ViewPoints Summer/Fall 2012

Pine Point School ViewPoints

Inside: Pine Point Mourns the Loss of Dick Mitchell Noah Bean ’93 Delivers Commencement Address

Summer/Fall 2012 Annual Report

Young Alumni Studying, and Living, Abroad

BOARD OF TRUSTEESMatt Amaro Alan Banister Lisa Tepper Bates (Community Leader) Scott Bates (Community Leader) Stephen W. Bennhoff, Head of School Kevin Bowdler Dionne L. Butler Lou Doboe Susan Funk, Vice President Julian Gillespie Peter Glankoff (Community Leader) Linda Goddard Geraldine Griffin Norman Jason Debbie O’Brien Carla Petrocelli, Secretary Kimberly Dreier Rick William R. Rolla Jennifer Schwindt, President Joe Staley Karen Stone Marcy Withington, Treasurer Susan Zimbelmann PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL Peter Briggs Searle Field John Fiore Susan Funk Linda Goddard Valerie Grimm Susanne Knisley Marcia McGowan Kim Paddon Ardice Perry Janie Stanley Karen Stone CONTRIBUTORS Editor: David Hannon, Director of Development Assistant Editor: David Cruthers, Associate Director of Development Designer: Rosemary Robertson, Publications Coordinator Contributors: Carol Ansel, Noah Bean ‘93, Stephen Bennhoff, Elma Burnham ’06, David Cruthers, Mariel Frechette ’06, Charles Glew ’07, Duncan Grimm ’08, Laura Hagen ’06, David Hannon, Molly Hannon ’06, Maria Iacoi, Tim Larson ‘07 Lifetouch National Studios, Zoe McLean ’06, Chip Riegel Photography, Rosemary Robertson, Gary Williams, and Tess Williams ’06 89 Barnes Road Stonington, CT 06378 860-535-0606 http://www.pinepoint.org development@pinepoint.org pinepointalumni@pinepoint.org Download a digital copy of the magazine by going to http://www.pinepoint.org/viewpoints or scan the QR Code.

ViewPoints Summer/Fall 2012 FEATURES What Makes Us Pine Point?

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In his bi-annual letter, Head of School Stephen Bennhoff finds that the reality of where the School is located, the reason behind what we do, and the relationships that result in life-long friendships are at the very core of Pine Point.

Commencement 2012

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Pine Point bid farewell to the thirteen graduating members of the Class of 2012 while honoring those in the Middle School who distinguished themselves during the course of the year.

One More Look

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Noah Bean ’93 delivered this year’s commencement address.

A professional actor, Noah has appeared in numerous films, worked consistently on the New York stage, and can be regularly seen on the CW show Nikita. Recalling that his 6th grade class presented Thornton Wilder’s Our Town (a play in which he “began to find his voice all those years ago”) he acknowledged what a gift it was for him to come back “and have the chance to look around again and appreciate and remember what a wonderful place this is.”

Goodbye Old Friend

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In May, members of the Pine Point family were saddened to hear of the passing of Dick Mitchell. For twenty-two years, Dick, or Mr. Mitchell, wonderfully served Pine Point as a teacher and as head of school. As with the death of former Head of School Alan Houghton, the loss felt by so many prompted alumni, past parents, and former and current colleagues to send the School a reflection of what he meant to them long ago, and still today.

Striking the Perfect Balance

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For twenty-nine years, Sandy Walton lovingly helped hundreds of preschool and lower school students get started on the right foot in their educational journey. In mid-May, the entire School gathered on two separate occasions to honor her and offer its thanks and best wishes.

A Gift for the Senses

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Supported by a Fiore Fellowship, Instructor of Art Maria Iacoi journeyed to Italy to find inspiration in the art and cuisine of her ancestral home.

The Experience of Living Abroad

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Over a third of the graduating Class of 2006 found themselves going abroad this past year as part of their college program. In each instance, the experience was far more than simply studying abroad. For these alumni, home came to be in Hong Kong, Cameroon, Ireland, France, Costa Rica (and Italy), and British Columbia.

The Importance of Turning the Map Around

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Duncan Grimm ’08 traveled with 19 fellow Trinity College students and three of their professors to the major river cities of China, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Their study had them looking at a variety of subjects from the environmental and urban planning challenges facing those countries to the historical significance of each. With his passion for history, the experience affected his view of Southeast Asia and China and the world as a whole.

Engineering Boot Camp

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DEPARTMENTS Class Notes

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Former Faculty and Staff

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Milestones

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A chemical engineering major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Charles Glew ’07 takes what he’s learned in the classroom and applies it to the technical work in which he’s involved in developing extruded products that are used in the wire and cable industry. In this, he often finds himself working alongside Pine Point alumnus Matt Wright ’98.

From the Development Office

ANNUAL REPORT

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The Pine Point family once again showed its devotion to the School by generously supporting the Annual Fund, the endowment, restricted giving and special events with gifts totaling just under $700,000.

Front cover: As this year’s Fiore Fellow, Instructor of Art Maria Iacoi traveled to Italy seeking inspiration in that country’s cuisine and art to strengthen her teaching and to find renewal. The door on the cover is in Ravello. As it turns out, this is not the first time we showed an open doorway on the cover of the magazine. In the 2005 winter/spring issue of ViewPoints we presented a photo taken by James O’Brien ’05 as part of his 9th grade’s ISP trip to France. (That same issue also featured open door photos taken by Nick Smith ’96, who was in China backed by a Fulbright Scholarship and a Harvard Sheldon Fellowship.) In each case, one is given only a glimpse of what lies on the other side. In so many ways, the program at Pine Point is about our students walking through doors to new experiences and challenges, never really knowing what it is they’ll find until they get there.

Back cover: It was a busy summer at Pine Point. The creation of new athletic locker rooms set in motion the relocation of several classrooms and offices and the establishment of a lower school science lab. The School also put in place new signage that is more welcoming and informative.

What Makes Us Pine Point?

S -Stephen W. Bennhoff, Head of School

omewhere in my clothes hamper is a Benjamin Moore t-shirt that resembles a Jackson Pollack canvas more that it does an article of clothing.

Anyone who swung by the School this past summer would have seen me, in between admission tours, email correspondences, and summer meetings, draped in clothing that is splattered in shades of lighthouse landing tan, expresso brown, dove white, and a custom mix of green. There is something I love about painting a wall or moving lockers that gives me immediate gratification. Akin to raking leaves and shoveling snow, it feels wonderfully generative and constructive viewing the efforts of your labor displayed in such a palpable and concrete manner. You can see the change.

Indeed, this past school year saw much change at Pine Point. In the past 14 months the School gained a new Head of School and welcomed six new faculty; we recognized the bittersweet passing of two amazing Heads of School, Alan Houghton and Dick Mitchell; we completed a brilliant Strategic Plan and we finalized our own Self Study in preparation for our 10 year re-accreditation by the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools; and we completed numerous substantial improvements to our physical plant.

With all these changes, one could well ask, “Will returning students or alumni recognize the School? Are we still the same place?”

With my first year at Pine Point complete and the second just begun, it is no surprise that I found myself, this summer, combing through the literal and figurative insides of the School. Having become familiar with the seasons and cycles of Pine Point’s school year, it was time to peel the second layer, as I continued to get to know a place that I now call home, along with my son, who is entering the 1st grade. In asking myself the question, “What makes us Pine Point?” I found a theme that provided me with an increasingly deeper appreciation for who we are and what we do. At the core of Pine Point, I found the Reality of where we are, the Reason behind what we do, and the Relationships that forge life-long friendships.

Reality

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Great learning comes in many shapes and sizes. Great learning can occur in the great universities of the world, like those visited by members of the Class of 2006 during their study abroad this past school year, about which you’ll read more in this edition of ViewPoints, or it can also be found in the cozy spaces such as the preschool reading rugs and dress-up stations. However, truly extraordinary schools are more than just what they are; they reflect where they are in who they are, and that forms an indelible characteristic for identity and excellence in their program.

There must be a sense of place that resonates between what we do and where we are in order for a school to take the additional leap from good to great. Think for a moment. Would Pine Point be the same school if it were in an urban center? If there were no ponds for research or ocean waters to explore and test aboard Quest, would we be the same school? If we were unable to go outside and hear the wind in the branches at recess, as we read Dr. Seuss in D.E.A.R. groups, or discuss Dickens in classes under the shade of broad, leafy trees, would it be the same experience for our students? If we collected our monarch butterfly eggs from the mail instead of from our fields, would it be the same experience for our children? If we ran circles on a track instead of through the wooded trails that are part of our “backyard,” would it be the same memory? In so many ways, Pine Point is tied to the Reality of location, the very real life of our space. Our program of offerings is thus incredibly unique, unlike anything else in southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. We capitalize on our location more than any other school I’ve known, and whether it be in our enduring partnership with Mystic Seaport or the 9th grade’s annual fall trip to Martha’s Vineyard, Pine Point’s identity and excellence are tied to the reality of where we are. It is a defining quality of which I am particularly proud, and one I’m privileged to observe daily, as students return from hikes in our woods, trawling on our boats, and discussing in our gardens.

Secondly, in a world of instant media that inundates us with data, facts, and theories about how to best teach, any school can hop on the most recent bandwagon and declare that they have adopted the latest and greatest methodology for education. Some Ph.D. researchers say that the traditional classroom will be outdated and extinct in 20 years, with all learning being some form of on-line, distance-education model. In response to this, I believe the second element in defining Pine Point is our Reason behind what we do. Our Core Values of Respect, Integrity, Moral Courage, and Excellence simply can’t be taught on-line. In choosing to elevate an ethical curriculum on to the same level as our academic curriculum, we walk our talk. In stating that our students will learn to read and write in groups as small as 5, 6 or 7 students working with a teacher, and in implementing a math program by which students can excel at their own pace, we demonstrate that we care just as much about what our students learn, as how they learn. We state our reasoning upfront, in our Mission and in our Core Values, and navigate forward using that reasoning as our compass heading. Again, it is a characteristic of Pine Point that will always be a defining quality of who we are.

In so many ways, Pine Point is tied to the reality of location, the very real life of our space. Our program of offerings is thus incredibly unique, unlike anything else in southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. We capitalize on our location more than any other school I’ve known, and whether it be in our enduring partnership with Mystic Seaport or the 9th grade’s annual fall trip to Martha’s Vineyard, Pine Point’s identity and excellence are tied to the reality of where we are. It is a defining quality of which I am particularly proud.

Lastly, it comes as no surprise to anyone who reads these pages, or who attends a school-sponsored event be it a classroom luncheon, an alumni gathering, or an athletic contest, that Pine Point thrives upon the development and nurturing of Relationships. Ask yourself, “When did I last wish I could reunite with my elementary and middle school classmates?”

“How many of my 8th grade friends were in my wedding party?” or “Would I fly cross country to attend the memorial service for my middle school principal?” Pine Point is, at its core, a web of relationships that cultivates a new generation of interconnected friends and citizens. The attendees at the August alumni reunion ranged from the Class of 1967 to the Class of 2006, and all of them chatted amongst each other with the ease of old friends. They shared a common tone, a common thread, a common voice. That says a lot.

So as we enter a new school year, and enjoy the fruits of change that have come to Pine Point over the past year, we remember that Pine Point will always be centered in a tradition that instills the very best in all of our students and their families. It continues to be my greatest pleasure to be a part of the team here at Pine Point. I look forward to seeing you soon, and, if you live at a distance from Pine Point, I would love to hear from you.

Reason Relationships ViewPoints 3

Pine Point was founded in 1948 with eleven students arriving for the first day of school. Four years later, Pine Point observed its first commencement with one student graduating from the 8th grade.

(A 9th grade was added following the 1962 school year.)

This year’s graduating class was the 60th to celebrate what is always one of the highlights of the year.

Commencement 2012 (Photos by Lifetouch National Studios and David Hannon)

Universally respected and loved, Jordan Crawford ’12 was one of just two members of the graduating class who started their career at Pine Point in the Preschool 3s. He’s shown in the garden prior to commencement.

Tradition dictates that the person, or persons, to whom the yearbook is dedicated lead the graduating class into commencement. This year, that honor fell to Dr. Smith ’69 and Mr. Salsich.

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Erin Ritter ’15 is congratulated by Head of School Stephen Bennhoff for being the First Scholar for the 6th grade.

Georgia White ‘13 was the First Scholar in the 8th grade.

Overseeing his first commencement, Head of School Stephen Bennhoff welcomed families, friends, and special guests. In addition to congratulating the soon-to-be graduates, he put into context his place at the School while paying tribute to two of his predecessors: “It is indeed an honor to be here today at the last of my firsts. This graduation marks the end of our 9th graders’ tenure at this school, but for me, it is only the beginning of what I look forward to as a long and exciting future as Head of School at Pine Point. As I stand before you, I am acutely aware that I am carrying on a tradition set decades before me by remarkable individuals who were previous Heads of School here at Pine Point. Two of those Heads−Alan Houghton and Dick Mitchell−passed away during the 2011-12 school year, and I am sure their spirits are with us today as we recognize the accomplishments of our 13 proud graduates.”

First Scholar Awards The First Scholar Award is presented to the student who has maintained the highest academic average in his or her class for the year. The recipients of the First Scholar Award were: Grade 6-Erin Ritter ’15 Grade 7-Julia Little ’14 Grade 8-Georgia White ’13 Grade 9-Schyler Davis ’12 Hugh Huidekoper Toulmin Prize This prize is presented in memory of Hugh Huidekoper Toulmin, a former parent and Board member known for his welcoming warmth and love of Pine Point, to a student completing Grade 6. The recipient is selected by the faculty and Head of School for possessing qualities similar to the kindness, vitality, optimism, and sincere love and respect for all people which were characteristic of Mr. Toulmin. The Toulmin Prize was awarded to Faith Williams ’15.

Presenting Toulmin Prize winner Faith Williams ’15, Mrs. Owen declared, “This student exudes kindness, vitality, and optimism as easily as she breathes. Her bright smile is always on display as is her generosity of spirit, her enthusiasm for learning, and her compassion for her classmates. She is the first one to congratulate a peer for a job well done, and also the first to console a friend who may be down-hearted.” Faith is shown with Head of School Stephen Bennhoff.

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Regarding this year’s Bailey Award winners, Mrs. Owen said, “Athan Bourganos ’13 has been a fixture of the student government since he was in the 6th grade. He observes, he listens, he chats, and he brainstorms. This student has a true love of Pine Point, and for many years has worked with his schoolmates to make a positive difference. Mia Perry ’13 is a poised leader who manages to inspire all with her upbeat and respectful attitude. If there’s a task at hand, this young lady will not only make sure it’s completed, with her radiant smile and contagious giggle, she’ll manage to encourage others to join the effort. It’s not surprising this complementary pair will serve as the president and vice president, respectively, of the 201213 student government.”

The honor of presenting the award winners and crafting the citations offered to each recipient falls to Middle School Head Diana Owen.

David Whittemore Leib Award In memory of David Whittemore Leib, a distinguished and unselfish member of the Class of 1970, this award is made yearly to a deserving student in Grade 7 whose willingness to help the school and whose academic achievements are both meritorious. The recipient of the Leib Award was Natalie Hawley ’14. Reflecting on Natalie, Mrs. Owen said, “This student sets the bar high for achievement, but is primarily driven by her curiosity.

While she truly loves to learn, this young lady is keen enough to know when a peer may be struggling and generously reaches out to help. She recognizes her peers’ strengths and values their perspectives. Not only did this student co-write The Hunger Games script used for the 7th grade play, she routinely sweetens the lives of her classmates by bringing in delicious cupcakes and cookies.”

Loring M. Bailey, Jr. Award In memory of Loring M. Bailey, Jr., Class of 1959, who died in Vietnam on March 15, 1970, the award is given annually in his name to that student in Grade 8 who, in the eyes of his or her classmates and the faculty, exemplifies the spirit of “service to the school.” The honor of the Bailey Award was bestowed upon Athan Bourganos ’13 and Mia Perry ’14.

