Pallium | Fall/Winter 2018-19

PA L LI U M Canterbury School

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LEAVING THEIR MARK The impact of our longstanding faculty members

CANTERBURY AT ITS CORE What is the legacy of our School in our graduates?

IN THIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS 5 From the Head of School 6 Mission & Momentum 22 Hilltop Happenings 50 Academics 56 Athletics 70 Performing Arts

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80 Advancement

Fate brings two families together on the hilltop

88 Class Notes 94 In Memorium

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CARNEY & CLARKE HISTORY

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SPIRITUALITY, SERVICE, & JUSTICE Service and campus ministry find a home in the CSSJ

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TRAVEL

Julio Omaña tells the story of how travel became a priority both in and out of the classroom

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Mike Hume ’99 on his 20-year career in sports media

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An E X T R AOR DI NA RY GI F T Centers and Celebrates Our Mission With an unwavering commitment to Canterbury’s enduring values and Catholic heritage, philanthropists and former Big Y Foods, Inc. executives, Michele and Donald D’Amour P ’93, ’98, GP ’20, ’22, ’23, have gifted $1 million in support of the School’s new student commons building. As part of Mission & Momentum: The Campaign for Canterbury, the historic gift will name the M. and D. D’Amour Center for Faith, Service, and Justice—a transformation of the current Center for Spirituality, Service, and Jus-

also their moral and spiritual development, helping them to know what is true and what is good. In this current climate of relativism, it takes courage and character to stay true to your mission.”

The couple continued, “Two of our children learned what is true and what is good at Canterbury School. Now two of our grandchildren are here, not only to attain college and career readiness but in the pursuit of truth to become people God intended them to be: individuals who will enter adulthood fully capable

“The creation of our new Center for Faith, Service, and Justice will allow the D’Amour name to inspire generations of students as they wrestle with questions, weave service throughout their lives, and embrace a life lived in response to something greater than themselves. We are deeply grateful for Michele and Don’s extraordinary generosity to our students and our School.”

— Head of School Rachel Stone tice (CSSJ) and a physical embodiment of the founding traditions that lie at the center of our mission.

On the occasion of their gift, the D’Amours remarked, “Historically, education in this country was directed not only to children’s intellectual growth but

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of exercising their liberties and able to embrace becoming citizen-leaders.”

“We have long been supporters of schools that understand that faith and reason are compatible. Canterbury has not lost its focus in this regard but has chosen to strengthen its core mission

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and demonstrate that commitment in a concrete fashion through the Center for Faith, Service, and Justice. We are proud to help continue that legacy,” said the D’Amours.

In addition to housing Canterbury’s campus ministry office, the D’Amour Center will serve as a home for service activities, retreats, guest-speaking events, discussion groups, and prayerful meditation throughout each day. The current Center, which opened in September 2018, is located in Nelson Hume Hall in a repurposed classroom that is limited in its ability to accommodate the growing programmatic needs and daily use by students and faculty.

Tracy Garcia-LaVigne, Director of the Center, remarked. “The Center and its intention resonate with our students’ desire to reflect and connect with their thoughts, to process their days, and to connect with one another in an intentionally reflective place. It is due to the generous support of the D’Amours that students will be permanently afforded this opportunity.”

Michele and Don’s lifelong philanthropy is rooted in their own faith, commitment to quality education, and ties to local communities across the northeast. Currently, Don is the retired Chairman of the Board and CEO of Big Y Foods, Inc. and Michele previously served as the company’s Educational

Michele and Donald D’Amour, parents of Nicole (Schneider) ’93 and Danielle ’98 and grandparents of Justin ’20, Alex ’22, and Cadence ’23 Schneider, continue the legacy of developing students’ minds and moral character at Canterbury School through a gift to name the M. and D. D’Amour Center for Faith, Service, and Justice. (Photo by Jennifer Salvon)

Partnership Administrator. Both began their careers at Big Y—Michele as a cashier, Don, a service clerk—before joining the corporate team. Both also have strong roots in the education sector.

Don, who received his Ph.D. in philosophy from University of Notre Dame, ID, taught at the same institution and Michele, who received her master’s degree in education from American International College, MA, worked as a teacher at various levels, including a college instructor. Michele was also instrumental in implementing Kids Count with Big Y and Homework Helpline, community-based educational initiatives through the company.

The D’Amours’ philanthropy extends across myriad faith-based, education, health, and arts organizations. Inspired

by Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on Faith and Reason, the pair co-founded the Fides et Ratio grant competition for small Catholic colleges as well as the on-going Fides et Ratio summer faculty seminars under the auspices of the Faith and Reason Institute in Washington D.C. Additionally, their ongoing generosity has supported the Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, MA; The D’Amour Cancer Center, MA; Assumption College, MA; The Community Music School of Springfield, MA; the Parents Television Council, CA; Pope Francis Preparatory School, MA; and

The Springfield Rescue Mission, MA; among others. The couple has received much recognition for their philanthropic work including an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Assumption College, The National Catholic Education Association’s Elizabeth Seton Award and the Association of Fundraising Professional’s Outstanding Philanthropist Award.

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MOMENTUM BUILDS W

ith steadfast purpose, committed leadership, and the transformative philanthropy of alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends, Mission & Momentum: The Campaign for Canterbury has reached $74 Million toward its $90 Million goal.

This comprehensive capital campaign is raising funds to construct new and update existing campus facilities, grow the Endowment, and sustain a growing Annual Fund. Even more so, Mission & Momentum is building

a future for every student who aspires to a life-changing education.

Within one year of announcing the reignited campaign— including its centerpiece of a new, 22,000-square-foot, student-centric building and campus square—Mission & Momentum has garnered the support and affirmation of 81 donors who have contributed $15.6 Million specifically for the $17 Million construction projects. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of these donors—

who cross all segments of the extended Canterbury family—for it is their extraordinary energy, enthusiasm, and support that fuels our momentum.

Carefully guided by our strategic plan, Canterbury continues on a path toward greater financial sustainability. We are committed to completing these critical construction projects without incurring additional debt. We have completed extensive value engineering and construction bidding processes, exercising great Continued on page 11

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FRIENDS

FACULTY & STAFF ALUMNI PARENTS

2

6

ALUMNI

4

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Your generosity is vital to our success. For Canterbury School to continue to fulfill our mission of inspiring students to become moral leaders in a complex secular world, we must continue to evolve and adapt to new trends in education. Please make a pledge today to support Mission and Momentum: The Campaign for Canterbury and help secure the brightest possible future for our students and our School. For further information or to discuss your gift directly, please contact Associate Director of Advancement Jen Loprinzo at 860.210.3941 or jloprinzo@cbury.org.

DONORS

50 CURRENT PARENTS

from

FRIENDS

$6K from

ALUMNI PARENTS

$1.1 MM from CURRENT PARENT S

$15.6 MM

$1.2 MM

from

ALUMNI

$13.3 MM

CAPITAL RAISED TOWARD $17 MM CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

from

$74 MM

CAPITAL RAISED TOWARD $90 MM CAMPAIGN GOAL

FACULT Y & S TAFF

$21K

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M. and D. D’Amour Center for Faith, Service, and Justice A $1 Million gift from Michele and Donald D’Amour will name the Center for Faith, Service, and Justice (see page 6). Located on the upper floor of the Commons, the D’Amour Center will allow the School to centralize its programming and all points of intersection throughout our community that focus on service to others and social justice initiatives, firmly grounded in our mission, values, and Catholic heritage.

WHAT’S INSIDE M. & D. D’AMOUR CENTER FOR FAITH, SERVICE, AND JUSTICE INNOVATION LAB DIGITAL ANALYTICS LAB FLEXIBLE CLASSROOMS GROUP STUDY AND BREAKOUT SPACES STUDENT CENTER AND CAFÉ STUDENT LIFE AND TECHNOLOGY SUITES SCHOOL STORE

Innovation Lab The 1,100-square-foot Innovation Lab will act as a hub for design thinking, creating, and teaching practices that will permeate the entire academic community of over 400 people. The Lab will provide centrally located, dedicated space for structured (class-time) and unstructured (open lab time) learning.

It will serve as an intersection point to inspire and create multi-disciplinary project work.

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care and stewardship of the School’s fiscal resources.

Our enrollment and admission revenue are trending upward. We are engaging our broader community of donors, securing steady, renewable, and increased support for the Annual Fund—perhaps the most critical component to a healthy financial future.

The imperatives before us are clear and the excitement is palpable as we advance toward the implementation of our campus master plan. While we work earnestly to raise the remaining capital for the building and campus square projects and achieve our Annual Fund goal by the close of the fiscal year (June 30), we stand ready to proceed with the start of construction this summer.

With a unanimous vote in May, the Board of Trustees granted conditional approval to break ground once these immediate targets are met.

Canterbury is now poised to bolster the academic and communal experience for our entire School. The new building will be used as a space for gatherings, school-wide functions, guest speaker events, and the enrichment of our academic and extracurricular programs. Such an endeavor demonstrates our commitment to meeting the needs of the modern-day student. In an increasingly competitive marketplace, this facility will provide the School with an important resource in today’s educational landscape, bringing together under one roof many aspirations that have emerged over time in response to our increasing desire to enhance the student experience on our hilltop— academically, spiritually, and socially.

campaign.cbury.org

PLEASE VISIT OUR NEWLY LAUNCHED CAMPAIGN WEBSITE

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CANTERBURY

at its core

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here is perhaps no better place to see the continual presence of our students on campus than the greatly loved staircase between Hume and Old Schoolhouse. The cement is slowly

crumbling—pressed freshly into the ground—by the literal footsteps of generations of students parading between English and biology, Latin and Algebra II. Up toward the Athletic Center, back down for art classes, stopping in between at the Dining Hall’s current location. The staircase carries students between the Upper and Lower Campus, as the two spots were once called. Any given day, students pass through the staircase two, four, ten, twelve times. Any given year on the hilltop, there is a continual rotation of hundreds of students climbing up and down. While our dedicated Grounds crew does their absolute best to keep up with the erosion, the continuous pressure has worn well-trodden grooves into each step.

Textbooks weighing down book bags weighing down students. Athletic gear slung across slumped shoulders skipping every other step on the familiar route to practice. Our stairs wear the pressures of high school. They carry the weight of our students, the familiar load of SATs, ACTs; of friendships, relationships; of a place where everything exists in such tight quarters. The staircase—like our students—has carried a lot.

The grooves are part of an endless process: rotating masses trekking up and down the staircase, each person imprinting their footsteps before giving way to the next class of students.

There is a constant movement and motion here. Scores of students coming and going, leaving their mark, both plainly and intangibly, and, in turn, bringing a piece of this campus with them when they depart. But what? What is Canterbury at its core? What is the legacy that it leaves in these rotating masses of students?

What do our students carry with them when they depart from our campus?

The cracked bits of cement from the staircase turn to mounds of gravel sewn into the tufted grass lining the steps. Crumbs of campus. Stones that you could pick up

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and skip. Pebbles formed by generations of dynamics. Each of us puts in a little stone, and then you get a great mosaic in the end (Alice Paul).

Canterbury feels a bit like this: a foundation of tiny stones that are set together—creating a mosaic, building an endless foundation, a core that is constantly shifting.

We each bring our little stones. Our students, their optimism, their anxieties; their hopes and dreams for themselves at the age of thirteen, of how Canterbury will help them evolve some two, three, four years later. Their quiet trepidation as Third Formers turned into a somewhat cavalier spirit by their Sixth Form year. Their growth and maturity that is still processing. Their further developed, but still shifting, seventeen-year old desires for their futures. Our faculty bring their passion, their dedication, a deep, deep care. Their genuine interest and personal investment in the wellbeing and success of every individual on this campus.

Then we create our little stones. That one evening you, as a student, spent baking in your advisor’s apartment—a little stone. The afternoon you and your new group of friends spent playing music through the loudspeakers

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There is a constant movement and motion to our hilltop. Scores of students coming and going, leaving their mark, both plainly and intangibly, and, in turn, bringing a piece of this campus with them when they depart. But what?

What is Canterbury at its core?

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C ANTER B U R Y AT IT S CORE

on the Sheehy Family Field—we can find an open slot for that. Learning to sew in the Green Room and then the hours upon hours of making the costumes for the musical. Finally then seeing those costumes traipse across the stage, embodying the full bravado of the character wearing them. Getting caught in your friend’s room after lights out in the midst of an important conversation but laughing it off because you’d probably be in your room at that time anyway. Spending an entire Sunday watching movies with your dormmates. After a year of living together, you feel comfortable sitting together in silence, just being with one another.

And the learning! Your most memorable

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class, your most impactful teacher. Old Schoolhouse 6, where Mrs. Martin taught you what esconderse means. Then, where you learned what cacher means, too, because why stop at one language or just one course to have her inspire you to learn more, expand your perspective more, understand more. Old Schoolhouse 12, where Mr. Diamond not only taught you what a DBQ is but, more importantly, that empathy from an educator can change the way you view, experience, and open up yourself to the world of what else there is to learn. And there is the never-ending battle you waged on your AP Calculus course. That one in Hume 205 with Mr. Roberts where his first exam absolutely wrecked your grade point average. Then when

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you sought to repair the damage to your forces, the hours spent in Copley Library, where you eventually earned a 4 on the AP. That time Ms. Tester brought you to her own farm during a class field trip and provided space to breathe off campus—if only for a moment.

The people, places, experiences. These little stones are little moments that add up to the core of what Canterbury is and build the legacy of what our students take with them.

All of the little stones become part of a wider mosaic, a core that is constantly evolving and growing upon itself.

Stop at the top of the staircase, and the entire campus sweeps out in front of you. The sun closes the door on another day, week,

semester, an entire year. You stand there, peering over the roof of Old Schoolhouse, its familiar pops of red around the trim. The sun saunters behind the Aspetuck Ridge Range that encircles our campus. It, too, exists in cyclical motion. You watch it set from the top of the stairs. Or from the cross country fields while sitting on a steadfast rock with a steadfast friend. The sense of sharing a time and a place together in a way that will never exactly repeat itself. Hey, you think. The sunsets from up here are truly something else.

Our students are always moving. The walk across the Commencement stage mirrors the parade of motion up and down the central staircase. In turn, the core of Canterbury is constantly shifting, growing. It’s ever-changing in its nature. The core of Canterbury is the dynamic of the School in all its senses as movement, energy, change, with the Spirit among us—inviting, strengthening, and comforting us. Back to the staircase. To the left, the Chapel. A stone in its own right, though much more than a pebble. It is rooted deeply at the core of our campus, physically centering our collective spirit.

For four years (or two or three or just one), you call this place your home. And then, over what will surely be one of most chaotic moments of your life, it’s done. It’s that final week of Sixth Form year. You pack up your bags, your room is bare, and you’re asked to leave campus by 6 PM. While it will always hold a sense of home, the house is filled with a new family; the moment you had here, gone.

What do you carry?

Canterbury at the core isn’t necessarily a thing but a process, one that requires continuous discernment and openness. It is constantly in motion, movement manifesting in our collaboration and care of one another. In the development of our faculty in learning, in ever seeking to serve our students better.

The core is just a stone. A little one. One that we bring up and down. Then, when we leave, we set it amidst a bed of others to create the foundation of the School—a vast mosaic that we carry forward, carry with us.

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leaving their mark

BY WRIGHT DANENBARGER When I was given the opportunity to write an introduction to this issue of PALLIUM, the theme of which is Canterbury’s continuing legacy and the continuity of its faculty, I knew it would make sense for me to draw not only upon my own twenty years here but also upon the lessons I learned from having to research and write the 100-year history of the faculty for the PALLIUM commemorative issues that celebrated our Centennial year. Readers of those four extra issues received a compelling insight into what holds Canterbury together, not just as a school, but, just as significantly, as an idea. The ethos of the School that enables Canterbury to create moral leaders for a secular world has been preserved and honed by its faculty over the years. What I gleaned from my vantage as both amatuer historian and current Dean of Faculty is that today’s faculty is very much an extension of this history.

This claim comes into particular focus when we consider the tenures of the five faculty members profiled in this issue: Julio Omaña (27 years), Bob Potter (26 years), Dave Overthrow (23 years), Tracy Garcia-LaVigne (21

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years), and EJ Soifersmith (13 Years). These five strike me and many others as emblems and practitioners of what makes Canterbury’s culture distinct. They are, first and foremost, educators, both inside and outside of the classroom. All five have a unique way of drawing in students: they are pied pipers who garner followings, shoutouts in yearbooks and School Meetings, and devoted advisory groups. They are the type of adults who, like the capacitors that store friction as a future power source, get energy from adolescent energy. Needless to say, they are highly sought after at Alumni Weekend. This is not to suggest any of them wake up each morning and consciously envision how to achieve these ends; these faculty leave their mark by simply being themselves—and these happy results are what necessarily follow.

What I have also learned from my colleagues and my own experience is that over time Canterbury is an easy place to identify with. It does not take too many years of working here for it to become your School. These highlighted faculty have so many deep and diverse connections to the School that go beyond what we might normally associate with the concept of a “job” or even a “career.” Where to start with Julio Omaña’s lines of intersection? How about that he married a fellow faculty member who is also an alumna? Amy McKenna ’86 became Amy Omaña ’86 in an on-campus wedding in 1995, and it did not take long to produce two future alumni, Brendan ’19 and Abigail ’20, who were also baptized in the very same Chapel of Our Lady.

Bob Potter has been here so long that he was on the bench when Paddy McCarthy ’94 (Associate Director of Athletics) and Matt Mulhern ’95 (Director of Admission) on the Saint’s Hockey team won the New England Championship in 1994. He was Dorm Head in Sheehan and Paddy lived in the room above his apartment. He is the textbook definition of a “School Man”, so much so

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1992 that he reminds me of what I have read of Philip Brodie.

To hear Dave Overthrow’s echo across the years one need only to have attended the alumni concert this past March at which a line-up of talented, professional alumni musicians demonstrated Dave’s effect upon the lives of Canterbury students over a long span. Tracy Garcia-LaVigne’s 21 years have seen her send, to date, four of her five children to the School (with one to come), while she herself stepped up and filled a diverse array of roles as the School needed them: Dorm Head, Theology teacher and Chair, English teacher, Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country Head Coach, Track and Field Head Coach, Coordinator of Multicultural Affairs, and, most recently, as you will read, the Director of Canterbury’s newly formed Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice. (Take a breath if you read that list aloud!) Faculty and students alike think of EJ Soifersmith as the glue that holds so much together around here. Students call her “Mom” and faculty call her indispensable. The profile to follow will highlight her background as a collegiate athlete and high school coach, but she might also be closest to the center of the web of daily interactions that is our School. All five profiles read collectively depict how the current roles of these men and women are the net result of their many Canterbury experiences and the wisdom gained on the top of our hill.

As I was trying to get a feel for what Nelson Hume and Henry Havemayer were thinking when they assembled their first faculty and then grew it over the first few decades of Canterbury’s existence, the histories kept leading me to the idea that, to no small degree, the school is the faculty, and the faculty is the school. This is not to discount a spirited student body, but such a sentiment is simply an expression of the fact the that faculty carry the Saints torch across the years. The collective cultural memory that is Canterbury resides in, and with the likes of, Julio, Bob, Dave, Tracy, and EJ. The PALLIUM you are about to read is simply the chronicle of that essential continuum.

Recently graduated Julio Omaña begins his long involvement with Canterbury

1993 Veteran teacher Bob Potter arrives on campus with prior prep school experience

1997 Tracy Garcia-LaVigne & Peter LaVigne move into Havemeyer with their first of five children

1998 Dave Overthrow brings his musical experience to the hilltop

2005 EJ Soifersmith, varsity coach turned Student Life expert, makes Canterbury her home

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Clarke & Carney

F ind their paths toCanterbury

BY ELLEN O’MEARA P ’19 Beginning with the founding of the School in 1915 up to its current Board of Trustees, numerous members of the extended Clarke and Carney families have found their way to the hilltop. Their stories serendipitously intertwine, creating a web of Saints alumni and a lasting legacy of committment to our School that extends beyond a century.

