. When my students question the value of map quizzes,

the world.”

At the Masters School, I am considered a

—Philippe Dwyer ‘04

“triple threat” faculty member because I teach, coach, and live in the dorms. I am currently

I think about Mrs. Whinery’s attention to detail and her great energy for teaching us geography.

And although I don’t teach science, I try to

teaching four sections of World History II

bring Mr. Kravitz’s infectious enthusiasm for

for sophomores. I am the head varsity coach for the field hockey and lacrosse programs, and I live in Ford Dorm, which is one of three girls’ dorms on campus. I love that I get to see my students in a variety of settings, and that they

the subject matter into my own classes. I really can’t imagine being where I am today without the lessons I learned while at Gordon.

What are your hopes for the future?

get to know me beyond the confines of the

I see myself teaching for a long time to come.

classroom. Last year, I received the Head of School’s Teaching and Learning Award for my work on campus. I was proud to know that working in the boarding school setting was the right fit for me. More recently, I was asked to serve on an advisory search committee for our new Dean of Students.

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Next year I will be teaching history at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT. I am excited about this move in my professional career as I will be teaching a wider array of courses, and will have the opportunity to keep coaching the sports I love and be a dorm parent.

al um n i p r o f i l e

Dylan Neel ’07

D yl a n N e e l ’ 0 7 m e n t o r s elementary

with electric circuits and built egg-drop

sc h ool s t u d e n t s a s pa r t of the Har var d

contraptions. I tried to impart small life lessons

U n ive rs i t y- A l l s t o n Ed u cation Por tal.

that I have learned, and encourage their

D yl a n i s a g r a d u at e of Moses B r own

passion for academics. Just as those whom

( ’ 11) a n d i s a n e u r o b i ology maj or

I mentor benefit from working with me, I too

a n d a g l o b a l h e a lt h policy minor at

have needed those that I can look up to, and

H a r va r d U n i v e r s i t y.

learn from. Many of my teachers at Gordon, especially Mrs. Toothaker and Mrs. Parikh, a lu mn i profile

What has your experience been like at

gave me the encouragement, guidance and

Harvard?

hugs that made me a confident student.

Philippe Dwyer ’04

I didn’t appreciate how much more free and

How did Gordon shape who you are today?

Phi li ppe D wyer ’04 i s tea ch i n g E n g l i s h

fun college learning would be. While Harvard

Agatha Christie, the detective novelist, said

at the Yo u Well In tern ati o na l P u m p ki n

has required general subjects, I can still direct

“one of the luckiest things that can happen

Eng li sh Sch o o l i n Ch o n g q i n g , C h i n a . H e

my learning into areas that truly interest me:

to you in life is, I think, to have a happy

i s a g radu ate o f Pro vi denc e C o u n t ry D ay

I’ve taken classes in Jewish literature, genetics,

childhood.” Gordon was a big part of my

’08 and Rhode Island School of Design ’12.

epic poetry and mathematical modeling. Right

own happy childhood, and some of my fondest

now, I am taking biochemistry—it is fascinating

memories are from these years. I remember

Why did you decide to get into the teaching

to be able to see how fundamental organic

feeling a strong sense of belonging at the

profession?

chemistry mechanisms underlie all of life.

school, enjoying the ample outdoor active

At RISD, I had my first teaching experience

In addition to classes, I am involved in some

time we always had (my favorite subject was

as a teaching assistant for one of my professors.

campus organizations as well. I am on the

recess) and being interested in the things that

I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with other

editorial board of the Harvard College Global

my teachers had to say. These experiences

students and watching them grow throughout

Health Review, I work in a lab at the Broad

have had a tremendous impact on my own

the class. It was interesting to be able to work

Institute, I am a member of the Harvard

sense of how I learn best, and how I thrive.

with the classroom curriculum in a different

Undergraduate Maternal Health Initiative,

I still like to create a community around me

way and help the students master difficult

I serve on the board of the Phoenix S.K. Club,

like that first Gordon community, I still like

concepts and further their understanding.

and I mentor kids at the Harvard-Allston

to run around a lot like we did in the field next

Seeing them build their confidence and under-

Education Portal.

to the school, and I still respect my teachers

standing is what made me want to find another

for the work they do. I am also grateful that

teaching position.

While I enjoyed my classes in high school,

How did you get involved with the Harvard-

in my family’s first years at Gordon, when my

Allston Education Portal?

father was still finishing his medical training,

During my freshman year, I started working

we received a generous grant of financial aid

International Pumpkin English School?

with “The Ed Portal.” This program is designed

that made these great experiences possible

I am responsible for teaching nine English

to bridge the Harvard and Allston communities,

for my brother and me.

classes for children aged three to five and one

What are your responsibilities at the Youwell

class for six to eight year olds. I am paired

and provide a space where Harvard undergraduates and local elementary students can

What are your hopes for the future?

with a Chinese teacher at the school who

study, interact and have fun together. My role

For now, I hope to keep enjoying myself in

assists me with the curriculum and classroom

as a mentor has made me fully appreciate how

college. After I graduate, I plan to pursue a career

management. With the younger students, I try

mentorship and good teaching are crucial at

in research science, and perhaps go to medical

to make their study of the English language

every stage in one’s life. Running a science

school. I would like to make a contribution in

fun and interactive as learning English is quite

club for two fourth graders this past semester

science or in global health some day. As for

hard. I’ve implemented many arts literacy

was one of the most rewarding experiences

the big picture, I aspire to have work that I am

activities—drawing, dramatic play and games

that I have had at Harvard. We learned about

passionate about, a happy family and good

so that the children can attach themselves

physics by launching bottle rockets, studied

friends. These are values I know to be inspired

to what they are learning. Most recently, I

cyanobacteria under the microscope, played

in part by Gordon’s mission of joyful learning,

organized a vacation camp and we had so

intellectual leadership and empathic spirit.

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alumni profile

Ping Promrat ’12

Ping Pr omrat ’12 ser ves a s vi ce presi dent

How is your experience at Wheeler going?

of his fr eshma n cla ss at Wh eeler

I am really enjoying my first year at Wheeler.

School. He i s a lso a member o f th e

I played soccer this fall and am a member of

j unior varsi ty bo y’s so ccer tea m an d

the choral ensemble which is a continuation

the sc hool’s ch o ra l en semble.

of what I did at Gordon. I am taking an honors class and striving to do the best I can. I love

What motivated you to run for vice

my history class with Mr. Hall. He reminds me

president of your class?

a lot of my eighth grade humanities teacher

My friend Cam DiGiovanni asked me in the

Mr. Burnstein, as he teaches in the same way,

beginning of the school year if I would be his

making history relevant. He also goes out of

running mate for the freshman class presidency

his way to get to know his students inside and

much fun together. I took them all ice skating

positions. We ran against two other pairs of

outside of the classroom.

and for many of them it was their first time.

classmates and had to deliver a speech to our

It was a great opportunity to bond with them

entire class. I remember being a little nervous

What do you appreciate about your Gordon

outside of the classroom.

as I was still getting to know everyone in our

experience?

class. Cam and I stayed focused on communi-

The Civil Rights Trip; it gave me a greater

cating our ideas of building community within

understanding of what we go through as a

our class. We shared our plan of hosting class-

society and what I can do as an individual to

wide events that would provide opportunities

help. The trip brought our class together and

for everyone to get to know each other and

the teachers were great. You don’t appreciate

have a good time outside of the school day.

them enough when you are with them every

We were thrilled to learn we won the election

day, but their method of teaching and ability

and have been busy ever since.

to get to know us as individuals is something

What have you enjoyed in your first year of teaching?

