Memory Lane

Moving Buildings on Kent’s Campus

BY LARRY GILE ’73

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. Each issue will unveil one of Mr. Gile’s finds.

THIS COLUMN HAS FOCUSED on some of the many ways Kent School’s core values of simplicity of life, self-reliance, and directness of purpose have been put into action. A clear example is the School’s re-use and recycling of buildings. Four examples follow of historic structures that, following moves, remain on campus.

First, a word about how buildings are moved. One of the earliest moves was that of the original Alumni House (located on the site of today’s North Dorm) to a site next to the current Alumni House, to become the Nadal family home. The move was accomplished, according to an April 1946 Kent News article, using simply a “a horse and a piece of heavy rope… rather than a trailer or cable.”

A more modern technique was used in the moves described below. First, holes are cut through the foundation and large I-beams are slid through and out the other side. The I-beams are then jacked up and “cribbing” is built underneath, which are crisscrossed towers of four-footlong heavy wood timbers the I-beams rest on. Finally, large, wheeled dollies are attached under the I-beams, the cribbing is removed, and the structure then towed to its new location and placed on top of a waiting foundation.

THE OLD MAIN BUILDING The Old Main Building was the original farmhouse on the Jeremiah Fuller farm, which became the School’s permanent home in 1907. Many additions were added to the building over the next 30-plus years and contained, at various times, according to a 1934 Kent News article: “a dining hall, a kitchen, a chapel, a library, a laboratory, a mail room, an office, the stores, school rooms, dormitories, and, last but not least, the Study (Fr. Sill’s).”

However, plans were afoot at Kent for a new architectural configuration. By 1947 all the added structures had been demolished, apart from one that was moved north of the varsity football field for faculty housing. A 1954 Kent News article reported the move of the Old Main Building to a new home between what was then the Nadal home and varsity tennis courts. The News reported the one mishap in the move: “a book fell to the floor in the Woods’ apartment.” The Old Main Building continues to house the Admissions Department and is still referred to as “Old Main.”

THE 1954 MOVE OF THE OLD MAIN BUILDING

WEST COTTAGE, THEN WEST COTTAGE, NOW

THE KINGSBURY/MATTOON/WEST COTTAGE Long before the architectural harmony of the Kent campus was disturbed (in the eyes of some) by the building of the Frank Lloyd Wright–esque Rectory in 1952, a simple Cape Cod–style cottage stood in that location. Since the Rectory was designed by the School’s new head, Fr. James O. Patterson, and would accommodate his family, the cottage had to find a new home. The School’s Chaplain, the Rev. Samuel West, wrote a humorous account of the move for the News in 1951. Crowds, he said, would gather each day, with secret hopes of collapse and calamity, and watch as the cottage was jacked up, slid over soap-greased timbers, and eventually placed on large, wheeled dollies. The workmen, confident of their abilities, placed Coke bottles filled with water on the ends of timbers sticking out from under the house. Apparently, not a drop was spilled as the cottage moved from its hillside foundation to level ground. Heavy equipment then pulled the cottage to its new home on Skiff Mountain Road, where it remains today.

THE FIELD HOUSE, THEN THE FIELD HOUSE, NOW

THE OLD FIELD HOUSE The Old Field House, located about where the Boat House is today, was designed by architect and Kent alumus Halsey Wood (1910), and was dedicated by Fr. Sill in 1918. The structure was designed as a dormitory for 22 boys, with locker rooms for 80 in the basement. Over the next two decades, wings were added on either end, providing housing for three members of the faculty and their families. However, plans for a new Boat House led to the venerable structure’s relocation. The main field house building and appended structure closest to campus were removed and moved to the growing Faculty Village farther down Skiff Mountain Road.

THE R.A.D. HOUSE MOVE, 1990

THE R.A.D. HOUSE MOVE, 1990

THE R.A.D. HOUSE The move of the R.A.D. House in 1990 was the most recent and, most likely, the last building move on campus. Built as a clinic in 1928, in memory of Robert Alfred Davison, a cousin of Fr. Sill’s who died before entering Kent’s Class of 1916, the building stood next to the School’s infirmary, known to many as “The Hatch.” It also served as Fr. Sill’s home in his later years.