Andrew E. Leadbetter Prize This award, in memory of Andrew E. Leadbetter, a member of the Class of 1989, is given annually to a student who best demonstrates academic achievement, academic improvement, or the courage of Andrew Leadbetter. The recipient of the Leadbetter Prize was Andrew Bronk ’12.

Jules Escorcio-Schneider Award In memory of Jules Escorcio-Schneider, a member of the Class of 1986, this award is given annually to the student who best demonstrates those aspects of school spirit, cooperation, and enthusiasm that were demonstrated by Jules Escorcio-Schneider and who works toward the betterment of the Pine Point community. The winners of the Escorcio-Schneider Award were Emmanuel Perry ’12 and Harry Staley ’12.

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Presenting Leadbetter Prize winner Andrew Bronk ’12, Mrs. Owen said, “During his 9th grade speech, Andrew shared his story with the Pine Point community. Although his medical crisis resulted in an extended absence from both school and the sports he loves, this courageous young man insisted on being held to the same standards as his peers. His surprisingly rapid recovery both physically and academically was nothing short of phenomenal. His determined spirit and perpetually positive outlook make him an excellent student, a fine athlete, a great friend, and an inspiration to all.” [Andrew was selected by his classmates to serve as one of their alumni class agents.]

This year there were two winners of the EscorcioSchneider Award. Reflecting on Emmanuel Perry’s ’12 (right) place within the Pine Point community, Mrs. Owen declared: “He is, simply put, a role model. He seems to rise above the vicissitudes of adolescence and maintains the grace and dignity of a true gentleman.

Whether he’s working with his peers aboard Quest, serving as the scribe for class meetings, or lifting our spirits with his weekly cartoons, this student’s cooperative efforts make all of us want to be better.”

Of co-recipient Harry Staley ’12 Mrs. Owen said, “The second student is most certainly on the path to a career as a motivational speaker. From organizing pep rallies, to emceeing variety shows, to pumping up the crowd as our Panther mascot, this student bleeds green. When others are reticent, he is the one to take the initiative whether on the field or in the classroom.”

The Goldman Award for Excellence in Mathematics Established on the tenth anniversary of the retirement of Sheila Goldman in recognition of her enthusiasm for mathematics teaching, the award is given by her family to commemorate her fifteen years of teaching at Pine Point and presented to a student in the middle school who displays the curiosity, joy of discovery, and problem-solving skills that are fundamental to mathematics excellence. The recipient of the award exemplifies both talent in the discipline of mathematics and the desire to share that knowledge and insight with his/her classmates. The Goldman Award went to Gaelen Frink ’12.

A Lust for Learning

Marshall McKim Prize for Writing This award is given annually in memory of Marshall McKim to a student who reflects the sincere love for and appreciation of writing exemplified by Marshall, a member of the Class of 1984, who learned to love writing while at Pine Point. The McKim Prize was presented to Schyler Davis ’12.

Mabel Kornacki Carlson Award In memory of Mabel Kornacki Carlson, a warm and giving teacher who served Pine Point for twenty-three years, this award is presented to a 9th grade student who has demonstrated patience, caring, and commitment to the community.

The winners of the Mabel Kornacki Carlson Award were John Rick ’12 and Karalyn Falck ’12.

Regarding John Rick ’12, one of two recipients of the Mabel Kornacki Carlson Award, Mrs. Owen said, “Reaching well over six feet, this young man is a big brother to his two siblings. A very big brother. In a variety of ways, though, he is a big brother to many of our younger students. He is always willing to crack a joke or help a new middle school student out on the field. He really seems to shine, though, when a young one feels vulnerable and needs some compassion.

While these small, but regular, supportive responses don’t result in an office or a designated leadership position, it has over the years made an impression on the community.”

Of the second recipient of the award, Karalyn Falck ’12, Mrs. Owen declared, “The other student shows her commitment to the community in subtle ways, as well. She is the voice of reason pulling her peers together when they need to stay on task. This student somehow manages to take the initiative and redirect her classmates with poise and tact. While she seems reserved to most who don’t know her well (and haven’t seen her on the ice), she is routinely the individual who will speak up to keep everyone moving forward.” [Kara was selected by her classmates to serve as one of their alumni class agents.]

Gaelen Frink ’12 (second from the left) is shown with his father, Jay Frink, his mother, Erin Call, who teaches 7th grade at Pine Point, and older brother Wendell ’09. Gaelen was presented with the Nancy Tattersall Roberts Award for excellence in Spanish and the Goldman Award for Excellence in Mathematics.

Regarding the latter, Mrs. Owen said, “Known as a problem solver, Gaelen started the year off using his mathematical and spatial reasoning skills to build a set of locker shelves that became the envy of every middle school student.

Currently, he is in the midst of researching and amassing the necessary components to build his own computer. He is constantly driven to understand the practical applications of mathematical ideas. As a budding mechanical engineer, I have no doubt he’s found his true calling.”

Wendell had the privilege of introducing Gaelen for his 9th grade speech. In his introductory remarks, Wendell told everyone at Morning Meeting that it is his brother’s goal to attend the U. S. Coast Guard Academy where he intends to major in mechanical engineering. Below is a portion of Gaelen’s speech.

The theme of this year’s 9th grade speech was “The Fires in Our Hearts.”

“For me, I had to dig deep within myself to figure out that my inspiration comes from a lust for learning. I know it sounds like all I want to do is be in school, but there is a different kind of learning.

Learning through experience, learning through trying different things, and learning by doing; most of the time it is better to learn through experience than just to be taught.

“One of my goals in life is to become a mechanical engineer. Some people could say if you want to accomplish something like this in life all you need to do is do well in school, pay attention, and get good grades. However, I want to learn not just through math and science classes, but through experience…I love to see how things work and how to take things apart, experiencing life as it is and learning skills is something very important to me. One of the things that I enjoyed the most when I was younger and still today is spending time in my father’s workshop taking apart computers and building new things. In doing this I gained skills that I will be able to use in my entire life.

“I vow to spend as much time building and creating things as I can and I hope that you will join me in this pursuit of knowledge and experience and hopefully it will create a fire in your heart.”

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On hand to make the presentation of the Hinkle Award for Latin Scholarship were Janet Hinkle and her daughter, Lily Hinkle ’10. Regarding the first recipient, Noam Makover ’15 (far right), Mrs. Owen said, “Noam is recognized for his outstanding academic (A+) performance in 6th grade Latin. In a quiet, determined and conscientious way, he demonstrated consistent excellence in reading, writing and translating Latin throughout the year.” The second awardee was Nicolas Welch ’13, of whom she said, “Nicolas is given this award in recognition of his dedication to his on-going study of Latin. He participated in our early morning elective eLatin class for the past two years, and this year worked additional hours independently at home and at school. He earned the fine distinction of a gold medal Summa Cum Laude award on the National Latin exam.”

Academic Highest Honors Academic Highest Honors are awarded to those students in the middle school who finished the year with a 4.0 average, or better, based on their final course grades.

Sixth Grade Noam Makover Brian McGlinchey Claudia Pagnozzi-Schwam Erin Ritter Alexander Schwindt Faith Williams Nicola Wood Samuel Young

Seventh Grade Vivienne Gao Natalie Hawley Julia Little

Eighth Grade Georgia White

Ninth Grade Schyler Davis

Academic High Honors Academic High Honors are awarded to those students in the middle school who finished the year with a 3.67 average, or better, based on their final course grades.

Cassie Seidel ’12 was presented with the Fine Arts Award. As Mrs. Owen put it: “This individual was born to participate in the performing arts. From a very young age, she has taken to the stage as an actor, a singer and a dancer with passion, talent and commitment. Most of the time, she is standing on two feet, but there are plenty of other times when she soars through space with a terrific combination of grace and athleticism. She has impressively illuminated our stage and various arts program for many years.”

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Sixth Grade Katerina Bourganos Fehme Braish Caitlin Diaz Mairead Dowling Christian Falck Colin Kronholm Avery Lena Megan O’Brien Isabelle Reid Joseph Reiser Charlotte White

Seventh Grade Holly Gillespie Andrew Hilton Grant Long Andrew Rosenberg

Eighth Grade Porter Brown Ashlyn Buffum Mallory Kane Mia Perry Christopher Wilbur

Ninth Grade Andrew Bronk Gaelen Frink Emmanuel Perry

Academic Honors Academic Honors are awarded to those students in the middle school who finished the year with a 3.33 average, or better, based on their final course grades.

Sixth Grade Bryce Antoch Shepherd Caruso Emma LaRose Emily Rundlett Alexander Zhu

Seventh Grade Elizabeth Fleming Madison Hurtgen Mia Marciano Julianna Rick Christopher West

Eighth Grade Athan Bourganos Christian Diaz Mallory McArdle Faith Moore James Reid Nicolas Welch

Ninth Grade Karalyn Falck Inpyo Hong Edward Litvinov

Nancy Tattersall Roberts Award The award is given in honor of Nancy Tattersall Roberts’ 25 years at Pine Point School by her son, Colonel Malcolm Roberts, and her daughter, Nancy Hibbard Roberts ’65, to a student who has demonstrated a love for and excellence in foreign language. The Nancy Tattersall Roberts Award was presented to Gaelen Frink ’12 and Schyler Davis ’12.

The Hinkle Award for Latin Scholarship The Hinkle Award for Latin Scholarship is presented to a deserving student in the middle school who demonstrates excellence in Latin. The Hinkle Award for Latin Scholarship went to Noam Makover ’15 and Nicolas Welch ’13.

Fine Arts Award The Fine Arts Award is given to a deserving student, or students, in the middle school who demonstrate talent and devotion to personal expression through art, music, dance, and/or theater. The award was presented to Cassie Seidel ’12.

The Coaches’ Award The Coaches’ Award recognizes outstanding athletes in the graduating class who have demonstrated skills, desire, and team spirit throughout their athletic experience at Pine Point. The recipient must demonstrate leadership as well as sportsmanship and represent the School in a positive way to all competitors. The Coaches’ Award was presented to Kiona Carter ’12 and Harry Staley ’12.

Regarding Kiona’s selection, Mrs. Owen said, “The female athlete we recognize this year has played many sports, picking up each with ease. She is a tenacious basketball player, agile soccer player, alert field hockey goalie, courageous gymnast, and coordinated jump roper. Beyond having the physical ability to execute skills, she has the ability to play the game. In other words, she understands how to play strategically and tactically. While those of us at Pine Point understand her talents, she is often recognized for her athletic ability by coaches and officials at other schools.”

Of Coaches’ Award recipient Harry Staley ’12, Mrs. Owen declared, “In the words of his coach, the male athlete we honor ‘lives and breathes lacrosse.’ Like our other recipient, this student plays many sports – each with fiery passion. He’s known to run a tough captain’s practice, but will rally his teammates once the uniforms are on. It’s easy to see the joy this student derives from improving his skills. I think it’s fair to say this young man loves being an athlete not only for the challenge and reward of improving and achieving, but also for the camaraderie of being on a team.”

Where They’re Headed Christopher Temasek Bowdler The Williams School Andrew Scott Bronk The Williams School Kiona Rain Carter St. Bernard School Jordan Tyler Crawford Norwich Free Academy Schyler McKenzie Davis Westover School Karalyn Morgan Falck Berkshire School Gaelen Graehme Frink Westerly High School Inpyo Hong Blair Academy Edward Phillip Litvinov Rocky Hill School J. Emmanuel Perry Monterey Bay Academy John Daniel Rick Avon Old Farms School

Coaches’ Award recipients Kiona Carter ’12 and Harry Staley ’12 with Mr. Bennhoff

Cassandra Jayne Seidel The Williams School Harrison Lee Staley Canterbury School ViewPoints 9

Teal (comprised at Commencement of 9th graders Kara Falck ’12, Schyler Davis ’12, Kiona Carter’12 and Cassie Seidel ’12) performed “Close Your Eyes Tonight,” a song they wrote with 7th grade teacher David Smith ’69.

Headmaster’s Prize The Headmaster’s Prize is awarded annually to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated excellence in effort, academic achievement, loyalty, and service to the School, and whose quiet efforts have helped make Pine Point a better school and a happier place. The Headmaster’s Prize went to Schyler Davis ’12.

Empowerment and Grounding In her final act as president of the board of trustees, Linda Goddard spoke to the soon-to-be graduates and later offered them her best wishes as each accepted their diploma.

A student at Pine Point since she was a three year-old, Schyler Davis ’12 was the First Scholar in the 9th grade and won the Marshall McKim Prize for Writing while sharing the Nancy Tattersall Roberts Award for excellence in a foreign language (Spanish). She also was presented with the Headmaster’s Prize. Reflecting on Schyler’s selection as winner of the Headmaster’s Prize, Mrs. Owen remarked, “This year’s recipient doesn’t try to grab the spotlight; the spotlight just manages to find her. No one can question this individual’s unwavering effort to be the best student, athlete, or artist she can be. What often doesn’t get recognized are her very quiet but dependable efforts as a captain, on student government, on the GIVE Committee, or as a mentor to younger students. Her steadfast dedication to Pine Point is exemplary.

Beyond her official roles at school, she is a kind and thoughtful friend.”

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On behalf of the board of trustees, I want to extend our heartiest congratulations to the soonto-be graduates and their families.

In fact, we have something in common this morning. I am the outgoing president of the board of trustees, and these remarks are my last official act; just as you are receiving your diplomas this morning it will be your last official act as students of Pine Point School.

What goes without saying, of course, is that while we both might be changing our official status in relation to the School this morning – really nothing will change in relation to how connected we will always remain to Pine Point, and how much affection we will always feel for Pine Point.

At many graduations people are often sad–because they will truly miss their school – or sometimes people are even glad–because they can’t wait to move on from their school.

The amazing thing that I have witnessed about Pine Point is that our graduating students feel something else. They feel a sense of empowerment and grounding that comes from the realization that Pine Point will always be with them, and that Pine Point has provided them the skill set and the lenses to explore beyond our boundaries here in Stonington, Connecticut, yet always know that we are still here.

Our graduating students have been instilled with confidence. Confidence that their Pine Point skill set of values and intellectual curiosity and rigor will enable them to navigate the chartered and unchartered waters they will face. Confidence that their Pine Point lenses will enable them to be global citizens who view the world with an emphasis on possibility and vision.

This is what makes our school community so unique and special. From our amazing faculty, to our engaged parents, to our committed students, to our proud alumni, to our many, many treasured friends in the community and around the world, there is but one indelible standard, and one universal love, for our one-of-a-kind school.

You have all been truly blessed to have had the opportunity to attend Pine Point and to have had families who value education so as to make any and every sacrifice to have given you this wonderful opportunity.

So it is fitting to applaud not just you our graduates this morning, but your terrific and visionary parents and families as well. Go forth and make us all proud–we know you will.

Scenes from As always, there were plenty of folks on hand to honor the graduates and award winners.

Commencement is a great opportunity to see old friends, to enjoy the day, and to renew ties with Pine Point.

Graduation While attendance at Commencement is required, there’s no doubt that every member of the middle school wouldn’t miss the opportunity to say goodbye to the 9th graders. In the above photo, Emmanuel Perry ’12, John Rick ’12, and Cassie Seidel ’12 are joined by Mallory McArdle’13, Eliza Griffin’13, and Claudia Pagnozzi-Schwam ’15.

Mr. Salsich and Victoria White ’11, who is a rising junior at Milton Academy

Former 2/3 teacher Margo Novak returned with daughter Eloise and had a chance to catch up with Mr. Brown, Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Ansel.

Edward Litvinov ’12, who finished the year earning Academic Honors, is shown with his mother and grandmother.

Inpyo Hong ’12 with his mother and Dr. Smith ’69

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Passionate about his studies, soccer, music, and family, Christopher Bowdler ’12 accepts his diploma from Mr. Bennhoff.

Maddie Hurtgen ’14 (far left) poses with classmate Natalie Hawley’14, who was presented with the David Whittemore Leib Award. Natalie is shown with her parents, Leslie and Michael Hawley.

