Kent Quarterly SPRING/SUMMER 2026
Contents
28 Kent School: 100 Years at Henley A Celebration of Our Centennial Milestone by John Rooney ’73, Ed Woodhouse ’71, Christine Roper ’07, Vashti Chandler ’06, Gabriella Sullivan ’21, and The Rev. Thaddeus Bennett ’71
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Message from the Head of School
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Between the Hills and River Shore
48 Memory Lane: A Taste of Kent History by Larry Gile ’73
38 A Tradition of Reflection At Kent, Chapel Talks Become Lessons that Last Long After the Final Amen by Megan Tady
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Alumni News
62
Class Notes
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In Memoriam
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Grace Note
KENT QUARTERLY
SPRING/SUMMER 2026 VOL. 42 NO. 2
The Kent Quarterly is written, edited, and designed by the Kent School Marketing & Communications Office and is produced for alumni, parents, and friends of Kent School. Editorial Manager Marisa Scarnati P'29 Digital & Social Media Specialist Mackenzie Collyer Communications Manager David Head ’10 Creative & Print Services Specialist Chelsea Hunter Photography & Videography Specialist Daniel Freel Director of Marketing & Communications Kirsten Cheney Contributors Katy Armstrong (Hon) ’70, P'27 '29 The Rev. Thaddeus Bennett '71 Vashti Chandler '06 Larry Gile ’73 Michael G. Hirschfeld (Hon) ’94 Jimmy Ji Denny Mantegani (Hon) ’58, ’62, ’65, ’67, ’72, P’08, ’09, ’12 Marya Neary P’25 ’28 John Rooney '73 Christine Roper '07 Gabriella Sullivan '21 Megan Tady Ed Woodhouse '71
Traditions can be among the most recognizable parts of life at Kent, including the Ring Ceremony and Banquet, Tapping, and Rock Day. But some traditions are less visible. They can be found in the small, repeated moments of daily life, passed from one generation to the next without anyone necessarily stopping to call them traditions. What feels like an important tradition to one person may simply feel like part of the everyday experience to another. This issue looks at both the traditions we readily recognize and the customs, rituals, and moments that have become part of Kent life in ways we may not always notice.
We invite contributions, letters to the editor, and feedback at kentcommunications@kentschool.edu. To update your contact information or share a class note, visit: kent-school.edu/alumni
Kent School adheres to a long-standing policy of admitting students without regard to their race, color, ancestry, national origin, religious creed, sex, disability, genetic background, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected under federal law or Connecticut state law. Kent School also does not discriminate on the basis of any such protected characteristics in administration of its educational policies, financial aid decisions, employment practices, and other Schooladministered programs.
Read the Kent Quarterly online— Scan the QR code or visit kent-school.edu/quicklinks/kent-quarterly to access the digital edition or explore past issues.
From the Head of School
As summer draws to a close, the signs of a new school year begin to emerge. Students and faculty return, familiar routines begin again, and the traditions that mark the school year come back into focus. For our students, the school year has a definitive start date. It is different for student athletes, the Senior Council and other leaders, new students, and returning students, but members of each group could tell you with some confidence the date the school year begins for them. The start of the school year is much more ambiguous for faculty and staff. For many of my colleagues, the start of the year is more like the changing of a season, something that occurs subtly and with little notice. In my mind, the school year begins with the Chapel service for faculty and staff that precedes our opening all-employee meeting, September 2 this year. At this year’s service, longest-tenured faculty member, Eric Houston ’80, delivered an inspiring and thoughtful homily, an excerpt is included in this issue. In recalling his experiences at Kent School as a student and as a member of the faculty, Eric described how much has changed in his 45+ year association with the School, but he also spoke about the endurance of its values. As Eric spoke and later as I processed his talk more thoroughly, I thought a lot about how our values are shared from generation to generation of Kent students. We do this in obvious and intentional ways—in our classrooms, St. Joseph’s Chapel, our dormitories, on the stage, and through our athletic program. But I believe many of the values our students carry with them, connecting them to generations of Kent alumni, are learned through formal and informal traditions. In the life of schools, traditions come and go. At the risk of spoiling your reading of Eric’s talk, it is probably a good thing that students no longer have to run “the angle” if they are late to a meal. Conversely, it is a great thing that the Ring Banquet remains a central tradition to the experience of young women at Kent. Last spring, when I was speaking to a group of parents during one of our revisit programs, I was asked the question, "What is your favorite tradition at Kent?" I was quick (uncharacteristic for me) to respond. I told them that when I interviewed at the School in the fall of 2019, I noticed that after students put their dishes on the conveyor belt in the Dining Hall, they would yell (to be heard over the din of dish-room activity), “Thank you!” I have learned in the intervening years that this recurring expression of gratitude is a Kent School tradition. For 40 or so football players, many of them new to the School, the school year began on the afternoon of August 31. During their first meal at Kent, they could be heard yelling “Thank you!” as they put their dishes on the conveyor belt, perhaps without yet knowing that they were carrying on a Kent legacy.
Michael G. Hirschfeld Head of School
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BETWEEN THE HILLS AND RIVER SHORE ACADEMICS
Kent Robotics Returns to Competition Kent’s Robotics Club returned to the FIRST Robotics Competition for the first time since 2022, competing in Hartford alongside nearly 40 high school teams from across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine. Teams competed in qualification matches, alliance selections, and playoff rounds, with the event also featuring local Unified Robotics exhibitions. The competition was an opportunity for a group of first-time competitors to gain experience and improve with every match. The team built a strong robot and played a solid defensive game, with its intake and shooting improving throughout the weekend.
COMMUNITY LIFE
Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Leadership The Kent School Investment Club welcomed Vineyard Vines President Mike Gaumer P’27 to campus this spring for a conversation with members of the Kent community about entrepreneurship, leadership, and building a successful brand. Club leaders Jude Parker ’26, Aron Bigio ’26, and Liam McKee ’26 helped facilitate Gaumer’s visit. He shared his journey from joining Vineyard Vines in 2000 through its growth into a well-known lifestyle brand, offering students insights into the opportunities and challenges of building a business and leading a company. 6
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ARTS
From Design Recognition to Fashion Experience Adriana Malik ’27 earned a Gold Medal in the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her fashion design, “Edges & Borders,” which was selected from thousands of submissions from across the country. The project was a collaborative effort, featuring photography by Jayda Wang ’26 and Grace Chen ’26 and modeling by Jane Martone ’28. Adriana continued exploring her interest in fashion this summer through a three-week internship with WHP Global and Vera Wang. She gained experience in brand management and design, learning about licensing, brand collaborations, social media marketing, and the creative process behind Vera Wang’s haute couture bridal collections. She also helped organize ready-to-wear collections and contributed to brand strategy projects. “This experience was so eyeopening and gave me a much better understanding of the industry,” Adriana says. “It made me even more eager to pursue this path and showed me just how many different opportunities there are within the fashion industry." SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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ACADEMICS
Kent Students Recognized at Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair Four Kent students presented their research at the Connecticut Science and Engineering Fair this spring, a statewide competition for students in grades 7–12 that encourages independent research and develops skills in critical thinking and scientific inquiry. The students also recently shared their projects with the Kent community. Francesca Fan ’28 was a finalist for the Connecticut Association of Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commissions Environmental Science Awards and the Energize CT Future Sustainability Awards for her research on ginger-derived compounds and microbial contamination. Newton Niu ’27 was named a finalist for the Infosys Foundation Computer Science Award and earned Top Project in Behavioral and Social Science for his Melody Memo project, an emotion-aware music and memory system for older adults. Emma Shan ’28 was a finalist for the PepsiCo Engineering Awards and received the Wisner Chairman’s Award for her work developing a pneumatic lumbar exoskeleton to assist with lifting. Terry Zhang ’27 was also a finalist for the PepsiCo Engineering Awards and received a Quinnipiac University four-year scholarship in engineering for his research using plantar pressure sensors to assess walking ability in people with Parkinson’s disease.
HIGHLIGHTS
College Fair Brings Over 90 Colleges to Campus More than 90 college representatives came to campus in early April for Kent’s annual College Fair, giving students the opportunity to connect directly with admissions representatives from a wide range of colleges and universities. Students spent the day asking questions, exploring their options, and learning more about the college search process. Thank you to Kent’s College Counseling team for bringing so many institutions to campus and creating an opportunity for students to begin or deepen these conversations. 8
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BETWEEN THE HILLS AND RIVER SHORE
COMMUNITY LIFE
Exploring Issues That Shape Our Communities Kent’s Social Justice Day brought students together to engage with complex issues, new perspectives, and the experiences that shape our communities. Keynote speaker Dr. Lindsey Davis, a clinical and forensic psychologist who studies how early life experiences connect to the legal system and impact vulnerable populations, spoke about her work and its real-world impact. Dr. Annie Kleinhaus, a Holocaust survivor, shared her personal story of resilience and responsibility. Through a range of interactive workshops, students explored questions of access, identity, equity, and power, challenging assumptions and deepening their understanding of the world around them.
ARTS
Spring Choral Concert Celebrates Student Musicians Kent’s Spring Choral Concert featured performances by the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Kentatonix, along with students selected for the Connecticut Music Educators Association Regional and All-State Choirs. The evening also recognized Kent’s senior choral participants and welcomed new members into Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter 4360. Faculty members Jeff Cataldo and Kate Main were also honored with honorary Tri-M inductions. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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WELLNESS
EmpowerHER Day Returns to Kent The Kent Women’s Wellness Club hosted its second annual EmpowHER Day, inviting girls to campus for a day of activities and mentorship. Each participant was paired with a Kent student “big sister,” and Kent students led activity stations based on their interests, including golf, gardening, field hockey, dance, and more. “Everywhere you looked, there was so much joy: girls cheering each other on, trying something new, laughing together, and forming connections,” says Wellness Director Cency Fogel. She adds that it was especially meaningful to see Kent students recognize the impact they can have by engaging with younger girls in their community.
ATHLETICS
Rich Mok Honored for Outstanding Sportsmanship Head Boys Varsity Lacrosse Coach and Associate Director of Admissions Rich Mok has been named the 2026 recipient of the Ron Barndollar Sportsmanship Award, a distinguished honor presented annually by the Connecticut Lacrosse Officials Association (CLOA) to a Connecticut prep school head coach who exemplifies the true goals and spirit of lacrosse. Selected by CLOA officials, the award recognizes coaches who demonstrate sportsmanship, leadership, and a commitment to creating a positive experience for studentathletes both on and off the field. “Receiving the Ron Barndollar Sportsmanship Award is truly humbling, but I see it as a reflection of the values of Kent School and our coaches, students, and families that I’m grateful to be a part of,” Coach Mok says. “Many schools talk about their values and the strength of their community, but what has impressed me during my short time at Kent is how often people outside the School recognize just how special this community truly is.” Mok emphasizes that the recognition belongs to the coaches and student-athletes who help shape the program. Since joining Kent, he has made a meaningful impact on the program, helping foster a culture rooted in sportsmanship, accountability, and joy. CLOA officials noted a significant shift in the culture and attitude surrounding Kent boys lacrosse, highlighting both the program’s growth and the increasing number of student-athletes involved. One of the most meaningful observations shared during the selection process was the joy with which Kent’s players approach 10
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the game. Officials remarked that the team genuinely seems to enjoy competing and playing together, regardless of the outcome—a reflection of the culture Mok helps build. “We’ve challenged our players to leave the program in a better place than they found it, understanding that we are simply stewards of Kent boys lacrosse for those who came before us and those who will come after us,” Mok says. “Our coaches and student-athletes embrace that challenge with determination and joy every day. This award reflects who they are on and off the field, and it’s a privilege to be part of a group building a bright future for Kent boys lacrosse.”
BETWEEN THE HILLS AND RIVER SHORE
FACULTY
Mathematics Faculty Explore College-Level Learning Members of the Mathematics Department visited the University of Connecticut to learn more about the college mathematics experience. Faculty observed pre-calculus and calculus classes and met with Ph.D. student teaching assistants and a professor to gain insight about teaching and learning at the college level. Participating faculty included Max Butler, Keenan Ronayne, Kevin MacNeil, Kelvy Zucca, Melissa Holcombe, Amy Shotton, Kendra Galusha, and Cathy You. The visit is part of the department’s ongoing effort to learn from higher education institutions and bring new ideas and perspectives back to the Kent classroom.
ACADEMICS
Seven Kent Students Reach MathCON Finals Seven Kent students qualified for the 2026 MathCON Finals held in Chicago in May, each ranking among the top 5% nationally in their grade level on the qualifying exam. Representing Kent were Johnson Ye ’26, Aaron Shin ’27, Selina Zhang ’28, William Xia ’28, Zack Ma ’29, Oscar Chi ’29, and Sissi Huang ’29. Chi earned a bronze medal in the ninth-grade division. Ye, Shin, Zhang, Xia, and Ma received Honorable Mention, placing among the top 10% of finalists in their respective grade levels. While in Chicago, the students also visited Northwestern University and connected with Sophia Chen ’25. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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HIGHLIGHTS
Class of 2026 Celebrates College Decisions Members of the Class of 2026 celebrated National College Decision Day, wearing sweatshirts representing the colleges and universities they will attend after Kent. The tradition brings the class together to celebrate their accomplishments and the next steps in their college journeys.
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COMMUNITY LIFE
Senior Council Hosts Annual Color Run Kent's annual Color Run returned during the final week of school, with Senior Council gathering students and faculty together for a colorful walk or run around campus. The tradition offers the Kent community a fun way to celebrate the end of the school year. The Color Run also raised support for two organizations, High Watch Recovery Center and the ACLU National Advocacy Institute.
ACADEMICS
Students Pursue Advanced Studies Across Seven Disciplines Sixth Form students earned Advanced Studies Diplomas this spring, one of Kent School’s highest academic honors, with 32 members of the Class of 2026 receiving the distinction. The diploma recognizes students who pursue advanced coursework and complete significant work in one or more areas of study. This year’s recipients completed advanced work in Engineering, History & Social Sciences, Mathematics, Modern & Classical Languages, Performing Arts, Science, and Visual Arts. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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ACADEMICS
Cum Laude Society Welcomes 22 New Inductees Kent’s faculty Cum Laude Society members gathered at the Head of School’s house to honor 22 new student inductees, recognized for their outstanding academic achievement. The evening also included recognition of English faculty honoree Geoff Stewart.
ACADEMICS
Holy Solars Begin Work on New Cruiser Before the school year ended, the Holy Solars began engineering Solar Simplicity, a new four-seat cruiser designed to compete in the Cruiser Division of the Solar Car Challenge. The team will resume work when school begins this fall, with the car expected to be completed in late winter 2027. 14
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BETWEEN THE HILLS AND RIVER SHORE
IN THE WORLD
Exploring Medicine and Research Through Summer Experiences
Emma Sun ’27 explored two sides
on data analysis, study design, R
of medicine through experiences at
programming, and clinical research.
Ascension St. John Medical Center
Working as part of a team, Sun
in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Yale
analyzed data from a clinical trial
School of Public Health. At the
examining a lifestyle treatment for
medical center, she shadowed an
adolescents with prediabetes. Her
ENT surgeon, observed five surgeries,
group used RStudio to analyze the
visited postsurgical patients, and
data and presented its findings at the
spent time in the clinic learning more
end of the program.
about patient care. Reflecting on the
The program provided Sun with
experience, Sun says, “The amount of
both research experience and the
patience, dedication, and detail work I
opportunity to work alongside
witnessed was awe-inspiring.”
other students interested in science.
Sun continued her exploration
“Overall, YCAS was an amazing
through Yale’s Young Scholars
experience that taught me both hard
Summer Program in Biostatistics
and soft skills,” Sun says. “I can’t wait
and Clinical Research, a two-and-
to apply what I’ve learned to my
a-half-week program focused
future endeavors.”
IN THE WORLD
New Approaches to Teaching Mathematics This summer, Kent mathematics teacher Keenan Ronayne spent six weeks in Budapest, Hungary, exploring new approaches to teaching mathematics through the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Education program as part of his professional development at Kent. A central focus of the program was guided discovery, providing educators with tools and strategies to help students uncover mathematical concepts through problem-solving and carefully structured questions rather than relying primarily on direct instruction. Through graduate coursework and a teaching practicum at a mathematics camp in rural Hungary, Ronayne explored approaches that encourage students to discover mathematical concepts for themselves. As part of his coursework, he studied the teaching methods of renowned Hungarian mathematician and educator Lajos Pósa, who also taught a class as part of the program. Ronayne then brought Pósa’s emphasis on discovery, games, and playfulness into his own geometry class at the summer camp. Ronayne plans to bring these new approaches back to Kent, incorporating more interactive activities and opportunities for guided discovery into his classes. Through problem-solving and carefully structured questions, Ronayne plans to bring these new approaches back to Kent, incorporating more interactive activities and opportunities for guided discovery into his classes. He hopes to encourage students to think independently and develop a deeper understanding of the material. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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HIGHLIGHTS
Welcoming New Trustees Kent School welcomes three new members to its Board of Trustees. Each brings experience and perspective that will contribute to the continued leadership and direction of the School.
ALICIA POKOIK DETERS and her husband,
Alicia Pokoik Deters ’94 P’29
Jessica Stedman Guff ’79
James, are the founders and partners of Gravity Haus, a Colorado-based collection of hotels and a membership club focused on connecting people to the outdoors and fostering a community for outdoor enthusiasts. Gravity Haus offers lodging, fitness and wellness facilities, co-working spaces, and restaurants, with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices and community building. Alicia and James founded Gravity Haus in 2018, and it now has 13 locations throughout the West and Canada. Alicia is also the founder of Unravel Coffee and Dryland Sports. Prior to this, she was the owner of ChoLon Bistro in Denver. Alicia graduated from Kent School in 1994 and received her BA from Dickinson College and her MBA and MS in Real Estate & Construction Management from the University of Denver. She is also a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. Kent School: Varsity Soccer, Varsity Ice Hockey, Environmental Club, Peer Counseling, Tour Guide, Four-Year Club, Hall Monitor
JESSICA STEDMAN GUFF is the vice
Thomas L. Melly ’76 P’10
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president of the Egan Maritime Institute, which works to promote and preserve Nantucket’s maritime traditions. A 25+ year veteran of ABC and ABC News and a two-time Emmy Award winner, Jessica most recently served as executive producer of ABC News Now, the network’s 24-hour digital news network. During her career at ABC, she also served as senior
broadcast producer for “Good Morning America” from 2004 to 2008 and senior producer for “The View” from 1997 to 2003. Earlier in her career, she produced “The Barbara Walters Specials” and worked at “Nightline,” where she began in 1982. Jessica is currently president of the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum. She graduated from Kent School in 1978 and received her BA and MA from Harvard University. Kent School: Prefect, Student Council, Equestrian, Kent News Equestrian Correspondent, President of the Debate Club, Editor of The Cauldron, Guild Member, French Club
TOM MELLY is a retired financial advisor
with Morgan Stanley in the Purchase, N.Y. headquarters of the Global Wealth Management Division, where he worked from 2011 until his retirement. Prior to this, he was a principal and founder of Simms Capital Management, Inc., a registered investment advisor with a focus on global, international and domestic equities for high-net-worth individuals and families as well as institutional clients. Tom was at Simms for 21 years before leaving the firm and bringing his private clients to Morgan Stanley. Mr. Melly graduated from Kent School in 1976 and received his BA from Trinity College and his MBA from Dartmouth College. Kent School: Cum Laude, Varsity Lacrosse, Presidential Classroom, Bridge Club, KSFS, Housies
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FACULTY
Celebrating Dr. David Greene’s 26 Years at Kent After 26 years at Kent School, Dr. David Greene retired at the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year, leaving behind a legacy shaped by his compassion, wisdom, and commitment to helping young people better understand themselves and the world around them. Since joining the faculty in 2000, Greene served as a teacher, counselor, coach, mentor, listener, and guide to generations of Kent students. In the classroom, where he taught Religion, Theology, Dreams, and many other courses over the years, he invited students to wrestle with big questions, examine their beliefs, and better understand their place in the world. His teaching challenged students thoughtfully and compassionately, creating spaces where they felt seen, respected, and encouraged to grow. Students consistently described Greene as compassionate, nonjudgmental, inspirational, and deeply supportive— someone who gave them space to discover themselves while encouraging them to think more deeply and honestly. His influence extended far beyond the classroom. Greene was a pastoral presence to students and colleagues alike. Through chapel talks, conversations in Dickinson 225, moments on the sidelines, time in Dining Hall Dorm, the Counseling Center, or simply while walking across campus, he offered wisdom, perspective, and a listening ear. For many members of the Kent community, a reflection, conversation, or word of encouragement from Greene seemed to arrive at exactly the right time.
