PALLIUM — Spring/Summer 2024

SPRING/SUMMER 2024

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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FEATURES 4

NEW BOARD PRESIDENT DRIVEN BY A PASSION FOR CANTERBURY

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CANTERBURY BIDS FAREWELL TO HEAD OF SCHOOL RACHEL STONE P ’23, ’24

Nick Ragland ’88, P ’21 discusses his experiences at Canterbury, his passion for the School, the unique perspective he brings as President, and his future plans for his alma mater.

As Canterbury embarks on a significant leadership transition, we reflect with gratitude on Rachel’s accomplishments and the lasting impact she has left on our School.

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HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE LEAD THEIR BEST LIVES

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“SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR” FINDS BIG SUCCESS IN BIG TECH

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Claudia Califano, M.D. ’88 has carried values learned from both her father and Canterbury into a life of helping children and adolescents manage the challenges of growing up in today’s world.

A passion for technology has driven Matt Gardner ’07 to a highly accomplished career in which he has worn many hats as an entrepreneur, programmer, podcaster, and much more.

30 YEARS OF DOING THE LOURDES WORK For three decades, Canterbury students, alumni, faculty, and staff have made unforgettable pilgrimages to Lourdes, France, to be inspired by acts of kindness and service to others.

COMING FULL CIRCLE THREE DECADES LATER Coach Paddy McCarthy ’94 reflects on what it means to lead the Boys’ Varsity Hockey team to the NEPSAC championship 30 years to the day after he won the title as a player.

DEPARTMENTS 3 20 30 42 48 49 56

From Our Interim Head of School SOA News Hilltop Happenings Saints Report Advancement Update Class Notes In Memoriam

On the Cover: Canterbury students Emerson Lilly ’25 and Emily Lynch ’25 enjoy the extraordinary beauty and positive energy of Lourdes, France, during the School’s annual pilgrimage this summer.

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A cause for celebration: Commencement 2024.

A magazine for alumni, parents, and friends of Canterbury School.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2024—2025

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Jennifer Loprinzo

Mr. Nick Ragland ’88, P ’21 | President

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Rick Henderson P ’25

Ms. Carol Lovell Carmody P ’18 | Treasurer

Mr. John A. Donovan ’59 | Vice President

SENIOR EDITOR/STAFF WRITER Jim Norman

Mrs. Mary Coleman Lynn ’90, P ’22, ’23 | Secretary

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Alexa Saunchez

Ms. Dorothy L. Alpert ’78

PHOTOGRAPHY Rick Giles

Mr. Harold T. Clark III ’86, P ’22

CLASS NOTES & IN MEMORIAM Kate Heslin ’96, P ’24, ’25, ’27, ’28 MAGAZINE LAYOUT & DESIGN Margaret Galeano

Mr. Peter J. Cotier ’86, P ’19, ’20 | Assistant Secretary Mr. Keith G. Angell ’75 Mr. Douglas M. Famigletti ’90, P ’25

860-210-3800 CBURY.ORG/ALUMNI

Mrs. Holly Fedorcik P ’26 Mr. Lawrence P. Fisher II ’77 Mr. Sean F. Flanagan ’91, P ’23 Mr. Theodore C. Hollander ’82 Mr. Jeremiah E. Keefe P ’21, ’22 Mr. Stephen M. Kessing P ’20, ’22, ’26

SEND ALUMNI NEWS TO

DEADLINES FOR CLASS NOTES

Ms. Nancy B. Mulheren P ’03, ’13, GP ’24, ’28, ’28

ADVANCEMENT OFFICE Canterbury School 101 Aspetuck Avenue New Milford, CT 06776 advancement@cbury.org

FALL: AUGUST 1 SPRING: FEBRUARY 1

Mr. Justin Towey P ’24

Mrs. Nicole D’Amour Schneider ’93, P ’20, ’22, ’23 Mr. Donald Vincent ’83 Mrs. Nell P. Williams ’81 Mr. Robert L. Williams ’90

PRESIDENT EMERITUS @canterbury1915 Canterbury School in New Milford, CT cburysaints cburypix

Mr. Robert H. Steers ’71, P ’11

TRUSTEES EMERITI Mr. James R. Briggs ’56, GP ’12, ’15 Mrs. Hope Carter P ’86, ’87, ’88, ’91, ’95, GP ’09, ’10, ’14 Mr. Denis P. Coleman, Jr. ’63, P ’97 Mr. Donn C. Dolce ’63, P ’01 Mr. John P. Duffy ’59, P ’87, ’91

communications@cbury.org

Mr. John D. O’Neill ’57, P ’89 Dr. L. Michael Sheehy ’56

PALLIUM is produced bi-annually by Canterbury’s Marketing & Communications Office, 101 Aspetuck Avenue, New Milford, CT 06776

Mrs. Lauren J. Steers P ’11

NON-DISCRIMINATION Canterbury School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability in admission or employment in its programs and activities. ©Copyright 2024 Canterbury School. All rights reserved. No content from this publication may be reproduced or reprinted in any form without the express written consent of Canterbury School.

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From Our Interim Head of School

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n my first few months as Interim Head of School, I have been continually inspired by the dedication of the Canterbury community. The heart of this school clearly lies in its people— students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families—whose commitment to our values and traditions ensures Canterbury’s continued success. As I turn through the pages of this PALLIUM, I am reminded of the lasting impact each member of our community has on the life of our school.

The achievements, stories, and milestones featured here are a testament to the collective spirit that makes Canterbury such a special place.

Last spring, we said farewell to Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 after eight years as our Head of School. We remain deeply grateful for her vision and guidance during a period of significant growth for Canterbury. Thanks to her leadership, and the tireless efforts of our faculty, staff, and Board, coupled with the generosity of our donors, the school is in a position of great strength, ready to build on its momentum in the years ahead (page 7).

Last October, Nick Ragland ’88, P ’21 was appointed our next President of the Board of Trustees. As an alumnus, parent, and long-serving Board member, Nick has infused his new role with energy, innovative thinking, and a deep commitment to Canterbury. In an in-depth interview on page 4, Nick shares his insightful reflections on Canterbury’s future.

Also in this issue, we commemorate the 30th anniversary of our pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, a tradition started by Trustee Emeritus Hope Carter P ’86, ’87, ’88, ’91, ’95, GP ’09, ’10, ’14, whose vision has shaped generations of students through service (page 16). We also celebrate the thrilling victory of Head Coach Paddy McCarthy ’94 and the Boys’ Varsity Hockey team, who claimed a NEPSAC title 30 years to the day after Paddy won the championship as a player on that same team (page 42).

And as always, we are delighted to acknowledge our alumni who continue to excel in college, in their careers, and as inspirations to our students when they return to campus. This issue is brimming with stories of our graduates who not only achieve great things but also serve as powerful role models, showing our students what is possible through hard work and a commitment to excellence.

Thank you for your continued support of Canterbury during this exciting chapter. I look forward to all that we will achieve together in the months ahead.

I hope you enjoy reading as much as I have!

Sue Roberts P ’24, ’27

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New Board President Driven By a Passion for Canterbury

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ick Ragland ’88, P ’21 has been deeply involved with Canterbury School in various roles over the years. As a 1988 alumnus and the parent of recent graduate Sydney ’21, he has a profound connection to the School. Since 2013, he has actively served on the Board of Trustees, chairing the Advancement/Marketing Committee and Committee on Trustees, and participating in the Executive, Admission, Investment, and Spiritual Life Committees.

For the past year, he has served as Canterbury’s 10th Board President, bringing a wealth of diverse experiences and insights to the role.

Professionally, Nick is Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of The Gorilla Glue Company in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he has spent more than two decades guiding the organization’s operations and growth. He also serves on the Boards of Babson College Bertarelli Institute for Family Entrepreneurship, The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, Romeo Academy, and The Cincinnati Regional Business Committee.

Nick holds a B.A. in History from DePauw University (1992), a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University (1994), and an M.B.A. from Babson College (2000). He resides in Cincinnati with his wife, Joelle.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Nick and discuss his experiences at Canterbury, his passion for the School, the unique perspective he brings as President, and his future plans for his alma mater.

What comes to mind when you think back on your time as a Canterbury student?

Many of the things I love about Canterbury today were true when I was a student—the close-knit community, amazing people, and a strong support system. My experience was full of meaningful friendships and diverse activities. Beyond academics, I embraced opportunities like joining the basketball, tennis, and baseball teams. I performed in a play, which, while not my passion, was a valuable learning experience. I wasn’t afraid to try, and I did it. Contributing to the school newspaper helped me develop my confidence and decision-making skills. And throughout my time at Canterbury, I was fortunate to have faculty and staff who served as outstanding role models, supporting my growth and shaping me into the person I am today.

Can you share your journey from being drawn to serve on Canterbury’s Board to accepting the role of Board President, and what motivated you throughout this process?

My service to Canterbury has been deeply rooted in my love for education, which was sparked by my involvement as both a member and Chair of the board at my children’s school in Cincinnati. I’ve always believed that a positive educational experience is a powerful differentiator in someone’s life, much like it was in mine. Canterbury’s 4

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transformative approach to education, which shapes individuals not just academically but also personally and spiritually, resonates with me, and I want to contribute to that meaningful impact.

When former Headmaster Tom Sheehy P ’92, ’98, ’04 asked me to consider serving on Canterbury’s Board of Trustees, I was initially hesitant due to my personal and professional commitments at the time.

However, a visit to the campus quickly rekindled my affection for the School. Since then, every return to campus—whether it be for a Trustee meeting, the festivities of Alumni Weekend, or when I watched my daughter discover a newfound passion and perform in her first musical— reaffirms my decision, and I find it incredibly energizing.

When asked to become the next Board President, I was humbled by the significant responsibility, especially following in the footsteps of Bob Steers ’71, P ’11. My confidence in accepting the role was bolstered by two factors: the strong leadership at the School and our engaged alumni base. The Alumni Relations team has impressed me with its expanding outreach and the establishment of regional chapters. Attending the Christmas party in New York City last year and joining Chief Advancement Officer Rick Henderson P ’25 in other cities, I witnessed firsthand how our alumni community values their Canterbury connection.

The caliber of our Trustees, including long-standing members like Dorothy Alpert ’78 and John Donovan ’59, who have each served over 20 years, reinforces my belief that we will continue to guide Canterbury in the right direction and maintain our momentum. Additionally, the strategic direction of the School, led by a senior administrative team with over 180 years of combined Canterbury experience, assures me of our ability to steer Canterbury toward continued success.

How has your executive experience at Gorilla Glue and insights from your volunteer work shaped your leadership approach on Canterbury’s Board?

My leadership philosophy centers on three key things: people, relationships, and strategy. Success is not about one individual; it’s about the collective effort of the group. Once you have the right team in place, the next step is to foster strong relationships among them to ensure they are united in pursuing a common goal. Lastly, having a solid strategy is crucial. When these three components align, great achievements are possible. This approach is mirrored in Canterbury’s Strategic Plan, where “People” is the foundational pillar.

Through my past volunteer work, I’ve learned that having the right leader is crucial for any organization, regardless of its size. Leadership significantly impacts an organization’s ability to advance the critical elements of people, relationships, and strategy. At Canterbury, we were

“As an alumnus, I fondly remembered my teachers, but it was when I entrusted the School with my daughter Sydney’s upbringing that I realized the importance of having the right faculty and staff. They are not just educators; they are role models and guides for our children, carrying an extraordinary responsibility.“ NICK RAGLAND ’88, P ’21

extremely fortunate to have Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 as our leader for the past eight years. She was, indeed, the right leader who significantly shaped our institution during her tenure.

Now, we are excited and optimistic about the future as we undertake one of the Board’s most important responsibilities: selecting the next Head of School. This decision will determine the direction of Canterbury and ensure we continue to foster a supportive, dynamic, and forwardthinking community. The selection process reflects our commitment to maintaining and enhancing the high standards of leadership that have been a hallmark of our school. With careful consideration and dedication, we are confident that we will find a leader who will inspire and guide Canterbury to even greater heights.

What did you discover as a Canterbury parent that you hadn’t known as an alumnus?

Becoming a Canterbury parent opened my eyes to aspects of the School that I hadn’t fully appreciated as a graduate. In particular, my understanding of the vital role played by faculty and staff grew considerably. As an alumnus, I fondly remembered my teachers, but it was when I entrusted the School with my daughter Sydney’s upbringing that I realized the importance of having the right faculty and staff. They

are not just educators; they are role models and guides for our children, carrying an extraordinary responsibility.

Sydney was 16 when she joined Canterbury, a pivotal time in her personal development. Watching her experience through a father’s eyes, my respect for the daily work at the School deepened. It’s a 24/7 commitment, and the faculty and staff’s passion and dedication to the students are truly remarkable. We have a diverse student body from all over the country and the world, and parents trust the School to help their children adapt, learn, and grow. I’ve seen firsthand how well our faculty facilitates—and embraces—this charge.

You played an integral role in the development of the Strategic Plan. What message would you like to share with the Canterbury community about its importance and impact?

The Strategic Plan reflects Canterbury’s commitment to excellence, guided by our core pillars: People, Purpose, Program, and Permanence.

We are focused on attracting and supporting a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff; amplifying our commitment to ethical citizenship and servant leadership; and ensuring a comprehensive boarding school experience that leads to transformative learning and Continued on next page

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“I also urge the community to engage even more actively with the School. Visit the campus to witness firsthand the incredible developments on our hilltop. Attend events in various cities to connect with fellow members of the Canterbury family. Take pride in our exceptional school and spread the word about the unique Canterbury experience.”

NICK RAGLAND ’88, P ’21

NEW BOARD PRESIDENT Continued

personal growth. Securing our financial strength and sustainability is also crucial for our long-term success.

As a Board and as a school, we are dedicated to maintaining a strong focus on this plan. It serves as our guiding light, and if we are successful—and I am confident we will be—the positive effects will resonate for generations to come. Achieving this success requires the support and commitment of the entire Canterbury community. It’s a collective effort that will ensure the realization of our shared vision and the continued excellence of our School.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Canterbury today, and how do you plan to address them?

I prefer to see challenges as opportunities, with our employees and alumni engagement being two significant areas of focus.

Our faculty and staff are dedicated, supportive, and talented, but their roles are inherently demanding. It’s crucial that we continue to find ways to support them, whether through increased compensation and benefits or more professional development opportunities. Ensuring we have the resources to attract and retain the best talent is a key priority outlined in our Strategic Plan.

Alumni engagement is another area where we see potential for growth. While our alumni are already engaged, we aim to elevate their involvement further. We are asking them to return to campus, support our students, and contribute even more to the School and to the Annual Fund. A strong alumni base is the foundation of a strong school, and we want our alumni to feel an ever-growing sense of pride in Canterbury.

We are doing great things here, and it’s important to continuously share that message with our alumni community.

What did you learn from former Board President Bob Steers ʼ71, P ʼ11, and how do you hope to further his legacy?

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I learned a tremendous amount from Bob. One key lesson was the importance of doing things the right way. He emphasized building processes, having accountability, and staying true to oneself.

Another takeaway was his aspirational mindset in goal setting and recruitment at our school. Bob aimed for the best to attract the best— be it attracting students, faculty, staff, or school leadership. His focus on high standards and ambitious targets has fostered our culture of excellence, ensuring that Canterbury remains a top choice for talented individuals who contribute to our vibrant community.

Bob also directed our focus towards long-term, structural improvements for the school, including our endowment. At one point, Canterbury had more debt than endowment, an unsustainable situation. Now, we boast a nearly three-to-one ratio of endowment to debt, continually improving.

This aligns with his perspective on financial aid, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the best students from joining Canterbury. Bob understood that by doing all these things right, we would be a stronger institution. And indeed, we are.

How can the Canterbury community support you in your role as Board President?

I value accessibility and open communication, so I encourage everyone to reach out with their thoughts and ideas, whether through calls or emails. Building strong relationships is a priority for me.

I also urge the community to engage even more actively with the School.

Visit the campus to witness firsthand the incredible developments on our hilltop. Attend events in various cities to connect with fellow members of the Canterbury family. Take pride in our exceptional school and spread the word about the unique Canterbury experience.

For those on campus, continue your outstanding contributions to the lives of our students. Your dedication not only enriches our community but also inspires our students to become compassionate, understanding, and innovative leaders in the world. Your support inspires me to lead effectively and ensure a thriving Canterbury School.

CANTERBURY BIDS FAREWELL TO HEAD OF SCHOOL RACHEL STONE P ’23, ’24 C

anterbury School marked a significant leadership transition with the departure of Rachel Stone, who made history as the institution’s first female Head of School. Rachel led Canterbury with vision and distinction from 2016 to 2024, guiding the school through a period of profound momentum that strengthened both the academic and community experience.

