Pomfret Magazine | Winter 2026

The education of Heather Willis Daly.

Mist on the Water Three days paddling the Connecticut River.

MAY 7, 2026

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Thursday, May 7, 2026

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Contents

THE DALY Head of School

Heather Willis Daly on Things That Have Never Been

76 ON THE HILLTOP Campus news from July – December 2025

FACULTY & STAFF NEWS

Arrivals, departures, and other employee updates

CHAPEL TALK

Quiet & Chaos

Audrey Heidt ’26

Pomfret School

398 Pomfret Street • PO Box 128

Pomfret, CT 06258-0128

860.963.6100 www.pomfret.org

Editor Garry Dow gdow@pomfret.org

Head Writer

Corrine Szarkowicz

Copy Editor Tina O’Connor

Class Notes Editor

Deb Thurston dthurston@pomfret.org

Designer Jordan Kempain

Contributing Writers

Heather Willis Daly

CLASS NOTES

Updates from the alumni community

ALUMNI Q&A

Life of Letters

Peter Canby ’68

IN MEMORIAM

Remembering those we lost, including Robert Fiske ’48, Peter Clement ’64, Kevin Tubridy P ’04

80 ICONOGRAPHY

Peck / Pulling Trophy

Photographers

Audrey Faber ’26

Ginger Photography

Jim Gipe (Pivot Media)

Jim Goodwin ’66

Lindsay Lehmann

Claire McFarlin ’26

Zach Morrissey ’27

Tina O’Connor

Beowulf Sheehan

Chase Squires ’25 Corrine Szarkowicz

We Want to Hear from You

Really, we do. These are your stories and this is your magazine. If we’ve inspired, challenged, or disappointed you, please tell us about it.

Our Mission

Pomfret School empowers students to pursue lives of purpose and meaning.

Pomfret Magazine is published by Pomfret’s Communications Office © 2026

Printed on recycled stock by a facility that is both certified by the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) and is an EPA Green Power partner.

Pomfret School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, or national origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid, or other programs administered by the School.

Chase Squires ’25

Things That Have Never Been

By Heather Willis Daly, Head of School

Earlier this summer, as I reflected on the start of the upcoming year, a quote by Rainer Maria Rilke came to mind: “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” I was certainly thinking about my own new beginning here at Pomfret, but also our students and the adults working in our community, who would soon be arriving on the Hilltop. This sense of fresh possibility resonated with me then, and it returns now as I write to the broader Pomfret community at the start of this new calendar year.

I first stepped onto Pomfret’s campus last fall during my interview process. I arrived with high hopes based on my own research and conversations with alumni, and Pomfret did not disappoint. I chose Pomfret because of its community members and its culture. I saw a school where people are kind — a place where students are ambitious and collaborative, not cutthroat. Most importantly, it was clear that

Pomfret is a school that cares deeply about our students as people and as learners. As Ryan Flynn ’26 recently shared in his Senior Chapel Talk, a light bulb moment occurred when he realized that at Pomfret “being kind to each other was expected and natural.”

It’s been a great start to my first year. I’ve loved experiencing traditions like Sundial and Mashamoquet Day, the energy of Form Olympics, and gathering in Hard Auditorium for School Meeting and Clark Chapel for Senior Chapel Talks. I’m also thrilled to say that Pomfret is now 5–0 in our new rivalry day tradition against Millbrook School in the Battle for Route 44, which was a day made even better by the presence of so many alums and current families.

Beyond the scores and traditions, it’s been fulfilling to watch our students embrace the opportunities and possibilities that exist here at Pomfret. High school should be a time when students take calculated risks and explore new interests. Whether they are trying a new sport,

”I hope our students learn that each beginning creates the possibility for all of us to embrace the chance for growth.”

learningtolivewitharoommatewhocomesfrom halfway across the globe, or digging deep into an academic pursuit that is new and challenging, there is infinite value in opening our perspectives and testing our abilities.

I experienced this firsthand when I joined The GriffTones to sing in Pomfret’s Candlelight concert. Director of Music Dr. Ryan Burns opens participation to any member of the community. In addition to the students who are regularly part of The GriffTones, we were joined by a cohort of senior girls who had never performed with a choir, but wanted to check this tradition off their Pomfret bucket list.

Starting in November, we all met twice a week in the evenings to learn the pieces we would be singing. Through a lot of hard work, we performed two beautiful concerts for the School and local community. Shortly thereafter, one of those students told me, “Even though I’d never sung before, I’m so glad I did this.”

On the afternoon Winter Break began, I sat in my office finishing a few emails before heading home to Campbell House. Campus was beginning to empty, and the main hallway of the School Building was quiet. I heard voices approaching, and a family on tour stopped outside my office door. They were led by one of

our new third form students, Abby Williams. I stepped out to greet them, as I often do when prospective families visit campus, and we began to chat about where they were from, their initial impressions of Pomfret, and any questions they might have. We talked about what a big decision it is to go to boarding school, and they expressed that it was both exciting and intimidating, given the leap of faith it takes to go somewhere new and to live independently at such a young age.

As I gestured to Abby, I said, “And yet, you can see just how impactful it can be, how much you can learn and grow in such a short time.” She, in turn, nodded and said, “It’s hard to believe I’ve only been here for three months.”

The family smiled and said, “She has so much to share about her experiences here at Pomfret, you’d never know she was new.”

Whether it is the start of a school year, a new calendar year, or a new phase of life, I hope our students learn that each beginning creates the possibility for all of us to embrace the chance for growth and the unique experiences the future holds. I want Pomfret to be a place where every student feels seen and secure enough to lean into those “things that have never been” — even when they are difficult — knowing they have a community here to catch them.

ON THEHilltop

CAMPUS NEWS JULY 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 2025

Opening Traditions and Academic Honors

After moving into dorms, reconnecting with friends, and welcoming new classmates, the School gathered for the annual Opening Sundial Ceremony. The Senior Class took their first steps onto the Proctor Sundial, surrounded by faculty and underclassmen who offered them encouragement for their final year on the Hilltop.

Following an all-school, sit-down dinner, Head of School Heather Willis Daly delivered the Opening Chapel Talk, reflecting on her career in boarding schools and the experiences that shaped her leadership journey.

The following day, the community came together for Convocation to celebrate the academic achievements of the previous year. More than forty academic awards were presented to top-performing students, setting a tone of courage, curiosity, and possibility for the year ahead.

Sweet Victories

Pomfret’s annual field day — Mashamoquet Day — kicked off the school year with laughter, games, and plenty of fun. The day was a great way to welcome back returning students and help new students make friends and connect with faculty.

“As a new student last year, one of my favorite moments of Mashamoquet Day was meeting all my fellow classmates,” says Ollie Partridge ’26. Now a senior, he and the rest of the Class of 2026 coordinated more than two dozen games that brought the community together.

Some contests revolved around food, fueling both stomachs and rivalries. The whipped-cream eating contest and a donut-on-a-string challenge had teams chomping their way to victory. Other games — like the egg toss and an appleon-a-spoon race — tested both coordination and teamwork.

The afternoon culminated in the highly anticipated tug-of-war competition. Each class lined up at either end of the rope, hoping they had what it took to pull in the victory. The championship came down to seniors versus sophomores, with the veterans proving their strength and cementing the win.

Banners and Bragging Rights

Strong Field House was a sea of red, white, and gray as the underclassmen streamed inside in their assigned colors. They settled in as a wave of black swept in — the seniors making a spirited entrance on scooters and on foot. They set the tone for an evening of friendly rivalry at the annual Form Olympics, one of Pomfret’s most anticipated traditions, where classes face off for bragging rights.

The competition featured six classic events: the three-legged race, hoop rolling, costume race, mini-tricycle race, Hungry Hungry Humans, and the chaotic, crowd-favorite mattress race. As in previous years, the seniors and juniors jumped ahead early, trading first-place finishes through the opening rounds. The freshmen and sophomores held firm, claiming several second-place results and keeping the upper forms on alert.

When the final points were tallied, the seniors and juniors were tied for first, leaving the class banner judging to break the deadlock. The Class of 2026 secured the overall victory with their paintsplattered background and crisp white Griffin. The Class of 2027 finished second with their simple banner design, while their screen-printed flag featuring their form dean, Steve VanHoesen, earned plenty of laughs and cheers from the crowd.

Audrey Faber ’26

Heather Willis Daly delivers remarks at her Installation on September 26, 2025.

Making Her Mark

The clock atop the School Building chimed twelve times as Director of Spiritual Life Bobby Fisher closed the Installation of Pomfret’s thirteenth head of school, Heather Willis Daly.

“Heather, through your leadership, relationships, and life unfolding here at Pomfret, may you be rooted in this principle of loving fellowship,” he said as the bell tolled. The unplanned moment felt symbolic of a new era on the Hilltop.

More than five hundred students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, and friends gathered to witness this historic occasion. Daly now joins the ranks of Pomfret’s visionary leaders — and is the first woman to hold the role of head of school.

Board of Trustees Chair Daryle Bost ’89 welcomed guests to the ceremony, praising Daly’s vision and commitment. “I stand before you on this day with gratitude in my heart for everything that has led us to this moment, and a deep hope for the future of this remarkable institution,” he said.

In preparation for her role and to better understand Pomfret’s history, Daly spent time over the summer reading The Spirit That Is Pomfret. In its foreword, then–Board President Barclay Robinson, Jr.wrote:“Likeeveryteacherandstudent, every headmaster has made, and left, his mark on Pomfret School. (Inevitably, with time, we shall say her mark.)”

Reflecting on those words, Daly said, “While it’s still too early to know what my mark will be, I am filled with pride to know that the time Robinson alluded to is here. I’m excited to imagine the possibilities of what’s to come.”

Making Campbell House a Home

They say it’s the people who make a house a home. In the case of Campbell House, Head of School Heather Willis Daly and Science Teacher Brendan Daly are those people.

Since arriving at Pomfret this summer, the Dalys have made Campbell House a welcoming hub for the Hilltop community.

“Brendan and I have genuinely enjoyed hosting weekly advisory dinners in Campbell House,” says Daly. “Making sure it feels like a home for our students is important to me.”

In addition to advisory dinners, all students are welcome at Saturday night Open Houses, featuring activities like pumpkin carving, game nights, and gingerbread house decorating. “Especially in the winter, their home is such a warm place to go to,” says James Haley ’26. “I like how Mrs. Daly is getting to know people and the activities she has.”

Dalyreflects,“Iamgratefulforallthemeaningfulconnections I have made over meals, board games, and puzzles.” At Campbell House, those connections are what turn a house into a home and invite visitors to linger just a little longer.

Charcoal & Ink

From ivy-covered buildings and historic stonewalls to sweeping meadows, wooded trails, and streams, the Hilltop offers no shortage of inspiration. This fall, Pomfret’s Advanced Painting and Drawing students found their muse on campus, turning familiar landmarks into works of art for their landscape unit.

Armed with charcoal and sketch pads, students spread out across the Chapel Lawn and patio, observing the details of the treasured Clark Memorial Chapel. Their drawings captured the texture of the stone walls hidden beneath creeping ivy, the intricate carvings and ironwork of the heavy wooden doors, and the graceful arch framing the entrance.

For their next assignment, the student artists used droppers and ink to render sweeping views of the School Building, Hard Auditorium, and the Bricks. Each stroke challenged them to balance precision with creativity, translating architectural landmarks into expressive interpretations.

These landscape studies are more than exercises in technique: they are love letters to Pomfret’s campus, drawn through the eyes of students who call the Hilltop home.

Facets of Passion

Gray Wilcox ’26 has always been mesmerized by the idea that raw stones could be transformed into precise, geometric jewels. She immersed herself in the world of stones, collecting crystals, following gem cutters online, and saving images of stones she dreamed of shaping. But it wasn’t until Pomfret’s independent study program that she could finally turn fascination into hands-on practice.

This fall, Gray pursued lapidary as her independent study. She purchased a beginner faceting machine and spent hours in the loft of Chick Cole Studio, learning both basic and advanced cuts. Her study extended beyond the studio, exploring natural and lab-grown crystals, as well as stones engineered for industrial use, including synthetic sapphire used in fighter jets.

Pomfret’s new science center, VISTA, was recently recognized by the Connecticut Chapter of Construction Management Association of America with a Project Achievement Award in the Best Buildings Project Under $25 Million category. Special thanks to Annum Architects and Shawmut Design and Construction for their partnership.

Introducing Early Decision

Early Decision (ED) has long been a hallmark of college admissions. Now Pomfret is pleased to offer that same option for high school. The program was launched for the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, giving students who believed the School was the right fit the opportunity to apply through ED ahead of the regular timeline.

Students applying through Early Decisionfollowthesameprocessandsubmit the same materials as Regular Decision applicants. The key difference is timing and commitment: ED applications are due at the beginning of December, students are

notified by the end of the calendar year, and enroll by mid-January. As with the college model, Early Decision at Pomfret is binding. Students admitted under the ED plan are committed to enrolling at Pomfret and required to withdraw their applications from other schools.

“Every year we meet prospective familieswhotelluswearetheirtopchoice,” says Dean of Enrollment Management Susan Mantilla-Goin. “This new Early Decision process empowers those families to act on what their hearts already know.”

Self-Study Underway

This fall, Pomfret began a two-year reaccreditation process. Pomfret is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), a globally recognized leader in accreditation and school improvement. More than 1,600 schools worldwide are NEASC members, candidates for accreditation, or have achieved accreditation eligibility.

