Reflections Winter 2018

[ REFLECTIONS ] T H E A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E O F M A N L I U S P E B B L E H I L L S C H O O L |

W I N T E R 2018

150

Ce lebrat e 201 9

a lum ni we e ke nd

May 31 – June 1, 2019

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of The Manlius School, Pebble Hill School, and Manlius Pebble Hill School with graduating class years ending in 4 or 9.

FRIDAY, JUNE 1 EVENTS

• 20th Annual Alumni Golf Outing • Multicultural Fair • Pebble Hill Luncheon • The Manlius School Barbecue • 20th Anniversary Celebration for Vocal Music Instructor Annmarie Gregory SATURDAY, JUNE 2 EVENTS

• The Alumni Memorial Service at the Verbeck Family Gravesite • Guided walking tours of The Manlius School Campus • Brunch with MPH Faculty • Estate Planning Workshop • 150th Celebration Event Individual reunion class events, campus tours, and art installations will be taking place throughout the weekend.

For more information on any of the events or to volunteer as a class reunion chair, contact Erica Toyama in the Alumni Office, at etoyama@mphschool.org or 315/446-2452, ext. 136.

[

Head of School James T. Dunaway

TABLE OF CONTENTS

]

Editor Jennifer Neuner, Director of Events & Communications Contributing Writers James Dunaway, Head of School Kelly Gillis-Rose, Director of Development Erica Toyama, Alumni Relations Associate Kristin Loop, Annual Fund Associate

6

Head Lines: Notes from the Head of School

2

Letter to the Editor

4

Meet our New Trustees

5

Bernard King

6

Sign of the Times

8

2018 Distinguished Alumnus

9

Alumni Weekend

10

Sergeant Robert Rera ’66B

15

Portrait of a Graduate: Jesse Hassinger ’98 16

Maja Cannavo ’17

2018-2019 Board of Trustees John D. Mezzalingua ’85, President

Vanderbilt’s First-Ever Summer Grant Entrepreneurs 21

Shannon Magari Leggat, Vice President

Alumni Making an Impact Around the Globe

23

Evan Dreyfuss, Treasurer

Commencement 2018

29

Commencement Speaker Linda M. LeMura, Ph.D

32

Creating a Legacy

33

Honoring Our Past Through Philanthropy

34

Student Spotlight Ren Brown ’19

37

Don Saleh

Technology Through the Years

38

Jeremy Schwimmer

Brad Garrity ’66C

40

MPH Faculty and Staff Memories

42

Former Faculty Reflect 46

Candace Campbell Jackson, Secretary James T. Dunaway, Head of School Alex Epsilanty

16

Eric Fung Steve Herron ’03 Peter Maier

Erik D. Smith David Temes ‘97

23

Kimberly Townsend

Student Voices

19

Why I Give

52

The STEAM Park

56

Out of the Archives

58

Alumni Events

59

Look How We’ve Grown

62

to think critically, act responsibly,

Final Roll Call

59

Our History in Photos

67

and discover a passion for lifelong learning

Alumni Notes

72

Final Roll Call

76

[

OUR MISSION

]

to inspire our students

67

What Was Happening in 1869 79 Graduates Through The Years 80

[

HEADLINES

]

We prepare students to become responsible contributors to the local and global community.

MPH CORE VALUES

As most of you know, this is my last year as head of Manlius Pebble Hill School. This special 150th anniversary edition of Reflections, and preparing to write my final column, have given me an opportunity to do some reflecting of my own about the past several years and what my hopes are for the future of the school. And the first thing that comes to mind is how grateful and lucky I have been to be associated, first as a parent, then as head of school at this unique and remarkable school.

Perhaps I should admit first that I am convinced that, while there certainly is a “conservative” (not in the political sense of that word!) quality to education—the act of preserving knowledge passed down to us over time—the core task of education is precisely to teach and model change. As our knowledge of the world expands, our duty as a school is constantly to re-think both what and how we teach.

How have I seen our school change over the last several years, and where do I see it going in the coming half-decade? I start by assuring you that in most respects we are and will remain the same school. We still aspire—to quote from our Mission and a few of our Core Values—“to inspire our students to think critically, act responsibly, and discover a passion for lifelong learning, “we”are dedicated to the pursuit of distinguishable academic excellence,” “build self-confidence, respect, integrity, and strength of character,” “foster a love of learning through creative problem-solving,” and “prepare students to become responsible contributors to the local and global community.”

But while the fundamental values of the school are permanent, other things are subject to change.

2|

W I NT E R 2018

Jim Dunaway Head of School

Because the need was greatest there, the most noticeable changes during my tenure have been in the condition of our campus. Not only have buildings and other spaces been “spiffed up”—new pavement, new paint, new furniture, new flooring, new windows, new air conditioning units—but new spaces also have been created. Last year we opened the new Kathleen and Daniel ’56C Mezzalingua Arts and Athletics Complex, the Mafrici Family Gallery, the Dreyfuss Family Fitness Center, and the Joiner Training Room. In a few weeks we will celebrate the completion of Phase I of our new STEAM Park, an outdoor learning center and gathering space that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (that’s the “STEAM”)—a kind of outdoor children’s museum. I have visions of students of all ages using the Park in a variety of learning situations. What all of these new spaces have in common is that they are places where students are actively engaged in their own learning. So these aren’t just spaces and rooms—they are learning centers.

In the academic realm, one example of change is the gradual introduction of some new courses. Perhaps the most innovative is a course called Entrepreneurial Studies that encourages upper school students to understand and develop an entrepreneurial spirit and view of the world. As one writer has said, “students need a place where they can acquire those traits associated with positive entrepreneurial outcomes,

“As our knowledge of the world

including self-confidence, creativity, risk propensity, resilience, and

expands, our duty as a school is

entrepreneurial self-efficacy.” Unlike my Boomer generation, this

constantly to re-think both

addition to the more general academic skills our students develop,

what and how we teach.”

one will change careers several times, and a course like this one, in prepares them for that. Change doesn’t frighten them.

When I think of the future of MPH, I am unabashedly and unconditionally optimistic, partly because that is my nature, partly because I have witnessed the changes of the last several years, which

I believe will continue, but also because we encourage our teachers to be attuned to the 21st century world they are preparing our students to enter. We are not a vocational school, but we know that beyond the mastery of reading, writing, problem-solving, critical thinking, and a global outlook, all of which are necessary, there are new capabilities our students will need if we are to prepare them for college and especially life beyond college.

Perhaps the most obvious and necessary are an easy facility with the uses of technology for gathering, sorting, and making sense of information, on the one hand, and the critical facility to discern what is useful and true from what is spurious in the vast digital world. And more necessary than ever in today’s world is what, for lack of a better term, we call “emotional intelligence,” which includes an ability to work with people of a diversity of backgrounds and skills, including more and more in collaborative teams. Collaboration, the ability to discern truth from junk in an increasingly complex world—these are the very kinds of things we already teach our students, and will do even more in the coming years.

Just thinking about and writing this makes me envious of my successor and the teachers he or she leads as they educate the next generation of bright and eager MPH students. With clarity about our past, we have a future that is bright.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Reflections as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

[ REFLECTIONS ] | 3

A Letter FROM THE

Editor Wow, that 150 years really flew by! Well, that might not exactly be true, but we sure packed a lot of action into those years. From the earliest days when we were boarding cadets at St. John’s School to the present day where three-year-olds and seventeenyear-olds walk the halls together, we have quite literally built communities where our students have learned, played, performed, experimented, experienced, created, and grown into the leaders of their generations. Our history is rich and varied and we are proud to enter our 150th year strong and poised for greatness well into the future. We have you to thank for that. For without the support of our alumni, students, faculty, parents, friends, and community members, we would be just a school.

And we all know MPH is not just a school.

Jennifer Neuner Director of Events & Communications

4|

W I NT E R 2018

Commemorating the sesquicentennial in a magazine proved to be a daunting yet fascinating process. Imagine every yearbook and every past edition of Reflections wide open throughout the offices of the Farmhouse. It’s been like this for months! And we wouldn’t have it any other way – because we have relived some amazing moments in the School’s history. We read articles about when buildings were constructed, when sports teams made States, and when performances were award-winning. We rediscovered the talents and passions of alumni from all over the world and remembered those who taught here long before we were on staff. From these archives, we found some treasures to share in this edition of Reflections, but most importantly, we wanted to use this edition as a place for telling stories. We received recollections from former and current faculty and caught up with alumni who are making a global impact. So, as we look back on our past, we always want to be looking toward the future, and we think you’ll find a nice mix of both in this edition of Reflections. Enjoy!

MEET OUR

NEW TRUSTEES Peter G. Maier Peter G. Maier has served as President of INFICON Inc. in Syracuse and led the global Intelligent Sensor Solutions business unit of the INFICON group. Before this role, he contributed to INFICON in several key roles including Chief Financial Officer, Division Controller and Director of Information Systems of the INFICON Group. Prior to joining INFICON, Mr. Maier was a Project Manager and Consultant at Deloitte Consulting and he also served as a Controller for Heidelberg Printing Machines in Germany.

Peter received a Master’s degree in Finance, Computer Science, and Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe in Germany.

Mr. Maier is actively engaged in a number of local non-profit community organizations, including the United Way of Central New York, the Central New York International Business Alliance, and the Central New York Technology Development Organization. He has also served as Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for CenterState CEO and on the Executive Committee of the Manufacturer’s Association of Central New York. He is also a dedicated husband and father to his three children, who are all MPH alumni.

Jeremy Schwimmer Jeremy C. Schwimmer has extensive experience in corporate finance, private equity and has held senior leadership positions at a variety of privately held companies. Currently, Mr. Schwimmer serves as Managing Partner for a middle-market private equity firm, Sand Oak Capital Partners. Mr. Schwimmer also holds the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Thermold Corporation, a specialty plastics manufacturer and Sand Oak Capital Partners portfolio company.

From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Schwimmer served on the Board of Directors of a privately held metal recycling business based in Syracuse, New York. There, Mr. Schwimmer orchestrated a significant corporate turnaround, guiding the company’s nearly 600% growth during his tenure. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of LCR Corporation, a Dallas-based commercial fireproofing and spray foam insulation contractor. He is also a founding (and current) member of the Innovation Business Development Advisory Council for United Technologies, a $60 billion multinational industrial conglomerate.

Mr. Schwimmer began his career in the corporate finance department of Oppenheimer and Co., Inc. where he held executive positions in the firm’s corporate finance group. There, he focused on restructuring transactions, mergers and acquisitions and a variety of capital market financings. In addition, Mr. Schwimmer has served as an advisor and management consultant to numerous privately-held companies.

Mr. Schwimmer holds a B.S. with concentrations in Accounting and Finance from Georgetown University, where he graduated with honors. In addition to his role on the MPH Board of Trustees, he also serves as a trustee for the Peddler Foundation, is the chairman of the Class of 1996 Alumni Committee for Georgetown University, and is a board member of the Ringling College Library Lecture Series. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for Syracuse Stage, a professional theater company in Syracuse, New York.

[ REFLECTIONS ] | 5

F R O M T H E 1973 M P H B OA R D R O O M A N I N T E RV I E W W I T H FO R M E R B OA R D P R E S I D E N T

Bernard King

BY K E L LY G I L L I S - R O S E

As with any private school, or any not-for-profit organization for that matter, the Board of Trustees plays an integral role in ensuring current stability and setting the organization’s strategic course for the future. The Board of Trustees at MPH has been honored to have many dedicated, accomplished, knowledgeable, and generous members of our community willing to serve over many years. As we celebrate 150 years, we wanted to take a look back and peek into the Boardroom in 1973 wondering, what challenges were they grappling with?

How did they address those challenges? And who better to ask than the 1973 President of the Board of Trustees, Bernard King. I recently caught up with Mr. King, who shared his time and tested his memory to answer my questions.

What first brought you to MPH as a parent?

My wife and I and our three young children were living in the city of Syracuse. There had been some disparaging comments made about the city schools and we were exploring other options. Our family doctor and friend had spoken to me about good private school options in the area and about MPH, in particular. Each of our three children attended MPH through Lower School. Two of our children left MPH after Lower School, ultimately attending New England boarding schools. Our middle daughter, Patty remained at MPH through her graduation

Bernard (Bernie) King, Esq. has had a long relationship with MPH, and Pebble Hill before that. He joined our community as a parent in 1969 and remained in that role until his last daughter, Patty, graduated from MPH in 1983. He served on our Board of Trustees from 1973 – 1982 and most recently completed a role as grandparent of two MPH students enrolled from 2007 – 2010.

in 1983.

All three continued to pursue rigorous educational opportunities through their undergraduate and graduate work and found their way to successful careers. Dave works in sales locally, Liz is a Senior Vice President for a public relations firm in New York City, and Patty is a commercial real estate attorney in Houston, Texas.

How did you become involved on the Board of Trustees?

During the 1971-72 academic year, the current Board Chair, Crandall Melvin, Jr. scheduled a meeting with the parent community to announce the potential closure of the Lower School, and possibly MPH entirely.

Up to that point I had simply been a parent at the School, and not an overly involved one at that. However, with

6|

W I NT E R 2018

this news the wives of several fellow fathers at the School

What are your memories of Mr. Songster?

prodded us saying, “we needed to do something” to

He was smart and very funny. We were happy when he

ensure the School remains K-12 and a viable option for our

accepted the position and pleased in the leadership he

children. Keith Hawkins and Richard (Dick) Mullen and

provided the School in the years that followed. He had

I protested the planned closure and discovered it was a

several kids that attended and eventually graduated from

result of mounting financial pressures. We offered our help

the School – they were an incredibly invested family!

and joined the Board of Trustees. It was up to us to raise funds, and do so quickly, to relieve the interim financial pressures.

What were the issues the Board felt were most pressing to address?

What were your impressions of the School from the parent seat while your children attended?

My wife and I were pleased with the quality of the teachers and the instruction. There was also a personal touch to the School and we appreciated the way faculty related to

It’s important to remember that when I joined the Board,

students. Each one of my kids were treated as individuals

the School was emerging from a very turbulent time. The

with their own strengths. We really felt that the nurturing

Manlius and Pebble Hill Schools had just merged a few

environment MPH provided was good for kids.

years earlier and the School was navigating the integration of two very different educational models into one cohesive program. At that time both campuses (The Manlius School Campus in Manlius and the current MPH campus) were still owned by the School and in use, despite the merger.

In the over 30 years since leaving the Board – what has your relationship been with MPH? The organic connection and investment I had with the day-to-day at MPH has faded since Patty graduated in 1983.

The first few months of my Board term were focused

I became involved more heavily in other organizations:

heavily on fundraising to help alleviate the immediate

The NYS Bar Association, American Bar Association and

financial pressure. Luckily, we were successful in securing

Le Moyne College, among them. However, I never fully

some generous gifts. This turned the Board’s thinking

lost track of MPH and have kept up with the School

around and the School remained open. One of the tougher

through their publications and local news. I was extremely

decisions the Board was grappling with at that time,

happy MPH was an educational option for my children

motivated heavily by finances, was the fate of the Manlius

and grandchildren and remain pleased to see that Syracuse

Campus, which by that point, was sitting vacant, no longer

families continue to have this vibrant School as an option.

being used for classes. While it was a tough decision, we determined that selling was a necessity to ensure MPH could achieve financial stability during those years.

Nationally recognized for his body of legal work, Bernard King remains a Senior Partner at Blitman & King, LLP. His work focuses on the area of employment law and employee

At that time, the old Manlius Campus had a mortgage on

benefits and has been consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in

the property and a heavy load of deferred maintenance

America, Who’s Who Legal and New York Super Lawyers.

needs that could not be sustained. Once the decision to sell was made, my work of negotiating the sale began. The process of finding a buyer, as well as the negotiation with the bank, was long and challenging, but we were ultimately successful in selling the property. That freed up a good deal of budgetary resources to be dedicated to program and students.

During my Board term, we also engaged in a head of school search, which ultimately resulted in the hiring of Jim Songster.

[ REFLECTIONS ] | 7

Sign of the times...

This year marks the inevitable change of two historic and iconic markers of the MPH campus – the split rail fence and the MPH sign.

The split rail fence, bordering Jamesville Rd, was installed as part of the third annual “Bush Day” at Pebble Hill. This day was organized by the Pebble Hill Student Council and reserved for students to help beautify the campus by planting bulbs, shrubs, and trees around campus, and seeding and fertilizing the athletic fields. On November 4, 1964, the Pebble Hill Class of ’65 seniors installing the fence along Jamesville Rd

culminating project of the day was orchestrated by the senior class. They installed 430 feet of split rail fence in front of the School as their senior class gift. The fence underwent extensive renovation in the early 1990s, but our harsh winters finally took a toll last year, and it was time to upgrade the structure. We thank the Pebble Hill class of 1965 for their iconic gift, as many remember that the split rail fence was a part of the School’s logo for decades!

The new fence was installed in August 2018.

In the fall of 1997, Headmaster Baxter Ball received a call from Larry Loeb ’69PH, owner of Signage Systems in Syracuse, offering to donate a new and much-needed main sign to the School. With assistance from former trustee Alex Holstein, the design and construction was complete on November 5, 1997. The sign was placed in front of the Farmhouse, but over the years, as the campus has grown, we have a need for a new sign at our main entrance, near the

The MPH sign in front of the Farmhouse

Laurie Mezzalingua ’86 Center for Early Learning. Plans are underway for this new sign to be installed within this school year. Many thanks to Larry Loeb ’69PH for our current sign, which has served us well for over twenty years.

Rendering of the new entrance sign

8|

W I NT E R 2018

Distinguished Alumni Award 2018 BARRY SPEVAK ’78 When it came time to designate a recipient for this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award, there was no question that Barry Spevak was the most deserving.

Barry has been generous in supporting our School, and particularly our student-athletes over many years. We are especially grateful for his recent gift of a new scoreboard for our lower athletic field, which quickly became a source of pride for our athletes and fans.

His support of our athletic program with his time, energy, and treasure has made a significant impact on all members of the MPH community.

From the students playing on the field thankful for a new scoreboard to our alumni and coaches honored with their induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame last June, Barry’s generosity cannot be overstated, and for that, we are thankful.

We were so pleased to present Barry with the Distinguished Alumni Award during the 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction & Dinner on June 2, 2018.

