PALLIUM Fall/Winter 2023-2024

LEADING WITH PURPOSE— THESE ALUMNI ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Inspired by the values they carried with them from Canterbury, Saints graduates are making a meaningful impact on people— and on the world.

NEW CHAPTERS IN THE CANTERBURY ALUMNI STORY

Two new alumni chapters in Boston and Washington, DC, bring an even stronger sense of community and alumni engagement to these regions.

ACADEMIC HUB TO ENRICH THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

A new era begins at Canterbury this summer with the construction of the Academic Hub, a versatile space that will centralize and advance the academic journey for students.

STUDENT LEADERS SET THE TONE FOR THE SAINTS COMMUNITY

For Canterbury students motivated to lead, there are myriad ways to get involved in both formal and informal leadership roles on campus.

SAINTS ROLL IN POSTSEASON

Spectacular fall and winter athletic seasons at

included a bowl

and Boys’

for Football and NEPSAC

Photo credit: Alex Avedisian ’25

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

FALL/WINTER 2023-2024

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Jennifer Loprinzo

CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER

Rick Henderson P ’25

SENIOR EDITOR/STAFF WRITER

Jim Norman

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MARKETING

Jacalyn Pugliese ’19

PHOTOGRAPHY

Rick Giles, Alexander Avedisian ’25

CLASS NOTES & IN MEMORIAM

Kate Heslin ’96, P ’24, ’25

Jennifer Harrigan

MAGAZINE LAYOUT & DESIGN

Margaret Galeano

SEND ALUMNI NEWS TO ADVANCEMENT OFFICE

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

860.210.3800 CBURY.ORG/ALUMNI

DEADLINES FOR CLASS NOTES

FALL: AUGUST 1

SPRING: FEBRUARY 1

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2023—2024

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

Mr. John A. Donovan ’59 | Vice President

Mrs. Rachel E. Stone P ’23, ’24 | Head of School/Treasurer

Mr. Peter J. Cotier ’86, P ’19, ’20 | Assistant Secretary

Ms. Dorothy L. Alpert ’78

Mr. Keith G. Angell ’75

Ms. Carol Lovell Carmody P ’18

Mr. Harold T. Clark III ’86, P ’22

Mr. Douglas M. Famigletti ’90, P ’25

Mr. Sean F. Flanagan ’91, P ’23

Dr. Anna Flik P ’21

Mr. Lawrence P. Fisher II ’77

Mr. Theodore C. Hollander ’82

Mr. Jeremiah E. Keefe P ’21, ’22

Mr. Stephen M. Kessing P ’20, ’22, ’26

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

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

Mrs. Nicole D’Amour Schneider ’93, P ’20, ’22, ’23

Mr. Donald Vincent ’83

Mrs. Nell P. Williams ’81

PRESIDENT EMERITUS

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

Mr. John D. O’Neill ’57, P ’89

Dr. L. Michael Sheehy ’56

Mrs. Lauren J. Steers P ’11

From the Head of School

As we continue to position Canterbury at the forefront of boarding school education and implement the key initiatives of our Strategic Plan, I am reminded of the myriad ways our community thrives on the principles of leadership, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to providing an enduring educational experience. In this edition of PALLIUM, we highlight individuals and initiatives that exemplify these values. From the inspiring impact of alumni to the vibrant contributions of our students to the transformative projects that enhance our academic program, every story reflects that which defines and differentiates our School.

One such project is the Academic Hub (page 18), a significant milestone in securing Canterbury’s place as a leader and model for academic excellence. I will never forget our early strategic planning discussions and the instant consensus focused on Canterbury’s powerful academic program—about which we were too humble. Fast forward to this summer, and the Academic Hub is the physical representation of our talented teaching faculty; extraordinary college process and placement; the universally empowering Donovan Center for Learning; and the countless moments of academic discovery, mastery, and accomplishment taking place among teachers and students every day. By centralizing resources and creating dynamic spaces for learning and collaboration, the Hub not only enhances the student experience but also showcases Canterbury’s unique ability to support students in reaching their greatest individual potential.

Along these lines, at Canterbury, we firmly believe that providing students with a comprehensive high school experience, both academically and personally, leads to remarkable outcomes. Some of my favorite moments as Head of School are those witnessing students transform from reserved, often awkward new arrivals into confident, purposeful young adults … observing Sixth Formers readily turn to new students in need of a friendly face … seeing impassioned Saints inspire their peers to rally behind a worthy cause … watching those in leadership positions—an array of roles spanning from boarding proctors to team captains to Sacristans to DEIJ Council members—shape the culture and values of our community. Our Student Life team has expanded student and servant leadership programming with great intention in recent years, and the impact of these efforts is visible every day, in every corner of our community (page 28).

And we cannot forget the meaningful impact our graduates are making in the world. Their stories of integrity, philanthropy, and purpose-driven leadership inspire us all (page 4) and underscore the values that Canterbury instills in each of its students. They are a testament to the lifelong impact of a Canterbury education and the role our alumni play in making the world a better place.

As we go forward, let us recommit ourselves to supporting and nurturing the leadership potential within our community. Together, we will uphold the traditions that define our great School, while forging new paths that inspire and empower our students to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 Head of School

LEADING WITH PURPOSE— THESE ALUMNI ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

There are followers…there are leaders…and then there are those who lead with purpose. They may take the reins of a company or operation and guide it to success, but they also want something more—to have a positive impact on the world and in people’s lives. That is the goal of so many of our Saints graduates who go forth inspired by the values they carried with them from Canterbury. Here are the stories of four such alumni…

The most formative part of my life was the four years I spent at Canterbury... It gave me a foundation I could build on and was a part of me for the rest of my life. To this day, my best friends are those I know from Canterbury.

MICHAEL

KELLEY ’82

Michael Kelley (center) working at Kelley Steel.

Carrying on a Legacy of Integrity and Philanthropy

MICHAEL KELLEY ’82

Chairman, Kelley Steel Erectors, Inc.

Michael Kelley learned early in life the value of being a person of high character, integrity, and honesty, because he saw it every day in his father, Garen. “He was a Marine, World War II, South Pacific, two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star with Valor. He was tough but fair, a wonderful teacher who led by example and lived for others,” Michael recalled. “That is what stayed with me more than anything— the noble life my father lived. And I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

And that is exactly what Michael has done both in his professional and personal life. He grew up around the family business, Kelley Steel Erectors, in Bedford, Ohio, and first began working summers in the warehouse at age 14. He moved on to the steel mill as a Boilermaker before becoming a Journeyman Ironworker, Ironworker Foreman, General Foreman, and, finally, Superintendent. Along the way, Michael earned a Humanities degree at night school from John Carroll University. In 1992, he became President of all five of Kelley Steel’s companies. When Garen suffered a stroke six years later, Michael was ready and able to take the helm and apply everything he had learned from his father about being a good leader.

“I would ask for help, and I would listen. You cannot lead in a vacuum. You need to get people to buy in for the right reasons at the right time,” he explained. “I do not get upset; I try to make sound decisions with the information I have. People recognize that. You try to guide and inform employees so they understand the wisdom behind your decisions, and they appreciate how well we treat them.”

Kelley Steel has a history of doing major construction work on important charitable and healthcare facilities in and around Cleveland. “Our company built the Cleveland Food Bank, and I volunteer periodically on the food line there,” Michael shared. “We also built a school for the St. Vincent DePaul Society as well as a number of hospitals over the years, including the Seidman Cancer Center for University Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic for cardiovascular care.”

Philanthropy is another value handed down from his father that Michael carries on to this day. “When I was 16, I was at the ceremony when my father had the honor of being invested into the American Association of the Order of Malta in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City,” he said. “I thought to myself, ‘I know my father, but I don’t know this about him.’ It had a profound effect on me. So I became involved with the Order, as well as with the American Red Cross, Society of Crippled Children, St. Vincent De Paul Society, and some of the other Catholicbased charitable organizations my parents supported.”

Michael’s Catholic upbringing and strong sense of faith gained from his experience at Canterbury taught him the importance of putting others before himself. “You can do something for yourself, and it brings you happiness for a short period of time,” he said. “But if you do something for others out of the goodness of your heart and your faithbased decisions, it stays with you for much longer and makes a huge difference in their lives.”

He recently found another important—and very personal—reason to focus on doing for others. In 2018, Michael married Dasha, whom he met while on vacation in the Caribbean, and on New Year’s Day 2023, the couple gave birth to a son. They named him Garen after Michael’s father, “the biggest hero in my life.” Michael also rescued Dasha’s sister and her sister’s two young children, who fled the war in Ukraine two years ago and now live with him and Dasha in their family home.

While his father was a major influence on his life, Michael’s time at Canterbury was just as impactful. “The most formative part of my life was the four years I spent at Canterbury,” he shared. “The faith of the entire School and the goodness of the students and faculty made a profound impression on me. It gave me a foundation I could build on and was a part of me for the rest of my life. To this day, my best friends are those I know from Canterbury. I hope someday my son is able to experience the same joy that I had there.”

Left to right: Michael receiving Communion from Pope John Paul II at Easter in 1996, being invested into the American Association of the Order of Malta, and with wife Dasha.

LEADING WITH PURPOSE—THESE ALUMNI ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Doing Right by our Canine Friends—And People, Too

KIM (MOFFITT) HEHIR ’90, P ’26 AND SUE (MOFFITT) DELEGAN ’96

Co-Founders, Brutus Bone Broth

What seemed like just another Thanksgiving Day with the family in 2016 ended up changing the lives of sisters Sue Delegan and Kim Hehir. Sue had been adding their grandmother’s bone broth to their dog Brutus’s food, and he was thriving. On that particular day, brother and fellow Canterbury graduate Tom Moffitt ’93 remarked that, if Brutus was doing so well with it, other people are going to want it. “You can totally bring this to market,” he said.

Sue remembers that day well. “Kim was living in Hawaii at the time, so I called her because I did not want to do this on my own, and she has a really strong business background,” Sue recalled. “I thought it would be something fun to do as a family. We even got our father involved.”

After discussing all the possibilities, things really started rolling the following March when the decision was made to move forward. They spent thousands of hours researching the pet market, speaking to experts in the industry, testing and tweaking recipes, designing packaging prototypes, working with ingredient suppliers and manufacturers, and more. With Sue’s strong background in marketing and business and Kim’s expertise in strategy, finance, and nonprofits, it was not long before Brutus Bone Broth was thriving as much as Brutus was.

“We have helped so many dogs,” Kim said. “We get customer feedback saying my dog was given a week to live before we started using your

product, and that was two years ago, or my dog would not walk and is now running up and down the stairs. We also work with shelters because some of their dogs are ill, abused, or stressed, so they will not eat—and the product works for them.”

But, Kim continued, the co-founders set their sights on even loftier goals. “We wanted our company to be something meaningful, imbued with certain values,” Kim explained. “Philanthropy was one, mentoring was another, and sustainability was also key.”

Added Sue: “We are both moms, and it was important for us to teach our children that you can have an idea, be successful, but also give back.” In fact, one of Kim’s sons, Andrew ’26, is a current student at Canterbury.

In the spirit of mentorship, Brutus Bone Broth offers a Kids Committee that provides an ideal setting for young people to learn about entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Some even contributed recipes for a cookbook the company is publishing! “We teach children to give back and make it a lifelong legacy to get involved,” Sue said. “Members also learn about business. Having that experience can be a good résumé builder for them.”

Sustainability is a core company value reflected in the way they do business. “Our packaging comes from Sweden because it is

Kim, Sue, and their father, Tom Moffitt, staff the company booth during the 2019 SuperZoo pet retail event.