I love watching my students and seeing their eyes open wide with wonder and engaged in their understanding of the English language.

They take their learning very seriously and are eager to understand new words and phoenetic concepts every day. It is so fun getting to know my students as individuals.

How did Gordon shape who you are today?

Gordon encouraged me to be open-minded and tackle things head on and believe and trust the outcome. My teachers gave me the room to explore my own interests, whether it was writing a research paper on a topic I was excited about, or creating my own art portfolio.

Today, I enjoy exploring what the world has to offer and I attribute that to my Gordon experience.

What are your hopes for the future?

I want to continue in the teaching profession and pursue graduate school sometime in the near future. I also want to keep traveling and exploring different cultures as I have learned so much from my travels in China.

that I will never forget. My Gordon teachers What are some of your vice president

got their message across effectively and

responsibilities?

thoughtfully. We weren’t just learning facts,

Cam and I are responsible for running the

we were attaching meaning and connection

freshman class weekly meeting. We plan for

to what we were learning. It was an interactive

the agenda and make sure to make the best

and engaging way to understand the world

use of our classmates’ time. As a leader, I try

around us.

to understand the perspectives of my classmates and create opportunities that would be

What are you hopes for the future?

of interest to them. After our exam week, Cam

Gordon has a lot to do with what I want to

and I organized a movie and pizza night for

pursue in the future. I was exposed to every-

our class at Wheeler Hall. It was well attended

thing at Gordon. I was never a musician until

and our class finally had a chance to hang out

Gordon and now theater and music are integral

and enjoy each other’s company without just

to everything I do today. I want to continue to

passing each other in the hallways.

pursue everything I am interested in.

My goal as vice president is to help my classmates out whether they are having a difficult time or just need time to be together. I want them to enjoy their freshman year and I feel as vice president I have a hand in that. Cam and I have had a lot fun bringing everyone together and planning events for our class.

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al um n i p r o f i l e

Georgia Hunter Farinholt ’92 G e orgia H u n t e r Fa r i n h olt ’9 2 is

Why was I just hearing these stories now?

fill, so I began searching online archives and

re s e a rc h i n g a n d w r i t i ng her family ’s

I remember thinking. And why hadn’t anyone

reaching out (often with the help of translators)

s e ve n -y e a r , f i v e - c o n t i nent Holocaust

taken the time to write them down? I wouldn’t

to indexes, magistrates, memorials, ministries,

s u r vival o d y sse y i n a manusc r ipt

begin my full-fledged research for several

and embassies around the world for records

e n t it l ed , T h e L u c k y O nes: a Wor ld War

years, but something inside me knew, that

pertaining to my family. I visited the Holocaust

II Story o f Co u r a g e , P er sev er anc e, and

summer evening, that my family’s was a story

Museum in D.C., the Museum of Jewish Heritage

L o ve . S h e i s a g r a d u ate of Moses B r own

that needed to be told.

in New York, and the National Archives in Rio, scouring records for the last name Kurc.

’ 96 a n d t h e U n i v e r s i t y of Vir ginia ’0 0 .

How have you gone about collecting your

I followed blogs, joined online groups and

What prompted you to research your

research? What has that culling process

immersed myself in books, articles, essays,

family’s history and then decide to write

been like for you?

and films relevant to my story; when I found

a book about it?

I kicked off my research by flying around the

a reliable source, I contacted the author—

My maternal grandfather passed away when

world to interview relatives, beginning with the

nearly everyone I reached out to responded

I was 14. Not long after, I was assigned an

one family member still living and able to share

right away, eager to help.

“I-Search” project in freshman English class,

her first-hand experiences. (Felicia was a year

requiring me to look back at my ancestry as

old at the outbreak of WWII, three years old

Finally, I turned to other Holocaust and WWII

a way of better understanding myself, and

when she and her mother were forced into hid-

survivors, hoping that their personal narratives

how I fit into the world. I’ll never forget sitting

ing.) Next I met with the rest of my mother’s

could shed some light on mine. I joined the

down with my grandmother and learning

cousins. Some were born during the war, most

Polish Home Association, where I met with

for the first time that I was a quarter Jewish

just after. My interviews took me from Paris to

several people who, like my grandfather’s

and that my grandfather, along with his parents

Rio de Janeiro, Seattle, Oakland, Miami, and

brother Genek, had been exiled by Stalin to

and siblings, were Holocaust survivors.

Rhode Island. I filled half a dozen notebooks and

Siberian gulags, and I tracked down my grand-

took hours of digital recordings along the way.

father’s ex-fiancée, whom he met aboard the

A few years later, my parents hosted a family

ship he sailed from Marseille to Rio in 1941;

reunion at our home in Massachusetts. Over

As my family’s story began to unfold, I was

Eliska was able to share details about their jour-

30 relatives—many of whom I’d never met

blown away by its breadth. My grandfather

ney aboard the Alsina, about the four months

before—flew in from Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo,

was one of five siblings who scattered at the

they spent detained in Casablanca, and about

Paris, Tel Aviv, and from all over the States.

start of the war—their paths, I learned, spanned

the man my grandfather was at 28 years old,

Languages alternated mid-sentence between

five continents before they reunited in Brazil in

when he left his family and his homeland in

English, French, and Portuguese; keeping up

1946. In order to make sense of it all, I pieced

hopes of starting over in the free world.

was a challenge. But I managed, and when

together a seven-year timeline and color-coded

conversation shifted to my grandfather and

it by sibling. To help me pinpoint dates and

What has been one of the most challenging

then to the war, I leaned in closer. A baby born

better understand the social/political/economic

aspects of this project?

in a Siberian gulag. An escape from the Radom

climate, I included as many key historical

Unearthing my family’s past is a slow-going

ghetto. A secret wedding in Lvov. A romance

events and turning points as possible.

process—I have to remind myself often to be

aboard a ship full of refugees bound for Brazil.

Little by little, I began to piece together a part of my family’s past which, until that day, I had

patient! One of my biggest challenges, which I With a basic understanding of who was where/

discovered early on in my interviews, is the fact

when, I was still left with several large holes to

that my grandfather and his siblings (as is the

no idea existed.

10

Family photos left to right: The Kurc family in their hometown of Radom, Poland, circa 1920—my grandfather, “Addy,” is at the far left.

My grandfather at 28 years old, aboard the ship Alsina.

He fled Europe in January of 1941 for Brazil, but was detained twice, in Dakar and in Casablanca. When he arrived in Rio six months later aboard a different ship, his visa had expired.

My grandfather’s younger sister, Halina, posed as an Aryan during the war, with the false last name Brzoza.

This is her ID, created by her husband Adam, who worked for the Underground.

My grandfather’s brother Genek and his wife Herta in Palestine, 1943.