Throughout her tenure, Rachel oversaw the introduction of key programs, enhancements to the curriculum, and the creation of vital student resources. She championed the addition of programming that further galvanized Canterbury’s mission, deepening the school’s commitment to developing ethical leaders and fostering a strong sense of community. Under her leadership, the school developed innovative learning spaces, launched initiatives focused on student well-being and inclusion, and transformed the campus with state-of-the-art facilities. She also played a pivotal role in steering Canterbury through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the continuity of learning and community.

During Rachel’s headship, Canterbury also saw increases in enrollment and retention, unprecedented growth in the endowment, and recordsetting philanthropic investments in capital projects and the annual fund. Her strategic vision laid the foundation for the School’s continued success through the launch of the School’s Strategic Plan, positioning Canterbury to thrive in the years to come.

As Canterbury embarks on its next chapter, our community reflects with gratitude on Rachel’s many accomplishments during her eight years of leadership, each of which has left a lasting impact on our School.

Continued on next page

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CANTERBURY BIDS FAREWELL TO RACHEL STONE P ’23, ’24 Continued

The multi-purpose Hamilton Stadium, opened in 2022, reflected Rachel’s commitment to fostering excellence both on and off the field. This premier venue for athletics, student activities, and special events stands as evidence of her dedication to providing students with exceptional spaces for personal growth and community engagement.

The Steers Center, Canterbury’s most ambitious capital project to date, was the result of a campus master planning effort Rachel initiated in her first year.

Opened in fall 2020, this $16 million, fully donor-funded, 22,000-square-foot facility became the centerpiece of campus, blending community, values, and innovation to enhance student life and academic excellence.

The Donovan Center for Learning, which opened its doors in fall 2017, has become a key differentiator of Canterbury’s academic program. Offering support and guidance to students of all levels, the center is grounded in the belief that asking for help is a sign of strength and independence—a mindset Rachel championed to ensure every student had the opportunity to thrive and succeed in their academic journey.

Rachel prioritized a studentcentered experience, amplifying student voices throughout her years at Canterbury. During her leadership, meaningful programming opportunities were developed, including DEIJ initiatives, enhanced student leadership processes, and the creation of affinity groups and spaces.

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Exciting new resources were developed to advance academic innovation, including the Coleman Digital Media Lab and the Innovation & Design Lab. These state-of-theart spaces underscored the importance Rachel placed on fostering creativity, critical thinking, digital literacy, and interdisciplinary learning.

ENDOWMENT GROWTH 2016

$28,876,962

2017

$31,377,853

2018

$31,124,376

2019

$30,735,585

2020

$31,432,532

2021

$37,695,267

2022

$37,933,440

2023 2024

$39,716,677 $45,002,000

Since her arrival in 2016, Canterbury’s endowment has increased by 56 percent, a historic achievement made possible through her strong partnership with and the strategic acumen of the Board of Trustees. This remarkable growth has fortified the School’s financial foundation, supporting key initiatives and ensuring Canterbury’s continued excellence for generations to come.

Rachel’s leadership saw the creation of the D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice, a vital space where Canterbury students are encouraged to engage in spiritual reflection, community service, and social justice. This center became a cornerstone of her efforts to instill a sense of purpose and responsibility, aligning student experiences with the School’s mission and Catholic heritage.

The 2018 renovation of Maguire Auditorium—a vibrant space for School Meetings and stage performances—was another key initiative spearheaded by Rachel.

This revitalized space became central to fostering connection and community on campus.

The hilltop projects— featuring the Steers Center, Wallace Mall, and Aspetuck Avenue streetscape—created a striking sense of arrival on campus and positioned the Chapel of Our Lady as the focal point of our hilltop. This cohesive design became a stunning and welcoming setting for the community and visitors alike.

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Helping Young People Live Their Best Lives “W

herever we go, we need to leave it a better place than when we arrived.” That was a message Claudia Califano, M.D. ’88 heard many times growing up from her father, Joseph, who was the United States Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under the Carter administration and served as a Canterbury Trustee from 1986 to 1988. Currently working as an Associate Clinical Professor at the Yale University Child Study Center and running a private practice, Claudia carries that lesson forward daily for children and their families.

“My father’s influence is highly significant in my life,” she shared. “He emphasized the importance of education and a life of service, and at 93, he continues to instill these values in me.

Canterbury helped my development in that way as well. To be in a community where values such as truth, service, respect, and forgiveness are emphasized mattered a great deal to me.

Canterbury is gifted in that regard, and I am grateful for that.”

“Can I help a young person be freer from anxiety or depression?

Do they need help with substance abuse or an eating disorder? …

I have come to conceptualize what I do as being thoughtful about how I can help this person or this family feel free to live their best lives.”

CLAUDIA CALIFANO, M.D. ’88

HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE COMPLEX ISSUES

Claudia frequently applies those values as she advocates for and helps children and adolescents manage the everyday anxieties that come with growing up in today’s world. Her role includes extensive time meeting face-to-face with youth and their families to work through their specific needs. “Can I help a young person be freer from anxiety or depression? Do they need help with substance abuse or an eating disorder? These are the nuances of my day-to-day work,” she said. “I have come to conceptualize what I do as being thoughtful about how I can help this person or this family feel free to live their best lives.”

Taking a methodical approach to her work, Claudia first meets with the parents. She then asks permission to talk to the child’s school, prior therapists or psychiatrists, or even a coach, teacher, or any other significant influence. Then she sits down with the whole family before meeting twice with the child alone. “The idea is that children do not live in isolation,” she explained. “I strive to learn as much as I can about a child and how they live in the world and to get perspectives from all the different people in their lives. The goal is to be as holistic as possible when making recommendations.”

Claudia’s job is often challenging, but the success stories are tremendously rewarding. She shared how she recently spoke

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with a young woman with a complicated family history whom she had known for years and continues to see. “The woman told me that today she is living the best life she could have possibly imagined,” Claudia said. “On some level, her family circumstances have not changed, but she felt empowered to follow what she loves and believes in. There is humility in sharing the gifts that I was given with others and then bearing witness to the goodness they can create.”

A STRONG VOICE FOR YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

Beyond her private practice, Claudia has made it a personal goal to raise awareness of mental health issues in young people. “There has been a huge deficit in the amount of child and adolescent mental health care that is available. And the pandemic just made it that much more apparent,” she explained.

“Even prior to the pandemic, I was stretched by the large number of people in my practice. I often think about how we can approach this from a more systemic, preventive standpoint.

There are skills that we can teach children and coping mechanisms that we can embed in school learning.”

Claudia has been doing her part in her own children’s school, volunteering to speak to every grade about anxiety because “that is the most common reason a child comes to see me.” She assures students that anxiety is normal and suggests ways they can address and tolerate it in a healthy way.

“In some of our most vulnerable populations, you have children who cannot speak for themselves,” she said. “There are children with emotional challenges that make it even harder for them to speak for themselves. And then you have children who are impoverished and do not have access to resources, so that can be a triple whammy for many families. I try to help them figure out how to navigate these kinds of things.”

The Yale Child Study Center is equally involved in advocacy efforts, helping shape policies that impact children and families both domestically and internationally. Its educational efforts include training professionals in child psychiatry, social work, and child psychology, as well as in research, specific intervention, and prevention approaches. Like Claudia, the organization is strongly committed to improving the lives of children and their families.

“I have been fortunate to be appointed to different administrative positions both within my department at the Child Study Center and on the Medical Executive Committee of the hospital,” she said. “I get to see, participate in, and be thoughtful about a larger systems approach.”

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM HER SAINTS EXPERIENCE

Claudia’s time at Canterbury will always hold a special place in her heart. “I consider it a privilege to be a touchstone for someone and give them the important experience of ‘being seen’ as an individual. Canterbury played a strong role in my becoming that person,” Claudia said. “I especially want to acknowledge Lou Mandler P ’87, ’91, ’94, ’99, GP ’19

Claudia enjoys family time with her father, Joseph Califano (seated), and brothers Dr. Joe Califano and Mark Califano.

(former English Teacher, Dean of Faculty, and Academic Dean).

She was the most influential person for me there and, thanks to her support, I definitely felt ‘seen’ as a student.”

Even though more than three decades have passed since then, Lou remembers Claudia vividly—and fondly. “I got to know her well when she was a student in my American Literature class and lived in Duffy House, where I was a dorm parent,” she said. “I recall Claudia as a sensitive and intelligent person who met the challenges of adolescence with an unusual analytical perspective. It seems natural that she would devote her talent and experience to helping children navigate what can be difficult formative years. I am proud to have been a small part of her experience.”

Claudia has many wonderful memories of her years on the hilltop, from time spent with friends to attending School Meetings to participating in athletic endeavors. “I came to campus not having played many sports, but I loved how athletics were so integral to the experience and appreciated the value of being on a team,” she said. “Everyone who knows me knows that exercise is a central part of my life, and I owe that dedication to Canterbury.”

And, of course, the strong service component of her Saints experience left a significant impression on Claudia. “I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be of service to others,” she said. “Any of us can do this on any level, from smiling at someone in the grocery store to pursuing a career in medicine to donating a million dollars. It does not matter what form it takes. To any extent that we can help better the lives of others, it is a gift to them—and a gift to all of us.”

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“SERIAL ENTREPRENEUR” FINDS BIG SUCCESS IN BIG TECH

T

o hear Matthew Gardner ’07 tell it, he is lucky to be alive.

He taught himself computer programming when he was 11, and, like the proverbial cat, his curiosity growing up sometimes had the potential for dire consequences.

“When I was young, I was always taking apart radios and other such things that should have killed me,” Matt recalled. “One time, I tried to open a battery and sliced my hand open. Luckily, I did not slice the battery open because that would have been quite dangerous. I also would open up CRT monitors, and there is a high-voltage tube in those that, if it is not discharged, will literally send you across the room like those cheesy kung fu movies. But somehow, I survived!”

Ironically, that same “dangerous” obsession has been a major impetus in driving Matt to the

success he enjoys today as Director of Developer Relations for cloud communications company 8x8 and as an accomplished tech consultant, blogger, and startup enthusiast.

“Matt is an extremely smart, motivated young man who, as a student, clearly had an idea of where he wanted to go,” said Robert Roffe P ’12, ’15, Canterbury’s Director of Academic Technology and Innovation and Chair of Digital Communication, Design, and Innovation, who was Matt’s advisor on the hilltop. “He tried different paths, but he knew he wanted to be in technology, whether it was programming, websites, or otherwise. He dabbled in all of it.”

That trend continued as Matt’s career took shape, and he has worn many hats in the technology field along the way:

Matt launched his podcast in 2021.

PROGRAMMER

“I was obsessed with programming because I love cooking,” Matt said, forming an intriguing correlation between two of his passions. “The cool thing about programming is you do not need any material to get started.

Your resources are infinite. If you burn a steak or burger, you have to get more meat, right? But if you make a programming mistake, you can just redo it without buying anything further. I was also drawn to programming because I did not need to ask for permission. I could just do it!”

That passion was enflamed even further when Matt attended Canterbury. “Mr. Roffe was my biggest influence there,” he shared. “We got along very well and shared a love of video games, computers, and programming.”

Matt with his sister McKenzie Gardner ’07 on their graduation day.

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Rob saw the potential in Matt and credits him with inspiring the idea of independent study for gifted students in technology at the School. Each student

develops their own program, Rob approves and oversees it, and they report back what they learned.

The experience equates to an actual class with the appropriate credits awarded. And it all began with Matt.

“His initial project was learning the programming language Ruby, which is used for websites and similar functions,” Rob said. “It was just as challenging for me. I had to learn it right along with him so that I could grade the project at the end. He even taught me some of it!”

Those skills translated well to the professional technology arena— Matt went on to work on projects for top companies such as Apple, Yahoo, and Buffer over the years.

ENTREPRENEUR

His parents were always very entrepreneurial, so it was only natural that Matt would follow suit and become, as Rob described him, a “serial entrepreneur.”

As with most everything else

in Matt’s life, that side of him revealed itself early on.

“I got involved with the largest online website created for Mac users by Mac users who also happened to be teens,” he said.

“We were covering all those big tech events when Steve Jobs would get on stage and announce products. We would receive exclusive press passes and do product reviews for these big companies. I was grateful and fortunate that Canterbury would let me fly out during the school year. You would think teenagers had no business doing all that, but we went around the world— Florida, Canada, California, New Zealand, the UK, other parts of Europe, everywhere.”

The site developed a massive community of followers globally, forming an influential social network and doing podcasts before those phrases became part of the daily lexicon. Matt parlayed that experience into a job at Apple working on the iPhone Systems Team before packing up everything he owned and moving to the “Mecca for tech,” California’s Silicon Valley.

“I moved out there and started a series of companies,” he said.

“We sold some, made a few acquisitions, and had others that failed—those are the ones you learn the most from.”

There were plenty of success stories as well, including Pickle, an open-source customer relations management platform he founded in 2018, and Sidestep, a 2015 startup that powers the live music event merchandise experience for fans, artists, companies, and venues. Clients for the latter included Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, Adele, Carrie Underwood, Fall Out Boy, Kiss, and many more.

GitHub Universe ’23, "the World's Fair of software," is among the many industry events Matt has attended.

ENTERPRISE COMPUTING PROFESSIONAL

Matt’s more recent move to 8x8 was prompted by his desire to try on yet another tech hat, this time in the world of enterprise computing—business-oriented information technology that companies use in their operations.

He had two offers on the table and chose the route where he felt he could learn more and be challenged. “I joined this company I knew nothing about,” he recalled. “The idea was to maybe be there for a year, identify gaps in enterprise computing, and then start a company based on that information. Now here I am approaching year six, and I haven’t left yet!”

As the head of developer relations, Matt leads a team in building platforms to improve the “developer experience” for internal and external developers,

partners, vendors, and more. There is a marketing side, a product engineering side, and a customer service side—the role is, Matt says, “the intersection of computer science and communication.”

said. “I strongly believe in a good user experience, and simplifying tech for customers is a big part of that. Plus, AI has become a hot topic and is something I am working with daily.”

When he is not working his “nineto-five” job, Matt loves bringing the world of tech to a mass audience and simplifying it for the uninitiated. In 2021, he launched a podcast—The Noob Show— with the goal of humanizing technology as well as a newsletter focusing on startups, technology, and their human application for founders, employees, consultants, enthusiasts, and freelancers.

Matt’s desire to help people is something he has carried with him throughout his life, and his experience as a Saint helped strengthen that. “Your reputation outlives you, and giving your time to others is the most valuable thing you can do,” he shared. “At Canterbury, I tutored students in math and science. I also did service work for homeless shelters and the local community. It meant a lot.” He encourages fellow alumni to connect with him to chat about their needs.

“I spend a lot of time trying to help developers and partners understand the technology; taking the complex and making it as uncomplicated as possible,” he

As Matt continues to excel in the tech world and positively impact those around him, one question remains—what hat will he wear next?

WRITER, PODCASTER, TEACHER

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

13

From strolling across hanging bridges to kayaking on clear blue waters, Colleen and Cynthia fully embraced the natural beauty of Costa Rica.

A LEARNING ADVENTURE IN COSTA RICA “A

nother beautiful day in Costa Rica!”

Director of Counseling and Theology Teacher Cynthia Willmen, L.P.C. started nearly every morning with this enthusiastic greeting during an educational trip this past March, supported by the John P. ’59 and Anne Duffy Faculty Travel Award Fund.

Cynthia and Director of Health Services Colleen Cook, R.N. ’02 proposed the journey to Costa Rica so they could experience and learn about local holistic and herbal medicine practices. While both have been trained in effective traditional medicine and Western psychological practices, they felt that gaining knowledge about holistic and alternative options would enhance their ability to provide students with even more tools and ideas for growth, development, wellness, and joy.

Upon arrival, they first noticed the allencompassing energy of Pura Vida, literally translated to “Pure Life,” a lifestyle and embodiment of inner peace that places high value on finding joy in life’s simplest pleasures.

It was everywhere!

“We knew going in that people traveled to Costa Rica for wellness retreats, and it was a big part of their culture,” Colleen said. “What we did not expect was the enduring sense of 14

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

• An organic farm tour of Finca Paraiso Organico in La Fortuna de San Carlos • A workshop on the benefits of sound healing at Arboressence Studio in the heart of the Monteverde forests “We made tinctures in the herbal medicine class,” Colleen said of the concentrated liquid extracts made from plants and used as herbal medicine. “We brought them back to display in the Health Center so students can see them and ask questions. We also learned about different herbal medicines and how they are good for physical and mental health as well.”

A Finca Paraiso Orgánico farmer demonstrates how to make all-natural sugar cane juice infused with freshly picked herbs.