The earliest connection is through Thomas C. Dennehy—one of the four men who donated the funds necessary to purchase the property Canterbury would make its home. Mr. Dennehy, who was based in the Chicago area, knew Henry Havemeyer, one of the School’s founders.

He subsequently sent his son, Tom

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Dennehy, Jr. ’19, to Canterbury, as one of the first enrollees, unknowingly beginning a long-extended tradition.

According to the 1919 Graduation Issue of The Tabard, Tom was President of the Student Council and a founder of the School newspaper The Tabard, among other activities. He was also “always beaming, with a smile that extended from one ear to the other.”

Several decades later, next to arrive at Canterbury was Charlie Clarke ’47, nephew of Tom Dennehy, Jr. ’19 and grandson of one of the original School funders, Thomas. Despite the fact that the Carneys and Clarkes both lived in the Lake Forest,

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IL area, Peter finding his way to Canterbury was completely unrelated to Charlie already being there. Thus began the long heritage of Clarke and Carney descendants finding their own and often overlapping pathways to Canterbury.

Upon reflecting on his Canterbury years, one of Charlie’s fondest memories is when he worked as Headmaster Hume’s driver.

Because of a hip injury he sustained while working at his uncle’s Wyoming ranch in the summer, he couldn’t play a fall sport.

So, Dr. Hume enlisted him as his driver. “I became very fond of him,” said Charlie.

At Canterbury, Charlie and Peter became fast friends and formed a friendship that has

endured both their lifetimes. (Peter passed away in January 2019.) Charlie’s wife, Eleanor, and Peter’s wife, Marina, remain devoted friends as the families have steadily maintained a strong bond. In fact, the Clarkes and Carneys have been neighbors in Lake Forest since 1965. And when the time came to downsize and purchase condos, they remained next door neighbors in their new homes.

Marina, Peter’s wife, is first cousin to Charlie. But, to even further strengthen the familial connections, Peter and Marina actually met through Peter’s sister, Jean.

Jean thought that Marina and Peter should meet—which they did a few weeks later— and the two became fast friends.

the family’s Canterbury roots.

In addition to their steadfast friendship, Charlie and Peter shared similarities in character and disposition. In fact, both were awarded the Canterbury Medal: Peter in 2004 and Charlie in 2006. Awarded to those who have demonstrated unparalleled devotion to Canterbury, both were members of the Board of Trustees and were generous with their time and treasure.

As the Dennehy-Clarke-Carney-Mullett heritage continues, Charlie’s daughter Jay (Jennifer) Clarke ’84, currently serves on the Board of Trustees. For Jay, serving on the Board means giving back to the School “that completely changed my life.”

“Canterbury gave me an intellectual life

Charlie Clarke ’47 (above) and Jay Clarke ’84 (below) can both be found throughout various editions of The Cantuarian, the yearbook, and The Tabard, the School newspaper.

“Canterbury means more to me than any of the other schools I attended,” — JAY C L A R K E ’ 8 4 Even more, after introducing Marina and Peter, Jean Carney married another Saint, Aidan Mullett ’44. Once again, another serendipitous connection to further deepen

I didn’t have before,” she recalled. “Lou Mandler and Marc Vanasse ’73 gave me such a love of learning.”

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From left to right: Peter Carney ’49 sits on the rock wall behind Sheehan House; Cars line the pavement in front of Sheehan House in 1949—one of which Charlie ’47 would have driven for Headmaster Hume.

From left to right: Ed ’79 joined his father Peter ’49 in the family business, Superior Graphite, following his years at Canterbury; A Carney or Clarke (such as Ed ’79 here!) can be found in many editions of The Cantuarian.

Jay is currently the curator of prints and drawings in her capacity as the Rothman Family Curator at the Art Institute of Chicago. “I’m a terrible artist,” she said.

“But I took a printmaking class from Kim Tester, so even though I had no talent, I developed such an appreciation for the process.”

From Canterbury, Jay went on to College of the Holy Cross, MA, and then to Brown University, RI, for her Ph.D. in art history.

“Canterbury means more to me than any of the other schools I attended,” she said.

Ed Carney ’79, Peter and Marina’s son, is also a former member of the Board of Trustees. Despite his father’s strong devotion to Canterbury, it was not a foregone conclusion that Ed would enter Canterbury. “I looked at a number

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of schools,” he said. “But of all the places I visited, Canterbury was the most comfortable. It just felt right.”

He was actually a student here while his Dad served on the Board. Eventually, Ed joined his father in the family business, Superior Graphite, where they worked together for 28 years. “I was very fortunate to have worked with my father, and to have gone to the same high school as him,” said Ed. “It gave us the same lasting values.”

At Peter’s memorial service following his death in Janaury 2019, those values— and their family code of FISH: Faith, Integrity, Stewardship & Harmony—were reflected by his many friends and family in attendance.

Also finding their own paths to

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Canterbury were descendants of Aidan and Jean (Carney) Mullett ’44, including their son, Aidan ’80, and their grandchildren, Katie ’05 and Peter ’09 Forster. In fact, first cousins Aidan ’80 and Ed ’79 attended Canterbury at the same time.

Katie Forster ’05 eventually followed in her grandfather, great-uncle, and uncle’s footsteps, but not until she, too, had explored other boarding schools.

“I think it was the people that set Canterbury apart (from the other schools),” Katie said. “I started a small trend. My brother (Peter) was at Proctor Academy, but he transferred here for his junior and senior year. My grandfather was really proud and visited on Grandparents’ Day.” Katie and her husband, Griffin Randle, just had their first son, Aidan, a few months ago. Katie is hoping he will be a future

“There is an unspoken camaraderie among us.

It’s really nice to have that family legacy.”

— KAT I E F O R S T E R ’ 0 5

Aleka ’08 and Michael ’12 have been the most recent Carney family members to attend and graduate from Canterbury. Notably, Aleka even returned to campus as a faculty member for two-and-a-half years prior to attending graduate school.

Saint on the hill and the fourth generation of Mulletts at Canterbury. “There is an unspoken camaraderie among us,” said Katie about the family’s Canterbury graduates. “It’s really nice to have that family legacy.”

Meanwhile, brother Peter ’09 felt it was important for him to “live up to the legacy of such a rich family history,” and felt a little nervous when he enrolled at Canterbury. At that point, Peter’s grandfather, great-uncle, uncle, second cousin and sister had attended.“But (former headmaster) Tom Sheehy took me under his wing, which really meant a lot.”

Peter Carney’s grandchildren, Aleka ’08 and Michael Woods ’12, were next to find their way to the hilltop. When Aleka visited, it was Katie Forster ’05 who gave her the tour. “My grandfather encouraged me to go

Canterbury alumni gather for a photograph at the wedding of Katie Forster Randle ’05 on September 6, 2014. From left to right: Peter Forster ‘09 (brother), Peter Carney ’49 (great-uncle), Lexie Routh ‘06, Margaret Smith ‘06, Katie, Aidan Mullett ’80 (uncle), Heather Smith ‘05, and Roderick “Rory” Mullett ’56 (great-uncle).

to Canterbury,” said Aleka. “But he let me come to the decision on my own.”

From Canterbury, Aleka went to Franklin and Marshall College, PA, but found her way back to Canterbury quickly in the Admission Office.

“I wanted to give back to a place I really enjoyed,” she said about her two and a half years in the Admission Office.

Like her grandfather before her, she also was a Sacristan, a Dorm Proctor, and an Editor of The Tabard. “The best gift I ever received was his (her grandfather’s) Canterbury letter jacket,” she said.

“Sharing Canterbury with him was very special.”

Michael also looked at other schools before settling at Canterbury, but the School, too, ultimately felt like the best fit.

Michael attributes his current career as a squash coach to mentors he had at Canterbury, including Jen Chandler ’84, who was his coach. “Had I not met her, I wouldn’t have a job right now!” He is still in regular touch with current faculty members Amy Omaña ’86 and Bob Potter.

And, while Michael and his first cousin once removed, Peter Forster ’09, didn’t really know each other before Canterbury, they are now fast friends and soon-to beneighbors in Denver.

So the thread that began from Thomas Dennehy to Henry Havemeyer over 100 years ago continues to weave its way through several generations—with what appears to be no end in sight!

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H I LLTO P HA PP ENINGS

20th Annual Run for Joe Community members gathered to remember Joe Leto ‘97 Oct 2, 2018 The start of October ushered in beautiful weather and with it came the 20th Annual Run for Joe on Sunday, September 30.

The Canterbury and New Milford community gathered near the Sheehy Family Turf Field to kick off the event following morning Mass. The event has been held every year since 1998 to commemorate and celebrate the life of Lance Corporal Giuseppe “Joe” Leto, a Canterbury alumnus of the class of 1997 who died during training exercises while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.

While intended to be a one-time event, the now annual Run for Joe has become a New Milford tradition, raising more than $200,000 in support of the Memorial Scholarship Fund which provides financial assistance to New Milford-area Canterbury day students. Fellow classmates, family friends, faculty members, and current students walked or ran the cross-country course in remembrance of Joe’s legacy, a 20-year tradition in the making.

Showcase in The Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery Carl Bridge, a multimedia artist from Western Massachusetts, opened the 2019 Fine Arts Calendar Jan 15, 2019

Visiting Artist Hosted Creative Workshop for Advanced Art Students Nov 1, 2018

Carl Bridge, a multimedia artist and educator living in Western Massachusetts, opened his show in The Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery on Friday evening, January 12. His artistic explorations span from sculpture, painting, mask making, and costuming to creating musical instruments and performing live shows—all art forms of which were on display for the Canterbury community in the Gallery.

Carl’s foundation in visual art was shaped through childhood by his father, who was the longtime Visual Arts Department Head at Noble and Greenough School, MA. “I feel very grateful to have visual arts be such a strong force in my family,” he remarks. “I find much inspiration from my brother and many of my cousins who are artists, sculptors, and craftsmen. I recognize how blessed my brother and I were to have our father nurturing our artistic explorations through instruction and encouragement.”

With this early exposure to a variety of processes and materials, Carl was drawn towards theater and stagecraft as it brought many disciplines together into an immersive experience where art can come to life. After studying scenic design at Boston University, MA, Carl worked in the entertainment industry creating props, puppets, creatures, and characters, while also performing as a puppeteer. This experience has brought a wide range of skills into his teaching and personal artwork.

During his opening, Carl engaged in a Q&A session with students and spoke about his current role as a high school teacher. As an educator, Carl noted that his personal artwork has shifted to include materials that he encourages his own students to explore, helping many of them discover that with patience and effort, they can achieve strong results with simple matter.

The exhibition was up for display through February. In courses across all disciplines, students were invited to explore and interpret Carl’s artwork during class trips to the Gallery.

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A Shift in Perspective

Alyssa Voytek, an artist from New Milford, CT, with work on display in The Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery, returned to campus following her opening to host a creative drawing workshop with Advanced Portfolio students.

Student artists worked with Alyssa to produce variations on a still life piece within a 45-minute class period. They were prompted to engage more conceptually with the structure of the still life set up in the middle of the classroom, interpreting the directional lines and sense of movement found in groups of objects. Voytek encouraged students to draw in 20-minute periods while physically moving around the classroom to shift their perspective of the still life piece.

“Each drawing demonstrates a beautiful sense of movement and flow as their objects rotate and change in space relative to their positioning and interpretation,” noted Kim Tester, Chair of the Fine Arts Department, upon the conclusion of the session. “It was remarkable that students completed the drawings in just over an hour.”

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Address by the Chaplain of the House of Representatives Father Pat Conroy spoke to the theme of servant leadership at the Fifth Form Retreat Jan 20, 2019 Father Pat Conroy, the 60th Chaplain of the House of Representatives, addressed members of the Canterbury community on the evening of January 17 as the esteemed speaker for the Fifth Form Retreat. Father Conroy encouraged students to think about how they can incorporate service into all aspects of their lives, both as they grow over the next two years and once they extend beyond their education on the hilltop.

As House Chaplain, Father Conroy is uniquely positioned to impart his perspective on servant leadership.

He shared his insight and wisdom from his role in Washington with the gathered students—cushioned with humorous tales of his prior career as a high school-level instructor and softball coach—before prompting small group discussions between classmates and faculty facilitators.

Cross Country DIII Championship Boys’ team placed third and girls’ eighth at end-of-season tournament Nov 29, 2018

Amy Omaña ‘86, faculty in the Theology Department, studied with Father Conroy while at Georgetown University, DC, and helped make his visit to campus possible. “While Father Pat is many things…,” she introduced, “I know him to be a spiritual mentor and dear friend.” This was Father Conroy’s second visit to campus after being welcomed in 2016 during which he addressed the community at School Meeting and celebrated Mass.

Father Conroy attended Claremont McKenna College, CA, and Gonzaga University Law School, WA, entering the Jesuit Order in 1973. He earned his master’s degree in philosophy from Gonzaga University, WA, a master’s in divinity from UC Berkeley, CA, his JD from St. Louis University, MO, followed by a third master’s degree in systematic theology in missiology from University of Toronto, Canada.

Ordained a priest in 1983, Father Conroy decided to practice law following his ordination for the Colville Confederated Tribes in Omak, WA. He was instrumental in developing the Tribes’ case for the treaty fishing rights in the mid 1980s. He has also represented Salvadoran refugees for the Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Immigration Office in San Francisco.

consultation with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).

He was elected by the House and sworn in on May 25, 2011.

Canterbury is deeply grateful to Father Conroy for joining the community to speak on servant leadership and offer spiritual guidance to the School.

Father Conroy was nominated as the 60th Chaplain to the United States House of Representatives in 2011 by then Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), in

The Saints hosted the Division III Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 10, welcoming hundreds of runners from over two dozen girls’ and boys’ teams from schools across the Northeast to our hilltop.

Head Coaches Drew Houghtalen and Tracy GarciaLaVigne, as well as Associate Director of Athletics Paddy

McCarthy, spent several weeks organizing the event, readying our campus to host such a large race and preparing their runners to compete.

The Boys’ Varsity Team was led by a 10th-place finish

by Jack McCluskey ‘20 and a 15th-place finish for Greg McKenna ‘19, both earning All-New England Honors.

Alex Luo ‘19 finished in 33rd and Max Oeser ‘21 finished in 47th. Impressively, Raif Harris ‘19, a first-year runner on the team, finished in 48th place, breaking into the scoring five Canterbury runners for the first time in the season and setting a 40-second personal best. The Varsity team was rounded out by a 75th place finish by Cullen Mulhern ‘22 and 85th place finish from Jasper Sun ‘20. Given their performance, the team earned third place overall and was honored at the end-of-event ceremony.

On the Girls’ Team, Lorelai Lee-Swanek ‘21 placed 17th and was named All-New England. In the JV race, Sandy Xu ‘21, Manoela Ranzolin ‘19, Joyce Gao ‘20, and Maliyah Perkins ‘20 all placed in the top 20. The team place eighth out of 23 girls’ teams in attendance.

The Championship was representative of both teams’ successful seasons and dedicated training.

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H I LLTO P HA PP ENINGS

saints on the hill je ssi ca ’ 1 9 • “ f a i t h”

g r a n t ’ 1 9 • “d isc ove r y ”

m ic h ae la ’ 19 • “f am ily ”

nic k ’ 2 0 • “perservera nce”

j o hn ’1 9 • “ l e g a c y ”

j i l l y ’ 2 0 • “ac c e pt anc e ”

c lair e ’ 19 • “gr it ”

b r igid a ’20 • “overco me”

j oyce ’20 • “ l i s t e n”

s a b r i n a ’ 21 • “se r vic e ”

je nna ’ 2 1 • “m e m or y ”

S

aints on the Hill began as a way for students to share their stories, and, in doing so, find underlying similarities in their apparent differences. Now in its third consecutive year as a staple piece of Thursday School Meeting, students have imparted stories from the impact of the Lourdes trip to overcoming athletic injury to carrying on the legacy of a beloved faculty member. With each presentation, the Saints community leaves Maguire Auditorium feeling just that much more connected to one another and the hilltop.

Maeve O’Donnell, a Fifth Form boarding student from Massapequa, Long Island, was the first presenter to speak in

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m ae ve ’ 20 • “remember”

September of this academic year. She spoke about her father’s role as a first responder at the scene of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 and the camaraderie of his fellow firefighters. When Maeve concluded her Saints on the Hill, her parents were among the crowd standing in applause. (And you can bet there was not a dry eye in sight when she—and everyone else—realized they were there.)

We spoke to Maeve about her family, her values, and how they’re tightly intertwined in a Five Minute Interview.

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If a crystal ball could tell you anything about your future, what would you want to discover? Currently, I would want to know if I find a major and a college that is perfect for me. So, that in the future after college, I know I have a life that I love, that I’m making an impact on the world, and that I’m growing as a person while helping others grow...and ultimately am just happy!

You’ve been one of the vocal student leaders of the Sustainability Club and have been very involved this year in initiating programming for the community. At what point did you realize that environmental justice was important to you? One year, for Christmas, my dad gave my siblings and me really special gifts. They came in FedEx boxes but weren’t actual things...for me, he wrote a note saying that my gift was a trip to any National Park in the U.S. I chose Acadia in Maine, and so we went camping there together for a few days. That was one of the main pieces in my childhood that I can point back to and say that it made an impact on my desire to protect our planet.

What is your biggest fear? My biggest fear is related to the fear of the unknown, but unlike the typical fear of dying or death, it’s blindness. The unknown or uncertain factor that terrifies me is not being able to see.

Do you think that ties into your love of being outside and surrounded by nature at all? Beauty can be interpreted in many different ways. Musically-inclined people can find a lot of beauty in music—listening and performing—but I like watching things. I like watching sunsets and going on hikes and seeing the views. So, yes, I think it is! For me, some of the most beautiful things are defined through sight.

Alright, another sense question—what’s your favorite sound? When it’s snowing! Or when I’m walking through the snow. That quietness that you can almost hold. It seems to be still, but it’s not because it’s snowing and there are those small flakes peppering the sky everywhere. Winter is my favorite season so it makes sense that that is my favorite sound!

5 MINUTE INTERVIEW:

Maeve O’Donnell ’20

Ok, last one, it’s quick! Sunrise or sunset? I’d like to say both, but I’ll stick to sunset. It’s hard to wake up early enough for the sunrise, you know!

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H I LLTO P HA PP ENINGS

Mark Shriver

SERVANT LEADERSHIP AS A WAY OF LIFE

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Serve, serve, serve.

That’s the challenge.

For in the end, it will be the servants who save us all.

—SARGENT SHRIVER ‘34

I

n the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy and on the occasion of his memorial holiday, Mr. Mark Shriver joined the Canterbury community as the keynote speaker for the School’s inaugural Social Justice Week.

in creating the Peace Corps, Job Corps, and Head Start—three federal programs that emphasized working towards social justice within the US as well as on a global scale.

The Week’s program brought students and faculty together for daily discussions and educational events centered by the three tenets of Dr. King’s life: faith, service, and social justice. The Diversity and Inclusion Club (CDIC), led by English Chair Lindsay Mulhern, hosted discussion on the march from Selma to Montgomery while the Environmental Club, spearheaded by Director of Sustainability Cammy Roffe, spoke about climate change as an issue of equity. With faculty, staff, and students combined, the community gathered to learn and consider topics such as intersectionality and food insecurity through the lens of service and justice.

Mr. Shriver himself has dedicated his own life to embracing and promoting Dr. King’s principles through his commitment to political advocacy and fair social policy. He served as a state legislator in Maryland for eight years before transitioning to his current role with Save the Children Action Network (SCAN), the political advocacy arm of Save the Children, the international organization whose mission is to promote children’s rights across the globe.

In partnership with SCAN, Mr. Shriver’s daily work is centered on faith, service, and social justice—ensuring that all children in the U.S. have access to high-quality early childhood education and that mothers and children around the world do not die from preventable causes.

