GREENS FARMS ACADEMY MAGAZINE | fall 2019
inside
Horizons GFA Kindness Rocks Reunion 2019
Our Mission:
GFA engages students as partners in an innovative, inclusive, and globally minded community to prepare them for a life of purpose.
Contents SECTIONS
STORIES
4 CAMPUS NEWS
13 COMMENCEMENT
20 FEATURES
20 HORIZONS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
38 ARTS
26 BEAUTY WITHIN THE MISSION
42 ATHLETICS
28 FIFTH GRADE ROCKS
47 ALUMNI
32 MAY TERM 36 MAKING ‘MINI’ CONNECTIONS 48 ACE PATTERSON ’07: BALANCE 51 MAX ROSENBERG ’97: COMMUNICATION 52 CHRISTINE DALEY ’01: BACK HOME 61 CLASS NOTES
EDITOR Frances Moore DESIGN Lindsay Russo, Frances Moore
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Yoon S. Byun Donna S. Beeman Monique Rutledge John Nash
CONTRIBUTORS Michelle Noe, Nikki Oxfeld, Ronaldo John, Meghan Chew
Greens Farms Academy does not discriminate against any person in admission, financial aid, program involvement, employment, or otherwise fall 2019 because of sexual orientation, race, religion, age, gender, national origin, or disability.
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Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
A message from the head of school, BOB WHELAN
If you’re a fan of the classics, you likely know that the Roman philosopher Seneca is credited with turning that phrase. Although if you’re of a certain age, you may have connected that line with a lyric from the Semisonic song “Closing Time” and perhaps even recoiled for a moment at the notion that songs from 20 years ago have already been consigned to the “classics” category. I love that we still put out a magazine at GFA. You don’t need a charger or wifi to read it. You can take it on a plane or to the beach. You won’t be distracted by click-bait pop-up advertisements. The magazine pairs as comfortably with a bowl of cereal on a Connecticut kitchen counter as it does in the hands of a grandparent on a sun porch thousands of miles away. Our hope is that for a moment, you can immerse yourself in some of the experiences to help define the GFA experience — stories that reflect new beginnings, uplifting outcomes, longstanding traditions, and bold new endeavors. As this magazine lands, we are well into the new school year. Though summer already seems like a distant memory, the excitement, potential, and possibility that defines each school year is in the air. It’s a gift to spend our days here on campus connected with the energy and spirit that surrounds new discoveries, connections, and the appreciation for generations of tradition at GFA. On the pages that follow, we invite you to learn more: • On page 26, Spanish teacher Ronaldo John shares his secrets for keeping the “fire” in his classroom. • This year, our fifth graders have made kindness their mission, page 28. • Horizons GFA is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, looking back on how far they have come and looking forward to their future, page 20. P.S. Fittingly, this magazine is printed on recycled paper, or in other words, some other beginning’s end made this possible.
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GFA Wel
To
The Board of Trustees
Theresa Minson P ’18, ’20, ’22 Theresa Minson graduated from Georgetown University with a business degree and a minor in Computer Science. She holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University and recently completed the Harvard Business Analytics Program. Minson began her career as an auditor and advisor to media and entertainment clients at Ernst & Young LLP where she earned her CPA. After EY, she worked in finance and business development at dELiA*s Inc. and iTurf Inc., and more recently worked at Vineyard Vines as controller before transitioning to finance for the growing retail division. Since 2013, Minson has volunteered at GFA as a Class Parent and various other Parents Association positions, including president of the PA. She lives in Darien with her husband Artie and their three sons.
Rebecca Bliss Since graduating from Brown University in 1992, Rebecca Bliss has primarily worked in higher education, with a focus on advising, access, admission, and service-learning. After completing her graduate degree at Stanford University in 1994, she was a freshman dean at Georgetown University, the Associate Director of Foundation Programs and external admissions reader at Dartmouth College, and she spent five years as the sophomore and junior class dean at Dickinson College. Following her time at Dickinson, Bliss served for four years as an external reader at the Carleton College admission office. Earlier in her career, she worked for the Corporation for National and Community Service in Washington, D.C., overseeing a portfolio of higher education grants and conducting site visits to dozens of colleges and universities around the country. In 2015, Bliss took a position at Brown University in the Alumni College Admission Program (ACAP), providing free college counseling to the children of Brown alumni. The ACAP program was recently closed after a 25-year run, and she has transitioned fulltime to Premium Prep, a boutique college counseling company that works with students throughout the United States and internationally. Bliss also serves on the board of trustees at St. George’s School in Middletown, RI. She lives in East Greenwich, RI, with her husband and their two daughters. 4 | www.gfacademy.org
lcomes To
Advancement
Joe Flynn Joe Flynn joins GFA as the new Director of Institutional Advancement, effective November 1, 2019. He has served as the Chief Advancement Officer at the Hotchkiss School since 2010. Before that, Flynn spent eight years as the Assistant Headmaster for External Affairs at the Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. He has held other senior Advancement positions at the McDonough School, the University of Virginia, and the Lawrenceville School. Flynn is a graduate of Lawrenceville, and he earned a B.A. at the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Loyola University Maryland. Flynn said that he and his family are excited to join the GFA community. “I am honored and humbled by this opportunity. It will be a privilege to have a role in maintaining and enhancing GFA’s vibrancy through the development
To
of relationships with alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends in support of the school’s dynamic mission and strategic priorities.”
Technology tope aiyegbo Tope Aiyegbo steps into our administrative leadership team as Director of Technology. He comes to GFA most recently from Rippowam Cisqua School, where he served in the same role and as a Diversity Facilitator. At Rippowam Cisqua, Aiyegbo oversaw all aspects of technology: academic technology, infrastructure, systems, and support. His earlier career was in industry, including time at Pepsico and Verizon. Tope earned his B.S. in computer science from Saint John’s University. Aiyegbo said: “I’m excited to partner with our students, faculty, staff, and families as we explore innovative ways to connect with the greater global community. Technology offers us pathways to becoming the best versions of ourselves and I can’t wait to be a part of making that a reality for our community. “
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Rose Ann Martinez
Celebrating 30 years
It was a spring full of celebrations in honor of middle school teacher Rose Ann Martinez, who retired after 30 years at GFA. Here is a fraction of the many, many words of praise from students, alumni, parents, and colleagues:
Your efforts never went unnoticed and it’s because of teachers like you that I look back at GFA with such fondness and feeling of family. Thank you, thank you for everything you’ve done for the thousands of students who’ve passed through your classroom. We love you, Mrs. Martinez! — Margaret Cissel ’08
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We feel very blessed that all three of our children were able to experience your classroom. We will always remember your enthusiasm, kindness, and, of course, your hats. Thank you to your family for sharing you with us for so long and we wish you much love and wonderful travels in your retirement. — The McDonald Family
Rose Ann has always shown that there is still magic in our world. Every holiday and event in and out of her classroom is recognized and celebrated. I want to celebrate her love of life and the little things that some of us may forget. Thank you, Rose Ann, for sharing your spirit and joy of life. — Seth Pianka
Whether she was standing on top of a desk to demonstrate her point in a math lesson, or dressed head-to-toe in an outfit representing whatever holiday (big or small) we were celebrating, she never failed to make every single one of her students feel loved, accepted, and smart. I am forever grateful to have been one of the students who got to experience her class. Mrs. Martinez is one of a kind. — Ali Tritschler ’16
“Dare to be different, dare to be yourself!” As a teacher, GFA parent, and board member, I always marveled at how you always, always were there for the kids. Your many hats were the welcome map for every child to feel safe and loved! Thank you! — Jim Pratt-Heaney
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Grandparents Day Happiness truly is Grandparents and Special Visitors Day! Thanks to all of our grandparents and special friends for visiting us in April — it’s one of our favorite days of the year!
IDSJ The Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice
The Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice (IDSJ) took place at Greens Farms Academy in June, welcoming more than 40 participants from as far away as Texas! The Institute is facilitated by Shanelle Henry, Director of Equity and Inclusion at GFA, and Dr. Khyati Joshi, Associate
Professor of Education at Fairleigh Dickinson University. IDSJ is an annual five-day summer professional development program for independent
school educators and other individuals interested in building more equitable and inclusive classrooms through the exploration and development of anti-bias curriculum, strategies and skills to effectively navigate diversity issues in independent schools.
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J
news
AIA Awards GFA: Connecticut Treasure This summer Connecticut residents and school supporters voted
AIA’s Executive Director Gina Calabro and Program Manager Masha
Greens Farms Academy as one of the state’s top architectural treasures.
Nazarko affirmed, “Greens Farms Academy boasts many unique
The American Institute of Architects (Connecticut Chapter) hosts the
features and has established itself as a beacon of cultural significance.
annual Connecticut Treasures Award, a friendly competition in which
Your building enriches the plentiful assemblage of architecturally
voters choose their favorite (via online voting) from among eight
significant structures throughout the State of Connecticut.”
different structures around the state. Voting opportunities were shared through email and social media, with GFA received 1,100 votes, 29.11%, leading the esteemed group of Avon
many likes, shares and comments, including one current family who
Old Farms School (Avon), 17.71%; Pomfret School (Pomfret), 15.49%;
wrote, “We are so lucky to be at such a beautiful school.”
Wilbert Snow Elementary School (Middletown), 13.42%; Rockville Board of Education (Vernon), 12.19%; Horace Mann School John
In their letter, Calabro and Nazarko recognized the community’s strong
Dorr Nature Laboratory (Bethlehem), 5.35%; Choate Rosemary Hall
support for GFA, writing, “It is evident that Fairfield County takes pride
(Wallingford), 4.64%; and Marine Science Magnet School (Groton),
in the Academy, which serves as the heart of the community. … Greens
2.10%.
Farms Academy is indeed an institution that should be treasured.”
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coyle A Community of Learners
This year the school welcomed three speakers, part of the school’s semiannual Coyle Scholar speaker series. The first was in April, with Dr. Lisa Damour, Ph.D., author of Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls and the New York Times bestselling Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood. “Lisa provides an invaluable public service for today’s parents who routinely express a sense of helplessness as their children navigate life experiences that are unfamiliar compared with those of a generation ago,” said GFA Head of School Bob Whelan. In October, the school welcomed two more New York Times best-selling authors and child development experts Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., and Michael Thompson, Ph.D. Bryson hosted a session called “The WholeBrain Child: Understanding the Wiring of our Kids Minds,” while Thompson hosted two sessions: “How to Raise Responsible Children” and “The Pressured Child.” Bryson is the co-author (with Dan Siegel) of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline, as well as The Yes Brain and the upcoming The Power of Showing Up. Thompson is a consultant, psychologist and the author of Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys. Other books include: Speaking of Boys: Answers to the Most-Asked Questions about Raising Sons, Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children, Mom, They’re Teasing Me: Helping Your Child Solve Social Problems The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Achieve Success in School and in Life, It’s a Boy!, Understanding Your Son’s Development from Birth to Eighteen, and Homesick and Happy: How Time Away From Parents Can Help a Child Grow. The Coyle Scholar speaker series began in 1996 and brings inspiring, prominent individuals of scholarly and contemporary interest, public servants, academicians, people of letters, or other public figures who have made a sustained and lasting contribution to education defined in its broadest sense. Each visiting scholar is invited to spend the day at the School, attend classes, and work with our students. After a reception, the visiting scholar delivers a public lecture for the community-at-large.
