PA L LI U M Canterbury School
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IN THIS ISSUE PAGE 2.
3/ LETTER FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL 4/ SIXTH FORM 6/ COMMENCEMENT 12/ ON THE HILLTOP 16/ CAMPAIGN UPDATES 18/ ADVANCEMENT UPDATES 20/ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT 22/ SPRING ATHLETICS 32/ P URPOSE LIVED 36/ ALUMNI PROFILES 38/ ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS 40/ NEW FACULTY 42/ ALUMNI WEEKEND 47/ SOCIETY OF ALUMNI 48/ CLASS NOTES 54/ IN MEMORIAM 58/ FACULTY HIGHLIGHT 60/ THE DUFFY TRAVEL GRANT 62/ RETIREMENT | MADDIE & ROBIN DREEKE 64/ RETIREMENT | MARC VANASSE ’73 66/ FROM THE ARCHIVES
The Magazine of Canterbury School
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018—2019 Mr. Robert H. Steers ’71, P ’11 | President Mr. John A. Donovan ’59 | Vice President Mr. Michael R. Carretta ’71 | Secretary Ms. Rachel E. Stone | Head of School/Treasurer Ms. Dorothy L. Alpert ’78 Mr. Keith G. Angell ’75 Ms. Carol Lovell Carmody P ’18 Ms. Karen B. Casey ’91
PA L LI U M OUR MISSION Founded in 1915 and guided by our Catholic heritage, Canterbury is a college preparatory, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12. The School prides itself on creating a community based on its Five Values—Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Spirituality, and Self Reliance—in which students and faculty forge lasting bonds and every student experiences a broad and challenging program in a small school setting. The School’s educational environment fosters academic rigor, athletic development, artistic enrichment, spiritual growth and strives to ensure a superior experience that prepares students for leading colleges and universities and for life. With its rigorous and humane approach to students, both in and out of the classroom, Canterbury’s program inculcates vital intellectual and ethical habits of mind. The School sees all students as individuals, encourages them as necessary, challenges them as appropriate, and inspires them to become moral leaders in a complex, secular world.
Mr. Harold T. Clark III ’86 Ms. Jay Clarke ’84 Mr. Matthew P. Dwyer Jr. ’71 Mr. Douglas M. Famigletti ’90 Mr. Kevin Fee P ’18, ’19, ’21 Mr. Lawrence P. Fisher II ’77 Mr. Theodore C. Hollander ’82 Ms. Nancy B. Mulheren P ’03,’13 Mr. H. Nicholas Ragland ’88 Ms. Nicole D’Amour Schneider ’93, P ’20, ’22 Ms. Lauren Steers P ’11 Mr. Peter J. Tucker ’78
Director of Marketing and Communications Jessica Lewis Director of Advancement Carol Maxwell P '20 Associate Director of Advancement & Senior Director of Alumni Relations Jennifer Loprinzo Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Brittany Carlson Writing Contributors Meredith Berry-Toon Photo Contributors Marc Vanasse ’73, Amy Omaña ‘86, Mimi Dattilo ‘19, Randy O’Rourke
Ms. Nell P. Williams ’81
Design Kelsh Wilson Design
TRUSTEE EMERITI
Canterbury School 101 Aspetuck Avenue New Milford, CT 06776 cbury.org
Mr. Daniel J. Altobello ’59 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
NON-DISCRIMINATION Canterbury School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability in admission or employment in its programs and activities. ©Copyright 2018 Canterbury School. All rights reserved. No content from this publication may be reproduced or reprinted in any form without the express written consent of Canterbury School.
Mr. John D. O’Neill ’57, P ’89 Dr. L. Michael Sheehy ’56
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL GREETINGS FROM THE HILLTOP This fall amazingly marks my 25th year as a boarding school educator. While I could fill this entire edition of the PALLIUM with stories of joy and growth as well as memories of remarkable relationships, there is one enduring observation of my last 25 years in education that I would like to reflect on: how the energy and momentum of a school community like Canterbury is fueled by the students’ enduring love for their experiences together . . . and vice versa. A recent anecdote will serve to illustrate this observation. The morning of Commencement 2018 was marked by what may become a new tradition: Sixth Formers joining their classmates on the Sheehy Family Field to watch the sunrise. These Sixth Formers simply wanted their final day as Canterbury students to last as long as possible. That Friday morning saw their Sixth Form Week culminate in the simplest of moments together: one final chance to giggle and reminisce as Sixth Formers before transitioning to alumni. It was a true privilege to witness. The spirit of that finish and our graduates’ appreciation of their time together now fuels the momentum of a new school year. On the heels of Canterbury’s 25th summer Pilgrimage to Lourdes (p. 32), we returned this September to a beautifullyrenovated Maguire Auditorium (p. 17) where our students gathered for their first all-School Meeting of the year. The former reflects the powerful theme of this fall’s PALLIUM and serves to remind all of us of the life-changing experiences our students embrace together during their years on our hilltop, and beyond, in corners of the world far from New Milford. During my installation remarks in 2016, I reminded this community of our responsibility and opportunity to take extraordinary care of the Canterbury community, as well as: “...to be keenly aware of the world beyond the hilltop. It is our responsibility to pay attention, to work through bias and assumption toward understanding, and to act as global citizens. Canterbury’s commitment to service to others is grounded in this very idea—look beyond yourself and embrace the role you play in the lives of others—and it is an integral part of our past, present, and future.” This sentiment is echoed and woven throughout this edition.
RACHEL E. STONE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Enjoy the stories, updates, and memories in the pages that follow, all of which affirm our Catholic heritage and our mission to develop “moral leaders in a complex, secular world,” aided by opportunities for students to embrace being (and learning) together, from events on campus to experiences across the globe. We hope to see you back on campus this season!
Rachel E. Stone Head of School
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Will Dowler ’18 describes his experience as an intern with the Fabretto Foundation in Esteli, Nicaragua.
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Skye Van Merkensteijn ’18 explains his role at the Inner-City Scholarship Fund in New York City, NY.
SPRING CARNIVAL
SIXTH FORM PROJECT
END-OF-YEAR ACTIVITIES With Commencement looming on the endof-the-week horizon, the Sixth Form class was consumed with weeklong preparatory events preceding the May 25 ceremony. While busy celebrating time-honored traditions, the activities of their final week on campus gave the class of 2018 time to appreciate and enjoy the relationships each built at Canterbury as a student. Sixth Formers and Fifth Formers alike went Hollywood at the Tuesday evening Canterbury Goes Hollywood Prom, hosted at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury, CT. Wednesday’s Spring Carnival, food trucks included, brought the entire community together out on the fields for food and fun, basking in the warm almost-summer weather. Thursday, the Sixth Form’s last full day as students, brought a night of reminiscing around a fire pit to sign and paint the Sixth Form rock before Friday morning’s Commencement.
SIXTH FORM ROCK PAINTING
The Sixth Form Project, spearheaded by Fine Arts Department Chair Kim Tester, allows Sixth Formers who complete a rigorous application process the chance to finish their coursework early and leave Canterbury following the March break to pursue an out-of-classroom passion. Skye Van Merkensteijn ’18 and Will Dowler ’18 presented on their Sixth Form Project experiences. Both students were selected for the competitive spring Sixth Form elective and chose to spend their final months of high school exploring what they may pursue next in their academic and professional careers. Skye interned at a non-profit organization, the Inner-City Scholarship Fund, in New York City, NY. He worked in the Marketing and Communications division and worked to uphold the organization’s mission providing inner-city youth with access to Catholic education and diocesan resources. Will, who travelled to Nicaragua on a Schoolsponsored trip during his Fifth and Sixth Form years, returned to Esteli, Nicaragua to work with the Fabretto Organization, a NGO that works to provide educational resources to schools throughout the country. Both Sixth Formers returned for Commencement Week and shared their experiences with the wider community.
SPRING CARNIVAL / TOP TO BOTTOM
Chamonix McAdam ‘18 and Steph Proteau ‘18 (right) display a colorful smile. Riley Burns ‘18 tosses a frisbee during field fun. Wynn Maloney ‘18 and Stone Huang ‘18 partake in field games (and laugh off their performance at toss frisbee). SIXTH FORM ROCK PAINTING / LEFT TO RIGHT
Morgan Ryall ‘18, left, signs her initials on the Sixth Form Rock next to Shawn Bedard ‘18 and other classmates. Sixth Formers roast marshmallows during their final evening on campus. Pictured, left to right, Jessica Stolfi ‘18, Patsy Buckley ‘18, Jordan Perez ‘18, faculty member Keiko Mathewson (with daughter Adelyn), Connor Amsley ‘18, Connor Snowdy ‘18, Avery Rikhoff ‘18, and Will Dowler ‘18. PAGE 6.
The Magazine of Canterbury School
All the prom attendees outside of the Athletic Center
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Tori Congdon ’20, Molly Clancy ’20 and Megan LeBlanc ’20
Bella Papov ’18 and ThanhVi Dang ’18
Trey Fesperman ’19, CC Poli ’20, Jacalyn Pugliese ’19 and Jackson Griebel ’19
Gianna Terracino ‘19 and Bryce Leckey ‘19
Jessica Stolfi ‘18, Bella Papov ‘18, Anna Oeser ‘18, Will Dowler ‘18, and Ciaran Fee ‘19
Dongyoon Shin ’18 and Alexa Esposito ’20 Seidu Shamsudeen ’18 and Jeaneville Quaye ’18
Nick Buonaiuto ‘19 Greg McKenna ’19, Adrian deCola ’19, Alex Luo ’19, Seidu Shamsudeen ’18, and Raif Harris ’19
Bobby Berry ‘18, Margaret Melich ‘19, and Aaliyah Biondo ‘18 Garrett Crowley ‘18, Kieffer Punter ‘18, and Alex Pitser ‘18
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COMMENCEMENT AWARDS
Commencement
• The Robert M. Steele ’72 Scholar-Athlete Award: Quentin Silverio ’18 and Gillian Schullery ’18 • The Elizabeth (Betty) Burke Award for the Sixth Former whose time at Canterbury has been marked by cheerful determination to serve God and others: Gabriella Vitelli ’18 • The Class of 1987 Citizenship Award for the Sixth Former who, in the judgement of peers, has best fulfilled obligations to the School, fellow students, and self: Jordan Perez ’18 • The Richard L. and Mary Catharine Farrelly Award the Sixth Former who displays quiet but thorough leadership: Seidu Shamsudeen ’18 and Clara Tomann ’18 • The Philip H. Brodie Award for exceptional achievement and allaround service to the School: Henry Morgan ’18, Isabella Papov ’18, Gillian Schullery ’18, Steven Sigilitto ’18, Quentin Silverio ’18, and Gabriella Vitelli ’18
B AC C A L AU R E AT E
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• The Dr. Nelson Hume Award for the Sixth Former whose leadership, character, and achievements have been of the highest order and whose performance embodies the ideals of the founding headmaster: Jeaneville Quaye ’18
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Nelle Carmody ’18
Anthony Cusano ’18
Clara Tomann ’18
Underform students lined the sidewalk from Sheehan House to the Chapel of our Lady as the class of 2018 processed up the hill for their Baccalaureate Mass. With some students cheering on their Sixth Form friends and others giving a teary-eyed hug, Commencement morning was filled, as always, with bittersweet traditions along with the joyous cheer of the day’s celebrations. The Baccalaureate Mass preceeded the mid-morning Commencement ceremony and distribution of the diplomas on the Sheehan lawn where the class of 2018 sat surrounded by Trustees, faculty, family, friends, and a bright late-May sky. Following the sunny ceremony and the timehonored tradition of the faculty-graduating class handshake line, Sixth Formers and their families enjoyed final on-campus moments before departing as alumni.
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
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Nick Pizzano ’18 leads the Sacristans and the rest of the class of 2018 toward the Chapel of Our Lady for the Baccalaureate Mass. Logan O’Donnell ’18 (left) and Reilly Curtis ’18 (right) use their reflection in a photo frame to modify their Commencement ties before the ceremony. Jeaneville Quaye ’18 stands and smiles with younger sister during the morning’s celebrations. ROW TWO / LEFT TO RIGHT
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Say when! Ildiko Sandor ’18, Megan Tracy ’18, Lilly Hoeniger ’18, Erin Kincade ’18, and Mila Piacsek ’18 (left to right) smile for a selfie. The class of 2018 makes their way down the traditional handshake line following the Commencement ceremony, receiving a congratulations from each faculty member along the stone wall behind Sheehan before departing campus. Avery Rikhoff ’18 (left) and ThanhVi Dang ’18 (right) smile leaving The Chapel of our Lady after the Baccalaureate Mass.
The class of 2018 takes their Form photo the morning of the Commencement celebration.
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Colorfully-dressed students and family members line the sidewalk between Sheehan House and The Chapel of our Lady as the class of 2018 and faculty process up the hill for the Baccalaureate Mass.
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Stone Huang ‘18, Nicholas Toth ‘18, Reilly Curtis ‘18, Steven Sigillito ‘18, Leonard Petruzzi ‘18, Gabby Vitelli ‘18 (left to right) stand outside Sheehan House before the Commencement ceremony.
Nelle Carmody ’18 shakes the hand of Alec Braley, history faculty member, following the Commencement ceremony.
Victoria Body ’18, Ellyn Fritz ’18, Wynn Maloney ’18, Elizabeth Hawley ’18, Ariella Haas ’18, and Isabella Jimenez ’18 (left to right) stand outside of Sheehan after receiving their white roses for Commencement. Danni Yang ’18, Zhiyi Li ’18, and Tong Lin ’18 (left to right) pose before the Commencement ceremony. PAGE 10.
Avery Rikhoff ’18 (left) and Anna Oeser ’18 (right) stand in Sheehan Common Room awaiting the procession to the Chapel of our Lady. Commencement Speaker Victoria Bundonis Rovin ’81, Associate Head of School for Academics Sue Roberts, English Department Chair Lindsay Mulhern, Assistant Head of School for Student Life Peter LaVigne, and Dean of Faculty Wright Danenbarger all rise in applause of the class of 2018.
The Magazine of Canterbury School
Valedictorian Speech B E L L A PA P OV ’ 1 8 An excerpt from the speech given on the occasion of Commencement, May 25, 2018, by Isabella (Bella) Papov ’18, the recipient of The Roderick Clarke ’46 Distinguished Academic Achievement Award for the Sixth Form. Isabella is enrolled at Lehigh University, PA where she is a member of the Women’s Varsity Crew team. She previously rowed with Canterbury on the Girls’ Varsity Crew team and with GMS, the nationally-acclaimed rowing center on the Housatonic River. Bella addressed her class and all guests on behalf of her peers as the class valedictorian. Thank you, Mrs. Stone, for that introduction. I know we would not be here today without you. To the class of 2018, not long ago, we sat on this patio as scared 14-year-olds awkwardly waiting. We were waiting for the Third Form orientation scavenger hunt to start; we were waiting to start the exciting adventure before us: high school. It’s been a quick four years…[and] now we sit here as confident—maybe even overconfident—Sixth Formers. Instead of waiting for our first Schola Brevis, we are waiting to cross the finish line. We are waiting to say goodbye… goodbye to #cburyskies, to peanut butter and yogurt in the dining hall, to School Meeting. Goodbye to the Pink Out, to Jimmy, to ringing the victory bell. Goodbye to retreats, to pep rallies, and to Saints on the Hill. And most importantly, goodbye to the people with whom we have shared the place we have all come to call home. As we say goodbye to Canterbury, it is also time to say hello. Hello to new experiences, hello to new people, and hello to new adventures beyond the Hill. I would like to thank the Sixth Form class for your unconditional support.
Thank you to the Sixth Form Council for being our fearless leaders and allowing the class of 2018 to be the first class for so many new traditions. Sixth Form, thank you for making Canterbury a place to which we struggle to say goodbye, and thank you for your unconditional support of one another. On behalf of the entire Sixth Form class, I would like to thank the faculty for going so far beyond the definition of teacher. You have shown us how to believe in ourselves, live independently, and balance the hectic prep school life gracefully. Thank you for sharing your wisdom beyond the classroom. I will never forget learning far more about life in Mr. Kiefer’s Foundations class than the Foundations of Civilization. Thank you for leading by example. Although all of you fit this description, acting in a student musical is the cherry on top. (I’m talking to you, Mr. Richardson.) Thank you for welcoming us into your lives and homes, or in my case, your office. Ms. Burk, you have been the best advisor. I’m sorry I am always in your office, and I hope you don’t expect me to leave after today. Thank you all for always listening—I can’t remember going to see Mr. LaVigne or Mr. Mandler and leaving without seeing the situation with clarity. Thank you for taking us out of our comfort zones. There are very few people as dedicated to anything as Mrs. Omaña is to completely transforming how students think—not only in the classroom but also 4,000 miles away in Nicaragua. Thank you for taking on the role of our parents. Where else can everyone say mom and refer to the same extraordinary woman? (We love you, EJ!) Lastly, thank you to the reason we are all here today. Thank you to the people who have unconditionally supported us, given us the benefit of the doubt, and shown us unparalleled selflessness: our parents. Whether you support us from New Milford or halfway across the world, you are always there. And although we don’t always show it, we are grateful for everything you do.
“I do know that it has been a great privilege to have attended Canterbury for four years.”
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Commencement Speech VICTORIA BUNDONIS RO V I N ’ 8 1 Victoria Bundonis Rovin ‘81 was the selected Commencement Speaker for the class of 2018. Victoria worked in advertising before joining the cast of the 2001 The Music Man revival. She spent six seasons playing various roles on the television drama Nurse Jackie and also performed in many Off-Off-Broadway shows in New York City and across the country. Victoria received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgetown University, DC and her master’s degree in marketing and communications from Emerson College, MA. Victoria currently serves as the Executive Committee Vice President for Canterbury’s Society of Alumni. An excerpt of her speech: I suspect that one of the reasons I was asked to address you today is that I am one of you—albeit a few years older. The digital age may have changed some things in a student’s life at Canterbury, but we’ve walked the same hallways, played on the same fields, even shared some of the same teachers—like Mr. Vanasse ’73. We’ve probably had many of the same joys and doubts as we navigated life on the Hill. And that makes us Family and this campus and the memories we have—make it our second home, regardless of whether we are boarders or day students. Regardless of what path led you to Canterbury, you, the class of 2018 will be bound forever by all the things you’ve shared during your time on the Hill. It made me happy to hear that you are a tight-knit class, and I promise those ties and shared memories will bring great joy when you do get together at reunions and homecomings over the coming decades. No matter how close families are, at some point each member must forge his or her own path. And whether you are chomping at the bit to move on to new things or you are filled with bittersweet feelings about leaving this chapter of your life— tomorrow you start anew.