My great-grandfather, Schlomo Kurc, with his grandchildren, Ricardo and Kathleen, not long after the family reunited in Brazil in 1946.

case with many Holocaust survivors) didn’t talk

anecdote passed down in an interview, or

several throughout the year) were proudly

much about the war. Their story is blessed with

a letter back from a ministry in Moscow

displayed in the classroom library until we took

a happy ending, yes, but it seems that when

revealing that, yes, we do have record of your

them home.

they were finally reunited in Brazil at war’s

relative!...that moment is magical. With each

end, they were ready to put the past behind

discovery, I’m overwhelmed with a sense of

In later years, I recall my teachers emphasizing

them. The stories that have been passed

gratification, knowing that the work put into

that the process of writing was equally as

down to me, therefore, are limited, and often

the project is paying off.

important as the final product. And so I became accustomed to peer review, teacher review,

fragmented.

All in all, uncovering my family history has

and endless rewrites. Middle School introduced

Another big challenge I face comes with the

been an incredibly transformative experience.

rigorous analytical and organizational skills

decision to write The Lucky Ones from the

I’ve laughed, cried, cringed, and shaken my

as I was assigned research papers. Whatever

perspective of my grandfather and his siblings,

head in disbelief along the way. If left to proba-

the subject, I was encouraged to develop

an approach that requires putting myself in

bility, my grandfather and his siblings wouldn’t

an individual voice, rather than a sanitized

their shoes. I’m constantly asking myself things

have survived the Holocaust. But with wit,

“academic” one.

like: What did it feel like to endure a winter of

courage, perseverance, and undoubtedly a

forced labor in Siberia? To fall in love aboard

good dose of luck, they did survive. Their story

Today, as I continue down the path of unearth-

a ship full of refugees? To hike over the Alps to

fills me with hope and pride, and offers up a

ing and capturing my family history, I have

freedom—while pregnant? It’s difficult, to say

new perspective on my definition of things like

Gordon to thank for instilling in me early on

the least, to try to imagine what my relatives

hardship, perseverance, and family.

the belief that writing a book—including all the

must have gone through to survive.

Finally, as I write, I’ve found that with every scene come several hours of additional research and fact checking. What did the Wehrmacht’s uniforms look like compared to the Red Army’s? My grandfather’s brother Jakob was a photographer—what kind of camera would he have used? I’m in the process of deciding whether to pen The Lucky Ones as creative non-fiction or as historical fiction —whichever route I choose, I want the details, down to the minute ones, to be as accurate as possible.

What are you enjoying about this process?

Playing detective can be frustrating when you run up against dead ends. But when you uncover a nugget of information—be it an

How did your Gordon experience shape who you are today?

research and honing of plot, character, and voice that come along with it—is an absolutely attainable goal. I look forward to the day The

I have nothing but positive memories of my eight years at Gordon. From the moment I set foot in the lower school (where everything was built at two-thirds scale to help us tiny-folk

Lucky Ones is complete; rest assured, it will be proudly displayed on my bookshelf, alongside Digby Duck and the Magic Cloud.

feel a little more in control of our environment)

What are your hopes for the future?

I understood that I was in a safe place, where

My goal is to complete a draft of The Lucky

I could explore, ask questions and express

Ones by summertime. Once I feel my manu-

myself. Gordon made learning fun.

script is polished enough, I’ll start submitting it to agents, with the hope of publishing the book

My foray into writing began in first grade,

in 2014. Meanwhile, I’ve started a blog as a

when we were given the assignment of pub-

way of sharing with readers what, exactly, my

lishing our stories. I remember my first book

research has entailed. Gordon friends are wel-

well: Digby Duck and the Magic Cloud. My

come to take a look: www.georgialikethestate.

teacher, Mrs. Johnston, put an emphasis on

com. Whatever happens, it’s thrilling to think

completing a story with care versus spelling or grammar. Our finished works (we published

11

that my story, once complete, can be read by many more generations to come.

al um n i p r o f i l e

Maggie Sawdy ’05

M a ggie S awd y ’ 0 5 i s a senior at

of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard

ask for help than about being an expert on

S m it h C o l l e g e . As a b i o logy maj or ,

University. Professor Hoffman had collected

everything.

s h e h a s b e e n d o i n g pa leontological

these samples over the last fifteen years as part

re s e a rc h f o r h e r h o n or s thesis.

of his research of Snowball Earth in northern

How did your Gordon experience shape who

M a ggie at t e n d e d Wh e eler School ’0 9 .

Namibia.

you are today?

What led you to Smith?

What makes Snowball Earth so interesting is

giving me the confidence to believe in myself,

My experience at Smith has been full of

that complex, multicellular organisms were

showing me how to thoughtfully navigate the

surprises and I’ve really enjoyed my four years

present before and after periods of glaciation.

academic world and balance the demands of

here. Smith offers so many opportunities for

The big question for me is “How did life

my college experience.

research and leadership in its academic and

survive Snowball Earth?”

Gordon prepared me for life as a researcher by

extracurricular offerings. The community is great; I live in a house with eighty people and I hold a position on the house council. We work together to plan events, community service projects. Smith also has wonderful traditions including Mountain Day. Sometime around Columbus Day, the President will announce that it is Mountain Day and a bell will ring and we get to take the day off from classes and are encouraged to explore the outdoors. Last year, my friends and I went hiking and picked apples.

What interested you about paleontology?

When I was little I always thought about either being a paleontologist or an astronaut. In my junior year at Smith, I took my first paleontology class with Professor Sara Pruss. She was enthusiastic, positive and supported my interest in connecting my biology background with paleontology. When my class ended, I asked my professor if she would be willing to be my advisor for my senior thesis project.

We had to get approval from the biology department, as this was a new direction forging a research relationship between the biology and geosciences departments.

With the biology department’s approval, I was able to jump right into my research.

I am currently looking at fossils from northern Namibia that are approximately 700 million years old. They are part of a collection belonging to Professor Paul Hoffman, a tectonic and sedimentary field geologist in the Department

In eighth grade science, we studied water Our rock samples are from before and after the

quality, collecting and testing water samples

first Sturtian glaciation and are composed of

from the school’s pond. As part of the final

carbonate rocks. We use hydrochloric acid and

project, we had the option to design our own

acetic acid to dissolve the rock. The residue

experiment using the different samples. It was

that is left over contains the microfossils which

the first experience I had conducting my own

we then extract by hand. We look at the micro-

research. In my experiment, I looked at alkalin-

fossils under a scanning electron microscope

ity, pH levels and electric conductivity. I really

(SEM) and run tests on them. In addition, we

enjoyed the process of independent research

also look at petrographic thin sections from

and the control of asking my own questions.

the samples which are thin slices of rock.

My eighth grade humanities class pushed me This work has been very exciting because we

to think deeply about issues in the world and

are constantly finding new types of fossils. For

encouraged me to form my own opinions and

my thesis, I have been focusing on fossilized

convictions. The discussions we had in eighth

tests which are the outer shell of testate amoebae

grade humanities class were engaging and full

and an organism we are calling black organic

of debate. We learned how to think critically

matter. We are still gathering data to support

and analytically about the information we were

our identification of black organic matter.

learning, and I continue to rely on all of these skills today as I pursue my own research.

What has been the most challenging aspect of researching for your senior thesis?

What are your hopes for the future?

