IN THIS ISSUE 6
CELEBRATING THE STEERS CENTER
10
CARMODY FAMILY LEGACY ENDURES
16
MARGARET SMITH ’06 LAUNCHES SPEAKER SERIES
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of this transformative center for academics and student life on campus.
Trustee Carol Carmody P ’18 and her daughter Nelle ’18 share family stories and hilltop memories.
The successful alumna returned to campus for the Women’s Leadership Speaker Series as Canterbury celebrates “50 Years of Coeducation.”
22
SAINTS CARRY THEIR PASSION FOR WRITING TO COLLEGE
34
SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES EDUCATES STUDENTS
Ellyn Fritz ’18, Greg McKenna ’19, and Xing “Joyce” Gao ’20 parlayed their Canterbury academic experiences into campus newspaper roles.
This important series features alumni such as Sherley AriasPimentel ’19 and Jay Snyder ’01 leading conversations to inspire students to build a more just and equitable world.
DEPARTMENTS 5 From the Head of School 14 Society of Alumni 22 Academics 28 D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice 39 Hilltop Happenings — Community, Arts, Saints Athletics 60 Advancement 63 Class Notes 73 In Memorium
PA L LI U M FALL/WINTER 2022
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER Rick Henderson P ’25
2021—2022
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Mr. Michael R. Carretta ’71 | Secretary
Mr. John A. Donovan ’59 | Vice President Mrs. Rachel E. Stone P ’23, ’24 | Head of School/Treasurer
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Karen Pease Marino
Mr. Peter J. Cotier ’86, P ’19, ’20 | Assistant Secretary
PHOTOGRAPHY Rick Giles
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Greetings from the Hilltop Y
ou may recall, after hearing author David Epstein speak at a CAIS (Connecticut Association of Independent Schools) conference last April and subsequently reading his book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, I opened this current school year with remarks to our faculty and staff that centered on the concept of range*. The basic premise of Epstein’s revelatory research—and the correlations I drew to our School—is that true excellence emerges from a broad and deep diversity of experiences. As I read through this issue of PALLIUM, I once again found myself marveling at the extraordinary range of the Canterbury family. As we continue to celebrate 50 years of coeducation, I invite you to consider the range of experiences of a family whose history with our School dates back to its opening in 1915. Few families have witnessed more changes at Canterbury than the Carmodys, and it was a pleasure to hear Trustee Carol Lovell Carmody P ’18 and her daughter Nelle ’18 reflect on what that evolution has meant to their family— an evolution of a school that continues to honor the history and traditions of its Catholic founding while also being a dynamic, inclusive, interfaith community (page 10). Similarly, to recount a major event such as our Steers Center ribbon cutting (page 6) and dedication of the Ragland Commons juxtaposed with the great Class of 1971 celebrating its 50th Reunion (page 14) is an inspiring example of how the range of past and present continues to merge on our campus and create exciting momentum for our future. Throughout this issue, you will also encounter stories that illustrate how Canterbury’s core values resonate with graduates long after they leave our hilltop. Margaret Smith ’06—who launched our Women’s Leadership Speaker Series this fall—brings the concept of servant leadership to bear in her role as Global Head of Talent at Compass, Inc. (page 16). Terry Meehan ’66 has effected real change to eradicate world hunger, receiving a lifetime achievement award for his work (page 20). Sherley Arias-Pimentel ’19, who is elevating the voices of those in need, credits Canterbury with helping her find her calling to serve (page 36). Shaped by his time here, Jay Snyder ’01 is working with his wife and business partner, Paralympic Gold Medalist Mallory Weggemann, to represent and tell the stories of people with disabilities (page 38). While each experience is different, they all spring from the same commitment to moral leadership that has long differentiated our School. Moreover, their stories underscore the far-reaching impact of our alumni on the world around us. You will read about the range of talents and pursuits of three impressive young alumni—Ellyn Fritz ’18, Gregory McKenna ’19, and Joyce Gao ’20—who are writing for their college newspapers and carrying forward core competencies that are bedrocks of our academic program (page 22). Likewise, we are humbled and proud to announce this year’s Society of Alumni award recipients, Duchess Harris, Ph.D. ’87 and Katie Grill, Ph.D. ’10, who will be formally recognized during the upcoming Alumni Weekend in June (page 18). Finally, just as I noted in my remarks at the start of the year, the collective range of our faculty is nothing short of extraordinary. The spectrum of knowledge, passions, and life experiences they share with our students—not to mention the remarkable agility they demonstrated in these past two years—ranks them among the finest educators in the boarding school world. Notable among them is Associate Head of School for Academics and Dean of Faculty Sue Roberts P ’24, whose story spans 23 years as a respected teacher, mentor, and academic leader at Canterbury (page 24). And so, I invite you to read on and enjoy these stories and many others in this issue of PALLIUM. Indeed, the pages are filled with a range of joy and gratitude associated with teaching and learning, service and philanthropy, legacy and success—so much of what defines the excellence of our extended Canterbury community.
Rachel E. Stone P ’23, ’24 Head of School * An abbreviated version of my 2021-22 Opening Remarks can be found in Head of School Reflections on cbury.org. PAGE 5.
causes for celebr ation:
Steers Center Opens & Ragland Commons Named
T
he Canterbury community came
Alex Schneider ’22, followed by a
and Lauren Steers were both steadying and
together on October 1 for a ribbon-
welcome from Head of School Rachel
inspirational,” she said. “From the blue sky
cutting ceremony celebrating
Stone P ’23, ’24. “The Steers Center
Board session with Post-its; the color palette,
the official opening of the Steers
has galvanized our campus center with the
furniture, and facade discussions in their living
Center. The School’s students, faculty, and
Wallace Mall and the Chapel of our Lady,
room; the day they climbed into the ceiling
staff were joined by trustees, donors, alumni
sitting squarely at the heart of the academic,
of the foyer when the building was close to
from the Class of 1971, contractors, architects,
athletic, artistic, and residential branches of
complete; and their unwavering commitment
and even New Milford Mayor Pete Bass. The
our community,” Rachel told the gathering.
to the student experience, their presence has
crisp, bright fall afternoon provided the perfect
She went on to thank Trustees Bob ’71 and
made all the difference.”
backdrop for the event, which was livestreamed
Lauren Steers P ’11 for their vision and
for those unable to attend in person.
generosity in bringing the project to life.
And she had more to share. “Today we
The ceremony opened with a prayer by
“Consistently and amazingly throughout, the
Sacristans David Salazar ’22 and
PAGE 6.
collaboration, generosity, and vision of Bob
also celebrate the naming of the gorgeous, game-changing student center—an area that CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
“ The Steers Center stands as a physical and philosophical representation of what centers and differentiates Canterbury: excellent and innovative academics paired
with student life programming driven by students, all set within an enduring framework of values and a commitment to ethical leadership that has been carried
”
forward by Canterbury’s Catholic heritage and founding in 1915.
HEAD OF SCHOOL RACHEL STONE P ’23, ’24 PAGE 7.
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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
“ Today we also celebrate the
naming of the gorgeous, gamechanging student center—an area
that reflects the breadth and depth of love, generosity, and devotion to Canterbury of Nick ’88 and Joelle
”
Ragland P ’21.
RACHEL STONE P ’23, ’24
causes for celebr ation:
Steers Center Opens & Ragland Commons Named CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
Media Lab, the Innovation & Design Lab, and many additional spaces
reflects the breadth and depth of love, generosity, and devotion
to encourage innovation and growth.”
to Canterbury of Nick ’88 and Joelle Ragland P ’21,” Rachel
He went on to thank those without whose help this transformational
added. “For the first time publicly, we are very proud to announce that the Steers Center Commons is now officially named the Ragland Commons.”
project would not have been possible, including the Ragland and D’Amour families for their extraordinary gifts; the distinguished alumni who generously contributed, including Greg Coleman ’72, P ’05
Rachel then introduced Board of Trustees President Bob
and Bill Wallace ’57; and The Hearst Foundations, The Woodward
Steers ’71, P ’11, who addressed the community and guests.
Foundation, and The Gladys Brooks Foundation. Also among those
“Four years ago, the Trustees asked Rachel to share her vision for
acknowledged were Geoff Gaunt from S/L/A/M Collaborative and
the School and how we on the Board could help them transform
his architectural team; Justin Giampaolo of Burlington Construction
the student experience. Her priorities then are embodied in this
and Greg Oneglia of Burlington’s parent company O&G; Canterbury
building today,” Bob said. “This is first and foremost a building that
Business Manager Steve Carleton; and Founder and Principal at
is intentionally located in the heart of campus. But more important
Surepath Construction Services, LLC Andrew Messinger. Bob’s
than the location is what goes on inside, which touches every aspect
remarks concluded with special thanks to his wife, Lauren, whose
of student life—starting with the magnificent Ragland Commons,
extraordinary involvement in every aspect of the project ensured its
which we are celebrating today. It is a place where students gather
successful and magnificent completion.
and which encourages community, friendships, collaboration, and
Following the ribbon-cutting, students were dismissed to their athletic
inclusion. The D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice is focused on ethical leadership, service, social justice, and faith, all of which are critical building blocks for developing young students into tomorrow’s leaders. We are proud to have the Coleman Digital
practices and afternoon activities, and guests were invited to celebrate in the Steers Center with tours followed by cocktails and dinner. Several members of the Class of 1971 were present for the event as part of their 50th Reunion taking place that same weekend. PAGE 9.
Much Has Changed, but the Canterbury Spirit —and a Family’s Passion—Remain “This is a really special place.” That is how Board of Trustees member Carol Lovell Carmody P ’18 often describes Canterbury School, and it is a sentiment shared by generations of Carmodys—from Terence Hearst P 1922, 1925, 1928, a lawyer who helped establish the School as a nonprofit institution, to Nelle ’18, Carol’s daughter who graduated more than a century later. Carol’s love affair with Canterbury started with the man she fell in love with, husband Christopher “Kit” Carmody ’57, P ’18, who passed away in 2016. “From the moment Kit and I first met in 1987, it became clear
that certain things were extremely important
Kit’s grandfather Terence, one of the School’s
in his life—and Canterbury School was one of
original Trustees who sent his son Edward ’22
them,” she recalled. “When we were courting,
to the School. Another of Kit’s uncles,
I cannot tell you how quickly Kit took me to
Francis ’25, P ’56, ’62, and Kit’s father
New Milford and gave me the tour.”
Guerin ’28, P ’57, also went to Canterbury.
It did not take long for Carol to share his
Guerin became a Trustee, as did Francis, who
passion for the School. “It hit me that Canterbury has been a real bond for the family over such a long time,” she said. “Although
served as Board President and enrolled his two sons, Terence ’56 and Paul ’62. And, ultimately, Kit graduated in 1957 and went on
the Carmodys who studied at Canterbury in
to join the Board of Trustees in 1974.
different generations had different experiences,
Continuing the Carmody Tradition on the Hilltop
the commonality is that they all had defining experiences, and the gratitude for their Canterbury education was lifelong.” It has been a truly remarkable run for the Carmody family at Canterbury, starting with
So it was only natural that, when it came time for Kit and Carol to consider high school alternatives for their daughter Nelle, Canterbury was a strong consideration, even though the family lived in Boston. They had
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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
visited often when Nelle was growing up, and it
time, Thomas Sheehy III P ’92, ’98, ’04.
always felt like family. “We spent a lot of time
“Kit was quite close to Tom and Betsy Sheehy,
is such a big fixture in our family. On the graduation card there are little asterisks for
at Canterbury. When Nellie was a small child,
and I had known the Sheehys through very
all the members of your family who have
we would bring her up there and commune
dear childhood friends, so that bond grew.”
attended before you, and seeing the stars next
with Kit and all his classmates,” Carol shared.
That sense of community was important to
“I remember being impressed with how tight Kit was with them. At one of Kit’s reunions, the guys embraced us and let us into their reunion picture. Nelle was like their little mascot. That was the flavor of the place.”
Nelle. “Going in, it was really exciting. We knew the Sheehys, and I had been in touch with a few other people on campus,” she recalled. “It was a really comfortable ease into the Canterbury experience. I felt like, ‘This
Nelle recalls the memory with a smile. “Yes,
is where I belong.’ But I also knew there were
I was the Canterbury mascot for my dad’s
more eyes on me, a lot of expectations. I just
reunion class growing up. I was very young, but
wanted to hold the Carmody name to a high
I vividly remember all the trips to Connecticut,”
standard and fulfill those expectations.”
she said. “When I was looking at boarding schools, I did all the campus tours in the New England area, starting from Massachusetts, New Hampshire—and the farthest one was Canterbury. It was always in our minds. I think I knew deep down that is where I was headed eventually.”
Fulfill them she did, receiving her degree in 2018 in front of a large contingent of proud family members. It was a memorable day indeed for Carol and Nelle, even though they were unable to share it with Kit. “He did not get to see her graduation, but he was there in spirit,” Carol said. “Rachel (Head of School
Mom concurred. “It was something about
Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24) invited me to come
the culture of Canterbury,” Carol said.
up on stage, and I was actually able to hand
“We really felt a sense of warmth and
Nelle her diploma. It is bringing tears to my eyes
community. It is hard to describe, but it’s real.”
just talking about it! That was very special.”
Carol also noted that she and Kit had a shared
The moment was equally emotional for
connection with the Head of School at the
Nelle. “It was an honor because Canterbury
to my name and having my mom hand me the diploma—and just knowing that I got to fulfill the Carmody tradition at Canterbury—made that moment all the more special.”
The Evolution of a Coeducational School Over the years, the Carmodys have seen firsthand the transformation Canterbury has made from an all-male Catholic school to the dynamic, inclusive, coeducational community it is today. “The school Kit went to and graduated from in 1957 was clearly a school for Catholic boys,” Carol explained. “Canterbury is not that anymore. Coeducation was hugely significant. It started in the ’70s with a small group of intrepid women and has steadily grown ever since.” And Carol is passionate about letting people know what today’s Canterbury really is, as often as possible. “I am a loud voice in stating that I get tired of hearing people say ‘Oh CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
PAGE 11.
Much Has Changed, but the Canterbury Spirit—and a Family’s Passion—Remain CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11
Canterbury, that is where my dad went. That’s where my grandfather went. Isn’t that a Catholic school for boys?’ This is so out of date. Canterbury today is squarely a coed school that provides a great education. The culture and commitment to faith and spirituality are incredibly unique. And what an environment to grow up in. It is the greatest!” That faith and spirituality component is important to both mother and daughter. “It has been a long evolution of preserving the Catholic tradition but welcoming people of all faith traditions,” Carol said. “What the School is now is not what it was. Today’s Canterbury
you take theology classes, you have School
transition from Canterbury to Denison was
Meeting, school prayer, church on Sunday—so
the use of the Donovan Center for Learning
I re-found my footing in the Catholic faith. I
and not being afraid to seek support,” she
was confirmed in my Fourth Form year. We
explained. “I was very reluctant in my
had the Emmaus retreat, which made me
Canterbury days to seek academic support
focus more on my role at Canterbury and my
when I needed it, but when I did, it was a
faith. And as a Sixth Former, I was chosen to
huge help. And it helped me prepare for
be a Sacristan and was on the first Interfaith
Denison; I use the academic resource center
Council. There is a greater emphasis on
on campus often.”
service, but for everyone, regardless of their
interfaith activities now at Canterbury.”
Her time on the hilltop also helped Nelle
faith background. Nelle was very involved in
The Carmody-Canterbury Connection Endures
realize the value of maintaining strong
is a school in the Catholic tradition that is very committed to faith and spirituality and
the Catholic piece of the school, but also in interfaith activities.” Nelle confirms that spirituality was an important facet of her time as a Canterbury student. “I was attempting to take a step back from my faith during my first year. But
Both Carol and Nelle remain very much connected to Canterbury in a variety of ways. As a Global Public Health major at Denison University, Nelle credits Canterbury with preparing her for success in her undergraduate studies. “The biggest thing that helped my
PAGE 12.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
relationships. “Canterbury allowed me to have more connections with my professors. When your dorm parents and coaches are also your teachers, you already have that one-onone relationship. I realized the importance of that, and I now seek those relationships with my professors at Denison.”
“Today’s Canterbury is a school in the Catholic tradition that is very committed to faith and spirituality and service, but for everyone, regardless of their faith background.” CAROL LOVELL CARMODY P ’18
Carol equally praised Canterbury’s special teacher-student bond. “The faculty makes a point to know every student—their successes, their failures, and everything in between. Each student is met where they are, and their growth starts there.” That level of commitment is something Carol brings to her role as a member of the School’s Board of Trustees and Chair of the Finance Committee. Recently retired from working in higher education finance, she was ready to devote time to organizations she cares deeply about. “I was honored when Rachel asked
they both treasure. “I loved coming back
We were two peas in a pod. And Canterbury
me to serve on the Board in 2017, especially
to campus with Kit because he was so
was so important for both of us.”
given the illustrious history of Carmody family
passionate about it,” Carol said. “He had
members who preceded me,” she said. “I
become quite ill, and the last time we visited
Carol feels strongly that their continued
feel strongly that this is a special and unique
was for the 100th anniversary in 2015. He
place, and want to do anything I can to make
was so thrilled to be a part of it. Now looking
sure Canterbury is around forever for future
back, it just seemed so fitting to have been
generations. Rachel is a talented leader, and so
there for that.”
much has happened in the last five years. It is an
Nelle, too, has many fond memories of Kit.
exciting time to be engaged with the School.”