And when you go, I want you to recognize two very special gifts that you will take with you: the first is the set of core values that permeate life at Canterbury. Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Spirituality and Self-reliance. Life beyond this hill will be filled with challenges and bumps and hard choices. But with those values as your foundation, you will be well prepared to meet life head on. So, remember them, trust in them, and reflect on them from time to time. The second gift is that you are forever part of the Canterbury family—no longer as students but as members of the Canterbury Society of Alumni. A group of 5,000 men and women who graduated before you. Think of them as your brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins. People of all generations who are eager to share their experiences and a helping hand. Stay involved and it will be the gift that keeps giving throughout your life. Anecdotally, one magical things about Canterbury was the sheer number of shooting stars that I would see on campus...on walks over by the athletic fields near the Old Gym, I saw all those shooting stars—the night sky was magical, and I never forgot that. Years later I came back for a reunion and I happened to be in that part of campus. It was just past dusk, really too early to see any shooting stars, but suddenly—I did see one, and then a few minutes later another, and another. And then because of the lighting, I realized something—oh my god they were never shooting stars —they were JUST BATS whose wings were reflecting the light as they swooped to eat mosquitos! So remember, as you go through life, there will be moments of wonder and magic...but there will also be many times where that is not the case. Embrace both, because nothing is truly tragic if you can get a good story out of it.
“As you go through life, there will be moments of wonder and magic...but there will also be many times where that is not the case. Embrace both, because nothing is truly tragic if you can get a good story out of it.”
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
The 34 diehards—four-year Canterbury students— pose for a photo amid the morning events.
JP MANDLER TEACHING AWARD
The Commencement ceremony underway on the morning of May 25, 2018.
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Julio Omaña, a 26-year veteran of the Language Department, received the second annual JP Mandler Teaching Award during the Commencement ceremony. Sue Roberts, Associate Head of School for Academics, addressed the Sixth Formers, noting, “this year’s recipient has pushed you to step out of your comfort zone, engage in the world around you, and to take care to consider the perspective of others.” Julio, recently named the Director of International Travel, leads several immersion programs abroad for students over the summer in addition to his role as a Spanish and French teacher.
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ON THE HILLTOP
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1. Chaz Powell ‘19 speaks with a college representative during the Spring College Fair. 2. Manny Ansong ’18 soars over his opponent’s head as he sinks a basket for the Saints during their 70-61 win over Trinity-Pawling School, NY. Manny was nominated to attend the National Slam Dunk Championship in San Antonio, TX where he placed second amongst nine nationallyranked D1 basketball recruits. 3. Olivia McCormick ’19 performs during a School concert. Olivia, a talented singer and songwriter, released her first single, How It Was, on music streaming services this past May.
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4. Greg Coleman ‘72 addresses the student body about his professional trajectory and hosts a question and answer forum during his spring visit to campus. 5. Jessica Garcia ‘19, the narrator in the winter play production of The Crane Wife, looks wistfully over the crowd while chronicling a scene. 6. Jordan Perez ’18, Shane Haggerty ’19, Matt Iasenza ’19, and Steven Mullally ’18 pose outside of The Chapel of Our Lady before the Confirmation Mass. 7. Lorelai Lee Swanek ’21 plays the keyboard during an All-Band Concert. Lorelai was one of the winning pianists of the Little Mozarts Music Competition this spring and was selected to perform twice at Carnegie Hall over the summer months. 8. Yoon Shin ’18 and Sherley Arias-Pimental ’19 play the cello during the Spring All-Band Concert which showcased performances from the Orchestra, Concert Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, and Varsity Voices.
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
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9. Visiting Artist Kate Ten Eyck speaks with students during her spring opening in the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery. 10. The International Student Fair takes place in Pigott Arena where students made and served food from their home countries. Runtian Wang ’20, Steven Luo ’19, Sherley Arias-Pimental ’19, and Maeve O’Donnell ’20 (left to right) prepare to welcome visitors to their tables. 11. Yurou Li ’21 (third from the left) poses with students from other independent schools at the Student Diversity Leadership Conference hosted at Hotchkiss School, CT. Nearly a dozen Canterbury students attended the day-long conference entitled Breaking Boundaries: Identity and Intersectionality. 12. Canterbury alumni joined current students to host the first-ever Canterbury Music Festival in Maguire Auditorium. Patsy Buckley ’18 (left) and Olivia McCormick ’19 (right) take the microphone during the performance.
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13. Zelia Schimanskey (left) poses with Head of School Rachel Stone (right) and faculty advisor to the Women of Canterbury Paige Root (center). Zelia has worked at Canterbury for 11 years on the maintenance team as housekeeper in Steele Hall and was unanimously selected by students as the 2018 Canterbury Woman of the Year. 14. Zach Booth ‘19 performs during the Spring Voice Recital. 15. Lily Li ’18 poses next to her sculpture with Fine Arts Department Chair Kim Tester. Several Canterbury students, including Lily, were selected to have their artwork shown at a local art show hosted at The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm, CT. 16. Giorgo Caripidis Soto ’19 and Jessica Garcia ’19 pose before singing with the All-State Honors Choir. The two rising Sixth Formers were selected to perform at the Connecticut All-State Music Festival in Hartford, CT following a rigorous audition.
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ON THE HILLTOP
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17. Jack Cassidy ‘20 poses with his grandparents outside of Hume during the 23rd Annual Grandparents and Friends Day. 18. Varsity Voices sings during the Songs of Spring recital in The Chapel of Our Lady. Margaret Melich ‘19, Reilly Curtis ‘18, Mimi Dattilo ‘19, Reo Aono ‘18, Jess Garcia ‘19, and Giorgio Caripidis Soto ‘19 (left to right) perform their keynote song. 19. Ariella Haas ’18 takes the ice during the Development Camp for the Chinese National Team. Ariella was invited to participate in the camp as a preliminary tryout for China’s Women’s Ice Hockey team in advance of the 2022 Olympics. 20. Cameron Plants ‘20 and Gabe Diamond ‘20 play cornhole with friends during the Spring Carnival.
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21. Head of School Rachel Stone places a necklace on the newly named Sacristans during the 2018-19 installation, a School tradition. Pictured, left to right, Greg McKenna ’19, Eli Taylor ’19, and John Martiska ’19. 22. Students inducted into the Honor Society pose outside of Steele Hall after the annual recognition dinner. 23. Danielle Ferland, sister of Director of College Counseling Sarah Ferland, a visiting actress who played Red Riding Hood in the original Broadway production of Into the Woods, addresses student actors during a theatre workshop prior to Canterbury’s own production of the same performance. 24. Fatima Nda-Isaiah ’21, Maria Piacsek ’18, Ryan Greguski ’20, and Jessica Garcia ’19 perform in the spring, musical Into the Woods. 24
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Underform Award Recipients Back row, left to right: Yu Chen ‘19, Honor Society Nova Chen ‘19, Harvard College Book Award; Honor Society Sara Stone ‘19, The Edward F. Mack Award for Outstanding Contribution to Technical Theatre
Front row, left to right: Sandy Xu ‘21, Roderick Clarke ‘46 Distinguished Academic Achievement Award for the Third Form Katherine Delamere ‘21, The Nicholas DiTullio Award Max Oeser ‘21, Third Form Winner of The Dr. Nelson Hume Speech Competition Zach McGrew ‘21, The Nicholas DiTullio Award Ange Arceo Ferrer ‘19, The James P. Shea Award
Nick Vial ‘20, The Edward F. Mack Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre Performance
Brendan Omaña ‘19, Holy Cross Book Award; Honor Society
Greg McKenna ‘19, James D. Higgins ‘44 History Thesis Award, AP US History; University of Pennsylvania Book Award; Honor Society; Roderick Clarke ‘46 Distinguished Academic Achievement Award for the Fifth Form
Rachael DeLong ‘19, James D. Higgins ‘44 History Thesis Award, Honors US History
Erin Sudbey ‘20, Overall Outstanding Speaker of The Dr. Nelson Hume Speech Competition
Ren Xin ‘19, Fifth Form Winner of The Dr. Nelson Hume Speech Competition; James D. Higgins ‘44 History Thesis Award, AP US History; Fairfield University Book Award; Honor Society
Alexa Esposito ‘20, Fourth Form Winner of The Dr. Nelson Hume Speech Competition Alex Luo ‘19, George Washington University Book Award; Honor Society
Jessica Garcia ‘19, The Edward F. Mack Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre Performance; Dartmouth College Book Award; Honor Society
Sabrina Capodicci ‘20, Roderick Clarke ‘46 Distinguished Academic Achievement Award for the Fourth Form
Sherley Arias-Pimental ‘19, The Edward F. Mack Award for Outstanding Contribution to The Tabard; Smith College Book Award
Sixth Form Honor Society Members Left to right: Clara Tomann ‘18, Isabella Papov ‘18, Nick Toth ‘18, Stone Huang ‘18, Alexander Lytle ‘18, Lily Li ‘18, Head of School Rachel Stone, Stanson Wu ‘18, Yoon Shin ‘18, Ellyn Frtiz ‘18, Steven Sigillito ‘18, Quentin Silverio ‘18.
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CAMPAIGN UPDATE LANDMARK GIFT AND CHALLENGE MATCH Inspired by the core student-centric initiatives of the Campaign and ambitious plans to reimagine the Canterbury campus, an unprecedented landmark gift of $15 million has been pledged to the School by an anonymous donor, the single largest contribution to Canterbury of its kind. To Transform the Hilltop, a $5 million gift has been granted to the School with an additional $10 million presented to the School community as a challenge match to be awarded upon successfully raising $10 million in new gifts committed to three distinct construction and renovation projects: the Construction of a new Students Commons building; the creation of a Campus Square and Streetscape to define and unify campus; and renovations to Hume Hall, the central academic building at the art of campus. To date, 3.4 Million has been raised to meet this momentous challenge.
$3.4 Million raised towards $10 MILLION MATCHING GRANT
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
MAGUIRE/ HUME RENOVATIONS UPDATE In December 2017, a $1 million gift provided the pivotal funding to begin renovations to Maguire Auditorium. The Auditorium serves as the gathering space for the all-community School Meeting as well as the center of the School’s theater arts program. It is also one of the first place prospective students visit with their families. In June 2018, Gilbane Construction began the ambitious renovations. Before the construction began, however, students were asked to provide their opinions on our vital community gathering spaces. This work was done in tandem with a full-campus planning process hosted by S/L/A/M Collaborative. With student feedback and their critical perspectives in mind, the plan took shape this past summer; in September 2018, the remodel was complete. The project entirely reimagined the critical anchor space with new seating, flooring, and improved lighting and acoustic finishes, dramatically enhancing the look and function of the auditorium. The transformed space welcomed new and returning students for the first campus-wide gathering of the school year, and the School has already began use of this renovated space for the fall’s theater production. The Maguire renovations are the first in a series of updates to Hume Hall which, in addition to the Auditorium, houses our Science and Mathematics Departments.
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ADVANCEMENT UPDATES MR. LAWRENCE P. FISHER II ‘77 In his current role as President of Family Wealth Services at Chevy Chase Trust, Larry is responsible for providing comprehensive investment and wealth planning advice as well as fiduciary oversight and other services to families, individuals, foundations and endowments. Prior to joining Chevy Chase Trust, Larry was Managing Director and Senior Resident Officer at Bessemer Trust Company, responsible for all aspects of wealth management services and operations in the Mid- Atlantic region. From 1998 to 2005, he served as a Senior Vice President with U.S. Trust Company, and prior to that, he was Vice President and Department Head in Corporate Lending and Middle Market Lending at Mellon Bank, Maryland National Bank, and its predecessor, American Security Bank. Larry earned a BSBA degree in finance from Georgetown University, DC and has completed executive educations programs at Harvard Business School, MA, Stanford Law School, CA, and the University of Chicago, IL. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. He is currently a member of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board as well as the Suburban Hospital Foundation Board (a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine) and the Board of Next Generation Choices Foundation (also known as LessCancer.org).
“ Attending Canterbury for three years was the most significant experience of my education career. The most important aspect of the Canterbury community for me was the way we were prepared for life by the integration of academic, athletics, and spiritual programs. The added bonus has been the lifelong friendships that have been maintained with classmates, other alums, and the faculty. My parents, grandparents, and great grandparents always reinforced giving back. As most of my philanthropic activities have involved academic enterprises, Canterbury’s Board of Trustees is the next logical step. I want to thank my cousin, Jim Briggs ’56, for his many years of contributions to the School. As he has recently rolled off the board, I am thrilled to provide family continuity.” —LAWRENCE P. FISHER II
MS. LAUREN J. STEERS, P ‘11 Lauren began her career at Alexander and Alexander Inc., a global insurance brokerage firm. She was subsequently employed by Pepsi-Cola, NY in the Employee Relations and Labor Negotiation Groups. In 1986, Lauren joined Cohen & Steers, NY, overseeing compliance. Most recently Lauren has been involved with coordination of the Graduate Support Program at San Miguel Academy of Newburgh, NY a grade 5-8 independent school for underserved boys. Lauren earned a BA from Connecticut College, CT. She has been active in both community and school organizations for many years in Rye, New York and throughout Connecticut. She lives with her husband Bob Steers ‘71, P ‘11, President of the Board of Trustees, in Rye. The couple have four adult children and several grandchildren.
“ Canterbury has been a part of my and Bob’s family for generations. With the new Head of School and leadership team firmly in place, I am excited about the possibilities during this time for the School. Canterbury is poised to become the best small boarding school in New England.” —LAUREN J. STEERS
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JIM BRIGGS ’56 Jim Briggs, who served on the Board for 25 years, was honored for his endless contributions to Canterbury School in late May with a celebratory dinner. His classmate and best friend, Christopher “Toby” Smith ’56, delivered remarks to the group of gathered Trustees, faculty, and family. Board President Bob Steers ’71, P ’11 also spoke on Jim’s behalf. “There are few families with the same widespread impact as the Briggs family. Indeed, they bleed blue.” Many of Jim’s family members were in attendance at the dinner, including several generations of alumni, his daughter, Science Department faculty member Cammy Roffe, and grandson, Math Department faculty member Cam Roffe ’12.
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1. Jim Briggs ’56 (center right) stands with President of the Board of Trustees Bob Steers ’71, P ’11 (right), Head of School Rachel Stone (center left) and Director of Athletics Jim Stone (left) during the dinner hosted in his honor at the May Trustee Weekend. 2. Jim Briggs ‘56 (second from the left) poses with his immediate family during the celebratory dinner.
canterbury
ANNUAL
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Jim was a faculty member at Canterbury for seven years following his graduation from Williams College. While he taught in the History Department and was an academic buff, he was also known to have instilled a strong sense of moral values in his students and a sturdy foundation for essay writing, a legacy of which carried his pupils though life. Following Canterbury, he continued his work in the education-sphere and coached baseball at Williams College, MA. Jim has been instrumental in Canterbury’s alumni engagement over the last quarter century, and his guidance and parternship with our Advancement team lead to the creation of the Society of Alumni (SOA). His involvement with our Board of Trustees is reverberated in the momentum of the School over the last two decades.
John O’Neill ’57, center middle, stands with his extended family at the dedication of the O’Neill Arena in his honor. His grandchildren, center front, helped him cut the ceremonial ribbo
JOHN O’NEILL ’57 John O’Neill, who retired from the Board in May 2017 following 32 years of dedicated service, was celebrated at the dedication of the O’Neill Arena, named in his honor. As one of the most widely-used and acclaimed facilities on Canterbury’s campus, it was only appropriate that John’s family name be associated with the rink. While John noted that he did not play hockey as a student at Canterbury, his family—generations of children and grandchildren—are entrenched in the hockey world. John’s commitment to the Board for over three decades has been monumental. As Bob Steers ’71, P ’11 noted at the Dedication, “[his] invaluable wisdom made an impression on everything from development to athletic and academic programs.” John’s son Eric carried on the O’Neill legacy at Canterbury, a graduate of the class of 1989. Eric, as well as many members of John’s extended family, returned to campus for the Dedication in celebration of John’s impact. His 32 years on the Board of Trustees have truly impacted every aspect of School life and will carry Canterbury’s legacy for decades to come.
THANK YOU 1,188 alumni, families, and friends contributed nearly $1,400,000! Thank you for making the Canterbury Annual Fund your priority.
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Sherley Arias-Pimentel ’19 makes her mark on Canterbury with Saints on the Hill, now in its third successful year.