Canterbury was my first introduction to community service and the importance of helping others—and that has been a big part of our lives ever since.”

KIM (MOFFITT) HEHIR ’90, P ’26

environmentally sustainable,” said Kim, who started her career as an environmental consultant and worked with the United Nations on their sustainable development goals. “Our co-packers are 100% hydropowered by Niagara Falls. And we have partnered with various businesses that also have sustainability as a value pillar.”

In addition, Sue and Kim work with various charities and animal shelters, participate in adoption or fundraising events like Yappy Hour and Bark in the Park, and serve on a number of nonprofit boards. They each credit their philanthropic spirit to two main influences—their father Tom Moffitt, a Vietnam veteran who served as Chairman at Brutus before he passed away in 2023, and Canterbury School.

“Dad was a big inspiration for us. He was a hard-working entrepreneur who built some very successful businesses,” Sue shared. “He taught me to be an empathetic leader and always treat everyone equally. That was so important to him and has stayed with me throughout my life. No matter where you are or whom you are dealing with—truck drivers, warehouse personnel, factory workers—you treat them the same.”

Canterbury instilled servant leadership, risk-taking, and independence in both sisters, and they appreciate every bit of it. “One of the School’s biggest advantages is the opportunity to try different things. That was one of the main reasons we sent our son there,” said Kim. “There are not a lot of places like this where you can meet people from all over the world and engage with them in so many ways. People lift each other up. Canterbury was my first introduction to community service and the importance of helping others—and that has been a big part of our lives ever since.”

Mentoring Colleagues, Guiding Clients

JOE FITZGERALD ’95

Managing Director and Partner, Boston Consulting Group

Ashared story about a troubled young co-worker tells you all you need to know about Joe Fitzgerald. “A talented woman I knew well had struggled on several projects and came into my office very upset. She was at a point where she was having a hard time, no one was investing in her, and she was contemplating quitting. It was emotional,” he recalled. “So I told her, ‘Okay, I have faith in you. I will put you on my project now and work with you one-onone to find success.’ She found her success, all right! Now, she works as an executive for the World Economic Forum on supply chain and sustainability in Berlin. I have always had a special spot in my heart for helping people like that.”

Those are the kinds of interactions that have helped Joe stand out wherever he has worked in the semiconductor and consulting fields, from innovative companies like Teradyne and Credence Systems to a 15-year stint as a Partner at Deloitte to his current role at Boston Consulting Group. Joe attributes that level of empathy and compassion to the values instilled by his parents, as well as his time in high school at Canterbury and as an undergraduate student among the Jesuits at Fairfield University. “I try to be a quiet, ethical leader by mentoring people and doing right by my clients,” he said. “It is simply the right thing to do, and that goes back to the values I gained over the years at Canterbury and from the Jesuits.”

Continued on next page

LEADING WITH PURPOSE—THESE ALUMNI ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

JOE FITZGERALD ’95

Continued

As a Saint, he jumped at the opportunity to take on leadership positions. “I flourished at Canterbury,” he said. “I have always gravitated towards leadership roles in groups or with peers. I ended up in student government at the school and was Captain of the baseball team. It was a positive experience for me. Later, I realized how well that prepared me for college and for what I am doing now.”

At Boston Consulting Group, Joe leads critical strategy and operations engagements for high-tech and semiconductor companies worldwide. His passion for helping his clients is widely known, and one of the primary reasons Joe joined BCG in the first place is the alignment of BCG’s values and his value system.

“Boston Consulting takes its values to heart, which you can see from the types of cases we accept,” he explained. “We have a strict policy around helping society move forward and not clinging to industries that might be ethically challenging or not part of a positive future for humanity. That is also how we work internally in terms of how we treat and develop our people. I am proud to be part of a firm that has high standards and industries, semiconductors, and high tech that have dramatically changed the world over the last several decades—and even pulled people out of poverty as manufacturing expanded across southeast Asia.”

Joe offered words of advice for today’s young people. In addition to gaining knowledge, he says, it is equally vital to have the ability to synthesize information, lead people to outcomes, make mistakes and learn, and be thoughtful in times of crisis. AI and other systems can easily help find information and create content. However, it will be the leadership alongside these tools that really matters. “Jump at any opportunity to hone your leadership skills in whatever setting you are in. Whether it is a sports team, student government, organization, or

I flourished at Canterbury. I have always gravitated towards leadership roles in groups or with peers. I ended up in student government at the school and was Captain of the baseball team. It was a positive experience for me. Later, I realized how well that prepared me for college and for what I am doing now.”

JOE FITZGERALD ’95

even amongst your peers, that intangible skill set becomes increasingly valuable. In business, the people who are going beyond the expected, who ask questions, who share observations, who make difficult decisions or build consensus—those who start to exert leadership—they are the ones who get promoted.”

He speaks from experience. Joe not only quickly picked up the engineering side of things, but he also went on site to customers’ factories around the world to get their equipment up and running and devised novel engineering solutions for new products as they were being developed.

“Early in my career, I remember spending about two and a half weeks in the Philippines at a factory during a very time-compressed, tense situation where we needed to release a high-profile flip phone,” he said. “Our equipment and my team were the bottleneck, and I ended up taking charge and rallying both the people at the factory and the end customer to come to a solution and get things up and running. That was my first experience where I was more than an engineer sitting at a desk designing something. I was leading an essential, impactful situation, and I liked it. So, I kept pursuing those types of things.”

Today, Joe regularly travels around the world to meet with satisfied clients, leads important initiatives, and, perhaps most importantly, manages to find time to coach his son’s and daughter’s Little League teams…a true testament to good values and great leadership.

Three alumni stories…three meaningful business ventures…one common passion to strive for the greater good. That is what leading with purpose is about—and what it means to be a Saint.

Introducing the New Cbury.org!

Visitors to cbury.org last fall were treated to a new eye-catching, interactive, user-friendly experience. Launched in October, the School's redesigned website is a bold reimagination that brings the Canterbury story to life!

The new site vividly spotlights our transformative educational experience. It is designed to be as informative as it is inviting—visually compelling, easily navigable, and enriched with features that serve the practical needs of students, parents, faculty, alumni, and prospective families alike.

Our renewed brand messaging is prevalent throughout, showcasing Canterbury’s unique role in shaping students as intellectually curious, well-rounded, ethical leaders poised to make meaningful contributions to the world.

“We are excited for visitors to explore, engage, and immerse themselves in our new site as they learn more about what makes Canterbury the best small boarding school,” said Director of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Loprinzo. “As we embarked on our redesign, our goal was to create a compelling digital experience where our School’s unique culture, values, and educational philosophy are not only showcased but deeply felt. I am proud to say we accomplished that—and more—and could not be happier with the end result.”

The look may be new, but with every click, you will find the same great content—news stories, reports on programs and special events, profiles, videos, and a sitewide celebration of our extraordinary students.

NEW CHAPTERS IN THE CANTERBURY ALUMNI STORY

We were excited to introduce two new regional alumni chapters to our Saints family in December—and look forward to expanding to even more areas around the country.

In addition to our inaugural chapter in the New York City area, the Society of Alumni now boasts regional chapters in Boston and Washington, DC. These groups will bring an even stronger sense of community to these regions through social events, alumni networking functions, and volunteer opportunities. We are pleased and grateful to welcome our chapter leadership teams:

BOSTON CHAPTER

Emily Martino ’17 (Co-President)

Christian Procaccino ’13 (Co-President)

Katie Bradley ’14

Connor Collier ’14

Erica Guider ’14

Owen O’Brien ’13

Morgan Ryall ’18

Christian Short ’14

Andrew Tullo ’13

WASHINGTON, DC CHAPTER

Wade Jones ’15 (Co-President)

James “JP” Loughran ’16 (Co-President)

Raif Harris ’19

Seth Menghi ’12

DaVaughn Montgomery ’03

Brendan Omaña ’19

Lisa Tankeh ’16

The new chapters were announced during the Canterbury Christmas parties in their respective regions. Wade and JP shared their new chapter update at The Wells in Washington, DC. The next night, at the Hampton House in Boston, Massachusetts, Connor broke the news on behalf of Emily and Christian, who were unable to attend.

The two new organizations join the New York Chapter in our evergrowing network. Many thanks to the members of this leadership team: Elizabeth Dooley ’10 (President), Sarah Buckingham ’17, Connor Chatterton ’11, Debra Cox ’16, Jed Dowler ’17, Jack Elsas ’14, Will Finn ’07, Sullivan Healy ’13, Josef Najm ’12, Michael Urquhart ’13, and Alec Woodworth ’11

For more information, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Kate Heslin ’96, P ’24, ’25 at kheslin@cbury.org.

New York Chapter President Elizabeth Dooley ’10 (center) with leadership team members (left to right) Will Finn ’07, Jack Elsas ’14, Josef Najm ’12, and Alec Woodworth ’11.

Valuable Networking Guidance for Young Alumni

Arecent alumni gathering proved once again that Saints show up for Saints even after graduation. Nearly 25 New York metropolitan area alumni came together at BlackRock in Manhattan for a Young Alumni Networking event hosted by the Society of Alumni’s New York Chapter.

Three alumni panelists addressed the young graduates in attendance:

Denise Morgenthaler ’90 currently serves as the Global Chief Administration Officer with the Treasury Services Global Payments business of BNY Mellon. Her key areas of responsibility include global business governance, risk and control management, internal communications, and people and location strategy.

Brent Ozarowski ’95 joined Newmark in 2005 at the firm’s Manhattan headquarters after playing six years of professional hockey for both national and international teams. Today, Brent is an Executive Managing Director focused on the representation of leading corporations and property owners in New York.

Jason Fogelson ’97 has 20+ years of working in Investment Grade Corporate Bond trading. Jason is a Managing Director at Jefferies, where his focus is trading telecom,

Below: Young alumni hear from fellow Saints graduates at the New York Chapter networking event.

media, technology, and leisure sectors. His past experience includes managing $15 billion corporate credit and credit default swap portfolios.

They each spoke about their lives and careers beyond the hilltop while sharing valuable advice with their younger peers, whose graduation years ranged from 2009 to 2019. New York Chapter Leadership Team members Will Finn ’07 and Alec Woodworth ’11 moderated the panel.

New York Chapter President Elizabeth Dooley ’10 was thrilled that the chapter was hosting its first-ever networking event. “Thanks to our three amazing and accomplished panelists, we were able to have engaging conversations about networking, interviewing, growth, and the macro environment,” she said. “We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future!”

Left: Alumni panelists (left to right)

Jason Fogelson ’97, Denise Morgenthaler ’90, and Brent Ozarowski ’95.

Cla ss of 1973

Reuniting for the Big Five-O

Enthusiastic members of our Class of 1973 returned to campus in the fall for their 50th reunion, with 16 classmates celebrating lasting friendships and good times.

They dined together on several occasions, heard from a panel of current students, enjoyed the Homecoming festivities, and more during their three days on the hilltop. The class also invited and honored four former faculty members—J.P. and Lou Mandler P ’87, ’91, ’94, ’99, Peter Bordonaro, and Jack Gaudreau

Highlights of the reunion included Class Ambassador Peter Bresnan ’73 picking up his guitar to play and sing a special song he wrote in tribute

to two classmates who passed away, Ed Kelly ’73 and William “King” Gladden ’73. “We all know those two broke the mold; too much life to ever grow old,” said the song’s chorus.

Also, Brian Donnelly ’73 shared a nostalgic slideshow he created using old photos from their days at Canterbury. Brian’s heartfelt slides and accompanying song said it all: “The most important lessons I learned were not in a book. They came from my teachers’ hearts and the time they took.”