“Dad was retired when I was growing up, so
Kit’s devotion to Canterbury clearly lives on
we spent a lot of one-on-one time together
through Carol and Nelle, and it is something
farming, sailing, doing whatever we wanted.
involvement with the School is the best way to honor Kit’s memory and carry on the Carmody family legacy. “Throughout Kit’s life, Canterbury was a constant, one of the most important things to him,” she said. “I know he is looking down on us right now and is thrilled that this is happening.”
PAGE 13.
SOCIETY OF
ALUMNI
The Great Class of ’71 Celebrates 50th Reunion F
ive decades may have passed, but for the Class of 1971, the bonds are as strong as
ever. During the weekend of October 1–2, 35 members of the class returned to campus to celebrate their milestone 50th Reunion. This was the single largest reunion for the class, with most alumni returning for the first time since the start of the pandemic and some returning for the first time since their graduation. The graduates were treated to a full two days of
DAY 2 Saturday offered a full itinerary. Class members began the day with a student panel on the Steers Center patio, where current Saints discussed what it is like to be a Canterbury student today and answered questions from alumni. Director of Curriculum Kelli Darrin and Chair of the History and Social Sciences Department Tom Hamilton gave an overview of current course
On Saturday afternoon, Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 presented a State of the School address, and afterward, the alumni
offerings in comparison to classes offered in the
had time to explore campus and catch up with
late 1960s and early ’70s, and alumni were given
members of their class. The evening concluded
copies of their old report cards, eliciting many
with cocktails and dinner in the Steers Center,
The reunion kicked off with the Steers Center
laughs and fond memories. They then had the
complete with decorations to evoke memories
Ribbon Cutting on Friday evening, to which
opportunity to participate in mini-classes, where
of the class’s time in high school, including
the class was invited. The event gave them a
they could make 3D objects in the Innovation
album covers of bands popular during that time,
first-hand look at the Coleman Digital Media
& Design Lab and learn how to use the green
headshots of the alumni as high schoolers, and a
Lab, the Innovation & Design Lab, and the
screen and film equipment in the Coleman
slideshow of yearbook photos. Members of the
D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice.
Digital Media Lab.
class enjoyed every thoughtful detail of nostalgia
activities and camaraderie.
DAY 1
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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
as they reminisced about their time on the
Innovation Department, had his Digital Media
Trustee Michael Carretta ’71 was grateful
hilltop. Peter Kiernan ’71 was instrumental
and Videography class put together a video of
to be able to reconnect with so many members
in rallying members of his class to join in the
current students posing questions to the Class
of his class, many of whom he had not seen in
festivities and shared his appreciation for the
of 1971 about what it was like to be a student
years, and to share with them all the stunning
reunion: “For anyone that returned, 50 years
at Canterbury in the early ’70s. Students
updates on the hilltop. “It was wonderful to be
were just erased. The spirit of the room was
included questions about the dress code, School
back at Canterbury, not only to see so many
warm, engaging, and wonderful.”
Meeting, and meals at the time, and asked for
members of the great Class of 1971 but also
There was even a valuable tech exchange
any advice the alumni could impart. The Class
to see their positive responses to the incredible
of 1971 then had the chance to answer these
Steers Center and all the other improvements
questions and share their memories via video
on campus!”
between Canterbury students past and present. Director of Academic Technology & Innovation Rob Roffe P ’12, ’15, chair of the Digital Communication, Design &
in the Coleman Digital Media Lab, and their responses were played for the Digital Media and Videography class. PAGE 15.
WO M E N ’ S L E A D E R S H I P S P E A K E R S E R I E S
Margaret Smith ’06 Kicks Off “50 Years of Coeducation”
T
hursday School Meetings are typically reserved for Canterbury’s “Saints on the Hill” program, wherein a member of our community addresses the entire School and shares a closely held piece of their personal story. But we changed it up a bit in early December when our community welcomed a “Saint Beyond the Hill” back to campus, Margaret Smith ’06, who spoke to students about her journey since the hilltop and the impact her Canterbury experience has had on her success. Margaret’s presentation launched the Women’s Leadership Speaker Series, hosted in honor of Canterbury’s “50 Years of Coeducation” celebration, which brings distinguished members of our alumnae family to the School to share inspiration with our students. While a student at Canterbury, Margaret held nearly every leadership position, serving as a Sacristan, Lead Ambassador, two-year Dorm PAGE 16.
Proctor, and field hockey Captain. She hails from a long line of Canterbury graduates: grandfather Gerard Smith ’31, father Hugh Smith ’72, sister Courtland Smith Stevens ’01, brother Gerard “Chopper” Smith ’04, and many uncles and cousins spanning a legacy of more than 90 years!
A REWARDING AND INSPIRATIONAL CAREER
Margaret graduated from Hamilton College, NY, in 2010 with a B.A. in Government and a concentration in Psychology. She began her career in 2011 as an account executive at a New York City-based advertising agency, SS+K, specializing in creative social engagement. After three years there and knowing she wanted to have a greater impact on the end customer, Margaret moved on to a global executive search firm, Russell Reynolds Associates, where she worked with Fortune100 THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
companies in the technology space. Margaret credits this experience with introducing her to the broader technology industry and, more importantly, the infectious passion of the leaders working within it. In 2014, she recognized a need in the executive search market to help early-stage tech companies build their boards and leadership teams with a more hands-on, consultative approach. This led to Margaret becoming one of the founding members of Rich Talent Group, a leading San Francisco-based executive search and advisory firm focused on consumer growth technology companies. During her four years at RTG, she successfully built executive leadership teams at high-profile companies such as Airbnb, Dropbox, Etsy, Eventbrite, Warby Parker, Uber, and Zillow. In addition, she partnered with many Silicon Valley venture capital firms to advise their portfolios through periods of hyper-growth.
“I found great reward working with company founders during crucial moments of scale by helping to solve their most pressing needs with the right people—aligning skill sets, cultural fit, moral compasses, and timing,” said Margaret. “The adrenaline of being a very, very small part of these companies’ successes (and failures) was exhilarating. Ultimately, however, I was on the outside as a consultant and knew I wanted to experience more of this reward firsthand.” Intrigued by the real estate industry (her parents are both real estate agents), Margaret joined Compass, Inc. in 2017 as Head of Talent at a time when the firm was still an early-stage startup looking to change the way people buy and sell homes through a proprietary technology platform. Appointed to her current role as Global Head of Talent in 2020, Margaret manages a team that has grown from five people when the company began to 150 today spread across the United States and India and accountable for Compass’s year-over-year people growth. “My job is to empower the team to move fast, to assess accurately, and to ensure we are solving critical Compass business needs with the right people,” she described. During her four-year tenure with the company, Compass has grown revenue from $370 million to a projected $6.4 billion in 2021 and total employee base from 200 to more than 5,000. Likewise, the company has expanded from five major cities to now serving half of the U.S. population with 300+ offices nationwide. The company made its market debut on the New York Stock Exchange with an initial public offering in April 2021.
A CAREER GUIDED BY CANTERBURY VALUES
Margaret described her career path to students as a mix of hard work, good timing, and most importantly, solid foundational principles that were introduced and developed during her formative years at Canterbury. “I vividly remember my morality class with Mr. Simonelli in the downstairs chapel classroom where we studied the concept of servant leadership,” Margaret said. “The leader in any circumstance—work or life—existing to serve their people. Leading with empathy, humility, stewardship, and community, ultimately putting others’ needs before your own. I saw this lived out by all my teachers and coaches every day
“Leading with empathy, humility, stewardship, and community, ultimately putting others’ needs before your own. I saw this lived out by all my teachers and coaches every day during my time here, along with their strong encouragement of me to build leadership muscle through roles like Sacristan, Proctor, and team captain.” MARGARET SMITH ’06
during my time here, along with their strong encouragement of me to build leadership muscle through roles like Sacristan, Proctor, and Team Captain. “I credit servant leadership for my success and ease in leadership roles to date,” she continued. “I have certainly learned a lot through my career so far…and I am hugely grateful for this foundational grounding and the sincere reward I get from helping individuals realize their potential.” Margaret also attributed the strong sense of self-reliance instilled at Canterbury as another guiding rudder throughout her career. “It was not obvious to me at the time, but being treated like an adult as a student at Canterbury taught me to be responsible for my own decisions, all within the safety and comfort of an incredibly supportive community that was there to catch me.” She continued, “I think back to living without my parents during those formative years, experiencing the extreme vulnerabilities of high school and consistently being encouraged to chart my own path, rely on my instincts, and embrace my individuality. I am grateful for the delicate balance of supportive teachers and coaches who gave me just enough room to fail effectively.” Lastly, Margaret praised Canterbury with helping her understand the importance of compassion. “My appreciation for genuine compassion was developed through a number of pivotal service events during my time here as well as the expectation that, as a member of this community, you are always looking out for each other and helping one another succeed,” she shared. “There are no filters in
a close-knit community and especially in dorm life, where you see everyone’s whole self—their ups and downs, insecurities and strengths. This was a powerful experience for me, resulting in a sense of belonging, confidence, and ultimately compassion that has guided the way I hold myself as a professional, as a friend, and as a community member.”
SOUND ADVICE FOR OUR STUDENTS
Bringing her School Meeting address to a close, Margaret left students with some brief advice: “What makes someone successful in life is not one-dimensional; it is not a grade or an athletic performance. Focusing on your guiding principles, your motivations, your emotional intelligence, and how you treat others is important. Having the privilege to work with a great deal of our tech industry’s top leaders, they are driven by passion, a strong sense of self, and a purpose to make the world a better place. They are not superheroes; they are people just like you.” Margaret’s visit to campus continued following School Meeting. Accompanied by friend and classmate Cory Perkins ’06, she joined Sixth Form students enrolled in our SUPA Entrepreneurship and Global Economy class and continued the discussion about qualities she looks for in leadership candidates. She then chatted with members of the Women of Canterbury affinity group over lunch and shared more stories of her career as a female executive. We are immensely grateful for the time Margaret spent with students and faculty on campus and cannot wait to welcome her again soon. PAGE 17.
SOCIETY OF
ALUMNI
introducing your
2022 Alumni Award Winners!
C
anterbury’s Society of Alumni once again recognizes and celebrates outstanding graduates who have made an impact in their profession, community, or the world at
large, and who have shown extreme dedication to Canterbury School. Congratulations to Miriam “Duchess” Harris ’87 (left) and Katherine “Katie” Grill ’10, who will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award and Outstanding Young Alumni Award, respectively, during Alumni Weekend in June. “While always difficult to arrive at a single recipient, it truly is humbling to see so many of our fellow Saints making a difference and changing the world,” Society of Alumni Co-President William “Macy” Steers, Jr. ’04 said. “As we celebrate 50 Years of Coeducation at Canterbury, I am so proud to honor Duchess and Katie. They are outstanding leaders in their very important and topical disciplines, and they are certainly making Canterbury proud.”
PAGE 18.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
THOMAS J. SHEEHY III DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD:
OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD:
Dr. Miriam “Duchess” Harris ’87
Dr. Katherine “Katie” Grill ’10
A
highly accomplished academic, author, and legal scholar, Duchess is a professor of American Studies at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN, specializing in Black feminism, Law of the United States, and African American political movements. Duchess arrived at Macalester as an instructor and a visiting assistant professor in 1994, teaching courses in women’s and gender studies. In 1998, she joined the faculty in political science and African American studies, earned a Juris Doctorate in 2011, and was promoted to full professor in 2013. Duchess was also a founding member of the American Studies department and served as chair for eight years, including as its inaugural chair. She has taught a wide-ranging breadth of courses, including Foundations of U.S. Politics, Policy Analysis: Health Care in the United States, Black Political Thought, Race and the Law, and The Obama Presidency. Among the things she is most proud of during her time at Macalester are the lifelong bonds she builds with her students in the classroom. Duchess was a Mellon Mays Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a degree in American History. In 1990, she was elected Student Body President, which made her the first Black woman to serve in this role at an Ivy League institution. She earned a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota. While in graduate school, she worked for the late U.S. Senator Paul D. Wellstone. She did a Policy Fellowship at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs and also completed Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Minnesota Law School and the University of Georgia. Duchess has advocated on the national level at the Congressional Black Caucus. Locally, she was appointed as a Minneapolis Civil Rights Commissioner by Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton, to the Governor’s Council on Black Minnesotans by Governor Jesse Ventura, to Co-Chair the Statewide Martin Luther King Holiday (twice) by Governor Mark Dayton, and to the Board of Public Defense by Governor Tim Walz. She has also written a number of acclaimed academic books, and her many accolades include a 2021 appointment to the board of The Kamala Harris Project, a collective of scholars across disciplines who will track all aspects of Kamala Harris’ tenure as the nation’s first woman of color to serve as vice president.
K
atie is the co-founder and CEO of Neolth, which provides stress and mental health support to students by delivering ondemand, personalized care via their self-guided platform. After earning a Ph.D. in neuroscience at American University, she started Neolth, a Walnut Creek, CA-based mental health app that launched in early 2021. Teenagers and young adults from 180 high schools and colleges use the self-guided platform to connect with peers experiencing similar struggles and to learn coping and relaxation methods. Users can opt to tether the account to their school counselor who can monitor their progress. Katie committed to a career providing better access to care and resources after a friend died and a family member was hospitalized while battling severe mental illness. Katie has won numerous awards, including the 2021 Timmy Finalist as a Best Tech for Social Good company (competition ongoing), 2020 Startup of the Year EdTech award, Top 100 Startup in 2020 by SOTY, Top 100 company in 2020 by Pepperdine University, the SoGal San Francisco Regional Pitch Competition, and the SoGal Global Finals Pitch Competition, the largest pitch competition for female founders in the world. She led the company to receive a $700,000 pre-seed investment, with notable investors like Techstars and Telosity. She has also been featured in numerous articles and received extensive press for her work with Neolth. This past December, Katie was named to Forbes magazine’s list of “30 Under 30” in Education. In addition, she was invited to and participated in the Techstars accelerator, which has a less than 1% acceptance rate; the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s Milestone Makers program; and the Headstream program, the youth mental health accelerator supported by Pivotal Ventures. While at Canterbury, Katie was a member of the School’s 2010 Honor Society; played hockey, soccer, and softball; and was a swimmer. Her sister, Christina Curtin ’08, is also a graduate. Read more about our Alumni Award recipients past and present at cbury.org/alumni/alumni-recognition.
Among the many roles Duchess played as a Canterbury student were Sacristan, Proctor, Editor of Cantuarian and Tabard, Editor-in-Chief of Carillon, Debate Club President, Drama Society Stage Manager, and member of Student Government, Social Service, Photography Club, Choral Club, and Chapel Singers.
PAGE 19.
SOCIETY OF
ALUMNI
Terence Meehan ’66 Honored for His Work to End Hunger
C
anterbury has always held a strong commitment to service and justice, so it was particularly gratifying to hear that one of our own was recognized for his longtime efforts to combat world hunger. Activist Terence “Terry” Meehan ’66 received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Bread for the World and The Alliance to End Hunger at its annual Gala to End Hunger in 2021.
“We pooled together all the relevant federal agencies to do what we needed to do to expand coverage and make sure more kids who depend on school lunches continued to have access to nutrition during those summer months.” David Beckmann, President Emeritus of Bread for the World, recalled how a national tragedy helped further ignite Terry’s desire for service. “He got really seriously involved in overcoming world hunger right after 9/11,” he said. “It just made him more resolute about doing something big with his life. He thought, ‘Helping to end hunger, that is what I want to do.’ One thing he did that most people do not know is he launched The Alliance to End Hunger. He put a lot of his own money into the Alliance. It just changed the conversation into reality.”
“When I heard that Terry Meehan was going to receive this honor, it made absolute sense,” said Rev. Eugene Cho, President and CEO of Bread for the World. “This man loves people, loves to come alongside and to amplify the reality of those in our nation and around the world who experience hunger and poverty. This is an incredibly well-deserved award.” Terry has effected real change in the fight to eradicate world hunger thanks to the many relationships he has forged through the years, not the least of which is with the current President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Speaking at the 2018 Gala to End World Hunger, former Vice President Biden said, “I remember during our administration,
my good friend Terry Meehan—and he is a good friend, he has a heart of gold—came to see me in the Vice President’s office and indicated that we were going to have a really big problem when school let out that summer in 2009. And his plea was we had to expand the summer feeding programs.” The result?
“He thought, ‘Helping to end hunger, that is what I want to do.’ One thing he did that most people do not know is he launched The Alliance to End Hunger. He put a lot of his own money into the Alliance. It just changed the conversation into reality.” DAVID BECKMANN, PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF BREAD FOR THE WORLD
The 2016 recipient of Canterbury’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Terry Meehan is the former Chairman of Fleet Meehan Specialist, Inc., the third largest specialist firm at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). He is also a past governor of the NYSE and very active in industry affairs. Terry conceptualized, created, and built the Specialist Association at the NYSE and served as its president from 1990 to 1995. He is active on the boards of Bread for the World Institute and The Alliance to End Hunger, as well as on the Advisory Board of The Catholic Big Sisters & Big Brothers. He holds a B.A. from Georgetown University and a Master of Architecture from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Bread for the World is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. The Alliance, an affiliate of Bread for the World, brings together diverse institutions to build the public and political will to end hunger. Congratulations, Terry, and thank you for the important work you do!