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From top runners to tots, many joined us in April for a 5K along the Sound, and the Kids’ Fun Run. The annual event raised money and awareness for Komera, which works with women in Rwanda to develop self-confidence “through education, community development, and sport.”
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t n e m e c n e m Com 2019
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As we begin the next chapter of our lives, let’s create communities like the one we have here. We will all be navigating uncharted territory — we will be trying to make friends, find our people, settle into our niche in a both exciting and terrifying place. Be brave, be authentic, be vulnerable.
"
LILAH MCCORMICK ’19 VALEDICTORIAN
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There will be times of self-doubt, there will be times where you will struggle and feel somewhat less than. Remember the connection with everyone here — the people who have seen, and heard, and valued you, who know and love you. And remember, you’ve had it all along. BOB WHELAN HEAD OF SCHOOL
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"
For most, if not all of us, even if we haven’t figured out exactly what we want to do with the coming future, our palettes — what we know we enjoy — have evolved and been shaped by GFA and the incredible people within its walls.
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LILA WELLS ’19 SALUTATORIAN
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“Happiness is a means to its own end. It is the destination. The only one truly worth striving for.”
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MIKE GREENBERG COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
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Homec
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coming & Dragon Fair
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turns 20!
For six weeks in the summer of 2000, a clutch of 24 kindergarten and
Horizons National has expanded to 62 programs in 19 states.
first graders left their Bridgeport neighborhoods each morning for the wilds of Westport — taking the first steps in what has now become a 20-
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the term “achievement gap” was
year journey with Horizons Greens Farms Academy (GFA).
getting a lot of attention in the press, and throughout the country education was becoming a philanthropic focus. It was a fortuitous time for
From its elementary beginnings to a robust program extending through
the Kreitlers’ vision to come to life, and after seeing Horizons in action
to the college level, Horizons GFA has transformed the lives of hun-
in New Canaan, they knew that a similar program would be a great fit
dreds of Bridgeport public school students.
for GFA.
In the Beginning
“Sally and I both had the feeling that writing checks is one thing, but we both wanted to get deeply involved in a hands-on program,” Hoby stated.
In many ways, it feels like Hoby and Sally Kreitler have always been part of the GFA family. As long-time grandparents of GFA students, they
The first step was to approach GFA’s brand new Head of School, Peter
have continued to stay involved in the life of the school, and to con-
Esty, who immediately said, “‘This is going to be a great program. I want
tribute in meaningful ways. Perhaps their most meaningful role was in
it to be a part of GFA,’” explained Sally.
starting Horizons Greens Farms Academy. Despite their planned retirement, the Kreitlers were instead learning After Hoby Kreitler retired, the couple set up a family foundation with
how to start a business. They put together a board of directors and re-
the goal of helping underserved children. Bridgeport had always been
cruited then-substitute teacher Robbi Hartt to be the first Executive
a special area of focus for the family, but at that point, they had no
Director for Horizons Greens Farms Academy. Initially providing bus
formal program in mind. At least not until they met with the managing
transportation and making lunches by hand for those first 24 students,
director of a program at New Canaan Country School called Horizons.
the Kreitlers and friends got the program off the ground, and it has grown every year since. This summer, Horizons GFA hosted 277 stu-
Since 1964, Horizons, a national nonprofit organization, has been dedi-
dents, and more than 90 administrators, teachers, assistant teachers,
cated to “improving the life trajectory of students from low-income fami-
interns, and volunteers.
lies by instilling in them the joy of learning, the skills for success, and the inspiration to realize their dreams.” From its beginnings in New Canaan,
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There have been many changes since those early days, but the mission
remains the same: “Horizons Greens Farms Academy helps students attending under-resourced Bridgeport schools develop strong academic, social and emotional skills, habits of mind and the resilience to succeed in school and pursue a meaningful, choicefilled life.” Growth Model With the grant-writing help of former GFA parent and trustee (and current Horizons GFA board member) Nan Ruben, the Kreitlers were no longer funding the program out-of-pocket, which meant that they could bring in more students, more teachers, and experts to help create a robust curriculum. Each year, Horizons added a new kindergarten class until it officially became a K–8 summer program with a couple of academic-year touch points as well, called Saturday Academy.
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Horizons GFA’s current Executive Director Joe Aleardi explained that
Another benefit to having high school and college kids connected to the
the focus began to shift as well. Instead of aiming for “safe summer fun,”
program is that it inspires the younger ones. They can now see — and
the goal became “stopping summer slide” — a term used to describe a
connect with — kids just like them who have achieved success.
decline in academic abilities when students aren’t in school. Horizons GFA Board Co-Chair and former GFA parent Stephani Whit“The purpose of Saturday Academy is to continue to gel these classmates
taker has been involved with Horizons GFA for more than 10 years. She
together and not let them drift away from the program,” Hoby said.
said the depth that the high school and college programs have added to the overall experience has been wonderful to watch.
In the summer of 2009, the first class of eighth graders graduated from Horizons GFA. However, the K–8 limitation just didn’t sit right with
“The little kids look at these bigger kids who are in the Horizons college
the Kreitlers or anyone else who had been a part of these kids’ lives for
program, and now they are having conversations about college in ele-
the last nine years.
mentary school,” she said. “The way that Horizons students are thinking about themselves and where they fit in the world is really changing,
Sally explained, “We were worried that we were going to lose contact
and I think that’s going to happen more and more.”
with these children as they approached the most difficult period of their lives.”
The final building block in the Horizons GFA structure was a PreK program, which was added in 2014. Now eight PreK students join the elementary and
Plus, the high school graduation rate for Bridgeport public schools at
middle school groups for the summer sessions and Saturday Academy.
that time was under 60%. The odds just weren’t good enough to risk losing these students to that statistic. So, they added a high school pro-
Enriching activities
gram in 2010. The program served as an opportunity for high school students to work with their mentor, meeting at coffee shops, libraries,
While academics has been at the heart of what distinguishes Horizons
or community centers, and by 2014, the high school program estab-
GFA from almost all of the other Horizons National programs, it’s not
lished a permanent home in Bridgeport.
all about the books. Half of the day is dedicated to enrichment. From the beginning, swimming lessons were a key part of the program, an
“The defining characteristic of the high school program is its one-on-
idea inherited from the New Canaan program. Now the water-based
one coaching/mentoring program,” Aleardi explained.
activities have extended to sailing and rowing on the Saugatuck river.
The last two years of the high school program focus heavily on the col-
“We saw what swimming could do for a child’s self-confidence and safe-
lege application process — after all, Horizons GFA students currently
ty,” said Sally Kreitler. She pointed out that many of the kids entering the
have a 98% high school graduation rate. Students are guided through
program do not know how to swim — a dangerous situation, considering
essay-writing workshops, learn the ropes of the admission process, prac-
that Bridgeport sits right on the Long Island Sound. “It’s a great sense of
tice interviews, apply for scholarships, and learn about financial aid.
accomplishment for them to go in the water without fear.”
As that first group of high school seniors inched closer to college, the
Finding Horizons
group at Horizons GFA began to get a familiar feeling: How can we leave them just as they take this next giant leap? It only makes sense,
Each year, 98% of students return to the program, so the vast majority
they decided, to extend the program to college as well. Also headquar-
of 12th grade students have experienced a continuity of their educa-
tered in the Bridgeport office, the college team meets (either in person
tional care since they were in kindergarten. That explains the matching
or on the phone) with about 50–60 students every month, offering a
98% high school graduation rate. But how are these students identified
variety of services like workshops, small scholarships, advice, counsel-
in the first place?
ing, even an emergency financial assistance fund.
Through recommendations from their schools, or other word-of-mouth
“With the monthly check-ins, that’s how we know how they’re doing in
opportunities, Bridgeport families learn about the program and begin the
school. If something pops up — say financial aid becomes an issue — we
application process. The opportunity is open to students who live in and
find out about it in October instead of waiting until January when may-
go to school in Bridgeport, and who come from low-income families, as
be they’ve already left the school,” Aleardi said. “By doing the monthly
defined by federal poverty guidelines. Horizons GFA is unique in that close
check-ins, we can stop small problems before they become big ones.”
to two-thirds of the students who are admitted are below grade-level.
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“We feel like we provide the greatest impact by trying to help those kids
selves, like preparing for parent-teacher conferences and learning how
to get caught up — to be self-sustaining. The data will tell you they’re
to advocate for their children.
the ones who will track straight out, and who won’t graduate from high school,” according to Aleardi. “Many programs skim from the top, we
“When you talk with the families, it’s incredible. They’re working real-
skim for the lower-middle.”
ly hard to improve their children’s lives. When they realize that you’re there to partner with them, they’re so appreciative. And we’re so appre-
From the beginning of the application process, a major factor in gaining
ciative. It’s such a great partnership, and everyone is in it for the right
admittance is involvement of the families. Monique Rutledge, Director
reasons,” Whittaker said.
of Operations & Enrichment and former GFA parent, has been with Horizons GFA since 2008, and is involved in the admission process. She
Success can’t just rest on student effort and parent participation alone,
said that the value of a supportive family cannot be understated.
of course, so the teaching faculty must be top-notch as well. Most of those teachers come directly from the Bridgeport public school system.
“We interview families along with the students, so we can gauge if a
“We try to cherry-pick [from Bridgeport] because we do a lot of profes-
family is committed to their student’s education,” she explained. “It
sional development — much more than they would normally get — so
helps us differentiate between someone who’s looking for a high-quality
that’s how we impact the broader system. When we train the teachers in
summer childcare, or someone who is a believer in the power of edu-
the summer, then send them back to their Bridgeport classrooms, that
cation.”
has a carry-over benefit,” explained Aleardi.