Greene was also instrumental in developing programs that continue to shape student life at Kent. He founded the Peer Counseling program, served students through both the Counseling Center and Chapel Program, and was a founding force behind the School’s Wellness program, helping to create and teach Kent’s first wellness curriculum. Through these roles, he helped establish additional opportunities for students to care for themselves and one another. Athletics provided another avenue for connection and mentorship. Greene coached softball for 17 seasons and also coached squash, supporting students on the fields and courts with the same steady presence he brought to the classroom. And for those who spent winter afternoons at Mohawk Mountain, his care could take an especially practical form: reminders to bring their helmets, ski face forward, and come inside for hot chocolate. The measure of a career in education is often found not in titles held or programs created, but in lives touched. By that measure, Greene’s impact on Kent has been immense. Across 26 years, he helped students ask difficult questions, discover more about themselves, care for one another, and navigate both the challenges and possibilities of growing up. Kent extends its sincere gratitude to Greene for his years of dedicated service and to his wife, Donna, who also worked at the School for many years, for all they have given to the Kent community. We wish them both a very happy retirement. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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HIGHLIGHTS
An Independent Study Takes Root For her independent study, Alex Thompson ’27 is exploring the connections between agriculture, chemistry, art, and music by growing birdhouse gourds with guidance from Kent’s Master Gardener, Teddie-Ann Miner. “Gourds have been cultivated for thousands of years, primarily as food, but also as functional objects and musical instruments," Alex says. "Since I’m also a musician, I was especially fascinated by the idea that something I grew myself could eventually be dried and transformed into an instrument.” After researching gourd varieties and growing conditions, Alex started the plants from seed in Kent’s greenhouse. When her first round of seeds failed to germinate, she started again, eventually transplanting the plants to a trellis she designed and built with Miner’s help, using primarily recycled materials found on campus. Alex will harvest and dry the gourds this fall, when she plans to experiment with turning them into musical instruments. As president of Kent’s Agriculture Club, she hopes the project will encourage other students to explore agriculture and its connections to their own interests.
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October 13-15
$1 Million. 48 Hours. During Gather & Give, alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends will come together in support of The Kent Fund. Every gift sparks growth and creates opportunities and experiences that help every student excel and thrive—carrying forward the best of Kent while creating new possibilities for generations to come.
Ever Kent: Powering the Future of The Kent Fund.
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ARTS
The Arts at Kent: Creativity, Community, and Tradition The arts have long been an important part of life at Kent, giving students opportunities to develop their skills, collaborate with others, and share their work with the community. Across visual arts, music, theater, and dance, students move from the classroom to the studio, stage, and gallery, finding both individual expression and a sense of connection through the creative process. Many of these opportunities have become traditions in their own right. In the Visual Arts Department, Open Studio provides a welcoming space for students to create together outside the regular school day. Students use the time to paint, draw, collage, make jewelry, throw pottery, work on class projects, and pursue their own artistic interests. The annual trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art has also become a favorite tradition, giving students the chance to explore works across centuries and disciplines. In recent years, the trip has expanded to include students studying history and psychology, reflecting the ways art connects to ideas across cultures and fields. Performing Arts traditions similarly bring students together. Drama students create thankyou posters for graduating seniors, while student leaders often lead warm-ups before performances. Every four years, the theater program also returns to Shakespeare, a tradition that has included productions such as Romeo and Juliet. Music students continue another annual tradition, traveling to a spring competition followed by an afternoon at Six Flags. These traditions continue alongside new opportunities for students to perform and create. Recent highlights have included the Advanced Studies Fashion Show, where student designers presented their work on the runway; the Spring Choral Concert, featuring Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Kentatonix; and a production of Into the Woods involving student performers, musicians, and crew. Dance also provides students with opportunities to develop their craft and perform as part of Kent’s broader arts program. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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ATHLETICS
Spring Season Highlights
BOYS LACROSSE The boys varsity team finished the season with a 3-11 record. Trey Lalonde ’26 and Baron Mazariegos ’28 earned All-Western New England Honorable Mention honors, while Lalonde also received All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention recognition. The JV team finished with a 4–6 record. GIRLS LACROSSE The girls varsity team finished with an 8-7 record, including three wins over Founders League opponents. Pip Davies ’27 earned All-NEPSAC honors, while Eva Keleher ’28 received AllNEPSAC Honorable Mention honors. The JV team also earned wins over Millbrook, Storm King, and Canterbury. BOYS ROWING The boys rowing team’s first boat finished with a 29-5 record and earned a bronze medal at the NEIRAs. The second boat went 31–2 and earned a silver medal, while the third boat finished undefeated at 27-0 and captured gold at the NEIRAs. GIRLS ROWING The girls rowing team’s first boat finished with an 11-29 record, while the second boat went 9–31. The third boat posted an 11-8 record and finished seventh at the NEIRAs. BOYS TENNIS The boys varsity team finished with a 3-10 record, including two wins in Founders League play. Josh Chan ’27 earned AllNEPSAC Honorable Mention honors. The JV team finished with a 4–4–1 record, while the thirds team earned a win over Avon Old Farms. GIRLS TENNIS The girls varsity team finished with a 2-11 record, earning wins over Canterbury and Ethel Walker to close out the season. The JV team also picked up wins over Miss Porter’s and Millbrook. BOYS GOLF The boys varsity team finished with a 10–7 record, excluding 22
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tournaments. The team placed third in the Founders League Tournament, 13th at the WNEPGA, fourth at Silo Ridge, and eighth at the Kent Invitational Tournament. Parker Winn ’26 earned All-NEPSAC honors, while Gordon Shi ’27 received Honorable Mention honors. The JV team finished with a 9–2 record. GIRLS GOLF The girls golf team finished with a 6–7 record, placing sixth in the Founders League and 14th at the NEPSAC Championships. April Choi ’28 earned All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention honors. BASEBALL The varsity baseball team earned a win over Trinity-Pawling, led by senior captain Charles Cosgriff ’26 and a strong group of senior leaders. The team takes pride in its positive attitude, competitive spirit, and commitment to supporting one another both on and off the field. SOFTBALL The softball team finished with a 12-9 record and advanced to the first round of the Western New England Playoffs. Nora Lennon ’28 earned All-NEPSAC honors and was selected to the All-Star Game, while Kendall Raudenbush ’28 earned AllNEPSAC Honorable Mention honors and was also selected to the All-Star Game. EQUESTRIAN The equestrian team carried strong momentum through a season of standout performances and new milestones, with riders turning in excellent showings at the Crosswinds Spring Classic and Old Salem Farm’s Welcome Weekend before capping the term with the program’s first-ever overnight trip to HITS Hudson Valley. Berlin Hill ’26 earned the Reserve Championship in the 2’6” hunters aboard her horse Louie. Gigi Hay ’27 posted top placements across the equitation divisions including a second-place finish in the USHJA Jump Seat Medal, and Jose Tavares ’26 turned in three second-place finishes in the 1.10-meter jumpers. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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HIGHLIGHTS
The Traditions of Spring Some of Kent’s most memorable moments return year after year, carrying a sense of familiarity even as each class makes them its own. At the Ring Ceremony, Fifth Form students receive a ring or another meaningful token from a Sixth Former, a gesture that creates connections across classes and fosters relationships that often last well beyond their years at Kent. The moment is also a reminder of the students who came before and of the relationships that connect one Kent class to the next. Tapping, when the new Senior Council is announced, brings the community together to welcome the new mwmbers and celebrate at the Passing of the Torch bonfire and ice cream social. The names and faces change, but the anticipation, the gathering, and the sense that another chapter is beginning are familiar to generations of Kent students. On Rock Day, Fifth Form students hike to Numeral Rock, hike to Numeral Rock to paint their class number on the rock, often returning with a little paint on themselves, too.. It is one of those Kent traditions that feels much the same each year, even as a new class makes its mark.
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HIGHLIGHTS
Graduation Weekend 2026 The Class of 2026 celebrated its final days at Kent during Graduation Weekend, which brought together many of the School’s longstanding traditions. At the Prize Day Ceremony, students received prizes recognizing their academic, athletic, artistic, and community achievements throughout their years at Kent. On Saturday evening, the class gathered in St. Joseph’s Chapel for the Baccalaureate, a quieter moment of reflection before Commencement on Sunday. At Commencement, Dr. Heidi Stultz Brooks ’86 asked the Class of 2026 to look beyond achievement and consider the everyday practices that will shape who they become. Drawing on her own experience as a Kent student, Brooks reflected on the importance of community, leadership, and what she called the “human technologies” that make a meaningful life possible: listening, showing up for others, telling the truth with care, and helping others thrive. As the graduates begin their next chapters, they carry with them more than an education—the relationships they have built, the values they have developed, and the lessons learned in the Lovely Valley Land, joining generations of Kent students who have left campus and carried a part of Kent with them. “Kent is here at the beginning of your launch into the world. But it is not only behind you. It is also within you—and it will keep you company in ways you may not expect.” 26
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Kent School:
100 Years at Henley A Celebration of Our Centennial Milestone
When Reverend Frederick Herbert Sill, O.H.C., founded Kent School for boys in 1906, he was determined to establish its campus along the banks of the Housatonic River in western Connecticut. Generations of alumni view this early planning as tangible proof that Father Sill envisioned a thriving rowing program from the School's very inception. Father Sill himself was steeped in rowing tradition, having served as the coxswain for
the 1895 Columbia University varsity crew that won the inaugural Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Regatta. He deemed rowing essential to instilling the virtues of Simplicity of Life, Directness of Purpose, and Self-Reliance, principles that became the formal Motto of the School as it grew to join the ranks of New England's leading preparatory schools. As he famously put it, Kent would be: "Not a school for the elite, but an elite school for everyone."
This article is a collaborative effort by John Rooney ’73, Ed Woodhouse ’71, Christine Roper ’07, Vashti Chandler ’06, Gabriella (Gabby) Sullivan ’21, and The Rev. Thaddeus Bennett ’71. We are especially grateful to Peter Mallory ’63 (Hon), whose two-volume history, More Than Rowing: Kent School Boat Club, The First 100 Years, provided an invaluable resource for telling the story of Kent rowing’s first century.
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This page: Father Frederick H. Sill as "coxswain" Opposite page, left: The Prince of Wales shaking hands with members of Kent’s rowing team at Henley, 1927 Opposite page, right: Celebrating Kent’s first Stotesbury Cup, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 1972
Historical Timeline 1922–Present A century of milestones, from Father Sill’s first wooden eight-oared shell to national dominance and our historic returns to the Thames.
The early financial burdens of building the School from scratch delayed Father Sill’s plans to establish an official crew program until 1922. Thereafter, the stretch of the Housatonic River between the town of Kent and the dam south at Bulls Bridge became the ultimate classroom for the character-building coaching and educational techniques that Father Sill brought to every aspect of Kent life. Appropriately, Father Sill, affectionately known as “Pater,” sat in the cox seat for the first Kent boat to row on the Housatonic, and served as Kent’s first rowing coach. Rowing in the early 20th century was deeply anchored in British tradition, and no event held greater prestige than the Henley Royal Regatta, raced annually since 1839 at Henley-on-Thames. By the time Father Sill was mapping out Kent’s athletic future, British schools like Eton, Radley, and Westminster were the undisputed schoolboy powerhouses on the Henley water. During Kent’s historic first journey to Henley in 1927, Father Sill arranged a meeting with Mr. John Nugee, then Assistant Warden of Radley College, to bridge the gap between their two schools. The two educators discovered a shared
1922 | THE FOUNDING Father Frederick H. Sill, Kent's founder and former Columbia
belief in what was then termed “Muscular Christianity,” the conviction that rigorous athletic pursuit combined with a simple, self-reliant lifestyle was fundamental to forging moral and ethical integrity. This initial exchange between Radley and Kent also laid the foundation for a broader transatlantic student exchange system, which later evolved into the English-Speaking Union Secondary School Exchange (SSE) Program, which remains active and vital today. Building on this promising beginning, Kent crews returned to Henley time and again to compete in the Thames Challenge Cup, capturing historic victories in 1933, 1938, 1947, and 1950. In later years, schoolboy crews shifted focus to the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, established in 1946. The Kent Varsity Boys crew triumphantly hoisted the Princess Elizabeth Cup in 1972. Decades later, with the rise of girls rowing at the School and on the international stage, Kent demonstrated that same signature “muscle” when the Varsity Girls won the Peabody Cup at the Henley Women’s Regatta in 2002. Kent’s deep-rooted ties to Henley were further solidified in 1974 with the election of Kent’s Head Coach William “Hart”
1927 | FIRST AMERICAN SCHOOL AT
coxswain, officially establishes the KSBC
HENLEY Kent makes history as the first
and purchases the school's very first
American secondary school invited to
eight-oared shell for $800. The program is
compete at the Henley Royal Regatta in
explicitly grounded in Kent's core ethos of
England. Racing in the Thames Challenge
Simplicity of Life, Self-Reliance, and rigorous
Cup, they narrowly fall in their opening heat
sportsmanship.
to the eventual 1927 champion. A legendary transatlantic tradition is born.
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KENT QUARTERLY
Perry Jr. as the first American selected as a Steward of the Henley Royal Regatta, a prestigious post he held until his passing in 2011. The landscape of worldwide rowing began to shift rapidly in the 1960s. Kent School embraced this era of evolution by transitioning to coeducation, initially establishing a separate campus for female students in 1960. Before long, the young women of the Girls Campus began to ask why they, too, couldn’t experience the rewarding rigor of pulling an oar on the Housatonic. It turned out that "Muscular Christianity" is gender-neutral. Between 1960 and 1973, scholastic rowing opportunities for girls evolved
from a total absence of official high school teams to a small, pioneering network of roughly five schools, including early trailblazers The Baldwin School, St. Paul’s School, and Kent School. Prior to this emergence, any high-school-aged girl wishing to row was forced to seek training outside the academic system at one of the seven rowing clubs in the U.S. with junior girls’ programs. From 1974 to 1980, this isolated, experimental landscape underwent an explosive transformation into a highly organized, nationwide competitive force driven by the structural mandates of Title IX. Major governing bodies quickly adjusted to this rapid growth, with
New England Interscholastic Rowing Association (NEIRA) introducing its first official girls’ championship events in 1974, and the Scholastic Rowing Association of America changing its historic name in 1976 from "Schoolboy" to fully legitimize the massive influx of female oarswomen. By 1980, the modern framework of women’s competitive rowing was firmly cemented, boasting more than 50 established prep and public high school programs nationwide that produced elite athletes ready for collegiate and international pipelines. First designated as the Kent Girls Boat Club, the program eventually merged seamlessly with the boys in 2005 to form
1933 | THE FIRST HENLEY CHAMPIONSHIP
1937-1950 | THE WALKER ERA AND
captures popular culture, with Kent crews
Kent captures its first Henley
HENLEY DOMINANCE Following Father
featured in prominent photo essays in Life
championship, winning the Thames
Sill's retirement, legendary coach Thomas
magazine in May 1937 and June 1948.
Challenge Cup. President Franklin D.
Dixon “Tote” Walker ’19 takes the helm as
Roosevelt sends Father Sill a personal
Head Coach. Under his leadership, Kent wins
telegram of congratulations and support. The
the Thames Challenge Cup again in 1938,
HELM William "Hart" Perry Jr. is appointed
British press hails the Kent crew as "almost
1947, and 1950, reaching five total Henley
Head Coach. A former Dartmouth oarsman,
certainly the best crew that ever rowed in the
victories by mid-century, more than any other
Perry guides the KSBC for three brilliant
Thames Cup."
American school. The program's excellence
decades, instilling elite technical standards
1964 | COACH HART PERRY TAKES THE
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This page, left: Hart Perry consulting with Valerie Marsh, with Fred Schoch looking on This page, middle: The integrated boathouse celebrating Kent’s NEIRA dominance in years past Opposite page, right: First launch of the Charles M. Kershaw ’73, fall 1976
a single, unified Kent School Boat Club (KSBC). Since its inception, the women of Kent have captured at least 18 New England championships across multiple boat classes, along with two back-to-back National Championships in 1986 and 1987, and both JV and Varsity wins in 2016 at the National Schools Championship Regatta. In Great Britain during this exact same historical window, women’s rowing teams were forming at clubs and universities with equally profound effects amid a concerted push for full inclusion. 2026 marks 50 years since women competed for Olympic medals in the 1976 Games in
Montreal, while the road to integration at Henley was a bit longer. Featuring many twists and turns from 1981 through 1993, the Women’s Open Single Sculls finally returned as an official event at the Henley Royal Regatta. By 2017, the expansion of women’s categories across various boat classes had brought the regatta significantly closer to absolute gender parity. In 2025, Regatta Chairman Richard Phelps beautifully captured the ongoing spirit of modernization and equity by stating: “Traditions aren’t barriers to change. They’re foundations for the future.” It is immensely fitting that on the 100th
anniversary of Kent School’s first trip to the Thames, the School “pulls its weight” by sponsoring a women’s event at the Henley Royal Regatta. Kent is actively working to gift and sponsor a new trophy event for women at the Regatta, with details currently being finalized with the HRR Stewards. To further symbolize Kent’s commitment to gender equality on the water, the HRR Stewards awarded Kent a “row-past” at the 2027 Regatta. The vision features two mixed alumni eights composed of Kent rowers spanning more than six decades. By featuring mixed boats of men and women rowing in total parity,
and an unyielding passion for the sport
the Stotesbury Cup and New England
1973 | THE GIRLS PROGRAM IS BORN
in thousands of students. He masterfully
Championship, ranking No. 1 among
The Kent Girls Boat Club is officially
coaches both the boys and girls squads until
schoolboy crews in the U.S. The historic
established following Kent's transition to
1982.
season concludes with a win in the Princess
coeducation. Developing speed over the first
Elizabeth Challenge Cup and is later
decade, they capture four of the five NEIRA
chronicled in the acclaimed book Men of
titles between 1983 and 1987, establishing
AMERICAN FIRST Kent Boys Varsity
Kent: Ten Boys, a Fast Boat, and the Coach
Kent as a national force in women's rowing.