PAGE 20.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
Two Saints Named to SOA Executive Committee
T
wo dedicated and successful Canterbury graduates are
so impactful on my life,” he said. “It is a badge I have worn proudly
joining the Society of Alumni (SOA) Executive Committee,
since graduation. I don’t think I have missed a reunion in 40 years.”
which implements programs and initiatives to keep the
And he is anxious to become even more involved as an Executive
School’s alumni connected to each other and their alma mater.
Committee member. “Canterbury is a great opportunity, so I would
“After careful diligence and discussion, we have added two
like as many people to experience that as possible,” he explained. “I
additional Canterbury alumni and SOA members to our Executive
am really honored to be asked to join and look forward to bringing
Committee…Selkirk “Tony” Walters ’81 and Josef Najm ’12,”
my vision and passion to it.”
SOA Co-President William “Macy” Steers, Jr. ’04 announced. “I feel very lucky that they are both joining the Committee as I know they will add immediate value and unique insights.”
JOSEF NAJM ’12 As is Josef, who is Senior Manager,
The two new members bring a variety of life experiences and
Programmatic Sales & Partnerships at
impressive career accomplishments to their roles.
Thomson Reuters, a world leader in providing news and information-based tools
SELKIRK “TONY” WALTERS ’81 Tony is the Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for the New York State Unified Court System, where his responsibilities include advising court
to professionals. His marketing experience will be extremely valuable to Canterbury’s alumni initiatives, according to Macy. “Joe will go out and promote the SOA and Canterbury to everyone he can,” he explained. “He is a do-anything kind of individual with
administrators on compliance matters and
contagious enthusiasm.”
reporting requirements, directing preparation
That enthusiasm has served Josef well. After graduating from
and implementation of a strategic diversity
Canterbury, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in political
and inclusive management plan, and managing and overseeing
science and government from The Catholic University of America.
statewide outreach and recruitment programs.
He held a number of management positions directly out of college
“Having Tony join us is highly advantageous,” said Macy. “He has
before being hired as a Digital Advertising Specialist at Thomson
been such an active and vital member of our alumni community,
Reuters in 2019, eventually working his way up to Senior Manager.
staying in touch with friends and former classmates and encouraging
“I look forward to being a connector for current students and alumni,”
his fellow Saints to maintain their own connections with one another
Josef said of his new Executive Committee role. “With my experience
and the School. We look forward to his continuing involvement with
in the media and marketing ecosystem, I hope to educate those curious
the SOA and our alumni engagement initiatives.”
to learn more about the industry and help identify future career paths.
After graduating from Georgetown University with a B.A. in English,
I am excited to play a larger part in Canterbury’s growth.”
Tony has devoted his career to criminal justice and workforce diversity.
He is so eager to give back because the School played such a major
He served as an Administrative Supervisor for the New York City
role in his own growth. “I was fortunate to be given the opportunity
Criminal Justice Agency and as Grant Coordinator for the Office of
to follow in my two older sisters’ footsteps and attend Canterbury.
the Mayor of New York, where he monitored contractual and budget
It has had a lasting impact on my life—where I have made my best
compliance for seven Alternative-to-Incarceration programs. He’s
friends, friends from around the world, and even met my wife.”
been with the Unified Court System for the past 15 years.
Tony and Josef will be formally elected during Alumni Weekend,
Even after four decades away, his time on the hilltop remains just as
June 10-12, on the hilltop.
near and dear to Tony’s heart as the day he left. “Canterbury has been
PAGE 21.
ACADEMICS SAINTS ALUMNI ON THE “WRITE” PATH TO SUCCESS
T
his is the story of three
me out there, without much training to
am a Writing Fellow at Brown, so I help
Canterbury graduates, three
be honest,” he said. Greg was not able to
students craft their academic essays. That
prestigious colleges, three
take journalism classes until sophomore
mentorship relationship is something
campus newspapers…and
year, and that is when things really started
that I started practicing while I was at
a whole lot of words! Ellyn Fritz ’18,
to click. “It became a lot easier when I got
Canterbury as a Proctor in the dorms
Greg McKenna ’19, and Xing “Joyce”
some formal training and experience. It
and an International Ambassador. These
Gao ’20 have each taken on different roles
showed me why I love reporting. I have
leadership positions drove me to start
for their campus publications, but they all
pretty much covered every different sport
combining my love for writing and helping
have two things in common—a passion
on campus.”
other students.”
for writing and a Canterbury education.
Conversely, Joyce has not done any
Likewise, Ellyn credited her English
reporting at all for The Brown Daily Herald
classes at Canterbury for motivating her
at Brown University. “I am not actually on
to write. “Some of the English teachers I
the reporting side of the newspaper. I am
had helped me with my writing ability and
doing an opinion column,” she explained.
helped me develop what I think a lot of
“What drove me to writing opinions was I
kids coming into college do not necessarily
The School’s interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning excellence delivered through four core competencies— including “writing with clarity”—is clearly benefiting these Saints as they pursue their college degrees.
learned that it was a really strict schedule
have,” she said. “There was a maturity to
Now a senior at Franklin & Marshall
where you have to produce a piece every
my writing and an ability to self-correct
University, Ellyn has done it all for the
two weeks. And I wanted to push myself.
and create an argument that was really
campus newspaper, The College Reporter. She
I was previously writing for a school
helpful when I got to college. I was able
started as a beat reporter in her sophomore
magazine, and a lot of what I was doing
to enter into the material with more ease.
year, then became news editor before
was a more personal narrative style, so I
So that was something I am definitely very
ultimately taking the reins of editor-in-
wanted to try something more formal
grateful to Canterbury for.”
chief. “I have enjoyed pulling together
and argumentative.”
stories about fraternity and sorority life or
The “aha” moment for Greg was talking
The three do have something else in
to Warren St. John, a former New York
common—their passion for writing was
Times reporter and president of Patch who
sparked and nurtured during their time
was visiting Canterbury for a presentation
at Canterbury. “My second-year English
to students. “I was doing some research
course was what got me into writing in
and found that he had written a lot of
the first place,” Joyce recalled. “I really
books about sports even though he was
liked that class; we had a lot of writing
not a sports writer at all,” Greg shared.
assignments, and I would spend the whole
“I asked him why that was and he said, ‘I
protests about diversity issues on campus,” she said. “Just being able to be a part of covering some of those important topics, of pulling together an article or a piece that is going to fairly represent other people’s differing opinions and present information in an unbiased way—it has been an amazing experience.”
afternoon in my room trying to figure out
love sports because it is a way to explore
Greg’s time as a sportswriter for The
how to write those creative pieces. I got
people’s souls.’ That inspired me.”
Observer at the University of Notre Dame
hooked on Virginia Woolf because she is
has been equally amazing. He had goals
such a literary writer, so I began reading
Greg added that Canterbury also taught
going in as a freshman and emailed the
similar works and trying more literary and
editor before even getting to campus.
creaive writing on my own.”
When he arrived, they threw him right
And Joyce is paying it forward, helping
the importance of talking to teachers
to nurture writing skills in her peers. “I
and to different people on campus,” he
into the action. “It’s funny; they just sent PAGE 22.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
him how to communicate effectively and ask questions. “The biggest thing about being at a small school was learning
“There was a maturity to my writing and an ability to self-correct and create an argument that was really helpful when I got to college. So that was something I am definitely very grateful to Canterbury for.” ELLYN FRITZ ’18 explained. “I grew accustomed to thinking, ‘Okay, who do I need to talk to in order
Ellyn Fritz ’18 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The College Reporter FRANKLIN & MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
to get this project done.’ That process is something that, as you head off to college, not everybody is as accustomed to. Not being afraid to talk to people and build contacts—that was honestly one of my greatest takeaways from Canterbury.” So how will these Saints take their writing passion and skills into careers after college? Ellyn: “The best thing I have learned from working at The College Reporter, and writing and reporting in general, is that it is all about problem-solving and piecing together information to come up with a story but also being able to create an
Greg McKenna ’19
argument. I am leaning more towards
SPORTSWRITER The Observer
practices or communications. At the end
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
am going to take into any job that I do.”
strategic management or strategic business of the day, the problem solving, critical thinking, and synthesizing information—I Greg: “I want to at least start working with local newspapers. I am still figuring it out. My dream job would be one of those senior writers at a huge publication who has a large following, has a newsletter, does a podcast. That’s the dream.” Joyce: “I am a cognitive neuroscience
Xing “Joyce” Gao ’20 OPINION COLUMNIST The Brown Daily Herald BROWN UNIVERSITY
major. One of the possibilities is to go into research, which I am exploring right now. Besides that, I could also teach, possibly go into finance or business, or even design and consulting. For all the careers that I can think of, most of them would involve some form of writing.” And that bodes well for these excellent Canterbury-inspired writers. PAGE 23.
ACADEMICS
SUE ROBERTS:
THE HEARTBEAT OF STUDENTCENTERED ACADEMICS
A
sk Suzanne Roberts P ’24 anything about herself or her accomplishments at Canterbury School, and you will likely hear many of the same words—community, collegiality, collaboration. Very little of what she says circles back to herself, and that team-first approach is what has helped make Sue so successful during her 23 years at Canterbury, most recently as Associate Head of School for Academics and Dean of Faculty. Just don’t expect her to tell you much about it. “Sue is humble. She is a grinder and just gets it done without asking for any praise,” said Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24. “It always stems from her deep belief in Canterbury. She started here as a rookie teacher, she met her husband and got married here in the Chapel of Our Lady, is raising her kids here, has coached varsity sports, has probably taught every level of math. That fabric of experience means you love the school in so many more ways because you know it so broadly and deeply.” PAGE 24.
The Start of Something Special
It was a little bit of serendipity that brought Sue to Canterbury in the first place. “I graduated from Middlebury College in 1999, took a job in Boston, and lasted in that job about two and a half months,” Sue recalls. “It wasn’t a good fit for me. I was in a suit, I was behind a desk, I was working in a way that brought zero joy. It was probably the first time in my life when I wasn’t working with kids and I wasn’t involved in athletics. Every summer in college I had worked at a camp, worked with kids, and been involved in sports.” Fortunately, Sue had kept in close contact with her college coach and shared with him how much she wanted a change. He told her, “I heard from this Athletic Director at a school in Connecticut, Canterbury, and they’re looking for a girls’ hockey coach.” Since that was the sport Sue played at Middlebury and she was already familiar with the private boarding school experience—having attended Tabor Academy in Massachusetts—she was intrigued. THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
“So I drove to Connecticut and got the job,” she said. “I came in and started teaching Algebra 1 and Economics, and my first year I coached field hockey, hockey, and lacrosse. I would not have had it any other way.”
A Changing Education Landscape
After two-plus decades, it is not surprising that Sue has seen monumental changes at Canterbury, many of which she helped spearhead. “I think back to my first couple of years here; we were using overhead projectors, trying to figure out how to connect graphing calculators,” she said. “It is crazy to look back now at the low level of technology we used. So many of our resources have shifted to digital.” Recent major initiatives have included the Donovan Center for Learning and the Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) classes. “SUPA is a real differentiator for us,” Sue said. “It has typically been more of a publicschool offering, but with help and support from our Director of Curriculum Kelli Darrin, we have brought
it into the independent boarding school environment. Students can take a course here at Canterbury with a Canterbury faculty member and get a Canterbury grade, and they earn college credit for that course for a nominal fee and get a Syracuse University transcript. It is a great opportunity for our students!” And there is more to love going forward. “Our Life Worth Living curriculum, which is tied to a Yale program, is currently being piloted in the Fourth Form Theology course,” she said. “We’re also gaining a lot of momentum with the Canterbury Business Association overseen by Faculty Lead Zachary Lord. The Digital Communication, Design, and Innovation Department under the guidance of Department Chair Robert Roffe P ’12, ’15 has done so much, from digital art, media, and photography to the innovation lab to engineering and robotics.” Rachel recalled the vital role Sue played in the creation of the Donovan Center for Learning. “It was Sue’s idea, her vision, to put all of our academic support in one place for students—and it was seamless.” She also credits Sue with helping to conceive the exciting new academic spaces in the Steers Center. “The Innovative & Design Lab, the Coleman Digital Media Lab, the flex classrooms—that was collaborative, but her hands were all over it.”
“Sue’s Got This”
When Rachel arrived at Canterbury in 2016 from Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, she soon saw what an asset she had in Sue. “We joke that in some ways she had the toughest job because I had previously been a Dean of Faculty, so my knowing that role so well put her under a different microscope,” she said. “I share that because, when I started here, I had to wonder, do they hire the way that we hired, do they train faculty the way we trained faculty? And it did not take me long to realize, Sue’s got this.”
everything from hiring and mentoring new teachers to being the person that veteran faculty go to.”
Meaningful Impact on Student Lives
It is not only faculty who admire and respect Sue. Just ask her students. “For me and so many others, she was more than just a math teacher. She was a person who cared about you more than just how you were doing in the classroom,” said Evan Burke ’21, currently attending St. Lawrence University. “Her office door was always open to talk or help with math—which I learned very quickly since I was a frequent visitor for Calculus help!” Added Rachel: “It is remarkable to teach a course like Calculus and have students say ‘Mrs. Roberts is the best teacher I had.’ She is regarded as an excellent, student-centered, really accessible teacher. That is an important part of her story. The kids rave about her.” Evan has a message for all current and future Canterbury students. “Whether you are on campus or hundreds of miles away, she will still be there to help with whatever you need,” he said. “Get to know Mrs. Roberts, not just as a math teacher, but as a person, because she is someone who will impact your time at Canterbury immeasurably.” And there is one more thing Rachel wants people to know about her friend and colleague. “She came in to the School as Sue Chepren, so before she was Mrs. Roberts, there was a whole generation of alumni who
know her as ‘Chep.’ For example, when Margaret Smith ’06 came back to campus in December for our Women’s Leadership Series, she immediately greeted Sue with a very enthusiastic ‘Chep!’ There is an entire group that loves her from when she was that rookie triple-threat who coached, taught, and ran dorms.” For Sue, the feeling is mutual. “It is about community, about the people,” she said. “I have tremendous respect for my colleagues, the level of devotion they have for their jobs, not just as teachers or coaches or dorm parents in isolation, but for the fact that they truly care at the end of the day what happens with students. It is rewarding to them, which, by observing that, is rewarding to me. This is a place where you look forward to being with the people who make it what it is.” That place, according to Sue, is a close-knit campus that not only teaches students about academics, but about life and values and relationships. “So much of the education that happens here often extends outside of the classroom,” she explains. “It is about knowing your students well, making sure someone is in their corner, that they have connections, that they’re seen, that they’re heard, they’re respected, and that they have a voice.” Helping to make sure Canterbury students have a full, enriching academic experience? Yes, Sue Roberts has got this.
Which, Rachel recalled, is similar to what Sue proclaimed when the COVID-19 pandemic began changing the way people lived and learned. “March 2020, the world is turned upside down, and Sue’s attitude was, ‘We’ve got this.’ We had two weeks to reinvent education on the hilltop. It was a tremendous amount of work, but there was no complaining, no ‘Woe is me’ from her. Sue just got it done. Her high standards, her excellent work ethic, how people rally around her—that got us through COVID. It was extraordinary.” Even Sue admitted that one of the things she was most proud of during her time at Canterbury was helping to shepherd the School through those tough couple of years. “Getting through COVID with our faculty and the amount of remote teaching and support that we needed to provide; what our faculty was able to deliver, the student experience— that might be top of the list for me,” she said. It certainly wasn’t easy, but Rachel emphasized that it came down to how much people trusted Sue and her leadership. “She is approachable and accessible, and that is important. There is a healthy relationship with the faculty where they will seek her guidance and feedback. She has really taken on PAGE 25.
ACADEMICS SARAH ARMSTRONG HONORED
UCHICAGO “OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD”
T
his past fall, The University
title “outstanding educator” does not
of Chicago confirmed what
encompass the role you have played in my
we already knew—Sarah
life. You have been my guide, supporter,
Armstrong is an exceptional
teacher, critic, and defender. Thank you
teacher! The university presented
for teaching me to love singing, acting,
Sarah, Canterbury’s Performing
and playing the carillon, and also
Arts Department chair, with its
for teaching me how to identify good
Outstanding Educator Award
relationships, manage my schedule, and
for excellence in teaching and
have fun. You will continue to inspire
mentorship. Already a recent
me even when I’m away. I know I will
recipient of the J.P. Mandler
continue to “explore the freedom of not
Teaching Award, she was
living up to expectations.” Lots of love!
nominated for the UChicago
“The highest honor for me, as a
award by Yurou Li ’21, who
teacher, is to see my students leave
is now part of the university’s
the hilltop and take with them
prestigious Carillon Guild. Sarah
what they learned during our time
was Yurou’s advisor and taught
together,” said Sarah. “Yurou is
her singing, theater, and to play
thriving at UChicago and has
the carillon.
found her ‘people’ within the Carillon Guild. I am sure we will
A founding member of Canterbury’s Carillon Guild, Yurou passed the Associate Carillonneur’s exam in the summer of 2021 and is now a member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America (GCNA). In addition to playing in
be watching her star blaze across
Sarah Armstrong (left) with Yurou Li ’21
the sky for many years to come. I am so proud of her!”
When I saw this award at UChicago
professionalism, patience, and love
[...], your name jumped out indisputably.
for your students,” all of which are
We’re proud of them both—and
In the description, I talked about your
qualities I admire so much and hope
congratulations, Sarah!