The most challenging part of my research has

Right now I am focused on completing and

been the gaps in some of my geologic knowl-

presenting my senior thesis while searching

edge. However, this has not been a problem

for a job after graduation. I am interested in

because science, particularly an intersectional

gaining more experience in field research

field such as paleontology, is based on collab-

and lab work as a way to study large mammal

oration. It is difficult to tell where someone’s

social behavior or paleontology. I could see

work stops and someone else’s work begins. I

myself working in either of these fields or in

always have a hard time saying “my research”

coastal marine biology. While I am still figur-

because it feels so much like “our research.”

ing out what field I want to go into, I do know

There are so many layers and angles that need

that I want to continue doing research, and

to be explored in order to conduct a good

in a few years, I plan on attending graduate

research project that nobody can be proficient

school. Perhaps in the future I will become a

in them all. It is more about knowing when to

professor or work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

12

al um n i p r o f i l e

Liam Miner ’05

Liam Miner ’05 is a senior at Davidson

was similar to the one I had for so many years

We spent a week in Bogota and Medellin

College and a graduate of Moses Brown

at Gordon. Clearly it would be different, but

meeting with representatives from the

’09. He recently traveled to Colombia

I was in search for the ideal community—

U.S. and Colombian governments, non-

researching for his political science

one that would push my limits but one that

governmental organizations, and community

honors dissertation exploring the ways

also valued a strong sense of honor and

groups. Two fascinating highlights of this trip

that drug trafficking affects the

interactive learning. I wanted a home away

were conversations we had with the Deputy

relationship between the United States

from home, and I have found that at Davidson.

U.S. Ambassador to Colombia Perry Holloway,

and Mexico.

Plus, it’s a liberal arts college with Division I

and a Vice-Minister of Defense within the

athletics, what could be better than that?

Colombian government.

It has been close to eight years since I gradu-

What has your experience at Davidson

This research will be included in the introduc-

ated from Gordon, but I remember my time

been like?

tion of my thesis. Also, if all goes according to

as a Gator like it was yesterday. Gordon played

I have been able to reflect recently on my time

plan, I will be published as a co-author with

a significant role in my development from a

at Davidson, and I am quite satisfied at what

my faculty advisor in this year’s June/July issue

small child to an intellectually curious and fun-

I have been able to accomplish and all that

of Survival Magazine, a journal published by

loving adolescent. I fondly remember playing

I’ve learned. I am a political science major

the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

tag in the creek near the Middle School and

and have been quite involved on campus

We are writing a few book reviews for the

my first game of lacrosse as a goalie in

the past four years. I led the Davidson mock

magazine covering recently published books

the sixth grade.

trial program in our regional tournament in

in the field of Latin American studies.

How did Gordon shape who you are today?

2011, I held two vice presidential roles in Gordon taught me from a very young age

my fraternity, and I am currently an adjunct

What are your hopes for the future?

how to share with others, be respectful of

Admissions Counselor for the Davidson Office

I have been challenged at Davidson to think

differences, and push the boundaries of my

of Admissions and Financial Aid specializing

outside of the academic box, so to speak. My

mind. Gordon’s curriculum is designed to give

in communications and social media.

research is quite original and will produce work that I hope to one day publish. While at

students the practical skills needed to excel in the classroom and in life. Memory maps in

The role that has impacted my life the most,

Davidson, I have been able to work with and

Mrs. Spence’s class tested my mind, while the

however, is my work as the prosecutor for the

befriend individuals from all across the United

Civil Rights Trip challenged my understanding

Davidson Honor Code. Davidson has one of

States and abroad. I was even able to spend

of the role that fairness plays in our everyday

the oldest student-run honor codes in the

five months studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina

lives. These experiences, and many more from

nation, and the college has an academic and

in the fall of 2011, which allowed me to

my time at Gordon, have helped define who

social system that is based on trust. Gordon

observe a culture very different from those

I am today.

instilled in me the value of honor and trust

I have experienced.

from a very young age, ideals which I hold in What led you to Davidson?

As for next year, I will likely be working in

the highest esteem.

the non-profit or government relations sectors

My experiences since leaving Gordon have been filled with excitement and joy. I contin-

How did you choose your thesis topic?

before deciding the next step for my life. I have

ued on to Moses Brown, an institution that I

I have always been fascinated by American

been on an amazing journey since graduating

very much enjoyed. I then picked Davidson to

foreign policy, and I am now working to com-

from Gordon, but I can say without reservation

pursue a Bachelors Degree in political science.

pile research for a dissertation about how the

that the ability to think critically and find joy

Davidson is a small liberal arts college that is

United States has influenced Mexico in regards

in even the most trivial of life’s moments are a

usually overlooked by New Englanders, yet it

to its policies on drug trafficking. It has been

direct result of my time as a Gator.

is both academically rigorous and community-

fascinating research, allowing me to pursue

oriented.

original, graduate-level research as an undergraduate student. I was even awarded a grant

I picked Davidson, I believe, because deep

to travel with other Davidson students and my

down I yearned for a college experience that

faculty advisor to Colombia this past January.

13

al um n i p r o f i l e

Jim Briden ’77

J im Brid e n ’ 7 7 wa s e l e cted may or of

so that local residents feel informed, respected

ways operated as two separate entities. As

e a s t p r o v i d e n c e , RI i n D ecember . He is

and invested.

a result, they forseeably conflict on issues that affect our taxpayers and our city’s children.

a p ra c t i c i n g at t o r n e y and par tner at Bl a is C u n n i n g h a m & C r owe Chester , LLP

We’ve created a decision making process

To address this concern East Providence has

in Paw t u c k e t, RI. J i m i s a gr aduate of

that is free flowing and not stifled by undue

worked to consolidate the finance and human

M os e s B r o w n , B o s t o n College and

procedure. I rarely use a gavel at city meetings

resource departments so both the city and

U n ive rs i t y o f A r i z o n a College of Law.

and as a result the members of the council

school departments are now in the same build-

are more engaged and encouraged to work

ing. As a result, the overall management is

What prompted you to run for the office

thoughtfully with one another and with city

more centralized and communication is much

of Mayor in East Providence?

residents presenting and attending our meet-

better, and they tend to meet more often to

I have served with the City’s Council as a

ings. As a result, we work more collaboratively

proactively handle important issues.

solicitor and worked in that capacity with East

and efficiently, and I believe that our meetings

Providence residents and business owners

have become welcoming for the residents of

During all of this, I have leaned on my back-

which prompted my interest in taking my re-

East Providence.

ground in economics and law to advocate

sponsibilities a step further. This past December after being elected to East Providence’s City Council, I was elected by the Council to be Mayor. Since the election, we have been busy working on a wide range of issues including economic and operational development for

for the necessary changes to achieve a more My hope is that this approach will prompt

centralized management of our city. Modifying

other local experienced residents to run for the

this model has been necessary for East Provi-

City Council in the future. The more qualified

dence to run more efficiently and continue to

leaders you have involved with your local

better sustain itself operationally as one entity.

government, the more impact you can have on building your community. People often

How did your Gordon experience shape who

government policies.

tend to defend the status quo and at the same

you are today?

time criticize it, rather than coming up with

Gordon provided a great learning environment

What do you hope to accomplish as Mayor?

creative ways to improve the system. It is

that had just the right structure. I really enjoyed

During the election debates, I shared how

necessary to change many of the operational

my French class and continued to study it

important it was for elected officials to try to

structures that have been in place for a long

throughout high school and college. Gordon

improve the political environment in East Prov-

time and to provide a more sustainable central-

had an emphasis on encouraging students to

idence. I promised professionalism, civility,

ized model for the city of East Providence.

think creatively, collaboratively and express

the city of East Providence, as well as local

an emphasis on promoting economic develop-

ideas. It was a comfortable environment for

ment and achieving long term fiscal stability.