Inpyo Hong ’12 only spent two years at Pine Point, but in that short time he more than made his mark on the School. (Imagine being elected President of the Student Government after just your first year at a school.) Inpyo finished the year with Academic Honors. At Commencement he announced the Class Gift (bleachers for the playing fields and furniture for the brick patio on the back of the Geise L/TC). The privilege of crafting a poem to commemorate the day was also his.

“One Canary” While they might look like brothers, 3rd grader Jamison Rick ’18 had to give a big hug to one of his 9th grade buddies, Gaelen Frink ’12.

Ms. Raftery (right) was delighted to congratulate proud mothers Nanette Williams and Irene Carlson Ritter ’78 following the presentation of the Hugh Huidekoper Toulmin Prize to Faith Williams ’15 and the First Scholar Award to Erin Ritter ’15.

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I lost my leg one day, demolished by distrusts and dislikes, but there was another sky, which embraced me with the warmth of the sun.

Birds and breezes welcomed me and pardoned my sins, and I learned to fly with my wide wings spread.

Now there is another sky waiting to be explored.

Farewell my birds, my breezes, my nest, my atmosphere, my Pine Point.

One More Look Noah Bean ’93 Delivers Commencement Address Noah Bean came to Pine Point in the fall of 1985 and spent eight years at the School before graduating in 1993. He is a graduate of The Williams School and Boston University’s College of Fine Arts and studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), as well as the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He most notably appeared on FX’s Emmynominated series Damages, playing first-year surgical intern David Connor, who is unwittingly pulled into a high-stakes legal case when his fiancé, Ellen (Rose Byrne), joins legal legend Patty Hewes’ (Glenn Close) cutthroat firm in the Sony Pictures Television drama series.

Noah can be regularly seen on the CW show Nikita alongside Maggie Q. In addition to this, he has worked on numerous other television series such as Once Upon A Time, Dark Blue, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Cold Case, and Private Practice, as well as making appearances on other acclaimed shows.

In film he was most recently seen in the romantic comedy Morning Glory with Rachel McAdams as well as the film Stay with Ewan MacGregor, Ryan Gosling, and Naomi Watts. He has several independent films to his credit, including the recently released romantic comedy The Pill, for which he won the New York Emerging Talent Award.

Noah has worked consistently on the New York stage in numerous Off-Broadway productions at such theaters as The New Group, The Public, The Vineyard, SOHO Playhouse and many others. He has also worked at such prestigious regional theaters as The Mark Taper Forum, Williamstown Theater Festival, Bay Street Theater and Boston’s Huntington Theater where he starred in William Inge’s classic play Bus Stop. He received IRNE and Elliot Norton Award nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Drama for his performance.

According to Wikipedia: “An only child, he describes himself as being so quiet and shy that his school would phone his parents asking whether anything was wrong at home: ‘I was deathly shy and basically scared of people in general.’ In high school his mother encouraged him to become involved in drama, which he says helped him open up, ‘I found when I had a script in my hand I could speak.’”

Asked to recall memories of Noah and the middle school musical, Chair of the Arts Department Jean Williams said, “I remember Noah when he played the part of Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie. Nerissa Linda ’93 played opposite him as his secretary and love interest, Rose Alvarez. Kate deKay ’93 played the part of Mrs. Mae Peterson, his mother who was the queen of martyrdom. She wore what I remember to be a raccoon coat and that Linda Lindquist recalls was mink. Either way, she was hilarious and they were a great trio. Noah was still very quiet then, and we were pleased that he took to the part so well. I guess he was to take to parts after that REALLY WELL.”

“It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another. I didn’t realize. So all that was going on and we never noticed. Take me back–up the hill– to my grave. But first: wait. One more look…”

-Thornton Wilder, Our Town ViewPoints 13

I

t is such an honor to be asked to come back to Pine Point today and speak to this year’s graduating class.

To be honest, I was a bit surprised and even intimidated by the invitation. Typically, commencement speakers are notable figures of the community; politicians or important citizens. I hardly felt like the right candidate. I mean, I’m an actor; I spend the majority of my time unemployed and looking for work. And, it’s a big responsibility to be the one called upon to send these graduates out into the world - or at least out into tenth grade.

Of course, you’ll be hearing someone else give one of these speeches in just another few years. But still, my mind immediately went to noted and accomplished speakers like David Foster Wallace, Bill Gates, Ira Glass, even Barack Obama, telling stories at graduations of their amazing successes sprinkled with clever little anecdotes, all building to some Shakespearean-like crescendo of inspiration. How could I compete with those guys? I started to have anxiety dreams about finding some way to eloquently weave a touching story of my life experience with little unforgettable pearls of wisdom and inspiration, quoting from literature and political luminaries in a way that would shed light on the unknown journey that lies ahead. So, I did what anyone would do in my situation, I started madly Googling “inspirational quotes” which only brought me to a bunch of Emily Dickinson poems that didn’t really feel like crowd pleasers. It also brought up a ton of quotes from the Harry Potter movies, one of which, by Dumbledore, I would like to share with you.

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.”

Food for thought; take from it what you will.

Anyway, as you can see, I was worried as to whether or not I could pull this off. I considered calling in sick today, saying I had to go to a final call back for a big show, or, I had some terrible infection that I didn’t want to expose the graduates to–anything. I mean what could I possibly share? Then suddenly I thought, wait a minute! I am probably the only Pine Point graduate who can say that they have been a doctor, a lawyer, a police officer, a CIA analyst, an FBI agent, a district attorney, a scientist, ViewPoints 14

a novelist, a musician, a botanist, a cowboy, a mystical stable boy and a deaf mute sailor on a doomed voyage to the North Pole – just to name a few. That seemed like enough experience to justify standing up here before you today.

But still I felt, I might not be worthy of this great honor. I needed something else to inspire me to get up here before you today.

Finally, I was reminded the other day of who the speaker was at my own Pine Point graduation. It was my Dad. I admit that I have very little memory of the event, or of his speech, no doubt because I was probably trying to block out the embarrassment I thought might befall me. But, I do remember that the bulk of his speech was pulled from the little inspirational book: Everything I Know I Learned in Kindergarten. And I thought, if my Dad could do it, I could do it. So here I am, for better or worse. Be warned, I have very little advice to give. Giving advice makes me feel too old. I can only tell you a little about my experiences. You can take whatever you want from that and dismiss the rest.

I came to Pine Point as a third grader, moving from a town in central Connecticut to Mystic and entered this small private school with a funny name tucked away in the woods of Stonington. As many of the teachers and staff here today, who, God bless them, were also my teachers years ago, can attest– I was a very quiet student. I think shy would have been an understatement. I’m not even sure I spoke for the entirety of that first year in third grade. There was no trauma I was hiding from, or at least I don’t think there was. Feel free to ask my mother later today. She’s somewhere in the audience right now. I just felt shy, I was uncomfortable speaking up, raising my voice. That’s the kind of kid I was.

The amazing gift that I received over the years here at Pine Point was to never be made to feel that something was wrong with my quiet behavior. I was never forced to be something that I wasn’t, and I was also never forgotten about even in my silence. I realize now, looking back, that what the teachers here helped me cultivate was something that would serve me later on in life and in my career. It was the art of listening. They understood that I was still an attentive, eager student–or at least I think they did–even if I was mostly silent.

They found ways to turn what could be seen as a flaw into a strength.

I came to Pine Point as a third grader, moving from a town in central Connecticut to Mystic and entered this small private school with a funny name tucked away in the woods of Stonington…I was a very quiet student. I think shy would have been an understatement…The amazing gift that I received over the years here at Pine Point was to never be made to feel that something was wrong with my quiet behavior. I was never forced to be something that I wasn’t, and I was also never forgotten about even in my silence. I realize now, looking back, that what the teachers here helped me cultivate was something that would serve me later on in life and in my career. It was the art of listening.

As actors we have to learn something called active listening. Listening seems like it should be a natural and obvious activity, but there is an art to it. In order to listen to others and really hear what they have to say, you also learn to listen to yourself.

Through active listening you can find what you have to say without all the noise and chatter that can occupy the air around us. In performance on stage sometimes actors are just listening to the speaker to finish his or her part so they can begin their own lines. They aren’t actually listening. Good listening requires concentration and respect. Of course, I had no idea back in elementary school that what I felt was my impediment was actually preparing me for the career I found later on in life.

However, even though listening is extremely important for the actor–actual speaking is pretty important, too, unless you’re playing the part of a deaf mute sailor. Here at Pine Point, speaking in front of others was my biggest challenge.

In the sixth grade, as a class project, we began to read the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder. It may have been the first play that I had ever read. It was amazing to me that it was an entire piece of literature made up of dialogue–just people talking on the page. It was both thrilling and terrifying. After reading the play and discussing it in class we were to stage it in the auditorium and actually perform it. This was my first performance experience.

I played–fairly well as I remember–Editor Webb, the father of the play’s heroine, Emily. As a sixth grader I couldn’t yet quite relate to the experience of having a daughter or having a wife or being the editor of a newspaper. But I knew what it was to have a family and to love someone, and through imagination and a sense of play, I was taken over by the experience of creating this different life. The process of getting up and having words and sentences and ideas that were already prepared for me to say was a revelation. Suddenly, with a script in my hand, I felt like I could speak up and be heard and express myself. I was beginning to find a voice–my voice.

The process of performing in a play or a movie or playing a role on television is more than just portraying a character truthfully and serving the script. It is about continuing to learn about yourself and the world and building compassion for the way other people approach life. It’s about listening. It’s about learning and always staying curious and open to new things. I was taught that groundwork here at Pine Point. To enjoy discovering and playing and digging deeper into myself, to share, to learn and to allow myself the time it takes to find my own point of view.

The playwright Samuel Beckett said, “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” But to try and fail successfully I think we need to know that there are those people surrounding us who will support and help us to learn from that failure. Pine Point set the standard for that kind of nurturing community that is vital for going beyond what you think is possible, learning from your failures and going after your dreams… Being invited back here today is another huge reminder for me of that community, reaching all the way back to this little school tucked away in the woods where I learned that it was okay to be a listener.

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After graduation from Pine Point in the ninth grade I went on to attend The Williams School and then found myself at Boston University in the School for the Arts where I studied theater. At that time, I wasn’t even sure that I wanted to be a professional actor, but my attraction to theater and curiosity about the process of making plays and how it allowed me to open up and feel more connected to the world brought me to study performance at a higher level. At BU, studying the history of theater, I realized that acting was a craft that had to be worked at like any other profession and a skill that improved over time with hard work and dedication.

It was also the sense of community that attracted me to the theater. I was suddenly surrounded by other people who shared the same passions and fears and dreams as I did. People who were there to inspire and encourage me, and I them; to go farther and not be afraid to fail or fall on my face, to listen and react and push myself beyond what I thought was possible. The playwright Samuel Beckett said, “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” But to try and fail successfully I think we need to know that there are those people surrounding us who will support and help us to learn from that failure. Pine Point set the standard for that kind of nurturing community that is vital for going beyond what you think is possible, learning from your failures and going after your dreams.

After graduating from college I moved to New York City, like many young artists, and started to slowly carve out a home for myself there. With friends, I began to create plays downtown in church basements, in the back rooms of bars, and in apartments – wherever we could find a place to fit a few chairs and invite people to watch whatever we had created.

It is said that the average overnight success in New York City takes about ten years. Eventually I was waiting on fewer tables in restaurant jobs and doing more and more theater projects that paid the rent, and eventually, we–myself and the people I had performed

with in those church basements–were the ones making plays uptown and on Broadway. Television and film projects followed and right now I am very fortunate and humbled to say that I get to do what I love for a living with people I adore and who inspire me. As a working actor, I get to travel and have new adventures and challenge myself and meet new people.

To the outside observer it may seem fun and exciting and glamorous and cool to be an actor–and it’s true! But the other truth is that the path I have chosen is a difficult one. There is constant struggle, disappointment, hardship, uncertainty, self-doubt, exposure to criticism and judgment. For a shy kid who used to have a panic attack about standing up to write an answer on the chalk board, putting myself at the mercy of the New York Times theater critics and an audience of five hundred people every opening night may seem like some sort of sick act of masochism. However, I always know that no matter how high the obstacle or how terrifying the challenge, there is always going to be a community of friends and family and peers who support me.

Being invited back here today is another huge reminder for me of that community, reaching all the way back to this little school tucked away in the woods where I learned that it was okay to be a listener.

I was once told on a film set that the only thing that matters is what happens between action and cut. In other words, that all the audience really knows is what they see onscreen. They don’t care if you hang up your wardrobe every night, or if you know all your lines and everyone on set loves you, or if you are a nightmare to work with and demand to have only blue M&M’s in your trailer.

This is partly true. Your work is what speaks for you on the stage and the screen. But, what no one sees is all the time and effort and experiences that got you to that little moment between action and cut.

On hand to hear their former classmate were: Molly Agnew ‘93, Elizabeth Seltzer ‘93, Emilie Di Mario ‘93, and Nerissa Linda ‘93. They were joined by Noah’s mom, Ruth Crocker, teacher Diane Corwin Seltzer ‘67 and former teacher Alan Banister.

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Know that all of the hard work you’ve put in here at Pine Point along with the people you’ve met here will travel with you no matter where you go and what you do. They will be there with you before and after action and cut to help you to be brave and be brilliant.

To come back here and have the chance to look around again and appreciate and remember what a wonderful place this is - this is a true gift for me.

For me, this goes all the way back to the classrooms here. You graduates are still looking at many more years of school ahead of you (I’m sorry to say it’s true) but know that all of the hard work you’ve put in here at Pine Point along with the people you’ve met here will travel with you no matter where you go and what you do. They will be there with you before and after action and cut to help you to be brave and be brilliant.

I also wanted to say something about Dick Mitchell who just passed away and was the head of school during my time here. Mr. Mitchell set a great standard for this community and I’m sure I never really appreciated what he did for this school and for me at the time, but I am honored that he was a part of my education and my life. I’m sorry I won’t have the chance to shake his hand one more time here today and thank him for what he did for me. But to see this school still so full of life and love and familiar faces is a true testament to what he did here. He is eternal.

Thinking of Mr. Mitchell brought me back to a moment in Act Three of Our Town, the play in which I began to find my voice all those years ago. In this scene, the character of Emily has passed away and her spirit is brought back in time by the play’s narrator, the Stage Manager, to her little hometown of Grover’s Corners on the day of her twelfth birthday to see herself and her family relive that moment in time. As she watches her father, Editor Webb, come downstairs into their kitchen to wish her a happy birthday, she says to the Stage Manager: “It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another. I didn’t realize. So all that was going on and we never noticed. Take me back– up the hill–to my grave. But first: wait. One more look. Good-bye, Good-bye, world. Good-bye, Grover’s Corners… Mama and Papa.

Good-bye to clocks ticking… and Mama’s sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths… and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you.

Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? – every, every minute?”

The Stage Manager replies: “No. The saints and poets, maybe– they do some.”

To come back here and have the chance to look around again and appreciate and remember what a wonderful place this is - this is a true gift for me. You students must have very good parents if they sent you here to Pine Point and believe me when I say that you now have an invaluable and unending community of support, love and inspiration to pull from for the rest of your lives. From the staff here, the teachers and those friends sitting next to you who you’ve shared these years with, won games with, lost games with, fought with and laughed with, done crazy things with that you don’t need to tell your parents about believe me, you don’t have to tell your parents everything. You’ve listened and supported and unknowingly built the foundation from which, I promise, can be an amazing life journey. Whether you end up one day becoming a doctor, a lawyer, a CIA analyst, a cowboy, a deaf mute sailor exploring the North Pole or all of the above like me, you are well prepared for it all, my friends. Trust that.

Congratulations and good luck to you. And just remember as you finish here at Pine Point and go out there and start the next chapter in your journeys, it’s important to remember that my show, Nikita, is on Friday night at 8 pm on the CW network.

Thank you all very much.