Mr. Shriver’s address brought a timely close to the week’s focus as he expanded on the topic of social justice by speaking to his professional work, the work of his father, Sargent Shriver ’34, and the related themes of his two books—A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father Sargent Shriver and Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis. Sargent Shriver, Canterbury alumnus of the class of 1934, was instrumental

In his address to students, Mr. Shriver shared stories of his own work, as well as several anecdotes detailing his father’s time at Canterbury. “Canterbury sharpened my father’s Catholic faith, exposed him to experiences he would not have had otherwise, and helped shape his vision of the Peace Corps,” Mr. Shriver noted before sharing several of Sargent Shriver’s timely and

directed quotes: “Serve, serve, serve! That’s the challenge. For in the end, it will be the servants who save us all.” Mr. Shriver related stories that his father regaled during his childhood, connecting them to key tenets of Dr. King’s teachings as well as current events that connected to the lives of our students.

Following his full-community address, Mr. Shriver answered questions from the crowd and spoke individually with students and faculty in the Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice (CSSJ). “You are not going to succeed in everything; the question is, what are you going to do about that, what pieces are you going to decide are important enough to dedicate yourself to fully.” Questions from students ranged from how to bounce back from failure to how he thought his father may feel about our progress on the War on Poverty. Mr. Shriver’s answers were resoundingly centered on the importance of integrity, faith, and humility.

“It’s what you do everyday in each of your interactions, in how you treat one another, that will make the ultimate difference.”

Mr. Shriver’s address helped to elevate the week’s program from Canterbury-centered to global relevance. He addressed the work that we as a community can do to bridge disconnects between one another to arrive at a more equal and just world.

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H I LLTO P HA PP ENINGS

PINK FOR A CAUSE

Pink the Rink Motivated by personal narratives of their fellow teammates and desire to play for a cause, Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Hockey both hosted fundraiser games this season in O’Neill Arena.

The Boys’ team chose to elevate awareness around ALS and raised nearly $6,000 for the ALS Association. The Girls’ team, clad in bright pink jerseys, made their donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The charity game is an annual tradition for the Boys’ team, this year being the fifth consecutive season during which team leaders chose a cause, dedicated a game, and executed the event. For the past two years, the team has chosen the ALS Association given the organization’s close ties with team—Paul McCluskey, father of Jack ’20, is currently living with ALS. Paul has attended the game the past two years to ceremoniously drop the puck with his son and the Canterbury captains.

Their $6,000 raised surpassed their 2018 goal by nearly $2,000.

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The Girls’ team similarly chose to support a cause that affects the team personally—Jade ’21 organized the team’s Coaches vs. Cancer event for the American Cancer Society in support of her mother who is battling the disease.

Marian Brinker dropped the game puck with Jade and Rachael ’19, the team captains.

Both fundraisers were truly a full Canterbury community effort with donations streaming in from current and past students and parents as well as faculty, staff, and friends and family members of hockey players.

“It’s the most impactful game of our season.”

—COACH PADDY MCCARTHY ‘94

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The games were recapped during the following week’s School Meeting. As reflected by the Boys’ team captain Lucas Williams ’19: “We as a community did something bigger than hockey that night. Thank you.”

Pigott goes Pink With the leadership of Head Coach EJ Soifersmith, the Volleyball team’s annual Pink Out game has become a beloved fall tradition for the Canterbury community over the last nine years. And while each new year brings the community together in full Saints spirit, this year was particularly notable. “This was one of the best student crowds that we have had in the 13 years that I have been coaching here—ever!”

As has become custom, students piled into Pigott Arena dressed head-to-toe in pink gear... down to the socks! The team led the charge, sporting their team-designed pink jerseys and ribbons. And with the help of student donations, family contributions, and bake sale revenue, the team ended the evening having

raised $1,400 for Susan G. Komen.

“The energy and the enthusiasm that the student fans brought elevated the level of playing by our team and helped us have one of the best sets in Canterbury’s volleyball history,” reflected Coach Soifersmith. “It was incredible to be a part of such a large group of Saints supporting Saints.”

Coco Booth ’19 and Gianna Terracino ’19, Sixth Form captains, led the team in spirit and competitive edge against the Hopkins School, CT, though the purpose of the game went beyond sheer competition. Coach Soifersmith helped begin the Pink Out tradition with the encouragement of her athletes in 2009—the team wanted to expand their season’s focus on something beyond just winning. With each passing year, the Pink Out has become ingrained into the slew of spirited fall events, sure to be a maintained tradition as it grows alongside the School community. Excitingly, the event celebrates its tenth anniversary this upcoming fall!

“ The energy and the enthusiasm that the student fans brought elevated the level of playing by our team and helped us have one of the best sets in Canterbury’s volleyball history.”

10PINK OUT th Annual

October 11, 2019 DETAILS TO COME ON CBURY.ORG—ALUMNI INVITED!

—COACH E.J. SOIFERSMITH

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H I LLTO P HA PP ENINGS

GUNNERY DAY CANTERBURY SCHOOL VERSUS THE GUNNERY: A PLAY-BY-PLAY OF THE NATURAL RIVALRY TURNED HONORED TRADITION

While Gunnery Day games were the final regular season competitions for each team, Girls’ Varsity Soccer and Varsity Field Hockey both pulled away with wins to help each team advance to the postseason New England tournament.

PAGE 30.

The day began early. Friday morning classes don’t typically start until 8:15 AM, but the campus was buzzing by 6:00 AM, cars pulling in and out of the Duffy lot as faculty and staff began preparations for the evening’s gathering.

the glowing mass of sparks, was to be that evening upon the culmination of Canterbury’s second-ever Fall Spirit Week. Administrators zipped around campus in golf carts to ensure a successful event.

The Sixth Form Council shuffled their way around the Student Center, sneaking into classrooms and offices to hang columbia streamers and navy balloons across every surface. Firemen could be found outside of South House, parked with their ladder trucks, already setting themselves up to secure the lawn that slopes down across lower campus.

Jack-of-all-trades Ross Coco (also known as Associate Plant Manager) was up and out, working determinedly even before the sun rose, with personnel from across Litchfield County to steady the slowly rising, hut-like structure of huge logs outside of South House. The bonfire,

When the rest of the campus awoke that morning for classes, Friday morning’s grogg quickly rolled away when met with the excitement of those who had been preparing for hours. The entire School community rallied into a singular body of school spirit, a sheer machine of optimism and encouragement.

Canterbury was ready to take on the weekend’s events.

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Gunnery Day, now in its second year as a fall tradition to close out the athletic season, is more than just a morning of soccer and field hockey games. It’s a welding together of school spirit, a unified end to a long fall

season that has indoctrinated students into the Saints family, into championing the Saints, into becoming Saints. With each game, practice, rehearsal, and more, every team and student group creates Saints. Spirit Week is a time for the community to fully embody the essence of what it means to compete as a Saint.

Arena all afternoon, watching Varsity teams rehearse their skits to be shown at the rally, tying all loose ends, making sure all were stage ready for the awaiting crowds. Across campus, teams holed up together, wherever they could find space, to rehearse before the evening performance.

The buzz on campus continued well into the evening, as the start time for the highly prepped bonfire and preceding pep rally quickly approached. Sixth Form Council and Dean of Students Jake Dellorco bundled into Pigott

Pigott Arena, 7:00 PM, students piled into seats. The Sixth Form Council took control of the stage, microphones in hand, scripts stuffed into pockets, jokes poised. The air stood still until a singular “Roll Saints” broke the silence

TWO-PEAT FOR SAINTS ON GUNNERY’S TURF

“We are looking forward to great sportsmanship and competition between the two outstanding schools for years to come,” reflected Director of Athletics Jim Stone. “We’ve already had a natural rivalry given our schools’ proximity, and our students are looking forward to this spirited week and day.”

The Canterbury-Gunnery Cup is awarded each May to the school who accumulates the highest number of overall wins throughout the year. As teams entered their spring season competitions, Canterbury maintained a steady lead for 2019!

7-1 CBURY-GUNNERY GAME DAY RESULT

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Varsity teams initiated laughs, cheers, and groans from the student body during Friday evening’s Pep Rally in Pigott Arena. Each skit provided insight into the team’s spirit, from demonstrating a silly dance they had practiced for several weeks or their perception of their team and coaches.

as the mud and dampness settled. All games went off without a hitch, and all Varsity teams brought home a win. Saturday morning’s activity paralleled Friday morning’s energy with students, faculty, staff, alumni, family, and friends all buzzing around Gunnery’s campus to fight (or cheer) valiantly for the faith once delivered to the Saints. Our school motto alive and in motion on Gunnery’s campus.

from deep within the waiting crowd.

Each line fell into the next, inside jokes delivered on top of inside jokes, every word hitting the crowd with a responding giggle or resounding roar. Spirit rose through lighthearted impressions of faculty members and too-true impressions of other students.

Varsity teams swooped in one after another, pulling up their song on the speaker before breaking into dance, or, like Varsity Football, a country song-fueled kick line. Everything stopped when Boys’ Varsity Soccer gathered on the Arena floor, breath held, knowing what was to come—a timely and accurate impression of Coaches Ganow and Omaña, down to the daily practice uniform and facial expressions.

The team did not disappoint as Zach Riccitelli ’20 speeded in on Mr. Omaña’s bike, Paco and

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Daisy (the Omañas’ small and beloved dogs) bouncing along behind him.

When the time finally came to celebrate the bonfire on South Lawn, the Sixth Formers paraded in two lines, flanked by Underformers on either side, with torches to toss into the glowing heap. The carrying of the torch is both a literal and symbolic gesture for all of the Sixth Formers honored during the evening’s mounting festivities.

Friday evening’s festivities translated to Saturday’s nervous jitters as Varsity Field Hockey and Girls’ Varsity Soccer loaded into toasters to make the easy ride over to The Gunnery at 8:00 AM. Boys’ Soccer—both JV and Varsity—boarded a bit later in the morning. While rain had poured down on the fields post-bonfire, Gunnery’s turf held up

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While a coalescence of Spirit Week’s buzz, the morning’s games also held double significance as the final regular season games of the fall season, traditionally recognized as senior games for our Sixth Form athletes. It was the last time that Boys’ Varsity Soccer stepped out onto the field together. Before their game, Varsity Girls’ Soccer took a moment to honor their Sixth Formers in a tight-knit circle. The Gunnery’s Field Hockey Coach even included the Canterbury Field Hockey Sixth Formers during a traditional post-game ceremony for the team.

With Girls’ Soccer competing in the backdrop and fans lining the stands shoulderto-shoulder, the morning of Gunnery Day was a blended mix of what the week was all about—a centuries-old, good-spirited, and natural rivalry for Canterbury to celebrate our growth and prowess as Saints.

BATTLE OF THE

FORMS

It is practically Canterbury tradition to think that your Form is the Form. The best one, across every comparable marker. The Form with the most School spirit, the one that shows up to all the games, all the concerts. And, even then, the one with the greatest number of students playing in those games and at those concerts. The Form with the smartest kid at the School.

The Form that sets the tone for the entire year.

This Form-specific pride is grown from the moment students arrive on the hilltop and seeps through most of the student-led activities hosted throughout each semester.

But Battle of the Forms, a two-hour competition in late February, is where Form pride really takes center stage. For one evening each winter, Pigott Arena transforms into a battle ground between the four clashing classes. Four Forms, four colors, about four dozen competitions. One Form to be declared the best and have the other Forms admit it, too‌if only for a moment.

From half-court shots to a math competition and scavenger hunt, no skill is left unearthed by the end of the evening. The pride is absolutely palpable.

The Third Form, shedding any timidness after a semester of finding their footing, identify with a popping green. The Fourth Form scream their spirit in bright orange, while the Fifth carries deep red and the Sixth, a strong, Canterbury navy blue. Each Form grows into the next Form’s color with each passing year at Canterbury.

And while the competition is said to be fair and square... we all know that Sixth Form nearly always wins. This year, after the three-legged race concluded and all the scores were tallied up, was no exception. Go class of 2019! A few more months to be declared the best!

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SIXTH FORM COUNCIL:

UNFILTERED The Sixth Form Council meets every Tuesday during sit-down lunch. There’s a whole agenda for them to get through, driven by the guidance of gentle supervision of Jake Dellorco, Dean of Students. On a weekly basis, they plan their Friday School Meeting, review the pulse from the weekend prior, and check in on upcoming student life events. Otherwise, the agenda rotates, responding to the rhythm of the student body. The six members—a mix of boarders, day students, diehards, three-year students, female, and male Sixth Formers—know the School. They’re purveyors of their friends, students who can check in on the Third Form class and Post-Graduate

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additions in a peer-to-peer way. Their role, a recently transformed version of the School’s President and Vice-President duo, is charged with real responsibility as well as a real sense of respect—from both their fellow Saints and the adults on campus.

This group of six—Sherley Arias-Pimental, Nikki Decola, Jack Griebel, Greg McKenna, Maddie Milazzo, and Brendan Omaña—were voted to the Council by their classmates at the end of their Fifth Form year. Their peers take them seriously. The Administrative Team takes them seriously. Importantly, they take themselves seriously. And they meet during the Tuesday sit-down lunch hour because, simply, there is no other time during the week when their combined, distinct schedules overlap.

“Can you update us on what’s good?”

Maddie questions (boarder, three-year, from Hamden, CT). While it’s not exactly clear who she is prompting, it is clear that for this group, the lunch has become routine; their banter with one another familial. It feels like a true family-style sit down meal. Plates are passed, and, with tacos on the menu, tortillas grabbed from middle of the table. Sherley (boarder, diehard, Newark, NJ) leans over, “Yeah, what

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do you think we should do?”

“I just really don’t think students would like that,” Jack Griebel weighs in (boarder, three-year, Newtown, CT). You can tell they feel a certain warmth with one another during their conversation. Mr. Dellorco sighs. “Is this the point in the year when we just start to call these meetings ‘Requests for Mr. Dellorco’?”

He jokes. Peers down. Scribbles a few illegible words on his lined notepad. Between scoops of rice, the group runs through options for an upcoming weekend. The debate at hand: should it be open (boarders free to leave) or closed (boarders required to stay)? Their opinions are heard by Mr. Dellorco—listened to with sincerity, validated with notes, nods, and further scribbles. In turn, the group recognizes and respects his role as faculty—the genuine and sometimes serious constraints placed on them all. It’s a give and take, and the Sixth Form Council is understanding in their consideration of all sides.

As individuals, the members report being proud of their efforts to keep true to the promises each made back in late April 2018.

Some of their accomplishments are tangible.

For Brendan (day student, diehard, New

A Year in Goode Times During her senior year of high school, Claire Goode ’19 decided that she didn’t want to just go through the motions anymore.

In addition to their Tuesday lunch meetings, the Sixth Form Council often meets with Head of School Rachel Stone. “She works with us to take our ideas and transform them into tangible changes,” remarks Sherley.

Milford, CT), it is that he helped motivate the change toward relaxed Wednesday and Saturday dress code. For Maddie, it was her partnership with the Student Life Office, “it was about fostering connections across all students,” she adds. For Greg (day student, diehard, New Milford, CT), Sherley, and Jack, their proudest moments are a bit more ethereal—the positivity they have helped cultivate within the student body, the palpable energy they have worked to spark at student events; the general enthusiasm that they’ve created, expanded upon, and radiated out all year by leading through example. Nikki (boarder, diehard, New Haven, CT) agrees.

As a group, they report being most proud of successfully building on the momentum of last year’s Sixth Form Council, the first joint-leadership student group. They are proud of the way in which they have each truly connected with individual students and with the student body as a whole.

For the rest of their final year at Canterbury, the Sixth Form has much to look forward to with the guidance of their six elected voices.

While the Council’s weekly meeting speeds by—almost as fast as the fall semester itself— its met with one more emphatic request for the Student Life Office when the sit-down lunch dessert is revealed: “Cancel the Lorna Doones!” The call echoes across all six.

Meeting adjourned.

She had only a few months left as a student at a Catholic day school near her hometown of Ridgefield, CT, and “it just felt like I spent four years going with the flow.” While her friends began prepping their college applications, Claire ’19 made a challenging yet mature decision—she was going to do a post-graduate year. It was an entirely self-motivated choice.

A family friend had attended Canterbury as a four-year student, and a classmate from her sister’s grade had done a post-graduate year at another independent school a few years prior. Claire’s family brought the two together, and she came to campus for a tour. “I distinctly remember thinking I wish I had come here for all four years! when we parked our car, and I looked out over The Chapel.”

Claire quickly joined the Cross Country team in the fall and met friends through her dorm, South House. She is part of the tech crew for the musical (“I mostly just help with the actors’ makeup and hair!”), the Track & Field team, and Chorale. While she wasn’t expecting to live with someone else, her relationship with her roommate, Sunfeel Akaphan ’19 (also a PG), has become one of the most transformative aspects of the year. The two get along famously—sharing moments in ways that only roommates can, linking their distinct backgrounds together through late-night homework sessions turned hours-long conversations. The two have made plans to travel together post-graduation to Thailand where Sunfeel’s family lives.

Even while completely immersed in hilltop life, Claire has maintained a rigorous Irish step dancing schedule, her afterschool activity of choice prior to Canterbury. In the fall, while she scaled back her weekly practice schedule to balance the transition to boarding school, she was still commuting back and forth for weekend competitions. While not practicing was frustrating—”How could I get better without the rehearsal?”—she realized that she needed this year to dedicate to other pieces of what makes her a full person. And it paid off. In November, she won Oireachtas, their regional competition, with a perfect score. She was invited to Nationals but then was struck with a different setback—a foot injury. Nonetheless, Claire took it all. “I think I needed this time to be, to breathe,” she reports. “Being at Canterbury, I was able to focus on other parts of my life.” This year, one full of change, has been marked with learned resiliency and growth.

Now well into her foot recovery, Claire is looking forward to continuing to perform. Indeed, she is proudly enrolled to attend Marist College, NY, in the fall where she plans to join the dance team.

“If I didn’t do this, I don’t know where I’d be right now. This was a muchneeded year.”

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H I LLTO P HA PP ENINGS

&

Lessons Carols

Varsity Voices, the student a capella group, led attendees through song and motion during Lessons and Carols in the Chapel of our Lady. Pictured here, Margaret Melich ‘19 (foreground) and John Martiska ‘19 (background) line the side of the Chapel as members of the student group.

Hymns and harmony center the Canterbury community before the winter holiday The Chapel of Our Lady is a centering force for our community, sitting at the peak of campus at the intersection of Aspetuck Avenue and Elkington Farm Road. While physically unifying the hilltop, each winter prior to student departure for the holiday break, the Chapel draws students and faculty together to ground our collective spirit, as well, during Lessons and Carols.

Lessons and Carols includes seven readings from Scripture and a variety of holiday carols in the spirit of the Advent season. Director of Theater Sarah Armstrong led the community in song between each reading, oscillating between traditional Christian hymns and popularized Christmas songs.

Oh Come All Ye Faithful opened the evening’s program while an all-School rendition of Joy to the World brought the night to a festive end.

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From left to right: Head of School Rachel Stone led one of the evening’s Scripture readings while the a capella group added lyrical accompaniment.

One of the brightest spots of the evening was the Community Choir, a group of students, faculty, and staff—and family members of students, faculty, and staff!—who spent several weeks rehearsing to lead the congregation through the final songs of the program: the Hallelujah Chorus. Former faculty members Guy and Viv Simonelli continued their longstanding legacy of participating in the Choir, their familiar faces surrounded by those THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL

of current students. Of course, to close out the night, no evening in the Chapel would be complete without Ut Cantuaria Floreat ringing from the pews. With the last notes still hanging in the air, attendees stuffed on their jackets to gather outside and say goodbye in the cold December evening before departing for home.

Spirituality, Service, & Justice Inspired by Canterbury’s mission and Catholic heritage, the Center for Spirituality, Service & Justice (CSSJ) is a shared space for the integration of opportunities for spiritual growth, social responsibility, and justice advocacy. The CSSJ aspires to highlight opportunities for enhanced intellectual inquiry, experiential learning, dialogue, and reflection across disciplines and throughout the community.

Grounded in our focus on spirituality, service, and justice, the CSSJ will promote opportunities to engage in exploration of the diverse world around us as well as opportunities for reflection and faith in action as we continually strive to inspire our students to moral and servant leadership.

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On this page, clockwise from top left: Fifth Form students in Tracy’s Service Learning: Social Justice course participate in “Walk-a-Mile” in the fall; students parade to The Chapel for Sunday morning Mass; The Chapel peeks out behind the CSSJ; Students gather in The Center during their free periods to knot rosaries; Sacristan Nick Buonaiuto ’19 reflects as a student leader during the Third Form Retreat.

