Pallium Spring/Summer 2022

This sweeping solar array is one of many initiatives at Canterbury aimed at advancing and maintaining a more sustainable environment on our campus.

SPRING/SUMMER

OF MARKETING &

Jennifer Loprinzo

Rick Henderson P ’25

Jim Norman

DIRECTOR

Karen Pease Marino

OFFICER

Rick Giles, Alexander Avedisian ’25

NOTES & IN MEMORIAM

Kate Heslin ’96, Lauren Mrazik

LAYOUT & DESIGN

Margaret Galeano

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2022—2023

Mr. Robert H. Steers ’71, P ’11 | President

Mr. John A. Donovan ’59 | Vice President

Mr. Michael R. Carretta ’71 | Secretary

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

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

Ms. Dorothy L. Alpert ’78

Mr. Keith G. Angell ’75

Ms. Carol Lovell Carmody P ’18

Mrs. Karen B. Casey ’91

Mr. Harold T. Clark III ’86, P ’22

Mr. Matthew P. Dwyer Jr. ’71

Mr. Douglas M. Famigletti ’90

Mr. Sean F. Flanagan ’91, P ’23

Dr. Anna Flik P ’21

Mr. Lawrence P. Fisher II ’77

Mr. Theodore C. Hollander ’82

Mr. Jeremiah E. Keefe P ’21, ’22

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

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

Mr. H. Nicholas Ragland ’88, P ’21

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

Ms. Lauren J. Steers P ’11

Mr. Peter J. Tucker ’78

Mrs. Nell P. Williams ’81

TRUSTEES EMERITI

Mr. James R. Briggs ’56, GP ’12, ’15

Mrs. Hope Carter P ’86, ’87, ’88, ’91,’95, GP ’09, ’10, ’14

Mr. Denis P. Coleman Jr. ’63, P ’97

Mr. Donn C. Dolce ’63, P ’01

Mr. John P. Duffy ’59, P ’87, ’91

Mr. John D. O’Neill ’57, P ’89

Dr. L. Michael Sheehy ’56

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

Greetings from the Hilltop

This issue of PALLIUM arrives as our students, faculty, and staff begin a new academic year, coming together as a full community to this gorgeous, joyful hilltop. Even as we turn the page to this school year, we carry forward the accomplishments of the Class of 2022 celebrated during Canterbury’s 105th Commencement exercises last May (page 24); I have the utmost confidence that these young people will accomplish extraordinary things not only in their collegiate and professional careers but for the greater good of our world.

Canterbury’s mission has always been to provide students with a broad and rigorous college preparatory program, firmly rooted in a system of values and a deep understanding of the role they play in the lives of others. To be sure, this mission has, in recent years, become more relevant and resonant than ever. Today, our society—our world—explicitly needs good citizens to take action and have the moral courage and fortitude to make a real difference.

Leafing through this PALLIUM will affirm how our students, faculty, and alumni are answering the call. Just look at the accomplishments of this year’s graduating class, the impressive list of colleges and universities where they have matriculated this fall (page 31), and, notably, the initiative and purpose they are bringing to the next leg of their journeys. Stephen Kershaw leading his Soles 4 Souls shoe drive (page 42); Sebastian Voskericyan organizing an Earth Day t-shirt fundraiser with the Sustainability Club and Canterbury Business Association (page 42); and Gigi Esposito and Kaly Naughton teaming up with Women of Canterbury on National Denim Day in support of sexual assault awareness and prevention (page 44). Indeed, these and many other members of the Class of 2022 are poised and prepared to lead impactful lives.

And as these newest alumni move on, our current students stand ready to fill their shoes as leaders and role models—on the Sixth Form Council (page 50), as Sacristans and Interfaith Council members (page 43), through community service, or by contributing to and encouraging a positive campus culture.

This winter and spring, that culture was greatly enhanced by our Social Justice Series (page 36). It was truly remarkable to watch our students, faculty, alumni, Trustees, and visiting speakers rally around issues critical to building a more ethical and service-minded world. The conversations were sometimes difficult but always thought-provoking, and our community invariably came away from these sessions enlightened and introspective.

What a pleasure it was to welcome Dr. Miriam “Duchess” Harris ’87, P ’25 back to campus this past spring as we continued celebrating 50 Years of Coeducation! As part of our Women’s Leadership Speaker Series (page 12), she addressed students during School Meeting and spent an afternoon meeting with faculty, staff, and Trustees. Sharing experiences from her time on the hilltop and as an educator and as an advocate for social justice and equity, Duchess invited and engaged in questions focused on how this generation of young adults can best navigate our complex world.

I am also proud of the inroads the Canterbury community has been making as good citizens of our planet, some of which are highlighted in this issue. You will read about our impressive new solar array on campus and other initiatives to lower the School’s carbon footprint and set a responsible example for our students (page 6). You will discover how Director of Sustainability and Science Department Chair Cammy Roffe P ’12, ’15 has played such a vital role in many of these initiatives (page 34). Cammy’s passion for the environment is contagious, and she has done an exceptional job making our students aware of, and equally passionate about, the world around us. This issue shines a spotlight as well on the essential work so many of our alumni are doing in the environmental sector. Karl Bourdeau ’71, Thomas Esposito ’80, Joseph Novella ’81, Asa McKee ’01, Joanna Wozniak-Brown ’02, Kasey Cantwell ’06, and Chris Aldrich ’07 all have compelling stories to tell (page 13). And Thomas O’Connor, Jr. ’74 hosted our students for an illuminating visit to his state-of-the-art manufacturing company, Mohawk Paper, which has made sustainability an integral part of its production process (page 10).

My hope is that when you have completed your trip through these pages, you, too, will find pride and inspiration in the deeds and accomplishments of the Canterbury community. And that you will pay it forward in all the ways that we model for our students—through responsible action, compassionate service, and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of shared purpose we carry as members of the Saints family.

Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 Head of School

An “Array” of Sustainable Initiatives on the Hilltop

It is not immediately noticeable when you first drive on campus, but take a quick detour down Elkington Farm Road and you will see it—an impressive new solar array with 2,158 panels producing 1.0 megawatt of power on nearly five acres of land, standing ready to have a huge impact on our hilltop.

According to Business Manager Steve Carleton P ’16, ’20, the project serves the Canterbury community in a number of positive ways. “It is nice to have this green energy up on the hill, and it is saving us a significant amount of money each year,” he said. “It is good for Canterbury, and it leads by example.”

That last part is music to the ears of Cammy Roffe P ’12, ’15, Director of Sustainability and Science Department Chair, who is continually stressing the importance of environmental issues to her students. “I am truly excited about

it,” she shared. “The first year I taught my Climate, Energy, and Water class, I had the students divide into teams—Team Solar, Team Geothermal, Team Wind—and they had to come up with a proposal for the campus and present it. It is great to see it happening now!”

THE SEEDS OF A PLAN

According to Steve, the process for adding solar to the campus started taking shape in May of 2019 as the most recent Campus Master Plan was drawn up and the Steers Center was taking shape. The idea got some legs and had the support of the Board of Trustees, so he was sent to investigate.

That investigation lasted through that summer as the School pared down bids and presentations from six companies to one— Enel X North America, a large, reputable,

international company. At the Board meeting in the fall, the decision was made to go forward with them. Included in the Enel deal was the installation of electric vehicle chargers at two locations on campus.

While there were some challenges along the way—as often happens with a project this size—the School persevered with help from its New Milford neighbors. “The town has been a good partner and very supportive of this process,” Steve shared.

THE BENEFITS ARE MANY

Whatever issues arose were well worth the time and effort in getting the solar array ready to go, said Steve, who anticipates smooth sailing now that the installation is complete. “It will be providing 40 percent of our power, give or take, but there is nothing different to us otherwise. We are still grid-connected, and everything will work seamlessly on the operation side of things.”

And, of course, there are plenty of benefits on the education side as well. “Cammy is very excited about integrating this, and I am sure she will take the ball and run with it,” Steve said. “This project is showing our students— the future leaders of this world—that we continue to be environmentally friendly, which dovetails nicely with Cammy’s efforts.”

Those efforts keep the concepts of environmentalism and sustainability front and center in students’ minds. In addition to leading the Sustainability Club, Cammy has found myriad ways to directly involve them in hands-on projects and learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

The School urged her to develop more science electives, and Cammy was happy to oblige. “I would say, ‘All right, let’s do a biome ecology class. What is a rainforest? Why is it a rainforest? Understanding how it all works

together—what is the human impact?’ I have done a climate, energy, and water class; a science of West Africa class; a marine science class; all of them with an environmental bent.”

She is also delighted to be involved in Canterbury’s Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA) initiative, which gives students the opportunity to earn college credits, experience the rigor of a college-level course, and prepare for the expectations and challenges of college academics while still in high school. “I am teaching the Earth Systems Science SUPA class this year, which is exciting,” said Cammy, who was trained as an adjunct Syracuse instructor for the role.

GETTING HANDS-ON

There are many other interactive ways students become immersed in all manner of sustainability projects on the hilltop and beyond:

Tree Planting

A Sixth Form orchard was started on campus; every year, seniors plant six fruit trees. Last year, they helped to plant six apple trees; this year, it was six peach trees; and next year, they will plant something different.

Water Testing

The Department of Environmental Protection in Connecticut has a program called Project Search where they train teachers and send students out to local rivers for water quality testing and then compile all that data. Students have been going to the East Aspetuck River for 20 years as part of a class. They get right in the water and investigate the chemistry. They also put on hip waders and explored artificial wetlands around campus.

(Continued on next page)

An “Array” of Sustainable Initiatives on the Hilltop

Marine Science

During field trips to the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, students observe all the different organisms, watch a documentary in the IMAX theater, and go out on a research vessel for two-plus hours. They see so many of the things they talk and learn about all year.

Recycling

Students have been beating the bushes about recycling, selling reusable water bottles, and helping to get all the water bottle fillers on campus.

Sustainability Club

Club members have been involved with presenting a Social Justice Series event each year, including Food Justice and Sustainability this spring. The club’s efforts to increase awareness of sustainability issues include presentations and videos at night; a favorite is The Biggest Little Farm, which talks about creating a biodiverse farm and many different fruit trees.

These activities leave quite an impression on current Saints who are highly passionate about sustainability issues and eager to share that passion with their peers. “As a leader in the Sustainability Club, I serve as a mentor for the younger students,” said Sebastian Voskericyan ’22, who organized an Earth Day fundraiser on campus around sustainable t-shirt sales (see page 42). “Hopefully, I have given them inspiration for future events and how to incorporate their own ideas for the school as they become juniors and seniors.”

COUNTING THEIR CHICKENS

Five years ago, Canterbury hatched another plan to promote sustainability and give students experience in running a self-sustaining project— a chicken coop on the north end of campus.

Conceived by Mathematics Department Chair Chris Roberts P ’24 and and former Dean of Faculty Wright Danenbarger, the coop was designed to be easily maintained, with a fold-up roost and easy-to-clean nesting boxes. It also sports solar panels to provide light and enough heat to keep the water from freezing.

The initial building of the coop coincided with the creation of the Chicken Keepers Club, which meets regularly to go over its day-to-day operations— cleaning the coop, feeding and watering the chickens, and collecting the eggs for sale through social media,

Canterbury Welcomes New Trustee

We are delighted to welcome a proud parent of two Canterbury alumni to our Board of Trustees. Jeremiah E. Keefe P ’21, ’22 has been named to the Board and will attend his first meeting this October.

Jerry comes to the hilltop as a Principal for AB CarVal, a global alternative investment management company in New York City, where he is responsible for leading clean energy investments in North America. Prior to joining AB CarVal in 2015, he was a Co-Head of the High Yield and Distressed Investing Group at Goldman Sachs. Earlier in his career, Jerry was Managing Director and Head of Distressed Debt at Wachovia Securities and served as Director of Distressed Research in Deutsche Bank’s Global Distressed Products Group. He earned a B.A. from Manhattanville College.

He and his wife Sally live in New Canaan, Connecticut, and have two children who are graduates of Canterbury, Kayleigh Keefe ’21 and Jeremiah Keefe ’22. They are key reasons why Jerry is especially excited about joining the Board.

“As a parent of two recently graduated Saints, I am thrilled to continue our family ties to Canterbury School as a member of the Board of Trustees,” he said. “My wife and I have witnessed first-hand the outstanding benefits of a Canterbury education. We share in Canterbury’s Five Values—Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Spirituality, and Self-reliance. Being part of the Board of Trustees is one of the best ways to ensure Canterbury can continue to provide a rich learning environment for students of future generations.”

public relations efforts, and targeted messaging. “We want students to not only learn about the responsibility of caring for the chickens, but also the planning and marketing aspects of operating a small business,” Chris said.

BRINGING POSITIVE ENERGY

Beyond these education-related initiatives, the School has also worked with the local gas and electric company, Eversource, to find ways to save energy and further minimize its everyday carbon footprint.

“We explored and took advantage of Eversource incentives for energy-efficient lighting and energy-efficient motors in our buildings, starting in 2013,” said Steve. “We were able to significantly lower our energy usage with things like switching from incandescent lighting to LEDs and upgrading to motors that use far less energy.”

These efforts have continued in earnest, per Steve. “The way Connecticut incentive programs were set up, they looked for things called multiple measures—so if you could combine lighting with something a little more advanced like circulating motors or some of the heating systems, they would give you a better incentive,” he explained. “At the time, we included all our compressor equipment for the hockey rink as well. That was a big piece because that compressor was quite ancient, so we were able to upgrade it. We have been doing some terrific things to reduce energy along the way.”

While the solar array is the newest—and most visible—evidence of these efforts, there are plenty more compelling projects and initiatives to come as Canterbury continues to heighten student awareness of these vital issues and to foster a sustainable, healthy environment for future generations.

“My wife and I have witnessed first-hand the outstanding benefits of a Canterbury education. We share in Canterbury’s Five Values—Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Spirituality, and Self-reliance.”

JEREMIAH E. KEEFE P ’21, ’22

T-shirt design for Earth Day fundraiser on campus.

OF

ALUMNI

Saints Get “Eye-Opening” Tour of Graduate’s Company

Ahighly successful company with an environmental conscience and a great culture—that’s Mohawk Paper, and 17 members of the Canterbury Business Association (CBA) and Sustainability Club saw it up close and personal during a spring visit to the Cohoes, New York-based company.

CEO and Canterbury alumnus Thomas O’Connor, Jr. ’74 and his staff took students on a tour of the facility, talked about the company’s history and philosophy, and treated them to lunch. It was an extraordinary learning experience for our current Saints—a first-hand look at how to effectively manage all aspects of a business and an ideal complement to their

Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA): Entrepreneurship/Global Economy course.

“Visiting Mohawk was very inspirational and educational, as it showed us the depths of what it takes to manage such a company,” said CBA member Eva Berkovich ’24. “The organization and complexity of the paper mill amazed me. For business club students such as myself, it was eye-opening to experience the ‘behind the scenes’ of such an operation.”

Zachary Lord, CBA faculty lead who teaches the SUPA course, was impressed with how much of an emphasis Tom put on maintaining a positive company culture. “One of my key takeaways was when Tom shared a quote from (management guru) Peter Drucker: ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast every day.’ The culture he has built there seems to be a major reason Mohawk Paper has been so successful,” Zach said. “I also liked how the sustainability aspect of their business is thriving from both an environmental and financial perspective.”

A Commitment to Sustainability

The Mohawk staff discussed issues of sustainability and the environment with students and shared insights about the business itself and the science of paper making. “Sustainability has been the ethos of our company for a long time, before anyone really used the term in relation to manufacturing and the environment,” Tom said. “As the years moved on, specifically in the last several years, the whole discussion about sustainability became more serious and, I think, is being driven primarily by the younger generation. These discussions have moved us into a number of different areas. We now make paper with hemp. We make paper with recycled Denim, recycled cotton.”

He continued: “We are just starting to get into our work with hemp. We have someone who processes the stalks. If you know anything about hemp, you have this 10- to-15-foot plant, and all they do is cut off the very top flower. That’s it. So just like wheat, there are millions of pounds of this material that is just burned or landfilled. People do not really know what to do with it. We are working on a number of ways to process some of that; technologies that we think could change the world.”

The touring students appreciated the chance to see the process in such detail. “Watching how the paper is made, seeing all the moving parts, was impressive,” said Richard Gosman ’23, a member of both the CBA and Sustainability Club. “Our tour guide went to Syracuse for chemical engineering, which is part of the process. There are so many different types of starches, pulps, and other chemicals that go into making the best possible paper.”

Fostering a Positive Company Culture

Tom explained that Mohawk Paper built its 90-year legacy on innovation, craftsmanship, handshake-level trust, and, most importantly, relationships. “A lot of it for me is about the people,” he explained. “I never thought I would see the day when I was the old guy! I have contemporaries here whom I knew when I was 18 years old—I am now 66—and they are still working here. We have a lot of people I worked with through the years whose children are here, whose grandchildren are here. I am proud of what the company has been able to do for the people in these communities and the loyalty that people have shown to the company.”

That made quite an impression on his captive audience. “One thing he mentioned—one of my biggest takeaways from the day— was to treat people like people,” said Neve

Flanagan ’23, also a member of both touring clubs. “That is always a good thing to hear from people who run big businesses because it is something that really matters to me.”

Seeing that level of interest and passion, Tom was beyond thrilled to share his company’s legacy with students from his alma mater. “It was exciting to spend a day forming new relationships with Canterbury’s next generation of business leaders. They represented the School very well,” he said. “Their questions about innovation,

sustainability, and the role of paper in a digital era were relevant and highlighted the critical decisions businesses must make for both short- and long-term success. I look forward to hearing about the successes this ambitious group of young men and women will undoubtedly achieve.”

We are grateful to Tom and his staff at Mohawk Paper for their hospitality and enthusiasm in hosting this fabulous experience for our students.

It was exciting to spend a day forming new relationships with Canterbury’s next generation of business leaders. They represented the School very well.”

THOMAS O’CONNOR, JR. ’74

An Inspirational Return Home

Dr. Miriam “Duchess” Harris ’87, P ’25 felt both nervous and excited as she stepped onto the Canterbury campus and the memories started flooding back. “My mind is exploding! This is remarkable,” she said. “Seeing the students and trying to reimagine myself in these seats feels like a very long time ago in some ways but also feels very familiar. I feel so connected.”

A highly accomplished academic, author, and legal scholar, Duchess is a professor of American Studies at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She was chosen to receive Canterbury’s Thomas J. Sheehy III Distinguished Alumni Award, which was presented to her during Alumni Weekend in June.

While students typically hear from “Saints on the Hill” at School Meeting, this time, it was a “Saint Beyond the Hill” as Duchess participated in our Women’s Leadership Speaker Series this past April, part of the School’s ongoing 50 Years of Coeducation celebration. Sharing her experiences from her time on the hilltop to college life to her professional career, she started by telling students three things she knows now that she didn’t in 1987.