Distinguished Alumni Throughout the Years…

Head of School Jim Dunaway presents Barry with the Distinguished Alumni Award

Barry stepped up when the School needed his support in 2014, and has remained invested in the years since. As a member of our Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Barry travels to campus to participate and cast his vote at the fall meeting. And any time Barry travels to CNY from his home in Philadelphia, you can often see him cheering on the sidelines of an MPH sporting event! His most recent act of generosity came in the form of a gift to support our 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006

2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Barry Spevak ’78 Alan Marcum ’74 The Alumni Community David Temes ’97 William Koss ’61C Emmett Greenleaf ’53HQ Eric Spevak ’77 Russ Andrews ’64 Josh Wells ’89 Bob Cryan ’59HQ Fred Benedict ’58A Bob Theis ’67B Jay ’74 and Sara (Deming) ’74 Wason Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72 Chuck Leonard ’56 Bill Goff ’59B Paul Clark ’52B Dick Doust ’61 PH Had Fuller ’66A Steve Johnson ’62PH Jock Hengst ’61A John Ellis ’67HQ Charles Beeler ’54PH Mike Alford ’63 PH Jack Wells ’60B

Who will be the 2019 Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award?

Nominate Today!

The Distinguished Alumni Award was created to recognize the many ways in which alumni contribute to the well-being of our School today, generously sharing their time, energy, talents, and gifts to strengthen our School and the alumni program. If you know an alumnus/a of the Manlius School, Pebble Hill School, or Manlius Pebble Hill School who makes a noticeable impact on the life of our School, please consider nominating him or her for this prestigious recognition.

Simply email Erica Toyama, Alumni Relations Associate at etoyama@mphschool.org or call 315/446-2452, ext. 136 and tell us why your nominee is an ideal candidate. We will announce the recipient during Alumni Weekend 2019.

[ REFLECTIONS ] | 9

Athletic Hall of Fame

Chris Scibelli accepts the Lenore Legacy Award on behalf of his father, Joe Scibelli ’57A

Alumni Weekend

The Scibelli Family

Jack Draper ’66A, Jerry Marturano ’66HQ, Erick Sweet ’66HQ, and Steve Burchesky ’66C*

Michael Burchesky and his father, AHOF Inductee Steve Burchesky ’66C*

The Manlius Pebble Hill School Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2018

We are saddened by the loss of Steve Burchesky ’66C. Please see page 76 to read his obituary.

*

10 |

W I N T E R 2018

MPH Coach Don Ridall and AHOF Inductee Brian Scruton ’03

Athletic Hall of Fame

Guest Speaker, NBA player Lawrence Moten with Dan Mezzalingua ’18

AHOF Chair Eric Spevak ’77 presents AHOF Inductee Lee Shaffer ’56A with a special gift.

AHOF Inductee Kent Schneider ’68A with his family.

Stewy Falso ’18 recites the Pledge of Allegiance

The 2018 MPH Athletic Hall of Fame Induction & Dinner

The 1966 Red Squires Mile Medley Relay Team give a cheer!

Boys Varsity Golf Team members Grant Lewis ’19, Brendan O’Malley ’20, and Nathan Lesch ’18 accept the MPH AHOF Athletic Distinction Award on behalf of the team for their record-breaking season.

Submit Your Nomination for the 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame

2018 Inductee Brian Scruton ’03 accepts his award.

2018 Inductee Betsy Craig Wells ’93 accepts her award.

Manlius Pebble Hill is seeking nominations for the MPH Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2020.

Nominations can be submitted online or by contacting Erica Toyama in the Alumni Office at 315-446-2452, ext. 136 or etoyama@mphschool.org. For details and to nominate, please visit www.mphschool.org, click on “Alumni,” and then on “Athletic Hall of Fame.”

Nominations must be received by August 1, 2019.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 11

Athletic Hall of Fame

Manlius School Wrestling Coach Frank Millard introduces 2018 Inductee Kent Schneider ’68A.

2018 Inductee Kent Schneider ’68A accepts his award.

Clambake 2018

MPH Athletic Director introduces Chris Scibelli.

Jon Statler ’68A, John Meyers ‘68HQ, Jose Varon ‘68A, Ralph Battles ’68A, Kent Schneider ’68A, Wayne Mizerak ’69HQ, Chris Ellis ’68HQ, Mike Compter ’68HQ, Tim Burback ’68B

2018 Lenore Legend Award Winner Chuck Richards ’59A & ’60HQ accepts his award.

Had Fuller ’66A, Richard Matson ’58A, Tim Burback ’68B

Julia Curtis ’13

David Murray ’68, George Phelps ’60, Jim Phelps ’64B, Jim Amodio ’65

Joey Binder ‘14, Former Faculty Michael Salter, and Faculty Ryan Zlomek

12 |

W I N T E R 2018

Honorary Old Boy Guido Verbeck and Head of School Jim Dunaway

Barry Spevak ’78, Paul Silverstein ’67B, Eric Spevak ’77

Mike Compter ’68HQ, Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72, Assistant Soccer Coach Joe Gregory

Clambake 2018

Former Board President Peter Manolakos and Current Board President, John Mezzalingua ’85

Ralph Battles ’68A, Mike ’68HQ and Dawn Compter, Bob Pratt ’67HQ, Peter Wynyard ‘74

MPH Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Betsy Wells Craig ’93 with her husband and children.

MPH Librarian Liza Morrison receives the order of the Phoenix

Chris Ellis ’68HQ receives the Order of the Phoenix (with Jim Dunaway and Erica Toyama)

The Manlius School BBQ

Head of School Jim Dunaway catches up with Aaron Krakower ’53B

Jim Inglis ’59B and Director of Events & Communications Jenn Neuner

Don Byles ’66HQ, Bob Pratt ’67HQ, Michele and Mark McDade ’67B, Tom Brandon ‘66B, Pamela Brandon

Suzi Harriff and Sue Bahner

MPH Faculty members enjoying the gathering.

Bob Oberst ’59B

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 13

The Manlius School BBQ

Dawn and Mike Compter ’68HQ, Jon Statler ’68A, Aaron Krakower ’53B, Ralph Battles ’68A, Aaron’s Brother, Leon Krakower

Maureen Anderson ’67HON and Mark McDade ’67B

Chris Ellis ’68HQ and John Ellis ’67HQ

Honorary Old Boy Guido Verbeck and Head of School Jim Dunaway

Cheers for Headquarters Company!

14 |

W I N T E R 2018

Bob Klock ’58A, Jim Phelps ’64B, George Phelps ’60

Richard Matson ‘58A

Mark Hayes ’02 and Alumni Relations Associate Erica Toyama

Manlius Pebble Hill Remembers Sergeant Robert Rera, ’66B

BY M A D I S O N N E U N E R ( FO R M E R M P H S T U D E N T, C L A S S O F 2019 )

It was early March at Manlius Pebble Hill School and the grounds were coated in snow. The maintenance crew were shoveling snow at the World War One War Memorial and came across a Ziploc bag with two things inside: A piece of slate and a letter with no name. The slate had been covered with paint, photos and lettering on both sides; it was a memorial.

The memorial was for Robert “Bob” Rera, a 1966 graduate from The Manlius School. As written on the slate, Bob was a sergeant in the 101st Airborne Division, his tour beginning in June of 1967. He was killed on March 10, 1968 in a small arms fire in Thù’a Thiên-Huê Province, a coastal city in South Vietnam. The memorial, as stated by its creator, commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of Rera’s death.

The letter that came with the slate thanked Manlius Pebble Hill School for its recognition of the “old boys” from the Manlius School who served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Further, the letter explicitly asked the staff at MPH to display the memorial slate on Memorial Day, to which the staff obliged, and stated that “after Memorial Day the slate may be disposed of as the school desires.” Lastly, a $50 donation to MPH was included in the envelope with the letter.

The creator of the memorial slate is unknown. There is no indication on the letter or the memorial itself of who the creator may be; it is known, however, that this anonymous creator was a classmate of Rera’s who served with him and also graduated in the class of ‘66. It is also known that, as stated in the letter, the creator will return to Manlius Pebble Hill on March 10, 2028 (the 60th anniversary of Rera’s death) to remember his fallen friend.

Front and back of the slate plaque left on the MPH campus

Manlius Pebble Hill School staff have taken the liberty of keeping the memorial slate as a means not only to remember Robert Rera, but to further represent all of those from the Manlius School who served and perished in war. The memorial serves as a demonstration of the camaraderie among the cadets at the Manlius School that remains a vital and integral part of the MPH community today. Robert Rera ’66B and his fellow cadets, and the example they set for the future of the School, will not be forgotten.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 15

Portrait OF A Graduate

An Interview with Jesse Hassinger ’98, Chef and Owner of Belly of the Beast in Northampton, MA

BY E R I C A TOYA M A , A LU M N I R E L AT I O N S A S S O C I AT E

You developed a love of food and cooking as a young child; can you tell us a little more about that?

When I was growing up both of my parents cooked a lot at home. My mother usually ended up making Asian recipes from all over - Japanese, Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern - as well as some traditional Ashkenazi-influenced cuisine from the Mediterranean and Northern Africa. I knew these were not recipes that were being represented in most people’s homes because they weren’t things that I had when visiting with friends, but I also didn’t think of them as being irregular or novel. Similarly, my father’s preferred cuisine was influenced by the Southern American foodways, ranging from barbeque to Cajun,

from fried chicken to mac and cheese; always with a liberal helping of hot sauce. Beyond finding joy in the food that came to our table, I also quickly learned to help out in the kitchen preparing these meals. Fanning sushi rice and rolling the sushi rolls; making a gumbo; or simply chopping sweet peppers for a cajun-style peppers and rice dish, I found it all fascinating and fun. I also quickly developed a desire to make meals on my own. Usually this desire would edge toward an intricate menu, choosing three or four recipes to make for what would turn into an intimate dinner party for family friends. As I grew older I realized that this love of food weren’t necessarily things that my friends and schoolmates shared in the same way, but I also never thought of it as a career; it was just something that I loved to do and appreciated.

Can you give a brief overview of your career path since graduation?

Jesse Hassinger ’98 , Photo Credit: Paul Reitano

16 |

W I N T E R 2018

My other great love growing up was film. Watching turned to a desire to make films, so I followed that desire throughout my undergraduate years at Sarah Lawrence College, then on to a Post-Baccalaureate program at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and finally through the Film/Video MFA program at the California Institute of the Arts. All the while my wife Aimee Francaes (née Kark, fellow MPH Class of 1998 alum) and I shared a similar passion for cooking, which we exploited while in Los Angeles by going to the Sunday Hollywood farmers’ market. We would buy food for the week and spend the rest of the afternoon cooking. While I grew to become more conscious of food sourcing as I matured in my culinary exploration, it wasn’t really until we began going

to the farmers’ market in earnest that I really focused on the possibilities and delight of eating seasonally. In Los Angeles the prospect of eating seasonally is fairly easy with the bounty of produce that is available year-round from the Central Valley. When we moved back to Boston in 2009, staying to a local seasonal diet was a bit more of a challenge, but one we wanted to take seriously. Sticking to what can be grown within a local or regional area is a feat that we feel very strongly that everyone should attempt.

When we decided to open a restaurant we wanted to have these focal points be front and center of what we were doing. Deciding to open a restaurant and actually being able to do it are two very different things, and it took us a good eight years for everything to fall into place. During that time Aimee and I both took jobs in the food industry.

Your restaurant, Belly of the Beast, emphasizes locally-sourced ingredients, dishes created from scratch, using the entire body of the animal, and upcycling/composting/recycling. How does that differentiates Belly of the Beast from other restaurants?

At Belly of the Beast we strive to source almost everything locally. All the meat that we bring in, either as whole animals (chickens, duck, turkey, pork, lamb, goat) or as large primal cuts (beef), are sourced within 150 miles. The majority of the produce that we get year-round is sourced much more locally than that. One of the main farms that we work with is within three miles of the restaurant, and most of the rest are within 30 miles. Our goal is to only have a small percentage come from somewhere beyond the northeast. Things like lemons, limes, coconut cream, olive oil, salt and other spices, and chocolate are all things that we regularly have in house but are either impossible to get locally (citrus) or can be too cost prohibitive to use on a regular basis. Being located in the Pioneer Valley, an amazingly fertile farming area, was of utmost importance so that we could depend on the local farms to work with us year-round. This allows us to be able to be part of and support the local community in a way that is extremely important to us. The traditional restaurant will usually only work with three or four suppliers – perhaps one of them will be focused on regional sourcing – but we have over a dozen different suppliers that we work with, and most of them are the local farms. This makes ordering and accounting a bit more time consuming but being

Jesse Hassinger ’98 and Aimee Francaes ’98 outside their restaurant in Northhampton. Photo Credit: Paul Reitano

able to visit all of the farms personally, and know that the husbandry of the animals that we get is up to our high standards, that the quality of life, and health of the animals are exemplary is our main concern when choosing what farms to work with. Similarly, water consumption, soil preservation, and, of course, taste are the main focus of what we look for when searching for a produce farm.

Once we receive the product, because we have so much respect for what the product is and what the farm has put into growing it, we don’t want to waste a single thing. We make sure to use every scrap of meat that we can, find uses for the fat, and make bone broth from the bones; we use all of the fruits and vegetables as well, finding uses for the stems, the leaves, and even the pits and seeds that would normally get thrown away.

What is your favorite dish that you make?

One of my personal favorite is a dish we call our Potlickers. The idea of potlickers is an old one - it is pretty much the leftovers at the bottom of a pot of soup/stew/

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 17

gumbo/whathaveyou, How did your education the bits and pieces at MPH prepare you for “MPH taught me to question that have been sitting the work you do now? gathering all of the everything, which I believe, Were there classes/ flavors. Rather than teachers who helped in turn, made my curiosity grow trying to make a you develop an interest large pot of soup and far and wide and instilled in me in food and cooking? scraping the dregs for that, we take stems an innate desire to learn.”

MPH taught me to from collard greens question everything, and/or kale, and cook which I believe, in turn, them low and slow in made my curiosity a pork broth with ham grow far and wide and and bacon ends until instilled in me an innate desire to learn. Without this they get tender and tasty. These are items that would underlying driving force to learn more and do more, I normally just get thrown out (collard stems) because they don’t know that I would have thought outside the box and are “inedible,” but that word applies to very few things pursued a terminal degree in film production, let alone in my vocabulary, and just because something is “tough” follow my passion for experimental film throughout my doesn’t mean that it’s “inedible.” matriculation at all the institutions that I attended. Nor

There is a strong sense of community in the work that you do. Can you speak about the importance of relationships between farmers, chefs, and customers?

I feel like one of the largest responsibilities of the chef is to make the best produce available to their guests and do as little to it as possible. In that way, a lot of what we do is to get out of our own way and just showcase the amazing taste, quality, and look of what the farmers are growing.

We are in the height of tomato season as I write this, and we only get tomatoes when they are ripe and full of flavor.

One of my favorite sandwiches that we have on our menu during the few fleeting months of tomato season is an heirloom tomato and southern mayo sandwich. It is as simple as one can get: house-made pullman bread, housemade southern mayo (a touch of cayenne, some vinegar, and a little sugar is the secret to the southern-style), and big slices of beautiful heirloom tomatoes with enough salt and pepper to accent their flavor. I feel like I’m doing my job if I can put together a salad with just the right blend of ingredients and an appropriate dressing and have our guests ask us: “what did you do to those beans to make them taste so good?” which we get on a fairly regular basis. The answer is, almost always: “nothing.” This is a bit reductionist because there is a lot that goes into marrying flavors, but the spirit of what I do is just that: Make my hand as invisible as possible so that our guests are able to experience the best of the farms.

18 |

W I N T E R 2018

would I have been able to switch mid-career and become a chef and restaurateur. Certainly, I wouldn’t have been able to continue working for someone else with the constant and continual desire to keep setting higher goals for myself. The entrepreneurial spirit to follow my dreams and desires without kowtowing to others is something that I credit to my early education and constant desire to know more. With that said, however, there is also a lot of humility that I continue to have. I don’t know if that is a side effect or a direct result of anything other than respecting one’s teachers, mentors, and peers, and having the space to be able to do that is something that was allowed throughout my years at MPH.

What are your plans for the future?

Sleep. As a chef/owner, even working with a co-owner, there are more restless days and short nights than we initially expected (and we expected plenty of them). I would not wish owning a restaurant on my worst enemy, nor would I recommend anyone do it. One has to be a certain kind of crazy to enter into the culinary world at any level, and the higher one gets the crazier one has to be.

That said, I wouldn’t trade what I’m doing for the world.

The future will hopefully include some more patches of time off, perhaps a few days of vacation to visit a friend or two, and eventually some time to get back to making films and producing photographs.

Student Voices…

From the pages of the Pebble – Brittany Grund ’18 interviewed Laura Levine ’73 about her run for Mayor.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 19

Catching up with Vanderbilt’s First-Ever Summer Grant Entrepreneurs WRITTEN BY NATHANIEL LUCE AND REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY OWEN GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

With Mod 1 coming to a close, we caught up with the inaugural winners of the Summer Grant program. Each was given $15,000 to research, investigate, and/or launch a concept, with the hope that they’ll be better positioned for success in their second year, which may include earning a $25,000 Sohr Grant.

Her concept: Green Anchor, a certification designed to combat Invasive Species Her background: Invasive species have been on Rachel Rock-Blake’s mind for years. Before coming to Vanderbilt, she worked with a researcher that focused on the marine variety of invasive species, giving her a background on the topic at large and relevant policy issues. She noticed a frustrating trend in the common approaches to handling Asian Carp, Lionfish, and other species (maritime or otherwise) that are introduced to a foreign environment and thrive at the expense of original inhabitants.

Rachel Rock-Blake, MPH Class of 2004, Vanderbilt MBA ’18

“There are lots of efforts to prevent new invasive species from showing up, like hoses at docks to spray down boats, but once they get somewhere, it’s difficult to do anything about them,” she says. “When people do try to remove species, it’s usually involves a government spending a lot of money to remove something from a highly valued area.” Rock-Blake arrived at Owen looking for a way to change the perception of these foreign invaders from value-destroyer to valuable resource.