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Goodbye Old Friend Pine Point Mourns the Loss of Dick Mitchell

-David C. Hannon, Director of Development

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n mid-October 2011 the fall issue of this magazine was sent to approximately 1,700 households. Some of those magazines went to homes located on Barnes Road and just around the corner and certainly to places distant from Stonington. The magazine never fails to prompt people to contact the School to update us on what’s going on in their lives, or to mention something in it that piqued their interest. On November 11, 2011, we received a marvelous communication from former Head of School Dick Mitchell, who had been living in Georgia with his wife, Linda, for the last two decades. He wrote, “I spent some time with ViewPoints this morning and, as usual, continued to be so impressed with and proud of the school. The spirit of the School is palpable, whether on campus, in publications, or in conversations with people who are a part of the School. I can’t fully express the pride and satisfaction I feel in having been a part of the School and how pleased I am with Pine Point as I see it now from too far away. So many memories were triggered in my mind by this issue. I could write something about almost every page in the magazine, but there are several I really want to share with you.

“First, Linda and I fully intend to become members of the Katherine Tod Johnstone Society [Pine Point’s planned giving society]. I am pleased that we will be able to honor Kate, but more that we will be able to say ‘Thank you’ to a school that has been so much a part of our family’s lives. The educations Eric ’83 and Todd ’85 received there; the many lasting friendships we developed among other parents, faculty members and students; the opportunities I had to join with trustees, faculty members and parents in remembering the past history of the School, in dreaming about the future, and in helping make some of those dreams become reality; these are a few of the things that have made Pine Point so important to us yet today.

“In somewhat the same spirit, I think, the word that I would add to the word cloud is ‘continuity.’ There are many of the words already in the cloud that I would otherwise suggest, but I think it is important to also recognize that many of those words have applied to Pine Point since 1948. From Alan Houghton, to Jack Sindall, and on through Paul Geise‘s tenure, the expectation of excellence has been coupled inextricably with an unfaltering commitment to each student as a unique individual with talents and needs that may not be true of any other student, but which can lead to amazing results as that student is nurtured, appropriately challenged, and allowed to develop and mature, even if it is sometimes outside the box we might think of as ‘normal.’ The continuity of the faculty sometimes amazes even me! My 21-year tenure now fades into oblivion in light of some of the current faculty and staff tenures. What a gift of stability and continuity for the School. And yet over the years new people with differing gifts have broadened the horizons of possibility for the School. I take a bit of pride in seeing some who joined the faculty during my tenure develop new programs, become some of those who now offer stability, and carry on the spirit of those whom they replaced.

Christmas Day 2010 with Tracy Mitchell, Todd Mitchell ’85, Linda, Eric Mitchell ’83, Marci Mitchell, and his cherished granddaughter, Samantha ViewPoints 18

“When I look at the names in the donor’s list, I am delighted at the number of names of people still giving who have had no direct connection with the School since my early years at Pine Point. I am just as delighted when I look at names I don’t know, but who are now filling roles and providing support for the School as did Anne Sanger, Joan Humphreville, Dot and Loring Bailey and so many others who kept the spirit of Pine Point alive and well in the past. Wow! What a place!

“As I read this over it seems more formal and perhaps more pedantic than I anticipated, but the thoughts flowed rather freely. On a personal note, we have rented out our house for a year and are storing much of our ‘stuff’ in Eric’s basement for now. We will be leaving in about a week for our usual 3-4 months in Brownsville, TX in our 5th wheel. We don’t know what we will do for permanency when we return from Texas, but if nothing comes up, we will stay here in an RV park for a couple of months and then head west to spend some time with Todd and Tracy. We had a big yard sale a few weeks ago… It’s rather freeing to have a few less things to do nothing with but store. I hope all is going well at Pine Point.”

In a 2010 survey, alumni were asked what three words most immediately came to mind that best described Pine Point. Over 110 alumni ranging from individuals who were at Pine Point in the 1950s to those who were our newest graduates offered their thoughts. We took those words and utilized the computer program Tagxedo to turn them into a word cloud, though in this case the cloud was the Pine Point tree. The words were individually sized depending upon the frequency of their occurrence in the responses given.

Richard (Dick) William Mitchell Richard (Dick) William Mitchell passed away on May 25, 2012 in Union City, Georgia.

He was born on October 24, 1941, in Fort Madison, Iowa, to the late Alice and Mike Mitchell. Dick is survived by his wife, Linda, of Union City, Georgia.

He and Linda met on a blind date and both enjoyed recounting two, very slightly different stories of how events unfolded. Dick had taken a year off following the completion of his sophomore year at Iowa State University and spent that year working for the National Baptist Youth Fellowship. While serving a church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a friend offered to set him up on a blind date with his girlfriend’s roommate.

Dick reluctantly agreed. The friend’s girlfriend was ill on the day of the date and canceled, but Dick and Linda went through with the date alone. Because there had been a massive snowfall of 100 inches, they decided to see a movie together on the campus of Sioux Falls College, where Linda was a student. It was love at first sight, and Dick enrolled in Sioux Falls College in the fall of that year. They were married one year later, on August 30, 1963. Dick and Linda shared a deep and lasting love and held hands until the day Dick died.

After graduating from Sioux Falls College, they embarked upon the next stop on their journey together—Rochester, New York, where Dick received his Master of Divinity degree at Colgate Rochester Divinity School. Then it was on to Eastern Connecticut, where Dick served in ministerial capacities at Noank Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of North Stonington. In 1968, Dick and Linda welcomed a son, Eric, and two years later, their son, Todd. In 1981, after 12 years as a teacher at Pine Point School in Stonington, Connecticut, Dick was appointed Headmaster, and he served in that role for nine years. Dick was a beloved member of the Pine Point community and was both humbled and incredibly proud when the school honored him as a Headmaster Emeritus and named a building in his honor. While at Pine Point School, he also served as curriculum committee chair for the Town of Groton Board of Education for six years. When the cold weather became intolerable, Dick and Linda sought out opportunities in warmer climates and, following Dick’s appointment in 1990 as Principal of the Woodward Academy Busey Campus in Riverdale, Georgia, moved south to warmer weather and green golf courses. He served for one pivotal year, both for himself and for the school, as Principal at the Busey Campus. During the period between 1991 and 1998, Dick served in various capacities for Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2002, Dick returned to Woodward Academy as a middle school science teacher at the Main Campus in College Park, where Linda also taught. Dick and Linda joyously retired together in 2007.

Dick and Linda were avid travelers and forged lifelong friendships at every stop.

They traveled in their “camping palace” to 44 of the 50 states. They often played golf together or, while Linda relaxed and read books, Dick would engage in his true passion–fishing. Dick was a member of Sandy Springs Christian Church, where he sang in the choir and enjoyed monthly culinary adventures with his Divine Diners group.

Dick was loved and cherished by those who knew him for his keen intellect, compassion, generosity and sense of humor. He unfailingly put others before himself and truly lived his life in service to others. Always willing to lend a hand to help others less fortunate, Dick spent a great deal of his time working at local shelters and community organizations. In 2010, Dick and Linda spent a month in Gulfport, Mississippi, working with families who lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina. Then, during the summer of 2011, he led a Disciples Volunteering team, of which Linda was a member, to rebuild homes devastated by the flooding in Nashville, Tennessee. A devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather, he believed the love we share with others is what makes life worthwhile. His faith was unwavering, and his spirituality, even as his health deteriorated dramatically, guided him home. Along with Linda, he is survived by his children, Eric and his wife, Marci, and Todd and his wife, Tracy; his granddaughter, Samantha, whom he adored; and his sisters, Betty and Lana, and their families.

The family suggests donations to Pine Point School, designated to student financial aid, in memory of Richard W. Mitchell. Donations may be mailed to Pine Point School, 89 Barnes Road, Stonington, Connecticut 06378. You may also donate online at www.pinepoint.org. A memorial service will be held at Pine Point School on October 14, 2012 from 1-3:00 p.m.

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The joy in receiving that message was tempered by his next communication, an email blast sent on December 13th to family and friends: “Please excuse the impersonal message to convey this news, but writing individual notes is prohibitive, initially. We’d be happy to hear back from you, though. We rented out our house this fall as we were going to Texas for the winter months. (We plan to look for a smaller place when we get back to Hapeville.)

While moving I felt like I strained a muscle in my back on several occasions, but nothing other than occasional pain when moving in the wrong way.” Dick detailed that over the course of the weekend he suffered from increasing pain and unsteadiness in his legs. It was found that he had a fractured vertebra (the cause later to be determined to be metastatic lung cancer). “I don’t intend this to be a worrisome burden for you, but I know I would want to know if something such as this was going on with you. I am taking this one step at a time and feel like we will have the strength of faith to deal with whatever comes.”

In the coming weeks and months Dick stayed in touch with folks, and they in turn kept in contact with him. Unfortunately, each email revealed the aggressive and pervasive nature of his cancer, and yet those communications were always filled with gratitude for those who reached out to him.

Even more, his updates revealed a buoyant spirit and his deep and unqualified faith. Just ten days after his initial email, he wrote, “In all, I am up today with the progress. If the legs get working, we can deal with the chemo and radiation when that comes. While I wish the situation were not what it is, I am at peace with the medical team, with the nature of my faith in a loving Mighty Power that never abandons, in life and in death (see Romans 8), and with the incredible outpouring of love and support God has given me through the hands and voices of so many of you. I wish I could hug each of you in person for what you have already done for Linda and me. Instead, thanks.”

Dick sent his final email on April 21st. His condition had worsened and by the middle of May Linda shared that he was in his final days. On the night of May 25th, his daughterin-law, Marci, sadly reported: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share the news of Dick’s passing. Although his last days were heartbreaking, he died in peace. Please know how much we appreciate the Pine Point family.”

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Carrying His Spirit Dick joined the faculty at Pine Point in 1969 as an upper school (now called middle school) math and history teacher. Over the next twelve years he also taught English, science, and algebra and was instrumental in developing two new courses. A history/literature course for 9th graders integrated post-Civil War American history and the English curriculum while an 8th grade course brought together the study of earth science with relevant topics in government, earth science, and economics. He was appointed Head of School in 1981. During his years as Head of School (1981-1990) enrollment grew from 136 students to 231 students. One of the most visible legacies of his time at the School was the creation of the Mitchell Building in 1987, which dramatically expanded Pine Point’s physical education and arts facilities. Dick returned to Pine Point to serve as Interim Head of School in 1998-99, taking the School through its 50th anniversary year, an opportunity for which he felt “truly blessed.”

During his twenty-two years at Pine Point he touched the lives of hundreds of students and their families. With his passing, Pine Point lost its second Head of School in a little over five months while others across our country were mourning a good friend, a colleague, a mentor, and a source of inspiration.

As with the passing of former Head of School Alan Houghton, in the succeeding days and weeks alumni, past parents, and colleagues felt compelled to send a reflection to the School about a man who meant so much to them. It is in these heartfelt reminiscences that one truly sees the essence of the man.

The photo of me with Theresa (a great French teacher) and Dick really made me choke up. I sure was young once.

Dick Mitchell was one of the finest people I’ve ever met in education, a remarkable teacher, and a good friend. I say that after being a teacher for over 40 years at five different private schools.

With Drew Maddock and Theresa Cormier Having dealt with dozens of colleagues over the years, Dick was just about the best of the lot.

I first met Dick in 1970 when I arrived at Pine Point as a brand new B.A. to “try out” English teaching. I taught at Pine Point until 1975 and could easily have stayed a lot longer if mid-20s wanderlust hadn’t lured me out to San Francisco and other places. I had no way of knowing then that the people I worked with those five years were some of the finest people I’d ever work with. The students were some of the best, too. And Dick Mitchell was one of the finest of them.

Dick taught social studies, and I taught English. Somewhere around 1973 or so, the two of us decided it would be interesting to teach a 9th grade course combining the two subjects. We called it something clever like “20th Century U.S. History-Literature.“ I was the American literature; Dick was the American history. But it never turned out as compartmentalized as we had imagined. Because we taught together every day, we had lots of opportunities to disagree over history or literature. In front of the kids. The good-natured debate between the two of us got students involved in the “argument” which they seemed to really like. According to comments from students years later, they found it refreshing — especially when we disagreed. You couldn’t do that sort of thing with just anyone, but Dick and I really loved it.

Working in the old library (presently occupied by the 6th grade) on a class project

Dick had been a pastor, so that gave me opportunities to kid him about how “saintly” he was. Dick (and his wonderful wife Linda) had come from South Dakota which gave me opportunities to mix that state up with South Carolina or Iowa, or ask him if Sioux Falls was a real place, and did he grow corn in his backyard just for sentimental reasons? Back then, Dick smoked a pipe. It was before bans on smoking. One day, one of our students, Laurie Desiderato ’73, remarked how bad it was for his health. Dick listened carefully, thought about it, and the next day announced to Laurie that he’d decided she was right. He would give up pipe smoking. Which he did.

One spring, a group of us teachers challenged the boys’ soccer team to a game. We called ourselves OPAC RAT (Old People’s Athletic Club — Retired Athlete’s Team). So, a “rat” became our mascot. In a sexist era, the female faculty agreed to be our cheerleaders.

Barbara Sindall wrote us a cheer — in Latin, since we were a classy team — so we got cheered with “Rattus, Rattus, Rah! Rah! Rah! Mus vincit omnia!” (RAT, RAT, rah rah rah! RAT conquers all!” Or something like that.) I remember running out of gas before the second half, even with the cheering, and asking Dick if this was what old age was going to be like. His reply was: “No, much worse, I think.” We lost badly.

I know Dick was a steadying force at Pine Point in the decade or so after I left. He helped to steady a school trying to survive difficult economic times. I never got to see him move from social studies to headmaster. My heads of school had been Jack Sindall and Norm Jason, two truly impressive people. I imagine Dick might have found, as Jack Sindall once told me, that being head of school was less fun than being with kids in the classroom or on the playing field. It’s not so hard to be head of a school that is large, prosperous, and growing, but it’s a challenge to keep a small school on a steady keel during tough times. And Dick did that.

One summer, long after I’d left Pine Point, I came back to Stonington from California very briefly one day. I hadn’t intended to, but I was on my way from New York to Boston to visit one of my brothers when the “Stonington” exit off 95 lured me off. I drove through that beautiful village and then up to the School for a quick look. There’s no place as quiet as an empty school on a hot summer day. I got out of my rented car just for a quick look. Maybe I’d peek into the hallway or look through the window of my old classroom just for a second, when suddenly — like it had been planned this way — the door on the classroom building swung open and out walked Dick Mitchell.

It was at least a decade since I’d seen him. But there he was, beard and all, looking just as I’d remembered him. He was there to do a little work, he said, and so I got the optimistic, enthusiastic tour of Pine Point, including the new Mitchell Building!

He was as friendly, as gentlemanly and as happy to see me as I could ever have imagined. That’s the way I’ll remember Dick. He was always happy to see you, always had a good word, a sense of humor, a kind remark. I got an e-mail out of the blue from Dick last year sometime. I don’t really know why he sent it. It was one of those random reconnections that sometimes happen. Maybe he was thinking that we don’t live forever. He and Linda were on their way to their summer retreat. He just wanted to know how I was doing. We had a funny e-mail exchange back and forth. I was doing fine. He was in great shape. That was it. I’ll miss Dick. He was a good friend, a gentleman, and a gentle man.

-Drew Maddock

I was stunned and deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dick Mitchell. He was a dear friend, a supportive colleague and a devoted headmaster. I always felt deep in my heart that he valued my work and that I could confide in him at any time. I specifically remember being in his office when he was serving as headmaster — he turned, looked out the window at the school grounds and commented, “I love this place so much!” His love for “this place,” for the community of wonderful people at Pine Point, was great. I feel his passing is a tremendous loss. My heart goes out to Linda, Eric and Todd.

-Theresa Cormier Dick was one of those teachers who had a profound impact on me– as a student, as a person and now as an educator. In fact, he is one of the reasons that I am in the teaching field now…I am so glad that he was able to come back and be part of the 50th anniversary celebration in such an important way. It was a nice do over…I miss him.

There are so many memories of “Mr. Mitchi” as Lisa [Card Rapoza ’73] and I would call him. I can see his smile and hear his laugh. The world is a better place because of him; this is a huge loss.