Eight becomes the first Kent crew to win
Who Made Them Champions.
1972 | PRINCESS ELIZABETH CUP: AN
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KENT QUARTERLY
Working Towards a Unified Program
We are using the 100th anniversary of Kent’s landmark 1927 trip to Henley as a rallying point for the entire Kent community to re-engage with our extraordinary heritage. This celebration belongs to everyone, whether you spent your time on the river, in the rink, or in the theater. Today, 120 years after its founding, Kent has evolved into a vibrant,
coeducational, multi-faith institution welcoming students from all over the world. It proudly maintains its Episcopal affiliation while honoring its founder’s enduring commitment to educating the whole student: intellectually, physically, ethically, and spiritually. The Kent community is invited to join us for the Kent School 100 Years at Henley Centennial Events: Harvard Square in October; New York in February 2027; Kent in June 2027; and Henleyon-Thames in June and July 2027. For more information, scheduling updates, and ways to get involved, please visit: KENTSCHOOLBOATCLUB.ORG.
1982–2000 | THE MCWHINNEY
the women's squad as one of the premier
Stotesbury gold as a Kent student, Houston
scholastic programs in the United States.
seamlessly carries the program's internal
we celebrate a shared legacy supported equally by Kent School, the Henley Royal Regatta, and the global rowing community. Centennial Celebration of Kent School 100 Years at Henley: A Global Invitation
LEADERSHIP Mark McWhinney ’75 takes over as the Head Coach of the Kent Girls program, leading them for almost two highly
1995 | COACH ERIC HOUSTON
The Kent Girls Boat Club was established in 1973, 13 years after Kent’s historic and highly successful transition to coeducation. From the very outset, the girls’ program exploded onto the rowing scene, developing into a nationally respected powerhouse. They earned a fierce reputation for technical brilliance and relentless physical fitness, capturing dominant New England championships, national titles, and international racing experience. In 1986 and 1987, the Kent girls’ first varsity eight put together back-to-
traditions into a new era.
2002 | GIRLS TRIUMPH AT HENLEY
successful decades. Under his guidance,
APPOINTED Following Hart Perry's
the Girls First Varsity Eight captures back-
retirement, Eric Houston ’80 takes over the
WOMEN'S REGATTA
to-back National Schoolgirl Championships
reins of the boys program. Having rowed
The Kent Girls Varsity Eight travels to England
in 1986 and 1987, permanently cementing
directly under Perry and won both NEIRA and
and triumphs at the Henley Women's Regatta,
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back undefeated seasons, cementing their status as the National Schoolgirl Champions. Over the decades, the girls’ program has won many NEIRA team titles and has produced individual national champions, elite collegiate rowers, and international competitors. As the School modernized, the boys’ and girls’ rowing programs were strategically brought together under a unified administrative/coaching framework. This ensured that they shared the same training standards, excellent equipment, boathouse facilities, and long-term vision, while simultaneously
honoring their distinct team traditions. From 2022 through 2026, this work to be “one boathouse” continued with the commitment and hard work of Eric Houston, the Boys’ Head Coach, and Christine Wilson, Kent’s first female Girl’s Head Coach. Today, the unified Kent School Boat Club seeks to operate as a model of athletic and institutional equity.
Beyond graduation day, Kent alumni from both rowing programs have gone on to compete at the highest echelons of the
sport, including the Olympic Games and World Championships, while others have become coaches, program leaders, and lifelong stewards of the sport. Among them is Steve Gladstone ’60, whose storied coaching career includes a recordsetting 14 IRA Varsity Eight National Championships. For thousands of alumni who rowed in the Club program, the KGBC or KSBC, the lessons forged on the Housatonic continue to dictate how they approach leadership, collaboration, and life’s challenges. A lifelong commitment to excellence, shared responsibility, and the quiet dignity of
capturing the prestigious Peabody Cup. This
crew officially merge their organizational
8+, then storm their way to the grand final
milestone represents the girls' first Henley
structures, unifying permanently under
of the Princess Elizabeth Cup at Henley,
championship and places Kent among an
the banner of the Kent School Boat Club
nearly upsetting Eton College in one of the
elite, rare group of American schools to have
(KSBC) to ensure equal resources, coaching
program's strongest international showings
hoisted championship trophies for both men's
alignment, and programmatic unity.
since 1972.
2010 | NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND
2016 | GIRLS CLAIM THE NATIONAL
and women's squads on the Thames.
The Enduring Influence of Kent Rowing
2005 | A UNIFIED BOAT CLUB The Kent
HENLEY FINAL
Girls Boat Club and Kent School Boys
Youth National Championship in the Boys
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KENT QUARTERLY
Kent wins the USRowing
CROWN The Kent Girls First Varsity Eight completes a dominant season, winning both
Opposite page: First boat shell Flack Family, Vespoli 2009 This page, top: The 2019 boys racing for the PE Cup This page, bottom: Girls rowing on the Housatonic River
hard work are habits born on Kent water. Today, Kent rowing continues to instill those same values in new generations of students. As we look ahead to the next 100 years, Kent remains unconditionally committed to maintaining complete athletic and operational equity for our girls’ and boys’ rowing programs. Our ongoing campaign to raise $4 million for the Rowing Endowment is an “outward and visible sign” of that commitment. Three alumni spotlights show that our rowing program continues to change lives.
the highly competitive NEIRA Championship
gather on the banks of the Housatonic to
2027 | 100 YEARS AT HENLEY Kent
and the USRowing Youth National
celebrate 100 Years of Kent Rowing. At the
marks the historic centennial of its very first
Championship, showcasing the enduring
2022 Henley Royal Regatta, the legendary
appearance on the Thames in 1927. The KSBC
depth and modern excellence of the women's
1972 boys' and 2002 girls' championship
is actively organizing global celebrations
program.
crews reunite on the water for a special
with alumni, families, and global supporters,
exhibition row. The definitive, two-volume
setting our sights on a historic return to the
history of the program, More Than Rowing by
storied English course.
2022 | THE ROWING CENTENNIAL Christine Wilson, Kent’s first female Girls’
Peter Mallory, is officially published.
Head Coach, arrives. Several hundred alumni
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Christine Roper ’07 OLYMPIC LEGACY
“The boat club's demanding training culture deeply shaped my athletic identity, instilling my guiding philosophy that ‘champions are made when no one is watching.’” My journey from a high school novice to an Olympic gold medalist truly began at Kent School, where I moved from Montego Bay, Jamaica, at age fourteen and picked up an oar for the very first time. Leaving the warmth and familiar rhythms of Jamaica for a rigorous New England boarding school was an incredibly daunting and massive life shift. However, the Kent School Boat Club provided me with an immediate microcommunity and a crucial sense of belonging, serving as a tight-knit support system that anchored my transition into American life. Under the guidance and steady
encouragement of my first coach, Jamie Robinson, I quickly integrated into the crew, learning how to properly utilize my length and strength alongside my teammates to move a racing shell efficiently. The boat club’s demanding training culture deeply shaped my athletic identity, instilling my guiding philosophy that "champions are made when no one is watching." The rigorous personal discipline required to handle freezing morning rows on the mist-shrouded river and silent, solitary winter erg sessions became the exact mental framework I would rely on years later to push through intense international training cycles. Ultimately, the foundational team camaraderie and deep trust I developed on the Housatonic River laid the vital psychological groundwork for my ability to slot seamlessly into world-class crews. It
set the stage for my graduation from Kent in 2007, my subsequent collegiate career, and my eventual path to the absolute top of the Olympic podium with the Canadian Women’s Eight. Liv Oyen ’21
ENDURING FOUNDATION
“I left Kent a strong rower, having had exceptional coaching, but I also left Kent as part of a community with lifelong friends, and with an intellectual curiosity and ambition.” Rowing my freshman year at Kent immediately became my greatest commitment and physical challenge. Since Kent fostered a holistic approach to learning and to life, I was fortunately encouraged to expand my horizons: I was a tri-sport athlete, joined clubs, prioritized my academics, and fostered relationships with a wide circle of friends.
OCTOBER 17, 2026
FEBRUARY 25, 2027
JUNE 19, 2027
HARVARD SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE
NEW YORK CITY
KENT SCHOOL
Head of the Charles Gathering
A New York Gathering
Reunion Rows
An evening gathering at The
A special day of rowing
A gathering for KSBC alumni and
Racquet & Tennis Club.
and reunion at Kent School.
friends at Smoke Shop BBQ.
Transitioning to Division I rowing, I soon learned that Kent’s holistic approach to life saved me from the pitfalls that claim so many young athletes. It taught me far more about core psychological strength and long-term resilience than any hyper-focused training program ever could have. At Kent, I learned that showing up with a positive attitude is half the battle. The physical endurance and technical precision I gained at KSBC allowed me to
Wyatt Mills ’22
mindset guides how I approach every boat
APPROACHING CHALLENGES
in which I’m rowing. Being an exceptional
determination win the day. It also was
“The most nervous I’ve ever been was for the
teammate and being present where you
the balanced philosophy in classes, the
Kent–Andover race my senior year. Going
are were the absolute bedrock of our daily
emotional reassurance from friends, and
through that moment taught me how to
the cross-training insights that I brought
manage pressure when the stakes feel high.”
excel, but also my unwavering confidence in knowing that raw grit and quiet
to the water every day. For this enduring foundation, I am eternally grateful. When I reflect back on my time with KSBC, I remember the waters of the Housatonic surrounded by hills. I think of our sacred traditions: tapping the school crest with reverence or wearing our formal
My time at Kent, and especially my years as a member of the Kent School Boat Club, completely shaped the way I understand rowing and how I approach challenges
culture at Kent. I learned that there is always something productive you can do to help the collective effort, so that the whole boathouse feels connected across all age groups and boat classes. This sense of community is something I carried with me, helping me create a team environment that
in my adult life. A most important lesson
is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive for
I carry is that rowing is never about how
everyone.
blues/whites before Saturday regattas.
talented or powerful you are individually; it
More than anything, KSBC gifted me a
I recall the unmistakable smell of the
is entirely about how well you blend with
lifelong community. That Kent connection
boathouse, a sensory reminder to leave
the crew you are given. You can pull hard,
is always there, unbreakable and permanent.
behind the academic stresses of the day and
but if your blade isn’t locking into the water
It is a brotherhood and sisterhood I will
focus entirely on the present now.
in perfect unison, your effort won’t move
carry with me throughout my life. Wyatt
Liv Oyen rows at Northeastern University.
the shell effectively. That self-effacing
Mills graduated from Trinity College in 2026.
JULY 2–3, 2027 HENLEY-ON-THAMES, ENGLAND
Kent at Henley A celebration of the centennial of Kent’s first crossing, featuring a celebratory dinner Friday evening, a Saturday picnic behind the Enclosure, and Kent’s row-past during the Tea Interval.
TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER FOR THESE EVENTS, OR TO EXPLORE MORE OF 100 YEARS OF KENT SCHOOL AT HENLEY, SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT
KENTSCHOOLBOATCLUB.ORG.
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KENT QUARTERLY
A Tradition of Reflection At Kent, Chapel Talks become lessons that last long after the final amen.
BY MEGAN TADY
It was a cold, crisp January morning, with the Kent campus buried under two feet of snow. Students had hoped for a snow day, but no such luck. They stomped their boots in the entrance of the Chapel, many of them wishing they were still in bed. But Sacha Reyes ’26 was alert, ready, and a little nervous. He was giving his Chapel Talk, and he was relieved it wasn’t canceled. He wanted his chance to speak, just as he’d seen dozens of other Sixth Formers do before him, along with alumni and guest speakers. For many at Kent, Chapel Talks have been one of Kent’s defining traditions. Every Monday and Thursday, students, faculty, alumni, chaplains, and guests step to the pulpit to share stories of challenge, faith, resilience, and purpose—messages that can linger long after the service ends. The speeches often tap into universal truths for students, and the best ones spark emotion—sometimes tears—and have true staying power, like the words Reyes was about to deliver. Reyes stepped up to the pulpit and looked out over the 350-member audience, which somehow felt intimate inside the Chapel. By his second line, he had captivated even the most fidgety students: “Today is the only Monday, January 26, 2026, we will ever get.” SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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The archival record doesn’t reveal exactly when the term “Chapel
Talk” came into use at Kent, but
the tradition of students speaking publicly to the School dates
back as early as 1909. The Kent Quarterly described Literary Evenings in which students
delivered speeches and took part
in debates, with the goal of having every boy speak in public at least once a month. A 1933 Kent News article describes the tradition of
Sixth Formers speaking in Chapel during Lent, a practice that continued for decades.
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KENT QUARTERLY
He paused and lifted his eyes heavenward, bringing to mind his best friend, Shea Cassidy-Teti ’26, who had tragically died in a car accident in the fall. Everyone understood the context, as well as Reyes’ call to be more present—to be willing to show up fully for their lives. “I was dedicating this talk to my friend,” Reyes says. “When you go through something like losing a friend, it reminds you more than ever to actually love more and be willing to take ownership of your own life. My Chapel Talk gave me the opportunity to share my worldview, and I wanted to leave a legacy that could outlast me. You never know when a sentence will impact someone.” In fact, a sentence from another Chapel Talk deeply inspired Reyes. Two years prior, outside speaker Kaleb Joseph told the audience: “Everything you want is on the other side of vulnerability.” “That will literally stick with me for the rest of my life,” Reyes says, who is now studying film at Colgate University. And perhaps it helped give him the courage to
be equally vulnerable in his own Chapel Talk. “Delivering my speech was really special. It was scary, too, but I was really proud of myself afterward.” Reyes hopes the central philosophy behind his Chapel Talk will have a similar lasting impact on others: “Be willing to love as if God sent you here to love.” GIVING WITNESS Dean of St. Joseph's Chapel The Rev. Dr. Kate Kelderman—known to students as “Mama K”—arrived at Kent 12 years ago, inheriting the Chapel Talk tradition from her predecessor, The Rev. Jonathan Voorhees, who frequently invited students to give talks. Rev. Kelderman recognized the power of student voices and intentionally expanded opportunities for them to step up to the pulpit. “A Chapel Talk is an important ministry within the Kent School community,” Rev. Kelderman says. “Motivation and wisdom enter our lives in a thousand different ways, and the chaplains enjoy
Opposite page: Sacha Reyes ’26 gives his Chapel Talk. This page, top: A student plays the guitar during a Chapel Talk This page, bottom:
and encourage students to be a part of that wisdom sharing.” By design, hearing from a wide spectrum of people in the Kent community “reminds us of what it means to be part of the human family,” wrote Rev. Kelderman when reflecting on Chapel Talks. “In the variety of voices and adventures, we always find our own stories woven in the words, challenges we faced, and successes we celebrated. We are inspired by the courage and vulnerability demonstrated by our speakers.” Chapel Talks knit the community together. “It’s when we’re together in community, when we’re hearing stories of suffering, joy, and challenge,” she says. “And, I would argue that it’s during Chapel Talks when we encounter the divine.” Each spring, she invites rising Sixth Formers to sign up for Chapel Talks the following year. “Seniors often say to me, ‘I’ve been waiting to do this since my Third Form year,’” Rev. Kelderman said. “Students want to grow into that person or that version of themselves who’s confident, comfortable, and vulnerable enough to tell stories in front of the whole school. Giving witness and showing through example is what servant leadership looks like.” She provides guidelines to help steer students as they begin writing their talks, reminding them that inspiration can be wide-ranging, from an event to a person to art and music—the elements that have helped shape who they are. “Think about the most important thing you know and how you learned it,” she writes in her guidelines. “Ask yourself what matters most to you and how it came to be so important. Ask yourself how you got to be who you are. These are the kinds of questions your Chapel Talk should address.”
Students leading an outdoor
Chapel service in protest of the Vietnam War, 1969
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Many students draw from personal narratives in English class or from college essays. Rev. Kelderman asks that students submit a rough draft to a chaplain for review, and she encourages them to practice delivering their speeches in the Chapel. Modern & Classical Department and Assistant Chaplain Bob DesMarais has witnessed the evolution of Chapel Talks over his 37 years at Kent, and he believes the impact on students—both on speakers and audience members—is tremendous. “It gives students a lens into their classmates’ lives about aspects that they probably didn’t know about, or maybe they’re experiencing something similar,” DesMarais says. “It can be comforting for the audience. And it makes the audience members look forward to being in that same position someday.” SMALL POTATOES Mae Provost ’18 was one of those students sitting in the pews, imagining herself one day at the pulpit. She’d been listening to Chapel Talks since she was a Fourth Former. “Seeing older students give these Chapel Talks that felt so personal to me, too, made me understand how important they were,” she says. “I just knew I wanted to give one, but I never really thought that I had something important enough to say.” As she began crafting her college essay, she landed on a topic that she thought might resonate with her classmates: small potatoes. As in, don’t stress the small stuff. “‘Small potatoes’ is something my family would always say,” Provost says. “Whenever I feel anxious, it helps to think that it’s not the end of the world. It’s not to invalidate any anxious feelings, but to help put into perspective what’s truly important.” 42
KENT QUARTERLY
The “small potatoes” philosophy was born from family tragedy, with many loved ones encountering health problems and even passing away all at the same time. “Nothing else matters—everything else is just small potatoes,” she explains. Provost’s Chapel Talk struck a chord, especially as students face external pressures for perfection and achievement. Many classmates confided anxieties they had never voiced before, affirming that her message had reached exactly the people she hoped it would. Provost says it felt meaningful to know she had helped others feel less alone. Beyond building community and contributing to Kent’s ministry, Chapel Talks help students develop skills that extend well beyond their time at Kent. Today, a speech therapist in Maine,
This page, top: A Literary Evening as reported in the Kent Quarterly, 1909 Opposite page:
A Buddist monk speaks
during a Chapel Talk
Provost says the experience gave her confidence she’ll carry throughout her life and career. “It felt pretty empowering to give that talk,” she says. “And I thought, ‘What I have to say is important, and maybe someone might think about it in the future.’ And being able to talk in front of so many people is such a valuable, functional skill.” And she appreciates the way Chapel Talks break down walls between students. “I loved being able to just hear other people’s perspectives and really learn about what else is going on in people’s lives,” she says. “The rowing captain that intimidates me who I don’t really know well—after her talk, I know her perspective and that we have something in common.” GATHER AND RECHARGE As Rev. Kelderman fills in her vast grid of Chapel Talk speakers, she’s also intentional about inviting speakers from a wide range of faith backgrounds with an
aim to help students “claim their spiritual identity.” “I’ll have speakers from other faiths come and tell us about their traditions that bring them joy and how they encounter the divine through their Sabbath meals or through Buddhist meditation,” she says. She also invites presenters to share music and dance—like a group of Congolese dancers or a Sixth Former playing the guitar. “Some students won’t say much, but when they’re really in the groove playing their instruments, it sets them alive,” she says. “When you’re alive, that’s when you’re claiming your true, divine self.” The 35 minutes in Chapel twice a week also provides a sacred break in the day, teaching students how to commune with themselves in stillness—and how to give attention and respect to the speakers. “I can’t imagine being at a school where Chapel isn’t the center of your life together,” Rev. Kelderman says. “Father Sill knew exactly what he was doing when he put the Chapel smack dab in the
center of campus. Students will complain up and down until the sun comes up—‘I can’t believe I have to go to Chapel again.’ And what do they miss the most when they graduate? Chapel. We demand that they stop running on the treadmill and just be present for 35 minutes, and after they leave Kent they have to self-regulate without that.” DesMarais echoes the sentiment. “Chapel offers a chance to gather and collect yourself and your spirit, to charge up for the rest of the day,” he says. “It’s a profitable break.” Chapel Talks are just one of Kent’s many beloved traditions, along with Ring Ceremony and Banquet, formal dinner, Tapping, and Rock Day, among others. DesMarais believes that traditions connect the Kent community to the “intents and values of the founder” and help distinguish Kent from other schools, creating a strong and lasting bond through generations of alumni. “Without our traditions, we’re just a school, and we’re certainly not uniquely Kent,” he says. “I think we should rely on our traditions more and more these days because there’s so much static going on out there. It’s nice to be reminded about some of the reasons that we’re all at Kent School in the first place.” Rev. Kelderman says the beauty of traditions is that they connect us to the past while evolving for the present. “In my imagination, a tradition is like a piece of felted wool,” she says. “The tightly compressed center stays the same, but the outer layers can be teased and shaped over time. If the wool is too rigid, there's no room for creativity. We are held captive. There has to be a little bit of flexibility and evolution in traditions to keep all of us moving forward, both in our identity as a school and the spiritual formation of the students.” SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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An excerpt from a Chapel Talk by Eric Houston ’80, delivered at the opening Chapel service in September 2026, reflecting on how he has seen Kent change over the decades. Houston has been part of the Kent community as a student, rower, teacher, and coach. A longtime science teacher and rowing coach, he teaches Biology and has led the boys rowing program since 1995.