Her first year: Rock-Blake pitched a potential solution (she called it “a loose version of ‘catch the fish and use them’”) at the first FireStarter of the year. It fizzled. “I was talking too much about the science and hadn’t honed in on the business application,” she explained. After taking a

20 |

W I N T E R 2018

suggestion from economics professor Luke Froeb, she looked into certification as a mechanism to open up new markets to invasive species.

“Certifications raise the value of a product,” she says. “It creates a higher willingness to pay, because people have a sense of social responsibility.”

She began formulating her pitch around certifications at subsequent FireStarters and other events, earning 3rd place at the inaugural Owen Venture Competition, before applying for the summer grant.

Her summer: Rock-Blake used the funds to hit the road to validate her concept, learn more about the certification business, and visit the frontlines of the fight against Asian Carp, a variety of invasive species that has dramatically impacted ecosystems across the Mississippi River Watershed, which in turn damages a sport-fishing industry that carries a significant economic impact across several states.

Rock-Blake is beginning with the Asian Carp because it represents “a hugely undervalued resource that needs to be removed.” Carp have a bad connotation in the US (unlike in Europe and Asia) but as primary feeders that are low in mercury and high in protein, they are clean and tasty fish.

She spent a lot of time in Kentucky, the first state to establish an official carp program. Working with the state’s Fish & Wildlife Invasive Species Task Force, she rode along with commercial fishing boats subsidized to fish for Asian Carp, talking with officials and fishing industry leaders about her concept. Rock-Blake took a closer look at the certification industry as well, connecting with non-profits like Free Trade to learn about their business models, certification criteria, and operating procedures. She talked to potential customers that rely on certifications to adhere to quality standards.

Rock-Blake used her insights to refine her business model, estimating team structures and associated costs. She’s designed a logo and started development on a website.

And, perhaps most importantly, she started developing her product – the certification standard.

Her next steps: Rock-Blake plans to apply for the Sohr Grant and foundation- and government-based grants.

Once her certification standards are drafted and vetted by the scientific community, she’d like to get a couple of early adopters. The Asian Carp outfit is a good place to start, as they already have the fishery and three processing plants.

“I’m excited because I think this could be big,” she says eagerly. “I kept waiting for someone to tell me that it’s already been or being done, or that there’s a glaring reason it won’t work. I still haven’t gotten it.”

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 21

FROM THE MPH ROCKET TEAM TO SPACEX:

Theo McDonald ’04

When Theo was a junior at MPH, he headed the MPH Rocket Team of five students, including Ryan Guerra ‘04, Chris Shake ‘05, Michael Callahan ‘06 and Meyer Giordano ‘05 to participate in a National competition Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) sponsored by The Aerospace Industries Association and The National Association of Rocketry, and co-sponsored by NASA and others. The competition started in 2002 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of flight.

The MPH team qualified to compete with over 900 teams of more than 9,000 students in grades 7 – 12 from across the nation. The team then met rigorous requirements and was selected as one of the top 100 teams to compete in the

finals in Great Plains, VA, in May of 2003. The goal was to launch a rocket carrying two raw eggs as close to 1,500 feet as possible, and return them to Earth unbroken. The MPH team tied for fourth place in the competition, in which the top ten teams were invited to submit a proposal to work with NASA engineers. Their task was to design and build a single-stage rocket approximately 8 ½ feet tall and 6 inches in diameter to reach as close to a mile above Earth while carrying a tracking device and a recoverable and reusable payload. Out of the ten teams in this second phase, the MPH team’s proposal was one of six selected by NASA. The team then travelled to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama in the spring of 2004, where they competed and earned the award for Best Vehicle Design.

Theo lives in Woodway, Texas with his wife Claire and their two daughters, Ellie and Katherine.

Theo and members of the Rocket Team in 2004 with the MPH rocket

Theo McDonald ’04 was honored October 9, in Mountainview, California, at the 13th Annual SSPI (Space and Satellite Industry) Promise and Mentor Awards Dinner, which celebrates three employees or entrepreneurs who, before their 35th birthday, have made a substantial contribution to their companies and the future of the industry.

22 |

W I N T E R 2018

Alumni Making an Impact Around the Globe and Words of Advice for MPH Students

BY M A J A C A N N AVO ’ 1 7

“I think good education makes people curious and open to other places and their history.”

Jonathan Burgess can tell you that finding what you love to do isn’t always easy—inspiration can strike when you least expect it. An American Studies major at Colby College, Jonathan was already interested in Classics after studying Latin at MPH, but a course he took on Homer in Translation his junior year at Colby really sparked his curiosity. At his professor’s suggestion, he started studying Greek his senior year. Although the professor’s advice had initially surprised him, he quickly fell in love with the language.

Jonathan Burgess ’78 O N TA R I O, C A N A DA PROFESSOR OF CLASSICS, UNIVERSITY O F TO R O N TO

After college, he went on to receive an M.A. in Classical Studies from the University of Kentucky at Lexington and a Ph.D. in Classics from the University of Toronto, where he was subsequently offered a teaching position.

Although he never planned to move to Canada, he finds it “wonderful to live in a (usually) well-organized, multi-cultural, low-crime city and country.”

And it has helped him gain a new perspective on higher education. “The University of Toronto,” he said, “is much larger, more economical, and more academically focused than the private college I went to, where on the whole our parents paid an awful lot of money for us to be rather spoiled. On the whole, our public universities serve the public better, producing good citizens and not just training for jobs. I especially realized that when my own kids went to University in Canada.”

Jonathan urges current MPH students and recent graduates to “remember that education, especially the humanities, gives one the tools to examine what it means to be human and to situate yourself in your family, community, nation, and world. In our hyper-technological and political world, the skills of reading, writing, speaking, and rational thought are invaluable. Knowledge of other times and places breaks down the boundaries of our modern sub-cultures.”

AROUND THE GLOBE

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 23

“In my opinion, Zionism today means building a society that is Jewish, democratic, and just.”

David Roth ’87 ISRAEL EXECUTIVE D I R E C TO R , YO R E I N U FO U N DAT I O N

Although a young David Roth may not have known what his future would hold, he certainly knew where to find it. Inspired by the year he spent with his family in Israel during fifth grade, David decided to return immediately after graduating from MPH. “I strongly believe that Israel is the homeland of the Jewish people,” he said, “and I wanted to dedicate my life toward contributing to my people and to the rebuilding of our homeland.” Originally considering a career in management, he attended Bar-Ilan University in Israel’s Tel Aviv District and graduated with a B.A. in Logistics Management.

After college, however, he started working for the Jerusalem Foundation, a large nonprofit, and in 1997 he became the Executive Director of the Yoreinu Foundation. The Foundation, said David, “seeks to promote a moderate world-view among the religious Zionist sector in Israel with a focus on the synthesis of Jewish tradition and values alongside democracy, social justice, women’s empowerment, and the relationship to the other.” David says the best part of his job is getting to know the leaders of the nonprofits looking for funding: “Their passion and altruism is contagious.”

David’s experience at MPH taught him the value of diversity and difference.

As a student, he wore a yarmulke to school, kept kosher, and did not participate in any Saturday activities. “As a minority, I felt respected and valued by the school community. This has had an effect on my worldview and on the Foundation. It is important for different groups to maintain their own identity and values, and at the same time, find ways for these different groups to live together in a peaceful and respectful way.” David has channeled this philosophy into his foundation’s work with The Living Together Center, which seeks to foster “a new social partnership in Israel.”

David offers the following words of wisdom to MPH students and young graduates: “Live a meaningful life—no one knows how long he or she will be alive. It is up to us to decide how to live our lives. Live a balanced life. Take care of yourself and spend time with family and friends. Be a hard worker and serious student too—just find the right balance. Live a life of service—I love the nonprofit sector and highly recommend it, but even if you choose a profession in a different field, there are ways you can serve your community and affect social change. The world will be a better place when people do their part and realize their potential.”

AROUND THE GLOBE

24 |

W I N T E R 2018

“What I find fulfilling are new challenges, and never totally being too comfortable or settled.”

Rick Barter ’78 E N G L A N D, U. K .

OWNER/ P R O P R I E TO R O F LEE BOOK SHOP ( L E E- O N -T H ES O L E N T, E N G L A N D, U. K . )

At only 58 years old, Rick Barter has already experienced more of the world than most people could ever hope to see in their lifetimes—and his journey is far from finished. He attended MPH from third through seventh grade while his father served as headmaster; then he and his family moved to New York City. After graduating from Tufts University with degrees in Drama and French Literature (he spent his junior year abroad in Paris), he began teaching elementary school in New York City. Later he became a school librarian and worked at international schools in Vienna, the Canary Islands, Beirut, and London. Eventually he decided it was time to try something new and settled on bookselling. After 14 years in the business, he is currently looking to sell his bookstore and contemplating his next steps. “There is still so much I want to do and experience,” he said. “Acting, writing, and directing have long been a sideline, both professionally and in community theatre,” he said, “and maybe it’s time to make a part-time hobby into a full-time passion.”

Although Rick left MPH after seventh grade, the School—specifically its faculty—contributed in no small way to his current identity and worldview.

“Considering how short my time was at MPH,” he said, “what sticks out is how many truly great teachers I was exposed to. What I think they all had in common was encouraging me to be an individual, to figure out what about me was unique and accept that was a strength, not a weakness. If anything, awakening that curiosity is what inspired me to move outside of the United States and into the bigger world.” And he’s never stopped exploring. “I suppose if anything truly worries me, it would be stagnation, not moving forward into a future of new challenges and adventures.”

In terms of advice, Rick offers—and embodies—the following words: “The world is big, and life is short. Decide to see and experience as much as you can. It’s a cliché, but also a truism, that the only things you will regret are things you didn’t do—and that includes being yourself, not who other people want you to be. For me, I am reminded of a lyric from [the 1983 film] ‘Yentl’: ‘It all began the day I found that from my window I could only see a piece of sky…’ Why settle for a piece of sky?”

AROUND THE GLOBE

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 25

“By being an exchange student I realized the world is not as large as I thought it was and that we are all part of it.”

Gloria Vazquez ’94 ARGENTINA T E L E CO M M U N I C ATIONS BILLING CO N S U LTA N T ( L AT I N A M E R I C A AND THE CARIBBEAN)

Gloria Vazquez sees her work in the telecommunications software industry as more than simply working with computers and code. “I like looking at my job as a means of helping people make their lives easier.” After graduating from the University of Buenos Aires in 1998, Gloria worked as a systems analyst in a variety of areas before coming to specialize in Billing Service Solutions and Ordering Service Solutions. Alongside her consulting work, she has also taught at the University of Buenos Aires for nearly 15 years. She said, “Even though my main area of expertise is on the ‘hard’ areas, I enjoy very much working with people and teaching.”

Gloria had already decided to go into computer science and programming before coming to MPH for a year in 1993. However, her MPH experience prepared her for success in an international line of work. She recalls, “Studying at MPH in the U.S. allowed me to open my mind to different cultures – not just American culture, but also other cultures by socializing with other international students – and that made it easier to get jobs in which I had to speak/write in English, travel overseas, and work as part of international teams.” However, Gloria’s year at MPH did much more than prepare her for her career. “It was definitely among the richest experiences in my life. It was the year when I grew up more than ever. I became stronger. I got to know myself a lot better. I was able to appreciate the education my parents had given me.”

Having studied abroad and worked with people from around the world, Gloria is well-qualified to offer the following advice: “Learn new languages.

Don’t be afraid of opening up to other cultures. Don’t be afraid of knowing people. Other people’s points of view are not wrong, just different. Listen. Be kind to everyone. People are people everywhere. The other end of the world is just around the corner. If you want to get there you just need to start walking.”

AROUND THE GLOBE

26 |

W I N T E R 2018

“Americans are some of the freest people in the world. Losing some of those rights (yes, I know, by choice) has made me appreciate the privilege of having a voice in a representative democracy, and what it feels like to be a political minority.”

Kasmira Smarzo ’97 E N G L A N D, U. K .

P R I C E CO N T R O L M A N AG E R , SMART DCC

When Kasmira Smarzo started at Brandeis University in the fall of 1997, she wanted to be a doctor—but not for long. “That was a bit of a disaster!” she said. “First low grade I ever got in my entire life.” She soon switched to economics. Following her graduation, Kasmira took a job with the Bureau of Labor Statistics where she worked on the Consumer Price Index and long-term GDP projections. However, after seven years, she decided to move to a field where she could work to combat climate change. She entered the University of Warwick’s MBA program in the U.K. and graduated in 2009.

After completing an MBA exchange in Paris and collecting data for the 2010 U.S. Census, she moved back to the U.K. to work as a utility industry consultant. According to Kasmira, “the utility industry is full of natural monopolies which absolutely must be regulated. The path is already paved, therefore, to help the energy industry transition to a ‘low carbon economy’ through the way they are regulated.” After five years of consulting, she started working for Smart DCC (Data Communications Company), a government-created monopoly that is building a communications network for smart meters across the U.K. Kasmira enjoys working in the U.K. because “the regulation here for utilities is the most sophisticated in the world. Economists from around the world, like myself, come to learn how the U.K. does it and seek to emulate them.”

However, living and working abroad has taught her more not only about the U.K. but about her home country as well. “In learning how the U.S. is different, I can articulate what American culture is. This has probably made me more American in some ways!” Lacking U.K. citizenship has also made her more aware of the privileges of being a citizen. “I am not allowed to vote in the U.K., yet I pay taxes and am directly affected by immigration legislation. This is especially timely given the centenary of the women’s vote here in the U.K.” The relationships Kasmira built at MPH prepared her well for life overseas.

“Living abroad,” she said, “I’ve tended to be friends with expats or people from my MBA program. We are all ambitious, global, successful, and driven.

It’s a select segment of the population. My first introduction to people of this caliber was at MPH.”

AROUND THE GLOBE

Kasmira encourages MPH students and young graduates to explore the full range of opportunities they are given, even if these choices may not be as obvious as, say, the pre-med track. “I never in a million years could have anticipated that this is where I would end up. Therefore, don’t discount any options that are available. They may not immediately present themselves to you, so look around at your options and ask, ‘Why not?’” [ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 27

“My focus is on sustainable living and education, and connecting to and helping with the wider world.”

Alison Dorr ’83 WESTERN AUSTRALIA MONTESSORI T E AC H E R

Alison Dorr’s path in life has taken her all the way to Perth, Australia, about as far away from MPH as she could possibly get. “Basically take a globe and find the furthest point from Syracuse and you get Perth.” However, the road to get there was not quite so straightforward. Alison attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario for her undergraduate studies. She then moved to London for two years to work and attend culinary school.

Afterward, she returned to Toronto and completed first a cook’s apprenticeship and then a Master’s in Management Studies. She stayed in the area after receiving her degree, becoming a lecturer at the University of Guelph’s School of Food and Hotel Administration. In 1998, she moved with her husband to Perth, Australia.

“Life in Perth,” she said, “allowed me to be the primary caregiver to my two daughters—such a wonderful opportunity.” She sent her daughters to a Montessori school and “fell in love with Montessori education, which fosters independent, self-motivated learning.” Alison went on to obtain a graduate degree in primary school education and has now worked in Montessori schools for 12 years. “I thoroughly enjoy working with and learning alongside children in schools and helping children to help others.” She looks for chances to bring community service opportunities, such as Clean Up Australia Days and charity food drives, into her work as an educator.

Alison credits MPH faculty members Jim Lawrence and Jo Davis with “offering peeks of the wide world beyond CNY—and for that, I am very grateful.” She recently saw Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” performed at the Globe Theatre in London, which brought back memories of AP English classes and Dr. Davis, “who inspired my love of live theatre and an appreciation of Shakespeare.” Looking back on her MPH experience, Alison also values the small, mixed-grade classes and the independent study she was able to do in French as a senior. MPH gave her the tools she needed to discover the world, and she advises other alumni to do just that. “My advice to MPH graduates,” she said, “is to explore this world! And if that takes you 11,000 miles from Syracuse, then so be it.”

AROUND THE GLOBE

28 |

W I N T E R 2018

“In my opinion there is no more fulfilling feeling than when you make a discovery about the world around you.”

Devin Sullivan ’06 S TO C K H O L M , SWEDEN S C I E N T I S T, BIOMEDICAL RESEARCHER

Living in Stockholm, Sweden, Devin Sullivan is a scientist, specializing in computational biology, a sub-field of biology focused on using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to understand how complex biological systems work. Currently he works as part of the Human Protein Atlas project, where scientists map the proteins in our cells and tissues to understand what they are doing. He’s absolutely loving what he does, specifically the challenge of solving complex problems! Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence is one way of doing this and Devin feels that it is thrilling to keep up with the feverish pace of innovation in the field. “In my opinion there is no more fulfilling feeling than when you make a discovery about the world around you.”

When asked about living in Sweden, Devin says, “Sweden is an amazing place with even more amazing people. The culture here is one of sharing and is perhaps best exemplified in the allemansrätten law which allows one to travel and stay on any land in Sweden, even if it is privately owned, if the person is not being a disturbance. You may even take an apple from someone else’s tree as long as the owner is left with plenty of apples for themselves. It is also this culture which prioritizes the right of healthcare for all, and equality in the workplace.”

Devin looks back at his time at MPH and recalls the so many wonderful opportunities he was given. “Dr. Mangram and the Model United Nations team taught me to think about other countries and view the world globally and even provided me the opportunity to travel abroad, seeding my love of global exploration. Keith Gatling taught me programing, and his dry wit and ability to always push his students can be attributed to computer science taking a consistent role throughout my career. My love of science was born through the advanced science and math courses offered at MPH, and while there are too many teachers to name for fear I leave one out, I’ll admit that the summer reading of “Uncle Tungsten” has stuck with me and to this day I try to encourage others both young and old to find joy in science and discovery! Lastly, my participation in varsity sports, choir, and band gave me perspective and allowed me to appreciate the other aspects of the world.”

For those at MPH now, Devin has simple advice: “ENJOY YOURSELF. Enjoy the opportunities you have at school, enjoy your friends, and your time at MPH. Relish in figuring out what you enjoy doing, this may take you a long time, and no one has it fully figured out so quit worrying and enjoy the journey as well as the destination!”

