100 YEARS O F H O C K E Y
E X C I T I N G C A M PUS VISITORS
ALUMNI RECEPTION
2009 GIT
G. Frederick “Fritz” Zeller, Jr. ’47 1929 - 2009
Campus Clips A.
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A. Colin Wright ’16, Thomas Kubiniec ’16 and Will Hibbard ’16 say goodbye to their favorite physical education teacher, Coley Felser. B. Girls Varsity Lacrosse players held a clinic at Elmwood Franklin School for their 7/8 Grade Lacrosse team in March. Nichols students pictured are (front, center) Jessica Demakos ’09; (back, l-r) Devon Curran ’09, Laura Carless ’10, Sosha Garlow ’10, Teresa Moscati ’10, Kristin Via ’09 and Maddie Waters ’10. C. At a recent dinner to honor past and present Trustees, many former Chairmen of the Board gathered. Pictured are (back, l-r ) Charles Balbach, Neil Farmelo, E. W. Dann Stevens ’44, Jock Mitchell ’66 and Robert Gioia; (front, l-r) Bill Gisel ’70 and Jack Walsh ’39. D. Erika Cromwell ’16, Liza Ryan ’16 and Nina Amato ’16 tackle (especially) long division problems in Allan Hayes’ math class. E. Larry Regan hugs his son, Will ’10, after scoring his 1,000th point as a member of the Boys Varsity Basketball team. Kaitlin Donahoe ’09, Moriah Camp ’09 and Ron Canestro ’10 also joined the 1,000 Point Club during the 2008-2009 school year. F. Upper School science teacher, Darcy Brewer, Sam Milito ’10, Sebastian Augustine ’10, Jacob Shedd ’10, Rami Sherif ’10, Jake Cappuccino ’10 and Aranya Maritime, Upper School Head, pose with the banner the Investment Club received for taking first place in the Western New York competition of The National Stock Market Game™.
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Editor’s Note It’s official: Summer has arrived! The trees are in full bloom in the Quad, we said farewell to the Class of 2009 and celebrated Reunion. This time of year marks the suitable culmination of two happenings: having prepared students to thrive in the world outside of Nichols School and, thus, sending them on their way; and seeing alumni of all ages come together to plan special get-togethers, and then celebrate with those same classmates they graduated with years before. As we wish the best to those departing, we prepare to welcome a host of new students and colleagues to our community for another exciting school year. With this, comes a natural time for change and growth. We prepare to incorporate new ideas and fresh ways to interact with our community, and our communication methods make up one area that is increasingly dynamic. As you have seen with changes to our print materials and additions to our digital communication, we are constantly evaluating our approach. This year, we will not print the Annual Report on Giving in the fashion that you have seen for many years. We have heard from many peer schools regarding their effective exclusion of the report in its book form, and we felt it was a natural step, given our mission of sustainability and the considerable cost savings. In the next issue of the magazine, we will include a summary of our giving and the essential information you would find in our typical report. Furthermore, as we continue to offer more information online and via e-mail, we will move to two issues of the magazine. If we do not have your e-mail, I encourage you to send it to us so that we may keep you in the know. You can send updates of your personal contact information to the Alumni Office at alumnioffice@nicholsschool.org. At your request, we continue to increase our use of e-mail and web communication, including the addition of periodic e-newsletters, which have received very positive reviews. These messages include links to all the recent news stories and upcoming events, which you can find on our web site. The updates are a one-stop shop for all the information you need. We hope you enjoy them! Keep in touch,
Staff Summer 2009
Editor Nina Barone nbarone@nicholsschool.org Contributors Richard C. Bryan, Jr. Carly Buchheit ’09, Development Office Intern* Sarah Gelman Carney ’92 Bob Crowell Holly Fewkes Tom Franz ’76 Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75 Bridget Lutz Stephen Moscov Rob Stewart Richard Stratton Mary Sykes Designer Kelley Rechin, Duffy Moon Design Photography Nina Barone Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75 Kate Hibbard Wm. F. “Kim” Kimberly ’47 Tom Maynor ’81
*During May and June of 2009, Carly Buchheit ’09 served as an intern in the Development Office for her Senior Project.
Nina M. Barone Director of Marketing and Communications
– means “that which is true” and is pronounced “taw alay théss.” is published three times a year by the Development Office. Telephone: 716-876-3450 • Fax: 716-875-3931 Third Class postage paid at Buffalo, New York Nichols is an inclusive community. Acceptance granted to qualified students. Nichols School
1250 Amherst St., Buffalo, NY 14216 • 716-875-8212 • www.nicholsschool.org
Front Cover: To read tributes to our longtime friend, G. Frederick “Fritz” Zeller, Jr. ’47, see page 34. Back Cover: As we went to print, we celebrated the 117th Commencement and Reunion 2009. Our next issue will cover all the special year-end events that took place.
Letter to Contents the Editor
Headmaster’s Report .................................................................................. 5 Tribute to G. Frederick “Fritz” Zeller, Jr. ’47 ................................................ 6
Dear Mrs. Barone, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful, informative paragraph that was written about our daughter, Ashley Takacs ’06, in the Class Notes section of your winter 2009 publication. As parents, we always enjoy reading about the students’ current endeavors in this section. It brings back fond memories of the time Ashley and her classmates spent at Nichols as we recall the various students. I’m sure you have heard this many times before, but we truly believe that the high degree of success that Ashley is achieving at UPenn is due in large part to the impressive education she received while at Nichols. Beginning in January 2009, Ashley continues to pursue another one of her passions by writing a weekly column for the Daily Pennsylvanian, the college newspaper. It appears most Wednesdays and is appropriately titled “Ash Wednesday.” I have enclosed a few of her articles. Perhaps some of her former teachers at Nichols would enjoy reading them. Sincerely, Linda & Richard Takacs
Dear Linda and Richard, We appreciate your note and the thoughtful words about how well Nichols prepared your daughter! I passed along Ashley’s articles to the faculty and staff. Everyone enjoyed reading them, particularly her former teachers Mr. Moscov and Dr. Rosenblum. Thank you for sharing!
2009 Cum Laude Inductees ..................................................................... 10 Farewell to Five Faculty and Staff Members ................................................... 11 Peter Gow ’68 Shares Insight on New Guiding Principles for Schools ....... 12 2008-2009 Alumni Survey Results ........................................................... 14 Sports Focus – Boys Tennis ........................................................................ 16 Winter 2008-2009 Athletics Recap ........................................................... 18 Spring 2009 Athletics Recap ................................................................... 19 Celebrating 100 Years of Hockey .............................................................. 20 Hockey Updates ...................................................................................... 25 Alumni Event – NYC ................................................................................. 26 John Henderson Wray ’89 Returns to Share Story .................................... 29 The 2009 Lucy and Sherman J. Maisel ’35 General Information Test .......................................................................... 30 Animals Bring Earth Day to Life ............................................................... 34 After Nichols – Rosemary Maggiore ’88 .................................................. 35 Tony Horwitz Visits for Prince Lecture ......................................................... 36 Chinese-American Author, Ji-li Jiang, Visits Nichols ................................. 37 “The Soaring Fifth Grade“ Poem ..............................................................37 Alumni Event – Chicago ........................................................................... 38 2009 Derby Day Auction .......................................................................... 40
Best, Nina Barone
Increasing our Community Service Efforts .............................................. 42
Corrections & Clarifications
Alumni Event – San Francisco .................................................................. 45
In the article about author Linda Sue Park, the caption of the photo featuring a student with her kite should have read: Aubrey Borgesi ’16 poses with her handmade kite. We apologize for any confusion this caused.
Alumni Event – Palo Alto .......................................................................... 44
Alumni Event – Santa Monica .................................................................. 46 In Memoriam ............................................................................................ 47 Class Notes .............................................................................................. 49 Faculty Profile – Thomas Michaud ............................................................ 55
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Nichols School
by Richard C. Bryan, Jr.
T
he end of each school year is always full of reflection and transition. As the seniors return to campus for their graduation rehearsals, I see faculty pause to watch. No doubt they are remembering a special moment with a member of the class, a time of growth, breakthrough, humor or poignancy. Sometime, like a parent, you wish that time could freeze and that the goodbyes and best wishes could be saved for yet another time. And yet, this is what our mission entails. Preparing young people for the work of life. Preparing them to go off with the character and knowledge to make an impact on the lives of others and of the world. This spring, we are also preparing to recognize the careers of five members of the faculty and staff who are retiring. Don Cockerill, Coley Felser, John Mendenhall, Patty Sheehan and Bob Guldner represent a combined 175 years of service to the students of Nichols School. For more about the retirees, please see page 7. But our hearts are heavy this spring with the news of the deaths of several Nichols School pillars. George E. Stevens ’48 and Fritz Zeller ’47. Coming on the heels of the passing of George B. Truscott ’55 a year ago, many alumni are mourning the loss of three men who made an impact on their lives. I was struck by the outpouring of letters and e-mails we received when the news of Fritz’s death reached alumni and former faculty. Here is a small sample:
Headmaster’s Report “Like so many other Nichols students, Mr. Zeller touched my life in lasting and meaningful ways.” -Albert Butzer ’73 “He always encouraged me to push myself to succeed. I did and I think I was a better player because of him.” -Dr. Charles “Chic” A. Smith ’57 “As a 14-year-old Nichols freshman in 1968, Mr. Zeller pulled me aside and told me to always be myself, and not let Nichols cause me to act otherwise.” -John Mineo ’72 “He and George Truscott were such icons of the School, and their personalities, to me, were ideal representations of what Nichols was all about. Losing both of them within a year is hard to take.” -Paul Wick ’81 I’m struck with all these letters that show how deeply and passionately Fritz Zeller affected so many alumni. For more sentiments about Fritz, please see page 34. These letters affirm my statement made recently to our new 9th graders and their parents – the Class of 2013: Nichols has small classes that encourage close connections with students. We have high academic standards that nurture intellectual curiosity, stimulate personal growth, and encourage critical thinking. We have a beautiful campus with a college-like setting. But, what sets us apart from any other school is our high quality, committed teachers. They are knowledgeable in their areas of expertise and passionate about what they do. Because they have autonomy within the classroom, and are not burdened by standardized curriculums like the Regents, our teachers are able to develop a full understanding of how each student learns and what interests and motivates each individually. Many
of our faculty coach, advise activities or participate in the arts. All are willing to meet with you during a free period to provide additional help. All believe strongly in our mission and core values. They are the heart of this School. Perhaps you would like to write a member of the faculty or staff who made the greatest impact on your life, or make a gift to Nichols in his or her honor. This is your chance to say thank you or to remember a story or a special moment. My thinking is that many of you would rather have your sentiments conveyed now rather than after learning about the death of this special mentor. Call the Development Office (716.876.3450) or e-mail Sarah Gelman Carney ’92 (scarney@nicholsschool.org). We have the addresses of many of our former faculty and staff. They would love to hear from you. While we are in the mood of reflection and transition, it just might be the best way to carry on.
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G. Frederick “Fritz” Zeller, Jr. ’47 March 7, 1929 – May 15, 2009 It is with great sadness that we report the death of our longtime friend, G. Frederick “Fritz” Zeller, Jr. ’47. A member of the Class of 1947 and a 20-year member of the faculty under Headmasters Boocock and Wadsworth, Fritz was first hired as the School’s Business Manager. He went on to serve a variety of roles in the School, including the Assistant Headmaster. Fritz was one of the most respected faculty members ever to walk the halls of Nichols. In 1982, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award; in 1992, he was inducted into the initial class of the
Nichols Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition, he was an outstanding Boys Varsity Soccer Coach. We put together a compilation of memories and tributes to be shared with the Zeller family. Thank you to all those who wrote to us with inspiring and thoughtful recollections. Here are some of the letters we compiled:
“As we ran laps before, during and after practice each day, Mr. Zeller would tell us, calmly but firmly, not to cut corners. Of course, on a literal level, he meant that we were to run carefully to the corner flags set on our soccer field and resist the urge to cut the corner short and spare ourselves the extra five to 10 yards. But through his voice and example, the words meant and suggested a deep and disciplined approach to life, to academic and professional work, to issues of integrity and honesty, to the ethics of personal relationships and community responsibility. By cutting corners in life, Mr. Zeller suggested, we would be diminishing our own sense of integrity, dignity and humanity. We would lose the discipline, desire and initiative to meet challenges with grace, stamina and resilience. The advice, the mantra is as appropriate and powerful today as it was in 1975. As we approached a big game, one that could determine the fate of our season in the old Interstate League, Mr. Zeller would gather us together moments before kick-off to remind us that the game represented a ‘great opportunity.’ Even in my high school days, I was impressed and inspired by this phrase that so beautifully moved us from fear and anxiety towards eager engagement and expectation... Finally, the Zeller ethos taught me that the true spirit and dignity of a school can emerge through an emphasis on culture, on the values and spirit of the community. Although Mr. Zeller did not teach in a classroom, he embodied the very way of life our school sought to embrace. He was a Dean and Assistant Headmaster without a rulebook or set of regulations or procedures. He lived, acted and spoke with generosity, integrity, kindness and patience, and so his school reached out to model itself in his spirit. He demonstrated class, grace, composure and humanity in any situation, and so we his students became more ambitious in our values, behavior and spirit. Today, a photograph of my 1973 soccer team coached by Mr. Zeller hangs in my office. He kneels, smiling, in the midst of 20 screaming boys on a snowy afternoon in Buffalo. It is a portrait of education at its best.” — Tad Roach ’75 6
Nichols School
Tribute “It is with sadness that I addressed the student body on Monday morning, May 18, with the news of Fritz’s death. I put the news in context, describing that he was a student like them in the 1940s. He worked hard on his studies and enjoyed his many athletic teams and teammates. I tried to describe his role in his 19 years on the campus as Business Manager and then Assistant Headmaster. I concluded by saying that he was one of the pillars of the School and that Nichols was a stronger school because of him… I also remember Fritz’s award as the Distinguished Alumnus in December 1982. It was my first year at Nichols, and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting him for the first time. Ten years later, at the Statler Hotel, came the induction for the Athletic Hall of Fame, and it was a grand evening in every respect. A final story: about five years ago, I went back to the Homecoming game at my alma mater, University School, in Cleveland. I happened to run into the retired Athletic Director, Don Molten. Don was also my Varsity Soccer Coach at US, and the first question he asked me was whether I had seen Fritz lately. He went on to tell me that he respected Fritz more than any other coach he ever faced. It was because his boys were always good sportsmen and they were willing to give everything in a game. He was sad to learn of Fritz’s passing.”
— Richard C. Bryan, Jr.
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“I am deeply moved by the news of the death of my great friend Fritz Zeller. In my classes for four years, he was an outstanding student; intelligent, interested, solid as a rock…As a member of the faculty, and especially as Assistant Headmaster Fritz was a great pillar of the school in every respect…I’ll miss him. A part of my life, and undoubtedly one of the GREATS at Nichols.” -Albert Sutter “I have lost a treasured part of my Nichols family. Fritz was Nichols for me. Joining the School as a sophomore during the growing pains of the mid 70’s, Mr. Zeller was my often needed shoulder to lean on and guiding hand. He helped me become part of Nichols and also encouraged me to reach for my dreams in choosing potential colleges. He did not let me slide but was always the gentle push to do a little better and work just a little harder. During Reunions, I always sought out Fritz to get that long overdue hug. I am so glad he got to meet my husband and get a glimpse of the adult I became with help from him. Fritz will be missed by so many but also remembered and cherished by even more. My heart goes out to the Zeller family.” — Anne Desbecker Sofarelli ’77
G. Frederick “Fri “Where do you start to talk about a man who was larger than life? His dedication, integrity, dignity and honor with how he treated the students made him one of a kind teacher/mentor/guide. He shaped so many lives – he couldn’t have realized his impact…He no doubt shaped all the students that were lucky enough to have passed through that office – for good things, or for more importantly, bad things. He was the definition of grace under fire, fairness and forgiveness. We are all better people thanks to Mr. Zeller.” — Penny Benatovich ’79
“He was a great task-master in that he made you feel important relative to the greater mission, and that, as a collective under his leadership, the team stood for something worthy of the tribulations of pre-season workouts and season-long effort.” — David Mindell ’71
“He was and always will be my hero and a ‘mensch’ of giant, yet modest proportions. Good night, sweet Prince – we celebrate your charismatic character and career!! Cheers and Amore, Go Nichols!!!” — Allan Lerner ’47
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Nichols School
“Fritz was a giant among men…a man of consistency and integrity…a Gideon for those about him. He certainly was a role model for me through my Nichols years.” — Bob Jones ’52
ritz” Zeller, Jr. ’47 “Fritz Zeller was the most important person in my life. For the past 50 years, my life has been influenced more by what I learned from Fritz than by anyone else before or since…I learned much more from Coach Zeller off the field. He taught me respect, to do the right thing, and to care for others. With Fritz, all you had to do was see the person he was - he personified leading by example… His life stood for so much; he positively influenced countless lives, and his lessons will carry forward for generations to come.” — Bill Loweth ’63
A Tribute Committee was recently formed to create a suitable memorial to honor Fritz. If you are interested in making a gift or would like more information, please contact the Development Office at 716.876.3450.