What I remember Most of you know we once had two separate campuses, and students and faculty were bused between them during the day to ensure coed classes. Back in the 60s and 70s, this was “cutting edge” and unheard of at a boarding school! When I was a student, breakfast was mandatory, and the top ten, or student leaders, would check you in at the dining hall door. If you were late, you would have to run the angle, which consisted of running down the boardwalk to 341, taking a left, running by the hockey rink, then back up SchaghticokeRoad, and checking in with the same prefect. We also had all-school meetings in the auditorium every weekday, run by the student leaders. If you missed your job that morning or the day before your name was called, you would have to stand up in front of everyone. After classes, you would report to the Deans Office, where you would most likely be assigned to Bill Armstrong to build a stone wall or shovel sheep manure instead of going to your afternoon activity. When I first returned as a faculty member, we had no cable, internet, or cell phones. We communicated with one another either by using our office phones or by interoffice envelopes! My first TV at Kent was a hand-me-down black-and-white RCA from Don Gowan. It had a rabbit-ear antenna with the added technology of aluminum foil to increase its range to receive the three available channels: NBC, CBS, and ABC!
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Believe it or not, the single-male faculty had a laundry service and someone who cleaned their apartments! However, the single female faculty had neither of these perks, though washing machines and dryers were available in their dorms. The administration must have thought that young adult males were either very messy or inept personal hygiene, or, worse yet, just lazy. Sadly, I saw little difference in the cleanliness of my apartment after my particular cleaning lady finished. As a matter of fact, I shortly gave up this particular perk during the fall of my first year when, one morning, I walked into my apartment only to find Dorothy, who was assigned to my dorm, with her feet on my couch, eating my peanut butter and jelly, drinking my tea, and watching one of the three channels on my TV! Did you know that the school once had a working dairy farm? It was located where the Cumming House now sits. The milk was poured from a large metal pitcher in the servery into smaller, plastic pitchers for the table. Unfortunately, the dairy barn burned down during my Third Form year. However, for many years after, the school would provide milk to the faculty. You would go to the dining hall basement once a week to pick up your milk. We went from a couple of pay phones in the dorm hallways to a landline in every dorm room, and now each student has an iPhone welded to their hands, through which they view the world. We have successfully pushed back on this latest situation, but we still have a long way to go. We used to do teacher comments three times a year on a typewriter, using a special carbon-copy form with four different colors. After typing them, you would carefully tear off the perforated sides that held the copies together, then sit on the floor in your apartment and separate the forms. The white one would go to the parents, the orange to the Studies Office, the pink to the advisor, and the yellow copy would be put in the student’s file. My typing was so bad that the only legible copy was the top one that went to the parents. The others looked like an FBIredacted file because of all the corrections.
Speaking of technology, I actually learned some basic computer programming during my Fourth Form year. The School owned one large mainframe computer that occupied half of a small room in the lobby of Dickinson Auditorium. You would make an appointment with a math teacher, sit at an oversized typewriter, and type in a code that you were given. Afterward, it would produce a punch card with holes that you would then insert into a slot in the computer to solve a simple math problem! Fast forward a couple of decades, and we were pushing the boundaries as one of the first schools with a laptop initiative. The faculty were encouraged to make their own PowerPoint presentations for class, and the students had to bring their laptops to take notes! However, through all these changes over the decades, certain things remain constant and seemingly etched in stone, like the quote on our school entrance: “Before the gates of excellence, the high gods have placed sweat.” Hunter Southworth ’98 put together a series of social media posts this summer featuring boys' and girls' rowing recruits, welcoming them to the team. In each instance, the recruit was asked why they chose Kent. I would say over 90% mentioned how welcome they felt during their application process, tours, and interviews. They felt Kent was a warm and caring community that offers strong academics and athletics. Often, when I speak to families after their tour, they comment on how nice everyone on campus is and how almost everyone seems happy. This reflects directly on you. The environment that you, as faculty and staff, provide is something that transcends the daily grind of a boarding school. Many students and families actually choose Kent because they don’t feel we are a pressure-cooker institution where their son or daughter could get lost.
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“To say, thank you, to the workers at the dishwashing station when dropping dishes off on the conveyor belt.”
“The Ring Ceremony has such a sisterhood that can be seen and felt. It links one class to another, handing down the tradition year after year. It's really beautiful to see and is one of our only female-forward events, making it that much more special for our community.”
“Tapping introduces the new Senior Council, which is like passing the baton. The ceremony is really emotional. People cry, and it's a joy. The new members are really excited because they understand the importance of their job on campus. It means so much because it's like opening a new door into their Kent experience. Watching the tears of joy pouring from people's eyes inspired me to put my best foot forward and be even more of a role model.”
KENDRA GALUSHA MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT CHAIR
JESSE KLINGEBIEL SCIENCE FACULTY
DANIELLA SAFO AGYAPONG '28
“Dummy Day, the Sunday before the Kent News was mailed to our publisher, our advisor, Mr. Scott, would pick up pizza for the editors, who were copyediting and counting inches the old-school way with wax pencils and floppy disks—sometimes past curfew. I remember how grown-up we all felt in the Schoolhouse basement, with Seth MacFarlane’s caricatures on the walls and News archives housed in what was then called ‘Mr. Fuller’s Closet.’ (I still don’t know who Mr. Fuller is.)” KRISTINE PALMERO '97
What's your favorite Kent tradition?
“The Ring Ceremony feels like a true coming of age—a beautiful moment for students to reflect on their time at Kent, leadership, and their most cherished friendships.” KIERSTEN GOODE '19 ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS
We asked a handful of students, alumni, and employees to share their favorite Kent traditions, and what they love about them. Hopefully their answers will have you walking down memory lane, helping you remember what you loved most, too.
“The Ring Ceremony is amazing because all of the junior and senior girls are in one space. Then we eat dinner together, and it's a nice way to welcome the junior girls into their senior year.” KATE MCKIERNAN '26
“Many alumni will fondly remember Kent's former English Department requirement that all Fourth Form students memorize the first eighteen lines of The Canterbury Tales. While the department no longer requires it, for the past decade or so, I've had my Fourth Formers memorize and recite Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 (‘Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?’). We all learn it together, practicing at the start of every class, and it's become a treasured bonding experience for my students.” DR. ATHENAIDE DALLETT ENGLISH FACULTY
“I love the Garden Services we do at the Chapel throughout the year. It's great to be surrounded by nature's beauty and to be in awe of the mountains. It’s also a palpable reminder that we are part of a community that transcends time, connected to the generations of students who have gathered here before us and those who will gather here after us. Some of the earliest founders and benefactors of the School are buried right in that courtyard!” THE REV. BRIAN CHENEY ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN
“In my 16 years at Kent, I have watched the Ring Ceremony and Banquet tradition blossom into a meaningful moment between the Fifth and Sixth Form girls and the women on campus, offering a rare chance to focus on the power of female leadership and the relationships between women.”
“Rock Day is a symbol of your gateway into being a senior at Kent. You throw paint at each other, and it's awesome. I couldn't get the paint out of my hair for weeks, but that’s what made it fun.”
SIERRA THOMSEN HISTORY DEPARTMENT CHAIR
ELI BOOTH '26
“Staying in the Chapel while everyone else leaves, listening to the full recessional, then giving a round of applause to the organist. It's a small group of faculty who do this, but it's a wonderful moment and one I hope more people will start to join in!”
“Formal dinner on the evening of Lessons and Carols is a great way to celebrate the holiday season with advisory groups. It’s a time to share some holiday spirit over English Christmas crackers and catch up with advisees before they scatter for their break. Halloween formal dinner is a close second. There's a lot of good energy and laughter. The creativity of the group costumes is fun to see.” ANDREW BAIRD ENGLISH FACULTY
HARRY SHAFER DEAN OF STUDENTS
“Social Justice Week is a relatively new tradition that demonstrates an authentic dedication to leadership for good in our community and the wider world. Students are committed to raising awareness of social justice and host workshops to share knowledge with their peers—affirming that Kent School is a vibrant, equitable, and inclusive environment in which to live and learn together.”
“Lessons and Carols—singing Christmas carols in the Chapel before break—is an underrated tradition. It's a really nice service to help students end the year on a good note. I find it really peaceful.” KEVIN LUO '27
ROBERT HARRY ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
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Memory Lane Inspired to learn about Kent’s traditions, practices, and customs—some long lost, some still beloved—Larry Gile ’73 mined the School’s archives and interviewed dozens of alumni to unearth a treasure trove of history and memories.
A Taste of Kent History From the School’s earliest days, food in its many forms, from meals and snacks to the occasional contraband treat, has been a source of attention and desire among students. This column explores food traditions, customs, and the key figures associated with them, from the School’s founding in 1906 through 1973, the year of the author’s graduation. Grammies A beloved tradition was the dispensing of graham crackers (a.k.a. “grammies”) and milk during a morning recess. While it is hard to determine when grammies first made their appearance, their importance to students can be gauged by the imagined chaos ensuing from a delay in putting out grammies for students. The Kent News of October 26, 1949, ran a story titled “Twelve Killed, Nineteen Injured in Grammie Lust Riot,” which describes the deep bond that existed between students and grammies. The description of the fictional bedlam occasioned by the delay in putting out the mid-morning manna allows the reader to 48
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accompany a “hunger crazed mob as the body raced en masse through the narrow corridors.” The “luckless Fifth Formers who had attempted in some manner to ration out the scampy supplies of crackers and milk to the rabble soon went down amidst screams of greed and grammie lust.” The Kent News of January 11, 1950, reported the demise of the beloved tradition: "Last Thursday, the first day of 1950’s classes, the Student Body of Kent, stricken with visible dismay, heard a most astonishing announcement in the morning Job Assembly, concerning the new daily schedule. The omission of recess was to take effect immediately. Grammies, a food so long a part of the school tradition, were to be relinquished in favor of an alternative winter term schedule. No more would grasping fingers eagerly clutch bits of grammies as had been the delightful experience of the past; no more would tempting mid-morning morsels be tasted by the Kent student body, and no more would forbearing appetites be lessened
by this most blessed gift of Providence. Yes, that was the inference realized by all who heard the declaration. We mourn the grammies’ passing." The Jigger Shop and Pop Tent The Kent News of April 3, 1915, announced that “Saturday will witness the launching of a new enterprise at Kent. Taube ’13 will open a ‘Jigger Shop’ on the school side of the bridge, and will dispense at first, soft drinks, ice cream, and sandwiches.” An ad in the Kent News of April 24, 1915, refers to “Taube’s Tent on Alumni Field,” selling pie, pop, and sandwiches. World War I, however, soon put a crimp in the supply of what we might now call junk food for students. A Kent News article of March 2, 1918, made a virtue of the necessity of curtailing sugar intake for the war effort:“The elimination of candy from among the things offered for sale at the pop-tent (new name for the Jigger Shop) is a good step toward helping Mr. Hoover. (Herbert Hoover, who, at the time, was serving as Director of the U.S.
Food Administration). A large quantity of sugar was wasted unnecessarily when such cheap candies as jelly beans and peanut-butter kisses were sold each week. The fellows certainly do not need more sugar than they get in their food, and as for satisfying their hunger in the middle of the afternoon, the different things they get now are much more wholesome and also more satisfying.” The Pop Tent endured through the next several decades, and the Kent News of December 17, 1941, reported, “The Pop Tent has taken its annual trek from the baseball field to the school proper.” The Kent News of November 22, 1950, reported another example of the School’s tradition of structure recycling, as the Pop Tent was removed the previous spring from the baseball field to its new life as the base hut for the School’s ski slope on Skiff Mountain Road, with the help of the first crew team. With memories of Mr. Hoover and the war effort in the dim past, the Kent News of June 1, 1951, reported a staggering volume of sales from the Pop Tent: “13,500 Cokes Quench Students’ Thirst and 33,400 candy Bars Satiate Lusty Appetite. 33,400 candy bars were sold through the Pop Tent during the past school year, according to Alex Troubetzkoy, head of the Pop Tent.
On the basis of this each student has spent $5.40 (almost 11 allowances) on 108 bars. Again referring to tabulations compiled by Troubetzkoy, Milky Ways, it would seem, head the list of school favorites. Pom Poms are preferred next, Hershey
Opposite page:
Kent boys with milk cups and graham crackers, 1938 This page, top:
Illustration from a Smooth Sailin’ Candy Bar advertisement This page, bottom:
The Pop Tent, 1941. Open during
Bars third, Bolsters fourth, Welch’s
sports events to sell refreshments
Cocoanut fifth, Junior Mints sixth,
benefiting the Altar Fund
Luncheon Bars seventh, Necco Wafers
to spectators, with proceeds
eighth, Sherbits ninth, and Jolyetts tenth. The candy bar least asked for, the Pop Tent chief reported, was Smooth Sailin. As for the Coca-Cola situation, 13,500 nickels ($675, or 1,350 allowances at $.50 each) have been dropped into the red Coke machine in the Mail Room since its installation in the fall term. Thus, each boy has this past year bought, on average, 44 Cokes, spending $2.10 on them. This figure appears to refer to the 13,500 total Cokes sold and represents only a 3,500 increase over the total consumption as of January 24. It would seem, therefore, that the School was struck with the novelty of having a soft drink machine handy, and that the novelty wore off with the coming of spring, a thirst-provoking season as it is.”
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Feeds, Banquets and Smokers From its earliest days, the School provided numerous opportunities for students to exercise their social impulses. One of these was “the Feed,” and another, often held as a part of a feed, was a “Smoker.” We will consider the Feed first. Simply put, a feed was the serving of food, generally better than standard school fare, apart from normal school meals. Feeds could occur for no special reason or, as was the case on November 14, 1914, in celebration of the first football team’s victory over Gunnery (now The Frederick Gunn School). Following the feed and a bonfire, the team repaired to the Form House atop Chapel Hill (a retreat built by members of the Sixth Form), where students enjoyed cigarettes and tobacco donated by a recent alumnus and spent the rest of the evening smoking, discussing the past season, and partaking of coffee, cheese, and crackers. The Kent News of April 24, 1915, reported on the annual Fifth Form banquet, held in the Library. Fr. Sill and the three prefects (incoming?) were guests of honor, with festivities concluded at about midnight. The menu was clearly not normal weekday fare: "MENU—celery, olives, grapefruit, consomme, Saltines, suckling pigs, jelly, glace sweet potatoes, french peas, punch, ice cream, cake, café noir, crackers, cheese, candy, and nuts." The annual Sixth Form Banquet, reported on in the Kent News of February 27, 1915, while impressive, fell just short of the repast enjoyed by the juniors: "Grapefruit, roast duck, mashed potatoes, french peas, peach ice cream, and demitasse." The article said that after dinner, “everyone smoked and sang until late in the evening when the party broke up.” Feeds were also broader in scope. The Kent News of November 10, 1917, reported the granting of a school holiday in celebration of All Saints’ Day. The day began with Holy Communion before breakfast, followed by a day of freedom. 50
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The Kent News reported that the School was “divided up for feeds to be held that evening,” beginning, interestingly, after supper. Each form’s feed, held in a separate location, had a distinct character: "Mr. Cuthbertson’s feed was a little slow in coming, but when it did arrive it came in a novel way. The lights were suddenly extinguished and a shower of candy fell upon the amazed Fifth Form. Chaos ensued. The showers fell intermittently during the whole banquet. The room was very tastefully decorated with greens and apples and seemed overflowing with cider. The Fourth Form, possessing most of the orchestra, as well as the piano, had music with their meals. They also played several of the old-fashioned Hallowe’en games such as bobbing for apples, and many different kinds of guessing contests. The Second and Third Forms had a no less convivial time in the gymnasium; in fact, anyone looking through the window would have said that something between a riot and an Indian war-dance was taking place.” The Kent News of May 31, 1944, reported on the “Prefects Feed” held at Hopson’s Lake (now known as Fuller’s Lake, part of the Pond Mountain Natural Area). After swimming and rowing, a supper was held offering “hamburgers, potato chips and beer.” Attendees then assembled in a lodge for a meeting, “the proceedings of which are kept secret.” The last reference to feeds found was in the Kent News of November 4, 1954, which describes the getting and enjoyment of food along more self-reliant lines: “NOTICE TO PARENTS: It might seem unlikely that boys could ever have too much food, but the horn of plenty has been spilling all over the place at Kent. This has created a PROBLEM. It seems that boys, emulating ubiquitous squirrels on the school grounds, have at times diligently assembled and cached supplies of goodies against the demands of grimmer days. Sympathetic parents have succumbed to pleas, (and unsuspecting faculty wives have provided storage) for
loads of long-lasting delicacies. Result is a reaffirmation of an ancient ruling: Only three feeds per year! At other times, only enough snacks to last to lights are favored. Feeds may be planned (and stored as before) but the establishment of individual commissaries is taboo).” During my time at Kent (19701973), extra-curricular food was obtained through vending machines in the Common Room (basement of Schoolhouse) or during excursions to town. Popular in-room foods and beverages included iced tea, Tang, and cheese dispensed from a spray can. The more formal feeds of old had become banquets, generally held for teams at the end of the season. Captains were elected for the following year, letters awarded, and speeches given. The highlight of the meal was individual steaks. Coffee and Pipes The Kent News of November 10, 1917, reported: “At their meeting Friday night the council decided to change the rule concerning the drinking of coffee. The boys’ ages will hereafter be considered in the restrictions, instead of their forms. All fellows 17 and over may drink coffee on Sunday mornings; those 18 and over may have it on Wednesdays also, and the Sixth Form every morning.” Privileges come and go (and come again sometimes), as the Kent News of April 12, 1933, reported the restoration of coffee privileges, an action “entirely unexpected and most welcomely received by the entire class. The Headmaster has decided to allow the form coffee every morning, only those in training for crew being excepted.” The coffee was served with a touch of ceremony: "This (the serving) is carried out by the three dining room inspectors who have provided a table at the side of the Hall directly opposite the entrance to the kitchen. Seated behind this table Tristram Dunn, selected by his fellow inspectors as the most likely suited for this delicate task, skillfully pours for
those Sixth Formers who desire it." The article closes by reporting that “Fr. Sill has also issued the unprecedented privilege of allowing Sixth Formers to light their pipes every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening without first receiving direct permission from him.” Hotbreads During the author’s time at Kent, perhaps the greatest culinary offering was the hotbread. The author recalls it as a biscuit baked for breakfast and generally served fresh from the oven. It was usually enjoyed with a student-made mixture of honey and butter. The creator was “George the Baker,” whose true name was George F. Petzold. A justly laudatory Kent News article of February 17, 1973, makes the hyperbolic claim that “George, the Kent School Baker, bakes about 1,200,000 hot-breads over the course of a year, and every one of them is indisputably great.” George, to whom the 1969 yearbook was dedicated, is further praised for all the baked goods he produced, including bread, cake, pie crusts, jelly donuts, turnovers, Danish, French toast, and pizza. The piece closes with a reminiscence about this remarkable and beloved man from George-Ann Gowan: “I begged George the Baker for his recipe for the buns he served, hot out of the oven, on Sunday mornings after chapel. He told me there was no recipe ... I’d need to come over at 4 a.m. and watch him make them. When I arrived at the appointed hour, he opened the bakery refrigerator and dumped all the leftover desserts from the week into his giant mixer. In went cherry pies, apple pies, custards, cakes, muffins, brownies, cookies, cobblers, and puddings. To that he added Crisco, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and almond flavorings and whipped the whole thing together into a magical filling he spread onto either a yeast or puff pastry dough. The dough was rolled up and shaped into the most delicious rolls I’ve ever had. Wow!”