Pura Vida reminding you to be always present in the moment and connected to what is around you.”

Immersed in such a relaxed, calming environment, Colleen and Cynthia engaged in activities to help them better understand the concepts of holistic medicine and healing, including: • An herbal medicine workshop at Finca Luna Nueva Lodge in Peñas Blancas La Fortuna

The colleagues enjoyed other aspects of the Costa Rican culture and landscape too, such as hanging bridges in Selvatura Park, guided tours of local landmarks, a cooking class, kayaking and rafting, and numerous encounters with sloths in their natural habitat. But they stayed focused throughout on the primary goal of their visit—to learn, absorb, and discover new ways to enhance health and healing back at Canterbury.

Cynthia shared additional plans she and Colleen have for bringing their Costa Rica experience to students. “For weekend activities, we might have a ‘make your own tincture’ activity, bring in someone to do yoga, or even

present a session on sound healing—alternate ways of introducing new healing methods to the community that we might not have thought about before.”

The concept of sound healing was new to Colleen. “I had never experienced it,” she said. “Sound healing is the understanding that our bodies emit energy that reponds to the energy in the world. So the idea is to use bowls to create vibrations and sounds that help you connect to that energy and center and reset things that might be a little ‘off’ within yourself. I brought Tibetan singing bowls into my office, and the students are quite interested in them.”

Established by John P. ’59 and Anne Duffy P ’87, ’91, the Faculty Travel Award has funded faculty development trips annually since its inception in 1996. It was founded on the conviction that, in a shrinking world, intercultural experiences for educators enhance not only the individuals fortunate enough to receive the award but also their students.

After returning home, Cynthia quickly expressed her appreciation to the Duffys for their generosity. “Without their support, our trip never would have happened,” she said. “The Duffys have always believed in Canterbury and the importance of travel for faculty growth both in the classroom and personally. Our journey to Costa Rica was a life-altering experience, and for that, I am extremely thankful.”

Surveying the wide variety of plants and other ingredients used in the Herbal Medicine Workshop.

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

15

On the 2001 Lourdes pilgrimage—Front row, left to right: Mark Simonelli ’99, Lauren Mucci ’02, Hope Carter, Viv Simonelli, Dakota (Mulheren) Woodham ’03, and Mark Vanasse ’73.

Middle row, left to right: Guy Simonelli, Austin Farmer ’02, Colleen Cook ’02, Caroline Prado ’02, Joan Simonelli ’91, and James Page ’02. Back row, left to right: Richard Carter ’95, David Henry ’03, and Stephen Dyott ’04.

30 YEARS OF DOING

The Lourdes Work S

ervice to others is valued the world over, and for three decades, our Saints have been experiencing this firsthand during the annual 10day service pilgrimage to Lourdes, France.

This past August, Language Teacher, Director of International Travel Programs, and International Student Advisor Julio Omaña P ’19, ’20 once again led Canterbury’s longest-running service trip to the city where more than five million pilgrims travel each year for peace, comfort, and hope. Our most recent Saints pilgrims, all from the class of ’25, were Clare Kelly, Emerson Lily, Juliana Loesche, Emily Lynch, Grace Morris, and Zachary Thomas.

HOPE AND DREAMS

This most blessed of traditions started in the summer of 1993 with an idea from a dedicated Canterbury parent and grandparent who was the School’s Board of Trustees President at the time—Hope Carter P ’86, ’87, ’88, ’91, ’95, GP ’09, ’10, ’14. Sitting in a Lourdes hotel room with her daughter, Katherine Carter ’88, the conversation turned to Canterbury.

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PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Michael Diforio ’94 and Kate Carter ’88 with new friends at Lourdes in 1994.

“Kate and I were in the Hotel d’Espagne with the Order of Malta, and we wondered if we could bring some students from both Canterbury and the school where she worked, Portsmouth Abbey, to Lourdes for a pilgrimage…and that is how it all began,” Hope recalled.

Another of the trip’s early leaders and pilgrims—Canterbury’s Director of Publications at that time, Marc Vanasse ’73—helped Hope bring

the idea to life at Canterbury. The son of longtime faculty member Gerald Vanasse, Marc pitched the concept to then-Headmaster Thomas J. Sheehy III ’92, ’98, ’04, who was completely on board with the idea. “He saw it as a great opportunity for the School, the students, and the faculty,” he said. “It sure was for me. I ended up doing 23 of the first 25 trips. The experience is life-changing.”

Marc marveled at the wide spectrum of people that would descend upon the baths at Lourdes. “I vividly recall two families that came in one after another,” he shared. “The first was a very sick man with his wife. He was dying, and it was powerful to see the faith they both had to make the trip, which could not have been easy. They were followed by a father with a young son who had both mental and physical challenges. That father was exceedingly grateful to us for the kindness we showed his boy. When those two groups had left, we were all emotionally drained. I was in tears.”

Those are the kinds of experiences that make the Lourdes trip so special, and a number of committed, faithful people helped make it happen each year for students. Another of Hope’s daughters, Elizabeth Tamarkin ’91, has been carrying on the tradition as Board Chair and Executive Director of Our Lady’s Pilgrimage (OLP), the organization that has run the annual pilgrimages since their inception. Liz oversees the day-to-day activities of OLP and built the database system that manages the applications.

Two longtime proponents of the Lourdes experience, Vivian and Guy Simonelli P ’89, ’91, ’92, ’99, were fixtures on the trip from its second year through their final pilgrimage in 2019. Guy, who was Canterbury’s Theology Chair as well as an administrator and teacher over his 35 years on the hilltop, said the students are what kept him coming back.

“It is special watching what happens to high school kids when they are in a position to make a difference,” he said. “I am convinced that, during the week in Lourdes, a student’s self-esteem shoots straight up simply by the act of giving to other people. I saw it happen time and again. I could spend three years in my theology classes teaching these students and not see their self-esteem go up as much as it does in Lourdes. And that is why it is so important.”

For the first few years, the Lourdes pilgrimage was held in June, as soon as possible after graduation. Ultimately, however, the School aligned with the French National Pilgrimage and moved its trip to August to coincide with that organization’s service week. “We made some wonderful international friends,” Marc shared. “We would go back on the same week every year and see many of the same people. When you work together, you get to know each other. It is a good feeling.”

That work continues to keep students busy throughout their week in Lourdes, including: • Greeting the malades (people who are ill) when they arrive on the trains at the beginning of the week and helping them back on board at the end.

• Joining thousands of pilgrims for a candlelight procession from the Grotto of Apparitions to the esplanade of the Rosary Basilica.

• Assisting in various Masses, including the Mass for the Anointing of the Sick.

• Providing support at the baths where visitors go for healing and prayer.

• Reflecting on the day’s activities each evening.

These acts of kindness, empathy, and selflessness perfectly exemplify the values Canterbury instills in its students both on and off campus.

Continued on next page

2024 pilgrims visit with Sister Marie Emmanuel at the Poor Clares Convent in Lourdes.

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

17

30 YEARS OF DOING THE LOURDES WORK

Continued

INSPIRING GENERATIONS OF SAINTS

Lourdes has a deep impact on both the students and leaders. “The pilgrimage gives young people a space for community in a way they have not experienced before,” said Kate. “They get to know themselves and others in a new way—and not just in their own group, but youth from around the world and the people they are serving. Those interactions are when they shine and come alive. Lourdes brings out the best in people.”

Liz wholeheartedly agrees. “My first time attending, I was amazed watching the students and the leadership skills they displayed,” she said. “They gave me hope for the future of our church and our world.”

So, who are some of our student pilgrims, and what lasting impact did Lourdes have on them? These Saints were happy to share…

DooA Kim ’12 helps a malade at the train station during the 2018 Lourdes pilgrimage.

treatment. But in Lourdes, people who have poor mental or physical health or are isolated become the VIPs and receive the greatest support, help, and caring. Lourdes holds a special place in my heart.” DooA and her sister, DooYoung Kim ’11, made several pilgrimages together.

COLLEEN COOK, R.N. ’02 Colleen, currently the School’s Director of Health Services, has been going back since 2000 when she was a Fifth Former on the hilltop.

“Lourdes has been such a special place in my life. My first time there, I felt something shift in me, and I knew this was a place I wanted to come back to,” she said. “It has been such a gift to continue watching students experience Lourdes for the first time and see it through their eyes. It is where I learned the idea of ‘If you see it, you are responsible for it.’ Hope Carter, Guy Simonelli, and Viv Simonelli have inspired me to continue to make service an integral part of my daily life.”

DOOA KIM ’12 The journey to Lourdes was so meaningful for DooA, a research scientist at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, that she spent nearly her entire presentation during last year’s Fifth Form Retreat at Canterbury talking about it. “I first joined the Lourdes pilgrimage trip in 2010 as a rising Fifth Former. Little did I know at the time that I would go back nearly every year since,” she told the students. “The best description I have heard about Lourdes is that it is a place upside down. In our everyday world, those who are considered successful in terms of socioeconomic status typically receive better services and 18

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

ELI TAYLOR ’19 Five years removed from his time on the hilltop, Eli has devoted his life to higher causes as an Assistant for Liturgy and Church Operations at Fordham University while pursuing his Master of Theology degree.

He credits his annual journeys to Lourdes for the path he has taken.

“I have grown immensely from my pilgrimages. My first trip was in 2017, and I found myself deeply moved by the atmosphere and the gravity of humanity that exists there. When I saw so many people raising candles and singing in unison for the first time, that was when I knew I believed in something. Lourdes has been a major inspiration for how I live my life.”

But Eli also reminds people there is another aspect of the pilgrimage: “While Lourdes is obviously a spiritual place, what sometimes gets lost is that it is fun! Some of my fondest memories are getting gelato with my Canterbury friends or walking through the town market and finding cheese. It is such a wonderful trip and an amazing cultural exposure.”

KEEPING THE TRADITION ALIVE

Having assumed the leadership role from Guy, Julio is delighted for the opportunity to share the rewards of Lourdes with a new group of eager pilgrims each year. “I enjoy seeing what the young people do and how they interact without the distraction of their phones,” he shared. “They are always in conversation, coming up with creative new things to do, and forming friendships. Many of us flew to Lourdes as strangers and came home to campus riding a bus full of friends. It is a hidden blessing of this pilgrimage.”

Viv feels the same way being around students when “they can be themselves. You get to see a whole other side of them.” She also shared an extraordinary moment that was, for her, a powerful affirmation of faith. “In 2019, we met Sister Bernadette Moriau, who was the most recent officially proclaimed miracle of Lourdes the year before. For me and everyone else there, it was a verification that these miracles have occurred and been proven.”

EMILY LYNCH ’25 Fresh off her first Lourdes pilgrimage last summer, Emily spoke of how much she loved the experience, especially her interactions with one malade in particular. “I brought a woman named Dupuis to Mass in her wheelchair and then saw her three more times during the week, which is rare with so many people in Lourdes,” she shared. “When she was receiving the Anointing of the Sick, there was something so comforting about her presence and seeing her smile proudly. It was beautiful. At the end of the week by the trains, Dupuis thanked me and gave me the biggest hug. I did not realize I could have such an impact on someone—or that someone else could impact me in the ways that she did. The trip changed how I see the world.”

And lastly, Viv felt it important to acknowledge the person who brought this Canterbury tradition to life in the first place. “Hope was always the oil that kept the wheel going,” she said. “Her attitude was one of, ‘Well, why not?’ Other people might have reservations, and she would say, ‘Let’s just do it!’ That fortitude was contagious.”

For Hope, it was always about the students. “I love Lourdes; it is truly a special place. My role was to organize all the pieces of the trip, but my joy was in watching the kids when they were working, sitting, or tying knotted rosaries—seeing them happy, engaged, and peaceful. Being with these young people is one of the greatest joys of my life.”

As we reflect with gratitude on the people and moments that made this unforgettable pilgrimage possible for countless students, we look forward to many more years of our Saints doing essential work and changing lives—including their own—in Lourdes.

“I enjoy seeing what the young people do and how they interact without the distraction of their phones. They are always in conversation, coming up with creative new things to do, and forming friendships.

Many of us flew to Lourdes as strangers and came home to campus riding a bus full of friends. It is a hidden blessing of this pilgrimage.”

JULIO OMAÑA P ’19, ’20, LANGUAGE TEACHER, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL PROGRAMS, AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ADVISOR PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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SOA NEWS

SMILES ALL AROUND

I

t was like they never left! Canterbury alumni returned to Aspetuck Avenue once again to enjoy the company of friends, dine together, celebrate successes, share stories, and even take classes during Alumni Weekend 2024.

The weekend provided a showcase for both athletic and artistic excellence: • The Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony and dinner (page 24) in the Steers Center Ragland Commons honored our latest inductees, Charles Glennon ’64, P ’90, Joseph Roberto ’94, Noah Rak ’14, Olivia Steiner ’14, and the undefeated 1984 Volleyball Team.

• The Alumni Art Exhibit (page 22) featured extraordinary work by talented alumni from different graduating years and artistic practices displayed in the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center and Gallery.

Graduates from class years ending in 4 and 9 celebrated reunions, and 14 members of the Class of 1964 marked their 60th with a cocktail reception in the Sheehan House Common Room. “We had a great turnout for our classmate Charles, one of the Hall of Fame inductees,” said Peter Ward ’64.

“And, characteristically, we all later enjoyed remembering the crazy nicknames we had created for each other.”

Catching up with familiar faces was a highlight for Hall of Fame honoree Olivia as well.

“Coming back for reunion, I felt like I picked up right where I left off with friends, teachers, and coaches,” she shared. “The best part was remembering how strong the Canterbury community is, and I hope to make it a tradition to come back at least every five years.”

Alumni WEEKEND

A number of alumni also got back in the classroom to experience the excellence of Canterbury academics today. Mock classes offered: • Algebra 2 taught by Director of Curriculum and Mathematics Teacher Kelli Darrin P ’26, ’27 • Animal Anatomy with Science Teacher Derek Richardson P ’22, ’26 • English in Action led by Director of the Donovan Center for Learning & English Teacher Alison Bailey • Lessons in History presented by History & Social Sciences Chair Pádraig “Podge” Lawlor, Ph.D. “You would think that, after 10 years, there would be little interest in sitting in a high school class,” said Jack Elsas ’14 after the history session. “But Podge’s style of teaching makes me want to be back in that seat learning from him every day!”

As always, the Alumni Memorial Mass honored the School’s Catholic heritage, with Chaplain Father Brendan Horan, S.J. celebrating the Mass in memory of our deceased graduates.

Visiting Saints even got a taste of nightlife on the hilltop, with the “Spirits at Sheehan” after-hours social on the terrace and an evening of dinner and dancing at Ragland Commons. There was truly something for everyone on this fabulous Alumni Weekend!

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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SOA NEWS

ARTISTIC TALENTS SHINE ON ALUMNI WEEKEND N

ine alumni artists shared their fabulous work with the Canterbury community at the Alumni Art Exhibit this spring in the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center and Gallery.

We applaud and appreciate these exceptional artists for contributing their time and talents to the exhibit held during Alumni Weekend: SEAN KERNAN ’60: Photographer, writer, and teacher who has exhibited at galleries and museums in France, Egypt, Mexico, South Korea, and Italy, as well as in the U.S. He has also produced and directed several award-winning documentaries.

MARC VANASSE ’73: Former longtime Fine Arts Teacher and Director of Communications at Canterbury who has taken pictures all over the world that have been featured in numerous publications and collections.

MICHAEL BERMAN ’74: Brings an awareness of the complexity of the biological world to his art through classically executed black and white landscape photographs. His photos and paintings have been exhibited throughout the country.

DALIA HIERRO ’86: Accomplished painter and digital product developer with an extensive portfolio; daughter of former Canterbury Fine Arts Chair Sylvia Hierro P ’86.

THOMAS GILLIGAN ’97: Freelance photographer from Maryland who has devoted his career to “Make the Mundane Awesome” through his art, which has been prominently featured in magazines, newspapers, websites, and marketing campaigns.

STEPHANIE GOOS JOHNSON ’97: Began her artistic journey as a painter after having been

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inspired by the scenery of Litchfield County in Connecticut. She experiments with different moods, colors, and compositions to create works with a unique sense of place.

HEATHER WILLIAMS DE COURREGES ’97: Launched H Williams, a highly successful footwear and handbag manufacturing venture, in Milan, Italy.

Her unique fashion styling became a favorite of editors, stylists, celebrities, and fashion houses.

KATHERINE ROFFE ’15: Currently teaches Digital Art and Design at Canterbury. Her work in illustration has focused on production art and game design.

In addition to digital art, she works in watercolors, acrylics, and gouache.

TYRUS XANTHOS ’16: Founded Tyrus Xanthos Photography and is also a freelance marketing and social media professional. As a photographer,

he works with couples to create highly authentic portraiture that captures their stories.