“The first thing I know now is that being part of this Canterbury community meant that I was going to succeed in whatever I did,” Duchess explained. “The fact that you are a part of this and are being nurtured by these people—I can tell you with tremendous confidence that things are going to work out for you.”

She continued: “The second thing I learned is you can’t let people put a ceiling on your sky. And the final thing is one of my personal favorites—perfection is the enemy of the good. Sometimes you need to just do it and get it done.”

Duchess has certainly gotten it done during an accomplished career as an educator and advocate for social justice and equity. At the University of Pennsylvania, she was the first Black woman to serve as Student Body President at an Ivy League institution. She earned a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Minnesota and a Juris Doctor from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul while taking night classes with three children at home. And in 2021, she was appointed to the board of The Kamala Harris Project, a collective of scholars who will track all aspects of Kamala Harris’ tenure as the nation’s first woman of color to serve as Vice President of the United States.

So she was speaking from experience when she advised students to get out of their comfort zone as they grow and learn. “I would encourage you to try the things that feel challenging,” Duchess told them. She did just that during her time at Canterbury. Among her many roles 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.

She also urged students to seek out mentors. “You will be surprised at how open people will be to mentoring because it fills them up so much. When my friends back home said, ‘You’re going to Connecticut…why?’ I answered, ‘Because this sounds wonderful! Because it fills me up!’ And it really does.”

Following her talk, Duchess sat in on a Q&A with Canterbury’s Board of Trustees, toured the campus, met with the Academic Committee and other staff members, and chatted with students and faculty on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Council. The visit reminded her just how much she loved being a Saint. “It is infectious here; the enthusiasm, the excitement, all of it,” she said. “The academics here are so strong; it is enviable. I wish all young people in America would get the kind of education you get here.”

As her weekend on the hilltop drew to a close, she perfectly summed up the ethos of her alma mater. “This is a mission-oriented space, a way of life, which is different from a job—and I think that is why you get this great vibe. What you feel here is that people believe in this,” she explained. “It feels very twenty-first century; it feels like exactly where we should be. That makes this place exciting, the kind of place I want to tell people about!”

It’s in Their Job Description Saving the World

Canterbury students leave the hilltop ready to make a difference in the world, but these and other alumni in the environmental and sustainability sectors are taking it a step further—they are helping to save the world.

From environmental law, advanced building technology, and innovative inventions to community resilience, ocean exploration, and conservation, these passionate Saints have found ground-breaking and creative ways to protect the environment, foster sustainability, and preserve the future health of our planet.

We hope their stories on the following pages will inspire you to join in these ongoing efforts so vital to us now and for generations to come...

Karl Bourdeau

WASHINGTON, DC

• Principal Attorney (retired), Beveridge & Diamond PC

• Member, Advisory Boards, U.S.-China Green Energy Council, National Brownfields Association, Bureau of National Affairs Environmental Due Diligence Guide

• J.D., Harvard University; B.S., Muhlenberg College

Alongtime environmental attorney in Washington, DC, Karl said his entry into that arena was entirely serendipitous. While his history classes at Canterbury planted the seed of an interest in government policy making, it was not until his undergraduate and graduate education that he was introduced to environmental issues and their complexity, particularly from a policy-making standpoint.

“Modern environmental law was just emerging at the time I graduated from law school. It was a whole new realm of policy making and legal matters of first impression,” he explained. “For me, it was exciting professionally to get in on the ground floor of a brand-new area of law that had tremendous societal significance. Also, environmental law necessarily involves so many different disciplines when you are either making policy or applying it. In effect, it is not just law—it is science, economics, and addressing public perceptions of health risk. It was more intriguing and intellectually appealing to me.”

Coming out of Harvard Law School, Karl joined what is today known as Beveridge & Diamond PC—a firm that addresses virtually every type of contemporary environmental legal matter—and stayed there until his retirement two years ago. “I ended up where I started. One of the most satisfying aspects of my career was that I not only participated in the evolution of environmental law in the U.S., but also assisted my firm in developing a sophisticated international practice as other countries crafted their regulatory regimes,” he said. “Being an integral part of the largest private environmental practice in the world at the advent of present-day environmental law afforded me the opportunity to help shape the law, particularly from my perch in Washington, DC, where policy was being made.”

He credits some of the values he took from the hilltop with helping him navigate those waters. “The cross-fertilization of divergent viewpoints encouraged at Canterbury provided a useful guidepost for appreciating the fundamental importance of engaging diverse stakeholder opinions to develop sound and publicly acceptable environmental policy,” Karl said. “My Canterbury education was fundamental in demonstrating the need for thoughtful examination

of a wide universe of intellectual thought and endeavor prior to reaching conclusions of potentially far-reaching consequence.”

Considering he became widely recognized as one of the most esteemed and successful environmental law attorneys in the world, that education certainly served Karl well.

“[I was] afforded the opportunity to help shape the law, particularly from my perch in Washington, DC, where policy was being made.”

KARL BOURDEAU ’71

Thomas Esposito ’80 and Joseph Novella ’81

YORK CITY

Through their company, VRF Solutions LLC, Tom and Joe are dramatically changing the landscape of building engineering with state-of-the-art heat pump technology.

Joe, the company’s Chief Building Scientist, is excited about the possibilities. “People are starting to realize that we do not need any new technology,” he explained. “The heating and cooling technologies are there; the building products are all there. We just have to do it. It makes great financial sense to invest in energy efficiency. Conservation measures improve occupant comfort and indoor air quality while reducing or eliminating the carbon footprint of our buildings. There is no downside at all.”

And both graduates are eager to spread the word that this is a rapidly growing field with plenty of opportunities for young professionals. “We are putting in the best technology that is available today and will be for quite some time to save the planet,” said Tom, VRF’s President and Director of Business Development. “This is a clean, sustainable way to heat and cool your residence, your houses of worship, your schools and universities, and your apartments and commercial buildings. It could be a great field for Canterbury students coming out of school with an eye toward sustainability and building science.”

The two have been an effective team since they first met at Canterbury more than four decades ago, and Joe said that

Thomas Esposito ’80 (above left)

• President, VRF Solutions

• Town Councilman, Town of New Milford

• Political Science & Government, Villanova University; Marketing & Political Science, Western Connecticut State University

Joseph Novella ’81 (above right)

• Partner, Chief Building Scientist, VRF Solutions

• B.A., Economics & History, Fairfield University

friendship helped lead them to the professional success they enjoy today. “Twenty years ago, I was in real estate development. Tom had a mortgage company and was doing financing for my proj ects. We were working collaboratively,” he recalled. “When the real estate market crashed in 2008, we both focused on what we thought was going to be the future. It was good to have each other to work with, to have that friendship, but also have the varying backgrounds of construction and finance.” Their future focus was spot-on. The company they started together has gone from installing $3,000 single-split systems for peoples’ living rooms to doing the largest electrification retrofit in New York City—the $3.5 million Belnord Apartment Building. An already robust client list continues to grow, and Tom and Joe are entrenched in the upper echelon of the energy efficiency decarbonization community in New York City. Plus, they have the added satisfac tion of making a positive difference in the world, something Tom insisted came directly from their Canterbury education.

“One of the greatest lessons that came out of the School was doing the right thing no matter what,” he said. “Joe and I were both brought up conservationists. We are skiers, scuba divers, fishermen, and hikers. We have seen the climate change firsthand in the last 40 years. Our path became very apparent when we realized all that was happening climate-wise and that there was technology available to turn that around. It was an easy decision for us to move in this direction.”

“Our path became very apparent when we realized all that was happening climate-wise and that there was technology available to turn that around.”

THOMAS ESPOSITO ’80

the

Asa McKee ’01

BOULDER, COLORADO

• Regional Director—West, EarthShare

• Co-Founder & CEO, Khala & Company

• Inventor, award-winning 100% plant-based reusable food wrap

• Co-Chair, Front Range Steering Committee, 1% for the Planet

Not many people—if any—can claim to invent something that replaced millions of square feet of plastic. But that is exactly what Asa did as the owner of Kahla & Company. “I actually invented a natural alternative to plastic wrap and did really well,” he said. “I started it in our kitchen just messing around, and then it snowballed. The next thing I knew, I was winning awards from Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard’s One Percent for the Planet, Treehugger, and all these different organizations. We literally replaced millions of square feet of plastic in our calculations! It was very cool that we had a tangible measure of our effect.”

After six years, the timing and the price were right to sell the company and move on. Asa now works for an environmental nonprofit called EarthShare. “We help businesses and organizations with their nonprofit giving,” he explained. “We are currently spearheading a project in Connecticut called Common Ground where we are working to help the state protect its open spaces and public land. I may be based in Colorado, but Connecticut is pulling me back!”

And for Asa, it was great to be back in a place that has meant so much to him throughout his life and career. A lifelong skier, he needed to find a way to continue that while at Canterbury and found the perfect solution. “I volunteered for an Adaptive Program at one of the local mountains, teaching skiing to disabled adults—and it was one of the greatest things we did. Between playing football and lacrosse, performing in theater, and working with the adaptive ski program, I have great memories of Canterbury.”

He continued skiing, even professionally, after leaving the hilltop and began to detect a difference in the experience. “Winters

were not what they used to be. I started noticing these trends and changes in the seasons, started hearing about the ozone and wondered what was really going on. It sparked my interest; I thought, ‘I need to dig into this.’ And that is how it started.”

Like many of his peers, Asa benefited from the values he gained at Canterbury. “I was allowed to discover who I was and experienced a lot of personal growth there,” he recalled. “Respect and compassion are values I brought with me from Canterbury, especially important in today’s political climate. There is no point in getting angry; you just have to listen, understand, and respect each other.”

“I actually invented a natural alternative to plastic wrap and did really well. I started it in our kitchen just messing around, and then it snowballed. We literally replaced millions of square feet of plastic in our calculations!”

ASA MCKEE ’01

It’s in Their Job Description (CONTINUED)

Joanna Wozniak-Brown ’02

GROTON, CONNECTICUT

• Climate and Infrastructure Coordinator, Connecticut Office of Policy & Management

• Assistant Director of Resilience Planning, Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), University of Connecticut

• Ph.D., Environmental Studies, Antioch University New England; M.S., Environmental Planning & Management, Johns Hopkins University; B.S., Political Science, American Studies, European Studies, Drew University

As Assistant Director of Resilience Planning at the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), Joanna wears many hats. She coordinates with local, regional, and state agencies; conducts climate adaptation and geography research; and provides planning expertise to CIRCA’s Resilient Connecticut project. It is a role vital to the Institute’s mission to increase the resilience and sustainability of communities vulnerable to the growing impacts of climate change on the natural, built, and human environments.

“In my capacity at CIRCA, I served on the Governor’s Council on Climate Change and the EPA’s Long Island Sound Study Equity Working Group,” she said. “While climate change requires a global network of natural scientists working on the predictive models and measurements, social science researchers like me are working in partnership with them to identify logical, equitable, and place-responsive adaptations to the challenges at our doorstep.”

She is currently deeply involved in two vital projects for CIRCA. Resilient Connecticut is a statewide climate vulnerability assessment and resilience planning project. According to Joanna, the second project, the Connecticut Environmental Justice Map, “will be a first for Connecticut. It is modeled after other states but goes a step farther with deeper community engagement and representation.” Its goal is to identify vulnerable populations that may be disproportionately impacted by programs, policies, or projects and to inform initiatives for creating healthy communities. She has been developing cutting-edge research on adaptive capacity, not just for resiliency, but changing the ways we even think about our environmental challenges.

With a Ph.D. from Antioch University New England in Environmental Studies, professional certification from the American Institute for Certified Planners, and experience as a Resiliency and Conservation Consultant under her belt, Joanna is well-equipped to make a difference in people’s lives. Her time at Canterbury helped cultivate her interest not only in environmental issues but human justice concerns as well.

“I have always been interested in the environment, particularly the complex and multi-scalar interactions between humans and the natural world,” she said. “At Canterbury, I was President of the Environmental Club and a member of a club that worked on equity, diversity, and inclusion issues. I started to learn how science and policy cannot exist in a vacuum without regard for the people both have to serve. Plus, the supportive faculty and staff who mentored me still inspire me to this day.”

Given the important work that Joanna is now doing and will continue to do in her new role as Connecticut’s Climate and Infrastructure Coordinator, you can count her among the biggest supporters of both our planet and its inhabitants.

“While climate change requires a global network of natural scientists working on the predictive models and measurements, social science researchers like me are working in partnership with them to identify logical, equitable, and place-responsive adaptations to the challenges at our doorstep.”

JOANNA WOZNIAK-BROWN ’02

Kasey Cantwell ’06

SPRING, MARYLAND

• Operations Chief—Expeditions & Explorations, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

• Environmental Protection Specialist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• M.S., Marine Affairs & Policy/Marine Geology; B.S., Marine Science & Biology; University of Miami W

hen she is on the job as Operations Chief at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Kasey is truly a deep thinker. As in, 6,000 meters deep!

“Our office does exploration in the absolute purest sense,” Kasey explained. “There is a gap on the map; no data exists here right now; we do not know what is there—let’s go see it!

Most of my work has been with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The space that we work in—the deep sea—is typically 2,000 meters to 6,000 meters so using an ROV is best for that. We sit in the control room with 17 giant TV screens showing the video images. I prefer that to cramming my face up to a tiny porthole in a manned submersible.”

Kasey and her team have made some significant discoveries. “My favorite was an area off the southeast coast of the U.S.,” she recalled. “There was this big hole on the map, and I said, ‘There! I want to go there!’ We ended up discovering

the largest deep-sea coral habitat found anywhere in the world. At last count—we have only mapped about half of the area—it was 6.9 million acres of deep sea coral habitat. All of it is under the Gulfstream, which is arguably the most studied oceanographic feature on Earth—and we had no idea this was here! That is what I love about what I do. It is always driven by base curiosity and basic science foundations.”

Such curiosity came to Kasey at a very young age. “I have always loved the ocean. It was something I felt a strong connection to going to the beach as a child,” she said. “At Canterbury, I started to learn about coral reefs and kept following that thread. My advisor, Mr. Richardson (Science Teacher Derek Richardson), encouraged me to take more science classes and see what could be out there.” That path led Kasey to the University of Miami, where she ultimately earned a master’s in Marine Affairs and Policy/Marine Geology.

As she continues her important work, Kasey is not only having the time of her life, she is feeling completely fulfilled in her job. “I am proud that the Northeast Canyons Marine National Monument was largely created based on data that we collected. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was expanded due to data we collected. There are new habitat areas that are of particular concern for species, all based on data we collected. It is incredible!”

“There is a gap on the map; no data exists here right now; we do not know what is there—let’s go see it!”

KASEY CANTWELL ’06

Chris Aldrich ’07

GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT

• Director of Stewardship, Greenwich Land Trust

• Forestry Technician, OneWorld

• B.S., Natural Resources, Concentration in Sustainable Forestry Management, University of Connecticut

Chris is the quintessential outdoorsman, so his job as Director of Stewardship for Greenwich Land Trust puts him right where he has always wanted to be. “My interest in the environment was fostered by my upbringing. I was lucky to spend a lot of time outside,” he said. “Canterbury has a beautiful campus, and there is a lot of open space in the area. I was able to explore the Pratt Center and other nearby preserves, which was an important part of my journey.”

It did not take long before Chris’s career path crystalized. “I have always been passionate about open space,” he explained. “Forestry is one of my main interests, and I wanted to do something that was impactful where I could utilize those principles. Conservation is particularly important because it has such a positive effect on quality of life in an area.” After graduating from the University of Connecticut with a B.S. in Natural Resources, Chris held positions at the UConn Extension Office, working to reduce fuel loads and improve sage grouse habitat in Nevada and at the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park in the Southeastern United States, where he focused on resource monitoring and invasive species control.

In his current role, Chris is responsible for managing the Trust’s portfolio of fee-owned properties and conservation

CHRIS ALDRICH ’07

easement. “We do a lot of work centered around the improvement or installation of wildlife habitats,” he shared. “We are always looking towards future acquisition projects focusing on protecting lands with high conservation value. That is an important part of my job, and the impact is significant.”

The same could be said for Canterbury’s influence on his life and career. “I received a great education in general, but particularly from Mrs. Roffe (Science Department Chair and Director of Sustainability Cammy Roffe P ’12, ’15),” he said. “She did a wonderful job of explaining environmental issues and encouraging you to think globally. She was so passionate about it; that impacted me for sure!”

Today Chris brings that same passion to the environmental arena. “I want to continue focusing on conservation,” he said. “There is always more land to protect. We can always do a better job of stewarding the land that we do protect.”

And he had some final words of wisdom to impart: “I encourage people to be mindful; to take time to visit a preserve and go for a hike. You might discover some very rewarding things. Making sure we are preserving open space and, in turn, protecting the environmental services that they provide is key to a sustainable future.”

“We are always looking towards future acquisition projects focusing on protecting lands with high conservation value. That is an important part of my job, and the impact is significant.”

Alumni Weekend

Alumni Weekend in June was a rousing success once again, and it was wonderful to see so many Saints come back to campus! The sounds of laughter and excitement could be heard all around the hilltop throughout the four-day event.

Members of the Class of 2021 were welcomed home Thursday night, and on Friday things got rolling with the Athletics Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Congratulations to our 2022 Hall of Fame class—Kevin Sheehan ’62 (posthumous), Francis Bice ’77 (posthumous), Byron Landers ’81, Andrew Flood ’82, Megan McDonald Collins ’90, and Timothy Fingerhut ’90. See page 61 for more.

The Class of 1970’s 50th Reunion celebration was another highlight of the day as 29 members finally got to reunite after a two-year delay. According to Class Ambassador Stephen Cunningham ’70, it was well worth the wait. “Getting back to where we once belonged was fantastic,” he said. “The joy and delight were contagious, and nothing makes you feel younger than being with those who knew you when you were actually younger. Go ’70! See you in three!”

Later, Litchfield Distillery shared complimentary spirits tastings. Alumni and their families then relaxed under the tent and enjoyed diverse cuisine from a number of food trucks, which were very well-received by guests. Bright smiles lit up the starry night as friends and classmates roasted S’mores around the fire pits and shared fond memories.

The good times kept rolling on Saturday. At the Society of Alumni (SOA) Annual Meeting, Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 gave a State of the School address, and Canterbury presented its major alumni awards—Dr. Miriam “Duchess” Harris ’87, P ’25; James P. Stearns ’66; and Dr. Matthew R. Weir ’70 received the Thomas J. Sheehy III Distinguished Alumni Award, and

The Around the World Luncheon offered a true international flair, showcasing the foods of China, Italy, Mexico, and the United States. Alumni then gathered on Sheehy Family Field for the Alumni Lacrosse Game, face-painting, lawn games, and an ice cream truck. The

grand finale Saturday was a spirited night of dinner and dancing at Steers Center Ragland Commons that included an acoustic guitar player on the patio for cocktail hour and a live band inside during the meal.