Summer 2009
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The class of 2009 Cum Laude inductees: (front, l-r) Joe Trapp ‘09, Tori Nachreiner ‘09, Isabel Farhi ‘09, Erin Collins ‘09, Sabrina Gill ‘09 and Penny Hamilton ‘09; (back, l-r) Jules Stephan ‘09, Kevin Hughes ‘09, Alyssa Murrett ‘09, Amanda McLaughlin ‘09, Karissa Whiting ‘09, Hannah Kloepfer ‘09, Alayla Henry ‘09, Ben Meyer ‘09, Adele Jackson-Gibson ‘09, Kateryna Kolesnikova ‘09, Nick Williams ‘09 and Derek Robins ‘09; not pictured: Ilona Haidvogel ‘09
2009 Cum Laude Inductees by Nina Barone The Upper School enjoyed a wonderful Cum Laude induction ceremony on April 30, with 19 members of the Class of 2009 assuming the prestigious honor. Those named represent the top 20% academically in the talented class. The class of 2009 Cum Laude inductees are: Erin Collins, Isabel Farhi, Sabrina Gill, Ilona Haidvogel, Penny Hamilton, Alayla Henry, Kevin Hughes, Adele Jackson-Gibson, Hannah Kloepfer, Kateryna Kolesnikova, Amanda McLaughlin, Ben Meyer, Alyssa Murrett, Tori Nachreiner, Derek Robins, Jules Stephan, Joe Trapp, Karissa Whiting and Nick Williams. The words “cum laude” form a Latin phrase meaning “with high praise.” The Cum Laude Society was founded in 1906 by Dr. Abram W. Harris of the Tome School in Maryland to recognize students of exceptional scholarship and good character. In 1918, Nichols School was the thirteenth school to be admitted to membership in the Cum Laude Society. At Nichols, criteria for admissions of students to the Cum Laude Society is based on: academic excellence; scholarship and love of learning; consistency in performance across the four years, with special attention to achievement in grades 11 and 12, degree of difficulty of course load; and character, honor and integrity in all aspects of school life. Congratulations to the new Cum Laude inductees!
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Nichols School
We need your help. Gerald Mead, a well known collage artist and longtime former curator at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, is creating a series of artworks about our school for an upcoming exhibition in the Flickinger Gallery and he needs your help! In honor of the 118 year history of the School, he will be creating 118 small collages composed of various ephemera that chronicle the past and current history of the School. He is looking for any printed material that you are willing to contribute that can be cut up and used in the collages. Including but not limited to: n flyers/programs for events n forms or other documentation n Verdian yearbooks n school publications n posters n photographs n projects/assignments n certificates/awards n report cards n momentos n anything with the School’s name/logo on it If you have questions, please contact the Alumni Office at 716-876-3450 or alumnioffice@nicholsschool.org. Please send or bring your materials to the Development Office. Thank you in advance for your resourceful assistance with this!
2009-2010 Schedule of Glenn and Awdry Flickinger Performing Arts Center Gallery Art Exhibits Funded through the Colby Art Fund Aug. 29 - Nov. 3 Kara Daving A graduate student in painting at Washington University, she paints images of animals on discarded plastic bags. Her work represents the contradiction of natural and synthetic elements. Nov. 6 - Jan. 11 Laura Snyder A teacher of photography at Villa Maria College, her recent work is photographs of light, projected and reflected. Jan. 16 - March 8 Gerald Mead A lecturer in design at Buffalo State and a noted collagist, this exhibition will note Nichols’ 118 year history through 118 collages using collected ephemera from the Nichols attic and pieces donated by friends. Our community is encouraged to donate anything representing the history of Nichols, such as old Verdians, awards, letters, magazines. March 12 - May 11 Julie McIndoo A teacher of adult watercolor classes, her work in watercolor, oil and acrylic reflects her travels, family and gardens. May 14 - June 18 Leslie Zemsky and Larry Desautels This collaboration will present paintings about poems and poems about paintings and the exploration of words and images.
Retirees
Farewell to Five Faculty and Staff Members This year, we wish the best to five retiring faculty and staff members: Don Cockerill, Coley Felser, Bob Guldner, John Mendenhall and Patty Sheehan. Each of them has been at Nichols for over two decades, leaving a legacy of their work with our School. Don Cockerill For the past 42 years, Don has been a mainstay in the Upper School Math Department. He has been our successful instructor of the AP Calculus BC course, guiding our top math students, and instilling in all our students a love of mathematical theory and its interconnection with the sciences. Don, throughout his career at Nichols, was also a very successful coach and strong advocate of the development of technology in the classroom. His two boys, Kary ’96 and Alex ’00, are graduates of Nichols, and his younger son, Alex, is now one of our Crew coaches. Coley Felser Among the most sought after faculty members at Nichols Reunions, Coley has coached and taught physical education at Nichols for the past 41 years. He delights in watching young people develop their potential. Coley coached soccer and lacrosse at the JV level, and has guided several Middle School championship teams. He has been our Ski Club organizer and leader for both the Middle School and Upper School, providing hours of Friday night fun on the slopes of Kissing Bridge and Holiday Valley. Coley’s son, Matt ’05, attended Nichols and has enjoyed great success at Williams College.
Bob Guldner Affectionately known as “Big Bob,” he has taken care of our athletic fields for the past 38 years. A friend to athletes and coaches alike, Bob worked tirelessly to trim and line our fields, and developed the finest baseball field in Buffalo. John Mendenhall For the past 23 years, John has been the master teacher of biology at Nichols. He has pioneered the AP Biology course, providing knowledge and encouragement that has led to the success of many Nichols students. John was instrumental in the development of our Volleyball program, and has served as a chaperone on several of our exchange trips. Patty Sheehan Twenty-eight years ago, Patty joined our physical education staff. She has coached countless Middle School students in a variety of sports, and helped develop our Volleyball program. A few years ago, Patty became our Transportation Coordinator, overseeing the purchase of our buses, the training of our drivers, and the development of schedules. Patty has two children, her daughter, Keely ’93, and son, Trip.
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Peter Gow ’68 Shares Insight on New Guiding Principles for Schools by Nina Barone On Jan. 29, Peter Gow ’68 returned to Nichols for the first time in nearly 50 years to share his experiences with academic scheduling in independent schools. After graduating from Nichols, Peter earned his degrees from Yale University and Brown University. He began his independent school teaching career in 1974, and has been at Beaver Country Day in Chestnut Hill, Mass., since 1980, currently serving as the Director of College Counseling. Having occupied various roles at the school, Peter is well versed in all aspects of the independent school environment. While at School, Peter met with faculty, members of the Administrative Cabinet and the Board of Trustees to discuss ways to strengthen the School and continue to create a unified community. He said the opportunity to visit his alma mater gave him the chance to rediscover his old School. He shared the following words with the Board of Trustees: “It was a Golden Age in Buffalo, but it was even more importantly the height of the first golden age for American independent schools. The great boarding schools of the East were blossoming as they enrolled the children of the fast-growing upper and upper-middle classes. It was the heyday of the great urban day schools, too, in cities across the nation. Imitating the architecture and programs of the boarding schools, their mullioned windows and Ivy League- and Seven Sisters-educated faculties produced an education as solid as that available in any boarding school, and their graduates were to be found in all the most prestigious universities. You didn’t have to go to St. Paul’s or Andover to win admission to Yale or Princeton or Miss Porter’s to get into Radcliffe or Smith when a Nichols or a 12
Nichols School
University School or a Hockaday or a Laurel was around the corner… We talk today about curriculum, but in that era, school was about courses taught by men and women of sterling character and great educational attainments. The focus was on strong foundations in Classical and European history and literature, what
are now the lower levels of mathematics, and a dose of foreign language, Classical and modern. In time, higher levels of mathematics and some serious science worked their way into the programs, but in many cases these things paled beside the importance of merely being taught by powerful, often remote but still charismatic, teachers… My grandfather [Peter Gow, Jr.] appears to have been a fine example of that breed of teacher, a formidable taskmaster in the classroom who was held in awe and reverence by his students, one of whom
happened to be Philip M. B. Boocock, later Head of Nichols. My grandfather loved his students, and they him, but it was an affection seldom expressed openly. When I passed through Nichols 40-some years ago, this Golden Age was juddering to a halt. The ideals of the post-World War II educational meritocracy had finally taken hold, and colleges like Yale were rejecting the notion of more or less universal admission based on legacy or selective prep school enrollment; no longer could Nichols or Choate or Miss Porter’s guarantee most of their graduates access to the most prestigious universities—test scores and grades, personal qualities, and extracurricular attainments would begin to matter more than bloodlines. The curriculum at schools like Nichols hadn’t changed much (although the sciences in my day were quite advanced), and neither had the notion that a good college degree and well-muscled forearms (a signal characteristic of many of my teachers here) were the requisites of fine teaching. Students and the world at large were about to challenge all that… By 1974, all the Ivy League colleges and a host of others had “gone coed”—the phrase itself implies a descent, or at least a departure from the established path. Even Nichols was coeducational. All the certainties and assumptions that had long comforted students, parents and educators in independent schools seemed to be gone. Students seemed to be questioning everything, and as young teachers we were caught up in the uncertainty. How I stuck to it through my years teaching in several different schools in the 70s I do not know, but somehow I did. …I’ve been away from here a while, and Nichols has more than caught up with
Alumni Visit
the times. And you, as the governing body of the school, have been engaged in some strategic thinking…I spend quite a bit of my spare time thinking and writing about the state of independent schools, and I am here to tell you that we are in a Golden Age…not of infinite charitable giving or admission waitlists without end, but it is just as good, because it brings the promise of sustainability to those schools willing to think and act strategically. This Golden Age is not just about classroom learning, although what we have learned in the last 20 years about intelligence and teaching means that smart schools with well-trained faculties and strong students can achieve great things. Their teachers can engage students, craft schoolwork around students’ individual strengths and needs, and instill in students the intellectual character, as well as the flexibility and creativity of mind to take on the challenges of college work – whose nature is also, finally, beginning to evolve – and of the living purposefully in the world. Schools have adopted a new set of guiding principles. In my writing I have been calling these The New Progressivism…and they make a pretty good starting agenda, I think, for schools willing to acknowledge them and take them on as part of their strategic directions: n Authentic assessment against high standards: It’s not just about quizzes, papers and exams any more. Thinkers like Howard Gardner, Grant Wiggins and Robert Sternberg have shown teachers how to design engaging classroom experiences and assessments using high standards as benchmarks of excellence. Collaborative projects and real-world problem-solving inspire students to master and apply traditional skills and knowledge in meaningful ways, as textbooks and teachers have become significant resources and guides rather than the curriculum itself or the founts of all knowledge.
n Professional development for teachers: Professional development is R&D for independent schools, exposing faculty to new ideas that can be applied in a continuing process of program review and improvement. To avoid falling behind (like the U.S. auto industry, for example), schools need to engage in mission-driven professional development and thoughtful mentoring programs in order to become communities of professional practice rather than a patchwork of autonomous entities. Goals-based evaluation programs support the building of teacher capacity, as well.
that students be encouraged to develop and exercise creativity in all areas, from the playing fields to classroom research projects to service in the community. n Civic engagement: The early Progressive John Dewey believed that education must prepare students to be informed and effective participants in a democratic society. Schools must help students learn the power of individual agency through service, advocacy and leadership even as they also permit and encourage students to discover and strengthen deep and abiding personal values.
n Global connections and consciousness: Schools are building awareness and connections beyond their institutions to prepare their students to live and act responsibly and productively in a flattened world of limited and fragile resources.
n Technology as a tool: In the form of Web 2.0, a new technological revolution is quite suddenly upon us. This actually looks and feels quite different from merely having computers around. Technology is only a tool, but it is capable of freeing the mind for truly interesting and worthy challenges and of creating learning and thinking communities whose potential we are only beginning to understand. Smart schools will carefully embrace the promise of technology without losing sight of the core values, practices and relationships at the heart of their missions.
n Diversity as a process, not a statistic or an event: Schools must never stop working to become communities whose members have the capacity to connect across differences in race, culture, religion, ability and ways of being. My old colleague Nadine Nelson spoke of schools as having to prepare the “all-terrain kid,” ready to engage with new issues and challenges and quick to understand and accommodate to new situations and cultural norms. n Character: In a world of changing and relative values, schools must inspire and reward personal integrity, empathy, hard work, optimism and collaboration. They must also help students develop their ability to reflect on experience and to understand their own ways of learning and knowing. n Creativity: Nichols in particular has made extraordinary strides in demonstrating respect for and recognition of students’ aesthetic and creative selves in the arts. It is critical
…I would really like to remind you to take heart in the core values, practices and relationships that have sustained this school. I would also like to tell you to take courage from Nichols’ past success and thus not to be afraid to help the school evolve to take advantage of the possibilities of this new Golden Age. My own last years at Nichols may have been the somewhat bittersweet end of an era, but your time as stewards of the School can be about both the consolidation of the awe-inspiring work that the faculty, students and community have done under the leadership of Rick Bryan and about taking that work, intentionally and confidently, to a new and wonderful level.”
Summer 2009
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2008-2009 Alumni Survey Results Summary
This past winter, we created and conducted a comprehensive alumni survey to learn how prepared our alumni feel for life beyond Nichols; to get a sense of what alumni have been doing since Nichols, including education, career path and personal life; and to gather feedback on alumni programs, our communication with alumni, and their involvement after graduation from Nichols. The results are being used for the School’s overall strategic planning, as well as specific branding and marketing initiatives. In addition, the information we gathered will help us evaluate alumni programming in order to maintain relevant offerings. Lastly, because we greatly value your opinions and take each suggestion into consideration, you should know we are already moving forward with several plans that echo your ideas. To name a few, the School is currently investing in more technology and adding new courses to the curriculum, such as engineering and computer programming. We are continuously engaged in a process of evaluating all the results to implement more of your suggestions as they relate to our goals and objectives. From the 2,803 alumni e-mail addresses we have, 1,099 people (39%) participated in the survey. The executive summary of the results collected are as follows: College Preparation n 91% were exceptionally well or very well prepared for their college/university experience overall. n Studying/completing homework: 59% said exceptionally well; 31% said very well. n Writing analytically: 56% said exceptionally well; 33% said very well. n Balancing workload: 53% said exceptionally well; 30% said very well. n Requesting aid from teachers when needed: 53% said exceptionally well; 37% said very well. n Writing creatively: 46% said exceptionally well; 35% said very well. n Conducting research: 30% said exceptionally well; 47% said very well. n Interpreting mathematical/ scientific concepts: 36% said exceptionally well; 35% said very well. n Public speaking: 26% said exceptionally well; 38% said very well; 27% said adequately. n Using technology: 17% said exceptionally well; 37% said very well; 33% said adequately. The majority of respondents stated that Nichols prepared them well for all subject areas: n English language and literature: 59% said exceptionally well; 36% said very well. n History: 38% said exceptionally well; 45% said very well. 14
Nichols School
n Foreign languages: 37% said exceptionally well; 32% said very well. n Math: 31% said exceptionally well; 41% said very well. n Arts: 31% said exceptionally well; 37% said very well. n Science: 23% said exceptionally well; 46% said very well. The majority of respondents stated that they were well prepared for a variety of life skills: n Personal time management: 54% said exceptionally well; 29% said very well. n Leadership potential: 52% said exceptionally well; 31% said very well. n Communication skills: 51% said exceptionally well; 39% said very well. n Goal setting: 49% said exceptionally well; 31% said very well. n Stress/health management: 31% said exceptionally well; 31% said very well; 25% said adequately. n Personal financial planning: 19% said exceptionally well; 17% said very well; 32% said adequately; 22% said not very well. College Process n 48% of respondents are currently enrolled in or graduated from their first-choice college/university, while 21% attend(ed) their second-choice college/university.
n 58% are extremely satisfied that the college/university in which they are enrolled or graduated is the right match; 32% are satisfied with their match. n When rating satisfaction level with the Nichols’ college selection process, 30% were extremely satisfied, 45% were satisfied and 19% felt neutral about the experience. Respondents noted that the teachers and staff at Nichols helped in various ways to make the decision to attend their particular college/university: n Faculty/staff member wrote recommendations to this college/ university on my behalf: 75% n Faculty/staff member assisted me in putting together entrance materials for this college/university: 45% n Faculty/staff member suggested that colleges/universities with characteristics like this one would be a good match for me: 45% n Faculty/staff member suggested that this particular college/university would be a good match for me: 38% n Faculty/staff member was actively involved in working with the college admissions staff at this college/university on my behalf: 22%
College Major & Extra-curriculars Our alumni graduated from college in a variety of fields of study: n English/literature: 12.1% n Business: 12.1% n Political science: 11.5% n Psychology: 8.8% n Economics: 7.7% n Education: 7.1% n Foreign languages: 6.6% n Communication Studies: 6% n Sociology: 6% n Pre-law: 5% n History: 5% n Biological/physical sciences: 4.4% n Math: 4.4% n Visual and performing arts: 3.9% n Engineering: 3.9% n Marketing: 3.3% Our alumni also participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities: n Member of a specialized club, center or group: 57% n A part-time or full-time worker (earn wages): 46% n Volunteer at school or within the community: 40% n Member of an athletic team: 36% n Intern/work study: 31% n Member of a musical group: 16% n Volunteer for a political campaign: 9% n Member of an academic team: 6% Reflection on Nichols Experience n 73% of respondents report that they enjoyed their time at Nichols. Looking back on their time at Nichols, graduates felt the most valuable aspects of their secondary school experience were the following: n Participation in specialized clubs n Interaction with faculty and staff n Participation in community service/ volunteer activities n Elective courses
n Participation in travel abroad or exchange programs n Participation in the arts n Other students at your school n Participation in athletic teams/sports n Individualized attention n Core academic courses n AP courses n Culture of your school n Small class sizes Connection to Nichols Today n 19% strongly agree that they feel connected to Nichols School as an alumnus/a; 25% agree and 30% neither agreed nor disagreed. n About 62% have been back to Nichols since graduation. n About 50% of respondents report having contact with the Director of Alumni Relations or another member of the Development staff since graduation. n 42% enjoy participating in alumni events and/or activities. n The majority feels that Nichols does exceptionally well or very well at keeping alumni connected and informed. Graduates reported staying connected to Nichols in a variety of ways: n Read the School magazine, : 87% n Keep in touch with classmates: 73% n Contribute to the School’s Annual Fund: 61% n Attend reunions and alumni events: 53% n Visit the School’s web site for news/ updates: 34% n Keep in touch with faculty/staff: 21% n Attend School athletic events: 13%
Upcoming Events Homecoming 2009 Friday & Saturday, Sept. 25 & 26 Big Green Dinner and Auction Friday, Nov. 20 Alumni Holiday Gathering Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 5:00 p.m. Winter Sports Night Friday, Jan. 29 Alumni Hockey Game and Alumni Basketball Game Odd vs. Even Graduating Class Years Saturday, Jan. 30 Derby Day Auction Saturday, May 1 118th Commencement & Reunion 2010 Friday, June 4
Nominate Today! The Nichols School Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place in the fall of 2010. E-mail alumnioffice@nicholsschool.org.