The exhibit was well-received by visitors, and the alumni participants were equally enthusiastic about participating. “It was great! I felt tremendous support from the faculty, other artists, and my friends," said Tyrus. “I even got to catch up with the man who started me on this path, Mr. Vanasse!”

Heather was also grateful for the experience. “It was nice to witness the different ways alumni are applying fine art in their lives. Regardless of their graduation years, everyone had that creative thread in common,” she said. “The opportunity to explore different forms of fine arts at Canterbury made a creative career path feel more realistic for me.”

We cannot wait to welcome more amazing alumni artists to campus for future exhibits.

A FRESH TAKE ON A SAINTS TRADITION

W

e have some exciting news…we are reimagining Reunion at Canterbury School!

Starting in 2027, we are shifting to a new multiyear reunion format, where reunion events will be held every three years. This change creates a unique opportunity to reconnect with old friends while also forming new bonds across a broader range of Canterbury graduates. Recognizing that friendships at Canterbury often span multiple class years, this format allows you to rekindle connections, expand your alumni network, and celebrate your time at Canterbury in a deeper, more meaningful way.

This approach strengthens the sense of community that has always defined Canterbury. It’s not just a reunion; it’s a celebration of the lasting relationships that make Canterbury so special.

50TH REUNION AND OLD GUARD

Classes celebrating their 50th reunion and the Old Guard—those who have already marked this milestone—will continue to gather annually every fall. This ensures that our longstanding traditions are honored, while the new format allows for even broader connections within our alumni family.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: JUNE 11–13, 2027

Join us in embracing this new tradition—one that promises to create lasting memories and deepen the bonds within our ever-growing alumni community.

We can’t wait to see you there!

3-year cycle 2027

CLASSES ENDING IN

‘1S + ‘6S ‘2S + ‘7S ‘3S + ‘8S

Classes Celebrating Reunions in 2027

2030

2033

CLASSES ENDING IN

CLASSES ENDING IN

‘4S + ‘9S ‘0S + ‘5S ‘1S + ‘6S

‘2S + ‘7S ‘3S + ‘8S ‘4S + ‘9S

5TH REUNION

2021

2022

2023

10TH REUNION

2016

2017

2018

15TH REUNION

2011

2012

2013

20TH REUNION

2006

2007

2008

25TH REUNION

2001

2002

2003

30TH REUNION

1996

1997

1998

35TH REUNION

1991

1992

1993

40TH REUNION

1986

1987

1989

45TH REUNION

1981

1982

1983

Old Guard and milestone 50th Reunion Classes will celebrate every Fall.

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

23

SOA NEWS

Left to right: Volleyball teammates Jennifer (Scholze) Bleakley ’86, Lisanne (Schrepferman) Kaplan ’84, Deborah (Smith) Arthur ’84, and Lydia Tenaglia-Collins ’84; Volleyball Head Coach Beth Menzie; Charles Glennon ’64, P ’90; Olivia Steiner ’14; Noah Rak ’14; and Joseph Roberto ’94.

Standout Saints Enter Hall of Fame

D

uring Alumni Weekend in early June, an extraordinary group of athletes was honored for their stellar achievements with induction into the Canterbury Athletics Hall of Fame.

Introducing our Hall of Fame Class of 2024: • Charles Glennon ’64, P ’90 • Joseph Roberto ’94 • Noah Rak ’14 • Olivia Steiner ’14 • 1984 Girls’ Volleyball Team Kicking off the presentations, Interim Director of Athletics & Co-Curriculars Padraic McCarthy ’94 welcomed Charles and Joe

to the podium. Charles was a three-sport star at Canterbury, where he earned All-New England accolades in football, won multiple swimming and diving medals, and ran track for three years.

He was also named Best All-Around Athlete as a Sixth Former—as was Joe following his final year of excelling on the rink and as a Captain for lacrosse and soccer. After scoring many clutch goals throughout his time on the hilltop, Joe went on to both play and coach ice hockey after graduation.

Christopher Roberts P ’24, ’27, Mathematics Department Chair and Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach, then introduced Noah, who starred in both football and wrestling but really made his mark as an All-

REGIONAL CHAPTERS GROWING AND THRIVING “Engagement”…

“Networking”…

“Volunteerism”…

“Mentoring”

…these common threads abound when alumni talk about Canterbury’s rapidly growing regional chapters.

And they all point to one overriding goal—making the collective Saints community stronger than ever.

American lacrosse player, leading the Saints to a Division II Western New England championship. After college, he was selected 30th overall in the Major League Lacrosse draft and played professionally for three seasons.

The final honorees were announced by Associate Director of Athletics and Director of Athletic Training Misi Babington. First, she acknowledged Olivia, who was also named Best All-Around Athlete in her Sixth Form year. Like most of our inductees, her Canterbury career was marked by success in multiple sports—Class C New England championships in both lacrosse (twice) and swimming, Western New England All-Star in soccer, and Captain for all three teams.

Finally, Misi called up representatives from the 1984 Girls’ Volleyball Team led by Coach Beth Menzie—at 14-0, the first undefeated girls’ team in school history. “It was gratifying to come back, connect with teammates and our amazing coach, and reflect on this accomplishment,” said Deborah (Smith) Arthur ’84, who formally accepted the honor with teammate Lydia TenagliaCollins ’84. “That was a special moment. We did something spectacular with little resources at the time, and it feels great to celebrate it and be recognized.”

Misi was delighted to pay tribute to these worthy recipients on such a perfect spring evening. “It was by far the most enjoyable and genuine Hall of Fame induction ceremony that I have been a part of since its inception,” she said.

Congratulations to our exceptional Hall of Famers!

Big plans are in the works for the School’s chapters. “I look forward to expanding our network pillar,” said Elizabeth Dooley ’10, President of the New York Chapter. “Last year, we launched our first networking event with an incredible panel of alumni discussing their careers and inspiring those in the audience. We will continue to host similar events; there is always a need to connect individuals on a professional level. We also want to emphasize to current students that they are members of the Canterbury family for life.”

Washington, DC Chapter Co-Presidents Wade Jones ’15 and James “JP” Loughran ’16 are excited not only about uniting area Saints with each other but with the region itself. “Our team aims to facilitate engaging discussions with world leaders and industry experts while collaborating with the numerous charities represented in our area,” they wrote. “Together, we will explore the diverse opportunities the region has to offer, leveraging our skills and services to make a meaningful impact on our community.”

The DC Chapter plans to engage with current students as well, giving them “every opportunity to interact with our nation's capital, its history and culture, and the many professionals who call it home.”

For their part, Boston Chapter members are anxious to build on the momentum they established in their first year. “We have an energized team that is excited to plan more great activities,” said Co-President Emily Martino ’17. “Our city has much to offer, from sporting events to beautiful museums. We have had awesome success thus far, but I look forward to connecting with even more alumni and watching this chapter grow!”

Emily’s Co-President, Christian Procaccino ’13, is equally enthused about developing a service component within the chapter. “One of our goals is to build a Canterbury alumni network that will reconnect people and contribute to the community,” he said.

The excitement is growing on many fronts, and there is more to come. Stay tuned for new events and regional chapter launches in the months ahead, and contact Director of Alumni Relations Kate Heslin ’96, P ’24, ’25, ’27, ’28 at kheslin@cbury.org for more information.

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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SOA NEWS

ALUMNI HONOREES INSPIRE SIXTH FORM STUDENTS

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resenting two of the Society of Alumni’s most prestigious honors at the Sixth Form Awards Assembly was the perfect opportunity for these highly accomplished graduates to connect with the class of 2024—and they did not disappoint.

The standout Saints—Thomas J. Sheehy III Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Peter Kiernan III ’71 and Outstanding Young Alumni honoree Dr. Brittany Blackwell ’07—eagerly took the stage to share their thoughts and words of advice with the soon-to-be graduates.

In making the introductions, SOA Executive Committee President William “Macy” Steers, Jr. ’04 also briefly addressed the class, which included his sister, Catherine Steers ’24. “Congratulations, and welcome to the SOA,” Macy told them. “Please remember that your connection and relationship with Canterbury should and will continue after graduation. This is a strong family, so know that you always have the Society of Alumni to lean on in good times and in bad.”

Peter, the CEO of venture firm Kiernan Ventures and Vice Chair of the AI startup DataShapes, then spoke of how he continues to appreciate all the people at Canterbury who believed in him. “Each of you has true believers,” he said. “As you go through life, I urge you to not only remember them but savor them. That will stay with you for a very long time.”

He shared three ways students could fill their lives with passion and success. “The first thing I want you to do is ‘resolve.’ Run towards the fire. Solve difficult problems. Anybody can identify a problem, but only a special few have that ‘other thinking’ capability to truly solve it,” Peter explained. “The second thing is ‘realize.’ Realize with obsession the final outcome. And the third thing is the hardest: ‘rebound.’ Get back up. So many won’t. The way you stand up to the bruises of fate shows your true stature. If you do these three things— resolve, realize, and rebound—you will have scores of true believers.”

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Left to right: William “Macy” Steers, Jr. ’04, Dr. Brittany Blackwell ’07, Peter Kiernan III ’71, and Rachel Stone

“I can truly say the Canterbury experience has profoundly impacted my life’s journey and career in more ways than I could ever imagine… It has opened many doors for me and influenced my career path today. In my work, the drive and curiosity fostered at Canterbury is very much at the heart of what I do, albeit on a different scale.”

DR. BRITTANY BLACKWELL ’07

Brittany, too, was quick to credit her alma mater for much of her success. “I can truly say the Canterbury experience has profoundly impacted my life’s journey and career in more ways than I could ever imagine,” she told the Sixth Formers. “I am beyond grateful. It has opened many doors for me and influenced my career path today.”

That path has led her to become Founder and CEO of The Blackwell Institute of Innovative Research and Global Strategies. “In my work, the drive and curiosity fostered at Canterbury is very much at the heart of what I do, albeit on a different scale.”

Brittany advised the students to nurture their own curiosity as they continue to move through life. “Your curiosity will drive you to ask the important questions, seek out new challenges, develop more holistic solutions, and make meaningful contributions to the world,” she said.

“This mindset has been instrumental in my work, whether developing evidenced-based tools for workplace wellness or creating initiatives to help close the gender gap in leadership. It is through curiosity and adaptability that we can envision and create a better future. Stay curious, stay passionate, never stop learning, and remember your Canterbury community always.”

DR. KATIE DAILY ’96: TWO WORDS OPEN UP COUNTLESS POSSIBILITIES “IT IS ALL ABOUT THE ‘YES AND.’”

That was the main message Canterbury alumna Dr. Katie Daily ’96 delivered to current students during her “Saints Off the Hill” presentation at School Meeting, and she has lived by those two words throughout her life as a student and educator.

Katie shared her experience from high school to college to the workforce as a prime example of how one’s path can take many directions and how that can be a good thing. “Your journey, your education path, does not need to be straight and narrow,” she said. “I hope some of you will see yourselves in my journey, connect to it, and take something from it.”

Katie, who serves as a member of the Doctoral Research Faculty at American College of Education and a Professor at Southern New Hampshire University, has embraced the “yes and” approach throughout her life.

This mindset began to take shape during her freshman year at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, just outside of Boston. It was then that she started to question if she wanted more than just an arts-focused career, considering other possible paths for her future.

It just so happened that Katie, who grew up in Connecticut, had worked at a local movie theater with former long-time Canterbury English Teacher and Theater Director Madeline Dreeke, who suggested she look into becoming a Saint. Katie visited the campus and fell in love.

“That was the beginnings of the ‘yes and’ for me,” she said. “Yes, I could still go up on stage with my peers and be involved with the arts… and explore who I was, learn about theology and philosophy, and find my ethical core…and become a well-rounded human being.”

She did all of those things and more on the hilltop, with help from numerous people along the way. Math Teacher Francis Foley, Jr. ’64, P ’91, ’93, ’95, ’99, GP ’27

“Your education journey is not predetermined, and it is not a series of ‘either-ors.’ If you are open to it, and if you allow the possibilities, it is absolutely a series of ‘yes ands.’”

DR. KATIE DAILY ’96

guided Katie through a subject she found most challenging. “He tried so hard to instill a love of mathematics in me, but it did not work,” she recalled. “What I did gain from Mr. Foley was another ‘yes and’—yes, you could not like a subject, and yes, you can still learn about it and learn something from the person teaching you.” She also credited Language Teacher, Director of International Travel Programs, and International Student Advisor Julio Omaña P ’19, ’20 and former Theology Chair Amy McKenna ’86, P ’19, ’20 with pushing her to think about the world in different terms through languages, exploration, and theology.

After graduation, Katie took her “yes and” philosophy to Emerson College in Boston, where she continued studying not only the arts but also the business of the arts. She ended up doing an internship working on a miniseries for TNT called Nuremberg, which led to her taking a semester off to see the project through and turned into four years of working on films such as Pearl Harbor. These experiences inspired Katie to want to tell stories—and to teach people how to tell stories. With that goal in mind, she realized she had to leave the film world and finish college.

Katie earned her B.A. at Columbia University, where she stayed for her master’s degree in developmental psychology and education. She then went on to receive a doctorate in English literature from Boston College. “While I was getting my Ph.D., I realized that I love stories at the intersection of culture and social justice, and that is what has informed me as a scholar,” she said. “My dissertation was on 21st century American immigration narratives, which

became my first book.” Those experiences led her to faculty and staff positions at the United States Military Academy and Harvard University before taking on her current roles.

The reason for sharing all this? Katie empowered her student audience to take her story to heart and carry the “yes and” philosophy into their lives, especially as they planned for and headed off to college. “Just because you go somewhere does not mean you have to stay there,” she explained. “I am not recommending that you ‘college bounce,’ but I am saying that if you go to a college, and it does not feel right to you, transfer. I did. I transferred in high school and transferred in college, and everything worked out fine— because I went to the places that inspired me and felt true to me.”

The timing of her talk could not have been better for Morgan Lau ’24, who was just a few short weeks from her Canterbury graduation.

“As a senior, I am still figuring out what college I would like to attend in the fall, which is stressful,” she said after the presentation.

“Dr. Daily provided me with a unique perspective on the path of education, and I am grateful for her positive outlook and advice to look for the unexpected.”

Katie left students with one final piece of advice. “I want you to listen, ask questions, and be curious,” she told them. “Your education journey is not predetermined, and it is not a series of ‘either-ors.’ If you are open to it, and if you allow the possibilities, it is absolutely a series of ‘yes ands.’”

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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SOA NEWS

DAVID MARTIN ’06 DISCUSSES ATHLETIC SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE

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hen it comes to fitness testing, David Martin ’06 has nearly done it all—so he had plenty of interesting information and anecdotes to share with students when he visited Canterbury as a guest lecturer in May. Presenting to students in the Comparative Anatomy and Science of the Body classes, David covered a range of topics, from hydration and heat assessments to strength testing to exercise science. He spoke of his experiences working as Associate Director of Athlete Safety and Performance at the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) on the University of Connecticut campus, his role as a Graduate Assistant in the human performance laboratory at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), and his dissertation on creatine supplementation for his Ph.D. in Exercise Science at UConn.

KSI was named for Korey Stringer, an NFL player who died of heat stroke after practice on an especially hot summer day. His wife won a settlement from the league and used it to create the Institute for the study of thermal regulation and causes of heat stroke.

“We welcome people from around the world who have suffered heat stroke. They come into our laboratory, and we test them to see if they are tolerant of the heat,” David explained. “If they are not, we will try to figure out ways 28

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

to make them tolerant so they can go back to work.” David, who is a two-time Team USA Elite Amateur Triathlete, added that he serves as a subject for many of the studies in the chamber to see how his own body works in certain conditions.

He also shared how advances in science play a major role in preparing athletes for competition. “To train athletes, I use a platform that allows me to study their volume of work over many months. It takes GPS data from wearable devices, puts that into an algorithm, and analyzes it for player load,” he explained.

“We can then go to coaches and say, ‘This person has been running a lot, and player load is high because of acceleration and change in direction. As a result, the person is more prone to injury and should rest a little more.’”

Such programs track fitness, fatigue, intensity, and stress scores over time, depending on the information inputted. David told students that wearable technology is a hot topic and growing career path in exercise science right now. “If you like sports, a great avenue for you to pursue in the future is sports analytics and player load,” he said.

He cited examples of groundbreaking work being done in the field—including sports drink companies building their own exercise science laboratories to determine the right beverage

formulas for specific types of training and athletic shoe manufacturers using in-ground force plates installed under various indoor tracks, courts, and fields to measure ground reaction force and design their shoes accordingly.