Parent/guardian participation has become so critical to the success of
In addition to attracting top teaching talent, Horizons GFA has worked
the student, that administrators have begun identifying more and more
with education experts to adapt a nine-month school-year curriculum
ways to reach out to and connect with that specific group. For exam-
for reading and math into a six-week summer curriculum, and for the
ple, Horizons GFA has implemented a new texting platform to reach
past six years, it has also partnered with Harvard Graduate School of
parents/guardians in a way that is most convenient for them. Parents
Education to develop Horizons’ highly rated Social-Emotional Learning
will receive text alerts for events and communications from their child’s
(SEL) curriculum.
teacher, including images and videos of their kids in the classroom. In addition, parent-focused events and workshops are peppered through-
“Now we’re starting to move the needle in Bridgeport,” confirmed
out the year, including workshops on topics picked by the parents them-
Whittaker, who along with Board Co-Chair Roberta Conroy has been
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involved with the organization for more than 10 years. So have their
of its focus on academics, it’s just gotten better and better.”
kids, all graduates of GFA. Christina Whittaker ’08 is Manager of the Horizons GFA High School and College Success Programs, and in fact
For the administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers who continue to
many current and former GFA students, parents, and faculty members
dedicate their time to Horizons GFA, the motivation stays the same too
volunteer for the organization every year.
— as Whittaker put it, “Education changes lives and what we are doing at Horizons GFA is making a difference for our students.”
That partnership has remained steadfast throughout the organization’s 20-year history — growing in academic rigor right along with GFA
Test scores and graduation rates can be tracked, but results are more
through the Janet Hartwell years, and prioritizing partnership and in-
meaningfully measured when it comes directly from the mouths of the
novation, in step with current GFA Head of School Bob Whelan’s mis-
students themselves. Year after year students send emails and even re-
sion-centric vision for the school.
turn for speaking engagements to underline the impact that Horizons GFA had in getting them where they are today.
“The kids live just five miles away, and we have something amazing to offer here at GFA,” said Conroy. “The school has been so generous to
Josh Dumas, an alumnus of Horizons GFA and now a graduate student at
give us this space, and I love how we know the kids, we see the kids
Cornell University, spent a number of his college summers working in the
on campus, and we can see the impact that we’re making. It seems so
classroom as an intern. Recording his experiences for a video the group
personal and close, and you can see change happening.”
produced recently, he said, “In public school they’re pretty much saying, ‘If you don’t think you can do it, don’t do it.’ Well here they’re saying, ‘If
The More Things Change…
you don’t think you can do it, we’re going to help you until you learn how to do it.’ And that’s the thing about Horizons that really helps. It builds the
While educational ideologies may have changed in the last 20 years,
character that you need to achieve your dreams.”
and technology definitely has, there are many aspects that have stayed the same.
The Kreitlers have attended all of the eighth grade graduation ceremonies and all these years later,they are still incredibly moved by each ex-
When asked for some examples, Rutledge answered easily: “The kids.
perience
Their joy, their laughter, their willingness to come every day and work hard, and the dedication of the teachers to return year after year.”
“I’m seeing 200 students running around,” Hoby described, “and realizing that every one of those children has an opportunity in life that they
The Kreitlers had a ready answer too: “The mission has definitely stayed
probably would not have had without this program. You can’t help but
the same,” Hoby said. “The basic program has stayed the same in terms
go to bed that night feeling pretty good.”
Aleardi Receives National Leadership Award In the spring, Joe Aleardi, Executive Director of Horizons at GFA, received the Horizons National Leadership Award given to the most outstanding executive director in the network. He was awarded the Leadership Award at the Horizons National Convention in Baltimore. According to Horizons at GFA Board Co-Directors Roberta Conroy and Stephani Whittaker: “We are so proud of Joe and his leadership and are not surprised by his success. His work and expertise with our Horizons program at GFA and his outward assistance with the Sacred Heart program has been exemplary. He has a fantastic team working with him and they have provided him with tremendous support. It is a group effort and we are so happy that he and his team have been recognized.”
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Faculty Perspectives: The Beauty Within the Mission By Ronaldo John
Upper School Spanish, Grade Nine Class Coordinator
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Since the day I came to GFA, my experience hasn’t changed. I’ve
attention, engagement, curiosity, or love for the language that I want.
always been in a great environment, with supportive colleagues, and people who are innovative and looking for the next best thing we can
While teachers may not be feeling at their best every day — because
bring to the classroom to fully engage our students.
we’re human beings — at the end of the day when I stand in front of my kids, regardless of what else may be going on, I have to show
We often talk about “engaging students as partners” and we are active
them that right now, in this space, what we’re doing here is the most
in our pursuit of finding topics that they find interesting, putting an
important thing. They will never know when I’m having not one of my
academic spin on it, and bringing it to the classroom. You capture kids’
best days, because that engagement — that passion and that fire — is
attention doing this and show them that you’re in-tune with the things
always present.
that affect their daily lives. We’re not just here to get swallowed into a world of theory and academics, but we’re taking real-life experiences
My favorite thing about GFA students is their candidness and their
and making them learning points.
curiosity. When students are passionate about something, they can hold a conversation, bring their viewpoint, and drive the conversation.
When I came to GFA I was the youngest person in my department and
The openness to the adults around here speaks volumes to the
one of the youngest teachers at the school. This was my first gig, my
relationships that we, as faculty, foster with our students. They feel
first real adult job. The only prior experience I had in teaching was
that freedom and that ease to come and talk to you.
being a TA in college, and it was then that I thought, “Wow, I actually enjoy working through difficult stuff and explaining it.”
GFA does its best in fostering well-rounded, global citizens. While some institutions may be more specialty-driven, here we strive to give
I started here post-grad, in the fall of 2015, and now teach Spanish I,
equal importance to all of their passions.
“My job is to find a way to make learning fun, but to ensure learning is also taking place. It calls for a high level of innovation.” II, V. Being a language teacher, you have to be versatile, you have to
Our students have a unique opportunity being in a space where
be dynamic and you have to come at it from so many different points.
teachers are driven to bring out the best in them. Teachers who
Teaching a language is interactive, and you have to engage students at
are going to meet them where they are and support them through
all different levels to cover speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
difficulties. Teachers who are going to help students turn their wildest ideas into realities and bring to life places they thought were only
My job is to find a way to make learning fun, but to ensure learning
imaginary. GFA students are in a place that is globally inclusive and
is also taking place. It calls for a high level of innovation. As language
that considers their all-around development. We prioritize finding
teachers, we often hear the value and purpose of learning a foreign
the best in everyone and that is something that every GFA child
language being questioned. Having this knowledge, we are now tasked
should exploit. When you think of “exploitation,” you think about it
with showing our students the usefulness that learning a foreign
in a negative way, but in this aspect, it’s not negative — a GFA student
language holds. In that sense, I have to find a way to engage them and
should exploit every single thing this institution has to offer.
get them feeling like this isn’t just something they have to learn and then leave it aside; this is a living language that is all around them, and
Every year, before you start the term, there’s a lot of anxiety and
there are useful ways they can incorporate it into their every-day lives.
excitement. You get here, you finally meet your kids after looking at the names on your roster, and you smile because the way I look at it
Making your classes great stems from your passion. I have to believe in
is, “Here we go… another year, another opportunity with different
what I’m teaching and what I want to communicate in order for students
kids, who will bring different emotions and perspective.” So while the
to “buy in.” If I come in and I don’t bring 100% to the classroom and am
unknown causes anxiety, there is so much beauty that lies within.
not engaged or excited about the material, then I won’t get the reaction, fall 2019 | 27
Fifth Grade ‘Rocks!’ By Meghan Chew
Grade 5 and 6 Dean
When the fifth grade teachers met to discuss the grade’s annual
members of the Middle School, spread kindness to all students?
service day, we were inspired by the words of Head of School Bob Whelan at our annual Convocation. The message of kindness was
Keeping in this theme, we decided to bring The Kindness Rocks
a big takeaway for our students, and we wanted to draw upon
Project to GFA. The project “encourages people to leave rocks
those words as the theme.
painted with inspiring messages along the path of life.” The fifth graders were tasked with
Keeping some of the same service projects we continue to complete each year — trash clean-up at Burying Hill Beach, a read-aloud with the first-grade students, weed clean-up on the GFA campus — all were a “must” on our schedule for the day. However, we wanted to engage the fifth-grade students to think critically about how they could use their academic knowledge and skills to truly integrate their learning into service. How can we continue to foster a climate
designing kindness rocks with Messages from Fifth Grade:
Don’t be afraid to dream BIG! In a field of horses, be a unicorn. What if I fail... But what if you fly?
a meaningful quote or kind message of their choice. The results were incredible. What started as one small idea has evolved into a much more integrated project. Once we
Dare to be yourself.
started brainstorming, the fifth
Happiness takes time.
of possible ways to bring more
You can do this. You are the only YOU!
graders couldn’t stop thinking members of the community in on their project. For now, please feel free to visit
of kindness on campus, even
the Fifth Grade Kindness Rocks
after service day has concluded?
project located in our vegetable garden and stay tuned for more
Utilizing design-thinking strategies, fifth graders were encouraged
developments on this ongoing service project.
to think about how they can create a positive impact on the GFA community. One kind message at the right moment can change
To learn more about The Kindness Rocks Project, visit
someone’s day, outlook, and life. How could they, as the youngest
thekindnessrocksproject.com.
To see more photos, visit us on Flickr: www.flickr.com/greensfarmsacademy.
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May Term This innovative approach is a hallmark of our new schedule, and we’re excited to offer students a chance to discover new passions outside the traditional classroom experience. This spring marked the culmination of the school’s first-ever May Term, a seven-day immersion experience that takes place during what used to be finals week. From a wide variety of subjects, students picked one mini class, allowing them to engage deeply in dynamic topics while collaborating with faculty and peers from different grades. “The result has been enormously gratifying: students engaged in their learning, continuing to work through breaks, talking about class outside of class, and showing up refreshed and ready to engage in the morning,” according to Andrew Jones, Head of Upper School. “We are ending the year in a way that foregrounds every aspect of our school’s mission statement in an exciting, immediate way, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.” For the last three years, senior Kyra Lerner endured the standard finals week experience along with her peers, and appreciated this year’s fresh approach to the end of the year. She explained, “During exams, you’re being tested on things you know, in theory. This time I actually learned something new, and I appreciate that. The stress level is very much decreased. You can actually enjoy the end of the year and have fun with it.” On campus, students dove into topics like global economics, music composition, civil rights, law, business, screenwriting, and math magic. Other classes took place off-campus — from animal care at Beardsley and Bronx zoos, to overnight camping at Mohawk Mountain State Forest, to studying fashion at The Met, among many other excursions. There were no prerequisites for any class, though some students saw an opportunity to incorporate some of their personal projects. One budding businessperson thought that the course “Becoming an Entrepreneur” would be a logical choice: he and his friends already had the idea to start their own food truck, and they felt this class would offer them the knowhow they’d need to get started. “It was a good introduction to things like budgets, employees, and equipment,” he said.
fall 2019 | 33
Sophomore Ali Tauck was among a group of students who said they
“We are ending the year in a way that foregrounds every aspect of our school’s mission statement in an exciting, immediate way, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.”
actually didn’t mind taking finals before, but they still appreciated the stress-free ambiance that May Term brought with it. “The transition from the last week of academics to May Term was really interesting because the energy at school just changed so much,” she said. “The week before May Term started, you’d walk in and it was this tense, almost explosive energy. But then you get here during May Term … and you don’t feel like you’re in a pressure-cooker.” The week of camaraderie and community culminated — appropriately — in a final gathering of food (from the cooking class, naturally) and friendship, where students were eager to share their week’s work. Like a scene from a Fellini film, the front lawn was filled with eclectic activity: songwriters performing original compositions, fashion-designers donning unique creations, Hamilton-style rap battles about current events, and math-magicians wowing on-lookers with ciphering skills. Behind it all was a colorful congregation of campers’ tents and sleeping bags drying out on the lawn.