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Nichols Boys Tennis A Tradition Continues By Bob Crowell As a boy growing up in this area, whenever I heard about the Nichols School tennis team, it was as Clay Hamlin’s ’63 team. He was the player that all of the top area high school tennis players measured themselves against, and his teams were great. That was in the early 1960s. I began coaching high school tennis at East Aurora over 30 years ago, and the succession of great Nichols teams with their signature players continued: David ’82 and Mike ’85 Carlson, Alex Gaeta ’79, T.J. Klier ’95, and others whose names are legendary in Western New York tennis. As a coach, I always wanted to match my team against the best and it was clear that in tennis, Nichols was the team to play if you wanted to test yourself against the best. It still is. The difference now is that I have the enviable position as their coach.
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This spring, the Big Green slammed its way to its fourth consecutive Monsignor Martin League title, and it features one of the deepest collections of overall tennis talent ever assembled. This past spring season was a challenging one meteorologically, to be sure, as 10 non-league matches against local schools were canceled due to weather. The team finished undefeated in league play, and 12-1 overall with its only loss coming against nationally ranked The Harley School from Rochester. Certainly a measure of this team’s substance came out in an intrastate match against a powerhouse team, Fairview High School, from Erie, Penn. – the Pennsylvania Western District Champion for the past eight years.
Sports Focus Boris Borovcanin ’10 is one of those exceptional tennis stars that some young boy will see or read about and remember 40 years from now. Boris has played first singles for Nichols since he was in eighth grade, when he finished as the runner up in the All-Catholic tennis tournament. Since then, he has dominated, winning the past three All-Catholic Singles Championships and establishing himself as one of the very top players in Western New York. Co-captains Ben Meyer ’09 and Derek Robins ’09 have had as much to do with the success of this team as anybody during the past four years. Ben finished third in the All-Catholic Singles Tournament as a sophomore, but his first love has always been doubles, where he has won the All-League Title for the past two years. During his Nichols play, he compiled a career record of over 50 wins. Derek, who finished as a runner-up to Ben last year, teamed with him to win this year’s Doubles Title in a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the finals. Pushing these veterans were some from the next generation of Nichols stars, including David Hamilton ’11, who finished with an
8-2 record in singles play and Jonah Epstein ’12, who played second singles for the Vikings. Jonah finished the year 12-3 and faced Boris in the finals. These are not new names to Nichols tennis, but you will undoubtedly be hearing a lot more about them in the future. The tennis feats of this team have been exceptional, but what is even more remarkable are the accomplishments of these young men away from the courts. They have excelled not only for the School’s other championship athletic teams – soccer, crew, crosscountry, golf, basketball, squash – but also as scholars. The list of academic awards and recognitions earned by this team’s members across the range of arts and science disciplines is astounding. It is here where they have left their real legacy as members of the Nichols community. When I hear of the successful lives that so many members of those teams from the past have gone on to lead, it comes as no surprise.
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Winter 2008-2009 Recap Boys Varsity Basketball (24-3) Boys Varsity Basketball once again enjoyed a successful season. They finished in 1st place in the Monsignor Martin League regular season and were Al Pastor Tournament champions for the second year in a row. Over winter break, the team traveled to Salisbury, Md., for the High School Basketball Festival and came away with three hard fought wins. The team also had success at the Martin Luther King Classic and the Prime Time Shootout. The season came to an end with a disappointing loss in the MML Finals. Will Regan ’10 was named Most Valuable Player; Brandon Fink ’09 received the Coaches Award; and Evan Walton ’09 was named Most Improved Player. Will Regan and Ron Canestro ’10 were both named 1st Team All-Monsignor Martin League. The graduating seniors: Jimmie Adams ’09, Jack Collins ’09, Brandon Fink ’09, Ben Meyer ’09, Chris Stegemann ’09 and Evan Walton ’09 will be missed next year. Best of luck in the future. Girls Varsity Basketball (21-7) Girls Varsity Basketball had another exciting year as well. They finished with a record of 21-7 and a trip to New York City for the State ’A’ Tournament. The team finished 2nd overall in the Monsignor Martin League regular season and capped off league play with a thrilling one-point victory over Sacred Heart to win the league title. The team was down by nine at halftime, battled back in the third quarter, and held on in the fourth quarter for a 50-49 win. It was the third match-up between the two teams this season and Nichols came away with the most important victory. Kaitlin Donahoe ’09 became Nichols’ alltime leading scorer and was co-MVP of the team along with Moriah Camp ’09. Kylie Reinholz ’12 was named MIP. Camp and Donahoe also were both named to the 1st team North Division Monsignor Martin League. Graduating seniors Moriah Camp ’09, Kaitlin Donahoe ’09, Allie Faitelson ’09 and Lee Randaccio ’09 will all be missed. Thank you for your contributions over the years. Boys Varsity Bowling (7-8) Boys Varsity Bowling finished 5th in the Monsignor Martin League, in addition to sweeping the season series against St. Mary’s, Timon and The Park School. Senior Zach Cappola tied for the 2nd highest score in the league with a 278, and was named MVP of the team. Joseph Hoerner ’09 received the Coaches Award and Michael Hoerner ’11 was named Most Improved Bowler. Seniors Austin Berger ’09, Zach Cappola ’09 and Joe Hoerner ’09 will be missed. Thank you for your contributions during the past four years. Girls Bowling (0-14) With new faces and a new vigor, the Girls Bowling teams were poised to take on the best of the Monsignor Martin League. The Varsity team had many close matches, including tight games into the later frames. Although they did not come out on the winning end of any match, Nichols could always count on smiles and total effort from every member of the team. The JV team ended with a 3-9-2 record and a 6th place finish. The performance of the year came from JoJo Solis ’09 18
Nichols School
who had seven consecutive strikes on her way to a 210 game against St. Mary’s. That was the second highest game ever bowled by a Nichols girl bowler. Her 434 triple also was a personal best. Varsity Coaches Awards went to Emily Oakley ’09 and Ali Root ’09. We wish the best of luck to senior bowlers Ali Root ’09, Emily Oakley ’09 and JoJo Solis ’09. Junior Prep Hockey (4-23-4) A young team without any seniors, the Junior Prep Hockey team played some hard-fought battles throughout the season. Highlights include ties against CISAA 1st place team, St. Andrew’s College, and CISAA 2nd place team, Upper Canada College. A victory over Ridley finished off that strong week. A team trip to Upstate New York resulted in a thriller of a game with Northwood who was arguably the best prep school team in the east. Charlie Stein ’11 was named the team MVP while Jake Zimmer ’11 received the MIP award. Coaches Awards went to Kevin Kirisits ’10 and Matt Benedict ’11. Without any seniors on the roster this year, the team is looking forward to growing even stronger next season. Federated Hockey (1-23) Boys Federated Hockey battled hard all year in league games. They had close, well-fought games against Amherst, Sweet Home and Timon. The team enjoyed a 2-1 victory over Ridley College during the 100 Years of Hockey weekend. The defensemen and especially the team’s goalie, Peter Borgesi ’12, deserve special recognition for their hard play. A true testament of the team’s commitment was that the entire team was given the Coaches Award, since no one player could be singled out by the coaches. MVP of the team was Peter Borgesi ’12 and MIPs were Lucas Buscemi ’12 and Luke Yerkovich ’12. Girls Varsity Hockey (22-8-4) Girls Varsity Hockey had an extremely successful season, finishing with a record of 22-8-4. Including a NAPHA Tournament weekend at Nichols, the team started off the season with 9-0-2 and never looked back. They finished first overall in the CISAA league and took 2nd place in the MacLeod Division of NAPHA. The team finished in 3rd place in the NAPHA end of season tournament. They played Appleby in a best of three series for the CISAA league title and lost two out of three games; however, both losses were in overtime, including the last game (a 4-3 loss) that featured a comeback when the team was down 3-0. Co-captains Jacquie Greco ’09 and Kelsey Welch ’09 were named MVPs of the team. Laura Hettrick ’09 received the Coaches Award and Emily Janiga ’12 was named MIP. The graduating seniors will all be missed. We wish the best of luck to Jacquie Greco ’09, Laura Hettrick ’09 and Kelsey Welch ’09. Boys Varsity Squash (17-2) Boys Varsity Squash finished a stellar season with a record of 17-2. The team won the City C League Championship versus The Buffalo Club, and also defeated the Delaware Avenue Squash Team A, Canisius High School, for the Buffalo High School Team Championship. They represented Nichols well at the Buffalo Tennis & Squash Club Invitational, the Buffalo City Juniors, and in an
by Holly Fewkes
early season 7-0 victory at rival University School (Cleveland, Ohio). In addition, the team played extremely competitive squash at the U.S. High School Team Championships at Yale University, going 1-2 in the B Division. The boys defeated the Westminster School (Atlanta, Ga.) 5-2, and lost to Brunswick School (Greenwich, Conn.) 6-1 and St. Ann’s School (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 5-2. Special thanks goes to Dan Drury and Julia Drury for their help and support throughout the season. The senior class was stellar and deserves recognition: D.J. Brinkworth IV ’09, Eric DeRose ’09, Will Gisel ’09, Lyman Munschauer ’09, Phil Rimmler ’09 and Charlie Rockwell ’09. Their collective leadership and experience will certainly be missed. Team MVP was Larkin Brinkworth ’10 and the MIP was Jonah Epstein ’12. Coaches Awards went to Co-captains D.J. Brinkworth IV ’09 and Charlie Rockwell ’09. Co-Captains for next year are Larkin Brinkworth ’10 and Elliot Johnston IV ’10. Girls Varsity Squash (18-3) The Girls Varsity Squash team’s final team record was 18-3. The Nichols II team won the Buffalo High School Consolation Championship versus Buffalo Seminary, and the Nichols I team lost to Nardin in the Buffalo High School Finals. The team represented Nichols well at the Buffalo Tennis & Squash Club Invitational, the Buffalo City Juniors, and the Buffalo City Women’s Championship. The team played tremendously at the U.S. High School Team Championships at Yale University, going 1-2 in the B Division. The girls defeated Brearley School (New York City) 5-2, and lost very tight matches with St. Luke’s School (New Canaan, Conn.) 4-3 and Tabor Academy (Marion, Mass.) 5-2. Special thanks goes to Dan Drury and Julia Drury for their help and support throughout the season. The team’s outgoing seniors will be missed, along with their collective leadership and experience: Sarah Bassett ’09, Alison Bellows ’09, Erin Collins ’09, Jess Demakos ’09, Sabrina Gill ’09, Penny Hamilton ’09, Grace Marlette ’09 and Molly Scherer ’09. Pamicka Marinello ’11 was named both the league MVP and the team MVP. Tri-Captains Sarah Bassett ’09, Jessica Demakos ’09 and Grace Marlette ’09 all received Coaches Awards and Catherine Williams ’12 was named MIP. Grace Marlette and Jessica Demakos also were named League All-Stars. Co-captains for next year are Cokie Hasiotis ’10 and Pamicka Marinello ’11. Boys Varsity Wrestling (5-6) Boys Varsity Wrestling finished a fantastic season by capturing the Monsignor Martin League title. Key victories during the season came over St. Mary’s and Gow, and the team had a strong showing at the Barker Tournament. Six representatives of the team competed in the state tournament and five had at least one win and returned for the second day of competition. Zach Hoefler ’09 was the team MVP; Matt Franz ’09 received the Coaches Award; and Gerald Cathcart ’11 was named MIP. Jake Stark ’10 and Jake Herskind ’10 have been named as Captains for next season.
Spring 2009 Recap Baseball (9-11 as of 5/26/09) Baseball has enjoyed a successful season against both local competition and Canadian teams. The team plays St. Joseph’s in the Monsignor Martin League quarter finals on 5/27. The class of 2009 has four seniors who will be missed next year: Kevin Hughes ’09, Alec Schappert ’09, Chris Stegemann ’09 and AJ Valenti ’09. Thank you for your contributions! Crew The crew team participated in four regattas this spring and did well in all of them. They entered the Bennett Regatta, Welland Invitational, Fontana All-High Regatta and New York State Scholastic Championship. The Girls Novice 4 team placed 2nd overall the State Championship! The Boys Senior 4, Boys Junior 4 and Girls Junior 4 all made the Semi-finals. Varsity Boys 4 placed 5th in the finals at the Welland Invitational. The Fontana All High Regatta yielded the best results on Memorial Day. Girls Novice 4+A finished 1st; Boys Senior 4+, Girls Junior 4+ and Boys Senior 8+ all finished 2nd. The Class of 2009 says goodbye to eight seniors: Maddie Bender ’09, Melanie Corwin ’09, Maggie Gilbride ’09, Alex Logel ’09, Will Maloney ’09, Rachel O’Neill ’09, Phil Rimmler ’09 and Oliver Russ ’09. Girls Golf Girls Golf enjoyed a very successful season, winning the CISAA Championship for the 2nd year in a row and the Crescent School Invitational for the first time in school history. Rene Sobolewski ’10, Pamicka Marinello’11, Alyssa Murrett ’09 and Rosemary Montani ’09 led the way at the league championships with Rene winning the individual medal with a score of 78. At the Crescent Invitational, Rene Sobolewski ’10 placed 1st, Pamicka Marinello ’11 came in 2nd and Rosemary Montani ’09 finished 9th to lead Nichols to victory. The team also tied for first for the second consecutive year at the Ridley-Nichols Invitational. Seniors Alison Bellows ’09, Penelope Hamilton ’09, Madisson Lank ’09, Rosemary Montani ’09 and Alyssa Murrett ’09 will all be missed. Thank you for your contributions over the years! Coaches Awards went to Penelope Hamilton ’09, Rosemary Montani ’09 and Alyssa Murrett ’09, while Gaelin Carrig ’11 was named Most Improved Golfer.
(as of 5.26.09)
is the highest the team has ever finished! Kaitlin Donahoe ’09 and Jacquie Greco ’09 were named Co-MVPs. Laura Hettrick ’09 and Molly Scherer ’09 received Coaches Awards, and Haley Welch ’11 and Devon Curran ’09 were named Most Improved Players. Thank you to the seven seniors for your contributions over the years: Devon Curran ’09, Jessica Demakos ’09, Kaitlin Donahoe ’09, Jacquie Greco ’09, Laura Hettrick ’09, Lee Randaccio ’09 and Molly Scherer ’09. Softball (3-9) Softball enjoyed a much improved season over last year. They had two league wins over Cardinal O’Hara and Niagara Catholic. The team’s best showing came in the Mudville Tournament in mid-May. At the tournament, they lost the first game by one run in extra innings and won the second game by two runs. Third baseman Donata Lorenzo ’11 was named 2nd team All-Monsignor Martin League. Co-MVPs were Ashley Ayers ’10 and Donata Lorenzo ’11. Julia DiTondo ’12 was named Most Improved Player. Seniors Molly Austen ’09 and Megan Ziske ’09 will be missed next year. Thank you for your four years of contributions!
David Hamilton ’11
Boys Tennis (12-1) Nichols Tennis had an excellent season and swept the singles and doubles competitions at the All Catholic Boys Tennis Championships for the third year in a row. They took 1st and 2nd in the singles, and first in the doubles competition. The team also finished 1st in the Monsignor Martin League regular season and defeated all local competition throughout the season, losing only to The Harley School of Rochester. MVP of the team is Ben Meyer ’09; Boris Borovcanin ’10 was named Most Improved; and Eric Chevli ’10 received the Coaches Award. Ben Meyer ’09, Derek Robins ’09, Joe Hoerner ’09 and Eric DeRose ’09 will be missed. * Monsignor Martin League and MSLA all-stars unavailable at print time. ** Some Nichols award winners unavailable at print time.
Below: Jonah Epstein ‘12, Boris Borovcanin ‘10, Derek Robins ‘09 and Ben Meyer ‘09 pose with their awards at the All-Catholic Tennis Tournament at SUNY at Buffalo.
Stephen Montani ’11
Boys Lacrosse (5-11) The Boys Lacrosse program is on the upswing, increasing their wins significantly over last season. They had exciting games in the Monsignor Martin League this spring, capturing two wins over St. Joe’s and a thrilling overtime victory against St. Francis. The team lost a close 3-1 game in the league semi-finals over Timon. The 10 departing seniors will be missed next year: Jack Collins ’09, Dan Franz ’09, Matt Franz ’09, Will Gisel ’09, Zach Hoefler ’09, Lyman Munschauer ’09, Andy O’Hara ’09, Charlie Rockwell ’09, Jules Stephan ’09 and Nick Williams ’09. Girls Lacrosse (9-5-1) The Girls Lacrosse team had a successful season with exciting wins over schools such as Clarence, Frontier, Orchard Park and Hamburg. They had a good showing in the Nichols playday, going 5-0. The highlight of the season was the team placing 3rd in the Midwest Tournament in Detroit, which
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Celebrating
100 Years of Hockey Kristin & W. Scott Saperston ’90, Mary & Howard T. Saperston, Jr. ’58 and Jamie & Howard T. Saperston III ’89
The 100 Years of Hockey DVD is available in the Development Office. Please call 716-876-3450 or e-mail alumnioffice@nicholsschool.org.