In addition, David is involved in a variety of projects to ensure the safety of student-athletes in schools around the country—tracking which ones have athletic trainers and ranking the effectiveness of those that do.

The Saints community is truly a family for David. His parents, Garth Martin ’78, P ’05, ’06 and Nancy Mygatt ’78, P ’05, ’06, are also graduates, as is his brother Robert ’05. And his grandmother, Gilda Martin P ’78, GP ’05, ’06, is a former Language Teacher who was the School's first full-time female faculty member and a Canterbury Medal recipient in 2000.

David’s talk not only inspired Shane Cercone ’24 to incorporate more technology into his own training, but it also made him consider the idea of inspiring younger people himself one day.

“This made me realize more than ever how data and research can help us advance and perform our best,” Shane said. “I appreciate Mr. Martin coming back to share his work with our community. It is important to remember where you came from and, if you ever get to a position like he has, to be humble enough to help the younger kids.”

COLLEGES AND CAREERS? These Graduates Have It Down to a Science

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ast spring, Canterbury welcomed two alumnae back to campus to speak with students from the Advanced Placement (AP) courses in Biology and Chemistry. Erika Lowman ’17 and Jenna Trezza ’18 were eager to share their insights and experiences navigating college and the science field.

As a Chemist for Integra LifeSciences in Princeton, New Jersey, Erika uses analytical chemistry methods to characterize the products they make at each step of the manufacturing process.

Her group specifically tests collagen products on-site, such as synthetic skin for patients with severe skin trauma and a product that advances nerve healing.

After graduating from Canterbury, Erika enrolled at Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts, to play field hockey and join the Chemistry program. “I played field hockey for two years and then devoted all my time to academics after that,” she said. “Organic Chemistry was my favorite class; I loved the lab!”

She certainly made the most of her time as a student at Western New England. During her studies, she worked as a General Chemistry Laboratory Teaching Assistant and Laboratory Assistant for the College of Pharmacy.

“It is so valuable for current students to connect with past ones. My current AP Bio students were able to ask questions about college courses, the speakers’ personal interests in the field, and how they got where they are today.”

SALLY RUDERMAN, SCIENCE TEACHER Jenna’s path took a few twists and turns along the way. After starting in pre-med at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, she decided to switch to an Evolutionary Biology Major. “I had a nonlinear experience in college,” she recalled. “The new major involved a great deal of ecology studies and research. I never thought I would find myself in research.”

Yet today, Jenna is an Assistant Research Coordinator at Connecticut Eye Consultants, supporting the development and implementation of clinical trials and studies related to ophthalmology and vision care. “Sometimes opportunities just fall into your lap,” she added. “I am learning so much and enjoying it.”

Science Teacher Sally Ruderman was pleased that her AP Biology students heard from two accomplished professionals who were once in their shoes. “Erika and Jenna shared their experiences with changing majors, taking extremely challenging classes and labs, and finding and following their passion within the sciences,” Sally said. “It is so valuable for current students to connect with past ones. My current AP Bio students were able to ask questions about college courses, the speakers’ personal interests in the field, and how they got where they are today.”

It was indeed valuable for AP Bio student Patrice Masterson ’25. “They gave great advice for when we go to college, helping us realize what it takes to go from a small school like Canterbury to a larger school,” she said. “I appreciated hearing the contrast between a biology and chemistry focus and how their jobs led them back to what they are passionate about.

They were both so genuine and great examples of women in science.”

Erika Lowman ’17 and Jenna Trezza ’18

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS

Congratulations, CLASS OF 2024!

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he sun was shining and the mood bright as Canterbury School celebrated its 107th Commencement Exercises for—fittingly—107 Saints in the Class of 2024 on Friday, May 24.

Fifty of those graduates were diehard four-year members. The ceremony, held on Sheehan Lawn with faculty, staff, family, alumni, and friends in attendance, was particularly meaningful for Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24, who stepped down at the end of the school year along with her husband, Director of Athletics Jim Stone P ’23, ’24.

In addressing the class, Rachel spoke of how this was a time when many students’ thoughts shift to college programs and majors, summer internships, and professional networks, and they seek answers to a fundamental question: What do you want to be? “The great news is that the sheer number of career pathways for Gen Z has grown exponentially,” Rachel told them. “The sky is the limit for the Class of 2024.”

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PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024 2023

But Rachel encouraged students to ask an even better question. “If your years on this hilltop have taught you anything, it is that the values you live by and the role you choose to play in the lives of others matter most,” she said. “So instead, let us ask: ‘Who do you want to be?’”

Rachel offered additional advice to graduates as they prepared to move forward in their lives. “Never, ever forget that you have learned how and when to ask for help—academically, emotionally, socially—and that is a skill for life. While your freshman college classes will likely be much bigger than today’s graduating class, I believe you can bring the mantra we live by—“Saints show up for Saints”—to your new communities. Tigers, Bobcats, Bison, Bulldogs, Eagles, and Huskies can also show up for one another!”

In closing, Rachel shared a heartfelt message to the class. “As Mr. Stone and I ‘graduate’ from Canterbury alongside the Class of 2024, we

want to thank you for making this our home,” she said.

In her capacity as Associate Head of School for Academics and Dean of Faculty, Suzanne Roberts P ’24, ’27 then presented the J.P. Mandler Teaching Award to Director of Music David Overthrow (see page 34).

Next, Class valedictorian Ella Caraluzzi delivered the student keynote address, congratulating her classmates for their achievements and looking back on her time at Canterbury. “It is impossible for me to distinguish one specific memory as the most impactful. Rather, it is my firm belief that Canterbury’s impact comes from small moments. It is the time spent eating lunch with my friends, enjoying sunsets on the turf, sledding after snowstorms, and watching movies in the dorms that form my fondest sentiments,” she said.

Ella was especially appreciative of the values she learned during her time on the hilltop.

“What matters is the people around you because at the base of everything we have achieved is the constant, unwavering support of the community,” she shared. “The profound impact of Canterbury is its people, and no distance or amount of time will erase that.

We have all been touched by the warmth of this community and taught lessons we will carry with us as adults—the most important being that, even though we are now standing on the threshold of infinite possibilities, you demonstrate kindness no matter what path you pursue.”

During the ceremony, a number of Commencement Awards were also handed out to standout members of the graduating class (see page 32).

The week leading up to Commencement was filled with special events and activities for the graduates, including final concerts; the end-of-year carnival; Prom; the Diehard Hike at Lover’s Leap State Park for four-year students; Class of 2024 commemorative tree-planting; the Sixth Form Retreat, where students read notes they wrote to themselves at the beginning of the year; the Sixth Form Awards Assembly and Dinner with faculty; and the Baccalaureate Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady.

Following a busy week and the Commencement ceremony, Sixth Form students and their families enjoyed final oncampus moments with friends and faculty before departing as the newest members of Canterbury’s Society of Alumni.

HILLTOP HAPPENINGS

OUTSTANDING STUDENTS LAUDED DURING COMMENCEMENT WEEK

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ongratulations to the following awardwinning members of the Class of 2024:

COMMENCEMENT AWARDS Hayden Devorsetz and Ryan Roberts—Robert M. Steele ’72 Boys’ Scholar-Athlete Trophy in memory of Robert M. Steele, a model scholar and athlete, for academic and athletic achievements Ella Caraluzzi and Virginia Zapletal—Charles R. Huntington Girls’ Scholar-Athlete Trophy for academic and athletic achievement in memory of Mr. Huntington, a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director from 1969 to 1999 Camryn Beauvais—Elizabeth (Betty) Burke Award for the Sixth Form student whose time at Canterbury has been marked by a cheerful determination to serve God and others Shaun McKenna—Class of 1987 Citizenship Award for his role as the Sixth Former who, in the judgment of his peers, has best fulfilled obligations to the School, fellow students, and self Ava Faruol and Caroline Thompson—Richard L. and Mary Catharine Farrelly Award for their quiet but thorough leadership Ruari Bamrick, Ella Caraluzzi, Anne Celestino, Madeline Diglio, Jack Greenberg, Morgan Lau, and Nathan Ruzzi— Philip H. Brodie Award for exceptional achievement and all-around service to the School Elsa Copeland and Ryan Roberts—Dr. Nelson Hume Award recipients whose leadership, character, and achievements have been of the highest order and whose performance embodies the ideals of the founding headmaster

Kudos as well to the students who were honored at the Sixth Form Assembly:

ATHLETIC AWARDS Dominic Mazzuca, Chloé Herr, and Caroline Thompson— Most Improved Athlete Nicolas Caro and Elsa Copeland—Best Leadership Bryson Jezewski and Madeline Diglio—Best All-Around Athlete

EDWARD R. MACK AWARDS In memory of Edward R. Mack, who was a Master at Canterbury from 1928 to 1957, for outstanding contribution in a particular area of school life.

Ruari Bamrick—Outstanding Contributions to Community Service Han “Alisa” Cui—Outstanding Contributions to the Cantuarian

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Ella Caraluzzi and Gia Mulheren—Outstanding Contributions to the Sustainability Club Anne Celestino and Caroline Thompson—Outstanding Contributions to Women of Canterbury Ruari Bamrick and Sylvia Pinheiro—Outstanding Contributions to Theatre Laurie Etienne and Geoffrey Moran—Outstanding Contributions to Technical Theatre Camryn Beauvais, Cora Brennan, Nicolas Caro, Anne Celestino, Noam Hoffman, Geoffrey Moran, and Cole Silvia—Outstanding Service as a Proctor Kerstin Ambruso, Elsa Copeland, Jack Greenberg, and Ryan Roberts—Outstanding Service as an Admission Ambassador Ava Faruol and Shaun McKenna—Outstanding Contributions as a Sacristan Elsa Copeland and Morgan Lau—Outstanding Contributions to Student Government

ACADEMIC AWARDS Irene Chen, Han “Alisa” Cui, Brooklyn Hairston, and Sima Samar—The Canterbury Art Legacy Award to recognize the accomplishments of advanced art students by including their work in the permanent art collection at Canterbury Felipe Siabatto—For excellence in the study of Digital Communication, Design, and Innovation Irene Chen and Han “Alisa” Cui—Edward J. Duffy Family Award for excellence in the study of Studio Art, given in memory of Mr. Duffy by his children Brooklyn Hairston and Sima Samar—Francis T. Carmody ’25 Award for creative talent in art, given in memory of Trustee Francis Carmody, son of founding Trustee Terence Carmody Jose “Pepe” Hanze and Ryan Oemcke—Stephen N. ’43 And Lacey Hume Award, given in memory of Trustee Emeritus and son of the founding Headmaster, Stephen N. ’43, and his wife Lacey for excellence in the study of instrumental contemporary music Asher Hughes, Morgan Lau, and Kate McDonough— Stephen N. ’43 And Lacey Hume Award for excellence in the study of contemporary music as a vocalist Sylvia Pinheiro—Stephen N. ’43 And Lacey Hume Award for excellence in the study of choral music Ava Faruol—Gerald A. and Therese J. Vanasse Choral Music Award in memory of Mr. Vanasse, who served as school organist, choral club accompanist, glee club director, music director of spring musicals, and shared his love of music with Canterbury students from 1960 to 1990, given to the student who has demonstrated the highest level of leadership Camryn Beauvais, Yuntong “Curley” Chu, Houer “Daisy” Dai, and Hayden Devorsetz—Frederick L. Gilson ’50 Award for excellence in classical music performance

Ruari Bamrick and Irene Chen—John Thomas Smith Award for excellence in the study of English, given in memory of John Thomas Smith, benefactor of the School and parent Camryn Beauvais—English Essay Award, presented to the author of the best critical essay written for the annual Sixth Form English essay assignment Avery Rubini—Francis T. Carmody ’25 Prize Awards for creative talent in prose Patrick Heslin—Francis T. Carmody ’25 Prize Awards for creative talent in poetry Morgan Lau—Dr. Nelson Hume Speech Competition Award, in memory of Dr. Nelson Hume, the rounding Headmaster who was himself a noted orator, given by the English Department to the winner of the Speech Competition Ruari Bamrick—Allan A. Ryan Award for excellence in the study of History, given in memory of Mr. Ryan, a founding Trustee and parent

Hayden Devorsetz—Captain Thomas J. Sartor Award for excellence in the study of science, given in memory of Captain Sartor from the Class of 1919, benefactor of the school and parent Emmanuel Avetisian—Weldon R. Knox Award, established by the Class of 1971 in memory of Mr. Knox, who taught math from 1960 to 1975 and given to that student who has demonstrated the greatest improvement in the study of mathematics while at Canterbury Han “Alisa” Cui—James A. Farrell Award for excellence in the study of mathematics, given in memory of Mr. Farrell, a founding Trustee and benefactor of the School Caroline Thompson—Hubert McDonnell Award for excellence in the study of theology, given in memory of Mr. McDonnell, a Trustee from 1938 to 1950 and parent Ella Caraluzzi—Terence F. Carmody Award, given in memory of the founding Trustee for excellence in the study of Spanish Hayden Devorsetz and Lea Ruisi—Terence F. Carmody Award for excellence in the study of French Katherine Datlow—James K. Breene, Jr. Latin Award, given to the Sixth Former who has demonstrated unusual dedication to the Classics while at Canterbury, by the Class of 1963 in memory of Mr. Breene, who was a Master at Canterbury from 1955 to 1973, during which time he inspired his students with his integrity, intellect, and humor Ella Caraluzzi, Class of 2023 Valedictorian—Roderick Clarke ’46 Distinguished Academic Achievement Award, given by the Class of 1956 in memory of Mr. Clarke, who served Canterbury from 1954 to 1990 as a history teacher, Director of Studies, College Counselor, and as Canterbury’s Headmaster for his last 12 years, awarded to the student with the highest GPA

COLLEGE MATRICULATION CLASS OF 2024 Members of the Class of 2024 have moved on to the next step in their journey—and big things are ahead for these Saints!

Here are the colleges and universities fortunate enough to have welcomed them to their campuses this fall: Albertus Magnus College

Florida Atlantic University

Providence College

University of Florida

Anna Maria College

Fordham University

Queen’s University

University of Georgia

Assumption University

Georgetown University

Quinnipiac University

University of Kansas

Babson College

George Washington University

Rollins College

University of Miami

Bates College

Gettysburg College

Sacred Heart University

University of Mississippi

Bentley University

Grinnell College

Saint Anselm College

University of New Hampshire

Boston College

Hamilton College

Salve Regina University

University of Notre Dame

Boston University

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Skidmore College

University of Southern California

Brown University

IE University

Southern Methodist University

University of Tampa

Bryant University

Iona University

St. Lawrence University

University of Texas, Austin

Bucknell University

Ithaca College

Stanford University

University of Vermont

Carnegie Mellon University

James Madison University

Stony Brook University

University of Virginia

Claremont McKenna College

Lasell University

SUNY Maritime College

Vassar College

Clemson University

Marist College

Tulane University of Louisiana

Villanova University

Colby College

New York University

Union College

Virginia Polytechnic Institute

College of the Holy Cross

Nichols College

University of California, Berkeley

Wilkes University

Cornell University

Northeastern University

University of California, Los Angeles

William & Mary

Elon University

Ohio State University

University of Connecticut

Williams College

Fairfield University

Pace University

University of Delaware

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Pepperdine University

University of Denver PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS

ESTEEMED FACULTY RECEIVE END-OF-YEAR HONORS Two long-serving and highly respected teachers received Canterbury’s most prestigious faculty honors as the 2023-24 school year came to a close…

2024 YEARBOOK DEDICATION

J.P. MANDLER TEACHING AWARD During 2024 Commencement Exercises, Director of Music David Overthrow received this award named for the former faculty member who served Canterbury for 46 years as English Department Chair, Director of Studies, Dean of Faculty, Director of Technology, Dean of the School, and Senior Master. The award is presented each year to that faculty member who reflects the fundamental commitment to excellence in classroom teaching.

Making the presentation in her capacity as Associate Head of School for Academics and Dean of Faculty, Suzanne Roberts P ’24, ’27 said, “By creating a positive and supportive learning environment, this year’s recipient fosters student confidence and motivation while offering constructive feedback and praise to nurture student development. He brings creativity into his lessons, finding innovative ways to engage students and make learning enjoyable.”

Sue continued by sharing student quotes expressing their admiration and appreciation for Dave. As one of his music protégés said: “I don’t think there are enough words to express just how grateful I am for him, his teaching, and the music department he has created. He is always encouraging us to be the best we can be.”

The Saints family was thrilled to learn at School Meeting that the Sixth Form class was dedicating its Cantuarian yearbook to Julio Omaña P ’19, ’20.