Andrew Jones Head of Upper School
“Being able to take what I learned in the classroom out to the hallways and physically show it and see the wonder on people’s faces, that’s the thing that’s been the most worth it,” smiled junior — and
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“mathmagician” — Norelisa Nascimento.
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Making ‘Mini’ Connections What do onions, hawks, trains, and Ed Denes have in common?
For instance, third graders heading out to count the school’s oak
They’re all part of our shared GFA story. This spring, the Lower School
trees — which are symbolized on our crest — discovered wild onions
embarked on a quest to learn more about these topics, along with
growing on the property. They couldn’t wait to run back to share
many other aspects that comprise the spirit of GFA — in some cases,
their findings with the second graders, who were studying Westport’s
before it was even a school.
former glory days as a worldwide onion producer.
PreK through fourth-grade classes had their first-ever “mini-term,”
The students were also excited to discover that their topics seeped into
where they spent a week (or more) delving into GFA-related topics
their other classes, like art and music: In art class, the onion research-
that reached beyond the curriculum in new and exciting ways.
ers painted onion flowers (called allium, they learned). In music class, students sang songs from various periods in this area’s history.
Lower School Head Aléwa Cooper explained: “My firm belief is that you have to know who you are, where you are, and where you’re from
“It’s a way to teach that’s more like life. You’re learning how to be part
in order to understand where you’re headed.”
of a community and how things relate to each other,” Kurtz explained. “They were seeing how their subjects integrated into everything, and
The idea for the community-focused project came from a professional
how fun it could be if everything is related to each other.”
development session with educator and author David Sobel. His book, Place-Based Education: Connecting Classrooms & Communities,
This first mini-term included topics that neither the teachers nor the
focuses on the concept of using “the local community and environ-
students had studied before, so many times they were learning the
ment as the starting place for curriculum learning, strengthening com-
information together. Even for the teachers, the mini-term was an ex-
munity bonds, appreciation for the natural world, and a commitment
ercise in risk-taking. Both Kurtz and Cooper agreed that this unexpect-
to citizen engagement.”
ed outcome was among the most fun aspects to witness.
Sofi Kurtz, Lower School Science Teacher and one of the mini-term
Cooper said: “What I loved about it is that the children left feeling like
leaders, knew this would be a perfect project to implement at GFA.
they had done the bulk of the work as opposed to the teachers, and that’s the best kind of scaffolding. It takes a skilled educator to make it
“Getting to know the place where you live makes you more connected
feel that way.”
to it. You want to be part of that community now while also building a foundation for the strength of that community in the future. I think
Kurtz and Cooper were pleased to discover that many teachers are con-
that’s what true place-based education is,” she explained.
sidering making the topics a regular part of their curriculum next year.
While this goal was always the priority, the administrators, teachers,
“In many ways it feels like we were getting to know this place that we
and even the students began to make other unexpected connections.
all come to for the first time,” said Kurtz.
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“Getting to know the place where you live makes you more connected to it. You want to be part of that community now while also building a foundation for the future.” PreK
In conjunction with their annual STEAM project, PreK created a “Welcoming” space in the front courtyard for visitors, and published a companion book explaining their ideas. First Grade
Subject: The History of GFA Fun fact: In the basement is a dumbwaiter that used to bring food up to the former dining room — what is now the faculty lounge. Highlight Activity: Visits from former faculty members Patti Hiller, who helped them make a May Pole— a former GFA tradition, and from Ed Denes, who took the students on a tour of the main building. Second Grade
Subject: Peeling Away the Layers of Our History (aka the history of the Westport Onion Farming Business) Fun fact: In the mid-1800s, the GFA property was an onion farm. Highlight Activity: Learning all about the Westport Globe Onion from guest speaker and alumna Sefra Levin ’03 (aka The Seed Huntress) Third Grade
Subject: How Do We Use the Local Trees? Fun fact: GFA’s land was once occupied by the Pawgusset Tribes, and later by a farmer named John Green. Highlight activity: Planting two oak trees at GFA for future generations to enjoy. Fourth Grade
Subject: History of the Greens Farms Train Station Fun fact: Each year approximately 39 million passengers take the Metro-North train line Crossover discovery: It used to take a ship one week to transport Westport’s famous onions (see third grade project) to New York City but after the train lines were built, it only took two hours to transport them.
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GFA THEATRE presents
Spring Performing Arts The spring performing arts scene brought a medley of drama, comedy, and Harmony to the GFA stages. 12 Angry Jurors was featured in the intimate Black Box Theatre, while the Hartwell Performing Arts Center showcased the Middle School production of The Wizard of Oz and the 29th annual Harmony for the Homeless. Lower School’s version of The Little Mermaid had a unique twist: many of the roles were shared by two or more actors.
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fall 2019 | 39
National Spotlight on ‘Nothing to Hide’ For the last four years, Narrative Magazine has hosted a nationwide story-tell-
potential blunders?”
ing contest for high school writers, hoping “to discover, mentor, and publish the next generation of amazing writers.” Officially part of that “next genera-
Berstein’s short story “Nothing to Hide” tackles the psychological and physiologi-
tion” is GFA sophomore Cayla Bernstein, whose short story won third place
cal effects that take hold when one decides to try shoplifting. Setting a driving pace
in the contest.
in the span of just 600 words (per contest rules), Bernstein allows her readers to delve into the psyche of a “confident and ambitious” overachiever who makes the
“I thank [Narrative Magazine and its] team for this inspiring opportunity,” Ber-
pivotal decision to break the rules.
nstein said, accepting the award. “I feel so honored and grateful to have my work recognized in this contest.”
Adhering to the theme and word limit is just the first step. Winning authors then get a chance to work one-on-one with Edgarian to “edit, refine, and re-
This year’s contest asked the student writers to consider what it means to make
cord their work—in other words, to be mentored and to engage in all aspects
a life-changing mistake. According to Narrative Magazine editor-in-chief Carol
of a professional publishing process,” according to the contest outline.
Edgarian, “In the hands of skilled writers, mistakes are gold. They are opportunities for drama, reflection, reversals of fate and fortune; at bottom, they are grim
The final works have been published on the website, along with an audio ver-
reminders of life lived and suffered. Who better to address the subject of ‘The
sion, recorded by the authors themselves, as part of the magazine’s podcast,
Mistake’ than students in high school, where every day looms as a minefield of
Narrative Outloud.
Nothing to Hide By Cayla Bernstein ’21 “Shoplifting?” Jessica asks, trailing Olivia while carefully avoiding the cracks in the pavement. Her contacts blur over her hazel eyes as she counts her steps. “That’s your ‘specialty’?” “I just take stuff here and there,” Olivia says, brushing a hand through her golden hair. “Mostly from places where I shop. Everything is just so overpriced and ... I don’t know. The way I see it, it’s only fair. It’s basically my way of flipping off these obnoxious companies.” “Really?” Jessica swallows hard. “You just ... take stuff?” She looks away from Olivia and tugs on her coat collar to hide her blushing cheeks. “Yeah. That easy.” Jessica stuffs her hands into her pockets, blanketing them from the cool air. “All right,” she concedes. “Teach me your ways.” Anthropologie. Pine walls, vintage frames, earthy tones. Perfumed candles make Jessica’s nose tickle. She smiles politely at an employee. “Happy shopping!” Olivia sings and heads toward a room of mascaras and powders. Jessica walks toward the unmanned jewelry section.
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She scans the necklaces and eyes a sapphire pendant. She approaches it, hands fiddling, tugs at her earlobe. Across the room, a middle-aged male shopper — gray hair fluffed casually, glasses resting perfectly on his nose — smiles like ... her father. She hears his voice in her head. “High honors!” he said last week. “I’m so proud of you.” He embraced her. “You know that, right?” Jessica had shrugged. His eyes, still locked on her, waited for more. She gave him the smile he craved. “That’s the spirit. President of your class. Captain of your team. I wish I was as confident and ambitious when I was your age. My friends always check in to hear what new height you’ve achieved.” Jessica stares at the man across the room and thinks of all the times her father stayed up to help her study for tests, who listens to her drama after his long days at work, who once drove fifteen minutes to pay for a Snickers he’d taken without realizing. “Paid the full $2.30,” he said. Smiled. Shrugged, checking the rear-view mirror to make sure his daughter heard. She feels warm breath on her neck. Olivia, at her shoulder, whispering. “Find anything?” “Still searching,” she replies. “Looking for the perfect thing.”
The middle-aged man is smiling at her now. She smiles back. Unhooks the sapphire pendant from its stand. Pivots slightly and slips it into her pocket. “Nice choice,” Olivia whispers. Jessica laughs, waves at the kind-faced man, leaves him admiring the rings. Exiting, she holds her breath all the way through the metal detectors with Olivia strolling behind her. Jessica pushes the door open, the glass cool against her skin. Beyond the store, seagulls perch on the lonely bridge, the crystal river below purring. She breathes in the fresh air. Her heart rate begins to slow. Then she hears alarms blaring. Freezes. Looks to Olivia. Impossibly, her friend is smiling. “Dang, girl, see a ghost?” Olivia cocks her head. Jessica looks back to the bridge and watches the birds lift off, wings flapping. As they drift away, the alarms recede. Become the squawking that follows the birds. She can hear the river again. Her left foot is resting atop a crack in the pavement. She leaves it there. Reaches into her pocket for the necklace. Clasps it around her neck, the sapphire pendant heavier than expected. Catching her breath, she admires the graceful birds, smaller now, flying away, disappearing into the blue.