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herley Arias-Pimentel ’19 had never been to Canterbury’s hilltop campus until she was already enrolled in the School. But, “it honestly couldn’t have gone any better,” as she puts it. “It just clicked.” During Revisit Day, she shadowed Nelle Carmody ’18, now an alumna of the School and one of her closest friends, and thought, “Yep, this is it, this is my School.” Now in her Sixth Form year, Sherley has certainly made Canterbury her School. As a proctor in South House, Sixth Form Council Member, Managing Editor of The Tabard, and President of the Canterbury Diversity and Inclusion Club (CDIC), Sherley is a notable presence on campus. And while she enters her final year as a welldefined leader, one of the things that makes Sherley stand out as such is that she has created a space for her peer students to do the same—to be voices on campus in their own right, to feel as if they are known members of the community, to carve pockets in which they feel that Canterbury is truly their School. She calls this opportunity Saints on the Hill. It’s a time (School Meeting) and place (Maguire Auditorium) for current students and faculty members to, simply, speak. Each week, a different community member is spotlighted through Saints on the Hill. They share their most tightly held
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in Newark after returning from war and battling with PTSD as well as the inability to access healthcare once he returned home. He was the foundation of Sherley’s inspiration to begin Saints on the Hill.
values, speak about their particular passions, or tell a story that has shaped who they are. Students are able to showcase pieces of themselves, highlight under-the-surface traits that make them unique and indirectly add to the diversity of the student body. Unlike the quick decision to come to Canterbury, Sherley noted that her thought process behind creating Saints on the Hill was very methodical. “It took a few weeks and different versions of what Saints on the Hill currently is for me to come to this idea.” Sherley was initially excited to get something started after an internship at the Greater Newark Conservancy during her Fourth Form summer. As an intern, Sherley and her colleagues were tasked with creating and maintaining a “Humans of Newark” Instagram. This was to be a Newarkbased version of Humans of New York, the acclaimed Facebook page that broadcasts the diverse lives of people throughout New York City. “It was so much fun,” exclaims Sherley. “And it helped me get to know my own city even better.” Sherley remarked that she met so many people that summer and learned about their lives in ways that would have otherwise been impossible. People opened up to Sherley and her colleagues. She learned that people are willing to share and looking to connect with others—often times, they are just not given the platform to do so, not asked the right question at the right time. “The most interesting person we spoke to was a homeless man who I always saw at the local food market,” she notes. “We saw him everyday, but I never spoke to him until we interviewed him for our page. He told us that he came to the market because he loved music and listening to the live bands that would be playing. I wouldn’t have guessed or known that without approaching him.” Sherley and her colleagues also learned that this man was a veteran and had served several tours in Afghanistan. The music at the market was one of the things that made him feel connected to others
After her summer experience, Sherley hoped to keep the momentum of the social media page alive. “Without Humans of Newark, I would not have gotten to know [that man] or many others. I thought about what I might not know about my friends or other students at Canterbury and wanted to do something similar.” Sherley began to talk to her friends, both at Canterbury and other independent schools. While a few ideas were tossed around (“Prep Students of New England” being one), Sherley knew she wanted Canterbury’s personality to be expressed through whatever concept she brought back. Sherley brought her initial ideas to Head of School Rachel Stone. “When Sherley came to me, she emphasized that she wanted this program to highlight the commonalities between all members of our community,” remarks Rachel. “While, of course, each student has a unique story and perspective, Sherley hoped to use this program to demonstrate the unity within the diverse backgrounds.” After a few additional evenings of debate with her peers, Sherley came to Saints on the Hill. That first night, excitedly, Sherley spent a full 12 hours learning Photoshop to create the logo that is now synonymous with the idea she grew, flashed on the projector screen during School Meeting every Thursday. While she developed the idea, the name was inspired by another classmate, Opong Bramble ’17. Opong was fittingly one of the first Saints on the Hill presenters and gave a particularly influential address. While Sherley was excited to bring Saints on the Hill to Canterbury, she also recalls being a bit apprehensive when she approached the Student Life office. Would students even want to speak and participate? What if it doesn’t kick off the way I’m planning? But her nerves were quickly assuaged. Sherley was the first student to present fragments of her own life for Saints on the Hill, and, followed by Opong, students and faculty quickly approached her to fill each spot for the remaining weeks of the school year. “This is a really special, incredible community,” notes Sherley. “I can’t think of anywhere else where a student would feel comfortable enough to stand up in front of all of their classmates and tell their life story.” Sherley continued, “...or a student body that would receive their life story with such care and respect!” Now in the third year of Saints on the Hill, Sherley has been happily surprised and exceptionally proud of Canterbury’s full embrace of her vision. With Saints on the Hill leading conversations for current students and faculty, Sherley has plans to expand her initial concept to include alumni as well. Saints Beyond the Hill, an opportunity for Canterbury alumni to return to campus and speak to the study body about their careers and life trajectories, is slated to begin during the 2018-19 academic year. And as Sherley prepares to make her own transition beyond the hilltop in May—a transition with a self-proclaimed “ton of planning” to find the right fit—there is no doubt that she will make that place hers in the same way.
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SAINTS // SPRING TEAMS
ATHLETICS BOYS’ VARSITY TENNIS With many new players and several Underformers advancing from JV to Varsity for the 2018 season, the Boys’ Varsity Tennis team used this spring to advance as a team through their individual skills, doubles skills, and their ability to perform as cohesive unit. Veteran Coach Matt Crotta led the team, aided by captain Jerry Yu ’20. The team’s Sixth Formers included Rafael Baquerizo, Alex Navarro, Victor Costa Gonzalez, and Diego Hagemann Barroso. At the conclusion of the season, Coach Crotta presented the Boys’ Tennis MVP Award to Rafael Baquerizo ’18 (pictured, center) and the Coach’s Award to Jerry Yu ’20 (pictured, right). Boys’ Tennis Coach Matt Crotta, left, poses with the Boys’ Varsity Tennis Award Recipients.
GIRLS’ VARSITY TENNIS Led by newcomer coach Nikhil Seth, the Girls’ Varsity Tennis team improved their team record and individual tennis skill tremendously this season, upsetting Millbrook School, NY during their first match against the Mustangs and Miss Porter’s School, CT at the end of the season. The team’s Sixth Formers included Nelle Carmody, Ariella Haas, Clara Tomann, and Isabella Jimenez. Coach Seth presented the Girls’ Tennis MVP Award to Coco Booth ’19 (pictured, right) and the Coach’s Award to Ariella Haas ’18. Girls’ Tennis Coach Nikhil Seth, left, poses with Coco Booth ’19 upon the receival of her end-of-season award.
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SAINTS // SPRING TEAMS
SAINTS BASEBALL Canterbury’s Varsity Baseball team had a successful spring season, advancing to the Western New England Prep Baseball League playoffs. While the team ultimately lost in the semi-finals to Cheshire Academy, CT, the team also advanced to the championship game of the Small School New England Tournament in which they competed in the finals against Dexter Southfield School, MA—a grueling and hard-fought conclusion to their season during the afternoon of Commencement. Throughout the season, the team was ranked as high as #7 in the New England Baseball Journal for all schools in the New England area. Individual player highlights included Max Cotier ’19 being named the Western New England Prep Baseball League (WNEPL) Young Division Player of the Year and Garrett Crowley ’18 as the WNEPL Young Division Co-Pitcher of the Year. Brian Gaughan ’18 and Harsha Bollu ’18 were named WNEPL First Team All-League while Bryce Leckey ’19 and Jordan Perez ’18 were named WNEPL Second Team All-League. Max Cotier ’19, Bryce Leckey ’19, Trey Fesperman ’19, Chris Roberti ’19, and Chaz Powell ’19 were all named Underclass All-Stars. The team’s Sixth Formers included captain Jordan Perez as well as Harsha Bollu, Garrett Crowley, and Brian Gaughan. Harsha Bollu ‘18 throws from third base as the Saints compete against Hotchkiss School, CT.
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SAINTS // SPRING TEAMS
ATHLETICS BOYS’ LACROSSE The Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse team had a tough schedule for their spring 2018 season, competing against several Connecticut-based nationally-ranked prep teams including Salisbury School, CT and Avon Old Farms School, CT. The high-scoring, nail-biter of a game against The Gunnery, CT was a definitive highlight of the season—the Saints tied the game with three seconds to go in the second half with the goal shot by Connor Amsley ’18. Amsley then went to score the game winning-goal in overtime—a home turf victory for the team and their fans. The team graduated several key players, including goalie Henry Amory, Connor Amsley, Cal Baughan, Shawn Bedard, Reilly Curtis, Dongyoon Shin, and Quentin Silverio. Coach Chris Roberts presented the Boys’ Lacrosse MVP Award to Connor Amsley ’18 and the Coach’s Award to Quentin Silverio ’18. Both recipients were also named All-League at the end of the season. 1
1: Cal Baughan ’18 protects the ball as he heads toward the Saints offensive end while Willem Steiner ’19 positions himself to assist. 2: Quentin Silverio ’18 drops into the offensive circle during a game against Trinity-Pawling School, NY.
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
SAINTS // SPRING TEAMS
SAINTS GIRLS’ LACROSSE The Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse team had a successful spring season, beating Berkshire School, MA 14-7 in the semifinals of the inaugural Class B division tournament to advance to the championship game against Williston Northampton School, MA. Other highlights of the season include the team’s wins against Taft School, CT, Berkshire School, MA, and Wilbraham and Monson Academy, MA. Goalie Aaliyah Biondo ’18 plans to continue her lacrosse career at Bowdoin College, MA and Gillian Schullery ’18 at West Point Academy, NY. Other Sixth Formers on the team included Patsy Buckley, Sophia Poli, Ali Goracy, and Gabby Vitelli. Coach Lindsay Mulhern presented the Girls’ Lacrosse MVP Award to Aaliyah Biondo ’18 and the Coach’s Award to Sophia Poli ’18. 1: Megan LaBlanc ‘20 fends off an attacker from Ethel Walker School, CT 2: Aaliyah Biondo ’18 saves a shot against competitors from Ethel Walker School, CT.
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SAINTS // SPRING TEAMS
ATHLETICS TRACK & FIELD Coaches Tracy LaVigne, Cynthia Willmen, Drew Houghtalen, and Michael Niu led the Varsity Track and Field team this spring, helping the Saints end the season with several personal bests at the New England Championships at Hyde School in Bath, ME. The Boys’ team upset Trinity-Pawling School, NY during the regular season while the Girls’ battled against Green Farms Academy, CT and came away with the win. Alex Pitster ’18 won the shot put & discus event at the Annual Quad meet against Westminster School, CT, Berkshire School, MA, and Trinity-Pawling School, NY while Anna Oeser ’18 won the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m at the same meet to be named MVP of the entire competition. The Sixth Formers on the Boys’ team included Dakota Casey, Cameron Williamson, Seidu Shamsudeen, Alex Pitster, Sean Harrison, Draquan Jones, Henry Morgan, Logan O’Donnell, and Michael Speight. The Sixth Formers on the Girls’ team included ThanhVi Dang, Wynn Maloney, Anna Oeser, and Avery Rinkhoff. Coach Garcia-LaVigne presented the Boys’ Track and Field MVP Award to Dakota Casey ’18 and the Coach’s Award to Seidu Shamsudeen ’18 and Alex Pitser ’18. She also presented the Girls’ Track and Field MVP Award to Anna Oeser ’18 and the Coach’s Award to Avery Rikoff ’18. The relay team composed of Anna Imrie ’20, Maggie Ondrey ’21, Anna Oeser ’18, and Vanessa Okoroanyanwu ’20 prepares for their race at an away meet for the Saints.
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SAINTS // SPRING TEAMS
SAINTS CREW Rowing out of the nationally-ranked GMS Rowing Center on the Housatonic River, CT, Canterbury’s crew program grew in strength and numbers this spring season. With two varsity boats and one novice boat for both the girls’ and the boys’ programs, head coaches Sarah Newman and Landon Morin led the team to a successful record, matching the strength of peer prep school programs. Notably, the varsity boats advanced past the morning session to the final afternoon heats of the Founder’s Day Regatta hosted by The Gunnery, CT—the most widely-attended and competitive race of the season. The girls’ first varsity boat placed sixth and the boys’ first varsity boat placed third in their heat during the afternoon finals. The boys’ first boat, coxed by Andy Xu ’21 and composed of, stroke to bow, Will Ondrey ’19, Skylar St. Germain ’19, Gabe Diamond ’20, and Ryan Greguski ’20, qualified for the end-of-season New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Championships (NEIRAs). There, the boys competed in a tough first heat and impressively advanced to the afternoon’s petite finals, ultimately placing sixth immediately following Choate Rosemary Hall, CT and Groton School, MA. The team’s Sixth Formers included Megan Tracy and Morgan Ryall. Coach Newman presented the Girls’ Crew MVP Award to Brigida Caruso ’20 and the Coach’s Award to Megan Tracy ’18, and Coach Morin presented the Boys’ Crew MVP Award to Schuyler St. Germain ’19 and the Coach’s Award to Ryan Greguski ’20. The Boys’ Varsity V1 boat, composed of Ryen Greguski ‘20, Gabe Diamond ‘20, Schyuler St. Germain ‘19, and Will Ondrey ‘19 (bow to stern), race to the finish at Lake Waramaug, CT.
GOLF Led by veteran Coach Bob Potter, the Varsity Golf team spent their spring 2018 season practicing, learning, and refining their golf skills with many newcomers on the team. Brendan Desmarais ’18 (right) captained the team and was awarded the Golf MVP Award. Steven Mullally and Stanson Wu also led the team as Sixth Formers. The Coach’s Award was presented to newcomer Martin McDonald ’19 (left). Coach Bob Potter, center, poses with the Varsity Golf Award Recipients.
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SAINTS // SPRING TEAMS
ATHLETICS All Baseball Sixth Formers to Play in College
The 2018 Varsity Baseball team included a talented group of players and, unique to this season, a group of dedicated Sixth Formers who all play to continue their baseball careers at the college-level. Jordan Perez, an outfielder and the captain, will join the team at Endicott College (DIII). Garrett Crowley, Brian Gaughan, and Harsha Bollu, all pitchers, will play at Fordham University (DI), Central Connecticut State University (DI), and Tufts University (DIII), respectively. “I am proud of all their hard work to achieve each of their goals of playing at the college level,” notes head coach Todd Mathewson. “It is unique to have all five players in the program moving on to the play at the next level. I expect them to have an excellent and well-played season.” Sixth Formers, Garrett Crowley (top) land Brian Gaughan (bottom) signed their letters of intent to play baseball at their respective D1 colleges.
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
SAINTS Max Cotier ’19 featured in New England Baseball Journal
Max Cotier ’19 was selected for a feature in the New England Baseball Journal following the Saints’ Varsity Baseball spring season. Cotier, who was batting .508 entering the playoff season, committed to the University of Virginia, VA the summer after his Third Form year. The Cavaliers have advanced to the NCAA Division 1 Tournament every year since 2004 and won in 2015. “When I’m playing well, I’m making all my plays in the field,” Max noted. “I expect perfection out of myself every time I play.” Cotier ’19 helped the Saints advance to the semifinal game of the Western New England Prep Baseball League tournament and the championship game of the Small School New England Tournament. He was named Young Division Player of the Year for his contribution to the Saints’ season. Max Cotier ’19 stands outside the dugout during Canterbury’s game against Hotchkiss School, CT.
Players Selected for All-State Teams
Six players on the Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse team were selected for the National Tournament to represent Connecticut on one of four All-State teams. Isabella Cotier ’20 and Megan LeBlanc ’20 made the Connecticut Team I, Emma Gambardella ’20 made Connecticut Team II, Tori Congdon ’20 and Katherine Hesslink ’19 made Connecticut Team III, while Charlotte Zapletal ’21 made Connecticut Team IV. The National Tournament took place over Memorial Day weekend in conjunction with the NCAA Women’s Final Four. 64 teams competed from across the country, making the tournament one of the nation’s most popular recruiting events. “We are extremely proud to that our players have been selected to represent the state of Connecticut at the 2018 National Tournament,” noted Coach Lindsay Mulhern. “It is a great honor but also representative of their hard work and talent.” Bella Cotier ’20 takes the draw for the Saints during the team’s home game against Ethel Walker School, CT.
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SAINTS
ATHLETICS SIXTH FORM STUDENTS SIGN LETTERS OF INTENT TO PLAY DIVISION 1 ATHLETICS
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SAINTS
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1. Gillian Schullery ’18, pictured with her parents, signed to the United States Military Academy, NY for lacrosse. 2. Isabella Papov ’18, pictured with Director of Athletics Jim Stone, signed to Lehigh University, PA for crew. 3. Stephanie Proteau ’18, pictured with her parents, signed to Franklin Pierce University, NH for ice hockey. 4. Anna Oeser ’18, pictured with Coach Tracy Garcia-LaVigne, signed to Boston College, MA for cross country and track and field. 5. Brian Gaughan ’18, pictured with Head Coach Todd Mathewson (right) and Assistant Coach James Cramphin (left), signed to Western Connecticut University, CT for baseball. 6. Seidu Shamsudeen ’18, pictured with Head Coach Shawn Ganow (right) and Assistant Coach Julio Omaña (left), signed to Villanova University, PA for soccer. 7. Garrett Crowley ’18, pictured with Head Coach Todd Mathewson (right) and Assistant Coach James Cramphin (left), signed to Fordham University, NY for baseball.
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P U R P O S E lived
INSPIRING MORAL LEADERS IN A COMPLEX, SECULAR WORLD
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n 1915, with the help of Henry Havemeyer, Dr. Nelson Hume founded Canterbury School as a place to prepare young men to enter the best American colleges with a grounded knowledge of and appreciation for their Catholic faith. While the history is more nuanced than this simple statement, it is straightforward enough that Dr. Hume and Canterbury faced an uncertain future; the School was a new type of venture in independent education with no clear path towards success. It was a radical act at the time to open the School, but Dr. Hume was led by his belief that what he was doing was good and right and necessary—that a school like this would influence generations of students to lead principled lives upon graduation. Over a century later, our hilltop community continues to serve as affirmation of his initial convictions. While Dr. Hume and the subsequent Heads of School instilled generations of students with a sense of moral conviction, Canterbury’s purpose lived has been even more present since the formal articulation of the School’s mission in 1996. That year, following the outcome of the Board of Trustees’ Long-Range Planning Committee, faculty input, and student guidance, a written statement took shape—a directive-based charge for the School and its students.
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
It begins by outlining what Canterbury is in the plainest of terms (a college preparatory, coeducational boarding school), and it concludes with what Canterbury challenges itself to be: a place for faculty and staff to create and for students to become moral leaders in a complex, secular world. This phrase has permeated Canterbury’s spirit. Our academic curriculum and residential program, the responsibility of our faculty and the work of the School’s administration all converge during a student’s time at Canterbury to meet this challenge. Through international trips—rooted in social justice—classroom discussion, a thriving community service and social justice coalition, and local service opportunities, the School teaches students to lead by providing moments in which they can gain a better understanding of others and become champions of compassion. This is clear through the Lourdes, France pilgrimage, March service trip to Nicaragua, and several service opportunities through campus-based programs in the Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice. This summer marked the momentous 25th anniversary of the Lourdes, France pilgrimage, Canterbury’s longest-standing service opportunity. Lourdes, an internationally-known Marian shrine, is noted for being a destination for over five million malades (sick individuals) who make excursions to the site in faith of finding a cure. Canterbury has sponsored 25 summers of students making their own treks to the site, aided by long-standing former
faculty members Marc Vanasse ’73 and Guy and Viv Simonelli as well as current faculty members Julio Omaña and Tracy Garcia LaVigne. “At every step of the pilgrimage, it is impossible to know what students are downloading,” notes Julio, who accompanied the 2018 group. “But we know that the impact continues for a lifetime.” During the pilgrimage, the group from Canterbury spends the week surrounded by other pilgrims from across the globe. The fully-engrossed nature of the week challenges students, leading them to think outside of themselves for the entirety of the trip. “It is really faith in-action,” remarks Marc Vanasse ’73. The pilgrimage grew out of a trip that several students took to Colorado in 1993 to celebrate World Youth Day under the direction of Hope Carter P ’86, ’87, ’91, ’95, GP ’09, ’10, ’14, a former President of the Canterbury Board. During the trip to Colorado, the students met other students from across the globe and took part in a week of faith-filled activities. There, as well as for years following in Lourdes, Canterbury students have been members of larger teams, performing their work in tandem with people their age from myriad backgrounds of experiences. The Lourdes trip sits at the intersection of Canterbury’s emphasis on faith and morality. At one point during the trip, students accompany the malades into an indoor bath; in many instances, they must help individuals from stretchers or wheelchairs, grabbing their arms and pulling along their hands, fingers intertwined as they enter the sacred space. “It is a very corporeal understanding of what it may mean to walk in another’s shoes,” Julio continues.