“unswerving determination, gracious
to one day have myself. For me, the
UChicago’s prestigious Carillon Guild, she has been hired to play
Canterbury Trustee Supports Our Unique Carillon Program
once a month at St. Chrysostom’s Episcopal Church in Lincoln Park in Chicago. Yurou was
Yurou Li ’21 and all students past, present, and future who play the carillon at Canterbury owe a debt of gratitude to Trustee Emeritus Dr. L. Michael Sheehy ’56. Thanks to his generous support, the Carillon program—including use of the clavier—continues to thrive at the School. Michael also provided funding for the L. Michael Sheehy ’56 Choral Classroom on campus.
a member of the Canterbury Honor Society and received the Frederick L. Gilson ’50 Award for excellence in the study of the carillon, the Allan A. Ryan Award for excellence in the study of history, and the Captain Thomas J. Sartor Award for excellence in the study of science. Yurou’s letter of nomination included a note to Sarah, which read:
PAGE 26.
Yurou Li ’21 plays the UChicago carillon.
Canterbury’s Carillon Guild was established in 2018, and the School is one of only five high schools in the country to have a carillon. Guild members learn proper playing technique on the practice clavier in the Chapel of Our Lady, and climb the chapel tower each day to play a mix of classic and contemporary arrangements on the José M. Ferrer Memorial Carillon.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
DEPARTMENT RETREATS FOSTER FACULTY COLLABORATION AND CREATIVITY
T
his past year, Canterbury teachers took a day to retreat from their classrooms. And that was a good thing!
Thanks to interdepartmental retreats offered by the Academic Office, the School’s faculty members had the opportunity to visit classes outside of their departments and see fellow teachers— and students—in a different environment. The retreats gave them more points of intersection and fostered collaboration among disciplines, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of skills and an even more robust educational experience for students. Once classes began for the fall and both teachers and students had found their stride in the new school year, each academic department took a retreat day, during which those faculty members did not teach their own sections but instead visited two morning classes of their choosing outside of their field. The department taking part in the retreat then met during lunch to share their experiences—what they learned, observed, or were inspired by—and took the afternoon to further discuss takeaways and begin to map out a plan to incorporate those skills being taught in other classrooms. The Academic Office launched the initiative this year, but it has been in the works for several. COVID-19 delayed plans to begin interdepartmental retreats sooner and, at the same time, highlighted their importance. “It was a significant goal this year for our faculty to be able to take an intentional look at how the lessons, skills, and content they are teaching overlap and support each other,” said Director of Curriculum Kelli Darrin. “COVID-19 made it difficult to bring these elements together in a meaningful way, and many of our departments felt siloed during this time. We wanted to shift back to a culture of real collaboration. When our faculty knows what is happening in other classrooms, they can make links that help students see the bigger picture and gain a better understanding of the skills they are learning.”
Teachers Benefit from Learning, Too
Faculty members appreciated having the chance to learn from their peers, both in terms of subject matter and teaching pedagogy, and to see their students in a different academic context. Chair of the Mathematics Department Chris Roberts P ’24 shared, “The department retreats were a great way to see different approaches to opening and closing a class period. They also allowed us to see our students in a different classroom setting. For the Math Department, seeing how math is used in science courses provided insight on how we can better prepare our students for the math they will apply.” Keiko Mathewson, Chair of the Language Department, noted that the experience further emphasized the Canterbury faculty’s commitment to students. “The Language Department faculty gained a lot from their experiences in other classrooms,” she said. “It reinforced how student-centered Canterbury’s classrooms are and how we, as faculty members, really focus on our students and their capabilities. We also saw that there are opportunities for collaboration across the board when time allows.”
Kelli followed up on this sentiment with examples of some of the cross-disciplinary approaches she has spoken about with faculty, including incorporating more music into language classes to accentuate language development, using art to convey geometry and display principles of physics, and infusing historical context into all subjects. “With the exception of the pandemic, our classrooms have always been open spaces; the purpose of these retreats is to hold intentional time and space for faculty to truly be able to dive in and consider an even broader application of skills,” Kelli said. “We are examining all of the pieces our students need to progress to the next level and making sure they fit together to create a cohesive picture and set them up for success.”
Continued Faculty Development
The Academic Office plans to make the interdepartmental retreats an annual part of faculty professional development and will continue to offer intradepartmental retreats as well. In the spring, faculty members will have the opportunity to visit the classroom of each member of their own department for one day to build on their own skills and encourage open dialogue about lesson structure, student development, and skill progression. To bolster this, the Academic Office has offered free webinars for faculty (hosted by outside parties such as EdWeb) covering topics including DEI in the Classroom, Strategies for Implementing a Student-Focused Writing Curriculum, Gender Equity, The Art and Science of Teaching in Any Context, Project-based Learning, and Tools for Formative Assessment.
PAGE 27.
D’AMOUR CENTER FOR FAITH, SERVICE & JUSTICE
Sixth Form Sets Goals and Intentions at Annual Dinner & Retreat
S
etting final-year goals was high on the agenda for Canterbury students at the annual Sixth Form Dinner & Retreat
in September. Continuing the tradition that honors the senior class and emphasizes the importance of their role at the School, the evening began with a formal dinner and an address to the 104-member class from Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24. “Now, as you write your Sixth Form chapter, I would like for you to think about the following,” she told them. “What do you want the contents of this chapter to be? How will you make this place HOME for all? How will you ensure that
that it is the students—and the Sixth Form in
Rachel then invited Sixth Form Council
you do not look back and wish you had met
particular—who set the culture and the social,
member Hanyan Cai ’22 to the podium
more people, attended more events, auditioned
academic, and athletic norms for each school
to address his class. Selected by his fellow
for the play, been a better and more involved
year. And a great deal of it will stem from how—
Council members, Hanyan was the first student
leader? Many of you have heard me say that we
and how well—you know and take care of one
ever chosen to speak at the dinner. “There
as faculty can set the rules and expectations, but
another, this community, and this school.”
is nothing that can replace our small, special
PAGE 28.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
community,” he shared. “This is our final year to be leaders, athletes, and academics, and to be honest—be whoever you want to be. This is the year to let our creative and tenacious energies explode. With the support of teachers, the School, and, most importantly, our peers, let us all strive to live our best lives during this last year.” After dinner, the Sixth Form took part in another time-honored tradition: faculty formed a line, and each student shook the hand of each faculty member. This year, the handshakes took place outside on the path between the dining hall and the chapel. This tradition comes full circle at the Sixth Form’s Commencement in May, bookending the students’ final year with a moment of gratitude, reflection, and connection with their teachers, coaches, advisors, and dorm parents (and, for some, their actual parents!). The Sixth Formers next headed to the Steers Center for Part 2 of their retreat, where they participated in discussions about their Canterbury memories and experiences— both their best and most challenging—and what they envision for their final year at the School (Part 1 took place during the first week of school with students reconnecting and spending time together outdoors). Director of Campus Ministry Devon McCormick opened Part 2 with a reflection, inviting the class to think about the year ahead and what
she said. “I enjoyed the retreat because it
The letters will be opened again during their
was a time for the whole Sixth Form to come
Sixth Form Reflections Retreat in May. To
together, focus on ourselves as the leaders of
conclude the retreat, the class was split into
the School, and think about the impression that
small groups and asked to create a Bucket List
we would like to leave for the younger students
of 22 items (for the Class of 2022) for their
at Canterbury.”
last year, including goals such as reconnecting
The Sixth Formers also had the opportunity to write a letter to themselves with their own hopes, prayers, and intentions for the year.
with someone with whom they have lost touch, trying something new, and making friends with someone who is not in their close circle.
they are grateful for and perhaps even anxious about as they embark on their final year of high school. The students were then given the opportunity to pick out stones that were handpainted with thoughtful words and phrases by artist and Canterbury parent Denise Trach P ’20, ’23. Olivia Meola ’22 was grateful for the time spent together as a class and the opportunity to reflect on her hopes for the year. “The Sixth Form Retreat not only allowed me to get to know and connect with other Sixth Form students who I did not know very well, but it also allowed me to reflect on myself and the mindset that I would like to be in this year,”
“This is the year to let our creative and tenacious energies explode. With the support of teachers, the School, and, most importantly, our peers, let us all strive to live our best lives during this last year.” HANYAN CAI ’22
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D’AMOUR CENTER
FOR FAITH, SERVICE & JUSTICE
New Sacristans Installed by Fr. Steven DeMaio ’03
L
ast September, Canterbury installed its
Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24
Rachel then addressed the newly appointed
2021-22 Sacristans during the Mass of
opened the service with remarks to the
Sacristans, saying, “Last spring, you each spoke
the Holy Spirit, the School’s first Mass
community. “I can think of no better opening
of your individual faith journeys, and while
of the year. Thirteen Sixth Form students—
message as we begin a new—and better—year
they all took different routes—some ignited by
Stella Bandak, Gabriella Cafiero,
than to remind and celebrate with the Saints
loss or difficult times, others sustained by family
Isabella Carioscia, Max Cooper,
community that it is these very moments when
tradition that eventually became yours—you
Giovanna Esposito, Giancarlo Faraci,
we so powerfully affirm the mission of our
have asked to become Sacristans, the highest
Lindsey Grandolfo, Claire Kessing,
beloved School,” she shared. “Moments when
leadership position at Canterbury, because
Patrick McKiernan, Katelynn Pizzano,
we reflect together and support one another;
you want to live and share your faith. Now
Ashley Regina, David Salazar, and Alex
moments when we seek opportunities to be of
you must find ways to explain to others why a
Schneider—demonstrated the personal
help and service; moments when we lead with
journey focused on spirituality, service, and love
character, faith, and leadership qualities that
values and justice. These community moments
is worth the effort. Your job is not to convince
define what it means to be a Sacristan.
are the glue that binds and buoys us.”
others of what you know and believe; rather, it
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“Your job is not to convince others of what you know and believe; rather, it is to model your understanding of the role you play in the lives of others, to spark conversation about belief and faith, and to be leaders of spiritual growth. Inspire, not insist.” RACHEL STONE P ’23, ’24
is to model your understanding of the role you play in the lives of others, to spark conversation about belief and faith, and to be leaders of spiritual growth. Inspire, not insist.” Rachel concluded, “Remember, you may be further along on your faith journeys than many of your peers, so do not allow that difference to create division. Canterbury’s Catholic heritage provides a common focus on our Five Values, regardless of our backgrounds and beliefs. As Sacristans, you must protect and sustain that focus, foster open dialogue, and be the approachable, respected role models you all spoke about during your interviews. As you know, leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility, and none more so than the leadership granted to you today as Sacristans.”
in Spanish. In 2009, he was sent to Zambia
his actions instead of his words, to being in
for six months to work on a sports project, and
disbelief that he was actually back celebrating
Dressed in their traditional robes, the
it was there that he met the Salesians of Don
Mass at his own high school. It was so special to
Sacristans sat together during the Mass. After
Bosco and began to discern the priesthood. He
have him here, and we cannot wait to welcome
the homily, Rachel invited the group of 13 to
entered formation in 2010 and was ordained
him back many, many more times,” she said.
receive their Sacristan crucifixes and declare
a priest in June of 2021. He now lives in New
their statement of fidelity and service to the
Rochelle, NY, and works in vocation and young
“The Sacristan installation could not have
Canterbury community.
adult ministry.
The Mass was celebrated for the first time by
Director of Campus Ministry Devon
and paths and have so much to give to this
Fr. Steven DeMaio ’03. Fr. Steve was born
McCormick reflected on the day and its
community. It was a beautiful way to start their
and raised in Sherman, CT; graduated from
significance. “It was an immense honor to
Sacristan journey, and we cannot wait to see
Canterbury in 2003; and matriculated to James
have Fr. Steve here—he shared parts of
what comes from them this year.”
Madison University in Virginia, earning a
his Canterbury story with us, from being a
degree in Business Management with a minor
Sacristan who had to learn to work through
Congratulations to this year’s Sacristans!
been more beautiful. We installed 13 unique leaders—all of whom have their own stories
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D’AMOUR CENTER
FOR FAITH, SERVICE & JUSTICE
Third Form Retreat Connects Students to Nature
T
hird Form students, Sacristans, and faculty traveled to Lover’s Leap State Park in New Milford in October for the annual Third Form Retreat. Led by Sacristans and faculty, the retreat offered an opportunity for Third Form students to reflect on their first few weeks of school and set goals for the year and the rest of their time at Canterbury. Students and faculty advisors discussed challenges they have met so far this year and the people and resources at Canterbury that students may turn to for guidance. The Sacristans led students to stations across the wooded park and to various overlooks of Lake Lillinonah, asking questions and facilitating discussions along the way. Connor Wohlfahrt ’25 shared, “The retreat was a great
Fourth Form Students Take Part in EyeOpening Oxfam Hunger Banquet
F
or this year’s annual retreat, the Fourth Form participated in an Oxfam Hunger Banquet in the Steers Center Ragland Commons. Joined by Sacristans and faculty, the class participated in a simulation that brought statistics about poverty to life. They randomly selected tickets matching real people who are high-, middle-, or low-income earners, demonstrating that where you end up is often the luck of the draw. The tickets were based on the latest statistics about the number of people living in poverty, and each income level received a corresponding meal. The 20 percent in the high-income tier—representing a minimum income of just $8,486.25 a year—were served a full meal of pasta, salad, and bread at set tables. The 30 percent in the middle-income section—earnings between $2,135 and $8,486.25 a PAGE 32.
year—ate a simple meal of rice and beans. The 50 percent in the lowincome tier—less than $2,135 a year —had small portions of rice and water and were seated on the floor. Anne Celestino ’24 drew a highincome card and seeing her peers have vastly different meals had a profound effect on her. “The retreat changed my perspective on my own life,” she said. “I had never realized just how many people are hungry or living in poverty. Only a couple of miles from where I live, there are people who are in need of food. It breaks my heart that I didn’t even realize that until now; it makes me want to give back as much as I can.” The retreat was followed by time for reflection in the Chapel of Our Lady, where students and faculty discussed actionable ways to combat hunger and poverty. Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty and works to help people build better futures for themselves, hold the powerful accountable, and save lives in disasters.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
experience. I went into it thinking I wouldn’t have fun, but, in the end, I had a really great time and learned more about the people around me. I’m thankful Canterbury gave us the opportunity to go!” Director of Campus Ministry Devon McCormick felt the importance of this retreat, both on the Third Form and on herself. “It was amazing to see how quickly the Third Form students entered into ‘retreat mode,’ and how willing they were to go with the flow and be fully present in the moment,” she said. “Friendships were strengthened and forged, and connections with faculty and Sacristans were created—it really was a beautiful bonding experience for everyone involved and one that I think will reverberate throughout their time at Canterbury.” The retreat concluded with time for reflection and sharing in the Chapel of Our Lady.
Lessons and Carols Ring in the Season
T
he Canterbury family celebrated the blessings and joy of the Christmas holiday
by joining in the time-honored tradition of Scripture and song. Fr. Mark Connell presided and festive voices sang out in the Chapel of Our Lady as the Saints community rejoiced in the season.
Lessons and Carols Ring in the Season
T
he Canterbury family celebrated the blessings and joy of the Christmas holiday by joining in the time-honored tradition of Scripture and song. Fr. Mark Connell presided and festive voices sang out in the Chapel of Our Lady as the Saints community rejoiced in the season.
PAGE 33.
D’AMOUR CENTER
FOR FAITH, SERVICE & JUSTICE
Social Justice Series Engages Students
T
he D’Amour Center for Faith,
leadership and featured an inspirational talk by
Introducing the Social Justice Series to students,
Service & Justice partnered
Sherley Arias-Pimentel ’19 (see page 36).
D’Amour Center Director Tracy Garcia-
with multiple student groups
Throughout the day of service, students
LaVigne P ʼ14, ʼ16, ʼ17, ʼ20, ʼ23 said, “This
for Canterbury’s annual Social
Justice Series, which creates spaces for students to deepen their knowledge and engage in conversations around issues that are critical to building a more fair, just, and equitable world. Fittingly, the 2022 series kicked off on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a day of service supporting local organizations and the Fifth Form Retreat, which centered on servant
PAGE 34.
prepared food and a kitchen “wish list” basket for Dorothy Day House; collected book donations for New Haven Reads; created notes, bags, and cold-care comfort bundles for Loaves & Fishes; gathered Valentine’s Day cards and chocolates for a nursing home and shelters; and assembled arts, crafts, and self-care baskets for The Center for Empowerment & Education.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
is an opportunity to come together to educate about and discuss issues of race, gender, sexuality, ability, and myriad aspects of our intersectional identities. Through the series, we consider how we can begin to move closer to creating a just, humane, peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world by working together.”