The Arts
Vivian Taylor
ryan boyle
Leon Calzone
Zoe Koskinas
Netanya Bravard
These beautiful works, created by Upper School artists Ryan Boyle, Leon Calzone, Netanya Bravard, Zoe Koskinas, and Vivian Taylor, were selected by the Bruce Museum for its iCreate 2019 exhibition, which ran at the Greenwichbased museum June 8 – July 21.
fall 2019 | 41
SPRING SPORTS
Sailing This season was the most successful in the history of the GFA sailing program, winning the Terk Trophy at the New England Schools Sailing Association team championship event in Portland, Maine. The Dragons won 12 out of their 13 head-to-head races to finish first ahead of Choate Rosemary Hall. This was the first time GFA qualified to compete in the postseason New England Tournament, and the first time they earned the subsequent opportunity to compete at the Sailing Association National Invitational Tournament (in Cleveland, Ohio) on behalf of all New England High Schools. They placed sixth overall in the National Invitational Tournament. Boats for GFA were skippered by Sofia Segella, Katherine McNamara, and Scott Yenor with crews of Ryan Audemard, Andrew Audemard, and Griffin Gigliotti.
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Tennis Girls tennis capped off a remarkable season, winning all three matches against Concord Academy to claim the 2019 NEPSAC Class C championship. The three wins came from eighth grader Lane Durkin, junior Ryan Boyle, and the doubles team of sophomore Harriett Wells and freshman Lane Murphy. Durkin was named to the All-FAA First Team; Boyle received All-FAA Honorable Mention. The boys tennis doubles squad of junior Nik Simonsen and freshman Albert Bostoen placed second at the FAA Tennis Championship on Tuesday at Port Chester, N.Y. This season sophomore Connor McDonald was named to the All-FAA First Team; eighth grader David McDonald was named to the All-FAA First Team; and senior Jack Wolfsohn received AllFAA Honorable Mention. Lacrosse Girls lacrosse advanced to their second FAA championship game in three seasons, after defeating Rye Country Day School 15–9 in the semifinals. This season, the athletes received the following recognition: Alex Nesi, All-FAA First Team, Academic All-American; Kelly van Hoesen, All-FAA First Team, All-American; Ella Murphy, All-FAA First Team; Stephanie Wistreich, All-FAA First Team; Whitney Rintoul, All-FAA Honorable Mention. Boys lacrosse Charlie Benson and Zach Liston combined for nine goals to lead Greens Farms Academy to a 15–3 win over St. Luke’s in an Fairchester Athletic Association quarterfinal. The athletes received the following recognition: Max Yates, All-FAA First Team; Zach Liston, All-FAA First Team; Charlie Benson, All-FAA First Team; Henry Mcdonald, All-FAA Honorable Mention; Adler Viton, All-FAA Honorable Mention. Track and Field Kristiana Modzelewski became GFA’s first-ever FAA track and field champion, taking first place and the league championship in the 300 hurdles (51.73 seconds). The senior also finished second in the 100 hurdles with a time of 17.77 seconds. Senior Will McCall placed second in the boys 1,500-meter run. His time was 4:32.82 — a new school record. Another school record came from sophomore Haley Nilsson, whose best 1,500-meter time was 5:15.75. Frisbee The co-ed ultimate frisbee team wrapped up another fun season, completing an eightevent schedule that included the second annual GFA Invitational. In addition to notching victories over public school teams like Newtown and Trinity Catholic, the Dragons finished sixth in the state this season. Second-year head coach Emilio Zarco said he was proud of the team’s effort and sportsmanship throughout the spring season.
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ALL-AMERICANS
Two girls lacrosse players were honored on a national level courtesy of U.S. Lacrosse. Goalie Kelly van Hoesen, one of the top goalies in the country, was named All-American, while attack Alex Nesi was named an Academic All-American.
KELLY
ALEX
VAN HOESEN
NESI
Van Hoesen, a four-year, three-sport varsity athlete at
Nesi, who already was named an FAA Scholar Athlete,
GFA, was a leader for the Dragons, who posted a 9–3–1
followed that up with her Academic All-American honor,
record and finished as FAA runners-up in 2019. She
as well. One of the top student-athletes at GFA, the se-
had a 70 % save rate this season and also averaged three
nior attack — who also took draws for the team — played
interceptions a game from the crease.
a vital role in running the Dragons offense.
“The key for Kelly was that she really set the tone for the
“Alex was the quarterback of our team,” GFA coach Ciara
entire team,” GFA coach Ciara Thurlow said. “She gave
Thurlow said. “She got things going for us and would
all the girls courage and came out and gave it her all in
always call out all the plays. She organized things on the
every game. Watching her play gave everybody confi-
field.”
dence. She had that competitive edge.” Nesi, who also played field hockey for the Dragons, Van Hoesen, who also played soccer and basketball at
attends the University of Southern California, where she
GFA, attends Division 1 University of Pennsylvania,
plans on playing club lacrosse.
where she will play lacrosse for the Quakers. 44 | www.gfacademy.org
Provo Takes Home Pan-Am Gold By John Nash
It didn’t take long for Nico Provo to realize the magnitude of the moment. The junior at Greens Farms Academy was in Mexico for a wrestling competition: the 2019 United World Wrestling Cadet Pan American championships. He wasn’t there representing GFA. Nor was he there representing Southside Wrestling, Provo’s club team that is headed up by GFA varsity coach Jack Conroy. When the 16-year-old Stratford resident pulled on his singlet to compete, the three letters on the front reminded Provo who he was representing: U.S.A. “It was a crazy opportunity,” Provo said. “It was humbling. I knew I’d be representing the country, but when you’re doing it with that singlet on, you’re not doing it just for you. You realize you’re out there for the whole the country.” After opening the competition with a loss in his first Greco-Roman match, Provo bounced back to take the bronze medal in that discipline. Then, competing at 51 kilograms (112.4 pounds) in freestyle, Provo swept his way to the gold medal — including a win over the wrestler who beat him in the opening match of the event. “You visualize it, but it’s totally different when it happens and you’re up there with four different countries, and you’re at the top,” Provo said. “Everybody is looking at you and you’re up there representing your country. There is no better feeling.”
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FAA Scholar Athlete Awards Will McCall According to Athletic Director Tauni Butterfield: “Selfdisciplined and self-directed, Will has always been intrinsically motivated. He is much more concerned with understanding concepts, making connections and progress, and following his interests and passions than he is with the A's that fill his transcript. Comfortable taking risks, Will learned that he grows the most from situations that might initially be most uncomfortable, and his persistence, grit, and drive has led him to some wonderful success in leadership.” Teams: Boys varsity soccer, track and field Career highlights: With his soccer team, winning the Class C New England championship four years in a row; breaking the school’s 1500-meter record with a time of 4:29. College: Dartmouth College
Alex Nesi According to Butterfield: “Bright, hardworking, and always willing to take on an academic challenge, Alex finds greater satisfaction in working hard to master material than she does resting comfortably in a less challenging class. She is a team player in the truest sense of the word; both in life and on the field, she gets along with everyone. She sees the best in others, and everyone finds a friend in her. Her ability to not only understand people from all walks of life, but also to relate to, interact with, and befriend them, demonstrates a maturity beyond her years.” Teams: Field hockey, girls varsity lacrosse Career highlights: Starter on varsity field hockey in eighth grade; All-League honors in lacrosse and field hockey. College: University of Southern California
Sophie Steager According to Butterfield: “Sophie is keenly insightful, intelligent, and driven to achieve. She brings a quiet intensity to her classes, and is motivated to push the learning for herself and others an often asks probing questions that deepens the discourse. She is a fierce and very talented soccer player who plays with passion, persistence and grace.” Teams: Girls varsity soccer; Ultimate Frisbee Career highlights: Returning to the team her senior year to help them make the New England Tournament; FAA All46 | www.gfacademy.org
League and one All New England honors. College: Playing soccer for Pomona Pitzer
Alumni
charlie HALL
Janet Hartwell Visiting Fellow
’92
Charlie Hall ’92 was the school’s first Janet Hartwell Visiting Fellow, a program — named in honor of former Head of School, Janet Hartwell — that invites distinguished speakers, innovative thinkers, and dynamic teachers to campus to work with our PreK–12 students. Hall spent the week with all three divisions, talking about his experiences as a musician with his band The War On Drugs, and as a student and teacher.
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anthony
PATTERSON
’07
PHoto by Robin Yao
A Life in Balance Alumnus Anthony “Ace” Patterson ’07 considers his world to be an open songbook. From his formative years at GFA to his current job at Facebook, music weaves in and out of his life, tying each experience to the next. Rapper, marketer, family man, volunteer, mentor, Patterson sees music as a way not just to fuse together the different facets of his life, but to share them with others. This March, Patterson — who is also known as hip-hop artist, Call Me Ace — released an album, Airplane Mode, which debuted at No. 3 on the iTunes Top 40 US Hip-Hop Album Chart and was ranked No. 50 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales Chart in its first week. The album was written in the weeks following the death of his aunt, with whom he was extremely close — as a teenager, he spent almost every morning with her, as she drove him to GFA. “She was a key person in my life who encouraged me to learn something new every day and to take advantage of the opportunities before me. While I’m excited to see the visibility [Airplane Mode has] gotten, I’m more thankful that the depth of the album is resonating with people,” Patterson said. Through his melodies and lyrics, Patterson shares with his listeners his thoughts about who he is, where he’s been, and where he’s headed.
In the Beginning Airplane Mode marks his third album since 2016, but his career started back in his GFA days, where he joined his first rap group (Da Foundation, with fellow alumnus Christian Webster, AKA Chris Webby), his first solo album at 16 (Jus’ Me, performing as Young Ace), and even his first music video (which premiered at GFAN). Ever-prolific and in perpetual motion, Patterson traces his drive and success back to his GFA days. He reminisced, “When I think about how everything has worked together to get me to this place, I would be remiss if I didn’t include the fact that a lot of the capabilities that I fostered and built really happened during my middle school and high school years at GFA.”
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Alumni
At GFA Patterson immersed himself in every opportunity that he saw,
music with my co-workers — that way it doesn’t feel like I’m splitting
starting with art classes, and later spoken word poetry competitions on
my brain 24/7,” he explained. “Of course, I still need to do good work
Pi Day in Middle School (he won in both seventh and eighth grade). In
while I’m there, and the fact that I’m surrounded by so many other
his words, “artwork turned into written words, written words turned
super-smart go-getters also sharpens my professional and intellectual
into poetry, and poetry turned into music.”
skill sets — all of which funnel into how I manage and grow my music in one way or another.”
Though he initially considered himself “pretty bad at English,” Patterson advanced to AP English with Amy Schwartz, where his final proj-
Third: “Prayer, so much prayer!” he laughed. “Navigating those ups
ect was a rap in the character of Crime and Punishment’s Raskolnikov.
and downs of the music industry can be a little uncertain. Going on the ride takes faith!”
“The evolution of my artistic journey — acting, speaking in front of audiences, a lot of the training ground that I got to be a performer, artist, and
He often finds himself drawing connections to how his experiences at
visionary — was really incubated during my time at GFA,” he explained.
GFA have informed his experiences at work.