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P U R P O S E lived
The trip has inspired, pushed, and challenged students for a quarter of a century. As it is open to students of all Forms, many choose to go for more than one year. Some return as alumni. The Kim sisters, class of 2011 and 2012, have returned for severals years following their pilgrimage as students where they stay and serve with the Canterbury group. While Lourdes sits at the intersection of faith and morality, Canterbury’s March trip to Nicaragua is rooted in service and a greater understanding of our complex world. For over a decade, Amy Omaña ’86, faculty member in the Theology Department, has brought a group of ten Fifth Formers and two Sixth Form leaders to Nicaragua to work with the Fabretto Foundation, a nonprofit organization that serves Nicaraguan families by increasing access to education for young children. The Canterbury students travel across the country over the course of nearly two weeks, starting the trip with a weekend in Granada, Nicaragua’s colonial capital, followed by Esteli, Nicaragua’s fourth largest city, and then Cusmapa, a city in the northern corner of the country. While in each location, the students’ activities transform to match their surroundings. In Granada, the group traditionally explores San Juan del Sur, the Pacific coast beach near the Costa Rican border, Las Isletas, an archipelago of 360 islands, followed by a visit to Masaya Volcano, an active volcano, Coyotepe, former president Somoza’s secret prison. The students stay at Hotel Plaza Colon, one of the city’s oldest and well-kept hotels, owned by Alan Chamorro ’80 and his wife, Ubelda Chamorro. Students settle into
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their initial weekend in Nicaragua by exploring the tourist-oriented attractions of the city, but the next pieces of the trip bring students to very different corners of the country. In Esteli and Cusmapa, the Canterbury team traditionally work on manual service projects. During the spring of 2018, Canterbury students deconstructed an old wall in a community center in Esteli and reconstructed it with cement and reinforcement. They also dug trenches and moved rocks for a new greenhouse project at the Quebrada Honda community in Cusmapa. During previous trips, Canterbury students have helped to construct foundations for schools and other community buildings. “Each time we moved cities, we saw a different way that people live,” remarks Sherley AriasPimental ’19, one of the students who attended the March 2018 trip. “I think we all had our eyes opened by the different backgrounds of the people we met.” The Nicaragua service trip has influenced generations of alumni to lead a life dedicated to the values that the trip instilled in each of the participants. “It completely changed the way that I think,” notes Maddie Milazzo ’19 who attended the 2018 trip. Upon graduation, Maddie plans to become a preschool teacher and work with underserved youth in urban centers across Connecticut. Will Dowler ’18 who also attended the March 2018 trip, was encouraged to return to Nicaragua mere weeks following the spring trip to continue to volunteer for Fabretto for the duration of his spring semester. This past year, Hillary Buzaid ’10 joined the students on the trip, her third time to Nicaragua with Amy following two trips as
The Magazine of Canterbury School
a student at Canterbury. “I continue to want to return to Nicaragua with the Canterbury students because of the different ways that they react each year to the experience,” notes Hillary. “And each year is an affirmation that Canterbury is creating an amazing campus community.” Hillary has lived the Canterbury mission following her graduation eight years ago. She is currently working towards her master’s degree in social work and works fulltime at Taller de Jose, a community resource center in Chicago, IL that connects people with the services they need. “What I think is so great about Nicaragua is that the students take the trip together and return to campus having grown together. Throughout the experience, each student is constantly learning in the supportive environment of the group.” While Canterbury’s trips abroad offer students the opportunity to grow in their compassion, within the confines of New Miflord, our Theology Department is doing the same. Spearheaded by faculty members Tracy Garcia-LaVigne and Amy Omaña ’86, the Department has incorporated social justice and service learning into their academic curriculum. Tracy’s Service Learning course has become a staple for Upperform students. The class approaches learning by using prior experience and academic knowledge to learn further about social justice issues and address community concerns. The students enrolled during the 2017-18 academic year worked at the Village Green community nursing center, Special Olympics, Social Services’ Walk-a-Mile event and the End the R Word campaign. The course challenges students to think about the difficulties that members of their local community face as well as social issues on a national and global scale. “Much of what we do is based in outreach, intentionally establishing stronger relationships with New Milford” notes Tracy. Even as many of our students come from other states and countries to attend Canterbury, the campus becomes their home over their four years here. Tracy hopes that her course as well as other service opportunities on campus help instill a sense of home and place in her students so that they feel more connected to New Milford. While the immersion trips provide students a sense of connectedness and compassion towards people across the globe, Service Learning lends students the chance to relate to and understand people in their local network, people who may be physically close but who are living a very different experience. The course—much like the trips organized off campus—indirectly prompts students to think about Canterbury’s mission as well as our Five Values: Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Self-Reliance, and Spirituality. Students are expected to keep a journal over the course of the semester and much of the work is independent of classroom time, reflecting self-reliance, honesty, and spirituality. The service work that they do in the community organization of their choice is based in compassion and respect. “We never talk about the five words exactly,” notes Mimi Dattilo ’19, one of the students in the course this past spring, “but at the end of the semester, I would have used those words and others to describe what we learned and did.”
“Community service has never been something that we require of students,” notes Keiko Mathewson, who served as the Director of Community Service for six years, “it is something that has just become ingrained into the culture of the School.” Many weekends, students elect to stock the food pantry at New Milford Social Services, assist with Special Olympics Connecticut, or teach youth from the surrounding area how to skate. Canterbury students have also participated in the Safe Walk hosted by the Women’s Center in Danbury. Women of Canterbury (WOC), led by faculty member Paige Root, has organized the Safe Walk each year as well as other social justice opportunities in tandem with the Women’s Center. This fall, the group has organized several events to raise awareness surrounding domestic violence and is working on their winter service project: knitting hats for women at a homeless shelter in Danbury. With the guidance of Tracy, Paige, and others, Canterbury has actively ensure that the focus of community service programs is not doing something for another but doing something with another. “We really emphasis that service is doing,” remarks Keiko, “and encourage students to take ownership of the events that the School may sponsor.” Expanding on the work that the Theology Department currently does, Canterbury opened the Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice located in the same corner of Hume. It now functions as the home of all of Canterbury’s social justice-oriented programs, and early feedback from students on the space has been exceedingly positive. Weekly events, such as Spirituali-TEA time each Wednesday, have been widely attended, and students have begun to use the Center as if it has always been a part of the daily routine. Emphasized by daily acts as well as the academic curriculum and organized service trips, the School community demonstrates Canterbury’s purpose lived. Our students, and subsequently our alumni (featured on pg. 36), have been tasked to live out the purpose and mission of their formative preparatory years. “When I was a student, this wasn’t something that was fully articulated,” remarked Ebony Grisom ’93, “But, when I returned as a faculty member and read the full statement, I remember feeling that the mission captured the best of what Canterbury strives to be, and that all along, students and faculty embodied what the words represent.” The determined purpose of the School has always been based outside of the confines of the School itself, an incorporeal place beyond each student, grounded in service, social justice, and duty to others. Molded in the founding of the School, Canterbury students have always been asked to care for others and inspire the same from their peers. And while the student body has transformed since 1915, the original purpose of the School has not. Over the last decade, evidenced in the programs abroad and within the Theology Department, Canterbury has solidified its commitment to providing students with the opportunity to grow in their compassion and understanding of others and become moral leaders. And while perhaps daunting to enter our complex, secular world, our students and alumni have been ready to do so, backed by Canterbury, where they learned and lived the mission every day.
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ALUMNI PROFILES
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GRIFF DOYLE ’64
hen Griff Doyle was in his Sixth Form year at Canterbury School, he was enrolled in a seminar-style class on ethics. It was one of few courses at the time that was modeled after the format of a college-level seminar course and many of his peers had also chosen to take it. The group discussed big-time topics: life, death, heroism, morality. All were prevalent topics given the backdrop of the Vietnam War, a looming fog for the soon-to-begraduates as they entered an uncertain world. Griff was fascinated by their class discussions—how and why people are the way they are— and he immediately approached his college advisor to ask about undergraduate programs with strong psychology departments. He applied and was accepted to Boston College, MA and headed off the following fall, his professional trajectory stemming from this high school interest. His undergraduate studies were tough—the program set students up to get into the top graduate schools in the country—yet he developed a passion for psychology. Through his graduate school practicum, he concentrated his studies on child therapy. He furthered developed his knowledge of psychotherapy and began to apply his theoretical knowledge to practice. Griff volunteered for a study on autism and the mother-infant relationship. He quickly became intensely involved in the study, which continues to this day. His involvement in this study at this stage in his career sparked a compassionate interest in the subject for a lifetime. Griff worked briefly in Kuwait, serving as a consultant for a program for adults on the autism spectrum. He was fascinated (and a bit overwhelmed) by his work there—how to begin how to build something from the ground up; how to adapt a model known to him for a different population, a different culture; how to work with the patients, their parents, and their primary care physicians. All parties were learning about autism from a different angle, and Griff bridged the spaces between the many starting points. He returned to the States with a renewed and grounded passion for his work.
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In addition to his scientific background with working with children on the autism spectrum, Griff ’s academic research includes the additional topic of the science of forgiveness: one of the internal defense mechanisms that humans undergo when processing a traumatic event. When one forgives another, it is considered a psychoanalyst defense. For many years, academic knowledge considered the defense unhealthy as it helps people avoid anger and rage, but Griff ’s research flipped the status quo. Forgiveness is a process in which people elect to partake—it is a process that is for the forgiver, not for the one receiving the forgiveness. Currently, Griff serves in private practice in Bethesda, Maryland. He also works as a consultant at a variety of clinical institutions. In his daily work, Griff practices what he learned at Canterbury about values: his primary role involves taking care of children and making sure the parents are heavily involved, invested, and equipt to raise their children to the best of their ability. “Children and families can only change by being mindful of the primary relationship between parent and child,” he notes. His work enables parents to better support their child’s development. Given his background, Griff has learned through practice how worthwhile it is to get to know people, to listen to what they express, to accept their differences. “There is a story to everyone,” he notes. Sparked by weekly attendance at Mass and daily instructions in philosophy and theology in the classroom, Griff reflects that much of his current work is, simply, instruction he learned originally as a high school student: how to treat and be treated by others. “For me, this all started at Canterbury.”
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SARA NERONE ’78
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hile Sara Nerone ’78 works full time as an ecologist with the National Park Service, during her “spare” hours (i.e. mornings, evenings, weekends, and any holidays), she directs and fundraises for Rock-Paper-Scissors Children’s Fund, an organization based in Vietnam whose mission it is to provide hands-on art and music classes to kids living in underserved areas and to help promote and encourage female education. Sara and her husband Chris Nerone adopted two daughters from Vietnam, Sophie at the age of 13 months in 1999 and Phoebe at the age of three months in 2001. The couple often spoke about returning to Vietnam when their girls got a bit older, to take time to show the two of them pieces of the country and culture. However, life took a different turn. In 2004, Chris became ill, and in 2010, he passed away from frontotemporal lobe dementia. Sara took time off in reflection of Chris’ death, and she, Sophie, and Phoebe traveled to Vietnam as they had always planned to do. The family volunteered for an already established nonprofit in 2011 and 2012 but decided they wanted to start their own organization. After living in Vietnam for several months, Sara applied for 5013c status in November of 2012, started fundraising in 2013 and 2014, and soon after became licensed to operate in Vietnam. Her organization’s name is Rock-Paper-Scissors. Sara and her two daughters moved to Vietnam during the initial stages of Rock-Paper-Scissors to oversee the implementation of their programs. Sara homeschooled the girls while they were there, and, after their lessons each day, the two would practice their instruments. (Sophie plays the violin and Phoebe, the cello.) Many of the children in the area in which they were living loved to listen to the girls play and were fascinated by the instruments. In witnessing the reaction to the instruments from many of the children in their town, Sara shifted the focus of Rock-Paper-Scissors to connect students with opportunities to create art and music. The initial idea was to provide after-school activities related to instrumental music, painting, drawing, and other forms of art. Since its inception, Rock-PaperScissors has worked with hundreds of students and currently has over 100 students enrolled in a year-round program. The organization also has locations in three distinct areas of Vietnam.
“I know all of the students,” Sara notes. “It’s been so fulfilling to see them grow since we first started working with them.” The organization serves children through after-school activities during the school year and full-day camps in the summer. Most students participate in the programs over the course of several years of their schooling. Many have completely picked up an instrumental because of this supplemental instruction and can help teach their peer participants. Recently, Rock-Paper-Scissors began a bike sharing program for school-aged girls, currently serving over 1,300 students. The organization began this initiative upon Sara’s observation that many girls, some as young as seven or eight, were walking to school. Often leaving before dawn and returning after dusk, Sara was motivated to provide a safer and more efficient way for these girls to get to and from school. Since implementing the program, daily attendance at the schools that her organization serves have increased tremendously. Rock-Paper-Scissors is an extension of Sara’s lifelong habit of always looking beyond herself. At Canterbury, she remembers spending time volunteering in Southbury with a faculty advisor and fellow students. She even missed the Commencement ceremony because she was studying in Greece. And now, while occupied with her fulltime day job and a fulltime volunteer job, Sara says that a lot of energy and passion for both of her roles keeps her going. “I will often write grants and work on our fundraising strategy in the morning before heading over to my day job, and then I’ll return home to continue an application process for a new program we are considering... it is all for important, life-changing stuff, so knowing that and believe in the mission keep me going!” To learn more about Sara and Rock-Paper-Scissors, visit www.rockpaperscissorschildrensfund.org.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS The following alumni, among countless others, have served inconspicuously as moral leaders since their time at Canterbury through their present day lives. They have championed Dr. Hume’s original motto and the School’s current mission, their daily work as evidence that Canterbury’s alumni are prepared to be “moral leaders in this complex, secular world.” Through their efforts, each has grappled with the ever-plaguing concerns of inequitable access to healthcare and the enduring cycle of poverty in the United States and abroad, facing a world in which spirituality and faith battle doubt and fear. Still, while challenged in their roles, these alumni are not deterred by skepticism or apprehension but instead inspired by the very same optimism and hope through which Canterbury was established and its inaugural purpose determined.
OSATO CHITOU ’98
CRAIG CZARSTY ’71 Craig Czarsty’s life reads like a Marvel comic strip: family physician by day and superhero doctor by night, bringing access to medical attention and solutions for chronic disease to remote areas of the Dominican Republic. And while he would not classify himself as such by any means, the analogy works: Craig ‘71 incorporated and served as the first president of Health Horizons International (HHI), a NGO based on the Dominican Republic that works to strengthen the delivery of primary care and improve community health outcomes through partnerships with local and international organizations as well as the Dominican Ministry of Public Health. When he is not in Watertown, CT where he has practiced family medicine since 1983, he is often traveling to one of 17 towns in the Dominican Republic in which HHI has established a partnership with community members to provide medical care. “We don’t do medical-tourism,” he remarks. “Our entire organization is based on pairing with local people and local institutions to achieve these results.” HHI has most recently been focusing their efforts on chronic disease prevention with a specific emphasis on diabetes. The organization was awarded two grants from the World Diabetes Foundation, and their staff is currently in the process of fulfilling the second, working in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health. In addition to the over 100 community health workers that HHI has trained, the organization currently brings in international medical volunteers three times a year, looking after 120 patients in the Chronic Care Program as well as others found to be at risk by the community health workers.. His team supplies all of the medication and training while actively looking to prevent the root causes of chronic diseases by, among other measures, promoting healthy lifestyles. He and his colleagues are motivated by finding even more sustainable models for their programs, ways to excuse the healthy outcomes achieved so far can be maintained and replicated by other towns, organizations, and doctors. Craig’s personal goal, and part of the aim of HHI, is to work with the Ministry of Public Health to augment the level of healthcare across the country to meet present-day international guidelines and standards. For more information on Health Horizons International, please visit the website at hhidr.org. To contact Craig, you may email him directly at cczarsty@hhidr.org.
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Osato ‘98 practices what she preaches. Her career has been devoted to improving access to quality healthcare for the most vulnerable populations, and each step of her life—her educational background, every job that she has advanced to hold, and every modification to the trajectory of her career—has returned to fulfill this promise. Following her undergraduate education, Osata became involved with the National AIDS Fund Americorps program and was stationed in a rural town in North Carolina. She was tasked with providing HIV advocacy work at a social service agency. Chronic underemployment, lack of affordable housing, substance abuse, mental illness, hunger—many of Osato’s clients had less than a sixth grade education. It was now, in their mid-thirties, with limited options and schooling, that so many of them had contracted HIV. “It’s the social things, their surroundings, where and how they grew up, that determined so many of their life outcomes.” Osato reflected that most of her clients also struggled with homelessness and adequate housing. “How were you supposed to make sure someone took their medication if they had nowhere to store it, no home to take the medication back to.” Provided with limited access to healthcare and influenced by social determinants that medicine had no hope to cure, Osato witnessed firsthand how one’s social and cultural foundation influence longterm health outcomes. After her year with Americorps, Osato knew she would need to continue her studies to have a greater effect—a system-wide effect—to provide quality healthcare. Osato received her master’s in public health while working fulltime as a social worker at the same organization at which she served during her Americorps year. She spent the following year completing her practicum at a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana, during which she lived on the camp herself. She centered her studies on how women in the camp, who often times were subject to secondary and tertiary resettlement, could build relationships and networks of care that would influence their health and that of their children. Many if not all were escaping sexual violence. Osato questioned how healthcare works for those at the camp, especially for women leading a family. She also questioned how those relationships had an impact on mental health. While she graduated with her MPH, Osato continued to think about how she could make sure her work would have the widest impact. She soon thereafter landed on law school. She graduated with her JD in 2010 from Rutgers University, NJ and immediately began to work towards achieving the impact in the healthcare industry that she thought about for so long, right at the intersection of politics and government, of corporations and big firms. While she continues to seek opportunities where she will have a systemic effect on healthcare for the most vulnerable, such as in her current role as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at tricenna, Osato has made sure in each step of her work that her daily life is entirely purpose-driven.