The weekend concluded Sunday with the traditional Alumni Memorial Mass held at the Chapel of Our Lady.

Allison (Trowbridge) Scheckner ’97, who attended with her family, was beyond thrilled to be back at her alma mater. “Even after 25

years, the excitement I get driving up Aspetuck Avenue has not changed. As Canterbury continues to flourish, grow, and expand, the essence remains constant, and the traditions and values hold strong,” Allison said. “The friendships formed many years ago are still so dear to me, making events like this sacred. No matter how much we, as alumni, have aged and been apart, we come back and pick up right where we left off. I am truly grateful for my time at Canterbury and am proud to be an alumna of the school.”

(Continued on next page)

ALUMNI RECONNECT AT REGIONAL RECEPTIONS

It is always great to catch up with old friends, and Canterbury graduates are doing just that, whether it is back on the hilltop or at casual get-togethers across the country.

There were two such opportunities last February in Florida during alumni receptions in Palm Beach and Naples. The first was in the world-famous Café Boulud at The Brazilian Court Palm Beach, where more than 20 guests gathered to enjoy camaraderie, reminiscing, and fabulous food and drink. The graduates also received an update from Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 about what is happening on the hilltop.

Just a few days later, Karl S. Bourdeau ’71 and his partner Ari Qajar hosted nearly 20 guests in the private dining room of the Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Club, where they are members. The Naples reception also featured an update from Rachel to a grateful audience. “Along with the other attendees, I appreciated the opportunity to hear from Rachel regarding recent developments at Canterbury,” Karl said.

“I was gratified to learn that the school is doing exceptionally well on so many diverse fronts. Ari and I were pleased to host the event and delighted with the strong turnout.”

Alumni in the Boston area also had a chance to reunite at a reception held in May at Paddy’s Public House in Newton, Massachusetts. And, according to Chief Advancement Officer Rick Henderson P ’25, there is more to come.

“It was so rewarding to be with our alumni,” he said. “We are excited to be back on the road and look forward to hosting more regional alumni events around the country over the next few years.”

Plus, Canterbury alumni have Homecoming back at campus this fall and our annual Christmas Party in New York City to look forward to. There are still plenty of opportunities for Saints to reconnect with former classmates and friends in 2022!

Katherine “Katie” Grill ’10, Elizabeth “Libby” Foley ’06, and Margaret “Meg” Caswell ’95 were recognized with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Kudos to these extraordinary graduates!

Alumni Weekend (Continued)

“The friendships formed many years ago are still so dear to me, making events like this sacred. No matter how much we, as alumni, have aged and been apart, we come back and pick up right where we left off. I am truly grateful for my time at Canterbury and am proud to be an alumna of the school.”

ALLISON (TROWBRIDGE) SCHECKNER ’97

AT

There was joy on the hilltop as Canterbury School celebrated its 105th Commencement Exercises for the 105 members of the Class of 2022 on Friday, May 27. Held on Sheehan lawn, the ceremony was attended by an enthusiastic gathering of faculty, staff, family, and friends. Throughout the warm, overcast day, the graduating class shared memories, tears, and smiles as they put the finishing touches on their time as Canterbury students.

In addressing the Class of 2022, Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 spoke about the many challenges they faced over the course of their time at Canterbury and reflected on the amazing memories from the past year. Delivering the student keynote address, class valedictorian Hanyan Cai shared his thoughts

AND END-OF-YEAR FESTIVITIES

on the hilltop experience and left his classmates with inspiring words.

The morning also included the presentation of well-earned awards for faculty members and the graduating class. First, Director of International Travel Programs, Language Teacher, and Form Dean Julio Omaña P ’19, ’20 was granted an honorary diploma for his 30 years of exceptional teaching and service to Canterbury. Next, Mathematics Teacher William Prescott Hagen received the J.P. Mandler Teaching Award. Finally, Commencement Awards were presented to members of the class of 2022.

The week leading up to Commencement was filled with special events and activities celebrating the graduating class, including final

concerts; the end-of-year carnival, complete with inflatable slides, food trucks, lawn games, and a dunk tank; Prom held in the Steers Center Ragland Commons; the Diehard Hike at Lover’s Leap State Park for four-year students; Class of 2022 tree-planting by the chicken coop; the Sixth Form Retreat, where students read notes they wrote to themselves at the beginning of the year; the Sixth Form Prize Assembly and Dinner with faculty; and the Baccalaureate Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady, presided over by Fr. Mark Connell.

Following a busy week and the Commencement ceremony, Sixth Form students and their families enjoyed a few final moments on campus together with friends and faculty before departing as newly anointed members of Canterbury’s Society of Alumni.

COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

HEAD OF SCHOOL

RACHEL STONE

Good morning, and welcome to Canterbury’s 105th Commencement Exercises. We are so grateful to be here, finally and fully together, and excited to celebrate with members of the extended Canterbury family joining us on Sheehan Field: our faculty and staff; parents, guardians, and family members; alumni and friends; and, especially, the class of 2022— 39 of whom are diehards.

To state the obvious: four years ago, none of us could have imagined nor would have believed what we would soon face as a community, country, and world. Shut down campus and learn via Zoom your sophomore spring?

No way. Create a roadmap for athletics, performances, classrooms, meals, and travel, taking into account risks, protocols, emotional health, and both individual and collective safety? Ha! And yet, not only did we come to believe it, we faced these challenges with a steady, steadfast determination to move forward. One day, one step, one decision at a time. This set of pandemic hurdles is the backdrop of the Class of 2022’s story. But it is not the story itself. And so this morning, I would like to share a few highlights of your Canterbury story before this graduating class turns the page to a new chapter.

I spent opening night of this spring’s musical Cyrano de Burger Shack grinning, humming to familiar songs, and simply enjoying the evening. I can’t fully describe what happened as the show ended, but my laughter shifted without warning to tears. It was a brief but poignant visceral reaction that caught me off guard and started my train of thought for today’s remarks.

Of course, there was emotion tied to seeing Neil, Bella, and Hanyan on stage as seniors—and let’s face it, I do cry publicly every now and then! But when I dug a little deeper, I reflected on this: the Class of 2022 Valedictorian and President of the Physics Club made his theatrical debut that night as

Hott Todd. Meanwhile, crowd favorite and carillon aficionado Neil portrayed a French waiter, while Giggle Gang Tri-President Bella served as actor, choreographer, and student costume designer.

It turns out that my emotional response was actually a moment of pride. A moment of recognition that what happened on stage that evening was just one more example of the Class of 2022’s true story. All of you arrived on this hilltop with a handful of interests and talents at your foundation…and then you began to build.

It started with the diehards—the group that begins this story—and the layers you added to yourselves and this community. Ian learned to

play squash while Niko learned to get to class on time. Jacob, Sebastian, and Phil were the freshman “core” of the football team. Many of you followed siblings to Canterbury but then started your own journey. Ada’s art legacy began as did Neil’s springboard into theater and Ali’s dominance on the stage and soccer field.

And then each of you just kept building. Jerry and David were integral to pushing forward our DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) initiatives. Maverick added football to baseball and band. Tori, Ashley, Ali, and Lindsey won a soccer championship as Fourth Formers, while Henry lit up the track as a senior. Jerry took his sketches to the AP level, Gigi and Kaly took Women of Canterbury to a

“Yes, despite the backdrop of disruption and challenge, the Class of 2022 just kept moving forward, testing the waters, seizing new opportunities, and adding so many new layers that what you have built together now leaves an indelible mark on our beloved school.”

RACHEL STONE P ’23, ’24

’23,

whole new level, and Emily and Patrick set the bar for volunteer service with the ambulance and firefighter corp, respectively.

I could do this all day! Yes, despite the backdrop of disruption and challenge, the Class of 2022 just kept moving forward, testing the waters, seizing new opportunities, and adding so many new layers that what you have built together now leaves an indelible mark on our beloved school.

Which brings me to a related topic. At times, we reference “life at Canterbury before COVID” with a mix of nostalgia and loss. I have done so myself, which led me to looking back through the 2018-2019 yearbook—the Diehards’ Third Form year—as a reminder of life before the pandemic.

Here’s what I learned: what your class has imagined, created, and given to this community is overwhelmingly positive and impactful…and most of that impact took place during COVID.

To illustrate, three years ago, the Social Justice Series was only one week—Social Justice Week—and we did not have a DEIJ Council or a JSA (Jewish Student Association). Affinity spaces for AHANA (African, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American) and GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) were just beginning to grow roots. There was no Steers Center, Hamilton Stadium, or D’Amour Center, and you certainly couldn’t order fan-favorite food at the Café. A number of athletic teams did not know what was to come—a New England championship for girls’ soccer in 2019, football postseason Bowl appearances in 2019 and 2021, a 2020 championship for the boys’ basketball team, and a 2021 championship for boys’ cross country. And some of the faculty members you love most—like Ms. Cook and Mr. Hamilton!—had not even arrived yet.

What else did not exist three years ago during “life before COVID”? One: the CBA’s Virtual Stock Market Game. Two: the Esports Club. Three: Sunday Sundaes!

This year, as we climbed to the other side of COVID, spring teams traveled to Florida once again. The Saints won the Sheehan Trophy back from Berkshire and the Gunnery Cup back from FGS (Frederick Gunn School). Father Steve—Canterbury class of 2003—inspired you with resonant homilies. The Sixth Form Council brought you a Homecoming Dance while the SEC (Special Events Committee) inspired a winter SnowBall. And let’s not forget the Head’s Holiday disguised as Field Day! Meanwhile Hanyan filmed it all. Indeed, I would say life at Canterbury after COVID is trending in an incredibly positive direction.

When you tell the story of the Class of 2022, I hope you will join me in sharing all that this group of graduating seniors gave to one another rather than what you gave up. Your story is one of stretching, fortifying, loving, and empowering the Saints community. It’s quite remarkable really. And for that we are grateful.

J.P. MANDLER TEACHING AWARD

W

hen calculations were made to decide who would be the recipient of the 2022 J.P. Mandler Teaching Award, it all added up to one person—Mathematics Teacher William Prescott “Pres” Hagen. The award is named in honor of the former faculty member who served Canterbury for 46 years as English Department Chair, Director of Studies, Dean of Faculty, Director of Technology, Dean of the School, and Senior Master. It is presented each year to that faculty member who reflects the fundamental commitment to excellence in classroom teaching.

Pres, who joined Canterbury’s Mathematics Department in 2005, currently teaches Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus. He is also an assistant coach for Cross Country and Boys’ JV Baseball and serves as a dorm parent in Hickory Hearth.

Prior to Canterbury, Pres worked as a tutor in the Math Center at Keene State College and at Learning Skills Academy, both in New Hampshire. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Keene in pure mathematics with a minor in English and creative writing and holds a Master of Science for Teachers in Mathematics from the University of New Hampshire. Pres is also a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon, the nation’s most prestigious mathematics honor society.

Associate Head of School for Academics Sue Roberts P ’24 presented the award to Pres. “The warmth and enthusiasm that this year’s recipient exudes helps to generate every opportunity for success while providing a safe environment for students to take risks,” Sue said. “He exhibits a clear understanding and respect for students as individuals. Whether you need help finding the derivative, wish to challenge your analysis of functions, or simply need someone to partner with as you tackle the cross country course one more time, this year’s award recipient will be there to support you in your endeavors.” Congratulations to Pres for this well-earned honor.

VALEDICTORIAN REMARKS BY HANYAN CAI

Ifirst want to thank the teachers and faculty who helped our class through our years here. Also, to the dining hall staff and grounds crew for their constant amazing work, especially for big events like Prom and Christmas dinners. Thank you to Ms. Cook, the Health Center, and the Medical Task Force every day. Finally, to faculty like Ms. EJ, Student Life, and the SEC (Student Events Committee) for their amazing work with school events every week.

What makes Canterbury special is its people. As a person known to film and edit videos, overwhelming support and encouragement from this community empowered me with confidence and motivation. For many of us here, faculty members offer us support and advice throughout our academic, athletic, and extracurricular lives, while many students energize our community with kindness and positivity.

To our class of 2022, I am happy to say that we are done with high school! Years of hard work, struggles, and growth culminate in this very day. Whether you were a die-hard or not, our class has been the cornerstone of Canterbury culture. As freshmen, we experienced a normal Canterbury year. Back then, trees overlooked the growing hills in place of Steers. So we bunched up in the SAC with the upperclassmen after every School Meeting. As sophomores, we got to know more amazing teachers and students. Mr. Logan’s energy and positivity helped us learn what makes Canterbury Canterbury, while we looked up to seniors like Jack McCluskey ’20 for their leadership and friendliness. Despite the pandemic disrupting the school year, we still made the best of what we had. As juniors, we slowly grew as leaders and mentors on campus, embracing sometimes negative and bleak circumstances midCovid with our best smiles. As seniors, well, we became the leaders on campus as a part of the SEC, the Sixth Form Council, team captains, club leaders, Sacristans, mentors, and great friends that defined our close community. We each have our individual moments, connections, and precious memories from this place that we will remember forever.

For me and a lot of others, these moments might have a list that goes something like this: EJ’s energy. EJ’s good mornings in School Meeting. EJ’s loud voice. EJ’s pizza and donuts. Mr. Hamilton’s firm handshake (with his massive hands). Mr. Ogundeko being unintentionally funny as he gets pestered and annoyed by us, especially by the giggle sisters.

Alastair’s hilarious and sometimes over-the-line jokes. Chicken patties. Spirited pep rallies, Jimmy, and so many others.

As we say goodbye to Canterbury, the class of 2022, I hope you all know how wonderful you are and how lucky I feel to be part of this group of people. Ultimately, all things come to an end, except for Mr. Omaña’s tendency to lose things. But today is not a celebration of our departure but of our commencement into the next stage in our lives.

The world has gone on for eons and eons, but during this minuscule fraction of human history where we spend our lives voraciously and vivaciously living and existing, our fate is what we choose to create. Let us maintain and treasure our friendships, stand firm for what we believe in, and seize the day!

To the underclassmen whose years at Canterbury will soon come to an end, do not go gentle into that good night. Treasure your remaining years here at Canterbury with your best friends and mentors. Don’t be afraid to take big steps and let your passions shine; look at what happened to me with the help of this community’s love and support. Not so shabby, huh?

Finally, to our class of 2022, I can’t imagine next school year without many of you. I will miss your companionship, and my four years here with you have allowed me to experience things and feelings I have never been able to before. Remember, when life gets you down, there are friends and teachers we met in New Milford, Connecticut, who will always stand behind us. Also, things will always get better with pizza and donuts! Thank you!

“Remember, when life gets you down, there are friends and teachers we met in New Milford, Connecticut, who will always stand behind us.”

HANYAN CAI ’22 La ke Zurich, Illinois (attending Vanderbilt University this fal l)

ISABELLA CARIOSCIA and DAVID SALAZAR were recipients of the esteemed Dr. Nelson Hume Award, given to students whose leadership, character, and achievements have been of the highest order and whose performance embodies the ideals of the School’s founding Headmaster.

IAN FERNANDES received the Robert M. Steele ’72 Scholar-Athlete Trophy, in memory of Robert M. Steele, a model scholar and athlete, for academic and athletic achievements.

LINDSEY GRANDOLFO received the Charles R. Huntington Scholar-Athlete Trophy for academic and athletic achieve ment in memory of Mr. Huntington, a teacher, coach, and Athletic Director from 1969-1999.

GIOVANNA “GIGI” ESPOSITO was awarded the Elizabeth (Betty) Burke Award for the Sixth Form student whose time at Canterbury has been marked by cheerful determination to serve God and others.

DAVID SALAZAR was the Class of 1987 Citizenship Award recipient for his role as the Sixth Former who, in the judgment of peers, has best fulfilled obligations to school, fellow students, and self.

QIXIU “NEIL” YAO earned the Richard L. and Mary Catharine Farrelly Award for his quiet but thorough service to Canterbury.

Six students received the Philip H. Brodie Award for exceptional achievement and all-around service to the School: HANYAN CAI, GIGI ESPOSITO, MATTHEW “CULLEN” MULHERN, KATHYRYN “KALY” NAUGHTON, LOGAN SANFORD, and SARINA SHETH

TAKING HIS PLACE AT THE FRONT OF THE CLASSROOM

It was none other than American rapper Big Sean who said, “It’s evolution, man. Eventually, the student becomes the teacher.” He could easily have been talking about Hanyan Cai ’22, who spent part of his final semester at Canterbury coteaching the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus BC Seminar with Mathematics Teacher William Prescott Hagen

“This year, because I had been working with different students for peer tutoring, I wanted to see if I could help Mr. Hagen with the seminar,” Hanyan said. “I began to talk with him about assisting with or even teaching some lessons.”

While the BC Seminar isn’t part of the regular curriculum at Canterbury, it is a valuable potential resource for AP Calculus students. According to Hanyan, “It is a seminar-type class that meets

outside of school at night to talk about material that is not covered in the AB class here.” Pres explained further. “The calculus exam for AP is divided into two parts. There’s the AB, which is essentially Calc One, and the BC, which is Calc One and Two,” he said. “So when you sit down to take the BC, you are essentially taking an exam that covers the material from both of these college-level classes.” For students preparing for that part of the exam, the Calc BC Seminar can be a helpful tool indeed.

Knowing this, Hanyan was feeling the pressure when Pres agreed to let him co-teach. “This was my first experience teaching an actual class,” he explained. “I tutored bigger groups but never had to prepare material in advance. I had moments in class when my mind was going blank, and I didn’t know

which direction to go, so I was pretty nervous. But it went well because all the students and Mr. Hagen were really supportive. It was a great experience!”

Pres shares that it didn’t take long for Hanyan to grow comfortable operating in front of the classroom.

“Between Han’s first and second lesson, I saw a lot of growth,” he recalled. “He was able to introduce concepts clearly and began to get really good at articulating his vision of the problems. It was fun to teach with someone whose ability to traverse the math is so strong. I really enjoyed talking through the material with him.”

The seminar made Hanyan truly appreciate the hard work and challenges that come with being a teacher and piqued his interest in pursuing it further.

“Teaching is something I definitely want to learn more about. That’s my plan for college,” said Hanyan, who is attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, this fall. “I am hoping to combine my three main interests—science, teaching, and video production—into something I can do in the future. It is rewarding to be able to help people through different problems.”

It was equally rewarding for Pres to share teaching duties with his student. “I am thankful that Han sought me out to do this. It enhanced the experience greatly for me. Not just anyone can step into the role of teacher the way he did. Han is a special student.”

And now, a special teacher.