Every ten years, NEASC Accreditation is reviewed. The School will be reviewed against thirteen standards related to operational vitality and excellence in teaching and learning. The process includes two major phases: a comprehensive self-study followed by on-campus evaluation visits.

The self-study phase is both reflective and aspirational, as Pomfret evaluates systems, assesses practices, and reaffirms the mission to empower students to pursue lives of meaning and purpose.

During the on-campus evaluation phase, the School will host a team of educators from NEASC-accredited schools who will conduct a review and recommend accreditation status.

While History Teacher Gavin Flood is leading the effort, the work involves every member of the faculty ensuring that the School remains strong, aligned, and future focused.

National Merit Commendations

After taking the PSAT during her junior year, Kelly Jimin Park ’26 was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student. This distinction places Kelly among the top 3–4 percent of students nationwide, highlighting her academic dedication, strong work ethic, and commitment to excellence in the classroom.

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors students who demonstrate outstanding academic potential and achievement. Being named a Commended Student is a prestigious acknowledgment of Kelly’s hard work and strong performance on the PSAT.

Kelly joins a distinguished group of students recognized for their scholastic accomplishments, and the Pomfretcommunityisproudtocelebrateherachievement.

For its fall production, Pomfret School Theater presented the classic whodunit and sharpwitted satire Clue. Inspired by the beloved board game that has fueled decades of friendly suspicion, Clue came to life on stage with a familiar cast of colorful suspects, each guarding secrets and hiding motives. Set against the backdrop of 1950s McCarthyism and infused with humor and high farce, the production captured an era marked by paranoia and fear of exposure.

Six mysterious guests arrive at a secluded mansion on a stormy night, where the evening quickly takes a deadly turn. As bodies pile up and accusations fly, Wadsworth, the butler (Remy Jacquet ’26), scrambles to keep order while chaos reigns. The guests — Miss Scarlet (Jenna Vertefeuille ’26), Mrs. Peacock (Lydia Warren ’26), Mrs. White (Josephine Maguire ’28), Colonel Mustard (Andrew Riccardi ’28), Professor Plum (Mirin Supokawate ’27), and Mr. Green (Lars J. Han ’27) — race to unmask the killer and keep their own scandalous secrets from coming to light.

“Clue hasbeenajoytobringtolife.Thecastandcrew fully embraced the humor, suspense, and absurdity of the play, while bringing out its subtle echoes of 1950s paranoia,” said History Teacher Gavin Flood, who directed the production. “The show demands precision at every turn, from the intricate timing of the physical comedy to the technical elements that keep the action moving. What began as a chaotic game of secrets has become a story about truth and trust. I am so proud of the creativity and teamwork that made this production possible.” This production marked Flood’s directorial debut with Pomfret School Theater.

From sharp dialogue to perfectly timed chaos, Clue delivered an evening of suspense, satire, and laughter — reminding audiences that mystery is always best served with a dash of humor.

Exploring Oz

L. Frank Baum’s 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has delighted readers and inspired countless sequels, musicals, and films, and even a course here at Pomfret.

In the English elective, Adaptation & Revisionism: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, students compared Baum’s novel to adaptations — including the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz — analyzing how each adaptation reflects the culture and history of its era.

In Baum’s original book, students examine the Cowardly Lion as a symbol of politicians, the Tin Man as a representation of the Industrial Revolution, and the Yellow Brick Road as a nod to the gold standard. They compared the book to the 1939 film, identifying subtle historical references unique to each production, including the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and German war planes. By studying literature and the films, students went beyond simply watching stories unfold. They explored how tales evolve, reflect their times, and are continually reinterpreted by creative minds.

Starry Night

Under the vast, moonlit sky, students gathered for their astronomy lab — eyes bright with curiosity, sweatshirts zipped tightly against the crisp air. Slowly, their eyes adjusted to the inky blue sky above. One by one, the stars revealed themselves, tiny sparks against the deep velvet of the universe.

Their celestial journey began with Polaris, the steadfast North Star. From there, they mapped the five major circumpolar constellations — Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Draco, Cassiopeia, and Cepheus — using these cosmic landmarks to guide them from one glittering cluster to the next. Each discovery sparked conversation, blending science, mythology, and wonder into lively exchanges under the stars.

Back in the classroom, the magic continued. Using software, whiteboard sketches, and their own night-sky photographs, students built a guided tour of the constellations. They reported on three constellations, sharing the stars that compose them and the stories behind their names. In doing so, they learned to navigate the sky as both observers and storytellers, connecting scientific knowledge with the human imagination.

IN OUR NICHE

For the seventh consecutive year, Pomfret ranks among the top 5 percent of nearly 5,000 private high schools in the United States, according to Niche’s annual ratings. In addition to earning an overall grade of A+, Pomfret consistently receives top marks in academics and college preparation — a strength noted in reviews.

Many alumni and Niche reviewers describe their time at Pomfret as transformative. “You can come in as an athlete and leave an artist (or vice versa),” said one alumni reviewer.

Parents echo these sentiments. “We’ve watched our son become more confident, thoughtful, and mature,” said a parent reviewer. “Pomfret offers a culture that strikes a balance across academics, athletics, and social pursuits.”

Throughachallenging,interdisciplinarycurriculum,Pomfretinspires students to explore subjects that excite them. While this recognition affirms Pomfret’s excellence, our purpose goes beyond rankings. At Pomfret, students are encouraged to think deeply, live courageously, and discover their purpose — at Pomfret, in college, and beyond.

Two students sing “Silent Night” during Candlelight on December 16, 2025. This evening combines beautiful music, inspiring readings, and the lighting of candles in the spirit of peace and goodwill.

Justice in Action

The courtroom fell silent as the Honorable Sarala V. Nagalaentered.Attorneysgrippedtheirnotesaswitnesses took a collective breath. It may have been a mock trial, but it felt very real for the students in the Advanced US Government and Politics class.

The simulated civil trial at the US District Courthouse in Hartford tested students’ understanding of the law and their ability to think critically, speak persuasively, and collaborate under pressure.

For Aziz AbdullaZoda ’26, who delivered the plaintiff’s opening statement, the day offered a deeper understanding of how abstract concepts come to life.

“This experience was the closest I’ve come to applying classroom thinking to real life. We were challenged to build our arguments from scratch — writing, rewriting, and arguing with purpose.”

Judge Nagala praised the students’ confidence, preparation, and evidence-based arguments. “Their performances were compelling,” she shared in her feedback. “They raised questions even seasoned lawyers might not have considered.”

Stepping Inside the Story

StudentsinDavidRing’sadvancedEnglishelective The Secret History: Exploring Donna Tartt’s Masterpiece packed into school vans bound for southern Vermont. Their destination: Bennington College — the reallife inspiration for Hampden College, the fictional university in Donna Tartt’s acclaimed novel.

“The setting is compelling — almost like an additional character of the novel,” says Ring. “It’s integral to the tone, the mystery, and the psychology of the story.”

Ring knew that the best way for his students to grasp that connection was to experience the Bennington campus firsthand. During their visit, they explored the campus and noticed details that echoed Tartt’s descriptions — from the Gothic architecture and its hidden passageways to the quiet, intellectual intensity of the campus itself.

“It was really interesting to visit the school and compare it to what I imagined it to be while reading the book,” said Yige Yuan ’27. “As I continued to read the book after visiting Bennington College, I could vividly picture the characters sprawled on the Commons Lawn.”

Destination Earth

Many Pomfret students choose to travel in the US or abroad during their time on the Hilltop, gaining insight into new cultures, languages, and ways of seeing the world. They return transformed and eager to share what they have learned.

In the past, Pomfret students and faculty have explored IslamictraditionsinMorocco,contributedtosustainableservice projects in Peru, and observed and processed radio data at the Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia. Now, in addition to long-running trips to Costa Rica, Spain, and Hurricane Island in Maine, as well as newer offerings in Alabama and the Galápagos Islands, students can study in the South of France, Greece, Japan, and Mexico.

As part of the Strategic Plan, Change Makers and Problem Solvers, Pomfret has broadened both the destinations and academic disciplines available to students. To date, more than 30 percent of students participate in at least one travel program, and dozens have participated in multiple programs during their time on the Hilltop.

“I love the travel courses for the incredible experiences I’ve had that I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. I’ve learned so much about myself and others and grown tremendously as a person,” says Nyx McIvor ’27, who has traveled to Hurricane Island, the Galápagos Islands, and Montgomery, Alabama.

This past May, students visited Ikaria, Greece, to cultivate habits of well-being. In the spring, a group of students will explore the cultural landscapes and contemporary realities in Japan that influence the work of best-selling author Haruki Murakami. Another will travel to Mérida, Yucatán, for an intensive language immersion program. Over the summer, students can study French in the South of France.

“It’s wonderful that Pomfret has developed such a broad range of Experiential Learning programs,” says Director of Experiential Learning Doug Litowitz. “For many students, travel-based learning can be truly transformative. They’re not only visiting amazing places, they’re also stepping outside of their comfort zone to engage with people and cultures in a deep and meaningful way.”

NEPSAC Senior All-Star Ethan Offei-Addo ’26 is headed to NYU to play soccer in the fall.

Zach Morrissey ’27

Five for Five

The Millbrook Mustangs arrived on the Hilltop confident that this would be their year to win the annual rivalry day, but the Griffins had other plans. Pomfret scored early and often, each goal and point amplified energy across campus, setting the stage for what would become a five-for-five sweep.

The day began with strong efforts on the sub-varsity fields, where Pomfret dominated early. By the end of play, the Griffins had completed a clean sweep of the sub-varsity slate.

Inside Lewis Gymnasium, the wins kept coming. Pomfret took the final set of the JV volleyball match. Meanwhile, at the NEPSTA Championships, the girls cross country team crossed the finish line ahead of Millbrook, adding another tally for Pomfret. The boys cross country team was narrowly outrun by the Mustangs, falling short by one point.

By the start of the varsity games, the Griffins were unstoppable. Girls varsity soccer earned an 8–0 shutout — and just like the girls JV team, they had now won five straight battles against Millbrook. Varsity volleyball swept their rival in three consecutive sets, celebrating each ace and spike as if it were a championship point. Despite being tied at the half, boys varsity soccer ultimately fell to the Mustangs.

As the sun began to dip over the Hilltop, both schools gathered to watch the day’s finale — varsity field hockey. Pomfret sealed the deal with a 7–1 win, closing out the unforgettable rivalry day against the Millbrook Mustangs.

It was Pomfret’s fifth consecutive victory in The Battle for Route 44 — five years of rivalry dominance, with a final score of 9–2. The Griffins celebrated their undefeated record as Head of School Heather Willis Daly collected the Peck-Pulling Trophy for the first time in her tenure. “I’m thrilled to be here for my first Pomfret vs. Millbrook Day,” she shared. “We have been excited to host the Mustangs for the competition today, and I am so proud of the Griffins for this remarkable sweep!”

Warming up for the big game, the Griffins and the Mustangs faced off in the Route 44 Food Fight — a friendly rivalry measuring which school could reduce food waste the most in the week leading up to rivalry day. Pomfret cut its waste by an impressive 11 percent to claim the win, while Millbrook’s waste increased by 5 percent. As part of the challenge, the Mustangs will donate 44 pounds of food to a Hudson Valley food pantry — a win for all!

Fierce Quarterfinal Fight

After finishing the regular season with a 9–9 overall record and an 8–5 mark in the Western New England Prep School Field Hockey Association, Pomfret entered the NEPSAC Class C Championship Tournament as the sixth seed, drawing third-seeded Frederick Gunn in the quarterfinal round.

fter the season with a 9–9 overall record and an 8–5 mark in the estern ew School Field ssociation, Pomfret entered the EPS C Class C Championship Tournament as the sixth seed, third-seeded Frederick Gunn in the round.

The Griffins had faced the Highlanders just eighteen days earlier and came into the rematch ready for the challenge. The opening quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert, resulting in a scoreless start. Despite Pomfret holding a 3–2 corner advantage, Gunn capitalized

e Gri ns had faced the just earlier and came into the rematch for the challenge e opening quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams creating chances but to convert, in a scoreless start. Pomfret a 3–2 corner Gunn

twice before halftime. In the third quarter, goalie Sophia Matusevich ’26 delivered several acrobatic saves to keep the game within reach, yielding only one goal.

twice before halftime. In the third quarter, Matusevich ’26 delivered several acrobatic saves to the game within reach, one goal

In the final quarter, the Griffins dug deep. They dominated the circle with a 4–0 corner differential and a 5–1 shot advantage. Caitlin Quinn ’27 put Pomfret on the board with a perfectly placed penalty stroke at 3:28, but the clock ran out before they could close the gap. Despite the loss, the Griffins’ grit and growth throughout the match set the stage for future success.

In the final quarter, the Gri ns deep ey a 4–0 corner a shot advantage Caitlin ’27 put Pomfret on the board with a stroke at 3:28, but the clock ran out before could close the gap the loss, the Gri ns ’ grit and the match set the stage success.

Claire McFarlin ’26

Next-Level

In November, three Pomfret seniors took a significant step in their athletic and academic journeys by committing to compete at the D1 collegiate level.

Claire McFarlin, coxswain and captain of the girls rowing program, has been a model of leadership and dedication throughout her time as a Griffin. She will be continuing her academicandathleticcareeratLehighUniversityinPennsylvania.

As a standout defenseman, Ian Sherman has continued to elevate his game year after year. He has committed to SacredHeartUniversity,wherehewilljointhemen’shockey team after completing his junior hockey commitments.