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Such reads the mission of the Center for Service, Spirituality, and Justice—its work, grounded in its name. Canterbury’s focus on service, faith, and justice is an integral part of the School’s overarching mission and Five Core Values. The Center is a tangible representation of those values, a place for students and faculty to physically gather and implement programs that are core to our School’s foundation. The intention of the Center is to break down silos and facilitate connection through a shared space. It is a place to house campus ministry, retreats, community service, and opportunities to engage in social justice that have existed parallel to the School’s founding.

There is a legacy to the space that currently houses the CSSJ, the corner of Hume that peers out over the stone facade of the Chapel.

It originally housed Theology classrooms. Then, as Steele Hall was constructed, the Head of School’s office, followed by Frank Bice’s office, before becoming classroom space once again. The space has been home to pieces—and people—of the School that are integral to its mission.

The CSSJ maintains that legacy. “The students just gravitate to this space, they just feel comfortable here,” reflects Tracy Garcia-LaVigne, the Director of the CSSJ. Since the introduction this past fall, students and faculty alike have continuously congregated in the Center to take advantage of the space for collaboration and program development.

Retreats and community service opportunities are grown here; it is home

to a garden of faith-based opportunities that guide student participation in service activities throughout the year. Any given free period, groups of students can be found making puzzles, doing homework, or crafting rosaries. There is a constant flow of students throughout the day, grabbing a cup of tea or taking the time to stop and exhale. It is uplifting to see a diverse array of students come together in this space throughout the day. This “pilot” space has allowed us to centralize our programming —both physically and structurally—and to highlight all points of intersection throughout our community in regards to spirituality, service and justice offerings. By creating intentional space, it is a physical representation of our emphasis on reflection and faith in action. This space gives us a clear representation of the value we place on spirituality.

Faculty are also increasingly integrated into this aspect of Canterbury life as reflective of our Catholic heritage. The CSSJ fuels connection and advances already-existing bonds.

While the CSSJ gives space to plans that have programmatically existed for years, its purpose is beyond its physical space. The development of the CSSJ evolved through a number of initiatives, but its true genesis is rooted in how we can live out our Catholic identity as it occurs on our hilltop as inclusive of all faith backgrounds and beliefs. Service, specifically, represents our School’s Catholic identity in ways that resonate with other faiths. In addition to physically housing many of

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Tracy Garcia-LaVigne

Tracy will tell you that she is just a facilitator, but, if you have spent any time on campus over the last 22 years, you know that to be flatly untrue. As faculty in the English and Theology Departments, as well as being integrally involved in community service and campus ministry, yes, she has facilitated many things. She has facilitated academic growth in our students, a love of literature, an understanding of what servant leadership looks like. She has facilitated tangible programs like her Service Learning course, the Emmaus Retreat, and all Form gatherings throughout the year. But Tracy’s impact on our hilltop community, on the lives of our students and the very core of our School, has been much more than as a facilitator. She has cemented the spiritual foundation of our School by living and leading through example and furthering the connection between Canterbury and our spiritual heritage.

By the time her youngest daughter graduates (Lily ’23), there will have been a LaVigne student for thirteen consecutive years (Ally ’13 began in 2009). Tracy, along with her husband Peter, who serves as the Assistant Head of School for Student Life, have had an integral impact on the School during their time here. They have impacted a quarter of the School’s existence—a quarter of our alumni, a quarter of our course offerings, a quarter of the pace and pattern of School life. When asked how and why she has found herself on the hilltop for over two decades,

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Tracy’s answer is steadfast: “Even when other opportunities came along, we always checked it back against what we had here, and nothing else compared.”

Tracy has always known she was a teacher, and. at each point in Tracy’s teaching career, she thought that the environment she was in was the perfect educational environment.

First, it was the public school in Massena, NY, her own high school and hometown. Then it was at Fairfield Prep School, CT where Peter also worked as a hockey coach. When the couple arrived on the hilltop in 1998, she was was drawn by living, working, and raising a family all at the same place, focused by The Chapel of our Lady at the center of it all.

As the newly named Director of the Center for Spirituality, Service, and Justice, Tracy now leads and plans all the Form Retreats and Spiritual Life Retreats as well as the Service Learning course offered to Upperform students. She directs the group of Sacristans and continues to serve as the dorm head in Duffy House and Head Coach of Girls’ Cross Country. She touches all corners of campus life and maintains a steady impact on the energy and essence of our hilltop community.

Tracy is an incredibly empathetic individual and an inspiring educator. Tracy’s students, both current and former, echo the same resounding qualities about her—she inspires you to lead a faith-filled life by demonstrating what that means in practice.

Clockwise from top: The Chapel centers our campus and serves as a location for congregation every Sunday; Gilly Carleton ’20 uses the CSSJ to write letters on behalf of Women of Canterbury (WOC); Sacristan Jess Garcia ’19 makes a rosary in the CSSJ during a sunny weekday afternoon.

our service opportunities, The Center allows for collaboration between students and faculty who are working on service projects as guided by the same fundamental principles towards a similar goal.

In its first year, the CSSJ was the site of creation for the inaugural Social Justice Week program (pg 10). It allowed for talkback sessions hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Club (CDIC), Sustainability Club, and Women of Canterbury (WOC). The Center gave a place for faculty to meet in preparation for the annual Emmaus Retreat and provided space to Sacristans throughout the year for the myriad of programs that they plan and lead.

As Tracy reflected, in its first year, the CSSJ has become an embodiment of our Five Core Values—Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Spirituality, and Self-Reliance. The Five Values have shepherded the School through the last two decades, shaping the core of what our

alumni carry in them as they graduate. Integrally, Tracy was involved in both the forming of the Five Values as a dorm head in the early 90s as well as implementing them by living them out in the dorm and classroom.

The tenant of Spirituality is a vital part of Canterbury’s academic identity while service is a driving force behind the tangible structure of this Core Value. The Campus Ministry programs, as unified by the CSSJ, respond to the religious and spiritual needs of the entire campus community. As a School community, we strive to nurture a campus that is committed to respectful dialogue and mutual support across religious and cultural differences and encourages students to gain both knowledge and experience with respect to world religions. The CSSJ allowed our campus ministry offerings to grow by offering a spiritual presence in an academic environment and allowing our students to develop in their faith at their own pace and in their own way.

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J U L IO OM A NA

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ENGLISH DEPT, REVAMPED

BY LINDSAY MULHERN

Faculty expertise and student interest come together for new course offerings

Over the course of the past two years, the English Department has engaged in meaningful discussions about the trajectory of the curriculum. With guidance from Assistant Head of School for Academics Sue Roberts, Director of Curriculum Kelli Darrin, and through conversation between faculty and students, the Department has chosen to reconfigure the course offerings. While

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PSYCHE Consumers of works of horror willfully frighten themselves to experience a psychological thrill that comes with fear. The course will discuss why consumers of the genre chase this thrill and how the producers of the genre prompt this response. The course will also ask students to discuss what common characteristics works of this genre share and what characteristics make each work unique. Texts include The Shining, Stephen King; Psycho, Alfred Hitchcock; The Turn of the Screw, Henry James; Dracula, Bram Stoker.

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students will still be able to take advantage of the Advanced Placement and full-year honors courses, faculty wrote proposals for courses that pique their personal academic passions and have introduced a diverse selection of semester electives. Our hope for our students is to awaken their curiosities about a wide range of topics and allow more flexibility with their schedules.

THE EMPIRE WRITES BACK

THE BILDUNGSROMAN

It is often said that history is written by victors; however, literature is written by everyone. The texts of the course are written by authors from former colonies. The course will explore and discuss the challenges and conflicts faced by the colonized and how, even though the authors are from a variety of geographical regions, the concerns of these authors share commonalities (identity, history, cultural heritage, nationhood, freedom, etc.). Texts includes Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe; Nervous Conditions, Tsitsi Dangarembga; No Telephone to Heaven, Michelle Cliff.

“Bildungsroman” means “novel of education.” Through this course, we will investigate both formal and informal modes of education in a variety of texts.

What does it mean to come of age? Why has the coming of age story fascinated readers since the nineteenth century? Do we ever become fully formed adults?

We will examine how these texts stand the test of time and how they engage with other issues surrounding the bridge between adolescence and adulthood.

Texts include Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte; The Namesake, Jhumpa Lahiri; The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, Carsons McCullers; The Fault in Our Stars, John Greene.

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MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND FANTASY The world beyond reality has captured the attention of readers of all ages across time. This course will investigate the foundation of myths, legends, and fantastical ideas. We will start with foundational information on the origin of myths, proverbs, and legends spanning all cultures and study their similarities and differences. In addition to being able to recognize mythological metaphors, allusions, analogies, and symbols, students will analyze the significance of man’s use of the myth. Texts include The Woman Who Fell from the Sky, Joy Harjo; The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving.

YEAR TWO OF

Robotics Success Student-led initiative jumpstarts team’s continued progress

From top to bottom: Brendan Clark ’20 (left) and Cameron Krinsky ’21 (right) make a few gametime changes to their robot at the CTFTC; the entire team spent several months developing the robot and programming it to complete tasks.

It’s a simple response from Canterbury’s Robotics Team student-founder Misha Verozub ‘19 on why and how he started the team his Fifth Form year—“I was interested in computer science and machinery, so I just thought, why don’t we start a robotics team?” He found a faculty advisor (Michael Kennedy, faculty in the Science Department), a location to meet (the Makerspace), and other like-minded students (this year’s team consists of Pluem Artkaew ‘19, JiWon Lee ‘20, Brendan Clark ‘20, Erik Stedman ‘20, Alex Kolonchin ‘21, Cameron Krinsky ‘21, and Mike Shi ‘21) and made it official.

During their first year as an organized after-school activity in 2017-18, the team advanced to the Connecticut First Tech Challenge (CTFTC) Central Connecticut Qualifier and placed third amongst regional competitors.This year, after another dedicated fall and winter of building and practicing with their robot, the team went further and advanced to the Connecticut FTC State Championship (The Gator Bowl) at Greenwich Academy, CT. “This was a great second year of creation and competition after finding our footing last year,” remarked faculty advisor Mike Kennedy. “The team has been preparing for this since September, and it is great to see their hard work come to fruition.”

Prior to the competition, organizers provided teams with instructions on what their robot would need to accomplish to advance to the next round. Teams then built their robots to complete these specific tasks. For this year’s qualifiers, competitors had to build a robot that would be able to lift itself off the ground and place blocks into a designated area, both in a controlled setting and autonomously. To be considered for The Gator Bowl, the team had to demonstrate a fully selfdetermined robot.

“The team has helped me grow my own interests and learn about aspects of engineering and construction that I didn’t even know existed!” noted one of the team members, Cameron Krinsky. “I feel like I’m a better person for it, and I’m already looking forward to next fall.”

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a [river]bed of hands-on learning PAGE 50.

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To help determine water quality, students in Water, Energy, and Climate (WEC) collected and analyzed insects found in the river bank. Certain classifications of bugs are highly sensitive and can only be found in high quality rivers. Photographed here, Sixth Form students gather around faculty member Cammy Roffe (bottom right) to classify the bugs they discovered.

How do humans impact the water quality of our streams?

BY CAMMY ROFFE The sustainability of human societies and the biodiversity that supports them requires responsible management of natural resources.

Water quality is a critical aspect of maintaining this diversity. Water, Energy, and Climate, a semester-long science elective for Upperform students, has long been measuring three tributaries (small streams that flow into a larger main body of water) of the Housatonic River in an attempt to assess their quality and changes.

Over the number of years that Canterbury School has offered the course, our students have hypothesized about the water quality of the various tributaries near our campus before doing onsite research to take measurements and assess the general health of the Housatonic. By engaging with the material onsite, students are able to tangibly understand the questions that guide our elective and better grasp the wider environmental application.

The Housatonic has long been polluted with PCBs, widely recognized environmental toxins, and other nonpoint sources such as rain and snow run off. As a class, we look at the human impact on these streams due to development, land use, various sources of runoff, and land cover. Canterbury students have taken part in local water quality assessment and have engaged in this project at the state-level for several decades, extending through this year’s class.

Several of my environmental science electives were a part of Project Search through Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency for close to twenty years. This project sent students to assess local streams by collecting on-site measurables. The state then used the information aggregated by our students to assess overarching water quality throughout Connecticut. One of the sites that our students currently measures is located near

Left: Korbin Pecora ’19 braves the cold rapids to wade deep into the Aspetuck River and collect water samples for his classmates.

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a state test site, so, excitingly, as a class, we are able to update the work of the the long-term study even after the study has ceased to exist.

What is the impact of human development on where we yield our water? WEC examines this essential question which guides our course by going onsite to the very locations that help supply the water for our hilltop. As a group, students determined three specific locations of local water sources to test, brainstormed ideas of what information we would need to measure to assess the quality, and then created a model of what we thought the quality might be based on prior knowledge of the surrounding area.

The three locations for our water quality measurements were all within New Milford— the East Aspetuck River on the widely-traveled Route 202, Great Brook on the quieter Grove Street, and West Aspetuck River along Housatonic Avenue. As a class, we spent several weeks traveling between campus and the sites to gather data which included physical, chemical and biological information. East Aspetuck

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River runs parallel to a busy road: how would the close proximity of car pollutants affect the quality of the tributary? Great Brook is lined with roots and shielded physically from human erosion: do those barriers have measurable effects on the water quality?

Students examined the stream corridor for character of the stream, flow, width, depth, temperature, amount of tree cover, and pollution. They then donned hip waders to walk into the streams and do all of the actual collecting of data. This part of the experiment allows them to be part of hands-on science that has a broad impact on their lives and ramifications in what feels like their own backyard!

To measure for chemicals, our class tested nitrates, total dissolved solids, pH, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen. Lastly, we collected benthic macroinvertebrates (bugs) which can give us an indication of biodiversity and quality depending on the types of insects that we found. We also did a quick bacteria test to see if any were present in the three water sources. This year’s

THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL

The classroom comes to life: Students traveled to their three chosen water sources—three nearby tributaries—to gather onsite measurements.

The onsite work allows students to more tangibly grasp the wider implications of our course.

group was brave in their data collection and scooped up many river bugs sans nets!

on learning even while creating models within the classroom.

Students analyze, compare, and interpret the data by using online and publicly available tools. Students can use the Wikiwatershed app which employs GIS software to look at types of ground cover, soil permeability, and human development around our stream sites. They discussed point and nonpoint source pollution and looked for evidence in our streams.

Since beginning work on this ongoing assessment project, new Connecticut legislation requires towns to eliminate barriers to implementing LID in land use regulations. It requires new development proposals to consider LID first, reduce existing impervious surfaces, and require new development to retain storm water on site. For any new construction projects that our School undertakes, such as The Commons, we will need to be LID compliant. Water, Energy, and Climate students look forward to engaging in these conversations as a way to further their understanding of human impact on water quality through real-life, campus-based examples!

Back in the classroom, students finalized the last piece of their semester-long work by creating models for each of the rivers. The models depict the water quality of these three streams as well as looking at LID (Low Impact Development) ideas for water runoff around our campus. One of the biggest indicators for water quality is the type of land use. In general, the greater the intensity of land use by humans and the higher the amount of impervious surfaces, the lower the water quality. To understand these indicators, students run simulations to control stormwater by practices such as rain gardens, green roofs, and porous pavement.

This furthers their ability to engage in hands-

Over the twenty plus years that I have worked with students to test water quality, the handson experiment has resonated as it tangibly demonstrates the direct impact that humans have on the quality of our water and how it has changed over time and additional years of development.

To test the chemical balance of the river, students took samples of the water and looked for nitrates, total dissolved solids, pH, alkalinity, and dissolved oxygen. Top left: Sean Durkin ’20 takes measurements to determine the rate of water flow.

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SAINTS IN REVIEW FALL/WINTER 2018-19

CBURY.ORG/ATHLETICS

I N T RODUCTION BY BRITTANY C A R LS O N

W

hat do our students carry with them when they walk off campus after Commencement?

Friendships, of course, along with life lessons.

Times for laughter, hard memories, a sense of pride. The moments that they take with them are the ones built alongside their teammates, their peers. The moments they felt part of something bigger, the moments they fell together, the moments they stood tall, shoulder-to-shoulder.

They were witness to one another’s successes and failures. They were witness to one another’s lives.

They cheered each other on from the sidelines— they showed up for one another. They focused on the finish line, on the goal, on the basket. They took a deep breath and dove. They worked hard, they stuck with it. If they wanted to give up, they didn’t. These small moments built a foundation upon which our students build their future selves.

Athletics plays a significant role in what our students carry with them. They become athletes not just for their incredible performances on the field and court but because of their strong sense of character competing as Saints. Students here watch out for one another and respect their teammates and opponents. They’re in the stands witnessing their friends’ victories and defeats and supporting them. They’re present.

The bond that is formed within a student body is unlike any other. They will leave this place with a never-ending sense of belonging. They will look fondly back on funny memories, embarrassing moments, hard lessons, but most importantly, friendships. So many of those relationships form within a team. They learn patience, focus, and hard work together. They learn who they are and bring with them pieces of who they will become.

“ The Canterbury community is unwaveringly supportive.”

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ALEX LUO ’19

BOYS' CROSS COUNTRY WINS 46TH ANNUAL CANTERBURY INVITATIONAL

CROSS COUNTRY KATE LUFF ’20

BY COACH E S DRE W HOUGHTALEN A N D TR A C Y G A R C IA - LAV IG N E

BOYS’ 2018 was an exciting season for the Boys’ Cross Country team. The team opened with a win at the Canterbury Invitational, a first in many years.

The team continued to find success throughout the season and finished undefeated in several dual meets. The boys had their best race of the season in November at the New England Championships, raced on Canterbury’s home course. Led by All-New England performances by Jack McCluskey ’20 and Greg McKenna ’19, the team earned an overall third place finish. The top seven runners were rounded out with great performances from Alex Luo ’19, Max Oeser ’21, Raif Harris ’19, and Jasper Sun ’20. The team also showed its great depth by finishing second in the JV race and placing four runners—Julian Sandoval ’21, Adrian deCola ’19, Jake Elston ’21, and Andy Xu ’21—in the top twenty. Jack McCluskey earned the MVP Award and Greg McKenna, the Coach’s Award.

GIRLS’ The Girls’ Varsity Cross Country team showed a solid performance for the fall 2018 season. Varsity runners included Madelyn Sweeney ’22, Lorelai Lee Swanek ’21, Juliet St. Germaine ’20, Abby Omaña ’20, Autumn Mish ’21, Michaela Stowell ’19, Margaret Melich ’19, and Sandra Xu ’21. Team awards went to Madelyn Sweeney, MVP, and Michaela Stowell and Lorelai Lee Swanek, Coach’s Award. Lorelai also earned All New England status at the New England Championship race. The entire team showed tremendous progress throughout the season, significantly dropping their times and setting an optimistic tone for the 2019 season with so many returning young runners to team.

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FOOTBALL

BY COACH JIM STO N E

The Saints Football team opened their 2018 season with a convincing win over Albany Academy, NY, 40-14. The offense was led by running back Kion Tucker ’19 who rushed for four touchdowns. Jahyi Williams-Aubry ’19 and Liam Sutherland ’19 also scored touchdowns and quarterback Joey Ciotti ’20 threw his first touchdown pass of the year to Tucker.

For the following four weeks, the Saints struggled as they ran into four strong teams (St. Paul’s School, NH, New Hampton School, NH, Dexter Southfield School, MA, and Berkshire School, MA), two of those eventual Bowl Champions. Turnovers plagued the offense during that stretch while defense was unable to slow down some high potent offensive units. After a difficult month, Canterbury bounced back with a quality win over Proctor Academy, NH 37-24 on Parents’ Weekend where the running game was in high gear led

by Sixth Form captain fullback Liam Sutherland who rushed for 163 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns on the afternoon. The game was tight in the fourth quarter, but a fourth down touchdown reception by tight end Nick Cappelli ’20 sealed the deal for the Saints.