The following is an update to the article “Kent and the German Student Exchanges 1936-1938,” published in the Fall 2025/Winter 2026 Kent Quarterly: The article looked at student exchanges between German and American schools in the years immediately preceding World War II. Specific mention was made of a German student named Waldemar Seebode, who attended Kent from 1937 to 1938. During that time, it is highly likely that he got to know and made an impression on Henry Bradford, Class of 1939. After Kent and further military training in Germany, Seebode fought for Germany in World War II and, at war’s end, was a prisoner of war at an American Army base until his release in 1947. Shortly after the article was published, the author learned more about Seebode’s life after Kent, the likely involvement of Henry Bradford in securing his freedom and interesting stories about Bradford. Specifically, the author heard from a former member of the School administration about a conversation she had with the class secretary for Kent’s Class of 1938, Leon Losee, that touched on Seebode. Losee said Henry Bradford, Class of 1939, had encountered a German prisoner of war who spoke English fluently and quickly realized he was his former schoolmate. Apparently, this relationship played some role in Seebode’s release. In gratitude for Bradford’s kindness, Seebode named one of his two sons Henry. Seebode then joined the CIA in the late 1950s as “an informant,” and it is quite likely that Bradford, who was working for the CIA at the time, was involved in his recruitment. The author has spoken on several occasions with Bradford’s daughter, Wendy Bliss Bradford, who said her father’s story had several interesting twists. Her maternal grandfather, Richard Henry Andrews, was an American citizen assigned to the American Embassy and living in France before World War II. He had married a French citizen. The couple spent all of World War II living in France, and her grandfather fought with the French Resistance during the war and was wanted by the Germans. At one point, he helped rescue an American airman from Georgia who had been shot down in German-controlled territory and stranded in a tree. After his rescue, the airman worked with Andrews and other members of the Resistance in sabotage operations. As part of his military training during the Korean War, Bradford was taught parachute jumping by the rescued Georgia airman. Shortly after the Korean War ended, Bradford married one of Richard Andrews’ two daughters. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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ALUMNI NEWS Kent Women's Leadership Forum EVENTS & GATHERINGS
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On May 2, Kent women from across the decades gathered at The Yale Club in New York City for the Kent Women’s Leadership Forum, the largest off-campus gathering of Kent women to date. The event honored five women whose lives and careers reflect Kent’s mission and core competencies, which include Active Empathy, Engaged Citizenship, Ctirical and Creative Thinking, Effective Communication, and Servant Leadership, while creating an opportunity for alumnae and members of the broader Kent community to connect, share experiences, and strengthen relationships. More than the setting itself, the energy in the room made the day memorable, as women from different generations reconnected with old friends, made new connections, and celebrated the experiences they share as members of the Kent community. The Leadership Forum was organized by the Executive Committee. Pictured from left to right in the top photo: Kristine Palmero ’97, Muffy Mallory ’67, Erin Reilly ’08, Barbara Vaughn (BV) Hoimes ’78, Noelle Grainger ’89, and Denny Mantegani (Hon) ’58, ’62, ’65, ’67, ’72, P’08, ’09, ’12 (not pictured).
Fifth Annual Day of OutREACH This May, members of the Kent community came together for the fifth annual Day of OutREACH, a month-long initiative that brings alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and friends together in support of local organizations across the country. This year’s effort was the largest yet, with 12 volunteer-led events held nationwide. Projects included food bank and meal-packing initiatives, gardening and beautification projects, and other community outreach efforts in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. The School thanks volunteer hosts Alex Andrews P’22, Scott Lister ’88, Tracy Greene Craighead ’81, Muffy Mallory ’67, Noelle Brogi Grainger ’89, Chris Dineff ’14, Larry Gile ’73, Kristine Palmero ’97, Guilaine “Gilly” Jean-Pierre ’85, India Kerr-Perkinson Mittag ’93, Tom Frost ’93, and John Rooney ’73 for organizing opportunities for Kent community members to give back in their local communities. Special thanks to Jean-Pierre, Alumni Council Day of OutREACH chair, for coordinating the program and supporting hosts across the country.
SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT KENT-SCHOOL.EDU/ALUMNI TO LEARN MORE AND TO REGISTER FOR KENT DAY OF OUTREACH.
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Blue and Gray Reception On Friday, May 8, the Alumni & Development Office and the Alumni Council hosted the annual Blue & Gray Reception, welcoming members of the Sixth Form into Kent’s Alumni Association. Students and alumni gathered for an afternoon of lawn games, pizza, and time together as the Class of 2026 prepared to join the School’s alumni community. Students also received their senior gift from the Alumni & Development Office: custom Kent mugs featuring favorite campus landmarks and traditions.
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ALUMNI NEWS
KENT AUTHORS HIGHLIGHTS
Alumni Council Welcomes New Members and Leadership
New Alumni Council Leadership. From left to right: Kristine Palmero '97, President; Myles Smith '15, Vice President; Ben Wright '80 P'24, Secretary; Muffy Mallory '67, Assistant Vice President
At its spring meeting in May, the Alumni Council recognized four members whose terms have ended and thanked them for their years of service to Kent: Matt Andrews ’03, Gray Bullard ’93, Lizzy Malin ’05, and Christian Naylor ’10. Kent’s Alumni Council is an elected group of up to 26 members who represent the School’s alumni body through the Alumni Association. The Council also welcomed new officers for the coming year. Kristine Palmero ’97 was inducted as president, Myles Smith ’15 as vice president, Ben Wright ’80 P’24 as secretary, and Muffy Mallory ’67 as assistant vice president. The School also extends its thanks to Abby Miller ’06, who served as president for the past two years; Palmero, who served as vice president; and Mallory, who served as secretary. Four new members also joined the Council: Daelan Mangiafico ’20, Wayne McLurkin ’71, Erin Reilly ’08, and Tom Ward ’73.
Sill Society Welcomes Two New Inductees
Amjad A.K. Ghori '76
Charity H. "Chichi" French Armstrong '66
The Alumni Council is pleased to induct Amjad A. K. Ghori ’76 and Charity H. “Chichi” French Armstrong ’66 into The Reverend Frederick H. Sill, O.H.C. Society Class of 2026. Established in 2006 in celebration of Kent’s Centennial, the Sill Society recognizes Kent alumni/ae “whose personal achievement and distinguished service to humanity bring honor and distinction to themselves and Kent School, especially in terms of how such achievement and service significantly impact and beneficially radiate to the larger community, nation, or world.” The society honors the legacy of Kent’s founder by recognizing members of the Kent community whose lives reflect Father Sill’s commitment to Temperantia, Fiducia, and Constantia, or Simplicity of Life, Self-Reliance, and Directness of Purpose, as well as a commitment to excellence and service. We look forward to sharing Ghori’s and Armstrong’s Chapel Talk, profiles, and photos with you following their Chapel Talks.
Julia Boddewyn ’82 The Valentine Gallery: The Forgotten Story of Valentine Dudensing, Matisse, Picasso, and the US Market for Modern Art BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING (2026)
Laurada Beacham Byers ’66 Laurada: My Life of Adventure, Tragedy, and Purpose SUNBURY PRESS (2026)
Alumni Online
EXPLORE ALUMNI NEWS, EVENTS, AND RESOURCES— SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT KENT-SCHOOL.EDU/ALUMNI.
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Reunion Weekend Reunion Weekend 2026 was full of sunshine and smiles as alumni from classes ending in 1 and 6, as well as alumni who had already celebrated their reunions, returned to Kent for a weekend of fun, laughter, celebration, and reminiscing. Four classes stood out for setting Reunion fundraising records. The Class of 1976 was this year’s Race to Reunion winner, setting new standards in both participation and Kent Fund giving. The class raised $538,307 for the Kent Fund, while total giving, including capital gifts and bequests, topped $1,252,968. The 50th Reunion Committee credits its success to the 16 volunteers who served in various capacities and came together to make it all possible. Special thanks go to Reunion Gift Committee co-chairs Roger Hardon ’76 and Ellen Remsen Webb ’76 for their leadership of the fundraising effort. Kim Meeker Prestbo ’76
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reflected on the weekend, saying, “I came to the reunion with no expectations, and I was surprised by how easily it was to reconnect. I really enjoyed hearing everyone’s stories. After 50 years, we’re all a little older and definitely wiser—and that made the weekend even more meaningful. Thanks to all our classmates who helped make it truly memorable.” Additionally, we celebrate the Classes of 1951, 1966, and 1981 for their record-breaking achievements in class giving and engagement. The Class of 2021 had record-breaking attendance for a fifth reunion and spent time with Head of School Mike Hirschfeld for a first-ever reunion celebration on the patio outside Admissions. At the Dinner Dance, they participated in a celebratory stroll and were warmly welcomed with high-fives and applause as they entered.
SAVE THE DATE
Athletic Hall of Fame Congratulations to Bruce McBarnette ’76, Amie Cecilia Pritchard ’11, and the 1970–1971 Boys Varsity Soccer Team for their induction into the Kent School Athletic Hall of Fame. Established in 2001, the Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates the athletes, coaches, and teams whose dedication, talent, and spirit have shaped our tradition of excellence. Honorees represent the very best of Kent—leaders who elevated their teams, demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, and left a lasting impact on our community. The Hall of Fame recognizes exceptional achievement both during a person’s time at Kent and beyond. Alumni and teams are considered for induction beginning with their fifth Reunion year, and coaches become eligible upon retirement. The Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is seeking recommendations for alumni from classes ending in 2 or 7 for the 2027 Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony, to be held on Friday, June 18, 2027. For a complete list of past inductees and information about submitting a nomination, visit the Alumni Recognition page in the Alumni section of the website.
REUNION 2027 Reunion Weekend 2027 will take place June 18–20 for classes ending in 2 and 7, as well as alumni who have already celebrated their 50th Reunion. and 7s, in 2semails, ending Reunion Weekend Kent receiving notclasses are for If you2027 50th their celebrated already have whoupdate your contact information and all alumni please through Sunday, 18,personal June a Friday, placeyou Reunion, will link to receive ensure totake June 20, 2027.register for Reunion. Registration will open in early 2027.
FOR REUNION DETAILS, REGISTRATION INFORMATION, AND UPDATES— SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT KENT-SCHOOL.EDU/ALUMNI.
Beyond Kent: Stories of Community and Purpose
Beyond Kent is an alumni spotlight series featuring Kent School graduates who carry the School’s Mission into the wider world, contributing to the common good. Each story celebrates engaged citizens living with purpose, strengthening the communities they serve, and making an impact locally and beyond.
EXPLORE THE FULL PROFILES— SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT KENT-SCHOOL.EDU/ALUMNI.
Kim Johnston Hill '81 OREGON
Kim Johnston Hill ’81 has traveled around the world for international aid organizations—the Peace Corps, CARE, and Mercy Corps—working to find solutions to the most pressing challenges. More recently, she has advocated for children in the foster care system in Clackamas County, Oregon. With a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College and a master’s in international development management from American University, Hill has found joy in serving others. Immediately after college, Kim leaped at an opportunity to serve in the Peace Corps. She reasoned, “I’m young, I have time, and the world needs help. Two weeks after graduation, I was on a plane heading to Ecuador!” Her work with the Peace Corps set her on her career path. “It was a natural progression. I felt like it was really important to understand the grassroots realities of life in a poor community and the struggles people go through—the obstacles they face, the discrimination, the lack of resources, the really tough health conditions. Just having that grounding helped create the foundation for the career that then evolved.” After the Peace Corps, Kim took on management roles with both CARE and Mercy Corps. “I feel like I can actually
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have an even greater impact from a few steps above. I understood the funding side and how Americans think. I understood some of the local political situations and all the complexities of how you get things done in a big organization. [As the Director of Program Operations with Mercy Corps], I was in charge of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We would work with our country offices to create their teams and build their programs. We worked with economic development, agriculture, water, sanitation, environmental resources, health care—just a wide range of programs that would help people in the local communities have a better life.” In recent years, Kim’s work has been more local as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children. “It’s a privilege to be able to be there and to represent them and do what I think is in their best interest. These kids are so resilient. Even when the situation is pretty dire, there’s often a solution that provides these kids with an opportunity.” “All these experiences were opportunities for me to give of myself, but I also knew how much joy they provided me. It lit a spark in me. I definitely acknowledged the privilege I grew up with and felt like that privilege comes with responsibility.”
Scott Mitchell '11 INDIANA
Scott Mitchell ’11 is Chief Resident in the neurosurgery program at Indiana University School of Medicine. A graduate of the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and holder of a dual degree in biomedical engineering and biochemistry from Dartmouth College and Bowdoin College, Mitchell focuses on both the hard and soft skills of medicine. While still in college, he founded Stand With Me, a nonprofit that provides pediatric standing frames to children in Guatemala. Scott’s interest in neuroscience was sparked by an AP Biology class and grew from there: “Through my time at Kent and going into college and med school, I was trying to prepare myself to be a good neurosurgeon. I was pretty focused on that.” At Kent, he gained skills through academic and extracurricular activities that he uses today. “I really enjoyed rowing —learning how to work together as a unit. And that’s present in neurosurgery, too. Neurosurgery is very much a team sport, and you rely on your partners. Learning Chinese and Spanish [at Kent] opened up a whole world of approaching conversations in a new way. You’re more open to different cultures and perspectives. You understand language and the nuance that language carries.” Stand With Me brings together areas that Scott is passionate about: “It’s three things that I love: the skill of language, the skill of medicine, and the skill of person building and education, all built into one project. Most of the kids that we’re treating have cerebral palsy, and about one third of kids with cerebral palsy can’t stand up for one reason or another. In most countries in the world, even in some places in the United States, there’s not really a mechanism to get them upright. So a standing frame helps those kids. A lot of them will then have significant improvements in their physical abilities and social abilities as well.” “My dad asked me a question one time: ‘What do you have that you haven’t been given?’ You stop and think about it, and a lot of things are given to us, and it’s up to us to use that opportunity that we’ve been given to make something out of it. I realize a lot of people gave me opportunities to see things, to learn things, to mentor me, and to invest in me as a person. And so now I try to return that favor as much as I can.” To learn more about Stand With Me and how to get involved, please visit standwithme.org. SPRING/SUMMER 2026
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Robin Purnell Mills '88 WASHINGTON
Robin Purnell Mills ’88 is the Program Director at Northwest Maritime (NW) in Port Townsend, Washington, an organization whose mission is to engage and educate people of all ages in traditional and contemporary maritime life. In her job, Mills has worked to expose young people to the many opportunities in the maritime sector through programs that ignite curiosity, engage students in audacious learning, and provide them with first-hand experiences. NW Maritime has recently been recognized as a Center of Excellence by MARAD, the US Maritime Administration. Along with earning a bachelor’s
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degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master's in Education and Teaching from Old Dominion University, Mills has also spent a great deal of time at sea. Robin’s family has deep roots at Kent, including her father, Puck Purnell ’64; brother, Burr Purnell ’90; and niece Ellie Purnell ’22. She lives with her husband and children in Port Townsend. At Kent, Robin served in leadership roles, including as a Prefect. “Kent’s motto—Simplicity of Life, Directness of Purpose, Self-Reliance—fits right into the trajectory of my life from growing up in Maine, to Kent, to how I live my life now.”
At NW Maritime, Robin oversees recreational, educational, and vocational programs. “About 75% of our high school graduates are going into the maritime industry in some form. This looks like matriculation into post-secondary training, such as Maine Maritime Academy, direct to the workforce, or some sort of certificate program. Maritime is more than being a ferry captain or an engineer. It is everything from naval architecture to maritime logistics, from marine welding to driving boats, from marine scientists working on water quality to maritime law & policy.” In 2018, Robin launched a program at NW Maritime in partnership with the county’s Juvenile Services. “The biggest thing it’s done is expand our services and programming to those who wouldn’t normally have access to or know about them. The program is changing the life trajectory for some people, and that is incredibly rewarding. I love providing opportunities for those furthest away from them. When I was teaching, it was the ‘ah-ha’ moments. Now, it’s the networking, program development, and the ambition of this organization, and from that, the opportunities it can provide for young people.” Her advice for Kent students? “Lean into the Kent motto— Simplicity of Life, Directness of Purpose, and Self-Reliance. If you have lived [those values] at Kent, how can you continue to do so as you transition away from Kent?”