The weekly series offers 12 evening sessions of vital, topical programming and continues through early May 2022:
WEEK 1 The Tuskegee Study and the Impact of Systemic Racism on Public Health and Health Care: A History of Medical Injustice—hosted by Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24
WEEK 2 Interfaith Panel with Imam Gazmend Aga, Father Joseph Donnelly, and Rabbi Eric Polokoff: Exploring Differences and Similarities—hosted by the Theology Department and Interfaith Council
WEEK 3 Driving Social Impact Through the Power of Storytelling—hosted by
WEEK 7
WEEK 10
Mallory Weggemann,
Buying with Purpose—hosted
An evening with Fr. James
Co-CEO/Co-Founder
by the Canterbury Business
Martin, S.J.—hosted by the
& Executive Producer
Association
Sacristans
WEEK 8
WEEK 11
Markets and Morals—hosted
Inspired Leadership: A Discussion
by History and Social Sciences
with Female Members of
Teacher Stephen Hewston
Canterbury’s Board of Trustees—
and Theology Teacher
hosted by the Women of
Amy Omaña ’86, P ’19, ’20
Canterbury
WEEK 9
WEEK 12
WEEK 6
Student-Led Conversations—
The Holocaust—hosted by the
Queer History & Current
hosted by the Diversity, Equity,
History Club
Events—hosted by the Gender
Inclusion, & Justice Council
at TFA Group and five-time Paralympic Medalist; and Jeremy “Jay” Snyder ’01, Executive Producer, Producer, Director, and Co-CEO at TFA Group
WEEK 4 Understanding Our Community: Exploring the Different Levels of Intersectionality—hosted by English Teacher Olivia Pena
WEEK 5 Food Justice and Sustainability— hosted by the Sustainability Club
Sexuality Alliance
PAGE 35.
D’AMOUR CENTER
FOR FAITH, SERVICE & JUSTICE God has been showing me through all of the people He has surrounded me with since the moment I was born. But I have never been able to put it into words…and there it was.” Sherley is currently a junior at the University of Richmond, and her goals are, not surprisingly, centered around helping those who are underserved. “I want to elevate the voices of those who have never had the chance to speak. I want to light a stick of dynamite under those systems that continue to divide us,” she explained. “I want to help build a world where food is not a worry, where skin color is not used as a judgement, where quality education is no longer a privilege but a human right, where
SHERLEY ARIAS-PIMENTEL ’19 TALKS SERVICE, LOVE, AND UBUNTU
F
children worry about scraping their knees and not death by handcuffs or even a gun, where families can freely walk around without being beaten by a stick of normality, where people recognize their true worth.”
or their Fifth Form Retreat in January, Canterbury students were treated to an
inspirational talk on servant leadership by “the consummate Saint,” according to Theology
being able to say no to people—as many at Canterbury know, my biggest weakness! It’s funny; his name was Segundo. In Spanish that means ‘second,’ and that man never once put
Department Chair Amy Omaña ’86,
himself first.”
P ’19, ’20.
She continued, “If the world could just be like
The list of activities and accomplishments for
my grandfather, treating everyone and anyone
Sherley Arias-Pimentel ’19 at Canterbury is impressive indeed—she was a scholar, vital community member, athlete, co-founder of AHANA (students of African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American descent), founder of Saints on the Hill, and so much more. As Amy put it, she was “a dynamo.” But even greater than her
with respect, making everyone feel heard and valued, always surrounding yourself with good friends, good food, and good music—I think the world would be a better place. He was a true leader, and growing up, I have seen how much of my grandfather’s spirit has been guiding my life.”
Embodying What It Means to Be a Saint She credits her time at Canterbury with helping her find her calling to serve. “Coming from a family where survival trumped education, I worked hard to be where I am today and understand the privilege that my education gives me,” Sherley shared. “Canterbury is one of the spaces that instilled in me a moral purpose and desire to serve my community.” That desire was further ignited by a motivating trip she took during her time on the hilltop. “Canterbury and Mrs. Omaña gave me the opportunity to travel to Nicaragua, where I spent two incredible weeks working with an
heart and her desire to help
“Service is The Rent We Pay for Living”
others. As Fifth Form students soon
Sherley has certainly carried that spirit
the cycle of poverty by focusing its work and
discovered, the seeds of her passion
forward and was eager to share it
resources on improving the lives of children
accomplishments are Sherley’s
organization called the Fabretto Children’s Foundation, which is dedicated to ending
for service were planted by
with students. “Service is the
through education and opportunity. The thing
her grandfather when she
rent we pay for living. I first
that inspires me about this organization is that
was a young girl in the Dominican Republic. “My grandfather never said
heard this quote when I was learning about (former U.S.
cycle of poverty.”
Congresswoman) Shirley
no to anybody,” Sherley
Chisholm,” she said.
told them. “Sometimes
“When I read her quote,
I blame him for passing
my mind was blown. This
down the gene of not
is something I feel that
PAGE 36.
they work with their community to break the
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
Embracing Ubuntu While at Richmond, an equally inspirational travel experience introduced Sherley to a concept that perfectly captured her values.
“Last semester, I studied abroad in Ghana,
an interview I did with one of the chiefs of the
schedule,” she said. “You have a hundred
and part of the program required that I spend
northern region,” she recalled. “When I asked
opportunities every day to make someone’s
four weeks pursuing an independent study
him why he felt like his neighbor’s problem
day brighter, easier, less lonely, more fulfilled,
project,” she said. “For me, photography has
was his problem, he simply answered ‘Because
more energized, more fun, less burdened, more
always been my primary medium to share my
I love them.’ He expressed that he could not
supported. You just have to decide to do it.”
thoughts, my emotions, and my ideas. I spent
see himself progressing without his neighbor.
my four weeks using photography to form an
This was truly inspiring to see and capture and
She concluded: “You are in such a great
illustration of a concept called Ubuntu.”
live in. Through these photos, my goal is to
So, what exactly is Ubuntu? “The term Ubuntu
introduce the ideas and practices inherent in
can be understood as a way of life and a code of ethics associated with the idea that an individual’s humanity is fostered in a network of human relationships,” she explained. “At its most basic core, Ubuntu means humanity. In
Ubuntu and also use these images to produce a sense of joy. I want these photographs to serve as the beginning of a new language—a language of love, care, and compassion.”
space to start practicing this skill of student leadership. You are all in a community of people stemming from diverse backgrounds, thoughts, identities, and even cultures. But you are all there with a common goal—education. The unity is already there. Now as a servant leader, your goal is to serve your community, making sure that they are not only receiving
practice, it expresses empathy and compassion
Becoming a Servant Leader at Canterbury
for others through caring, sharing, warmth,
Sherley then encouraged the Fifth Form
individuals. The word ‘leadership’ can be very
and comprehension. Ubuntu calls us to believe
students to take full advantage of the unique
misleading because true leadership is never
and feel and practice the idea that your pain is
community spirit that defines Canterbury.
about leading from the front. It is about settling
my pain, my wealth is your wealth, and your
“Being a servant leader recognizes that
within, it’s about service, and most importantly,
salvation is my salvation.”
progress and success cannot be achieved
it’s about love.”
For Sherley, her pictures from Ghana are worth
alone. Growth is communal. Each one of
Wow. The world could certainly use more
so much more than the proverbial thousand words. “The name of my photography series is ‘Because I Love Them.’ It was inspired by
us has a responsibility to take care of one another, especially at Canterbury, where such
an education, but they are also growing as
Sherley Arias-Pimentels.
opportunities are literally built into your daily
“Three Amigos” Share Their Faith Experiences with Students Three dynamic religious leaders talked with 58 Canterbury students about exploring our differences and similarities during a recent virtual interfaith panel. The event, co-hosted by the Theology Department and Interfaith Council, was part of the School’s Social Justice Series.
amigos sharing stories and being witness to how the more we know each other, the less prejudices we will have. We will see that as human beings, regardless of our race or our thoughts, we share a lot with everyone.”
Imam Gazmend Aga, Father Joseph Donnelly, and Rabbi Eric Polokoff—affectionately known as “The Three Amigos”—have led meaningful interfaith prayer and discussions across Connecticut. The three speakers centered their discussion with Canterbury students on a theme—commonality. “To understand one’s own religious beliefs, one also needs to know about other systems and practices,” Rabbi Eric said. “In this way, we become familiar not just with our differences, but we are able to celebrate our commonality.” Father Joe concurred. “Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have more in common than in how they differ. There are real commonalities and beliefs that they share,” he explained. “Religious faith communities have a significant and important role to play in our world. There is a reason people are drawn to one another as people of faith.”
He stressed how that is more important than ever in today’s world. “The example of how we live our life— the call to social justice, the call to peacemaking—is at the core of who we are as religious people,” he said. “It has become apparent, both with the culture in which we live and particularly in these years of pandemic, that we are called to exert a different kind of presence in the world.” And that is a key goal of “The Three Amigos,” according to Iman Gazi. “Whenever we share our stories, we want to see more ‘three amigos’ in every place—three amigos in a school having different friends; three
Their sharing certainly touched the Canterbury students in attendance. “I was inspired by how each of them spoke from the outlook of their religion while also building off each other’s points,” said Sarina Sheth ’22. “The conversation meant a lot to me because it demonstrated the importance of identifying where my own personal beliefs and values intersect with others. Finding that common ground and learning from diverse religious philosophies is critical in order for us all to come together and advance social justice; to be aware of, accept, and embrace each other’s differences.” Veikko Eskelin ’23 felt the same way. “It was refreshing to see three great people, each a leader in their respective communities, uniting to fight back against the division that has plagued humanity for millennia,” he said. “These men truly understand what it means to have compassion, and for that, I have great respect for them.”
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D’AMOUR CENTER
FOR FAITH, SERVICE & JUSTICE
A Life-Changing Story and Powerful Message
T
he event was about driving social impact—and it had a huge impact on Canterbury students in attendance, who will not soon forget the story of Mallory Weggemann and Jeremy “Jay” Snyder ’01.
The couple joined about 100 students for “Driving Social Impact Through the Power of Storytelling,” a Zoom presentation that was part of the School’s Social Justice Series this winter. Their story is one of resilience, perseverance, and determination— traits that helped Mallory immeasurably after an unspeakable incident. When she was just 18, she walked in for a seemingly routine epidural injection to treat post-shingles back pain and came out a T10-complete paraplegic. Yet, today, Mallory is a Paralympic Gold Medalist, ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Award winner, successful author and businesswoman, and inspiration to many. Jay was indeed inspired when he met Mallory. “I have had the great fortune of finding my purpose; not just in my career, but in life,” he said. “Mallory and I fundamentally believe that we all have the power to leave a positive impact on our world, evoking change, even if just in our little corner of it. She has helped me become the best version of myself, and to be able to share our life together is such a gift.” Students in attendance were likewise inspired by Mallory’s story, according to Misi Babington, Head Athletic Trainer and Associate Director of Athletics. “She had to redefine herself. Since she was a teen, she has been living with this and figuring out how to navigate it. This is who I am and this is my life and what am I going to do with it? (Television broadcaster) Robin Roberts always said, ‘Make your mess your message.’ And Mallory clearly has.” Jay and Mallory are determined to share their message around the world through TFA Group, an agency and production studio they co-founded to change the perception of disability in our society through the power of storytelling. The company combines their two passions—sports and production—with the goal of providing representation for and telling the stories of Paralympic athletes and other individuals with disabilities. Jay was glad for the chance to share their experience with students at his alma mater. “Our greatest hope is that we were able to empower them to lead with purpose,” he said. “We wanted to stress the importance of representation and its impact on how we form perceptions in society, which in return directly impacts equity and inclusion. We all have a responsibility to do our part to support a more diverse world.”
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Mallory’s story certainly showed Canterbury students what was possible. “We were given an insight into her journey as an Olympic athlete, which was truly inspiring,” said Anne Celestino ’24. “It gave me a new perspective on my own challenges and aspirations, and made us all reflect on our current lives and talents.” The presentation led Jay to reflect on his own time at the School. “Speaking with Canterbury students who were sitting in the very same seats I sat in 20 years ago was surreal,” he shared. “I could not help but think about how far my journey has come and felt beyond grateful for the impact my time on the hilltop had on building me into who I am today.” Language Chair Keiko Mathewson was gratified by how much Jay’s Canterbury education shaped his life and career. “That is always a good thing for our students to hear, when graduates come back and connect their ‘now’ life to what Canterbury meant to them.” Student Jakari Liston ’22 agreed. “The values that Canterbury instilled in Jay helped him align with what Mallory envisioned, so when they met, he was not afraid of how hard it would be to get that movement going,” he said. “Hearing them gave me goosebumps. It takes one person to kickstart a revolution, and that is just what Jay and Mallory are doing.”
HILLTOP HAPPENINGS COMMUNITY
Together Again!
L
ast Fall, excitement was in the air as students, faculty, and staff returned to the hilltop together for the new school year. After being
among only a small number of boarding schools to remain open and in person for the 2020-21 school year, Canterbury began in-person classes once again on September 8, following several days of leadership training and orientation activities. Faculty spent the week leading up to the first student arrivals preparing for the new school year with several days of professional development. New faculty members were introduced, and all were apprised of the new health and safety protocols. They discussed updates to the curriculum for the year, reviewed new technology for student engagement, and underwent training for handling adolescent relationships. CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS COMMUNITY
Together Again! CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39
home-away-from-home on campus or with
The Range of Possibilities
day students. Some learn to sing, or draw,
At the Opening Faculty and Staff meeting in the Chapel of Our Lady on August 23, Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 discussed the impressive range of their abilities and how that translates to a range of possibilities for students. “As much as we draw energy, passion, and purpose from our work with students on campus, ultimately we must foster in them as much range as we can and then expect them to take that framework with them to college and beyond. Think about the friends they make while on our hilltop, the languages they learn, the new sports they explore, the independence they gain, the healthy risks they embrace. Some fall in love with travel; others find a
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or build, or code. Some discover spirituality while others deepen their faith. All learn to be more open-minded and to consider the ideas and beliefs of others as they grow in their ability to develop thoughtful, informed opinions. There is simply no better small boarding school experience—an experience that fosters range—than what all of you have built here at Canterbury.” The meeting was followed by dinner and a chance for faculty to catch up in the Steers Center. Student leaders—including Sixth Form Council members, Sacristans, Boarding
on campus on August 30. The groups
and Day Student Proctors, International
went through three days of extensive
Student Ambassadors, and Admission Lead
training to prepare them for their
Ambassadors—were the first to arrive back
leadership roles, including:
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
• A detailed review of the updated health and safety protocols • Collaboration on how to foster inclusion and belonging on campus • Role-play on how to have difficult conversations The student leaders also went over the newly established Saints Promise, which
offered opportunities for peer bonding and acquainted new students with campus), outdoor lawn games, and an all-school cookout complete with barbeque and an ice cream truck. New parents had the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, and each other at a welcome reception in the Steers Center.
Canterbury community to build and sustain
Back in Class and at School Meeting in Person!
a diverse, equitable, inclusive, safe, and
Students’ first day of classes featured an
just environment. The Saints Promise was
exciting change from last year: School Meeting
developed by the Canterbury Diversity, Equity
returned to Maguire Auditorium after being
& Inclusion Committee over the past year and
conducted virtually for a year and a half ! The
began to be rolled out to the rest of the School
in-person gathering of students, faculty, and
community in the fall. Student leaders were
staff was an incredible start to the year, and
responsible for upholding and exemplifying
the excitement and joy of the community
the tenets of the promise for their peers.
reverberated through the auditorium. Per
Invited varsity athletes were the next group
tradition, the 2021-22 Sixth Form Council led
serves as a detailed pledge from the entire
of students to return and dived right into
Friday’s meeting and set the tone for a year
A Community-wide Effort Canterbury was able to shift back to in-person meetings thanks to an impressive 95 percent community vaccination rate, allowing many of the previous year’s health and safety measures to be amended. Plexiglass partitions in the dining hall were removed, and family and friends could once again attend sporting events and other outdoor gatherings on the hilltop. The School required vaccinations for students, faculty, and staff, with limited exemptions for medical or religious reasons. In compliance with current State of Connecticut mask mandates, students, faculty, and staff were free to move about campus without masks except while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. The exceptions to that protocol were boarding students’ own dorms, which are considered “family units.” Regardless of vaccination status, all faculty and staff were
practices to prepare for a full season of
filled with enthusiasm and gratitude.
competition. Similar to the previous year,
The first weekend on campus included the
first students’ arrival, and each student was
student-athletes were not required to wear
Canterbury Games on Saturday—which
required to produce a negative PCR test
masks while practicing indoors or outdoors,
featured basketball and volleyball tournaments,
before returning to campus. The School
though Canterbury adhered to mutually
relay races, board games, and kickball under
continued to perform weekly surveillance
agreed-upon protocols established with peer
the lights on the turf—and plenty of Sunday
testing for the full community and for athletes
schools for competition. The athletic season
afternoon activities, such as t-shirt tie-dying,
as they competed against other schools. In
kicked off with a Varsity Field Hockey game
cookie decorating, hikes off campus, and
late February, concurrent with the lifting
and Girls’ Varsity Soccer scrimmage, both
shopping runs. Sunday’s Mass of the Holy
of statewide mask mandates for schools,
against rival The Frederick Gunn School.
Spirit brought the community together in the
Canterbury no longer required students,
The remaining students arrived in waves over
Chapel of Our Lady and was celebrated by
faculty, staff, or visitors to wear masks inside
alumnus Fr. Steven DeMaio ’03. The 2021-
campus buildings.
the course of several days and were gleefully reunited with old friends—and introduced to new ones—in a series of outdoor orientation activities, including Form Adventures (which
22 Sacristans were officially installed during the Mass and performed their new role with exuberance and care.
tested for COVID-19 one week prior to the
As expected, the Canterbury family has risen to the challenge. Kudos to all!