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In September 2007, a group of alumni set out on a mission. They wanted to celebrate three important mainstays: our School, its people, and the incredible achievement of having ice hockey turn 100 years old. Meetings of Committee members considered how to design an event that would be appropriate, special, and one which would draw our friends back to the Nichols campus. Chairman Tim Vanini ’87 directed months of planning and attention to detail created this one-of-a-kind event. The focus was on inclusion – everyone celebrating 100 years of hockey, but also honoring a shared passion for our School. Committee members included Tim Vanini ’87, Joanne Broad, Sarah Gelman Carney ’92, Christopher Catanzaro ’95, Chet Dann ’49, Joshua Feine ’00, Warren Gelman ’63, Nelson Graves ’44, Kim Kimberly ’47, Seymour Knox IV ’73, George Kreiner ’66, David Laub ’56, Phil Nobel ’88, Lorraine Oak, Alan Randaccio ’82, Jill Robins, Frank Sacheli, Howard Saperston ’58, Scott Saperston ’90, David Strachan ’51, Mark Trammell ’78, Michael Walsh ’70, Jack Walsh ’63, Barney Walsh ’73 and Jay Waters ’73. In order to provide meaningful histories from their time at Nichols, decade captains researched their respective hockey eras. Each captain provided Jack Walsh ’63 with his or her work and Jack subsequently used all details to create the script for the 100 Years of Hockey DVD. Thank you to each captain who helped to write the 100 Years of Nichols Hockey history. The Winter Sports Night The celebration kicked off on Friday afternoon, Jan. 30, as our hockey and basketball teams faced off in the Dann Memorial Rink and the Gerard and Laettner Gymnasiums. Meanwhile, in the Rand Dining Room, hundreds of hungry sports fans joined us for a terrific buffet of La Nova pizza and wings. Saperston Dedication On Friday night, preceding the Boys Varsity Hockey game against Upper Canada College, Headmaster Rick Bryan, Athletic Director Rob Stewart and Coach Frank Sacheli took the ice to welcome the hundreds of friends and hockey fans, in addition to introducing a special surprise presentation to Howard T. Saperston, Jr. ’58. For Howie’s years of dedication, service and loyalty to Nichols hockey, The Scorer’s Table was named in his honor. After the conclusion of a terrific Winter Sports Night, many alumni continued to celebrate off campus. A special thank you goes to Darcy Donaldson Zacher ’88 and Rick Zacher ’86 for hosting a fabulous party for young alumni and their families at their home. Everyone who attended had a terrific time being back together. Summer 2009
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After a hard fought Varsity Girls game against Ridley College, Ridley presented us with a special banner commemorating the long rivalry we have with our Canadian friend.
The Alumni Game For many, the highlight of the weekend was on Saturday when over 50 alumni players suited up for the Alumni Game where odd class years faced off against even class years. Teams were coached by Warren Gelman ’63, Dave Strachan ’51, Frank Sacheli and Jack Walsh ’63. The alumni skaters had not lost a stride. The passing was beautiful; the shooting had pin-point accuracy. The hustle of the Big Green was evident. And the smiles were hard to miss. The stands of the Dann were filled to the brim as these skaters wowed the crowds. The “Big” Celebration On Saturday evening, 400 guests filed into a packed Flickinger Performing Arts Center for some very memorable speeches and presentations. Headmaster Rick Bryan and Bill Gisel ’70, President of the Board of Trustees, welcomed the attendees. Bill told a couple of funny stories about his self-proclaimed “not-so-stellar” hockey moments in his Nichols hockey career and the importance of supporting the School’s tradition and advancement: “My first experience with Nichols hockey was on the 5th Grade team. With 0 wins and 3 losses, it was not a memorable season, but
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I do recall one game against Dunnville, Ont. We lost 21 to 0…We barely moved the puck past mid ice for most of the game. Late in the 3rd period, with the score 20 to 0, we finally mounted some offensive pressure. A Dunnville defenseman, in a desperate effort to preserve the shutout, iced the puck off the boards. It traveled the length of the ice and slid in slow motion between the legs of our goalie as time ran out. Final score: Dunnville 21, Nichols 0… This weekend is all about reliving shared moments. We are fortunate to be associated with an institution that treasures its past but also focuses intently on its present and its future. Even as we share our wonderful memories of our school years, Nichols students are forging their own moments in the rink, in the gym, in the performing arts center, and yes….even in the classrooms and labs. Like every great organization, the Nichols community is actively preparing for an even brighter future…” Jack Walsh ’63 thanked all the volunteers who worked hard in making this evening possible: the Event Committee, Nichols staff, Reed Rankin and his crew from RPM Entertainment and all those who generously contributed financial support for the creation of our documentary. He paid particular tribute to Tim Vanini ’87; Jill Robins, Director of Special Events; and Sarah Gelman Carney ’92, Director of Alumni Relations and the Annual Fund, for the extensive support they gave. Jack brought the crowd to its feet when he introduced Bill Fedchak, Nichols long-time engineer, and our oldest living hockey alumnus, Mort Meyers ’35. Jack, who worked long and hard to support the event, and wrote the script for the documentary, thanked Nick Bakay ’77 for providing the narration and donating his expert services. He also saluted all who came from far and near for this memorable weekend, those who made the Alumni Hockey Game such a treat. Then came the wonderfully bizarre humor of George Kloepfer ’68:
“I know what you’re all thinking. In the 100 years of Nichols hockey, there isn’t anyone whose name is LESS synonymous with Nichols hockey than mine is. So if you think you’re surprised to see me here, imagine my surprise when this past New Year’s Eve., I received an e-mail from Jack Walsh, via Sarah Carney, that can only be described as having come from the haunted soul of a desperate man, alluding to some long ago Winter Sports Awards Assembly where he heard me say something mildly amusing about the GREATEST OF ALL WINTER SPORTS, the game of Squash Racquets, and promising me that he would cut my grass and wash my windows this summer if I agreed to participate in this hockey fest. How could I pass up an Entertainment Book offer like that? …I have played and coached the big four of American sports: football, basketball, tennis and squash, and I have to say hockey is a complete mystery to me. In fact, it still looks to me like one extended Chinese fire drill gone horribly wrong. And that’s quite the system of justice hockey’s got going for itself out there. Let’s just give thanks that our Founding Fathers did not base the American criminal justice system on the hockey model… While most people think that hockey originated in Canada, actually they’re only half right. It originated in Poland when Stanislaus Kuppczinski, the Polish one-legged figure skating gold medalist, emigrated to Big Moose Lick, Saskatchewan, and, in order to assimilate, changed his name to Stanley Kupp. He hooked up with the one-armed French Canadian curling champion of 1898, Jacques Strappe, and, together, they became two of the biggest athletic supporters that Canada has ever known. Unfortunately, the two were maimed in a tragic dog-sledding accident, the surgeries for which ended up costing them an arm and a leg. Kupp later brought suit against the dog-sled manufacturer, but as luck would have it, he didn’t have a leg to stand on. But I digress. Wondering about what Nichols hockey must have been like back in 1909, I thought it would be useful to speak to someone with personal knowledge. Kim Kimberly tells me…that the teams
back then were every bit as good as today’s teams, ’except back in my day, we didn’t wear helmets or face masks’…which explains Kim’s rugged good looks. …But even though I have no particular connection to hockey, I have to think there must be something very special about any sport that attracts the likes of George Truscott, Henry Waters, Frank Sacheli and the Gelman Twins (Sarah and Warren) as coaches… The other common denominator in a group like this is that they either were/are highly successful classroom teachers (Dick Ohler Alumni Game Roster Mr. Chad Coccionitti and George Truscott were two of Mr. Robert Stewart the best teachers I ever had) or, Dr. Charles A. Tracy, Jr. ’67 Dr. Donald A. Tracy ’68 as with Sarah and Warren, bleed Mr. Seymour H. Knox IV ’73 Green so deeply that their passions Mr. Mark W. Coley ’77 Mr. Mark H. Trammell ’78 for the game never let them Mr. Timothy B. Hopkins ’80 forget the school’s mission, which Mr. Martin C. Karpie ’80 Mr. Montgomery G. Pooley ’80 is centered on a commitment Mr. John D. Williams ’80 to academic excellence. I hope Mr. Laurence T. Celniker ’81 Mr. Brian E. Gasuik ’81 that that model of committed, Mr. John A. Kent ’81 dedicated teachers will continue to Mr. Edward D. Strachan ’81 Mr. Alan R. Randaccio ’82 be the basis upon which the success Mr. Douglas J. Bradley ’83 of the next 100 years of Nichols Mr. Martin P. Krentz ’83 Mr. Joseph C. Cerullo ’84 hockey is built. I am proud to say Mr. Mark J. Appelbaum ’85 that I either was taught by or am a Mr. Scott H. O’Connor ’85 Mr. Sean R. Roberts, PhD ’85 professional colleague of these fine Mr. William R. Zacher, Sr. ’86 people I just mentioned…” Mr. Leslie Kuntar, Jr. ’87 Mr. Ronald W. K. Leong ’87 The weekend celebration Dr. Joseph T. Vanini ’87 proved to be among the most Mr. Howard T. Saperston III ’89 Dr. Daniel H. Williams IV ’90 enjoyable in our School’s history. Mr. Robert A. Carnevale ’91 Thank you to all the Nichols Mr. Stephen A. Zimmerman ’91 Mr. Eric Cieplinski ’92 hockey fans and friends who joined Mr. David J. Seitz ’92 us for this extraordinary event! Mr. Peter S. Sullivan ’92 Mr. Aaron R. Archambeault ’93 Mr. Nicholas G. LoCicero ’93 Mr. Michael L. Broderick ’94 Mr. Craig J. MacDonald ’94 Mr. Christopher A. Catanzaro ’95 Mr. Matthew D. Miller ’95 Mr. Robert A. Weston ’95 Mr. Jacob H. Oleksiak ’96 Mr. Wayne A. Sellers ’96 Mr. Jamie A. Weston ’96 Mr. Casey M. Seitz ’97 Mr. Shawn G. Conschafter ’99 Mr. James A. Lorentz ’99 Mr. Joshua A. Feine ’00 Mr. Andrew M. Franz ’00 Mr. Christopher M. Maxick ’02 Ms. Brittany L. Salmon ’04 Mr. Curtis G. Vogelsang ’06
Summer 2009
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A.
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100 Years of Hockey Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009
H.
A. Donna Notto, Aaron Archambeault ’93, Bob Weston ’95, Danielle Vallas ’95 and Holly Fewkes B. Joshua Pollack ’90, Ryan Murphy ’90 and Pieter Weinrieb ’90 C. Ted Strachan ’81 and Brad Gates ’76 D. Mary Ann Coley, Mark Coley ’77, Peter Jones ’74 and Deborah Russell E. Peter Mathews ’80, Jeanne Mathews and Barney Walsh ’73 F. Jim Lorentz, Don Smith and Don Smith ’97
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B.
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Hockey Updates F.
I.
Federation Hockey Team Wins Sportsmanship Award On May 15, during the Upper School Morning Meeting, the National Ice Hockey Officials Association presented the Nichols Federation Hockey team with the prestigious Ralph J. Galanti, Jr. Sportsmanship Award for their performance during the 2008-2009 season. The team includes Vincent Cappola ’12, Brad Bourne ’12, Cameron Montour ’09, Will Zacher ’12, Tad Kucharski ’10, Sean Hughes ’12, Corbyn Bothwell ’12, Tom Mediak ’12, Colin Wegner ’11, Mitch Riter ’12, Bud Ostendorf ’11, John Loree ’12, Lucas Buscemi ’12, Ian McQuestion ’12, Lucas Walsh ’12, Luke Yerkovich ’12, Colin Kennedy ’11, Brandon Kaczmarz ’10, Michael Gates ’12, Peter Borgesi ’12 and Harrison Bacon ’12, team manager. Members of the Association’s Board of Directors presented the award to Head Coach Tim Vanini ’87 and the team, noting that the award is given because, “what’s most important is the sportsmanship that’s played.” Since 2002, the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the National Ice Hockey Officials Association has sponsored the Ralph J. Galanti, Jr. Sportsmanship Award. The award is presented annually to the Western New York Federation Varsity Ice Hockey Team that best exemplifies sportsmanship, fair play and mutual respect during competition.
New Appointments
G. Jake Oleksiak ’96, Craig (Cotterell) MacDonald ’94 and Kimberly MacDonald H. Mark Cunningham, Sandy Smith Cunningham ’93, Tim Vanini ’87 and Mark Appelbaum ’85 I. Vanessa Jones ’01 and Brittany Salmon ’04
Head Coach Jamie Printz will be the new Head Hockey Coach at Nichols. Jamie has spent the last nine years as the Head Hockey Coach at Bridgton Academy in Maine. During his tenure at Bridgton, he has elevated the program to Junior A status and has sent over 120 players to play at the collegiate level. Prior to coaching at Bridgton, Jamie held the position of Assistant Men’s Hockey Coach at the University of Southern Maine in the ECAC East conference. In his five years at USM, he served as a recruiting coordinator, strength coach, and oversaw the development of the defense and goalies.
Jamie also played his college hockey at USM where he was a four-year varsity starter at goaltender and currently holds records for most wins in a career and most shutouts in a season and career. Jamie also will teach Mathematics in the Upper School. Assistant Coach Scott Hurd will be the First Assistant Coach in the Prep Hockey program. Scott has spent the last three years as an assistant in the St. Francis Prep program and also has coached extensively in different AAA programs in Buffalo and the surrounding area. Scott brings a great enthusiasm to our coaching staff and is very well connected in youth hockey in Western New York. Coach Hurd will join Coach Printz and Coach Brewer behind the bench in both the fall and winter programs. Fall Program We are pleased to announce that David Smith and Wayne Clarke have accepted positions as Developmental Coaches in the fall program. David is currently the Director of Fitness and Medical for NHL Officials. He spent 15 years as the strength and conditioning coach with the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning, and was part of the Rangers’ Stanley Cup team in 1994. David is one of the top skill development coaches and currently runs clinics for NHL prospects in Russia, Canada and the U.S., and personally trains some current NHL players. Wayne Clarke, one of the Prep assistants this past season, comes from Castleton, Ontario, where he played minor hockey. He was drafted by the Belleville Bulls in the OHL but turned them down to, instead, take a full scholarship at RPI. After his freshman season at RPI, he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs and played in Toronto’s farm system after finishing his degree. The fall program will be designed to develop the fundamental skills of our hockey players. The ice sessions will be on Monday evenings and Wednesday mornings. The fall program is an optional activity for all boys in grades 9-12. The sessions are scheduled so as not to conflict with fall sports. The intent is that our kids will continue to play a fall sport at Nichols, in keeping with our school philosophy, which values multi-sport student-athletes. Playing multiple sports will develop kids into better overall athletes; many college and professional coaches subscribe to this same philosophy. Summer 2009
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NYC April 15, 2009
A. Sarah Demakos ’03, Lindsay Arthurs ’03 and Bridget Williams ’03 B. Julian Rose, Colleen Heidinger ’02, Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75, Alissa Vogelsang ’02, Sarah Gelman Carney ’92 and Rick Bryan C. Dan Mead ’90 and Jon Scibilia ’90 D. Delilah Burke ’98, Lindsay Sullivan ’99 and Gina Wettlaufer ’98 E. Anoop Rustgi ’99, Chelseay Boulos ’02 and Michael Radolinksi ’99
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F. Perry Marlette ’00, Judith Kaplan ’00, Emily Hochreiter ’00, Spencer Carbone ’00, Melissa Hurley ’00, Maggie Pfohl ’00, Ashley Robb ’00, Lisa Lombardo Meindel ’00 and Aashiyana Koreishi ’92
G.
H.
I.
J.
L.
K.
G. Pablo de Rosas ’96, Lewis Hudnell ’91, Carly Nasca ’96 and Erik Barrios ’96 H. Rick Bryan, Jon Scibilia ’90, Chris Rozanski ’95 and Dan Mead ’90 I. Rahul Gupta ’98 and Hannah Barbash J. David Laub ’84 and G.T. Laub ’80 K. Fayyaz Barodawala ’90 and Dinesh Maneyapanda ’90 L. Risa Heller and Adam Greenberger ’89
Summer 2009
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M.
N.
O.
P.
Q.
NYC April 15, 2009
R.