AROUND THE GLOBE

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 29

COMMENCEMENT CLASS OF 2018

Senior faculty member Don Ridall leads the processional

MPH Alumus Pat Danial ’98 gives the Commencement Address

Spanish teacher Silviana Medina-Dooher with Nicole Onciulescu and Jeffrey Bush

30 |

W I N T E R 2018

Head of School Jim Dunaway presents Nathan Lesch with the Headmaster’s Service Plate and the Order of the Phoenix

Class President Aiden Meyer addresses the audience

Sarah Smith leads the crowd in the singing of the Alma Mater

Annmarie Gregory leads the Senior Choir

Bianca Meléndez Martineau was chosen as the Senior Speaker at Commencement Board President John Mezzalingua ‘85 presents Maggie SextonDwyer with her diploma

Phoebe Ambrose and Rachel Comfort

The traditional throwing of the caps

MPH Faculty process through the graduates

Kim and John Mezzalingua ’85 with the newest MPH graduate in the Mezzalingua family- their son Dan.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 31

Announcing our 2019 Commencement Speaker Linda M. LeMura, Ph.D., President of Le Moyne College

Dr. Linda M. LeMura became the 14th president of Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., on July 1, 2014. She is the first female layperson to ascend to the presidency of a Jesuit institution in the United States. Since becoming president, her accomplishments include: completion of a strategic plan titled Sempre Avanti (Always Forward), which starts by reinforcing Le Moyne’s Ignatian roots as it sets the foundation for the next five years; naming of the Purcell School of Professional Studies; launching of master’s programs in Occupational Therapy and Family Nurse Practitioner; the rollout of the new Greatness meets Goodness branding campaign; completion of the renovation of the Coyne Science Center; the receipt of a grant through New York’s Regional Economic Development Council, used to construct the Quantitative Reasoning Center; and, the launch of the Manresa program that prepares all students to develop meaningful career pathways, a central initiative in Sempre Avanti. During her time as president, the College has experienced three consecutive record-

32 |

W I N T E R 2018

breaking fundraising years and several students have earned scholarships through the prestigious Fulbright Program.

The College continues to receive national recognition by US World and News Report, the Princeton Review, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, and was ranked by College Choice as one of the best Catholic colleges in the U.S. Before being named president, Dr. LeMura served for seven years as the College’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. In that capacity, she played a pivotal role in the revision of the College’s Core curriculum, the establishment of the Madden School of Business, and the renovation and expansion of Le Moyne’s science facilities.

She joined the College in 2003 as dean of arts and sciences. Prior to Le Moyne, she served as a professor, graduate program director and associate dean at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Her research interests include pediatric obesity, pediatric applied physiology, lipid and energy metabolism, and she has taught anatomy and physiology, bioethics and the biology of aging. She has been a research consultant for the U.S. and the Italian Olympic Committees and is the author of 33 peer-reviewed manuscripts, 26 grant proposals, and a textbook translated into multiple languages.

A Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, she has served on the boards of the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities, CenterState CEO, College of the Holy Cross, the Mission and Identity Advisory Committee of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, Regional Economic Development Council in Central New York, Syracuse 20/20, Syracuse Symphony, the Everson Museum, and the Syracuse International Film Festival.

A summa cum laude graduate of Niagara University, she received an M.S. and Ph.D. in applied physiology from Syracuse University. She and her husband, Dr. Lawrence Tanner, a professor of environmental systems science at Le Moyne, have a daughter, Emily.

CREATING A

legacy The Tree of Life Society at Manlius Pebble Hill School includes those alumni, parents and friends who have chosen to provide a gift to MPH through their estate plans. The motivation to join The Tree of Life Society is deeply personal and unique to each person.

Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72 and her daughter Pamela (Usiatynski) Pollack ’05 are just two of the many who have committed to creating a legacy at MPH through their estate plans.

“We have chosen to include MPH in our estate plans because we remain grateful for all the School has done for us, first as students, now as alumni. It’s our small way of saying ‘thank you’ and ensuring others will have the same opportunities well into the future.”

Claire Myers-Usiatynski ’72 and Pamela (Usiatynski) Pollack ’05

Choosing to make a gift to Manlius Pebble Hill School through your estate is a powerful step you can make today that will make a difference well beyond tomorrow.

BEST CHARITABLE GIFTS TO MAKE IN 2018 With the introduction of tax reform this year, you may be looking at your finances and wondering how you can continue to be charitable. There are many ways you can make a difference supporting students at MPH while also securing financial benefits for yourself and your family.

• Donate appreciated stock • Give from your IRA

• Name us benefciary of retirement plan assets • Gifts of real estate

WE CAN HELP

We are so grateful for your generosity. Please contact Kelly Rose at krose@mphschool.org or 315.446.2452, ext. 112 to discuss how your gift can help support our strategic priorities and ensure an MPH education is available to the students of Central New York for generations to come. For more information about including MPH in your will or estate, please contact Kelly Rose, director of development at 315-446-2452, ext. 112 or krose@mphschool.org.

Please consult with your tax or financial advisors to determine the best charitable giving strategies for you.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 33

HONORING OUR PAST THROUGH

Philanthropy

Cadets at The Manlius School and students at Pebble Hill School and Manlius Pebble Hill School all tell stories of the transformative connections they forged with their teachers, coaches, and staff during their time here. This relationship between faculty, staff, and students has been at the core of our mission throughout our School’s 150 years and continues today. The endownment funds listed below, which you’ll see in our annual report, have been established to honor the contributions of former faculty and staff at our School and each have made profound impacts on the lives of our current and future students.

The Harold J. “Whitey” Anderson Scholarship This scholarship was established in the spring of 1977 to honor Coach “Whitey” Anderson on the occasion of his retirement from Manlius Pebble Hill. The Whitey Anderson Scholarship is given to an Upper School athlete in a team sport who reflects the qualities of a great teammate, demonstrates sportsmanship, possesses high ideals and personal character, and excels in his/her ability to effect winning outcomes in the team’s games.

The recipient will also maintain academic standing that is characterized by responsible attention to his/her school work, which qualifies the athlete to participate in Manlius Pebble Hill team sports. During the 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the court in our new gymnasium was named The Harold “Whitey” Anderson Court in honor of his service to the students of the Manlius and Manlius Pebble Hill School.

Through current and estate gifts, it is the School’s hope that this scholarship fund could one day fully fund a student athlete in honor of Coach Anderson’s contributions.

The David Bahner Fund This fund was named in October 1987 in memory of David Bahner, a former music teacher and band director at The Manlius School. In recognition of this fund, an award is made to a Middle School instrumental student at closing ceremonies each June. Despite Mr. Bahner’s passing over 30 years ago, Mrs. Bahner and her daughters remain involved and present this award personally each year. They are also consistent attendees at The Manlius School BBQ during Alumni Weekend each year.

34 |

W I N T E R 2018

The David Edwards Scholarship This scholarship was created in the spring of 1977 to honor David Edwards, former head of the English Department, on the occasion of his retirement. Mr. Edwards passed away in December of 1990 and in December of 1995, Mrs. Edwards passed away. In both their memories, a scholarship is given each year to an Upper School student who excels in his or her study of English.

The Faculty Development Fund This fund was initiated in 1983 with a gift from the Edward E. Ford Foundation to provide lasting funds for the continued education and professional development of faculty and staff. Friends of the School matched the original grant. The Edward E. Ford Foundation later made another gift to

The Fay McCarthy Scholarship This scholarship was established in October of 1980 to honor the former barber at The Manlius School, Fay “Mac” McCarthy.

Through this fund, an award to Manlius Pebble Hill is given to a student who exemplifies the ideals of Manlius.

The Major James R. Jacobs Scholarship Established in December of 2000 through a gift made by Robert J. Smutny, former faculty member of The Manlius School. A scholarship is presented each year in memory of Major James R. Jacobs, also a former faculty member of The Manlius School.

The Martha L. Heer Citizenship Fund This award is presented in honor of former Lower School Head Martha Heer, who was the embodiment of the “5 Cs” and who initiated their integration into MPH culture. It is awarded to the Senior who best exemplifies the “5 Cs” – cooperation, consideration, confidence, concern, and courtesy. Following her passing, Mrs. Heer’s family and friends established the memorial fund that makes this award possible. Mrs. Heer devoted more than three decades of her life to the education of MPH students, and it is the School’s hope that contributions to this fund will enable it to grow into a fully-endowed MPH scholarship.

The Leibert D. Sedgwick Scholarship This scholarship was established in June, 2003 following the passing of Leibert D. Sedgwick, former Headmaster and faculty member from both The Manlius School and Manlius Pebble Hill School. Alumni have made gifts to this fund with the hope that sufficient funds can be collected to endow a scholarship in Captain Sedgwick’s name.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 35

The Rugh/Lawrence Classics Chair Fund This fund was established in December of 2002 in honor of Torrance Rugh, former faculty member and coach at The Manlius School, and Jim Lawrence, former faculty member and chair of the World Languages Department at Manlius Pebble Hill School. The Fund continues to support the World Language Department at MPH in their memory.

The Bernard Shaw History Award & Scholarship

The James W. Songster Scholarship This scholarship was established in the spring of 1990 in honor of former Headmaster James W. Songster as he left the School. Each year, an award is given in honor of Mr. Songster to a graduating senior who has best met his or her potential both in their academic and extracurricular pursuits.

This scholarship was created in June of 1995 in memory of Bernard Shaw, former Head of the History Department at The Manlius School and at Manlius Pebble Hill.

The Bernard Shaw Honors in History Award is given to an Upper School student each year as the top department award for academic excellence in History.

A scholarship is also awarded through this fund.

The Verbeck Scholarship This scholarship was initiated in January of 1997 following the death of Samuel S. Verbeck, a former teacher at The Manlius School. Each year, the Verbeck Scholarship is given in honor of the many contributions made by the entire Verbeck family in support of both The Manlius School and Manlius Pebble Hill. In July 2009, the estate of Guido F. Verbeck, Jr. ’32E generously made a $100,000 gift to endow this fund. The family has continued to support the fund annually in hopes to ensure its growth in perpetuity.

The Robert S. Weekes Memorial Scholarship This scholarship was established in 2016 by Robert Weekes’ sons to honor his memory and contributions to the students of The Manlius School. The Scholarship is provided to a middle and/ or upper school athlete in a team sport who reflects the qualities of a great teammate, demonstrates sportsmanship, possesses high ideals and personal character, and excels in his/her ability to effect winning outcomes of the team’s games. The recipient(s) must also maintain academic standing that is characterized by responsible attention to his/her school work.

36 |

W I N T E R 2018

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Ren Brown ’19 Helping Haiti

Portions reprinted from thepebblemag.com,

By Emma Purce ’18

Ren with one of her Haitian friends

Haiti is a beautiful country known for its thousands of miles of gorgeous coastline and its mountainous regions.

Recently Ren Brown, an MPH senior, spent some time there, although not to take in the sights – she was there to help locals.

Ren joined a mission trip to Haiti alongside her father Dr. Stephen Brown, an OB/GYN. She is interested into going into the medical field, so this trip allowed her to not only help others, but also get valuable hands-on experience.

She joined others on this mission to work triage and perform surgeries in the local hospital. Ren admits, that on the first day, she was wary of going into the operating room. “I was a little timid to go into the OR at first, just because I didn’t want to be in the way. So, I was like, ‘Oh, I’ll just help in triage.’”

However, when she arrived in triage, she quickly discovered that it was completely disorganized, and something needed to be done to help manage the inflow of patients with record-keeping. So, Ren, with some help, created a rudimentary medical records system to stay organized and on top of things. “I’m an organized person, so I like the organization side of triage,” said Ren. Eventually, Ren worked up the courage to step into the OR. “I ended up helping and assisting on surgeries. In fact, I actually got the chance to close up a hernia surgery and do some stitches. I was able to, I wouldn’t say remove, but definitely help remove, some cysts. It was fun, but nerve-wracking. There was a lot of lumps and bumps,” she said.

While working in Haiti, Ren was able to meet many incredible people, including the group’s translator, Dominic. At 28 years old, Dominic had learned English in

Ren and her father, Stephen

high school, but hadn’t gone on to college. He was eager to learn more English and he and Brown became fast friends. “[Dominic] was just so eager to learn, and we clicked. He was so fun. The most surprising thing [about the trip] was that I could just meet someone from a totally different walk of life and click with them so quickly. We had so much fun and danced and goofed off and just made jokes.” With some help from Dominic, Brown and the others on the trip were able to quickly earn the trust of the locals, who welcomed them with open arms. “[The locals] just trusted us to help them and they really welcomed us. We couldn’t even speak their language to tell them what they needed to do after the operation,” Ren said. “And they trusted us – it was incredible.”

Brown enjoyed her experience in Haiti so much that she’s already working on going back. She is currently fundraising and collecting the needed supplies to plan another trip to Haiti, or to potentially go on a mission trip to another country. “This is definitely something that I want to keep working on. Hopefully it’s going back to Haiti, but mission trips are definitely something I see in my future.”

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 37

“The classroom of tomorrow arrived yesterday at MPH. What is it? More than television, VCRs, and filmstrip technologies. It’s using Macintosh computers, CD-Rom, laser printer, flatbed scanner, Xapshot camera, video capture board, laserdisc player, and modem to enhance teaching.”

Technology Through the Years

A LOOK BACK ON WHAT WE WROTE IN PREVIOUS REFLECTIONS ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AT MPH

1993 “Mrs. [Barbara] Quilter and Mrs. [Andrea ] Danial opened the first elementary school multimedia classroom in New York State.

[We were able] to electronically communicate with ten other schools in the United States and Germany. This was possible using a computer and a modem.”

“Use of the Macintosh computer helped students create their traditional ‘Name Poem’ at the beginning of the year.

Manipulation of the text size, font choice, and editing ease amazed them.”

1997 “This past spring marked the grand presentation of the Manlius Pebble Hill Alumni homepage on the World Wide Web.”

38 |

W I N T E R 2018

“Email access is now available for all faculty and students and will be the primary tool for communication throughout campus.”

“In the future, the school plans to take advantage of the sound byte capabilities the internet now offers.”

2003 “There is now a separate Computer and Information Services Department.”

‘This year, all grades and comments will be done online via Internet Explorer.”

“Approximately 150 PCs and Macs are currently supported on campus.”

2008 “Connect with your fellow alumni by joining the Manlius Pebble Hill networks on LinkedIn and Facebook.”

“Additional technology includes laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, Zip drives, CD burners, laser printers, scanners, digital projectors, iMacs, eMacs, Windows XP machines, and Windows 98 and 2000 machines.”

“Every PC on campus has a cable broadband connection to the Internet.”

“State of the art software within our Performing Arts Department allows student musicians to record their music, play it back, and print out a score as they learn to use digital recording studio software.”

“Students across all grade levels use specialized software and hardware to create and edit video for classroom and media literacy classes.” ‘‘New wireless Internet connections are now in the Falcone Dining Hall and McNeil Building to accommodate a mobile laptop lab and individual student laptops.”

“Through the library, students and faculty have access to online subscription databases that provide millions of full text articles in thousands of journals, magazines, newspapers, and increasingly complete reference books.”

2011 “In fifth grade, we begin the process of teaching students to understand the media that will inevitably play a large role in their academic career. We want them to understand the internet. We also want them to approach this information with a critical eye, and we teach them how to evaluate a website for its reliability and bias. At this juncture, students begin to recognize that not everting on the internet is true.”

2014 “The Rubenstein Distance Learning Classroom is housed in the [Bradley McNeil ’93 Learning] Commons and allows us to offer an expanded curriculum of online, real time classes from schools across the country.”

“Up to eight students are able to connect their personal devices into the Smart TV to collaborate on projects.”

“We are on the cusp of a technological revolution that will mandate a whole new set of skills for success in the modern world. In addition to basic communication and analytical skills, students will need the flexible thinking skills that will allow them to negotiate a rapidly changing technological environment.

– Baxter Ball, former Headmaster, 2008

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 39

In His Own Words: Brad Garrity ‘66C

Faculty 1971-1973

By Maja Cannavo ’17

One day after my first year of graduate school, I got a call from my little brother who said, “Brad, Lee Sedgwick wants you to call him.” Now, Lee Sedgwick was Dean of Students when I was a cadet. He was appointed to this role during the merger when Dick Barter was the Head at Pebble Hill. He was the meanest son of a pumpkin in the entire universe. Just the mere mention of “The Wedge,” and instantly you were in fear. I called Lee, and he said, “Garrity, we need a science teacher, biology! If you coach three seasons and live in the dorm—I’ll pay you five thousand dollars a year.”

I got hired, and I owe it all to Dick Barter and Lee Sedgwick.

I had no intention of teaching, ever. So thank God Lee talked Dick Barter into hiring me. There were icons on that faculty—Bernie Shaw, Dave Edwards, Whitey Anderson, Bill Bisgrove. You want to know how they taught rookies?

We were in that faculty room, and you were just listening, and then after a while, somebody would say something like, “Hey, Suzie Q. seemed to be distracted yesterday. Anybody know what’s going on with Suzie Q.?” And everybody would get to talk. And you would hear people say, “Well you know, her father this,” or “her mother that,” or “maybe you might try…”, or “talk to the coach,” whatever. So it was in their actions that they taught, not dictation.” So the faculty taught me, and here these guys were—they were all old, and they could’ve just phoned it in, they didn’t have to make up a new test or homework assignment—they knew what they were going to do every single day. But they were there, listening, talking, joking, getting to know you, you getting to know them.

The kids in the Class of ’74 were my rookies, and I can’t thank them enough for going along with my teaching in my first year. In sophomore biology, what I did to them was the meanest, rottenest, most unfair thing in the entire world! Because I was just out of graduate school, I had to show these little sophomores how smart I was, so I was pushing them through the regular biology book like,

40 |

W I N T E R 2018

“Okay, that’s your primer. That’s See Spot Run. Then we’re going to learn some real biology.” And we were doing genetic mapping of a chromosome, which was brandnew stuff. Statistics. Crossing over. All this kind of stuff. So I was taking these kids way beyond, but they didn’t know any better, so they did it.

I went to Lee Sedgwick really early on, and I said, “Look, there are these six kids in these oversized classes—they’re just blowing the rest of the kids away. We’ve got to get them out of there.” And Lee said, “Brad, I can’t do it. We’ve got Garrity teaching in 1972 no space, and you’ve only got one free period.” I said, “They’ve got that period free too, if you juggle their labs.” Lee said, “Well, then it won’t be fair—I can’t pay you.” I said, “I don’t care. It’ll be better for those kids. It’ll be better for the rest of the classes too.” Lee said, “Fine.” Those six kids—they were all Ivy League walk-ins. Gioia Gensini wrote a paper on heart-muscle contraction that I couldn’t understand.