-Candy White Sweeney ’73 What I remember most about Dick Mitchell was how he taught us, going beyond the subject matter, be it history or any other subject, and digging deep into the humanity at hand. He strived to lead us to figure out what it meant to be a good person and then fulfill that. He didn’t tell us what to do, he wanted us to discover it ourselves. I always wondered if it was his roots as a minister that made him approach teaching from a different perspective than any other instructor I ever had. You hear about students who were fortunate enough to connect with one special teacher in their life; Mr Mitchell was that person for me. Due to his profound influence, I very much wanted to have Mr. Mitchell perform my husband’s and my wedding ceremony. It was an honor and a gift to have him do just that on one very hot day in June 1984 at the Inn at Mystic. We begged for him not to wear the hot robes in the beating sun, but he persevered, and it truly was special to have him participate and complete that momentous life milestone. I am very grateful to Mr. Mitchell and will always reflect back on his teachings and guidance he provided to both me personally and our Class of ’73.

-Cynthia Stein Therrien ‘73

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Mr. Mitchell was the first teacher of mine to wear a beard. It signaled to me, in some form or manner, an advancement to a new level of learning. Then there was Drew Maddock and Mr. Dixon and suddenly bearded men were everywhere instructing us in the art of grammatical syntax and lessons about the Pequots, and my journey into the realms of poetry and history took off. Mr. Mitchell was gruff and tender, formal yet casual, serious and humorous all at the same time. You could tell he wanted to be there with us. As Candy [White Sweeney ‘73] remarked, I went into teaching in part because of my own experiences with these individuals who helped shape and inspire me. I even ended up wearing a beard and trying in my own way to strike that immaculate balance that Mr. Mitchell possessed in the classroom. He certainly looms large in my memory, that voice alone was so commanding. We carry his spirit forth.

-Dave Winans ’73 Mr. Mitchell was one of my favorite teachers, and just a fantastic person. He helped me learn to believe in myself! He will be missed!

-Brian Wood ’73 My lasting memories of Dick will always revolve around the constancy of his love for and dedication to Pine Point and its family. Having known Dick and his family since the early 1970’s it was always clear that he wanted to do that which would make life better for all associated with our school.

As a teacher he was thoroughly dedicated. He offered of himself in ways that reached far beyond the expected. He was a true friend, advisor and advocate for the students, an inventive teacher and a constant spokesman for his teaching peers. His numerous trips to my office, although unknown to most, were visits to share faculty or student concerns of varying degrees of importance. On many occasions those visits led to decisions which were of real importance to the daily life of our school.

Dick’s ability, his sincerity, his character and his years of tireless work on behalf of Pine Point were, I suspect, foremost in the minds of the trustees when they appointed him headmaster in 1981. Dick was loved and he will be missed by all who knew him.

-Norm Jason As my ninth grade advisor and history teacher, Mr. Mitchell had an enormous influence on me. While he could be intimidating as he enforced homeroom rules and led lectures, especially behind the dark beard and glasses, it was his ability, comfort and willingness to treat me and other students as if we were adults that has always stayed with me.

Whether it was sharing anecdotes about his life away from school, as mundane as after-school errands to as exciting as a trip to the Fenway bleachers for Game 6 in ’75 (for the record, he was close to Dwight Evans’ catch; he was blocked from seeing Fred Lynn crash into the centerfield wall), Mr. Mitchell unwrapped some of the mystery surrounding adulthood for us ninth graders, just as we were transitioning out of the protective and supportive halls of Pine Point. He was always kind and generous, eager to laugh, but most of all ready to teach inside and outside of the classroom.

-Peter R. Barry ‘76 I had Mr. Mitchell for a teacher and softball coach, and I have fond memories of both. And recently we played many games of “Words with Friends.” I, for one, certainly hope that PPS does not lose any more former heads for a long, long time.

Meredith Jason ’79 ViewPoints 22

Mr. Mitchell was probably the most important teacher I ever had, and it has been hard to articulate this and sit with the grief that comes. I can’t begin to tell you how much I value everything and everybody that Pine Point has offered and continues to offer.

Dick Mitchell was my teacher and softball coach in seventh through ninth grades. He was my ninth grade advisor, too, a mentor, a friend.

During softball practice, he had that incredible highpitched cry urging us to RUN and catch fly ball after fly ball.

When I think back on those afternoons, I realize he had such an exuberance for life. In the classroom, he was stern and kind, focused, challenging, compassionate, and real. To me he was a living example of a good, generous, open-hearted person, and I’ve often remembered a few particular moments as formative ones that have guided me when I have questions about the right action to take.

Mr. Mitchell was a little scary when I first encountered him in seventh grade. One of the greatest lessons he taught me was to always ask a question, no matter how well I was performing. Another thing I always remember is his willingness to use himself as an example of how people act with each other. He was sure of himself, comfortable with himself.

What a great thing for awkward adolescents to witness!

I still think back on him so often and treasure all he taught me.

-Natasha Schneider ’80 I was saddened to learn of Dick’s passing. I thought him to be one of the most influential educators of my children, Lauren ’81 and John ’83. In my time on the Pine Point Board, as a member and chairman, I appreciated his kindness, his thoughtfulness, his sensitivity and his generosity. Dick was a true gentleman and a gentle man. He leaves the world a better place by his life example.

-David H. Edelstein

Jeff and I are truly heartbroken about Dick. He meant so much to us, and he is our reason for our strong ties to Pine Point. Though still very emotional even after all these years I would love to share at the October service for Dick the story of Pine Point’s importance in our life and why Jeff and I chose to have Dick’s office named in memory of Jules ’86. Dick was Pine Point to us.

-Ana M. Schneider Dick Mitchell was one of the most patient faculty members who tirelessly continued to try and work with me despite my challenges there at the time. I had issues with roughhousing when Dick was the headmaster. So much so that I needed a special detention created especially for me and some others on Saturday to keep us in line. It was Dick, however, who continued to work with me and some of my classmates to help us learn from our mistakes and to understand the ‘why’ behind the punishment. He even got creative in capturing our roughhousing by placing a video camera on us during recess. So one day he called a few of us into his office and we all sat around his desk and to our amazement he showed us what we were doing the day before and explained how dangerous this type of behavior was and how it could impact us, the School and our parents. The teachers at Pine Point were, and are, exceptional, but it was Dick who went a little above and beyond to think “how can I show these kids what they are doing, get them to understand why it is dangerous, and, more importantly how to stop?” Quite simply, he broke through to me and helped me understand. He never stopped believing that we could change and never judged me from my past behavior but gave me the benefit to prove myself.

I put him and the rest of the faculty through a lot when I was there, but in the end, he always believed in me. He never stopped even when I was the most difficult. That is why I will miss Mr. Mitchell.

-Daniel Leech ’88 He has had such an enormously positive impact on me and my whole family. I have always been extremely grateful that someone with all his amazing qualities as a teacher and role model was also so generous with his time and patience.

-Aaron McBride ’89 I am saddened to hear of the passing of our good-natured and caring headmaster. I recall that as students he always treated you fairly (even in disciplinary matters) and in a manner that fostered responsibility by helping us to develop dignity within ourselves. He will be missed.

-Sam Applegate ’90

“It is axiomatic that who we are is inevitably influenced by the people who surround us and are thus a part of our lives. Even though we make our own decisions and are ultimately responsible for our own lives, we are inextricably tied to the people with whom we live, work, and play…Remember those people who have helped you become the person you are at this moment.

You didn’t get here alone.”

-Dick Mitchell, 1987-1988 Green & Gold Yearbook

More than one Pine Point wedding ceremony was officiated by Mr. Mitchell. One of the couples he married was David Smith ’69 and Robin (Rogers) Smith. Thirty-two years later, Robin wrote, “Dick was an extraordinary man. As I think of him, I imagine his wry smile, sparkling eyes, and quick wit. Dick was a man who you could talk to openly, who listened to you without making judgments. When he gave you a hug, you knew he meant it.

“Dick and his wife, Linda, brought a refreshing Midwestern charm to Pine Point with their distinctive drawl and Iowan fashion sense. They loved sharing their fabulous home with family and friends - the pool, hot tub, foose ball table and other “toys” were always in use. I remember many evenings spent at the Mitchell’s place, enjoying old-fashioned good fun.

“When Dave and I became engaged and planned our August wedding in 1980, there was no question about who we wanted to perform the ceremony. Dick’s personal insights added humor and depth to the occasion. Thank you, Dick, for making that day one of the best of our lives!

“Because Dick was also a reverend, we felt his spirituality in many ways. I’ll always remember how Dick stopped by to see me before a major operation to talk to me and hold my hand. Another memory is Dick’s reading of the awards at graduation. His voice would crack with emotion, reminding each of us of how much he cared and inevitably, the faculty would all be wiping away their tears by the end of the morning.

“Dick was an inspiration, to us all. We will miss him.”

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Groundbreaking

Pine Point started in the fall of 1948 in a single house on North Main Street. From the very beginning, it seemed that there was always either construction being planned or actually taking place to accommodate an ever-growing student body. On June 3, 1986 ground was broken for a building that would nearly double the footprint of the School. The dream of separate, dedicated teaching spaces for art, music, and dance, along with a full-sized gymnasium to support the athletic program and allow for community gatherings, became reality in the fall of 1987.

1986

With Helen Brewster, Searle Field and Liz Laffey, three of the many individuals who were important in leading the campaign in support of the building.

As seen by Seth Trombino ’95

The new building imagined by Zach Stanley ‘96 ViewPoints 24

With Ana Schneider, whose respect for Dick prompted her and husband Jeff to name the Head’s Office in his honor.

Dick is shown in a 1990 photo with then President of the Board of Trustees Susan Arms when it was announced that he would be leaving Pine Point. In her remarks, Susan put quite simply Dick’s contributions during the years he was at the helm, declaring: “Dick played a vital role in developing the educational theory and policy that placed the School at the forefront of current educational practice.

He will be sorely missed.”

“Is it possible for a school to combine warmth of feeling, sense of community, academic excellence, and superb preparation for the future all in one package? Yes, it is, but it’s not easy. I am grateful to have been a part of one of the few schools which has been able to accomplish this Herculean task. Thanks to all of you for letting me share in that experience.”

-Dick Mitchell, Spring 1990 ViewPoints

On June 3, 1990 a reception was held to honor Dick. One of the speakers that day was longtime Instructor of English Ham Salsich.

When I think of my long-time friend Dick Mitchell, one word comes to mind: honesty. For Dick Mitchell, honesty is not just a virtue, it’s a way of life. He holds nothing back….Those of us who know him well know that Dick Mitchell is not devoted to chasing a career, to climbing the ladder of success. He’s spent his life chasing honesty, and climbing the ladder of simple truthfulness…He was honest with students. I taught in a team situation with Dick years ago, and I was always struck by how relaxed the students were around him. I began to understand that they were relaxed because they trusted Dick. They always knew what he said was what he meant…He’s been honest in his great love and concern for his fellow teachers.

For he’s one of us. He was a teacher for many years before he became head, and the teacher in him is as powerful and creative as it ever was…Some of us have experienced personal tragedies over the years…Thank God Dick Mitchell was our boss then. Dick has been there, really been there, for all of us in our large and little tragedies. He’s called us at home to see how we’re doing, he’s sat with us for as long as it took for us to pour the grief out, and many, many times, he has cried with us…Let me offer a little honesty of my own. We teachers will all miss Dick, terribly, but, quite honestly, we’ll never ever forget the great days, the bright and honest and joyous days, the Dick Mitchell era at Pine Point.

I would like to close with a short poem that’s as sincere and unpretentious as Dick is. It was written by Langston Hughes, and perhaps it helps capture a little of what we teachers feel today.

I loved my friend.

He went away from me.

There’s nothing more to say.

The poem ends Soft as it beganI loved my friend.

With Mr. Salsich ViewPoints 25

As president of the board of trustees and chairman of the building committee, Searle Field and Dick worked together on a variety of projects, but none more important than the construction of the arts and athletics facility. At the reception in June 1990 to honor Dick and say goodbye, it was announced that the space would forever be known as the Mitchell Building.

A leader and a humanitarian, we who worked with him have been so very fortunate. Dick Mitchell was “my” head of school from 1981 to 1990. We were personal friends and co-faculty (yes, Dick taught an algebra section) at a dynamic time in Pine Point’s history. I remember meeting with Dick with my copy of Time c. 1982, the cover of which showed Old Mother Hubbard with her desktop computer.

I suggested that we bring my Apple II Plus to school, and Dick agreed, adding a second machine. He asked his dad to build a rolling cart to carry the machines from one classroom to another. I shared with students BASIC programming and included several mathematics investigational software packages. Dick’s excitement about adding technology at this early date exemplified his zest for learning and his trust in me - so appreciated. Yes, the first computer center followed with school expansion.

Dick and Linda were personal friends. I remember dinners together, both at the Mitchell home and at ours. I remember Linda pairing with Irv (both runners) in a race in New London.

During those years the School grieved for several students lost very young. Dick’s compassion and leadership brought a mourning community together with strength and the vow to live with positive memories.

Eric and Todd were my students. Linda and Dick were my friends. Irv joins me in sending heartfelt condolences to the whole Mitchell family. I will always remember Dick for his honesty and humanity.

Love and condolences to the Pine Point family and to the Mitchell Family. Goodbye old friend.

-Sheila Goldman He will always be my hero.

-Anne Sanger

With Linda ViewPoints 26

Lucy Whitford ’96: The Interview After many, many (Lucy’s take on time) years of riding in car pool with her sister, Sarah ’91, and the Trombino family, with many good mornings, nods, and waves shared with Mr. Mitchell, it was time for Lucy’s Pine Point entrance interview. There was the wait to be called, discussions of being polite and listening; she was ready. Mr. Mitchell called her into his office, greetings were exchanged and then the first question – “Lucy, do you think you are ready for school at Pine Point?” Without hesitation, hands on hips, Lucy replied: “Don’t you think it’s about time?” With a shrug of the shoulders, a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, Mr. Mitchell replied, “Lucy, welcome to the Pine Point family!” The interview was over. This is one of my favorite memories of the Pine Point experience for my girls. Dick was such a warm, kind, caring man. He will be missed by all.

-Barbara Whitford

Dick returned to carry the School through its 50th anniversary.

During the course of the year there were a number of events that celebrated the School’s defining features while also bringing together members of the Pine Point family. On the first day of school the entire student body and their teachers planted a Douglas fir. A student from each grade put a bit of earth around the base of the tree utilizing the miniature silver shovel that has participated in every significant event since the groundbreaking on Barnes Road in 1956. The honor of completing the ceremony fell to Dick.

A gala/auction on the playing fields brought together 350 people to conclude the 50th anniversary year. President of the Board of Trustees Susan Funk thanked Dick for everything he had done to make the year a special one. She presented him with the #1 limited edition Pine Point Plate exclusively produced for that year by Quimper Faience and then trustee Paul Janssens.

I am so sorry to hear about Dick. I had no idea he was sick. If it were not for Dick, the Pine Point experience for Lauren ’99, Melanie ’02 and I would not have happened. He was the person that pushed us over the edge, and obviously we have not regretted it for one minute. Then to have him back for a final year was really a bonus. Pine Point has truly lost a special friend.

-Bruce Holstein The little things I remember about Dick are certainly not profound. I liked him, and I thought he was a wonderful, gentle, thoughtful head of school, and I missed him when he left. I first met him when our family became involved at Pine Point around 1979. We moved from the area for a while, and we began to think moving close enough to Pine Point so that the kids could return. (I often said then that we were bringing them back to Dick Mitchell.) We called the School and made an appointment to visit, with the intention of enrolling all three. Dick took us on the usual tour. It happened to be the day that they were breaking ground for the new gym and arts building, and we watched the ceremony. Afterward, as we were walking back to the main building, Dick put his arm around my shoulders and said, “So tell me, is this just a social visit, or are you thinking of coming back?”