Ahardworkerandtenaciousdefender,LoganVennesets the tone defensively for Pomfret’s team. He will continue his athletic journey as a member of the men’s lacrosse team at Binghamton University.

Additional Griffin student-athletes will finalize their college athletic commitments in the spring.

Ginger Photography

First to the Finish

The boys cross country team had several victories during the fall season, including two first-place finishes in major races.

Back in 2013, Pomfret was handed the first-place trophy at the Gordy Glover Invitational, only to be told as the team boarded the bus home that a scoring error meant the trophy was not theirs. Twelve years later, the Griffins left nothing to chance and outran four strong opponents to bring the trophy home.

Five runners ran in Tackle the Trail Marathon Relay — a community event on the Airline Trail that draws runners of all ages from the tri-county area. During the second leg of the race, Pomfret took the lead and never looked back. They bested thirty teams to break the tape at the finish line, winning both the overall relay title and the men’s division, a testament to their skill and teamwork.

Colin Sullivan joined Pomfret in September as the director of athletics and afternoon programs, bringing with him a distinguished career spanning both the preparatory and collegiate athletic landscapes. Before arriving at Pomfret, Colin served as director of athletics and physical education at Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida. From 2015 to 2023, he was the deputy director of athletics at Brown University, and prior to that, he spent seven years as athletic director at Salve Regina University.

Faculty & Staff News

New Roles

The following employees have taken on new roles on the Hilltop.

Cooper Hemphill, Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach

JP Jacquet, Scripps Chair for the Arts

Louisa Gebelein Jones, Girls Varsity Squash Head Coach

Josh Lake, Director of Technological Innovation

Annie O’Sullivan, Science Department Head, Benjamin B. Morgan ’53 Endowed Chair in Science

Steve Ouellette, Director of Rowing Operations

Brian Rice, Mathematics Department Head, W.P. Carey ’48 Chair in Mathematics

Sydney Stith, History Teacher

Amy VanHoesen, Executive Assistant

Oh Baby

Tanya Nongera-Nickerson [Mathematics 2021 – Dean of Academics present], her husband, Henry, and big sister, Ledi, welcomed a baby girl into the world on August 14, 2025.

Leona Rose Nongera-Nickerson

Arrivals

Daniel Dunn History Teacher, Boys Varsity Lacrosse Head Coach

Gabe Qua History Teacher

Allen Harris Assistant Director of Admissions, Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach

Ben Rosenberg English Intern

James Pinkham ’06 Associate Director of Admissions

Collin Shapiro History Teacher, Varsity Baseball Head Coach

Kaily Pomes Nurse

Colin Sullivan Director of Athletics and Afternoon Programs, Track and Field Head Coach

Max Alphonso Science Intern

Mackey Corrigan Science Teacher

Brendan Daly Science Teacher

Heather Willis Daly Head of School

Stephanie Sullivan Learning Support Specialist

Emily Zornado Theater Teacher

Hello, Again

Former Secretary to the Dean of Students Virginia “Ginny” Eaton and former Director of Student Activities Anne Miller have returned to the Hilltop. After their retirement, they were frequent visitors. Now, they are officially back as volunteers in the du PontLibrary,helpingDirectorofLibraryServicesBeth Jacquet in the stacks and office. Anne is also assisting with the History of Food Insecurity course, a role she is familiar with as she was previously a collaborator and guest of the class while she worked as the executive director of a local social service agency.

Teachers on the Run

Science Department Head Annie O’Sullivan was the first woman to cross the finish line at the 10K Tackle the Trail event. Departing from the historic Pomfret Train Station, just south of the Hilltop, she raced 6.2 miles along the Airline Trail to the YMCA in nearby Putnam for a final time of 52:14.She was congratulated at the end by Director of College Counseling Bruce Wolanin and former Science Teacher Mary Screen. After months of training, French Teacher and Girls Cross Country Assistant Coach Tory Dobbin ran the Amica Newport Marathon. Her 4:34:34 final time landed her in the middle of the pack for her age group and Athlete of the Week honors from Pomfret’s Athletic Council.

Ginger Photography

An Incredible Honor

Associate Dean of Students, History Teacher, and Form Dean Pat Boyd was honored by the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut with the 2025 Legislator of the Year Award.As the State Representative for the 50th Assembly District, Boyd chairs the Public Safety and Security Committee and is the commissioner of the State Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. Boyd’s fire service background includes serving as the President of the Pomfret Volunteer Fire Department since 2014, a Board Member of the Pomfret Fire Taxing District, Deputy Emergency Management Director for Pomfret, and an eighteenyear volunteer firefighter.

CHAPEL TALK

Quiet & Chaos

By Audrey Heidt ’26

The first thing that hits me when I step off the ferry is the smell of salt in the air. Seagulls call out overhead, and the sound of people talking mixeswiththecrashofthewaves.Thatmoment has always felt like home to me. I grew up on Martha’s Vineyard,and for as long as I can remember,life there has moved in two very different ways — months of quiet,then months of chaos.

In the winter, the island almost shuts down. The beaches are empty, the roads are quiet, and the air feels heavier somehow. Stores close for the season, and the few ferries that still run remind us how far away the mainland really is.The stillness can be nice at first,but after a while,it starts to feel lonely.

One winter, a huge snowstorm hit, and my family and I couldn’t leave the house for hours. The snowplows on the island are all volunteers, so it takes a while before they reach everyone. Lots of people lost power that day — no lights,no heat,no wifi.Luckily for us,our generator came in handy.On those days,we just sat there,wrapped in blankets, with the occasional trip outside to be in the snow. Then we would have movie marathons, watching any movie that came to mind. Outside, everything was quiet—noteventhesoundofcarsorwind.Itwasstrange, but in that silence, there was also peace. It reminded me how simple things can bring comfort when everything else slows down.

Those long winters meant my friends and I had to learn how to invent our own fun and how to find peace when things feel still.Some days,we would go sledding down icy hills with old sleds from when we were kids. Other days, we’d sit by a fire, talk for hours, or watch movies together,

valuing each other’s company.Those quiet nights taught me the power of small moments — that even when life feels frozen, there’s always warmth somewhere if you look for it.

Then summer would come, and everything changed. It felt like the whole island came alive overnight.The roads were filled with cars, the beaches with people, and every restaurant had a line out the door.What was once silent turned loud and full of life again.

One of my favorite summer memories is Dock Dance. A local band plays on a big dock in town,and all the kids — locals and summer visitors — come together to dance. The lights reflect on the water, and everyone sings along even if they don’t know the words. Afterward, we all walk through town, getting ice cream or just hanging out.Those nights always felt endless.

Summer on the Vineyard taught me something different — how to stay calm when everything feels out of control, how to adapt when things get busy, and how to find joy in chaos.Between the silence of winter and the rush of summer,I learned balance.

That balance — between quiet and chaos — has shaped who I am. It prepared me for one of the biggest changes in my life: leaving the Vineyard to come to Pomfret.

The night before I left, I felt two very different emotions. I was excited and scared all at once. I couldn’t wait to meet new people, to have more opportunities, and to live with friends my age. But I was also scared — scared to leave my home, to start over,and to lose the people who had always been part of my life.

Coming to Pomfret was like stepping into a completely new world.Ididn’tknowanyoneatfirst,andeverythingfeltunfamiliar. I worried that I wouldn’t find the same close connections I had on the island.But it didn’t take long to realize that Pomfret had its own kind of community — one that reminded me of home in a lot of ways.

“Those quiet nights taught me that even when life feels frozen, there’s always warmth somewhere if you look for it.”

Slowly,Pomfret started to feel like home,too.I participated in new activities,made friends,and found teachers and coaches who supported me both in and out of the classroom. This made me realize that sometimes growth happens when you put yourself in places that scare you at first.

One of the best moments of my time here was when our soccer team won the Class C Championship. We had worked hard all season, through losses, injuries, and tough practices, especially the ones where we would stay out past dark.There were times when doubt took over,but we never stopped trying.When the final whistle blew, all the work, all the long days, and all the challenges were worth it. It wasn’t just about winning a game; it was about the growth we made along the way.

That moment made me realize something important — belonging doesn’t come from where you start; it comes from what you give and share with the people around you.Pomfret has become another version of home for me, one that has given me so much — friendship,opportunity,and confidence.

Lookingback,Icanseehowbothplaces—Martha’sVineyard and Pomfret — have shaped me in different ways.The Vineyard taught me how to be patient, reflective, and strong when things are quiet or hard. Pomfret taught me how to connect, lead, and grow when life gets busy and full.

Now, as I start to think about the next chapter, I realize that growing up isn’t about leaving places behind. It’s about carrying them with you. The lessons, the memories, and even the hard moments — they all stay with you.They become part of who you are.

Wherever my future leads me, both sides of my story will come with me — the quiet strength I learned during those long Vineyard winters, and the energy and connection I found in Pomfret’s busy, full days. Life will always have both: calm and chaos, stillness and noise. The key is to keep finding a balance between the two.

And when things start to feel overwhelming,I’ll think back to that ferry dock — the salty air, the sound of seagulls, the feeling of stepping into something new — and remember that home isn’t one single place.It’s something you build and carry with you, wherever you go.

So if you’re ever wondering about what’s next,remember that wherever life takes you, bring a piece of who you are.Take what each place,each experience,and each challenge gives you,and use it to grow.

Because home doesn’t stay behind — it grows with you.

Watch the Chapel Talk

To Be of Use

The Education of Heather Willis Daly

Daly is Pomfret’s thirteenth head of school, and the first woman to hold the role.

STORY BY Garry Dow

Heather Willis Daly stands in the School Building’s main hallway with a sheet of paper in one hand.She smooths its edges, finds a bare stretch of wall, and pins it there. On the paper is a four-stanza, twentysix-line poem by Marge Piercy called “To be of use.”

The people I love the best jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight …

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart, who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience, who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward, who do what has to be done, again and again …

For years, Daly has carried this poem with her, in heart and mind, from Upstate New York to Monterey, California to Cleveland, Ohio to Middletown, Delaware back to Cleveland,Ohio and now,to Pomfret,Connecticut.

The poem is a small, deliberate clue. Here is what matters to me, the clue says. Students pause to read it. Faculty nod in quiet recognition.

This is how Daly announces her arrival at Pomfret School. Not with pomp and circumstance, not with fanfare, but with a simple poem taped to a plain white wall for all to see.

AT A MOMENT when schools across the country are reeling from shifting expectations and competing pressures, Daly chose a poem about the importance of effort and partnership to announce her arrival.In the weeks and months since,that choice has become characteristic of her approach to most things.

Daly grew up in the tiny hamlet of Wassaic,New York,ninety miles north of New York City, in the Hudson River Valley. The eldest of four girls, she was born into a family that prized education.(Both her parents were teachers.)

Daly attended local public schools and was rarely seen without a book in hand. Despite her love of reading, she struggled in the classroom until her ninth grade year when a bout of strep throat forced her to slow down, gather her scattered assignments, and study. All told, she missed about a week of school. Life works in mysterious ways, and for some reason, that brief interlude unlocked something deep inside her, setting her on a path to thrive in high school and, eventually, in college.

A career in education came almost accidentally.At Wellesley College, Daly worked as an application reader and quickly fell in love with admissions work. After a year working in New York City, she accepted a position as an assistant director of admission at Santa Catalina School, an all-girls boarding school in Monterey,California.

There,she met her future husband,Brendan,a science teacher at the school. “We were both part of a group of young faculty members who hung out together,” Daly recalls. “A few months

into our friendship, as we were kicking a ball around on the soccer field, he bet me that he could juggle a soccer ball from one end of the field to the other. If he succeeded, I had to agree to a date.He did it,but the truth is,I was going to say yes either way.Sometimes you know when you’ve found a good one.”They were married a few years later and today share three children: a son at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a daughter at the University of Richmond,and a daughter at Davidson.

ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, independent boarding schools are experiencing a demographic and cultural squeeze. Since 2008, the national birth rate has dropped by nearly 13 percent, and demographers project that the cohort of 14- to 18-year-olds will continue to contract into the early 2030s.Fewer teens means fewer prospective students, especially for residential schools that draw from a broad geographic pool.

International enrollment, once a stabilizing force for many boarding schools, has also softened. According to recent National Association of Independent Schools and Enrollment ManagementAssociationreports,theproportionofinternational students applying to US boarding programs has fallen by 20 to 30 percent compared with pre-2020 levels, driven by visa delays, geopolitical shifts, and increased competition from schools in Canada,Europe,and Asia.

At the same time, rising costs have driven many people out of the market. Average boarding tuition in the Northeast now exceeds $70,000 per year.Even schools with robust financial-aid programs have seen parents spend more time comparing options, delaying decisions, or opting to send their children to highperforming day schools.

The tension isn’t simply about meeting enrollment targets. It’s about clarifying Pomfret’s identity in a crowded, shifting marketplace.How do you distinguish a school whose strength is community? How do you articulate the intangible value of a boarding experience to families conditioned to measure everything?

At Pomfret, demand is still healthy, the applicant pool is still diverse,and interest from mission-aligned families is still holding steady.But the math has changed.Families who once considered boarding as the default next step now expect a clearer and more compelling narrative about why the experience matters.

“Enrollment health is a reflection of more than the story you tell, it is the experience you deliver,”Daly notes.“Families want clarity. They want to understand value — the ways in which your school will impact their child’s development,allow them to grow their talents, and prepare them to be successful in whatever future endeavors they choose.They want to know that what we’re offering is worth the investment — financially, academically, and socially.”