The reunion alumni were all grateful to Canterbury for hosting such a meaningful event for them. “It was a remarkable weekend,” said Class Ambassador Carlton Tucker these scrumptious meals, drinks at Housatonic River Brewing, great old pictures of us on buttons, and making us feel very welcomed back at our former school. There were some great stories, memories, and reconnections.”

Chris Okelo ’96 spent a day on campus with students sharing his experiences as a United Nations Team Site Coordinator (see page 16).

THE VALUE OF ALUMNISTUDENT CONNECTIONS

Many alumni actively seek feel-good ways to connect with students and stay involved with their alma mater. Fortunately, there are a number of options to do so! For anyone who would like to inspire our Saints and play an active role in their education, you can:

• Host students at your place of business for experiential learning opportunities. Nothing connects a student to classroom learning like seeing those concepts in action!

• Serve as a “Saints Off the Hill” speaker at School Meeting. Students are motivated to see successful graduates sharing their stories, and you have every chance to engage with them after the presentation.

• Come to campus as a guest speaker for a class or student organization. It adds an extra layer of authenticity for students to hear from someone who once sat in their seats talking about real-world experiences.

There are examples of each of these alumni-student connections throughout this issue of PALLIUM. Read all about how you can become a role model and source of inspiration for future alumni—then contact Kate Heslin ’96, P ’24, ’25, Director of Alumni Relations, at kheslin@cbury.org to find out more.

SOCIETY OF

ALUMNI

INTRODUCING OUR

2024 Alumni Award Recipients

Saints alumni always give us cause for celebration, and each year, we present special awards to honor accomplished graduates who have made an impact in their profession, community, or the world at large, and who have shown extreme dedication to Canterbury School.

For 2024, we are pleased to recognize Peter D. Kiernan III ’71 with the Thomas J. Sheehy III Distinguished Alumni Award named for the fifth headmaster of Canterbury School and Dr. Brittany Blackwell ’07 with the the Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizing a graduate from within the last 25 years. The awards will be presented to these exemplary alumni at the Sixth Form Awards Assembly on campus later this spring.

“We are beyond thrilled to honor these two extraordinary alumni,” said Director of Alumni Relations Kate Heslin ’96, P ’24, ’25. “A successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, Peter has long been a valued adviser to businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations. And through her company, Brittany has done amazing work to help organizations cultivate inclusive environments and empower employees. They both truly epitomize what it means to be a Saint.”

THOMAS J. SHEEHY III

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

PETER D. KIERNAN III ’71

Peter is a venture capitalist, New York Times bestselling author, and TV and radio commentator. He is currently CEO of venture firm Kiernan Ventures and Vice Chair of the AI startup DataShapes and has written two national bestsellers that won multiple awards.

Previously, he was President of Cyrus Capital, a multi-billion-dollar hedge fund, which he left in 2006 to become Chairman and CEO of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Peter also spent two decades at Goldman Sachs—most as Partner of Investment Banking—and has served on dozens of for-profit and not-for-profit boards.

Peter chaired the Robin Hood Foundation for nearly five years and continues as a 30-year Board Member there. In addition, he co-chaired World Team Sports, which produced the Emmy-winning documentaries Vietnam Long Time Coming, featuring a bicycle trip of disabled veterans spanning 1,200 miles through Vietnam, and The Face of America, in which 3,000 bicyclists ride from Ground Zero to the Pentagon, each bearing the name of someone lost in the World Trade Center tragedy.

He served on the Executive Committee of the New York Center for Charter School Excellence, the Board of Williams College, the President’s Advisory Board for the University of Virginia, and the Darden Foundation Board. He was also Chair of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Westchester, New York; Chairman of the Board of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics; and a former Board Member of The Naval War College Foundation.

Peter graduated from Canterbury School in 1971 after having contributed much to the campus community. He played on three varsity teams—Soccer, Hockey, and Lacrosse—and was a member of the Ski Club. He co-chaired the Debate Club and Press Club, and served as a Choral Club member, House Proctor, and member of the elite singing group Schola. In addition, Peter was Copy Editor for The Tabard campus newspaper and Advertising Manager of the School’s yearbook, The Cantuarian, as well as a Canterbury delegate for the Secondary School Society for International Cooperation (SSSIC).

Following high school, he received a B.A. degree from Williams College with highest honors in 1975 and his M.B.A. from the University of Virginia in 1979. Peter and his wife, Eaddo, have three daughters, one son, and a growing number of grandchildren.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

DR. BRITTANY BLACKWELL ’07

Brittany is a Ph.D. in Psychology and the Founder and CEO of The Blackwell Institute of Innovative Research and Global Strategies (BIIRGS), a parent company amplifying interconnectedness and advancing innovation through the psychological sciences.

Its global boutique consultancy arm is redefining workplace wellness through its Industrial, Work, Organizational (IWO) Psychology corporate client services, where current projects involve developing evidence-based tools, resources, and insightsdriven training aimed at embedding psychological safety into the organizational culture of a top-ranked U.S. nonprofit’s 20,000-employee workforce. Concurrently, BIIRGS is strategically building out tailored Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion roadmaps for a leading Global 500 corporation’s regional divisions.

The latest Impact Initiative, MOGALS Worldwide Inc., is championing “MOre Gals Attaining Leadership Status™” to help close the gender gap in leadership in this lifetime across businesses, boardrooms, and all levels of decision-making in political and public life. Its founding and MW-acronym are in memory of Brittany’s Ph.D. supervisor.

While pursuing her psychology doctorate, Brittany engaged in consultancy work in the UK’s tech sector to address the entryopportunity gap for young women interested in tech careers. She served as a STEM Programs Director for a then-new gender-diversity mentoring scheme for FTSE 100 UK tech companies, which became European Diversity Award-winning, and secured support from major corporate sponsors to create a tech industry initiative focusing on diversity within women groups. Simultaneously, Brittany ventured into media as a London broadcaster and multi-segment producer, covering tech industry news, pop culture, and current events.

As a continuation of those endeavors, Brittany is contributing to the behavioral scientific fields and holistic wellbeing space, as both a scholar and practitioner. She is also developing her first manuscript to shed light on Black women’s multigenerational minoritized leadership experiences across the global music industry corporate ecosystem, based on her international psychological study. Furthermore, she is an award-winning servant leader and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Influenced by her time at Canterbury, Brittany attributes her decision to pursue an interdisciplinary business degree bridging psychology, economics, and statistics to an “Advanced Biology of the Brain” course taught by Sandy Behan, greatly impacting her career path. Further, serving in roles such as Peer Counselor and Boarding Proctor were integral to Brittany’s aspiration to meaningfully connect with community members around the world, recognizing the importance of cultivating spaces that celebrated “belonging” over “fitting in,” a guiding principle that extends across all areas of her life.

Saints Off the Hill: On a UN Mission for Peace

Canterbury planted the early seeds of humanitarian work in Chris Okelo ’96, and in October, he returned to campus as a United Nations’ Team Site Coordinator in South Sudan. Speaking at School Meeting as a “Saint Off the Hill,” Chris shared his experiences as a tireless peacemaker for the UN with students.

After presenting a brief history of the UN, Chris described the inter-communal conflict found in South Sudan and current conditions in the different regions where he has worked— first as a Civil Affairs Officer in Sudan’s Juba and Nyala, and now in his role on a UN peacekeeping mission in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area of South Sudan.

“My job is grassroots community engagement—to go out and talk to people, understand what the issues are, and then try to come up with solutions within the mandate of the UN while adhering to the laws and regulations of the host country,” Chris explained. “Peace is made at the grassroots level, and you build up from there.”

His responsibilities in South Sudan are substantial. He coordinates UN field activities with national and state governments, armed militia groups, Civil Society Organizations, traditional leaders, political parties, and more—all to address security and development challenges in line with UN mandates. Chris also develops models for peace building, governance and extension of

The kind of work Mr. Okelo is doing in South Sudan is something I want to focus on in other areas of the world in the future.”

SERENA BACETTI ’26

state authority, and rule of law. And that just scratches the surface of his many duties on the ground.

The presentation was particularly meaningful for History and Social Sciences Teacher Stephen Hewston, Faculty Advisor for the Model UN student organization.

“I am so happy our students were able to meet someone who is making an impact globally,” he

said. “It is great that Canterbury sparked Chris’s interest in helping the global community. Having the Model UN students—and the entire school—learning from his life experiences is invaluable.”

Chris encouraged students to go beyond the five- or 10-minute news reports for information because they tend to leave things out; there is usually so much

more to the story. “What have I learned? Read, read, read, read… and then read some more! Take advantage of your easy access to information,” he said. “Focus on what is in front of you. Keep your mind and feet in the same place.”

He concluded with further words of advice. “Practice empathy and develop perspective when solving problems. Try and understand why other people do things,” Chris shared. “Identify your intellectual, personal, and emotional strengths and weaknesses and continue to work on your attitude. Like an athlete, you must train your attitude to be positive daily. Put your faith in ideas and principles and not individual personalities. You are the future voters, the future leaders of the country. The way you want to shape the world is all up to you.”

Chris’s message made a strong impression on Model UN member Serena Bacetti ’26. “The presentation was so informative and powerful and spoke very deeply to everyone in the room,” she shared. “As I was watching, I thought, ‘Wow. I am sitting here in School Meeting, living my normal life while people are suffering and scared, and nobody is paying any attention to it.’ The kind of work Mr. Okelo is doing in South Sudan is something I want to focus on in other areas of the world in the future.”

Following his talk, Chris spent the day on campus visiting history classes and having lunch with the Model UN students. We are so grateful to Chris for taking the time to talk with and inspire our students.

Alumnus Talks Squash and Sportsmanship with Students

Highly accomplished college coach Charles “Sean” Sloane ’60 returned to Canterbury recently to chat with students about two topics—squash and sportsmanship—that are near and dear to him.

Addressing the defending NEPSAC Class E champion Girls’ Squash team, Sean spoke of how squash is the fastest-growing sport in the world and will be introduced as an Olympic sport beginning at the Los Angeles games in 2028. He also offered a piece of advice that could benefit the students off the court as well.

“Always travel with your squash racquet,” Sean told them, adding that they will find courts wherever they go, and the game is a great way to meet people and make connections.

As the young players listened from the bleachers in the Saxe-Castellini Squash Pavilion, Sean also talked about showing good sportsmanship in all situations on the court. He noted that because squash is such an individual sport, you must be of high character and conduct yourself well. By way of example, he told of a young player he once coached who intentionally gave up a point in a match simply because it was the right thing to do at the time.

It is not often students get to hear about the topic from someone who actually has a sportsmanship award named after him. In 2005, the College Squash Association renamed its team sportsmanship award the Sloane Award— and with good reason. During a decorated career coaching tennis and squash at Williams College for 17 years and at Haverford College for 21 years, Sean’s teams were always widely admired for their sportsmanship. It was also important to him that every one of his players got to experience a varsity match, and he always prioritized academics.

His career speaks for itself: 214 tennis victories, 151 squash wins, and multiple

Centennial Conference tournament appearances at Haverford, plus 13 Little Three titles and 16 All-Americans coached while at Williams. He also received numerous accolades and honors over the years, including the George Basco Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Professional Tennis Association. But for Sean, honesty, integrity, and respect were just as important—if not more so—than winning.

He also enjoyed discussing with students how much the game has evolved through the years, moving from the hard squash balls of old to the softer ones we use today and undergoing

major technological advancements to the racquet itself.

As a Saint, Sean played Varsity Tennis, Basketball, and Soccer; was Managing Editor of The Cantuarian and a member of The Tabard staff; and played the carillon; among other activities. Canterbury did not yet have a squash team at that time.