I said we wanted to come back, surprised that he had to ask. Then he squeezed my shoulders really hard, and said, “Good!” I was happy that we were still welcome, and the kids came back in September.

A year later, after being a regular library volunteer for Geri Clachrie (one of very few), Dick asked me to take over the new library, which was being built in the area of the old gym. Carol Ansel had been hired as the new librarian as Geri was retiring, and she was pregnant with Douglas ’03 who was due in September. Carol wouldn’t be coming to work until December. On the basis of my volunteer work, where pretty much all I did was shelve books, he figured I could step in and teach every grade, oversee study halls, do lunch duty, keep the new library in order, and be summoned to sub in any class that needed one if I was free! So that’s what I did. I was (and still am) stunned by his confidence in me. I had never done anything like that before, and I felt sick with anxiety every morning as I arrived at school, but I loved it. That Christmas Dick was my Secret Santa and every day he would appear at the big wooden circulation desk with a candy bar that he said he was asked to deliver. I don’t know if he thought I believed him, but I got the idea pretty quickly.

He was a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed.

-Judy Toscano Dick hired me at the same time as Jane [Hannon) and at the beginning of the interview he said, “I’m sorry. I can’t hire you ... (Insert poker face)...you’re a Hawkeye fan and I am an Iowa State graduate. Now welcome to PPS.” He will be missed.

–Lara Dolphin I was very fortunate to visit with Dick six days before he died. I visited with him at the rehab center. He had just received the news the day before that nothing more could be done. Linda was with us. We had a good visit. I was able to thank him for all the ways our lives intersected at Pine Point (I was actually there before he and Linda came), our time together as pastor and student at Pendleton Hill Church, and then I became pastor and he became headmaster. So many memories and we both enjoyed talking about them. Of course, I cried all the way back to Atlanta where I was staying, but grateful of that precious visit.

-Lynne Holden ViewPoints 27

At the 50th anniversary gala/auction, Tom and Sassy Dodd, who were the successful bidders on the Pine Point Quilt, gave it to Dick and Linda.

It saddens me greatly and I hope that I will be able to attend the memorial service in the fall. Mr. Mitchell was principal when I came to Pine Point and he was always a friendly face passing through the classroom or out on the playground. Finally I achieved the coveted age when I could be invited to have lunch in the principal’s office.

One day, Mr. Mitchell asked me if I would like to join him and several other children for lunch. I was over the moon... this was affirmation that I was a big girl AND he knew who I was. It was the first of several lunches I got to have with Mr. Mitchell and I treasured every one.

I loved sitting down at the round table of his for a lunch and just talking.

He had this amazing talent for treating children as if they were equals rather than charges. He would remember details about individuals and then follow up with questions at a later date. Pine Point was always a tight community and Mr. Mitchell was its heart. When he decided to move on from Pine Point, I can remember going to him and asking why he was leaving us when he was such a central part of the School. He gently explained his need to move on and to give PPS a chance to grow in a new direction, but he was not leaving because he did not care about us. How he managed to share that caring with an entire school is a testament to his personality and spirit.

-Allena Tillman-Brown ‘95

It was determined that Susan Kozel, Lower School Head, would fly to Georgia to represent Pine Point at the memorial service for Dick at Sandy Springs Christian Church in suburban Atlanta. In the days leading up to the service she struggled with being the sole representative there but knew that the cost of a last-minute flight made a second person attending prohibitive. Cur-

ViewPoints 28

rent parent and former President of the Board of Trustees Ardice Perry very quietly let it be known that she and her husband, John, would support the flight of a second faculty member to Georgia. That teacher ended up being Gary Williams.

On his return, Gary wrote a heartfelt note of thanks to Ardice: “Because of what you’ve done, it feels like Christmas. Because of you, I was able to open the most wonderful gift, the gift of time with friends.

“If you could have only seen Linda Mitchell’s mile-wide smile light up Atlanta’s cavernous international airport, if you could have only felt her family’s (literally) breathtaking embrace back at the house, if you could have only heard the healing laughter resonate as Susan Kozel and I regaled the crowd in the kitchen and living room with stories about our travels with Dick, if you could have only tasted the bread and wine as we celebrated Holy Communion at Sandy Springs Christian Church…

“Thank you, Ardice, for the most wondrous and unforgettable ‘Christmas’ gift.

“There is one more thing, though – and it’s about Pine Point. We’d taken a photograph of the ’dinosaurs’ who worked with Dick way back when. I’d had it made into a poster and sent it down to Dick in Atlanta. There was a three-inch margin around the image and people had written notes. Dick’s daughter-in-law, Marci, told me that Dick and Linda spent the better part of a day looking at those faces and reading those notes. The poster found its way to the church yesterday. And hundreds of friends and family looked at those faces and read those notes. They looked and they looked. Some shook their head and smiled.

Some openly wept. And they came to Susan and to me and they asked, ‘What manner of place is this Pine Point School that cares so much and so deeply?

What has kept so many of you there for so long? That just doesn’t happen.’

“Susan and I shook our heads and smiled, and we wept, and we told them.”

Ardice responded: “My happy tears are for your beautiful expression of gratitude. I can’t begin to tell you how much Pine Point School means to my family and me. Our gifts are always a token of sincere love and appreciation. Here is the real miracle: I brought lunch for E and Mia to school on Wednesday, forgetting that they were going to be in the 8th-9th combined lunch, and, as I was leaving with the unneeded lunch in hand, I thought of Susan Kozel. Susan would certainly be in a sad mood with the news of Dick Mitchell’s passing, and I wanted to check in and cheer her up. She was very grateful to be able to attend the funeral, but, as she shared with me, I could tell it would be a difficult trip and better for her if she didn’t have to go alone. I made the offer, but I had no idea who would go, how much this would mean to you, Gary, or what was your silent prayer. God continues to encourage our faith by working in these mysterious ways, and I am happy to be of help—He sent me there for YOU. Yes, God is, and God is good. By the way, my best friend lives in Marietta…and I sometimes use the Sandy Springs exit to get to her house, so I was there with you in spirit on Friday.-Love, Ardice Perry”

Members of the Pine Point family will not be surprised to learn that Dick asked that memorial contributions be directed to Pine Point to support the School’s financial aid program. All those who look back fondly on their time spent with Dick, or Mr. Mitchell, are encouraged to make a gift in his memory to Pine Point.

After all of the students and their special guests left for the day following Grandparents’ Day on the last Friday in April, a number of the faculty (joined by John and Susan Wronowski) gathered in the Alicia Russell Garden to take a photo of themselves to be sent to Dick down in Georgia; less than a month later he was gone.

In mid-January Dick wrote a Devotion entitled “Under the Awning of God’s Love: My Story of Being Dependent,” that was picked up by DisciplesNet Church, an online community aimed at people who are not able to participate in traditional religious services. Below is the closing of that Devotion: “Now, more than any other time in my life, I have run squarely into the reality of my own mortality. Even so, I am finding a quiet peace I have affirmed but which has never before been challenged as it now is. In the face of that challenge, I am spending time trying to better understand the nature and genesis of that peace.

“Perhaps it is that I believe those rules established by that loving force are still in effect. I believe that my body is going to react according to those rules. But I also believe there are some rules we don’t understand, and those are the things we call miracles, maybe only because we haven’t been clever enough yet to decipher those rules. Maybe one of those unknown rules will apply to my situation. If so, I will be filled with gratitude.

“On the other hand, whether or not such unknowns apply to my situation, whether or not the known rules bring renewal of my health, I delight in the marvel of the amazing integration of those rules, and in being a part of that world. I delight in the human relationships with which I have been blessed throughout the years. I delight in having seen so much of the variety of the physical world, a variety in which each different sight, each different landform, each different living thing still comes into being, exists, and exits in accordance with those eternal rules.

“And, above all, I delight in believing that whatever comes next will be OK. I may never be healed, but I will be whole. I delight in believing that I and all the rest of us are not being treated in willy-nilly ways. Instead, we arrive, live, and die in the comfort and surety that is in accord with and under the loving, probably often weeping, creative love force I call God.”

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at Pine Point in the Mitchell Building on Sunday, October 14th from 1-3 p.m. Those planning to attend are encouraged to contact the School beforehand.

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Striking the

Perfect Balance Pine Point Says Goodbye to Mrs. Walton -David C. Hannon, Director of Development

I

With Julie Abbiati, Alicia Luther ‘77 and Mr. T, who together made up one of the many iterations of the K/1 team over the years

We were the very first preschool class! I always remember Mrs. Walton being so nurturing and caring with us all. If I recall correctly, we had a big alphabet rainbow colored rug that we would all sit on for story time when she would read to us. You may have to check with her because she would remember better than me, but I could have sworn we once had a fire drill and when we left the building we had a few classroom animals and we brought them with us. I always think back so fondly on all of my Pine Point memories.-Alyssa Lattizori ’02 ViewPoints 30

n 1983 Sandy Walton joined the faculty at Pine Point as a member of the K/1 team. Eight years later, in order to better prepare students for kindergarten and boost enrollment, it was determined that a preschool should be added. Sandy (and colleague Joan Turner) jumped at the chance to create a preschool program from scratch. In September 1991, six four year-olds made up what would be the first preschool class at Pine Point. Two years later, a program for three year-olds was added, and over the years a number of parents expressed the desire that their children be “Waltonized.”

As in life, all good things must come to an end, and so in the spring of 2011 Mrs. Walton informed then Head of School Paul Geise that the 2011-12 school year would be her last. For twenty-nine years, Sandy Walton lovingly helped hundreds of preschoolers and lower schoolers get started on the right foot in their educational journey; it was time to say thank you, and goodbye.

The first preschool class, made up of Tracey Mack, Ryan Mooney, Emma Thomas, Kearsley Lloyd, Alyssa Lattizori, and Carolyn Gates, is shown in a photo from the 1991-92 yearbook.

I remember sitting in a faculty meeting when it was discussed that maybe it would be a good idea to open a preschool at Pine Point.

Sandy and I immediately raised our hands and said we were the two who would love to get the ball rolling. We were able to plan the rooms, buy the equipment, have pieces made for the setting and help plan the playground. Sandy and I worked together in the Preschool for three years before my husband relocated our family to Massachusetts. I enjoyed working with Sandy. We had a lot of laughs and felt we made a great team for a child’s first introduction to Preschool. Sandy and I had worked together in the K-1 class as well before I moved to 6th grade for three years. Setting up the Preschool at Pine Point helped get me ready to take over my current job as director of a cooperative preschool. I proudly display my Pine Point decal on my car!-Joan Turner

With Danielle Liston ’22 and Diana Stockwell ’22

What fun I had working with Sandy...James Taylor on in the morning setting up and watching Sandy deciding upon adventures the children were going to have that day and all they were going to learn. Sandy had immense patience and insight into the needs of each child. We used to laugh a lot and were often on the same wavelength about various things and we used to have lovely chats about England. I miss our walks down River Road. Sandy is very kind and thoughtful. I would so loved to have been there for what sounds like a brilliant few celebrations. I send a wink and a smile and a very happy, happy time ahead for dear Sandy. Come and see me in Blighty!- Kate Slavin We have mixed emotions regarding Sandy’s retirement. We will surely miss her smiling face and caring nature as will our daughter Catori ’18, who had the privilege of being one of Sandy’s preschool students. We know that her retirement is much deserved and longawaited.-Karen and John Colebut

One of the philosophies that characterized Mrs. Walton’s approach was the focus on play and letting the kids learn how to interact with others.

There was an equally strong commitment to getting outside every day.

Anyone who has had to dress a preschooler in the multiple layers of winter clothing knows that the process is a laborious one. In spite of that, unless it was really cold, the children knew they were headed outside. In this photo, Mrs. Walton is shown with fellow teacher Cathy Taylor ready to battle the elements!

Sandy is a special person who possesses the ability to make others around her feel important and wanted.

When our daughter Katerina ’17 was a student in the preschool, Sandy was never too busy to look up, smile and wave hello as Katerina made her way into the classroom. Sandy always acknowledged me, consistently, every day, and that meant a great deal to a preschool mom. Class with Sandy was so valuable to Katerina socially and intellectually. Sandy struck the perfect balance between nurturing teacher and realistic assessor of preschool behavior. She fostered a love of learning in our daughter for which Jim and I will never be able to thank her enough.

As the years have gone by, Sandy has not forgotten me. There have been several social events that I have attended where she has noticed me making my way into a room. She has always made her way to my side for a chat. Her kindness and friendship in these situations was so appreciated in the moment and will never be forgotten.

We wish Sandy many great adventures and all of the happiness in the world as she readies to leave Pine Point. She certainly has left an indelible mark on so many, including the Petrosky family.

-Dina Petrosky

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A Meaningful Tribute

Head of School Stephen Bennhoff served as master of ceremonies and shoveled the first bit of earth around the base of the newly-planted tree.

In the spring, two events were held in order to properly recognize Mrs. Walton’s long years of wonderful teaching while also giving current and former students, her colleagues, and friends a chance to say they how felt about her. In mid-May, immediately following Morning Meeting, the entire school gathered in the preschool playground. The heart of that ceremony involved the planting of a Prairiefire Crabapple (surrounded by a circular bench) in Mrs. Walton’s honor. In time the tree will grow to a height of 20 feet. In the spring it bears purple leaves which later turn to reddish green as they mature. In May (and happily for the day of the ceremony) the tree boasts large pink blossoms which later give rise to darkred fruit during the fall and winter providing food that larger birds will feast upon.

The ceremony was the perfect opportunity for a number of individuals and the School as a whole to collectively participate in the planting.

Attending to her tree

Maria Carseli ‘21 It was important that the ceremony be student-centered. Appropriately, the ceremony began with every preschooler wielding a shovel from their playground.

One student from each grade participated in the planting of the tree. All of those students, including two alumnae, were in the good care of Mrs. Walton when they were in the Preschool. To the left are the members of the Middle School who represented their classmates. Front: Kiona Carter ’12 and Mallory McArdle ‘13, Back: Mariel Frechette ’06 (on behalf of the alumni), Fehme Braish ’15, and Oliver Parsons ’14

Annabelle Iredale ‘16

We absolutely love Mrs. Walton and we are acknowledging the impact she had on Maria’s education at multiple levels. We will always be grateful for her having such a wonderful teacher.

-Anca Bulgaru Mrs. Walton was always there for me during preschool, and continued to be there for everyone after me!

-Duncan Grimm ’08 ViewPoints 32

With good friend, past parent, and former Preschool Aide Eunice Sutphen

t on a han rs. Wal M e v s ga ooler esch r p The

ce. dmade neckla

Kiona Carter ’12 (shown with her mom, Kelly Carter) started at Pine Point as a Dinosaur. Less than a month after this photo was taken she received her Pine Point diploma.

With son Mike, daughter-inlaw Dee, husband Stew, and grandchildren Matt and Kate

Representing the many alumni who spent their earliest days in Mrs. Walton’s care, Sarah Shourds ’09 and Mariél Frechette ’06 made a point of returning to campus to join in the celebration.

It was clear that Mrs. Walton was enjoying the day.

Led by Mrs. Martin, the Lower School offered the song “Plant a Tree” with everyone joining in its singing.

(All photos by Carol Ansel, David Cruthers and Gary Williams)

Sharing a moment with Mr. Bennhoff

We would be delighted to attend the tree planting ceremony and look forward to a special send-off for Mrs. Walton.

She has a place in our hearts, and we are excited that Kiona ’12 gets to participate in such a meaningful tribute.

-Kelly and Joey Carter Mrs. Walton is awesome.

Love, Cindy.

-Cindy Holland ’20

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The Laughter That Remains On a beautiful spring day, a reception was held in the Alicia Z. Russell Memorial Garden to honor Sandy.

With Tucker Walsh ’05

I fondly remember working with Sandy in the LACP (Learning Activity Centered Program) program during the early 1980s. With her cheerful personality, she was pleasant to work with and quickly became a good friend. She easily acclimated to our open classroom with nearly fifty five-, six-, and seven yearolds. The children grew attached to her, and the parents greatly appreciated her caring attitude and her teaching expertise. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Sandy and have many fond memories of our time together at Pine Point. I wish her all the best in her retirement.