I had to send it to a colleague of her father’s and say, “Tell me if this thing is right or not.” He said, “It’s gorgeous.”

They were brilliant. Why am I saying that I owe that class? They should’ve run me out of there on a stick. But they didn’t. They went along with the program, and that enabled me to get more comfortable, and relax, and realize what I was doing. And so I owe them, hugely.

After my second year teaching at MPH, they closed the Manlius campus. I knew I couldn’t afford to teach on the Pebble Hill campus and pay rent, and I wanted to go into administration. So I decided to move on, taking a job at Wyoming Seminary in Pennsylvania. Over the course of my career at many different schools, I was dean of students three times. Director of development, twice. Business manager, twice. Athletic director, once.

College counselor, three times. Head of high school,

once. Chairman of the science department, three times. These were all the different jobs—every job you could have—I was also girls’ dorm master, bus driver, and transportation director—all because of Manlius and Manlius Pebble Hill. My deal with every headmaster was, “I’ll do whatever job you want. And if I don’t tell you December first that I’m not coming back, you know I’m coming back, the money won’t matter, and whatever the job is won’t matter. I’ll be here. I just have to have at least one class, and preferably two.”

I was all of those different things, but it’s not because I was good— it was because I worked more than anybody else. I was the first one there, always. When being introduced for a commencement address I once gave, my headmaster said, “I get to work about seven o’clock, and my office happens to be right across the yard from the new science building, which is all glass on one wall. Inevitably, the lights are on in Brad’s room, and pretty soon the kids will start strolling in there, some to get help, some just to sit and listen, some to talk to him about a problem. And when I leave at night, those lights are still on. Brad may not be in there, but he’ll be in the gym, or he’ll be down in the student lounge. And if you come up on weekends, don’t be surprised Sunday morning if you see Brad’s door open and music playing.”

I was able to do the different jobs because I just worked more. And why did I? Because of those men, to this day.

Whitey. Dave. Bernie. Dick Ymiolek. Lee. Dick Barter. I wanted them to look and say, “Hey, that guy done good.”

Because I didn’t deserve the chance when they gave it to me. I like to think that everything, or anything, that I did right is because it’s just a reflection of them. It’s just a reflection of Manlius. It’s just a reflection of MPH.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 41

MPH Faculty and Staff Memories Current Faculty and Staff were eaer to share some highlights of being a part of the MPH Family him, and my heart jumped. His eyes were bright and his amazement contagious. He was learning—and learning in the best way possible: outdoors, on a sunny day, about the earth and its wonders. In that moment, to say that I was smitten by MPH would be an understatement.

Amy Abdo, Assistant Head of Lower School at MPH since 2009 I’d like to share a memory of my first visit to the MPH campus: On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, I met Baxter Ball for the first time and interviewed for a nonexistent position in the Lower School. After relocating back to my hometown of Syracuse, I had researched MPH and the school seemed too good to be true. Here was a local, independent school with a very similar philosophy of education to The Dalton School in New York City, where I had worked for ten years. I had written a letter to Baxter basically begging for a moment of his time. He granted me that moment, and I’m so thankful that he did.

It was a brisk, sunny day, and I parked next to the farmhouse.

Walking in, I passed by the kindergarten class, excited about their day’s lesson outdoors. One boy ran over to me and exclaimed, “WE JUST TAPPED A TREE FOR SAP!!!!” I remember laughing with

42 |

W I N T E R 2018

John Stegeman, Head of Upper School at MPH since 2010 In my first year of teaching at MPH, I taught AP European History to a group of mostly seniors. It was a tough class for me, because although I knew a lot about the history of Europe, I took a very different approach to the subject than the teacher I succeeded. Throughout the year I pushed students to consider some different perspectives about what the events we studied meant, especially for the people Europeans came in contact with in the modern period. I also challenged kids to write in different ways than they were used to, and we read some difficult texts that were far outside the norms of a high-school history

course. Of course, they were always respectful, but I could tell that the students were not too crazy about the direction I had taken with the course and felt like it was not the experience for which they had signed up. At different points during the year we agreed to disagree on some subjects, I acquiesced to their requests on other occasions, and at times they willingly gave me the reins and followed my lead. I had not conceived of teaching as such a negotiated experience before. While I was impressed and glad that they were so invested in the course, it took some doing for me to figure out how to teach in partnership with them. That experience was very meaningful for me and really shaped my evolving ideas about what a classroom experience is and should be like, and the roles between teacher and student. After the final weeks of school, when most of them had graduated, four boys took me out to a nice Italian dinner, and we had more than a few laughs about how they had put this rookie teacher through his paces that year. I think they taught me more than I taught them.

Liza Morrison, Director of Information Sciences at MPH since 1998

I have a few memories to share, starting with my interview with Baxter Ball the summer of 1998. He wore shorts and tennis shoes, and his feet were up on his desk while he was watching a tennis tournament on an old black-and-white TV in the Farmhouse!

In that first year teaching, I made a rookie mistake of not pre-reading from a classic I had pulled from the library shelves for my students to read. It was Roald Dahl’s Charlie and Chocolate Factory, but an older edition—1960s maybe. As I was reading I realized—a bit late—that the chapter was rife with negative racial and ethnic stereotypes! As soon as class was over, I ran in despair to the great and wise teacher and thenLower School Head Andrea Danial, certain I’d done something terribly wrong. Her response was, “That’s what we call a teachable moment! Go back to those students and ask them directly about those stereotypes and talk with them about how harmful stereotypes can be.” That was brilliant advice!

My reflections wouldn’t be complete without mention of Jeff Mangram.

Teaching with Jeff was a privilege and pleasure. Yes, he often tended to talk (yell?) like a football coach, but more often he was quietly focused in on each student, encouraging

but always ready to challenge an assumption, question a motivation, and reinforce good manners. His approach to students was, “You will be leading people. What type of leader do you want to be?” I remember a time when the Danes were visiting MPH and Mangram was asked to give a presentation on being American.

He gave an extemporaneous short history of the United States that was scholarly, edifying and elegant in its simplicity. Even the surly, barely-awake European teens were impressed.

That same year, before the World History Intensive class put on the school’s first annual Multicultural Festival, I remember asking them, “Do you want to do this?” And half of them said, “Yeah, sure!” and half said, “What?” But they went along with it, and they did it, and they went all out. On that same day, I went to Mr. Stegeman, and he said, “Yes, let’s do it,” and then I went to Mrs. Gregory, and she said, “Yeah, sure, I’ll help,” and everybody just put in this massive group effort to do something good for the School. That first year really made me want to be a part of MPH for a very long time.

Sarah Chhablani, History Instructor at MPH since 2014 The very first trip that I took with students during my first year was with the tenth grade to Howe Caverns. There, a group of students sat down in one of the lawn areas in a circle and played “Down By the Banks,” and it was so funny! It was so wonderful to see sophomores laughing with silly childish games just having fun and bonding—a real kind of bonding—and that was so amazing to me. That’s one of my favorite memories. On that same trip, we were going home—this is a perfect representation of MPH to me—they continued to laugh and have fun and then they got on the bus, and Lisa Morocco pulled out her chemistry book, went to Mr. Vural, and they did chemistry on the bus on the way back. I saw that as the combination of knowing how to bond together, how to be social, and how to still be serious about academics.

Don Ridall, Physical Education Department Chair, Boys Varsity Soccer Coach at MPH since 1976 One of my fondest memories (obviously) is in 2000 when we won our first sectional soccer championship in the Carrier Dome and then won the state championship two weeks later!

To follow it up, we won the state championship again in 2001!

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 43

Alex Leclercq, Dean of Students Sue Foster, Science Department Chair at MPH since 1991 A memory that supersedes many others is that of our efforts to recreate, on the MPH upper field, the essence of the humanitarian rescue mission known as the Berlin Airlift. Our community heard from Lt. Gail S. Haverson, who became known as the Chocolate Pilot. In preparation, students learned about the Berlin Airlift, we tied parachutes to chocolate bars, and we had an assembly with Lt. Gail S. Haverson.

To this day, I recall his recounting the passing of small pieces of gum wrappers through openings in a chain link fence separating pilots and children, just so the children could smell the sweetness of the wrappers. His message to those children and to us, saturated with humanity, culminated in an actual, recreated chocolate drop. A massive plane carrying Lt. Gail S. Haverson flew over the field twice for practice, once dropped chocolate bars in the neighborhood and lastly perfected a drop on our upper field. Older students were paired with younger buddies; it was ensured that every child was able to pick up a parachute with candy attached. One of our finest moments.

44 |

W I N T E R 2018

at MPH since 2001 This summer, at my family camp, I found a copy of the second volume of the Manlius Pebble Hill Comic Journal, published in the Spring of 2003, and read it cover to cover; it was so good! When I look back, I think fondly of the Comic Book Club that used to meet in the old library, and of its original founding members: Colin, Elliott, Jennifer, Pat, Alex, Shane, Andrew, Chris, Devin, Meyer, and Rob that joined us the next year. They were such a friendly bunch and set the bar very high for all those that followed in their footsteps.

Will Cardamone, Director of College Counseling at MPH since 2006

MPH hired me in the summer of 2006 to assume the unusual post of co-director of college counseling and dean of students (where I succeeded

my Hamilton College roommate Ted Curtis). The job required me to utilize my well-developed compartmentalizing skills and entailed its fair share of complicated meetings with families. However, it also provided some really enjoyable moments and I remember one in my third year in the job like it happened just yesterday. Daniel Blanck, a guitar-toting member of the very musical class of 2009, somehow discovered I was a fan of the Grateful Dead. At a Friday evening talent show, Dan performed a wonderful rendition of the Dead chestnut “Friend of the Devil” after dedicating the song me saying, “This one is for Mr. Cardamone, who is a really cool dean.” Needless to say, that sentiment brought a smile to my face and warmed my heart. That moment, like so many in my years at MPH, reminded me that the kids really do appreciate all you do for them.

Michele Koziara, Performing Arts Chair & Annmarie Gregory, Vocal Music Instructor both at MPH since 1999

Without a doubt, the accomplishment we are most proud of in our twenty years’ collaboration in MPH theater has been raising a generation of theater students (actors, technicians, and musicians) who never shy away from a challenge; in fact, they expect us to challenge them musically, technically, dramatically, and often philosophically. In every instance, they have risen to the challenges we’ve posed, meeting and often exceeding our greatest expectations.

SAVE THE DATE FRIDAY, JUNE 1ST! We will celebrate Annmarie Gregory’s 20th year at MPH!

Theater is by its nature provocative.

It exists to make the audience think.

We’ve always approached theater by embracing the historical and societal themes associated with each production, meeting them head on, educating the students and encouraging them to probe and ask questions. When we staged Hair, we took the cast and crew on a field trip to Woodstock and brought in a Vietnam veteran to speak and answer questions. For Rent, we brought in a counselor from AIDS Community Resources to speak to the students.

As a part of the production of Urinetown, Ms. Foster graciously agreed to give a lecture on the state of water and the environment in California and Flint, Michigan to give context to our performers.

Because of our efforts, we are proud to say that MPH theater students come out of their experience not only highly informed, but also capable of critical thinking and intelligent, informed discourse on their subject.

After a triumphant performance of Cabaret that garnered significant recognition at the inaugural Syracuse High School Theater Awards, a letter to the editor of the local newspaper was critical of the production, saying it was inappropriate to perform at the high school level. Our students’ responses were respectful of the writer’s opinion, but eloquent in illustrating their understanding of the thematic material and their maturity in not only performing it, but also discussing it. As directors, we had no need to take part in the online conversation that had ensued following the critical letter. Our students were more than equal to the task and, as always, made us proud.

Beth Scott, Suzuki Instructor at MPH since 2004

There are many memorable moments when your teaching world centers around violin and cello instruction for children between the ages of three and seven. They are all so precious and come up with the most intriguing and challenging questions. But one of the most memorable moments was when a set of triplets registered for violin lessons, all three in Kindergarten.

Their mother and I decided to start them together in a lesson. I will never forget the first lesson with all three of them standing in a row in front of me, wide-eyed and a bit suspicious, with the unknown musical world looming before them.

I smiled, turned to their mother and said, “You know, I’ve never done this before.” She was, and continued to be throughout our tenure together, reassuring and supportive. It was the Suzuki triangle of parent, teacher, and student at its finest, producing three girls who grew up to love music in their own ways.

Spring 2015 production of Caberet

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 45

Former Faculty Reflect on their time at MPH...

Mary Lee Muench, MPH, PH Lower School: 1969-1991 When I began teaching in 1969, we were holding classes for Pre-K and Kindergarten on the top floor of the Farmhouse. The following year the modulars were brought in as a temporary solution to classroom space. I was lucky enough to spend most of my time teaching Kindergarten in the modulars. The room was large, giving the children lots of room to spread out and move around. Our back door opened to the playground and provided easy access to the outside. During my time at MPH we added full-day Kindergarten, and this became an amazing opportunity to expand our program in many ways. I felt great support from each of the six headmasters I worked under.

How lucky I was to be able to teach at this incredible school! We were blessed to work with wonderful families who were supportive of every aspect of the educational process. I’m still in contact with many of my former students and so proud they were a part of my life. They gave me memories too numerous to put in writing.

• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• • •• •• • •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •

Gelene Lewis, MPH Lower School: 1972-1997 As I reflect on the many wonderful years I spent on the faculty at Manlius Pebble Hill School, I feel so blessed. My teaching career began when Richard Barter hired me to teach preschool and then continued under Sedgwick, Crosby, Nelson, Songster, and adjunct under Ball. Those many years were spent teaching in Lower School and later, giving piano lessons in the Barn.

What happy years they were, and how much they influenced my life. There were so many traditions. It is very heartwarming to see so many still being honored. Some of these were carrying little candles by all the Lower School students for their holiday pageant, Red and White Day activities, and “Lollipop Day” at Lower School closing each year—always remembering those Five C’s! Teaching table manners and saying/singing grace at lunch were routine.

The one thing that sticks out in my mind more than anything is the way the Pre-K through 12 students and faculty acted as a family. That truly helped make us unique as a school. It was always a treat for the Lower School to participate in an all-school assembly or other all-school events because siblings got to see each other, and older students always served as important role models.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Susan Loedel, MPH, Science: 1991-2008 One of the fondest memories from my time at MPH was always the handshake ceremony. It was a time when all the students were fresh-faced and eager to begin a new school year. I liked the way the seniors were highlighted by having the privilege of coming through the line of faculty first and staying in line to shake everyone else’s hand. It was always wonderful to see all the familiar students and to see new faces, too.

46 |

W I N T E R 2018

Peter Terry, MPH, Math: 1995-2011 On one of the first times we took our freshman class to the Bryn Mawr camp in Pennsylvania for some getting-to-know-you time, the staff gave the MPH-ers a strong safety lecture prior to going out in canoes on their small lake. My recollection is that it was the Class of 2002, and they donned their life jackets as instructed and dutifully pushed off for some late-afternoon fun.

It was a very warm afternoon in early fall, and the staff, not the MPH freshmen, started splashing other canoes with their paddles. Not to be outdone, the Class of 2002 returned fire, and in short order a wet war of canoe-paddle drenching filled the small lake. This was, of course, followed by some (accidental?) bumping of canoes instigated at first by the fun-loving staff at Bryn Mawr. It wasn’t long before a canoe or three started to lose stability, and soon both staff and students were in the water and completely drenched.

Fortunately, the Bryn Mawr lake is shallow enough to enable everyone whose canoe tipped over to stand and have a good laugh. Staff and students alike waded ashore and headed for the dormitories to dry off and change clothes for the final evening meal.

A second story: A buzzer-beater shot in basketball is always a good story, and George Telonis, Class of 2003, did not disappoint one night at an away game in Cincinnatus. At the time I was coaching the JV boys’ team, and with just a few seconds left in the game, we were behind by a point. We had the ball, and I called time-out and set up a play. Patrick Ridall was selected to inbound the ball at half-court, and George Telonis was to set up on the foul line. A third player was to set a pick on the player guarding George to free him up, cut toward the inbounds pass from Patrick, turn and take the shot. George did not get the pass as close to the basket as I hoped he would, but nevertheless, he had enough time to catch the ball, turn, and get a good look at the hoop. He swished the shot, the game ended, and we won by a point. Good teamwork!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Laurie Hadlick, MPH, Spanish: 1974-2014 I have lots of great memories relating to the Middle School Dinner Dances. Working with the eighth-graders to come up with a theme and then planning the decorations and menu was always fun. Each year as the students were putting up their decorations the afternoon of the dance, older students would stop by to take a look and reminisce about their Dinner Dance.

The trips to Spain and Mexico that Sra. Dooher and I took with our Spanish students were always memorable. Seeing the places they had studied and having a chance to use their Spanish in real life situations were eyeopening experiences for many students. Salamanca was always a favorite city for the students and for me!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Wei Gao, MPH, Chinese: 2008-2018 I really felt the spirit of MPH shine through during the challenges the School faced in the 2014-15 school year. When I taught at MPH during Baxter Ball’s tenure, I focused on teaching my classes and didn’t get involved much in other school issues, but that changed after that year. When MPH found itself in that challenging situation, I was impressed and touched to see the show of perseverance, sacrifice, and financial support of the MPH community, enabling the School to continue. That year reminded me that MPH truly deserves everything the community has poured into it. The show of spirit was a testament to the School’s value to and impact on its students and community. MPH is now in better shape, as that difficult time unified the community and ignited a spirit of involvement in the School. I was reminded that this is my school, and I hope that it will touch the lives of many more students well into the future.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 47

Joline Hemminger, MPH, Lower School: 1995-2012 As a faculty member and administrator as well as an MPH parent, I have so many wonderful memories about MPH. First and foremost, I will always cherish the overwhelming sense of community at MPH. Faculty, students, administrators, parents, grandparents—we all cared about each other and for each other. Our faculty was very close, and we not only collaborated to give our students and families the very best experiences, but we also gathered socially to enjoy each other’s company.

As the parent of three MPH graduates, I always knew that my sons were valued, that their needs were recognized and met, and that their successes were celebrated. They were provided with the very best education and thrived in their extracurricular activities. They each flourished during their MPH years and have carried the confidence, knowledge and skills they learned into their adult lives.