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Craig Czartsy ’71
Osato Chitou ’98
Ebony Grisom ’93
Mary Ellen Decker ’78
EBONY GRISOM ’93
MARY ELLEN DECKER ’78
Ebony Grisom’s daily work is entirely devoted to service. After completing seminary, Pastor Ebony worked within an American Baptist congregation for two years before transitioning to her current role. While she is still “preaching and teaching,” her current role is in advocacy with the Ecumenical Poverty Initiative in Washington, DC where she serves as the Director. The Initiative is “a faith-based nonprofit that seeks to end the scandal of poverty in the US,” as Ebony puts it. The organization serves to educate, train, and mobilize clergy to stand up against poverty and advocate on Capitol Hill. This is Ebony’s daily work, based in service, compassion, and above all, action. She began consulting with the Initiative in 2016 on predatory lending and transitioned into her current role as of January 2018. As an organization, the Initiative is focused on issues of food, hunger, and living wages. They have partners around the country—state councils of churches and denominations—which help their advocacy efforts on the Hill as well as in areas that are particularly vulnerable due to current state policies. She has also worked for the last six months as a Co-chair for the Rhode Island Poor Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, an entirely voluntary position.
When Mary Ellen Decker ‘78 was first approached by Jean Elade Eloi, the founder of Hope for Haiti Foundation, she thought that under no circumstances would she travel with him to see the on-the-ground work his Foundation was accomplishing. But within 30 days, she processed her passport and was flying into Port-au-Prince, Haiti—convinced by Elade—to visit and took part in an initial survey trip in his hometown of Zorange. This was early 2000, and now, in 2018, Mary Ellen Decker ‘78 and her husband Jerry Decker have spent nearly two decades intimately involved with Elade’s Hope for Haiti Foundation, an organization whose ultimate mission is to support healthcare as well as education and spirituality in Haiti. The Foundation is based on the premise that it supports Haiti helping Haiti by providing the financial and technical resources necessary in order to build and sustain medical clinics, community schools, and churches.
Ebony was ordained in the American Baptist Church in October 2016 and was a residence pastor in two churches prior to her current role. While she was serving the Church, she began to feel a strong pull towards advocacy. Ebony drove to Flint, Michigan in January 2016, and witnessed the crisis as it was unfolding, having driven a car full of water to be distributed by a local faith-based organization. After that pivotal experience, her ministry began to shift, and she began to seek ways to serve in a more advocacy-based way. “Thankfully, I was formed in a tradition that sees the church as something different than four walls and a steeple,” she notes, “which was true in the way my faith grew while I was at Canterbury.” Ebony’s faith was built around doing. “Much of the work that I have done as an adult was something I was doing as a Third Former,” she notes. “Now, it is just a bit more structured.” Ebony recalls being signed up to volunteer by Elizabeth Kelly in the Admission Office at the Children’s Center, though she doesn’t know why or how—being involved with community service just became part of what Canterbury was for her. “I’m realizing that many of the things that I did at Canterbury, things I learned indirectly, informed my own faith later in life.” Ebony recalls the routine of walking up the hill to Mass, gathering as a community, the process for getting ready in the morning with her classmates in the dorm and converging with the rest of the School in the pews. “The motions of it all coalesced when I was in the seminary in an ‘oh yeah I get it’ moment,” she notes. “It was a blessing to be in a place where there are people who live into the fullness of who God is calling them to be—it was so unique and special to be able to have this at Canterbury.”
While much of the focus of the Foundation over the last two decades has been on medical attention, the work has also shifted towards providing access to quality education—one of the tenets of their mission. On the initial 2000 survey trip, Mary Ellen asked each parent what difficulties they faced in raising their children. Overwhelmingly, even trumping medical attention or access to food, mothers replied that access to quality education was their greatest desire. In addition to the clinic, the Foundation has built a school in Zorange with 500 students currently enrolled from pre-kindergarten through high school. Within the last four years, the school has begun to graduate the first senior classes. “These students are some of the best in the country,” notes Mary Ellen. On a nationally administered exam, the students at the School had a 100 percent rate while the national average hovers around 29 percent. This outstanding passing rate is a direct result of the support and leadership from the Hope For Haiti Foundation. Inspired by the level of education she received at Canterbury, Mary Ellen’s current hope is to give students in Zorange the ability to receive a similar level of schooling. “Canterbury has a special place in my heart,” she notes. Mary Ellen was raised on campus while her dad, John Graney, spearheaded the Mathematics Department. “It was an honor and privilege to attend Canterbury, and I know many of my peers feel that way.” Mary Ellen recognizes the opportunity she was given to attend Canterbury, an appreciation of which inspires her work with the Foundation. She encourages her fellow alumni to reach out to her at jdeck42@aol.com if they would like to learn more, or to get involved with the Hope for Haiti Foundation, please visit the website at: www.hopeforhaitifoundation.com.
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CANTERBURY WELCOMES
NEW FACULTY MEMBERS part of the program. The more I worked with students, the more my own view of literature and the world developed for the better. The doctorate program was tough, but my students—their energy, their insight, their humor—kept me going. I knew I wanted to go into teaching full time when I finished my degree.”
MATTHEW BIGGART Matthew joins Canterbury as a member of the History Department following seven years at Avon Old Farms, CT where he taught history and coached the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. Matt graduated from Bates College, ME with a bachelor’s degree in history where he was a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Track & Field teams. He and his wife, Maggie, welcomed their first child, Sam, in May 2018. Matt lives in Carmody House where he serves as a dorm parent. “As an undergraduate [at Bates College, ME], I volunteered to work with elementary students from families that had recently immigrated to the United States. Guiding these students through their new academic and extracurricular lives was a momentous challenge but wonderfully rewarding. As a product of a New England boarding school, I know the best experiences occur when individuals develop strong connections in welcoming educational communities. I don’t know of another career that carries such daily joys and provocations of mentorship.”
Julia comes to Canterbury from New York, where she earned her doctorate degree in English with a focus on 19th-century British Literature at Stony Brook University, NY. During her PhD, Julia assisted with and taught college-level classes for the English Department for seven years. She designed and implemented curriculum for several courses including Introduction to Fiction, Introduction to Poetry, Victorian Literature, Research Writing, Composition, and Literary Genres and also taught at nearby Lehman College, NY. In addition to her teaching, Julia worked as the Deputy Administrator for the Center for the Study of Inequalities, Social Justice, and Policy at Stony Brook. Prior to her PhD, Julia received her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in French at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. She studied in London and Paris during her junior year and spent time after college in DC working for a law firm as well as an investment firm before pursuing her doctorate. On campus, Julia lives in Duffy House where she serves as a dorm parent and is the faculty director of the yearbook, The Cantuarian. “Both my parents are educators and my grandparents were educators, so academics were always really important in my family. As a kid I used to ‘teach’ my stuffed animals, but I didn’t know for sure that I would go into education until graduate school when I led undergraduate-level courses. Teaching for the first time ever was intimidating, but I found that it became the most rewarding
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ROBIN FROME
JULIA CLARKE
NICK ELLIS Nick joins the Canterbury faculty as a member of the Theology Department. He is a graduate of Providence College, RI where he earned a BA in social science. Nick also serves as the assistant coach with the Boys’ Varsity Hockey and Varsity Lacrosse teams. Nick comes to Canterbury after a stint as a goalie in the Edmonton Oilers organization. Prior, he was a goalie for the Division 1 Providence College, RI Friars. His team won the National Championship in 2015, and in the ensuing season, Nick was named MVP of the team and nominated for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, an honor which goes to the best player in NCAA Division 1 Hockey. Nick lives in Carmody House where he also serves as a dorm parent. “Coaching at this level has the most impact on those students who want to get to the next level, who want to play in college and beyond. It’s where players start separating themselves. It was during my time at a prep school that I realized how much I cared about hockey, and I’m looking forward to bringing that sentiment to Canterbury, building relationships with the kids as students and hockey players.”
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Robin serves as Director of Technical Theatre in the School’s Theatre Department. He received his bachelor’s degree in acting and directing from the University of Connecticut and his master’s degree in dramaturgical studies from Wesleyan University, CT with a concentration in dramatic literature. In conjunction with his role at Canterbury, Robin will continue to serve as the President and Artistic Director of the Sherman Playhouse, a local theater company. He has served the theater community in western Connecticut in several capacities since 1992, including as the Artistic Director for Main Street Theater in Woodbury, CT, the Drama Director for Regional School District #14 in Woodbury, CT and an eighth grade drama teacher at Memorial Middle School in Middlebury, CT. He has directed over 200 productions ranging from classical theater, children’s theater, and musical and original works. Robin lives off campus in New Milford, CT. “I knew I wanted to do this right out of college. In school, I had an audition where the professor asked me what I wanted to do… I said teaching. He yelled and said, “No, you’re supposed to say acting!” It was at that point that I realized, viscerally, that I wanted to be in education.”
CHAS HOLLINGER Chas joinsCanterbury as a member of the Fine Arts Department after two years at The Ross School, NY. Chas received his bachelor’s degree in art and political science at St. Lawrence University, NY and his master’s degree in painting from Western Connecticut State University. In addition to teaching art, Chas is a practicing artist who specializes in landscape paintings. He is an alumnus of nearby independent school The Gunnery, CT where he played both lacrosse and football and grew up on campus. Chas serves as a coach of Boys’ JV Lacrosse and Soccer. “Having grown up on a boarding school campus, I know what a positive and powerful community it can provide. I think that the relationships and trust you build with students on all fronts—from the classroom, to the field, to the dorm—can impact them for life, not only academically, but personally. Boarding schools have the ability to shape not just great students, but great people. I knew I wanted to be a part of that.”
MADELAINE LORD Maddie joins the Canterbury community as a member of the English Department and head coach of Varsity Field Hockey. She received her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in education from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and her master’s degree
in teaching with a concentration in secondary English from Sacred Heart University, CT. While at McGill she competed on their Varsity Field Hockey team and captained the team. Prior to Canterbury, Maddie ran the Ridgefield High School, CT field hockey program for two years as the head coach. Maddie lives off campus in nearby Washington, CT at Rumsey Hall School, CT with her husband, Zach, a fellow captain. “The premise of boarding school— where educators have the ability to work with young adults in academic and athletic settings as well as opportunities to get to know them as individuals—benefits our students tremendously in all areas of their education.”
MOLLY O’SULLIVAN Molly joins Canterbury as an Assistant Director of Admission and assistant coach of Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey. Most recently, she worked at The Hun School, NJ where she taught history and psychology and coached field hockey, ice hockey, and lacrosse. Molly received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Salve Regina University, RI and was a member of their Division 3 Women’s Ice Hockey team. Molly is a graduate of Westminster School, CT, where she helped their Girls’ Hockey program win a Division A Championship in 2011. Molly lives on campus in Duffy House where she serves as a dorm parent. “After graduating from a boarding school [Westminster School, CT] I knew I wanted to try and help provide the same amazing experience I had for someone else. I enjoy being a part of a community where I can help mentor kids during the most crucial part of their developmental years, whether that is as an advisor, on the ice as a hockey coach, or in the dorm.”
research associate in immunoassay development at a Boston-area pharmaceutical company. Sally lives on campus in Carter House where she serves as a dorm parent.
CAM ROFFE ‘12 Cam ‘12 comes to Canterbury as a faculty member in the Mathematics Department where he teaches Algebra II. He also serves a tutor in the Donovan Center for Learning, meeting with students one-on-one for mathematic and organizational instruction. In addition to his role in the Mathematics Department, Cam assists with the after-school Media Arts elective. Cam received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Connecticut, CT in 2016. He lives off campus in nearby New Milford, CT. “I never thought of myself as someone who would grow up to work as a teacher, but after I spent time tutoring this past year [in the Donovan Center for Learning], I realize that was exactly what I wanted to do.”
SALLY RUDERMAN Sally joins the Canterbury community as a member of the Science Department, teaching Honors Chemistry and AP Biology. She also serves as the head coach of Girls’ Varsity Crew. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Wellesley College, MA where she was a member of the Varsity Crew program and helped lead the team to win three NEWMAC titles. During her senior year, Sally helped lead the team to their 2016 NCAA Division 3 championship title. Prior to Canterbury, Sally worked as a
“Teaching has such a tangible impact on people—it’s an immediate lightbulb where I can help students get from A to B in their knowledge of chemistry within the span of a single class. Compared to where I was in the research world, where scientific discoveries often take years if not decades, teaching is so much more impactful.”
BRYCE WALLIS Bryce joins the Canterbury community as a member of the Science Department, teaching General Chemistry and AP Chemistry, and as assistant coach of Girls’ Varsity Soccer. She received her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry at the University of Vermont, where she served as a teaching assistant. Prior to Canterbury, Bryce worked as a chemist at a biopharma company in Essex Junction, VT. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Bryce also runs chemical management for the Science Department. She lives on campus in South House where she serves as a dorm parent. “I think being involved in students’ lives in a multifaceted way such as at Canterbury allows you to have a greater impact on their development. They get to know you as a person just as you do with them. You earn their respect, allowing you, then, a way challenge them academically in ways that would otherwise be impossible.”
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Over 200 alumni from class years ending in 3s, 8s, and beyond returned to campus for a three-day Reunion celebration on June 8-10. All class years were invited back for the weekend’s festivities, a new format for the Alumni Weekend events and one which brought back even more alumni than ever before.
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The class of 1968 kicked off their momentous 50th Reunion with a celebratory dinner and reception to honor their five decades of committed affiliation with the School. Over two dozens classmates were in attendance for the occasion, reminiscing on the momentum of the School over the last half century. The returning classmates posed behind Sheehan House in memory of their class photo taken 50 years prior in the same location—marked down to the same order of each row which they once stood! 4
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PICTURED ON THIS SPREAD: 1. Rachel, Eileen and Bill Morrison ’45; standing Ted Kane ’60 and Gerry McMurray ’60 2. Sheff Halsey ’68, Susan Rathgeber, John Rathgeber ’68; rear - Maureen Reddy, Dan Reddy ’68 3. Larry Goode ’68, Linda Phillips, Ken Phillips ’68, Tom O’Connor ’68, Joanmarie O’Connor, Head of School Rachel Stone, and Sheff Halsey ’68 (left to right) pose outside of O’Connor House on the occasion of their 50th Reunion. 4. Kim Niles, John Niles ’68 embraces Gary Glenn ’68, Chr is Carr ’68 5. Rob Rosser ’68, Mike Meserole ’68, Gustavo Torres ’68 6. Maggie and Paul Tucker ’68 with Rachel and Jim Stone 7. John Rathgeber ’68, Linda and Ken Phillips ’68, Rod Oneglia ’68 8. Josh Kenney ’00, Ken Mard ’99, Rachel (Kenney) Koelzer ’98, Robin and Maddie Dreeke 9. Matt Goodrich ’05 11
10. Patrick Devlin ’00, Omar Khan ’98, Hakim McMilian ’98, and Elise Godinez Kern ’98 (left to right) pay tribute to Maddie and Robin Dreeke at the Curtain Calls & Cocktails event during which alumni across the decades honored and recognized the couple’s 28 years of service to the School’s Theatre Department. 11. Dave Keating ’78, Tom Ewing ’78, Michael Burke ’78, Peter Tucker ’78 12. Laura Martiska, Joanna Martiska Woodworth ’77, Elaine Mullen Peer ’77 13. David Martin ’06 (grandson of former faculty Gilda Martin), Austin Farmer ’02
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PICTURED ON THIS SPREAD: 1. Classes ending in ’03 and ’08 march past Sheehan House and the Chapel’s Residence during Saturday’s annual Parade of Classes.
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2. The Class of 1968 stands outside Sheehan House on their 50th Reunion. The returning members of the class posed in the same positions as they appeared in their Cantaurian yearbook class photo 50 years prior. Pictured, left to right; front row: Nick Deegan, Gary Glenn, Chris Carr, Sheff Halsey, Carlos Brillembourg, Kevin McMurray, Jack Corroon, Jay Stein; middle row: Mike Meserole, Bill Connelly, Bob Luby, John Niles, Charlie Donahue, Larry Goode, Tom Riley; back row: John Rathgeber, Tom O’Connor, Gus Torres, Paul Tucker, Grayson Drexel, Rob Rosser, Ken Phillips 3. Marc Vanasse ‘73, Ward Wallau ‘73 4. Joanna Martiska Woodworth ’77 (left) and Elizabeth Dooley ’10 (right) stand in recognition of their induction as new members of the Society of Alumni Executive Committee. 5. Oriana Villareal ’08 with Sarah Ferland 6. Kate Briscoe ’08, Phil O’Connell (not an alum), Calvin Lai ’08 7. Sue Roberts, Maggie Wiatr ’11
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8. Mike Hennessy ’03, Ebony Grisom ’93 9. Jay Aligo ’98 attends the Alumni Reunion Weekend luncheon with wife, Tara, and sons. 10. Dorothy Alpert ’78 (2018 Athletics Hall of Fame inductee just announced), Jim Stone, Debra O’Connor Cully ’78 (2017 Athletics Hall of Fame inductee) 11. Bill Bergner ’09 12. Doug Bergner ’10 (rear), Keith Angell ’75
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THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
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In addition to celebrating memories between classmates, Alumni Reunion Weekend attendees paid tribute to Maddie and Robin Dreeke. The Dreekes, following a longstanding career of 28 years in our Theater and English Departments, retired at the end of the 2018 academic year. Prompted by the Curtain Calls & Cocktails event on Friday evening, dozens of alumni groups performed a cabaret-style show in commemoration of the couple’s retirement. The evening was full of many laughs, gasps,24and some (happy!) tears as the community bid a bittersweet farewell to two beloved faculty members. Saturday’s sunny morning was the perfect backdrop for the Parade of Classes, led by the class of 1968 on their 50th Reunion and aided by the Mulhern (faculty) children. The tradition of marching up the hill to The Chapel of our Lady was led by bagpipes, flags, banners, and practically palpable Canterbury pride. The day continued with an emphasis on athletics and friendly competition with the announcement of the Athletics Hall of Fame inductees for the upcoming fall 2018 ceremony and the Canterbury Lacrosse Association’s annual alumni game. The weekend concluded with a farewell brunch on Sunday morning. “Alumni and families were entertained and welcomed at every corner, and, most importantly, after three days of activities, their affinity and deep care for the School only grew stronger,” remarked 25 Director of Advancement Carol Maxwell of the weekend’s successful end.