COLLEGE MATRICULATION

CLASS OF 2022

The Class of 2022 is ready to write the next chapter of their story!

Here are the fortunate colleges and universities that are welcoming members of this great class:

Adelphi University

American University

Arcadia University

Babson College

Bentley University

Boston College

Carnegie Mellon University

Central Connecticut State University

Clemson University

Colgate University

College of Charleston College of Mount Saint Vincent

College of the Holy Cross

Cornell University

Denison University

Elon University

Fairfield University

Fordham University

Furman University

George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Hamilton College

High Point University Hillsdale College

Hobart and William Smith Colleges IE University (Spain)

Ithaca College

Lebanon Valley College Lehigh University

Merrimack College

New York University

Northeastern University

Pace University

Pennsylvania State University

Post University Princeton University Providence College

Sacred Heart University

Saint Joseph’s University

Samford University

Santa Clara University

Seton Hall University

Siena College

St. Lawrence University

Stevens Institute of Technology Stonehill College

SUNY Albany

SUNY Buffalo Swarthmore College

Tecnologico de Monterrey (Mexico)

Trinity College

United States Naval Academy Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain)

University of California (Berkeley)

University of California (Davis)

University of California (Los Angeles)

University of California (Santa Barbara) University of Connecticut University of Georgia University of Maine University of Miami

University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)

University of Rochester University of South Carolina University of Southern California University of Tampa

University of Tennessee (Knoxville)

University of Virginia Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Wentworth Institute of Technology Western Michigan University

Yale University

Sixth Form Projects

VALUABLE REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

What a way to spend your final semester in high school! This spring, several Canterbury students embarked on some fascinating Sixth Form projects both here and abroad. Often similar to college internships, these projects give students valuable real-world experience, industry knowledge, and contacts—and help them decide if a particular field or interest is right for them.

Such a decision was not an issue for Emily Chickering. This certified EMT already knew exactly what she wanted to do for a living and used her project to learn as much about it as possible. Emily decided to spend the eight weeks in familiar surroundings—nearby Danbury Hospital and Newtown EMS. And she did a little bit of everything there, from planning and inventory to shadowing in the ER to serving on the EMS team. Emily had the opportunity to work alongside doctors, interact with patients, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the medical profession.

“It showed me the variety of calls that come into a hospital, especially a trauma center,” she said. “I am now even more excited to learn about medicine and continue on the path to becoming a trauma surgeon.” The next stop on that path for Emily—Colgate University in the fall.

Can “Ada” Cui, too, had a specific goal going in. Seeking a career as an art teacher, she chose to work as an Art Assistant at Shami Art Training Co., a studio in Nantong, China. There Ada had the opportunity to join other teachers in painting murals along the walls of the community walkway and to work with young art students, which she found extremely fulfilling.

“As an art teacher, you are also in the process of learning yourself. My students were my teachers because they all have a rich imagination and creativity,” she said. “It is a rare opportunity for a high school student to have an ‘internship’ before entering college. It gives me an academic advantage and a good foundation for the future.” That future includes studying art at New York University this fall.

Discovering New Paths

Conversely, some Sixth Form students, by the completion of their projects, decided that a particular area really was not for them—but coming to that conclusion made the experience just as valuable. Eric Diaz chose to do his project at the Law Office of Frank E. DeEsso, P.C. in Carmel, New York, to learn more about real estate law. His parents are both in the real estate field—his father works at the DeEsso firm—and this was a chance to see if he should follow in their footsteps. Even though he ultimately decided it was not a career he wanted to pursue, Eric said he learned plenty that will help him in whatever field he enters.

“I concluded that I am not a ‘desk job’ type of person, but the eight weeks made me realize some of the things that are important in any workforce, such as organization, communication, and time management,” he shared. “It was an advantage to work full-time; most high school students do not get that opportunity.”

Qingzhi “George” Tu had a similar experience after returning to his home country for his Sixth Form project to explore the possibility of a career in the banking industry. As a self-proclaimed “Lobby Boy” at

the Zhongqinqu branch of the China Construction Bank, George’s job was very customer-focused. He was often one of the first friendly faces people saw when walking into the bank, and he spent much of his day assisting customers with using the Smart Teller Machines and completing essential paperwork. Later, he worked in the Investment Department, making client calls and completing meeting summaries.

After his eight weeks were up, George determined that he did not have enough interest in the banking industry and looked to cast his net elsewhere. “When I was on this internship, I got to meet people who were doing law consulting, and I discovered that was more challenging and appealing to me,” he explained. “So the experience was successful because I learned so much, and I was able to see what field fits my interest the most.”

Heading Home to Learn

A number of other Sixth Form students chose to return home to China for their projects as well:

Xinyi “Grace” Gu initially took a nearly identical path as George. She, too, started in the lobby of a China Construction Bank branch, this one in Nanjing, then switched gears to its subsidiary trust company as a sales manager assistant. But she did not stop there. Grace moved on to Bytedance, a multinational internet technology company headquartered in Beijing that operates a range of creative content platforms, including TikTok. The last leg of her project journey—at Phoenix Contact, a manufacturer of industrial automation, interconnection, and interface solutions headquartered in Blomberg—was “fruitful and memorable.”

It showed me the variety of calls that come into a hospital, especially a trauma center. I am now even more excited to learn about medicine and continue on the path to becoming a trauma surgeon.”

EMILY CHICKERING

In the end, it was a hugely positive experience for Grace. “I feel extremely grateful for the new knowledge and skills I gained working in three different positions at different types of companies, each with their own cultures and purposes,” she said. “It laid a solid foundation for both my college and my long-term future career in business.”

Yijiang “James” Tian spent his two months at Command Capital Management Company in Beijing, which provides asset management services and long-term, stable investment returns for clients. His project duties left James with a robust new set of skills as he further pursues his career goals.

“It gave me a basic understanding of quantitative investment. I learned how to use (programming language) Python to process financial data and draw different graphs, and I practiced writing analysis reports,” he shared. “It made me more eager than ever to study data science in college.”

Equally as passionate about data science, Jiankun “Eric” Yang had what he described as “an unusual experience” at the Institute of Software, Chinese Academy of Science in Beijing. “I was given the opportunity to be involved in a research project for human brain health,” he explained. Eric’s work focused on the development of a digital cognitive test based on digital devices such as cell phones and iPads to screen for memory impairment.

“The internship was great,” he said. “I acquired new skills such as the ability to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create my own webpage and use SAS system to analyze results. It helped me prepare for my major in college—Computer Science and Data Science.”

Ziqian “Jacqueline” Yang also took a research path for her Sixth Form project, becoming involved in a study of air quality issues in passenger cars. Working for the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jacqueline was tasked with researching background information regarding the topic, collecting data during experiments, and helping to develop the questionnaire investigating the tested automobiles. And, similar to George, she shifted gears along the way.

“Through this experience, I found my interest does not lie in research in medicine as I had thought; instead, I am more fascinated by the primary care aspect,” she said. “But it was still one hundred percent worth it. It provided me with an organized style of doing background information research, allowed me to communicate more efficiently, and strengthened my critical thinking required for research. I truly believe this is the best way to transition into college.”

Ready for a Bright Future

Director of Curriculum Kelli Darrin P ’26 was delighted to see the students get so much out of their projects. “The Sixth Form project provides a real-time, hands-on experience for students to dabble in potential career opportunities, and allows them to pursue passions outside the traditional classroom setting,” she said. “And in terms of setting a more focused path for themselves, it worked! Emily solidified her dream of being a trauma surgeon while Eric realized he’d rather be in the field than behind a desk.”

It is a rare opportunity for a high school student to have an ‘internship’ before entering college. It gives me an academic advantage and a foundation for the future.”

CAN “ADA” CUI

When I was on this internship, I got to meet people who were doing law consulting, and I discovered that was more challenging and appealing to me ... I was able to see what field fits my interest the most.” QINGZHI “GEORGE” TU

SUZANNE ROBERTS P ’24

CAMMY ROFFE: A TRUE CHAMPION FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

Cammy Roffe P ’12, ’15 would shout it from the rooftops if she had to—protecting the environment is vital for the future of our planet. Canterbury’s Director of Sustainability and Science Department Chair is all about the environment, whether she is leading annual tree-planting initiatives on the hilltop, taking overseas Earthwatch trips, or sowing the seeds of knowledge in her classes. And our students are reaping the rewards.

“Cammy’s love of the subject matter inspires her students to learn more, dig deeper, and think harder,” said Sue Roberts P ’24, Associate Head of School for Academics and Dean of Faculty. “She consistently expands discussions with vivid examples, amusing illustrative anecdotes, and relevant facts. Cammy works feverishly to educate our community regarding sustainability and the role we play in this world.”

A passion for the environment has shaped Cammy’s life from the very beginning. Born in New Milford when her father taught at Canterbury, she moved with her family to Williamstown, Massachusetts, when she was still very young. “I grew up with nature,” she said. “I was an equestrian, my dad was a baseball coach, and on weekends my parents were ski patrollers. We rode, we skied, we hiked, we swam—we have always been outdoors. So an environmental track in college made sense to me.”

That path led Cammy to Middlebury College in Vermont, which offered one of the first environmental programs in the country and then to Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where she earned a master’s in liberal studies with a focus on science. “It has long been a passion for me, and I knew I was the kind of person who was not going to sit behind a desk,” she recalled. “After college, I was in the Peace Corps in West Africa teaching science for two years, came back to the States, and have been teaching science ever since. I always tried to incorporate environmental themes into it, even in something like basic biology.”

Coming Home to Canterbury

In many ways, it was inevitable that Cammy returned to her birthplace and work on the hilltop. “My grandfather attended Canterbury in the ’20s. My dad and his two brothers also went here,” she said. She and her husband Rob Roffe P ’12, ’15, the School’s Director of

Academic Technology and Innovation and its Digital Communication, Design, and Innovation Chair, started teaching together at Hoosac School in Hoosick, New York, then followed a great opportunity to Prairie School, a day school in Wisconsin. While they loved the five years they spent there, the couple decided a return back east was in order after having their first child.

“Once we had Cam, we felt isolated from family. We wanted him to know his cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, great grandmother,” Cammy explained. “We did a search and, because of my dad’s connection, sent our résumés directly to Canterbury. We had several different offers, and eventually, Canterbury said yes. So we came in the summer of ’95, baby in tow, and have been here ever since.”

Getting Students Involved

As enthusiastic as Cammy is about the environment, she is even more thrilled to get young people excited about it. “We have a great group of students who are passionate about all of this,” she said. “Not all are not going on to be scientists, but they are learning the basics to be informed voters. So if there is a vote about carbon tax, they understand the science behind it. To me, yes, I love it when I hear that students are going into the environmental field. But not everybody will, so many of my electives are about giving them the basics to understand the world so they can be compassionate individuals.”

According to Sue, Cammy’s impact on students goes well beyond the curriculum. “She understands the importance of building supportive and collaborative environments. In addition to forming caring relationships with each student, she fosters healthy and mutually respectful relationships between them,” she said. “Her classroom is like a community where each individual plays a part and feels at home. Cammy has high expectations for her students, but those expectations are both challenging and realistic. She knows what each student is capable of individually and strives to help each one attain their personal best.”

The impact of those relationships has undoubtedly left its mark on her students. “Mrs. Roffe was my biology teacher during my first year at Canterbury, and you could tell how passionate she was about sustainability both in class and in conversations outside class,” recalled Giovanna “Gigi” Esposito ’22. “That is what drew me to the Sustainability Club. I feel very fortunate to have been involved with the club for the past three years. My favorite thing about Mrs. Roffe is how willing she is to help you academically and personally. She is always asking for members’ input for club events and

“Her classroom is like a community where each individual plays a part and feels at home.”

fundraisers and consistently going above and beyond for her students.”

That dedication has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, Cammy received the School’s prestigious J.P. Mandler Teaching Award, named for the longtime Canterbury dean and presented to the faculty member who “reflects the fundamental commitment to excellence in classroom teaching.”

Fostering a Desire for Continued Learning

Ever dedicated to professional development, Cammy continually seeks ways to expand her knowledge and bring new experiences back to her classroom. She has participated in a number of expeditions through Earthwatch, a global organization pairing science volunteers from all sectors of society with researchers around the world. These included monitoring river otters in Southern Chile as part of the Duffy Family Faculty Travel Grant, working to restore the Sierra Nevada Meadows in California, and traveling to Peru with the Morpho Institute’s Independent Schools in the Amazon for a program on Inquiry, Conservation, and Sustainability. This summer, she received a Duffy Travel Grant to go to the Galapagos Islands.

“All of my Earthwatch experiences have an environmental base with sustainability,” she said. “I use what I learned on these trips—the hydrology from the Sierra Nevadas, the loons and the oil spill—in my teaching. When we cover the environmental impact of oil spills, I can talk about actually catching loons and looking for oil, and I have pictures of what the area looks like. All of that has been professional development in the sense that it is something I can bring back and add to my classes.”

Sue marvels at Cammy’s desire to continue learning and get her feet wet—sometimes literally—in the field. “On any given day you may find her in the Aspetuck River, with waders pulled high, alongside her students of environmental science…setting insect traps around campus…creating bee sanctuaries…sailing out on the

open water with Marine Science for a study cruise…or researching solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources with her water, energy, and climate students,” she said.

And Cammy looks for every opportunity to give students the same experiences she has had. “I attended a program up in Acadia National Park in Maine, and from that I developed a ‘Women in Science’ service trip to Acadia,’ she shared. “I took six young girls there this summer to perform climate change work similar to what I had done.” During the week-long excursion, the girls spent time working with scientists at the Schoodic Institute and on service initiatives to benefit the park. Along the way, they gained valuable exposure to realworld scientific data collection and saw first-hand what is being done to understand climate change and its impact.

Embracing the Canterbury Family

Beyond the rewards of her teaching role, Cammy’s experience on the hilltop has turned into a true family affair. In addition to husband Rob being a colleague, her son and daughter now teach at Canterbury as well— Mathematics Teacher Cam Roffe ’12 and Digital Art & Design Teacher Katie Roffe ’15. “It is cool having our kids come back and work here,” Cammy said. “After they graduated, both of them got sucked in little by little by the idea of returning and finally said, ‘Whoa, we really like this!’

When all was said and done, Canterbury ended up being an excellent fit for Cammy and her family. “There is a history and legacy for me here,” she said. “When I talk to people who are thinking about coming here to teach, I tell them it is not a job—it is a lifestyle, a community. That is certainly what it has been for me.”

Sounds like the perfect environment!

SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES

RAISING AWARENESS ONE SESSION AT A TIME

It happened this winter and spring, and it was a powerful experience for the Canterbury community. Our 12-week Social Justice Series brought together students, faculty, and staff for thought-provoking sessions around issues critical to building a more fair, just, and equitable world.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice and to all the students, faculty, staff, and guest speakers who helped make the Social Justice Series happen. It was another exceedingly positive step toward making our world a better place, one Saint at a time.

A sampling of the compelling stories from these extraordinary events are on the pages that follow.

Bias and Discrimination discussion resonates

Dr. Jay Bauer’s experience with racial identity and bias was about as deeply personal as you can get—it came from his own family.

Speaking to Canterbury students at a Social Justice Series event hosted by the School’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Council, Dr. Bauer shared anecdotes from his life as a person of mixed racial identity and the discrimination and bias he faced, even from his own flesh and blood.

Having learned that the white side of his family had long ago rejected any real relationship with his black relatives, he was determined to reconnect with those white relatives. He succeeded—only to find that, even today, they said speaking with him still violated their elders’ wishes. For the first time, he experienced the familial rejection and segregation that defined his father’s childhood.

His story touched students in attendance.

“As a person who lives at the intersection of many different identities myself, including racial identities, Dr. Bauer’s presentation truly resonated with me,” said Sarina Sheth ’22

“It helped me to better understand, accept, and embrace the varied aspects of my identity.

His story was eye-opening and inspirational as we heard about both the explicit discrimination and implicit bias that he faced even as a young child.”

Using photos to visually illustrate the hidden aspects of race that we all embody in one way or another, Dr. Bauer spoke of how these preconceived reactions lead us on a path of continued bias and discrimination.

Attendee Kylee Henderson ’25 came away from the presentation ready to make a difference.

“It was great to see how much Dr. Bauer was interested in his family’s history and what he was able to learn from his family’s past,” she shared.

“I am now even more determined to not judge someone by what they look like but by who they are on the inside. It really inspired me to want to make a change in our society and how we perceive one another.”

Sarina was equally inspired. “A crucial takeaway for me personally was that the most productive way to engage in difficult conversations on race, identity, and discrimination is to truly educate yourself and others, exploring different perspectives and not jumping to conclusions or making assumptions,” she said.

Dr. Bauer is an alumnus of Tufts University in Massachusetts and works as a dentist in Woodbury, Connecticut. He continues to lead these important conversations with students at institutions such as Colgate University, the University of Connecticut, Taft School, and The Frederick Gunn School.

“As a person who lives at the intersection of many different identities myself, including racial identities, Dr. Bauer’s presentation truly resonated with me.”

SARINA SHETH ’22

Dr. Jay Bauer

Female Trustees Advise and Inspire Students

There was plenty of laughter and learning when several of our female Board of Trustees members shared their stories with Canterbury students at an intimate Social Justice Series event hosted by Women of Canterbury in April.

Held in the D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice, the event—“Inspired Leadership: A Discussion with Canterbury Trustees”—was moderated by Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24. It featured a wonderfully diverse and experienced group of professional women who sat with students both virtually and in person:

Carol Lovell Carmody P ’18, Consultant to the President, Simmons University

Karen (Becker) Casey ’91, former Teaching Assistant, Graduate Research Assistant, Project Director, and Clinical Nurse III, University of California San Francisco’s Institute for Health and Aging

Mary Coleman Lynn ’90, P ’22, ’23, Owner, Mary Coleman Lynn, LLC Nancy Mulheren P ’03, ’13, GP ’24, President and CEO, Rumson Management

Nicole D’Amour Schneider ’93, P ’20, ’22, ’23, Vice President, Supermarket Operations, Big Y Foods, Inc.

Nell (Lennon) Williams ’81, Senior Vice President (Retired), Marriott International

Attendees really connected with the panelists, who spoke about their challenges and successes while encouraging students to support each other and make their voices heard.

“My advice to women has always been to tell your story,” Nell told them. “When it is review time or when you are in the elevator and there is an officer from a group

that you really want to work with—do not hold back or think you are bragging. You are just telling your story.”

And, Mary added, learning how to speak up happens long before you enter the workplace. “Advocating for yourself really starts here in the classroom if you have questions or you are not understanding something. It starts right here at Canterbury.”