The team closed out the season with two more strong wins over Tilton School, NH, and Wilbraham and Monson Academy, MA, where the defense was at the forefront making several big stands. That unit consisted of defensive linemen Emmett Reilly ’19, Nick Cappelli ’20, Jason Xing ’19, Grant Tessetore ’19 and Captain Martin McDonald ’19 along with linebackers Liam Sutherland, Jahyi Williams-Aubry, Nick Olidis ’20, Joey Ciotti, and defensive backs Kion Tucker, Jack Cassidy ’20, and Carter Finnen ’19.

Kion Tucker and Liam Sutherland led the team in rushing and were named to the All New England Class B team. Canterbury finished with a 4-4 record on the season and made great improvements as a unit along the way. Liam Sutherland earned the MVP Award and Martin McDonald and Carter Finnen received the John Confort ’70 Football Award, presented for outstanding effort, team play, and contribution to the program. The Saints are excited about the fall 2019 season.

JAYHI WILLIAMS-AUBRY ’19

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EMMA GAMBARDELLA ’20

MADDY HACKETT ’19

FIELD HOCKEY

BY COACH MADDIE L ORD

Canterbury field hockey held a 9-5-1 regular season record making it to the quarter-finals of the Class C NEPSAC Championship. The Saints entered preseason with a group of veteran players that stepped up to the plate and held their own against many tough Class B competitors. Despite the transition of coaches between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, the team rallied quickly to build a strong work ethic and drive that led them to success.

Sixth Formers included Maddy Hackett, Katherine Hesslink, Bailey deTuro and NEPSAC All-Star goalie Jami Procanik. These Upperform athletes were relentless in their tenacity on the field and guidance for our entire time; their leadership and athleticism will be greatly missed. In addition to the notable post-season tournament appearance, the team markedly beat Berkshire School, MA in an overtime thriller that left fans (and their coaches) ready to faint. Jami Procanik earned the MVP Award, and Vanessa Okoroanyanwu ’21 received the Coach’s Award.

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JACOB FINKEL-HOZER ’19

ANDREW KIM ’20

SOCCER

CASSIDY ROCKWOOD ’21

LEXAH CARALUZZI ’21

BY COACHE S SHAW N G A N OW A N D S A M H A R G R OV E

BOYS’ Battling a season plagued by injuries, the Saints performed admirably and finished with a 5-8-3 record. Key Sixth Formers Jacob Finkel Hozer and Connor Cherry led the way for the Saints. Finkel-Hozer was a four-year starter and has been invaluable to the team and its growth over the last several years. Connor Cherry rose impressively to become one of the top goalies Canterbury has seen in decades. Both their commitment to the team and to the sport was admirable, impressing upon the Underformers a lasting legacy for generations of players to come. With their leadership, starting players like Jon Fernandes ’20, Andrew Kim ’20, JJ Maxwell ’20, and Ludovico Zanotti ’20 all gained valuable insight into what dedication and hard work looks like, both in and out of season. Several of the team’s younger players have chosen to join Blackrock Football Club for the off-season to train throughout the year. With the extra training sessions and continued guidance from our Sixth Form leaders, the Canterbury Saints look to continue improving for fall 2019.

GIRLS’ The Canterbury Girls’ Varsity Soccer team experienced a successful season in the fall of 2018, earning a spot in the NEPSAC Class C tournament for the first time in nearly two decades with a record of 10-5-1. The Saints were led in scoring by Ella Olcese ’21 (20 goals) and anchored in defense by goalkeeper Peyton DeRouen ’21 (five shutouts). The Saints graduated six Sixth Formers including captains Rachael DeLong, Sydney Desmarais, and 2018 MVP Whitney Schwitter. The Saints have a strong core of players that will return in 2019 including Bella Cotier ’20, Lexah Caraluzzi ’21, Tori Gioele ’22, and Ali King ’22. The coaching staff looks forward to continuing to build a competitive and enjoyable program aiming to develop empowered student-athletes. While Schwitter received the MVP Award, Cassidy Rockwood ’21 earned the Coach’s Award.

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VOLLEYBALL

BY COACH E J SOIF E RSMITH

The Varsity Volleyball team had a fun and productive season for fall 2018. Though ending with only six wins, the team improved a great deal over the course of several months in total ability and competitiveness. Season highlights included when the Saints held a huge win against a talented Suffield Academy, CT squad, a team who ultimately advanced to the postseason NEPSAC tournament. The Saints graduated three Sixth Formers this year: Co-Captains Coco Booth and Gianna Terracino as well as newcomer PG Haily Santorsola. Coco Booth and Molly Clancy ’20 won the MVP Awards while Gianna Terracino earned the Coach’s Award.

LIZA DUFFY ’20

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

JACALYN PUGLIESE ’19

MEGAN LEBLANC ’20

BY COACH E J SOIF E RSMITH

The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team fought each game to the best of their ability throughout this winter season with many close games and tough battles. The team competed at the Ethel Walker Tournament and went 1-2 over the course of two days, starting off December on a high note. At the tournament, the team also developed as a close-knit unit which extended throughout the winter months and many team dinners. Jacalyn Pugliese ’19 was voted to the NEPSAC Western All-Star Team and won the MVP Award, while Meg LeBlanc ’20 won the Don K. Gowan Basketball Award for the player who best embodies what Don Gowan expected of all his players representing Canterbury Basketball: integrity, respect, and sportsmanship.

An emotional Sixth Form night at the end of February recognized tri-captains and four-year players Jacalyn Pugliese, Kasey Celniker, Michaela Stowell as well as first-year player Maddie Milazzo.

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COACH SOIFERSMITH

EJ Soifersmith

"1, 2, 3, SAINTS!" During the valedictorian remarks at the 2018 Commencement ceremony, Bella Papov ’19 extended several thank yous for those who made her years at Canterbury what they were. She called out faculty and family and closed with a joint call of gratitude for someone who seemed to encompass both roles: “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!” There is no better way to describe what EJ does at Canterbury and what she becomes for our students: Mom. The biggest fan, the most steadfast supporter, a go-to person for times of trouble, the first person to go to with good news, EJ (or Ms. EJ as students often colloquially call her) is officially titled the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities. It’s a nebulous role, one that has grown to encompass planning all of the student weekend activities to partnering with faculty and students alike to ensure the wellbeing of all members of our hilltop community.

More than her title, EJ serves in a mom-like role for so many of our students.

In addition to her position in Student Life, EJ has served as the Dorm Head of Havemeyer House— soon to be of South House!— where she has lived with her husband DJ and two (biological) children, Hannah and Hudson. EJ also is the Head Coach of both Girls’ Varsity Basketball and Volleyball. She assumed responsibilities of the Volleyball program in 2005 and coached the team for two seasons before transitioning to full-time faculty—a role she has held for over a decade now.

She has her master’s degree in social work and worked for a nonprofit organization prior to moving to campus. Her background lends itself to her current role as she uses her empathy—both learned and inherent—to make each of our students feel welcome and known. Thanks, Mom. “I can’t imagine Canterbury without her,” remarks Coco Booth ’19, the captain for both of the teams (Volleyball and Basketball) that EJ coaches. “She has made my experience what it is.” A sentiment all students would reflect.

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AT H LE T IC S

MR. BOB POTTER ERIC MASSING ’19

CARRYING ON If you’ve attended a basketball game at Canterbury at any point over the last decade, there has been one constant that fans can count on seeing.

Every Varsity home game—about 25 competitions each year—Bob Potter, the English Department’s most veteran faculty member, has managed the clock.

A baseball cap cemented squarely on his head, Converse laced up on his feet. The two have become hallmarks of the sideline—unwavering features of an already unwavering figure.

If you come in February, he is wearing his Brooklyn Dodgers baseball cap, a nod to Black History Month.

Two weeks earlier in January, he would have been in a Celtics hat (a Massachusetts-native at the core). If it was spring training, the winter athletic season pushing into March, the Red Sox logo would be on his head.

The hat, he changes with the season, the month, the week— it represents, simply, something that’s going.

It’s his way of paying homage, if ever so slightly, to bits of the world that are important to him. “Plus,” Bob smiles, “Basketball is a winter sport. My hair just doesn’t look as good.”

While his rotating baseball caps can be seen from spectators across the Arena, Bob’s sneakers are hidden by the scoring table. White High Top Converse.

They’re only ever on his feet for the ticking of the game so fans get a glimpse of them when he walks out at 00:00. Slung over his shoulder and tied as if to be flung across telephone wires, they’re pristinely clean, PAGE 62.

only ever touching the gym floor. The shoes, like the cap, are in recognition of others.

He wears them in honor of the memory of Algis Stankus-Saulaitis, Canterbury’s librarian from 1998 until his death in 2008. Algis used to do the clock for the team and would wear different colored Converse to each game.

When Bob assumed Algis’ role, he also assumed the Converse. “He was a great person, a great community member, who deserves to be remembered. As long as I am here, he will be.” With every game, Bob carries on Algis’ memory and the legacy of his work here.

While initially pristine white sneakers, Bob embroidered them with DGIII, tiny letters in red, soon after taking over the clock. DGIII—Don Gowan III—was the Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach who asked Bob to assume the responsibilities. A man with a positive energy that he brought both to his team and to Sheehan House where he lived, Don died unexpectantly during his second year at the School.

Bob’s sneakers are also a nod to Don’s mark on the School, his athletes, and the tradition of our basketall team.

He carries the legacy of both men during each home game. “Both, in their own right, were great guys.

Really good men,” he reflects. “They made this place THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL

3

PLAYERS NAMED TO NEPSAC CLASS B ALL-STAR TEAM

BRYAN POWELL ’19

BOYS' BASKETBALL B Y C OA CH B R I AN BAU D I NE T

The Canterbury Varsity Boys’ Basketball team completed a positive 2018-19 season, finishing with a 21-6 overall record. After hitting a low-point in January with a threegame losing season streak, the Saints responded by reeling off 12 straight victories and advancing all the way to the NEPSAC Class B Championship game before ultimately losing in a tight game in the finals. For their efforts all season, Bryan Powell ’19, Tray Alexander ’20, and Marlon Short ’20 were named to the Class B All-Star team while Charlie Campbell ’20 and Joe Hoch ’19 received Honorable Mention status. The team is grateful for the Sixth Form leaders—Jack Griebel, Joe Hoch, Bryan Powell and Eric Massing—for their great contributions to the School and the basketball program over the course of their Canterbury career. Coach Baudinet was named the NEPSAC Class B Coach of the Year while Brian Powell earned MVP and Tray Alexander, the Don K. Gowan Basketball Award for the player who best embodies what Don Gowan expected of all his players representing Canterbury Basketball—integrity, respect, and sportsmanship.

TRAYVON ALEXANDER ’20

SEASON RECORD: 21-6 TRI-STATE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

CLASS B TOURNAMENT #1 SEED

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AT H LE T IC S COACH MCCARTHY

MATT IASENZA ’19

SCHUYLER ST GERMAIN ’19

RACHAEL DELONG ’19

HOCKEY

BY COACH E S PADDY M CCARTHY ’ 9 4 A N D K ATIE MA N D IG O

BOYS’ The Boys’ Varsity hockey team finished the season with some big wins versus Pomfret School, CT and Cushing Academy, MA as well as a 3-3 tie on the road against The Gunnery School, CT. The Saints were led by Captain Matt Iasenza ’19 and goaltender Connor Cherry ’19. Iasenza earned All-Tournament Team honors at the Watkins New Year’s Tournament at Cushing Academy, MA, and led the Saints in points (10-9-19). Cherry led the Saints in net with a .920 save percentage and two shutouts. Saints Hockey would like to recognize the efforts of additional Sixth Formers who contributed to the 2018-19 team: David Paluch, Lucas Williams, Schuyler St. Germain, Matt Savard, Shane Haggerty, Andrew Messick, and Martin McDonald. This season, the Saints were benefited by the addition of another assistant coach, Nick Ellis, in addition to the ongoing work of Mike Polsonetti. Nick was a former goalie for the NCAA National Champions Providence College, RI, and played for the Edmonton Oilers affiliate Bakersfield Condors in the AHL. Matt Iasenza earned the MVP Award while Connor Cherry received the Coach’s Award.

GIRLS’ The Canterbury Girls’ Varsity Hockey team completed another successful season for which the Saints have a lot to be proud. With ten new players joining the roster, the team was much younger than in years past. Despite the newness of competing together, the athletes practiced hard and learned to work together throughout the season. The Saints won their holiday tournament at Governor’s Academy, MA, going undefeated over the course of the early-December weekend tournament. Canterbury also recorded big wins against Greenwich Academy, CT and Taft School, CT. The season concluded with a wonderful Pink the Rink charity event in which the Saints raised money for the American Cancer Association, tallying over $1,000 to donate in support of cancer research. Jade Brinker ’21 earned the season’s MVP Award.

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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL

RYAN GREGUSKI ’20

GRAHAM HIGGINS ’20

SWIMMING & DIVING

BY COACH CHRISTIN E H A R D IN G

BOYS’ For the fourth consecutive year, the Boys’ team earned first place at the New England Class C Championships. The season began with Ryan Greguski ’20, diver, who broke his own 6-dive record during one of the first home dual meets. Greguski’s record-shattering performance set the tone for the remainder of the season as the swimmers continued to break both pool and personal bests. Soon after, the Boys’ 200-Freestyle Relay smashed our home pool record and encouraged even further dedication to daily practices. Both achievements set a team standard for maintaining a consistently high training level leading up to the end-of-season Championships. While at Championships, the entire Boys’ team swam personal best times and helped make Canterbury history with the fourth-in-a-row victory. In addition to winning the tournament, the Boys’ relay broke two more league records in the 200 and 400-yard freestyle, and impressively broke their own record from earlier in the season. The tournament was a tremendous event—one that won’t soon be forgotten. The team was led by Sixth Formers Gordon Bradshaw, Matt Martin, Spencer McLean, and William Ondrey. The MVP Award was presented to Spencer McLean and the Coach’s Award to Matt Martin and Ryan Greguski.

GISELLE BRADSHAW ’21

OLIVIA ALLEN ’20

BY COACH CHRISTIN E H A R D IN G

GIRLS’ Girls Swimming and Diving ended the season with a 9th place finish at the New England Championships for the Class C division. With only ten girls on the roster, the team’s top-ten finish was a major accomplishment for the squad. Throughout the season, the girls powered through the small numbers to be formidable competitors for each opponent while continuing to set personal best swims. Led by Sixth Form captain and MVP-Award recipient Gianna Terracino, the girls kept their heads held high and their eyes on the prize of individual accomplishments. The Coach’s Award was presented to Lexah Caraluzzi ’21. With many returning Underformers, the team looks forward to a wonderful new beginning to next season.

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AT H LE T IC S

JUSTIN SCHNEIDER ’20

SQUASH

JOYCE GAO ’20

BY COACH E S NIKHIL SE TH AND A MY O MAÑA ’ 8 6

BOYS’ The Varsity squad had an exciting season this winter, led by a strong core of upperclassmen including Sixth Formers Brendan Omaña, Alex Luo, Zach Booth, Willem Steiner, and Raif Harris and Fifth Formers Jon Fernandes and Justin Schneider. The team made much progress this year, earning impressive wins over Rye Country Day School, NY; Salisbury School, CT; Trinity-Pawling School, NY; St. Luke’s School, CT; King School, CT and Delbarton School, NJ. The boys also performed incredibly well in some nail-biting losses to local rivals, Millbrook School, NY and Greens Farms Academy, CT. Canterbury earned its highest ranking in mid-January when the team reached the #6 spot in the Class B standings, a position which the team held through the end of the regular season. The MVP Award went to Brendan Omaña and the Coach’s Award to Alex Luo and Willem Steiner.

GIRLS’ It was an exciting winter season for Girls’ Varsity Squash. Returning Sixth Formers Nova Chen, Lia Ma, and Yvonne Chen led the team at the top of the ladder. Whittney Schwitter, a Sixth Form newcomer to the varsity squad, earned her spot on the team early during the season and, through consistent skill-building and marked improvement, ended the season with a New England Class C championship win at number seven. A solid core of Underformers gave the team depth and proved to be the most successful players this season. Sophomores Ella Olcese and Abi King had winning records with impressive wins over Millbrook School, CT; Kent School, CT; Hopkins School, CT and Williston Northampton School, MA. Juniors Tori Congdon and Joyce Gao also had very strong seasons and equally impressive winning records. Tori, Ella, and Abi each won their flight at the New England Tournament giving the team the critical points necessary to place in the top three teams overall in Class C. Ella Olcese ’21 earned the MVP Award and Whittney Schwitter ’19, the Coach’s Award.

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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL

WRESTLING

BY COACH KE VIN C O N R OY

The Wrestling Program began the season with a strong showing at the Skiff Mountain Scuffle hosted at the Marvelwood School, CT. The team took third out of eight teams with nine wrestlers placing in their weight class. In dual meets throughout the season, the team had a strong win percentage in the weight classes in which our athletes competed. Sixth Form Captain Adrian deCola hosted a 14-6 record over the season with eight pins at 132 pounds. Sean Quaye ’21 also had a competitive showing, going 12-8 at 195 pounds. Both Adrian and heavyweight Jose Mencia ’19 qualified and competed in New Englands at Greens Farms Academy, CT in mid-February. Mencia did remarkably well throughout the season, his first competing for Saints Wrestling, with an overall 13-6 record. The MVP Award was presented to Adrian deCola, and the Guiseppei “Joe” Leto Wrestling Award for the greatest contribution to team effort to Sean Quaye.

ERIC YAO ’20

FREDERICK LILLYWHITE ’21

SEAN QUAYE ’21

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P E R F O R M ING ARTS

And now we present...

AN UPDATE FROM OUR THEATER PROGRAM

BY SARAH ARMSTRONG

Sarah Armstrong, initially hired as Canterbury’s Choral Director in 2016, embraced the responsibilities of Director of Theater this past fall when she was named Director of our fall, winter, and spring productions.

Since her directorial debut of The Crane Wife last winter, the first winter production in over a decade, Sarah has fostered a growing choral program as well as student talent and love of performance. She reflects on her first year in her assumed role and her first three performances as she seeks to continue to grow the legacy of our Theater Program and maintain its far-reaching impact on the dynamics of our hilltop community.

Last year marked the end of an era for Canterbury theater. When Maddie and Robin Dreeke retired, they had spent 28 years sharing their love of teaching and passion for theater with the Canterbury community. At their retirement soiree, “Curtain Calls and Cocktails,” countless theater students returned to share laughter and stories about the many

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ways the Dreekes, and theater, impacted their lives. As I sat, listening in the darkened theater about the Dreekes’ career and the impact they’ve had on generations of students, I thought back on educators that had made an impact on my own love for the stage and the space that theater can create for our students to flourish.

I joined the Fine Arts faculty in 2016 as the Choral Director but offered my background in performance to direct Canterbury’s first winter play in 2017, a Japanese folktale entitled The Crane Wife, to be performed in the L. Michael Sheehy ‘56 Choral Classroom. Students reflected that the play’s underlying premise and moral tone resonated with them, and this initial experience with theater at Canterbury helped further my desire to direct student-centered theater on our hilltop.

As I stepped fully into my role of Director of Theater this fall, I knew it would take the

Clockwise, left to right: Brendan Omaña ’19 stepped into the role of Black Stache in this fall’s production of Peter and the Starcatcher; Jess Garcia ’19 narrated last winter’s The Crane Wife; Chiara Vaccaro ’20 brought Fighting Prawn to life in Peter; Oscar Wang ’21 as Slank reprimands Nick Vial ’20, Nick Buonaiuto ’19, and John Martiska ’19 as The Lost Boys in Peter.

work of additional faculty to bring my hopes for our program to fruition. It has been an honor to work alongside of the Language Department Chair Keiko Mathewson and Technical Director Lisa Bonelli to continue the tradition of making theater steeped in integrity and tradition for the winter production as well as that of the fall play and spring musical. Both colleagues bring their own understanding and love of performance that pairs well with my background on the stage. We all share a similar aesthetic vision and work ethic which brings out the best in each other—allowing us, in turn, to bring out the best in our students. With the experience of Crane Wife behind me and two remarkable colleagues beside me, this year, we decided to bring a year of Theater Program “firsts” to Canterbury!