$4,078,354
1,794 Donors
99
First Time Donors
Reunion Record Breakers
1976
Top Reunion Class
231
Leadership Donors
1951 1966 1976 1981
2029
Top Parent Class
Most Supported Designations Area of Greatest Need Financial Aid Athletics
Thank you, Kent! Thanks to the strong support of our alumni, parents, and friends, The Kent Fund officially closed FY26 (July 1-June 30, 2026) at $4,082,353 this year, surpassing our $4 million goal and setting a new record for the School. Your contributions directly support our students, faculty, and daily campus life. Thank you to everyone who made a gift, volunteered, and supported Kent this year.
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CLASS NOTES 1953 Art Hodges and his wife, Eloise, have moved into Brookhaven, a retirement community in Lexington, Massachusetts, but still enjoy spending summers in their Essex, Connecticut house. And then, when the need for a spree in Boston during the fall and winter, the spend time in their apartment there. John Moore and his wife, Caroline, remain happily in their home in Carbondale, Colorado, about 30 miles from Aspen. This past June, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary by taking most of their family (12) on a cruise from Dover, England up the coast of Norway to the North Cape and return via the Shetland Islands. Yes, the same Caroline Young John met the summer before our Fifth Form year. What a run it has been, and is!
1954 Lang Keith shares: In January, I competed in the 90+ age division of the 2026 Head of the Charles 4,702 meter erg race and finished first with a time 23; 37.3. I confess there were only two entries in that age group, but I’ll take my medal anyway.
1960 Jim Mell shares: Despite the aging process putting us in the mid-octogenarian range, we still seem to be active and productive! Our English exchange student, John Ingham, writes that he has recently returned from a month in Peru surveying archeological sites along the upper reaches of the River Marañón! He 62
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noted that acclimatizing to the altitudes of 10,000 to 14,000 feet was prolonged due to his advancing age (I feel the same way about climbing stairs!). After his successful trip, John says he will need considerable time to identify the “mountain of images from photos and the scads of videos taken with the drone to create panoramas and 3D images of the sites." On the home front, John and Susans’s grandchildren continue to blossom on the fronts of matrimonial plans for their eldest granddaughter, physiotherapy careers for her two sisters, and two grandsons, one of whom is in university studying geology and his younger brother finishing high school and looking to study aeronautical engineering. On another foreign front, Ken Korfmann and his wife, Sabina, write that they are traveling a lot. Their travels were to have included visiting Uzbekistan, but their plan was canceled due to the war in Iran. Also, they continue to work on photography projects, writing, “We completed four photo fine print portfolios that include Kairos & Chronos, Bubbles (about bordellos, dance bars, and other disreputable entertainment locations in Switzerland), Capsae (boxes from birth throughout life to afterlife) and Alchymia." No grass growing under their feet, for sure! Back in the U.S., Bob Anderson and his wife, Lucy, send greetings from Vero Beach, Florida. While there, Lucy performed Broadway show tunes along with some contemporary songs with The John’s Island Singers! Bob is involved with The Treasure Coast Jazz Society, which supports local high schools’ music departments. In January, Bob and Lucy visited
Dave Kepner and his wife, Chris, in Palm Beach and saw former Kent Headmaster, Dick Schell ’69, at a Benefit for Yale’s Berkley Divinity School. Dick is on their Board of Trustees and is an active fundraiser for his school. In March, the Andersons and Kepners hosted Kent events in Vero Beach and Palm Beach, at which fundraising progress for Kent’s new Athletic Center was a major topic of discussion. Also, in March, Bob and Brandon Sweitzer and his wife, Lisa, attended Dick Shell’s 75th Birthday in Delray Beach, at which many “Kent stories” were shared. Bob concludes that he and Lucy will be back in Wilton, Connecticut and Quogue, New York for the summer and fall seasons. Also, they plan to get up to Kent in the fall. Jim Mell, and my wife, Karen, continue to be up to our eyeballs in our two Kansas grandchildren’s musical development and performances. Our granddaughter is in the Michigan State Music Education program, with a double major in music education and voice. Our grandson will be a senior in high school and performs in three Kansas City Musical Theater Companies along with his high school music program. Recently, he was in a quartet that travelled to Indianapolis for the International Thespian Society Festival to perform in their vocal contest, in which over a thousand student groups from all over the country participated. His quartet won its division. We are looking forward to vacationing on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with our other daughter, Kimberley, and her sons and daughter-in-law the first week in August. Kimberley,
who was Commissioner of Education for the State of New Jersey and now has a private educational consultant business, was recently notified by the CEO and Chief Academic Officer of the Education Research and Development Institute (ERDI) that she has been selected to be this year’s recipient of their prestigious educator of the year award for her leadership contributions to the field of education, the education corporate space, and her work supporting women. The award includes a $2,000 scholarship she may give to the person of her choice to help them develop as a leader. We live a full and blessed life! Take care, all, stay in touch and have a wonderful fall season!
1962 Sam Watkins shares: Halsey Bullen emerged into the light with his detailed letter to Mike West. Halsey has found his niche in sailboat racing. He has experienced top flight competition on and off for almost 30 years. I was amazed at how he stopped for an extended period for a number of years and then returned as if he considered his hiatus as only a blip in time. Good on ya, Halsey. Tom Carey lives and works on Cape Cod as the Barnstable Yard Sailor. He deals with folks who want to sell part or all of a household collected over a lifetime. He has a magical way of dealing with customers that makes you want to buy every item at twice the asking price. No minor health issues can keep Tommy from smiling. John Dewing called the other day and our conversation flowed as if I had seen him yesterday.
Lex Towle ’63 and his wife, Maryellen
Lex Towle ’63 and his Swiss Mountain Dog, Reggie
Deborah Gobble Lewine, Peter Lewine, Lynn Watkins, John Watkins, Bill Williams, and Margot Head, Class of 1965
He is living in West Palm Beach but intends to move to Tampa to reside with his longtime girlfriend. He has always resided near the ocean (Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard,and West Palm) so now he tries the Gulf. Always a very positive guy, just as he was as Senior Prefect.
1963 Lex Towle shares: Greetings and best wishes to all. Maryellen and I expect to attend the next 1963 Reunion in 2028. Hoping many of us will take a deep breath, get on a plane, and attend!
Paul ’65 and Sue Melrose after seeing Turandot at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, near the end of their cruise to Australia and New Zealand in February 2026.
Peter Lewine ’65 helping with traffic and crowd control during the town’s USA 250 Parade and Celebration.
1965 Stew Brown shares: I am a bit of a failure at retirement. I continue to work, which is what I seem to enjoy the most now that I can work on things that really interest me and are fun. I am an Adjunct Professor at the U.S. Army War College and Georgetown University, which keeps me hopping since most of my students are 40 years younger than I am with entirely different world views and ways of doing things. They worry about different things than I do, and they gleefully dismiss issues that I think are important. And I have learned the
Lucy B. Ackemann, Nancy C. Rowe, and Stephanie B. Elliman, Class of 1965, in St. Petersburg, Florida
Margo Ayres Smith ’65 (third from right) and her husband, Tom Smith (front, with guitar), perform in the finale of Fight Back With a Song at First Church in Dedham, Massachusetts, on June 21.
lesson that you can’t teach if the students aren’t engaged, which is a never-ending task. What was a good example yesterday is outdated today. As a result, I have taken to the study and practice of AI sufficiently to where I now teach it and I am working as part of an AI start-up! I really enjoy the company of smart and focused people, but I worry about staying relevant as the age difference continues to expand. To me Jack Kennedy was a real person, the Korean War was the real deal (my dad had to resign his commission in the Navy because my mom didn’t want to be left alone with three little kids
when he got called back), the Cuban Missile Crisis was a serious threat, and Vietnam was a game changer. That is all ancient history to my students. I also continue to do some consulting, but that business is trailing off as I no longer want to work for anyone other than people I know and like, and that number is getting smaller every day. Buffalo is a great place to live. It is kind of like Queens—but with more Polish folks and nicer weather in the summer—it has never hit 100 degrees here ever. The food is good, the apartment is great, the lake is right at the bottom of my street, the people are extremely FALL 2025/WINTER 2026
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nice (actually makes me nervous sometimes they are so nice), my wife seems to still like me, and someday Josh Allen will win the Super Bowl. And we have found living in Malta during the winter is a really good program to avoid the big snows. Paul Melrose and his wife, Sue, have taken several cruises since 2018. They love to travel and have found a river or ocean cruise a nice way travel. They did a cruise through parts of Australia and New Zealand in February of 2026, and will sail from Rome to Athens in January 2027. Since retiring from J.P. Morgan and moving to Maryland, Wallace B. Reynolds has been actively involved as a board member and treasurer of a local educational effort. This has been an eye-opening experience for me, far removed from governments, multinationals, Central Banks and wealthy individuals over the previous 30 years. In recognition of the Sultana Education Foundation’s contribution to the Tall Ship world and the importance of providing 20 years of environmental and historical education in the Chesapeake Bay, SAIL250 invited our Schooner, Sultana, to participate in the Tall Ship parade in New York Harbor over the Semiquincentennial weekend. Based on British navy drawings of a merchant vessel built in Boston in Revolutionary War times and conscripted to be used as a coastal blockade enforcer, the present-day version was built by hundreds of volunteers in Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Commitment to its educational mission prevented Sultana from joining the New York celebration. Last year the Foundation served 11,000 pre-K to 12th grade public school students with 45,000 hours of instruction though 400 programs on the Schooner, in its wet-lab, in its wet-lands environmental center and in 64
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kayaks on the Chester River. More than 50% of The Foundation’s funding comes from individuals. In October, Sultana hosts the largest gathering of Tall Ships on the Eastern Seaboard for the Schooner’s annual Downrigging in preparation for its winter overhaul. At the end of May, your correspondent, Bill Williams, performed a solo piece, History of a Brief Time, about the loss of his son, William, to heroin addiction. The performance was a benefit fundraiser for WJFF Radio Catskill, the NPR station that broadcasts the monthly show I host on addiction issues: https:// wjffradio.org thekingfisherproject. Classmates Peter Lewine and John Watkins graciously made the drive from Connecticut to the hamlet of Lew Beach in the Catskills to support me. Friends from the fall of 1960. 66+ years! Marel d'Orbessan Rogers shares: I’m still the registrar of voters, which has become a really intense commitment! Volunteering (registrar is a paying job!) at the Sharon Historical Society and my church fill out my days. If I’m not benefitting others, I’m having a lot of fun trying! As far as singing goes, the one year I sang in the choir Father Penfield left in the middle of the year. So I don’t sing, but often hum while working in my flower beds. The bees are very kind. Tina Hehmeyer Rosso shares: I retired early to follow my husband of 50 years, David, where he opened the Italian office of his law firm. We continued to travel extensively, but David developed Parkinsons, and now we mainly travel to our home on a barrier island in Florida for the winter and back to our home in Chicago for the summer months. We are lucky to have our daughter and her family, with an 8-year-old and a 5-year-old, and our son and his family, with a 3-year-old and a
6-month-old, living within a mile or so of our house. Also in the area are three grandchildren and two spouses from David’s earlier marriage. We see them often. The bulk of my time is spent taking care of family, two houses, and our financial and medical affairs. I belong to two book clubs and a literary society that brings in authors to discuss their books. There are many interesting cultural events in Chicago, and at our club in Florida. Sadly, we lose friends every year, and that’s hard. Margo Ayres Smith shares: Feeling discouraged about the state of our country, my husband, Tom and I teamed up with some musician friends and created a concert to raise money for blue candidates running for the House and Senate. We worked with a national volunteer organization, Force Multiplier, that deeply vets blue candidates who have a great chance of winning. With a great lineup of musicians, we filled the house with over 200 people and earned $11,700. We were uplifted and energized by the outpouring of love and are now working on a second concert in September. Along with that work, I am busy with grandkids, teaching water aerobics, and an active member of my 12-year-old book club and 6-year-old political group—we call ourselves Democracy in Action. Tom and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in August. We are blessed to be together and healthy. Check out our website: FightBAckWithASong.org. Stephanie Brooks Elliman shares: Six years ago, I left the Northeast and moved to The Landings on Skidaway Island in Savannah, Georgia. With 4,200 acres of beautiful land and water, there is always something to do and see. Just finished my stint on the Merit and Scholarship Committee for kids in the area and have loved that. I have especially enjoyed getting to know people from all over the
U.S. who have come to live here. It makes for interesting conversations. I’m very happy I made this move. My two daughters have given me six grandchildren. I have so enjoyed being a part of their lives. I spent the month of June traveling to Washington State and Denver, Colorado, for graduations and look forward to many more. I love keeping in contact with Kenties. I spent a few days in Florida this spring with Nancy and Lucy, talk to Hutch frequently, and speak with Peter Lewine. I loved seeing all the ladies who have gotten together up in the Boston area. Last spring, I met up with Nancy C. Rowe, Lucy B. Ackemann in Petersburg, Florida for some fun in the sun. Francie Symonds Riggs shares: Four months of the year, Steve and I are in Florida, where I volunteer for Hospice and am a trail guide for a wonderful estuariian research organization which focuses on research, education, and stewardship. Both of them give me joy and satisfaction. In New Hampshire, I am happiest reading, looking out the window at the sky and birds every day, sharing time with friends, working on our hay farm, and gardening. Most especially, I love seeing my two sons and their families. A grandson and granddaughter keep us hopping, and then nieces and nephews are a huge part of our life. Lucy Berry Ackemann shares: I’ve mentored students in the Norwalk School System for 25 years. I work with foodrescue. com delivering food to local agencies donated by schools, restaurants, and grocery stores. I’m on the board in my little neighborhood (in charge of gardening/landscaping). Nobody wants to hear me sing! The No. 1 joy in my life is my family. We now number 19 and spend a lot of time together. The No. 2 joy is friends, especially old friends!
CLASS NOTES
Nick Farwell, Beth Ferree, John Eaton, Ken (Art) Miller, and Peter Pervere at the Class of 1966 shadow reunion in California
Kenties are the oldest and best. Anne Damrosch shares: I’m a preschool volunteer at the Janet Munt Family Room where I used to work as a nurse and play therapist. Preschoolers are my favorite people, so this also answers the question about what brings me joy. A few friends and I organized a weekly silent meditation vigil in front of the ICE building (one of eight in Williston, Vermont). We sit every week, rain, shine or snow. These two communities, my family, friends and neighbors sustain me. Songs I’m singing? I sing in my kitchen and occasionally join a local group for kirtan. I’m still writing poetry, published a book called Post & Line in the winter of 2024. I really love readings and listening to other poets read. My pollinator garden is a wild and beautiful mess, and I love it. Since 2014, I’ve been going to San Miguel de Allende Mexico for February and March. The arts community and beauty of the place is something special. Come visit! Betsy Calhoun McKenzie shares: I retired in 2018 from a long career as a land use and affordable housing planner in New Jersey and moved to Virginia to help raise the four (of my six total) grandchildren who lost their Mom to breast cancer in
Steve Hamilton, Jim Harvie, Chip Dewing, Ted Eshbach, Chris Dixon, Jenny Wolcott, Terry Rogers, and George Mallory at the Class of 1966 60th Reunion
2019. They are nearly grown now. When the last one goes off to college in two years, I will move to Boulder, Colorado, where my remaining daughter lives. My grands are like all kids—they bring me great joy daily and great frustration at times. I am so grateful to know them as well as I do! It is a rare privilege. I have gotten some time off to travel (to Geneva and Greece in 2023 and to Stockholm and Copenhagen in 2025, as well as to my usual haunts in Maine and the Catskills each summer). More travel is on the horizon. I look forward to being able to commit to volunteering where needed once I move to Colorado. While here in Virginia, I protest what is happening to my beloved nation when and where I can! My family and old Kent friends keep me grounded. I am grateful. Nancy Cruikshank Rowe shares: Vermont has been home for over 50 years, and it has been a great place to live and raise a family. After retiring from garden designing at 70, I continue to keep my hand in the soil by tending our own extensive gardens, both perennial and vegetable. I volunteer at various things around town, am a mentor for a 13-year-old girl, see sisters weekly for lunch, paint with a group
Chip Dewing, Steve Hamilton, and Chris Dixon, all from the Class of 1966
weekly, and walk, hike, and yoga to keep in good physical shape (whatever that is at 79 years!). I get together with daughter Jen and family as often as possible and fly to Montana to be with Dan and family at least every four months unless they all come east to be with us. Life is full and good. Keeping in touch with old friends and our Kent family of ’65 is the best!
1966 B The class of 1966 celebrated its 60th reunion June 26-28 in fine style. 11 members of the boys’ class with spouses mostly returned to campus to reacquaint themselves with a school that has changed greatly both in terms of its physical plant and the daily routine. Ted Eshbach, George Mallory, Chip Dewing, Jim Harvie, Jim Sweitzer, Steve Hamilton, Bob Fuglestad, Terry Rogers, Chris Dixon, George-Ann Gowan, and your loyal scribe, Doug Henry, carried the flag for the class. A photo of attendees is included. Most of us are retired at this point and not missing the commute or the rat race. The consolidation of the two campuses is complete and well known, but future projects are planned including renovating
the field house, modernization of the Dining Hall and Student Center, and the expansion of Saint Joseph’s Chapel to accommodate the entire student body. The current jobs program and the daily worship schedule are perhaps among the biggest changes to have occurred since our graduation. While there are assigned jobs to students, the jobs are not as universal as we knew them touching on virtually every aspect of residential life at Kent. Daily chapel services, once a fixture of the School’s weekly routine, are now reduced to twice a week, and it wasn’t clear from a Q&A session with the Head of School and various staff members whether that included the Sunday morning Eucharist. I suppose it is inevitable that the vision of what ‘Simplicity of Life’ meant to an Episcopal monk in the early 20th century necessarily changes 120 years later. Still, few would mourn the passing of hazing and the rigid form structure we endured. A definite plus was the Dining Hall refurbishment and cafeteriastyle meals format. I would be remiss in not pointing out that the class of 1966 was singled out for its $140,000+ gift to the School. Pretty darn good for the 60th. The School’s endowment FALL 2025/WINTER 2026
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Members of the Class of 1966: Jim Sweitzer, Steve Hamilton, and Bob Fuglestad, after the Sweitzer/ Hamilton alumni row
now exceeds $160 million. The three-day reunion was superbly organized by the Alumni and Development Office and gave all of us the opportunity to prowl around the campus and visit old dorm rooms, the renovated John Gray Park ’28 Library, the Rowing Center, and even climb up to Numeral Rock. Jim Sweitzer and Steve Hamilton took advantage of an invitation for an alumni row. See the picture of the two of them with Bob Fuglestad nearby. Amazingly, Steve is still able to wear his Henley blazer. On Friday night, the school provided dinner to the returning classes at the Fife and Drum in town. On Saturday, we gathered at the Kingsley Tavern, owned and operated by Anna Gowan ’95, Don’s daughter, for a terrific dinner and yet another opportunity to renew class bonds, tell some white lies, and marvel that we are able to remember many of those seminal events in our lives from the fall of 1962 through our four or five years at Kent. On Sunday, most of us gathered for the Alumni Eucharist in Saint Joseph’s Chapel. As usual, I drew the short straw and read the names of our deceased classmates and those who left us before graduation and have since passed away. Tempus is definitely Fugiting. Carpe Diem, 66
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Jenny Wolcott ‘66 on Tiger Mountain
baby! Leapfrogging nimbly to the Left Coast. See a photo of some of our Bay Area classmates after enjoying a shadow reunion gathering at John Eaton’s and Beth Ferree’s home in Lafayette, California. Keep smiling, Art.