In serving in this capacity it is important not

A City’s Council work needs to be transparent

charter. So it is essential that one often pull

Jim Briden ’77 visited Gordon in December and

to our local community. In a sense, we are

back and exercise restraint.

shared his reflections on being Mayor with Gordon’s

kind of like the trustees of the city’s image.

Our primary objectives include making our city run more efficiently and to incentivize investment in East Providence. We also focus on setting a tone of responsiveness and civility,

learning.

to exceed one’s role as set forth in the city

Middle School students. Above, Jim is pictured with

What are some of the challenges you are facing?

Historically, the municipal government and the school system in East Providence have in many

14

Head of School Ralph L. Wales and Gordon students and faculty from East Providence.

s s a l c

s e t no g o r d o n

a l u m n i

c o n n e cti o n

2Os

s p r i n g

2 0 1 3

6Os

Jane Matteson Love ’28 passed away this

John W. Wall ’36 passed away this February.

Roz Rustigian ’65 writes: “I am still selling,

January in Laramie, Wyoming. Ms. Love

He attended Gordon School, Providence

cleaning and repairing handmade rugs and

received her BS degree in Geology from Bryn

Country Day School and graduated from

carpets in Providence. I was recently elected

Mawr College in 1936 and an MS in Geology

St. George’s School. Following his wartime

Chair of the Board of Directors for the Initiative

from Smith College in 1938. She spent her

graduation from Yale University class of 1946,

to Educate Afghan Women. The Initiative is a

junior year studying Geology at the University

he served as a naval officer in the Philippines

non-profit organization based in Providence,

of Wyoming, where she met John David Love.

after which he returned to Providence and

RI and founded in 2002 to help to create

They married in 1940 and spent the next 62

began working at Rhode Island Hospital Trust.

Afghanistan’s future women leaders through

years dividing their time between their homes

He was recalled again to the Navy during

higher education in the U.S., leadership

in Laramie and Jackson. Ms. Love was a gener-

the Korean War and after his deployment

training and career guidance. These girls are

ous supporter and advocate for Gordon during

returned to Hospital Trust, eventually becom-

remarkable! I also worked as a lobbyist last

her lifetime and, upon her death, made a

ing the bank’s President in 1981 and retired as

year successfully seeking passage of the law

generous bequest to Gordon. In copies of The

Vice Chairman in 1986. He was called back

mandating the testing for faults in the under-

Gordonian, the school’s quarterly newsletter

to serve as Chairman of the bank and retired

ground power delivery systems in Rhode Island

created by Gordon students from 1919 until

for a second time in 1992. A civic minded

to prevent death and harm to people and pets

the late 1930s, she was listed as a member of

individual, Mr. Wall was actively involved

from energized surfaces in the public arena.

the quarterly honor roll and as editor of this

in many community activities as well as chari-

I continue to serve on the board of the Rhode

publication.

table and philanthropic endeavors. Mr. Wall

Island Furniture Bank, which provides low cost

was a dedicated and committed advocate and

furniture to those in need in the state. Thank you

3Os

supporter of Gordon School. His two children,

Gordon!”

Gordon followed by his grandchildren, Lucy

Joshua Miller ’69 was re-elected to his fourth

Chester A. Files, Jr. ’34 passed away this

Wall ’98 and Ash Wall ’01.

term as Rhode Island State Senator representing

A.T. Wall ’67 and Mary Daly ’65 also attended

January. He grew up in Barrington, RI and

constituents in parts of Cranston and Warwick.

attended Gordon School and Providence

He shared his perspectives on balancing the

Country Day School. Chester graduated from Princeton University in 1945 and received a

4Os

demands of family, career and politics in a recent issue of the Jewish Voice and Herald.

Masters Degree in History in 2007 (at age 83)

Mimi (Mary Evans) Findlay ’45 writes: “For the

from Providence College. He was a member

fourth year, I served on the Vetting Committee

of many Rhode Island civic organizations

of the Armory Antiques Show during Antiques

and served as counselor and board member

Week in New York. This is the premiere show

of École d’Humanite and LPC, the Luethi-

of American antiques in New York. This

Peterson Camps International, founded in

ten-day show, benefits the East Side House

1947 by friends of his who wanted to bring

Settlement and is held in the landmark Park

children from all over the world together

Avenue Armory built in 1881. Last summer

in European and US settings to promote

Dave and I attended his grandson’s graduation

international understanding.

from St. Andrew’s School of Economics

Matawan-Aberdeen, NJ from Brooklyn, NY. My son is in the fourth grade, plays ice hockey and we just got a puppy. I am enjoying suburban life!”

7Os Ted Widmer ’76 worked with a team of scholars

and enjoyed a quick road trip to Scotland, Mary Francis Lyon Vaughn ’36 writes: “I just

Lisa Stein ’69 writes: “I just moved to

at Brown University to decrypt a secret code

searching for Findlay roots.”

turned 91 and am running my tax service and

written in the margins of Roger William’s last

engaged with my trustee work.”

known theological work, An Essay Towards Reconciling of Differences Among Christians.

15

8Os

1

2

OOs

Gregory Schadone ’80 is currently serving

Business. After a year working for a school

Elizabeth Mermel ’00 writes: “I am back

in the Rhode Island House of Representatives

accreditation group in the DC area, I moved

in Rhode Island, working full time as an

District 54, North Providence.

to Boston to be closer to home and to get into

infectious disease epidemologist at the RI

the finance area. In 2010, I left my position

Department of Health. After earning my MS

James (Jake) Bliss ’89 passed away this

as Assistant Vice President, Global Trader,

at George Washington University and before

November from complications from Lateral

at Eaton Vance Investment Managers to

I started working at the Department of Health,

Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Jake attended

attend MIT’s Sloan School of Management.

I started a small crafting business www.etsy.

Gordon and graduated from Moses Brown in

I graduated from MIT Sloan in May 2012

com/fragglesandfriggles, which I continue to

1993. He received a BA in American Studies

and currently work at The Analysis Group,

keep up with after hours.”

from Yale University and an MD from Tulane

an economic consulting firm in Boston. In

University. He completed his orthopedic sur-

September, my Canadian boyfriend Joel and

Andrew Stachiw ’01 writes: “I spent the past

gery residency and a fellowship in orthopedic

I were married in Bristol, RI.” photo 1

summer with five other educators, historians

trauma from Brown University and a fellowship

and professional canoeists on an expedition in

in total joint replacements at the Scripps Clinic

Alexia Lisker-Blount ’97 writes: “I am living

Canada traveling from Yellowknife, N.W.T. to

in Santa Barbara, CA. During his career, he

year-round on Nantucket where I am a

Kuglutuk, NU and the Arctic Ocean, by canoe

garnered the respect and admiration of all who

professional landscaper and I am designing

while developing educational materials to

had the privilege to know him. Jake was a life-

and making a handcrafted custom tote and

bring this hands-on experience to Canadian

long Quaker who generously donated his time

shoulder bag line under the name Boomsmack.

classrooms. The expedition was sponsored

to helping the homeless of Santa Barbara and

In September 2011, I married my island sweet-

by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society,

migrant Haitian workers in the Dominican

heart, Brett Watts, in Bristol, RI. Hello to my

Canadian Geographic Magazine, Mountain

Republic. Jake is survived by his wife, Dr.