Rather than respond with quick fixes, Daly has approached the challenge analytically. She has spent her first few months poring over yield data, analyzing trends in applicant behavior, and listening to her admissions officers.

If the Pomfret Experience aligns with what families want and need, they will see the value, Daly believes. “In a world full of upheaval and digital noise, the power of an intentionally small boarding school setting is as relevant to the lives of young people as it has ever been. At Pomfret, we bring students from different backgrounds, perspectives, and beliefs together at a time in their

She is the real deal, and her preparation for this new chapter has been thoughtful and thorough. Trust her instincts.

— Ann Klotz, former head of Laurel School

lives when they are growing and learning about who they are, what they believe, and the beginning glimpses of what they are capable of.We have the ability to center face-to-face engagement and prioritize personal relationships and learning.As a result,our students leave us with a strong sense of their talents and abilities — they graduate with a confidence in who they are and what they can do.”

BEFORE COMING TO POMFRET, Daly was the associate head at Laurel School in Shaker Heights,Ohio.At Laurel,Daly worked closely with Head of School Ann Klotz, her longtime mentor and friend. If you want to understand what kind of leader Heather aspires to be, look no further than Klotz, who has mentored a string of successful heads of school. “She really took me under her wing at Laurel,” Daly says. “She invited me to every meeting. Brought me into every thorny decision. She prepared me to lead.”

According to Klotz, Daly possesses a rare combination of strategic vision and personal warmth that makes her wellequipped to lead Pomfret.“Heather is steady and clear-headed,” saysKlotz.“Sheliftsothersassheleads,stayscalmunderpressure, and celebrates her colleagues and community generously. She is the real deal, and her preparation for this new chapter has been thoughtful and thorough.Trust her instincts.”

Prior to Laurel, Daly was the dean of admissions and financial aid at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware. There, she increased applications by 40 percent, achieving all-time high selectivity rates. Before St. Andrew’s, Daly spent a decade at Hawken School, where she helped put Hawken at the forefront of a national conversation about competency-based learning and the Mastery Transcript Consortium.

Notably, she is the former chair of the National Association of Independent Schools Financial Aid Advisory Task Force, which advises school leaders on developing sound financial aid policies and best practices, something Daly is especially passionate about.

“I would not have been able to attend Wellesley without financial aid,” she says. “It’s important to me that other people are afforded the same opportunities to succeed.”

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2024, Daly received a call that would change her life. Pomfret trustee Daryle Bost ’89, the chair of Pomfret’s Head of School Search Committee, was calling to share that she had just been selected as Pomfret’s next head of school. Shortly thereafter, Board Chair Justin Klein ’65 and current Head of School Tim Richards called to share their congratulations.

“I was unable to answer my phone, so they left voicemail messages,”she remembers.“Since accepting this position,I have returned to those messages time and time again, as a source of both pride and anticipation.”

Daly was chosen following a nationwide search process that yielded a number of highly qualified school leaders.The search committee was ably supported by RG175, an executive search firm consisting of former heads of school with deep experience in national independent school leadership searches. “Heather embodies all of the qualities I value in a school leader,” Bost says. “She has a deep respect for education, a commitment to students,an inclusive and collaborative spirit,and the courage to lead with conviction.”

Over her thirty-something years in education, Daly has become the kind of leader colleagues seek out. When students met Daly during her finalist visit, they remarked on how easy it was to engage with her; when faculty and staff met her, they noted how genuine and authentic she seemed. To many, she appeared to possess the near-perfect blend of characteristics and inclinations a person would need to lead Pomfret through its next era of transformation.

When Daly finally arrived on the Hilltop in the summer of 2025,she shared this message with her new colleagues:“As I pen this note from my office in the School Building, I am reminded of all the amazing heads who came before me: William Peck, William ‘Bull’ Olmsted, Jay Milnor, Brad Hastings ’68, and, of course, Tim Richards, to name just a few. I’m proud to count myself as one of the thirteen individuals who have led Pomfret School. And I am proud to be the first woman. Thank you for entrusting me with the honor and responsibility of leading Pomfret in this next chapter.”

Her first few weeks were a blur of introductions,orientations, ceremonies, meetings, and gatherings. She vividly remembers standing behind St. George in the middle of Clark Memorial Chapel,a tiny island in a sea of unfamiliar faces,for her Opening Chapel Talk. It was, she admits, a moment that made her briefly catch her breath.Then she spoke.

“Everyone at Pomfret has a story, a journey full of twists and turns in their lives, that has ultimately brought them to this chapel today,” she told the room. “I am sharing my story today in the hopes that you might find the courage to share yours.” It wasn’t a speech about vision or strategy or institutional goals. It was a speech about people.And it landed.

Since then,Daly has been a near constant presence at games, openings, plays, presentations, meals, and social events. She cites Pomfret’s dominant performance against rival school Millbrook in the annual Battle for Route 44 as a particular highlight. “I was really thrilled, and more than a little relieved, to keep our unbeaten streak alive.I don’t know what I would have done if we had lost to Millbrook for the first time in my first year.”

Since arriving in July, the Dalys have also made a point of emphasis to open the head of school’s residence, Campbell House,to the community.It began with inviting faculty children to use the pool over the summer and has only grown from there. “Brendan and I host a different advisory group for dinner every week and open houses every month,” she says. “Making sure Campbell House feels like a home is important to me.”

DALY OFFICIALLY BEGAN HER TENURE ON JULY 1, but in truth, she had already been studying Pomfret’s rhythms, traditions, and tensions for months. She made trips to campus. She read archival documents. She asked questions, held listening sessions.

As part of the School’s long-term succession plan, Daly spent last year working closely with Daryle Bost ’89, who now chairs the board,Head of SchoolTim Richards,and members of Pomfret’s senior leadership team to prepare for the transition.

She approached this nine-month interim period with curiosity. What is this place? she earnestly wanted to know. But she also wondered: What am I not seeing? Given the appropriate nudge, What could this place become?

In her first six months,Daly has navigated the familiar blend of chaos and calm that defines the opening of any academic year. Though she has stated publicly that this first year is about looking and listening,she has already begun making an impact.

For starters, she is responsible for oversight of the School’s reaccreditation process, a once-in-a-decade comprehensive review that touches on every facet of school life. Another early initiative focuses on strengthening student culture,a priority she saw immediately. “Student culture starts with the seniors and then trickles down,”she says.“One of my first priorities is to help them understand the important role they play in creating and sustaining Pomfret’s culture.”

Daly has also set a goal to meet with every employee individually — a process that has involved more than fifty conversations so far. She reads her notes at night, often with a cup of peppermint tea, searching for patterns: the problems that show up over and over again, the aspirations people repeat without realizing others share them.

She has directed members of her senior leadership team to double down on mission-critical areas like competencybased learning, athletics, and college counseling. And beyond Pomfret, Daly has begun strengthening Pomfret’s partnerships with local organizations.

Much has been said about Heather Daly since her arrival last summer. But the thing most people seem to notice is her approach. Start with curiosity, listen to what people say, follow where it leads.That seems to be her modus operandi,and halfway through her first year, it seems to be working. Students have begun stopping her on the pathways between buildings. Faculty have begun inviting her into their homes. To some, these small details might seem trivial, but to Daly they are essential — the connective tissue of a healthy school body.

EVERY WEEK WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION, Daly has lunch with school President Will Leary ’26 and Vice President Crosby Price ’26. The goal is to better understand the student experience. The conversations are wide ranging, zigzagging between the silly and the serious,but they are always informative.

We need more dances.

Do you know who is moving our scooters?

Everyone could use a break… can you announce a Free Day?

The hot water isn’t working.

And please, seriously, more dances.

Daly writes it all down, laughing her signature laugh, and nodding.“Teenagers are honest in ways adults forget how to be,” she says.

If there is a thread running through Daly’s early tenure, it’s that she is still learning Pomfret — its cadences, its quirks, its possibilities. She is building a mental map, one conversation at a time,absorbing the hopes and frustrations of a community she is now charged with leading.

When you ask Daly about her goals for the future, she is demure.But if Daly is reluctant to declare her vision for Pomfret, it’s only because she believes vision should be formed, not imposed. She is not fond of top-down mandates; her instinct is to build solutions from the inside out.

Still,clear themes have emerged from her early conversations and observations. She wants Pomfret to be a place where students are known, loved, valued, and challenged. She wants Pomfret to be a model of student-centered learning, where rigorous academics are matched with robust support systems and a deep sense of belonging. She wants to strengthen faculty development, ensuring teachers have the training, mentorship, and time to deepen their craft. She wants to expand Pomfret’s experiential learning opportunities. And she wants students to see their mistakes as part of the architecture of learning, not a crack in it.

Daly has arrived at a time when independent schools are navigating significant cultural and economic pressures, when the needs of students are evolving rapidly, and when adolescents are grappling to find connection and meaning. But Daly is not intimidated. She believes in the resilience of schools. More importantly,she believes in the resilience of people.

Back in the School Building,the piece of paper she pinned to the wall six months ago is still there,still being read.

I want to be with people who submerge in the task, who go into the fields to harvest and work in a row and pass the bags along, who are not parlor generals and field deserters but move in a common rhythm when the food must come in or the fire be put out.

The work of the world is common as mud. Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust. But the thing worth doing well done has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident … The pitcher cries for water to carry and a person for work that is real.

Three days paddling the Connecticut River.

STORY BY Garry Dow and Corrine Szarkowicz

Threading

Back Row, L-R:

James Lake ’27

Artemis Lisker ’26

Front Row, L-R:

Asst. Coach Caroline Wardlow

Kevin Wang ’28

Yige Yuan ’27

Colin Kenney ’26

Arturo Peniche Gasque ’28

Anson D'Alleva-Bochain ’26

Charlotte Reis ’26

Mackenzie Hodge ’29

Raymond Liu-Cai ’28

Coach Dylan-Ernst Schäfer

the border between New Hampshire and Vermont, the Pomfret Outdoor Adventure Club takes on the primitive campsites of the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail.

As morning breaks quietly over the Connecticut River, mist curls on the water, softening the edges of the world. Charlotte Reis ’26 is one of the first paddlers to rise from her tent.Her arms and back ache from the twelve miles she paddled the day before, and the three miles she paddled the day before that. It is Sunday morning, the last day. Fifteen miles down, she thinks, five to go.

The group is following a series of primitive campsites and river access points known as the Connecticut River Paddlers Trail, threading a path that weaves back and forth between New Hampshire and Vermont.

One by one, Reis’ fellow paddlers stumble from their tents, shake off the last remnants of sleep, and prepare breakfast. Afterward, they break camp and pack their belongings into waterproof bags stowed in waiting canoes drawn up along the riverbank.

In 1839, Henry David Thoreau made a similar launch on the nearby Merrimack River, recording the experience in a journal that would eventually become A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.His trip was part adventure, part musing. “Every hour carries us onward,” he wrote, “and the history of the day is written before sunset.”

Canoe camping is typically done in tandem: one person in the bow setting the pace, and one in the stern steering and controlling the direction. The stern paddler uses a J-stroke to counteract the canoe’s tendency to turn away from the side they are paddling on.

The camping part works just like regular camping, but with one big difference. The sheer size of the boats allows paddlers to bring much more gear than is typical of a wilderness backpacker. Campsites are almost always primitive and usually accessible only by water. Once a site is chosen, the routine mirrors any backcountry trip:

STEP 1: Secure the canoes.

STEP 2: Set up the tents.

STEP 3: Build the kitchen.

STEP 4: Hang the bear cans.

STEP 5: Make dinner.

STEP 6: Start a fire.

STEP 7: Sleep.

As Charlotte and company push off from the bank, their canoes wobble for a moment, then slide into the quickening current.

Connecticut River Paddlers Trail

THE CONNECTICUT IS THE LONGEST RIVER IN NEW ENGLAND, running approximately 410 miles. It originates near the Canadian border and traverses New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut before finally spilling out into Long Island Sound between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme.

For the majority of its length, the river defines the politicalboundarybetweenVermontandNewHampshire. Its immense watershed covers 11,260 square miles. The river’s flow is sustained by 148 tributaries, thirty-eight of which are major rivers along its path. The river’s original name, given by the Algonquian-speaking peoples of the valley, was Quinetucket or Kwinitekw, meaning the “long tidal river.” Today, it encompasses parts of five political entities,including the Province of Quebec,and is home to more than 2.4 million people.

The American shad is currently the most numerous species found on the river. These large, green-gold fish migrate upstream, with the peak run occurring in May and continuing through late June. Other important migratory species include Atlantic salmon, alewife, and the shortnose sturgeon. The American eel follows the

reverse migration pattern, maturing in freshwater before traveling to the ocean to spawn.

Not long ago, the Connecticut River was derided as “the world’s most beautifully landscaped cesspool.” Massive hydroelectric projects like the Holyoke Dam in Massachusetts were built to feed power to the thriving textile and paper industries. The harnessed power of the river fueled a 200-mile industrial corridor. This region, stretching from central Connecticut up into New Hampshire and Vermont, specialized in precision machine tools and metalworking, making it one of the most advanced manufacturing regions on the planet.

Complementing this industrial boom was the dramatic exploitation of the great northern forests. Following the Civil War, massive drives ferried millions of hardwood logs downriver from Northern New England. To control the flow for these drives, dozens of dams were built on tributaries, which were opened periodically to flush the timber downstream.