1966 G Class Agent Leslie Gleason Smith shares: Kudos to Charity (Chichi) French Armstrong on her induction into the Sill Society, the highest honor a Kent graduate can achieve. Chichi was selected for inclusion for her lifelong volunteerism and service to others, and most notably for her work beginning in 2016 for Ladies Let’s Talk (LLT), an organization she later established as a 501(c)-3 non-profit. Chichi founded LLT to help immigrant women, first in the Austin, Texas area and then across the U.S., to practice their English, create personal connections, and promote confidence in their daily lives. Today, LLT numbers more than 2,300 subscribed learners and over 1,300 subscribed volunteers who live across the U.S. Thanks to Chichi’s efforts, hundreds of immigrant women from countries around the world have formed new friendships, improved their communications
Special thanks to Jenny Wolcott ’66 for creating these “60th Reunion Earrings” from miniature LEGO pieces in the Class of 1966 colors of blue and gold.
skills, and expanded their opportunities for employment. As strangers in a new land, they have a found a warm, nonjudgmental community where they feel welcomed. Chichi joins an outstanding group of fellow Sill ’66 alumni/ ae: Laurada Beacham Byers, Edward (Ted) B. Danson, Donald K. Gowan, Richard M. Locksley, Caroline Mastin Welsh, and Wray Witten. I believe ’66 has the largest number of Sill members, so a big shout out to our outstanding classmates this milestone year! At our 60th Reunion in June, a total of 22 classmates and spouses gathered to share camaraderie and renew friendships during events that included a tea on the Hill Campus for Kent alumnae, a class dinner at the Kingsley Tavern, and a picnic lunch and Sunday brunch. Saturday afternoon saw Jim Sweitzer and Steve Hamilton climb into a 2-man shell, while several ’66 women toured a nearby sculpture garden. On Saturday morning, we heard from Head of School Mike Hirschfeld about the state of the school, which included plans for upcoming academic and sports programs, and enhancements to the physical plant. Many thanks to the Kent A&D team for
another outstanding reunion, and to those members who came to the beautiful valley land to engage with classmates and the larger Kent community. Several women expressed the desire to keep the momentum going, so Chichi and I are planning for a Zoom No.2 in September or October. In August, I will be heading to Jamestown, Rhode Island for my annual summer visit with Weezie Potter and Pebbles Wadsworth. Nancy Culbertson Eddy will be in town, too. There is discussion of possibly joining up with Kate Noble Davies who will be on the Cape for a week and sent a gracious invitation for all to join her. We hope we can work something out. I am off to Maine to visit with Lynn Doe Shipway and Francie. I send prayers for the health and well-being of all. Peace be with you. Jenny Wolcott shares: After a brief pause due to a disc popping, I made it to the top of Tiger Mountain in Issaquah today—2,000 foot rise, 3 miles each way. I may not be able to walk for the next couple days. Daniel and I are headed to the Arctic in August—HX trip through the Northwest Passage. Should be interesting. Only 450 ships have gone through in history so far. Brrrr.
CLASS NOTES
Muffy Mallory and Ray Baxter of the Class of 1967 at their annual brunch in Larkspur, California, in July
K.C. Witherell and David Savran of the Class of 1968 in Kyoto, Japan
David Thomas ’69 with his eldest son and family at the 2025 Turkey Trot in Orlando
1967
1968
Schreiber Washburn shares: Dear classmates, my memories of my Kent years are among the best in my life, and friends from our class are still among my dearest. It was a simple life we had back then, in many ways. And the best thing by far, for me, was that this simplicity allowed us to focus on the most important thing—our friendships. I now live in Durham, North Carolina with my husband David Washburn, in a residential retirement community. It’s a different kind of life, for sure—but it feels good so far! Our son Owen, his wife and two young kids live nearby. My other son, Taylor, lives in Seattle, with his wife and young daughter. I still feel close to many of you with whom I’ve had little or no communication in all these years! I hope I’ll have the chance to see you next year. With love and best wishes to you all! Muffy Mallory and Ray Baxter had their annual brunch in Larkspur, California in July before Ray and his wife Denise headed to Napa for a Culinary Institute of America shindig. We discussed the 60th Reunion coming up in June 2027. Stay tuned.
Libby Koponen shares: This was a hard year for our class. We lost, or found out that we had lost, Jerry Beers, Carter Davis, Anne Lyall, Margo Mattison, and Nick Russell. Some of us were able to call, text, or visit Carter in his last days, but we didn’t find out about the others until it was too late. We shared our memories of them and will miss them. In more cheerful news, K.C. Witherell sent a photo. Josh Simpson shares: For the past several years, architect Martin Bermudez and I have been exploring an ambitious idea: to create large, monolithic glass habitats on the Moon where future astronauts might live and work. Because lunar soil is rich in silica, the primary ingredient in glass, we plan to use the Moon’s own resources rather than transporting building materials from Earth, dramatically reducing the cost and complexity of lunar exploration. Out of hundreds of applicants, Martin and I received Phase I funding in 2025 from NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program and were successful in producing glass from lunar soil simulants. I then demonstrated that our glass
Sitting in front of North Dorm during Reunion Weekend in June 2026, from left: C-C DeWolf (Lee) ’70, Bridget Thorne ’69, and Barbi Kingsbury ’69
composition could be blown using traditional glassmaking techniques. We are now excited to be in line for Phase II NASA funding and have recently signed a formal agreement with Corning Incorporated to collaborate and help transform this vision into reality.
1969 David Thomas shares: I wish my summer plans had capacity for the Reunion this year. From what I read, it was a good time had by all. I never thought about retirement until it happened. Why did I wait to step down at 70? Nevertheless, it’s a fascinating adjustment. The Mrs. and I celebrated our 50th anniversary in February. Both sons and their families (12 total) came to town for a party. My passion is running and the picture is of me and our older son and his family at the Turkey Trot/Race last November. Run, sleep, eat right, be social—those are my standards these days. Best wishes to all my classmates. Barbi Kingsbury shares: Terry Thoren ’71 organized and amazing Mashup Reunion for 1969-1974 classes at Kent Reunion Weekend June 26- 28. Representing 1969
were John Drinker, Debbie Reinhart, Bridget Thorne and Barbi Kingsbury—a small but mighty group—among more than 70 alumni who gathered for the celebration. You can read all about it in the 1971 Class Notes. Also, the four of us from 1969 all stayed in North Dorm—a real adventure for all but John Drinker!
1970 Jere Fletcher shares: Ernest Fair and I were back in the D.R., making this year’s international youth beisbol exchange happen. We first connected on this at the 2021 mashUp reunion (ostensibly ’71’s 50th with neighboring classes). Do what you can while you can. Keep moving forward. Smile—be well—go forth!
1971 A Happy 55th Reunion it was! You were missed if you could not make it! A good time was had by all who were able to attend. And this (non-COVID) year, we were able to be on the Kent campus! By the way, news to those of us from earlier classes: we are now cheering for the “Lions!" Not sure they even use the old cheer: FALL 2025/WINTER 2026
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“Give me a K, give me an E, give me an N, give me a T; KKKK EEEE NNNN TTTT—go KENT!” And because we have hit and surpassed our 50th Reunion, we are known as “Golden Lions” and are welcome to return to Kent for Reunions any year we wish. This year was again a "mash up," where our class, thank you Terry Thoren, invited and welcomed Kenties from multiple classes, from 1969 to 1974, if we remember correctly. Of note, and incredibly, it has been nearly 57 to 59 years since our class matriculated to Kent—imagine that! We are grateful to still be here and able to attend. Some of what happened that we should remember ... Fun dinner Friday night at the ole Fife ’n Drum for all us oldsters: Classes of 1975-1948! Athletic Hall of Fame: The famous Boys Varsity Soccer 1970–1971 Team was inducted! They shared the title that year with Choate ... There is a story there! Dave Patchen, as their captain, represented the team, told the story, and accepted the honor, with eight or nine team members on stage with him. It happened in the Chapel this year. Mike Hirschfeld presented Jeff Fox with his Kent School Diploma! He is officially an alum! Emulating the moving Memorial March from 2021, we all staged at the Kent Stables, and walked the short distance to the Kent School Cemetery, where Terry and a team had posted the graduation photos of each of our passed classmates (from the Mash Up classes) on the split rail white fence surrounding it. It was a lot— and was a tangible indication of our respect for these lost friends. We proceeded past all the photos and then gathered for a brief memorial service, led by Thad Bennett and Chard deNiord. Chard composed, "We are the Salmon, a Fugue" for the occasion. (Contact us for copies.) Pete Woodward was unable 68
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Paul Pavlis ’73 at the Libéma Open ATP 250 professional tennis tournament in Rosmalen, Netherlands
to attend this year, but sent his love through Terry and Peter Fairhurst who had visited him earlier in the week. There was a remembrance service Sunday morning in the Chapel where we remembered in the pamphlet all whom we have lost since graduation and, orally, those who had been lost in the five years since the last Reunion, including with heartfelt condolences Sandy Bodell and Andy Cooley. Octave of Gyres, Stabile by George W. Sherwood ’72 (who attended), donated by the Class of 1971 and friends as part of our 50th is beautifully situated behind Hart Perry’s house and the Chapel, overlooking the field on which the skating rink (now enclosed!) is located. Kent did a fabulous job creating a small fieldstone terrace on which it sits, with that fabulous view. This year we added a bench, facilitating the contemplative concept originally envisioned for the placement, with a plaque on it. The original sculpture plaque reads: "Octave of Gyres. Installed: June 2022. Artist: George Windsor Sherwood. Class of 1972. Given by the class of 1971 and friends to commemorate the class of 1971 prize for multicultural equity and to inspire all generations of the evermore diverse and inclusive
Louis Dessau and Cliff Hall, Class of 1975, at a mini reunion in Paris, France
Kent family. We were founded in welcome, to engage with one another in mutual respect and dignity, with no one culture or other aspect of identity privileged in relation to any other." It’s definitely worth a visit.Among other Kent celebrities: Mr. & Mrs. Cy Theobald and GeorgeAnn Gowan (also Don’s reunion year) participated in a lot of our activities, as did Bill Bragdon ’81, Pete’s son. (It was also his reunion year.) Finally, as we write this, on August 1st, a small contingent of Kent "boys" and some spouses helped Terry Thoren celebrate his 75th birthday and 50 years in animation in Denise and Terry’s hometown, Solvang/Santa Ynez in a grand way. Milestones! They become bigger and more deserving of recognition. Stay healthy! Respectfully submitted by your Class of 1971 Scribes, Robin Bodell and Staige Davis.
1973 Paul Pavlis shares: Jan and I visited our daughter and sonin-law for a week in June 2026 at their home in Rosmalen, The Netherlands and attended two days of the local (and somewhat rainy) Libéma Open ATP 250 pro tennis tournament. Of course, I
just had to fly the Kent School name per our umbrella in the photo!
1974 Anne (Toni) Hyde shares: Happy to report that family is doing well—complete with two children, two grandchildren and another one on the way. Single (again) and living in Kingsburg, which is in the Fresno area of the California Central Valley. Still working hard but focusing on raising awareness about suicide in the military community with Angel Force USA, which is a non profit I started nine years ago.
1975 Louis Dessau was elected to city council in March for Sancy les Provins, France. Cliff Hall and Louis met up in Paris, France, for a mini reunion.
1978 Great News! It’s a proud moment to announce that our classmate, Jessica Stedman Guff, has been appointed to the Kent School Board of Trustees. Jessica brings a wealth of experience to this important position and we wish
CLASS NOTES
Members of the Class of 1979 in Key Biscayne, February 2026, from left to right: Hank Reichner, Tom Post, Jackie McGuinness, Bob Funnell, Jim Hagar, Mark Gregory, Byron Loflin, Jennifer Thayer, Catherine Ericson, Dorsey Gude, Bob Lierle, Susan Carey, MaryLee Blackwell, Diane deCordova, and Neco Alvarez, missing: David McSpadden and Charlie Hurdman
her the best in her new role. If you have concerns or comments, do not hesitate to contact Jessica or your class agents. We would love to hear from you. Our 50th Reunion is less than 2 years away and we’re hoping for a record turnout of classmates from near and far. In the meantime, thank you to all who have shared their news in this and previous issues. Please keep your updates coming so we can stay connected! Caroline McKallor is living in Seattle and a cottage up north where she’s an avid gardener and photography enthusiast. She is still working at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center doing research work related to the genetics of bone marrow transplantation, trying to find better ways of determining the best donors for those in need of transplants. She’s in touch with Libby Webber Gruner, Abby Gouverneur Carr, Jane Hewetson Franses, Heather Brine Martin, and Bonnie Ammerman. Bruce Whalen has been living on the Eastern Shore of Maryland in St. Michael’s since 1992. He’s kept up with Mike Profenius, Randy Billhardt, Victoria Randle Fine, Perry Clutts, Barbara Vaughn, and, recently, Dianne Sullivan. He’s hoping to gather a group of ’78ers at the Waterfowl
Festival in the neighboring town of Easton in November. "I keep busy running a small utility contracting business, primarily installing various utilities by means of Directional Drilling. My most cherished and important employee is ’Breeze,’ my twoyear-old Springer Spaniel. Always shows up, no personal issues, never breaks down.” Kelly Pipher Frankenfield lives in New Canaan, Connecticut and is the treasurer of her garden club when she’s not alpine hiking, biking, playing tennis/ pickleball, traveling, and trying to keep up with her 27-year-old daughter. She’s in contact with Scott Craighead, Meg Casey, Jessica Stedman Guff, Boo King Huth, Kathy Darmanin Smith, Christina Scocimara Surtees, and our class agents. Also in Connecticut, Steve Marenakos lives in Niantic and is the Vice Commodore of the yacht club there. He skis in Stratton, Vermont, plays platform tennis, is preparing a sailboat a boat for the offshore racing circuit, and babysits his one- year-old grandson. He’s kept up with Jim Myers in Texas. Karen Strain Smythe is the mayor of her village, Red Hook, New York, in the Hudson Valley, and serves on some local boards.
Ellen Kirby and Gayle Leeder, Class of 1980, with their daughters enjoying a weekend together in Marblehead, Massachusetts, in June 2026
She ran into Claire Smithers Mellinger at a Garden Club of America conference last year, and sees Mike DeCordova, who lives nearby. She and Mike’s wife used to work together in the horticultural world. Otto Frenzel has been living in Carmel, Indiana, since he left the Marine Corps in 1986. He sold his company in 2019 but serves on several boards in Indianapolis, and spends some summer time in Walloon Lake, Michigan, and part of the winter in Ocean Ridge, Florida. “Also, I am pursuing a Masters in Theology at Notre Dame, online. Fr. Rowan would be proud!" Tim Pesqueira shares: A recent health scare and surgery has prompted me to write in and reconnect. I’m currently retired and living in the Dallas area with my Japanese wife, whom I met while working many years in Asia for General Electric Aircraft Engines. As I look back on my life, I feel very fortunate to have fulfilled my dreams of living overseas as an ex-Pat. I grew up in the Republic of Panama and briefly lived diagonally across the street from Manuel Noriega in the 1960s. My father was head of Latin America for a multinational company. I just knew at an early age that I also wanted that lifestyle. I just didn’t realize it
would be mostly in Asia, and that Jack Welsh, the infamous and volatile Chairman and CEO of GE, would be screaming and cursing me out in front of everyone at a manager’s meeting in 1999 at the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo. Wow! What a memory.
1981 Tracy Craighead and Mike Oniskey, 45th Reunion CoChairs, share: For those who haven’t already heard, our 45th Reunion was a tremendous success! Not only did we set a reunion giving record—raising nearly $135,000 from 49 donors— but everyone who attended agreed it was a wonderful weekend filled with friendship, laughter, and reconnection. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to our class fundraising success! And a special thanks to our Planning Committee for reaching out to classmates, organizing events, fundraising, and providing support every step of the way. It truly was a team effort!For a brief recap of the weekend: We kicked things off Friday evening with the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony. While none of our classmates were inducted this FALL 2025/WINTER 2026
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Class of 1981 Reunion Weekend gathering at Kingsley Tavern
year, there was still a Class of 1981 connection: Yvette McBarnette McMiller’s brother, Bruce ’76, was honored, and Yvette gave the introduction. It was followed by lively drinks and dinner followed at The Kingsley Tavern—a local restaurant owned by Mr. Gowan’s daughter. Saturday offered something for everyone. Many attended Mike Hirshfeld’s school update, visited the library and/or hit the "stat store" for some swag. As promised, Peter Tattersfield captivated us with stories of his underwater adventures, along with sharing the episode of Expedition Unknown featuring one of his exciting discoveries. David Gow moderated the conversation, while Emilie Christie Burack provided a lively introduction. (The presentation was recorded, and the link will be shared with the class.) For many, the afternoon included a hike to Numeral Rock. Some reached the top more gracefully than others, but we’re happy to report there were no casualties. Before Saturday evening’s dinner, we introduced what we hope will become a new reunion tradition for our class: a Remembrance Toast held outside North Patio Dorm. Together, we raised a glass in honor of our class, our enduring friendships, and the 70
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10 classmates we’ve lost since graduation. It was a meaningful moment that reminded us how fortunate we are to still share these reunions together. Dinner followed in the hockey rink—and, unlike our 40th Reunion, sadly there wasn’t much dancing. We’d like to think that had more to do with the venue than our age, but we’ll put that theory to the test in five years. Sunday wrapped up with chapel and brunch before everyone headed home. There was something especially meaningful about this reunion. Perhaps it’s because we’re all a little older—and hopefully a little wiser—making the weekend feel less about nostalgia and more about genuine connection. There were thoughtful conversations, plenty of laughter, and a renewed appreciation for one another. We celebrated not only lifelong friendships but also the shared experience of Kent and the lessons we carried with us. Many classmates left saying they don’t want to wait another five years before gathering again—and we couldn’t agree more! To start, we encourage everyone who can attend the Kent Holiday Party in New York City this December to do so. As well, there is a possibility of an event at the Explorers Club
Maria Mann and Chris Hart, Class of 1982, with Chris’s horse, Lou, at Saratoga Race Course
the evening before. Stay tuned! Those who attended: Alexandra Cross Mitchell (Vermont), Ann Laschever (New York), Becca Flemer (Pennsylvania), Bill Bragdon (Pennsylvania), Bill Landis (Connecticut), Busy Auchincloss Reynolds (Mexico/Massachusetts), David Gow (Texas), Emilie Christie Burack (New Hampshire), Emily Roberts Wick (Massachusetts), Frank Dumoulin (Connecticut), Jennifer Davidson Johnston (Bermuda), Jenny Nichols Popp (New York), Joe McSpadden (Texas), John Cullen (Massachusetts), John Schleck (North Carolina), Kathy Kolligian DeTullio (New Jersey), Ken Hopps (Illinois), Ken Southworth (Connecticut), Laurie Stringfellow (North Carolina), Leelee Smith Klein (Connecticut), Mark Osinski (Connecticut), Mike Oniskey (Massachusetts), Peter Tattersfield (Texas), Richard Lindahl (Maryland), Sally Winters (New York), Tom MacClarence (New York), Tracy Greene Craighead (New York), Tracy Moritz Sykes (California), and Yvette McBarnette McMiller (North Carolina). Brief updates from classmates who couldn’t attend: Kim Johnston Hill (Portland,
Oregan) was disappointed to miss the reunion because her tennis team was competing in sectionals. The good news? They won and are headed to the National Championships in Orlando this October. Pat Phillips (UK) couldn’t join us but shared news of a distinguished 30-year diplomatic career that included postings in Minneapolis, Washington, D.C., the Netherlands, and Jordan before serving as British Ambassador to Angola. Since taking early retirement, Pat has retrained as a teacher and now volunteers in two schools while continuing to sing with two choirs and perform in a traditional British brass band. Pat Grum (Atlanta, Georgia) was celebrating his son’s wedding and was sorry to miss. Congratulations to Pat and his family! Paul Devereaux (North Carolina) had to make a difficult choice and understandably chose to attend Pat Grum’s son’s wedding, where they had a mini-reunion of their own! Mark Celantano (New York City) continues to work as a creative director in advertising and sadly couldn’t miss his family’s annual trip to Italy but hopes to make the 50th. Jim Sadler (Miami, Florida) was celebrating his son’s graduation from Georgetown
CLASS NOTES
Linda (Cardello) Street, Laurie Pilling, Caroline (van Nievelt) Johnson, and Marty Harrington, Class of 1982
University with a family trip. Congrats to the new graduate! (Jim’s younger son is now a junior at Georgetown.) Michael Lucarelli (Thailand) tried to make it but couldn’t swing it—and reports that he’s currently living in Thailand! Reunion photos have already been shared with the class via email. If you haven’t received the link, please contact Tracy.