Nicole wholeheartedly agreed. “It is part of what you’re doing here at Canterbury. How do you drive awareness and networking and knowledge and development for yourselves as women?” She urged students to take full advantage of

everything the hilltop experience has to offer. “The leadership opportunities available to you at Canterbury are just the beginning steps to learning how to exert your presence and your confidence,”

she said. “That skill set that you gain as a Proctor or Sacristan or on the Interfaith Council or in one of the affinity groups—all of those things are just the start of being a leader in whatever path you take.”

Role models are a critical component of that professional path for women, Carol said.

“During the time I worked, one of the things I did not find very many of were female role models.

I wish I had found more, because role models and your network of female friends in the business world are both really important to cultivate.”

That, according to Rachel, is something Canterbury is acutely focused on for its female students.

“Our job as the adults in your world is to continue to connect you, whether it is the mentoring or the experience and perspective on the world,” she shared. “And now you have people—these Trustees— to connect with and build from.”

Thank you, Trustees, for serving as extraordinary role models and mentors for our Saints.

Nell (Lennon) Williams ’81

Above left: Nancy Mulheren P ’03, ’13, GP ’24; Above right: Karen (Becker) Casey ’91

Carol Lovell Carmody P ’18

Mary Coleman Lynn ’90, P ’22, ’23

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

FATHER MARTIN TO STUDENTS: Open Your Hearts to the Excluded

The title of the talk Father James Martin, S.J. gave to students for Canterbury’s Social Justice Series—“Walking with the Excluded”— sounds simple enough. But Fr. Martin knows from experience that it is anything but simple.

A Jesuit priest and bestselling author, he has devoted his life to advocating for people who are ignored, forgotten, or rejected by society. During his Zoom presentation hosted by the Sacristans, Fr. Martin shared how he has worked with refugees, prison inmates, street gang members, and others who were “on the margins” over the years. Most recently, his personal ministry led him to connect with LGBTQ Catholics.

“I began this work right after the Pulse Nightclub massacre in 2016, when 49 people were killed at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida,” he recalled. That inspired him to write Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity.

“In 2019, I met with Pope Francis to discuss LGBTQ Catholics and how he and the Church could reach out,” he continued. “And I’m going to be starting a website for LGBTQ Catholics called Outreach.”

Fr. Martin also shared three Gospel stories—about the Roman centurion, the Samaritan woman at the well, and Zacchaeus the tax collector—that perfectly illustrate how Jesus treated people who were excluded with compassion and dignity. “These stories show how this is foundational to the Gospel and rooted in Jesus’ ministry,” he said. “It’s not just some current thing, some woke or politically correct thing. It is a fundamental part of the Gospels.”

Such a calling hasn’t always been easy for Fr. Martin, or, he says, for Christians in general. “A lot of times being Catholic calls us to do the unpopular thing,” he explained. “It is helping someone who is poor, inviting someone who was excluded into the group even when it costs you. To be able to welcome someone in the face of opposition is really important. We all need to work toward more inclusion; it opens our hearts.”

During his Zoom presentation hosted by the Sacristans, Fr. Martin shared how he has worked with refugees, prison inmates, street gang members, and others who were “on the margins” over the years. Most recently, his personal ministry led him to connect with LGBTQ Catholics.

Saints Spend a Blessed Week of Service, Faith, and Reflection

True to its Catholic heritage and interfaith values, Canterbury offered students and faculty of all faiths a range of opportunities for prayer, reflection, and service during Holy Week.

The week included the Good Friday mass in the Chapel of Our Lady and a Community Passover Seder in Ragland Commons. “We are truly blessed to share this holy season of Ramadan, Holy Week, and Passover as a community,” said Tracy Garcia-LaVigne P ʼ14, ʼ16, ʼ17, ʼ20, ʼ23, Director of The D’Amour Center for Faith, Service & Justice.

The School intentionally sets aside time from noon to 3:00 PM for our entire community to either do work for others or spend time in quiet reflection.

Dedicated to Service

The generous response from our Saints was no surprise to anyone who has been around the hilltop. They performed a wide variety of service activities for our local community, from gathering and delivering donations to performing on-site volunteer work. These are a few of the many shining examples of our students’ service leadership:

• Assembling and delivering lunches and baked goods for Loaves & Fishes, which provides food and compassion to our most vulnerable neighbors

• Gathering clothing items and baked goods for Dorothy Day House, which offers love, food, and rest for community members in need

• Getting their hands dirty doing raking, yard cleanup, and garden work for the local Senior Center and Village Crest Nursing Home

Opportunities for Reflection

Canterbury students of all faiths have every opportunity to reflect on their

lives and be contemplative in prayer together. Holy Week is an ideal time for such reflection, and our Saints did just that in a number of ways. Here is a sampling:

• Stations of the Cross and a Confirmation Retreat

• Contemplative hikes off campus, choosing from such peaceful locales as Kent Falls, White Memorial Conservation Center, Steep Rock Preserve, and Bee Brook Loop

• Guided meditations

With so many available activities and even more participants, Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 was delighted to see the entire Canterbury family come together. “I am grateful to be part of a School that both observed Good Friday with afternoon acts of service and hosted a community Seder that same evening for Passover—remarkable activities that resonate wonderfully with our mission,” she said.

Canterbury’s long-standing tradition of spirituality and service is as strong as ever on the hilltop.

SEDER CELEBRATION HELD ON THE HILLTOP

Last April, the Jewish Student Association hosted a Passover Seder in the Ragland Commons, and the response from students and faculty was tremendous.

The Seder gave Jewish students an ideal venue to celebrate Passover on campus, and the entire community was invited to see what a Passover Seder is all about. “It is important for Christians to understand Passover because the Last Supper was a Passover Seder,” said Director of Information Technology Matt Glaser ’81, who helped lead the experience.

For their part, the Jewish students in attendance were happy to help advance that understanding. “We were able to share our culture with many non-Jewish community members,” said Matthew Lappin ’23. “It is great that the Canterbury family supports our religious traditions.”

Matt was pleased to see the devotion and enthusiasm displayed by students and faculty at the event. “We sang songs and learned about ancient traditions. Traditional food was prepared and, as is typical with the Canterbury community, everyone pitched in to make the evening wonderful!”

MATT GLASER ’81

“We sang songs and learned about ancient traditions. Traditional food was prepared and, as is typical with the Canterbury community, everyone pitched in to make the evening wonderful!”

“A lot of shoes are wasted. I wanted to get them repurposed for people who need them. The shoe drive was a perfect way to do that.”

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND A SUCCESSFUL SHOE DRIVE

Walter “Stephen” Kershaw ’22 knows how to make things happen! Before he even came to Canterbury, Stephen had already turned his passion for sneakers into a business, Nx Level Kicks, in which he resells apparel, mainly footwear. That passion plus a strong desire for community service led him to another worthy endeavor last spring at Canterbury—a campus-wide shoe drive to benefit the nonprofit Soles 4 Souls.

After conferring with Tracy GarciaLaVigne P ʼ14, ʼ16, ʼ17, ʼ20, ʼ23, Director of The D’Amour Center for Faith, Service, & Justice, Stephen planned the shoe drive, worked out the logistics of collecting donations and got the word out to the community, an effort that included a presentation

to the School. “I made the announcement and followed it up with a video that Soles 4 Souls had done explaining the entire process—and that got a lot of people excited,” he said. “I was really happy with the level of support from the faculty; they donated about a third of the shoes. I remember going down to the mailroom and seeing this huge cartload of shoes. That was nice!”

And helping people in need wasn’t Stephen’s only motivation. “Another reason I did the shoe drive was that I am interested in sustainability,” he shared. “That is a huge market a lot of sneaker brands are going into— reusing materials to make shoes.” True to that purpose, Stephen is a member of the School’s Sustainability Club.

In the end, the drive’s final tally was 315 pairs of shoes donated to Soles 4 Souls, which redistributes them to countries around the world.

Reflecting back on the experience, Stephen realized it was not only greatly rewarding but an opportunity to learn something about himself. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” he said. “This is the first time I have ever done something like this. It is important to try new things to further develop yourself.”

The next stage of his development? Attending Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to study business administration.

Best of luck Stephen, and thank you!

Earth Day has special meaning to Sebastian Voskericyan ’22, who grew up loving nature and developed a passion for environmental issues early in life. So it was important for him to raise awareness about the day on campus while also helping a worthy cause—and he knew just what to do.

“Whenever I think fundraisers, I like incorporating t-shirts because they are fun for students,” Sebastian said. “You can have a dress-down day and a cool design to make people want to wear it. Plus, the message is front and center when everyone has it on.”

Coming up with the concept was one thing; it took a lot of hard work and business savvy, by Sebastian— and plenty of help from his peers— to make it happen.

The first priority was making sure the shirt itself was true to its message, in keeping with the spirit of Earth Day. “I wanted to

make the t-shirt sustainable, out of one hundred percent recycled material,” he explained. “I did some research online and looked up manufacturers who produced recycled t-shirts.” He ended up finding a company that was significantly less expensive than others but still make a quality shirt, maximizing profits for the fundraiser.

Next up, a design was needed.

As a leader in the School’s Sustainability Club, Sebastian turned to his fellow club members

and Director of Sustainability Cammy Roffe P ’12, ’15 for ideas.

After some discussion, Jerry Liu ’22 started the framework of a design and Nathan Ruzzi ’24 brought it to life. By all accounts, the end result was terrific.

Finally, Sebastian wanted to identify an ideal recipient for the proceeds. Thanks to a tip from a friend, he found one—the Sage Educational Center in Ghana, Africa, which gives students the chance to work with local teams to solve a community’s real-world

challenges related to their academic strengths and interests.

The end result? Nearly 90 t-shirts were sold and more than $800 was donated to Sage to help incorporate solar panels into the education center there. Plus, students were wearing the t-shirts all over the hilltop. Message delivered; mission accomplished!

Now Sebastian has his sights set on the larger impact he can have on our planet. “I would like to get into green tech because that is the future. I want to be a part of finding a way to solve the problems our earth is facing today and make green technology more accessible and less expensive,” he explained.

“I am going to Babson College (in Wellesley, Massachusetts) next year to learn the entrepreneurial mindset and skills I need for that field.”

For people as passionate as Sebastien is about our environment, every day is Earth Day.

THIS SAINT HAS SUSTAINABILITY DOWN TO A “TEE”

STEPHEN KERSHAW ’22

Nearly 90 t-shirts were sold and more than $800 was donated to Sage to help incorporate solar panels into the education center.

S acristan—it may be the most respected, valued, and trusted role on the Canterbury campus. Students who assume this essential position have the personal character, demonstrated faith, and leadership qualities to inspire a positive culture at the School.

And so, we are pleased to recognize our upcoming Sixth Form students who have earned the title Sacristan beginning this fall: John Bagg, Erin Flaherty, Luke Germain, Rhea Khazzaka, Lily LaVigne, Anne Melich, Patrick Pannasch, Amanda Regina, Ava Ruisi, Cadence Schneider, Liam Teeking, and Avery Trach

Tracy Garcia-LaVigne P ʼ14, ʼ16, ʼ17, ʼ20, ʼ23, Director of The D’Amour Center for Faith, Service, & Justice, is looking forward to working with this amazing group of students in the coming year. “Our new Sacristans very much represent the range and diversity of our student body, each with unique strengths and talents,” she said. “I have no doubt that they will be extraordinary faith leaders for our campus and have a meaningful impact on their peers and the entire hilltop community.”

In their roles, the Sacristans will live a life of faith and service, encourage the spiritual life of their peers, and contribute to the positive growth of Canterbury by exemplifying the School’s Five Values. They help organize retreats, offer daily reflections and prayers at School Meeting, serve at Mass, and inspire others to participate in service opportunities.

Members of the Interfaith Council have also been selected for the coming school year: Veikko Eskelin ’23, Beau Freedman ’24, Noam Hoffman ’24, Hannah Nash ’23, Sofia Vial ’24, Adam Zarif ’23, and Michael Zarif ’23. Together, they will work to create space on campus for students who engage in all faith traditions or who are exploring their own faith questions. They will also guide interfaith prayer services, events, and dialogue and work in tandem with Sacristans to lead retreats.

Congratulations to all of our 2022-23 faith leaders!

John Bagg Erin Flaherty

Luke Germain Rhea Khazzaka

Lily LaVigne Anne Melich

Veikko Eskelin ’23 Beau Freedman ’24 Noam Hoffman ’24

Hannah Nash ’23 Sofia Vial ’24

Patrick Pannasch Amanda Regina Ava Ruisi Cadence Schneider Liam Teeking Avery Trach

Adam Zarif ’23 Michael Zarif ’23

Rachel Stone Invited to Heads and Principals Association

The prestigious Heads and Principals Association, which is limited to just 100 active members worldwide, has chosen Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 as one of its newest members.

The world’s oldest association of public and private educational leaders, the Heads and Principals Association (formerly the Headmaster’s Association) is “intended to gather the nation’s leading educators from the nation’s leading schools,” said Executive Secretary of the association and former Head of Asheville School Archibald R. Montgomery IV in his congratulatory letter to Rachel.

The association’s membership is a unique collaboration of leaders from a diverse field of secondary schools. It offers in-person and online opportunities for peer-to-peer idea exchange, development of professional

relationships, and support from fellow Heads on today’s education challenges.

At the annual meeting in February (held virtually due to the pandemic), Rachel was formally welcomed to the association along with four new independent school members and five public school members. New members are elected by vote of the membership after having been initially nominated by their colleagues. Robert Hill III, Head of School at Williston Northampton School, and Chandler Hardwick, retired longtime Headmaster of Blair Academy—where Rachel spent the first 22 years of her career as an educator—put her up for nomination.

Rachel was quick to express her appreciation. “One silver lining of COVID has been the grounding and reassuring relationships with new colleagues, and Bob is one of those colleagues,” she said. “Chan offered me my first boarding

school job in 1994 as well as plenty of opportunity, feedback, and mentoring along the way.”

She continued: “I am humbled and excited to join this group of educators and community builders, and grateful to be welcomed into the association.”

Congratulations, Rachel!

he Canterbury community came together for an important cause this spring, wearing jeans and other denim clothing to recognize National Denim Day in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention.

The campus-wide initiative was spearheaded by Women of Canterbury and its Co-Presidents Giovanna “Gigi” Esposito ’22 and Kathryn “Kaly” Naughton ’22. They handed out pins and had students, faculty, and staff sign jeans in solidarity. All were encouraged to wear their pins and denim, and to make donations to The Center for Empowerment and Education in Danbury.

As always, our Saints came through with flying colors! Denim and pins could be seen everywhere on the hilltop. The outpouring of support was overwhelming for Gigi and Kaly. “One of our main priorities was getting the majority of the School involved, so we are very happy,” said Gigi. They both credited Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 and Director of Health Services Colleen Cook, R.N. ’02 with providing valuable guidance and ideas throughout the planning. “We ran

everything by them, and they gave us great feedback,” said Kaly.

Denim Day was first introduced in 1999 after an Italian court granted the appeal of a rapist and overturned his sentence because his victim wore tight jeans. This sparked worldwide protests, and Italian women showed up to work wearing denim jeans and other such clothing. That gesture grew to become a global phenomenon observed each year in April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

And, Gigi urges, that awareness is so critical. “This is something that affects so many,” she shared. “People have come up to me and said, ‘How can we help?’ It was really nice to see everyone rally together and show that we care.”

SAINTS WEAR DENIM TO SUPPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS & PREVENTION

Canterbury Employee Delivers Inspirational “Saints on the Hill”

At Canterbury, everyone who knows Raymond Hadden loves him. He has been a fixture on the Dining Services team since 2004, and his mother, Theresa Rice, has worked in various administrative positions at the School for more than 21 years. But during a late February School Meeting, the campus community was introduced to a completely different side of Ray.

Speaking as part of Canterbury’s Saints on the Hill program, Ray shared his experiences growing up with a disability and his greatest passion in life—the Special Olympics.

At the age of three, having had issues with fine and gross motor skills, Ray was diagnosed with severe learning disabilities. He started school a year later, and it would become increasingly more difficult for him as he moved up in grades. “I enjoyed going to school until fourth grade,” he said. “Then I started to feel that I was different from my peers; not feeling very good about myself. It was suggested that I join Special Olympics, and it is one of the best things I have ever done.”

In 1984, he competed for the first time in track and field, and over the years became involved in downhill skiing, floor hockey, bowling, snowshoeing, unified basketball, and bocce. As he became more immersed in Special Olympics, Ray began to notice a change in himself. “All the support and

encouragement an athlete receives during training and competing helps one feel good about themselves, building self-esteem and self-respect,” he said. “This gives you the self-confidence to try just about anything.”

And try anything he did. In 2002, the local coordinator recognized Ray’s passion for Special Olympics and asked him to join a panel of athletes who discuss and vote on issues to help improve the program in Connecticut. He said yes, and a whole new chapter in Ray’s life was launched. He held numerous leadership positions within the organization, culminating in becoming a Global Messenger for Connecticut Special Olympics.

“I was hooked. I realized Special Olympics was more than just a sports program,” he shared. “I started to get more involved with fundraisers, like the Penguin Plunge, Torch Runs, Tip-aCop events, and Dream Ride. In 2016, I was given the privilege to represent Connecticut Special Olympics in Australia’s first Dream Ride event. And I went to Washington, DC, to speak to our state representatives about the impact the Special Olympics program has on an athlete.”

He has received numerous accolades— including a Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award—but for Ray, the biggest reward is giving back. “Special Olympics is my passion. I love being able to spread the word and educate people about the mission and the positive impact it has had on my life,” he said. “Being a strong mentor and leader is important to me; watching someone learn and grow in their sport and have that feeling of accomplishment as I did when I first started.”

He certainly succeeded in spreading that word to his Canterbury family. Peter LaVigne P ’14, ’16, ’17, ’20, ’23, Assistant Head of School for Student Life, said it best: “You inspire us, Ray, and we appreciate you.”

“Being a strong mentor and leader is important to me; watching someone learn and grow in their sport and have that feeling of accomplishment as I did when I first started.”

RAYMOND HADDEN

LORD

Amazing Opportunity for This Young Global Leader

E nglish Department Chair Madelaine Lord saw serious leadership potential in Ruari Bamrick ’25 and was determined to help her realize that potential. So Maddie took a chance and nominated her for the Global Young Leaders Conference this past June in New York City and Washington, DC.

It worked! Ruari was chosen to attend and could not have been more grateful. “I want to thank you for this amazing opportunity; it was one of the most fun and educational experiences I have ever had,” she told Maddie after completing the conference. “I met people from around the world and got to compare the similarities and differences of various cultures.”

Presented by national education organization Envision, the Global Young Leaders Confer ence takes students on a 10-day journey to both New York City and Washington, DC, for an out-of-classroom learning experience and rigorous curriculum. Along the way they gain the confidence, independence, skills, and global competitiveness required of the next generation

of leaders. And, for Ruari, incredible memo ries she will carry with her always.