We are exceedingly grateful to Sean for coming back to the hilltop to share his wisdom and life lessons with our current Saints.

Academic Hub to Enrich the Student Experience

An exciting new chapter in Canterbury academics begins this summer with the construction of the Academic Hub, a versatile space within the David C. Copley ’70 Library in Robert M. Steele ’72 Hall that will centralize core elements of our academic program.

The Hub directly relates to two of the four imperatives of Canterbury’s Strategic Plan— People and Program—and will have a significant impact on advancing student learning.

Starting in June, the project includes the expansion of the Donovan Center for Learning (DCL); a larger space for College Counseling, which is relocating from its current home elsewhere in Steele Hall; a brand-new Teaching Commons area; and renovations to the David C. Copley ’70 Library.

The construction and renovation project is undoubtedly in good hands. The contractor, Burlington

Construction, and architect, The SLAM Collaborative, form the same team that built the spectacular Steers Center on campus, which opened in 2020.

Like the Steers Center, the new facility is sure to be a central gathering place for students. “The Academic Hub integrates the key components of the academic life cycle for a student at Canterbury,” said Suzanne Roberts P ’24, ’27, Associate Head of School for Academics and Dean of Faculty. “Students will utilize all aspects of the Academic Hub. They will begin with onboarding and course selection with our Director of Studies and Director of Curriculum. Over their time at Canterbury, they will learn how to use the expanded Donovan Center. Finally, students will prepare for life after Canterbury in the College Counseling suite. It truly is a ‘grand central’ of support for students during their academic journey here.”

The extraordinary success of the DCL since it opened in 2017 was a major impetus for establishing the Hub. “The Donovan Center has really taken off and become a vital part of our academic culture at Canterbury,” Sue explained. “Our students use the space for a variety of reasons. We have outgrown the originally designed area for the Donovan Center.”

Perhaps no one is happier about an expanded Donovan Center than its Director, Alison Bailey “This will provide our students with an ideal venue to meet every need, whether that is a quiet nook for studying, collaborative classwork with their peers, or extra help in math and writing,” she said. “The new space has been mindfully designed to enable all learners to thrive.”

Director of College Counseling Sarah Ferland is equally enthusiastic about the project for her department, which has grown to include three counselors.

“The Academic Hub gives us an engaging space to work with our students and allows for closer collaboration between our office and members of the DCL,” she said. “Academics and college placement go hand-in-hand, and students can now proactively engage with both areas in the same place.” One of the most beneficial new features is a dedicated space for College Workgroup, the flagship program that helps students navigate the complex college application process.

A third key element of the Hub, the Teaching Commons, focuses solely on the needs of our faculty. It will be home to a new faculty mentoring onboarding class each fall, faculty retreat days held throughout the year, and evening roundtable discussions on various topics. The space will also be used by Director of Curriculum Kelli Darrin P ’26, ’27 for faculty webinars and professional development.

“The idea behind the Teaching Commons is to provide the opportunity for regular meetings between our teachers across Forms and disciplines,” Kelli said. “Faculty will be able to use this space for pedagogical

CBA Guest Speakers Know Their Business

The Canterbury Business Association (CBA) is living proof that there is plenty of learning to be done at the School outside the classroom. The student club has been scheduling a number of highly accomplished professionals to offer wisdom and good counsel to our Saints. Here are two of their recent guest speakers:

CHRIS TISI P ’27

Investor, entrepreneur, and Canterbury parent Chris Tisi P ’27 brought more than 20 years of business development, sales, marketing, operations, and finance experience to his presentation, and he shared his story—and plenty of advice—with our Saints.

“You probably don’t realize it today, but what you are doing right now is priceless,” Chris told them. “Some of you will end up in finance, some might become entrepreneurs, others in different places in life. You are lucky to be interacting with each other today as opposed to the path I took—I call myself a ‘20-year overnight success.’”

That success includes being the Founder and CEO of Hyper Network Solutions of Florida and Lifeagen Bio Sciences of Florida Inc., reviving the SlimFast brand, and serving on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

CBA President Eva Berkovich ’24 was excited to hear from someone in the field with that

level of experience and achievement. “Mr. Tisi is driven, and he does not see large roles as major responsibilities because he has the desire to do it,” she said. “He left me with a new perspective on the value of delegating your time to productive actions.”

Chris’s daughter, Sofia ’27, started at Canterbury in the fall and is the Director of Events and Planning for the CBA.

LARRY GOODE ’68

What exactly is angel investing? That is what Lawrence Goode ’68 joined students to discuss during a Zoom meeting in January, sharing knowledge from his 30-plus years in sales and marketing, business management, and international sourcing.

Currently the Founder and President of strategic consulting firm Goode Advisors, Larry spoke about what angel investing means and how it functions, and what it takes to run a consulting company.

He left me with a new perspective on the value of delegating your time to productive actions.”

EVA BERKOVICH ’24

During his talk, Larry described the criteria his firm examines when deciding to invest—including market attractiveness, growth potential, product, competition, and business model. He also stressed to students the importance of a good presentation and, especially, a great management team. “There is a truism that goes, ‘You bet the jockey, not the horse,’” he said. “Put another way, an average-to-above-average product with an all-star management team is far more likely to succeed than the next whiz-bang gadget that has second-stringers on the management team. Do they have the industry knowledge, background, and business experience to execute on the plan?”

That advice resonated deeply with his audience, including CBA member Julian Bonasera ’26. “His presentation was very beneficial to me. One day, I would like to invest in companies and give small startup businesses a chance,” Julian said. “I learned that, while the product is important, having someone behind it who is strong-minded, knows what they are doing, and is dedicated— that will make it successful.”

Chris Tisi P ’27 PHOTO CREDIT: ALEX AVEDISIAN ’25

CBA STUDENTS HIT THE ROAD FOR LEARNING

Canterbury School puts a lot of stock in experiential learning, and that was on full display when members of our Canterbury Business Association (CBA) student club took two field trips to New York City in recent months.

A TASTE OF MERRILL LYNCH AND THE NYSE

Accompanied by History Teacher and Faculty Advisor Edward

“Ted” Smith, CBA students hopped an early morning train in December to get a real-world taste of what it’s like to work the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). There, they met with Christopher Conto P ’24, Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor for Merrill Lynch in Southbury,

Connecticut. Chris, who is the father of CBA member Andrew Conto ’24, introduced them to a Merrill Lynch representative who executes trades on the floor. That was one of the many valuable interactions our students had with financial professionals.

“A number of Floor Brokers and Specialists talked with them,” Ted said. “These experts have been doing this for a long time and were happy to share their experiences. We were split into groups of four and toured the building, where we saw journalist David Faber and other CNBC luminaries and passed the spot where Jim Cramer (host of CNBC’s Mad Money) does his show from the floor.”

The firsthand look at the trading action was fascinating for our CBA students. “The most memorable moment of the day for me was when one of our tour guides had to place and sell orders right in the middle of the tour because he was still technically working,” said Grayson Mengold ’26. “He took the time to show us what it looked like and walked us through the process. It was a unique experience that gave me great insight into the daily life of someone on the stock market floor.”

A DAY AT J.P. MORGAN

In January, 14 students and Ted took the train back to New York City, this time to the Wall Street offices of financial services giant J.P. Morgan. During their visit, they toured the trading floor, enjoyed a catered lunch, and sat down with several of the company’s managing directors and analysts. One of their hosts, Credit Trader Michael McBride, told them he was “very impressed to see you starting your career search so early in high school.”

All of the J.P. Morgan employees were so accommodating, and, as it turned out, the Canterbury name held special meaning to them. Former Vice Chairman James Lee ’71, a Canterbury graduate

who passed away in 2015, had a huge role in the lives of so many at the company. “The people we spoke to were mentored by him,” said CBA President Eva Berkovich ’24

“We were given a paper titled The Life Principles of Jimmy Lee Everyone there admired him, and so they were really happy to speak to students from Canterbury. Mr. Lee had told them about how the School influenced his path after high school and helped him be himself and explore his interests. He was a very powerful and influential person at J.P. Morgan.”

And these firsthand glimpses of the business and financial worlds were powerful and influential learning experiences for our Saints.

SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES: Insightful and Relevant

With the kickoff of the annual Social Justice Series in January, Canterbury School continued its commitment to fostering a community actively informed about and involved in vital issues in society. The series got underway with an announcement at School Meeting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and a Service Leadership Retreat for Fifth Form students (page 26) followed that evening.

Many of the sessions were hosted by faculty and staff—including Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 and DEIJ Dean and Theology Teacher Sydney Feeney—and various student clubs and affinity groups were deeply involved as well. Session topics ranged from the Israel-Palestine conflict and systemic racism in health care to LGBTQ+ identities and recent societal events related to social justice issues. Events continued weekly through the end of February, with two final sessions held later in the spring. The series also drew notable speakers from off campus, two of which are spotlighted on the following pages.

THE EXTRAORDINARY POWER OF EDUCATION

Canterbury was pleased and grateful to welcome a visionary leader and advocate for women’s education to campus for a special session. Shabana Basij-Rasikh, Co-Founder and President of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), shared “A Journey of Courage and Resilience” with students during a riveting presentation in the D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice.

Shabana told the remarkable story of how she founded and operates her groundbreaking boarding school for Afghan girls. Our Saints in attendance heard about the challenges and triumphs she faced while leading an educational institution in a conflict zone and the courageous evacuation and relocation of her school community to Rwanda just days after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban.

Her motivation for doing so stemmed from her experiences growing up in Afghanistan at a time when the first Taliban regime was in control from 1996 to 2001. “Those were formative years for me, between the ages of six and 11. The Taliban had banned education completely for girls,” she recalled. “I was lucky that my parents at that time decided it was riskier to raise daughters without an education than to risk our lives by sending us to underground secret schools—which is exactly what they did. And these amazingly

Her talk made me grateful for my education at Canterbury and helped me understand how the power of knowledge can change the world. I will remember it for the rest of my life and hope that, someday, I can give back to my community like Shabana does every day.”

KYLEE HENDERSON ’25

brave Afghan women opened their homes secretly to educate girls. They invited risk to their families and to themselves on a daily basis so they could continue to keep that light of education and hope for girls in Afghanistan.”

That backdrop led Shabana to dedicate her entire adult life to educating Afghan girls. The Taliban was overthrown in 2001, and she eventually came to the United States and earned degrees from Middlebury College and Oxford University. It was during her time at Middlebury, as a 17-year-old freshman in 2008, that the idea for SOLA began to take root. “I found myself in this place of incredible privilege, especially as a young Afghan woman, and it did not feel okay that I would look at this as something for me only. I was lucky. My father was in the military all his life…my mother was an educator…and both of them instilled in us that the purpose of our education was to serve others. So it was natural for me to think of what I could do to maximize this education, not just for me, but for others.”

Eight years of planning and hardship later, SOLA opened on a March morning in Kabul, when 24 Afghan girls made history by walking onto the campus for the first time. As the SOLA website describes it: “These girls, the inaugural class of sixth graders, had chosen a path that under the Taliban’s regime just 15 years earlier would have been unthinkable. They had chosen to attend Afghanistan’s first and only all-girls boarding school. They had chosen to lead the way.”

But in August 2021, “to all of our shock,” the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, and SOLA was forced to relocate to a new home in Rwanda, where it continues to serve as the only school anywhere in the world that operates on behalf of Afghan girls. “Today, for an Afghan girl to legally and openly study

in high school, she has to figure out a way to get to Rwanda,” Shabana said. “And so much is wrong with that.”