Gordon classmates (which I attended from

Equipment Co-op, Northwaters Canoes and

Laurel Bliss and daughter Devon. He leaves

Nursery to fourth grade). I graduated from

more. The 50-day canoe expedition retraced

behind his father Dr. Thomas Bliss and his

Wheeler in 2001 and Hobart William Smith

some famous historical routes, and covered

brothers and sisters, Molly ’82, Tim ’84, Anna

College in 2005.” photo 2

large swaths of Dene and Inuit land. The trip

’90, and Ned and their children and spouses.

9Os Georgia Hunter Farinholt ’92 writes: “Last summer, after seven years of living in Seattle, WA my husband Robert and I packed up and moved east with our son Wyatt (now one- year-old), to Connecticut. We’ll miss the Pacific Northwest, but we’re excited to be back in New England—a quick jaunt from family and friends.” See Georgia’s profile on page 10.

Noah Davis ’97 is a freelance writer for the Wall Street Journal and is currently a contributor to NBC Sports ProSoccer Talk.

Emily Glinick ’98 writes: “After a fun, successful freelance career as a theatrical stage manager in New York City, I have decided to broaden my horizons and try something new. I was recently accepted to the Massage Therapy Program at the New York College of Health Professions, where I will study massage, holistic health and eventually become certified as a massage therapist and yoga instructor. I

Livia Lisker-Blount ’96 writes: “I am currently

remain close with fellow Gordon alums Zara

living in Brookline, MA. I attended Gordon

Serabian-Arthur ’98 and Edith Palmieri ’98,

from Nursery through the fifth grade. In 2000,

who also live in New York.”

I graduated from the Fountain Valley School of Colorado and started Dickinson College, where I spent my junior year abroad in Bologna, Italy.

I graduated from Dickinson in 2004 with a

Nick Wall ’99 joined MVision Private Equity Advisors which is headquartered in London with offices in New York and Hong Kong.

joint major in Italian Studies and International

16

covered almost 2000 km, and was unique both in terms of route and the geographical regions covered. During our trip, we developed educational materials, in line with Canadian school curriculums, through lesson plans, photography and video. You can learn more about our expedition on our website, www.coppermine 2012.com. You can also find photos and updates from our adventure at facebook.com/ CoppermineRiverExpedition2012 or at twitter. com/coppermine2012.”

Ash Wall ’01 writes: “I’m currently living and working in Washington, D.C. and really enjoying it. Luckily, I get to head up to Rhode Island every now and then so I got the chance to stop by and see Gordon this fall. Sadly, I showed up too late for hot lunch but I was in time to see Mr. Wales, Mr. Kravitz and a few other famous Gordon Gators. What a treat! Hope everyone else is doing well!” photo 3

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Will Clark ’03 is pursuing his career as

Seth Gilbane ’07 placed 75th in the Maine

Vivian Liu ’08 is enjoying her freshman year at

a sportswriter writing for the sports blog,

State Men’s Cross Country Championships as

Barnard College. She recently participated in

Celtics 101.

a member of Colby College’s men’s varsity

Columbia University’s 2013 Up 4 The Fight

cross country team. Seth’s team placed third

Dance Marathon. The marathon raised proceeds

Bethany Pine ’03 writes: “Currently I am teach-

overall over eleven other Maine universities

for the Elizabeth Glaser AIDS Foundation, the

ing fourth grade at Lincoln School. It is an

and colleges.

world’s leading organization that seeks to elim-

extremely rewarding and positive experience.

inate pediatric HIV infections. Vivian stayed on

I am also the head coach of the Middle School

Sara Hall ’07, Tavie Abell ’06 and Becca

her feet for eighteen hours straight, dancing the

girl’s basketball team and coaching the girl’s

Carney ’07 came by Gordon this fall to visit

entire time, in an effort to represent the mental,

field hockey and lacrosse teams. This past sum-

with their former teachers. Sara is a sophomore

physical and emotional challenges faced by

mer I completed two Warrior Dashes and the

at Loyola University in Chicago, Tavie is a

children living with HIV.

Spartan Sprint and I am currently training for

junior at Tulane University, and Becca is a

future races.”

sophomore at Union College. photo 5

Audrey Lietar ’04 writes: “I am studying early

Janie Lupica ’07 is a member of the Tufts

honors program. This past semester I made

childhood education at Rhode Island College

University co-ed a cappella group, Tufts sQ!.

Dean’s List. I am greatly enjoying my experi-

and I’ve come back to observe at Gordon

They traveled to Hawaii this winter and were

ence at Assumption and the community here

several times.”

featured on Hawaii public radio and performed

reminds me greatly of the family I left behind

for the students at Sacred Hearts Academy.

at Gordon.”

University’s Outdoor Leadership Training

Jonathan Pine ’07 worked as the Deputy

Geoff Cicatiello ’09 was ranked as the number

program where she provides core instruction

Field Organizer for the Rhode Island State

three goalkeeper by the Providence Journal this

and support to BOLT leaders in training.

Democratic Party on the successful David

fall for his performance on the Mt. St. Charles

Cicilline for Congress campaign. He helped

Academy boys varsity soccer team.

Hailey Walker ’08 writes: “I am a freshman at Assumption College and a member of the

Zoe Bogus ’05 serves as a mentor for Brown

Tavie Abell ’06 and classmate Hannah Harry

run the Pawtucket staging location for both

’06 caught up this fall in Washington, D.C.

David Cicilline’s campaign and Jim Langevin’s

Emily Fitts ’09 was named the Coaches Associ-

Tavie was in D.C. attending the Project Nur

campaign.

ation All-Academic girls varsity field hockey

6th Annual Student Leadership Conference.

team for her performance in the classroom and

Project Nur is a student led initiative advocat-

Ava Anderson ’08 continues to receive

ing for social justice by empowering responsi-

recognition for her personal care company,

ble leaders to cultivate an environment of

Ava Anderson Non-Toxic. Ava is a freshman

Bobby Gaines ’09 a senior at Wheeler School

acceptance and mutual respect between

at Babson College and was a winner in the

was named a semifinalist in the 2013 National

Muslims and all communities.

college’s 5 on Fire Contest. This contest nomi-

Merit Scholarship Competition. He is a member

photo 4

on the athletic fields at Lincoln School.

nated current and undergraduate students that

of Wheeler’s debate team and he and his

Stephen Hall ’06 serves as a Class of 2014

best exemplified Babson’s mission of creating

teammate earned 13th place out of 62 varsity

representative for the Jonathan Edwards

economic and social value everywhere.

teams in a debate tournament at Classical High

College Council at Yale University.

The nominees were recognized as inventors,

School. Bobby also earned 23rd in the individ-

disrupters, luminaries and newsmakers within

ual varsity performances.

Avery Stone ’06 is currently a junior at Amherst College and a member of the

the Babson community.