1982 Lissa Perry Gumprecht shares: I had the chance to connect with Sydney Sykes ’19 and Tommy Vitolo ’96 at the Let’s Row Championship event in April that Community Rowing Inc. puts on in Boston annually. It’s an indoor rowing regatta for approximately 1,000 Boston public middle school students. I am currently the director of advancement for CRI and Sydney was there representing the Head of the Charles Regatta. Tommy is a local state representative who supports the program because he loves rowing (his son rows at Kent now) and covers some of the school districts represented. Gerry Hughes shares: KSBC Crew of 1982, let’s get together for a paddle, it is the 100th anniversary of KSBC at Henley
Sydney Sykes ’19, Lissa Perry Gumprecht ’82 P’24, and Tommy Vitolo ’96 P’29
Royal Regatta in 2027, we should celebrate it with a paddle up the Housatonic. Julia Boddewyn shares: I’m happy to share my news that my book, The Valentine Gallery: The Forgotten Story of Valentine Dudensing, Matisse, Picasso, and the US Market for Modern Art (Bloomsbury), was published in February 2026, exactly a century after the New York gallery opened on 57th Street in February 1926. This is the first book to examine the key role played by Valentine Dudensing (1892–1967) in shaping the canon of modern art in the United States. The gallery was the subject of my Master’s Thesis at Hunter College, CUNY, in 1997, so this has been on my mind for a long time! I’m delighted to have it out in the world. Arthur Darboven shares: Since the last time we saw each other at Kent, I’ve been very lucky. I met a wonderful woman, whom the Lord put in my path. I found love again, after having lost my dear wife of 27 years of marriage to cancer back in 2021. My girlfriend’s name is Karolin, and she’s now my fiancée. She’s German and also lives in Hamburg. We met about three years ago. We moved in together last October and will get married this year in El
Kate Worthington and Susie Honsinger, Class of 1983, on Cape Cod
Salvador. I’m writing from sunny Florida, where we’re spending our vacation. I’m thankful and feel blessed about this late gift in life. Greetings to all of my classmates, and I hope to see you all at next year’s reunion. Amy Givan shares: I retired in 2019, and I am busier now than ever. My mother and I just got back from a three-week trip to the British Isles, including England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and the Shetland Islands. It was a magical trip that we had talked about taking together for over a decade. We also have more adventures planned in the future! I am currently leading an outreach group called Community Connections that helps provide personal items for children in the foster care system, toys at the holidays for children who have been removed from their home because of abuse, and organize clothing drives to help the unhoused population. I am also in my fourth and final year of a course called Education for Ministry, where I teach classes. The most recent class I taught was called “Difference. The Power of Faith in a Conflicted World." I continue to focus on helping one person, family, or child at a time; in their time of need. I feel that a small act of
Susie Honsinger ’83 with her husband, David, in Quebec
caring can have a big impact in a person’s life, and make a huge difference in their future. Linda (Cardello) Street, Laurie Pilling, Caroline (van Nievelt) Johnson, and Marty Harrington had a great time with Marty’s sons Ben, Luke, and Chris at Ben’s wedding. Chris Hart shares: Happy to share a photo of myself with Maria Mann, who is training my horse Lou at Saratoga Race Course. Hoping for a win next race. As you can see, neither of us has changed a bit in 45 years :). Any classmates or alumni in general who want to visit during the meet until Labor Day are welcome to call or text me for a tour of the track.
1983 Susie Honsinger shares: All is well here in Florida—another year teaching algebra in the books. Not feeling retirement vibes just yet, as the students and the days are still rewarding! Husband David keeps telling me how grand retirement is to tempt me, though. Summer break was wonderful with a couple of Caribbean breaks, as well as a Boston-Quebec roundtrip cruise. We were able to spend a week with Kate Worthington '83 on the Cape, checking out a Cape FALL 2025/WINTER 2026
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Barry Hyde and Alex Swartwood, Class of 1984, ran into each other at Oyster Harbors Club in Osterville, Massachusetts, and caught up over nine holes of golf.
Colin Sykes ’88 crossing the New Zealand Ironman Finish Line
Stewart Sykes ’17 and Colin Sykes ’88 after getting their medals engraved
Cod League ballgame, watchin’ some whales, and spending lots of time catching up since our last visit. Sayre Coombs shares: I’m still the same—divorced and working for myself as a communications professional (graphic design, content development). I have the great pleasure (honor!) of working with Cindy Grabau from time to time. Cindy is a talented photographer who has shot airplane hangars, residential architecture, and schools for some of my projects. We’re hoping to do another job together this fall in Washington, D.C. I’m also now a grandmother and expecting a second 72
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Julie Dillon ’87, Lynda Crescenzi ’88, Sharon Suh ’87, John Collier ’87, Susan Forester Goodhall ’87, Hollyjean Comer Zapf ’87, and Katherine Bragdon ’87 in Seattle, Washington, on July 18, 2026
grandchild in September—and that is just heavenly. I hope the rest of you all are well and that you’ll look me up if you come to Seattle!
1987 Alex Ely and John van der Kieft IV both B 1887 graduates and members of the 1986 Erickson League Champion Football Team, met up on the banks of Five Mile River in Rowayton, Connecticut. Hollyjean Comer Zapf shares: I had an amazing visit with my Seattle classmates from the class of 1987. It was
John van der Kieft IV and Alex Ely, Class of 1987
Classmates Weily Shu, Sujarit “Don” Mayalarp, and Supan Tungjitkusolmun from the Class of 1991 weren’t able to make it back to Kent for their 35th Reunion, so they met up in Bangkok, Thailand.
so much fun catching up with everyone. John Collier hosted us for a wonderful evening filled with laughter and shared memories from our high school days. I’m hoping this becomes an annual tradition—we’re already planning to get together again next summer. Thank you to everyone who made time to see me while I was in town. You all are the best! Katherine Bragdon lives in Seattle with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of critters. She continues her work as a consultant specializing in grassroots organizing for progressive ballot initiatives. Sharon Suh lives in Seattle
with her dog son and her two adult daughters who thankfully live nearby. She’s a professor of Buddhism and an associate dean at Seattle University. She’s finishing up a degree in clinical mental health counseling and is a budding ultramarathoner. Lynda Crescenzi ’88 lives in Seattle where she has been working as a surgical PA for the past 20 years. She loves paddleboarding with her fur nephew and enjoys when Holly comes to visit because then the rest of the Seattle Kent crew finally gets together. Susan Forester Goodhall shares: I continue to work half time as an OB-GYN nurse practitioner in Seattle and volunteer a lot for Scouts. Our older two kids are in college and the whole family got to go to Japan this past spring to visit our oldest on his semester abroad. Our youngest is about to start high school. Luckily we got a kitten this year so the kids still want to come home. Julie Dillon helps people find and sell homes in Seattle. She also guides clients through remodels and is currently building her own dream home with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Tango, ceramics, kayaking, and strumming the ukulele help her keep balanced. Come visit—she’ll have plenty of room (soon!). John Collier has been working in the aviation
CLASS NOTES
Cory Hulten ’98, Kristine Palmero ’97, and Gus Hirschfeld participating in the Boston OutREACH event
and aerospace industry since he moved to Seattle from Orlando 10 years ago. He and his partner have been together for over 23 years and enjoy visiting their home in Orlando during the winter, skiing, pickleball, and traveling. They recently hosted a local Kent get-together at there home in Seattle still love reminiscing about Kent and entertaining.
1988 Colin Sykes and Stewart Sykes ’17 completed Ironman New Zealand in Taupō in March, marking a memorable father-son milestone. For Colin, the race brought his Ironman journey full circle: 26 years after completing his first Ironman in Taupō, he returned for his second race alongside Stewart as he made his Ironman debut. Stewart finished in an impressive 10:03:01, well ahead of the approximately 12:35 global average Ironman finish time. Colin crossed the line in 15:18:17, with Stewart there to present him with his finisher’s medal. The event became a true family affair, with Wendy Sykes and Sydney Sykes ’19 traveling to New Zealand to cheer Colin and Stewart on in Taupō.
In March, Alex Taft ’99, Kristine Palmero ’97, Nick Gottlieb ’99, and Kristian Leibfarth ’98 met up at El Presidente in Washington, D.C.
Andy Schneider ’00 and Ali Wearing ’98 made a Kent connection at a conference in Atlanta.
1992 Sebastian Siegel recently released a 51-episode series, The Eight Questions Series, on YouTube. It features in-depth interviews on love, purpose, heaven, hell, God, religions, spirituality, and intimacy. The episodes feature a range of luminaries across fields of sports, art, psychology, philosophy, and media, including: Stan Grof, Laird Hamilton, Ken Wilber, don Miguel Ruiz, Ken Shamrock, Rorion Gracie, Makua Rothman, Franky Carrillo, William Trubridge, Dr. James Hollis, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Marianne Williamson, Blake Leeper, Richard Chamberlain, James Whitmore, Andy Behrman, Michael Berg, Ed Begley, Chris Paine, Eugenio Lopez, Karl Kani, John Daly, Noreen Nash, Pastor Alan Meenan, Roy Yamaguchi, and his father Lee Siegel. The series can be seen at: www.youtube.com/@ TheEightQuestions. Sebastian enjoys seeing Campbell McInnes, speaks with Johannes Brugger, and is supporting recent Kent graduates on media and film ventures. Sebastian is currently producing a movie adaptation about the youngest chess grandmaster in history,
Named for the jersey number of Dave Taylor ’00, the 4DT Memorial Fund raised nearly $10,000 for esophageal cancer research at the University of Pennsylvania. Pictured with Dave’s parents are Kristine Palmero ’97, Steve Bogosian ’00, and Sam Bowlby ’99. Kristian Leibfarth ’98 was also in attendance but is not pictured.
Abhimanyu Mishra. The story is framed against the mythic figure Abhimanyu of the Mahabharata. The Queen’s Gambit style movie is set to be a Chinese-India coproduction.
1997 In March, Kristine Palmero, Alex Taft ’99, Nick Gottlieb ’99, and Kristian Leibfarth ’98 met up at El Presidente in Washington, D.C. On May 16, Kristine Palmero, Cory Hulten ’98, and Gus Hirschfeld participated in the first Day of OutREACH. They volunteered at Boston’s AAPI 5K, a road race
celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and raising funds for API nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Ali Wearing and Andy Schneider ’00 connected at a conference in Atlanta, where Andy was presenting at the NAIS Institute for New Heads.
2000 The life and legacy of Dave Taylor were celebrated at the inaugural Dave Taylor Memorial Cup, held in Aston, Pennsylvania, on June 27. Steve Bogosian, who shared the ice with Dave at both Kent and Wesleyan, reflected,
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Joanna Pfluger (Matuszczyk) ’08 is the Tennis Director at Stonehenge Golf and Country Club.
Adwoa Baffoe-Bonnie ’17 receiving her doctoral hood inside Duke University Chapel
Adwoa Baffoe-Bonnie ’17 at Match Day in March 2026. She began Obstetrics and Gynecology residency training at Columbia University in July 2026
“Dave wasn’t one in a million—he was one in one.” Alongside Sam Bowlby ’99, Steve participated in the event, a day dedicated to honoring Dave’s memory.
2008 Joanna Matuszczyk Pfluger shares: I keep thinking that I need to make a trip up there to see everybody! I always love getting all the updates from Kent. I wanted to share a little life update from our family. I recently started a new position as Tennis Director at Stonehenge Golf & Country Club in Richmond, Virginia, and I’ve really been 74
KENT QUARTERLY
Joanna Pfluger '08 and family
Alexandra Ollestad (Flynn) ’16 at the 2025 CFB Seminar in Bristol, Connecticut
Alexandra Ollestad (Flynn) ’16 at the 2025 CFP National Championship in Atlanta, Georgia
Stewart Sykes ’17 crossing the New Zealand Ironman finish line
enjoying it. Both of my boys, Jasiu (9) and Q (10), are almost graduating third and fourth grade at St. Edward-Epiphany School. They both play very good tennis and can speak and read Polish, which makes me very proud. Recently, they also won their flag football championship! I’ve also spent the last four years teaching my husband, Glenn, how to play tennis, and he is now a USTA 4.0 player. Last winter we played together in a Mixed 9.0 league and went completely undefeated—a huge highlight of my husband’s tennis “career”! ;) I hope we can make it up this summer to walk through Kent
again and visit Kent Falls. That would be so special. Sending lots of love and hoping to see everyone soon!
2014 Mary Westermann and her husband, Sam, welcomed their daughter, Sophia, in July 2026.
2016 Alexandra Ollestad (Flynn) shares: Kicking off my fourth year as a Production Coordinator supporting ESPN’s college sports broadcasts, where I manage staffing, operations, and
Sykes siblings Sydney ’19 and Stewart ’17 after Stewart finished the Ironman
talent logistics for major events including College Football, the College Football Playoff, conference championships, bowl games, and NCAA championships. Over the past six years at ESPN, I have built a reputation for solving complex staffing challenges, improving operational processes, developing future coordinators, and helping ensure successful broadcasts for some of the network’s highestprofile events. I had my second kid. Lillian Grace, in March. John Andrew was born in December 2023.
CLASS NOTES
Roshni Saxena ’19 (right) and her fiancé, Dylan (left), smiling and hugging at the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech in February 2023
Roshni Saxena ’19 smiling in her graduation cap, dress, and stole at the Pylons at Virginia Tech a month before her May 2023 graduation
2017
2021
Adwoa Baffoe-Bonnie graduated with her MD degree from Duke University School of Medicine in May 2026. She is excited to be moving back to the Northeast (and closer to Kent!) to start OB-GYN residency training at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
Gibson Maximillian (Max) Sabalos shares: I have been admitted to Aristotle University’s School of Medicine in Thessaloniki, Greece. I will begin a six-year course of study this fall with the intent of returning to the U.S. to practice medicine.
2019 Roshni (formerly Rosie) Saxena shares: Hi, I hope you all are doing well! Upon graduating from Virginia Tech in May 2023 with my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, I wrote a research paper with my HumanComputer Interaction Senior Design Team. I was First Author on this research conference paper that placed within the top eight best of all submissions, globally. The research paper is linked here: https://dl.acm.org/ doi/10.1145/3573382.3616060 I was married on August 1 this year to my wonderful fiancé! He and I met when we were classmates in our undergrad years of college.
Charlotte Andrews ’22 in Antigua, Guatemala, March 2026
Share the joy of your newest family member with us and we’ll ensure that your alumni record reflects this wonderful milestone. As a token of our excitement, we’ll send you a special edition pair of Kent baby socks from us. Email alumni@kent-school.edu and be sure to include your cub’s name and birthdate!
2022 Charlotte Andrews shares: I was recently awarded a Fulbright Research Grant to study government-level response to human trafficking in Guatemala. I will be living in the country in 2027.
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IN MEMORIAM ALUMNI
1970
1951
Jonathon "Jon" Taylor Frey April 2, 2026
Seaver R. Gilcreast Jr. March 31, 2026
1952 David B. Gallup March 13, 2026
1953 Charles M. Tighe March 17, 2026
1954 Ashmore L. L. Mitchell Jr. May 14, 2026
1956 Scott L. Wakefield May 6, 2026 William D. Weber May 21, 2026
1957 Robert “Pete” E. Kenyon III December 21, 2025
1959 Robert L. Gette Jr. July 1, 2026 Robert Pagano May 2026
1963 Anne Brodhead Becker March 21, 2026 Denny Partridge May 2, 2026
1968 Carter C. Davis III May 31, 2026 Nicolas Charles Russell April 23, 2026
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1976 John D. Filipowicz March 7, 2026
1993 Whitney Keenan April 19, 2026 Nyani-Iisha Fadel Martin March 1, 2026
FORMER FACULTY
Peter Bragdon April 11, 2026 Rev. Polly McWilliams Kasey December 19, 2025 Francoise Kelz May 17, 2026
Peter Bradgon
Francoise Kelz
Peter Bragdon P’81, ’82, ’87, longtime Kent School faculty member, administrator, and coach, passed away at age 90 at his home in Exeter, New Hampshire. Bragdon spent more than 18 years at Kent, first as head of the History Department and later as Director of Admissions and Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey coach. He coached hockey for 14 years and was a mentor and friend to generations of Kent students and players. Before joining Kent, Bragdon taught at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School in Australia and St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire. After his years at Kent, he served as Head of The Governor’s Academy for 16 years and later worked in the advancement office. He attended Phillips Exeter Academy, Harvard University, and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Bragdon is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dottie; their children, William ’81, Christopher ’82, and Katherine ’87; and their families, including his grandchildren. A memorial service for Bragdon was held at Kent on Saturday, June 13.
Francoise Kelz, a longtime member of the Kent School faculty, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026, at the age of 103. Kelz joined Kent’s faculty in 1965 and taught biology until her retirement in 1988. One of the School’s early fulltime female faculty members, she was a dedicated teacher whose enthusiasm for science and tremendous energy made a lasting impression on generations of Kent students and colleagues. Before coming to Kent, Kelz taught at Columbia Pharmacy College in New York City, where she also served as chairman of the Scholarship Committee. She earned her undergraduate degree in botany from Barnard College in 1944 and later pursued graduate study in botany. Kelz made her home in Sharon and was deeply involved in the local community. She is survived by many friends and neighbors and will be remembered at Kent for her years of dedicated teaching and service to the School.
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