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PICTURED ON THIS PAGE: 1. Alumni gather outside of The Chapel of our Lady following the Alumni Memorial Mass. 2. Mara Saperstein Weissmann ’78 3. Neil Boylan ’79, Denise O’Connor ’79
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4. Claire O’Keeffe ’13, Abby Woodworth ’13, Brody Pfeifer ’13, Owen O’Brien ’13, Kyle Winters ’13, Lisa Parrino ’13 5. Taylor Jendras ‘11, Julio and Amy McKenna Omana ‘86, Alexa Comeau ‘11, Maggie Wiatr ‘11 6. Carlton Tucker ’73 (left) and Paul Tucker ’68 (right) “boogie” together during Saturday evening’s dinner and dancing event. 7. Tom Nailor ’08 (left) and fiancee Julia Tully (right) dance during Saturday evening’s dinner and dance celebration.
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
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SOCIETY
SOCIETY OF ALUMNI ANNUAL MEETING RECOGNIZES AND HONORS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
OF ALUMNI
Paul Hayes Tucker ’68 receives The Thomas J. Sheehy III Distinguished Alumni Award; The Inaugural Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to Lilly Bertz O’Connor ’03
Following the Parade of Classes, alumni gathered in Maguire Auditorium for the Annual Meeting of the Society of Alumni (SOA). The SOA Executive Committee and Members at Large were in attendance at the event, which included alumni representatives from over a dozen distinct class years. Elizabeth Dooley ’10 and Joanna Martiska Woodworth ’77 were inducted as newly elected members of the SOA Executive Committee while two other alumni, Paul Hayes Tucker ’68 and Lilly Bertz O’Connor ’03, were recognized and honored with distinct achievement awards: The Thomas J. Sheehy III Distinguished Alumni Award and the Inaugural Outstanding Young Alumni Award, presented respectively to Paul and Lilly.
LILLY BERTZ O’CONNOR ’03 The Outstanding Young Alumni Award, established in 2018, honors an alumnus/a who graduated within the last 25 years who has made significant contributions to civic organizations and/or chosen a profession, and whose life is characterized by creativity, curiosity, and community service. The recipient reflects the highest ideals of Canterbury School. The 2018 inaugural recipient was Lilly Bertz O’Connor ’03.
PAUL HAYES TUCKER ’68 The Thomas J. Sheehy III Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 2014 and named for the fifth Head of the School, recognizes an alumnus of the School who, through their professional, community, or public service, has brought distinction to themselves, credit to Canterbury, and benefit to the communities they serve. Paul Hayes Tucker ’68 is an incredibly deserving candidate of this award, having made his career as one of the world’s most renowned art historians. Paul currently serves as Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Boston where he has taught for 36 years. He earned his PhD in the History of Art from Yale University and his bachelor’s degree from Williams College. Paul has previously served on the faculties of the Institute of Fine Arts, NY (NYU), the University of California Santa Barbara, CA (USCB), and his alma mater. Impressively, he is considered the world’s leading authority on Claude Monet. In addition to his academic work, Paul has been the President and Chairman of the Board of the Terra Foundation for the Arts and is the founder and Director of the Arts on the Point, UMass Boston’s internationally acclaimed collection of public sculpture. He has been honored with numerous awards and grants, including three Chancellor’s Awards from UMass Boston. Paul is the fifth Canterbury alumnus to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, presented annually at the Society of Alumni meeting.
Lilly currently advises on strategic communications for the Department of Defense’s health enterprise. She previously worked with the Department of Defense’s US Southern Command, where she led on strategic planning and communications for global health collaboration with partner nation military and civilian institutions across South America and the Caribbean. In 2009, Lilly completed a 27-month Peace Corps service in the West Indies as a community development volunteer and established an orchestra for underserved youth in her assigned village. Her experience in grassroots development was a driving force for her ensuing career in the US government. Lilly received her MPA and MS in social policy from the University of Pennsylvania and her bachelor’s degree in government and psychology from Dartmouth College. As the inaugural recipient of the Young Alumni Award, Lilly is as esteemed within her chosen field as she is among her Canterbury classmates.
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CLASS NOTES
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1960 S SEAN SLOANE ’60
Sean Sloane, Coach of Tennis & Squash at Haverford College, PA for 21 years, retired in June, 2018. Sean earned national rankings in both squash and tennis during his career and was ranked #30 nationally last year in the 75+ division.
EDWARD LEYDON ’62
DICK KEOGH ’49
Dick Keogh ‘49, reaching out to Canterbury from Greenport, NY with a reminder that he was voted Best Dressed in the Class of 1949!
1950 S ALF ERICKSON ’56
Alf Erickson ‘56 is living in Bangkok, Thailand.
ANTONIO VINALS ’58
“Congratulations to all in our class for our 60th reunion! I have been retired from a career on Wall Street for over ten years and now live in Madrid, Spain with my wife, enjoying golf, travel and tennis! My son went to Yale Medical School and is an ophthalmic surgeon and is married with two lovely daughters.”
BILL KUPERSMITH ‘59
“I have just published my novel about a prep school (imaginary of course) which is titled “The Chaplain of Blackburne House.” It is available at Amazon!”
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“I am happily retired and pursuing my favorite hobbies of beekeeping and running. I run 35 miles a week, and do one long-distance race every month, usually placing well in the 70 to 99 age group. I keep an eye out for other Canterbury alums at the Litchfield Hills Road Race which often takes place during Reunion Weekend. Have run the race twice.”
JACK TRACY ’63
“After 18 years of farming in New Zealand, we have sold up and have moved back to the US.”
FRAN FOLEY ’64
On May 5, 2018, the Saint Gregory School community of Loudonville, NY, honored Fran for his ten years of service as Headmaster. His portrait will be hung in the school along with those of his predecessors: M. Raymond O’Brien, past parent of Canterbury (’71, ’72, ’82), and James K. Breene, former faculty and past parent of Canterbury (’74, ’77). It was a wonderful evening for the Foley Family and greatly appreciated. Fran was a Canterbury Faculty member from 1979–1999 and is the parent of Megan ’91, Fran ’93, Sarah ’95, and Caroline ‘99. His wife Clare and youngest daughter Hannah send along regards to all at Canterbury!
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JOHN RINGSTAD ’75
The stress of teaching his kids to drive has gotten to be too much for John Ringstad ‘75. So 16-year-old Kate Ringstad is getting some help from Archie Ringstad, who is a Zen Master of the road. Kate and her sister Tess are both students and field hockey players at Mt. DeSales Academy in Catonsville, MD. Their older brothers Cullen and Teagan are out in the grown-up world, but still living close by.
BROGAN DUFFY ’71 Brown University Varsity Wrestling 1974.
PETER WARD ’64
Seven from the Canterbury class of 1964 went to Georgetown. Robin Kearney and Jim Laidlaw have since passed away. All the survivors were at the 50th reunion at Georgetown. From left to right: Tony Eben, John Ainsworth, Hal Smith, Dick Hanley and Pete Ward.
“I am at lower right next to former Senator and Governor of Rhode Island, Lincoln Chaffee. Linc was a good friend in college and it was fun when Linc’s father Senator John Chafee visited our wrestling matches.” Brogan with husband Des, pictured in Sydney, Australia at Gay Games opening ceremony in 2002. Brogan competing in a cycling event at the Gay Games. “Canterbury taught me athletics, and I never gave it up. Although slowing down the pace now, with just good healthy walks.”
FRANK ANTHONY ANTONELLI ’77
FRANK HICKEY ’71
PETER TUCKER ’78
A film producer, Frank is pictured with newly minted action figures from his upcoming (Fall 2018) movie BEE, about a young Vanguard Soldier who is diagnosed terminal and chooses to spend her final year attending a local high school, where she discovers nothing is as it seems. Frank produced the film.
READ MCNAMARA ’65
“I have retired for the third, and final time, as Assistant Dean of The Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. My wife, Mary and I are looking forward to splitting our time between Nashville and Maine, where we expect many visits from our five children and eight grandchildren. Given I have lost more than a few steps, I have scaled back non-profit involvement to Operation Stand Down, The Legion Fund, and Program Chair of my 50th Reunion at Colgate, which, like our spectacular Canterbury 50th Reunion celebration in 2015, coincides with an important anniversary of the school, Colgate’s 200th.”
“I am traveling the world, right now riding camels in Leyte, Philippines, writing my next book in the Dancing Max Royster series, sleeping outdoors and in local gers (houses), and learning and speaking the local language.”
Tucker brothers together with classmate and friend Ward Wallau ’73 at Stanford vs. Notre Dame football game on Thanksgiving weekend 2017. Pictured from left to right: Peter ’78, Carlton ’73, Ward Wallau ’73, Tucker brotherin-law Reiner Boehning, and Paul ’68.
CHRISTOPHER COLVIN ’72
“Just back from another summer teaching philosophy at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, my 12th summer of teaching there in the past 15 years. Now it is time to ready for another year of teaching high school history and geometry in Austin, my 24th. Texas and Turkey each offer interesting perspectives on the current disturbed scene.”
1980 S KEITH STEIN ’80
After several decades of living in Westport, CT, Keith Stein reports that he and his wife have spent almost year living in the Washington, DC area and are currently enjoying city life in the Georgetown neighborhood. Keith has recently begun working with a startup focusing on the new national opportunity zone program that connects private capital with low-income communities across America. PAGE 51.
CLASS NOTES 1980 S
TOMAS MONTGOMERY ‘81
“My wife Kate and I are facing the empty-nesters phase of life in Chevy Chase, MD with joy and trepidation. (What are we going to do with the time freed from to-and-fro-ing to crew meets? Movie matinees? Leftover dinners on the couch?) Theo is off to start his career in Boulder and Henry is starting at Reed in Portland this fall.”
MARGARET OLNEK ‘81
JOE NOVELLA ’81
Joe is the owner of Green Star Energy Solutions which installs high-performance, carbon-free heating and cooling VRF technology retrofits in New York City. Notable clients include the New York Athletic Club, Bryant Park, Edision Properties, Omnibuild and the Performing Garage. Green Star will be converting the 100-year-old, 800-room Stewart Hotel on 31st St. and 7th Avenue next year.
“I’ve been living and working in Colorado as an attorney for the past quarter century. But, since my kids are launching at 21 and 18, and my dog, Feetwood Max, has died, I feel it’s time for me to come home. Vermont has always had my heart, so I have taken a position teaching family law at the Vermont Law School, starting this fall. Even though Canterbury seems like a lifetime ago, if you want to catch a round of golf in Quechee, VT, let me know—I live for old friends.”
NASIR NAQVI ’90
In April 2017, Nasir Naqvi, MD, PhD gave a briefing to the US Congress on the opioid crisis. Dr. Naqvi is an addiction psychiatrist and neuroscience researcher at Columbia University, NY.
LISA STEELE-MALEY ’90
“I am thrilled to announce the June, 2018 release of Without A Map: A Caregiver’s Journey through the Wilderness of Heart and Mind. Like traveling in the backcountry and supporting my Dad on his journey with dementia, publishing this memoir has been a learning experience each step of the way. I am grateful to see this book come to life and hope it will offer companionship, courage and peace to families as they navigate this often uncharted territory in their own lives.”
KAREN (BECKER) CASEY ’91
Class of 1991 mini-reunion at the Reds vs. Yankees game in September 2017. Left to right: Karen (Becker) Casey, Sam Connelly, Tricia Castellini Headley and Cheshire McIntosh.
VICTORIA BUNDONIS ROVIN ’81
“The NY Innovative Theatre Awards nominated me for Outstanding Actress in a Featured Role for my performance as Carlotta Campion in Follies, a critical nod. #ILoveMyJob! Even better, recently I had lunch with classmate Joe Novella ’81 in NYC. He and Tom Esposito ‘80 are taking the city by storm with their company Green Star Energy Solutions.” Victoria, singing an iconic Sondheim song in Follies, at Astoria Performing Arts Center (photo credit: Michael Dekker, 2018).
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SEAN EMMETT ’83
Rick ’83 and Cindy (Brainard) ’83 Armellini with Sean Emmet at the Armellinis’ summer residence last summer in Little Compton, RI.
MELISSA FOERST ’95
Melissa married Elizabeth Foskett in June, 2018 in Old Saybrook CT.
PETE COTIER ’86 MATT GLASER ’81
Matt Glaser ‘81, Rich Carter ‘95 and Doug Bergner ‘10 found each other at the NCAA Final 4 in Lacrosse during the 2018 Memorial Day Weekend in Foxboro, MA.
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Pete Cotier ‘86 (right) celebrates classmate’s 50th birthday.
The Magazine of Canterbury School
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT BILL MEARA ’97
WRITTEN BY MARC VANASSE ’73 If Bill Meara ’97 were a brand, advertisers might position him as a loyal Canterbury supporter, successful entrepreneur, and community service advocate. He is also genuine and unpretentious—a marketer’s dream. The Saints family is fortunate to count him in its fold. At the start of his senior year at Hingham (MA) High School, Bill and his parents determined that he would benefit from a prep school post-graduate year. His dad had attended a boarding school for four years and was very familiar with the benefits even a single year of such an experience could have on his son. “After my student-led tour and great interview with then-director of admission Pat Finn, who was also my lacrosse coach, I knew right away that Canterbury was where I wanted to go,” says Bill. “I felt very comfortable.”
DYLAN CROWLEY ’96
On April 8, 2018, Dylan and Kelly Crowley welcomed Darcy Anne to their family. Darcy joins her brother Padraig (5) and Daphne (3). The Crowleys are in love with their new addition!
Bill credits the rigorous structure of the School’s day and his great teachers with putting him on the right path to understanding himself better. “I value my Canterbury teachers, especially Jim Shea, for teaching not only the facts but also teaching the analytical necessary skills to make sense of all that information,” says Bill. “My teachers were really interested in what I had to say, my opinions, my conclusions. The day’s rigorous structure was also something I needed and was so helpful to me.” Outside the classroom, Bill played on the varsity soccer team and varsity lacrosse team, which he captained. A talented athlete, he was selected to play on the East-West All-Star and the All-New England lax teams. His passion for and success in sports certainly play a crucial role in his current job. Although no stranger to community service work before he came to Canterbury (Habitat for Humanity in West Virginia), Bill acknowledges that his involvement in volunteer programs at the School solidified his desire to always give back. For the past ten years, Bill has co-chaired Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Massachusetts Bay. “I stay true to what Canterbury inspired in me about service,” says Bill. “It’s very important to me.”
SUE (MOFFITT) DELEGAN ’96
“My sister Kim Moffitt Hehir (Class of ’90) and I recently launched Brutus Broth, LLC in all Wegmans and Big Y stores. We debuted with our all-natural, human-grade bone broth fortified with added joint supplements. Our Company focuses on nutritional solutions for your pets, giving back to the community and teaching kids about entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Check out our website at www.brutusbroth.com. This fall we will be launching on Amazon.” (Photo is of Sue’s rescue dog Brutus, 13 years old)
KAREEM
MIMMS ’96
Enjoying an impromptu visit to campus with his sons over Memorial Day Weekend 2018.
After graduating from Trinity College (CT), where he majored in history and played lacrosse, Bill went to work at Vector Meara Transit Advertising Group, run by his dad. “I have always had a passion for the media entertainment space,” says Bill. Seven years later, Spire Capital purchased Vector Media. Then, Fuel Outdoor, an advertising company, hired Bill to restructure and diversify its business before Van Wagner bought it and later sold it to CBS. After exiting Fuel Outdoor, a close friend of Bill at Columbia Capital hired him as CEO to turn around a struggling asset, now called Access Sports Media (AMS), a digital advertising company that takes brand concepts and builds unique and impactful campaigns through a mix of stadium advertising, arena advertising, in-venue sponsorships, mobile dominations, social media amplification, and digital out-ofhome opportunities. “We take advantage of 30,000 television screens in fifty sports venues in the U.S. to deliver nearly one billion impressions a year, “says Bill. When not running AMS, Bill enjoys giving back to the school that means so much to him. He served on the School’s Society of Alumni for three years, currently serves on the Canterbury Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee, and takes great pride in having helped re-invigorate fall Homecoming Day. He keeps close touch with many of his classmates. Today, Bill lives in Hingham, MA, his hometown, with his wife Christine and their three girls, Brooke, Morgan, and Elle. “Canterbury changed my life,” says Bill. “I was at a crossroads and I needed a strong framework to channel my strengths. Canterbury provided exactly that with lots of love and compassion. The School will always have a special place in my heart and will always be a place to which I want to give back.”
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CLASS NOTES
ALLISON MILLAR ’04
Allison attained her graduate degree in acupuncture in 2015. After traveling the world practicing acupuncture on cruise ships, she opened her own clinic in Keene, NH and recently expanded her practice to a beautiful new space.
2000 S MARTY SALOKAS ’00
Marty and his wife Chanel welcomed their first baby on June 17, 2018. Makenzie Amanda Salokas was born at Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, CA.
SCOTT FROST ‘03
“My wife Erin and I are overjoyed to have welcomed our first child, Benson James, into the world on February 11, 2018 . Life has certainly taken on a new meaning for us here in San Diego, and it has been an incredible first few months. I’m still working at TaylorMade Golf, leading our brand marketing efforts for our Irons, Putters and Wedge business units. I got to spend time with Mike Ciardullo ’03, Vincent Ciardullo ’05 and Wes Scott ’02 last year at Vin’s country club for a mini-West Coast Canterbury reunion. It’s great to keep those friendships alive. Hope everyone is doing great!”
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HEALY FAMILY
The Healy Family at Graduation: Dane ‘03; Clancy ‘09, Callahan ‘18, Roisin ‘15, Sullivan ‘13, and Rory ‘10.