Lucy Green ’09 was named to the 2012

women’s varsity ice hockey team. Avery

Thomas Lietar ’08 is enjoying his freshman

Providence Journal Field Hockey All-State

reflected on the lessons she learned from

year at Skidmore College.

First Team for her performance on Moses

her ice hockey career in a recent issue of the

Brown’s girls varsity field hockey team. She also

YWCA of Rhode Island’s she Shines, an issue

Jessie Litwin ’08 is a member of the

earned All-Division I First Team recognition

dedicated to women in sports. Avery also

Northeastern University co-ed a cappella

and was named to the Coaches Association

freelances for The Huffington Post.

group, The Nor’easters.

All-Academic girls field hockey team.

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1Os

to PCD’s 52-31 victory over Falmouth Academy.

the school’s Science and Research Fellowship

Desmond Almada ’10 came to visit his

Team honors for his performance on PCD’s

in Biology. This program is designed to offer

former Gordon teachers this fall. He is

boys varsity soccer team.

students the chance to further study their own

enjoying his junior year at East Providence

particular area of interest while fostering the

High School where he is a member of the

Manny Guerzon ’09 a senior at St. Mark’s School, was one of eight students chosen for

This fall, he also earned All-Division II Second

Lina Hutter ’10 is a member of the Dana

real-world skills needed for high level scientific varsity football team. photo 6

Hall School Chamber Singers who won The

research.

Association of Boarding Schools first national Maddy Berkson ’10 won the girls invitational

a cappella singing competition in Washington,

Kali Ridley ’09 was named to the Coaches

3,000 meter run in state-record time at the

D.C.

Association All-Academic girls field hockey

Hispanic Games, held at the Armory in New

team for her performance in the classroom

York City with a time of 9:53.75. Thanks to

Michael Janigian ’10 is a member of Wheeler

and on the athletic fields at Lincoln School.

her winning time, Maddy was named the

School’s Concert Handbell Ringers ensemble.

In February, Kali’s artwork was showcased

top-ranked US female prep runner for the

in the Young Adults Exhibition at the Hera

3,000 meter, according to Track and Field

Gallery in Wakefield, RI.

News Magazine. Maddy was recently named a Cardi’s Hometown Sports Hero as she broke

Molly Sawdy ’09 was named to the 2012

the Rhode Island indoor girls track record in

Providence Journal Fall Independent Stars

the 3,000 meter with her time.

All-State team, recognized as a NEPSAC Class C All-Star and earned First Team SENE for

Nate Bresnick ’10 was one of seven Temple

her performance on the Wheeler School girls

Beth-El Religious School students who traveled

varsity soccer team. Molly earned Wheeler

to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Reli-

School’s girls soccer Coaches Award for her

gious Action Center’s L’Taken Social Justice

leadership and athletic talents. She is also

Seminar. The seminar is a program designed

a member of Wheeler’s Concert Handbell

to expose students to a variety of public policy

Ringers ensemble.

issues, explore the Jewish values surrounding these issues and teach the skills of an effective

Sarah Sienkiewicz ’09 a senior at Portsmouth

advocate.

Abbey, was named to the 2012 Gladiator by SGI/NFHCA High School National Academic

John Carter ’10 plays guitar and drums

Squad.

in Providence Country Day’s Jazz Ensemble.

He recently practiced with trumpeter extraordinaire Marcus Printup and members of the Jazz Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Audrey Chisholm ’10 earned All-Division I North Third Team honors for her performance on Classical High School’s girls varsity volleyball team. She is a student leader of the school’s Amnesty Club.

Tom Horvat ’10 scored his one thousandth point for Providence Country Day’s varsity basketball team. He is the first junior in the school’s history to achieve this milestone.

Tom was presented with the game ball prior 18

Hannah Langmuir ’10 was named to the Division I All-Tournament team for her performance on Moses Brown’s girls varsity field hockey team during the state championships.

Mia Murphy ’10 participated in the Head of the Charles Regatta Women’s Youth Four event, as a rower for Nobles and Greenhough School’s Class I crew team.

Toria Rainey ’10 performed in Moses Brown’s fall theater production of As You Like It. Sherry Romanzi ‘10 was selected to represent Wheeler School at the statewide Shakespeare competition in February, organized by the English-Speaking Union of the United States.

Sherry performed a sonnet and twenty lines from Hamlet at the competition.

Sylvia Skerry ’10 was named tri-captain of the 2013-2014 Williston Northampton girls cross country team.

Sarah Steingold ’10 a junior at Moses Brown, was named the Outstanding Junior Swimmer in the Bay View Girls Invitational meet.

Jack Trevor ’10 shared his reflections on volunteering at Briarwood Camp, a summer camp for inner city children, during Form Day at St. Mark’s School.

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Kayla Campbell ’11 earned 10th in the novice

Ezra Rice ’11 is a member of Wheeler School’s

Joe McNamara ’12 and Nellie Harvey ’12

individual performances for the Wheeler

Concert Handbell Ringers ensemble.

stopped by Gordon to watch the Middle School theater performance of Haroun and the Sea of

School’s debate team at Classical High School’s debate tournament. Kayla is also

Arianna Bauer ’12 came back to visit Gordon

Stories. They are both enjoying their freshman

a member of Wheeler’s Concert Handbell

this fall with several of her classmates includ-

year at Providence Country Day. Joe is a member

Ringers ensemble.

ing, Kass Hofmann ’12, Sophie Jackson ’12,

of the boys varsity basketball team and Nellie

Natasha Markov-Riss ’12, Emily Mungovan ’12

is a member of the girls varsity soccer team.

and Amy Vogel ’12. photo 9

photo 10

Annabelle Fischer ’12 a freshman at St.

Greg Smith ’12 visited Gordon this fall

George’s, ran for the girls varsity cross country

and shared that he has been lending his

Adrienne Frank ’11 is a member of Wheeler

team and is a member of the girls ice hockey

photography skills to La Salle Academy’s

School’s Concert Handbell Ringers ensemble.

junior varsity team.

athletic department, photographing many

Manya Glassman ’11 a sophomore at

Kass Hofmann ’12 and her doubles partner

Moses Brown, earned a 2013 Rhode Island

earned All-Division I Second Team for their

Ben Steingold ’12 and Henry Frishman ’12

Arts Education Scholastic Key Award for her

performance on the Wheeler School’s girls

played against each other in a boys varsity

photographic piece, Eye of the Beholder.

varsity tennis team in doubles competition.

squash match between Moses Brown and

Kass is also a member of Wheeler’s Concert

Wheeler School. photo 12

Lily Foulkes ’11 earned First Team SENE for her performance on the Wheeler School girls varsity soccer team.

Jake Grundy ’11 was named to the 2012

Handbell Ringers ensemble and the school’s

Providence Journal Boys Cross Country All-State

debate team.

of the teams’ practices and games. photo 11

Case Taylor ’12 was named to the Charleston

First Team for his performance on La Salle

Collegiate School honor roll for the second

Academy’s boys varsity cross country team.

Sophie Jackson ’12 is a member of Wheeler

quarter. He is enjoying South Carolina and

He also earned RI Track Coaches Association

School’s choral ensemble.

riding his bike as much as he can.