The year 1990 brought consolidation of the Boys and Girls school campuses. The Hatch was torn down (it was not stable enough to move), and the R.A.D. House moved from its location on the South Point near the Hatch down the narrow road behind the Schoolhouse building to its new home on the lawn facing the Administration building. The retaining wall above the road running along the Housatonic had to be shored up and as the R.A.D. House squeezed its way between the retaining wall and the Schoolhouse, part of the moving building hung over the retaining wall. It was attached without incident to its new foundation.

KENT’S ESSENCE While these moves were clearly driven by financial considerations, I believe more was at stake. A Kent News article dated November 14, 1934, and titled “To Scrap or Not To Scrap” addressed the dilemma posed by building a new Study Hall and possibly tearing down the Old Main Building:

To alumni, the destruction of this Sanctum Santorum of Kent would be a crime of the highest order. Associated with it are memories of “bull sessions” supreme, cups of lukewarm tea, and pipes. The very essence of Kent pervades and haunts it, and one can scarce imagine the Lord and Master of The Study in a different lair… We are not sure, but feel that Kent would inevitably lose far more were the Main Building destroyed than could be replaced for many years. In it lies the essence and being of Kent’s soul, and were it removed, Kent would suffer accordingly.

Thankfully, these buildings carry the School’s essence and spirit forward.

P.S. I would like to thank Florien Palmer of Palmer Construction in Sharon, Connecticut, for patiently explaining to me how buildings are moved.

Boys Varsity Squash Captures High School National Title

FOLLOWING A PERFECT, UNDEFEATED SEASON, four victories over Brunswick School, and winning the New England Championship, the boys varsity squash team won its first Justi Cup on Sunday, February 28, at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia, among a field of 169 teams from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Missouri, and Massachusetts. With Kent and Brunswick tied at three matches apiece, the outcome of the championshipwinning match came down to Brunswick’s No. 1 and Kent’s No. 1 players. David Costales ’22 defeated his Brunswick opponent 12–10, 6–11, 11–6, and 11–5 to clinch the title for Kent. Head and assistant coaches Nikhil Seth and Matt Close lauded the entire rosters of both schools for their superior competitiveness and performance.

A Winning Season for Ice Hockey

THE BOYS VARSITY ICE HOCKEY TEAM culminated a successful 2021–2022 campaign with a win in the Earl/Martin Large School New England tournament. The Lions were 20–8 on the season, the most wins since the 2013–14 season, while stacking up impressive accomplishments, including winning the Avon Old Farms Christmas Classic with a 2–1 overtime win over hosts, Avon. They also won the Hotchkiss-Kent Bowl, earning a season sweep over rival Hotchkiss. Other impressive wins included sweeping rival Salisbury and wins over Loomis and Exeter in the play-offs.

The team was led by a core group of eight Sixth Formers, including captain Dante Palombo and assistant captains Cole Watson and Jake Kraft, as well as Geno McEnery, Michael Hurst, Max Resnick, Joey Sciabarra, and Geer Stewart.

A Visit From Ibrahim Mutala ’13

In October 2021, as part of the Athletic Enrichment & Leadership Lecture Series, Ibrahim “Mutala” Mutala spoke to members of the boys and girls soccer programs about his journey to Kent School and fundraising efforts for a cause back home that is dear to him.

Mutala grew up in Tamale in northern Ghana, and thanks to a recruitment by the Right to Dream Academy, he came to the United States and matriculated at the School, where he served as Boys Varsity Soccer captain and Blue Key head. Following studies at Connecticut College, he enrolled in the Hospitality Management program at the Culinary Institute of America.

In Tamale, Mutala played for his local soccer club, Young Goldfields. His goal is to enlist support in garnering donations of soccer uniforms and other sports equipment for players in his hometown through annual donation campaigns.