Shabana urged students to make the most of their educational opportunities. “There is so much power in education,” she told them. “Make sure that you as individuals are highly educated, that you understand you are working towards a future in which you will live a responsible life. Consider the global impact of whatever you decide to do.”

The students in attendance took her words to heart. “This Social Justice Series session resonated with me the most out of all the ones I have attended,” said Kylee Henderson ’25. “Shabana is a brilliant and powerful woman who is giving the gift of education to so many. I admire her drive and bravery and how she puts others before herself. Her talk made me grateful for my education at Canterbury and helped me understand how the power of knowledge can change the world. I will remember it for the rest of my life and hope that, someday, I can give back to my community like Shabana does every day.”

The presentation also had a significant impact on Zeba Ahmed ’26. “I was envisioning what those young girls—especially girls my age— must have gone through to get an education,” she said. “They had to leave their families and everything else behind just to have a future for themselves.”

Despite all that has happened in her country, Shabana remains hopeful for the future. “Just look at what these girls and women are doing in Afghanistan. Girls who have been pushed out of schooling by the regime, by circumstances, or by COVID left Afghanistan to become refugees in hostile environments of neighboring countries—then came back, having not given up looking for opportunities to study online or in secret,” she shared. “Professional women

who never taught a day in their lives became educators, saying, ’It is all about transferring what I know to the young generation of girls.’ And women who protest and demand their rights, knowing that doing so can get them killed or imprisoned—there is a sense of strength that comes from that.”

Today, SOLA endures as a beacon of hope for young students, and Shabana continues to draw inspiration from those who came before her. “I am here because those women were so brave to open their homes every single day to educate us,” she told her rapt audience. “I am not alone. I stand on the shoulders of these incredible giants in Afghanistan.”

As always, our Social Justice Series gave students plenty of opportunities to enrich their understanding of topics relevant to the world today and inspired them to action toward helping others and creating a more equitable and just society.

EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF MICROAGGRESSIONS

Acommunity-wide activity—Navigating Microaggressions Among Our Peers— helped students identify microaggressions and their potential impact on our campus. The Social Justice Series session, facilitated by students and faculty of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice (DEIJ) Council, explored scenarios that illustrate what a microaggression looks like when targeted against an oppressed group. The event was enlightening for many, including DEIJ Council member Elizabeth Carlson ’25 “Learning about microaggressions gave us the knowledge to avoid situations that will harm others,” she said. “What may seem like small comments and acts can cause a lot of damage to someone.”

Such takeaways were exactly what Sydney hoped students would gain from the session. “The goal was to bring them together to not only understand what it is to be microaggressed but examine how our own conscious biases lead to microaggressing others,” she explained. “We wanted to reinforce the notion of ’Saints supporting Saints’ and stepping up for our peers when we witness such actions. It went great!”

SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES: Insightful and Relevant

Chris Molanphy ’89 Explores Charts, Genres, and Identity

“Old Town Road” spent a record number of weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, was a viral sensation, and made Lil Nas X a cultural icon. But those were not the main reasons Canterbury graduate Chris Molanphy ’89 wrote a book of the same name about the hit song.

“The story of ’Old Town Road’ is also the story of our cultural history, and that is why I wrote the book,” Chris told his audience in the Steers Center Ragland Commons as a Social Justice Series guest speaker. “You can track a whole lot of American culture through this song.”

Chris wears a variety of media hats—he authored Kurt Cobain: A Pictorial Biography, hosts the Hit Parade podcast, writes the series “Why is This Song No. 1” for Slate magazine, and is Senior Writer and Head of Corporate Finance Communications at Ernst & Young. So he was an ideal candidate to contribute a book to Duke University Press’s “Singles” series of books—each devoted to a single song—that turned into Old Town Road.

In his presentation, Chris focused on three areas surrounding Lil Nas X’s song: charts, genre, and identity. Before discussing the cultural significance and controversy surrounding “Old Town Road,” he first wanted to explain Billboard’s chart rankings system and how it has evolved. Previously, songs were ranked according to singles sales and radio airplay; more recently, streamed songs have been included.

In addition to the Hot 100 chart, songs were also ranked on separate charts according to genre. “Old Town Road” spent 19 weeks on the former, which still stands today as the all-time record. However, the question of what specific musical genre the song fit into became complicated.

“What genre is ’Old Town Road’? A rap song, country song, pop song, comedy song? The answer to all these questions is yes,” Chris

I learned how to write here. I figured out how to structure an essay... If you are passionate about something, do not ever give up that passion—you will find a way to make it a part of your life.”

CHRIS MOLANPHY ’89

explained. “It is all of these things. That turned out to be a complicating factor when it started charting on Billboard because the question was, ‘How do you categorize this song?’”

The controversy ensued when “Old Town Road” appeared on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart at number 19 in mid-March 2019—then was pulled from that chart after one week. It continued to appear on the pop chart and the R&B hip hop chart, but it never appeared on the country chart again. Many people questioned the reasoning behind the magazine’s decision. Then, Lil Nas X decided to add country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, who is white, to the song, writing extra lyrics just for him. After that, the song went “super-nova,” according to Chris, but Billboard still did not put it back on the country chart. “This was a source of much debate in the music industry,” Chris said. “What makes a song ’country,’ and

is it a racial designation? It is an issue that country music is still wrestling with today.”

The discussion turned to identity—how does our music shape us? How does it represent us? These questions are an important part of the “Old Town Road” story, Chris explained. “Lil Nas X himself enjoyed acting as a cowboy, but he felt that his song should be embraced across all genres. Then, while his song was number one for weeks, he picked the last day of Pride Month to come out as gay,” he said. “Lil Nas X is now a gay icon; he is not shy about his identity and is very bold in the way he presents himself. And today, his song has a strong legacy. We have seen numerous hits in the last five years that exist in a world that ’Old Town Road’ helped create.”

Chris also felt it was important to let students know that his time at Canterbury helped

lead him to create a book like this. “I wrote a lot here as a young Canterbury student,” he recalled. “I learned how to write here. I figured out how to structure an essay. I wrote for The Tabard, including music reviews. So I was writing about popular music even when I was your age. If you are passionate about something, do not ever give up that passion—you will find a way to make it a part of your life.”

The students in attendance were duly impressed with the in-depth knowledge Chris had about the music industry and its impact. “Mr. Molanphy’s perspective on ‘Old Town Road’ being taken off the country music chart resonated with me,” said Reagan Fitzgerald ’25. “He was able to shed light on systemic issues in the world and how they can carry over into music.”

Fifth Form Retreat Focuses on Servant Leadership

Exploring what it means to be a servant leader was the ideal way to kick off our Social Justice Series—and that is just what our rising student leaders did at the Fifth Form Retreat. The group participated in a number of interactive discussions, examined essential questions about servant leadership, and heard from alumna DooA Kim ’12, who spoke of her meaningful experiences during Canterbury’s annual Lourdes pilgrimage and shared key characteristics of a good servant leader.

DooA, a research scientist who has been working on genomic sequencing at a single-cell level at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, fondly recalls those trips to the south of France to help visiting malades (“the sick”) seeking healing and peace. She joined the Lourdes pilgrimage trip in 2010 as a rising Fifth Former, and little did she know at the time, she would go back nearly every year since.

“The key message I want to deliver today is how Lourdes is a place upside down,” DooA told the students. “What do I mean by that? In our everyday world, the ones who typically receive better services and treatment are those who are considered successful in terms of socioeconomic status. But in Lourdes, people who are poor—including those who have poor mental or physical health or who are isolated and do not have their loved ones near them—become the VIPs and receive the greatest support, help, and caring.”

She also discussed the five concepts that she found most embody the role of servant leadership—selflessness, empathy, trust, collaboration, and patience. “Servant leaders prioritize the well-being of others, foster a supportive and caring environment, build and maintain trust, and promote effective collaboration within the community,” she explained. “Practicing these characteristics can happen anywhere. You can start by listening to others, being authentic, and putting yourself in other ’s shoes here on campus and at home.”

Hanna Gleason ’25 appreciated the relevance of DooA ’s words and what they will mean to her life going forward. “It was a great chance to reflect on ourselves, our interest in servant leadership, and the community while thinking about how we can serve others here on the hilltop and once we graduate,” she shared.

At the conclusion of the evening, Resident Chaplain Father Brendan Horan, S.J., offered the closing blessing, and our Fifth Form Saints were clearly ready to move forward fully embracing the words of Martin Luther King Jr. himself: “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve…You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”

New Leaders Take Center Stage at Mass of the Holy Spirit

On Sunday, September 10, the Canterbury community gathered in the Chapel of Our Lady for the first Mass of the school year, which also happened to be the first service celebrated by Father Brendan Horan, S.J. in his new role as Resident Chaplain.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit included the installation of the new Sacristans—Sixth Form students whose extraordinary actions and accomplishments led to their selection last spring to one of the most highly regarded leadership positions at Canterbury:

Edmund Ackell

Ruari Bamrick

Camryn Beauvais

Bradley Bushnell

Ella Caraluzzi

Nicholas Ciampi

Ava Faruol

Amanda Lepore

Dominic Mazzuca

Shaun McKenna

Geoffrey Moran

Caroline Thompson

These Saints demonstrated the faith, character, and leadership qualities required for the position, and throughout the year, they help organize retreats, offer daily reflections and prayers at School Meeting, and inspire everyone in our interfaith community to participate in service opportunities.

In her remarks during the service, Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 encouraged the Sacristans to show others why a

growth, and inspiring instead of insisting.

Rachel concluded by advising them to foster open dialogue and continue to be approachable, respected role models for the community. “As you know, leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility,” she told them. “And none more so than the leadership granted to you today as Sacristans.”

journey focused on spirituality, service, and compassion is worth the effort. She also stressed the importance of sparking conversation about belief and faith, being leaders of spiritual

Dressed in traditional altar server robes, the Sacristans sat together during the Mass. After the homily, Rachel invited the group of 12 to receive their Sacristan crucifixes and declare their statement of fidelity and service to the Canterbury community.

Welcome, Fr. Horan, and congratulations, Eddie, Ruari, Cam, Bradley, Ella, Nick, Ava, Amanda, Dom, Sean, Geoffrey, and Caroline!

Student Leaders

Set the Tone for the

Saints Community

LEADERSHIP noun

1. the office or position of a leader

2. capacity to lead

LEADERS HELP OTHERS

Elsa Copeland ’24 is the epitome of a driven leader on campus. For the last two years, she has teamed with Madeline Diglio ’24 as Co-Presidents of Women of Canterbury, the School’s longest-running affinity group. Elsa is also a Sixth Form Council member, Lead Ambassador, Boarding Proctor, and Varsity Field Hockey Captain. “I enjoy doing all of it and encourage others to embrace leadership positions,” she said. “And remember, you do not need a formal position to be a leader on campus.”

Maddie certainly takes those words to heart. Like many of our Saints, her biggest motivation is to help others. “I want to help people feel more comfortable and have a better experience on campus,” she said. In addition to her role with Women of Canterbury, Maddie serves as a Lead Ambassador, Boarding Proctor, and member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Council and Mental Health and Wellness Committee. She is also a Captain for the Field Hockey and Girls’ Ice Hockey teams. “I love being a part of something that makes everyone feel welcome and brings them together.”