It’s also where he first connected with community service, and he
“Given my background at GFA, I’m prepared to say, ‘What are the
considers one of the all-time highlights of his high school experience
resources that I can utilize to make a bigger impact in my life?’” he
to be his work with Horizons, “a transformational, community-cen-
explained. “Being able to push myself academically, as well as being
tered program proven to close the opportunity and achievement gaps
provided with resources to help flesh out what I was called to do really
for low-income children.” For seven years, Patterson worked with
became a training ground for where I am now.”
Horizons at GFA, which brings Bridgeport students to the school for academic support during weekends and summers.
Since working with Horizons, Patterson has continued to volunteer for educational organizations. After attending Columbia University
“It was such a privilege to be a person from Bridgeport who is aware of
as an undergraduate, he worked at Success Academy Charter Schools
and has access to those GFA resources, and to create access and opportu-
in New York City, supporting their operational growth from 12 to
nity — and give back — to the people who are from the same community
32 schools in two years. While getting his MBA at The University of
that I’m from,” he stated. “And to know that I was going to a school that
California, Berkeley-Haas, he created a marketing and brand eval-
was passionate about that made me more passionate, too. That spirit has
uation consulting project — pro bono — for a program now called
honestly shaped the direction of how I’ve grown professionally.”
Boost@BerkeleyHass. Similar to Horizons, Boost@BerkeleyHass aims
Making it Work Patterson spends his workdays at Facebook headquarters, where he serves within Consumer Marketing as the operations lead for Messenger and WhatsApp, but his day starts long before that. Rising early
“to inspire, elevate and support first-generation, under-resourced youths’ academic and career pursuits to realize their true leadership potential.” He became a mentor there as well, and is still very much connected with the group.
Hitting the Right Note
— typically around 5:15 AM — Patterson meticulously schedules gym time, music time, and family time before heading into work (usually
All of these experiences resonate throughout Patterson’s music, and
early). After-work hours could include community service activities or
his newest album in particular. Some connections are more conspic-
social time, but always more family time, and always more music time,
uous (see: Airplane Mode, track 2, “5:15AM”), while others contain
sometimes driving an hour from Menlo Park, CA, to Oakland for gigs.
nuanced references, both sonically and lyrically. The track “Mr. UN,”
finding the time
for example, incorporates sounds he absorbed from his travels to Spain (during his senior year at GFA), Panama, and Colombia.
First, he explained, he really needs to create and stick to a schedule.
“Going to a school like GFA has shown me that the world is bigger
Second, he has a job that allows him to bring his “full self” to work,
than Bridgeport, CT, and part of my journey on this earth has been to
where he thrives among creative co-workers who help him stay sharp
see more, learn more, cultivate more and incorporate more so that way
and intellectually challenged.
as people are listening to me they’re also getting glimpses of how big
“Being at Facebook is allowing me to be a bigger and better artist,” he said. “I’m given opportunities to be open while at the job and share my
the world is, how many opportunities there are,” Patterson said. When he first moved out to California, he said it became evident that fall 2019 | 49
“Given my background at GFA, I’m prepared to say, ‘What are the resources that I can utilize to make a bigger impact in my life?’ ” PHoto by Shot By Sig
his hip-hop had a distinct “East Coast style.” He spent the next three
Burns, Betsy Bergeron, Nancy McTague-Stock, Elizabeth Day, Alison
years listening to the sounds emanating from the Bay Area and began
Jean, Kate Morrison, Stephanie Whitney, Stephen Stout, and Patience
infusing them into his music — at the same time being careful not to
Fanella-Koch are just a few of his early supporters with whom he still
co-opt someone else’s culture or sound, nor to lose sight of his own.
keeps in touch (his actual list is too long to do justice here).
“I never want someone to think that I’m exploiting their culture or exploit-
“Coming from Bridgeport, going to a school like GFA opened my eyes
ing where they’re from, or acting like I know something that I don’t,” he
to the vast opportunities of literally living,” he said. “If I didn’t have
said. “What I’ve been doing since I’ve been out here is just listening and
those experiences, I wouldn’t have known how to be as entrepreneurial,
learning so I can incorporate it knowledgeably while also being myself.”
or how to be as independent. If you’re given the resources and all you’re left with is the willpower and perseverance to make it happen, then it’s
Patterson credits many of his former GFA faculty members with helping him find and stay true to his voice — Amy Schwartz, Robbi Hart, OJ
50 | www.gfacademy.org
really up to you to make it happen.”
Alumni
max l.
ROSENBERG
’97
Communication is the Key “Of all the things that my parents have ever given me in my entire lifetime … those four years at GFA were, by far the best gift I’ve been given and the greatest privilege I’ve ever received.” Judge Max L. Rosenberg ’97 currently serves as a judge by morning for Probate Court jurisdiction 47, a managing partner of a law firm by afternoon, and a devoted father and husband by night. He is a second-generation Greens Farms Academy alumnus, as his mother, Susan Lavit Rosenberg ’68, a distinguished alumna of The Kathleen Laycock Country Day School. During his four-year tenure at GFA, Rosenberg immersed himself in anything and everything. “If you look at the yearbook, I’m in almost every single picture!” said Rosenberg. Coming from an orthodox Jewish background, he flocked to GFA’s diversity club Colors, where people from different backgrounds could talk about current events and share perspectives. In his four years at GFA, he saw the club grow from just five to more than 40 members. “I’ve always had a sense of multiculturalism, starting with Colors at Greens Farms Academy. I took an interest in religion and theology early on, because if we can understand each other better, we can understand why certain decisions are being made. The more we try to understand each other, the more we can communicate.” Rosenberg was also a member of the chess club, Greener Side, the cross-country team, and found his passion for theater. He starred in several
productions and sang in GFA’s Beachside Express a cappella group. (He later pursued a cappella in college, creating the first group at Fordham and an extremely popular group, Nonsequitur, at Columbia University.) He ultimately credits the GFA faculty as the most memorable part of his school experience. “My favorite part of GFA has to be how impressive the faculty is in their interest in shaping and helping the lives of the students. The teachers I had at GFA — they took care of me and they made sure that I am who I am today.” History Department Chair Ian Campbell remembers Rosenberg fondly: “Max had a larger-than-life presence and personality. He was a mainstay in our theater program. He brought the same energy to class. He possesses a great sense of humor and brought to class each day a smile, a joke, and a willingness to work hard. A teacher can’t really hope for more.” Rosenberg went on to receive his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University, intending to become a theatrical actor. He worked in a number of theaters, booked several commercials, and even a few films. While a full-time student, he also took several jobs — including private investigations work for law firms, teaching for the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and at the national publication house of Women of Reform Judaism. He continued his education at Columbia University, getting his master’s degree in theology and sociology, while simultaneously earning a master of divinity from Union Theological Seminary. But he did
not stop there. “The day I was graduating from Union, I was already taking my first class at Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in Manhattan,” said Rosenberg. He currently holds a certification in mediation from South East European University in Budapest, studied arbitration from the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France, is barred in New York and Connecticut, is certified to teach fair housing classes for real estate, and is a member of the National College of Probate Judges. Currently, he is serving his first term as Judge of Probate in Stratford, and handles a wide variety of cases daily — from family adoptions to bankruptcy and consumer law. “I’ve done a lot of crazy things, and I’ve never had a job that I love so much,” he said. He credits his sense of interest in people’s lives and a willingness to be able to, and want to, help them as his most important attribute. Rosenberg offers one piece of advice to current students. “Network! Talk to everybody — there is no one there that you cannot learn from. There are so many walks of life at Greens Farms Academy that can both alter your perspective and offer you perspective.” Rosenberg spends his free time giving back to the community through his charitable work with Shriners Hospitals for Children. He currently resides in Stratford with his wife, two sons Zohar (13) and Asher (11), his two dogs and 21 chickens. fall 2019 | 51
christine DALEY
’01
52 | www.gfacademy.org
Back in the Neighborhood Christine Daley ’01 learned to cook in her childhood home during her time at GFA. Growing up she recalls her mother was always in the kitchen. “I’d come back from soccer or play rehearsal or Harbor Blues practice and sit in the kitchen, watching her, helping her, testing everything,” she said. Daley carried that passion for food with her throughout her life and has now turned it into a successful career. While living in Los Angeles in 2017 she launched Daley Delivery, a meal delivery business, when a fellow alumna — who was pregnant — was looking for healthy food options at home. Daley realized this was a market she could fill and with the help of another GFA alumnus and graphic designer, she was able to launch her idea — menus, labels, and all. In June of 2018, life took an unexpected turn and Daley made what she thought was a temporary decision to come back to Connecticut to spend time with her mother, who was losing her fight against cancer. Rather than returning to California after her mother passed, Daley decided to stay in the area and honor the woman who taught her to cook. She quickly launched a Fairfield County branch of Daley Delivery, and it’s taken off. Through word of mouth, the fully prepared meal delivery service allows families from Fairfield to Greenwich to enjoy healthy, delicious meals that save time, reduce waste, and allow clients to have a “home-cooked feel” meal. Daley is loving her life back on the East Coast splitting time between Southport and New York City, cooking for a new community and reconnecting with local GFA friends. There is a comfort that comes with being home, driving by local landmarks, and doing what she loves.
fall 2019 | 53
Alumni
photos by Deborah Suchman Zeolla
New York City-area alumni gathered at The Campbell Terrace this spring to toast Rose Ann Martinez, and congratulate her on her retirement after 30 years at GFA.
54 | www.gfacademy.org
Zombie Jam It was like Old Home Week at this year’s annual Zombie Jam — so many familiar faces filled the stage in honor of Harbor Blues’ 30th reunion. GFA’s Upper School Choral Music teacher — and founder/director/faculty advisor of the Blues — Betsy Bergeron shared her favorite moments of the day: • Alumnae Shantelle Wright ’02 reconnecting with our own Vincent Abner — they sang in a church choir together when they were younger! • The Ward sisters singing together on a GFA stage again. • Sarah Mihalec Maloney ’97 singing with her young son, Will. • The Blues singing “House at Pooh Corner” to the young children who came up on stage. Ali Tauck had the solo and shared memories of hearing the song from her parents when she was young. • The debate over who was the oldest alum in attendance. I forgot who won that debate! • All the alums and current Blues singing together in the choral room. • A first for the Jam: Blues and Beachers singing an additional song together. • The smiles, the joy, the singing!
SENIOR TRANSITION LUNCH
Corey Freeland ’09 spoke to the Class of 2019 a few weeks before their graduation as a part of the annual Senior Transition Lunch, and had a chance to catch up with Trustee Kim Raveis ’88, Upper School Math Teacher Jon Matte, and Upper School Registrar Justine Fellows.