-Lisa Card Rapoza ’73

Mary Raftery and Morgan Gager ’94

Carol Ansel and Laurel Butler ‘72

Head of School Stephen Bennhoff paid tribute to Sandy, honoring her for her role as “a colleague, friend, parent, wife, mentor, and teacher.”

He told the group: “I remember interviewing with you 18 months ago and how glad I was to hear you say that play is a critical component to early childhood education. The lessons we learn on the playground and in the sandbox, lessons of kindness, sharing, respect, humor, and trust are the very foundation upon which we build the academic, artistic, and athletic program of all future education. Your smile and laughter are evidence that you have always, and will always, remember and prioritize joy in the classroom.

“I look at and appreciate your three decades of service to students and schools, and stand in awe. I marvel at the legacy you leave in your wake: teachers mentored, parents guided, students nurtured, programs launched. I stand here tonight humbled, knowing that I have my work cut out for me such that one day, many many years from now, I may bask in the same rays of accomplishment that you now radiate. It is a truly remarkable career. We thank you for everything you have done, and wish you the very best in your retirement and all the adventures you have before you.”

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Mr. Bennhoff shows off a book of memories and photos created by current parent and trustee Carla Petrocelli.

Sandy has been a wonderful preschool teacher to Elly ’19 and Leilei ’21 and made their Dinosaur years all the more memorable. –Linda Goddard

The Best Teacher Ever

The “old” K/1 team back together again!

Sandy, I came to you as an intern and you taught me a lot, and not just about teaching. You taught me about gardening, cooking, travel (it seems that every place I go, you’ve been there before and you tell me where to stay, eat, and shop), and to knit.

But I remember when I first started teaching here and we were talking to the parent of a Leslie Dameron Teddy Bear and asked him if his child would go on to Dinosaurs (he had two older girls at Pine Point so it was kind of a silly question) and he looked at us incredulously and answered, “Of course, she has to be ‘Waltonized.’

I was never exactly sure what he meant but I think it has something to do with not only learning letters and numbers, but learning to be caring, curious, and confident.

You taught me so many things. Tonight I want to share with you three important lessons that I take from you:

One of the 2nd grade’s annual projects has the students pairing up and interviewing (and drawing) members of the faculty and staff. Paige Doboe ’19 and Caroline Ringer ’19 sat down with Mrs. Walton in February to find out a little more about her.

Mrs. Walton said she thinks her job is not hard because it is different every day and the kids have different ideas every year. All in all, she thinks her job is more fun than hard!...When she was in elementary school she always had to walk to school every day, then walk back home for lunch, walk to school again, and then walk back home after school. She had to walk in any weather but she liked it because she got to spend lots of time with her friends. When we asked her to recall her favorite memory from her years teaching at Pine Point she said it was when they tore down the old building and built the new building. She thought it was fun to plan the new building. She liked designing the preschool program…We think Mrs. Walton is the best teacher ever and she was really fun to interview because she gave us the information we needed and was kind and happy. The Dinosaurs are lucky to have her and we will really miss her.

• You should always have a pocket of magic dust to sprinkle on those often imaginary boo-boos.

• A bag of fish tank gravel sprinkled in the sandbox can provide months of good buried treasure.

• Something good happens every day.

We love you, we will miss you, and I hope to make you proud.-Leslie Dameron

With Eliza Gager ’99, Anne Sanger, Lisa Card Rapoza ’73, and Robin Smith ViewPoints 35

I had lots of fun memories with Mrs. Walton and being a Dinosaur but I can’t pick my favorite one. Mrs. Walton will always be a shining star in my life.

-Bob Holland ’17

Heather Gillespie and Judy Christoffersen

Dana Oliveira, DeeDee and Jim Buffum

With Erin Wright ’91 Dee and Mike Walton with Sue Fusaro

Whether you know Sandy as a former student or as an adult, you know that Sandy always put the children first. Alumni, I would guess the memories you have are probably rooted in the respect she always showed you. When you walked into the classroom first thing in the morning, with a story about your pet, what happened on the way to school, or the caterpillar in your hand, she always stopped what she was doing, said good morning, and listened to your story. Parents, I am also pretty sure she gave you some valuable parenting advice over the years.

The signature characteristic of Sandy Walton is that she always has a smile on her face. It is pretty amazing how when alumni reflect about their time in Preschool, they mentioned Sandy’s optimism. Even today at the age of 4, the children understood that this adult was someone they could trust and would find the good in any situation.

I am going to miss working with Sandy and the wisdom she brought to the table regarding early childhood development. Sandy modeled at all times why we were all here...and that it is about the children. You helped create our early childhood program and I am very grateful. Enjoy your retirement. You deserve it.”

-Susan Kozel

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Susan Kozel, Lower School Head

Dionne Butler, Chrissy Horgan, and Maureen Gosselin

I came to Pine Point many years ago as an intern in the LACP (Learning Activity Centered Program). One of my earliest recollections was of a home base full of funny little children who followed a contract printed on folded paper which I had to check several times daily to make sure the work was being completed.

There was one little fellow who was there, I am sure, to make my life interesting. Clocks would come off the walls, faucets would be left running to overflow the sink and the sweet dance done on Grandparents’ Day with children holding daffodils weaving in and out, became a flower shower directed at the audience. He was never sure how these things happened. That’s how it is working with young children, things happen. I had a choice, laugh or cry, and laugh I did and have ever since.

Quickly eight years went by. The School needed students and the Preschool was created. What an opportunity to design a new program! With the help of many, we got off to a start with seven students and me in one room. The people who had offices in that wing quickly decided to move and all the space became the Preschool, filled with 3, 4, and 5 year-olds.

People often ask me about the names of the classes, Dinosaurs because they are so old and Teddy Bears because they are cute and cuddly.

Skip a few years and suddenly we’re thinking of adding a new building to our campus. First the Geise Library/Technology Center and then the DECC. Our wonderful, old classroom, chock full of memories, was torn down and the new building arose. A little known fact is that there is a small mark on the wall in the hall opposite the Dinosaur room, marking the spot where I led Morning Meeting for 16 years. The men constructing the building put it there so I would never forget those days.

We have had four years in the new building and it feels like home at last.

Years come and go, teachers come and go, and the spirit of children lives on. I feel as though I have a family built over many years, composed of adults and children. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried together, but it’s the laughter that remains in my heart. Thank you all for letting me be part of your lives.

People ask what I’m going to do in retirement. I have to admit that I really don’t know. I do know that I still have great adventures waiting for me.

Preschoolers of the last decade plus may recall taking Max the Dinosaur home or on some distant adventure. It was wonderful that three Maxes were able to join the festivities!

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A Gift for the Senses In December 2005, the Fiore family established a sabbatical program for the School’s teachers and administrators. John and Barbara Fiore were involved at all levels of School life during their daughter’s (Lauren ’96) seven years at Pine Point. The sabbatical program is designed to strengthen the individual’s teaching while also being personally fulfilling and energizing. Later in the year the recipient presents their experience to their colleagues and the community.

This was the seventh summer that a Pine Point teacher or administrator was able to pursue a personal passion, and, in so doing, return to the School with a renewed commitment to life and learning.

As this year’s Fiore Fellow, Maria Iacoi had the chance to move beyond the walls of Pine Point (in her case, the art room) to explore in greater depth two of her passions−cooking and art. A member of the Pine Point faculty since 1991, she has worked with hundreds of students, together finding beauty and inspiration in the world and in art. While there were initial moments of discomfort and nervousness, it’s clear that for Maria her trip to Italy was like going home.

With Gabriella, my host and mentor

T

he Fiore family’s offer to give the teachers of Pine Point the wonderful opportunity to explore our passions and dreams is an amazing and generous gift, and, this year, I was the grateful recipient. Having taught Lauren Fiore ’96, it was extra special to be awarded the fellowship. When I think about Lauren, I remember her as bright and creative.

I remember not just her pretty face–but also her spirit and the spark in her eyes.

When I applied for the Fiore Fellowship I knew I wanted to go back to Italy and do a cooking course. I am a proficient cook, but I yearned to be in a kitchen like the ones I grew up in and visited when I traveled to Turin to visit my mother’s family when I got out of college.

I researched culinary immersion courses where I could experience learning about the food that is grown and how it is prepared and cooked. Food is a passion of mine, and I loved the idea of cooking what is in season or what you have, without needing a cookbook or a recipe. I remember my Nonna laughing when I tried to write down her recipe for meatballs. “Watch,” she clucked, as she measured breadcrumbs and cheese with her hands.

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As an artist and as a teacher it served me well to experience this rich culture and to be reminded of the importance of getting out of the comforts of my own surroundings. I feel motivated to get my students out of the art room to see new perspectives and hopefully be inspired to create in new ways.

After a thorough search of the various regions, my husband, Jason, and I decided on the Amalfi coast. Because of the time of year we were to travel (late June) and being that Italy is very hot at that time of year, we thought the coast would be more tolerable. We settled on the high mountaintop town of Agerola; also known as “Little Switzerland,” which overlooks the Amalfi coast. We stayed at a lovely B&B called Nido Degli Dei (Nest of the Gods), owned and run by our host, “Mamma Gabriella.”

The day we arrived we discovered that the airline had lost our luggage. I sat in a heap feeling overwhelmed about how we would manage in such a remote place with no clothes.

Happily, right away, Gabriella told me not to worry and took me into the kitchen to cut up zucchini. She must have seen my fears settling in and she knew that food and the preparation of making a meal would calm my nerves, which it did.

Gabriella’s kitchen reminded me so much of my Nonna’s; she also had a big garden and I have fond memories of her sending my sister and me out to pick tomatoes, vegetables and herbs with which to cook. In Gabriella’s kitchen it was Jason who was sent out each night to pick what we needed. Jason had a special interest in the garden and spent time with Gabriella talking about a variety of growing and preserving techniques as well as swapping seeds.

Another way Gabriella’s kitchen reminded me of my Nonna’s was that she covered her counters with plastic and had equal-sized covered bowls for sugar and salt next to the stove. In their pantries, both had a supply of “hand” canned tomatoes. Nonna’s were in mason jars, but Gabriella’s were in recycled beer bottles! It was really like being back in time. Life here is still fairly simple. You grow it, cook it, and eat it.

Nonna

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Making dinners each night in Gabriella’s kitchen was so much fun. Some nights it was a couple of others and on other nights there were up to six of us. We all got on as if we had known each other forever; each of us finding our places in the kitchen while Gabriella handed out our culinary chores. We laughed and swapped stories as we chopped, sautéed and kneaded the pasta dough. Gabriella’s voice, in her singsong of Italian and English, was so comforting. Her phrases were so familiar, which made me feel instantly close to her.

My favorite dish was a lovely medley of fresh vegetables with homemade pasta. We started with the usual olive oil and garlic, then added pancetta, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and a little pasta water; at the end we added squash blossoms. Delicious! We learned to cut the vegetables in thin matchstick pieces so they nicely wrapped around the pasta and how to prepare the squash blossoms by carefully removing the pistil and leaving the blossom intact. It was the first meal Jason and I tried to make when we got home. (Jason bought a pasta maker immediately upon returning home.) It was almost as good as it was in Gabriella’s kitchen!

As for the B&B itself, the grounds were beautifully, but naturally manicured. Big, clean, cool ceramic tiles under our feet, flowers of all colors everywhere in pots and beds, hot foamy cappuccino every morning and, of course, Gabriella’s vegetable garden was also impressive, her hard work seen in her strong, happy plants!

Every square inch of the properties throughout each coastal town were filled with vegetables and flowers often growing right up to the mountain’s edge! Pouring from every crack and crevice were trailing vines with sweet smelling flowers and every terraced garden had beautiful plants lined up in neat, tidy rows with not a weed in sight. Most gardens also had lovely thatched pergolas of woven branches with grapes growing over the top.

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It seemed I was photographing something every second, with images and ideas for paintings, collages, and drawings popping into my mind at record speed. I was awestruck by the history and enormity of the places we visited…I was drawn to the archways and doors and the views of the sea from every angle. The richness of color and texture made me feel as though I was looking at colors I had never seen before.

I felt so small and yet so much a part of everything.

The patience, efficiency and hard work the families and community put into their land, homes and art was miraculous. We saw men, young and old, carrying giant buckets of stone up and down the mountain. Getting anything up to the remote parts of the mountains was accomplished by horse, donkey, or on foot. The women traditionally do everything from cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the gardens, and, in Gabriella’s case, running a business. Gabriella was in constant motion. When we were out touring, she was working in the garden, cleaning our rooms or entertaining new arrivals.

While cooking and food were my main focus, my artist’s eye discovered many inspirations. I had planned to sketch more of what we saw, but my camera proved a better option. It seemed I was photographing something every second, with images and ideas for paintings, collages and drawings popping into my mind at record speed.

I was awestruck by the history and enormity of the places we visited like Ravello and Pompeii and the mysterious grottos hidden along the Amalfi coast. I was drawn to the archways and doors and the views of the sea from every angle. The richness of color and texture made me feel as though I was looking at colors I had never seen before. I felt so small and yet so much a part of everything.

With Jason

I think as an artist and as a teacher it served me well to experience this rich culture and to be reminded of the importance of getting out of the comforts of my own surroundings. I feel motivated to get my students out of the art room to see new perspectives and hopefully be inspired to create in new ways. This trip, a gift for my senses, has certainly done that for me. I look forward to the process of getting my inspirations onto paper. I have two images that I’m working on now and hope to get many more completed before my visions fade away.

In every way this trip was amazing, but one aspect of the experience that I didn’t expect was the emotional connections and responses to the people we met (in addition to what I saw and tasted). I had no idea that being in this beautiful mountaintop paradise across the ocean in Italy would also take me right back to my grandmother’s kitchen in Norwich, CT. From the way the kitchen was arranged, so familiar…to the smells of ripened fruit and garlic. Being transported back to my childhood, remembering visits to my Nonna’s house and feeling her all around me, was an unexpected gift, especially getting to also experience how her life was in her home country.

I will cherish this experience and know someday I will go back again so my own boys can know Italy, me, and Nonna.

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The Experience of Living Abroad -David C. Hannon, Director of Development

O

ver the years it has become apparent that a growing number of our alumni have been studying abroad as part of their college program while a handful have elected to spend their entire college career at an international school. For whatever reason, one-third of the graduating Class of 2006 studied abroad during the 2011-12 school year. These students set out for Hong Kong, Cameroon, Ireland, France, Costa Rica (and Italy) while another has been in British Columbia for the last three years. It seemed only natural to share with members of the Pine Point family what these rising college seniors discovered about the world, and themselves.

While their academic program was obviously an important part of their time out of the country, to say that it dominated their life wouldn’t get to the heart of their experience. As Elma Burnham ’06 put it, “While my studies were interesting and central to my semester, it was the experience of living abroad and trying my hand at cultural immersion that made this experience fascinating, challenging, and totally worth it.” Even my daughter, Molly ’06, who was based in Cork, Ireland for five months, wrote in her blog: “I don’t think of this as study abroad so much as my life.” And so with that, I’ll let them tell their story.

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Awareness and Understanding -Mariél Frechette ’06

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henever I am asked to describe my experiences studying abroad I am entirely overwhelmed. I know of very few things that are harder to explain through a brief interaction (whether it be a casual conversation or a short blurb in ViewPoints) than an entire year’s experiences living outside of the U.S. I knew I wanted to study abroad as soon as I heard of the possibility during my first year at Scripps College. By October of my second year I had planned out my dual major and petitioned to study for my entire junior year (as opposed to the usual one semester) in two different countries. In total, I have spent nine months out of the United States. These nine months include time spent on two continents, in five countries, studying at two different universities, and communicating in three plus languages. Confined here to only one language, and the space allowed to me, I will try my best to communicate how unbelievably amazing my year abroad turned out to be.