Starting in the 1970s, work by organizations like the Connecticut River Conservancy, fueled by substantial government investment and robust public support, has

Not long ago, the Connecticut River was derided as “the world’s most beautifully landscaped cesspool.”

transformed the Connecticut from a polluted liability into a major recreational resource and drinking supply for millions.

Today, the Connecticut River is one of only fourteen American Heritage Rivers designated by the US Environmental Protection Agency,and is the nation’s only National Blueway.

THIS TRIP DOWN THE UPPER CONNECTICUT is sponsored by the Pomfret School Outdoor Adventure (OA) club. OA was founded by retired Biology Teacher Bill Martin in 1997.“When I was hired,Headmaster Brad Hastings ’68 asked me to create an outdoor education program,” remembers Martin. “He gave me $5,000 to fully equip a student group of twelve for a backpacking trip,from packs,tents,and sleeping bags,to cooking gear.”

Martin and fellow faculty member Marshall Eaton took ten students to the Raquette River in Upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains for the first overnight trip. The first official backpacking trip took place a month later, in October 1997, on and around Vermont’s Stratton Mountain.

Soon, Martin was taking students to local spots like Old Furnace State Park and Wolf Den State Park to practice rock climbing. A few years after that, he enlisted Art Horst, who was dean of students at the time,to help build low- and high-ropes course elements in the Pomfret Woods.

Today, Outdoor Adventure is led by English Teacher Dylan-Ernst Schäfer.“Outdoor Adventure gives students a chance to challenge themselves against real-world obstacles,” says Schäfer. “Watching students overcome a difficult paddle or successfully navigate a complex bouldering problem is witnessing genuine, transformative growth. It’s a critical part of our program because the confidence and problem-solving abilities they gain facing nature are easily transferable to academics and life.”

BY THE TIME THE FINAL BOAT IS LOADED onto the trailer,everyone can sense that something has shifted.For the past three days, the Connecticut River has been their companion. Now it’s time to say goodbye.

Writing in A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, Thoreau said,“The true harvest of my daily life is as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening.”

The true harvest of this trip has come in similarly intangible and indescribable tints — steering through a spicy rapid, learning to cook over a camp stove, working in tandem to carry a heavy boat.

Asthebuspullsaway,itmarkstheendofoneadventure, and the start of another.“I chose Outdoor Adventure this year because I wanted to try something new and because I wanted to develop a comfort level with the outdoors,”says Charlotte Reis.After three days on the Connecticut River, it’s safe to say she has.

Mnemosyne

Six decades later, Seaver Leslie and John Irick revisit a seminal moment from their youth, sparking a cross-generational conversation about art, legacy, and the enduring power of creative expression.

STORY BY Corrine Szarkowicz

Jim Goodwin ’66

GALLERY the

In 1965, budding artist Seaver Leslie ’65 painted a portrait of his classmate and friend, John Irick ’65, the first African-American student to graduate from Pomfret. In the mid-1960s, students on the Hilltop were following the establishment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Selma-to-Montgomery marches closely, and reading newspapers to understand what was happening in the South, where Irick was from.

Leslie’s portrait, Dr. Irick, depicts Irick in a clerical collar modeled after Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.,reflecting the turbulent Civil Rights era unfolding during their senior year.“I think I sat for about fifteen minutes,”Irick recalls.

Soon the portrait took on a life of its own. Painting Teacher Chick Cole brought the piece to the Visual Arts Festival at Northfield Mount Hermon. Out of more than 350 entries from thirty-four schools, Dr. Irick won first prize in painting and was laterexhibitedatWorldHouseGalleriesinNewYorkCity.Arthur H. Kiendl Jr., then headmaster of Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH), was so enamored with the artwork that he purchased the painting, and it hung for thirty years in Beveridge Hall, one of NMH’s main academic buildings.

Irick never saw the finished portrait and only much later learned of its accolades and long display.

THE ARTS HAVE A LONG AND PROUD HISTORY AT POMFRET. Student artwork lines the halls of the School Building and Main House. Outside the Bricks dormitories, a collaborative student mural reads “Pomfret.”In the atrium of the Centennial Academic and Arts Center,ceramic pieces catch the light. As visitors climb the staircase, decades of student work spill across the walls and doors. When they reach the second floor, they are greeted by bursts of color from self-portraits and flocks of painted birds that seem to fly right out of the wall.

Inside Chick Cole Art Studio, every inch of wall and ceiling is claimed by student work. Young artists work at easels, painting vivid backgrounds behind the stark blackand-white skeletons they’ve drawn. Painting and Drawing Teacher and Artist-in-Residence JP Jacquet moves through the room, offering quiet critiques as brushes sweep and blend.

Over the decades, Pomfret’s studios have migrated like birds across campus — from the basement of Hard Auditorium to “The Wart” outside of Monell and several places in between. For many years, Chick Cole taught painting and drawing in the former library located on the second floor of the School Building, known today as The Jahn Reading Room.

THIS 60TH REUNION IN JULY, Leslie, now a modern and contemporary artist, told Jacquet he wanted to recreate the portrait — sixty years after its original creation. He and Irick remained close across the decades that followed. For Leslie, the exhibition offered an opportunity to revisit one of the most meaningful works of his youth.

Jacquet immediately knew the place.Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Edwin S. Webster Foundation, Pomfret was about to open The Gallery at Jahn Reading Room. The new space would give students the opportunity to curate exhibits. It would also provide working artists, including alumni and faculty, a venue to host private collections and share professional work with the school community.

“Having a dedicated gallery on campus gives students the chance to see their work in a professional context,” says Jacquet, who also serves as the gallerist.“It bridges the gap between learning and sharing — between creating and curating art.”

The grant for the creation of The Gallery is the second grant Pomfret has received from the Webster Foundation in recent years. In 2022, funding from the Foundation enhanced the music department by purchasing digital pianos and guitars, renovating practice spaces, and establishing a digital music production program.

“Attending this school was a life-changing opportunity”

— John Irick

“We are grateful for the partnership from the Webster Foundation,” said Director of Annual Giving and Constituent Programs Emily Morrison. “These grants have funded meaningful additions to Pomfret’s Arts Department,benefiting students and the campus community.”

The Gallery opened during Family Weekend in October with ’Til Now, an exhibition of student works-inprogress across painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, and graphic design.

IN NOVEMBER, POMFRET WELCOMED LESLIE

AND IRICK BACK TO CAMPUS for a week-long residency connected to a curated exhibition of Leslie’s work and that of Leslie’s former roommates — award-winning architect and Trustee Buzz Yudell ’65, sculptor Bill Whipple ’65, and author Art Dielhenn ’65. Thanks to the generosity of Northfield Mount Hermon,Dr.Irick was loaned to Pomfret for the show, Mnemosyne: A Sixty-Year Review. In Greek mythology, Mnemosyne is the Titan goddess of memory and the mother to the goddesses of art and inspiration.

During their residency, Irick met with students in VOICE and the Black Student Union, sharing memories of Pomfret and discussing his career in law after earning degrees from Northeastern University and Boston College

Law School. “It was great to meet with current students,” he says. “I am inspired by their ideals, their beliefs, and the changes they want to make in the world.”

With Leslie’s original portrait standing as a steady presence in the exhibition space, he worked with Advanced Painting and Drawing students to sketch Irick once more. “Leslie’s original piece was a lot larger than I thought it was going to be,” he joked. For his new version, Leslie sketched Irick in his professional element, seated in an office and pointing to an important passage in a legal text.

The week concluded with events inviting members of the broader community to explore the new gallery and celebrate the artistic dialogue unfolding across generations.

Now, the Pomfret community eagerly awaits the completion of Leslie’s newest portrait of Irick, a work that will hold a rightful place on the Hilltop.

“Attending this school was a life-changing opportunity,” says Irick. “And posing for a portrait, for a second time — one that celebrates everything that grew from that education — is one of the most exciting events of my life.”

50s

1956

Alex ter Weele reports Pomfret will have an incoming freshman in 2039: his first great grandchild, Edmond, was born in February 2025. His application is in the mail!

L-R: Betty Jean, Bill Curlee, Janis Curlee, and Punch Smith gathered in Charleston, South Carolina on November 7, 2025 to celebrate Punch’s birthday.

60s

1962

The Class of 1962 wishes to say “fare thee well” to Tim and Anne Richards for their fourteen years of leadership of Pomfret. Tim was particularly supportive in helping the class accomplish their 50th Reunion class gift: the Class of 1962 Terrace which overlooks the turf playing fields and is a gathering place for all. Thank you for a job well done!!

Sam Tilton wrote, “During the awards dinner at my 50th Pomfret reunion in 2012, Liz Downing Monte ’92 was inducted into the Pomfret Athletic Hall of Fame. I’m not certain if I knew then that she residedintheRochester,NewYorkareaasIdo,butIwouldsubsequently learn that. Procrastination followed for years, until I finally connected with her in June 2025. We first had lunch, and had such a good time that we followed up with dinner including our respective spouses at a new ‘hip’ restaurant/bar in suburban Fairport, quickly observing that we were among the oldest folks in the place. Nevertheless, we had a good time again, and finished off the evening with ice cream cones

along the Erie Canal that runs through the center of Fairport.Liz still coaches lacrosse as a volunteer assistant at the local high school, and works in administration at the University of Rochester.”

Drew Diefendorf wrote, “I was pleased to attend this summer’s meeting graciously hosted by Anne-Lise and Pat Morss in Gloucester. As a retired Earth scientist,I enjoyed being invited by Howie Mallory to present the Class of ’62 my views on climate change.The discussions that followed, regarding mitigation and alternative energy sources, were lively and constructive, especially since we were experiencing our third hottest summer in a row. In retirement I have turned my attention to writing climate fiction under the nom de plume, Anya DeWalt. My six-volume series (see www.oakontheknoll.com) was published this year on Amazon. Unlike most post-apocalyptic works based on climate change, this is a thrutopian series and uses a hardscience approach. The title of the first volume, Anthropic Summer, an antonym of nuclear winter, is apropos, as we enter a geologic epoch that our species has not yet seen.”

Peter Lownds, together with Carlton Davis, co-authored An Artist’s Life: 50 Years of Self-Portraits. In November 2025 the book was awarded Best Art Book of 2025 in the 22nd Annual American Book Fest Awards.

Class notes featured in this issue were received prior to December 8, 2025. Notes received after this date will be published in the next issue. Class notes are appreciated and may be submitted via your class agent, the Pomfret School website, or by e-mail to:

Debby Thurston, class notes editor, at dthurston@pomfret.org.

We encourage and welcome appropriate news items and photographs from all alumni and friends. Please note that not all submissions are guaranteed to appear based on subject matter, photo reproduction quality, and space availability. Also, we reserve the right to edit for consistency and style, but we will give every consideration to each author’s individual writing style.

’59

In August 2025, eleven classmates from the Class of 1962 and three spouses gathered at the home of AnneLise and Pat Morss in Gloucester, Massachusetts for their class's second annual summer get-together. Standing, L-R: Rick Leslie, Cai Von Rumohr, Sam Galpin, Sam Tilton, David Watkins, Fred Mayo, Howie Mallory and Pat Morss Seated, L-R: Toby Condliffe, Mo Ewing, Jack Lochhead, and Andy Diefendorf Isaac Hall joined the group via Zoom from Hawaii.

1964

In the spring of 2025 Charlotte and Mark Constantian were introduced to Sophie Fry ’26 who, through an on-campus meeting with Paul Fowler months earlier on career planning and job skills, had expressed interest in plastic surgery for children. Mark is a retired plastic surgeon and his wife, Charlotte, is administrative director of New England Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (NESPRS). They invited Sophie to join them for the NESPRS annual meeting at the Sea Crest Beach Resort in North Falmouth, Massachusetts in June 2025. Sophie attended the two-day conference, learned about the field from the many presentations, and attended the luncheon with Scott Hollenbeck, chair of UVA Health’s Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery and president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The Constantians were delighted with her presence, and Sophie enjoyed every single minute. This is truly an example of how the Pomfret family connections work and how a Pomfret student can make the most of them.

Charlie Potts (left) and Vip Van Voorhees in front of Pomfret’s Clark Memorial Chapel on October 4, 2025. They were attending a memorial service for their classmate, Peter Clement

Sophie Fry ’26 (center) with Charlotte and Mark Constantian at the NESPRS annual meeting in June 2025.

1965

The family of Don Gibbs (wife Barbara, with sons Justin and faculty member Don Gibbs III) were delighted to participate in the promotion of son and brother Jonathan Gibbs to captain, US Navy, on the campus of the US Naval Academy on September 2, 2025. A PhD professor at the academy, Jon exemplifies what service to young people is all about.

1968

Jeff Hodges announced that he has released his latest music album entitled Goals. It is available on every digital platform. (The cover image is Jeff in his senior year at Pomfret, shooting a penalty kick in soccer.)

1969

Jim Edwards wrote, “I received a diploma in Orthodox and Eastern Christian Studies from Trinity College at the University of Toronto. It took me five years to complete it. In July [2025], I was my parish’s delegate to the All-American Council of the Orthodox Church in America, held in Phoenix, Arizona. My wife, Deb, and I had a delightful visit with Lenny Klein when we were in Florida last spring.”