Community service is an ideal way to do just that. “We center much of the way we talk about leadership around servant leadership—the idea of putting others first,” said Third and Sixth Form Dean Meredith Berry-Toon. “And that concept translates well to anything students do beyond Canterbury. It is particularly important to our country and culture today that we serve the needs of the greater community.” Helping others is a guiding

Fortunately for Maddie, Elsa, and many students like them, there are myriad ways to get involved as leaders at Canterbury; it is woven into the fabric of student life. From Sacristans and Form Councils to servant leadership programs and student affinity groups to Admission Ambassadors and Proctors, our Saints are making a significant impact on

“Leadership is important because it sets the culture for the School and empowers students to know that their actions make a difference,” said Director of Community Life . “Our leaders are deeply involved; they definitely walk the walk. They care about our community and about setting an example for the

Canterbury has a tried-and-true system in place to give students all the tools they need to succeed as leaders. It starts in the spring with information sessions for students to assess the various leadership positions, followed

Above left: Franny Foley IV ’27

Above right: Maddie Diglio ’24 and Elsa Copeland ’24

Left: Dom Mazzuca ’24

a formal application process. Form Council members are voted in by their peers after they deliver brief speeches about their motivation to lead.

Once all positions are filled, a multi-day Student Leadership Retreat just prior to the start of the school year brings incoming leaders together to gain relevant skills, discuss what it means to build community, connect with each other, and set goals. Members of the Student Life Office then follow up with student leaders throughout the year to support them in carrying out those goals.

LEADERS ARE MOTIVATED

While their leadership objectives are the same, students often have very different motivations for pursuing these roles.

For Sixth Form Council member Dominick Mazzuca ’24, becoming a Sacristan was inspired by his upbringing and especially by his aunt, who was a nun. “I was an altar server and lector at church growing up, so it was second nature for me to continue doing that here,” Dom said. “I always admired my aunt being a nun but didn’t realize how much of an impact she had on people until she passed away. When I went to her wake and the funeral in New York, people were lined up all the way to the street to pay their respects. That is a key reason I am driven to help my friends and classmates with their faith journey and relationship with God.” As a Sacristan and Varsity Football Captain, Dom led the team in saying the “Our Father” before each game.

International student Yueanshu “Angel” Fu ’25 saw an opportunity to help fellow students who were going through the same experiences she did when she arrived in Connecticut from Kunming, China. “One of my first Dorm Proctors was a great role model and helped me adjust to boarding school life,” recalled Angel, an International Student Ambassador (ISA), DEIJ Council member, and Boarding Proctor. “I decided I wanted to play the same role for new students at the School. It is about building the community and ensuring people are happy here and have a sense of belonging. As an ISA member, I feel a responsibility to share my culture and encourage others to do the same.”

Fifth Form Council member Sophia Faruol ’25 and friends David Kim ’25 and Junzhe “Michael” Zhao ’25 took initiative in a different way—they started a brand-new club on campus. “We realized that we play sports and work hard in school, and when we do not eat right, get enough sleep, or maintain our bodies, it is hard to focus in the classroom or perform well on the courts and fields,” Sophia said. “So we started a Nutrition Club. We have held our first meeting and hope to have guest speakers and activities to teach the community about the importance of good nutrition.”

LEADERS ARE THE FUTURE

Sometimes, the opportunity to lead presents itself by sheer serendipity. Within the first few weeks of arriving at Canterbury, Zachary Mwanza ’27 was walking back to his dorm from fall play rehearsal when he realized he had forgotten his water bottle in the Steers Center. So he doubled back, and as he passed the D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice, he saw Meredith emerge from the room along with several students. “I had just talked to her earlier for the first time for my Third Form meeting, and I asked her what was going on in D’Amour,” he said. “She told me it was a DEIJ Council meeting, and there was a leadership position that, for the first time this year, was open to Third Formers. She encouraged me to give it a try. I went for it, and I got it!” Zach also joined the Third Form Council, so he is well on his way to playing a major leadership role on campus in the coming years.

And leadership often runs in the family at Canterbury. Kaelyn Darrin ’26, the daughter of Director of Curriculum Kelli Darrin P ’26, ’27, and Francis Foley IV ’27, grandson of Math Teacher Francis Foley, Jr. ’64, P ’91, ’93, ’95, ’99, GP ’27, are already taking on prominent roles at the School as members of the Fourth Form and Third Form Councils, respectively.

As it turns out, student leaders not only help others; they also benefit greatly from the experience. The many advantages and skills they gain—personal growth, communication, listening, empathy, and many more—serve them well in college, in the workplace, and in life.

With outstanding leadership training, a new group of dedicated Saints stepping up each year, and younger students learning from their example, Canterbury is well-positioned to continue developing strong leaders who stand ready to make a difference on campus, in their communities, and around the world.

Above left: Yueanshu “Angel” Fu ’25, Middle: Kaelyn Darrin ’26 (at right, with Leah Rydingsword ’26), Right: Sofia Faruol ’25 (at right, with sister Ava Faruol ’24)

Right: Zachary Mwanza ’27 in the fall play Anti-Social

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THREE SCHOOLS JOIN CANTERBURY FOR HANUKKAH PARTY

Canterbury’s Jewish Student Association (JSA) once again hosted a Hanukkah party in the Steers Center, but with a new twist for 2023—three other schools joined the festivities! We welcomed students from The Frederick Gunn School, Kent School, and Trinity-Pawling School to campus to help celebrate this joyous Jewish holiday.

“During one of our JSA meetings, the students talked about possibly getting together with Jewish students from area schools,” said Director of Information Technology Glaser ’81, Co-Faculty Advisor along with Director of Community Life EJ Soifersmith P ’27, ’27 Hanukkah party seemed like a perfect way to get started with that. We were happy that three of the schools we invited came.”

JSA student leader Noam Hoffman ’24 was pleased with the results as well. “Having other schools attend the Hanukkah party

turned out to be a great success,” he said. “It was about being connected to the community and showing people who we are and what we do. I enjoyed stepping back and seeing how many students were there—it

Now in its third year, the Hanukkah party featured some of the holiday’s traditional foods—Matt’s famous latkes with applesauce, Hanukkah gelt and other candy, Hanukkah cookies, and sufganiyot (jelly donuts). Surrounded by festive seasonal decorations, attendees enjoyed activities such as the dreidel game, Hanukkah gingerbread house kits, ping pong, and the lighting of the menorah.

It was indeed a fabulous show of solidarity between the four schools—often athletic rivals during the year—in the true spirit of the holiday season. “We are already talking about what our next combined event will be,” Matt added following the party.

TRIO OF SAINTS EARN SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS

The Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Awards program is a high-level, professionally juried event recognizing the state’s best student artwork. So it is no surprise that these standout Canterbury artists were honored with awards for 2024:

• Han “Alisa” Cui ’24—Gold Key, Drawing & Illustration, 2D, Behind the Screen

• Raymond Jean ’27—Silver Key, Architecture & Industrial Design, Multifunctional Bike Rack

• Yueqi “Jessica” Zhao ’25—Honorable Mention, Digital Arts, 2D, Primitive and Destructive

Past multiple award-winner Alisa changed things up a bit for her submission this year, so the results did come as somewhat of a surprise to her. “I did not expect the scholastic judges to appreciate my new style with vivid colors and surreal elements as much as they did. My previous Gold Key works had a very realistic style with carefully depicted details,” Alisa said. “This piece was inspired by my personal experiences during online video meetings as well as some amusing photos on social media. It has been evolutional for me as an artist since it is unlike anything I have done before, and this award motivates me to keep exploring new art forms.”

One person who was not surprised was Charles Hollinger, Co-Chair of the Digital Communication, Design, and Innovation Department and Curator of The Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery. “Alisa and Jessica are both incredibly talented and hardworking young artists,” Chas shared. “They are dedicated to their craft and spend a great deal of extra time in and out of class creating their work. They have both been a joy to teach and watch develop over the course of our time together.”

Robert Roffe P ’12, ’15, Digital Communication, Design, and Innovation Department Co-Chair and Director of Academic Technology and Innovation, was

equally impressed by Raymond’s creative talents. “He was focused and thoughtful in my Innovation Lab class,” Rob said. “His motivation and subsequent designs for projects always show a unique perspective.”

All student artwork is juried by professional artists and university art faculty and is selected on merit for inclusion in a state-wide art exhibition. The chosen works were displayed at the Hartford Art School’s Silpe Gallery, and there was an Awards Celebration for the winning artists at the Lincoln Theater on the University of Hartford campus.

Congratulations go out to Alisa, Raymond, and Jessica, for this fabulous recognition of their artistic talents.

VISITING ARTIST SHARES “UNEXPECTED TURNS” TO SUCCESS

One of the most important things our Saints learned from artist Laura Gould (pictured) when she came to campus last fall is that the path to a rewarding art career is rarely straight.

Laura, who was visiting from her home and studio in Yorktown Heights, New York, spent the afternoon in the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center and Gallery with students from the AP Arts and Digital Illustration classes. She spoke about her long career in art and advertising and how it has shifted over the years. She also reviewed some of her work with them.

After studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Laura completed her degree in art at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. She then moved back to New York and took on some illustration work, which led to her spending eight years doing graphic

design. She later studied botanical art at the New York Botanical Garden and wound up teaching the subject. Recently, she rediscovered her love for oil painting and the joy of painting outdoors, known as plein air. She continues to lead classes in botanical art, nature journaling, and plein air painting, explaining that “each art form informs the other.”

Irene Chen ’24, a student in the Advanced Placement Two-Dimensional Design course, was fascinated by the variety of experiences Laura navigated throughout her career. “One thing that I took away from her visit is that life often takes unexpected turns,” Irene said. “While she may not have anticipated or intended to do contract work for companies or to delve so deeply into botanical illustration, I got the impression that these experiences were all equally worthwhile to her and aided her journey as an artist. Going forward, I

hope to use this newfound knowledge to embrace the unexpected, branch out, and try new techniques, mediums, and art styles.”

Studio Art Teacher and Curator of The Edward J. Duffy Family Art Center and Gallery Charles Hollinger was delighted that Laura’s words were getting through to students so effectively. “Her overarching message was to be prepared to pivot and be willing to accept change as it comes,” he explained. “That is a great message for young students and artists navigating their next steps in life.”

Behind the Screen

by Alisa Cui ’24

50 Years and Still Running Strong

What a day it was as Canterbury celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Cross Country Invitational! Special moments abounded throughout the landmark event.

Running in the first-ever race named in honor of their head coach, it was only fitting that the Girls’ Cross Country team win it for her. They finished first in the Tracy Garcia-LaVigne Girls’ Cross Country Invitational to the delight of the students and alumni in attendance. A few weeks prior, Tracy was moved to tears when she was surprised with news of the honor in front of the Saints community at School Meeting.

The Boys’ team had plenty to cheer about, too. The team finished fifth, and Bradley Bozzuto ’25 took first place overall in the Walter Burke Boys’ Cross Country Invitational, newly named in honor of the long-time coach. Walter Burke P ’78, ’79, ’82, ’83 is a member of the Canterbury Athletics Hall of Fame and led the undefeated 1977 Track and Field Team that was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. We were pleased to welcome Coach Burke back to campus for the anniversary festivities.

Bradley relished the opportunity to pick Coach Burke’s brain about running. “I asked him if he had one piece of advice for me going into my season,” Bradley shared. “He told me to do a lot of long, slow distance— to do my training runs slowly and not rush anything.

Winning the race on the meet’s 50th anniversary made it extra special for Bradley. “It was definitely a bigger event than the last two years, and that was one reason I wanted to win it,” he said. “The thing I love about Cross Country is the energy. Everyone is so kind and understanding. At the end of the day, we are competitors in the race, but we are friends at the finish line.”

There was a tremendous amount of positive energy for the two amazing coaches being honored as well. “The 50th running of the Cross Country Invitational has allowed the Athletic Department to celebrate two of Canterbury’s most accomplished and beloved coaches—Walter Burke, one of the event’s founders, and Tracy Garcia-LaVigne P ’14, ’16, ’17, ’20, ’23, whose leadership has ensured the invitation’s integrity for the past 20+ years,” said Associate Director . “Both of these coaches have greatly impacted the lives of countless Canterbury runners then and now. The renaming of the Invitational divisions is a fitting tribute to their legacies and service to Canterbury School.”