“We toured the United Nations building, spoke with a representative from the World Bank, visited the Philippines Embassy, even talked with an actual diplomat,” she shared. “I also got to indulge my fascination for history as we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Holocaust Museum in DC, as well as learned about the big five monuments in Washington.”

She was equally excited about the conference centerpiece—the Global Summit simulation that lets students put their communication, decision making, goal setting, and negotiation skills into practice in a real-world setting.

“We were assigned to represent a nation and come up with a resolution in response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Ruari said. “I represented the United Kingdom and worked on SDG number four, quality education. My resolution was a finalist, but did not make it through the last round of eliminations. I also was elected to serve as a secretary for the UK, a position that allowed me to make and record deals with the six other countries at the conference.”

Ruari’s success and accomplishments at the event came as no surprise to Maddie.

“Ruari embodies what it means to be a global human,” she said. “She actively seeks out other perspectives and hopes to understand how the world works with the aim of making it a better place. Ruari continues to develop a growth mindset and operates as an independent and thoughtful student and citizen. She was an excellent candidate for a program like this.”

The most amazing part of the program for Ruari, however, was the connections she made, most of them international. “My closest friends at the conference were from countries such as Kuwait, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Turkey (I can now speak a few Turkish sentences!), New Zealand, Brazil, Guatemala, Argentina, and Japan,” she explained. “It was so fascinating to compare our different backgrounds and learn about their cultures. I truly hope that I will stay in contact with them and maybe one day work alongside them.”

Spoken like a true leader.

“Ruari embodies what it means to be a global human. She actively seeks out other perspectives and hopes to understand how the world works with the aim of making it a better place. Ruari continues to develop a growth mindset and operates as an independent and thoughtful student and citizen. She was an excellent candidate for a program like this.”

Left to right: Gabriel Bradshaw ’24, Beckett Reynolds ’23, Ziyi “Owen” Wang ’24, Tomas Siabatto ’24, Felipe Siabatto ’24, and Ruari Bamrick ’24.

Model Students at Model UN

At this year’s Concord Academy Model UN Conference in Massachusetts, six Canterbury students were challenged to take on the role of diplomats working with others to address global issues—and they really rose to the challenge!

Model UN is a simulation of the United Nations General Assembly and its other multilateral bodies where students perform an ambassador role for an assigned country while debating topics such as gender equality, climate action, global health, and more. “It is essentially a role-playing, problem-solving situation. The students learn to leverage their position and try to make things better,” said History and Social Sciences Teacher Stephen Hewston, who is the Faculty Advisor for Canterbury’s Model UN Club. “There are motions to have debates, moderated caucuses where one person talks and then the next person comes up and talks, unmoderated caucuses where it’s a free-forall. The whole goal is to pass a resolution. No one person can ‘win it’ without the whole committee doing well. Our students had a great time with it.”

The six Saints who represented Canterbury at the conference—Ruari Bamrick ’24, Gabriel Bradshaw ’24, Beckett Reynolds ’23, Felipe Siabatto ’24, Tomas Siabatto ’24, and Ziyi “Owen” Wang ’24—are all Model UN Club members. While brothers Felipe and Tomas participated in different segments of the event, they had equally valuable learning experiences.

“I was in the General Assembly for COVID-19 vaccine allocations, representing Saudi Arabia,” Felipe said. “We had to do research for position papers that we send to the assembly chairs, so they know where our countries stand. You can also keep additional research to yourself to use as speaking points. I enjoyed the unmoderated caucus when everyone gets up and goes to talk with other countries. You can form alliances and see their papers—and make friends!”

Representing France on the Human Rights Council for Reproductive Rights had its own set of challenges for Tomas. “You have to talk like you

are the country, so your own opinion shouldn’t matter,” he explained. “It does not matter what you think about the topic; it matters what your country thinks about it. You have to speak like you are the country itself. A lot of people fail at that; they start thinking, ‘What would I do?’”

The knowledge and skills gained at the conference make it well worth the challenges, according to Ruari, who also served on the COVID vaccine assembly. “Model UN helps you learn important life lessons such as public speaking, persuasion, and working with a team,” she said. “I came away with a better understanding of international relations and how the UN runs, as well as the ability to team up with strangers to find a solution for fixing a global issue.”

And Beckett emerged from the event with an award for Outstanding Delegate! As a member of a crisis committee dealing with the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s death, he played the part of Marcus Agrippa, one of the generals leveraging for the position. Ever the proud mentor, Stephen said the award was very much deserved. “What Beckett did was come in well-researched, and he just did a good job. He did not steal the floor, but he also didn’t melt into the background.”

For his part, Beckett said the whole experience helped him grow as a person. “I found a side of me that was able to communicate with people my age I did not know, and that is truly what makes Model UN such a unique experience,” Beckett shared. “It allows you to immerse yourself in a narrative and play a character without any preconceived notions of who you are. It was incredibly fun!”

After leaving the hilltop at 6:00 AM and not returning until after 7:00 that night, the group was still in high spirits—and anxiously looking forward to the next conference.

“I enjoyed the unmoderated caucus when everyone gets up and goes to talk with other countries. You can form alliances and see their papers—and make friends!”

FELIPE SIABATTO ’24

A Well-Deserved Yearbook Dedication

Jake Dellorco is the epitome of what it means to be a Saint. As Director of Strategic Enrollment Management and former Dean of Students, Jake has always put Canterbury students first—and the Class of 2022 returned the favor by dedicating its yearbook to him “in recognition of his many contributions to the Canterbury community.”

Those contributions are as varied as they are significant, as noted by Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24. “Whether teaching statistics; performing in a pep rally; coaching football; building our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) programming; working with advisees and Carmody residents; or now running our admission office, Jake’s drive and inspiration are centered on—and fueled by—the shared student experience on our hilltop,” she said.

Assistant Head of School for Student Life Peter LaVigne P ’14, ’16, ’17, ’20, ’23 echoed those sentiments. “He cares passionately for the students and works tirelessly to make their time on the hilltop as rewarding, positive, and joyful as possible,” Peter said. “Jake has made an indelible impact on the Class of 2022.”

Addressing the graduating class at the Sixth Form Banquet Dinner, Jake expressed deep gratitude to the students. “I want to start by thanking you, the class of 2022, for this recognition. I am truly—and I mean beyond words—humbled and honored. It goes without saying that there is an incredible group of faculty here, each as deserving of the yearbook dedication as me, and to be standing in front of you tonight means more than you may know.”

Jake has been a valued teacher, coach, mentor, and tireless advocate for all of our students and a trusted colleague and friend to our faculty and staff—and we are delighted he received this well-deserved honor. Congratulations, Jake, and thank you for all you do for Canterbury!

PLAYING THE STOCK MARKET GAME

These Saints are ready for Wall Street! More than 150 students, faculty, and staff participated in the Stock Market Game, a simulator organized by the Canterbury Business Association (CBA) student club this spring.

Using the marketwatch.com platform, participants bought and sold “stocks” to see who could earn the most over a threemonth period, which concluded on April 20. Congratulations to Richard Gosman ’23, who was the overall top earner with total returns of $265,931.54 on 238 trades, and to second and third place finishers Seth Schullery ’25 and Alexander Olcese ’23, whose total returns each topped well over $100,000.

Richie was happy to share some of his strategy for the game. “I would check a website with a listing of top gainers in the morning, get into one of those stocks, and throughout the day watch it jump 20 to 150 percent. Then toward the end of the event, there was a stock called Boyle, an energy company, that I rode out for about three weeks. In that time, it was up about 50 percent, so that one helped a lot, too.”

Director of Library Services and Research Ryan Rebstock had the best showing among faculty and staff, finishing 10th overall with $40,016.25 in total returns. Director of Health Services Colleen Cook, R.N. ’02 and Nurse Beverly Palo, R.N. P ’07 rounded out the top three among employees.

The top three students and faculty each received gift cards for their efforts, but

all participants gained great experience in seeing how stock market trading and trends work. “I am not a numbers guy, but also not afraid to try something new,” Ryan shared. “The students were really getting into it, which piqued my interest even more. You can teach an old dog new tricks! The game has emboldened me to perhaps try a few things with my own money and make it grow over time.”

CBA Faculty Advisor Zachary Lord was pleased with student enthusiasm for the game and praised the overall learning experience. “There was a focused educational component to the game, including a stock market information session,” he said.

“It was interesting to see the different approaches students took. Some, like Richie, did a lot of day trading while others built a portfolio and then did not touch it after that.”

Richie was indeed very enthusiastic about the opportunity—for both himself and his classmates. “I think it is great for young people to introduce themselves to the stock market,” he said. “They can see the real value of money and how you can either make it grow really fast or lose it really fast. It felt good to win it!” Richie was one of 12 Club Leaders for the Canterbury Business Association, which had 58 members this past academic year.

Kudos to all the student participants who raised their stock for future business careers.

Left to right: Richard Gosman ’23, Zachery Lord, and Ryan Rebstock.

“I would check a listing of top gainers, get one of those stocks, and throughout the day watch it jump 20 to 150 percent.”

RICHARD GOSMAN ’23

International Week Means the World to Students

We all have that moment when someone inevitably proclaims, “Small world!” That was the case for the entire Canterbury community this spring when the School held International Week, a series of events and activities celebrating the cultures and traditions of the world.

Throughout the week, a number of students presented their cultures, customs, and more at School Meeting, introducing classmates and faculty to their home countries while sharing fun, captivating personal stories about their lives there.

Flags from different nations were hung in the Steers Center Ragland Commons during the week, and the Dining Hall offered internationally inspired lunches each day—Asian, Spanish, Irish, and Italian—culminating with an American picnic for students on Saturday.

The grand finale was the 8th Annual International AfFair held Saturday night in Pigott Arena, showcasing more than a dozen countries and regions from around the globe. Tables were set up along the perimeter of Pigott, each with students answering questions and serving samples of food and drink from those areas of the world. Represented countries included Canada, Jamaica, Syria, Korea, Brazil, Colombia, Italy, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, Afghanistan, and different regions of China.

Most of the food and beverage items were prepared by the students themselves using the Brodie Room kitchen, the Health Center kitchen, and even faculty members’ home kitchens. Thank you, Colleen Cook, R.N. ’02; Margaret Draper; Charlie Gaetjens; Linda Labet; Amy ’86 and Julio Omaña P ’19, ’20; Olivia Pena; and Rachel and Jim Stone P ’23, ’24 for supporting our culinary Saints!

Julio, our Director of International Travel Programs, and Director of Community Life Elyse “EJ” Soifersmith were beaming with pride over the collective effort and dedication that went into making the week such a success. “Led by our International Student Ambassadors (ISAs), the students put a lot of work into this event. They took many hours to attend meetings, cook their meals, and set up,” EJ shared. “It is a wonderful way to educate others about and share their food, culture, and traditions.”

Kudos to ISAs Hanyan Cai ’22, Marina Druck ’22, Maxim Mochalov Paredes ’22, Mateo Siabatto ’22, Ziqian “Jacqueline” Yang ’22, and “Neil” Yao ’22 for their leadership and enthusiasm. EJ was especially excited about Saturday’s event. “The AfFair was extremely well attended and the food was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere was filled with energy and appreciation for fellow students!”

Yueanshu “Angel” Fu ’25 felt that appreciation throughout her first International Week experience on the hilltop. “Everyone was involved in learning about and enjoying all these cultures,” she said. “Those of us making the food were really happy to share our home tastings and enjoyed the fun of cooking. I can’t wait for next year!”

STUDENTS STEP UP TO LEAD IN 2022-23

While all Canterbury students exhibit leadership in some way during their time here, a select group of Saints take on formal roles as leaders at the beginning of every school year. Say hello to the Saints who will assume these roles in the fall for 2022-23:

SIXTH FORM COUNCIL

Being chosen for the Sixth Form Council is the ultimate sign of trust and respect from your classmates. Elected each spring by their peers, these key student leaders are charged with fostering a strong sense of community on campus through events like the Frederick Gunn School Day pep rally and Spirit Week, working with the Student Life Office and the Head of School on student initiatives, and running School Meeting each Friday. They set a positive example for classmates and underform students by the way they conduct their lives at school each day.

Congratulations to the following Saints for earning their spots on the 2022-23 Sixth Form Council! John Bagg, Gabriella Dellacroce, Theodore Hauser, Jake Kloss, Matthew Lappin, Riley McPhee, Bryce Stone, and Xinyi “Lisa” Weng.

LEAD AMBASSADORS

Lead Ambassadors, from a variety of backgrounds and interests, work with our Admission Office to give tours, greet prospective families, and provide the student perspective of life on the hilltop. This coming year, Sixth Form Leads are John Bagg, Erin Flaherty, Neve Flanagan, Cameron Folli, Luke Germain, Richard Gosman, Samantha Hawley, Jake Kloss, Connor Koh, Lily LaVigne, Olivia Lynn, Riley McPhee, Hannah Nash, Amanda Regina, Cullen Stone, and Michael Zarif. Fifth Form Leads are Kerstin Ambruso, Bradley Bushnell, Ella Caraluzzi, Nicholas Ciampi, Elsa Copeland, Madeline Diglio, Jack Greenberg, Ryan Roberts, Lea Ruisi, Evan Rydingsword, Lynzie Sanford, and Jake Towey

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AMBASSADORS

Our International Student Ambassadors help new international students adjust to life at Canterbury. Throughout the year, they also help plan opportunities for the entire community to share heritages, cultures, and cuisines. For 2022-23, they are Eva Berkovich ’24, Andrew Zhe Chen ’24, Chloe Herr 24, Zhe “Andrew” Ji ’23, Junseong Jo ’23,

SIXTH FORM COUNCIL

Felipe Siabatto ’24, Qifeng “Stephen” Song ’24, and Fiona Yao ’23

DAY PROCTORS

Day Proctors are selected from among the Sixth Form day students to serve as leaders and role models for all day students. They meet regularly with the Student Life staff to discuss concerns raised by day students, and handle issues of parking and appropriate behavior. This year’s Day Proctors are Owen Arias, Lauren Bellucci, Stephanie Bissing, Annaleise Booth, Sophia Crowe, Rhea Khazzaka, Tommy Lapham, Lily LaVigne, Hannah Nash, Alex Olcese, Ava Ruisi, Noah Schretzenmayer, Bryce Stone, Cullen Stone, Liam Teeking, Avery Trach, Sophia Vial, Adam Zarif, and Michael Zarif

BOARDING PROCTORS

Boarding Proctors live in the dorm and are there to look out for students. They help new and returning students move into their rooms and adjust to the schedule and dorm rules. In addition, they meet regularly with Dorm Heads, the Student Life Office, and the Director of Counseling to discuss concerns raised by students regarding dorm life. Boarding Proctors for 2022-23 are John Bagg ’23, Jed Brazo’23, Camryn Beauvais ’24, Anne Celestino ’24, Olivia Clark ’24, Elsa Copeland ’24, Gabriela Dellacroce ’23, Madeline Diglio ’24, Jason Fisher ’23, Erin Flaherty ’23, Neve Flanagan ’23, Cameron

Folli ’23, Luke Germain ’23, Richie Gosman ’23, Jack Greenberg ’24, Theodore Hauser ’23, Jake Kloss ’24, Connor Koh ’23, Matthew Lappin ’23, Yunhan “Jacob” Li ’23, Olivia Lynn ’23, Sophia Maselli ’23, Kiley McCooey ’23, Kate McDonough ’24, Riley McPhee ’23, Lauren McQueen ’23, Jerome “Reece” Montrone ’23, Geoffrey Moran ’24, Dana “James” Moreau ’23, Joy Okonye ’23, Patrick Pannasch ’24, Charles Phillips ’23, Amanda Regina ’23, Nathan Ruzzi ’24, Cadence Schneider ’23, Ziyi “Owen” Wang ’24, Fiona Yao ’23, and Lezhi “Martin” Zhang ’24.

DEIJ (DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE) COUNCIL

The DEIJ Council helps guide efforts to advance and sustain a diverse, equitable, inclusive, safe, and just community that is founded upon, inspired by, and held accountable to our five values of honesty, respect, compassion, spirituality, and selfreliance. Leading this collaborative community work for 2022-23 are Laurie Etienne ’24, Yueanshu “Angel” Fu ’25, Jack Greenberg ’24, Brooklyn Hairston ’24, Rahee “Ren” Kim ’25, Lily LaVigne ’23, Hannah Nash ’23, Beckett Reynolds ’23, Tyrese Taylor ’23, and Lezhi “Martin” Zhang ’24

We are so proud of and happy for our newest student leaders and look forward to a successful year ahead.

John Bagg Gabriella Dellacroce

Theodore Hauser

Jake Kloss

Matthew Lappin Riley McPhee

Bryce Stone

Lisa Weng

AP ART SHOW: Public Displays of Perfection

These Saints put the “fine” in fine art!

This spring, Advanced Placement students in our Studio Arts program showcased their considerable talents at the AP Art Show in the Edward J. Duffy Family Art Gallery on campus.

Student artists Giancarlo Feraci ’22, Jeremiah Keefe ’22, Kathryn “Kaly” Naughton ’22, Olivia O’Connor ’22, and Xinyi “Lisa” Weng ’23 presented their completed portfolios—a wide array of stunning masterpieces—in the semester’s final art show. They each spent the academic year focusing on a chosen theme or concentration.

In describing his artistic displays, Giancarlo wrote, “My work is composed of sports equipment that embodies the love/hate relationship with each sport I have played…I felt the best way to express this journey was by showing the larger and more pivotal events through my life in individual projects.”

Lisa’s art was based on her personal experiences as well. “My theme revolves around love…it is the consection of

happiness, pain, jealousy, and selfhealing,” she wrote. “I aim to portray every angle of love through my artwork so my audience can see love in its most accurate form through these emotions.”

Congratulations to all of our student artists for an extraordinary exhibit!

Lisa Weng ’23

Jeremiah Keefe ’22

Saints Set the Stage for a Fabulous Show!

Audiences got a taste of Broadway at Canterbury when the School presented its spring musical, Cyrano de Burger Shack, in Maguire Auditorium. Our students lit up the stage with energy and joy as they performed contemporary hit songs and connected with the crowd during this pop musical by Jeremy Desmon, a modern retelling of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac.

Sarah Armstrong, Co-Director, enjoyed introducing students to the music of her youth. “For me, Cyrano de Burger Shack offers a chance to go back, to be free, to let the music of my youth bring back a flood of happy memories,” she said. “It has been so fun to watch this cast and crew fall in love with Ace of Base, the Go-Go’s, Madonna, and Debbie Gibson. I see my friends’ smiles in their smiles and hear their laughter commingle with the laughter of my memories, and it reminds me that life will be okay.”