Second Team and All Metropolitan Division

August Kahn ’12 serves as a freshman class

Amy Vogel ’12 is volunteering along with

First Team honors.

representative for the Wheeler School student

Jonah Parker ’10 and August Kahn ’12

senate. He is also a member of the school’s

for Breakthrough Providence, a program at

Arden Morris ’11 and musician Otis Reed are

debate team and he and his teammate earned

Wheeler School that provides tutoring for

working on recording an album together. photo 7

third place out of 58 novice teams in the

middle school students in Providence public

debate tournament at Classical High School.

Owen Morris ’11 a sophomore at Wheeler

schools. Amy is also a member of the Wheeler

August also placed 26th in the novice

School, placed 7th at the SENE league boys

School Math Team and a member of the

individual performances.

Concert Handbell Ringers ensemble. photo 13

All-State First Team recognition, All Class A

cross country race. He also earned All-SENE for his performance this cross country season.

Emily Larson ’12 is a member of Wheeler

This was Owen’s first time running for the

School’s Concert Handbell Ringers ensemble.

team. photo 8 Natasha Markov-Riss ’12 is a member of the Jamie Pine ’11 was named to the 2012

SENE Champion Wheeler girls cross country

Providence Journal Girls Tennis All-State Team

team. Natasha and her Gordon classmate

for her performance on Lincoln School’s girls

Kass Hofmann ’12 earned second place out

tennis team. She earned First Team Division I

of 58 novice teams in the debate tournament

Met-B recognition in singles competition. Jamie

at Classical High School. Natasha placed first

is also a member of Lincoln School’s mock trial

in the novice individual performances. Kass

club which won their first round match in this

finished 27th.

Visit Gordon School online w w w. g o r d o n s c h o o l . o r g fa ce b o o k . co m/th e gordonschool @ G o rd o n S ch o o l

year’s Rhode Island Mock Trial tournament against students from North Providence High School.

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Teacher Residency Program Alumni Class Notes Carol Anguilla TRP ’11 writes: “After graduat-

Seth Gilbertson TRP ’12 writes: “My wife and

ing from Gordon’s Residency Program in May

I currently reside in Charlemont, MA. I am

2011, I was hired to teach 2nd grade at St.

teaching a combined 5th and 6th grade class-

Michael’s Country Day School, an independent,

room at Heath Elementary in Heath, MA. It is

non-denominational Pre-K–8 school in New-

a wonderful small public school surrounded by

port, RI. I’ve been lucky enough to work with

trees, mountains and turkeys! My first beautiful

a fantastic group of colleagues and have been

daughter, Aurora Lynn Gilbertson, was born

able to take advantage of some terrific profes-

on October 5, 2012 and is healthy and happy.”

sional development opportunities including a

MAKE IT COUNT The Annual Fund has a meaningful impact on every Gordon student and every teacher, every day. Your gift provides essential support for the school’s talented faculty, exceptional academic programs and student opportunities. Supporting

week-long trip to Las Vegas to attend a Singa-

Cailin Heard TRP ’12 writes: “I am living in

pore Math Seminar. I continue to live in Bristol

Washington, D.C. teaching at the Washington

with my husband and three children. My two

Middle School for Girls. I teach Social Studies

daughters, Alana and Katrina, have joined the

and Spanish for 6th, 7th and 8th grade. The

6th grade at St. Michael’s and my son, Adam,

school is a tuition-free, private school for low-

will remain at Rockwell Elementary School in

income girls in Anacostia, Washington D.C.,

Bristol, RI until the end of 5th grade.”

serving a population of girls that are at-risk of leaving school prematurely. I am so grateful

Katie Cahoon TRP ’11 (above) writes: “Upon

to be teaching at such an amazing school. It

completing the Residency Program, I spent a

is such an exciting opportunity to teach social

year teaching and learning at a charter school

studies in D.C. I lead an African-American in

in Rhode Island. This year I have had the honor

Politics civics program with my 7th graders

to come back to Gordon to teach 6th grade

where we work in conjunction with a legisla-

math and science. I have really found a place

tive aide for Senator Bennet of Colorado and

for myself as a 6th grade teacher, something

visit the capitol once a month. Recently, we

that I had not realized before the program. It

went to the White House and got a special

is great to be part of the Gordon community

Black History Month tour.”

again and I look forward to the years to come.”

For more information on the Teacher Residency Program at Gordon School visit www.gordonschool.org/ residency or contact Program Director Lynn Bowman at 401-434-3833 x181.

For me r fa cu lty member remembered

Margaret Staples Morrow, gifted educator and painter, beloved mother of Thomas ’64 and Mark ’68, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and

the Annual Fund is a tangible way

friend, passed away in November in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Mrs. Morrow attended Smith College and was a superb teacher for many years at schools

to express your appreciation for the

on the East coast and West coast.

school’s past and present strengths,

Mrs. Morrow, known to all as Peggy, taught at the Gordon School in the late 1950s

and your commitment to its future.

East Side campus. She loved teaching fifth grade especially because she saw it as a year of great

Give online today at

A memorial service for Mrs. Morrow is planned for Saturday, May 25th at noon at the First

www.gordonschool.org/give

and early 1960s, where she was beloved as a fifth grade teacher and as a presence on the old intellectual awakening for many children.

Christian Church in Freedom, NH. Gifts in Mrs. Morrow’s memory can be made to St. Peter’s by the Sea Presbyterian Church at 6410 Palos Verdes Drive S, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275.

20

Passionate and purposeful teaching

Using numbers to understand life experiences

Explore Gordon’s Classrooms

What Matters Faculty Video Series This video series explores Gordon’s classrooms in real-time, introduces faculty members and provides a snapshot of what strong multicultural practice looks like and the ways it impacts the world view of our students. Watch the series today at www.gordonschool.org/whatmatters.

2013 Young Alumni Reunion ALUMNI FROM CLASSES 2009-2012 and the current eighth grade are invited back to Gordon on Saturday, June 8th from 5:30-7:30 pm.

What you see depends on where you stand

Building the foundation for learning

Come celebrate with your Gordon teachers and classmates and enjoy dancing, athletic competitions and treats from Spike’s Junkyard Dogs.

RSVP to swelsh@gordonschool.org.

Getting eighth graders on their feet

Multicultural education is local

Stay Co nne c t e d Download the Gordon School

alumni app today!

Connect with your Gordon classmates no matter where you are and keep up-to-date with school news and alumni events. Features include:

•

Alumni directory integrated with LinkedIn Real-time class notes Gordon School news feed and the alumni magazine Register for upcoming alumni events

•

Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and more

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45 Maxfield Avenue East Providence RI 02914 www.gordonschool.org f a c e b o o k . c o m / t h e g o rd o n sch o o l

Permit #365 Providence, RI

@ Go rd o n S chool

Save the Dates CJ Bu ckley Experien tia l Le a rn i n g Nig h t

Thursday, June 6th at 5:30 pm This night provides an opportunity for family and friends to honor CJ Buckley ’00 and to hear the current eighth grade present their service learning projects.

You n g Alu mn i Reu n ion

Saturday, June 8th from 5:30-7:30 pm This annual reunion invites back the four most recent graduating classes along with the current eighth grade to celebrate their time at Gordon.

2013 Commen cemen t

Wednesday, June 12th at 5:30 pm Come back and congratulate the members of the Class of 2013 as they graduate from Gordon.

For more information about these events or to RSVP please contact Siobhan Sheerar Welsh at swelsh@gordonschool.org.