I also cherished the Pre-K through Grade 12 configuration. Having students of all ages together on the same campus added to the family-like nature of MPH. Schoolwide events, such as the handshake ceremony at the beginning of school, where every child shook hands with every new senior and the entire faculty; the Holiday Program, put on by the fifth grade class but attended by all on the last day prior to the holiday break; and Red and White Day track and field competitions, which pitted the Red and White teams against each other, all helped to cement this family-like feel. Even sharing the hallways, where Lower School students would high-five Upper School students, added to this atmosphere.

And finally, as a faculty member and administrator, I cherished the freedom that we had to teach to the interests of our students, to the relevancy of the world, and to our own passions. This requires truly getting to know each student and being fully aware of the world around us. This is something my fellow faculty members did incredibly well. Education cannot be truly effective unless it is relevant to each of us. And teachers will have the greatest impact when they feel passionate about what they teach.

• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• • •• •• • •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •

Chuck Beeler ’54, Pebble Hill and Manlius Pebble Hill 1971-1973 I recall a couple of noteworthy pranks…In 1972, as a senior prank, suspected members the Red Knights football team took then Dean of Students Brad Garrity ‘66C’s station wagon and carried it into the Knox Dining Hall! No one admitted to the prank and no punishment was given.

Then, in 1973, MPH Students decided to have a fake student named Elvis P. Hayden apply for admission to Manlius Pebble Hill School. According to his story, Elvis hailed from Arizona and had spent the last two years at Nottingham High School. He had a full academic history, complete with grades, courses taken, and extra-curricular activities! I was Director of Admissions at MPH at the time, so I called the guidance office at Nottingham and found that no student named Elvis P. Hayden had ever attended there! In the end, three students admitted to the prank: Horace Aikman ’71, Chris Witting ’71, and O’Hara Humphries ’71. Everyone got such a kick out of it that no punishment was ever delivered.

48 |

W I N T E R 2018

Maureen Anderson, MPH, Alumni Director, Tennis Coach: 1992-2015 Reflecting over my inspiring time getting to know so many wonderful alumni during many years at MPH, I feel photos speak much better than my words. These events are only a few of many, but they illustrate the importance of my personal connections both recently and many years ago. The magical part of being an alumni director is that I was able to be a part of many, many classes and teams, and it’s those memories that are so incredibly special to me. To name a few…

• The Manlius BBQ’s at Bill Goff’s mother’s house on Cazenovia Lake • The first Alumni Board, led by Jack Wells ’60B • The first Las Vegas Reunion • The 1947 Football reunion • The first Athletic Hall of Fame and the 1963 Football team • The 1953 Football Team at the 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame • Bob Casciola and Bob Talgren • The field hockey team from the 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame

Bill Edgerton ’63HQ , Bill Goff ’59B, and Wellington Morton ’61A at the Manlius BBQ, 1998

• Bob Oberst ’59B • John Ellis and his depth of knowledge on the history of The Manlius School • The Florida reunions hosted by Dan Mezzalingua ’56C • Pebble Hill Dinner during Clambake Weekend • The first MPH Class reunion class of 1973 • Coffee with the seniors

Bob Oberst ’59B at Clambake, 2010

Bob Casciola, Maureen Anderson, and Bob Tallgren at the 2012 Athletic Hall of Fame

Chuck Beeler and Jack Branin ’54 at their 50th reunion in 2004

Members of the 1963 football team at the 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 49

Bob Berwick Reflects M P H S C I E N C E F A C U LT Y 1 9 7 1 - 1 9 8 1 In late winter of 1971 I applied for a position at Manlius Pebble Hill School teaching biology.

I secured an interview, and the grand saga began.

I remember driving up the winding driveway on the Manlius Campus looking for the Administration Building. When I saw an imposing edifice, made of stone, with actual turrets, I suspected that I’d found it. I asked for the office of Dr. Richard Barter. I was ushered into an understated room with an adjoining office. Dr. Barter came out to greet me, and we had a very pleasant conversation about the school and its recent merger between the Manlius School and Pebble Hill School. He said that the school was in transition and there might be some rough spots as the two communities got used to each other. He gave me a tour of the campus and I met John Hanna, the science department chair.

I was then to meet with Mr. Sedgwick. I was ushered into a cavernous office complex paneled in oak and very imposing. Mr. Sedgwick was seated behind his massive desk, and I was introduced to his inimical style I was to come to know well. I drove out of the campus to return to my Massachusetts school.

Several weeks later, I received a call from Dr. Barter who asked if I was interested in teaching science in the Middle School, grades five through eight and at the Pebble Hill Campus. I thought about it for ten seconds or so, and accepted the position, not really knowing what I was getting into.

A few weeks later I received my first contract from MPH.

50 |

W I N T E R 2018

The contract I was under at that time paid me the grand sum of $4,500, so seeing almost double that, I was ecstatic! I was going to be rich, and I was getting room and board along with it.

What could be better? I hadn’t yet noticed Condition #3, but that part became clear shortly after my arrival.

I’d been running some errands and drove up the driveway.

There among the trees and lawn was Dr. Barter mowing the grass! I was driving my 1961 Ford Falcon Station Wagon with more rust than metal and every joint creaking. Dr. Barter stopped me and said that he needed to give me a raise to buy a real car. He was joking, but the sight of the Headmaster mowing the lawn of the school stayed with me. Condition #3, indeed.

As the contract notes, I was assigned to be a house parent in Farmer Hall. I arrived on campus in late August and found my digs on the second floor of a large brick dormitory. I was told that Farmer Hall was under the direction of Sgt. Maj. Cecil Cooper, US Army (ret). I was also told that he ran a tight ship. This being the second year after the change from a military academy to a nonmilitary boarding school, I really didn’t know what a tight ship was. I found out very quickly.

My first weekend on duty was memorable, to say the least.

The third floor of Farmer Hall was set aside for the students in the post-graduate program. They were the Knights,

students endeavoring to improve their academic standing so that they could better qualify for athletic scholarships at major universities. The football players were large people, indeed. I recall that shortly after dinner on a Friday night I was sitting in my room when an “earthquake” struck. I ventured out and climbed to the third floor. There, on the floor, were two behemoths friendly wrestling. I stood there, mostly in fear for my life, but said, “Ahem.” The two wrestlers jumped to their feet, said to me, “Sorry sir,” and went back to their rooms. I did learn that my position as a house parent and teacher carried some weight.

Late in the year I had gone for a walk and came back to Farmer Hall trough the main entrance and went to the third floor to see what was going on. The Knights were playing ping pong and relaxing. One of the football players, Joe DiCarlo (gentle Joe) saw me, playfully picked me up, tucked me under his arm, and carried me down the hall setting me down like a fragile egg. Joe was a special person, and I enjoyed getting to know him.

The previous September, I had accepted a position on the Pebble Hill Campus. I recall meeting friendly people who seemed happy to have me join the staff as a science teacher. One evening there was a reception hosted by the Middle School Head, Harry Patterson, and his wife Betty.

Warmly welcomed, I felt that this was going to be a good year. Harry did say something to me that gave me pause, though. He said, “I wonder if you know just how much science you’ll be teaching.” The next day during opening meetings, I received my folder with my teaching schedule:

That third paragraph of my contract may have started to come into view. However, not knowing any better, I saw this schedule as normal. I’d gotten curriculum materials but was having trouble figuring out what they were all about. Grades 2 – 6 were using something called SAPA (Science a Process Approach), 7th grade had an

actual textbook, and 8th grade had something called IPS (Introductory Physical Science). There was nobody on staff who knew anything about this curriculum, so I was on my own to figure it out. It took some time, but I eventually made good headway. I was getting positive feedback. I was feeling pretty good.

Dr. Barter (he wasn’t Dick to me quite yet) scheduled an observation. I prepared what I thought was a pretty spiffy demonstration. I was going to make gunpowder. Dr. Barter arrived and took a seat. I gathered the class around the demonstration table and, as kids will, they were climbing all over each other to get a better view. I set off several small explosions, and class was over. Shortly thereafter, I received a well-crafted and kind letter from Dr. Barter explaining just how dangerous my demonstration was and how lucky I was that nobody got hurt. He said that he’d return when I’d developed a better lesson. I did, he did, and I passed with flying colors. The traditionally supportive MPH environment was becoming obvious.

I came to MPH at an exciting and formative time. I was fortunate to have worked with, and to have been guided by, some of the legends of the school: Bernie Shaw, Dave Edwards, Whitey Anderson, Sandy Torrelli, Jim Songster, and the embodiment of Pebble Hill, Martha Heer. These folks became my friends, my critics, my guides, and my touchstone to what came before. Each in his or her own way placed a permanent stamp on the institution that remains. I learned so much from each of them, and I am eternally thankful.

I learned to teach at MPH. I learned that teaching is neither art nor science. Teaching is a craft best taught by those who get it. The faculty back then got it. They never taught to the class. They taught to each and every child in the class.

There was a student in one of our seventh grades who had significant learning and emotional issues. Phil Young spent countless hours working with this student trying to find some avenue to success. He did find it, and the student took pride in what he could do. This is not an isolated instance. So many others dedicated their teaching lives to this ethic and this is what made MPH such a special place.

I know that MPH went through another financial crisis not too long ago. I trust that that storm has passed.

MPH has a reason for being, and I believe that it will last another 150 years and more. David Mallery, the guru of professional development for NAIS, and so many more used to talk about the endless parade of names and faces we see when we throw our heads back and remember.

Here’s hoping that that endless parade keeps marching.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 51

Why I Give

Alumni, faculty, and parents share their personal reasons for giving…

Kazage Utuje, MPH Faculty Dr. Kazage Utuje, Ph.D., is in his second year as an Upper School science teacher at MPH, half a world away from his childhood home in Rwanda. As a young student in seminary, Kazage developed a love of math and science, something that has stayed with him to this day. He wanted to study physics, a subject that seemingly has no end to what researchers can learn, and that is what he wanted to become: a researcher.

As he set out to follow his passion, his understanding of the subjects he was studying came easily, which was not always the case for his classmates. He found fellow students coming to him for help with classwork and test preparation, and was praised for his ability to break down topics in a way that was easier to understand.

While working on his post-grad at the African Institute for Mathematical Science in South Africa, Kazage met a visiting lecturer from Syracuse University. It was this chance meeting that ultimately brought him to Central New York and to his Ph.D. program at Syracuse.

Away from Africa for the first time, Kazage became not only a Ph.D. student but a student of life, experiencing many new things for the very first time. The first snowfall, ordering a sandwich at a deli (in Rwanda a sandwich consists of just bread), and learning how to ride a bicycle were just a few examples of the excitement that living in the U.S. brought him. As he learned, both in and out of the classroom, he also continued to teach, now as a teaching assistant at Syracuse University. Again, students praised his ability to help them learn, and more importantly enjoy, science.

Though Kazage set out to become a physics researcher, it was teaching that ultimately won him over. “Helping students understand and love science brings me a lot of happiness,” he says. The small class sizes and community feel drew him to MPH last fall and he has been thankful to be here ever since. When it came time to give back, Kazage welcomed the opportunity to donate to the school. It was a small way he could thank the school for what it has given him – wonderful, hard-working students and a supportive and caring work environment.

52 |

W I N T E R 2018

Maja Cannavo ’17 – first time donor I chose to give to MPH because it’s a small way of saying thank you for all the School has done for me. In my first year of college, I immediately realized that MPH gave me not only knowledge, but also countless invaluable skills: I learned how to write well, how to work in a group, how to play on a team, and so much more. I can’t thank the school enough for giving me both a wonderful experience and the tools I need to succeed in college and beyond. It was because of the generosity of donors that I could be a Crosby Scholar, and I hope that the generosity of donors will make the MPH experience accessible and exceptional for many more students for years to come.

Jim Dunaway, Head of School There are several reasons I choose to give to MPH. First, I know that tuition never covers the actual cost of educating a student at a place like this. Without charitable gifts from alumni and alumnae, parents, grandparents, faculty and staff, and other friends, we’d simply not be able to offer the quality of education we do. Second, I have been fortunate to work in independent schools like MPH for my entire 40-year career, and I know the quality of the education and experience at close range. And third, my own children attended independent schools, and my daughter is an alumna of MPH, where she found a passion for her current academic majors in college, where she made her closest friends, and where she become the confident, committed, conscientious young woman she is today. In fact, I feel as though I am just paying MPH back for what it has done for me and my family!

Pamela (Usiatynski) Pollack ’05 MPH taught me the importance of seeing the good in people and knowing that I don’t have to be #besties with everyone, but I do have the ability to get along with everyone. This life philosophy is an example of how each one of us is individually unique and together complete. MPH embodies culture and diversity, while being unified in one mission of lifelong learning and personal growth and development.

Kelly Bancroft P’30 – first time donor I give to strengthen our community. As the parent of a Pre-K student last year I became involved in the Parents’ Association and volunteered at school events. As I learned about the MPH community and the positive influence it has had on my daughter, I became inspired to give back in as many different ways as I could. Contributing, even modestly, is an important avenue for everyone to express support for the MPH community. The collective spirit that is embodied in our community is an integral part of the “MPH Effect”- that piece of my child’s education that is difficult to define, but gives her extraordinary encouragement and inspiration to learn and develop.

Cristina Danial ’01 My campaign donations to Manlius Pebble Hill are a fraction of my thanks for the unshakable foundation I received in my 13 years there. You cannot put a price on education. I refuse to take for granted the community which harvests energy in curiosity, challenge, and the drive to succeed; all of this with no limits or boundaries on how you do it. Exactly like the real world.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 53

Zachary Romano ’11 – first time donor I applied to MPH later than most, as a sophomore in high school. I was honored to be awarded the former Crosby Scholarship (a full-tuition scholarship) and to this day I remain tremendously grateful.

MPH contributed to my holistic development as a person – academically, socially, and civically. I was able to take courses that were not offered at public school, which really helped me focus my ambitions. At MPH I was introduced to universities that I probably would not have otherwise applied to, including Brandeis University, where I attended on a research scholarship, graduating in 2015.

I still see and talk with regularly the friends I made at MPH and we all reflect fondly on our years in high school. While I thought it might be a challenge starting a new school as a junior, the transition to MPH could not have been smoother and I quickly knew that this was the place for me. My peers had a mutual level of support and acceptance for one another. To this day, I connect with MPH alumni, even those who I did not know well while I was at MPH. I think it is rare to find that experience in a high school.

For these reasons, I made my first gift to MPH this year. My hope is that my gift will provide a potential student the opportunity to attend MPH, especially an individual who may not have the financial means to do so. I am glad to see the thoughtful changes being made, to ensure the longevity and stability of our one-of-a-kind institution in Central New York. We are truly an asset to the area and I’m glad to do my part to promote and support my alma mater.

Don Ridall – MPH Faculty First of all, let me say congratulations to MPH on its 150th year! I would also like to make it clear that even though I have been here a long time, I was NOT on that original faculty!

People have often asked me why I give to the school. It is a simple answer for me. I had two children who were “lifers” here and I can’t imagine them going to any other school. The foundation that they got here not only in the academic realm, but on the athletic fields, is unmeasurable. I was able to see first-hand the care and support that they were given by all of their teachers and coaches. I truly believe in the School and what we stand for. Whatever we can give to make sure that the School continues and thrives is a no-brainer. I also feel that the amount is not the main thing – the act of giving is.

54 |

W I N T E R 2018

Giving and Giving Back as a Family When Allison DeVoe graduated in 2007, she knew she would remain connected with MPH as an alumna. She had a memorable experience as a student, made personal connections with the faculty, and felt tremendously grateful for all the School had done for her as a student. What she didn’t know was that her parents, Chris DeVoe and Marie Sarno, would be by her side. While it’s typical that MPH alumni remain involved, we don’t always see the same connection with their parents. In this case, however, not only did Chris and Marie stay involved, but they became more committed than ever.

Sarno clan became indispensable and were the go-to people for auction logistics such as cross-checking items and bid-sheets, staging auction items, and coordinating merchandise pick-up for the winners. Along with the many other auction volunteers, it became a family of sorts – a group effort that allowed Chris, Marie, and Allison a chance to give back, have fun, and be part of something that was critical to the School’s fundraising efforts. Allison recalls coming back to MPH to work at the auction as not only a way to help, but a way to see the school through a new lens. “We weren’t allowed to attend the auction as students, so it was cool to finally be able to go! And getting to know my old teachers in a totally new way has been great – although it’s still hard to call them by their first names!”

Late into Allison’s high school years, Chris was approached by a board member requesting his service on a committee. He agreed, but soon after found that it wasn’t the right fit. Still looking for a way to become active in the parent community, he and Marie decided to help with the After-Prom Committee and immediately felt connected socially with other MPH parents. Of course, that was during Allison’s senior year, which many parents may see as their last chance to be a part of the MPH social scene.

Not Chris and Marie! The loved their connection with the other parents and decided to stay on board. In fact, they dove right in when asked to be on the Silent Auction committee.

With each passing year, Chris and Marie feel more connected to the School and the people they’ve come to know within it. This connection, coupled with their appreciation and enthusiasm for the education that Allison received, catapulted their philanthropy to the School. “The more involved we became, the more we felt we wanted to give back financially,” says Chris. “We know our support will benefit other students the same way it did for Allison. MPH is well worth our time and treasure.

This isn’t just a random donation to us, it’s about our relationship with the School.”

When Allison learned of her parents’ involvement with the auction, she quickly joined in, first by making jewelry to donate to the auction, then by helping behind the scenes with her parents. It wasn’t long before the DeVoe-

Chris and Marie have particularly enjoyed the bonds they’ve formed with the current parent volunteers.

“Everyone makes us feel welcome and useful and for us, it’s more comfortable to be helping at the event than attending as guests,” says Marie.

Allison knows that her connection to MPH will be lifelong. “MPH was the right fit for me and I want to make sure it remains an option for others like me, who need a choice in their education.”

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 55

Students compare their hand prints to those of the native species stamped into the sidewalk.

The Newest Addition at MPH: The STEAM Park After the construction of the Bradley McNeil ’93 Learning Commons in 2014 and the Kathleen and Daniel Mezzalingua ’56C Arts and Athletics Complex in 2017, as well as the removal of the Lehman modular building in 2017, we found that we had nearly enclosed the courtyard space at the center of campus. With this new outdoor space, we realized there was an opportunity to do something completely outside the box; something that would allow our students and faculty to explore their subjects outside of the classroom. So, the question was: what would we create?