Being a part of the show was just as satisfying for the students, including Hanyan, whom Sarah approached specifically to play Hott Todd in the production. “It was a great experience. I became a part of this really special community of theater people, and everyone

is so close and supportive,” he shared. “You are allowed to express yourself on stage, which is really cool. I am very fortunate that Mrs. Armstrong asked me to do this. It was great!”

Cyrano received eight HALO Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. Isabella Carioscia ’22 ended up winning a HALO for Outstanding Choreographer in a Production.

A round of applause goes out to the entire cast and crew for their dedication and talent in bringing this fabulous production to life!

And special thanks to Sarah and Keiko for their leadership and support.

Five Saints Earn HALOS

ongratulations are in order! A contingent of Canterbury students, along with Co-Directors Sarah Armstrong and Keiko Mathewson, cheered enthusiastically as five of their peers took home 2022 HALO Awards at the gala ceremony held June 2 at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury, Connecticut.

The Saints recognized with HALOs:

• Outstanding Choreographer in a Production—Isabella Carioscia ’22 for Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Sound Design and Execution— Ella Caraluzzi ’24 and Madison Lang ’24 for Radium Girls

• Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Play—Ruari Bamrick ’24 as Kathryn Schaub in Radium Girls

• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Contemporary Play—Qixiu “Neil” Yao ’22 as Arthur Roeder in Radium Girls

During the program, Ava Faruol ’24 and Andrew Martin ’23 took the stage to perform “The Sign” from the School’s Cyrano de Burger Shack, one of the evening’s Best Musical nominees.

Canterbury had received an amazing 20 nominations out of 44 categories in the prestigious HALO Awards program, which honors students from 80+ Connecticut high schools for excellence in theater. The other nominees were:

• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play: Beckett Reynolds ’23 as Edward Markley/Dr. Von Sochocky in Radium Girls

• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play: Irene Chen ’24 as Raymond Berry in Radium Girls

• Best Comic Male Performance in a Musical: Qixiu “Neil” Yao ’22 as Jean Paul in Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Costume Design and/or Execution: Rahee “Ren” Kim ’25 & Fiona Mulheren ’23 for Radium Girls

• Best Hair and/or Makeup Design and/or Execution: Marjan Faqiri ’25 & Emerson Lilly ’25 for Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Lighting Design and/or Execution: Cate Bonnell ’25 & Katherine Datlow ’24 for Radium Girls

• Best Scenic Design and/or Execution: Marjan Faqiri ’25, Zhe “Andrew” Ji ’23, Andrew Martin ’23, Fiona Mulheren ’23, & Beckett Reynolds ’23 for Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Props Design and/or Management: Laurie Etienne ’24, Colleen Gallagher ’24, & Rahee “Ren” Kim ’25 for Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Running Crew: Laurie Etienne ’24, Marjan Faqiri ’25, Colleen Gallagher ’24, Emerson Lilly ’25, & Ziyi “Owen” Wang ’24 for Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Stage Management: Fiona Mulheren ’23 (Stage Manager), Mia McFadden ’24 & Ziyi “Owen” Wang ’24 (Assistant Stage Managers) for Radium Girls

• Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Play: Andrew Martin ’23 as Tom Kreider in Radium Girls

• Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Musical: Bryce Stone ’23 as Christian in Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Performance by a Couple or Dynamic Duo in a Musical: Andrew Martin ’23 & Bryce Stone ’23 as Cyrano & Christian in Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Contemporary Play: Isabella Carioscia ’22 as Grace Fryer in Radium Girls

• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Contemporary Musical: Ava Faruol ’24 as Roxanne in Cyrano de Burger Shack

• Best Play: Radium Girls

• Best Musical: Cyrano de Burger Shack

Keiko was delighted with the accomplishments of all her theater students, and enjoyed sharing the big night with the Canterbury group in attendance. “We could not be prouder of the students who attended the exciting awards with us and represented our School so well,” she said.

Music Filled the Air on the Hilltop This Spring

Ah, the sounds of spring! From alumnistudent collaborations to dazzling instrumentals to talented voices, the season’s concerts on the hilltop featured plenty of showstopping moments for music fans.

It started in early March as a packed house in Maguire Auditorium enjoyed the annual Past Meets Present Music Festival spotlighting Saints musicians of yesterday and today. The lively concert featured Paul Deedon ’09 on bass and Diego “Dipa” Ante ’19 on guitar joining our current student musicians: Contemporary Music Band—Jerry Liu ’22, piano; Xavier Leone ’23, bass; Connor Koh ’23, drums; and Alessandra King ’22 and Lisa Weng ’23, vocals Jazz-Rock-Pop Ensemble—Irene Chen ’24, piano; Xavier Leone ’23 and Gavin Winters ’25, alto sax; Mark “Maverick” Foster ’22, tenor sax; Ryan DeSantis ’22, Connor Koh ’23, and Isabella Mavuli ’25, trumpet; and Stephen Hraska ’25, trombone Rock Band—Kate “Kat” McDonough ’24, Asher Hughes ’24, Morgan Lau ’24, and Andrew Martin ’23, vocals; Ryan Oemcke ’24 and Patrick Toon ’25, guitar; Yijie “Jack” Wang ’23, drums; and Jerry Liu ’22, keyboards

Following his years at Canterbury, Paul shared the stage with Rick Ross, Joe Perry, Richie Sambora, Orianthi, George Benson, Ne-Yo, and countless other musicians. He has performed across the United States and currently plays with several groups, including a critically acclaimed 18-piece funk band, MOJO, alongside fellow alumnus Nick Yost ’08

Current students were thrilled to collaborate with such accomplished musicians. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the talented alumni,” Kat said. “They brought such authentic energy to our performances. It was so exciting to be a part of a show that brought together the past and the present of Canterbury music.”

The fabulous concert showcased songs from a wide range of artists such as Herbie Hancock, Van Halen, Rhianna, and many more.

Bringing Down the House

Equally as amazing were the concerts on backto-back weekends to usher in the end of the school year. You could feel the energy in Maguire Auditorium for the Jazz & Rock Spring Music Festival—from Patrick’s opening guitar rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” to spirited covers of “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Treasure,” and more to the “Mr. Brightside” grand finale.

Director of Music David Overthrow was quick to praise the student musicians for their talent and dedication. “Their creative brains take over, and they lay it on the line performing, improvising, and showing off the product of their hard work,” he said. “And we greatly appreciated the

presence and energy of all who showed up to support them. Everyone coming up to the stage to dance while we closed out the concert with ‘Mr. Brightside’ was epic!”

The following Friday, the Chapel of Our Lady was buzzing with energy for Spring Serenade, the year’s last major concert. Students in the Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, Varsity Voices, Chorale, and Carillon Guild made beautiful music in a variety of genres to the delight of an enthusiastic audience.

Performing Arts Chair Sarah Armstrong lauded all of the students for their work and expressed appreciation to the seniors—Ian Fernandes ’22 and Qixiu “Neil” Yao ’22—for contributing so much to the program. “A great big thank you to our diehards Ian and Neil for their four years of commitment to the music ensembles here on the hilltop,” she said.

After the final piece, Neil sang an impromptu farewell to his beloved Chapel with an emotional verse of “Here’s a Health.”

Bravo to all of our talented musicians and vocalists for another fabulous year of music on the hilltop!

Standing Tall as Teammates and Friends

Canterbury teams go into a season with one main goal in mind: winning a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) championship. While the 2022 Saints boys’ basketball team fell just one game short, the players gained far more than they lost during a very successful season.

“I loved everything about this team,” said forward Jaden Kealey ’22, who will play basketball at Pace University this winter. “The guys were selfless, and that led to our success. Overall, it was a great experience. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

There were plenty of high points during the season. The team went undefeated (8-0) in winning the Tri-State League Championship after its clinching 74-57 road win over Avon Old Farms School. They handed perennial powerhouse Hotchkiss School its only loss of the season with a 71-65 victory. “That was a good win for us,” recalls then-Head Coach Brian Baudinet. “They were 23-1 and went on to win the New England title in their classification. Being the only team to beat them and to win at their place—I know our guys were excited about that.” And by the end of the regular season, Canterbury had earned the number one seed and home court advantage for the New England Prep Class B tournament.

Following wins over Kingswood Oxford School and Millbrook School in the first two rounds, the Saints ultimately lost a tough championship matchup with The Rivers School, dropping a 73-61 decision to end their season. But the players came away with many great memories.

“We were always around each other, and that was really special,” said guard Henry Vetter ’22, who will next take the court for Trinity College. “The team had an on- and off-court chemistry, and a lot of our off-court chemistry helped with the on-court play. We were able to pick each other up.”

JADEN KEALEY ’22

Jaden shared similar sentiments in the aftermath of that heartbreaking final game. “Obviously not the result we wanted, but it’s a lesson. Not every great story has a happy ending, but there are a lot of valuable takeaways,” he said. “We came together, we did so many good things, we have several guys who are going to play at college next year, we won Tri-State and beat some great teams. So we did a lot that we can reflect on and be proud of.”

Proud was exactly how Director of Athletics Jim Stone P ’23, ’24 felt about the team’s accomplishments. “Canterbury athletes always strive to be better than the year before, to play up to a championship standard,” he said. “Whether or not that manifests itself into a championship every year, they work to put themselves in that position by how they do things. This team bought into that mission. They were a close-knit group that cared about and wanted the best out of each other.”

Looking back, those relationships are what Jaden appreciates the most. “As much as you want to say ‘We are NEPSAC Class B champions,’ at the end of the day you can say, ‘You know what, we did a lot, we grew as a team, we grew as people, and ultimately we became men.’ That has a lot more value.”

“We came together, we did so many good things, we have several guys who are going to play at college next year, we won TriState and beat some great teams. So we did a lot that we can reflect on and be proud of.”

Tennis Earns First Tournament Berth in Nearly a Decade

I t was one for the history books. When Head Coach Olivia Pena got the news that her Girls’ Varsity Tennis team was selected to compete in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) postseason tournament, she couldn’t wait to tell them. But she did wait until the time was just right.

“It was our senior day, and that morning I found out,” Olivia recalled. “At the end of the game, I thanked everyone for coming and said, ‘Oh, by the way, I guess we made New Englands.’ The reaction was confused, then excited.”

Just as exciting: it was the first time Girls’ Varsity Tennis had advanced to the NEPSAC tournament since 2013.

After a 6-3 record that included wins against some impressive opponents, the team’s fate was in the hands of the NEPSAC officials who determine the bracket. After reviewing the overall record and strength of schedule, the decision was made—the Saints would enter the tournament as a sixth seed. And because their opponent, third-seeded Pingree School, was redoing their courts, the game would be played at Canterbury.

“New Englands was a tough one. We actually played my high school, so I was coaching against my former tennis coach, which was bizarre,” Olivia said. “It was close—the final score was 4-3. It came down to our first doubles, and we lost in a tie-breaker.”

But the end result did not dampen Olivia’s enthusiasm for her team and the amazing season they had. “There was a nice competitive culture, but that was balanced with laughter,” she shared. “The highlight was when we would return from a late match; I would always order pizza, and we would sit on the Steers Center patio as a team and just eat and look at the sunset. They were very tight-knit.”

She praised the effort of the entire team, particularly the strong leadership of team captains Marina Fossati Druck ’22 and Alexandra “Lexi” Finck ’22, who was named Most Valuable Player. “Marina had the best attitude and energy I have ever seen,” Olivia said. “In our first match against the Frederick Gunn School, their coach came up to me and said, ‘I would pay to have a Marina on my team for the rest of my career.’ And Lexi got the MVP because she consistently beat her player. She was always the first win, and for a lot of girls, knowing we had that first win in the bag gave them confidence.”

The proud coach added that the most important takeaway from the season had nothing to do with game results and tournaments. “For the first time, especially for those girls who call themselves tennis players first, they felt validated and confident with that identity,” Olivia explained. “For me, if I can build confidence in kids, that’s what matters.”

Mission accomplished, coach!

“For me, if I can build confidence in kids, that’s what matters.”

Saints Capture Canterbury-FGS Cup

F orget Yankees-Red Sox! The fiercest rivalry in the Northeast belongs to Canterbury and Frederick Gunn School (FGS)—and this year, the Cup belongs to the Saints!

It’s all about close, spirited competition, and it doesn’t get much closer than 22 to 21. That was the final tally earning our student-athletes and coaches the 2021-22 Canterbury-FGS Cup, presented to Sixth Form Council member Mark “Maverick” Foster ’22 at School Meeting by FGS Athletic Director Michael Marich as a roomful of Saints cheered wildly.

First introduced in 2018, the Cup has been awarded annually to the school that wins the most athletic contests throughout the year. In the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, this friendly rivalry between the two schools dates back 100+ years and is still going strong.

While the competition is year-long, the rivalry is particularly noticeable during the final week of our fall athletic season—Spirit Week—and on FGS Day, the last Saturday of that season. Each day of the week, students (and faculty!) are encouraged to dress in spirited gear, from “Twin Tuesday” to “Saints-wear Friday” to get hyped for Saturday’s games. The week culminates with a pep rally on Friday evening before Saturday morning’s games between our soccer, field hockey, and cross country teams.

Athletic Director Jim Stone P ’23, ’24 was ecstatic about the final outcome. “It is always gratifying to see our athletes succeed, and winning this Cup puts the icing on the cake of a great year for our teams,” he said. “I am grateful to Frederick Gunn School for the excellent competition and look forward to the years to come.”

Congratulations to our teams for raising the Cup in victory. ROLL SAINTS!

Swimming and Diving Teams Excel at New Englands

Our Saints teams tested the waters at the 2022 New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Swimming and Diving Championships—and passed with flying colors!

Competing in Division III, the Canterbury Boys’ team took second place with 335 points, just two points shy of the overall mark set by top team Hamden Hall School. Our Girls’ team finished in third place in their bracket with 273 points.

Saints divers got their respective teams off to great starts by earning first and second place in both categories: Christopher Lynch ’22 (338.15 points) and Hayden Devorsetz ’24 (290.40 points) for the boys and Jacquelynn Kenna ’24 (343.75 points) and Victoria Gioiele ’22 (254.85 points) on the girls’ side.

Some highlights from our accomplished swimmers:

• 4th place, Boys’ 200-yard Medley Relay—Logan Sanford ’22, Michael Zarif ’23, Mateo Siabatto ’22, and Max Cooper ’22

• 4th place, Girls’ 200-yard Medley Relay— Caroline Finck ’22, Kylee Henderson ’25, Prudence Phillips ’24, and Alexandra “Lexi” Finck ’22

• 5th place, Girls’ 200-yard Freestyle— Madison Lang ’24

• 5th place, Boys’ 200-yard Individual Medley—Charles Phillips ’23

• 3rd and 4th place, Boys’ 50-yard Freestyle— Logan Sanford ’22 and Max Cooper ’22

• 3rd and 4th place, Girls’ 50-yard Freestyle— Prudence Phillips ’24 and Kylee Henderson ’25

• 5th place, Boys’ 100-yard Butterfly— Diego Paredes ’22

• 5th place, Girls’ 100-yard Freestyle— Alexandra “Lexi” Finck ’22

• 4th place, Girls’ 500-yard Freestyle— Prudence Phillips ’24

• 3rd place, Girls’ 200-yard Freestyle Relay— Kylee Henderson ’25, Jacquelynn Kenna ’24, Alexandra “Lexi” Finck ’22, and Prudence Phillips ’24

• 3rd place, Boys’ 200-yard Freestyle Relay— Logan Sanford ’22, Veikko Eskelin ’23, Max Cooper ’22, and Diego Paredes ’22

• 2nd place, Boys’ 100-yard Backstroke— Logan Sanford ’22

• 5th place, Boys’ 400-yard Freestyle Relay— Adam Zarif ’23, Veikko Eskelin ’23, Colton Harte ’23, and Diego Paredes ’22

Sally Ruderman, who coached our divers alongside Christine Harding-Abbott, was not sure what to expect given the swimming and diving teams’ overall youth and inexperience—but she was beyond pleased with the results. “We went into the swimming events with a good points cushion from the diving results earlier in the week, but did not know how we would stack up against other teams,” she shared. “Our team was pretty young this year, but individual swimmers had incredible performances on the day of the championships. Many more athletes qualified for finals than we had expected and the points totals came down to the last events—and we came away with podium finishes for both teams!”

FGS Athletic Director Michael Marich with Mark “Maverick” Foster ’22

These Saints Are Ready to Compete in College

A number of college athletic programs are fortunate to be adding some very talented Saints to their team rosters this fall. We are excited to see these members of the Class of 2022 continue their academic and athletic careers at the following colleges and universities in the coming year:

BASEBALL

Mark “Maverick” Foster Arcadia University

William Granata College of Mount Saint Vincent

Cameron Heeman Siena College

Richard Kerstetter St. Joseph’s University

James Morice Northeastern University

Aidan Sullivan Swarthmore College

BASKETBALL

Laurence Brady Ithaca College

Tyrone Holloway Central Connecticut State University

Mason Jackson Adelphi University

Jaden Kealey Pace University Aidan Kehoe

United States Naval Academy

Trevor McDonald Trinity College Henry Vetter Trinity College

FIELD HOCKEY

Mari Leonard Merrimack College

FOOTBALL

Thomas Candelora Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Tyler DiNapoli Trinity College Noah Eldridge College of the Holy Cross

Jakari Liston

Western Michigan University Aeden McDermott State University of New York at Albany

Terrence Washington Post University

ICE HOCKEY

Hannah Annunziata

Lebanon Valley College

Erica Greene

State University of New York at Buffalo

LACROSSE

Ryan Bordiere

Bentley University

Cullen Mulhern Providence College

Mac Waynick

Stevens Institute of Technology

SOCCER

Alessandra King American University

All the best with your new teams, Saints! We are so proud of your accomplishments!

Left to right: Mason Jackson, Aidan Kehoe, Trevor McDonald, and Henry Vetter.

Left to right: Erica Greene and Hannah Annunziata

Six Saints Inducted into Athletics Hall of Fame

C

ongratulations to the six outstanding Saints who were inducted into our Athletics Hall of Fame during Alumni Weekend in early June!

Two of the honorees were inducted posthumously: Francis Bice ’77, football, basketball, lacrosse— Frank was a true inspiration to our hilltop community as both a player and coach.

Kevin Sheehan ’62, soccer, basketball, baseball— Kevin was a natural leader and tremendous athlete who would later become a trustee of the School.

The other inductees included:

Byron Landers ’81, football, basketball, track and field—Byron excelled in many sports and was a key member of the undefeated 1980 Varsity Football team that already has a place in our Hall of Fame.

Andrew Flood ’82, cross country, track and field—Andrew set numerous school records on the track and was one of our greatest competitive runners ever.

Megan McDonald Collins ’90, soccer, basketball, lacrosse—Megan was a phenomenal all-around athlete and a natural leader on every one of her teams.