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS COMMUNITY
WOMEN OF CANTERBURY LOCK-IN A BIG SUCCESS, WITH A NEW HOME
“A
dedicated time and space for all the females on campus to make connections and get to know each other.” That is how one attendee described the annual Women of Canterbury Lock-In Retreat, and everyone involved was delighted to be a part of the long-standing tradition. The Lock-In was held on January 14 with a new venue—the Ragland Commons in the Steers Center. Featuring icebreakers, a meditation and mindfulness session, a women’s empowerment movie (Ocean’s Eight), craft stations, and more, the event gave female members of the Canterbury community a chance to relax with friends—and make some new ones—in a welcoming, comfortable, community-building atmosphere. Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 and Director of Health Services Colleen Cook, R.N. ’02—faculty co-facilitators for Women of Canterbury—joined the 45 students in attendance. No one was more excited about it than Women of Canterbury Co-Presidents Kathryn “Kaly” Naughton ’22 and Giovanna “Gigi” Esposito ’22.
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“It is such a fun environment spending time with everyone,” Gigi said. “I feel we are all so busy after break, getting back into a routine, stressed about everything—so I am just glad to be able to relax and see people I do not see every day in the hallway or out and about on campus. We were so happy with the turnout!” Kaly echoed those sentiments. “People get a better sense of community with the identifying females on campus,” she shared. “You really get to form strong bonds with people you would not usually know outside the Lock-In.” As the School continues to celebrate 50 Years of Coeducation, the Lock-In served as another poignant reminder of the contributions made to this community by its female members. Started in 1991, Women of Canterbury is the School’s longeststanding affinity group. It sponsors activities, discussion groups, and community service projects to enrich the educational and social environment for Canterbury girls.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
JP Steers ’11 Gets Down to Business with Students
T
he Canterbury Business Association (CBA) hosted an enlightening virtual Q&A with Canterbury graduate John “JP” Steers ’11 in January. JP is a second-year MBA candidate at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business. He also works as a Venture Fellow and incoming Associate at Stepstone Group, where he assists in sourcing and leading due diligence processes to evaluate funds, growth-stage startups, and secondary investment opportunities. Advising students about pursuing business careers, JP stressed the importance of networking proactively. “It is not just reaching out when you need or want something,” he explained. “Provide as much value as possible in your interactions without expecting anything in return. I am often getting coffee or hopping on calls with other people in the venture industry, just sharing insights. You would be amazed how much value can end up coming back to you.” That was a key takeaway for CBA member Henry Vetter ’22. “JP emphasized connecting with people and building relationships,” Henry shared. “So I am going to stay connected with people at Canterbury as much as I can because you never know where they are going to end up. Someone might circle back to me, and maybe we can help each other in the future.” JP also offered strategic tips for improving leadership skills. “Watch what your favorite managers are doing. You can learn from what you observed and incorporate it into your own leadership style as you grow your career,” JP said. “But even more importantly, if you have a bad manager, be sure to keep in mind what they are doing that is driving you crazy. It can be frustrating, but if you are able to use that as a learning experience, it can be hugely helpful. There are always positives you can take away from those types of situations.”
“You really get to form strong bonds with people you would not usually know outside the Lock-In.” Kathryn “Kaly” Naughton ’22, Women of Canterbury Co-President
His time at Canterbury helped JP develop other important skills as well. “Playing sports every season, being part of a team that you have accountability to, helped instill some of the values that I carry forward in my work,” he said. “Also, the structure Canterbury provided stuck with me in my professional career, when it is largely up to you to build that structure around yourself to stay organized— which ultimately allowed me to take on more responsibility.” Prior to attending Georgetown, JP earned a BS in Strategic Communications from Elon University and spent five years at MediaLink, a management consulting firm focused on the media, marketing, and technology sectors.
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS
ARTS
FALL PRODUCTION OF RADIUM GIRLS SHINES
L
ast fall, the theater program put on a fantastic production based on real-life events. Radium Girls, by award-winning playwright and teaching artist D.W. Gregory, tells the story of the women who made labor history and unknowingly put their health—and lives—at risk while working with radium to paint watch dials. The story begins in 1926: Radium is a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who paint those watch dials begin to die. Based on the true story of the women and men who worked for the U.S. Radium Corporation in Orange, NJ, Radium Girls is a fast-paced stage play split into 20 scenes and spanning more than two decades. It is a wry examination of the commercialization of science and the twin American obsessions with the pursuit of health and wealth. Co-directors Sarah Armstrong and Keiko Mathewson noted, “This story goes beyond creating a great night of theater. We chose this play because it represents real women who lived and died a mere 100 years ago. It is difficult to comprehend the depth of the pain these women endured, both physically and emotionally. We hope that after watching the play, the audience leaves the theater inspired by the story to see the immeasurable value of each human life. The world needs that of us.”
Memorable Performances
Amazingly, the entire production went up in only six weeks. Eighteen students took on 27 roles and gave outstanding performances, bringing life and a voice
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to the women who suffered from radium poisoning. Sixth Form students Qixiu (Neil) Yao ’22 and Bella Carioscia ’22 took the stage for one of their last student performances, in opposing roles as U.S. Radium Corporation President Arthur Roeder and dial-painter-cum-labor-advocate Grace Fryer, respectively. Neil shared, “I’ve gotten to know my role, Arthur Roeder, a lot during the past weeks. He is far more complex than just the slimy, corporate ‘villain’ of the story, who desperately tries to cover up what he did just so he can keep up the flow into his coffers. Roeder couldn’t believe that radium would be harmful to begin with and didn’t realize what he had overlooked and ignored, either consciously or subconsciously, throughout his career until he told the story in a final attempt to justify himself to his daughter.” Bella loved the camaraderie of performing with peers and spoke about how she dug deep to convey the emotions her character Grace was feeling. “I had an absolute blast not only playing Grace Fryer but also being a part of such an amazing, fun-loving group of people,” she said. “I was so excited to attend practice each night, try on costumes, review lines, and just have bonding time to make the scenes appear more natural. Despite this enthusiasm, portraying the role of Grace Fryer was difficult and intimidating to approach at first. Her character has such depth—from her fun-loving demeanor with her husband as she obsesses over wallpaper, to her serious roles in court, to her vulnerable moments with her mother. Although I had to transform into Grace each night during rehearsal, our natures are very similar—young girls surrounded by people who care about them.”
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The Performing Arts Department arranged for the playwright, D.W. Gregory, to spend an entire day with Canterbury students.
Behind the Scenes
This was the first time putting up a play for many members of the technical crew, and they did a phenomenal job. The fast-paced play requires switching between scenes quickly, and the crew made the transitions seamless. During the performances, the technical crew runs the entire show, making sure actors are where they need to be, the lighting and sound are executed timely and correctly, and props are set up and broken down according to each unique scene. It is no easy feat, and their efforts fully immerse the audience in the story. Stage Manager Fiona Mulheren ’23 was grateful to her peers for their collaboration. “Despite the short six weeks of time allotted to us to put together a detailed play, we worked together as a cast and crew to create a memorable show. With most of my experience being in costumes for theater productions, I was brand new to the role of Stage Manager. It was a big change for me, but my peers helped make the transition a smooth one. It’s a lot of responsibility, but they were always there to answer any questions I had, play-related or otherwise!”
Playwright Comes to Campus
The Performing Arts Department went a step further to bring the play to life for the whole school: they arranged for the playwright herself to spend an entire day with Canterbury students on October 18. Through her work, Washington, DC playwright and educator D.W. Gregory examines and critiques American culture with a political lens and comedic twist and has won numerous awards. As a teaching artist and artist-in-residence, she also writes for youth theater. She is a member of the Dramatists’ Guild, an affiliated writer with The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, and an affiliated artist with NNPN. Radium Girls has been produced more than 800 times in the United States and abroad and has received several accolades, including Best New Play
of 1999–2000 according to the Newark Star-Ledger, winner of Best Production at The Burlington Players AACTFEST in 2013, recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Production Grant, and a Finalist at both the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference and the New Harmony Project. During School Meeting, D.W. gave students and faculty an introduction to the play and shared her methods and inspiration for writing it, fueled by her desire to both honor the women who fought for their rights and health and to highlight the staggering effects of corporate greed on company employees. She then joined Theology classes for engaging discussions about ethics and morals, taught a Fundamentals of Writing Workshop with Third Form English students and an Advanced Writing Workshop with AP Literature and SUPA Creative Nonfiction students, worked with Canterbury’s student-actors on character development for the play, and led a writing workshop for faculty. English Department Co-Chair Madelaine Lord was grateful for students’ unique opportunity to speak directly with the play’s author. “D.W.’s visit provided a chance to see the creator behind the works which we consume, relate to, and analyze. Bringing this kind of perspective to our students is invaluable so they can see themselves in the same roles.” Neil echoed the sentiment, saying, “The opportunity to work with the playwright herself immensely aided me in achieving this understanding of Roeder as a character and the play as a whole.” We are so grateful to D.W. Gregory for her time and insight. Bravo to the entire cast and crew for a job very well done!
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS
ARTS
FIRST-EVER RAGLAND COMMONS CONCERT HELD ON HALLOWEEN EVE
E
veryone was in great spirits on Halloween Eve when Canterbury hosted its first concert in the Ragland Commons of the Steers Center in October. Student-musicians—including the Canterbury Rock Band, Contemporary Music Band, and Jazz-Rock-Pop Ensemble—performed in the October Music Festival to the delight of students and faculty. The musicians rehearsed for weeks leading up to the concert and provided a wide range of tunes to showcase their talents and interests.
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The CANTERBURY ROCK BAND played rock classics and new hits, including Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son,” Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” Greta Van Fleet’s “Talk On the Street,” and Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” Band members included Asher Hughes ’24 (vocals and electric guitar), Morgan Lau ’24 (vocals and guitar), Andrew Martin ’23 (vocals), Kat McDonough ’24 (vocals, guitar), Ryan Oemcke ’24 (electric guitar), Patrick Toon ’25 (electric guitar), and Jack Wang ’23 (drums). The CONTEMPORARY MUSIC BAND presented a diverse program of jazz, blues, and funk coupled with pop and R&B. For their first performance of the year, the group played music from recent artists, such as Alicia Keys and Lauren Hill, and classics, including Nina Simone. Members include Ryan DeSantis ’22 (trumpet), Mark “Maverick” Foster ’22 (tenor saxophone), Alessandra King ’22 (vocals), Connor Koh ’23 (drums), Xavier Leone ’23 (bass), Emerson Lilly ’25 (vocals), Jiarui (Jerry) Liu ’25 (piano), and Lisa Weng ’23 (vocals).
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The JAZZ-ROCK-POP ENSEMBLE played a variety of jazz pieces—including “Beg, Borrow and Steal” by George Shutack, “All Dem Leaves” by Ryan Erik Adamsons, and “Deacon Jack’s Gospel Shack” by Paul Murtha—which allowed for full-ensemble play as well as individual, improvised solos. Band members spanned all Forms and included Irene Chen ’24 (piano), Connor Koh ’23 (trumpet and drums), Isabella Mavuli ’25 (trumpet), and Gavin Winters ’25 (alto saxophone), with group and solo performances by Mark “Maverick” Foster ’22 (tenor saxophone), Xavier Leone ’23 (alto saxophone), and Ryan DeSantis ’22 (trumpet). In addition to the musical performances, students enjoyed other Halloween-themed activities leading up to the holiday, such as a night of pumpkin-carving and scary movies, a display of costumes at Friday’s School Meeting, and community service opportunities, including baking goods to be donated to the Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Danbury, CT, and the Loaves and Fishes Hospitality House in New Milford, CT, and passing out candy to the children of Canterbury faculty and staff on Halloween evening.
•
STUDENT MUSICIANS SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER AT WINTER CONCERT
T
here is nothing quite like joyous music to get people in the holiday spirit—and the Canterbury Christmas Concert did just that in December! The Saints community was treated to a festive performance by our music students that had them moving and grooving in Maguire Auditorium. And the student performers could not be happier to be doing what they love in front of a live audience. “Music is how I express myself and tell my story,” said Kat McDonough ’24. “Performing in the Christmas Concert was such an incredible experience, and I cannot wait for the next one!” Xavier Leone ’23 was grateful to the Music Department and Director of Music Dave Overthrow for the opportunity. “I find that each performance is unique and has an impact on me not only as a student and musician, but as a person overall,” he said.
JAZZ-ROCK-POP ENSEMBLE
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC BAND
• “Sleigh Ride”
• “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”—vocal: Alessandra King ’22, piano: Jerry Liu ’22
For Dave, the feeling was mutual. “It is an honor to teach students who are immensely talented and are incredibly passionate about playing music,” he shared. “I am so proud of the remarkable performance all of my students gave.”
• “Mary Did You Know”—vocal solos: Asher Hughes ’24, Morgan Lau ’24, Andrew Martin ’23, Kat McDonough ’24
Kudos to our talented musicians!
• “We Three Swing” • “Dr. Noel”—solos: Maverick Foster ’22, tenor sax and Xavier Leone ’23, alto sax • “Caribbean Christmas”—solos: Irene Chen ’24, piano; Ryan DeSantis ’22, trumpet; Maverick Foster ’22, tenor sax; Xavier Leone ’23, alto sax
• “Hallelujah”—vocal: Morgan Lau ’24
• “Lovely Christmas”—vocal: Lisa Weng ’23, Jerry Liu ’22 on piano • “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”— vocal: Alessandra King ’22, bass: Xavier Leone ’23
CANTERBURY ROCK BAND
• “Canon”—guitar solos: Pat Toon ’25, Ryan Oemcke ’24 • “All I Want for Christmas”—vocal: Kat McDonough ’24
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS
ARTS
ART EXHIBIT SHOWCASES OUR STUDENTS’ MANY TALENTS DRAWING
C
anterbury students continue to produce fabulous works of art, and their latest masterpieces were on full display in the The Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery at the End-of-Semester Art Show last December. Every student enrolled in an art program at Canterbury participated, applying skills cultivated in Drawing, Painting, Ceramics, Mixed Media, and Intro to Art courses.
Veikko Eskelin ’23, Kyle Hughes ’22, Ryan Marici ’22, Trevor McDonald ’22, Maxim Mochalov ’22, Patrick Pannasch ’23, Andrew Rondini ’24, Felipe Siabatto ’24, Mengze “Mike” Wu ’23
PAINTING
Elena Chowdhury ’25, Han “Alisa” Cui ’24, Maddalena Faraci ’24, Alice Gallo ’24, Cameron Heeman ’24, Noam Hoffman ’24, Aidan Kehoe ’22, Kaitlynn Kenna ’25, Rose Kozub ’23, Francesca Mangravite ’22, Alexandra Meola ’23, Austin Moozar ’24, Fiona Mulheren ’23, Avery Rubini ’24, Ava Ruisi ’23, Max Sabatini ’24, Emma-Hayes Setterlund ’25, Catherine Steers ’24, Qingzhi “George” Tu ’22
“This show is designed to showcase all the work that is being done in the visual arts,” said Studio Art Teacher Chas Hollinger, Curator of The Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery. “We have at minimum one piece from every student so that everyone has a chance to see their work in a gallery space.”
CERAMICS
Bradley Bushnell ’24, Eric Diaz ’22, Jacob Gee ’22, Brooklyn Hairston ’24, Owen Lynn ’22, Olivia Meola ’22, Peter Reelick ’22, Ryan Roberts ’24, David Salazar ’22, Alex Schneider ’22, Nicola Sherriff ’22, Mitchell Stenger ’24, Fiona Yao ’23
MIXED MEDIA
Catalina Aragones ’24, Philip Cappelli ’22, Camden Glonek ’22, Colton Harte ’23, Aidan Sullivan ’22, Xicheng “Angel” Xu ’24
Congratulations to our student artists!
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INTRO TO ART
Eva Berkovich ’24, Elizabeth Carlson ’25, Grace Morris ’25, Gracen Shea ’25, Stephanie Tejada ’25 THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS SAINTS
A FIELD FOR ALL SEASONS— AND ALL-COMMUNITY FUN
C
onstruction of Canterbury’s new turf stadium was nearly brought to completion by November 2021. With only days left in the fall season, several teams were
able to hold practices, and Boys’ Varsity Football claimed a 33-13 victory over Portsmouth Abbey School in their final home game. The new state-of-the-art, all-weather, all-season synthetic playing field is the centerpiece of the fantastic multi-purpose complex with bleacher seating for 340 spectators, coaching boxes, and a six/eight-lane track. The entire Canterbury community is set to benefit from the new facility—it is open to all for recreation and exercise, weekend activities, and school events. The track surface, press box, scoreboard, sound system, and stadium lights are being completed in the spring.