M. Patrick Lewis ’00 and Nick Amigone ’98 N. Germante Boncaldo ’85, Lewis Hudnell ’91, Rachel Moog-Lagé ’89, David Lagé and John Robshaw ’84 O Bill Constantine ’62 and Ken Sullivan ’69 P. Charles Johnson ’03, Aashiyana Koreishi ’92 and Pepper Pharr ’03 Q. Anthony Duddy, Sarah Mitchell Duddy ’94, Lori Decillis Tiedje ’95, Jen Keating and Brennan Keating ’94 R. Robert Rahn ’66 and Stephen Clement ’62
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Nichols School
Alumni Visit
John Henderson Wray ’89
Acclaimed “Lowboy” Author Returns to Share Story by Nina Barone Author and alumnus John Wray ’89, also known as John Henderson ’89, visited Nichols on May 5 to talk about the winding path that led him to the resounding success of his latest novel, “Lowboy.” John, named one of the best American writers under age 40 by the literary magazine Granta, shared amusing anecdotes about his adventures in writing – and not writing. John, recounting himself as an eighthgrader, shared his first writing experience in the form of a whodunit murder mystery. When he brought this work to his parents, who he described as quite supportive, they questioned his use of the word fart in the first sentence. Following this incident, John claims he gave up extramural writing altogether for a long time, not pursuing it fully until college. At this time, John said he realized people could be taken seriously when writing, and making music and art, so he started writing again while he moved around the country. He eventually moved to New York City to attend graduate school at New York University for poetry. After one year, being generally excited to live in NYC, John changed his mind about writing poetry and left school. He began playing in his friends’ bands, serving as a placeholder for whichever position was lacking – be it guitar, bass or drums. “Two things made it possible for me to write my first novel,” John said. “Being raised right by my parents and getting a good education. And, when I was 25, in the span of a month, I was fired from my job, kicked out of my sublet in Chelsea and dumped by my girlfriend.” Being at completely loose ends for the first time in years, John began to believe he could take on writing a whole novel. Figuring that a 300-page novel was made up of 300 one-page pieces, John reasoned that he could write a novel by writing one page a day for a year and still take some days off. Recognizing that his first stimulating experiences with novels occurred at Nichols,
John said Mr. Desautels’ and Mr. Stratton’s classes included some novels that got him really excited to write. To begin writing his novel, John moved into a tent in the basement of a warehouse in Brooklyn where his friends played band practice. Two years later, John went back to school at Columbia University. He developed good friendships with people there, including a teacher who gave him the name and number of her agent so he could send the draft of his first novel, “The Right Hand of Sleep.” Fortunately, the agent was interested in his work and he obtained a publishing contract one year later. While John could hardly imagine his book was being published, it turned into the first challenge of several. Although he was lucky to have critics and book reviewers like it, he needed more widespread appeal for sales. When his second book, “Canaan’s Tongue,” debuted, critics offered positive praise again, but fewer people bought it. “I thought I might have to throw in the towel,” John said. “It was a really tough time.” Happily, John says he realized he wasn’t good at any other job and he wanted to keep writing. He had the idea, years earlier, to write a book about a 16-year-old boy who has schizophrenia and believes he can save the world. His latest work, “Lowboy” was born from this concept. John said he wanted to explore a different genre following his second novel. “Lowboy,” a thriller, was fun for him to write. Evidently, readers are enjoying it just as much; the novel is having great success in sales, and is presently among the most commonly reviewed and praised books. In order to craft its main character, “Lowboy” required a great deal of research. John noted that he did not want to get the portrayal of schizophrenia wrong, so he worked especially hard to shed light on an often misunderstood mental illness. He read clinical literature, physicians’ manuscripts,
and memoirs of people who had family members living with schizophrenia. Furthermore, John actually reached out to the large number of homeless New Yorkers living with mental illness: “You can learn a lot if you’re willing to talk to them and if they are willing to talk to you…some wanted to talk, some didn’t.” In February, the novel was reviewed by The New York Times; it was named Amazon Best of the Month in March. Months after its release, “Lowboy” continues to receive accolades for its gripping story, filled with tragedy and brilliance. “Looking back on the past 10 years of my life, I don’t think I would do it differently,” John said. He continued that he enjoys not having a boss, wearing whatever he wants and writing about whatever he wants. Perhaps most strikingly, John credits not only the good choices he made, but the moments of failure, with his success. He said it was when he thought he was doing the wrong thing or that he drew the short end of the straw that got him to where he is. “Maybe I would have done something different, if I’d been good at algebra…” John explored. But, John said he was not good at algebra and his Nichols math teacher led him by the hand through all the algebra problems that mystified him. John, with his distinctive humor, is not shy about how many careers he explored and the number of eclectic jobs he held before becoming a published novelist. He told the audience about his various majors – biology, anthropology, studio art, and finally, English “by default” – and he discussed the adventures that led him to fishing, driving a taxi and delivering pizzas. “It’s great to be one of those kids who knows what they want to be from age eight,” John said. “But it’s okay if not, too. That’s often what your 20s are for.” John’s message resonated with students and faculty members alike. His winding path from Nichols to today is as inspiring as he is witty. Summer 2009
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The 2009 Lucy and Sherman J. Maisel ’35
General Information Test The Upper School’s General Information Test (GIT) – a tradition that began in the 1911 Nichols School yearbook, Verdian – is compiled from questions submitted by the Nichols faculty on an annual basis and is administered to Upper School students as a measure of general knowledge. John Clinton ’09 was the 2009 winner with a score of 68. The highest score of record is 81, earned by four-time winner George Binette ’78. The GIT is created and coordinated by English teacher Richard Stratton. It is funded through the generosity of Lucy and Sherman J. Maisel ’35.
Questions 1. Kathleen Sebelius, designated Secretary of Health and Human Services in President Obama’s Cabinet, is a two-term Governor of ____________. Iowa Kansas Minnesota Nebraska Wisconsin 2. Vice-President Joe Biden represented this state for 36 years in the U.S. Senate: __________________. 3. Of what African nation is NAIROBI the capital? ————————————— 4. Aside from Harry Truman, who succeeded him, Franklin Delano Roosevelt had two other Vice Presidents during his four terms in office. Name them. (Half-credit possible.) John Nance Garner Harry Hopkins Cordell Hull Henry Stimson Henry Wallace 5. CHARLES DARWIN and ABRAHAM LINCOLN were both born on the same day, Feb. 12, ________. 6. “An American in Paris,” “Porgy and Bess,” and “Rhapsody in Blue” were all composed by which of these musical giants? George Gershwin Scott Joplin Cole Porter Richard Rogers 30
Nichols School
7. A vaccine developed by Jonas T. Salk successfully combated what crippling disease in the United States? —————————————
13. A HABAÑERA is a Cuban ______________. Brothel City-dweller Dance Feast Weapon
8. The 119 extra-base hits struck by ____________ ______________ in 1921 (44 doubles, 16 triples and 59 home runs) still stands as a Major League record.
14. Which of the following musical instruments does not belong to the WOODWIND family? Bassoon Clarinet Flute Oboe Trombone
9. Exaggeration for poetic effect is called ____________. Antithesis Cliché Hyperbole Oxymoron Tautology
15. Which European country’s flag consists of three vertical bars colored green, white and orange? —————————————
10. A CYGNET is a young ____________. Fox Hawk Partridge Swan Zebra 11. In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” ___________ is the father of Laertes and Ophelia. 12. In Homer’s “Iliad,” ___________ is the heroic son of the Trojan King Priam, who is slain in hand-to-hand combat by Achilles. Aeneas Diomede Hector Paris Troilus
16. Which European country’s flag consists of three vertical bars colored green, white and red? ————————————— 17. When it is 12:00 noon in Buffalo, what time is it in San Francisco? ————————————— 18. Which of these Spanish explorers was the first European to travel extensively through the present day states of New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas? Coronado Cortez De Soto Friar Escalante Pizarro
GIT 19. Author of “Beloved,” “Song of Solomon” and “Sula,” among other novels, ___________ _____________ is the only African-American woman to win the Novel Prize for literature. Maya Angelou Gwendolyn Brooks Toni Morrison Alice Walker 20. How many syllables are contained in a regular line of ANAPESTIC TETRAMETER? ————————————— 21. Born SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA, he lived from c. 563 to c. 483 and founded a great world religion. By what name is he more familiarly known? ————————————— 22. Name the religious society founded by George Fox in the late 17th century which numbered William Penn among its early converts. ————————————— 23. The ORKNEY and HEBRIDES islands lie off the northern and western coasts of what European country? Denmark Finland Ireland Norway Scotland 24. Which of these North African countries has been ruled for more than 25 years by MUAMMAR KHADDAFI? Algeria Libya Morocco Sudan Tunisia
28. Mount _________, located in the Adirondacks, is the highest peak in New York State. 29. “If music be the food of love, play on,” is the opening line of which Shakespearian comedy? “As You Like It” “Much Ado About Nothing” “The Tempest” “Twelfth Night” “The Winter’s Tale” 30. At the conclusion of “Hamlet,” the stage is littered with corpses. Which of these characters is the only one still alive? Claudius Gertrude Hamlet Horatio Laertes 31. Which two states produced the first six U.S. Presidents? ————————————— 32. Which of these female vocalists was a great operatic soprano? Joan Baez Ella Fitzgerald Leontyne Price Kate Smith 33. Which of these large Texas cities lies furthest north? Austin Dallas El Paso Houston San Antonio 34. What type of American music is closely identified with BEALE STREET in Memphis?
25. MITTWOCH is the German word for which day of the week? —————————————
35. CUNEIFORM was a type of ____________ which emerged in the Tigris and Euphrates River Valley prior to 3000 BC. —————————————
26. The Italian plural word COGNOSCENTI may best be translated as _________________. Comedians Experts Journalists Swindlers
36. In 1987 she became the first British Prime Minister in the 20th Century to win a 3rd consecutive term. Name her. —————————————
27. This year’s Academy Award for best male actor went to __________ __________ for his portrayal of Harvey Milk in the film “Milk.” Clint Eastwood Tom Hanks Sean Penn Brad Pitt
37. What name did the Romans give to DEMETER, the Greek Goddess of Agriculture and Fertility? —————————————
38. What still-active Catholic religious order was founded by IGNATIUS LOYOLA in 1534? ————————————— 39. What government regulatory agency is designated by the initials SEC? ————————————— 40. Which of these terms is the opposite of PARSIMONY? Conservatism Generosity Patience Quiescence Rage 41. XENOPHOBIA is a hatred of ____________. 42. On what mountain did Moses receive the Ten Commandments? ————————————— 43. How many stars did the United States flag contain in 1940? ————————————— 44. MELANOMA is a type of __________ cancer. 45. Among this recently-deceased film actor’s most notable roles were “The Hustler,” “Hud” and “Cool Hand Luke.” Name him. ————————————— 46. What mark of punctuation is used to connect two independent clauses? ————————————— 47. A HOMILY is a kind of _________. Carpet Omelet Query Quiz Sermon 48. NUMISMATICS is a science dealing with _________. Coins Folklore Numerology Sleep Tombs 49. What large island is separated from LABRADOR by the STRAIT OF BELLEISLE? —————————————
Summer 2009
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50. What is the collective name for the first 10 Amendments of the U.S. Constitution? —————————————
59. What is the State University of New Jersey? —————————————
69. Muriel weighs 128 pounds. Glenda weighs 9 stone. Which woman is heavier? —————————————
51. With what country is the song “Waltzing Matilda” associated? —————————————
60. Jerome Kern’s “Old Man River” was first sung in the 1927 musical, “Show Boat,” by the legendary black athlete, actor, singer and political activist, Paul ___________.
70. The Opium War of 1839 – 1842 involved which two nations? —————————————
52. Which two of these languages do not belong to the SEMITIC language family? (Half-credit possible.) Arabic Ethiopic Hebrew Kurdish Persian
61. Who wrote the lyrics to “The StarSpangled Banner?” —————————————
53. In Book III of “Gulliver’s Travels,” Gulliver visits the FLYING ISLAND of _________, whose inhabitants are devoted to abstract science, mathematics and music. Balnibarbi Brobdingnag Laputa Lilliput Luggnagg
62. ZONKER, B.D., UNCLE DUKE and HONEY are among the “regulars” in G.B. Trudeau’s comic strip __________.
54. Which of these terms is most similar to PECULATION? Acupuncture Embezzlement Forgery Perjury Sadism
64. “Over the Rainbow,” composed by Buffalo’s Harold Arlen, was first sung by Judy Garland, as Dorothy, in what classic film of 1939? —————————————
55. Which Latin poet wrote both “The Metamorphosis” and “The Art of Love?” Catullus Horace Ovid Propertus Virgil
65. Which of these is not a salt-water fish? Cod Haddock Mackerel Pickerel Scrod
56. An INGENUOUS person is most likely to be ___________. Brilliant Crafty Evasive Naive Vain 57. AG is the chemical symbol for __________. Antimony Argon Iron Potassium Silver 58. Of what university was Woodrow Wilson president before he became President of the United States? —————————————
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Nichols School
63. By what name is Vladimir Ilych Ulyanov better known to history? —————————————
66. In what classic English novel does every character visited by the local doctor (named Kenneth) die soon afterward? 67. What species of creature is called a SIDEWINDER in the American West? ————————————— 68. Which of these exercises is not regarded as AEROBIC? Cycling Rowing Swimming Walking Weight lifting
71. The recent popular musical, “Les Miserables,” was adapted from the epic 19th century French novel by ___________ ___________. Gustave Flaubert André Gide Victor Hugo Jules Verne Emile Zola 72. FRIAR TUCK, LITTLE JOHN and WILL SCARLET were among the Sherwood Forest outlaws under the leadership of _________ _________. 73. In Geometry, an angle greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees is called ___________. 74. A SCARABAEUS or SCARAB is a species of ___________. Beetle Crab Raptor Rodent Spider 75. Who was the famous son of Philip of Macedon? ————————————— 76. What religion and system of healing was founded in the late 19th century by Mary Baker Eddy? ————————————— 77. Of what South American country is CARACAS the capital? ————————————— 78. The state of MAINE shares a border with only one other U.S. state. Which one? —————————————
GIT
79. LUCY, LINUS, SCHROEDER and CHARLIE BROWN were characters in what comic strip by the late Charles Schulz? ————————————— 80. Which of these basketball players scored the most total points in his NBA career? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Wilt Chamberlain Michael Jordan Karl Malone Jerry West 81. By what name are the former Sandwich Islands known today? ————————————— 82. What Shakespearian character accused her husband of being too full of “the milk of human kindness?” —————————————
88. Which of these natural phenomena best describes a SAVANNA? Grassland Hills Rainforest Tundra Wetland 89. In what field did the Frenchmen Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin and Camille Pisarro gain fame? 90. Which Greek mythical hero slew the minotaur? Bacchus Hercules Theseus Tithonus 91. 72% of eligible voters go to the polls. A candidate gains 5/9ths (55%) of these votes. What percentage of the total eligible vote has he won? —————————————
83. During what war did “The Charge of the Light Brigade” occur? Boer U.S. Civil Crimean Franco-Prussian World War I
92. This Sioux chieftan was victorious over General Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Name him. Cochise Crazy Horse Geronimo Pontiac Tecumseh
84. Which of these words would best describe a “PYRRHIC” victory in a military battle? Accidental Costly Decisive Glorious Meaningless
93. Who served as Vice-President during Dwight Eisenhower’s two terms as U.S. President (1953 – 1961)? —————————————
85. What does a LEPIDOPTERIST collect? ————————————— 86. In what European city is the ABBEY THEATER located? ————————————— 87. In what Indiana city is the University of Notre Dame located? —————————————
96. The operettas “The Mikado” and “The Pirates of Penzance” are two of many popular works composed by the British musical team of Sir William _________ and Sir Arthur ___________. 97. This small country shares the Iberian peninsula with Spain and was known as LUSITANIA by the Romans. ————————————— 98. Which of these notable southern writers was not born in Mississippi? William Faulkner Flannery O’Connor Eduora Welty Richard Wright 99. A GALLIARD is a kind of _________. Cocktail Dance French Pastry Witticism Womanizer 100. Once the third largest city in the former Soviet Union, KIEV is now capital of the independent nation of ___________.
To check your answers, please see page 39.
94. Which of these Spanish cities is located on the Mediterranean seacoast? Barcelona Cordoba Madrid Seville Toledo 95. What is the capital of the Canadian Province of MANITOBA? Calgary Edmonton Fredericton Regina Winnipeg
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Animals Bring Earth Day to Life by Nina Barone Through a partnership with Delaware North Companies and the Jacobs family, the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund brought Earth Day to life for Nichols School students with an exciting and informative animal presentation on Wednesday, April 22. Headmaster Rick Bryan opened the ceremony with updates about the Big Green Initiative and all our School is doing to promote environmental sustainability: the recent addition of green electricity through NOCO Electric; next winter’s completion of our sustainable new Math/Science building, Center 63; school-wide food composting and a variety of other student-led projects. This year’s winner of the Jacobs Award for Environmental Sustainability also was announced. Lyman Munschauer ’09 was
recognized for embodying environmental stewardship and the ideals set forth by our Big Green Initiative. This award, established in 2008 in honor of the Jacobs family, is presented annually on Earth Day to a senior at Nichols. The rest of the special assembly was dedicated to our extraordinary visitors. Conservation Ambassador Rob Yordi enlisted the help of some of SeaWorld and Busch Gardens’ most unique and iconic animal ambassadors to communicate the importance of conservation initiatives and issues around the world. The non-profit SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund works with purpose and passion on behalf of wildlife and habitats worldwide, encouraging sustainable solutions through support of species research, animal rescue and rehabilitation and conservation education. Students and faculty were treated to animated visits from a lemur, a Roseate Spoonbill bird, a Binturong (or bearcat), several small primates and warm weather penguins. With help from Rob and the animal trainers, the audience learned a great deal about the lives of these endangered species and how we can help preserve their livelihood. An enthusiastic thank you to Delaware North Companies and the Jacobs family for helping make this incredible experience possible!
A. A Roseate Spoonbill bird strikes a pose with her animal trainer.
C.
B. Lyman Munschauer ’09, this year’s winner of the Jacobs Award for Environmental Sustainability, poses with his parents, Grace and David, after receiving the honor. C. Conservation Ambassador Rob Yordi holds a lemur animal ambassador. B.
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After Nichols
Rosemary Maggiore ’88 by Carly Buchheit ’09, Development Office Intern Where did you attend college? What was your major? St. Lawrence University. I majored in English Writing, but minored in Eastern Religion, which was just an excuse for me to go to India for a semester.
You are President at Rachael Ray Digital. Sounds exciting! What led you to pursue this career? I knew from an early age that I wanted to mix my love of writing and cooking together. I thought I wanted to work at Gourmet Magazine, but when I realized what it paid to a writer or an editor, at least starting out, I took a sharp turn into the business side of things. I’m now lucky enough to combine all three worlds. Was there a specific teacher (or teachers) at Nichols who inspired you? Absolutely 100% Mimi Dow. She encouraged me to get creative and to write. I think I drove her crazy because I would come in the classroom every day with a new story for her to read. But she really inspired me through her encouragement. Larry Desautels is the other Nichols person who changed my life. Soccer remains a passion of mine and I play on a women’s team. It’s so funny how all of these moms get together and play a vicious game on Sunday mornings – we kind of forget that we’re ladies and we go nuts out there on the field. Then the game ends and you see all of these kids come running up and hugging the same people you were just taking down. It’s great to remember that life is a sport and competition is healthy! How would you describe your path from Nichols to now? I started Nichols at an early age – age 10 – and still have fond memories of running through the halls of the Lower/Middle School and looking out Mr. Waters’ office window onto the campus. I believe Nichols gave me the love of learning and athletics, and my relationship with each taught me how to be the person I am today. I was a sweep in soccer and sometimes I think my best skill in life is to be the person who protects the team, so to speak. Tell us a bit about the main aspects of your job. What’s your dayto-day or typical week like? It’s never the same. One day I might be on a plane to Italy, one day I might be working on a partnership and one day I might be editing content. That’s why I love it so much, plus the fact that I believe so strongly in the subject matter.
Photo credit: Emily Nash Photography
Where are you and your family living now? I live outside New York City and work in Manhattan. I am married to Adam Brightman, a movie producer, and have two children, Anna, age 6, and August, age 4.
Rosemary Maggiore ’88 (second in from left) poses with musician Bob Schneider, Rachael Ray and fans at an event they hosted.