Jock Herron wrote, “[It has been] a strangely productive year. After six years, the book Mount Desert Modernism: Robert W. Patterson, Edward Larabee Barnes and George Howe was finally published with the Mt. Desert Island Historical Society. After four years, we finally had the ribbon cutting with the Ross County (Ohio) Park District for the 174-acre Herron-Downs Fen Nature Preserve which, according to a geologist, is one of the largest calcareous fens in the world; and after seven years, we finally commissioned a 305-acre, 49 megawatt solar farm in partnership with ENGIE, the French alternative energy firm.The latter two projects are in my thirty-fifth year as co-manager of family farms in southern Ohio. At Tidepool Press, we published our 43rd book, so vows of poverty remain in force. All collaborations. The years are certainly rolling by — still in Cambridge, still teaching in Harvard’s Masters of Design Engineering program, and actively involved in several Worcester institutions,but beginning to slow down and I’m much more wary of projects with long lead times!”

70s

1971

A semi-regular gathering of Pomfret alumni happened at the Knickerbocker Cafe in Westerly, Rhode Island in November 2025. Otis Read and Jim Corwin ’72 played music together for a crowd of listeners that included Paul Nauman, Peter Castle, Rob Palmer and Charlie Reyburn ’72. They have been performing their music at the Knickerbocker for several years now, and in the past have welcomed John Seibel ’72 on stage, and additional audience members David Kenney, Skip Hine, Chad Gregson ’70 and others.

1972

Harry Fisher wrote, “Well, the Democrat wave in Connecticut hit the Greenwich Board of Estimate and Taxation. The next chairman will not be me, but I will continue to be on the Board. The rule is that the party that garners the most votes gets the chairmanship and a tie breaking vote on the twelve-member board, split equally between Democrats and Republicans.”

’67

A few classmates from the Class of 1967 had the opportunity to gather for lunch in June 2025. L-R: Jeff Oppenheim, Joan and Andrew Sereysky, Betsy and Doug Baldwin

1974

Nicholas Ryan wrote, “I retired from teaching art at Georgetown Day School in Washington, DC in June of 2024. Whenever I was unsure of what to do next in the art studios, I often reflected on two Pomfret teachers who had a profound effect on me: Alice Dunbar and Chick Cole.That, along with some basic survival instincts, guided me through 44 years in the art studios. That said, I continue to miss the teenagers who shared with me abundant joy, creativity, and incredible energy. It’s a career I loved and have no regrets about. The idea of teaching really grew in my mind while I was a student at Pomfret. Now I split my time between DC and Provincetown, MA. I recently discovered my neighbor in Ptown is a trustee at Pomfret (it only took twenty years to unearth this detail),and a classmate, Bob Casper,also lives in the area. This summer, I was driving across Connecticut and took a slight detour onto Route 44 in order to pass by the School, which flooded me with memories.Life happens fast,but I am grateful for my time at Pomfret, which remains one of the most beautiful boarding schools in America.

1975

Don Williams reported, “I was recently appointed by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont to the Board of Regents overseeing four state universities and twelve community colleges. Higher education faces numerous challenges, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help.”

1977

Sam Everett wrote, “I retired from the corporate world about four years ago, and started a small marketing communications firm, which has kept me very busy. My wife and I recently relocated from Massachusetts to Washington state to be near our kids and the great boating that the San Juan Islands have to offer.”

80s

1984

Heather Richardson Bonner was honored by Marquis Who’s Who on September 29, 2025 for her expertise in nonprofit leadership and real estate. She is president of Mission 34, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health awareness,where she oversees all facets of Mission 34’s operations,and collaboration with community partners. She has also maintained a successful career in real estate as a broker with Corcoran HM Properties in North Carolina since 2007. Through these two endeavors,Heather has built a career exemplified by service, resilience and a commitment to creating meaningful relationships and change.

Hilary Romaine reported,“I’m over the moon to announce the birth of my first grandbaby, Theodore ‘Theo’ Anthony Fisher, born to my daughter Casey Romaine and my son-in-law Jacob Fisher,on May 14, 2025,in New York City.My heart can barely take it,he is so delicious! Everything they say about being a grandparent is true…”

1987

Tucker Gallagher wrote, “I took some time off to work at a small university in India. I was teaching International Business and job search skills for KK Modi University, a new university named for a famous industrialist. It caters to young Indians in Chhattisgarh, India, one of the states in the center of the country. It has been an amazing opportunity to learn more about Indian culture and share my professional experience.I have been able to take some amazing trips to Bangladesh,Uzbekistan,Turkmenistan,and Tajikistan.”

L-R: Class of 1986 mates Adam Waldman, Doug Henderson, Todd Coffin, and David Salomon gathered on Martha’s Vineyard in July 2025.

’86

’84

Theo Anthony Fisher, grandson of Hilary Romaine

The James C. Goodale First Amendment Award

At the Harper’s Magazine 175th Anniversary Gala on November 13, the inaugural James C. Goodale First Amendment Award was presented by Goodale himself to The New York Times Publisher and Chairman A.G. Sulzberger. Named in honor of Goodale — the former New York Times general counsel and a member of the Pomfret Class of 1951 — the award recognizes individuals who embody courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the free exchange of ideas.

Widely regarded as a hero of press freedom, Goodale led The Times’ successful challenge to the US government’s 1971 injunction against publishing the Pentagon Papers, a defining moment for the First Amendment.As a former chairman of the Committee to Protect Journalists, he defended reporters across the globe and remained resolute in the face of politically charged press-freedom cases. Now ninety-two, Goodale continues to advocate for an independent press,free expression,and academic freedom — principles he has spent a lifetime protecting.

Beowulf Sheehan

Celebrating John Griswold ’63

Students,faculty,family,members of the Advancement Student Board, and members of the Alumni Association Executive Council came together to celebrate the lifetime achievements of John Griswold’63 and his induction into the Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame.

Griswold’s athletic career at Pomfret was nothing short of extraordinary. He captained the varsity soccer team to the School’s only undefeated season and excelled in hockey and baseball,earning the batting title with a .415 average.AtYale, he continued his athletic dominance as a three-year varsity

soccer letterman,setting the single-game scoring record with five goals and earning All-Ivy and All-New England First Team honors. He also contributed as a football placekicker and played hockey and rugby.

Off the field, Griswold built a successful career in advertising and finance and now serves as a senior consultant at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. His dedication to Pomfret extended beyond his years on the Hilltop; he served as a trustee from 1975 to 2001 and board chair from 1993 to 2000.

Former faculty member Jim Power [English, 1986–1993] shared, “Masami Shiba was one of a handful of Japanese students who attended Pomfret back in the early 90’s. She was in my advisee group for three years, and when my family and I moved to Georgetown Prep, Masami happened to move to Washington, DC to attend George Washington University. We spent a lot of time with her during high school and college. Masami returned to New England for the first time in thirty years. Here is a photo of her with my daughter Bridget [center] and Pomfret alumna Maggie Feltz ’91 in August 2025.”

1991

90s

1992

L-R: Paul Fowler ’64, Devon Chivvis, and Lide Banks Goodwin at the premiere of Devon’s film in New Canaan, CT in June.

Lorenzo Borghese announced, “On June 14, 2025 I married my spectacular bride, Dasha Melgarejo. The marriage was in Rome, Italy and the reception was held at Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati. Jay Luchs and Javier Garcia were in attendance. Most recently, I signed a deal with legendary music artist, Rick Ross. Together, we are growing the South Beach Brewing beverage brand to include THC/CBD seltzers, new beer offerings, and a line of ready-to-drink spirits.”

Devon Chivvis, with assistance from Lide (Banks) Goodwin, premiered her latest documentary film, The Harvard Five: A Story of Love, Architecture, and a Design Revolution at The Playhouse in New Canaan, Connecticut on June 22, 2025. Lide wrote, “Devon’s family has a deep connection to this story: both of her parents’ and grandparents’ homes were designed by Eliot Noyes of The Harvard Five, and they were close friends with each of the five architects. The film features never-before-seen footage and stories, beautifully woven into a deeply personal and moving narrative. It captures the spirit of the Mid-Century Modern movement, which began in New Canaan — a heartfelt tribute to a remarkable chapter in design history.” Devon is co-founder of World Life Productions (WLP), overseeing the production company while making adventure, travel, expedition, scientific, historical, and industrial content for clients such as PBS Discovery,Travel, Nat Geo, NOAA, NASA, Sony Pictures Television, Enron, and TIME INC, as well as for foundations and museums.

Lorenzo Borghese and his bride, Dasha, on their wedding day in June.

00s

2001

Casey (Hammer) Arbor wrote, “These past few years have continued to challenge me, reminding me that the only constant is, in fact, change. My husband began a job teaching English at Darlington School, where my youngest daughter is flourishing in sixth grade. My oldest daughter, also a faculty kid, is in ninth grade at Asheville School, a college prep boarding school in the mountains of North Carolina. I have been working as the visual arts teacher and gallery curator at Asheville School since 2007. For the past four years, while my students have earned National Scholastic Art & Writing recognition, I have earned National Educator Awards. I love working with teenagers. I encourage them to grow roots and wings,so they can feel grounded in their unique, powerful, and innovative perspectives, while also flying to new heights, reaching for new challenges, and participating in amazing national dialogues. This past summer, I created a website that reveals my most recent series of artwork. Through this exciting adventure, I have been able to share the passion I have for the North Carolina mountains through prints of my watercolors. Check it out: www.caseyarbor.com.”

1999

Colonel Vincent Capaldi II, ScM, MD, was announced as the 2026 winner for the American College of Physicians (ACP) Award for Distinguished Contributions to Behavioral Medicine. Established in 2014 for distinguished contributions to the integration of behavioral medicine with traditional medicine, this award recognizes an individual who has furthered the care of patients by recognizing the importance of caring for the whole patient, both mind and body.Vincent will be accepting the award at the National ACP meeting in San Francisco, California in April 2026.

’02

L-R: Jesse Walker, Scott Brady, former faculty member John “Doc” Haynes, and Rob Lemelin gathered together in June 2025.

’98

Seth and Lindsey Boardman Duerr ’99 (left) and Brad Yankus and his wife, Erin, at Groton Long Point, Connecticut in August 2025.

Full Circle

fter attending Pomfret through the A Better Chance program, Michael Gary ’82 made it his life’s mission to ensure others could access the same life-changing opportunities he had.

Gary returned to Pomfret to work in Admissions, where he and his wife, Trina, championed diversity, equity, and inclusion. After more than twenty-six years working at some of the most prominent boarding schools in New England, he realized he wanted to become a head of school to create transformative opportunities for students who might not otherwise afford them.

Now head of Friends Select School in Philadelphia, Gary has expanded enrollment and launched innovative programs, and dreams of a fully endowed financial aid program. Reflecting on his journey, he credits Pomfret with giving him “the gift of a lifetime,” shaping both his career and values.

With gift planning, you can provide longlasting support for Pomfret School while enjoying financial benefits for yourself.

Get started at pomfretlegacy.org

The Pontefract Society honors all those who have taken the special step of including Pomfret School in their long-term plans through a bequest provision, life-income gift, or other deferred giving arrangement. Members of The Pontefract Society have demonstrated a loyalty, foresight, and generosity that will benefit Pomfret and contribute to its excellence for generations to come.

In January 2025, Christopher Syrek (far right) was sworn in as chief of staff of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after leading VA’s Presidential Transition Team. L-R: Secretary of Veterans, the Honorable Douglas A. Collins; wife, Tori Syrek; and daughters, Grace and Abigail Syrek.

2005

Colin Cummings Brooks was excited to share that he published a children’s book with his friend, Matthew Peake, entitled Frank the Frog.What began as a song he’d sing to his baby daughter during bath time became a book when Matthew illustrated each line with paper collage. The book was released in October 2025 by Green Writers Press.

Pomfret Associate Director of Admissions James Pinkham (left) caught up with Sean Driscoll and his son at Pennfield School in Rhode Island, where an admissions event was being held.

2006

Emily (Humes) Durst wrote,“My news is that I changed careers from education to law. I anticipate graduating from UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law in May 2026, and I will be clerking for the Justice Countway of the New Hampshire Supreme Court after graduation. My husband, Zach, and I have settled in New Hampshire and we are enjoying being so close to our favorite hiking spots.”

Congratulations to Molly and Mike Sullivan, who welcomed their first child on July 9, 2025. Cameron James Sullivan was promptly featured on WBZ in Boston to celebrate.

Also congratulations to Michelle and Nic Birdsall, who welcomed their baby girl,Chloe,on October 24,2025.

10s

2011

Paige (Merrow) Saez wrote, “I’m happy to share that my husband, Dan, and I welcomed our second daughter on the evening of November 8,2025! We enjoyed a beautiful,sunny morning at the zoo with our older daughter, Rosalina, before Annetta’s arrival. We look forward to traveling, visiting family, and enjoying life in New York City as a family of four!”

Congratulations to Alison Horst and her husband, Dan, on the birth of their baby daughter, Maeve O'Reily Schilter, on August 20, 2025.

’11

Paige Merrow Saez and her family

Dana Diaz (center) was married to Josh Kacerik on September 5, 2025 in Sutton, Massachusetts. Family members and friends of the Diaz family gathered for a Pomfret photo. L-R: Amy Diaz ’10, Dan Gagnon ’12, Susan Diaz Killenberg ’83, Bruce Diaz ’80, former trustee Frances Diaz P ’78, ’80, ’83, ’88, Dana, Lydia Brents Diaz ’12, Arthur Diaz ’78 P ’10, ’12, ’14, Alex Diaz ’12, Eileen Diaz P ’10, ’12, ’14. Missing from photo: David Diaz ’88

2015

Cam McGuire was named the new manager of communications for The Ontario Reign, the American Hockey League affiliate of the LA Kings, in October 2025. In his new role Cam serves as the “Voice of the Reign,”calling play-by-play for each game of the club.Prior to this position, Cam spent the last three seasons as director of broadcasting and media/community relations with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads. He was recognized as the league’s Media/PR Director of the Year in both 2023 and 2024.