DONALD HORNER III ’03
“I have served on several boards including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the River Club, the Propeller Club, and Jacksonville University’s Alumni Board of Governors. I am currently the Vice Chairman of the River Club of Jacksonville, Florida. I am a 2015 graduate of Leadership Jacksonville and was a (unsuccessful) candidate for the Florida House of Representatives in 2016. Currently, I’m in the process of training for “The Donnie Double,” which is a two event initiative in April 2019 where I will raise funds for The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus. On April 15, 2019, I’ll run the Boston Marathon with the MS Society Team and will donate all funds raised to the Greater New England Chapter of the MS Society. Diagnosed with M.S. in 2009, this is a cause that I’m passionate about and I think the marathon is a great way to mesh two of my passions: exercise and the M.S. cause. Two weeks following the marathon, I’ll compete as a contestant in Jacksonville’s Dancing with the Stars on April 27, 2019 where I will raise money for the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus. Dancing is my greatest fear and I’d like to face it! Plus, the cause is great....”
LILLY (BERTZ) O’CONNOR ‘03
On May 29, 2018, Lilly and Tim O’Connor ’03 welcomed their first child, Meadow Marie.
The Magazine of Canterbury School
CAROLYN (THIESS) BRENNAN ’06
Danielle (O’Neill) Palazzolo ‘06 and Carolyn were bridesmaids in each other’s weddings in October 2017. Tamara Linde ‘06 was also in attendance at Danielle’s wedding on October 7, 2017 and Aubrey Nolan ‘06 and her father Mark Nolan were in attendance at Carolyn’s wedding on October 28, 2017.
DAVID MARTIN ’06
“USA Triathlon age group nationals is done! What an incredible experience to race with 160 of the best 30-34 year olds in the country. Race recap: USAT had music blasting as we entered the water. The horn blew and we were off. I had athletes swimming over me and all around me, kicking and grabbing as they tried to make their way towards the first buoy. As we navigated the first buoy we faced direct sunlight which blinded us as well as a current that tried to push us to shore. Coming out of the water I heard David Bennet yell 30th! I knew I needed to make top 18 for a spot at the world championships so I knew I had some catching up to do. It was a 400 yard run to transition to grab the bike and head out onto the main highway through Cleveland. I got low and tight to my bike and began to pedal hard through the city. At the turn around I counted 20 athletes so I knew I had made a lot of progress. Coming off the bike I was in 17th place. The run began with a 300-yard climb and at that moment I grew tight in my chest. I knew this was an issue as it causes a bit of pain and distress but I tried to push through. I stopped at one water station to drink and try to calm the sensation when two athletes passed me. I ran to catch up, and with less than a mile left in the race I tried to push every last bit of speed I had. Crossing the finish line
I grabbed a bottle of water and tried to catch my breath. I finished 19th out of 160 athletes and my bike split was the 25th fastest out of all 3000 athletes. I was so thankful for such a great finish at my first national championship, and hopefully I will hear some good news soon that I will be invited to the world championships in Switzerland.”
ANDERSON MCMASTER ’08
Anderson McMaster married Kimberly Barua on May 5, 2018 in Pawley’s Island, SC. Pictured from left: Ryan Fritz ’08, Janie Janito, Greg Szkop ’08, Anderson McMaster ’08, Kimberly McMaster, Samantha Buzaid ‘08, and Tyler Tilghman.
GIOVANNA DIGENNARO ’07
Giovanna and Kyle Ekstrom ’07 met at Canterbury and were married on December 31, 2017. So many Saints were in attendance! From left to right: Heather Muirhead ’07, Julia Haller ’07, Bridget Heaton ’07, Lexie Routh ’06, Alessia Gagnon ’07, Kayle Schnell ’07, JC Routh ’07, Willis Stephens III ’08, Kyle Ekstrom ’07, Giovanna DiGennaro ’07, Louis Lestorti ’07, Will Finn ’08, Kim Muirhead ’09, Ryan Dunn ’07, Matthew Chisick ’07, and Chris Cocce ’07.
GRAHAM HENDERSON ’11
“Recently returned from a Deployment to the Middle East and living in El Paso, TX. Stationed at Fort Bliss. Selected for promotion to Captain and will be attending the Captains Career course at Fort Sill Jan 2019. I am the front right person in the attached picture.”
CORY JAMES SALATINO ’12
HANJONG YOO ’07
Met Chris Cocce ’07 at Nashville, TN.
TOM NAILOR ’08
Adam Bessel, Class of 2008 and Tom Nailor- roommates reunite! They were proctors in Carmody as Fifth Formers.
Great News from the Salatino brothers! Since graduation from Canterbury many doors have opened! Christopher J Salatino Jr. ’10 has since opened his own international public adjusting firm with headquarters in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Cory J. Salatino ’12 is a campaign manager for a candidate of the New York State Assembly running in the 119th District. Cory has also opened a marketing and advertising consulting firm in Atlanta, GA called INCOGNITO Consulting LLC. None of this would have been possible if Canterbury hadn’t paved the way for promising futures.
Shef Halsey, Class of 1968 with nephew Tom Nailor, Class of 2008 celebrating together at Alumni Weekend.
DOUG BERGNER ’10 KALEY (GIBSON) MCCAHILL ’08
Kaley married Patrick McCahill on December 2, 2017 in New York City. Pictured left to right: Jillian Tondreau ’07, Samantha Storch ’07, Samantha Buzaid ’08, Kaley McCahill ’08, Briana Berg ’08, and Mika Roux ’08.
Doug Bergner ‘10 tallied three goals vs Beer Sheeva and earned the RW Baird Offensive Player of the Game. Bergner along with Rich Carter ‘95 and Matt Glaser ‘81 attended the 2018 World Lacrosse Championships in Israel.
TORI MORINI ’10
Tori Morini has worked for ABC News on their popular show Good Morning America for the past four years since graduating from Syracuse University. She recently won her second Emmy for her work as a producer in the “Outstanding Morning Program” category.
KELLY (TANNER) ISSLER ’13
“I married the love of my life, Fallon in December, 2016. We renewed vows last fall with friends and family. We currently live in Sasebo, Japan as Fallon is stationed here with the United States Navy. As for me, I got injured during my time in the United States Army and was medically discharged last year. I bartend here on base where I am able to network with various ranks and mentor continured on next page PAGE 55.
CLASS NOTES 2000 S
F A C U LT Y
IN MEMORIAM
KELLY (TANNER) ISSLER ’13 / CONTINUED
the young junior enlisted sailors. Additionally, I have been doing freelance graphic design and print work for several breweries and small business shops back stateside. We look forward to moving back to the U.S. next summer and can’t wait to live on the west coast. Japan has been a wonderful experience, especially the rich culture and various traditions. Our time here has been fast and we are ready for our next adventure. Finally, I am training for my first ultra marathon in November here in Japan. After running the Boston marathon in 2015, along with several other races, I am motivated to run 50 miles!”
Stephen F. Abbott P ’06, ’08 1947 - 2018
ABBY WOODWORTH ’13
“I graduated from UMass Amherst in May 2017 where I received my bachelor’s degree in Communication. I am currently working at Westover School as a dorm parent, coach, and business office support. I am excited to be on the other side of boarding school life and have enjoyed competing against Canterbury in sports!”
Jules G. Viau P ’79, ’83 1927 - 2018 (page 56)
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
James S. Kernan Jr. ’32, P ’72 1914 - 2018
N. James McNerney ’47 1929 - 2018
Robert H. Meyer ’47 1929 - 2018
Leonard G. Tubbs Jr. ’47 1929 - 2018
Bayard K. Sweeney III ’56 1938 - 2018
Peter A. Hendricks ’58 1940 - 2018
William J. Sanders Jr. ’58 1939 - 2018
Donald J. Richardson ’98 1980 - 2018
ALUMNI
IN MEMORIAM Charles Hopkins Vejvoda ’46 1928 - 2018
Charlie O. Coudert ’49 1931 - 2018
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REMEMBERING JULES VIAU Jules Viau, revered and longtime Canterbury School Language Department faculty member, died on Friday, April 20, 2018. He was 91 years old. Jules Viau grew up speaking French with family and friends in the francophone region of Holyoke, MA before learning English at the age of seven by the nuns at his elementary school. He attended Assumption Prep, MA and Assumption College, MA then earned a licentiate in philosophy from Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. Jules came to Canterbury in 1954 directly from a master’s program at the University of Massachusetts through which he earned a degree in French literature. He knew of Canterbury because of the School’s roots in the Catholic community and former headmaster Walter Sheehan’s basketball fame in his central Massachusetts hometown. When he came to campus for his interview, Jules was not sure of the impression he made, but Headmaster Sheehan popped in and declared, “He’s from South Holyoke—he can cut it.” And true, he did “cut it”—and much more—for his 40 years at the School. A Renaissance man, Jules taught Latin, French, and Spanish. He contributed significantly to a Language Department that valued intellectual curiosity, cross-subject expertise, and academic eagerness—all ideals that Jules, himself, embodied. He listened endlessly to classical music, loved modern philosophy, and spent his days in scholarly debate, switching, as he could, among languages. There was not a subject that Jules could not speak to, or, at the very least, read up on and quickly become an expert to share humbly with his students. A mere five years after joining the faculty, Jules received the 1959 Cantuarian dedication, noted as a “quiet yet determined man” who “guided [his students] to knowledge through wisdom.” The dedications of the yearbook to Jules in 1959, 1969, and 1982 speak to his enduring legacy and the impact he made on the lives of his students. He was one of only two faculty members to have received three such honors. Jules was famous for delicately extracting participation from his students. It is reported that he would often stand behind the rows of desks in his class, guiding a distracted pupil toward an answer or otherwise engaging a sleepy class with the material. Countless alumni have graduated Canterbury holding close to them their nickname of “tomata”—a term endeared by Jules after hearing an incorrect answer or spotting a pair of faltering eyes and tapping a student gently on the side of his head. Always accompanied by a goodhumored sigh, Jules encouraged learning through his demand of the material
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accompanied by his understanding nature. In true boarding school fashion, Jules also served as a coach, leading the tennis program for several decades. “[Jules’ students] worked for him because they knew he was working for them,” wrote Dean of Faculty Wright Danenbarger in the spring 2013 edition of the PALLIUM. His students knew that he always had their back. As an educator on a boarding school campus, Jules served in the unofficial role of a provisional parent; he was deeply involved with and cared for each passing student. “[Mr. Viau] was First Team All-Canterbury for 40 years,” noted Mike Meserole ’68. In addition to his duties as a teacher and coach, Jules was the Director of Guidance, appointed specially by the Headmaster because of his endless compassion and commitment to his students as growing, learning individuals. Jules retired in 1994 after 40 years of dedicated service to the School. He was the recipient of the Canterbury Medal in 1997. In 2014, his former student Jack Heffernan ’58 generously established The Jules G. Viau Chair in Foreign Language. Jules had consistently been one of the most requested faculty members for Reunion Weekend. Even approaching 25 years into his retirement, Jules continued to be admired and respected on campus. He remains in the hearts of his students, recognized in theirs as they were equally in his. Revered as quiet yet determined, demanding yet empathetic, wise but endlessly inquisitive, Jules Viau will always be remembered as a true school man. He is survived by his wife, Helene, and his children, Joseph ’79 and Mary ’83.
The Magazine of Canterbury School
CHARLIE O. COUDERT ’49 Charlie O. Coudert ‘49, the 2004 Canterbury Medal recipient, a 2016 Hall of Fame inductee, and former member of the Board of Trustees, died on September 16, 2018 at the age of 87. He was a longtime resident of Sherborn, MA and most recently Framingham, MA. While Charle was born in Dayton, OH, he grew up on the East Coast and spent his youth in Greenwich, CT, sailing out of the Indian Harbor Yacht Club with his siblings. Upon his entrance to Canterbury School, Charlie quickly became a standout member of the community. He received the Headmaster’s Award at his graduation ceremony, which, as noted by then Head of School Walter Sheehan, was “presented to that boy who by performance in athletics and School citizenship represents Canterbury the best.” Charlie led the School as Head Sacristan, South House (now Carter House) Supervisor, and captain of the Varsity Football team during his Sixth Form year. A remarkable scholarathlete, Charlie was a multi-sport competitor, contending for the Saints on the Varsity Football, Hockey, and Track and Field teams. He was an exceptionally gifted football player and served as the starting guard for four consecutive years. For his athletic duty to the School, and with special regard to his football career, Charlie was inducted into the Canterbury Hall of Fame in 2016. Following Canterbury, Charlie matriculated to Yale College, CT where he was a member of the Bulldog’s Varsity Football team. He received his bachelor’s degree in English and further continued his studies at Columbia University Business School, NY. Charlie spent his career in dedication to his country. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 through 1958 in both Guam and Morocco. He then became a career diplomat with the United States Foreign Service and was Second Secretary at the American Embassy in New Delhi, India. He was posted at locations across the world including Pakistan, Egypt, France, and the United Nations in New York. He retired from the Foreign Service in 1991 though continued to consult as an independent advisor in the field. Upon retiring from his exceptional military and diplomatic career, Charlie served the School as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1994 through 2001. As a member of the Development Committee, he spearheaded the Board’s efforts to grow the Endowment through the planned giving program and he himself was a generous supporter of the Annual Fund and Class of 1949 Endowed Scholarship Fund. From his years as a student through his service as a Class Agent and Trustee, Charlie devoted his considerable talents
and energy for the advancement of our School. In 2004, Charlie was honored with the Canterbury Medal. As noted at the ceremony by then Head of School Tom Sheehy, “Charles embodied every aspect of what it meant to be a Canterbury man.” A Mass was held for Charlie on Saturday, September 29 at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa of Lisieux Church in Sherborn, MA where Charlie was an active parishioner and member of the church choir. Canterbury School also celebrated his life and legacy on Sunday, October 21 with his brother Rene Coudert ‘55, nephew Paul Coudert ’86, and other family members in attendance.
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FACULTY HIGHLIGHT THE DIAMONDS
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imply put, Canterbury School is a better place because of the Diamonds. Longtime history faculty Jonathan Diamond and his wife, Dr. Anne Diamond, the recently appointed Science Department Chair, are exceptionally dedicated and qualified educators. They offer invaluable commitment to our School and students, bringing their subject-related expertise to each class, imparting their academic passions within each lesson, and mentoring the emerging interests of each of their pupils. The Diamonds have been associated with the School since 2001—Jonathan as the Director of Guidance and AP history teacher—but the 2017-18 academic year marked the couple’s first full year teaching together. Anne, who began at Canterbury with AP Psychology during the 2016-17 academic year, transitioned to be Chair of the department while Jonathan continued in history, wrapping up his sixteenth year with AP World, AP US, and AP European History. The couple have worked together before (both Jon and Anne previously served as counselors in the greater New Milford area) but the two note how fun—and different—it is to work together as teachers. As clinicians, the pair would refer clients to other counselors, but, as Anne remarks, “it’s different and rewarding at a School, to share some of the same students.” The past two years, Jon and Anne have co-taught several Forensic Science lessons, Anne with her background in medicine and biology and Jonathan adding a historical perspective, including
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
information on forensic anthropology. “It’s a real treat to be working together like this,” Anne continues. As educators—knowing each other’s strengths, interests, fascinations—they can play off of their experiences together. While the two met during their undergraduate studies at Yale University, they had grown up only blocks apart from one another on 79th Street in New York City. “Only a few blocks, but several thousands of people apart,” laughs Anne. After college, the couple moved back to New York City, each to pursue a graduate degree in their individual subject matter. During those years, Anne completed her medical degree at New York University School of Medicine, NY and her residency in psychiatry at the Bellevue Hospital Center at NYU. While Jonathan began his graduate studies at Columbia Law School, NY, he made the decision to instead enroll in courses to receive his master’s degree in history—he just really loved the subject matter. Jonathan also received a second degree, his MSW, from Fordham University. From New Haven to New York City and back again, the Diamonds returned to Connecticut, this time settling in New Milford, intent on raising their family outside of the city. They had the car packed— “literally stuffed, I even remember the date, June 16, 1993,” notes Anne—and drove north out of the city, 25 years passing with the growth of their two oldest children and the birth of their youngest, Gabe ’20. “Canterbury is an incredible place,” stresses Anne. “We were entirely welcomed as a family, even when it was just Jonathan working here.” Moving from New York, the Diamonds were unsure how to build community. “In New York, you live so close to everyone that you have to see each other in apartment buildings. But here, the houses are so spread apart!” Around Halloween time, as the Diamonds were considering how to trick-or-treat in such an area, their worries alleviated when they were invited to join the faculty trick-or-treat train across campus housing. They brought Gabe, their youngest son who is now enrolled as a Fifth Former, and he became a faculty kid overnight. “He grew up on campus,” remarked Anne, even though the couple lives in the nearby town. Playing squash with Brendan Omaña ’19 and other faculty children, Gabe was informally taught by Jonathon’s upper form students and mentored by a group of Anne’s Sixth Form students—in true boarding school fashion. After 15 years of teaching, Jonathan was named the first annual recipient of the JP Mandler Teaching Award in May of 2017. The award, named in honor of longtime faculty member JP Mandler, is presented annually to the faculty member displaying a fundamental commitment to excellence in classroom teaching.
“ IT IS ABOUT WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE— WITH THE STUDENTS — AND HELPING THEM COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE OF THE MATERIAL THAT MOTIVATES US AS EDUCATORS.” JONATHAN DIAMOND “He was an extraordinarily inspirational teacher,” noted Jonathan. “I am incredibly humbled to have been considered, let alone receive, the award in JP’s honor.” The Diamonds knew longtime faculty members JP and Lou Mandler through colleagues at the Collegiate School where Jonathan had taught while living In New York City. The couple noted that JP and Lou were very helpful and friendly when he first moved to this area, but for Jonathan, getting to know JP shed light on how incredible of an educator he was. “It was obvious how strong his command of the material was and how he was able to inspire his students to want to learn more,” he said. “I can’t even begin to count the number of times students would begin to talk about the incredible things JP had just taught them. For the remainder of my career, I hope to have even a portion of a similar impact on my own students.” The Diamonds reflected that the most rewarding part of their careers at Canterbury so far has been when alumni return to campus and visit their classes. “This was the first year it happened to me with some Sixth Formers I had in AP Psych…it was so special,” remarked Anne. One of her students returned to the same class and began to talk to current students about her intro college course in the matter. The same students offered recommendations for what the Diamonds could cover in their AP Forensic Science class—a class that several students continued in college because of their groundwork with the Diamonds. Both Jonathan and Anne noted that these sort of interactions are what continue to inspire their work as educators— it is all about the students. While both have favorite subjects to teach, what they enjoy and are motivated by “is about working with the people, with the students, and helping them come to an understanding—a love—of the material.”