What is it like working for Rachael Ray? She’s awesome. She’s really smart and makes everyone around her feel better about themselves. She truly emanates vitality and has a heart of gold. We know Rachael Ray is a dog lover. Do you have any pets? We have a fish named Charlotte who has outlived anyone’s expectations. We have allergies so we have to be selective about adopting a dog and we feel strongly about getting one from a shelter so we keep looking for the right fit. We babysit Rachael’s dog when she’s away and we’re crazy about her. What do you like to do in your spare time? I spend all of my time either with Rachael and our friends, or with my kids and husband. We love to cook, bake, garden, play sports and go on adventures. My kids are up for anything, which is great. I need an hour a day to take a jog; otherwise, no one wants to be near me! Do you have a favorite Nichols memory? My first A. You guessed it, Mrs. Dow! Is there anything else you would like our readers to know? Think big and figure out what you want to do and you can achieve it. Sometimes the hardest part is figuring out what you want, but once you do, you’re golden.
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Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Visits for Prince Lecture by Nina Barone say what would happen On Sunday, May 17, Nichols School welcomed award-winning – hindsight is 20/20, so author Tony Horwitz for the 2009 Prince Lecture, established by to speak. But, he feels Sidney Warren Prince, Jr. ’47 in memory of his parents. The event history could have turned took place in the Boocock Reading Room as part of the Horwitz’s out very differently. For national tour to release the paperback edition of “A Voyage Long example, we could have and Strange,” a New York Times Top 10 Bestseller. easily been a French or Horwitz discussed his latest book, which involved his own Spanish or Dutch speaking personal travel across the continent to rediscover the wild era country. when Europeans first roamed the New World in quest of gold, Horwitz, who also is glory, converts and eternal youth. “A Voyage Long and Strange” the best-selling author of tells the story of these brave and often crazed explorers, while “Blue Latitudes: Boldly retracing their steps. The author’s trek took him inside an Indian Going Where Captain sweat lodge in subarctic Canada, down the Mississippi in a canoe, Cook Has Gone Before,” on a road trip fueled by buffalo meat, and into sixty pounds of “Confederates in the armor as a conquistador re-enactor in Florida. The book is a Attic: Dispatches from the rich mix of scholarship and modern-day adventure that brings Unfinished Civil War” and the forgotten first chapter of “Baghdad Without a Map America’s history vividly to and Other Misadventures life. in Arabia,” discussed his On Monday, May 18, approach to history and how that plays out in his Horwitz returned to Nichols books. to speak at the Upper School With every story Horwitz told the audience, his Morning Meeting. He began passion for adventure shone. For his work, “Blue his talk with a pop quiz about Latitudes,” the author worked as a volunteer on a ship early American history. He that made exotic stops, such as Australia, New Zealand covered the confusion over and Hawaii. Horwitz said he takes part in such trips in the first European explorer to order to experience what he is writing about, but, had land on the United States, he reenacted Cook’s entire voyage, it would have taken the projected size of the 10 years. Indian population in the early A Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who has worked Americas, and the real story for The Wall Street Journal and The New Yorker, of Pocahontas. The results of Horwitz described his journalism career as “odd career the quiz – the group correctly in some ways, in that I never wrote for my high school answering one out of three – or college paper…” indicated the reality of the way After taking a job following college, he began Americans learn about early writing at night; realizing he liked it, he returned American history. Ernie Montgomery ’47 meets Tony Horwitz at his book signing. to school for journalism. Shortly thereafter, he met The first explorer to land his wife, author Geraldine Brooks, and went around on the United States was the world with her, working as a reporter and covering a variety of neither the much-acclaimed Christopher Columbus nor Leif Ericson, fascinating world issues. Part of his style for writing about history was who made it to Canada. It was Juan Ponce de León. undoubtedly born from this journalistic nature. There were close to 100 million native Indians living in the “Reenacting history in books is a way for me to liven up the words United States at the time of the American explorations. It is now on the page,” said Horwitz, who believes his historic escapades bring believed there were more people there than in Europe. the reader along for the action. Lastly, Pocahontas’ actual life story is nothing like the encounter Horwitz’s fascinating encounters inspired the audience to think romanticized in the Disney movie. Indeed, she was kidnapped, about history from a new perspective. A special thank you goes out married a tobacco farmer, and died of disease at age 19. to Leslie Zemsky, former Trustee and Nichols parent, for assisting When asked what he thought the biggest misconception about with the arrangements of this extraordinary event! history is, Horwitz expressed how simple it is for us to look back and 36
Nichols School
Ji-li Jiang Award-winning Chinese-American author visits Nichols by Nina Barone Award-winning author Ji-li Jiang visited Nichols School on Tuesday, March 10 to speak with students and faculty, as part of her visit to Western New York. Most well-known for her book “Red Scarf Girl,” Jiang’s visit was focused on sharing her story about what it was like to grow up in China during the Cultural Revolution. During the Upper School Morning Meeting and several other meetings with classes and the Middle School, Jiang spoke candidly about the most troubling time in her life and in China’s history. She also signed books and answered questions about her experiences. As a 12-year-old girl living in Shanghai in 1966, Jiang was a top student in her class and devoted to Chairman Mao and the Chinese Communist Party. She faced a bright future in Communist China until the advent of the Cultural Revolution in 1966, when intelligence turned suspect and her wealthy family background caused harsh persecution. “Red Scarf Girl,” Jiang’s memoir of her experiences during the Cultural Revolution, depicts the time when her family was humiliated and hated by former friends, colleagues and neighbors, and lived in constant fear of arrest. With the detention of her father, young Ji-li faced a dreadful decision: denounce her father and break with her family, or refuse to testify against him and sacrifice her future. Jiang told the Nichols community that, although her book focuses on her life in China during a troubling time, her story is largely about the struggles we all face in our lives. While we have different battles to wage, we must all make difficult decisions, which we learn and grow from. She hopes that her book will help American audiences understand what happened in China during the Cultural Revolution, so that it may never happen again, and that her story will serve as a means of encouragement for others. “Red Scarf Girl,” first published in October 2007, has received many honors, including: 1998 Notable Children’s Book List (American Library Association), 1998 Best Book for Young Adults List (American Library Association), 1997 Most Wonderful Children’s Book List (Parenting Magazine) and 1997 Best Books List (Publishers Weekly). Jiang’s Buffalo visit was organized by the Asian Studies Program at SUNY at Buffalo and made possible by a grant from the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, with funding from the Henry Luce and Starr Foundations. Additional support was provided by the Five College Center for East Asian Studies. Ji-li Jiang speaks to the Middle School.
One of Mary Sykes’ fifth grade classes – known as the Owls – recently wrote this poem together as a class. It is about all the special things that are particular to the fifth grade at Nichols. Enjoy!
The Soaring Fifth Grade By the Owl Class Coated in plate armor, ready with sword and shield, Sir Rusty guards the fifth grade space. Our tapestry drawings present mystical creatures bearing crests and symbols against vibrant backgrounds. Chess is a game of war; we battle until victory is declared. Wizard hats show our colorful minds – ask a good question and one will arise. Noise pollution is like an ocean wave; it builds and builds until it crashes to a halt. Natural light and rain’s musical tapping, the skylight is a peaceful place to wonder about. Surprise card for heaven bound Whiskers fills Mrs. Sykes’ heart with love. We play with medieval figures before the dreaded (but dear) 8:05. Inspirational quotes and our smiling photos stick on the lockers like memories. Artistic drawings throughout our space provide portals to imaginary realms. Castles defend our lockers like gargoyles protect cathedrals. Mr. Hayes’ math club lets the force be with us on demanding quizzes. With Mrs. Sykes, our lady knight, we conquer Central Studies.
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Feb. 26, 2009 Hosted by Susie & Rick Rieser ’61 38
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A. Matt Arnold ’00, Alexa Laub ’00 and Randy Gretz ’66 B. Rick Rieser ’61 and Bill Gretz ’62 C. Susie Rieser and Repp Reppenhagen ’89 D. Alex Ackerhalt ’91 and his wife, Daniela Mardarovici, with Mary Rech Rockwell (center) E. Alexa Laub ’00, David Vallas ’91 and John Munro.
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Visit www.nicholsschool.org and click on ALUMNI! Curious what’s going on with fellow alumni? Wondering when the next event is? Want to make a gift online? Lucy and Sherman Maisel ’35 General Information Test Answer Sheet 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.
Kansas Delaware Kenya John Nance Garner, Henry Wallace 1809 George Gershwin Polio Babe Ruth Hyperbole Swan Polonius Hector Dance Trombone Ireland Italy 9:00 a.m. Coronado Toni Morrison 12 Buddha Society of Friends or
23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47.
Quakers Scotland Libya Wednesday Experts Sean Penn Marcy Twelfth Night Horatio Massachusetts and Virginia Leontyne Price Dallas Blues Writing or Script Margaret Thatcher Ceres Jesuits, Society of Jesus Securities and Exchange Commission Generosity Foreigners Sinai 48 Skin Paul Newman Semicolon Sermon
48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 63. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73.
Coins Newfoundland The Bill of Rights Australia Kurdish, Persian Laputa Embezzlement Ovid Naïve Silver Princeton Rutgers Robeson Francis Scott Key Doonesbury Lenin The Wizard of Oz Pickerel “Wuthering Heights” Rattlesnake Weight Lifting Muriel (is two pounds heavier) Great Britain and China Victor Hugo Robin Hood Obtuse
74. Beetle 75. Alexander the Great 76. Christian Science 77. Venezuela 78. New Hampshire 79. Peanuts 80. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 81. Hawaii 82. Lady Macbeth 83. Crimean 84. Costly 85. Butterflies 86. Dublin, Ireland 87. South Bend 88. Grassland 89. Painting 90. Theseus 91. 39.6 or 40% 92. Crazy Horse 93. Richard Nixon 94. Barcelona 95. Winnipeg 96. Gilbert and Sullivan 97. Portugal 98. Flannery O’Connor 99. Dance 100. Ukraine
2009 Derby Day Auction by Bridget Lutz The 2009 “Mint Juleps & White Tulips” Derby Day Auction was a huge success, netting over $155,000 for Nichols School! A huge thank you to Co-Chairs Mary and Wayne Bacon whose dedication, hard work and creative ideas made for a fun and exciting event. Derby Day Auction 2009 started off with a bang at our Gift Gathering Party in February, hosted by Sharon & Brad Randaccio ’75 in their beautiful home. Many thanks to Sharon and Brad for hosting a lovely evening. Our auctioneer, Cash Cunningham, once again helped to make our Live Auction a smashing success. This year, he helped end our evening with “Raise the Paddle for Technology,” providing an additional $30,900 toward our technology program. This year, we also had two premium sponsors of our event. A huge thank you goes out to M&T Bank and R&P Oak Hill Development, LLC. We are extremely grateful for your support! We would like to extend our thanks to all the donors, advertisers, parent leaders and volunteers who made Derby Day possible. Committee Chairs Monica Jones, Jackie Ennis, Ned Franz ’91, Monica Angle, Clare Poth, Diane Stein, Katherine Vanderhorst, Kristan Carlson Andersen ’80, Alex Johnston, Wendy Schutte, Nancy Tetro, Sasha Yerkovich, Karen Zakalik, Kevin Ryan and Joanne Ryan made this an evening to remember. Special thanks to our senior leadership parents! Jennifer Burger chaired the Derby Day Auction in 2007, and has chaired our Live Acquisitions Committee for many years. Her dedication and hard work have helped to raise thousands of dollars for Nichols. Nancy Cheyney and Mary Margaret Donahoe, along with Lee Campbell Smith, have continuously “wowed” us with their ability to turn a couple of ice rinks into a fantastic Auction room and a stunning dining room. Jackie Ruotsi has worked behind the scenes for years to create a fabulous dining space. Every last touch on the dinner table was tended to with loving hands, leaving us a perfectly beautiful place to enjoy each other’s company. Speaking of dinner, our Chef, Mark Shaffer, pleased our palettes with another spectacular meal. He seamlessly served 450 delicious dinners. Thank you, Mark! Finally, we would like to thank all of you who attended our Auction. Your generosity and support are truly appreciated. We hope you had a wonderful evening and will come back to enjoy next year’s event. We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Jackie Beecher and Monica Jones have agreed to Co-Chair Derby Day Auction 2010. We are all looking forward to their new ideas and vision, and we are very grateful for their commitment to making next year’s Auction another exciting event! 40
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A. (back, l-r) Anne Amato, Mary Bacon, Harrison Bacon ’12 and Wayne Bacon; (front, l-r) Elizabeth Mullen, Juliet Kline, Victoria Band and Mary Bacon
D. Nichols faculty and staff: (back, l-r) Joel Siepierski, Tom Franz ’76, Reed Harlow, Matt Stucynski and Annie Newall; (front, l-r) Bambi Horton and Sandy Smith Cunningham ’93
B. (back, l-r) Tim Carney and Hugh Russ ’78; (front, l-r) Ned Franz ’91, Nick Tzetzo ’91 and Ryan Lucinski ’92
E. Amy Decillis Bard ’90, Dave Bard, Carrie Marcy Hamlett ’86 and Sam Hamlett ’86
C. Nichols students: (back, l-r) Caroline Russ ’10, Rosemary Montani ’09 and Tess Williams ’10; (front, l-r) Anna Montesano ’10, Isaiah New ’10, Kathryn Moloney ’09, Meg Ziske ’09 and Katie Lynn Janiga ’11
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The “Bald for Bucks” BEFORE
DURING
AFTER: Andrew Sutherland, Steve Moscov, Alex Anas ’11, Andrew Cappuccino ’10 and Ron Montesano
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Increasing our Community Service Efforts Goodbye, Bob by Tom Franz ’76 The spring term is a time when seniors, happily heading off to new challenges and relationships, have to say farewell to people with whom they have developed a bond. Comfortable situations and familiar tasks will be replaced with alien surroundings and strange procedures. The seniors will be replaced by ambitious underclassmen, ready to try their hand at leading the school in their own way. The Community Service Office is not immune from the progress of our seniors and many have served this community for the last time. They performed well, and have given underclassmen a good example of the possibilities to effect change that lay open to them. We are in the process of changing the guard. With the 2008-2009 school year, Nichols instituted an increased community service requirement for the students. Nichols kids had to serve an organization of their choice in the way they felt most comfortable, and report to the Community Service Office with a form indicating what they did and for how long. Our students served an array of worthy causes from Fiji to Fulton, N.Y. Their tasks included reading to children and cutting trails in national parks in the Rockies. People in Western New York were helped through our participation in endeavors such as the Apollo Project, thanks to Tim Vanini ’87. Students served people of all ages and communities of all sizes. The following is a snapshot of their efforts: The Catholic Central Helping Hands Food Pantry On April 18, we volunteered at The Catholic Central Helping Hands Food Pantry, located at St. James Church, for the last time this
year. Many of the seniors have been going to help one Saturday per month for three years. They got to know Bob Wells, the gruff, wonderful man who keeps this important resource open for those in need, and runs the establishment very well. They knew that his eight-second tirades directed at clients who have lost their ID or came a bit late would be followed by a turn of the head and the statement: “give them the groceries.” Bob’s heart is not hard to find. Nichols students have supported Bob and his mission with donations from the Student Council over the years. The kids have performed a variety of tasks, including working in his storeroom, running the computer, and handing out groceries. The students served the needs of Bob’s clients with grace, understanding and class. Alyssa Murrett ’09 stated that it was a bit sad not to be able to go back and help next year. Alyssa and others can rest easy knowing that they helped train a solid core of underclassmen to take their place. “Bald for Bucks” This year’s “Bald for Bucks” campaign, a program that raises funds for seed dollars given to expand worthy research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, was passed from Drew Winkel ’09 to Chas Abdel-Nabi ’10 on April 24. Chas assembled an all-star panel of students and teachers who gave their all (head and facial hair, that is) for a worthy cause. Participants included Upper School English teacher Andrew Sutherland, Upper School Spanish teacher Steve Moscov, Alex Anas ’11, Andrew Cappuccino ’10 and Upper School Spanish teacher Ron Montesano. The event also featured a group of amateur stylists who did the cutting.
Headmaster Rick Bryan was responsible for shaving Steve Moscov’s beard of 38 years. The results shocked the audience. A representative from Roswell’s Team Cure, Misha Russo, spoke with the students about the history of “Bald for Bucks” and educated everyone about where their donations will go. Chas and Misha will be working together to organize the event for next year. Blood Drives The Upstate New York Transplant Services blood drive on April 23 gave our teachers and students an opportunity to serve our community in another way. It was the third blood drive of the year, as UNYTS followed two successful collections for the American Red Cross. Forty-three students and teachers donated, and UNYTS left our School with 37 usable pints. The Nichols donation can be used to help up to 101 people. This year, 26 Nichols students donated for the first time. Family Community Service Day Nichols held its first Family Community Service Day as several of our parents and children volunteered to help the Olmstead Parks Conservancy rake Delaware Park on April 25. Parents and kids met Steven Nagowski, the Olmstead Volunteer Coordinator, at 9:00 a.m. in front of the Middle School. It became a day of learning and working, as Steven spoke to the group about the history of Frederick Law Olmstead and Olivia Nolan informed the group about the best place to buy pink work gloves. (It’s Target!) The group raked, picked up trash and policed sticks until lunch time, when they retired to the turf fields for a hot dog. It was a great morning. As of May, Nichols students have volunteered over 8,500 hours of their time in the service of others. The senior class alone completed over 6,500 hours. Our students grew much more aware of the needs of others this year, and their response has been truly outstanding.
The Morton Meyers ’35 Fund was established to provide income to support our community service efforts. We are grateful to the Meyers family for their support of these important programs.