Matt Clayton announced, “I wanted to share that I got engaged! I proposed to my now fiancée, McGara DeWan, this past April. We are getting married this summer in Newport, Rhode Island and we’re very excited!”

Molly Schroder wrote, “Last Thanksgiving [2024] I welcomed my daughter, Charlotte, into the world, and she just celebrated her first birthday. She has brought more joy, perspective, and motivation into my life than I ever could have imagined. On the professional side, I recently graduated with my doctorate and am now working as a nurse manager at a Level I trauma center in Tennessee. It’s been both challenging and incredibly rewarding to support my team and care for some of the most critical patients in the region.”

2016

Brody Childs was pleased to announce that his debut science fiction novel, Illegal Astronauts, was published on January 2, 2026. Brody described the book as “a grounded space opera, a semi-hard science fiction adventure with deep lore and trenchant wit about loyalty, power, and what it really means to be free.” It is Book One of the Illegal Astronauts saga.

’15

’15

Matt Clayton and his fiancée, McGara DeWan

Molly Schroder and her family ’14

A Heart in Medicine

Dr. Virginia Adewole ’94 returned to Pomfret as the 2025 Lasell Visiting Alumna, sharing insights from her work as assistant chief of Hospital Medicine at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles. In her role, Adewole cares for hospitalized patients facing acute, lifethreatening conditions, including heart attacks, strokes, and advanced cancer, balancing the demands of medicine with deep compassion for her patients.

Reflecting on the emotional and physical challenges of hospital medicine, she told students, “For me, medicine continues to be a career worth having because every day I get to be present in this trusted space of vulnerability and do my very best to ease suffering,” she said.

In addition to her all-school address, Adewole spent time in classrooms, engaging directly with students and sharing lessons from her career, inspiring the next generation to approach their work with dedication, empathy, and courage.

L-R: Class of 2017 mates Sam Yoon, Amanda Hatfield, Kelly McCarthy, Melissa Browne, and Liz Clagett gathered to celebrate Kelly’s upcoming wedding in April 2026!

20s

2024

Ivy Dowdle and her sister, Clara, rode in the Pan Mass Challenge in August 2025 and then hosted a PMC Kids Ride at Woodstock Academy in September, both to raise funds for Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund for cancer research.

Carolina Võlcker released a collection of short stories for young adults, entitled Baby Blue, in September 2025. This book follows on the heels of her children’s book, Naroa y el Amuleto, which was published in 2024.

Former faculty members Deb Davis [Religion/English] and Brad Davis [Chaplain/English, 1987-2016] celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with a road trip around England and Wales accompanied by (yes) Brad’s best man, Jonathan Draper, and his English wife, Maggie. As Jon has lived in England since the 1970s, he drove their car and Maggie had map duty. Key destinations included the Exeter Cathedral (of which Jon had been the Dean); the Dartmoor Tors; Marford in North Wales (where Brad’s maternal grandmother lived before emigrating to Canada); Snowdonia National Park, also in North Wales; Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage in the Lake District; Beatrix Potter’s home; York and the York Cathedral (where John had served as Canon Theologian before Exeter); and a sprawling estate (think a slightly downsized Downton Abbey) cum deer park in Gunton.Two spectacular weeks ...and what a slide show!

Former members Davis and 1987-2016] celebrated their fiftieth anniversary with a road trip around and Wales Brad’s best man, Jonathan and his wife, As Jon has lived in since the 1970s, he drove their car and had map destinations included the Exeter Cathedral (of which had been the the Dartmoor Marford in North Wales (where Brad’s maternal lived before emigrating to Canada); Snowdonia National Park, also in North Wales; Wordsworth’s Dove in the Lake District; Beatrix Potter’s York and the York Cathedral had served as Canon before Exeter); and a sprawling estate (think a slightly downsized Downton cum deer park in Gunton Two spectacular weeks and what a slide show!

Former faculty members Brad and Deb Davis at the Red Lion Pub in Marford, Wales in September 2025.

Maine Reception

New Canaan Tennis

Alumni and friends of Pomfret for the ninth annual Fairfield tennis event in New Canaan, Connecticut on 12, 2025 Front row, L-R: member , and Andrew ’67 Moffitt ’82 (Sinica) Still ’73 P ’05, Louisa Gebelein P ’04 Back row, L-R: Nick Connors Van Voorhees ’64 , and Alex Still P ’05, Art Clark ’67 from and Susan

Alumni and friends of Pomfret gathered for the ninth annual Fairfield County tennis event in New Canaan, Connecticut on August 12, 2025. Front row, L-R: Faculty member Peter Anderson, Joan and Andrew Sereysky ’67, Joey Moffitt ’82, David Still ’05, Winnie Goodrich ’05, Jean (Sinica) Still ’73 P ’05, faculty member Louisa Gebelein Jones P ’04. Back row, L-R: Andy Ramirez ’91, Nick Connors ’02, Vip Van Voorhees ’64, Kelsey (Hubbard)Rollinson’89,PaulFowler’64,Lisa(Walsh)Nelson’87, Katie (Bell) Bues ’03, and Alex Bues, Greg Still P ’05, Art Crabtree, Kenyon Clark’67.Missing from photo:Gary and Susan Squires.

Vassar and Laura (Keeler) Pierce ’03, Head of School

Laura Pierce ’03, Head of School

Heather Willis Daly, and Colin and Helen Keeler P ’03, ’08 hosted a reception for Pomfret alumni, parents, and friends at the Keeler family home in Seal Harbor, Maine on August 1, 2025.

Heather Willis , and hosted a reception for Pomfret alumni, parents, and friends at the Keeler home in Seal Harbor, Maine on 1, 2025

New Canaan Paddle

Pomfret alumni, students, and parents for the fourteenth annual and event in New Connecticut on November 2, 2025. Front row, L-R: Arturo Peniche ’28 Lee ’29 Merle Hugon P ’29 (Hubbard) Rollinson ’89 Joey Moffitt ’82 Laura Cona ’05 Jean member Louisa Gebelein Jones P ’04

Back row, L-R: Ben ’29 Fabrice Hugon P ’29 Ramirez ’91 ’05 ’64 Winnie ’05, Eliza Van Mackie ’03 from Mati ’77 Chen

Pomfret alumni, students, and parents gathered for the fourteenth annual paddle and pickleball event in New Canaan, Connecticut on November 2, 2025. Front row, L-R: Arturo Peniche Gasque ’28, Jacob Lee ’29, Merle Hugon P ’29, Kelsey (Hubbard) Rollinson ’89, Joey Moffitt ’82, Laura (Dunn) Cona ’05, Jean (Sinica) Still’73 P’05,faculty member Louisa Gebelein Jones P’04. Back row, L-R: Ben Hugon ’29, Fabrice Hugon P ’29, Andy Ramirez ’91, David Still ’05, Paul Fowler ’64, Greg Still P ’05, Winnie Goodrich ’05, Eliza Jones, Vip Van Voorhees ’64, Mackie (Pilsbury) Spadaccini ’03. Missing from photo: Mati Weiderpass ’77 and Nikolas Chen.

Boston Holiday Reception

Pomfret alumni, parents, and on December 5, 2025 for a reception in Boston to celebrate the and welcome Head of School

Heather Willis and her husband, Brendan. L-R: Laura Pierce ’03, Board Chair , Trustee , Head of Heather Willis Ketchum ’18 , and

Pomfret alumni, parents, and faculty gathered on December 5, 2025 for a reception in Boston to celebrate the holidays and welcome Head of School Heather Willis Daly and her husband, Brendan. L-R: Trustee Laura (Keeler) Pierce ’03, Board Chair Daryle Bost ’89, Trustee Brendon Giblin ’95 P ’24, ’28, Head of School Heather Willis Daly, Grace Ferrara ’20, Olivia Ferrara ’18, Toby Ketchum ’18, Wells Robinson ’19, and Maddie Fisher ’19.

Defending Against Disinformation

Olivia Raykhman ’21 entered West Point determined to fight terrorism, but the surge of disinformation following the October 7 attacks in Israel shifted her focus from combating extremists tocounteringtheirpropaganda.

RaykhmanusedherRussianandUkrainian language skills during an internship at the Pentagon and later joined the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, where she helped develop CISA’s first social media strategy. That work sharpened her leadership style, eventually guiding her cyber team to nationalandinternationalvictories.

Now an Air Force information operations officer and Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford, Raykhman is committed to confronting emerging threats — including electioninterferenceandideologicalextremism — through strategic communication and publicservice.

Q&A with Peter Canby ’68

Life of Letters

SENIOR EDITOR PETER CANBY ’68 LED THE FACT-CHECKING DEPARTMENT OF THE NEW YORKER FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

For more than two decades, Peter Canby shaped one of journalism’s most invisible yet essential roles: the factchecker. When he arrived at The New Yorker in the late 1970s, fact-checking was a slow, stately endeavor, far removed — for the most part — from the urgency of breaking news. But as the magazine entered a faster-paced, more investigative, and increasingly litigious era, Canby helped transform the practice into a modern, high-stakes discipline. Under his leadership, fact-checking evolved from a back-end safeguard to an integral part of reporting, redefining how the magazine pursued truth-driven journalism. All the while, he continued developing his own voice as a writer, publishing deeply reported stories and books that reflect his lifelong instinct for curiosity and precision.

DiD you always want to be a writer?

I always had a pen in my hand. By the time I had graduated from college, I had written an annex to a book and a twohour musical.

Writing is in my blood — odd as that may sound. My grandfather was a prominent New York editor and a professor of English at Yale. He founded Saturday Review, a magazine that shaped American intellectual life throughout the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. My father was also a writer and an editor, though he would quit his job and shut himself into a closet to work on a book.That version of the writing life didn’t look fun to me, and I didn’t think I was a natural fit.

if not a writer, what DiD you see yourself becoming?

When I graduated from Swarthmore, the country was in turmoil, and anti-Vietnam War sentiment swept college campuses. I wanted no part of what I thought of as the “bourgeois world”; I wanted to return to the land. I lived in a fishing village in Maine for about two years. I worked on scalloping boats and a longliner, and I was a clam digger. Later, I became a carpenter. These experiences were my graduate school. They taught me more about living and life values than my academic life had.

how DiD your experience influence your literary career?

I began writing for a fishing paper and submitted a piece to a New England magazine — it was originally a letter to my parents that I reworked and sold. And I thought, anybody can do this. I moved to Boston, started working as a tree surgeon, and got a gig writing book reviews for The Boston Globe. Ibeganworkingonabigstoryaboutastrikebyindependent loggers in Maine while working on a grant a friend received from the National Science Foundation. We interviewed loggers at different ends of the economic spectrum — both independent contractors and corporate employees. While we were exploring their attitudes, I gained invaluable fieldwork experience and tried turning it into a story.

how DiD you enD up at The New Yorker?

While I was working on the logging story, a cousin mentioned that The New Yorker was hiring, so I applied. They were interested in my curiosity and experience in longform, non-fiction narrative. The job was for a fact-checker. I didn’t even know what a fact-checker was, but I have a very detail-oriented mind. They hired me, and I worked as a full-time fact-checker for two years before splitting the job with another checker while writing freelance for other publications. I left to write full-time for a number of years, but after Tina Brown became the editor-in-chief, I was

asked to run the fact-checking department. I agreed to do it for eighteen months, and ended up staying for twenty years.

how DiD fact-checking change over the course of your career?

Before Tina Brown arrived, everything was done in a stately way to complete pieces that sometimes took the writers years to write, and then they would be meticulously prepared and put to press slowly. When Tina took over, everything was lastminute,litigious,and complicated.We had to rethink the whole fact-checking process. Now the checkers worked on stories as they were being written.The stakes were much higher, and the possibility of getting sued was much greater. I helped create a new methodology in which writers would give their notes and transcripts to the checkers.We were much more aggressive about fact-checking,and it became part of the reporting process. As The New Yorker began doing more investigative stories, the risk of being wrong increased significantly.

how DiD aDvances in technology anD access to news change the fact-checking Department you oversaw? We had to divide the department into two parts: print checking and digital checking. On the digital side, they wanted fast-turnaround pieces that often didn’t have the same depth of research as the magazine pieces, but they still wanted the same level of accuracy. We developed new methodologies to meet the demand.

what DiD you love about the job?

I loved managing a large part of the editorial process and working on fast-turnaround journalism. I loved reporting and investigating stories. We got to work on some really complicated stories with Seymour Hersh, Jane Mayer, and Patrick Keefe. I also loved hiring and working with a diverse group of talented individuals. The department had extensive language expertise, with often eight or nine members fluent in more than one language, including Russian, Arabic, and Mandarin.

When most people think of fact-checking, they imagine it’s an entry-level position, but I worked with accomplished writers who had worked for major publications before joining my department.The job was a lot of fun. It was highrisk and complicated. While I enjoyed the benign and even funny pieces, my heart was with those big, complex stories.