Reunion 2019
Musical Memories This year’s reunion weekend was surely one to remember. Beginning with the first-ever Diversity Breakfast, and ending with an all-alumni band of more than 20 graduates from the classes of ’82 to ’96 (as well as three current students and Head of School Bob Whelan on guitar), this year’s reunion was one to remember. During Oktoberfest in the evening, the ensemble band played hits like “Ooh La La,” “Into the Mystic,” and “Whiter Shade of Pale,” among many others to the largest reunion group the independent school has gathered in recent history. Earlier in the evening, Charlie Hall ’92 was honored with GFA’s Distinguished Alumni 2019 Award. Hall had spent the week at GFA as the school’s first-ever Janet Hartwell Fellow (see p. 47). The alumni soccer team finished strong, coming back at the end of the second half to tie GFA’s boys JV team 3–3.
Save the DatE:
State of the School
January 16, 2020 • 7:00pm
join us in supporting
The world we build together.
Annual Fund
CLASS NOTES fall 2019 | 61
1951
the school I founded more than 35 years ago. I have been teaching glassblowing,
Ann Hoopes
printmaking, metal sculpture, and torch-
Nine of my Wellesley classmates met in
working for the past 35 years. You will see
Chautauqua, N.Y., on July 13 for a wonderful
what the original Greens Farms Academy did
week on aging. We learned a lot about what
to mold my future on the website.
we are able to do at this stage of life and where the world is heading in the aging
I am on Team USA as a senior super vet
process. Jane Dean ’52 is leading another
for sporting clays and F.I.T.A.S.C. I am
group there in August! Otherwise, I spend
sponsored to go to world championships and
a great deal of time playing the piano for all
tournaments in both the United States and
kinds of events and still enjoy the process. I
Europe, where I am the oldest lady competing.
have just finished writing another musical with my cousin Clay Kaufman, who is the
Playing field hockey when I went to school
new Head of The Eagle School in Greenwich.
gave me the energy to run the Boston and NYC Marathons 25 times in a row. I am still running
1952
each morning, as your heart is a muscle!
Jane Kentnor Dean
If anyone has the chance to visit NOLA,
her husband Scott in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
I still love to travel and especially love
we welcome them to come in to see and be
spending a month each winter in Paris,
hands-on in the studio.
where I have made a nice network of friends
1963
but also discovered that my speaking ability is about where it was in 1952 — in spite of
Meg Miles
group and private lessons! I also enjoy going to Chautauqua for a week of great lectures
I am living in Asheville, N.C., with my
and music with Wellesley classmates and
husband Elwood, and we are active in
those who graduated in ’55, including Ann
many outdoor activities in these beautiful
Hoopes. I sold my Edgartown house, but my
mountains.
daughter lives there year-round so I do get to visit often. I am so happy that I am still so
events from time to time. So proud!
1966 Donna Garneau Chapin
Nine years ago, my husband and I made a retirement plan to see as much of the
Betsy Kolliker Davis
world as possible during our “bonus years.”
Jane Kentnor Dean reports that Betsy Kolliker
Approaching 100 countries, we have loved
Davis ’52 is still living in Bryan, TX, still
our travels, meeting interesting people,
paints, plays golf and enjoys her family, most
experiencing different cultures, and enjoying
of whom live nearby. Bryan, Betsy explains,
the natural “eye candy” the world has to offer.
is a great place to live — in the midst of Texas Betsy (Spalla) Whidden
I am a 1966 graduate of The Kathleen Laycock Country Day School. I have been
Jean duPont Blair
married to my husband, Tom Whidden, for 45
If you look at the web site www.
years and we are the proud parents of our son
neworleansglassworks.com, you will see
Avery and our daughter Holly. We’re equally
62 | www.gfacademy.org
and 9. Tom has run North Sails for 32 years and it has given us an opportunity to travel the world. Right now, we are cruising in our GB60 in Maine. I have so many wonderful memories of KLCD and would love to hear from classmates! 1967
met for a 51-year reunion on Cape Cod at the home of Anne Torry-Ballou. There were 17 graduates in 1967. Swimming in the ocean, biking on the trails, and fantastic dining along with old-time sleepover fun were the highlights and a good time was had by all! Caroline Vose Smith, Didi Brush, Anne Torry-Ballou, Lindsley Field, Leslie Ingham Sloan, and Marshall Ballou attended the reunion. Most had not seen each other for 51 years! All 1967 class
A&M and other fine colleges nearby. 1958
proud of our three grandchildren, ages 13, 11,
In August of 2018, six graduates of Laycock
connected to GFA and pleased to know the excellent new Head of School and to go to
Above, Donna Garneau Chapin ’66 with
members were remembered with a unique name decoration that hung for the long weekend. Even those that could not attend were happy to be in touch with everyone and sent messages and letters. It took a year to find everyone and to plan the event.
Bunny Keeler Didier, Laurie Lochridge Blatt, Stewart Baker Harris, Margot Rosenberg, Lesley Cowenhoven, Sara Storm, Leslie Thompson, and Phyllis Rowley all sent their best and were helpful locating classmates, even though they could not attend for the reunion of 2018. We all delighted in looking over old yearbooks, special family photos and memorabilia from our school days in the 60’s. Caroline Vose had the most memorabilia to share, as she attended Bolton and then Laycock from kindergarten through
Members of the Class of 1967, top step from left: Anne Torry-Ballou, Didi Brush, and Marshall
graduation on June 7, 1967.
Ballou; bottom step from left: Caroline Vose Smith, Leslie Sloan, and Lindsley Field.
1970 Ginna Denues
After working in telecommunications, computer software, and librarianship, I am now retired and live in San Ramon, CA. I just met up with Cindy Keefer ’70, who I read about in a GFA publication who also attended Laycock, and lives in this little town. What a coincidence! I enjoying reading, travel, friends, and family and reading about my classmates in the GFA Magazine!
1971
ended up on the exact opposite side. We love having four seasons again, except being in
Susan Ball
the snow will take some getting used to. It is
On June 8, 2019, five members of the Class
beautiful though, and being retired there isn’t
of 1971 had a mini-reunion at the wedding of
any anxiety about it. If we can’t get out, well,
Grace Lloyd, daughter of Susan Ball ’71 and
it can wait.
stepdaughter of Brenda Klumpp Lloyd ’71. We weren’t sure about vegetable gardening Melissa Pardee O’Hara
up here, but we built a couple of raised beds
Greetings! My husband and I said goodbye
using concrete blocks and have been happily
to the big city in SoCal and moved to the
surprised the gardens are producing very
Beautiful Northwest — just about on the same
well! Until next time, I remain a proud
parallel as Connecticut. So I started this life
GFA-er.
in the Northeast, which I loved, and have
Photo at left: the Class of 1971’s Susan Ball, Kendall Crolius, Lauren Klumpp Barbour, Melissa Warner Norton, and Brenda Klumpp Lloyd. Photo at right, Melissa Pardee O’Hara ’71. fall 2019 | 63
Top left: Members of the Class of 1974: Russell “Ace” Hoffman, Robin Keefe Lynch, Nina Riccio, Ed Butner, Martha Gates Lord. Bottom left: Kent MacFarlane ’79, Liz Neisloss ’79, Juliana Reiss Smith ’79, Kim Stevens ’79, Ed Denes, Anne Maniatty Walker ’79. Top right: Karen Park ’88. Bottom right: Dawn Burnett ’83.
1974
1979
museum in Hanover County, Virginia. The home, which dates to 1719, belonged
Ed Butner, Robin Keefe Lynch, Nina Riccio,
Five members of the class of 1979, Kent
to Patrick Henry from 1770 to 1778. I am
Russell “Ace” Hoffman (all the way from CA)
Macfarlane, Liz Neisloss, Juliana Reiss Smith,
in the process of costuming some of our
and Martha Gates Lord toasted their 45th
Kim Stevens, Anne Maniatty Walker, got
interpreters and have contributed to the
reunion at Martha’s home in Fairfield after
together on the Friday of Reunion weekend to
museum exhibits with textiles I’ve made,
this year’s Alumni Oktoberfest Celebration.
celebrate their 40th.
including bed curtains, an infant gown and cap and a reproduction of an 18th-century
1983 1977
created. Dawn Burnett
Jon Garlick
Highland wedding dress I researched and
On February 28, I retired from the law firm
1984
I have retired as Chief Deputy of the Calhoun
Hunton Andrews Kurth after serving 23
County Sheriff’s Office after 20 years of
years as a supervisor in their accounting
Gioia Riccio hosted a post-reunion gathering
service and will be hanging up my shingle
department. I have since decided to pursue
for the members of the Class of 1984 (and
as a licensed counselor, corporate security
my love and passion for history, textiles and
some special guests) after this year’s Reunion.
consultant and public speaker. Lucie and I say
working with the public by becoming a site
Hi to all our friends and fellow alumni.
coordinator at Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown
64 | www.gfacademy.org
Above: Back row: Matt Wagman ’84, Chris Wayne ’84, Allen Hall ’84, Alison Taintor ’84, Victoria Ford ’84, Kelly McArthur Adams ’84, Sarah Bowen Shea ’84, Courtenay Manes Labson ’84, Kurt Wayne ’87; middle row: Chuck Klink '83, Hunter Lipton ’84, Jackie Reiss Bebon '84, Cindy Hoag Turner '84, Thea Sullivan '84, Lisa Riccio-O'Brien '83; front row: Jimmy Bebon '83, Gioia Riccio '84, Rich MacDonough '83, Roz Koether Stephanak '82, Judd McArthur '82. At right: Justin Lacche ’92. My daughter, Rose, is 14 years old and about 1986 Michael Dix
Audible! It keeps me sane during my morning
looking for a job in his new home! Time flies!
drives and the kids knock out summer
Moving to Seattle for a year to see what life at Microsoft is like turned into 18+ incredible
Norwalk daily pushed me to discover
to start high school, and my son is now 25 and
reading on road trips, like our one to Myrtle Karen Park
Beach in July. My two boys are already 12 and
years and counting. After over eight years
I went back to school this summer, this time
16, which just blows my mind. Celebrating
leading product management and marketing
to work, as the Director of Communications
my 21st anniversary at my company brings it
teams, I struck out on my own, creating an
and Marketing at The Walker School in
to a whole other level. I’m taking advantage of
innovation studio called Intentional Futures,
Marietta, GA. My time at GFA and the
the many local events Fairfield County has to
a friend-sourcing start-up called Likewise,
similarities between the missions of both GFA
offer, especially in the summer months, and
and two amazing little boys with the help of
and Walker compelled me to leave corporate
look forward to visiting with other GFA-ers in
my partner, Denise Kindle. Come visit!
America. The best part about the move is
between our hectic family schedules.
that I will get to spend more time with our Terry Swords
1992
daughter, Lil, who is in third grade.