That question prompted an impromptu conversation nearly two years ago between our Head of School Jim Dunaway and Science Department Chair Sue Foster and an idea was born – the STEAM Park

56 |

W I N T E R 2018

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). With a concept in mind, site planning and fundraising for the STEAM Park began. In the summer of 2018, a connecting corridor between the two newest buildings was installed, creating a completely enclosed safe space, and just this fall, phase one of the Park project was opened!

The Park features concrete pathways for students to easily travel between buildings, and a sidewalk featuring indigenous animal footprints stamped into the concrete is already a student favorite! The Park also features collaborative learning spaces specifically designed to allow faculty to bring full classes outside for group instruction. Some of the STEAM features of the space include a compass and human

sundial, raised garden beds, Imagination Playground “Blue Blocks,” which are accompanied by a 3D builder app for students and faculty, an amphitheater, and a “Chatter Noodle.” Rain chains attached to newly installed gutters and collection barrels and a pergola complete phase one of the project.

While great progress has been made on turning the original vision for the STEAM Park into a reality, this is only phase one. The delay in the full completion of the space is purposeful, as we want not only the opportunity to secure additional funding, but also to evaluate the use of the space and garner feedback from our faculty and students. We look forward to watching the evolution of this space as the creative minds of our community will surely dictate what will be in phase two. Stay tuned!

The compass helps students use the nearby human sundial.

The “Chatter Noodle” promotes cooperation, imaginative play, and social skill development.

Rain chains direct rain into the barrels for collection.

Imagination Playground “Blue Blocks” allow students to create and invent with endless possibilities.

The amphitheater allows faculty to bring their classroom outside.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 57

Out of the Archives ST. JOHN’S SCHOOL DEED

This remarkable gem was found in a file cabinet, tucked between papers. Inside a leather case is the original property map, Certificate of Incorporation, and Deed of School Property for St. John’s School.

This document contains a listing of the members of the Board of Trustees, the lease, by-laws, and the property appraisal. It is in remarkably good condition for its age, but we plan on giving this piece of history a little TLC!

58 |

W I N T E R 2018

MPH Homecoming and Alumni Soccer Game MPH Campus, October 13 & 14, 2017

Alumni Events

Attendees of the 2017 Homecoming Alumni Soccer Game

Rochester Reunion

Horizons Restaurant at the Woodcliffe Hotel & Spa, Fairport, NY, October 19, 2017

Ray Levato ’66B, Scott Makin ’61B, Leonard Simon ’49C, Maureen Anderson ’67HON, Jim Inglis ’59B

Holiday Gathering

MPH in LA, Norah Restaurant

West Hollywood, CA, January 24, 2018

Karen Bobrow Breuer ’99, Greg Holstein ’03, Amanda Raymond ’97, Director of Development Kelly Gillis-Rose, Adam Fratto ’86, Kurt Hallock ’72, Andy McTigue ’64B, Sam Goldman ’06, Kathryn Bundy ’81, Chris Davin ’01

Aster Pantry & Parlor, Syracuse, NY, December 23, 2017

Maya Dwyer ‘13, Anna Driscoll ’12, Julie Curtis ‘13 with Performing Arts Chair Michele Koziara

Julia Walsh ‘17, Trilok Reddy ‘17, Lizzie Mafrici ‘17 with Coach Don Ridall

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 59

MPH in NYC

AWOL Bar & Grill, New York, NY, February 22, 2018

Ariel Sealing ’07 and her partner Eric, Coach Don Ridall, and Jared Balanoff ’92

Head of School Jim Dunaway, former Head of Lower School Andrea Danial, Toni Torrillo Zee ’95 and husband Adam Zee

MPH in Boston

Grafton Street Pub, Cambridge, MA, April 26, 2018

Wesley Perry ’97 and Jonathan Kadish ’97

60 |

Ben Slutzky ’09, Laura Grosack ’09, William Walker ’70B and his wife, Director of Development Kelly Gillis-Rose, Conna Walsh ’11, Zach Sanzone ’00, Philip Andrews ’99

Manlius School Reunion Luncheon

Goodyear-Burlingame Tea

Il Gabbiano Restaurant, Miami, FL, March 22, 2018

Longshore, Cazenovia, NY, May 8, 2018

Harvey Ruvin ’55A, Mary Williams, Jim Williams ’49C

Goodyear Girls Jane Friedel ’47 and Sally Alden ’44

W I N T E R 2018

Goodyear-Burlingame alumnae enjoying tea at Longshore, the home of Richard and Goodyear Girl Marilyn Alberding

Senior Snack 2017-2018

Louisa Morrow ’18, Will Kovarik ’18, Carli Arbon ’18, Maggie SextonDwyer ’18, Jared Amankwah ’18, Nathan Lesch ’18, Isabella Casella ’18.

Celebratory cake!

Nicole Onciulescu ’18 and Mariah Rinaldi ‘18

Manlius School Reunion

College-Bound BBQ

Maureen Anderson ’67HON, Reunion Host Jim Barrett ’69C, Bill Kelly ’63A, John Wall ’65A, Russ Andrews ’64, Walter Grahling ’52A, and Erica Toyama (Alumni Relations).

Standing: Liza Bruno ’18, Dan Mezzalingua ’18, Josh Hutko ’18, Lydia Dwyer ’16, Maja Cannavo ’17, Sophia Verheyen ’16, Louisa Morrow ’18, Nick Jerge ’17, Matthew Fortner ’18, Stewy Falso ’18, George Bruno ’18, Nathan Lesch ’18, Luella Karpoff ’16 Seated: Meg Curtis ’17, Shane Ogden ’16, Jared Amankwah ’18, Keerthi Martyn ’18

Bluffton, S.C., September 22, 2018

MPH Campus, August 16, 2018

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 61

My, Look How We’ve Grown!

If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s change. And our campuses have certainly seen their fair share of change over the years. Take a look at how we’ve grown to become the MPH of today.

Aerial view of the Manlius Campus circa 1960

Manlius Pebble Hill School Campus, 2018

The original MPH Property, year unknown

62 |

W I N T E R 2018

Aerial view of the Pebble Hill School Campus circa 1960

Breaking New Ground Groundbreaking ceremony for Pixley Hall, Manlius School Campus, circa 1965

Groundbreaking for the McNeil Entrance, 1993

Groundbreaking for the Mezzalingua Humanities Wing, 1999

Groundbreaking ceremony for the Bradely McNeil ‘93 Learning Commons

Groundbreaking for the Laurie Mezzalingua ’86 Center for Early Learning

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 63

Merging the Past with the Present

The Phoenix Tavern on the Manlius School campus

Construction of the Phoenix Student Center on the Manlius Pebble Hill campus

The Manlius School Flagpole being installed on the MPH campus in 1999

64 |

W I N T E R 2018

The flagpole in 2017, which was moved from the Manlius School campus

Installation of the WWI Memorial canon at the MPH campus, which was moved from the Manlius School Campus, 1993

The original gymnasium on the Manlius School Campus

Inside the original Pebble Hill Barn Gymnasium

The original gymnasium at Pebble Hill School was housed in the space now occupied by the Coville Theatre in the Barn

The Barber Gymnasium on the Manlius School Campus

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 65

Groundbreaking ceremony for the Kathleen and Daniel Mezzalingua ’56C Arts and Athletics Complex

The original gymnasium at Manlius Pebble Hill School, which was modified to become part of the Visual Arts and Administrative offices in the Kathleen and Daniel Mezzalingua ’56C Arts and Athletics Complex

The beautiful gymnasium at the Kathleen and Daniel Mezzalingua ’56C Arts and Athletics Complex

After 40 years the temporary building that housed the Lehman Lower School, and then the Visual Arts Department was finally removed, clearing the way for our new STEAM Park

66 |

W I N T E R 2018

Our History in Photos…

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 67

Our History in Photos‌

First Pebble Hill Football Team, 1927

Farmer Hall Construction, 1964

Flu Epidemic at Manlius, 1957

Manlius Polo Team in front of Syracuse Arena, 1927

1919-20 Basketball Team on King Club Porch 1964, Manlius School Wrestling

A Company Winter Carnival- Prize-Winning Snow Sculpture, 1957

68 |

W I N T E R 2018

Mike Alexander, 1995 Track at MPH

Freshman at MPH, 1993 Don Ridall teaching PE at MPH, 1981

MPH Varsity Softball, 1995

Pebble Hill Cheerleaders, 1957

Manlius School Glee Club, 1950

Bobbing for Apples at MPH, 1978

Color Guard at Manlius, 1931

MPH Girls Tennis Sectionals, 2009

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 69

Manlius School Battalion, 1920

Handshake Ceremony at MPH, 2016

Mary “Ma” Beeler in the Kitchen at Pebble Hill, 1970

Middle School Basketball, MPH, 1993

Mrs. Stone’s 4th Grade Class, 1985

Manlius School Glee Club, 1950 Kem Branin, Pebble Hill High Jump, 1952

Manlius Ski Club, 1964

70 |

W I N T E R 2018

Kindergarten at Pebble Hill, 1961

MPH Boys Soccer, Oxford Tournament Champs, 1994

St. John’s Cadet Band, 1911

Government Inspection, 1962

Manlius Summer School, 1952

St. John’s Cadets, 1887

Senior Snack, 2015

Manlius School Undefeated Baseball Team, 1921

Spring Concert, 2008

Red and White Day, 2012

MPH Swim Team, 2011

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 71

[

ALUMNI NOTES

]

The Manlius School

Walter Grahling ’52A and Bill Kelly ’63A at the WALTER W. GRAHLING Manlius School Reunion in South Carolina on JR. ’52A writes: “When A September 22.

Company won the Color Company Cup in 1949, I carried it in the final parade. My roommates Mark (Tony) Waterbury and Conran Horne, and I roomed together for the next three years and have stayed very close friends since. After two years of college I went to an electronic school to learn radio and TV repair. I opened Grahling Radio and TV Repair in 1954. In 1956 I went into the US Army and was stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ at the Electronic Providing ground. I joined the Tombstone Vigilantes and re-enacted all the gun fights that took place in the 1880s. After I got out of the Army I went to Europe for a short time then reopened my TV shop until 1969, when I moved to Charlotte.

Also, I am the post master and captain of the Wagoneers.

In 1974 I joined the Masons and in 1975 joined the Scottish Rite and Shrine. We have two old fire trucks: a 1924 and 1925 that we use to raise money for a Children’s hospital.”

BOB CASCIOLA ’54A Bob’s book, 1st and Forever: Making the Case for the Future of Football, has been receiving rave reviews in its first weeks in publication.

A large section of the book is devoted to Manlius School Coach Tom Cahill and alumnus Gary Steele ’65C.

72 |

W I N T E R 2018

1st and Forever is available for purchase on Amazon.

ROBERT EUGENE KULESH ’55A Robert shares with us: “I recently retired and am doing a bit of consulting work. I’m looking forward to moving to Europe next summer for a few years and spending time in Poland, my wife’s home country, and winters in Portugal. Someday I will get back to New York and visit the campus.”

RON IANNONE ’58A Professor in the College of Education and Human Services at West Virginia University, Ron Iannone ’58A recently published two books: School Ain’t No Way/Appalachian Consciousness, and A Not So Normal Family. Both books area available for purchase on Amazon.

BILL EDGERTON ’63HQ Bill writes: “My wife, Patty Joy and I celebrated our 50th anniversary this year and I will retire from my podiatry practice this fall after 43 years. We will divide our year between Ipswich, MA and Alpharetta, GA. I would love to get together with Manlius alums in either location and look forward to a possible off-year reunion at MPH with the ’63 group next year. We have eight children and 16 grandkids to help occupy our time.

Blessings to all MPH alumni and current students and faculty.”

FRAN PORDUM ’63C Fran writes: “I have finally arrived at the stage of full retirement! After a career in education, coaching football and baseball, County Legislator, State Assemblyman, consultant, Town Supervisor, and many seasonal and part-time jobs, I decided to finally pull the plug and begin to enjoy the fruits of my labor. On another note, I recently had the fortune to spend some time with one of my former classmates at Manlius, John Darrin ’64C. We were

at Colgate University celebrating our 50th anniversary. Hard to believe that it has been 50 years since college graduation! It was great seeing him again and sharing memories of Manlius and Colgate. I will always have fond memories of my days at Manlius. We were fortunate to have excellent teachers and role models who taught us what has to be done in order to be successful in life. Hard work, honesty, discipline, because ‘Manners Makyth Man’.”

DAVE CORCORAN ’67B Dave shares with us: “It doesn’t seem possible that 51 years have passed since I threw my A uniform cap in the air and walked out of Barber gymnasium ready to head off to college. Since then, most of my life has been involved in the fly fishing industry here in Bozeman, Montana.

My summers are spent guiding visiting fly anglers to some of Montana’s best fly fishing. The winter months are spent in Palm Desert, California, where my wife, Lynn, and I play golf, reconnect with friends from all over the world, and enjoy some of the best margaritas anywhere. The highlight of our winter is my stint as an Announcer at the Career Builders PGA golf tournament held annually at PGA West in LaQuinta, California.

I keep in touch with old classmates as much as possible. As I reflect back on my four years at The Manlius School I am reminded just what a wonderful launch pad that was for my life. One question that still has me puzzled is, ‘Where did the time go?’ I would encourage new graduates from MPH to live every day because one day you’ll wake up and you’ll be in the 4th quarter of life with no turning back.”

Pebble Hill School MICHAEL STONE ’49 Michael shares: “I was at Pebble Hill for 7th and 8th grade. I was ten years old in 7th grade. All the others (Dick Humpleby, Dave Ware, John Holcomb, Elmer Wainwright) were a lot older. Elmer really helped me out with those older boys and I have always wanted to thank him for being such a good and protective friend. I don’t know where he is or if he is even still alive, but if anyone knows the whereabouts of Elmer Wainwright, please let me know! The teachers were wonderful – Mr. Grant and Mr. Cambridge, especially. Today, I’m a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University, author of 13 books and several hundred articles and chapters. My wife and I live in New York City, are grandparents and are patrons of the Metropolitan Opera and members of London’s Reform Club.”

LEWIS CAMPFIELD ’66 Lewis shares news on behalf of the Pebble Hill School Class of 1966: Margot Hunter Rowland ’66 and classmate Gillette Hansen ’66 rented a house together in Boca Grande, FL, last winter along with family. Margot and husband Larry also enjoyed a visit in Beaufort, SC from Linda and Lewis Campfield. Lewis enjoyed catching fish from the Rowland dock.

Margot Hunter Rowland ‘66 and Gillette Hansen ‘66

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 73

SUSAN BELL MARTIN ’69 Susan writes: “I am still teaching and I am now living in Parkland, Florida.”

Manlius Pebble Hill School

of 2008, earned his Math Ph.D. from Tufts University and is working at a software company in Boston. Ethan, MPH class of 2011, got a dual degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse and School of Management and is an Human Resources manager at Unilever’s headquarters in New Jersey.”

AIMEE DOMENICO HALL ’97 Aimee writes: “My family and I will be moving to Columbus, Ohio this July. I will be teaching Spanish at The Columbus Academy in the fall.”

PATRICK RIDALL ’03 and his wife Iris welcomed a baby girl, Lyla, on May 10th. Grandfather Don Ridall is totally smitten. Lyla was born at 11:40 p.m. weighing in at 7 lbs. 10 oz and measuring 21.5 inches.

Dr. Mark Zilkoski ‘69 receives his award

MARK ZILKOSKI ’69 Mark Shares: “In September I was awarded the 2017 Alumni Humanitarian of the Year by Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, NY.”

74 |

Ike, Michaela and baby Annabel Reber

HAROLD PARNES ’71 Harold writes: “I am 66 and finally retired. I have four sons and one granddaughter. My youngest son graduated from high school in June and applied to Florida Aviation School. My oldest son works in accounting, the father of my granddaughter is in the Navy Reserves and a firefighter, and my third-born son works at Shop Rite Groceries. My wife of 37 years, Marianne, is a retired Neonatal Nurse who spent 40 years caring for premature babies. We live in Montague, NJ.”

JACKIE (BUNTING) REBER ’98 Jackie shares: “In January my husband Jon and I welcomed baby Annabel to our family. She joins big sister Michaela and big brother Ike. They are smitten, and we are too.”

MARYELLEN BERRY ’79 Maryellen writes: “I was named Principal of the Lower School of Whitefield Academy in Mableton, GA. My work began in July.”

MOLLY (HANDLER) TAYLOR ’99 Molly writes: “On April 14th this year I married Bud Taylor, of Surf City, North Carolina. We were married on our property, an 11-acre farm surrounded by friends and family.

Bud is a successful chef and owner of The Bistro at Topsail, an awardwinning, upscale, modern southern restaurant located in Surf City, NC.”

PHILIP ROTHSCHILD ’79 Phil shares: “I’m still supervising the Appeals Program at Hiscock Legal Aid in Syracuse. My son Seth, MPH class

W I N T E R 2018

KATHERINE SWIMM ’02 Katie graduated from Tufts University in May 2018 with a Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies.

She studies how representations of mental illness on stage, television and film perpetuate stigma around these diseases. She’s currently serving as the Assistant Director for Peer Tutoring at Tufts, where she develops undergraduate tutoring programs in math, science, and languages. She’s also an active actor and director in the Boston area.

Molly and Bud Taylor

Lyla Julia Ridall

Aunt Cady Ridall ’16 with baby Lyla

Proud grandpa Don Ridall with baby Lyla

and friends from throughout the United States attended the event.

Jonathan earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Cornell University. The couple now resides in Washington, D.C., where Jonathan is a management consultant at Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLC. Graham’s home in Okaloko, a small village in the north portion of Namibia, about 60 km from the Angola border

KATERI (ALLARD) SALAVITABAR ’04 Kateri shares this adorable photo of herself holding her new son, Naveed.

She and her husband recently moved to Columbus, OH. EMILY SCLAR ’06 Emily writes: “I can’t believe how quickly time has flown! Some updates: I got married this past May and after 11 years of working in the entertainment industry in New York City, we moved to Bloomington, IN. I currently work in academic advising at The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.”