Kudos to all of our Cross Country studentathletes today and through the years, and congratulations to Tracy and Walter for this well-earned distinction. Let’s do 50 more!

Walter Burke and Tracy Garcia-LaVigne

SAINTS ROLL IN POSTSEASON

What a year it has been so far for Canterbury athletics!

VOLLEYBALL SCORES NEPSAC TITLE

As if it wasn’t exciting enough going 14-3 in the regular season and hosting quarterfinal and semifinal wins right here on the hilltop, our Volleyball Saints went out and got themselves a championship! The team was crowned New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class C champions after a thrilling 3-1 win over top seed Cushing Academy at Milton Academy in Massachusetts.

“I am so proud of our season and its outcome,” said Co- Captain Catherine Steers ’24. “The girls continuously worked hard to improve, and we accomplished so much. I am thankful to have played alongside these incredible athletes. There is no team more deserving of this title!”

Head Coach EJ Soifersmith P ’27, ’27 was equally excited about the run to the championship. “The girls came out strong right from the get-go and played really well. I’m super proud of them,” she said. “It was a true team effort. They bonded all season, and this has been a special group of girls.”

FOOTBALL PREVAILS IN JOHN MACKEY BOWL

A standout season also earned the Saints Football team a trip to Massachusetts to face Worcester Academy on their home field in the John Mackey Bowl—and the visitors emerged victorious, 17-13.

After rushing for 108 yards, scoring the go-ahead touchdown, and getting a game-sealing interception from his safety position, Bryson Jezewski ’24 was ecstatic to cap off his football career on such a high note. “It was the most fun I had playing football my entire life, and I have been playing since I was four years old,” he said. “The atmosphere at the bowl game was amazing. The stands on both sidelines were full. At the end of games, I always look toward my dad. After the interception, he was the happiest that I have ever seen him watching me play sports.”

Bryson’s coach was just as happy. “So proud of the boys. They were a resilient group that battled through many injuries and still kept getting better each week,” said Head Coach Jim Stone P ’23, ’24. “After being selected to play in the bowl game, the team was excited for another chance to prove themselves—and they did just that with their best all-around performance of the season.”

BOYS’ HOCKEY: CHAMPIONS OF THE ICE

The Canterbury Boys’ Varsity Hockey team scored plenty of goals during the season, but in the end, they achieved their biggest goal—the 2024 NEPSAC small school championship! The 3-1 victory over The Rivers School at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, secured the title for the Saints. The win came 30 years to the day after Saints hockey won its first New England title. A key member of that team? Current Head Coach Padraic “Paddy” McCarthy ’94! Talk about coming full circle.

Co-Team Captain Ryan Stratton ’24 was grateful to have shared the experience with his teammates. “Everything about this season was memorable. Getting the chance to play the sport I love every day with my best friends and turn it into a NEPSAC championship win is an amazing feeling,” Ryan said. “The journey is something I will cherish forever and tell my kids about one day.”

It was a tremendous turnaround for the Saints, who went from a sub-.500 record last season to 20-plus wins and a NEPSAC title in 2024. No one was more appreciative of their efforts than their Head Coach. “Their self-motivation and compete level were consistently high all year long, and that continued in the playoffs,” Paddy said. “That paired with solid senior leadership was a winning combination.”

FIELD HOCKEY AND BOYS’ HOOPS POSTSEASON

Two more Saints teams earned postseason bids. Saints Field Hockey secured a spot in the fall postseason and played an outstanding quarterfinal game before falling by one goal at The Frederick Gunn School, capping a terrific season for first-year Head Coach Meghan Burke and the girls. And Head Coach Brian Fruscio P ’25, ’26 led the Boys’ Varsity Basketball squad to a stellar winter season and a postseason win before succumbing to Millbrook School in the semifinals.

Congratulations to the champions, postseason teams, and all of our talented, dedicated Saints athletes during the fall and winter seasons!

Photo credit: Alex Avedisian ’25

A FALL SEASON TO REMEMBER!

Our fall athletes had many successes to celebrate! In addition to the team accolades and postseason appearances (page 33), many Saints were honored with Canterbury awards and all-league honors, highlighted by Addison Lau ’25 being named NEPSAC Class C Player of the Year for Volleyball!

“It has been another successful fall for the Canterbury Saints athletic program, with three of our varsity teams qualifying for postseason play,” said Director of Athletics Jim Stone P ’23, ’24. “There were several outstanding individual performances along with great team efforts that led to some proud moments for the School.”

Huge congratulations to Addi and to all of these standout student-athletes:

presented by Head Coach Greg Marsan

• C.T. Fisher ’72 Boys’ Soccer Coach’s Award presented to the player who has made the greatest contribution to the program: Nicholas Ciampi ’24

• MVP: Cole Silvia ’24

presented by Head Coach Amy Franklin

• Coach’s Award: Camryn Beauvais ’24

• MVP: Ella Caraluzzi ’24

presented by Head Coach Steven Gooler

• Coach’s Award: Ryan Oemcke ’24

• MVP: Bradley Bozzuto ’25

presented by Head Coach Tracy Garcia-LaVigne

• Coach’s Award: Chloe Carroll ’25

• MVP: Chloé Herr ’24

BOYS’ SOCCER

CANTERBURY FALL 2023 ATHLETIC AWARDS

GIRLS’ SOCCER

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY

CANTERBURY FALL 2023

ATHLETIC AWARDS CONTINUED

FIELD HOCKEY

presented by Head Coach Meghan Burke

• Coach’s Award: Elsa Copeland ’24 & Caroline Thompson ’24

• MVP: Madeline Diglio ’24

FOOTBALL

presented by Head Coach Jim Stone

• John Confort ’70 Football Award presented for outstanding effort, team play, and contribution to the team’s success: Nicolas Caro ’24

• MVP: Bryson Jezewski ’24 & Dominic Mazzuca ’24

VOLLEYBALL

presented by Head Coach EJ Soifersmith

• Coach’s Award: Catherine Steers ’24

• MVP: Addison Lau ’25 & Morgan Lau ’24

ALL-NEW ENGLAND/ALL-LEAGUE FALL 2023

GIRLS’ SOCCER

• Honorable Mention NEPSAC Class C: Ella Caraluzzi ’24

• All-Western New England: Ella Caraluzzi ’24 & Claire Ciampi ’27

• Junior NEPSAC All-Star: Clare Kelly ’25

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY

• All-NEPSAC Division 3: Bradley Bozzuto ’25

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY

• All-NEPSAC Division 3: Chloe Carroll ’25 & Chloé Herr ’24

FIELD HOCKEY

• All-NEPSAC Class C: Elsa Copeland ’24 & Madeline Diglio ’24

• Honorable Mention NEPSAC Class C: Emily Naughton ’25 & Caroline Thompson ’24

FOOTBALL

• All-NEPSAC Class B: Nicolas Caro ’24, Bryson Jezewski ’24, Dominic Mazzuca ’24, & Matthew Mullins ’25

• Honorable Mention NEPSAC Class B: Lucien Griffin ’25, Carter Heagle ’26, Riley Sherman ’24, & Kip Stone ’24

• All-Evergreen Conference: Nicolas Caro ’24, Lucien Griffin ’25, Bryson Jezewski ’24, Dominic Mazzuca ’24, Matthew Mullins ’25, & Riley Sherman ’24

• Honorable Mention Evergreen Conference: Brendan Hagan ’24, Carter Heagle ’26, Evan Sood ’25, & Kip Stone ’24

VOLLEYBALL

• NEPSAC Class C Player of the Year: Addison Lau ’25

• All NEPSAC Class C: Addison Lau ’25 & Morgan Lau ’24

• Honorable Mention: Kathryn Davenport ’26 & Samantha Dugan ’27

DIVING INTO THE RECORD BOOKS

Another year, another set of school records for standout diver Hayden Devorsetz ’24

After breaking Canterbury’s 11-dive record at last year’s New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Swimming & Diving Championships, Hayden claimed two more marks this winter.

First was the team record for six dives, as he compiled a score of 271.30 at a home meet in the Higgins Aquatic Center—shattering the previous record of 257.55! “The week leading up to the meet was an emotional roller coaster,” Hayden said afterward. “When I heard that I had not only broken the record but surpassed it by almost 20 points, I was overjoyed.”

Diving Coach Sally Ruderman shared that Hayden’s dives were carefully planned out to best capitalize on his considerable talent. “We knew it was a possibility and designed his list to maximize difficulty and the ability to show off his best skills,” she said. Needless to say, both coach and athlete were delighted with the end result.

As if that wasn’t enough, Hayden outdid himself in the 2024 NEPSAC D3 Diving Championship, finishing in first place while earning 395.95 points, breaking his own school record as well as the NEPSAC D3 meet record for 11 dives. “I have put so much work into diving in the past four years, and breaking the record is the perfect culmination of my high school career,” he said.

We are so proud of Hayden for his unparalleled achievements.

Saints Family Comes Home

It is always a joy to have our Saints family together again! Our annual Family Weekend and Homecoming festivities brought Canterbury alumni, family, and friends to campus last fall as more than 300 visitors gathered on the hilltop to celebrate—and the rain that weekend didn’t dampen their spirits one bit.

Guests who arrived Thursday night enjoyed a terrific concert by talented student musicians and singers at Italia Mia restaurant in New Milford. The show featured a variety of songs from our Contemporary Music Band, Rock Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Varsity Voices as a standingroom-only crowd clapped and sang along.

The following morning, family members of students started the day with breakfast together. They were then treated to a delightful performance from Varsity Voices and Chorale in the Steers Center Ragland Commons and welcomed by Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24, who updated them on the current state of the School. Families also dined with their students, sat in on classes, attended college information sessions, and watched afternoon activities and practices throughout the day.

The evening featured our Varsity Football home game under the Friday night lights at

Hamilton Stadium, and the team came through with a thrilling 28-21 victory over Berkshire School. The crowd was loud and supportive throughout the tightly contested game.

On Saturday, families attended classes, faculty conferences, a presentation on mental health, and lunch. Throughout the weekend, they also had the opportunity to view a student art exhibit in the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery.

“It was wonderful to spend time with Cavan ’24 as a current student, and with Will ’18 and Jed ’17 as alumni,” said Mara Dowler P ’17, ’18, ’24. “Even after attending this event many times over the years with our other sons, we still enjoy going to classes and hearing from Mrs. Stone. One of our favorite things about the weekend is attending conferences because of the quality time spent with each teacher, coach, advisor, and dorm parent hearing about different aspects of Cavan’s entire experience at Canterbury.”

As for alumni, they had a blast sharing stories and participating in all the activities Homecoming had to offer, including Friday’s pregame tailgate at Hamilton Stadium and postgame tailgate at Housatonic River Brewing, lunch under the Homecoming tent on Saturday, and the various Saints athletic contests. Members of the Class of 1973 also reconnected for their 50th reunion (page 12).

A Wonderful Christmastime for Alumni and Parents

Four regional Christmas parties helped Canterbury alumni and friends get into the holiday spirit this past December. Saints in and around New York City, Boston, and, for the first time, Washington, DC, and Chicago celebrated the season together.

The merriment kicked off in our nation’s capital at The Wells, a casual setting ideal for lively conversation and re-connecting—and that is just what our alumni did! During the evening, James “JP” Loughran ’16 and Wade Jones ’15 announced the formation of the Washington, DC, Alumni Chapter to the Saints in attendance. JP and Wade are the initial Co-Presidents of the chapter.