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Palo Alto March 23, 2009
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A. Nicole Lance with husband, Jeff Stuart ’80 B. Patty & Steve Gurney ’51 C. Doug Reed ’81, Molly Stevens ’77, Lise Buyer ’78, Paul Wick ’81 & wife Karin
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San Francisco
March 24 , 2009 Hosted by Susan and Chris Wilkens ’89
A. Ann Kieffer and Bill Brown B. Jane Lee ’85 and Megan Carbone Steven ’96 C. Chris Wilkens ’89 and Teddy Cotsen ’90 D. Mike Daley ’84, Lise Buyer ’78 and Kate Schapiro ’76 E. Paul Eisenhardt ’62 and Elizabeth Eisenhardt F. Carolyn Gioia ’01, Emily Stevenson ’01, Evans Mitchell ’99 and Ryan Arthurs ’01 G. Bob Lentz III ’62 and Peter McCarthy ’65
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Santa Monica March 26, 2009
A. Jamey Edwards ’92 with wife Elise B. Adam Cotsen ’81 and Mary Kenefick Kopp ’78 C. Jonathan Barger ’02 and Jonathan Barr ’01 D. Jim Henderson and Diana Kotler ’90 E. David Schulz ’90, Tony Yerkovich, Evan Pozarny ’96 and Ben Plaut ’87 F. Elizabeth Stevens Gurney ’75 and Colleen Heidinger ’02
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In Memoriam Alumni
Remembering Nicole Korczykowski ’97 Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, classmates and friends of Nicole Korczykowski ’97. Nicole was among those on Flight 3407, which crashed in Clarence, N.Y., on Feb. 12. A beloved and talented alumna, Nicole touched so many and accomplished so much in her life. Her former teacher, Steve Moscov, had this to say about Nicole: “In reviewing my grade book for the year Nichole was in one of the Spanish classes I taught, I noted with great interest her absolutely stellar performance, having two A+s during the course of the year. This was a very special and gifted student, indeed. I seldom give or have given A+ but she managed two! Say something once and it miraculously became part of her lexicon, her speech pattern and even more surprisingly – her writing. The ease of her incorporating complex grammatical concepts as her own was just astonishing. She was one of the best students I have ever had the pleasure to have had in class. In fact, she took first place in New York State in BOTH the National French and Spanish exams. Her extraordinary linguistic ability aside, she always had the perpetual smile and good cheer wherever she wandered. Her ’can do’ attitude was as impressive as it was contagious. Spend a few minutes with her and you quickly realized what a very special individual she was… Nicole taught us many things but it was her ’joie de vivre’ – to get the most from life – that we will always remember and cherish. Her dancing, soccer, piano playing, acting – especially as the Chesire cat who magically appears and reappears – what a perfect role for her as her own smile easily rivaled that of the cat. In her own recollections on her brag sheet, her self description was, and I quote, ’I am interested in many things and I have very high standards. I am loyal, a good listener, considerate, understanding, extremely versatile and an OVERACHIEVER. I consider my greatest strength my enthusiasm for almost everything and my great desire to succeed. I have confidence that I can accomplish almost anything if I work hard enough and I know I have the discipline to do this.’ What pinpoint accuracy and how very true. We are honored to have been a part of her short time with us and to have benefited from her presence.” Nicole worked for a New York City-area investment firm. After Nichols, Nicole graduated in 2001 from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, where she had a concentration in finance. An alumna of the Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business, she was a Benjamin Franklin Scholar and a Joseph Wharton Scholar. Nicole studied abroad at Sciences Po in Paris her junior year, and went on to graduate cum laude, with majors in International Studies and Finance. Working for Barclays Capital in Manhattan, Nicole was instrumental in the first closing of Barclays Structured Principal Investing Fund with initial commitments of $1 billion. Just days before the crash, she was promoted to the position of Director, the youngest in the history of the firm.
Paul U. Bretschger ’42 – March 8, 2009 Jerry R. Burns ’55 – April 22, 2009 William C. Conkling ’50 – March 27, 2009 James W. Greene II ’57 – April 2, 2009 Nicole K. Korczykowski ’97 – Feb. 12, 2009 Harry Lautensack ’45 – April 10, 2009 Robert J. Lyle ’39 – April 30, 2009 James W. Oppenheimer ’28 – May 18, 2009 Patrick J. Paladino ’98 – March 30, 2009 Alexander J. Ross II ’47 – Feb. 23, 2009 George E. Stevens ’48 – March 16, 2009 Richard G. Trefts ’49 – April 10, 2009 G. Frederick “Fritz” Zeller, Jr. ’47 – May 15, 2009
Friends
William K. Anderson, Jr. – March 27, 2009 – father of Wendy Mittlefehldt Lenora Coe – Jan. 8, 2009 – grandmother of Michael Stenclik ’05, Katie Stenclik ’07 and Allison Stenclik ’12 Sharon Dandes – April 16, 2009 – grandmother of Leo Dandes ’03 and Arin Dandes ’05 Henry J. Deperro – April 14, 2009 – father of Henry Jr. ’66 Frederick Helm – May 9, 2009 – father of Klaus ’77 and Thomas ’81 Peter M. Klein, Sr. – April 17, 2009 – father of CDR Peter M. Klein ’84 Irene J. Liguori – Feb. 22, 2009 – mother of Julia ’12 Robin Magavern – May 1, 2009 – wife of Jim ’51; mother of Sam ’81, David ’77, Molly ’79 and Bill ’78 Mary “Bubba” Oakley – May 7, 2009 – grandmother of Marykate ’04, Joshua ’07 and Emily’09 Alfredo Pegado – February 15, 2009 – grandfather of Sean ’07 and David ’10 Montgomery Pooley – Jan. 28, 2009 – father of Monty Pooley ’80 Sittampalam Rasalingam – May 12, 2009 father of Anusha ’92 and Shivani ’97 Thomas F. Sicignana – Jan. 22, 2009 – grandfather of Katelyn Todd ’05 and Allison Todd ’08 Robert L. Stone – Jan. 28, 2009 – father of Rob Stone, father-in-law of Beth Stone, grandfather of Wendy ’01 and Kristin ’04 Norma Trapp – March 18, 2009 – grandmother of Joe Trapp ’09 Larry Weiskopf – Nov. 4, 2008 – father of David A. Weiskopf ’85 Summer 2009
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Words from Rick Bryan, in a tribute to George E. Stevens ’48 It is with great sadness that I note the passing of a wonderful Nichols alumnus and former member of the faculty, George E. Stevens ’48. At Nichols, George was awarded 10 varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. With his older brother Steve, George was a vital member of the undefeated 1946 football team. In 1948, George was awarded the Alumni Cup, but also was inducted into the Cum Laude Society. At Princeton, George was a member of the undefeated 1950 and 1951 football teams. The ’51 team received the Lambert Trophy as the best team in the East. They were ranked sixth in the national polls. George was the blocking back and signal caller in the single wing offense. His teammate, Dick Kasmaier, was awarded the Heisman Trophy. George was named first team All-Ivy. After graduating from Princeton, George returned to Buffalo and taught at Nichols. He taught English in the Upper School and coached football, basketball, and baseball. The 1954 Verdian notes: ’In his classes, he attempts to awaken in his students an appreciation of style and a consciousness of the truths in literature. His course in Symbolism in English Literature delves further into the art of language.’ After a three-year duty with the Navy, George returned to Nichols as an English teacher and coach of the Varsity Football team. He was then appointed the Headmaster of New Canaan Country School, where he served with great distinction for 16 years. In 1965, with a group of teachers and parents of the New Canaan Country School, George founded a program named Horizons for disadvantaged children. Over the years it became a year-round academic, cultural and athletic enrichment program and is now replicated in 15 communities nationwide. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary celebration of Horizons, George Stevens was honored with this citation: ’Your imagination conceived the idea; your energy sparked its creation; your commitment insured its success. On behalf of the thousands of Horizons children, whose minds and spirits you have enriched, we thank you and we honor you.’ Following his tenure as a Headmaster, George became a consultant for Head searches and strategic planning. At the Nichols Centennial in 1992, he was awarded a Centennial Medal for all his contributions to education, and in 2001, he was honored by his induction into the Nichols Athletic Hall of Fame. On a personal note, George was a wonderful mentor to me in my early days of Head mastering and I am grateful to his advice and wisdom. He believed that schools should not revolve around the Head of school and that Heads of schools should strive to always set a moral example. Two powerful and important messages. George remains one of the great educators to graduate from Nichols. He will be missed in the independent school world.
Music Scholarship Fund Created in Alumnus’ Honor by Nina Cimino The Philip M. Schneckenburger ’32 Memorial Scholarship Fund was created in memory of Philip M. Schneckenburger ’32 by his widow, with assistance from their daughter, Grace Parker. The generous $500,000 fund will provide need-based tuition assistance to an incoming Nichols ninth-grader who shows a special interest in, propensity for and demonstrated talent in music. The first recipient of the award will be joining the School this fall. 48
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1936 William Egelhoff writes “My wife, Dorothy and I are well. Living in a life care community in Richmond, Va. My brother Bob ’34 passed away two years ago. I still manage to do some skiing and regular riding on my 70th year of British Raleigh.”
1941 On March 1, at a special ceremony, the Jewish Center of Buffalo dedicated their two squash courts in honor Phil Jacobs. Phil was a squash player and coach; he played for the first time at Nichols in 1938, until just a couple of years ago.
1942 E. Harvey Holzworth, Jr. is President of the S.S. Canadiana Preservation Society, Inc., working with WNY Gas and Steam Association and Dana Winters (Pilot House) to restore, preserve, transport and create temporary Maritime exhibits, including Pilot House of S.S. Canadiana (The Crystal Beach Boat), its engine, Hull base for engine, windless, capstain, generator, pumps and other mechanical artifacts. Eventually everything will become part of a Buffalo Maritime exhibit museum when a proper building is secured. Kirke Rockwood writes “72 inches of snow in the month of December...breaking all records.”
1947 On June 11, Cradle Beach Camp, serving disabled and disadvantaged children of Wester New York since 1888, honored Kim Kimberly at its 3rd Annual Celebration of Legends Awards Dinner and Ceremony. Kim joined the Cradle Beach Board in 1982, and has served as its Secretary for the past several years. He is the third member of his family to be involved with Cradle Beach: his grandfather, Shepard Kimberly, served
as President of the Fresh Air Mission in the 1900s, and his father, Bill Kimberly, was President of the Board for many years in the 1940s and 50s. Congratulations to Kim for being named a Cradle Beach Legend.
1949 Thomas Allen III was named Sailor of the Week by US Sailing the week of Dec. 31.
1950 Lewis D. McCauley writes “We are enjoying being the owners of a 35 foot motor home! A great way to travel and the dog can go too!”
1955 Theodore Putnam writes “Finally retired and setting up headquarters in Hilton Head. Whether I can stand being ‘inactive’ will have to be determined.” Norman Wilson writes “I am still enjoying practicing psychiatry after 45 years, but have cut back my hours. This gives me a lot more opportunity to enjoy more backpacking and more time with my new grandson.”
1956 Roger V. Barth was recently elected as President of the National Intelligence Education Foundation in Washington, D.C. David Chapin writes “I am semi-semi retired – no more major surgery. I still keep up the office practice, minor surgery, teaching, administration. Less than fulltime, more than half-time.”
1958 Stuart Angert was honored at the Leadership Buffalo Values Award luncheon on April 30 in Buffalo, N.Y., with the
Class Notes
“Openness to Change” recognition for his community involvement.
Hugh Johnson continues to lead his asset management company in Albany, N.Y., and trek to Dorset, Vt., on weekends to enjoy time with his wife, Tara and dog, Una. He said, “I do talk to my brother, Stu, frequently and to Hugh and Stu, my twin grandsons. A good friend (Goldman Sachs refugee) has joined my firm and will in time become the new CEO and allow me to spend less time on building a business and more time on markets which, to say the least, have become intriguing…I did return to Nichols for perhaps the highlight of my year away from you guys. I returned for the 100 year anniversary of Nichols Hockey. He was right. I saw Marc Comstock ’58 (he’s still faster than all of us), Howie Saperston ’58, George Ostendorf ’59, Dave Donaldson ’56 (brother of Dan), Jim Wadsworth ’57, George Morris ’57, Bobbie Battle ’56, Jimmy Foreman, Wyn Eaton ’55, Jerry Putnam, and plenty of others like Warren Gelman ’63, Jack Walsh ’63 and other youngsters. It was a truly great time and certainly made one feel better about Nichols.”
Jim Sanders reports that he and his wife, Sharon will be spending a week at Montauk with their grandchildren in June. He will then spend the 4th with their son’s family at their summer home in the western Catskills. He said, “It seems we spend more time up north than in Atlanta.”
1960 Paul Kritzer retired on Dec. 31, 2007 after 24 years with Journal Communications in Milwaukee, mainly as General Counsel.
1961 William Franklin, Jr. has been married for 43 years and lives in Savannah, Georgia. He has two children and three grandchildren, two being identical twin girls. He is the Senior Partner of the second largest law firm in Savannah where he specializes in defending catastrophic medical malpractice cases. He also is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Life is good!
Recently I was honored by Leadership Buffalo at their annual Values Award Luncheon. I focused my acceptance speech on the significant events that are shaping our community. There are meaningful initiatives that are placing us on the cutting edge of positive change. For too long we in Western New York have suffered from an inferiority complex. We denigrate ourselves, or feel as if we must defend ourselves from the barbs of those who have never visited our city. In addition to being recognized as one of the cleanest cities in America, 16th for lowest carbon footprint, ranked as a top 10 technology center, a top 10 sports town, number one as an arts destination for mid-sized cities, top twelve distinctive destination for arts, natural beauty, cuisine and activities, and the 12th ranked destination for historic preservation, it is ranked in the top 40 for Brainpower Index – number of graduate or professional degrees on a per capita basis. On that topic, Nichols School has been nationally ranked in the Top 20 for excellence in education and received the President’s Award, recognizing private schools who have distinguished themselves within their peer group. Our list of graduates and the great deeds that they have accomplished in the arts, education, the sciences, finance, government, business and sports, is legend. From a quality of life perspective, we have much for which we should be thankful. Heading the list is Nichols School, which prepared us, and continues to prepare students to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy. The Nichols education is a defining, life-changing experience that provides us with a competitive advantage once we leave campus. — Stuart H. Angert ’58
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1962 Eric Schabacker writes “My wife, Stativia, and I are proud to announce the birth of our son, Kenneth Tener Schabacker, born on Nov. 22, 2007. Tener, as he is called, was born at home. Both mom and dad are doing well!”
Fred Astmann built and presented former teacher, Ray Glover, with the organ pipe table lamp with an engraved plaque inscribed for 50 years of friendship and inspiration!
1963 W. Chase Keightley writes “The class of ’63 is a remarkable bunch of guys. I continue to practice pubic mental health in New Mexico and starting in May, back to the Central Coast of California for a year. I hope to retire in 2010 and learn to pilot a sailplane.” While still teaching (in his 38th year) at Colby College, Sandy Maisel has been writing a bi-weekly political column for two newspapers in Maine, but he has just been asked to aim for a wider audience. Since late April his columns have appeared on The Huffington Post web site. If you would like to see them or receive e-mail alerts when new ones are posted, visit www.huffingtonpost. com/sandy-maisel. Six Buffalo attorneys, including Harry Meyer, were named “Lawyers of the Year” by the Best Lawyers publication. Based on exhaustive peer review surveys, the rankings are published in an annual guide to the nation’s leading attorneys. Harry also chairs the U.S. Coast Guard Area Maritime Security Committee for the three counties of WNY. Henry H. Sturtevant writes “I enjoyed the 45th Reunion. I continue to live in NYC and teach at Hofstra University and Montclair State University and lecture for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.” 50
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The View From Right Field by Rick Ohler ’68
Published in the East Aurora Advertiser on Feb. 12, 2009 100: The Magic Number Believe it or not, this is the 100th View From Right Field, my bi-weekly column on sports, and other stuff. That’s no small accomplishment for a kid from Oakwood Avenue who, as a high school hockey goalie in February of 1968, let in a soft roller from center ice to the laughter and horror of all his peers, and who vowed on the spot to give up all forms of athletics forever. They won’t have Ohler to kick around anymore, I grumbled, stealing a line from then presidential candidate Richard Nixon. Of course, I broke that vow soon after, and returned to the ice, which brings me to the topic of this century edition column: the ever-present likelihood of failure; the possibility, however slim, of success; and the occasional pure magic of sports. Let me revisit, for this 100th column, that time 41 years ago. I was a senior at a prestigious prep school near the Buffalo Zoo, where my dad was a three-sport coach, English teacher and grammarian in the drill sergeant sense of the word. Since his boyhood nickname in Boston had been Hockey Dick, honest, and since he had played at Yale, it seemed as inevitable as gravity that I would not only play hockey, but reprise his role as goaltender. I took to goaltending like a cat to water at first. No one was ever tempted to call me Hockey Rick; I’ll bet that behind my back it was Swiss Cheese, The Sieve or maybe The Colander Kid. I could have blamed it on the archaic equipment the school provided, a tattered assortment of handme-down pads and protective gear that transformed me from a scrawny kid of around 120 pounds to a 150-pound waddler resembling a pregnant turkey. And back then goalie masks had not evolved into the flashy, functional headpieces guys like Ryan Miller wear today. I peered at my frozen world through an uncomfortable, rawhide-covered-with-fiberglass arrangement in which I often felt I was looking through a keyhole into a dimly lit room beyond. Nonetheless, I persevered and over a few years became a passable goalie, neither goat nor glory hound, you might say. According to my dad, I was “adequate.” So it was that in February of my senior year we hosted an afternoon game against Ridley College of St. Catharines. My coach (George Truscott, a marvelous man who recently passed away) tapped me as the game’s starter, an assignment that had become rarer and rarer as my career had wound toward its conclusion. It was in that game that the unthinkable happened: a Ridley player, seeking an opportunity for a line change, pushed the puck toward me with a half-hearted shove; I doubt the statistician would have called it a shot on goal. Thank God portable video equipment had not yet been invented because through a series of ill-timed maneuvers I allowed that stupid black disc to enter the goal. It was the softest, most embarrassing goal in hockey history, at any level, in any rink, in any century. It took a few weeks for Coach to summon the nerve to let me back on the ice, but in my last game as a high schooler, he said, “You loose? You’re starting.” Some say he tapped me as a favor to my dad or because we were playing the Blake School, a juggernaut from Minnesota, and I was a sacrificial lamb. Hard to say. I did know that the disappointment of my teammates (and the assembled crowd) was as evident as bad breath at a garlic festival. But then, as so often happens out here in right field, forces beyond my control took over. I was, in a word, magnificent. Slap shots from point blank range found their way into my glove. I gathered in tipped shots like an octopus. I contained all rebounds, anticipated every opponent’s move. When a Blake player came in alone on a breakaway I went out to challenge him, knocking puck and skater into the corner. We won the game, my dad got tipsy (the only time I had known him to do so), the crowd went nuts, my friends slapped me on the back and girls who heretofore had regarded much the way they might have regarded one of the concrete blocks in the rink wall found me “cute,” “nifty,” and a “possibility.” As for me I wondered what goaltending sorcery had been at work, for surely my play that day called upon something much more than my paltry skills could deliver. Was it magic? The hand of God? A fairy goalmother? I’ll never know. It was simply a gift from an anonymous donor. A gift that comes only very occasionally, but is the reason that even after 100 columns I’ll still write about sports, and other stuff.
is a senior in high school and plans to join Connor at Princeton next year. We all enjoyed our Thanksgiving visit to Buffalo, seeing family and friends.”