Morgan Clarke ’24

Q&A

Meet All-Star Field Hockey Players Morgan & Matilda

BY MEGAN TADY

At the end of the varsity field hockey season, Matilda Vinnen ’24 and Morgan Clarke ’24 were named to the AllStar team. Vinnen, from Germany, was Kent’s leading scorer and the Most Valuable Player. Defender Clarke won New England All-NEPSAC honors and will co-captain the Lions next year. The formidable duo sat down to chat about the sport. What do you enjoy about the sport? MORGAN: I love everything about the sport. I love learning the game and watching the game. And I really enjoy being part of a team. Some of my best friends have come from my teams. MATILDA: Field hockey is a really big sport in Germany, and I began playing when I was five years old. And since then, it’s always been my favorite sport. What important lesson have you learned from your Kent coaches? MORGAN: For me, the most important lesson I learned this year is that I’m going to make mistakes, and it’s okay. It’s part of the game. It’s part of how you learn, but it’s what you do with those mistakes after that’s important, it’s how you pick yourself back up, and how you move with the game. MATILDA: I’ve learned the importance of being a good team member. You’re not going to want to be friends with everyone on the team, but communication and being respectful and nice to your teammates is definitely important.

Matilda Vinnen ’24

Is there a sports memory that stands out from your time at Kent?

MORGAN: We had a scrimmage with Berkshire at the beginning of the season, and we lost badly. When we played them again, we wanted to prove ourselves. We brought it really hard that game, and then we made it to overtime. You could feel the nerves and the excitement from everybody. It was actually pretty close to the end of regulation time, and then we scored. Once you score, the game is over. It was so exciting to see everyone’s reactions. We stormed the field and all came together for a huge hug. MATILDA: I also liked the game against Pomfret because it was Parents Weekend. I’m from Germany, and my parents obviously weren’t here, but my aunt and grandpa that live here were able to come and watch the game. I had a hat trick that day, and it was a fun game.

How did it feel to be named to the All-Star team?

MORGAN: Part of me was in disbelief because I feel like everything we did this season was a team effort. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. They made me better and always had my back. So I really wanted to go and make them proud and just have fun. MATILDA: I was totally nervous, but I told myself that I wasn’t going to play well if I was nervous. All the other players were really nice, and it was a great opportunity for me to prove that I could be confident and try my best.

What’s your favorite team tradition?

MORGAN: Before every game we come up with a saying, like “Light up Loomis” or “Crush Canterbury,” and then the captains design posters and decorate them for each player. This year we put baby pictures and funny jokes on them. It was really fun getting to see everyone’s reactions to the signs. MATILDA: After we changed in the locker room, we always walked onto the hockey field in two lines, turning up the song “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” We all booted up and turned on our beast mode. It’s an ideal tradition to get focused on the field and to get mentally ready for the warm up and the game.

Fall Athletic Highlights

Boys Varsity Soccer

In 2021, Kent Boys Varsity Soccer fielded a spirited team, with both strong senior leaders and a talented young core. After a disappointing 2020 season, which featured only one competitive match, everyone was thankful and excited to play a full schedule. Captains Eli Rice ’22 and Peter Tantisaree ’22 set a positive tone from the first day of tryouts, and both young men continued to lead capably on and off the field.

Early results were promising. The Lions won preseason contests against Millbrook School and Frederick Gunn and continued to show well in both a back-and-forth 2–1 loss to Salisbury and a confident 2–0 win against Canterbury. Vincent Akanbo ’25 came out of the gate firing, scoring three goals in the first four matches and announcing himself as an impact player in the Founders League. The middle of the season proved very challenging. After a string of four losses, including a tight match against Deerfield, Kent rebounded away against Kingswood-Oxford, winning 1–0 on a beautiful late goal by Jack Muirhead ’23. Alas, the Kingswood victory was the last win of the season, though the Lions fought to a draw against Millbrook School and fully earned another tie in a road night game against a highly ranked Hotchkiss squad. Goalkeeper Ben Raskind ’22; midfielder Will Reiland ’24; and defense-men Harrison Stockdale ’22, Luke Mattson ’23, and Sam Booth ’24 all brought their A game in the battle with the Bearcats. The boys were certainly not satisfied with two regular season wins and two ties in 2021, but their steady progress bodes well for 2022.

All smiles for the Kent Varsity Field Hockey team!