Timothy Fingerhut ’90, hockey, football, basketball— Tim was a standout athlete who earned a full hockey scholarship to the University of Vermont, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and played minor league hockey for 10+ years.

At the ceremony held on the hilltop, Director of Athletics Jim Stone P ’23, ’24 sang the praises of our latest

Hall of Famers. “There is great pride in the history of the Saints program, and it is a privilege for me to be a part of this,” he said. “The Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes those alumni, coaches, and teams whose accomplishments have been of the highest caliber and have brought honor and distinction to Canterbury School. We are thrilled to present another class that spans across generations, representing many different sports at Canterbury.”

Kudos to our 2022 Hall of Fame class!

Left to right: Malcolm B. McLachlan ’62, Timothy Sheehan ’94 accepting for Kevin Sheehan ’62, Peggy Bice and Richard A. Brancato ’77 accepting for Francis Bice ’77, Byron Landers ’81, Megan McDonald Collins ’90, Andrew Flood ’82, and Timothy Fingerhut ’90.

“We are thrilled to present another class that spans across generations and decades, representing many different sports at Canterbury.”

JIM STONE P ’23, ’24

SAINTS

these images from our winter and spring athletic seasons.

Saints!

Introducing Hamilton Stadium at Canterbury!

Our brand-new multi-purpose stadium is lighting up the Canterbury campus!

In early May, between the Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse games, the School formally dedicated Hamilton Stadium in recognition of an anonymous philanthropic gift. The Hamilton name has special significance to the donor.

It was a beautiful spring afternoon for the naming ceremony, which included remarks by Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 To cap off a perfect day, both of our lacrosse teams won!

“We are deeply grateful for this strong show of support for Canterbury students, athletes, and the overall student experience,” Rachel said of the gift. “It is especially gratifying to know that the Hamilton name, so meaningful to this particular benefactor, will be forever associated with such an extraordinary facility and the momentum of our School.”

The centerpiece of the $4.15 million stadium project is the first-class, all-weather, all-season synthetic playing field lined for football, lacrosse, and soccer. In addition to the recently installed bleacher seating for 340 spectators, coaching boxes, and stadium lighting, a six/ eight-lane track surrounds the field. The

entire Canterbury community benefits from Hamilton Stadium—it is open to all for recreation and exercise and offers an outdoor venue to expand weekend activities and student life programming.

“The field has such an amazing view and great stands,” said Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse midfielder Matthew “Cullen” Mulhern ’22, who has committed to play lacrosse for Providence College in Rhode Island this fall. “What makes it exciting for players is our peers can come watch us during the day or at night. Our game Saturday was an awesome team win!”

Girls’ Varsity Lacrosse defender Lindsey Grandolfo ’22 wholeheartedly agreed. “It is such a thrill to have all our fans, family, and friends in the bleachers watching us,” she said.

Canterbury School offers 25 varsity-level sports and competes in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference. For the past five years, at least one-third of the School’s graduating class has gone on to play Division I, II, and III college athletics.

According to Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach Jim Stone P ’23, ’24, the facility is a major boost for Canterbury’s athletic program. “This project plays a powerful role in

our ability to attract and retain student-athletes who want to maximize their ability to perform on our hilltop, to keep their skills sharp in- and off-season, and, for some, to further develop their potential for playing at the collegiate level,” he explained. “It is another example of our long-standing commitment to providing the best possible opportunities to our present and future Saints.”

Hamilton Stadium is Canterbury’s newest addition to its 150-acre campus and its second turf facility, located adjacent to the School’s existing synthetic field—Sheehy Field—that was built in 2013. To design and build the project, Canterbury partnered with SMRT Architects and Engineers of Andover, Massachusetts, and Burlington Construction Co. of Torrington, Connecticut.

“The stadium is truly going to impact the way our campus comes together,” added Lindsey.

“It’s so versatile—you can take a run around the track, you can hold a practice, you can hang out with your friends on the turf, or you can gather in a student section during games. We have a small community, but Hamilton Stadium helps emphasize the big support and incredible school spirit we have for each other.”

“This project plays a powerful role in our ability to attract and retain student-athletes who want to maximize their ability to perform on our hilltop, to keep their skills sharp in- and off-season, and, for some, to further develop their potential for playing at the collegiate level. It is another example of our long-standing commitment to providing the best possible opportunities to our present and future Saints.”

JIM STONE P ’23, ’24

A Joyous Day on the Hilltop

It was a special treat to see the smiling faces of student families on campus once again for our annual Grandparents & Friends Day this spring.

Multiple generations of Saints gathered on the hilltop to enjoy good company and the vibrant energy of the Canterbury community. Visitors were treated to remarks from Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 and a spirited musical performance from students in Maguire Auditorium.

The group then split up for classroom visits and to catch some of the athletic contests held on campus that day. They also enjoyed a buffet luncheon together in the Steers Center Ragland Commons. It was a fun and enlightening experience for all, and the grandparents were exceedingly grateful for the opportunity to see their grandchildren’s school.

“Shadowing our granddaughter gave us time to observe Elizabeth’s learning environment and the daily opportunities and

challenges she is presented with,” noted JoAnne and John Panicek, grandparents of Elizabeth Carlson ’25. “During our visit, we observed, met, and repeatedly heard students, teachers, and staff expressing enthusiasm and

positivity for Canterbury. Your belief and support of a culture which promotes and fosters each individual to thrive and excel is most appreciated.”

Fellow Saints grandparents Steven and Ricky Cosenza agreed. “We had noted even before our visit that Will seems to be thriving at Canterbury. What we didn’t expect was to come away so uplifted ourselves,” they said of their visit with grandson William Nardella ’24. “Your commitment to students’ education and growth in all aspects of their lives became so clear as we heard from Mrs. Stone and met with Will’s teachers. Your mission, carried out with such caring and professionalism, truly touched us.”

We were equally touched by the warmth and enthusiasm of our students’ grandparents and family members and cannot wait to do it again next year!

“During our visit, we observed, met, and repeatedly heard students, teachers, and staff expressing enthusiasm and positivity for Canterbury.”

JOANNE AND JOHN PANICEK

Saints Giving Day Generosity Shatters Goals!

Ahuge THANK YOU is in order to the entire Saints family. We were so thrilled and humbled by the outpouring of support during our third annual Saints Giving Day in April. Thanks to this extraordinary community, we raised $354,400 from 842 donors in 24 hours, well beyond our goals of $250,00 and 750 donors! That success also helped unlock an extraordinary $100,000 matching gift from our Board of Trustees. The generosity displayed by our extended Canterbury community serves as yet another inspiring reminder of how dedicated this community is to the School, our students, and each other.

“The difference between a good institution and a great one is the loyal support of its constituents,” said Chief Advancement Officer Rick Henderson P ’25 “On Saints

that greatness was on full display.”

The final overall tally for the 2021-22 Canterbury Annual Fund was more than $1.5 million raised! We are incredibly grateful to the 1,200+ alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends who made gifts.

GIVING

ALUMNI

OF CLASS NOTES

1955

Rene Coudert

Rene has moved to one of the nicest little waterfront towns on the east coast— Southport, Connecticut. He encourages his classmates to come visit!

1957

Frederick Brigham

Fred notes that he spent time in the Army (two tours in Germany and two in Vietnam) as well as taught ROTC at Davidson College in North Carolina. He is now retired from the restaurant business, purchased a fifth wheel, and has traveled the country. He is a proud father of four sons, and has seven grandsons, two granddaughters, and one great-granddaughter. Fred and his wife reside between Star Valley, Wyoming, and Melbourne, Florida, with stops in Phoenix, Arizona; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Omaha, Nebraska. He thanks all whom he had the pleasure to meet and know during his time at Canterbury.

1958

Robert Birkenstock

In a prayer service at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle on June 21, 2022, Bishop Emeritus Robert N. Lynch presented Bob, among 11 individuals, with a Certificate in Lay Leadership Ministry. To receive the certificate and be commissioned, the participants completed one year of discernment and three years of academic and spiritual preparation. In addition to the time spent in class, participants in the second year of formation spend 20 hours of Apprenticeship observation in a ministry outside of their parish. In the third year, they initiate or enhance that ministry in their home parish as a Practicum.

Antonio Vinals

Antonio (above) recently enjoyed a long weekend in New York City at the Yale Club with his son and his family.

1959

John had a very pleasant and informative meeting with Head of School Rachel Stone P ’23, ’24 on July 22 in Weekapaug, Rhode Island, where he and his wife Anne live. He comments that Rachel continues to be a terrific asset for Canterbury and she and the school are worthy of any and all support we alumni can send their way. Their two children who both graduated from Canterbury— Hilary ’87 and Kevin ’91—are doing well, and he notes that Anne is still as pretty as ever!

1965

Read McNamara

Read appreciated hearing from many classmates after the loss of his wife of almost 50 years, Mary, in January. He is looking forward to the Class of 1965 “Halfway to 60th” gathering in Cape Cod in September and sends many thanks to classmates and organizers Robert Lutringer ’65 and Daniel LaChance ’65

1966

Christopher Kirkby

Chris and his wife, Terry, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August, when their fourth grandchild was due. The couple’s two sons, Chris and Kevin, are a grade school principal and high school math teacher, respectively, and both remain in the New Jersey state high school record books for their career achievements as boys’ basketball coaches. Kevin also won two state championships as the baseball coach at Pascack Hills (NJ) High School. Chris sends his greetings and best wishes to all in the class of 1966!

1967

William Ranger

Bill has been a Red Cross Volunteer at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the last five years, and received the President’s Gold Level Volunteer Service Award.

John Duffy

Craig Czarsty

Craig, a co-founder of Health Horizons International (HHI), was recently in the Dominican Republic to dedicate HHI’s new office/clinic. The building was donated and constructed by the Dominican government in recognition of HHI’s efforts to improve the delivery of primary care and the public health.

1976

Jonathan Zilli

Jonathan is celebrating getting his last child through college. Mission accomplished! His son Harrison rowed on the UCLA Men’s Crew Team. His Varsity 8 placed second at the ACRA National Collegiate Rowing Championships and was invited to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta in the UK. It was a great way to end his collegiate rowing journey!

Paul Fitzpatrick

Paul and his son, Mark ’06, enjoyed reconnecting with current Canterbury faculty member Derek Richardson P ’22, ’26 as Derek perused the showroom floor for his son Aiden’s new Jeep. Paul says he can’t wait to see Aiden driving his new car around campus!

Lawrence Turkheimer

Larry has been named Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach at UCLA.

1977

Francis Antonelli

While Frank maintains an office in Beverly Hills, California, he recently moved with his family 90 miles south to the Santa Ana mountains above Temecula—southern California’s wine country. He sincerely invites any alumni traveling to the Temecula area to drop him a line and he would be pleased to furnish them with local tips!

Joanna (Martiska) Woodworth

Joanna recently joined Invesco as an Editorial Content Manager. She is managing content for Invesco’s website and LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. Her office is at Brookfield Place in New York.

Jennifer Michels

Jennifer moved to Saugatuck, Michigan, and now is a proud grandmother to Rose Elizabeth.

1984

Thomas Moore

Tom, an Army veteran who served as an Interrogator for four years and is a 30-year member of The American Legion, was just elected Senior Vice Commander to the Department (State) of Connecticut of the Legion. The one-year term will make him the leading candidate for Department Commander next year. He currently lives in Fairfield, Connecticut, with his wife of 34 years, Nancy.

1979

Neil Boylan

Neil signed on to sell Custom Media Solutions for Scientific American magazine. This includes print, online, audio, and video offerings along with custom articles, branded content, webinars, and more. Neil will work remotely, travel to key accounts, and have regular visits to the SciAm headquarters in New York City.

1983

Grenville “Sean” Emmet

Sean’s photography residency for the month of August was at the JEA Art Gallery in Savannah, Georgia.

Deborah (Smith) Arthur

Debbie is a Professor at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, in the University Studies Department: interdisciplinary general education. She co-founded and is the Director of Portland State University’s Higher Education in Prison program. The program is starting its fourth year of classes this fall at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon’s only prison for women. The Higher Education in Prison program at PSU provides access to rigorous, quality higher education along a degree pathway for people experiencing incarceration and supports students post-release.

1989

Christopher Molanphy

Chris sends best wishes to his classmates and encourages podcast fans to listen to Hit Parade,

his “podcast of pop-chart history.” He says fellow late-’80s Cantuarians might especially enjoy the episodes on Bruce Springsteen, The Cure, Cyndi Lauper, Hall & Oates, Whitney Houston, and Run-DMC. “I like to think of the podcast as the audio continuation of my old music column in The Tabard,” Chris says.

1994

Timothy Sheehan

Timothy was on campus with his wife Alexa and daughter Isla to accept a posthumous Athletics Hall of Fame award for father Kevin Sheehan ‘62 (Soccer, Basketball, Baseball).

Kevin’s sister Monica ’73 and her husband, Michael Bennett, also attended. Their families enjoyed being back on campus for the awards ceremony and a Saints Alumni Weekend.

1994

Crystal Holick

Crystal’s performance last year at the USA Triathlon (USAT) Age Group National Championships Olympic Distance event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, granted her a prestigious place on USAT Team USA. She will be representing the United States in the 2022 World Triathlon Grand Final Olympic Distance Triathlon in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this November.

Richard Carter

Rich and Leslie Carter founded the US Virgin Islands Lacrosse Association in the fall of 2019 and Rich currently serves as the Executive Director. The US Virgin Islands Lacrosse Association is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization and the governing body of lacrosse in the territory. They are recognized members of World Lacrosse and the Pan American Lacrosse Association. Their mission is to promote youth

1997

education and character development through the growth of lacrosse on St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. The picture was taken at Men’s National Team tryouts that were held in June 2021 prior to the Pan American Lacrosse Association Qualifier tournament the following month in Medellin, Colombia. Douglas Bergner ’10, former Canterbury lacrosse coach, is #84 in the picture. He serves as the USVI Men’s National Team Equipment Manager.

2003

Danielle (Enage) Conkling

Danielle enjoyed celebrating her class’s 25th reunion at Canterbury with her family.

Katherine (Murphy) DeCoff

Kate and daughters Sammy (photographer) and Sydney, pictured, met up with Canterbury English Teacher Bob Potter for a pre-reunion hike in Steep Rock Park. They had a great time catching up and catching crayfish!

Alexandra (Mavelli) Doyon

Ally and her family have recently moved to Virginia, where she has taken the position of Director of Riding for Chatham Hall.

Conor O’Rourke

Conor and his wife Amy got married (after many postponements) on November 7, 2021 at St. Mary’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island, his home parish and the site of John F. Kennedy’s wedding. Due to COVID restrictions, the church was nearly empty except for immediate family and his Associate Best Man, Mark E. Nailor ’05. In September 2022, they were finally able to celebrate with their extended family and friends at the Redwood Library in Newport, Rhode Island.

Saints in attendance included Christopher Jeyes ’06, Alexander Khaddar ’06, Anthony “AJ” Ferrer ’06, Joshua “Cargo” Belfiore ’06, and Matthew Holden ’07

They were blessed to have Guy and Viv Simonelli P ’89, ’91, ’92, ’99 attend as well. Conor and Amy live in Newport and are always excited to see familiar faces come through the City-by-the-Sea. Conor recently spent his seventh summer working on the stage crew at the Newport

2009

Meaghan (Henn) Spillane

Meaghan and her husband Jake welcomed their first daughter, Maeve Anna, on March 13, 2022.

2010

Elizabeth Dooley

Elizabeth joined American Express in New York City. She serves on the SOA Executive Committee and is President of the Canterbury Club of New York.

2011

Folk Festival. If anyone is ever in Newport to visit or for the Folk Festival, give him a call. Finally, Conor also started a new position at Rocky Hill Country Day School in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, as Director of Development and Alumni Relations. He says he will always credit his time at Canterbury for his career working in small independent schools.

2012

Mikaela Puth

Mikaela married Ian Ford on July 17, 2022 in Chatham, Massachusetts.

2015

Margaret Wiatr

Maggie fueled her creativity at the height of pandemic boredom by composing silly and creative content on social media. Now with more than 100,000 followers on TikTok, she is starting to partner with brands and nonprofits to use her platform for good. Brand partners include Dunkin’, McDonald’s, TD Garden, and others, and she is also teaming up with The Sports Museum-Boston Over Bullies charity foundation, which is actively raising money to help children combat bullying, cyberbullying, and discrimination.

Kimberly Debacher

Kim got engaged on February 19, 2022, and welcomed a new fur baby to the family.

2018

William Tanamli

In May 2022, William graduated from Trinity College with a major in Interdisciplinary Computing with Psychology. He has relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to start a position as a business analyst with Cognizant. He would like to connect with any Canterbury alumni in the Atlanta area.

Dr. Robert Giegengack, Jr. ’56 Alumnus and Former Trustee

Our Canterbury family was saddened to hear of the passing of graduate and past Board of Trustees member Dr. Robert Giegengack, Jr. ’56 on June 4, 2022.

Bob earned a B.A. in geology from Yale University in 1960 and an M.S., also in geology, from the University of Colorado at Boulder before returning to Yale for his Ph.D. in 1968. After graduating from Yale, he joined the University of Pennsylvania as an assistant professor of geology. In 1972, he established the first environmental sciences major at Penn, forming a department in the School of Arts and Sciences that now encompasses the field of geology. The next year, Bob became an associate professor of geology and later was appointed chair of the department. He eventually became a full professor.

During his time at Penn, he engaged actively in the school’s governance, chairing the University Council’s Academic Review Committee and the Faculty Senate’s Nominating Committee. In 1978, he was appointed head of Penn’s Benjamin Franklin Scholars program, a position he held for more than two decades; he also served on the board of the Penn Press. He was a co-founder and inaugural director of the Institute for Environmental Studies and served on several temporary consultative committees across Penn.

Renowned for his teaching, Bob won numerous prestigious awards and mentored more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and young faculty. He also taught an annual summer fieldwork course at the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association in Montana. He retired from Penn and took emeritus status in 2008.

Bob conducted field investigations on every continent except Australia, including projects exploring the history of climate change in the Sahara and the role of scarce water resources in maintaining political tension in the Middle East. He became an international authority on climate change issues, and his research

Each spring, Bob sent the University of Pennsylvania Book Award to the School to honor a deserving Fifth Form student. The award is presented during the Underform Awards ceremony held on campus in late May.

was published widely in periodicals such as Science, Nature, Geology, and the International Journal of Climatology

Over the years, Bob stayed involved with his alma mater on the hilltop, serving on the Canterbury Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1990 and then again from 1991 to 1994. Each spring, he sent the University of Pennsylvania Book Award to the School to honor a deserving Fifth Form student. The award is presented during the Underform Awards ceremony held on campus in late May.

Bob is survived by his wife, Francesca; his children, Jon, Matt, and Kate; and six grandchildren.

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