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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS SAINTS
CANTERBURY TEAMS EARN TOP SPOTS IN 48TH ANNUAL CROSS COUNTRY INVITATIONAL
C
anterbury’s runners made a triumphant return when the School hosted the 48th Annual Cross Country Invitational in September after canceling last year’s event due to the pandemic. Athletes from the 30+ competing schools began the day with registration and observation of the 5K course before the first race. Thankfully, a drop in temperature from earlier in the week provided a perfect, crisp morning and warm afternoon in the low 70s for competitors. Though the previous week’s rain left the course a bit soggy in places, the runners enjoyed the beautiful and challenging terrain. Each team was placed in a division based on school size, with large schools in Division I and small schools—including Canterbury—in Division II. The Girls’ Cross Country Team placed second overall in its division, with Chloe Carroll ’25 (20:44) finishing second out of 77 competitors, Virginia Zapletal ’24 (21:07) placing fourth, Maya Lileika ’25 (24:06) in 18th, Lisa Weng ’23 (24:58) in 27th, Eva Berkovich ’24 (25:29) in 33rd , Juliana Loesche ’25 (25:30) in 34th, and Katelynn Pizzano ’22 (28:34) in 58th. The Canterbury Boys’ team also finished second overall in their race among 13 other Division II schools. Ryan Oemcke ’24 (18:08) led the team with his seventh-place
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finish among the 91 competitors, followed by Thomas Prendergast ’23 (18:32) in 10th, Bradley Bozzuto ’25 (19:18) in 16th, Matthew “Cullen” Mulhern ’22 (19:19) in 17th, Tommy Lapham ’23 (20:30) in 38th, Hanyan Cai ’22 (20:57) in 43rd, and Logan Sanford ’22 (21:32) in 48th. The coaches—Tracy Garcia-LaVigne P ’14, ’16, ’17, ’20, ’23 and Matt Biggart for the girls’ team, and Charlie Gaetjens and Prescott Hagen for the boys—spent the fall season preparing their runners for the race as well as organizing the widely attended event, aided by Paddy McCarthy ’94, Associate Director of Athletics. The Canterbury Invitational has been an annual tradition since 1972 when prep schools across New England and the Mid-Atlantic were invited to bring their Boys’ Cross Country teams to the School to race 2.7 miles across our hilltop. Girls’ teams were invited to join in 1978, but it was not until 2002 that the race was increased to 3.1 miles as a true 5K. Congrats to all our competitors and organizers for a fantastic event!
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ANNUAL PINK OUT A WIN-WIN
FOR VOLLEYBALL AND CANCER RESEARCH
S
aints student-athletes were winners in more ways than one at the annual Pink Out volleyball match last October. Held in support of breast cancer research, the event returned to a “pinkified” Pigott Arena this year to the delight of the Saints faithful in attendance. It is a highlight of the year on the athletics calendar and typically has the entire school
cheering enthusiastically. Buoyed by that spirit, the team won a close 3-2 match over the School of the Holy Child (Rye, NY)—and the Pink Out support was just as big of a win! To comply with indoor event mandates in the State of Connecticut, Pigott was limited to 100 masked spectators, most of them students,
with the Sixth Form having the first choice to attend. But that did not stop the entire Canterbury family from stepping up for the cause. The match was livestreamed on the giant screen in the Steers Center Ragland Commons, and students, faculty, and staff celebrated by dressing in pink, purchasing commemorative masks, and making donations.
All funds raised from the event were donated to PinkAid, an organization based in Connecticut and Long Island, NY, whose mission is to help underserved breast cancer patients survive treatment with support and dignity, to provide screening and financial assistance to those in need, and to empower breast cancer survivors to heal by helping and inspiring others. Sarina Sheth ’22 created a Compassion Board that was displayed outside the arena for supporters to write words of strength and encouragement for those battling cancer. As for the match itself, Team Captain Abigail Mitchell ’22 received the Harrington MVP Award, and Assistant Captains Alexandra Meola ’23 and Sofia Vial ’23 helped lead the team to victory. “This year‘s Pink Out was one of the best yet! Even with the limited number of fans, the excitement and energy were unbelievable,” said Elyse (EJ) Soifersmith, Varsity Volleyball Coach and Director of Community Life. “I am extremely proud of the team. They played their hearts out and truly played together. The match included long, intense, and exciting volleys, and the fans were incredible—it was certainly a night to remember. It was especially great to be part of something bigger than ourselves and play for such an important cause. It was a great moment and a great memory for the Canterbury community at large.”
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS SAINTS
SAINTS SHINE BRIGHT FOR
FGS DAY & SPIRIT WEEK C
anterbury held its fourth annual FGS Day in mid-November, with nearly
all fall athletic teams competing against
The Frederick Gunn School. By day’s end, FGS had won more points, but the Saints
and Highlanders remained in a close race for the Canterbury-Gunnery Cup, which
will be awarded at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
FGS Day marked the conclusion of a fantastic fall athletic season:
• Varsity Football, Varsity Volleyball, and Girls’ Varsity Soccer advanced to the postseason
• Varsity Football also had its first win on the new turf field against Portsmouth Abbey
• The Boys’ Cross Country team took first
place for Division III at the New England Prep School Track Association (NEPSTA) Championships
Though the tradition only began in the
2017-2018 academic year, FGS Day—and the competition for the Canterbury-FGS
Cup—marks the height of a longstanding
athletic rivalry between the schools. With
Wednesday—Tropical Day evoked feelings of warmer weather
Thursday—each grade was
represented by their designated hue on Form Color Day
the points added from the FGS Day events,
Friday—the community celebrated all-
with FGS ahead by only one point. The
Friday night’s pep rally in Pigott Arena
the schools are neck and neck for the Cup, competition continued to heat up as the Saints headed into the winter season. For the week leading up to FGS Day’s
events, the entire Canterbury community participated in spirited dress.
Monday—faculty and students alike were clad in pajamas
Tuesday—students showed off their
creativity (and incited many laughs) with
Jersey Day/Anything-but-a-Backpack Day
things-Canterbury with Saints Spirit Dress energized the whole School with skits
and dances performed by the Sixth Form Council, athletic teams, and faculty.
Following the pep rally, Sixth Form
students led a new tradition for the annual bonfire: the Senior Light
Ceremony, which celebrated the
Steers Center Drive—lined with cheering
Light Ceremony is meant to carry the
marked the “first” of our seniors’ many
circled around the bonfire site. Sixth
along its route and symbolize setting
community’s collective spirit and
“lasts” together on the hilltop. The
entire Sixth Form processed from Pigott Arena through the Wallace Mall and
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underform students and faculty—and
Form leaders and team captains then
passed a flame to one another and lit the bonfire together. The new Senior
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
message of friendship and community our collective hearts afire with
excitement and pride for what it truly means to be a Saint.
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS SAINTS
CHAMPS!
BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY TITLE HIGHLIGHTS SUCCESSFUL FALL SEASON FOR SAINTS
Y
ou hear it often, in all walks of life—“Every second counts.” And that was certainly the case for the Canterbury Boys’ Cross Country team when it eked out a one-point victory over Concord Academy to win the NEPSTA Division III Cross Country Championship in Carlisle, MA, last November. “That final race was the pinnacle of our season,” said Head Coach Charlie Gaetjens. “It was great because everyone ran an excellent race that day, and we won by one point! We needed all five of our top runners to run solid races, and everything came together.” He credited the work of Assistant Coach Prescott Hagen, as well as collaboration with the girls’ team at practices, for preparing the boys to bring home the title. Tommy Lapham ’23 paced all Canterbury runners with a time of 17:35, good for eighth overall. Ryan Oemcke ’24 ran 17:44 and finished
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in 11th place. It was a total team effort, with the other five runners entered in the varsity race—Thomas Prendergast ’23, Bradley Bozzuto ’25, Matthew “Cullen” Mulhern ’22, Hanyan Cai ’22, and Huanrui “Paul” Hu ’23—coming up big as well. “It’s always exciting to see one of our teams win a championship, and these athletes and coaches certainly earned it,” shared Director of Athletics Jim Stone P ’23, ’24. The champion Saints were loving that winning feeling. “It was amazing. It felt like we were on top of the world,” said Cullen. “Hanyan and I had been running all four years together, and our goal since freshman year was to try and win the New England championship. It was indescribable, the greatest feeling ever.” The teammates had each other’s backs both in the final race and throughout the season. “We all played
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
our roles picking up the kids who were sick, the kids who were injured, and carried that through to the championship,” Tommy said. Hanyan summed it up perfectly: “What we have is something special. We really have a close bond and, in the end, it was running for each other. As a senior, this is a special experience that not a lot of people will get to have. I am incredibly honored to be able to run my last year with these guys.” All hail the champs!
Season Awards • Team Captains: Cullen Mulhern ’22 and Hanyan Cai ’22 • MVP: Tommy Lapham ’23 • Coaches’ Award: Cullen Mulhern ’22
THREE OTHER SAINTS TEAMS EARN POSTSEASON BERTHS
VARSITY FOOTBALL A 7-1 record and trip to a bowl game had Director of Athletics and Head Coach Jim Stone P ʼ23, ʼ24 brimming with pride for his players. “It was a great group of boys, a positive, winning culture,” he said. “All of our success was teamfirst, everybody doing their job on game day. There was no bigger sense of that than the NEPSAC Mark Conroy Bowl game. Our kids played their hearts out.” That game was a nail-biter versus Pingree School in which the Saints ended up falling 34-33 in overtime. Despite the tough result, the team finished a phenomenal season with heads held high.
Season Awards • Team Captains: Eric Diaz ’22, Tyler Dinapoli ’22, Jakari Liston ’22 • MVP: Tyler Dinapoli ’22
• Coaches’ Award: Jakari Liston ’22, Malcolm “Mac” Waynick ’22 • Offensive Player of the Year, Evergreen League: Tyler Dinapoli ’22, RB
• All-New England Prep B First Team: Thomas Candelora ’22, SE/CB; Tyler Dinapoli ’22, RB/LB; Noah Eldridge ’22, Jakari Liston ’22, OG/DT; OT/DT; Ryan Vaspasiano ’23, DE/G; Terrence Washington ’22, RB/CB • All-New England Prep B Honorable Mention: Aedan McDermott ’22, QB; Cullen Stone ’23, K; Mitch Waynick ’24, DE
GIRLS’ VARSITY SOCCER “Team-first” was a common theme among all Saints athletes, and the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team was no different. “Our situation at Canterbury is unique,” said Olivia Pena following her first season as Head Coach. “Our girls are not full-time soccer players, so they were shocked at how we took it to Class A schools. It’s a good feeling.” Every player stepped up and filled a role during the winning regular season, earning a spot in the NEPSAC Class C postseason. Despite a 3-0 defeat to Greens Farms Academy, more success is in store for this team that will only graduate six seniors out of 24 athletes.
Season Awards • Team Captains: Victoria Gioiele ’22, Ashley Regina ’22 • MVP: Joy Okonye ’23
• Coaches’ Award: Marina Druck ’22
• All-Connecticut: Alessandra King ’22, Joy Okonye ’23 • All-New England: Joy Okonye ’23, Ashley Regina ’22
VARSITY VOLLEYBALL Now in her 16th year as Head Coach of Canterbury’s Volleyball team, Elyse “EJ” Soifersmith is as enthusiastic as ever about the sport and her players. “It was a great season, a lot of energy,” she shared. “Our Pink Out match was a highlight; we came from behind in an extremely long five-set match. We improved throughout the season.” As the eighth seed playing number-one Portsmouth Abbey in the postseason, the team came within two points of pulling the upset, losing in five sets. “It was great volleyball,” EJ said. With only one senior graduating, more great volleyball is ahead for this group.
Season Awards • Senior Captain: Abigail Mitchell ’22
• Coaches’ Award: Abigail Mitchell ’22
• MVP: Alexandra Meola ’23
• All-New England Honorable Mention: Morgan Lau ’24
• Co-Captains: Alexandra Meola ’23, Sofia Vial ’23
• All-New England: Addison Lau ’25
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HILLTOP HAPPENINGS SAINTS
HARVARD WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY COACH CONNECTS WITH WOMEN OF CANTERBURY
L
ast fall, Women of Canterbury hosted Katey Stone, Head Coach for Harvard Women’s Ice Hockey, for a virtual visit in the D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice. She spoke to female students and faculty members about the college athletic recruitment process, establishing and maintaining a healthy team culture, and her experience as a female Ivy League— and Olympic—coach. Katey fielded questions from several students, including Women of Canterbury Co-President and Manager of the Girls’ Varsity Squash team Giovanna “Gigi” Esposito ’22. “Everyone in the room was inspired by Katey Stone’s leadership for her team, both on the rink and throughout the day,” Gigi shared. “Although I am not a hockey player, I am still in awe of her ability to navigate through such a male-dominated profession and come out the other side successful. She holds her team and herself to a high standard of character, and we are all so thankful for our time with her.” Since taking the reins of the Harvard Women’s Ice Hockey team in 1994, Katey has become one of the most highly regarded coaches in college hockey, having guided 24 All-American selections, six Patty Kazmaier Award winners (the top honor in women’s college hockey), and 13 Olympians. Few coaches in the hockey world—male or female—have such an accomplished résumé. She has led her team to six Eastern College Athletic Association (ECAC) Tournament Championships, 11 Beanpot trophies, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances (in the event’s 20-year history), six Frozen Fours, four NCAA Title games, and an American Women’s College Hockey Alliance (AWCHA) National Championship. Katey was recently named 2021-22 Ivy League Coach of the Year and a finalist for ECAC Hockey’s Coach of the Year award.
PAGE 58.
“Having such a well-respected, successful role model in a mostly male-dominated sport for these girls to connect with will have a lasting impact.“ MOLLY GINTOLI, GIRLS’ VARSITY HOCKEY COACH
During the 2013-14 season, she took time away from the bench at Harvard to serve as the head coach of the United States Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey team at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. As the firstever female head coach of a USA Hockey team in the Olympics, Katey led the Americans to the silver medal in Sochi, taking part in the gold medal game versus rival Canada. Katey has been an integral voice in the sport of women’s hockey, serving as a member of the NCAA Championship committee, the NCAA rules committee, and the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award selection committee, as well as president of the American Women’s Hockey Coaches Association. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1989 with a degree in physical education, where she was a captain and four-year letterwinner in both hockey and lacrosse. Katey helped the hockey team win ECAC championships in 1986 and 1987 while earning All-ECAC honors and was a two-time All-American selection in lacrosse.
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
Before coaching for Harvard, Katey served as Assistant Athletic Director and Coach at Tabor Academy in Marion, MA, and had coaching stints at Northfield Mount Hermon in Gill, MA, and Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH. Her family is deeply rooted in athletics, as her father and siblings (including Canterbury’s Director of Athletics Jim Stone P ’23, ’24) have all been involved with coaching and education. In addition to her team’s accomplishments, Katey has received numerous accolades and awards. Canterbury’s Head Coach of Girls’ Varsity Hockey Molly Gintoli was grateful for Katey’s visit and insight into collegiate hockey. “Having Katey talk with the Women of Canterbury was an incredible opportunity,” Molly said. “Her insight on leadership and the experiences she shared were not only helpful for the girls on our team but also for the faculty and coaches that attended. Having such a well-respected, successful role model in a mostly male-dominated sport for these girls to connect with will have a lasting impact. We wish Katey and the Harvard women’s hockey program all the success this season.”
2022
Alumni Weekend CBURY.ORG/ALUMNIWEEKEND
THURSDAY, JUNE 9 Welcome back, Class of 2021! FRIDAY, JUNE 10— SUNDAY, JUNE 12 All Alumni Invited!
Please access the QR code for Alumni Weekend updates and information. Class reunion events are being planned throughout 2022. Please reach out to Director of Alumni Relations Kate Heslin ’96 at 860.210.3954 or kheslin@cbury.org with any questions.
PAGE 59.
ADVANCEMENT
FAMILY WEEKEND & HOMECOMING BRINGING SAINTS TOGETHER ON THE HILLTOP
T
he old saying is true—home is
• Discuss (Re)Building Community, Culture,
where the heart is. And that is just
and Relationships in 2021-22 with faculty
Boys’ Cross Country, and JV Field Hockey.
what Canterbury School was for the
and administrators
The beautiful fall weather was a perfect setting
many Saints past and present who returned
• Visit program open houses in the Steers
to campus last fall for Family Weekend and
Center’s Innovation & Design Lab, Coleman
Homecoming. It was especially gratifying to
Digital Media Lab, and D’Amour Center for
see everyone after not holding these events in
Faith, Service & Justice
person the previous year due to COVID-19.
Family Weekend Events Family and friends of current students were welcomed to campus in late October for the annual Family Weekend. More than 200 guests joined students on the hilltop for two days of programming, culminating in fall festivities and athletic competitions at Homecoming on Saturday afternoon. It was a full two days for family members, who had the opportunity to: • Participate in virtual parent/teacher conferences • Hear remarks from Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 PAGE 60.
Girls’ Varsity Soccer, Varsity Football, Girls’ and
• View student works of art in The Edward J. Duffy Family Gallery • Enjoy a concert on the Steers Center terrace with cookies and cocoa, which included vocal performances by Varsity Voices, Chorale, and Ava Faruol ’24, and jazz tunes by Mark “Maverick” Foster ’22 and Xavier Leone ’23
Homecoming Celebration Following Family Weekend activities, Canterbury families and current students were joined by alumni for the annual Homecoming celebration on Saturday afternoon. All teams played at home against Berkshire School for the coveted Walter F. Sheehan Trophy, which the Saints took back thanks to several great wins for
THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
for enjoying delicious barbecue fare from The Cookhouse. Families, students, alumni, and faculty mingled outside while taking in the surrounding games. Face painting, pumpkin decorating, and lawn games were big hits for the younger spectators under the tent. Alumni from the Classes of 1995 and 1996 continued the festivities at Housatonic River Brewing Company in New Milford after the last games wrapped up, celebrating their 25th Reunions over food, drinks, and live music. The Old Guard Classes of 1954–1969 were also honored with a reunion of 25 alumni—the largest to date—on Saturday evening. The classes reminisced over dinner and cocktails in the Brodie Room, and the Class of 1965 even got their band, the Kingbees, back together for the event!