Girls Varsity Soccer

Led by Sixth Form captains El Purnell, Megan Woodworth, and Molly Lennon, the team found its footing midway through the season and played beautiful soccer for the entire second half of the year. While we unfortunately still struggled to get results, coaches at Governors Academy and Taft made a point to reach out to compliment coaches and the team on the crisp passing, smart positioning, and thoughtful combination play that marked their efforts. Highlights of the season included captain and league All-Star Woodworth essentially willing the team to victory against Ethel Walker with a goal and dominant performance in the central midfield. Similarly, fellow league All-Star and captain Lennon shut out perennial powerhouse Taft

Boys Varsity Soccer

Girls Varsity Soccer Boys Cross Country

until the final minute. In a tragic ebb and flow of that game, Taylor Jeffery ’22 ripped a shot with two minutes left that was just wide of the frame before opponents earned their 0–1 win with a blast from outside the box that just curled inside the net with seconds to go in the match. The defensive unit, including Sixth Formers Sophia Darras and Drey Dawiczyk, played exceptionally well, but the group certainly missed injured teammate Rebecca Voss, whose torn ACL took some of the luster off the late season improvements. Key players in the sharp possession play of the group were midfielders Mia Espinosa ’23, Celeste Lloyd ’23, and Mcgill Koch ’23, all of whom were elected captains for next fall.

Boys Cross Country

Thankful to be back to a more normal season, which included invitations, dual- and tri-meets, and championships races, we set about training with a focus on personal improvement. With a group of Sixth Formers leading the varsity team, including co-captains Logan Pronovost and Anamu Uenishi, prefect Harry Song, four-year team member Isaac Chen, and Paddy McNamara PG, we had a good competitive core. Improvements over the course of the season were varied, from just over two minutes by faster returning runners to well over nine minutes by some of the more novice team members. Highlights include a final home course effort against Millbrook, in which all but one runner set a personal best home course time, as well as sixth- and seventh-place finishes by the JV team at the Founders League and New England championships, respectively, both against very strong fields. Varsity finished seventh at Founders, edging out Westminster after an earlier season loss at the RMI, and 12th at New England, ahead of both Westminster and Berkshire, having fallen to Berkshire in a tri-meet earlier in the season. The MVP runner-up was Paddy McNamara, who, after joining the team midseason, quickly took pole position, demonstrating both grit and tenacity. Winner of the MVP was Pronovost for his consistent top-notch effort for Kent this year, always leading by example. The Most Improved award had a lot of runners-up but was most deserved by Jacob Garcia, who, having come from the back of the team as a Third Former, finally broke into

Varsity Volleyball

the top-seven varsity, quite a remarkable achievement. The Coaches award was earned by Song for making every day count, never backing down from a challenge, and being a supportive and energetic teammate. We are fortunate to have tri-captains in place for the 2022 season: Jacob Garcia ’23, Jimmy Wu ’23, and Jack Zimmerman ’23.

Varsity Volleyball

Kent Varsity Volleyball had a tremendous 2021 season. With a roster of fifteen and a record of 8–8 against both competitive Class A and B teams, the team ended up ranked 13th in the Class A standings. Although some games may not have gone in Kent’s favor, there was never a match that was a washout, with the players always putting up a fight for every point. With seven Sixth Formers on the returning roster, each of them had a role in leading the team through the season. Captains Crosby Brown ’22 and Ava Ehrhard ’22 really stepped up this season as both leaders and competitive outside hitters, with their swings improving greatly in skill and power over the course of the season. Morgan Lee ’22 and Katie Gleason ’22 were the team’s starting middle blockers this season, each racking up kills and blocks up at the net. Winslow Rock ’22 stepped up as a right-side hitter, working on controlling her powerful swing and developing a very consistent float serve. Erin Donlan ’22 held down the team’s defense as the starting libero, playing the position in almost every match. Charlotte Pompa ’22 showed up as the team’s secondary setter, running a 6–2 in the beginning of the season, and she eventually shifted her focus to learning to swing on the right side as well.

Grace Backus ’24 was an undeniable asset this season, performing as the team’s starting setter. Starting off the season running a 6–2, she stepped up her game and began running a 5–1 solo in the middle of the season. Both Paula Lanius ’23 and Joyce Hai ’23 helped in the back row, each holding down wing defense and taking out-of-system backrow attacks. Newcomer Lexie Pace ’24 impressed everyone this season, earning a spot as a starting player in the rotation, learning to play as both a right-side hitter and a defensive asset in the back row.