He has worn many hats in his 30+ years on the hilltop, including Varsity Softball Coach, Form Dean, Language Teacher, International Student Advisor, and Director of International Travel Programs. “Mr. O”– as he is affectionately known –has formed special bonds with his students, most notably during the travel and learning opportunities he organizes, accompanying them around the world to locales such as Lourdes, France, and Madrid, Spain. He is a valued friend and mentor to students and colleagues alike.

This gem was among the many quotes from students explaining why the Class of 2024 chose to dedicate their yearbook to him: “Mr. Omaña is one of the nicest people you can meet here on campus. He puts a smile on everyone’s face every day. He is the epitome of what the Canterbury community strives to be.”

SENIOR RECITAL SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON AMAZING TALENT

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wo things became clear as our six stellar musicians and singers performed their Senior Recital last spring—we would surely miss them after they graduated, and their talents and charisma truly blessed us during their time on the hilltop.

Indeed, the amount of joy that Eliza Agredano, Irene Chen, Jose “Pepe” Hanze, Asher Hughes, Morgan Lau, and Ryan Oemcke brought to our community through their music was extraordinary—and the Senior Recital was no different. Accompanied on many songs by fellow members of the Honors Contemporary Music Band, the “Super Six” performed a fabulous mix of classic and newer tracks, from Stevie Wonder’s Superstition and The Eagles’ Desperado to John Mayer’s Wild Blue and Taylor Swift’s Never Grow Up. The event was held in the L. Michael Sheehy ’56 Choral Classroom before an enthusiastic audience of family, friends, and members of the Canterbury community.

Eliza was grateful to be a part of it. “Music has always been an integral part of my life, and at Canterbury, I have perfected my craft and gained a newfound love and comfort through it,” she said. “The Senior Recital was a collective effort we 34

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Eliza Agredano

Irene Chen

Asher Hughes, Ryan Oemcke

were all excited about, and tears were shed as we reflected on all our hard work and time together.”

The lasting bond formed by the students was obvious not only from their chemistry on stage but their closeness off of it. “The recital was my favorite concert I have performed here at Canterbury,” Asher shared. “It was the perfect way to show how much we have grown since freshman year. This group is like a family, and I love them all.”

Jose “Pepe” Hanze

Dave Overthrow, Morgan Lau

Director of Music David Overthrow was feeling the love too, and he admired his students' passion and dedication. “I am immensely proud of our senior performers. Their recital was truly magnificent and commanding,“ he said. “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each for allowing me to accompany them on this musical journey and for contributing to the creation of lasting memories.

This showcase underscored the profound impact and significance of music in their lives.”

STUDENT’S “MINDFUL” MANUSCRIPT GETS PUBLISHED

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wo years of studying peerreviewed scholarly works in Dr. Pádraig “Podge” Lawlor’s AP History classes prompted David Kim ’25 to consider how he could make an equally profound contribution to academia. The result? His manuscript, “Analysis of Effective Mindfulness Training in East Asian Dominant Sports: A Comparative Study,” was published in Volume 12 Issue 4 of the Journal of Student Research!

“I always encourage students to follow their passion, and this was certainly a passion project for David.

The topic is meaningful to him beyond academics,” said Podge, Canterbury’s History & Social Sciences Department Chair. “David is a model student. He is a skilled, diligent, and self-motivated young person who always welcomes feedback and critique.”

CANTERBURY ROBOTICS: A WELL-OILED MACHINE

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he Canterbury Robotics team—the CyberSaints—was geared up and ready to roll for competition this year, and they did not disappoint! The crew posted an outstanding 7-3 record in qualifier play at the Connecticut First Tech Challenge Wolcott and Windsor events. At the latter competition, the team performed well enough in playoff matches to earn an invitation to the FTC State Championship on February 17 at the University of Connecticut!

Kudos to our talented and hardworking Robotics team: Riley Greene ’25, Co-Captain Ziyi “Owen” Wang ’24, Co-Captain Yuxuan “Bob” Chen ’27 Ella de Marval ’25 David Peng ’27 Yutong “Coco” Zhou ’27

There was plenty of both as Podge encouraged David to engage with primary sources, develop unique insights, and contribute meaningfully to the field—all of which helped instill confidence, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment in David.

“My role was reminding David why scholarship matters and how fruitful the journey can be,” Podge said.

“I provided him with mentorship and guidance on the publishing experience that all writers face.” That teacher-student interaction certainly paid off for David. After months of hard work and perseverance, his article was selected for inclusion in a renowned faculty-reviewed academic journal that provides a global platform for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to showcase their work.

Although they did not get a win at States, team members have every reason to hold their heads high after an extraordinary run. The fact that all but Riley and Owen were in their first year of robotics made the feat even more impressive. Owen and Riley have been part of the program since they were Third Form students.

As one of those first-year competitors, Ella was elated to be a part of the team’s success. “I was not expecting that we could get this far. It is exciting,” she said. “I love seeing the other teams’ robots because they are all so different. And ours is good, too!”

The chance to compete on championship weekend was the perfect culmination of Owen’s four years in Robotics. “I enjoyed seeing the team grow and keep learning,” he shared. “When I heard we were invited to the championship, I did not think it was real at first. But after the Left to right: Front row, Coco Zhou ’27, Owen Wang ’24, and Ella de Marvel ’25; Back row, David Peng ’27, Bob Chen ’27, Riley Greene ’25, and Rodrigo Avila Hernandez

Dr. Pádraig “Podge” Lawlor and David Kim ’25

David’s paper explores the emergence of mindfulness training as a potent tool for augmenting sports performance, particularly in East Asian-dominant sports like table tennis, archery, and martial arts.

In the study, he demonstrates how adopting such practices has translated into notable score improvements and higher medal tallies in these sports.

“Integrating mindfulness practices into sports is interesting to me because I play multiple sports,” David said. “I have seen athletes use meditation to get ‘in the zone’ and concentrate better during games, so I researched that and started writing.”

His history classes with Podge were primary motivations in crafting his manuscript. “History fascinates me, and Dr. Lawlor’s classes were my favorite,” David shared. “I learned about East Asian religions last year in his AP World History class, and that played a role in the content of my paper. Many mindfulness practices originated from those religions and that region.”

For his part, Podge is excited about what this accomplishment can do for David going forward. "Publishing academic work this early lays a solid foundation for future academic and professional success," he said.

news sunk in, I was excited. We really came through.”

professionalism’—and our students definitely exhibited those qualities.”

Coach Rodrigo Avila Hernandez, who teaches Physics and Engineering at Canterbury, was thrilled that the team rose to the occasion. “It was amazing to see the students doing their best and putting in the effort for this,” he said. “I am so proud of all of them. There is a term that robotics organizations use—‘gracious

Everyone had a role, with Riley as the robot’s main operator and Owen doing the bulk of the coding. Their many weeks of afternoon practices together certainly paid off. “This season was a great achievement,” Riley said. “It could be a little nervewracking, but we had a blast and made many great memories.”

HILLTOP HAPPENINGS

SAINTS GAIN NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

Gia ’24

Ambassador Award | 183 Service Hours

Ruari ’24

Ambassador Award | 144.5 Service Hours

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e were delighted to learn that five of our students were recognized by the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA) and InnerView in the seventh Annual Community Service Impact Awards earlier this year. Gia Mulheren ’24, Ruari Bamrick ’24, David Kim ’25, and Brandon Rodriguez ’25 earned Ambassador Awards, while Miguel Garcia ’26 received a Merit Award.

David ’25

Ambassador Award | 100 Service Hours

During the school year, these five collectively participated in 80 activities totaling more than 550 hours—yielding a community impact value of $19,302 (per InnerView). Gia led the way with an astounding 183 service hours!

The award and his service activity had a profound impact on Brandon. “To be recognized for my work is not only an honor, but it serves as a reminder of

Brandon ’25

Ambassador Award | 10 Service Hours

how rewarding our pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, was,” he shared.

“It feels amazing to do good in the world and help others, and that trip encouraged me further to spread kindness and love.” For more on the annual Canterbury pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, see page 16.

Open to all U.S. students, the awards program is designed to connect student community service activities, skill

Miguel ’26

Merit Award | 31 Service Hours

development, and commitment to the Union Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to transform our world.

Congratulations to Gia, Ruari, David, Brandon, and Miguel for this well-earned distinction. You epitomize what it means to be servant leaders!

GIVING HIS REGARDS TO BROADWAY

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uring more than two decades as a teacher and administrator at Canterbury, Wright Danenbarger relished every opportunity to nurture a love of theater in students—both in the classroom and through trips to the bright lights of Broadway each year. Having recently returned to the hilltop as Dean of Faculty, Wright took a moment to reflect on those big city visits.

“Drama is meant to be seen, not read, and I thought that since we were not far from New York City, let’s do this,” he said about how the initial idea came about.

“We were studying Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night in my Modern American Drama class when I saw that another of his plays, A Moon for the Misbegotten, was running on Broadway. So I bought 20 tickets and took students down to see it.”

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That was in 2000, and it turned out to be the first of more than 30 trips in 19 years that Wright organized for students to the theater capital of the world. They would go on to enjoy hit shows such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mama Mia, Waitress, Wicked, The Color Purple, and The Producers.

One trip—to see the murder mystery Curtains—was especially memorable.

“There were reports of heavy rain and flooding for that Sunday in and around New York City,” Wright explained. “But we had these tickets, the show was not canceled, and I decided to go ahead with it.”

The forecast proved accurate, and the theatergoers from Canterbury did indeed get soaked—but thoroughly enjoyed the play. The real adventure started afterward, however, when the

Grand Central Station tracks were flooded, and the group was rerouted via subway and bus to a train station well north of Manhattan. When the Saints contingent finally returned to campus, it was close to 1:00 AM. “I practically kissed the ground when we got back,” Wright said. “The students eventually made t-shirts that said ‘I survived Curtains.’ It was something we will all remember for the rest of our lives.”

Ashley Gangi ’08 certainly does.

“The Curtains trip was crazy but such an incredible bonding experience.

It was actually one of my fondest high school memories,” she shared.

“We also saw Spamalot when it first opened, and Sweeney Todd was another highlight. I was awed! Mr. Danenbarger really inspired me. He was an incredible teacher."”

SAINTS EARN HALOS ON AWARDS NIGHT T hey are Saints, so it is only fitting that they have Halos! Congratulations to Ruari Bamrick ’24, Chase Sukow ’27, and the entire cast of Anti-Social for bringing home Halo Awards at the ceremony held at Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury, Connecticut.

For more than two decades, the Halo Awards program has annually honored nearly 90 Connecticut high school theater programs in all aspects: actors, singers, technical crew, directors, and more.

HERE’S TO THE WINNERS: Ruari Bamrick ’24—Best Comic Female Performance in a Play for her role as Magda in Anti-Social Chase Sukow ’27—Up and Coming for Best Comedic Work as an Actor Anti-Social—Best Performance by a Cast in an Ensemble Production

During the evening, Amelia Welsh ’26 and Zachary Mwanza ’27 took the stage and wowed the audience with their performance of “Notice Me Horton” from the spring musical Seussical.

Kudos to Theater Co-Directors Keiko Mathewson and Christopher Rich for leading two outstanding stage shows in their first year heading the program. Keiko was delighted for the students and is already looking forward to their second year at the helm.

“The Halos ceremony is an incredible opportunity for theater students across the state to come together, share their talents, and celebrate a year well done,” she said. “I am so proud of what our students created in theater this year. Chris and I cannot wait for next season!”

We are proud of our Halo recipients and the talented students who received award nominations this year: • Best Comic Male Performance in a Play: Chase Sukow ’27 as Austin in Anti-Social • Best Comic Female Performance in a Play: Ruari Bamrick ’24 as Magda in Anti-Social

• Best Costume Design: Ella Hayes Earnest ’24 for Anti-Social • Best Scenic Design: Tech Theater Class for Seussical • Best Props: Tech Theater Class for Seussical • Best-Run Crew: Anti-Social • Best Program Art: Han “Alisa” Cui ’24 for Anti-Social • Best Specialty Ensemble: Chase Sukow ’27, Amelia Welsh ’26, and Patryk Plata ’26 for Anti-Social • Best Performance by a Cast in an Ensemble Production: Anti-Social • Best Male Standout in an Ensemble Production: Patryk Plata ’26 for Anti-Social • Best Female Standout in an Ensemble Production: Sylvia Pinheiro ’24 for Kerry/Shannon in Anti-Social • Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical: Ruari Bamrick ’24 as Cat in the Hat in Seussical

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SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES:

Guest Speakers Present Key Issues

As the School’s Social Justice Series continued through the spring, two sessions welcomed guest speakers to discuss topics vital to our society and the world today.

Setting a Positive Climate for Change

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pair of Saints alumnae delivered an essential message to current students during their “Climate Justice is Social Justice” session—look beyond yourself and your immediate environment and see how climate change affects others around the world. Abigail Omaña ’20 (left) and MaryBridget Horvath ’20 (right) have each done extensive field research on climate change during their college studies, and they shared their detailed findings with attendees.

Abby, a recent graduate of Georgetown University with a B.S. in Science, Technology, and International Affairs, went to Acadia National Park in Maine to study the effects of cross-system subsidies—the transfer of energy from one ecosystem to another—as it related to blue mussels, a major food source not only for aquatic animals but forest animals as their shells are carried further inland. These mussels are now endangered, Abby explained, and the culprits are changing climates… and green crabs.

“Green crabs are an invasive species in Maine, and their population has been increasing as ocean temperatures rise,” she said. “They prey on blue mussels, and the worry is, as green crabs survive more readily in their non-native habitats, what will happen to the blue mussel population? As it declines, what then happens when forest animal populations decline due to food scarcity, and how is that going to affect the plants they help disperse and regenerate? It starts this cascade effect diminishing these ecosystems in spaces that make up people’s homes, livelihoods, and food sources.”

Similarly, MaryBridget did her fieldwork in the Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta of the Alaska tundra to study the effects of permafrost melt on the populations there. As part of her research as a Geoscience and Biology major at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, she visited 14 of the region’s lakes and measured the amount of methane and carbon 38

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

dioxide in each. She also examined the area’s soil carbon, ecosystem, and greenhouse gas production. The results of her work were alarming—the terrain was sinking due to permafrost melt.

“The Yukon-Kuskokwim River Delta is within the lands of the Yup’ik and Cup’ik, indigenous people whose entire culture and being is tied to this environment,” MaryBridget told the students. “With the land literally caving away underneath them, they cannot continue the life they have always had. There are 73 communities throughout Alaska that are at immediate risk for infrastructure damage and loss of livelihood because of climate change in the next decade. This is a serious issue.”

These climate messages were crucial to hear for the student attendees, many of whom want to make a similar impact in their own lives. “The stories that Abby and MaryBridget shared were both fascinating and inspiring. It is tough to venture out and be isolated from the rest of the world for the sake of research,” said Juliana Loesche ’25. “The topic is important to me because I have a passion for science, and I hope to continue studying it in college.”

Catherine Zeng ’25 heard their message loud and clear as well.

“This gave me great insight on what goes on out in the world beyond Connecticut,” she explained. “People are struggling due to living in areas made dangerous by permafrost melting and other climate issues.

I found their experiences interesting because I want to do hands-on research like that in college.”

Such takeaways are precisely what the visiting graduates sought to drive home to students. “My hope is that all of you try to build your personal connection to the environment,” Abby told them. “Find the small things that make you feel connected to the space around you—then appreciate and understand how it might be important to someone else and how you can help keep it safe for them.”

“The goal is to tighten the wage gap by providing equity in the percentage of revenue and the amount of marketability and accessibility.”

TERRIKA FOSTER-BRASBY

Equity and Opportunity in Women’s Sports

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anterbury’s final Social Justice Series session of 2024 brought a strong message to students about the challenges women athletes still face today and how that may be changing. Accomplished journalist and sports analyst Terrika Foster-Brasby discussed the current state of women’s sports and Title IX, the federal law that bans discrimination against women in education.

A multimedia journalist, sideline reporter for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, and women’s basketball influencer with experience covering various professional sports, Terrika has reported on many of the top female athletes and stories in women’s sports today. She started at ESPN in 2014 and, most recently, accepted a position as WNBA Analyst and On-Air Talent at CBS Sports.

Long an avid fan of women’s sports, Terrika was 12 when the WNBA started in 1996, and that was a big deal for her and many other young female athletes at the time. “We all were dreaming to be the first girl to play in the NBA; then we did not have to because the WNBA existed,” she recalled. “But it was easy to see that the girls were still not getting the same things the boys were getting—not only the money but the marketing, exposure, fanbase, and coverage. I wanted to help fix that and level the playing field.”

Throughout her career, Terrika has been doing her part to bring awareness to the disparities women athletes face. To fully grasp these issues, she said, it is important to understand the difference between equality and equity. “Too often people think women in sports want to be paid exactly what the men are getting, but they are not necessarily asking for equal pay; they are asking for the same pay equity,” she explained. “These are smart women. They know the WNBA does not generate the same income as the NBA. The goal is to tighten the wage

gap by providing equity in the percentage of revenue and the amount of marketability and accessibility.”