I live in Brooklyn, and nowadays I restore and rent vintage jukeboxes, the kind that play actual 45 rpm vinyl records. 1988
Yvette Yoon
Anissa Carter
We had a busy summer. My dad turned 80 this
Greetings Class of 1992! I pray that you are
year and we celebrated with 100+ family and
well and I look forward to reconnecting with
friends from all over the world. We also took
you.
a family trip to Seoul, Korea (first time for Jana Asher
me and the kids). Despite the hot and humid
Justin Lacche
I just moved to western PA and am beginning
weather (monsoon season!), we had a great
Justin Lacche continues to work part-time as
a tenure-track position at Slippery Rock
time. I loved the city, the food, and shopping.
President Emeritus of an affiliate in the San
University. So far, I love it here — unlike
If it wasn’t for the really long flight, I’d go back
Francisco Giants organization. Justin was a
many universities, the focus here is really on
in a heartbeat. Kaitlyn is a senior this year
quarterback for Portland, Oregon when the
the students, with research being secondary
(yikes!) and Tyler is a sophomore. My sister
Chinese Arena Football League made their
to teaching. I just volunteered on freshman
Michelle’s (class of ’85) girls are also seniors
barnstorming tour last May, going 4 of 6 for
move-in day. It was amazing to interact with
and her youngest is starting freshman year.
67 yards, and a touchdown.
all of those families! I comforted crying moms and got to know incoming students. Such a
1990
1995
Erika Rosen Di Paola
Erica Atkinson Applestein
different perspective than when I was going through that experience as a young person.
Living in Trumbull and commuting to
My husband Ben and our two boys, Bradford fall 2019 | 65
(8) and Colton (6) continue to love living in beautiful Marin (conveniently located between San Francisco and wine country!). The boys are happy in school and play, and they’re finding their own interests and passions. Bradford loves reading, piano, swim team, and Tae Kwon Do. Colton is into lacrosse, flag football, and baseball. I miss being in the classroom, but I get my school fix by volunteering; I am serving as the president of our school district’s PTA and learning so
Above left: Christopher Martin ’96 and family. Above right: Griffin Edward Kiely, son of Adare
much about public school funding, equity,
(Lindsay) Kiely ’01. Below left: Max Rosenberg ’97 at the far right and Doug Stern ’00. Below
and advocacy. Finally, I get to see Thais Mollet
right: Thomas Mulligan ’97 and wife Erin Wilkerson.
occasionally, as she lives in Reno, and we still have a blast together. She continues to travel the world as a trainer for the USA cycling teams, as well as seeing PT patients in Reno. 1996 Christopher Martin
Christopher, Danielle, Braxton and Bentley are all doing well in our latest adventure, moving to Tokyo, Japan. We lived for three
1997
years in Sydney after an amazing 10 in San Francisco. Danielle and I were fortunate to
Carol Horwath
see our little startup go public via a merger so
I am living in North Carolina and running
the last year has been a whirlwind of travel
my own private therapy practice where
trying to keep everything running. Wishing
I do counseling. I am now introducing
everybody well.
Astrological Counseling.
Jamie Millington
Thomas Mulligan
July 2019 marked the first anniversary of the
The big news is that I got married in July, to
founding of the Millington Group at William
Erin Wilkerson of Richmond, Virginia! We’re
Raveis Real Estate. With a team of five agents
living in Philadelphia, where I divide my time
(soon to be seven), the team ranked at the
between conducting research at Georgetown
top 13% of the company in our first year. I
University and doing consulting work for the
am still involved in everything from Justice of
Boston Consulting Group. My book, JUSTICE
the Peace (serving my fourth five-year term)
AND THE MERITOCRATIC STATE, was
to the Chairman of the Fairfield RTC (in my
published last year.
tenth year) and many community and charity organizations. Life is good. Kelly, my wife,
Max Rosenberg
celebrated the eighth year anniversary of her
Hey everybody! I have now been on the bench
company selling luxury travel. She is also
for seven months as the Judge in Stratford, CT.
enjoying traveling the world — most recently
My friend Doug Stern ’00 went through judge
to Egypt and Turkey. I sometimes get to join
training with me and sits as the Probate Judge of
her. I hope all my classmates are well and
Norwalk. We get to compare notes every once
enjoying life. Hope to see you all soon.
in a while. It is the best job I have ever had. I
66 | www.gfacademy.org
love every second of it. I am still running my law firm Rosenberg, Miller, Hite and Morilla, LLC and anyone with young adults looking for internships are welcome to apply. I completed a new project I began in May, writing a biography of my father. Osi, my wife, is working hard on her business, A to Z Realty, alongside my mother, Susan Rosenberg (GFA/Laycock Class of ’68) and is constantly listing and showing properties all around Connecticut. Our sons, Zohar and Asher are in Boy scouts and Demolay. I would love to reconnect with any alumni who are still living in CT. I hope this finds you all well and that everyone is enjoying the summer. 1999 David Goldenheim
We welcomed our third daughter Mae (full name Mary Elizabeth) in July. Older
Above left: David Mack ’01. Center: Charlie Gallagher, daughter of Caitlin Gallagher ’06. Above right, Ace Patterson’s (’07) new album cover. Below right, Jack, son of Olivia Newhouse Stone ’06. sisters Charlotte (6) and Ginny (2.5) are
winning cheeses (Couetfarm.com) and is now
loving the new addition. My wife, Anna,
raising a human baby, too. It’s a lot.
completed her pediatrics residency at Mass General Hospital and is working at Woburn
Josh Sebastian
Pediatrics. I continue to work at Audax
was recently promoted to Head of Asset
Private Equity in Boston and am about to
Manager Sales at CreditSights, the leading
ride in my 12th Pan Mass Challenge.
independent credit research provider. He recently celebrated his 10-year anniversary at
2001
the New York City-based company. Josh and his wife Jenn live in Huntington, NY and just
Adare (Lindsay) Kiely
Adare (Lindsay) Kiely, Patrick, and Spencer
welcomed their second daughter, Nora Anne Marie Sebastian, on June 26.
were excited to welcome a little boy, Griffin 2004
Edward, on March 27, weighing in at 9 lbs, 9 oz! Everyone is doing well and enjoyed the summer as a family of four.
Stephanie Strohm
My most recent book, That’s Not What I Dave Mack
Heard, an absurdist comedy about high
I am currently the Executive Director of
school gossip, was published by Scholastic
Invertigo Dance Theatre, based in Culver
in early 2019. Right now, I’m working on my
City, CA, and will be producing my first show
first middle-grade book (about mermaids!)
at the Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa
and my first graphic novel (a Shakespeare
Monica this year. I launched a new business,
adaptation!), both for Disney-Hyperion, with
Artist Magnet, which connects artists through
publication expected in 2022.
shows and venues everywhere. Check it out 2006
at: https://www.artistmagnet.com. 2002
Caitlin Gallagher
Our daughter Charlie was born July 12 in Marie-Laure Couët
is still making nationally recognized, award-
NYC.
Olivia Newhouse Stone
and her husband Tyler welcomed their son, Jack, on June 5. 2007 Ace Patterson
released a musical album, Airplane Mode, under his rap name “Call Me Ace,” in March 2019. The album debuted at #3 on iTunes Top 40 US Hip-Hop Album Chart and #50 on Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album Sales Chart. Simultaneously, Ace continues to work in the Consumer Marketing Department at Facebook in the Menlo Park office. Recently, Ace was also selected out of 400+ applicants nationwide to join the ADCOLOR FUTURES Class of 2019. ADCOLOR FUTURES is a unique program that is dedicated to identifying and nurturing the next generation of leaders in the advertising, marketing, media, and public relations industries. Ace’s wife, Roza, also just recently had her article published by the UCLA Journal of International Law and Foreign Affairs. Her fall 2019 | 67
Above left: Chris Temple ’07. Above right: Doug Brown ’08 and Jamie Lane ’08 got engaged on the front lawn at GFA this fall. Below right: Savannah Esposito ’12. piece is on the Black migrants drowning
Lauren Rouatt
in the Mediterranean Sea and the Western
is still living in New Orleans, LA and recently
world’s (lack of) response. If you’re interested
accepted a position managing the art studio of
in immigration, migration, or critical race
the Louisiana Children’s Museum’s new location
theory, you can download her paper on her
in City Park, opening September 2019.
website: https://rozapatterson.com. Kyle Sherwood Chris Temple
I’m Working at Adobe Systems now (Program
Chris has a new feature documentary
Manager working on Adobe.com and the
releasing later this year. Filmed over 10
Adobe Max 2019 Conference) and have been
years, it provides a fresh look at the issue of
living in San Francisco, CA since January of
immigration. See more at Optimist.co/Films.
2018. I’m planning to take my first trip to Africa (Cameroon and Nigeria) in December
2008
and am still acting and modeling as well. My biggest campaign this year was with Jansport.
Doug Brown and Jamie Lane
recently got engaged on the front lawn at
2009
GFA students. We wish them all the best!
Evan Winsor
lives in Nashville as of 2018 and in early 2019, accepted a position playing bass with
Daniel Gagliano
to Jak Esposito and we have a son, Xander. I’ve started my own Relationship Coaching company called The Modern Mr. And Mrs.
GFA this October. It was a beautiful fall day and the perfect setting — as they first met as
Criminal Justice in 2020. I’ve gotten married
LLC and am a relationship and recovery coach. 2015
bluegrass GRAMMY / IBMA Award-Winner Isabella Ferrante
Daniel left behind his life as a public school
Donna Ulisse. He has been touring all over the
teacher and administrator and spent the last
country with Donna and many other groups
I will be traveling to London in August to do
year as a first-year graduate student at Johns
very heavily, while maintaining recording
research for my thesis on “shell shock” (one of
Hopkins School of Advanced International
session work while at home in Nashville.
the precursors to post-traumatic stress disorder)
Studies. His concentration is Strategic Studies, with a focus on the future of warfare, with absolutely no idea where that future will go — so that’s a small fortune well-spent! Happy to host anyone from GFA visiting DC! 68 | www.gfacademy.org
in Great Britain around World War I. I will be 2012
conducting my research within the National Archives investigating documents from several
Savannah Esposito
I’ll be graduating from John Jay College of
areas of the government. This will all contribute to my thesis to be finished in December.
Presorted Nonprofit.org U. S. Postage PAID Norwalk, CT Permit No. 232
35 BEACHSIDE AVENUE WESTPORT, CT 06880-9906
Summer on the Sound Greens Farms Academy Camp GFA
summer academy
Sports Camps
Grades K–4 June –July Week-long Sessions, Explore, Play, Discover.
Grades 3–12 June–July Credit courses and two-week enrichment workshops.
Grades K-12 June-August Squash, Lacrosse, Tennis All skill levels welcome.
35 Beachside Avenue, Westport, CT 203.349.7175 | www.gfacademy.org/summer