Varsity Football

At the start of the season, coaches emphasized resetting the foundation of the program toward effort and accountability, adapting a mantra, “4 to 6/A to B”—that is, going as hard and fast for four to six seconds (average life of a football play) from Point A to Point B (your assignment).

The team did a tremendous job of adopting this idea and working hard in the face of very talented teams, often with rosters twice the size of Kent’s. The team was led by five captains selected by the team: Jack Wallace PG, Jordan Benjamin ’22, Aidan Cushing ’22, Tae Suh ’22, and JJ Irizarry PG.

Head Football Coach Wayne Clarke said, “While we did not win a game this year, I was pleased with the overall growth of development of the individuals and the team as a whole. The other

Varsity Football

Girls Cross Country

significant bright spot that occurred this season was that we were able to play several JV games, culminating in a win against Trinity-Pawling School. The JV games allowed our younger players to develop skills and confidence in their abilities, which was necessary toward the end of the season, when many of our varsity starters fell to injuries and the JV players were asked to step into their roles during varsity games.”

Girls Cross Country

After a year with no interscholastic competition in 2020, it was exciting for the Kent Girls Cross Country team to return for a season of competition in 2021. After some challenging invitational races in the early season, the girls found their stride in the midst of its dual meet season. Led by co-captains Rachel D’Alessandro ’22 and Isabella Tang ’22, the team had competitive home races with Berkshire and a tough Sacred Heart program before breaking out with a resounding win against Millbrook on October 23. The girls redoubled their efforts and ran some of their best individual races at the Founders League Championship and the D2 New England Championship in November. Many personal records were run at Loomis on November 6. Phoebe Foley ’23 was consistently at the front of Kent’s pack and seems primed to return for an even better campaign in 2022, as she hones her big race potential.

Varsity Field Hockey

Varsity Field Hockey wrapped up their eighth winning season in a row with a final record of 10–7–1 this fall in the Founders League, playing an extremely competitive schedule against some of the top Class A teams in New England. From last year’s graduation class of 2021, four girls went on to play at the collegiate level, with another girl playing in Europe, so this year’s squad knew it had to work hard to replace the talent lost. The girls bonded quickly during pre-season and had scrimmages against Berkshire and Taft. With the roster finalized, the team focused on developing trust and working together while learning the Kent style of field hockey. After dropping their season opener to eventual New Englands runner-up Sacred Heart, the team found success with a big 4–0 victory over Miss Porter’s and secured its first Founders League win. With momentum building, the team played Berkshire (a rematch from preseason, where they had lost 4–1). Kent was down 1–0 but tied it up with a goal by Elizabeth Cobb ’24, who scored off a beautifully placed pass by Matilda Vinnen ’24. In the overtime period, it was once again Vinnen who set up the goal by dribbling past a defender and passing to teammate Elizabeth Bonner ’24. The girls stormed the field in celebration. The squad bonded after that victory and found tremendous mid-season success, which included big wins over Choate, Ethel Walker, Pomfret, and Greenwich Country Day School. While the team missed qualifying for post-season tournaments, the team enjoyed its success and has its eyes set on making it next year.

Newcomers to the team Elise Payne ’23, Ryann McDonald ’24, and Aylah Cioffi ’23 were all valuable assets in the midfield, while Emily Bell ’25 was rock solid on defense. Sophie Von Seidel ’23 and Philippa von Ortenburg ’23 joined us from Germany and were excellent additions this year. New England All-NEPSAC honors went to defender Morgan Clarke ’24, and she and Matilda Vinnen ’24 both made the All-Star team, where Vinnen netted two goals. Captains Alexis Delmore ’22, Lillie Edwards ’22, and Clarke were exceptional leaders this fall. Goalie Abby Halpin ’22 earned the King-Cote Captain’s Bowl for her spirit and dedication. Elizabeth Bonner ’24 earned the 100% Award for her relentless hustle, and Lauren Ferrari ’24 was awarded the Most Improved Player. Vinnen was the team’s leading scorer and the Most Valuable Player. Jenny Purtell ’23 and Clarke were voted by their team as captains for next fall. In remarking on the season, Coach Cortney Duncan said, “The individual improvement these girls showed was remarkable and they were a tremendous group to work with. Their spirit and grit showed through each practice, and coaching them made for a very special season!”