We began the academic year with Peter and the Starcatcher instead of the traditional Shakespearean tragedy. The Tony-winning

play, based on the best-selling novels by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan. The high-energy piece of story theater follows the hilarious adventures of Boy and Black Stache and a large cohort of sailors, pirates, and mermaids as they battle it out for treasure, intrigue, and friendship. Cast members explored relevant challenges of young adulthood through their characters and brought the ever-timely theme of growing up alive onstage for our audience members.

When it came time for the winter production, I was excited to plan another Canterbury first—the first show to go on the road! We embarked on a six-show tour to local middle schools before bringing our production of Boxes by Kendra Thomas back home. Boxes is a one-act play which explores themes of pressure, empathy, and individuality. In the

Lisa Bonelli, Technical Theater Director, adjusts a the costume of a performer during this fall’s dress rehearsal of Peter and the Starcatcher. In addition to the costuming, Lisa coordinated the construction of the set—including building a full-sized sailboat!

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P E R F O R M ING ARTS TAKING THE SHOW ON THE ROAD Boxes, by award-winning playwright Kendra Thomas, is an intimate one-act play that tackles expectations, empathy, and embracing From left to right: John Martiska ’19 and Jess Garcia ’19 help carry the set for Boxes from the hilltop to their off-campus performance location.

individuality. In the plot, every teen comes of age by receiving an empty box. Main character Jack is curious when he receives his box as a birthday present. His confusion quickly turns to concern when his family, friends, and teachers begin filling his box with their expectations for him.

With a transportable set (just cardboard boxes!) and packable costumes (hoodies and jeans), nine Canterbury students performed as a traveling ensemble to bring this play on tour to audiences at several neighboring schools.Following each production, the cast has offered a talk-back session with their middle school-aged audiences.

The actors were able to explain how they explored and developed their roles through Q&A with the curious students.

“Touring teaches our students how to pack up gear, bring out their set and put it all up...all the work that goes behind taking a production on the road,” remarked

“Stepping into this role, I knew that our program was blessed with a group of incredibly talented and dedicated Sixth Form students.” story, young Jack is curious when he receives his box as a birthday present. His confusion quickly turns to concern when those around him begin filling his box with their expectations for him. Ultimately, Jack comes to understand that his box is filled, not with other people’s expectations for him, but with their hopes, so that he can create his own goals and dreams.

We hosted a post-performance talk-back session with each of our middle-school-aged audiences, and the tour was considered a huge success. Our students reflected that the talkback sessions helped them grow an even deeper understanding of their own characters.

The spring musical is the main ticket item

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of our theatrical year. Stepping into this role, I knew that our program was blessed with a group of incredibly talented and dedicated Sixth Form students. As an educator, it is most rewarding to see my students become visibly passionate about their own performances.

With such a strong group of actors and tech crew members, we knew we needed to ask these students to rise to meet the challenge of a full-bodied production. In this vein, Keiko, Lisa, and I were incredibly excited to choose “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

In the coming year, the Theater Program will continue the momentum of “firsts” by producing an original play written by one of our own Canterbury students! We invite you to join us soon in the beautiful and newly renovated Maguire auditorium—or even out on the road—to see the performance. Theater is alive and well here at Canterbury!

THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL

Director Sarah Armstrong. “This production has taught the cast problem-solving skills, the ability to adapt, and how to engage with strangers!”

The student actors reacted and responded to questions in tandem, reflecting simultaneously on their performance, their characters’ development, and the audience’s reaction. “The show has brought so much assuredness out of these nine students,” Sarah continued. “To see them grow and build layers of confidence over the course of several traveling shows has been truly remarkable.”

The troupe brought their performance to Mizzentop Day School, NY, San Miguel Academy of Newburgh, NY, Washington Montessori, CT, and Rumsey Hall School, CT. The small but mighty cast of nine performed for the final time on campus for Canterbury audiences and left a strong impression on the entire community.

THE BEAT GOES ON

Dave Overthrow has been making music at Canterbury since 1998, but his legacy extends beyond our hilltop through the generations of alumni in whom he has helped inspire musical talent and pursuance.

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P E R F O R M ING ARTS

BY MADDIE LORD

I

n his twenty plus years as a member of the Canterbury community, David Overthrow has touched the entire campus with the depth of his musical knowledge...quite literally! He has seen the Music Department move all over the hilltop, from Old Schoolhouse, to temporary trailers, and finally to its current location near Pigott Arena. While the Department has changed locations, it has never lost its core intention—guiding students towards a love of music—due to Dave’s careful stewardship of his students and their work. As Director of the program, Dave has not only been responsible for physically transporting this space (“We had to lug the drum set over to the trailers and back again!”) but also for transporting the hearts of generations of students through the joys of music.

Dave’s drive to teach music is fueled by students’ “aha” moments when they realize the full extent of what they are capable of achieving. Many of his students report simply being unaware of their abilities prior to their lessons and echo Dave’s sentiment of finding their own ‘aha’ moments during practices with him. “I didn’t think I was going to be playing music when I arrived at Canterbury,” says Nick Graham ’21, a current student in Dave’s Jazz/Rock/Pop Ensemble. “But my uncertainties went away through his gentle guidance to help me become a better musician.

He makes you trust him and then you go with it.” This sentiment is reflected across generations of alumni for whom Dave has encouraged musical talent. Will Tully ’06, also a drummer, was intent on playing basketball during his years at Canterbury. Instead, he found himself in an introductory music class taught by Dave. He picked up the instrument over the course of a semester, each day a new “aha” moment as he learned what he was capable of with a pair of drumsticks and Dave’s guidance. Nick currently serves as the lead

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drummer in Overthrow’s Rock and Contemporary Band while Will can be found touring, making music as a full career.

Dave attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music, MA, before immersing himself in the music world as an entertainer. In addition to his current role as an educator, he describes himself as an everconstant entertainer and student of music. He can be found “jamming out” with many local and international musicians during the summer months and regularly plays in a band during the school year. While teaching began as a hobby and pastime for Dave, it quickly became a place for him to share the depths of his talent and inspire others to develop their own hobby and pastime through music creation.

He is an ever-present example to his students of what they can aspire to do.

Dave’s desire to bring as many potential students as possible into the world of music does not end at Canterbury. He has published twelve books for the electric base, led three instructional DVDs, and uses online platforms to help others find their talent.

“To me, the love of teaching music comes from the confidence that builds and manifests in each student.” Overthrow beams with pride when he touches on the moments throughout the year that offer these opportunities for growth in confidence. The Italia Mia Concert is one of these cherished moments, an evening for Canterbury students to perform at a local restaurant. Throughout the course of the evening, a migration of restaurant patrons inevitably makes its way into the the room where his students perform. “Everyone is just blown away by the exceptional talent of our students,” he remarks.

David Overthrow

“I didnt know I could be such a good base player, but [Mr. Overthrow] has brought me to a place where I am, simply by telling me I can. He has made me work harder than I ever thought possible at my skill. He has shown me different genres of music. He has given me a chance to develop professionally while playing the music I love.” —Diego Antes ’19

Dave’s admiration and pride in both current and former students’ achievements is transparent. So much so that, two years ago, he created the Alumni Music Festival, a forum for alumni and current students to perform together for the Canterbury community in a spectacular presentation of the music program.

For the past two years, returning alumni included Willy Tully ’06 on drums, Nick Cabrera ’09 on guitar and vocals, Paul Deedon ’09 on bass, and Cam Napier ’17 on bass. The four performers joined together with current Canterbury music groups including Contemporary Music Band and Jazz-Rock-Pop Ensemble to deliver a program of old classics, pop favorites, and several self-written melodies during the two-hour show. “It’s incredible that these alumni take the time to come to campus, rehearse with our musicians in advance, and then return again for the performance,” remarked Dave. “They exemplify for our students that with dedication to one’s passion, you can make a successful and happy life doing what you love.”

Dave speaks with great affection and admiration for his students, sentiments that extend beyond the halls of Canterbury. The connection he shares with them is both encouraging and inspiring—a tangible reminder of the lasting relationships our hilltop builds and those that Dave has built over two decades.

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AL U M N I S P OTLIG HT

Peter LaVigne Mike, your mom sent us a photo of you with the Stanley Cup. Did I really see you with the Stanley Cup? Mike Hume This winter, my boss came up to me at work and asked, “Did you know the Stanley Cup is coming today?” I laughed, “No, I did not know this!” “Do you want to meet it?” “Sure...what do I do with it?” So I took a picture with it with the Washington Post sign in the background. It’s fun being around that thing.

PL There are some good stories behind it for sure.

MH Yeah, people just absolutely lose their minds!

PL I’m sure you have tons of stories like that! But take me back, how did you first get started on this career path?

MH When I was at Canterbury in high school, I was really into Tom Clancy novels. I really wanted to get into government and work for the CIA. It’s what I thought I’d be doing.

PL It’s what we all thought you’d be doing!

Mike Hume: 20 years in the Game Mike Hume ’99 holds the Canterbury Varsity Baseball home run record for the 97-98 season: a grand total of one.

It was at Berkshire School, MA, and he knocked it out over the fence. He remembers because his grandmother was supposed to attend the game but had recently passed.

There was a twinge of sentimentality to his hit along with the excitement for breaking (i.e. creating) the season’s record.“There’s a reason Bob Potter [former baseball coach] is in charge of golf now, you know?” explains Peter LaVigne with a laugh, Mike’s former AP English teacher.

In addition to his record-smashing participation in baseball at Canterbury, Mike was a legendary fourths soccer player, a Lead Tour Guide, member of the Carillon, and on the Dean’s Advisory Committee. He matriculated to Georgetown University, DC, where he wrote for The Hoya, the student-run newspaper, and majored in English.

(Peter’s reflection: “It was that infamous junior year class

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with me, wasn’t it!”) Mike’s passion for the subject and time writing for the student newspaper helped lead him to his current career in sports media, and his last 15 years have been spent between National Geographic, ESPN, and The Washington Post.

It’s Thursday afternoon in April, 1:00, and Mike is at his desk. He’s the Assignment Editor-National Sports for The Washington Post and currently covers the NFL and NHL with a focus on the hometown teams, Capitals and Redskins. DC has been his hometown for the majority of his adulthood and is now a home that he shares with his wife Christine and children Sophia, 4, and Evelyn, 2. Peter caught up with Mike in the middle of the day to grab him before he’s on “child duty” for the night. From writing for The Hoya to being published prominently on the front page of The Post, Mike reflects on moments of initiative and the career he has established in his 20 years out from the hilltop.

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MH Ha, yeah. Well, when I got to Georgetown and actually met all my government classmates, I realized it wasn’t the place for me. It was around this time, too, that I thought I’d try and see if I could walk onto the baseball team. But I soon learned that they had 7:00 AM swim practices during their fall training, which was a level of commitment that I wanted no part of, so I went to the extracurricular fair and signed up for the student newspaper.

PL The student newspaper was less of a morning commitment than the baseball team?

MH Hm, yes, but we did go to print Friday morning so Thursday night deadlines would keep me up pretty late!

The Hoya was my first real introduction to sports journalism.

ESPN The Magazine: Mike began his career at The Magazine, during the summer of 2002 as an intern.

FALLS CHURCH, VA I was assigned the cross country team, which was hard to make interesting if you couldn’t get interviews. I was also on field hockey; I still don’t understand how to play!

But eventually I was moved over to the football and the basketball beat, and then I really got a taste for doing it as a career.

PL Were you able to take advantage of DC and work for any news agencies while a student there?

MH I did an internship program at ESPN The Magazine the summer before my junior year which was transformative. I was introduced to a few people, applied, and was accepted.

That was just the coolest job in the world. I got to attend athletic events for free, sit in press boxes, talk to players.

Through that experience, I found that sports editing was a good nexus for my two major passions: writing and athletics. Then, after, that, it was just a matter of trying to do it well enough to get them to hire me.

I found that sports editing was a good nexus for my two major passions: writing and athletics.

editor, music columnist, sports columnist. We did a “Critter Corner,” where we featured local pets on the back page, so that was one of the many things I had to cover, just coming up with creative captions and meeting locals and their pets.

It was a really good place to cut my teeth. With that many people, you couldn’t hide. If you screwed up, you had to wear it. It was a great experience.

PL Are they still publishing?

MH Yeah, they’re still in existence! Oh yeah. They just had their 25th Anniversary some two or three years ago.

PL How long did you stay on at the local level?

MH I was there about four years. When my now-wife was transferred to Manhattan for her job [at The Atlantic], I

continue to be friends and mentors. While freelancing for ESPN wasn’t glamorous, it was work, so I wasn’t complaining. Craig was creating the College Basketball Encyclopedia at the time, so my job was to go through university archives and fact check it all. It was a really good exercise in being thorough.

PL And you stayed on at ESPN, didn’t you?

MH That November, John Shear [the MLB Editor at ESPN The Magazine] was given the task of revitalizing Insider. He got in front of The Magazine staff and put out a request for ideas, for content. I had been freelancing for a while and recognized this opportunity, so I went home and wrote the Jerry MaGuire-type manifesto about paid content. I’m sure

PL Did you have something lined up after graduation?

MH Nothing was lined up, but I had two job offers in that first month. I could have gone to work at AOL to edit their NBA content at night, working until 3:30 AM but being paid a decent amount ,or work for National Geographic as an intern for $2,500 a month. I initially accepted the first job but then quickly changed my mind. National Geographic was amazing. I had to eat a lot of ramen but working as a traveler was just incredible. I love travel and new experiences, and I was able to write a lot of great things while I was there.

PL That sounds like quite an experience. Was National Geographic a launching pad for your career those first few post-Georgetown years ?

MH It was a great starting point, but I couldn’t stay on there more than the first summer. That fall, I began working for the Falls Church News-Press, a local, privately owned paper in Falls Church, Virginia. We were a staff of four full time, including all editorial folks and two ad salesmen, so I did everything there. I worked as a reporter, photographer,

Mike, right, began his career as jack-of-all-trades at a local newspaper in Virginia. Following a move up to ESPN in the greater New York area then back down to DC, he currently serves as the Assignment Editor-National Sports for The Washington Post where he covers the NHL and NFL and a focus on the Capitals and Redskins. figured if I’m going to make a real go of this career, that’s where I should land, too. We got up to New York in 2008, and I was fully expecting to be a barista or bartender, at least for a bit of time, but I got into touch with my old internship coordinator at ESPN, Craig Winston, and he threw me some freelance work.

PL Networking! That’s key.

MH Yes, the people I met at ESPN during my internship

some of it was absolutely nonsense, but somewhere in all that craziness, it showed him that I cared about this. He had a contract, and I was brought in fulltime to do Insider stuff with ESPN. PL I know that’s work, Mike, but, man, that must have been fun work.

MH We got to go to the Final Four when UConn won, I was at the Stanley Cup every year from 2010-13. The PAGE 77.

MH Yeah, definitely! It was on the condition that after the Super Bowl, I would hand in my letter of resignation. But it worked out, so they gave me the opportunity to stay on and do March Madness because I had done basketball in the past. But working remotely was getting a bit lonely. Part of the fun of working at a sports media company is having sports debates, and the only option for that during this time was with Christine’s cat, so I started to look around.

PL Did you get in touch with any of your old contacts again?

MH Oddly enough, one of the stringers for us at the News Press—a high school student at the time that I had worked there—had been hired by The Post to be their Maryland beat writer, and he put me in touch with his boss. I applied to write for their local DC sports blog but didn’t get the job.

This was summer 2014.

PL [Jeff] Bezos just bought the paper.

MH Exactly. They said, “Hang out, I think there might be something coming.” About a month later, I got a call back saying that they’re making a big push to national coverage and that they’d like be to me the Assignment Editor for National Sports.

PH You couldn’t have drawn up a better job!

ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT | Photo by JOE FARAONI/ESPN IMAGES

MH Networking in any industry is key, but certainly in media it is incredibly important. I try and keep in touch with anyone I’ve met in the press boxes. It felt strange that a kid who worked for me gave me the lead. I feel a bit badly now that he made next to nothing at the News-Press!

PL And you’ve been at The Post since?

relationships I built there…it was just phenomenal. Dan Kaufman, who is now an Editorial Director at The Athletic, was instrumental during this time.

PL It sounds like you built great relationships while you were there.

MH Yeah, I really built great relationships and got to do great work. We were filming in Charlotte, NC for the College Basketball Issue. Jay [Bilas] was down there, so I went over to his house and had pizza and red wine in his living room, just thinking of article ideas.

PL So you were being paid to eat pizza with Jay Bilas?

MH Ha, yes. At the time I was thinking, “Wow. And I’m being paid for this?” Jay was a tremendous person in addition to, what I would say, the best college basketball analyst. While we were eating dinner, we were sitting in his living room, and he was complaining to me that on a TV broadcast, he has to see a bracket and determine who will win in just minutes. “But what if you could go through, pick by pick,” he was saying. So we came up with the morethan-five-minute bracket. He said he could go through it at the hotel room at the end of a day, and I just said, “if you’re willing, I’m willing.” At the time, it was the single biggest subscription view generator.

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PL A nice feather in your cap!

MH That was a good moment! After that, I was working in the fantasy football department, and people wanted a single resource to go to on draft day. So we developed the ESPN fantasy football cheat sheet. And then that became the top subscription driving article in ESPN history. I think that record still holds.

PL So that brings us to where...2013? You’ve been at ESPN for several good years, and you’re commuting up to their relocated headquarters in Bristol [Connecticut] from New York?

MH From Stamford, actually, but yeah, the commute was brutal. Ninety minutes one way...if you’re driving well above the speed limit! Around that time, my then-girlfriend was offered a job back down in DC. We both knew we eventually wanted to move back down there, so again, her career was a catalyst. We moved back down, and ESPN was kind enough to let me work remotely. At that point, I was head of NFL content and fantasy football. The season had just begun so they wanted to keep me on for a bit.

PL Good timing for you!

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MH Yes, since 2014. I worked in the old building. I got to interview with Marty Baron [from Spotlight fame]. I worked there for about a year and a half before we moved into the new building. [Bob] Woodward and [Carl] Bernstein were there for the send off party. It was a very cool moment.

PL That must have felt like you’ve made it!

MH Yeah, it definitely felt like that! Since then, I’ve been at Sports Editing Desk. Every so often we switch up our roles according to our needs or the paper’s overarching strategy, so most recently I became in charge of NHL and the Capitals and NFL and the Redskins.

PL Bringing us to the present day, you’ve been at The Post for about five years now. What have been some of the more recent projects you’ve picked up?

MH Well, last year, I had a terrible idea. I was having a drink with Dan [Caufman], and he had just been tasked with covering Esports for ESPN. He and I were talking, and the audience numbers around competitive gaming are just staggering. The money is obscene. And nobody is covering it well yet! There is a company called Twitch which is Bezos owned and that is where most people are getting their content from these days. I was thinking, okay, we, too, are owned by Jeff Bezos. We should figure out what our

strategy can be for this. So I took that on in addition to the Assignment Desk work.

create content around it, and he said sure but we couldn’t pay anyone.

PL I bet you never thought that you’d be in a place where you’re seeing people making careers out of playing video games professionally.

PL Sounds like you just created a few new jobs for yourself!

MH Never! It’s an interesting challenge. I came back from meeting with Dan and pitched the idea to my boss. He said, “let’s write a memo and send it around.” Advertising loved it, so we’re trying to make Esports its own thing, an entirely different website. We’re trying to find an investor, a business partner to pair with The Post and supply the advertising in exchange for a sizeable amount of money. If it gets off the ground, it would be my site to run editorially. In general, I’m writing a lot about video games now, a career path I thought I wouldn’t go down for a million years. We just put out a Red Sox article because…

PL They banned playing Fortnite! It’s addictive!

MH Yeah, they banned it in the Clubhouse! So sometimes the Esports and my current role at the Editorial Desk overlap. It’s fun coming up with new ideas and strategies.

MH It’s all a labor of love. I wrangled three guys to help with the writing. We’ve doubled our traffic from fantasy football over the last two years, bringing several million unique viewers to the site to the point where we started a podcast.