Everyone was in a celebratory mood on the hilltop for the return of Canterbury’s Family Weekend and Homecoming in 2021. PAGE 61.
ADVANCEMENT
NYC Christmas Party Makes a Joyful Return T
he annual Canterbury Christmas Party made its festive return on December 9, bringing together more than 120 alumni and parents at The Harvard Club of New York. Guests thoroughly enjoyed gathering for the occasion and kicking off the holiday season with fellow Saints. William “Macy” Steers, Jr. ’04, Co-President of the Society of Alumni, addressed the group. “On behalf of my fellow Co-President Patricia Rasmussen ’92, my SOA Executive Committee colleagues, Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24, and Canterbury’s Board of Trustees, I am pleased to extend a very special welcome to everyone here this evening,” he told them. “This event is a wonderful tradition that allows us to appreciate our friendships and shared affection for our beloved school. Considering the circumstances and the fact that this is our first Christmas party since 2019, it is remarkable to consider today’s turnout—truly an indication that our community has missed connecting with each other!”
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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
SOCIETY OF
ALUMNI
CLASS NOTES
PAGE 63.
1956 Christopher “Toby” Smith
After 31 years in North Florida (Ponte Vedra), Toby and Mimi have abandoned the pleasures of Florida and returned to residence in Southport, Connecticut, for the final innings of what has been a great ball game. Mimi continues as a master baker and renaissance mother. Toby remains in the practice of law in Connecticut and New York and is honored by continuing requests for legal advice. He wonders about subsequent generations’ ability to manage the complex world with a plethora of moving parts/challenges that he did not face in the ’50s and ’60s. He attaches himself firmly to any one of the stars that he sees that give evidence of this talent. Toby has five children, 12 grandchildren (but only two girls), and the possibility of seeing a few more greats around the corner! Memory still intact, he recalls the election of Fernando Arguellas y Sanchez as our Class President. Also, Toby felt he could not write a note to the Class of ’56 without thanking roommate and best friend James Rodney Briggs ’56 for his constant and gigantic contribution to Canterbury over the past 65 years.
1958
Albert Coles
Albie is living in American Samoa.
1959 John Duffy
John is still chugging along and hopes the rest of the ’59ers are healthy and well!
1960 Sean Sloane
Sean was honored by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) in 2020 with the George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the South Jersey Tennis Hall of Fame in 2021.
Antonio Vinals
Antonio celebrated Christmas with his family in Mauritius, where he swam with dolphins and enjoyed great tennis and golf. Happy new year from Antonio! PAGE 64.
1961 William Schofield
Bill retired in December 2021 from Residential Resources, Inc., a company he started in 1982 with the able assistance of his attorney, classmate, and longtime friend Paul Shea ’61. In addition to selling his company last year, Bill married Randi Ziter of Putney, Vermont, on Columbus Day 2021. Bill and Randi live in an old house (c.1776) in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, with their Labradoodle Ella. Bill has two adult daughters—Amanda Jenkins ’94 and Kate Frerichs ’96—who graduated from Canterbury. THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
1963 Peter Swift
Peter’s painting entitled “Eight Wood Screws” was acquired by the Seven Bridges Foundation, a private museum in Greenwich, Connecticut, and is now part of the museum’s permanent collection. His work is often exhibited at the Touchstone Gallery on 901 New York Avenue NW in Washington, DC.
1965 Daniel LaChance
One of Dan and Phyllis’s most memorable trips of many in 2021 was attending the Old Guard Reunion and Homecoming in October. They felt that gathering with classmates and spouses, guests, staff, and other alumni was very special and heartfelt. Another related highlight was visiting Dan’s school on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Antilles School, where he attended for a year before transferring to Canterbury. Dan and Phyllis were blessed to meet and chat with the new Antilles Head of School.
Willard “Lee” Beaulac
Lee continues to direct operations at Beaulac Associates LLC, a consulting company based in Rochester, New York, dedicated to modernizing nonprofit delivery systems in U.S. territories in the Caribbean region, particularly providing support for post-natural disaster small/ micro-business operations. Lee and wife Margaret announced the arrival of their fifth grandchild, Ludo Au.
1968 Paul Rowan, Jr.
Paul and Wendy recently moved from Northern California to Oklahoma to be near family and to take advantage of the strong sellers’ market in California. Wendy’s only sibling, sister Hattie, has lived in Oklahoma City for decades.
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1971
1975 John Ringstad
John and Mimi’s youngest daughter Tess is graduating from Baltimore’s Mount de Sales Academy this Spring and will be joining her sister Kate on the field hockey team at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, New York.
Michael Carretta
Michael had a great time in September for the 50th reunion of Canterbury’s greatest class, 1971. They set the record for the largest gathering for a 50th reunion. After 37 years in Tranquility, New Jersey, he moved to Bluffton, South Carolina. Come and visit!
John Sargeant
John is now the exclusive fashion stylist for his first grandchild, Gia Amor Sargeant.
1972 Michael Seaman
Michael is very excited for his 50th reunion for the class of 1972 this coming October. He is very proud of the fact that he has seven wonderful, delightful grandchildren. He feels it is a joy to be able to return them to their parents after having a great day with them. Michael says it is great to see that Canterbury is thriving!
Edward Spaeth
Ed is sad to share the news that Michael G. Schneider ’76 passed on November 28, 2021, in Panama City, Florida. Mike was his first cousin and the last of five family members to graduate from Canterbury. He had been suffering from several ailments for years and moved to Florida just a couple of months ago. He is predeceased by Edward’s brother, Donald ’65, and will be greatly missed by his brother Edwin ’68 and Edward’s other brother Peter ’70. Edward hopes all of his schoolmates are well and enjoying life.
1976
Miguel Rovira
Miguel’s family had a lot happening in 2021. His father, Miguel Ernesto Rovira, passed away on April 16, 2021. His health started failing in early 2021 after a car accident, and he was unable to regain his health. Miguel’s oldest daughter, Victoria Rovira, married Josh Pruett on December 17, 2021, in Puerto Rico. He asks Jeff Mulhall ’76 and Bill Haxo ’76 to “keep in touch and hope to ski together this ski season in Salt Lake City,” where he resides. Miguel is looking forward to his 50th Reunion.
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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
1979
Timothy Farrell
Tim and Michael Woods ’12 (nephew of Tim’s classmate Ed Carney) recently connected at the Kiva Club, Tim’s squash club in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Stephen Knoblock
Steve is finally retiring after 30 years as a Test Pilot and is ready to spend more time with his grandkids and volunteer diving at the Georgia Aquarium.
Victoria “Veek” (Greenspan) Newton
Vicki has been living in Austin, Texas, for more than 25 years, working in IT and Operations for a variety of high tech companies. She’s currently at Nokia. She and her husband Jack are enjoying an active empty-nester lifestyle with their dogs, Noodle and Banjo. Their daughter Alexandra recently passed the Massachusetts Bar and is working for a firm in Boston. Their son Emmett works as a Software Engineer in Austin. Veek stays in touch with Regina Dalton ’80 and Ann Cuddy Thomsen ’78, her BFFs from her Canterbury days!
1981
Joseph Novella
Class of ’81 40-year reunion golf outing, left to right: Joe Novella, Matt Glaser, John Ivimey, Tony Walters, Nell (Lennon) Williams, John Harding, Kathy (Leonard) Murray, B.J. Landers, Matt Lahvis, Victoria Bundonis Rovin, and Annie deVeer.
John Harding
John and Susan welcomed their first grandchild, Rowan Lynn Harding, on September 1, 2021. PAGE 67.
1981
CONTINUED
Selkirk “Tony” Walters
Tony continues to lead the New York State Unified Court System’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, an office tasked with oversight of more than 300 courthouses and 14,000 employees across New York State. He was also recently named to the Executive Committee of Canterbury’s Society of Alumni. Finally, Tony sends an enthusiastic shout-out to the Class of ’81, especially those who attended and made the 40th reunion absolutely amazing.
1982 Benjamin Bristol
Ben is doing well, working as a doctor, a medical examiner, and having fun with his girlfriend Maria in his free time. He lives in Pleasantville, New York.
Michael Kelley
classmates and says he meets wonderful alumni through the School. He loved Canterbury and the people who attended there, and he considers them his closest friends. Always a Saint!
Joseph Kovacs
Joe, an author and award-winning journalist who grew up on the hill above the New Milford Green, released his fourth book on January 25, 2022. Titled Reaching God Speed: Unlocking the Secret Broadcast Revealing the Mystery of Everything, the book explains how everything we experience in life is based on the Bible. Perhaps best known for his Shocked by the Bible series, Joe has run newsrooms at network TV and radio stations across America and was an editor for the Budapest Business Journal in Hungary. He now lives in South Florida with his wife, Adrienne.
Mike has operated a construction conglomerate for the last 30 years. He stays in touch with many Canterbury
1981 Victoria Bundonis Rovin
Just before the pandemic hit, Victoria moved to Guilford, Connecticut, where she continues to do voiceovers and longs for the return of live theater. Her 40th Canterbury reunion on campus in June, dinners with ’81ers, pre-reunion Zooms, and lively post-reunion text chains have been a happy highlight in these crazy times.
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1983 Jennifer Michels
Jennifer is a sixth-grade teacher at Chicago City Day School, although she has moved to Saugatuck, Michigan. Her daughter Holly, who lives in Denver, was married last year and is due with a baby girl this June. Her son Chaz has moved back to Chicago.
1986 Kimberly (Gallup) Bracken
Kimberly lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her three children. She has lived in Australia for 10 years now and, apart from being in the most locked-down city in the world, she loves living Down Under. Kimberly’s eldest daughter, Abigail, is starting ninth grade, the same year Kimberly started at Canterbury. Her daughter is an accomplished state swimmer and hopes to make the Australian National Swim Team. Kimberly also has nine-year-old twins (Isla and William) who are starting fourth
grade. They, too, are very involved in sports and play Netball and Australian Rules Football. One day Kimberly would love to travel back to the U.S., show her children the beautiful Canterbury campus, and reconnect with some of her old classmates at a reunion.
1988 Alana (Henry) Kagan
Alana and her family have moved to Seattle, Washington, from Los Angeles and are enjoying their new home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
1992 Patricia (Sordoni) Rasmussen
Patricia ran into Alex Vetter ’89 at a basketball tournament at the Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. She felt it was so great to catch up after 30 years! Patricia sends a big shout out to Coach Brian Baudinet, Canterbury School’s Boys’ Basketball Coach. Go Saints!
1998 Elise (Godinez) Kern
Elise was hired by Aromyx as Senior Vice President of Data and Insights. Aromyx is a Silicon Valley company applying biotechnology and data science to capture unique taste and smell sensory data. They work with retailers and consumer goods companies to objectively measure taste and smell data and leverage it for insights on consumer perceptions and preferences.
2007 Monique Gallant
In the spring of 2021, Monique Gallant completed a Master of Science in Emergency Management degree from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Last fall, she accepted a position with the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an Emergency Management Specialist in the Recovery Division of Region 10. She looks forward to helping communities recover from disasters and to traveling throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska!
1983 Michelle French-Fiske
Michelle married on September 27, 2021, on Manzanita Beach, Oregon. She had a small family wedding with her almost-17-year-old son, Presley, walking her down the sandy beach.
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2008
Gregory Szkop Gregory (third from the left, front) was surrounded by his Canterbury brothers at his wedding to Janie Jannitto Szkop on August 28, 2021. Left to right: Anderson McMaster ’08, Kurt Garceau ’06, Billy Cummings ’09, Pasha Kozhokin ’07, Warren Garceau ’06, Robert DiNicola ’07, and Jared Garceau ’08.
Ashley Gangi-Petit
Ashley married Zachary Petit on April 16, 2020, and received her Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Connecticut last December.
Samantha Buzaid
Samantha relocated to Los Angeles and started a new job as the Head of Real Estate Operations for an international hospitality and amenity management company.
PAGE 70.
Kate (Briscoe) Collins
Kate and her husband Chris were thrilled to welcome their first child, Christopher Chip Sheldon Collins, Jr., on September 14, 2021. They are looking forward to relocating from Seattle back to the east coast in 2022 to be closer to family and friends.
Nicole (Gangi) O’Connell
Nikki married Philip O’Connell on October 23, 2021, at The Chapel of Our Lady. They were thrilled to return to campus and celebrate with family and friends.
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2010
Keeshia (Laus) and Joseph Cimaglia Keeshia married Joseph in Key West, Florida, on July 10, 2021. Alongside them are members of the Canterbury Class of 2010—Hillary Buzaid, Holly Fraser, Ariana Della Torre, Lauren Granchelli, Tannaz Sedghi, and Sydney Putnam.
2012
Josef Najm From high school sweethearts to marriage—Josef and Taylor Garre, who met through mutual friend Lindsey Marra ’12
more than 10 years ago, officially tied the knot on October 23, 2021! The wedding party included many friends and family from Canterbury—Nadia Najm ’08, Alyssa Najm ’10, Krista O’Gara ’12, Seth Menghi ’12, Sean Owens ’12, Ryan Healy ’12, and Peter Berry ’13. Also in attendance were Canterbury alumni Feng Ye ’12, Thomas Harrison ’12, Mason Page ’12, Bobby O’Gara ’12, John O’Gara ’12, Mike Balcom ’12, and, of course, Lindsey Marra ’12! Josef was also recently named to the Executive Committee of Canterbury’s Society of Alumni. PAGE 71.
2011
2018
Ashley (Bonner) Kindschi
Ashley and her husband Steven welcomed their first child, Charlotte Catherine Kindschi, on September 25, 2021.
2013 Megan Schroeder
Meghan is living in McKinney, Texas, and married Chase Johnson in 2020.
2014
Riley Burns Riley was selected to represent Quinnipiac University’s Athletic
Training program by receiving an internship with the Carolina Panthers for the 2022-2023 NFL season. Riley is one of two students awarded an NFL opportunity through this Semester Away clinical offering. In his specific program, Riley has worked with various Quinnipiac teams ranging from Cross Country, Track & Field, Acrobatics and Tumbling, Men’s Soccer, and Women’s Basketball, and participated in an NCAA Division 1 Football preseason experience at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Riley is currently performing student Athletic Training duties at Cheshire Academy for the remainder of the 2021-22 academic year. He is expected to graduate from Quinnipiac in May 2023.
2021 Lida Coco
Lida won the All-Rookie Team All-Conference NE10 and Third Team All-Conference NE10 for Field Hockey at Bentley University. Way to go, Lida!
Victoria (Rio) Myers
Victoria married Daniel Keller Myers on October 3, 2021, in Cape May, New Jersey. Grace (Mannix) Barney ’14 was her Matron of Honor.
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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
Michael Igoe ’48
Robert W. Denney, Sr. ’50
Michael A. Mack ’54
Jose M. Ferrer III ’57
Kenneth C. Scassera ’57
Buckley M. Byers ’60
George McMahon ’64
David Robert ’67
Josephine J. Elliot ’73
Valerie Cronin Wiblishauser ’79 1961–2020
1930–2022
1942–2020
1932–2021
1945–2022
1937–2021
1949–2022
1940–2018
d. 2019
1938–2021
Photo not available: James R. O’Brien ’62 1944–2021
Mark K. Marrow ’82 1964–2021
James M. Huber ’87 1969–2020
Michael Miller ’13 1994–2021
PAGE 73.
Remembering Music Teacher
John Shackelford 1950-2021
T
he Canterbury community was deeply saddened
In his late teens, John made his official operatic debut in a
by the passing of former faculty member John
Long Island, NY production as Schelkalov in Boris Godunov
Shackelford on September 5, 2021.
and went on to perform in various opera productions
John was born on December 28, 1950, in Parkersburg, WV.
throughout the United States and parts of Europe. Most
He studied flute and voice at the Juilliard School of Music, NY, where his flute teacher was Julius Baker, solo flutist
notably, he played Radames in Aida (Cleveland Opera), Samson in Samson and Delilah (Hawaii Opera Theatre), and
in the New York Philharmonic and the foremost flutist in
the title role in Lohengrin on tour in France.
the world at that time. Baker recognized John’s talent and
In his 50s, John returned to the United States and settled
invited him to spend summers at his home in Brewster,
in New Milford, CT, with his wife Laura, a clinical
NY, where John had the opportunity to play with many
psychologist. He imagined himself retired, but after a few
accomplished musicians.
years of giving voice lessons locally, John received a call from Canterbury Director of Music Dave Overthrow asking if he would consider teaching at the School. He agreed, and that turned out to be a great decision both for him and Canterbury. He joined the faculty in 2006 and found his true calling. “I love Canterbury and am extremely grateful that after all my wanderings, the Lord gave me the opportunity to come here,” he reflected in a 2012 issue of PALLIUM. “I am deeply moved by the chance to teach the children and for what Canterbury is. I love what I do here far, far more than all of the accolades I ever received. As challenging as this can be, I am always awed by what worthwhile work this is.” John Shackelford directed the Canterbury Octet and
“I love what I do here far, far more than
Chorale; taught AP Music Theory, Music History, and Computer Music; and gave private flute and voice lessons
all of the accolades I ever received. As
until his retirement in 2016. He loved technology and was
challenging as this can be, I am always
facts. John will truly be missed by all who knew him.
awed by what worthwhile work this is.”
known for his dry wit and varied knowledge of unusual John is survived by his wife Laura Shackelford and his sister Susan Shackelford Pierce of Madison, AL.
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THE MAGAZINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL
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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.
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