The next night, more than 50 Boston-area graduates met at the Hampshire House in the heart of the city’s famed Beacon Hill. The fabulous historic venue offered

the warmth of a charming mansion with views of the Boston Public Garden. A new regional chapter—the Boston Alumni Chapter—was announced there as well, with Connor Collier ’14 sharing the news on behalf of Co-Presidents EmilyRose Martino ’17 and Christian Procaccino ’13, who were unable to attend.

“From our hilltop school atop Aspetuck Avenue to the ‘City Upon a Hill’ many of us now call home, the party in Boston brought us full circle and was a great success,” Connor said. “The night spent reminiscing and being eager about the future reminded us how special the Canterbury community is. Here’s to many more of these as it becomes a longstanding tradition!”

The good times continued the following week on back-to-back nights—first for a more intimate evening at Oriole, an award-winning contemporary American restaurant in Chicago, then at a festive party at The

Harvard Club in Midtown Manhattan, where nearly 140 Canterbury alumni enjoyed a night out in the Big Apple.

Board of Trustees President Nick Ragland ’88, P ’21 attended the latter two events and came away delighted by the positive vibes of each. “It was great catching up with friends and classmates and meeting alumni both old and new,” said Nick. “The energy was terrific. The Canterbury community continues to be strong and engaged.”

We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone in our Saints family who joined us to celebrate the bonds that tie our community together during this joyous time of year.

And there are more to come! Be sure to check our Alumni Events webpage often for upcoming alumni gatherings in your area: cbury.org/alumni/alumni-events

ALUMNI

CLASS NOTES

Brendan Buzaid ’08 and Andrya Sanchez were married at Canterbury last fall. See more on page 45.

1958

Antonio J. Vinals

Tony shared photos from a memorable visit to the Wimbledon Championships last summer with his son Antonio F. Vinals and granddaughters Matilde and Theresa Vinals. Having played on the tennis team at Canterbury and been a fan of the game since then, it was his lifelong desire to visit the sport’s most prestigious tournament.

1964

Richard L. Hanley

John Ainsworth ’64, Peter Ward ’64, Anthony Eben ’64, Harold Smith ’64, and Dick (left to right) had a great time connecting at their 55th Georgetown Reunion in June 2023. Dick and his wife Edie Cassidy are now living in Fairfield, Connecticut. They haven’t been to Canterbury since Dick brought historian Tom Fleming to speak, but he is looking forward to celebrating his 60th Reunion in June.

1965

Read McNamara

Read had an unexpected but wonderful encounter with Rod Oneglia ’68. He was attending a memorial service for a dear friend on Long Island and discovered that Rod was part of his friend’s extended family. After years in the family business in Litchfield, Connecticut, Rod is retired and enjoying life to the fullest.

Thomas Wheelock

After spending his entire career in independent schools as a teacher, coach, administrator, and head of school, Tom retired to Williamstown, Massachusetts, with his wife Katie. He has lived all over the country—Virginia; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; St. Louis, Missouri; Birmingham, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana; Portland, Oregon; and now the Berkshires. He was lucky to work in wonderful schools of all types— day, boarding, single-sex (both boys and girls), and coed. He is proud that his family—Wheelocks and Skellys—sent eight members to Canterbury.

1967

William Ranger

Bill, a United States Navy Lieutenant Commander and UDT/SEAL Team member, joined fellow alumni and Vietnam veterans Brooke Meserole ’65, a Captain in the Marine Corps, and George Haley III ’66, Marine Corporal and Head of Forward Air Control, for the Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks in Washington, DC. It was a one-of-a-kind experience displaying the pride, professionalism, and esprit de corps of Marines throughout the world. They enjoyed performances by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, “The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. Following the ceremony, the three had the opportunity to meet Marines who performed during the parade and take photographs with the Marine Barracks’ English bulldog mascot, Chesty XVI. Said Bill, “To gather three Canterbury kids, all of whom are Vietnam combat veterans, together these days is fairly remarkable.” Pictured, left to right: Susie Quinn, Bill, Brooke, George, and Sally Mederole.

1970

Stephen Cunningham

Kevin Johnson ’70, Edward “Cal” Calhoun ’70, Robert Brown ’70, and Steve had a great time at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas.

1971

Craig Czarsty

Craig (left) is in the Dominican Republic on a medical service trip with Health Horizons International, an NGO he co-founded in 2009. The group’s mission is to improve primary health care in the Dominican Republic. Programs include chronic care, women’s health, mental health, nutrition education, and many others.

1977

Wing Ming Tan

Wing Ming retired as Head of Greater China, OCBC Bank and relocated from Hong Kong to Singapore in February. He will continue as Advisor to the Group CEO for OCBC Bank.

1979

Kevin Burke

Nicole (Vanasse) Burke ’75 and Kevin celebrate 40 years of marriage in April. They reside in northern Virginia and love the retired life! The couple has four children and three grandchildren (with another on the way). Nicole and Kevin look forward to seeing many friends at the reunion this June.

1981

Victoria (Bundonis) Rovin

This past summer, Victoria and Gerard Smith ’64, GP ’17 found themselves randomly seated next to each other at a birthday dinner on Shelter Island. It was a lovely evening made even better when they realized their common connection and mutual enthusiasm for Canterbury.

1984

Deborah (Smith) Arthur

Debbie is a Professor and the Associate Director of the University Studies General Education Department at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. She is also the founder of PSU’s Higher Education in Prison Program (HEP) and now serves as Advisor to the HEP.

1986

Andrew Staib

Andy and Andrew “Garvin” Hammer ’85 reunited with fellow alumnus J. Camden Clay ’85 and Shane Heekin last October in Camden’s stomping grounds of Kentucky, where they caught Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra. Andy, Garvin, and brothers John and Sam Connelly ’91 rang in the new year, catching Dark Star Orchestra again at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, New York. Speaking of music, Andy is proud to announce the recent launch of his new podcast, Grateful Dad & Friends

Richard Portelance

Rich needed help moving stone from his driveway to underneath his deck, so the son of Science Teacher Derek Richardson P ’22, Aiden Richardson ’22, and current student Ashton Boord ’25 took the time to help Rich after a day of working for Canterbury’s Maintenance Supervisor Ross Coco. Their shirts tell the story, too!

1989

Alex Vetter

Alex shared this photo of (left to right) Jennifer L. Castro ’22, Henry Vetter ’22 (Alex’s son), TJ “Swiggs” Halloran, Trevor McDonald ’22, Rhea Khazzaka ’23, and Sophia Vial ’23 when Jen, Swiggs, Rhea, and Sophia attended the Trinity College basketball game to watch Henry and Trevor play in Hartford, Connecticut. Trinity notched its 15th straight win to start the season for the best start in school history on its way to a Final Four appearance in the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship.

1996

Susan (Moffitt) Delegan

Brutus Broth, the company Sue launched with her sister, Kimberly (Moffitt) Hehir ’90, P ’26 in 2018, was named one of INC. magazine’s 5,000 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in 2023, ranked number 373 overall and 25 in Consumer Packaged Goods. Brutus Broth offers all-natural bone broth products for dogs with a mission to “Nourish your pet while giving back to the community.” Sue and Kim are pictured with their father, Tom Moffitt, who served as Chairman of Brutus Broth and passed away on January 19, 2023. Read more about their story on page 6.

1999

Kathleen (Ackerman) Ruopp

Katie celebrated the marriage of Joseph Berger ’07 and Dianna Berger last September.

2006

Chad Walker

Chad Walker (pictured with Canterbury’s Director of Athletic Training and Associate Director of Athletics Misi Babington) was honored with the Outstanding Young Alumnus award from his alma mater, Marietta College in Ohio. Last year, Chad was named Head Athletic Trainer for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League after serving as the Assistant Athletic Trainer for five years.

2008

2010

Joseph P. Surace

Joe married Jacqueline Kaye Vincent at St. Thomas More church on New York’s Upper East Side in July 2023. Joe leads the Market and Credit Risk group at SeaCube Containers, one of the largest providers of intermodal equipment in the world. He is responsible for the overall risk management, portfolio analytics, and business intelligence across treasury, financial planning, and commercial functions at SeaCube.

2011

Ashley (Bonner) Kindschi

Ashley and her husband Steven Kindschi welcomed their second daughter, Riley Elizabeth Kindschi, on March 31, 2023. Riley joins big sister Charlotte (“Charlie”).

Brendan Buzaid

Brendan and Adrya Sanchez celebrated their wedding ceremony on the hilltop in the Chapel of Our Lady on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

REMEMBERING

John Coffin Beloved Former Teacher and Coach

1926–2023

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former faculty member John F. Coffin III P ’72 on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. John was a beloved member of the Canterbury family as a teacher, coach, mentor, and colleague.

Born in Ithaca, New York, John graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He began his teaching career at Shattuck School in Faribault, Minnesota, and then at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey.

From 1963 to 1995, John was a treasured fixture on the hilltop, admired by students, athletes, and coworkers alike for his intelligence, thoughtful guidance, compassion, dry wit, and unwavering devotion to Canterbury. He taught Physics, Astronomy, and Math; coached Boys’ Soccer, Hockey, and Track and Field; and was a Day Student Mentor and Academic Advisor. John’s successful 20-year run as Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Soccer produced many winning seasons and outstanding players.

John’s first wife, Mary Lou Coffin, was Canterbury’s first female Director of Studies. She predeceased him on October 14, 2003. Son John “Jed” F. Coffin IV ’72 is a graduate of the School.

John was awarded the Canterbury Medal in 2006 for his 30+ years of dedication. At the ceremony, then Dean of the School J.P. Mandler P ’87, ’91, ’94, ’99 said: “He expected the best of students and athletes and served as a model to his colleagues, showing that with goodwill and his signature humor, he could help students rise to

his expectations and help teams win consistently while earning recognition for fair play. He worked quietly— almost invisibly—not for thanks or praise but to make Canterbury a better place for others to live and grow. The awarding of this medal assures that the community will remember John Coffin as an exemplar of the intellectual curiosity, passion for learning, and honest caring that Canterbury values in its teachers.”

John is survived by his wife Karen Heusinkveld, daughter Christina, son Jed, stepsons John and David, sister Carol Treman des Cognets, and his many beloved nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to Mary Lou, he was predeceased by his parents, Foster Meldrum Coffin and Carolyn Slater Coffin; his son Timothy; his brother Richard; and sisters Priscilla Coffin Baxter, Jean Coffin McClung, and Laura Treman Almquist.

REMEMBERING

1927–2024

1933–2024

1941–2024

1930–2023

1936–2024

1947–2023

1938–2023

1953–2024

Richard Rorick ’46

Edward Francis Xavier Gallagher ’51

Wayne Edward Marciano ’65

Peter Olson ’48 1930–2023

Rene J. Coudert ’55

Michael Denis Reardon ’72

E. Richard Keogh ’49

Michael G. Mead ’56

Roland Gustav Droitsch ’59

All Alumniinvited!

WEEKEND Alumni 2024

Friday, June 7—Sunday, June 9

Reunion events are being planned throughout 2024. Please reach out to Director of Alumni Relations Kate Heslin ’96, P ’24, ’25 at 860-210-3954 or kheslin@cbury.org with any questions.

Scan for Alumni Weekend information and schedule and to let us know you’ll be there!

Support Student Success

Your gift to the Annual Fund directly empowers our students by providing essential support to those who guide them toward success—dedicated faculty, inspiring coaches, and valued mentors. It also plays a crucial role in nurturing a vibrant global community focused on enriching learning experiences and fostering student growth and discovery.

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