1976 Edward H. Hoch’s two oldest boys, Andrew and David, are students at the Gilman School in Baltimore. Andrew graduated this June. David Wilcove writes “My new book ‘No Way Home: The Decline of the World’s Great Animal Migrations’ was published at the end of 2007. Researching it took me to some wonderful places for wildlife, most notably the Serengeti.” Jack Walsh ’63, Jim Wadsworth ’57, Bill Mathias ’63, Lynn Hamlin, Warren Gelman ’63, Bill Constantine ’62, Sarah Gelman Carney ’92, Clay Hamlin ’63, Patty Gelman, Connie Constantine, Walter Constantine ’60, Connie Walsh and Chuck Kreiner ’63 celebrate after games and events at the 100 Years of Hockey celebration on Jan. 30.
1965 Richard B. Hinkley is semi-retired, having a great time with gardening, canning, woodworking, etc.
1967 Tom Anderson recently, attended the wedding of Dale Neuburger’s ’67 son, Eric, in Indianapolis. Both daughters are doing well at Vassar and the Landor School of Economics.
1968
1973 Russ Bishop (Former Faculty) writes “I enjoy reading about the lives of many of the students and fellow faculty from my tenure at Nichols. Our lives are truly blessed as we welcomed three more grandchildren to the family.” Nancy Galeota-Wozny is covering opera, ballet, theater and anything else that moves an arts writer. Most recently, she wrote a feature article for Dance Magazine on Elaine Gardner, Nichols’ esteemed dance teacher. She looks forward to catching up with her Nottingham and Nichols friends on Facebook.
1974
Brothers and alumni team elders, Charlie Tracy ’67 and Donny Tracy ’68, after the Nichols Alumni Hockey Game on Jan. 31
Dennis Reilly writes “Denise and I still live in McLean, Va. I’ve ‘gone green’ and am the Vice President of Sales for HydroPoint, where we help property owners and companies conserve water through intelligent use of landscape-irrigation. Cailyn is a Legal Assistant in NYC for Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Brendan is a senior at Princeton and plans to be commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps upon graduation. Connor is a sophomore at Princeton and enjoys playing on the lacrosse team with Brendan. Brian
1978 Chris Kramar went back to school to obtain a B.S. in nursing. He started working in the pediatric ICU of the University of New Mexico Hospitals. He also enjoys skiing in Taos, N.M., and hiking in the Grand Canyon. Melinda R. Saran was recently named Woman Lawyer of the Year by the Women Lawyers of Western New York.
1979 Michael Plager writes “I was very disappointed that I couldn’t attend the ceremony for the Strauss Truscott Field dedication. Bob Strauss ’79 and Ted Truscott ’79 were two of my closest friends at Nichols. Memories of my time with them combined with those from the football field bring me back to a special time.”
1982 Stephen Sanders writes “Wendy and I are psyched that Parker will be attending Nichols for 5th grade. We are looking forward to another generation of Sanders at Nichols!”
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1987 Julia McDonald Hartmann and husband welcomed their third son, Dylan Bryce, into the family. Dylan was born Oct. 1.
1988 Leah Schierlitz Hughes and husband, Raymond, welcome Emmett William Hughes to their family Jan. 2. Emmett weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long.
Alumni Hockey Team – Jan. 17 and Jan. 18, 2009 (back row, l-r) Jim Lorentz ’99, Chris Rozanski ’95, Jason Bridge ’94, Don Smith ’97, Howie Saperston III ’89, Greg Hans ’92, Phil Nobel ’88, Kevin Rozanski ’96, Rick Zacher ’86; (front row, l-r) Peter Sullivan ’92, David Seitz ’92, Bob Weston ’95, Chris Catanzaro ’95, Tim Vanini ’87 and Paul Sullivan ’88
1983 Sarah Baird lives with her husband, Ben, and three children, Xander, Eva and Nat. She works for The Diaper Bank and is enrolled in a graduate program studying developing nations and non-state actors.
1984 Lisa Hunt Burgess married Earl Burgess on Oct. 11, and has a new step-son, Bill, who is 13 and lives with them. She is still repairing Oriental rugs and teaching Irish step dance part-time. She looks forward to seeing old friends at her 25th Reunion this year and enjoys reconnecting with everyone on Facebook! Piper Campbell just returned to Washington and took a job as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary of State, Jacob J. Lew. Elizabeth Gingell Epstein writes, “Looking forward to seeing everyone in June!” Stephen Hellriegel is now building portable data centers. His company, Verari Systems, converts a standard shipping container into a 2,000 server system – hook up a 4” coolant pipe and 480V 3 phase power, and out comes up to several hundred 10 gigabit fiber optic Internet connections. He says, “It’s cool stuff, 52
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blending math, science, physics, computer science and electronics. All the basics were taught at Nichols.” Jennifer Joyce just moved to the San Francisco Bay area, and is married with three kids. Kirston Thomas Miller writes, “I recently moved with my family to the Bay area. We have settled nicely in Walnut Creek and are really enjoying all the area has to offer. I can’t say that I am missing the winter weather back in the Northeast.” Saski Subramanian’s documentary, “Beyond Breast Cancer: Stories of Survivors” was selected to screen at the Buffalo-Niagara Film Festival on May 4. The film has already screened at the Baltimore Women’s Film Festival, the Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center and the Reel Women International Film Festival in Los Angeles. Reach to Recovery International has adopted the film as a training tool in 10 countries. The trailer for the film can be viewed at www.reeldoctors.org, and there is more information about the research study at the web site www.afterthecure.com.
1985 Joseph McNamara writes, “Please tell our Class Agent, Mark Roberts, he is doing a good job and his notes are appreciated.”
Christian Laettner was honored this winter when The Buffalo News included him on the All-Decade High School Basketball Team for the 1980s and the All-Time Team for the past 50 years. On the weekend of Jan. 24 and 25, the Nichols Alumni Hockey Team was crowned champions in their annual quest for the Nichols Alumni Cup. This is the fourth year of the tournament and the fourth year the Old Big Green has been victorious. The old boy teams from Appleby, Crescent, Lakefield and Nichols played each other in round robin play with the two teams with the best records playing against each other in the final. Nichols avenged a preliminary loss to Appleby by defeating them in the finals by a convincing 7-1 margin.
1989 Cameron Baird writes, “This fall, my 11th year at The St. Paul’s School of Baltimore, I enjoyed coaching my J.V. soccer team to its 2nd consecutive title. I also met up with Nichols classmates Howie Saperston ’89 and Josh Nussbaumer ’89 at the Bills vs. Chargers game. The last positive moment in a nightmare season!” John (Henderson) Wray visited Nichols to share readings and conversation about his new hit novel, “Lowboy,” voted Amazon’s Best of the Month in March.
1990 Nandita Shenoy writes, “I continue to act, write and direct in New York City. Recently, my work as a playwright has been seen at the Asian-American Writers’ Workshop, the Atlantic Theater and the
Abington Theater. I also received my first mention in the New York Times for my work as a performer in ‘Man of La Mancha’ this summer.”
1991
1993 Gordon L. Rashman and wife, Cassandra, announce the birth of their second child, Davis William Rashman, born Dec. 23. He joins his big sister, Corinne.
Congratulations to Dr. Gareth Lema on his marriage to Dr. Penelope Su Jung Chun at Niagara-on-the-Lake last fall. The couple lives in Buffalo.
1996
Carrie Downey Whitney, her husband, Shannon, and big brother, Sean (5), welcomed baby Connor.
1992 Michelle & Daniel Brinkworth announce the birth of Owen William Brinkworth, born Jan. 21. Owen joins big sister, Quinn (2). The family lives in Buffalo.
Jonathan and Kristen Burke Monge are the proud parents of Gavin Joseph (above), born Dec. 6. Gavin joins older brother, Maximilian (2).
1994 Joan and John Fox are the proud new parents of Ellen S. Fox, March 6. The couple lives in Amherst, N.Y. Elise & Jamey Edwards welcomed baby, Ethan Edwards, on Dec. 22. The family lives in Santa Monica, Calif., where Jamey is the Chief Executive Officer of Emergent Medical Associates. Luke Jacobs & Danielle Paladino Jacobs are happy to announce the birth of their third child, Nolan Lawrence Jacobs, born on March 12. He joins his two sisters, Grace and Clare.
Aashiyana Koreishi ’92 and Anjum Koreishi ’01, Safina Koreishi ’97 sit with Aaleya Koreishi ’92 and her twins, Nylah and Noorah, born Jan. 14. Daniel Perry and wife, Wendy, announce the birth of their second child, Alexis Taylor Perry, born on Feb. 13. She joins her sister, Kaitlyn.
Congratulations to Sarah Mitchell and Anthony Duddy, who were married on March 16 in New York City, and are planning an additional ceremony in Anthony’s native Ireland next summer.
Emily DeCarlo writes, “Mom and Dad welcomed Jacob DeCarlo Malenbaum on Feb. 19. Emily, Josh and Jacob are all doing well! A little tired but happy as can be.” Suzi Yoonesi’s film, “Dear Lemon Lima,” was selected for the Los Angeles Film Festival this June. Visit the film’s web site at www.dearlemonlimamovie.com and see how Nichols School plays a very large role in the movie!
1997
1995
Catherine Sessions Kersey writes, “I am happy to announce the birth of my second child, Elinor “Ellie” Margaret Kersey, born on Nov. 18. She joins her brother, Ryan, who turned two in December 2008. CJ and I are finishing our seventh year at Wyoming Seminary where we continue to teach and coach. I also serve as a Class Dean for the Class of 2010.”
Ashley Dayer will begin her Ph.D. in Natural Resources at Cornell University in July 2009. Ashley will be studying the human dimensions (psychology, sociology, policy and education/ outreach aspects) of bird conservation in northeastern forests. In her last year as Education and Outreach Director at Klamath Bird Observatory, Ashley was selected to serve on the national State of the Birds Communications Team. This team designed the first-ever U.S. State of the Birds report, which was released by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in March 2009. This report revealed troubling declines of bird populations – a warning signal of the failing health of our ecosystems. At the same time, it showed heartening evidence that strategic land management and conservation action can reverse declines of birds.
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2007 Julia Butcher will be attending the Sorbonne in Paris next year, for her junior year. She won competitive admission to the Mission Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Exchanges Franco-Americain program, representing University of Denver. She also is spending a month in France this summer, in Villard de Lans near Grenoble on a work-study program.
Linsey Snyder married Jeremy Wachalter on Nov. 15 in Palm Beach. Pictured (l-r): Chris Rozanski ’95, Melissa Marlette Kresse ’96, Eric Termini ’97, Carla Bueme ’97, Neal Luther ’96, Hannah Simon Schneider ’97, Andy Snyder ’99, Rabbi Brett Goldstein ’67, Linsey Snyder ’97, Jeremy Wachalter (groom), Molly Quinn Decker ’96, Gina Wettlaufer ’98, Mike Gregory ’97, Amy Hall Brown ’97, Margaret Williams Zakarian ’97, Kevin Rozanski ’96 and Edward Marlette ’64.
2005 Michael Angelakos and his band, Passion Pit, released their new album, “Manners,” which is receiving fantastic reviews.
Thomas Butcher will be attending the University of Hong Kong next year, for his junior year abroad from St. Andrews in Scotland. He was chosen by the International Relations department to represent St. Andrews. He also was recently elected to St. Andrews Model UN, where he is a member of the Security Council representing France. Peter Randaccio is currently a sophomore at NSC in Los Angeles, majoring in Communications and Spanish. He plays for USC men’s lacrosse team as an attack man. He made Dean’s list and is being inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society for his academic performance and grade point average.
Kelly McMullen Vogel and her husband, Dan, are proud to announce the birth of their son, Justin Daniel, who was born on Aug. 19.
1998 Jill Brodsky-Ibrahim married Farn Ibrahim in November of 2008. Sheetal Sheth ’98 and Alyson Jones ’98 attended the nuptials. She currently lives in Cherry Hill, N.J. and is completing a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
2004 Cece Butcher writes “I am in my final year at St. Andrews University. I will be graduating with an M.A. in Russian (with integrated year abroad). No plans for after university yet but will let you know.”
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Anna Ellis, who plays field hockey for Bryn Mawr, cheered Maddie McQueeney and her Bowdoin College teammates on to their second consecutive NCAA Div III victory. Chris Winter, a senior at SUNY at Binghamton, was named to the American East All-Academic team for lacrosse.
2006 Alexandra Best spent the summer in Palm Beach, Fla., doing a dental internship. Her fall semester at Princeton was spent in Madrid, Spain studying the Spanish language and culture. She would love to hear from friends and can be reached at abest@princeton.edu.
Annmarie Cellino ’05, Brigitte Cellino ’08, Jill Roloff ’07 and Grace Waters ’08 pose for a photo following a hockey game between Trinity College and Middlebury College.
2008 Erika Owczarczak was voted ECAC West 2nd team, All-Rookie Team ’09 and Reebok’s D III All American 2nd Team East for her play as a freshman on the RIT women’s ice hockey team. Meridith Unger writes, “Loving life at Smith College! Looking forward to Habitat for Humanity for Spring break in New Orleans.”
Faculty Profile
Thomas Michaud What is your position at Nichols? How long have you been here? I teach French language and literature at Nichols. This is my third year. What was your path leading to Nichols like? I was born and raised here in Buffalo. Early on, I always found the idea of speaking another language fascinating, which is most undoubtedly due to my French Canadian heritage. I thus dedicated myself to becoming fluent in French. For my undergraduate work, I attended Canisius College where I focused my studies in French, Spanish and Business. Canisius had a variety of study abroad programs in which I had the great opportunity to participate. In order to understand more about the cultures associated with the languages I was studying, I spent several of my summers studying in Mexico, Paris and Quebec City. In addition, I participated in two semester-long study abroads, one in Oviedo, Spain and the other in Lille, France. Since these programs mandated that you live with a host family, this gave me the chance to live like a native of each given country. Overall, I would say that these experiences were once in a lifetime opportunities which I would strongly recommend to all my students. After graduation from Canisius, I studied at SUNY at Buffalo where I received my master’s degree in French Language and Literature. What extra-curricular activities are you involved in? I am a strong advocate of learning about different countries so that we can better understand the lives of people from all around the world. I think it is important that our students get every opportunity possible to meet people from around the globe and to hear their unique stories. It is for this reason why Ms. Zhang and I created a new global initiative program entitled “Global Horizons.” Our mission is to create a greater awareness of people from different countries and to become educated about their respective culture. We have invited a variety of international speakers to talk to our students about their lives and experiences
in their native country. Our goal is to present a different perspective of the world to our students in order for them to see just how similar and different we all are. In addition, I also take part in the organization and scheduling of the French Exchange along with fellow French teachers Mr. Crane and Ms. Zamor. Given that a group of about 20 French students spend three weeks on our campus, our students have the unique opportunity to experience French culture right outside their own door. This is a great way to learn more about people from different parts of the world in addition to forming bonds that will last for years to come. What is the best part of your job? In our country, we often have the impression that speaking foreign languages is not our strong suit, or that they are too difficult to master. I, on the other hand, am opposed to this way of thinking. I strongly believe that through proper dedication and practice, anyone can speak a second language (let’s face it, at a young age, we all learned English at one point, right?). Thus, through daily practice and expecting that the students express themselves in the target language, the students are given the means to improving their language skills in leaps and bounds. It is truly the students that make my work so rewarding. The students come into class everyday energized and ready to take on the new challenges of the day, and to test their own abilities. At the end of every year, I am astonished to see just how much their language skills have improved. They inspire me to become a better teacher and to provide them with a variety of different methods to help them become fluent in the language. Describe your ideal day at Nichols. My ideal day at Nichols would start out with an uplifting and inspiring Morning Meditation, followed by a musical moment. In my classes, the students will have
demonstrated comprehension of the lesson which would then lead way to great discussion (in French, of course) applying the new concepts learned. Finally, an ideal day would not be complete without, yes, a healthy portion of nachos for lunch. Yum… What are your hobbies and interests beyond your work at Nichols? A great hobby of mine is traveling. I love experiencing what life is like in different countries. I love trying different foods, walking through the pedestrian streets, and to experience what everyday life is like outside of the U.S. I also enjoy keeping up with the latest current events in France by watching and reading news via the Internet. Most French channels allow you to watch their programs online, which is a great luxury that we didn’t have several years ago. Vive la technologie! What do you like to do on the weekends? After a busy week, I love relaxing at home spending quality time with my wife and son. Now that the weather is getting a bit warmer, we are able to take advantage of the beautiful spring days by going to parks and introducing our son to the joys of playgrounds. His laughter when swinging high up in the air is priceless. Furthermore, enjoying the regional specialties Buffalo has to offer, varying from a Lenten fish fry to pizza and wings, has become a Friday tradition.
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In the Next Issue: The 117th Commencement & Reunion 2009
Paige Matecki ‘10 and Jake Stark ‘10, next year’s Senior Class Co-Presidents, lead the Commencement procession.