Proud dad Dana, and his son Benjamin

DANA HUYGE ’08 Dana and his wife Emily welcomed a son, Benjamin John Huyge on August 2, 2018.

JILLIAN HAMEL ’07 Jillian Hamel was married to Jesse Michel on September 30, 2017 in Asheville, NC. Scott and Nicole with their wedding party

SCOTT MEEHAN ’08 Scott Meehan ’08 and Nicole Miller were married August 10, 2018 in Stevensville, MD. Many MPH alumni were in attendance.

Graham teaching a class

GRAHAM LEGGAT ’13 Graham Leggat is currently serving in the Peace Corps, and shares with us: “I’m really enjoying just being here. I love being in the classroom and I love my learners, although they can really drive me up the wall some days. I enjoy just talking with people and sharing things about the US and where I’m from and hearing what they have to say and learning about Ovambo and Namibian culture. Of course, any PCV will tell you that service is not without its challenges, but overall my experience so far has been very positive. I think my biggest takeaway has been trying to understand American culture and what it means to be an American through the eyes of another culture.”

Johnathan Saltman ’08 and his wife, Rachel

JONATHAN SALTMAN ’08 Jonathan Saltman married Rachel Schulze on June 17, 2017 in Haymarket, VA. The wedding ceremony and reception were held at the Evergreen Country Club in Haymarket, VA. Family members

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 75

[

FINAL ROLL CALL

]

STEPHEN R. BURCHESKY ’66C Steve was born in Utica, N.Y., a son of the late Robert Zenon and Anne Jennings Burchesky.

Stephen R. Burchesky, 70, of Canonsburg, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 11, 2018, in UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital, Pittsburgh, with his beloved wife and children by his side.

Stephen remained in close contact with countless friends throughout his life: grammar school (Ridgewood; New Hartford, N.Y.), The Manlius Military Academy Old Boys (Syracuse, N.Y.), Union College (Barbourville, Ky.) peers and swim teammates. More friendships formed during his time in California (Hollywood, Sherman Oaks) where he owned AVID (Audio-Visual Instructional Design) Productions. After moving to Pennsylvania, he started Photography by Burchesky as well as US Life Safety Inc., a webbased emergency preparedness company with most notable client, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He established Friends of the Park for Town Park, was a member of the Greater Canonsburg Lion, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and was a founding father of the Pittsburgh Curling Club. He is remembered for his loyalty to friends and loved ones, his passion for photography and his creative abilities, especially planning the most outrageous and original parties. Stephen was a member of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church (CUPC). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to CUPC, American Heart Association, LLS Society or Pittsburgh Curling Club.

On July 1, 1989, he married his devoted wife, Bonita Linder, who survives after 29 years of loving marriage. Also left behind to cherish his memory are his two beloved children, Michael Zenon Burchesky and Natalie Linder Burchesky; two brothers, Dr. Kenneth M. Burchesky (Janet Chickering) of Lyndonville, Vt., and R. Douglas Burchesky (Jane) of Walpole, Mass.; sister Carole Burchesky Star (Gary Vineyard) of Nashville, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews Steve’s Class Note from July, 2018: “I truly enjoyed the recent reunion (my 52nd celebration) and was proud to have been inducted into the MPH Athletic Hall of Fame along with my Red Squires Mile Medley Sprint Relay teammates. My thanks to Had Fuller (‘66A) for presenting the team that evening.

Our son Michael (23) graduated from Hamilton College last May and is now in his 2nd year of graduate school at Vanderbilt University studying Audiology. Michael’s talents as a musician, writer, composer and arranger, will enable him to focus his concentration with on working with children who have been fitted with cochlear implants. Our daughter Natalie (21) will be attending Eastern Kentucky University and completing her degree in occupational safety.

Natalie, who is 6’ 4” will be on volleyball scholarship with the EKU colonels in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Bonnie, a certified water aerobics instructor, and I spend our time in our garden, doing house projects and planning for volleyball trips in and around Kentucky and Tennessee.”

76 |

The Manlius School

CLINTON “COLE” BARNARD ’43C of Cobleskill, NY died April 14, 2018.

RICHARD N. AMES ’37HQ of Fayetteville, NY died December 28, 2017.

WILLIAM KILPATRICK JR. ’43A of Cape Coral, FL died February 17, 2018.

ROBERT M. KALLET ’39B of Oneida, NY died December 21, 2017.

WILLIAM E. BUCK, JR. ’46A of Washington, D.C. died July 19, 2017.

W I N T E R 2018

EUGENE P. CARVER ’46B of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA died February 4, 2018.

G. ALBERT FINKE ’46HQ of Victor, NY died January 10, 2018.

GEORGE V. FRYER ’48HQ of Santa Barbara, CA died October 17, 2017.

STEPHEN B. HEMSTREET ’48A of Murphy, N.C. died January 2, 2018.

NORMAN FREEDMAN ’55A of Naples, FL died July 2, 2017.

WILLIAM M. HAMEL ’52 of Port Byron, NY died January 8, 2018.

CARL T. KRAMER ’48C of Sandusky, OH died November 5, 2017.

RICHARD D. MONTGOMERY ’55B of Boston, MA died October 1, 2018.

SANDRA. S. ABBOTT ’56 of Webster, NY died June 5, 2018.

EDWARD R. LEVENE ’48B of Jupiter, FL died November 11, 2017.

JAMES C. BUTLER ’56B of Odenton, MD and formerly of Syracuse, NY died February 9, 2018.

Manlius Pebble Hill School

BRUCE M. BICKNELL ’49C of Scranton, PA died May 10, 2018.

CHARLES E. CLOSE ’49C of Syracuse, NY died March 13, 2018.

PIETER LIGHTHALL VERBECK ’56C of Chestertown, MD and formerly of Darien, CT died May 21, 2018.

GREGORY B. FLYNN ’71 of Syracuse, NY died August, 20, 2018.

MARY E. “MIMI” BARNHILL ‘73 of New York, N.Y. died August 25, 2017.

ROBERT L. FREEDMAN ’57B of Albany, NY died July 9, 2018.

BENJAMIN S. EDWARDS ’74 of Syracuse, NY died January 21, 2018.

C. DEFOREST “C.D.” ’51A Cummings, Jr. of Buffalo, NY died March 29, 2018.

HUBERT J. “PEPPY” CALLAHAN ’58HQ of Melbourne, FL died February 16, 2018.

CHRISTOPHER G. GATES ’74 of Manlius, NY died June 18, 2018.

DONALD P. GOLOS ’51B of Tuscan, AZ died December 4, 2017.

DONALD C. DRURY ’58B of Cumming, GA died June 8, 2018.

ROBERT W. HART ’51B of Palm City, FL died October 26, 2017.

ERIC P. “RICK” FAIGLE ’58B of Syracuse, NY died March 14, 2018.

JAMES T. RUND ’51C of Spencerport, NY died July 31, 2018.

JAMES C. MILONAS ’58B of Waterbury, CT died March 25, 2018.

ALFRED R. BROWN ’52A of Apulia Station, NY died August 21, 2018.

PETER D. TREDE ’59A of Pinehurst, N.C. died December 1, 2017.

RICHARD L. FARNAN ’53B of Macon, GA died September 1, 2018.

JOHN R. SCARLETT ’60C of Rossie, NY died September 13, 2017.

ROBERT E. “BOB” JOHNSON of Hackettstown, NJ died February 26, 2018.

FRANKLYN F. O’BRIEN ’53HQ of Las Vegas, NV died August 3, 2017.

CHARLES LATTIN ’61A of Orlando, FL died May 23, 2018.

NANCY S. EPOCH of Topeka, KS died January 30, 2018.

PAUL V. PRATT ’53HQ of Oswego, NY died July 7, 2017.

JOSEPH R. MORRILL, III ’70C of St. Augustine, FL died December 17, 2017.

NANCY W. TUCCI of Liverpool, NY died March 5, 2018.

JOHN T. RHUARK ’53C formerly of Massillon and East Canton, OH died August 7, 2017.

Pebble Hill School

RICHARD S. GRANFIELD ’49C of Stuart, FL died September 2, 2017.

PHILLIP E. THORPE ’54B of Tannersville, NY died October 21, 2017.

MARTHA L. LEPLANTE ’81 of Manlius, NY died June 5, 2018.

GINA-RENEE HAYDEN ’99 of Syracuse, NY died July 14, 2018.

JOSEPH T. SMEEDING ’09 of Syracuse, NY and Oxnard, CA died January 12, 2018.

Former Employees

FORBES TUTTLE ’42 of DeWitt, NY died November 27, 2018.

WILLIAM G. MITCHELL ’49 of Liverpool, NY died October 10, 2018.

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 77

BENJAMIN SHAY RESNICK GERTZ ’14 Benjamin Shay Resnick Gertz passed away on July 16, 2018 after a courageous effort against a terrible cancer, never losing hope, never complaining, and never giving up. His character shone through at every stage of his life, and guided his quiet and principled way of moving through the world. Shay touched many people in his short life with his wisdom, determination, sense of humor and loving kindness. Shay is survived by his parents, Debra Lee Gertz, Carole Resnick, and Richard Dorritie, and by his grandmother, many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and loved ones.

Shay attended the Montessori School of Syracuse, and Manlius Pebble School, where he was recognized at graduation with a high honor given to the senior who best represents the personal qualities of loyalty, courage, integrity, citizenship, and dependability. He was generous with his technology skills, and for his senior project supported younger students with reading disabilities to learn self acceptance and to use the technology which Shay utilized himself.

Shay was a skilled and empowered advocate for himself and others, and never failed to speak up for what was right in an articulate and effective way. He also knew the art of acceptance, and had the capacity to be with reality as it unfolded in his life with patience and grace. Shay loved nature very deeply, and was happiest outdoors when he wasn’t working. He loved biking and lacrosse, hiking, photography, and music. His studies in technology at RIT were central in his life, but his work life at Innovative Technologies was at least as important to him. Shay thrived in settings where his knowledge and skills could be applied in community with others. He cherished his friends, coworkers, and family, and was cherished and appreciated in return.

JOHN JOINER ’57 John “Doc” Joiner, 79, of Syracuse, passed away peacefully at his home on November 7, 2018 after his courageous battle with cancer. He was a 35+ years employee of Le Moyne College, dedicated alumnus of Pebble Hill School, and a lifelong supporter of Elmcrest Children Center. Doc was always supporting others in need, as shown with his involvement with the Eastwood Bears Pop Warner Football teams in the early days and his tireless support for Le Moyne College Athletics.

John in his senior yearbook photo

Doc’s relationship with Manlius Pebble Hill School first began when he stepped onto the campus of Pebble Hill School during the fall of 1946 to join the first grade class.

Doc’s mother, Peg Joiner had accepted a staff position with Pebble Hill School and as John states, “My mother working at Pebble Hill allowed me to attend and I have always felt grateful for the opportunity.”

After Doc graduated from Pebble Hill in 1957, his relationship with his classmates, Pebble Hill, and, subsequently, Manlius Pebble Hill, have remained strong. He’s been a guest at many Alumni Weekend events throughout the years, including the Athletic Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Pebble Hill “lunch bunch,” getting together with former classmates several times a year.

Most recently Doc made a generous gift to name the training room in the newly constructed Kathleen and Daniel Mezzalingua ’56C Arts and Athletics Complex in memory of his mother and in honor of his own experience at Pebble Hill. John’s generosity, smile, and kindness will be missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know him.

78 |

W I N T E R 2018

John “Doc” Joiner ’57

What Was Happening in 1869?

In the year the St. John’s School was founded, there were some interesting amazing things happening in our world…

On January 20, Elizabeth Cady Stanton became the first woman

On March 4,

to testify before Congress, advocating for women’s rights and

President Ulysses

suffrage.

S. Grant, a Republican who

On May 10, the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads met in

had served as

Promontory, Utah, to form the first transcontinental railroad in

Commanding

U.S. history.

General of the U.S. Army during the

On November 17, the Suez Canal opened, linking the

Civil War, took the

Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.

oath of office.

On December 7, American outlaw Jesse James, probably along with his brother Frank, robbed the Daviess County Savings Association in Gallatin, Missouri, bringing him widespread fame.

On December 10, Wyoming Territory became the first U.S.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy was published.

jurisdiction to explicitly grant voting rights to women.

On December 28, Uriah Stevens founded the Knights of Labor, which would become the largest American labor association in the 1880s.

Swiss chemist Johann Friedrich Miescher identified “nuclein,” which is now known as DNA. Mohandas Gandhi, who would later lead the Indian independence movement against British rule, was born on October 2 in what is now Gujarat, India.

And here’s what you might find on a menu (from Knox & Co,’s Horticulture Dining Room, February 1869, Boston)

[ R E F L E C T I O N S ] | 79

Graduates Through The Years

80 |

Harlow Marsh 1909

Harold Bradley 1911

John Simmons 1913

Louis Cooke 1919

Philip Skinner 1920

Harris Fisher 1921

Fred Mandel 1923

Harry Gere 1925

Charles Hudson Jr 1927

Calvin Armstrong 1928

Harold Dix Fowler 1930

John Luther Lincoln 1931

Charles Thomas Ryan 1933

Hawley Ewing Van Swall 1937

John Kellogg Jouett 1939

James Laurance Barber 1940

Philip Daniel O’Donnell 1941

Stanton Berry Garner 1943

Charles Clifford Kallet 1944

Donald Dewey Arnold 1945

Robert James Chittick 1946

James Hanrahan 1948

Donald Mitchell 1950

Louis Fournier Jr. 1951

James Moore 1952

Carmine Baratta 1953

Jack A. Whittaker 1955

Jack Brown 1956

David B. Williams 1958

Robert S. Metzger, Jr. 1959

Peter Clyde Hitchcock 1960

Adolph V. Falso 1961

Frances Rudolph 1962

F. Clark 1964

A. Birtz 1966

Rippman 1968

Johnson 1969

Sharon Bateman 1970

Barbara Borecki 1971

Becky Willard 1972

Sandra Hatch 1973

Benjamin Edwards 1974

Raymond John Galgano, Jr. 1976

Laurie M. Frost 1977

Dougal McKinley 1979

Jessica Rudnick 1981

Alison Dorr 1983

Janet O’Brien 1985

Jennifer Randall 1986

David Roth 1987

Tracy Mezzalingua 1989

Zachary George 1990

John Delgiorno 1991

John Stinchcombe 1992

Leslie Banach 1994

Jeffrey Feingold 1995

Reilly O. Andrews 1997

Bryan Duke 1998

Katherine Cummings 1999

Marissa Carmen Metildi 2000

Charles Thomas Ryan 2001

Hawley Ewing Van Swall 2002

Dania El Hassan 2004

Mackenzie Bell 2005

Michael Callahan 2006

Bruce Dew III 2007

Christiana Erba 2009

Kevin Dodge 2010

Caroline Andersson 2011

Pauline Englot 2012

Alexander Downey 2014

Alexis Layhew 2015

Cady Ridall 2016

William Kovarik 2018

W I N T E R 2018

Manlius Manlius Pebble Pebble Hill School

Jared Amankwah University of Connecticut

Phoebe Ambrose Syracuse University

Ruth Ambrose Syracuse University

Carli Arbon University of Connecticut

Carleton Beach Cornell University

Talia Braverman University of Rochester

George Bruno Siena College

Liza Bruno The University of Scranton

Jeffrey Bush Hamilton College

Bowen Cao University of Wisconsin, Madison

Riley Cappelletti Le Moyne College

Isabella Casella Drexel University

Zejia Chen Emory University

Camden Ciotoli California Polytechnic State University

Rachel Comfort Gap Year

Marina Cousins Union College

Hannah Ebner University of Miami

Theodore Eckert-Budis Bucknell University

Lily Grenis Hamilton College

Brittany Grund Florida Keys Community College

Joshua Hutko Rochester Institute of Technology

MinJia Liu University of California, San Diego

Philip Lynch Clarkson University

Keerthi Martyn Colby College

Stewart Falso Matthew Fortner Hobart and William Smith The Ohio State University Colleges

Sarah Garcia School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Congratulations Class of 2018!

William Kovarik Northeastern University

Nathan Lesch Case Western Reserve University

Congrong Li Rochester Institute of Technology

Bianca Meléndez Martineau Brown University

Aiden Meyer Brown University

Daniel Mezzalingua Villanova University

Louisa Morrow Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Nicole Onciulescu Southern Adventist University

Suzannah Peckham Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Colby Potter St. Lawrence University

Emma Purce Syracuse University

Xiaolei Quan New York University

Meijing Ren Syracuse University

Mariah Rinaldi Syracuse University

Benjamin Rudnick Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Magdalene SextonDwyer Northeastern University

Sarah Smith Tufts University

Charles St. John The University of Montana, Missoula

Mariah Storie Syracuse University

Anna Szombathy Cornell University

Sadie Tenenbaum American University

Anastasia Treat Rochester Institute of Technology

Grace Walsh High Point University

Tianchi Xu Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick

Qiuhong Yu The New School

Hongqin Zou Boston University

Manlius Pebble Hill School • 5300 Jamesville Road • Syracuse, NY 13214 • 315.446.2452 • mphschool.org MPH accepts students without regard to race, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Syracuse, NY Permit No. 1032 5300 Jamesville Road Syracuse, New York 13214-2490

[

ALUMNI EVENTS

]

more details will be available at mphschool.org/alumni/alumni-events/ 2nd Annual MPH in NYC Gathering December 6, AWOL, Manhattan, NY Alumni Holiday Gathering December 23, 1060 Bistro, Syracuse, NY MPH in Philadelphia January 29, The Pyramid Club, Philadelphia, PA

Save the Date!

The 150th Celebration Gala April 5, 2019 Sky Armory, Syracuse, NY Invitations will be sent in March

MPH in DC February, Washington, DC MPH in Florida March, Naples, FL Upper School Musical March 22-24 and 29-30 on the MPH Campus 150th Celebration Gala April 5, Sky Armory, Syracuse, NY Goodyear-Burlingame Reunion May, Cazenovia, NY Alumni Weekend and the 150th Celebration May 31 – June 2 on the MPH Campus Commencement and Alumni-Student Commencement Orchestra June 10 under the tent at MPH College-Bound BBQ August, Lodge Patio on the MPH Campus

To become a sponsor, contact Jenn Neuner at jneuner@mphschool.org or 315.446.2452