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THE DUFFY TRAVEL GRANT FACULTY MEMBER SAM HARGROVE TRAVELS TO GHANA TO VISIT THE RIGHT TO DREAM ACADEMY
YEAR 7 STUDENTS (THOSE NEARING 12 YEARS OLD) WORK ON THEIR STATISTICS PROJECT FOR THE WORLD CUP EDUCATION PROGRAM. Next Page: SAM HARGROVE WORKS WITH THE STUDENTS
HEADING TO AMERICAN PREPARATORY SCHOOLS THIS FALL TO PREPARE AN AMERICAN HISTORY LESSON.
The John P. ‘59 and Anne Duffy Travel Grant is awarded annually to a faculty member for their travel expenses on a domestic or international journey that will impact the future of their teaching at Canterbury School. The Award is founded on the conviction that, in a shrinking world, intercultural experiences for educators enhance not only the individual who may receive the Award but also their students and their future instruction at Canterbury School.
SAM HARGROVE STANDS WITH ALL OF THE GIRLS TRAINING AT THE RIGHT TO DREAM ACADEMY ON HIS LAST DAY IN GHANA. THE STUDENTS HAND WROTE HIM A CARD AND EACH SIGNED THEIR NAMES AND A SHORT NOTE.
The selected 2018 recipient was Sam Hargrove, a faculty member in the Mathematics Department and head coach of Girls’ Varsity Soccer. Sam traveled to Ghana to visit the Right to Dream Academy, a fully residential soccer academy, and Cambridge International School located in southeast Ghana, home to over 90 students from across West Africa. Students at the Academy receive world-class soccer training and education with the intent of matriculating to a professional European soccer team or an American preparatory school upon their graduation.
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The mission of the Right to Dream program, in tandem with their Academy, is to identify talented children and through soccer, education, and character development, provide them with a transformational foundation and the opportunity to world-class professional pathways. Two alumni, Mohammed Zayki ’17 and Seidu Shamsudeen ’18, are graduates of the Right to Dream Academy. Zayki is currently a sophomore at the University of Michigan, MI where he plays for the Wolverines Varsity Soccer team. Seidu entered Villanova University, PA this fall where he is also a member of their D1 Varsity Soccer team. It was on a car ride back from just outside Philadelphia three years ago when the idea to travel to Ghana first popped into my mind. I was traveling with my advisee, Seidu Shamsudeen ’18, who had just completed his first visit to Villanova University, PA for a soccer recruiting camp. Now several years later and that initial thought has become a reality. I was able to make the trip to the Right to Dream Academy during June 2018 thanks to the generosity of the Duffy Family Travel Grant.
The Magazine of Canterbury School
I consider myself well-short of an experienced traveler. Many of my years have been spent traveling the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions of the United States. The two previous times I had been out of the country were to England with family. As I boarded the plane to Ghana, the initial nerves of travel rushed over me. I was bound for a place well outside my comfort zone, a place that would teach me far more than I could imagine. I landed in Ghana’s capital city of Accra and soon found one of the Academy’s drivers who drove me two hours northeast of the capital. We passed through the city and its surrounding market towns and found ourselves in a rural setting where the streets were lined with goats, chickens, and, to my pleasant surprise, a cheerful group of baboons. We soon arrived at the academic facilities of Right to Dream located across the street from the tiny village of Old Akrade and ventured to drop off my things at the Volta Escape Resort down the street. I had known a little about the Academy through its US Pathways program here in the States. Both Zakyi ’17 and Seidu ’18 attended Canterbury through their association with this group, a nonprofit soccer Academy aimed to shape talented young boys and girls through education, soccer, and character development. But even with the YouTube videos and countless conversations with graduates and people from the program, I was eager to experience it all firsthand. However, any nerves were cast aside when I sat down for my first dinner at the Academy and was greeted by one of the students who wanted to know where I was from. I responded that I was from Canterbury School in the U.S., to which she replied with a smile, “sounds like my future school.” My first week was spent getting a sense of the academic side of the Academy where I observed and assisted in several math, physics, and chemistry courses. The kids range from ages 9 through 17 and hail from Ghana, Ivory Coast, and a few other African nations. Many students were tentative at first about this new American in their classroom, but they soon let their curiosity to learn show. Not before long, students were comfortable allowing me to help them with their work. Many were excited to explain to me a concept they understood. I also worked closely with the group of students
headed to the U.S. this year. These seven students led an American history discussion that was engaging, thorough, and impressive. In the afternoon, we had character sessions where we learned about temperaments and how to build social intelligence. Character building is a major pillar of RTD’s philosophy. At night, I noticed their curiosity continue during periods of enrichment where they played board games, learned about robotics, read books, worked on art projects, honed their baking skills, and, of course, watched and played soccer. Soccer is at the center of these kids’ lives. Each one of them views the sport as a vehicle to a better life, whether that is playing professionally, representing their country, or helping them secure scholarships to some of the best schools in the U.S. My first week was a light week for the boys and girls athletically as they were tapering, but I had the opportunity to watch many of the students play over the weekend. These young boys and girls who smiled with such wide-eyed curiosity in the classroom became fierce, skilled and mature soccer players who often matched up against opponents far older than they were. This weekend was an internal match between teams which was an intensely competitive game for the students. Leading into the next week, I participated in their weekend activities at the school which included a movie night and “The Big Shaq Math Challenge,” which was used as a mental math skill building exercise for the students. To the kids’ great joy, I was able to dethrone the reigning champion, and, as one Academy teacher phrased it, it was the most excited the students had ever been over basic arithmetic.” The following week led to the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Russia and all of the academics were focused around the participating countries and statistics surrounding the teams in what was known as the World Cup Education Program. The students researched and completed presentations on their assigned countries which were shown prior to watching each team’s first match. During the week, I also became more involved with the soccer side of the Academy, helping out with training each morning with the girls’ program, the first residential soccer Academy for girls in the entire continent of Africa. I became familiar with their playing style, methods of coaching, and the athletes themselves: what they loved about the game and playing together. Getting to interact with these students in all facets of their lives prompted me to move my flight back two days to make sure I was able to watch the final match before departing. WRITTEN BY SAM HARGROVE
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RETIREMENT MADDIE & ROBIN DREEKE 1. Maddie and Robin Dreeke pose following their final performance (Into the Woods) in May 2018. 2. Ken Mard ’99 and Rachel (Kenney) Koelzer ’98 co-host Curtain Calls & Cocktails. 3. Matt Goodrich ’05 extends his thanks to Maddie and Robin during the Alumni Weekend celebrations. 4. Josh Kenney ’00, Ken Mard ’99 and Rachel (Kenney) Koelzer ’98 present the Dreekes with a signed poster in honor of their 28 years.
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“ THE DREEKES SET MY LIFE ON AN UNDENIABLE COURSE. SINCE MY FIRST SHOW AT CANTERBURY, NO MATTER WHAT, I HAVE ALWAYS RETURNED TO THE THEATER. I CANNOT THANK THEM ENOUGH FOR LEADING THIS AWKWARD, LONELY KID TO HIS FOREVER HOME.” MATT GOODRICH ’05
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Following 28 years of steering the Theater Department at Canterbury School, Maddie and Robin Dreeke retired following the spring musical, Into the Woods, at the end of the 2017-18 academic year. Maddie, Director of Drama, and Robin, Director of Technical Theater, have literally run the show since 1990. While their involvement was purely accidental—Maddie was initially hired as an English teacher—both she and Robin have made a monumental and tangible impact on the School’s theater productions. Their well-deserved retirement comes following 61 successful performances and thousands of inspired student-actors. Maddie began her career at Canterbury in 1990 in the English Department and as a dorm parent. She transitioned seamlessly into community life at Canterbury as she had spent the second half of her career teaching after the pair chose to move to New Fairfield from New York City to raise their son. The couple, feeling restless and sensing their impending empty nest syndrome once their son left for college, actively chose to join a boarding school, drawn in by the all-consuming nature of the job. They happily moved into Carmody House and became new parents for nearly 50 male students. While Maddie worked in the classroom, Robin continued to do freelance work as a theater technician outside of the school community. As often is the case in boarding schools, Maddie and Robin became the de facto directors of the theater because the School needed faculty to step into the role, and the pair serendipitously had the work experience. While they had not been heavily involved in professional theater productions since moving to the suburbs nearly 20 years prior, their technical background was easily unearthed. Maddie, already a teacher, progressed over time into the Fine Arts Department, while Robin, who was still doing freelance work, was softly nudged into the role. He struck a deal to become a full-time Canterbury employee and dropped the majority of his outside work. With his guidance, the Fine Arts Department began to offer a technical theater elective. He quickly gained a following of eager students to work with him on the sets—those who were good with their hands, who could and wanted to help hammer, climb ladders, and use a nail gun. With each passing year, he has maintained a steady stream of loyal alumni that continue to help him on current productions or have otherwise entered the technical profession. The Magazine of Canterbury School
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As the theater department flourished under the oversight of the Dreekes, Canterbury’s proximity to their prior home in New Fairfield became an asset for the couple—and the School. They both had continued to work with an acting troupe in the area during their summer months, so when the troupe closed in 1997, the self-entitled theater mafia (dozens of their actor friends) was creased into production life at Canterbury. For every performance, an assembled mass of professional actors was enlisted to help with the set design and script. These friends, who, as Robin puts it, have been waiting for them to retire for years, worked with Canterbury students year after year, often serving as mentors for aspiring stagehands in the same capacity that Maddie and Robin had. Once the Dreekes entirely took over the fall, winter, and spring plays, theater at Canterbury became something else. In 1994, the Dreekes brought in a local actor to teach the Cockney dialect for My Fair Lady. So many people showed up for the 1996 spring production of Grease that Canterbury had to turn hopeful attendees away from the auditorium door. During Bye, Bye, Birdie in 2000, the cast finished the play via flashlight to receive a standing ovation after the School lost power during the intermission. Robin built a transportable, foldable ship for Pirates of Penzance in 2005, modeled after the Golden Hind, a ship in London near the Globe stage. While each new play brought its own challenges, successes, and memories, one of the most universally acclaimed productions of the Dreekes was Noises Off. As Maddie relayed herself, “It was an absolute nightmare, and the best play we ever did.” For the performance, Robin built a two-story revolving set with seven separate doors. Noted in Canterbury: the First Ninety Years, the production “earned its place as one of the most memorable theater performances at [the School] (Bolster, 246).” While Maddie drifted toward working solely in the Fine Arts Department, it was her pure love of Shakespeare that inspired the English Department to be the fall all-School Shakespeare read. At her prompting, the entire student body started to read one Shakespeare play then attend her theater production of the same book. Maddie encouraged English teachers to invite the student actors into their classrooms, to ask them to perform any of a myriad of scenes from the book or to request a monologue and to explore an in-depth analysis of their characters. She would provide study guides for each English class and a children’s version of the play for faculty kids. Their final fall Shakespeare performance was Much Ado About Nothing.
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Selected as the recipients of the Duffy Travel Grant in 1998 (the second year the grant was available), the couple traveled to Britain for several weeks and navigated the countryside as if old country players. There, as they met brilliant actors and influential contacts, the two birthed their famous March break London Globe trip. Following that year, Maddie and Robin organized an annual trip to London for a select group of nine students to attend a week of classes at the Shakespeare Globe Theater. From 1999 through 2008, the Dreekes brought almost 100 students for an unforgettable expedition of full-day theater classes and a nightly dinner and show routine. “The students were always so excited to be there,” noted Maddie. “And the Globe actors would then become so much more visibly passionate during the workshops because they could sense it in our students.” The Globe classroom would become a hub of ideas, inspirited with the palpable buzz of the young actors. The Dreekes would then return to the U.S. with a host of new visions for Canterbury’s productions—and their students with even more enthusiasm for engaging in theater. “What Maddie and Robin have envisioned, built, and sustained at Canterbury is both marvelous and magical,” remarked Head of School Rachel Stone. “Their partnership, in combination with a true, deep understanding of both teenagers and theater, are at the center of fabulous productions and joyful casts and crews. I am grateful to have seen their final four shows.” Fine Arts Chair Kim Tester noted, “Having worked with the Dreekes’ for over 20 years, it is hard to put into words the depth of their positive impact on our community. Maddie and Robin have guided and supported our students to discover something new about themselves as individuals. These experiences have offered students a chance to ‘work outside of the box’, creating opportunities to learn lifelong lessons. They will be missed.” Maddie and Robin were honored during Alumni Reunion Weekend with Curtains & Cocktails, an event which brought together alumni across generations of class years to honor the couples’ service to the School. Rachel (Kenney) Koelzer ’98 and Ken Mard ’99, both active “players” during their time at Canterbury served as the evening’s lively MCs. Alumni returned to celebrate the Dreekes’ impact on Canterbury and their own trajectories through song, dance, and memorable backstage tales.
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RETIREMENT MARC VANASSE ’73
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arc Vanasse ’73, the longtime Editor of the PALLIUM, retired from his position at the end of the 2017-18 academic year. His retirement follows 41 years of dedicated service as a member of the Canterbury faculty and 58 years of association with the School as a faculty kid, student, and alumnus. He is the ultimate Canterbury diehard, serving the School in over a dozen distinct roles, including as Director of Communications and Director of Publications. Head of School Rachel Stone delivered these remarks at the Sixth Former Dinner on May 21, 2018 where Marc was the elected speaker to address the class of 2018.
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Marc moved to New Milford in 1960 with his parents and, eventually, his four siblings. His father, a longtime and acclaimed teacher, was in the Language Department, and all five Vanasse children were Canterbury students. Marc, the oldest, graduated in 1973 and returned to work at the School in 1977. Extending from August of that year, he now holds the title of longest-tenured faculty member—and perhaps the one with the greatest number of job titles.
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The Magazine of Canterbury School
1. In Palermo, Italy 2. In Lourdes, France 3. In the Duffy Art Gallery 4. In Mallorca, Spain 5. In the Duffy Art Gallery
The student body today knows him as Canterbury’s “photo guy,” the face behind the lens, the man who takes photos at prom and magically puts them up on Flickr minutes later, the man students avoid at on-campus events so that you’re not unexpectedly featured on social media.
6. In Mallorca, Spain 7. In Lourdes, France 8. In Lourdes, France
But to generations of students, Marc took on a myriad of other titles. Before he was the “photo guy” he was the PALLIUM guy. Before he was the PALLIUM guy, he was the theatre guy. He has been the yearbook guy, the Director of Publications guy, the Director of Communications guy; the Carillon guy and the film studies guy. When Marc was first hired as an intern in 1977, he was an ESL tutor, a driver for students when necessary, and an expert in dorm duty— he did it all. Marc covered where he was needed, did what he was asked, and he was hired as full-time faculty the following year. Over the last forty years, Marc has continued that tradition. He taught IV Form English, VI Form English, Introduction to Literature, American Literature, and Journalism. He was a member of the Fine Arts Department and led Modern Drama, American Film Studies, Genre Studies in Film, Intro to Black and White Photography, and Intro to Digital Photography. He has directed dozens of plays, musicals, and one-act scenes. As a faculty kid, student, and teacher, he lived in Havemeyer, Carmody, Sheehan, Duffy, and Ingleside. He coached Varsity Football and played Fourths Basketball. He received the Duffy Grant to travel to Sicily, Italy in 2009. He traveled to Haiti on a School-sponsored mission seven times. He has been on the Lourdes trip 23 out of 25 occasions, accompanying 23 years of students and faculty on the momentous pilgrimage. Over the last forty years, in each role that Marc has been asked to hold, he has done so for Canterbury. He has done so for the betterment of the School, to the improvement of Canterbury’s offerings, and for the value of our students. Decade after decade, he has stepped in where Canterbury needed him and has raised the profile of the School through his constant efforts. Marc holds 58 years of Canterbury history—58 years of students rotating through dormitories, classrooms—58 years of Sunday morning walks over the hill to the Chapel. He holds generations of memories, of movement, of progress and change—of new buildings, new dorms, new classes—of innovation, uncertainty, and curiosity. Marc is the unofficial messenger of Canterbury tradition and purveyor School culture. While each student, faculty, family member, or friend think we know Canterbury, we know our Canterbury. We know the School as we shared and loved it during our time here. And while those years ultimately transform to make Canterbury what it is, Marc knows Canterbury. More than memorizing the names of every current
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student, alumni, faculty, or trustee—though he does remember all that—Marc knows how and why and when each of these people individually, graduating class after class, have been laced together to create what we know as Canterbury. You could even say he is Canterbury. Marc, with his lifetime of experience and innumerable perspectives, is witness to the fact that Canterbury will remain long after we do. And as the School continues to move forward following his retirement, his 41-year commitment to the School will be an enduring feature of what Canterbury is and what it becomes over the next half century.
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
1959
BOYS’ VARSITY SOCCER TEAM
This team photo of the 1959 Boys’ Varsity Soccer team was found in the Canterbury archives nestled between copies of decades-old Cantuarians and newspaper clippings of athletic achievements. While Canterbury saves copies of all our team photos when possible, this picture is unique in that each of the player’s names were recorded on the back... or so we thought! Our staff was immediately excited that we could pair each individual to their school record until we found out that this photo was actually printed in the 1959 yearbook with an accompanied name label for each athlete pictured. We had to laugh. Still, the photo is a reflection of Canterbury nearly 60 years prior, a momento from the archives of our School’s history.
Top row, left to right: Mr. Sheehan (coach), Lyons (manager), Kupersmith (Manager), King, Hackett, Reyburn, Mullins, Wilcox, Droitsch, Koenig (Manager), Hall, (Manager), Mr. Herbert (Coach) Middle row, left to right: Long, J. Leydon, Duffy, Mountain, Coyle, Byers, A. Smith (Captain), Staudt, L. Donovan, W. Maloney, Sarpy, Ossorio, Sheridan Bottom row, left to right: K. Matoney, Mill, T. Largay, P. Shea, Pacella, McMurray, Kane, Kilkenny
PAGE 68.
The Magazine of Canterbury School