There is cause for optimism, said Terrika. “You were recently able to turn on ABC and see the NCAA women’s basketball national championship. That has not always been the case,” she explained. “We are now in the era of marketability. We see a Caitlin Clark, an Angel Reese; we see MiLaysia Fulwiley, Kamilla Cardoso, and A’ja Wilson.

All these women athletes are now out there. We can see their faces and names on products and in commercials. These are the things that can help turn the tide a bit, but there is still a long way to go.”

Her words hit home with the audience, particularly young students hoping to compete in college sports one day. “The points Terrika made were very relatable to me,” said Girls’ Varsity Basketball player Kacie Darrin ’27. “Even today, there remains an imbalance between women’s and men’s sports that can be improved.” Kacie’s teammate, Team Captain Calleigh Boord ’26, agreed. “I found her presentation extremely moving and motivating, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to experience it,” she said.

Terrika also offered pointed advice to aspiring college athletes. “Number one, make sure that your grades are on point. A student-athlete is just that—student-athlete. You must have the grades and develop good study habits,” she shared. “The second thing is to make sure whatever it is that you are doing in college beyond playing a sport is something you really love. No matter how great an athlete you are, you want to think of a future outside of sports. Sports can help you build connections, develop relationships, and set yourself up for success. Just keep an open mind. Be open to change because that other thing out there just might be your thing.”

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS

THE MAINE EVENT FOR SCIENCE LEARNING

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ix enthusiastic Saints took an exhilarating journey to Acadia National Park in Maine for Canterbury’s annual Women in Science & Service Trip in June.

The students—Seoin “Eva” Choi ’25, Ella de Marval ’25, Lyla Kane ’26, Abigail McGuire ’26, Maeve Prendergast ’27, and Yawen “Sophia” Zheng ’27—joined Director of Sustainability and Science Department Chair Cammy Roffe P ’12, ’15 at the Schoodic Institute, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “inspiring science, learning, and community for a changing world.”

Our students were certainly inspired as they worked with scientists on current projects

and participated in service activities to benefit the park. Their many memorable experiences throughout the week included studying crosssystem subsidies with Schoodic Institute employees, taking a geology walk led by the National Park Service, spending a day of intertidal exploration at Winter Harbor, and completing marine debris cleanup that yielded 230 pieces of plastic, fishing gear, and other trash cleared from one small rocky beach alone.

“The keyword of my experience in Acadia was tranquility,” Eva said. “The quiet but immense nature gave me special energy in unexpected ways—stepping on the solid tree roots, being

aware of the presence of numerous species in every site, feeling the sound of crashing waves. There was plenty of learning and fun moments with my friends during the trip, but I am most grateful for the peace the environment gave me.”

During their leisure time, the group cruised along Bar Harbor, hiked up Cadillac Mountain, and toured Bowdoin College and the L.L.Bean headquarters.

The journey even led Lyla to an important decision. “I was able to experience the field of environmental science in action,” she said.

“The trip to Acadia helped me decide that this is what I would like to study in college.”

Cammy was happy to report that the end result was overwhelmingly positive. “The trip was a great opportunity for the students to experience and explore the rocky coast of Maine while learning, bonding with each other, and doing service,” she said.

Left to right: Lyla Kane ’26, Maeve Prendergast ’27, Abby McGuire ’26, Eva Choi ’25, Sophia Zheng ’27, and Ella de Marval ’25

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Left to right: Isabella Mavuli ’25, Liz Carlson ’25, Patrick Heslin ’24, Elena Chowdhury ’25, Ren Kim ’25, and Noel Schaab ’25

SAINTS ENJOY SCHOOL’S FIRST TRIP TO MADRID, SPAIN

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Carlos Sánchez-Tejera ’96, and Diego Paredes ’22, who is from Ecuador but studying in Madrid.

hen students in our upper-level Spanish courses traveled to Madrid during March break, the experience wasn’t just very good—it was muy bien!

The first-ever Canterbury trip to Spain’s capital city gave them the perfect opportunity to interact in Spanish with tour guides, shop merchants, and other residents.

The itinerary was purposefully designed by Language Teacher, Director of International Travel Programs, and International Student Advisor Julio Omaña P ’19, ’20 to allow students to see and experience what they learned in class throughout the nine days.

“The students did a wonderful job engaging with people and in different activities while we were there,” Julio said. “They dove right into the culture and had ample practice speaking the language, and it showed. They clearly became more comfortable using their Spanish along the way.”

The student travelers—Elizabeth “Liz” Carlson ’25, Elena Chowdhury ’25, Patrick Heslin ’24, Rahee “Ren” Kim ’25, Isabella Mavuli ’25, and Noel Schaab ’25—were wholly immersed in the rich culture, from local markets selling their favorite “jamon” to making their own fresh “zumo de naranja” to the ancient architecture surrounding them.

The many memorable stops on their journey included: • Three renowned museums—Museo Nacional del Prado, Museo Sorolla, and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía • A theater company to see the dramatic play La casa de Bernarda Alba • Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote • Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for a Real Madrid soccer match • The sprawling, Gothic-style Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and of Saint Fructus in Segovia The group also spent quality time with Canterbury alumni living in Spain, including José Álvarez ’91, Olga López Olarte ’94,

Olga was so delighted at the chance to interact with current students from her alma mater that she was moved to tears by the experience. “I have no words to express how happy their visit made me,” she said. “The students were very friendly and well-mannered. My children had a great time with them and exchanged their accounts on Instagram. Living at Canterbury was the happiest time of my life. I told Julio the School always has a home here with us!”

The trip was emotional for the visitors as well. This was Ren’s first time in Europe, so she was grateful to experience as much of the region as possible. “The traditions and cultural differences are fascinating, and the city is so beautiful,” she said. “This trip motivated me to consider studying and exploring the world abroad.”

Patrick was in complete agreement. “Visiting museums such as the Prado was truly remarkable—a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he shared. “Admiring the works of El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya left a lasting impression on me. This cultural exploration of Madrid created unforgettable memories that will stay with me for a lifetime.”

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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SAINTS REPORT

Coach McCarthy inspiring his team en route to the NEPSAC title

COMING FULL CIRCLE THREE DECADES LATER L ast winter, Padraic “Paddy” McCarthy ’94 had a serious case of dejá vu. As Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey, he led the team to the 2024 NEPSAC small school championship—30 years to the day after playing on the School’s first title-winning boys’ ice hockey team!

It has been quite a year for Paddy on many levels. “This was about enjoying the ride. It is tough to put into words how much fun it has been every single day being around the boys,” he shared. “Very similar to 1994—the motivation, the laughter, the focus. They were confident and relaxed.”

That confidence paid off, as the team advanced to the final game with a 7-4 quarterfinal win over Tilton School and a thrilling 3-2 home victory over Pomfret School in the semifinals. “That was probably the most nerve-wrecking game of the postseason because

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Pomfret is a nemesis of Saints hockey and was one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs,” Paddy said. As it turned out, the deciding goal came from an unexpected source.

“Patrick Heslin ’24 was a role player for two years, always doing what the team needed and working to get better,” Paddy recalled. “The consummate team guy, and he ends up scoring the game-winner against Pomfret— probably one of the biggest goals in Canterbury history. Big contributions from your role players are the difference between having an okay season and a special season, and Patrick was a great example of that.” Paddy should know—as a third-line wing on the ’94 team, he too was a valued role player.

The big goal against Pomfret was a moment Patrick will certainly never forget. “It was incredible,”

he said. “My linemate Ryan Lucarelli ’25 took it to the middle of the ice as I was driving for the net. He passed it through the stick of a Pomfret defender and placed it on my stick, and I tipped it in.

I realized afterward as we were celebrating with the fans that I had scored the goal to send us to the championship!”

This past spring, Paddy had the pleasure of inducting another postseason hero into Canterbury’s Athletics Hall of Fame—his roommate and best friend from the ’94 team, Joseph Roberto ’94.

“It was so special for me to introduce Joey that evening,” Paddy said. “It brought back a lot of memories.” He shared how Joe played a huge role in securing that first championship, scoring both goals in the 2-1 double-overtime semifinal win over Belmont Hill School and the overtime winner in the final against Avon Old Farms School, also by a 2-1 score. “He

scored three of our four goals— including two game-winners—in the final four,” Paddy added.

Joe vividly recalls that magic moment scoring the winning goal to give Canterbury Boys’ Hockey its first championship. “I fired a slap shot through a screen to the goalie’s stick side, heard it hit metal, and figured that was either the post or the back of the net.

Then I heard the crowd and knew it was in,” he explained. “Seconds later, players and fans were out on the ice, and I was mobbed. It was mayhem. I remember thinking in that moment that, with all the great teams and amazing players Canterbury had through the years, it was unbelievable that we were the first to win it all.”

He was also quick to give a shoutout to his good friend for this year’s achievement. “There is no one more deserving than Paddy. He worked his tail off for

1994 Boys Varsity Hockey champions

that,” Joe said. “He is a great guy, like a brother to me. We have had some good times together over the years.”

This year’s Hall of Fame induction was the second time the two friends were a part of such a ceremony at Canterbury. The entire 1994 team was inducted in 2018. As an Assistant Coach for that team, current Canterbury Math Teacher Francis Foley ’64, P ’91, ’93, ’95, ’99, GP ’27 has fond memories of their special season as well.

“I had gotten to know many of our players before the season. I had them in class; I coached them in other sports,” Fran recalled.

“They were a close-knit group, and we had a lot of fun. When that last overtime goal went in, I felt relief!”

Many players from that team joined others in the Saints family in keeping a close eye on the 2024 squad as the season progressed, and Paddy was exceedingly grateful to the Canterbury community for its

Members of the 1994 team at the 2018 Hall of Fame induction ceremony

ongoing support and enthusiasm.

He told of receiving well over 300 texts in the days following the final game—many from former teammates.

That feeling of winning a title and seeing the banner hanging in O’Neill Arena on campus never gets old for Paddy, and he impressed that upon his players often during this year’s championship run. “The team lives forever through that banner. Our guys understood that and wanted to win not only for themselves

but for all the Saints hockey players who came before them,” he said. “There was a selflessness to this team, a sense of being part of something bigger. In the future, they will realize even more how special their achievement was and how much it brought people together in the Canterbury community and beyond the hilltop. And next season, we look forward to doing it once more!”

Or, as the saying goes, “dejá vu all over again.”

Joe Roberto ’94 and Paddy McCarthy ’94 at this year's induction PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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SAINTS REPORT

POSTSEASON RUNS HEAT UP THE SPRING

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wo Saints varsity teams—Baseball and Girls’ Lacrosse— ramped up the excitement level on the hilltop this spring with stirring postseason performances.

It was an impressive run indeed for Baseball. After a 5-0 shutout of Taft School to end the regular season, the Saints beat Williston 6-0 in the opening round of the WNEPBL playoffs. Andrew Rondini ’24 was a standout performer in that one, throwing a one-hit complete game with 12 strikeouts. Tyler Kisling ’25 and Aaron Morice ’25 each recorded two hits and a run scored against Williston.

Although the Saint dropped a tough 2-1 contest to Salisbury School in the championship, they ended their season with heads held high. Overall, the team’s 16-5 final record marked its third straight 16-win season, and Canterbury finished #8 in the final New England Baseball Journal poll.

Head Coach Todd Mathewson, Canterbury’s Director of Studies, had nothing but praise for his players’ dedication

Andrew Rondini ’24

Rachel Stone, Virginia Zapletal ’24, and Elsa Copeland ’24

and perseverance throughout the year. “I am so proud of this group of young men. They worked extremely hard both in the offseason and during the season,” he said. “I was impressed with their competitiveness and heart and look forward to seeing the graduates move on to their next step in college.”

stood strong in goal. Canterbury had advanced to the final by defeating Pomfret School 12-0 in the semifinal round.

Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse capped off an outstanding 13-3 season with an 8-6 victory over host Williston Northampton School to win the Patriot Classic lacrosse tournament title in Easthampton, Massachusetts. Team Captain Virginia Zapletal ’24 had six goals in the championship game and was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Kylee Henderson ’25 had a tremendous game as well, and Elizabeth Carlson ’25

“This was a special team to be a part of,” shared thenAssistant Coach, current Head Coach, and Assistant Director of Admission Greta Massey. “Our players did a great job as competitors, but they also had fun doing it!”

At the Spring Athletic Awards Assembly in Maguire Auditorium, Ginny was joined by fellow Captain Elsa Copeland ’24 in presenting the championship trophy to former Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 as the Canterbury community roared its appreciation. It was the perfect way to cap off a memorable and thrilling season for all of our teams.

CANTERBURY GOLF TEAM DRIVES FOR SCHOOL RECORDS

Left to right: Henry Hauser ’25, Alex Halpert ’26, Oliver Ramee ’24, Justin Renda ’27, Max Pitts ’25, and Michael Parash ’25

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hat a year for Varsity Golf! The most successful season in Head Coach Bob Potter’s 17 years at the helm was chock-full of highlights, including one unforgettable week in early May. The excitement started against King School at Lake Waramaug Country Club in New Preston, Connecticut, where the team plays its home matches. The Saints shot a five over par 180, a school record over nine holes, in the win over King.

The Saints then hit the road for a match with the Frederick Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut. Against its archrivals, the team was once again impressive—just 44

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two over par with a 182 that bested Gunn’s 215. Henry Hauser ’25 led the way with a 34 (two under par), with Alexander Halpert ’26 one shot behind, Oliver Ramee ’24 and Paul “Michael” Parash ’25 each finishing with 37, and Maxim Pitts ’25 with a 39. It was the first time in Coach Potter’s tenure that the team had all five scores in the 30s.

The icing on the cake was their outstanding showing two days later at the Western New England Invitational at the Bull’s Bridge Golf Club in South Kent, Connecticut. The boys earned fourth place out of 18 teams—their best finish ever—after posting an overall score of 394 on the 18-hole course. Following the Invitational, the team finished

Head Coach Bob Potter

the season strong on the way to an outstanding 14-3 record overall.

Bob credited experience, hard work, and composure for their achievements during the season. “They have more tournament and competitive experience than past teams, and, more importantly, they understood the challenges from day one and were eager to meet them,” he said. “In my 17 years of coaching golf here, this is the best team I have had.”

For Henry, it was all about team. “Everybody contributed and made each other better,“ he shared. “The team played some great golf, and I enjoyed every day with these guys.“

Baseball

Football

COMMITTED TO EXCEL AT THE NEXT LEVEL

G

reat achievements are ahead for these stellar Saints athletes as they continue competing at top colleges and universities—and in junior ice hockey leagues—in the coming year. We look forward to celebrating the successes of the Class of 2024 and wish them all the best in their academic and athletic careers

BASEBALL Basketball

Ice Hockey–Women

Richard “Billy” Batson Rollins College John “Jack” Cunningham Ithaca College Myles Gythfeldt Colby College Bryce Isquith Lasell University William Nardella Union College Jackson Powers Saint Anselm College Andrew Rondini Rutgers University Evan Rossi Bentley University Cole Silvia Pepperdine University Jake Towey St. Lawrence University

ICE HOCKEY—WOMEN

Kerstin Ambruso Nichols College Camryn Beauvais Anna Maria College Madeline Diglio Hobart and William Smith Colleges Amanda Lepore Albertus Magnus College Gianna Pacilio Wilkes University

JUNIOR ICE HOCKEY—MEN

CREW

LACROSSE—MEN

Madison Lang Worcester Polytechnic Institute

DIVING—MEN Hayden Devorsetz Grinnell College

Samuel Ciappa Mitchell Stenger Jacob Stevens Duncan Stewart Ryan Stratton Colin Watson Bryson Jezewski Iona College Ryan Roberts Union College

LACROSSE—WOMEN

Jacquelynn Kenna University of New Hampshire

Elsa Copeland Bates College Virginia Zapletal Stanford University

FIELD HOCKEY

SOCCER

DIVING—WOMEN

Elsa Copeland Bates College Amanda Lepore Albertus Magnus College Soccer-Women

Nicolas Caro Saint Anselm College Dominic Mazzuca Union College Donald “Edward” Medaris Salve Regina University Riley Sherman Queen’s University

BASKETBALL

Shane Cercone Thomas Jefferson University Christian Jeffers Bentley University Raysean Johnson Fairleigh Dickinson University

Lacrosse-Women

FOOTBALL

Ella Caraluzzi Colby College

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45

SAINTS REPORT

SAINTS SOCCER ALUMNA EARNS COLLEGIATE HONORS

S

he graduated from Canterbury as one of the most decorated Girls’ Varsity Soccer players in school history, and Joy Okonye ’23 continues to excel at the next level for Division I Brown University.