A Steady Grip

Celebrating Head Equestrian Trainer Michael Page’s 28 years of service at Kent

BY KATHERINE HERREMA ’20

The way a person shakes another’s hand can reveal much about their character. Whether they meet your gaze or stare at the ground; if they have a firm grip or loosely slip their hand into yours—an individual’s personality is directly reflected by all parts of the handshake. Before meeting Michael Owen Page, I didn’t have this key insider information, so when we were introduced, I was merely an amateur hand-shaker.

It was my first time visiting Kent School, and after taking the tour and hearing that the school had a riding program, it was suddenly my dream to go there. My parents and I raced up to the barn, and as we sped up the mountain, I did some research into the riding program, only to find that the trainer was a three-time Olympic athlete. Immediately, my heart leapt into my throat. How was I, an average rider at fourteen years old, supposed to talk to a man who had excelled to the limit of the sport that I love so much?

When we opened the barn door, a man wearing a Kent ball cap and a navy down jacket with five Olympic rings turned toward us and flashed a grin. He greeted my parents first, as I timidly tried to hide myself from his looming presence.

“And who might you be, young lady?” he asked in greeting. My hand went slack, my palms sweaty, and my gaze became fixed on some message on the white board behind him. Observing my lack of proper technique, Michael dropped my hand, took a step back,

and in a firm voice told me to try it again. As I reached for his hand a second time, he looked me dead in the eye. “I know you can do better than that. You have to introduce yourself properly.” I thought he was talking solely about horses and how I would never be able to progress in my riding unless I had a steady grip on the reins. As the years passed, I came to realize that wasn’t the only point he was trying to get across.

Naturally, Michael cares about instructing his team to become better riders, but it goes beyond that. He has coached me on so much more than the proper way to hold my body over a jump or the correct leg position. Michael has taught me about responsibility through his insistence on me personally taking care of his own horse every day. And about the importance of showing up; at 83 years old, he arrives at the barn every morning at the crack of dawn.

By demanding that every student always be honest and respectful of their teammates and their horses, Michael has taught me how vital integrity is. As I’ve now come to understand, a firm handshake demonstrates respect, honesty, and pride. Through their handshake, a person can demonstrate these qualities without uttering a single word.

I am so grateful to have known Michael, both as a coach and as a role model in my life. I know I speak for every student when I say Michael has forever changed the lives of every person he has ever known, and although his time at Kent will soon be at an end, his legacy will live on forever.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS OF Michael O. Page

1994–Present

KENT SCHOOL EQUESTRIAN TEAM RESIDENT TRAINER AND INSTRUCTOR

2019

USHJA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

2018

JUDGE FOR HITS, OAKS, FOXFIELD, AND MASSACHUSETTS COMPETITIONS

2014

JUDGE FOR AHSA/ASPCA, NCEA, AND INTERCOLLEGIATE NATIONAL FINALS (SIX TIMES)

2006

INDUCTION TO THE UNITED STATES EVENTING ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME

1986–1992

CHEF D’EQUIPE US 3-DAY TEAM; 2 OLYMPICS GAMES, 2 PAN-AMERICAN GAMES; 2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

1976

COACH: CANADIAN 3-DAY TEAM, MONTREAL OLYMPICS

1958–1968

3 OLYMPICS GAMES: 2 SILVER MEDALS, 1 BRONZE MEDAL 3 PAN-AMERICAN GAMES: 4 GOLD MEDALS, 1 SILVER MEDAL, 1 BRONZE MEDAL

1958

STUDENT OF PAUL STECKEN WITH REINER KLIMKE AT WESTFALISHE REIT AND FARSCHULE, MUNSTER, GERMANY

1957–58

FRENCH CAVALRY SCHOOL, SAUMUR, FRANCE, JACK LEGOFF, MENTOR AND INSTRUCTOR; GRADUATE OF SOUS MAÎTRE DE MANAGE AND COURS DE PERFECTIONMENT EQUESTRE

1956

AHSA MEDAL FINALS WINNER, ASPCA MACLAY 3RD PLACE, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NYC