PL Another adventure!

MH Being a podcast host was fun! But they did can our show after changing podcast strategy. Apparently politics is more important…

PL Ha! Well, both podcasts and fantasy football are definitely on the upward trend and lucrative businesses.

It sounds like you’ve always been one step ahead, always planning for the next big thing.

MH The Post has an entire department devoted to reading and audience trends. It helps dictate how we cover what we cover. I’ve also always been interested in reader trends myself. As a writer, if I know that people want to consume news in a certain way, I can help lead them to what they want. One of the things we try to innovate at The Post is coverage on Twitter. We’ll get out a story with just the skeleton with a line to check back later for details.

Otherwise, people will go through their entire day reading about the story. You can’t get into the digital space if you’re not the one breaking the story.

PL This must be completely different than what you were doing for print deadlines.

MH Our writers file at 6:00, 7:00 PM. It’s terrible for digital consumption habits because everyone is online in the morning or lunchtime, so our viewership has already gone the entire day knowing the news. We now strive to get our stories out with the bearbones digitally early on and add in the details a bit later.

A labor of love—Mike enlisted the help of three of his colleagues and fellow fans to publish The Post’s first content on fantasy football and to host a new podcast.

Hopefully this gets off the ground and someone cuts us a big check because I think this would be ground breaking.

PL So has Esports coverage and planning for the potential new site taken over the lionshare of your time?

MH It’s about 50/50 right now, doing NHL Caps coverage this season and then other projects that we are trying to get off the ground. The analytics blogger Neil Greenberg has a lot of great story lines around moneyball stuff and sports betting, so we’re trying to build out that content now that it’s legal in so many states. It’s that and fantasy sports. When I came to The Post, we didn’t really have any coverage of fantasy football, so I asked my editor if we could

PL It sounds like you have to pre-plan your stories.

MH Yeah, entirely. A good example of this is when Lebron signed [to go back to Cleveland], we needed to put out a story immediately. I was in HR training, it was my first week at The Post, and my boss comes in, the basketball writer was out, and he was looking for us to get something up. I had written a pre-built story based on several possibilities, so in the middle of training, I filled in a couple of the [TK] blanks and had it on the website within 15 minutes that the initial story broke.

PL That is just incredible.

MH They put it on the front page of the website. So then my mom is calling me up, screaming, “Ah, have you seen the website?” I laughed, “Yes, mom, I work here.” Being able to be one step ahead is part of what makes me good at my job.

At The Post, we’ve been able to be smart about how we’re covering which is how we’re able to capture audiences.

A step ahead—during his first week at The Post, Mike’s article on Lebron returning to Cleveland was the lead article on the online edition of the newspaper.

PL What you’re describing here, Mike, no one could have imagined two decades ago. From your start in ’99 at the Georgetown newspaper to what you’re describing now, having to stay ahead of this amorphous beast of the internet. It’s a fascinating development.

MH It is a fascinating development. It’s one of the things that going to a place like Canterbury or Georgetown will teach you—you have to stay ahead of the curve. You can never be satisfied that you’re doing an okay job or you will be left behind. I’m at a stage in my career where I’ve seen that happen. You can’t expect to just be sitting in an office and expect the lights to stay on 9-5 and go home at night and not contribute. You always have to keep figuring out how to do your job better. You always need to keep learning.

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ADVANCEMENT

Welcoming Our Extended Family FAMILY, FRIENDS, & ALUMNI RETURN TO CAMPUS FOR A CELEBRATION-FILLED WEEKEND

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With family and friends visiting classes and alumni back on campus for athletic competitions, Canterbury’s campus was packed the last weekend of October, beginning with Parents’ Weekend, and continuing with the traditional Homecoming Day, Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony, and Annual Benefit Auction. From early Friday morning through late hours of the evening on Saturday, the guests made our School community feel even more like home by their buzzing enthusiasm and elated presence on our hilltop.

Families and friends attended Friday afternoon classes and practices—and were also invited to wake up and experience a “Saturday in school” (a first for many!) with their students, many of whom are experts in the field of waking up by 7 AM on a weekend-day. In the Language Department, parents were invited to converse in the target language—or, at the very least, observe their student chatting away—while family and friends in American Literature wrote poetry based on the ballads of Bob Dylan.

In tandem with classroom visits, parents and guests gathered for remarks by Head of School Rachel Stone regarding fall-time happenings on the hilltop. Parents were then invited to meet for one-on-one conferences with their students’ teachers, coaches, and advisors during Friday and Saturday afternoon. “Through Parents’ Weekend, we invite all family and friends to be part of the hilltop in the same way their students are,” reflected Assistant Head of School for Student Life Peter LaVigne P ’14, P ’16, P ’17, P ’20, P ’23. “We hope that visiting guests are able to fully understand what daily life is like in our community.”

On Friday evening, guests were welcomed to the fourth annual Parents’ Weekend Benefit in David C. Copley Library. The triumph of the evening was sparked with spirited camaraderie and high energy auction bidding in recognition of and in support of Canterbury’s students. The event raised over $159,000, including $75,000

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from a paddle raise that was dedicated to The Commons, the planned, new student center and academic building anticipated to open in the 2020-21 academic year.

David Kleiweg de Zwaan, the evening’s guest auctioneer from Christie’s New York Auction House was in attendance given the generosity of the Voskericyan family. He presented the live lots, which included exciting offerings such as a weeklong trip to a chateau in the Pyrenees, a priceless private tour of the Glass House Museum, and the ever-coveted reserved parking space next to Steele Hall.

“The School is grateful for the many volunteer and gift contributions from parents, alumni, and trustees,” noted Associate Director of Advancement Jen Loprinzo. “We are so appreciative of their enthusiastic partnership in the success of the event.”

The excitement of the Fall Benefit carried over into the weekend even after classes finished as campus transformed into a bustling hub of parents, families, and alumni returning across class years in preparation for Homecoming and the Hall of Fame Ceremony.

While several of the Homecoming games were rescheduled due to the weather, the Varsity Football team braved the gusts and rainfall to battle against Proctor Academy, NH, ending the afternoon victoriously for the Saints with a 37-24 win.

Water Polo also defied the blustery winds (though indoors…) to beat Wilbraham and Monson Academy, MA, with a 20-8 final score.

While the Homecoming Tent was also affected by the weather, the highly anticipated barbeque from Cookhouse Restaurant tasted just as delicious indoors.

Alumni athletes mingled with current Saints competitors in the Athletic Center lobby before the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Long-held embraces, celebrated memories, blissful time spent together— the weekend was filled with moments that cemented the feeling of family, either through true relation or cherished friendships.

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ADVANCEMENT

Scenes from across the weekend: Alumni and parents celebrate in the transformed Copley Library on both the evening of the Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony and Annual Benefit Auction while students shared their daily spaces—from the lab to the Chapel—with family members.

“We are so grateful to our inductees and their families, as well as the many alumni and friends who were part of such a tremendous evening,” remarked Associate Director of Advancement Jen Loprinzo. “The stories of former athletes, coaches and teams that comprise the great tradition of Canterbury athletics were truly inspiring. Likewise, the evening was a vivid reminder of the collective pride our alumni feel for our School– pride that is fueled by fond memories of days on this hilltop and a genuine excitement for Canterbury’s future.”

Current families, students, Trustees, and faculty spent the evening in close conversation with visiting alumni and extended members of the Canterbury community. The evening’s celebration marked the fourth such year of the induction ceremony. Since the inception of the Hall of Fame tradition in 2015, Canterbury has recognized 19 alumni, six coaches, and six teams, honoring the accomplishments of athletes from 1928 through 2003. The Induction Ceremony, in tandem with

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Homecoming on the same day, was a true celebration of excellence in Canterbury athletics—both past and present.

Board of Trustees President Bob Steers ’71 opened the evening’s program with remarks for the joined group. “It is very gratifying to see so many of you gathered here tonight and to feel the palpable pride in this room,” noted Bob. “There is tremendous synergy when we bring alumni back to campus. At events like this, we enjoy reminiscing, renewing connections with one another and the School, and learning about the many points of intersection we share as fellow graduates.”

As Saturday evening came to a close, the waves of alumni, family, and friends departed the hilltop, though left behind them their spirit and excitement for the Saints. The entire weekend was truly a point of intersection—a tribute to Canterbury’s history and celebration of its present trajectory—for the extended community.

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Alumni, current and past parents, and faculty celebrated the holiday season at the annual Canterbury Christmas Party in New York City on Thursday, December 6. Over 120 alumni were in attendance, spanning class years from 1950 through 2017.

Peter Tucker ’78, President of the Society of Alumni (SOA) and a member of the Board of Trustees, addressed the group: “Canterbury is the great school that ties us all together,” he began. “Tonight’s event allows us to celebrate our Canterbury memories and experiences and helps us connect with each other and the

School.” Head of School Rachel Stone also made remarks on the same theme, speaking to the far-extending reach of the Canterbury community.

Will Finn ’07, Co-President of the Canterbury Club of New York (CCNY), also delivered notes and announced news of upcoming events to be sponsored by the regional alumni club. Each of the events serve to bring together alumni of all class years for networking opportunities. “We will host various events with the goal of connecting younger alumni with accomplished professionals in

the New York City area,” Finn detailed. “A further schedule of events will be published in the upcoming weeks for those wanting to get involved.”

The Christmas party continued after the main gathering with an after-party hosted by the CCNY at a nearby location. “We know that the real reason I am up here is to announce where our evening concludes,” Finn continued, jokingly, before the group departed for the after-event.

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ADVANCEMENT

The Canterbury School Athletics Hall of Fame was founded to honor, pay tribute, and perpetuate the legacy of those individuals who, through participation or support, have made outstanding contributions in the field of athletics and have helped bring recognition, honor, distinction, and excellence to Canterbury School.

2018 INDUCTEES DOROTHY L. ALPERT ’78

Bates College Varsity Soccer (CoCaptain 1979; Tri-Captain 1980)

Inducted into Bates College Scholar-Athlete Society (2013)

SOCCER, BASKETBALL, LACROSSE

Bates College Varsity Basketball (Tri-Captain 1981, Captain 1982)

Varsity Soccer 4, 5, 6 (Captain 6)

Bates College Varsity Softball (CoCaptain 1982)

New York City Marathon finisher (1987, 1989 and 2008); San Francisco Marathon finisher (2013)

Varsity Basketball 3, 4, 5, 6; season high scorer with 153 points (6) Varsity Lacrosse 3, 4, 6 Manager of Varsity Baseball 5 Athlete of the Month – soccer (November 1976) Selected to represent Canterbury School in Women’s Western New England Prep School Soccer Association – first women’s team to travel to UK under the US Soccer Federation

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Twelve-season collegiate varsity athlete – captained five teams Bates College recipient of varsity athlete awards for basketball; Evelyn K. Dillon Award (1980-81 and 1981-82) and

WILLIAM E. BJORNESS ’82 (POSTHUMOUS)

SOCCER, HOCKEY, LACROSSE

Nellie Bannister Burrill Award (1979-80)

Varsity Soccer 5, 6

Selected to Swarthmore Invitational Basketball Tournament All-Star Team (1980)

Varsity Lacrosse 4, 5, 6

Varsity Hockey 5, 6 Athlete of the Month – hockey

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(February 1982) Best All-Around Athlete Award (1982) Rochester Institute of Technology Varsity Lacrosse (1983-1986); graduating as all-time leading scorer with 266 points (since broken) including 154 goals RIT’s first three-time AllAmerican; led the NCAA in points with 86 (1984) Went to the NCAA Tournament all four seasons and appeared in two Final Fours while posting a 49-10 overall record Rochester Institute of Technology Varsity Hockey as a freshman, helping club win the NCAA

Director of Athletics Jim Stone poses with several of the evening’s inductees.

Clockwise, from top left to right: Christopher J. Doyle ’67, Eric M. Trach ’91, Michael X. McBride ’71, Kristin Dunham Crawford ’92, Thomas F. Gilbane Jr. ’65, and Dorothy L. Alpert ’78.

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ADVANCEMENT Division II championship (1983)

team (1989 and 1990)

assisted (1970)

Empire Athletic Association (EAA) Player of the Year (1984)

Best All-Around Athlete Award recipient (1992)

Thirty-year coaching career for collegiate and international programs

Providence College Varsity Soccer, four seasons (1992-1995)

Harvard College Varsity Lacrosse (1967-1970); varsity letter winner (1969, 1970); recipient of The Class of 1959 Award in Lacrosse (1971) in recognition of improvement, competitiveness, and sportsmanship

12 years as Men’s Lacrosse assistant coach at Keuka College (1986-1988), Hartwick College (1989-1991), RIT (1991-1993) and Dartmouth College (1994-1998) Head coach for Men’s Lacrosse at Hartwick College (1999-2014); one of two coaches in the program’s history to top 100 victories Coached at World Championships and co-head coach of Iroquois Nationals Team (1994-2006) Lacrosse adviser at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL (2014-2016) Inducted into Rochester Institute of Technology Athletics Hall of Fame (1999)

KRISTEN DUNHAM CRAWFORD ’92 SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL, TENNIS, GOLF Varsity Soccer 4, 5, 6 (Co-Captain 6) Varsity Volleyball 4, 5, 6 (Captain 6) Varsity Tennis 5, 6 Varsity Golf (Boys’) 6 All-State Small School New England Soccer Championship

Member of Big East Championship Team (1993) 2015 Inductee to Canterbury School Athletics Hall of Fame as member of 1989 Girls’ Varsity Soccer team

CHRISTOPHER J. DOYLE ’67 FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL

Varsity Basketball 4, 5, 6 (CoCaptain 6) Varsity Baseball 4, 5, 6; leading hitter with a .283 average (1967) Nelson Hume Award recipient (1967) Best Sportsman Award recipient (1967) Harvard College Varsity Football (1967-1970); varsity letter winner (1969, 1970); led in playing time and recorded 53 tackles – 43 solo, 10 assisted (1969) Selected to All-Ivy League Football Team, 1st Team (1970) Selected to Associated Press All East Football Team, 2nd Team; recorded 36 tackles – 28 solo, 8

THOMAS F. GILBANE JR. ’65 SOCCER, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL Varsity Football 5, 6 Varsity Hockey 5, 6 Varsity Golf 6 Won four varsity letters in Sixth Form year Athlete of the Month – hockey (February 1965) Brown University Freshman Football (1965) Brown University Varsity Football (1966, 1967) Brown University JV Hockey (1966-67)

FOOTBALL, HOCKEY, GOLF

Varsity Hockey 4, 5, 6 Varsity Golf 3, 4, 5, 6 (Co-Captain 6) Eastern Interscholastic Golf Championship, second-place finish (1971) Best All-Around Athlete Award recipient (1971) Nelson Hume Award recipient (1971) Stanford University Varsity Golf (1972-1975); letter winner (1974, 1975) Pacific-8 Conference Championship (1974) Pacific-8 Championship, fifthplace finish (1975) US Amateur Championship (1975)

Brown University Freshman Hockey (1965-66)

CB MacDonald Annual Invitational Tournament winner (1979)

Babson College Varsity Hockey (1968-69, 1969-70)

US Mid-Amateur Championship (1990)

Babson College Varsity Golf (1969, 1970)

Coleman Invitational Tournament at Seminole, seventh-place (1995)

Babson College Scholar–Athlete Award (1969)

Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) Father & Son

From left to right: Dorothy L. Alpert ’78, William E. Bjorness ’82, Kristen Dunham Crawford ’92, Christopher J. Doyle ’67, Thomas F. Gilbane Jr. ’65, Michael X. McBride ’71, Eric M. Trach ’91

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MICHAEL X. MCBRIDE ’71 Varsity Football 4, 5, 6

Varsity Track 5, 6 Varsity Football 4, 5, 6 (CoCaptain 6)

Served on US Lacrosse Foundation Board for nine years

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1994 Boys’ Varsity Hockey Championship winner with his father (1970); won with his son (2001); MGA re-named the event The McBride Cup (2014) Winner of multiple club championships: National Golf Links of America (11 times), Westhampton Country Club (5 times), and Arcola Country Club (3 times) Vice President, National Golf Links of America (2012 to present) Co-Chairman, 44th Annual Walker Cup Matches between the United States and Great Britain/ Ireland conducted at The National Golf Links (2013) Golf Digest: Golf Family of the Year (1976)

ERIC M. TRACH ’91 SOCCER, HOCKEY, LACROSSE Varsity Soccer 4, 5, 6 (Co-Captain 6); selected to All-New England team 5, 6; leading scorer 6

Varsity Hockey 4, 5, 6 (CoCaptain 6); leading scorer 4, 5, 6 (85 points as senior); led team to two consecutive New England Tournament Semi-Finals

(1995)

Derek F. Domaleski ’95

Kariskrona Ice Hockey Klub (Sweden 1995-1996) – six-time leading scorer and player of the game

Matthew J. Eisler ’94

Varsity Lacrosse 4, 5, 6; selected to All-New England team 6; leading scorer 6; member of 1991 undefeated team

2016 Inductee to Canterbury School Athletics Hall of Fame as member of 1991 Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse team

David A. Lagor ’94

Best All-Around Athlete Award recipient (1991) Brown University Varsity Hockey (1992-1995); freshmen leading scorer with four goals and 14 assists (1992); All-time Top 10 record holder for assists (60); All-time games played leader with 118; Most Valuable Player (1995); All Ivy Honorable Mention Two-time Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament Semi-Finalist (1993, 1994) ECAC Tournament Finalist Runner-Up (1993) NCAA Tournament Qualifier – second time in Brown history (1993) Ivy League Championship team

1994 BOYS’ VARSITY HOCKEY RECORD: 24–8–2 Division I New England Prep School Champions Captains Brian T. Famigletti ’94 and Justin H. Mero ’94 Team Members Jason P. Cherella ’95

Todd F. Elliott ’94 Russell C. Flynne ’94 Eric M. Linkowski ’94 Erik H. MacMinn ’94 Anthony M. Marotta ’94 Padraic B. McCarthy ’94 Gregory J. Menchen ’96 Kristopher G. Merkler ’94 Matthew J. Mulhern ’95 Brent M. Ozarowski ’95 Francis P. Radin ’94 Joseph D. Roberto ’94 Michael D. Romano ’95 Christopher M. Silvestro ’94 LeRoy E. Sullivan IV ’94 Brian A. Wenzel ’95

Terrence M. Cullen II ’95 John J. DeRosa ’96 William L. Desmarais ’94 Michael A. DiBiase ’95 PAGE 85.

CLASS NOTES

1969 SHEEHAN PATIO,

50 YEARS OF BEING TOGETHER OUT BACK.

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1940s 1949 Bud Toole says hello to the class of 1949, current students, and alumni. After Canterbury, he attended Trinity College, CT. He was a member of the Air Force and flew single engine jets and aviation sea planes for 50 years. He continued a career in construction following in the footsteps of his father at a family-owned company. He has been retired for 10 years where his son currently continues the 85-year-old business. Bud currently resides in Pittsburgh, PA, and has spent much time in Chautauqua NY, during the summers.

1950s 1950 Robert Denney along with Gerry Flood, Ed Chainski, and Marshall Wellborn continue to have a reunion every May, moving the venue around each year. Recently, the group has met in Philadelphia, PA, (Bob’s home city), Washington, DC, and Atlanta, GA, (Marshall’s home city). They plan to meet again this summer, likely in Georgia, and invite other members of the class of 1950 to join!

1956 Richard Harris has moved to Peoria, Arizona. Former classmates and friends should feel free to reach out if they are in the area!

1959 Andrew Smith notes his latest comedy adventure is It’s Time—How to Know When it’s Time to Go into Assisted Living. “It’s nonstop jokes and quips,” he remarks! He has also authored additional books including In The Ladies’ Room to I Wasn’t My First Choice plus three plays.

1960s 1960 Joe Burke and his wife Jessie retired to Madrid, Spain, two years ago after a long career with economic development programs around the world. They have one daughter, Alicia, who lives in London. Any former classmates and friends are welcome to reach out.