At the Ever True Awards for Brown Athletics last May, Joy was honored with the prestigious Kate Silver ’86 Award as the school’s outstanding first-year female varsity athlete. She also received the Arlene Gorton ’52 Rookie of the Year Award for Women’s Soccer and All-Ivy League Honorable Mention after leading the conference in assists as a freshman. The Bears finished the 2023 season at 12-3-2, earning a trip to the NCAA tournament.

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As a senior captain at Canterbury, Joy was among 62 players nationwide selected to the 2022 High School Girls All-America Team. She also became the program’s all-time leading goalscorer with 93 career goals. Her long list of high school honors included being named to the All-NEPSAC/All-Region team, becoming a NEPSAC All-Star, and being invited to play in the WWNEPSSA All League Game.

She may be a member of the Brown University Bears now, but Joy will always have a special place in the hearts of Saints fans.

PHOTO CREDIT: EMMA C. MARION

SAINTS GRAD NAMED BIG EAST PITCHER OF THE YEAR

I

an Cooke ’21 graduated from Canterbury armed for success—and now his right arm has guided him to major accomplishments in college baseball. This past season, Ian was named Big East Pitcher of the Year in helping lead the Division I University of Connecticut Huskies to their fourth consecutive regular season conference title.

A standout pitcher for four seasons at Canterbury under Head Coach Todd Mathewson, Ian was named a Top-15 high school player in Connecticut by Collegiate Baseball and ranked as the state’s number 10 prospect by the scouting service Perfect Game in 2021.

His stellar season included a 5-1 record, 4.25 ERA, 85 strikeouts in 65.2 innings pitched, and a minuscule .218 batting average against. In five starts against Big East opponents, Ian was even better, posting a 3-0 record and 2.70 ERA. In addition to his Pitcher of the Year honor, he was also named to the All-Big East First Team. UConn ended up qualifying for the NCAA tournament, where Ian pitched the Huskies to an opening game 4-1 win over Duke University before dropping his next start to 8th seed Florida State University.

His current achievements come as no surprise to his former Saints coach. “I am extremely excited about Ian’s success at UConn,” Todd shared. “He grew tremendously as a student and baseball player during his time at Canterbury and has continued to develop on the collegiate level. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for him!”

No doubt that future has many more wins to come both on and off the baseball diamond.

PHOTO CREDIT: UCONN ATHLETICS

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ADVANCEMENT UPDATE

The Power of Giving:

Your Impact at Canterbury School

At Canterbury School, the Annual Fund plays a crucial role in enhancing the student experience, fostering academic excellence, and preserving the values that define our community. Each year, the collective generosity of our alumni, parents, and friends makes a profound difference in the lives of our students.

Last year, $1.45M in gifts from our donors had an extraordinary impact. Through gifts of all sizes, first-time donors and loyal supporters have come together to ensure that Canterbury continues to thrive. Their contributions reflect a deep commitment to the School’s mission and a shared belief in the power of education.

We invite you to explore the following data from the past fiscal year and discover the ongoing commitment of our donors and the immediate impact your generosity has on our School. Every gift tells a story of dedication and support; together, they create a legacy that will endure for generations to come.

1,075

400 212

DONORS HAVE GIVEN FOR THE LAST

5+ YEARS DONORS HAVE GIVEN FOR THE LAST

10+ YEARS

17 40 YEARS HAVE GIVEN CONSECUTIVELY TO THE ANNUAL FUND FOR

DONORS

$2,500

DONORS SUPPORTED THE ANNUAL FUND IN 2024

SUPPORTS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR 3 TEACHERS

pport Your su s provide

$950

PROVIDES CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY FOR 1 STUDENT

$2,624 FEEDS 1 STUDENT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR

$1,300

SENDS 1 STUDENT ON A SERVICE TRIP

$50

BUYS PAINTBRUSHES FOR 10 ASPIRING ARTISTS

Questions regarding your giving? Contact Ally Murphy, Director of the Annual Fund at amurphy@cbury.org or 860-210-3916

SOCIETY OF

ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES

Krista O'Gara ’12 celebrated her wedding day with family members and a number of Canterbury alumni in attendance (page 54).

CLASS NOTES

1956

1965

Rory tells us he still lives in Princeton with his wife of 61 years. Congrats, Rory!

Lee, who lives in Pittsford, New York, continues to consult for private, not-forprofit organizations specializing in mergers, governance, and resource development.

He secures public and private investments for economic development enterprises in low-wealth communities in eight states and Puerto Rico. Lee also continues to serve on the board of directors of the National Rural Housing Coalition and as Chair Emeritus of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition in Washington, DC. Lee and his wife, Margaret Hinton, are fortunate to be able to visit their three daughters and six grandchildren, who live in California and Virginia.

Rory Mullett

1958 Vic Kelly

Vic is doing well in Onancock, Virginia (Eastern Shore), and he is loving it!

Lee Beaulac

Robert Gilbane

Bob and Sally Gilbane currently live in Palm Beach, Florida, where Bob is Chairman and Founder of Gilbane Development Company.

1972

Christopher Colvin

Chris is once again in Istanbul for the summer, teaching philosophy at Boğaziçi University—his 18th summer in 21 years! He retired from school teaching last year but will start this fall as a part-time Adjunct Professor at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas.

1976

1967

Robert Buck

Bob’s daughter Anne just received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Ohio State University. His other daughters are doing well, too—Abigail is an ER Trauma Care Nurse, and Kate is a Certified Financial Planner. Bob is retired and living on Lake Champlain next to Brian Giebel ’91.

Jonathan Zilli

Jonathan met up with classmate Joseph O’Connor ’76 in Las Vegas to watch the last show of Dead & Company at Sphere.

1977

Chris Adams

1959 John Duffy P ’87

John traveled with his daughter, Hilary Duffy ’87, in May on the Danube River.

Pictured: Their visit to Szentendre, Hungary.

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Chris retired this summer after 42 years of teaching Spanish, which started in 1981 at Canterbury alongside longtime faculty members Jean Hebert and Gilda Martin P ’78, GP ’05, ’06.

He traveled to Punta Cana and the USA Track & Field Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, this summer. Chris plans to return to coach Cross Country another season at Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, and then has trips planned to Costa Rica and Portugal in early 2025. He would love to hear from classmates and former student-athletes.

1981

Tomas Montgomery

Tomas is an IT Program Manager supporting the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services and WIC Breastfeeding program. When the opportunity arises, he is also a digital nomad in hardship posts such as Ocracoke, North Carolina, and Woodstock, New York.

Rehoboth in August. He is looking forward to winter (snow, skiing, being cold) and beginning plans for retirement while he still works with the government.

Joseph Novella

Ana de Veer

Ana visited her close friend, American Ambassador to Croatia Nathalie Reyes, in Mali Lošinj, where they earned their diving certificates together.

Joe has established the company Nova 1 Integrated Energy Services with his wife, Donna Donovan, to provide building electrification design-build project management to meet the needs of the New York City Climate Mobilization Act.

Mark Shaughnessy

Mark shared details of his fun summer in West Virginia. His younger two children were kept busy with multi-sport camps, while his older two continued their careers in the Navy.

Mark visited Lake Michigan in July and

Selkirk “Tony” Walters

Tony recently visited the Montclair Art Museum in New Jersey and took a picture next to an amazing lithograph by American artist Elizabeth Catlett called These Generations.

Joel Steensen

John Harding

John’s granddaughter, Rowan Lynn Harding, is showing off her new big girl bed and PJs! She will be celebrating her third birthday in September.

Byron Landers

BJ is celebrating 40 years of marriage with 11 grandchildren. He is presently retired and enjoying life! Go Saints!

Joel fulfilled a bucket list item with the trip of a lifetime—he traveled the Great Loop with his wife, Jill, in their 28-foot Cutwater power boat.

This 16-month, 7,000-mile journey on the water began and ended in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with many stops in the U.S. and Canada along the way, They navigated bodies of water such as the Chesapeake Bay, Hudson River, Lake Champlain, the Trent-Severn Waterway, Lake Michigan, and many more. They visited major cities such as New York City (passing the Statue of Liberty in the process), Montreal, Ottawa, and Chicago. All told, Joel and Jill experienced more than 150 locks, two countries, 18 states, four of the Great Lakes, 70-plus anchorages, countless small towns and cities, well over 100 local breweries, and friendships for life.

Victoria Bundonis Rovin

For the entire summer, Victoria was cast in the play Clue at the Theater Workshop of Nantucket in Massachusetts. Joseph Novella ’81, Nell Lennon Williams ’81, and Matthew Glaser ’81 made plans to meet her in Nantucket and see the play. Before Joe arrived, Matt, Nell, and Victoria bumped into James Denny ’81. It was truly a class of ’81 weekend. By the way, the play was fantastic!

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51

CLASS NOTES

1982

Stephen Jayne

Matt Tormey

Matt and his family connected with classmate Filippo Guerrini-Maraldi ’82 on July 4 in London.

1983

Stephen, along with his wife, Jackie, and two boys, Grayson and Ashton, live in Orlando, Florida, where Stephen is a real estate agent, advisor, and investor. They spend their summers in Westhampton Beach, New York, and New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Stephen invites his classmates to visit and reminds them that Orlando is much more than Mickey!

1988

Chantal Lambrix

Chantal lives in Chicago with her husband, Andrew Kralovec, and two cats that they rescued while living and teaching in India.

She is currently a teacher at the University of Chicago Lab Schools. Periodically, Chantel reconnects with classmate Kevin Delaney ’88.

1994 Grenville “Sean” Emmet

In July, Sean and Craig Donaldson ’83 were joined by classmates Richard ’83 and Cynthia Armellini ’83 in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

1987

Hilary Duffy

Hilary, Casey McEvoy Lazar ’87, and Chad Burhance ’87 met up for a Beatles brunch concert at City Winery in New York City in July. It was a terrific minireunion that will lead to more soon with 1987 classmates in the Boston area.

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Tiffany French

Tiffany went on a ski trip this past February in Japan. While in Tokyo, she connected—30 years later!—with classmate Mari Tanaka ’94.

1990

Robert Williams

Rob joined classmates Timothy Fingerhut ’90; Mary Coleman Lynn ’90, P ’22, ’23; Charles Wolfertz ’90; Peter Murphy ’90; and Karl Bonawitz ’90 for dinner in Philadelphia last March.

2004

Danielle Yacono

Danielle has been elected to partnership in the firm Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin in Pennsylvania. She divides her time between the firm’s Montgomery County and Philadelphia offices, counseling clients on all aspects of estate planning and trust administration, including harnessing and valuing their assets, reducing tax consequences, and, when necessary, dealing with litigation in Orphans’ Court. Danielle is also involved in drafting revocable, irrevocable, and special needs life insurance as well as grantor and dynasty trusts.

1998 Elise Godinez Kern

Elise and her husband, Byron Kern, celebrated the grand opening of their brewery, Well & Good Brewing, in July. Located in a renovated log cabin in North Yarmouth, Maine, just north of Portland, the brewery features a two-story tasting room, a dedicated children’s playroom, a wood stove for use in cooler months, and outdoor seating and games on a spacious wooded lot. Local love and community are at the forefront of Well & Good: with every beer sold, guests receive a token and are invited to select one of two rotating Maine nonprofits to receive a donation from the brewery each month.

2007

Daniel Dunphy

Dan and his wife, Kate, welcomed their first child, Mia Dunphy, on June 7, 2024.

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53

CLASS NOTES

2008

Briana Berg Rossi

Briana traveled to Detroit with the Buffalo Bills for the 2024 NFL Draft. She is the Marketing Manager for the team.

2009

2014

Remembering Grace Carolyn Mannix Bowers

T

May 19, 1995–June 4, 2024

en years ago, Canterbury was our home away from home. Fittingly, that is where we gained our chosen family, the friends-turned-sisters over lunches in the back corner of the dining hall and overnights in a South House single.

Through college, weddings, babies, and budding careers, we grew up together over the last decade. And this year, one week short of our 10-year reunion, we said goodbye to our best friend and sister, Grace Carolyn Mannix Bowers.

Though her time was achingly short, Grace lived freely, fully, and courageously, without regret. Equally ambitious in her professional and personal accomplishments, she proudly earned the titles of mother, daughter, wife, sister, friend, MBA graduate, and Texan, as well as a title she was too humble to accept but one on which we insisted—“Amazing Grace.”

We will remember her unwavering loyalty and fierce generosity.

William Bergner

Billy bumped into former Canterbury Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse teammate Stephen “Jack” Nakajima-Inglis ’10 following a powder day in Squaw Valley, California.

2012

Though separated by distance, we felt her presence daily, in phone calls on her drive to SMU’s campus, in “thinking of you” texts and pictures. Her dedication, no matter how busy she was, to reach out to and check in on others deeply inspires us.

We will remember her undiminished optimism.

Grace persevered through incredible adversity with poise, resilience, and relentless positivity. With each challenge, she became better, not bitter.

We will remember her as a mother.

Watching our best friend raise her best friends was indescribably special. By her own example, she taught her daughters to see the world with compassion and curiosity.

Her loss is as unimaginable as her friendship was incomparable, and the devastation as widespread as her vast circle of family and friends.

But we will remember her in the swells of a country song, in the warmth of a Rhode Island beach, and in the texts sent just to let friends know we’re thinking of them.

Krista O’Gara

Krista and her husband were married on December 10, 2022. Pictured: Krista’s parents and brothers Robert ’12 and John ’12. Also in attendance were Canterbury alumni Josef Najm ’12, Sean Owens ’12, Ryan Healy ’12, and Peter Berry ’13.

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PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Her light and legacy endure in her two beautiful daughters and the hearts of all lucky to know her. May our “Amazing Grace” rest in peace.

With love, Victoria (Rio) Myers & Riley (Peterson) Legnitto, Class of ’14

2015

2017

Nicole Jodan

Benjamin Grissmer

Nicole graduated in June 2023 from the University of Chicago Law School with a Juris Doctor degree. She previously earned her bachelor’s degree in History and English, Magna Cum Laude, from Wake Forest University in 2019. Nicole passed the New York Bar and is currently an associate with Kirkland and Ellis, LLP, New York, focusing on Investment Funds.

2016

Ben and Bridget Murphy ’17 were married at Canterbury in the Chapel of Our Lady on July 6, 2024.

2018

Quentin Silverio

Quentin is an Army First Lieutenant serving as a Rifle Platoon Leader out of Fort Drum, New York. He recently returned from a nine-month deployment to the Middle East. He was able to watch the Canterbury Boys’ Hockey Team win the NEPSAC Small School Tournament title from his base in Syria. Quentin and his wife, Mia, were married on July 27 in Valparaiso, Indiana, and she joined him in upstate New York.

2021

Sydney Ragland

Sydney is a published author! She wrote a children’s book, ABCs of Adopting Me, for the SPCA Cincinnati. The book will be used as part of the SPCA’s Humane Education program in Cincinnati public schools, and all proceeds will go to the SPCA.

Thomas Esposito

Thomas was hired by Delta Air Lines as a First Officer. He is flying the Boeing 737 based out of New York.

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

55

IN MEMORIAM

REMEMBERI NG

Anthony D. Hunter ’45 1927–2024

Feiten Michael O’Neill ’57 1938–2024

William Stell ’57 1938–2024

Carl H. Funke ’58 1940–2024

William T. Farley, Jr. ’62 1944–2024

Duane Tucker ’66 1948–2024

Joseph M. O’Brien ’71 1953–2024

Christopher J. Morvillo ’83 1964–2024

Anthony J. Garvy ’86 1968–2023

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Mark G. McCrane ’05 1986–2024

Grace Mannix Bowers ’14 1995–2024

Your Canterbury is still your Canterbury Help us build on the past and secure a robust future.

Your contribution to Canterbury’s Annual Fund helps further enrich the student experience and ensures our Saints leave school prepared and ready to achieve their dreams and change the world.

please make your gift to the annual fund today.

WAYS TO GIVE • ONLINE: Scan the QR code or visit www.cbury.org/give • PHONE: 860-210-3916 • MAIL: Use the enclosed giving envelope

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

57

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAI D

HARTFORD, CT PERMIT NO. 1382

SAVE THE DATES

SOCIETY OF

ALUMNI

Christmas Parties DECEMBER 4

DECEMBER 10

DECEMBER 12

Hampshire House

The Wells

The Harvard Club

84 Beacon Street

727 C Street SE

35 West 44th Street

Boston, Massachusetts

Washington, DC

New York City

5:30–8:00 PM

6:00–8:00 PM

6:00–9:00 PM

PALLIUM SPRING/SUMMER 2024

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