DiD you ever write that story about the loggers? I finished writing, but it wasn’t any good. It happens in the world of narrative nonfiction. If you’re a newspaper reporter, I doubt that there are many stories that cannot be written. Most of the stories that I write are kind of a struggle for me, but that’s just part of the process that I get kind of addicted to. Sometimes I think I can’t do it, and then I map things out in my sleep,wake up in the morning,and write a few paragraphs. I have written things that came really easily to me,but most of my pieces have often been grueling and complicated. Some stories take a couple of years to come together. I wrote a short story a few years ago that was never quite worked out. But recently, during long drives between New York to Massachusetts, a solution clicked, and I plan to revisit it when I finish what I am working on now.

but you have written some remarkable pieces anD books. In 1992, I published The Heart of the Sky: Travels Among the Maya. Researching the book, I hiked with naturalists and biologists near the Guatemalan border. We walked for fifteen days through the wild rainforest. We navigated by compass and got lost because our maps were inaccurate. We ran out of food and managed to get out just in time.

In July 2002, I went on another adventure, this time to Nouabalé-Ndoki — the most remote forest in Africa, where animals had never seen human beings. For 150 miles, I traveled with a group of Bayaka pygmies and an English elephant biologist following elephant trails. It was a really fantastic wilderness experience. The story took time to develop, but when it did, it was included in three Best American anthologies: travel writing, science writing, and adventure and survival writing.

where Does your inspiration come from?

I draw inspiration from what I have read and my own experiences. In college, I took six months off, moved to Mexico, and wrote an undergraduate thesis. What stuck with me was a fascination with the strength of indigenous culture in Mexico. I’m still writing about that region today.

what are you writing now?

A piece of mine ran in The New York Review of Books in July, about a priest murdered by cartels in southern Mexico. Currently, I’m working on a story for a new magazine, Now Voyager. The piece is about Capitana Ana, a woman whose photo I first saw in a photo book produced by human rights photographer Jean-Marie Simon. The book was made up of images from a 1985 Guatemalan guerrilla camp. Ana looked like she should be preparing to go on stage at Carnegie Hall, not to assault a government fortress. I became fascinated by her story, which ended tragically: seven years later, Ana was stabbed in the back by a guerrilla supporter in Mexico.

what aDvice Do you have for aspiring journalists?

Don’t be afraid to pursue your instincts. Delve deeply into subjects until you feel grounded in your understanding. Seek your own conclusions, and don’t shy away from your obsessions; work through them. They often lead to new discoveries and unexpected paths.

IN MEMORIAM

To request a printed copy of full-detail alumni obituaries, call the Advancement Office at 860.963.6129.

Robert B. Fiske, Jr. ’48 December 4, 2025

Peter W. Clement ’64 June 23, 2025

Gerald P. Harrison ’56 August 23, 2025

J. Scott Lord ’67 October 11, 2025

John P. T. Blake ’58 April 30, 2025

Charles E. Kniffin ’70 August 30, 2025

John B. Boden, Jr. ’61 December 4, 2024

Eric R. Parssinen ’72 September 3, 2025

“Dear friends, we know that life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us. So be swift to love, make haste to be kind.”

— HENRI-FRÉDÉRIC AMIEL

Paul M. Souza ’79

4, 2025

John A. Onderdonk III ’85

20, 2025

Benjamin J. Sittig ’06 November 14, 2025

Michaela Love ’98

Robert Fiske ’48

Robert B. “Bob” Fiske Jr., one of the nation’s most respected attorneys and a devoted Pomfret alumnus, leaves behind a legacy defined by fairness, integrity, and unwavering public service. Over a distinguished career spanning both private practice and government, Bob earned a reputation as the consummate lawyer — measured, principled, and guided by a deep belief in the power of justice.

obert B “Bob” Fiske Jr , one of the nation’s most attorneys and a devoted Pomfret alumnus, leaves behind a defined fairness, integrity, and unwavering service Over a career spanning both private practice and government, Bob earned a reputation as the consummate measured, and a belief in the power of justice

Bob became a at Davis Polk & Wardwell, where he served for decades as partner and later senior counsel.His commitment to service was United States for the Southern District of New York from 1976 to 1980

President Gerald Ford and retained President Carter he led one of the nation’s most federal

Bob became a leading figure at Davis Polk & Wardwell, where he served for decades as partner and later senior counsel.His commitment to public service was equally profound. Appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1976 to 1980 by President Gerald Ford — and retained by President Jimmy Carter — he led one of the nation’s most consequential federal prosecutor’s offices with distinction.

In 1994, Bob was entrusted with national responsibility as the first independent counsel to lead the Whitewater investigation, a probe into a failed Arkansas real estate venture involving President and Mrs. Clinton. His selection reflected widespread confidence in his integrity and impartiality.

In 1994, Bob was entrusted with national as the first counsel to lead the Whitewater investigation, a into a failed Arkansas real estate venture involving President and Mrs. Clinton. His selection reflected confidence in his and impartiality

Pomfret’s Alumni Association honored Bob with its Alumni Award in 1989. In his acceptance speech, he credited teachers and coaches with shaping the values that guided his career,including Henry Benson “Benny” Rockwell, whose history and government classes inspired his path to Yale and law school, and Wendell “Mannie” Mansfield, his football and baseball coach, who instilled in him a lasting blend of competitive drive, fairness, and sportsmanship.

Pomfret’s honored Bob with its in 1989 In his acceptance he credited teachers and coaches with the values that his Benson Rockwell, whose and government classes his to Yale and law school, and Wendell “Mannie” Mansfield, his football and baseball coach, who instilled in him a blend of competitive drive, fairness, and sportsmanship

Peter Clement ’64

Peter Clement was a devoted volunteer,visionary architect,and beloved class leader whose service to Pomfret spanned more than six decades. Few alumni have given so much, so consistently, or with such heartfelt dedication.

eter Clement was a devoted architect,and beloved class leader whose service to Pomfret more than six decades. Few alumni have so much, so or dedication

Peter served as secretary (class agent) from graduation until his death, keeping his classmates connected through handwritten letters in the early years and later as an enthusiastic adopter of email. He rallied the Class of 1964 to return for Reunions — helping the class to achieve the highest class attendance — and created a sense of unity that endured for generations. His extraordinary devotion earned him Pomfret’s first S. Prescott B. Clement Cup in 2009, an award honoring class agents who demonstrate the same lifelong commitment exemplified by its namesake, Pres Clement ’40, his cousin. Peter carried that family tradition forward with pride.

Beyond his volunteer leadership, Peter left an indelible mark on Pomfret’s campus. As one of the “five architects from the Class of 1964,” he collaborated with classmates Jock Dix, Paul Steege, Flash Fuller, and Mark Simon to design the ’64 Terraces, a gift from the Class in observation of their fiftieth reunion. Peter also served as architectural lead on the renovation and expansion of the Corzine Athletic Center, helping design the inviting, lightfilled facility that opened to the community in 2004.

Peter served as secretary (class from graduation until his death, his classmates connected handwritten letters in the years and later as an enthusiastic of email to return the class to achieve the highest class attendance and created a sense of unity that endured for generations His devotion earned him Pomfret’s first S Prescott B Clement in 2009, an award class agents who demonstrate the same commitment its namesake, Pres Clement ’40, his cousin Peter carried that tradition forward with pride his volunteer Peter left an indelible mark on Pomfret’s campus. As one of the “five architects from the Class of 1964,” he collaborated with classmates Jock Dix, Paul Flash Fuller, and Mark Simon to the ’64 Terraces, a in reunion. served as architectural lead on the renovation and expansion of the Corzine Athletic Center, the inviting, filled that to the community in 2004.

Peter’s service extended to leadership roles as well, including vice president and later president of the Alumni Association, and ex-officio trustee. Through every role, he embodied loyalty, generosity, and an unwavering love for Pomfret.

Peter’s service extended to roles as well, vice and later of the Alumni Association, and ex-officio trustee. every role, he embodied loyalty, and an love for Pomfret.

Kevin Tubridy P ’04

Athoughtful leader,dedicated volunteer,and loyal friend to Pomfret, Kevin Tubridy leaves behind a legacy that continues to shape life on the Hilltop.

Kevin joined the Pomfret Board of Trustees in 2002, offering nine years of service marked by insight, generosity, and unwavering commitment. As chair of the Facilities Committee and a member of both the Executive and School Life Committees, he played a central role in guiding the School’s long-term planning and ensuring that Pomfret’s campus supported its mission. Before joining the Board, Kevin and his wife, Betsy, were volunteers on the Parents’ Committee and the biennial Pomfret auctions, always eager to strengthen the community their son, Connor ’04, called home.

leader,dedicated volunteer,and friend to Pomfret, Kevin leaves behind a that continues to life on the Kevin the Pomfret Board of Trustees in 2002, nine years of service marked generosity, and unwavering commitment. a both the Executive and School Life Committees, he a central role in the School’s and ensuring that Pomfret’s campus its mission. Before joining the Board, Kevin and his wife, Betsy, were volunteers on the Parents’ Committee and the biennial Pomfret auctions, eager to the their son, Connor ’04, called home.

Kevin’s impact is visible in the spaces where Pomfret students live and learn. As president of New England Design, he led the design and construction of Parsons Lodge — now a beloved gathering space and essential part of campus life. In recognition of his vision and partnership, the Lodge terrace proudly bears his name. Kevin also generously supported the maintenance of the Pomfret campus and many aspects that enhance the School and its people.

Kevin’s is visible in the spaces where Pomfret students live and learn As president of New England Design, he led the design and construction of Parsons now a beloved space and essential part of campus life In recognition of his vision and the terrace bears his name Kevin also the maintenance of the Pomfret campus and many aspects that enhance the School and its people

The Peck / Pulling Trophy

The William Peck / Edward Pulling Trophy stands at the heart of the Battle for Route 44 — the spirited athletic rivalry between Pomfret and Millbrook, two schools linked by the winding stretch of highway through the Hudson Valley and Eastern Connecticut. First claimed by the Griffins following the inaugural battle, the trophy travels to Millbrook for away contests in alternating years, but Pomfret’s undefeated record ensures it always returns to its true home on the Hilltop. Each victory adds to its legacy, making it a cherished symbol of Pomfret spirit, skill, and tradition.

Undefeated

Five battles, five straight victories for the Griffins. From the opening whistle of the inaugural contest to the latest showdown, Pomfret dominates the fields, courts, and courses — whether defending the Hilltop or taking the rivalry on the road to Millbrook. Each game, each goal, each point carries the roar of a united school, an unbroken, unstoppable streak that has become as much a part of Pomfret tradition as the trophy itself.

The Birth of the Rivalry

The Battle for Route 44 began with a meeting between Pomfret Head of School Tim Richards and Millbrook Head of School Drew Casertano, who envisioned a friendly athletic competition between the evenly matched schools. Delayed from 2020 to 2021 by the pandemic, the first battle took place after Casertano’s retirement, with Jon Downs assuming leadership at Millbrook. In 2025, Heather Willis Daly succeeded Richards at Pomfret, carrying forward the rivalry’s founding spirit and the pride of the Hilltop.

A Collaborative Effort

Named for the founders of the rival schools, the Peck/Pulling Trophy was carved from a single piece of maple chosen for its durability and subtle grain. Designed by Science Teachers Josh Lake and Brian Geyer on an X-Carve CNC machine, the piece combines precise lettering with hand-painted detail, polished with guidance from Artist-inResidence JP Jacquet Pomfret’s Facilities staff built the custom stand, transforming the trophy into a celebration of craft, creativity, and collaboration.

Consolation Prize

The trophy’s prototype became a smaller consolation prize, carved with

the words “Better luck next time ” Since Pomfret has yet to fall to the Mustangs in the Battle for Route 44, this spirited piece lives with Millbrook Head of School

Jon Downs, where it stands as a cheerful reminder that hope springs eternal, even in the face of Griffin dominance.

Historic Highway or Pathways to the Past

US Route 44 is an east-west US

numbered highway running approximately 237 miles through New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts Along the approximately 100-mile stretch between Millbrook and Pomfret, travelers follow paths first carved for colonial and early American trade and post roads — centuries before the modern highway.

CLASS AGENTS & SECRETARIES

1997

Wheeler (Simmons) Griffith

Katharine (Carnes) Petrycki

Hadley (Weiss) Rosen

1998

Buzz Evans

Kip Hale

Toyin Moses

Livia (Skelly-Dorn) Roustan

1999

Lindsey (Boardman) Duerr

TJ Patrick

2001

Caitlin (Rogers) Connelly

Cooper Hastings

Libby Wood

2002

Christina (Galanti) Dickson

Jo Anna (Galanti) Fellon

Colton Riley

Chris Watkins

Bill Wentworth

2003

Saleem Ahmed

David Barrett

Chelsea (Weiss) Baum

Laura (Keeler) Pierce

Chris Pike

Mackie (Pilsbury) Spadaccini 2004

Laura (Dunn) Cona

Deary

Davinia (Buckley) Selfridge

Michelle (Gilmore) Castiglione

Caroline (McLoughlin) Davis

Hoon Hahn Greg Jones Katy (Winogradow) Munno James Pinkham

(Ross) Griffin

Lorms

Shawn McCloud

Darren Small Emily (Detmer) Taylor

Harkey

Johnson Alexandra (D’Agostino) Pritchard

Downey Katie (Kramer) Paddock

Hall Kayla Sheehan Samantha (Slotnick) Stanton

Wainwright

O’Hara

K.C. O’Hara

Linhares

Cocozza O’Hara

Gengras

Nsubuga

Lutts

Charmaine Chinodakufa

Jin

Makatura

Rhatigan

FUND

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To keep tuition affordable, hire and retain great teachers, and recruit a talented and diverse student body, we rely on the contributions of supporters like you. When you support Pomfret, you are helping to amplify the voices and choices of our students and faculty for many years to come.