Sean Sloane retired in June after 21 years as Men’s Head Tennis Coach at Haverford College, PA. He also served as squash coach

1955 Ralph Goodall graduated from the University of Virginia in 1959 and spent the next 20 years in US Army. He retired in 1979 as a Lt Colonel, having earned two Bronze Stars, an Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and several other awards following his service abroad and domestically. Since his military service, he began work for Nursefinders, a supplemental nursing service in Sacramento, CA, then became administrator of a four-man cardiology practice and finally at Mercy Healthcare, CA. Ralph’s wife, Hilary, passed away from cancer in 2001. He is now retired and living in Sacramento, CA.

Joe Burke ’60 is sure enjoying the sweeping views of retirement!

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1965 Lee Beaulac and his family moved into their new home in Pittsford, NY in November after 39 years living on a farm in Naples, NY. Lee’s wife, Margaret Hinton, retired last summer which enabled both to travel together. Lee continues to be a member of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Agricultural Advisory Group and also continues to be involved with hurricane relief activities in Puerto Rico. Lee and Margaret had a reunion with classmate Larry Aaron last summer in NYC, and they are all looking forward to the class of 1965’s Bill Farley `62 published his fourth book, Team Player, this year. The book is in a series of true crime thillers that 55th Reunion next June!

Farley has authored.

for men and women at Haverford for 12 years. Prior to Haverford, Sean was a tennis and squash coach at Williams College, MA for 17 years, an administrator at USTA for 3 years, and ATP/ITF Referee for many professional tournaments and Davis Cup matches. He was recognized as Coach of the Year by both the Centennial Conference and USPTA Middle States.

1962 Bill Farley has published his fourth book (and second fiction novel) Team Player, a mystery-thriller set in venues including Charleston, SC, New York City, and Hollywood.

Farley is currently a newspaper and magazine journalist based in Mount Pleasant, SC. A graduate of Cornell University, NY, his lengthy and diversified career in the entertainment industry has included network radio and television news and sports as well as prime-time television and the magazine industry. He began writing after retiring from his career in the entertainment industry.

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Read McNamara is enjoying retirement, splitting his time between Nashville, TN, and Maine. He and his wife of 47 years, Mary, have resumed travelling after a year of health challenges in 2018. Their five children and eight grandchildren are inefficiently dispersed across Boston, MA, Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, CA, and throughout Maine.

only two high school boys’ basketball coaches in New Jersey history to win 100 games in their first four years as coach (101-18).

1969 Classmates Anthony Simpson and Chris Ryan enjoyed catching up for a weekend in October 2018 at their Stanford University 45th College Reunion.

1970s 1970 Stephen Van Schoyck recently published his second book, Looking For Your Self In All The Wrong Places: How to Recognize Your Authentic Self to Live on Your Terms. He is a clinical psychologist in Newtown, PA, and has been in private practice for the past 35 years. He and his wife, Diane, have been married for

Classmates Chuck Ragan and Read McNamara enjoyed lunch together during a business trip Chuck was making to Nashville.

Considerable time was spent comparing grandchildren, a source of pride for both 65ers. Thankfully, the two report less time spent on comparisons of hip replacements.

1966 Chris Kirkby reports that his son Kevin Kirkby was named 2018 New Jersey High School Baseball Coach of the year by USA Today, after leading the Pascack Hills Cowboys to a 30-2 record and a rare conference, Bergen County, and state championships!

The Cowboys ended the 2018 season ranked #1 in New Jersey and as high as #18 nationally in the various polling conducted. Kirkby proudly informs that his son remains one of

THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL

Simpson ’69 and Ryan ’69 reunited at their 45th Reunion at Stanford University, CA.

Frank Hickey, retired member of the LAPD, has been roving alone through Mongolia, Indonesia, Borneo, China, Malaysia, and Korea for the past year. He has been writing ballroom dancing crime stories while on his journey. Any interested readers can view his book, the Dancing Max Royster series.

The adventure continues!

1975 Geoff Ringstad ’78 and John Ringstad ’75 were joined by other Saints across class years as part of the Middle House Unplugged at Westchester Country Club.

5 years with four adult children, ranging in age from 44 to 31. He is the proud grandfather of six grandchildren who are 15 years to 6 months old.

1971 Armand Cognetta was among a group of four self-proclaimed Cantuarians who were able to reunite in Seoul, Korea. Henry Cho and Steve Kim were the group’s hosts for a week of history, sightseeing, elegant dinners, and cultural immersion—both for Cognetta himself and, as he reports, their most literate and well-traveled classmate, Frank Hickey.

“If anyone’s ears were burning,” he writes, “it is because we talked about you and all of our great memories at Canterbury.”

Cognetta also extends deep thanks and gratitude to his classmates and hosts. “Our hosts could not have done more to show us this amazing country. One highlight was a private dinner at the National Cultural Center which followed a traditional Korean play where guests included the Korean Health Minister.” The group agreed that while they were half a world away, their reunion cemeented their close bonds with dear Canterbury friends.

John Ringstad joined with Geoff Ringstad ‘78 and was recently a part of Middle House Unplugged at the Westchester Country Club, thanks to Master Impresario Eddie Perley ‘76. The event was a fantastic turnout of 70s classes. Many attendees reported it was especially great to have some of their favorite teachers, including JP Mandler and Joe Fitzgerald. “We hope this can become a Cbury tradition!”

1976 Tom Martiska is still working as a manufacturing engineer and living in the small town of Boylston, MA, in a house the family built with their own hands. He is also the Chairman of the Town Board of Assessors and a past president (and producer) at the local Public Television station. His son, John ’19, is a Sixth Former at Canterbury and loves seeing his name on the various plaques

and wall hangings around campus. John’s twin sister also graduates this year from a local school near Bolyston.

1977 Tom Moore has been retired for nearly four years and quite happily married for 31 years. He now spends his time with the duties of adjutant of both American Legion Post 86 in Wilton, CT, and the 3rd District of Connecticut in Fairfield County. Between the military, veterans, their families, and the local community, retirement has been fun and busy!

1978 Kim Vranceanu reports that her daughter, Bianca Mia Vranceanu, will graduate in May 2019 from The American International School of Bucharest in Romania, after which she plans to study theater in the United States.

From left to right: Tom Moore ’77, following his retirement, has assumed duties with the American Legion Post 86; John Martiska ’19, son of John Martiska ’76, poses in a “I’m a Little Saint” onesie in 2001 with twin sister.

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C L AS S N O T E S

Left to right: Kendra Davis ’83 is a proud Daughter of the American Revolution; Dr. Ben Bristol ’82 recently celebrated a new move!

1980s 1982 Dr. Ben Bristol currently works in White Plains, NY, as a Medical Examiner. He has a son Justin, age 24. He has recently moved from Sherman, CT to Pleasantville, NY and is happy in his new abode!

1983 Kendra (Discenza) Davis has worked at BBI Technologies, CT, as an Office Manager for the past 18 years. She is a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she volunteers nationally at Continental Congress, holds several state chair positions, is the North Central District Director in the State of Connecticut, and is her chapter’s regent. She is happily married to Stephen Davis, and has 2 children: Josh, 24, and Megan, 22. Kendra wishes all of her classmates well and looks forward to attending another reunion!

1988 Eileen Guerin Zimmerman is living in Fairfield, CT, with her husband Glen and their three teenagers. She is working in her psychotherapy and life coaching private practice with offices in Westchester County and Fairfield, CT.

2000s 2005 Jess Root is preparing to release her first EP, Start Over Again. The record is the culmination of her past four years songwriting, vocal training, and recording in the Dominican Republic. The compilation of soulful, original pop tunes are inspired by her personal re-invention and observation that it’s never too late to fulfill a dream of learning to do something once thought impossible. For Jess, this dream is interwoven in her art as a singer and songwriter. She welcomes friends and classmates to follow her musical journey at jessroot.com.

2007

1990s 1991 John P. Hayden is still living and working in southern China after 17 years. He owns a small factory that produces aluminum molds for the gaming and medical industries using the latest 3D technologies. John is researching opening a facility exclusively for titanium and chromium based medical components in the continental US in the next few years.

Excitingly, he recently discovered he is 10% percent Viking thanks to a DNA test.

Samantha Storch married Benjamin Malloy on October 7, 2018 in Montauk, New York.

2008 Briana Berg married Jonathan Rossi in Baltimore, Maryland on December 1, 2018, The couple met in college at Loyola Uni-

1998 Elise Godinez Kern was recently hired as VP/Insights Principal at market intelligence company IRI, leading their on-site retail data analytics team at New England grocery chain called Hannaford. She lives in the Portland, ME, area with her husband and two kids.

Jess Root ’05 is preparing to release her first EP, Start Over Again, as she pursues her songwriting dreams!

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versity Maryland and were married at the chapel on campus, steps away from where they first met. Anna Mika Roux ‘08, Kaley Gibson McCahill ‘08, and Samantha Storch Malloy ‘07 were also in attendance.

Michael D Kaesmann II and Blair Kaesmann (Whitton) were married on June 15th, 2018 in St John, USVI.

2010s 2014

Katie Bradley graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and is now pursuing her master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University while working for Medtronic in North Haven, CT, as a manufacturing engineer for surgical tools and medical devices.

2015

Clockwise from left to right: Briana Berg ’08 married Jonathon Rossi in December 2018; Michael D Kaesmann II ’08 and Blair Kaesmann (Whitton) ’08 married in June 2018.

Kim Debacher is graduating from Furman University, SC, in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in French and in politics and international affairs. She will be attending Quinnipiac University School of Law, CT in the fall.

Mika Rous ’08, Kaley Gibson ‘08, Samantha Storch Malloy ‘07, Jillian Tondreau ‘07, and Briana Berg ‘08 (left to right) attend the wedding of Samantha.

Carolyn Malloy ‘06 (not pictured) was also in attendance.

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R EMEMBER ING

JOSEPH W. EIGO, JR. ’47 1929 —±2018

LEE J. CALDWELL ’58 1940—2018

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WILLIAM J. TRACEY ’49 1930 —±2018

PHILIP J. HULTON, JR. ’65 1947—2019

EDWARD J. OWENS ’49 1931 —±2017

stephen j. driscoll ’80 1961—2018

THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL

MANLEY BASIL BRIGGS ’54 1936 —±2019

lance (duke) brady ’89 1970­—2019

Charles Hopkins Vejvoda ’46

BY OLIVIA WATKINS ’12

At Canterbury, his nickname was Bear. But to me, he was “The General.”

The General was the son of a famous surgeon in Manhattan. He had polio when he was young and even though he survived, he had to have his clothes and shoes custom made to fit his body. Instead of thinking this was a weakness, he, as was his way, turned it into a strength. He was a very dapper gentleman and was featured in The New York Times Style Section many times. He wore bespoke suits his entire life, often in pastel pinks or greens, always with a fresh carnation in the lapel. We both learned to appreciate the art of style at Canterbury where we were asked to be in dress code everyday. I had been voted “Most Fashionable” in the senior superlatives, and I am sure he would have won that, too, should it have been an option.

GEORGE B. LEAHEY ’57 1939—2018

The General used to love to go to my grandfather’s restaurant, and through his patronage, he became a great professional mentor and an even greater friend to my mom.

He was a staple in both of our lives and as close as a grandparent to me. Sadly, his wife passed away over a decade before him and his only child only three years following, so my mom and I became like family to him. The General was always there, both in times of crisis and of celebration. He used to call us every day, and we would always look forward to hearing from him, putting it on speaker so we could both laugh at his wild tales of the past.

When I applied to Canterbury, I did not know he had attended. It was not until I had already accepted my admittance, one day while on a speaker call with my mother, when he asked, “What dorm did you get put into?” I was shocked and told him Duffy.

He laughed and replied, “That’s where I lived!” This, of course, horrified me as I imagined I would be living in a spooky old dorm room. (It was not the case—North House has been transformed many times!)

Over the next several years, as we shared Canterbury, he excitingly told me stories about how much the School had meant to him, how sad he was when most of the staff was drafted to the Korean War. He loved to talk about learning to shine his own shoes and how the Headmaster personally taught the boys how to make their own beds.

The General and I also shared a love of Shakespeare, and he loved that Canterbury produced a Shakespearean tale each fall. He was always interested in which one we were performing.

After Canterbury, he attended Yale. He fought in the Korean War. He was a Frog Man, an underwater demolition team that eventually became the Navy SEALS. This is why we call him “The General,” even though he never actually earned that rank. He eventually returned to New York City and became a prominent attorney.

michael d. romano ’95 1976—2019

Once I graduated, he would always ask if I planned to attend the scheduled alumni events. We did not have the opportunity to attend them together until the Centennial Celebration in 2015. My mom and I finally got him to return to the hilltop, and we drove up to New Milford together. He really enjoyed seeing how different the School looked but how it very much still felt the same. When the Advancement Office asked to interview him on video, he felt like such a celebrity and had hours of stories to tell. It was a memorable experience, and I feel lucky to have attended that reunion with him.

Now, on his passing, I am just sad we will not be able to attend together again.

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I N M E M O R IAM

Jack Reydel Canterbury’s Third Headmaster Leaves a Legacy of Strong School Pride and Developed Athletic Excellence

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J

ack Reydel, Canterbury’s third Headmaster, died on December 20, 2018, at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife Jill, daughter Amy, and son JJ. He was most recently a longtime resident of Marion, Massachusetts, and Vero Beach, Florida.

Jack spent much of his early and professional life in the Mid-Atlantic. A native of New Jersey, he was born in Westfield and received his undergraduate degree at Princeton University, NJ, in 1951. Jack spent five years at The Hill School, PA, before establishing himself at The Lawrenceville School, NJ, for 17 successful years in a variety of roles including that of Housemaster, Head Coach of Varsity Football, and Chairman of the History Department.

When Walter Sheehan, Canterbury’s second Headmaster, announced his retirement, he wrote of Jack in a letter to the CT State Department of Education: “He is a very impressive individual, [and] I cannot think of a better man on the basis of his combination of scholarship, athletic ability, and administrative skill.” Jack signed his appointment letter in 1973, and, with Bradley, his first wife, and their two children, he joined the hilltop community for the 1973-74 academic year.

“While at Canterbury, he was absolutely dedicated to the fact that good athletics make a good school,” noted longtime faculty member JP Mandler on Jack’s committed years to the School. With insight and passion developed during his previous role as a varsity coach, Jack was of the mindset that pride in athletics brought pride in school and pride in oneself. He encouraged students to develop a sense of personal pride in all that they do, from their academic curiosity to their own moral character. As Headmaster, Jack was instrumental in redefining the coat-and-tie dress code, emphasizing strong performance in team sports, and instating Saturday classes.

Over the course of five years, Jack made great strides in Canterbury’s athletic excellence, physical plant, and facilities for day students and the newly accepted female students. With the helpful perspective of Charlie Huntington, revered former Head Coach of Boys’ Varsity Hockey and Director of Athletics, Jack initiated the construction of Canterbury’s first indoor ice rink, one which continues to be of great pride and use for the School and surrounding community. He spearheaded the School’s second major fundraising campaign and greatly enhanced the endowment while bringing the School to the largest enrollment to date. Importantly, Jack oversaw a concentrated increase in community service participation and work with organizations in the broader area and helped to develop community relationships, which continue to be part of the School’s core offerings today.

From the Mid-Atlantic to New England and back again, Jack happily stepped back into the classroom and joined the faculty at Germantown Academy, PA, in 1978. “After five full years at Canterbury, Bradley and

I have decided to leave New Milford,” he wrote in a letter to the Board upon his resignation. “The desire to return to the classroom has never been far removed from my mind.” He was a momentous and inspiring educator and, as such, continued his professional trajectory back in the classroom as teaching faculty.

In addition to his lifelong role as an educator, Jack was a true and distinguished academic. Following his dedicated service in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea during his youth, he was the Recipient of the Coe Fellowship in American History at Stanford University, CA, and an Asian Fellowship at the East West Institute at the University of Hawaii. He also continued his formal education past his years at Princeton to earn a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, MA. Canterbury School honored Jacks’ legacy during a Mass at the Chapel of Our Lady on Sunday, January 5, 2019. Condolences may still be sent to his family through Canterbury School at 101 Aspetuck Avenue, New Milford, CT 06776, attn: Advancement Office.

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I N M E M O R IAM

Peter Carney ’49 REVERED ALUMNUS, TRUSTEE, AND RECIPIENT OF THE CANTERBURY MEDAL WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS CARING SPIRIT AND ABUNDANT GENEROSITY

It is difficult to imagine a fuller life than the one led by Peter Roy Carney ‘49, who died January 11, 2019 at Vero Beach, Florida.

Peter was a successful entrepreneur, scientist, philanthropist, inventor, businessman, polo player, Wyoming rancher, hunter, fly fisherman, tennis player, golfer, and skier. But among his many illustrious accomplishments, he always considered his family his greatest.

Peter was born July 5, 1931 in Chicago to Marie Murphy and William Roy Carney. He was the grandson of William James Carney, who started Superior Graphite Company, a mining company to which Peter subsequently devoted his career, transforming it into an industry leader. Combining his geological background with his passion for science and his entrepreneurial instincts, Peter co-invented a continuous carbon purification process which allowed the company to rely less on mining graphite. His son, Ed ’79, continues at the company, where he worked with his father for 28 years.

Peter came to Canterbury as a sophomore after the Lake Forest Academy in Illinois burned down. He graduated in 1949, moving on to Princeton ’53, where he discovered his lifelong love for geology. Upon graduation from Canterbury, he was awarded the School prize for Excellence in Physics and a varsity letter for football.

The May 4, 1949 issue of The Tabard provided a “Sketch” of Peter, which included the following: “Pete is one of the most versatile young men ever to appear on the campus. He plays a leading part in a great number of school activities, and does well in everything he attempts. Pete played quarterback on the football team, served as Class President for the fall term, and worked hard as Managing Editor of The Tabard this past year. He was chosen Sacristan and is a member of the Dance Committee. . . There is nothing complex about Pete; he is a straightforward and likeable fellow with a quiet but sharp sense of humor. Pete’s hobbies are hunting and fishing,

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and he likes nothing better than to go off into the wilds of the Midwest with a few friends and spend several days shooting quail and growing a beard.”

Peter’s success at Canterbury continued for many decades after his graduation. He was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1978 to 1985 where he chaired the Finance Committee.

He also hosted Canterbury receptions in the Chicago area and donated generously to the school. His dedication was recognized when he was awarded the Canterbury Medal in 2004.

In 1957, he married Marina Galitzine, the daughter of an exiled Russian prince, and their fairy tale marriage began. Family members describe the deep love they had for each other that spanned over 60 years. Together they had four children and twelve grandchildren.

Peter joined the army in 1953 and rose to First Lieutenant Executive Officer in the C Battery of the 97th Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, where he served until 1955. After a short career as an investment analyst in Chicago, he moved to Denver to become a staff geologist for E.A. Polumbus & Associates. After two years he returned to Illinois to run the Superior Graphite Company.

Peter’s family describe him as a man of great faith and devotion to the Catholic Church where he took active roles. They also spoke of his deep love for his family, his strong sense of fairness, his lifelong inquisitive nature and his sense of humor. His ranch in Wyoming inspired an active interest in land conservation.

His grandson Michael recalls his intelligence, strength and confidence. “He was soft-spoken, but when he spoke, everyone listened,” he said.

“I will always remember him as a humble, giving, loving man – the center of so many people in his family’s lives,” said Aleka ’08. “We all measured ourselves by what he thought. He did everything out of love.”

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers William and Otis, and his sister, Jean Mullett.

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canterbury

ANNUAL

FUND

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Your Annual Fund gift supports

the faculty who prime our students for success, the coaches who demonstrate how to lead, and the mentors who help to establish inspiring opportunities. It is your philanthropy that helps to bring together a global community filled with learning and discovery for our students.

cbury.org/give

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@CANTERBURYSCHOOL

save the dates 21st Annual Run for Joe October 6, 2019

10th Annual Pink Out October 11, 2019

Admission Fall Open House October 14, 2019

Parents’ Weekend October 18-19, 2019

Grandparents’ & Friends’ Day

Homecoming & Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner

Admission Spring Open House

October 19, 2019

April 29, 2020

May 2, 2020

Alumni Weekend June 5-7, 2020

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