My adventures started in July 2011, when I landed on the hot, tropical runway in Guanacaste, Costa Rica for my semester orientation with Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) – Butler University. Amid tropical downpours, and a strictly Spanish-speaking environment, I prepared for my semester studying at the Universidad Naciónal in Heredia, Costa Rica, primarily in the Institute for Women’s Studies. I was accompanied by 23 other students from schools all over the United States who also came to develop their Spanish and healthily push themselves beyond their cultural comfort zones.

While living with a local Costa Rican (or tico) host family, and studying alongside tico students, my Spanish language skills grew immensely (thanks to the fabulous foundation established by Lara Dolphin), as did my cultural awareness and understanding.

Lyon, Tess Williams’ ‘06 home for four months

Crossing the border from Costa Rica into Panamá at Sixaola, literally a rickety bridge!

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The view from my campus at Universidad Naciónal in Heredia, Costa Rica

One of the funny things about going abroad is that you learn just as much about from where you came as you do about the new country you’re studying in. While abroad, you are forced to question your own lifestyle, morals and language daily in order to fully understand and learn from the diversity around you. Every day brought new obstacles, whether it was simple linguistic confusions or more complicated cultural differences. For example, trying to explain to my tica host mother, Katia, why my own mother would ever let me go to college across the country and then go abroad for a year, was practically impossible. That long of a time away from family is unfathomable in many Costa Rican households. However, every cultural disconnect created space for me to develop my own understandings of life and the role of family. I spent considerable time translating the mentality pura vida (literally translated as “pure life”) into my own day-to-day lifestyle. Between teaching English at a local library, taking beach trips along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, hiking various volcanoes and ultimately the tallest peak in Costa Rica, I learned a great deal about the value of a family-centric society.

After spending December back in Connecticut with family, where I readjusted to freezing weather and hot showers, I left again in early January for Florence, Italy. With only a year of the native language under my belt, I began a completely different adventure on the Syracuse University in Florence program. Full of fabulous wine, art history and lots of fresh olive oil, my semester in “Firenze,” as it’s called in Italian, is not one I’ll soon forget. I studied art history, primarily in English, with over 250 other American students at a campus center right outside the old city walls. The great thing about the curriculum in Italy was that we spent more than half the time outside our classrooms in Florence. We were always walking through the halls of the many museums and churches or learning about the culture and design of the city itself over espresso.

In March, I went to Venice for the annual masked festival of carnevale and in April I traveled south to the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum (thanks to the interest started by my mother in sixth grade Latin class). When I was not gallivanting around the Tuscan countryside between classes, I lived in an apartment style house with my Italian host grandmother, Graziella, who, to my delight, spoke not a word of English. Whether we were watching the nightly Florentine news, going to art exhibits or simply chatting over a homemade traditional Italian dinner, I learned a great deal about what it was like to live through World War II in Italy and the dramatic changes the country has seen over the last half a century. When I made my way back to the States at the end of April, it was with particularly overwhelmed eyes and taste buds.

This fall, I’ll be returning to warm and sunny Claremont, California for my senior year at Scripps. As a dual art history and gender and women’s studies major I will be focusing mostly on preparations for writing a senior thesis in the spring. I cannot wait to return to my home campus and apply all that I have learned abroad to my everyday life as a student, but I cannot say for With my mom at the Piazzale Michelangelo certain that I am mentally prepared to graduate next May. I had the most remarkable year abroad in Costa Rica and Italy, but the two trips I thought might dull my itch to travel have only accomplished the opposite and I hope to have many more adventures to write home to Pine Point about soon!

One of the funny things about going abroad is that you learn just as much about from where you came as you do about the new country you’re studying in. While abroad, you are forced to question your own lifestyle, morals and language daily in order to fully understand and learn from the diversity around you.

At the Piazzale Michelangelo, overlooking Florence In the Veneto, this island, reknowned for its lace, once had a neighborhood artist who determined the color of every house With my Italian hostgrandmother, Graziella

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Challenge and Adventure -Tess Williams ’06

I

had the lucky chance to spend the fall semester of 2011 in Lyon, France. Lyon is about two hours south of Paris by high-speed train and is the second largest city in France. It is positioned where two rivers−the Rhône and the Saône−meet. I attended classes at the Université 1 Claude Bernarde Lyon, a French university of approximately 35,000 students. I took all of my classes in French: circuits, thermodynamics, computer programming, statistics, and a French class for foreign students. Taking classes in another language was definitely a challenge, but it proved to be easier than I had expected. The French don’t use textbooks and also don’t really assign homework, and that, along with a different grading system, took some getting used to!

Lyon itself was a wonderful city to get to know. It was a very manageable size, and I got to know it well in the time I was there. There were gorgeous old churches, including an amazing basilica perched on a hill. There were endless pastry shops, open-air markets, and restaurants to be explored. The city is well known in France for its cuisine, so needless to say I ate everything in sight. Lyon was also the capital of Roman Gaul, so there were several huge and well-preserved amphitheaters to climb around. I spent a lot of time with the other Tulane students who were abroad and made friends with a bunch of fellow study abroad students from all over Europe.

I also got to travel a lot. I went to Strasbourg, spent a week on the Côte d’Azure in Antibes, traveled to Rome and Florence with some Tulane friends, and spent a weekend in Barcelona. I also got to spend the week of Thanksgiving in Paris with my parents and my brother, Cody ’08, who flew over to visit. Traveling was in a lot of ways the best part of being abroad−it was so easy, and so much fun to explore new cities! Living on my own, feeding myself, getting to know a

An amphitheater in Lyon

This is decidedly not an uncommon spot to take a photo with Florence in the background. [Please check out the photo of Mariél Frechette ‘06 on the previous page.]

new city, and traveling all over Europe was an incredible experience. It was a challenge and an adventure, and I learned and grew so much.

I am beginning my last year at Tulane, which is a little scary. I’ll be graduating with an engineering physics major and a minor in architecture, with the hope of becoming a civil engineer. I will most likely get a master’s degree in civil engineering. Whether I go straight to school next year or work for a while first will depend on what job offers I can muster up and what grad school programs I can get into! It’s been fantastic in New Orleans, but I think I’m ready to return to the Northeast!

It was a really great summer. As an intern for Kiewit (one of the world’s largest construction companies), I was stationed on a $1.1 billion Army Corps of Engineers job in New Orleans which includes the world’s largest pump station (9 million gallons per minute!) and the largest swing gates in North America. It was my first time on a job site, and I learned a lot. I spent the first month with the marine department using my experience from statics and mechanics classes to learn about concrete formwork design and crane rigging design. My time with the maintenance department also included getting down and dirty and learning about all of the equipment onsite. Believe it or not, that’s me operating a 70-ton truck crane in order to complete its monthly inspection for damage.

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Why Ireland?

On Valentina Island in the Ring of Kerry in early March

-Molly Hannon ’06

“W

hy Ireland?" is a question that everyone seemed to ask me in the months leading up to my study abroad experience. I never had a straight answer. Depending on the person asking, I would answer that University College Cork offered a variety of Applied Psychology classes that I was interested in or that I could trace my family back to County Tipperary or that I'd heard Ireland was beautiful. Sometimes, I would simply reply, "Why not?" The truth is, I don't know why I chose to spend five months of my junior year in Cork, Ireland, but it was one of the best, uninformed decisions I've ever made.

Cork is a seaport in southwestern Ireland, and though it is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the third most populous city on the island, it is smaller and less populated than the city of Providence. As a Northwestern student, I’ve grown accustomed to having one of the greatest cities in the world−Chicago−right in my backyard. I remember choosing Northwestern over other schools because of the access I would have to a city that I have come to know and love over the last three years. Upon arriving in Cork for the first time on December 31, 2011, I began to prepare myself to be underwhelmed by a city that was smaller than my little state’s capital. I could not have been more wrong. Cork might not be home to the Eiffel Tower, the Globe Theatre or the Colosseum (three amazing sites I saw in my European travels), but it is an incredible city in its own right and one that I am happy to have called home even just for a little while.

Without a language barrier, I chatted easily with students, waitresses and street performers about rugby, the electoral system of Ireland, Barack Obama, the Sears Tower and my apparently nasally American accent. The Irish love to chat. The elderly owner of a second-hand bookstore on Paul Street spent half an hour telling me about the week he spent in Chicago when he was twenty. The fiddle player outside of Gloria Jean's Coffee Shop explained to me the differ-

University College Cork

It is too hard for me to sum up my experiences in Ireland. I still couldn’t tell you why I chose to study there instead of Spain or England, or even why I chose Cork instead of Dublin or Galway, but I can tell you that I wouldn’t trade my five months in Cork for five months in any other country or city…Back in May 2011, for whatever reason, I chose Cork. By May 2012, it was a city that I happily called home.

The River Lee

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ence−or lack there of−between a fiddle and a violin. And it seemed that everyone was just as eager to hear what I had to offer, wanting especially to know why I came to Ireland. The question couldn't be escaped even after I had arrived.

As a student enrolled directly at University College Cork, I took five courses and interacted on a daily basis with both local Irish students and Irish lecturers. I read Seamus Heaney poetry and Samuel Beckett plays in a coffee shop on the bank of the River Lee. I learned about the tumultuous history of the Republic of Ireland and the conflicts that continued up until the late 20th century in Northern Ireland, and then visited Belfast the following weekend. For several months, I threw myself into Irish culture in the classroom with courses on Anglo-Irish literature, Irish history and Irish politics and outside the classroom by learning how to play Gaelic football, traveling through the countryside, doing a homestay in Carrigaline and forming friendships with a group of Irish students living down the street from me.

Discovering Quirks and Disparities

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While I knew I was in Cork, it began to feel like home. I fell into a routine that felt natural. I went to class just as I do at Northwestern. I spent time with friends and met new people constantly.

I joined the tennis club and played for an hour most Sunday nights. So, the days flew by. I grew used to the view of St. Finbarr's Cathedral from my bedroom window, and the lilting, nearly impenetrable Cork accent became, well, less impenetrable. I started to order “chips” instead of “fries” at restaurants and wearing a raincoat became second nature.

It is too hard for me to sum up my experiences in Ireland. I still couldn’t tell you why I chose to study there instead of Spain or England, or even why I chose Cork instead of Dublin or Galway, but I can tell you that I wouldn’t trade my five months in Cork for five months in any other country or city. For two weeks in April, I traveled through England, Spain, France and Italy, and while I loved that adventure, I was glad to return to my apartment in Cork. Back in May 2011, for whatever reason, I chose Cork. By May 2012, it was a city that I happily called home.

Here at Northwestern, I’m preparing for a busy senior year. I’m majoring in psychology with a minor in Spanish, and I work as a research assistant in two psychology labs on campus, one that focuses on cognitive neuropsychology and the other on clinical psychology. Since freshmen year, I’ve been involved with Northwestern Community Development Corps (NCDC), an organization that seeks to engage our student body in community development, and starting this fall, I will be on the executive board as one of the community outreach co-chairs. I’m still undecided regarding my post-graduation plans, but I would love to continue studying psychology in graduate school or find work at a non-profit organization.

-Laura Hagen ’06

started at Rice University in Houston, Texas for my freshman year, intending to study medieval history and do a semester abroad at some point. It quickly became clear that I needed out, though: the school wasn’t a good fit for me, medieval studies classes were not nearly as interesting as a Philippa Gregory novel, and, most importantly, I realized that I couldn’t study creative writing, which had been my passion all along. So I did yet another college search and application process, this time focusing on schools with a creative writing program. It didn’t cross my mind to look at international schools, but my dad found the University of British Columbia’s program in his searches. What put UBC over the top was the variety of genres they offer.

My main interest is non-fiction, particularly memoir and travel writing; most schools stuck to just fiction and poetry, while UBC offered basic through advanced creative non-fiction, not to mention writing for children, graphic novels, and songwriting.

In the end, it came down to UBC and Johns Hopkins. I still wanted to get out of the Northeast, and I had a sense that the culture of Johns Hopkins would be similar to what I was trying to leave behind at Rice. I’ve been vacationing at my family’s cabin in British Columbia every summer since I was seven, so although I hadn’t spent much time in Vancouver, I had some idea what to expect there. I knew that it was a beautiful city surrounded by ocean, forest, and mountains. I knew that British Columbians are generally welcoming and optimistic, if a bit liberal for my taste. I knew that it rained a lot. I was confident I could handle living out of the country, too; I’d already been a day’s travel from home when I was down in Texas, and I figured that a border didn’t make too much difference.

With my sorority team competing in a campus-wide relay race, one element of which required us to scale a 12-foot wall. [Laura is far right in the photo.]

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So I went for it, and I have never once felt it was the wrong choice. The writing program is phenomenal. It’s entirely comprised of small workshop classes, so I get direct feedback from my professors, who are well-published writers, and my exceptionally talented classmates, whose work I am lucky enough to read as well.

As much as Canada seems similar to the United States, there are a lot of distinctions between the two cultures. Some were immediately obvious, like brands and chains. Target, for example, has not yet reached western Canada, but there is the Real Canadian Superstore, and while you will not find a Ruby Tuesday or T.G.I. Friday’s, you can eat a family meal at The White Spot. Oreos taste different and are made by Christie’s, the Canadian branch of Nabisco. Starbucks is everywhere, but Blenz Coffee is equally prevalent and essentially the same, although they have better baked goods. Chapters, not Borders, is the reviled big-box bookstore. A friend once asked if we had Dairy Queen in the States, which I found rather galling. I don’t notice these substitutions as much anymore, though I do begin to crave a Five Guys burger at a certain point in the term.

All these differences that make me want to eventually return to the States, though, are also part of what makes studying in Vancouver so gratifying. I have a chance to become an expert of a city and a culture, to make it my own – learn the bus system, the lingo, the geography, the best restaurants and bars. My hope is that someday I can show my kids around Vancouver and gripe about how much has changed since I went to school there.

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On a hike with friends this past spring in the North Shore Mountains

Linguistic differences emerged more slowly. Vancouver has the general Canadian accent to some degree, but it’s not the stereotypical “a-boot” sound. The initial “a” in words like Yamaha and Mazda are pronounced like the “a” in yam, and “decal” is pronounced “DECK-uhl.” Some items show a more British influence, like mum instead of mom. One thing I can’t wrap my head around is that they drop “with” when they talk about finishing an event. For example, they would say, “When are you done class?” or “I’m done exams on the 21st.” I first saw it on Facebook and assumed it was a typo, but I realized quickly that it’s a Canadian thing; even after two years, that one is jarring. As a lover of language in general, I still enjoy discovering these little quirks and disparities–and the resulting arguments about whose version is right.

I get asked a lot whether or not I’ll stay in Vancouver or Canada when I graduate, and so far my answer hasn’t changed: No, I’m going to settle in the U.S. Most Vancouverites can’t fathom this. They all think their city is heaven on earth, and in many ways, it’s hard to argue. You get the best of the great outdoors and the big city, unreal restaurants, top-notch public transit, and moderate weather. I do enjoy living in Vancouver, but it’s not going to be right for me in the long run: it is inarguably very expensive, very crowded, and very liberal. As a moderate conservative in the U.S., I’m considered deeply right wing in Vancouver. I’ve verbally tangled with friends, but I’ve always known that neither side was going to convince the other. I’ve learned from these debates that neither country has a perfect political or economic scene, but the American one is what I feel I have a stake in and what fits best with my sensibilities. Living in Vancouver has also taught me just how badly I need to live in the countryside; the fact that I’m five feet away from my neighbor’s kitchen while in my bedroom is absurd to me. My tolerance for traffic and long lines is too low to conceive of making my home in a metro area of over 2 million people.

All these differences that make me want to eventually return to the States, though, are also part of what makes studying in Vancouver so gratifying. I have a chance to become an expert of a city and a culture, to make it my own–learn the bus system, the lingo, the geography, the best restaurants and bars (Cardero’s and The Bourbon, in case you’re ever there). My hope is that someday I can show my kids around Vancouver and gripe about how much has changed since I went to school there.

As for my final year at UBC, it will actually be a year and a half. I wasn’t able to get in to all the workshop classes I needed last year, so while I was able to finish all my other credits, I’ll have to take three semesters of three workshops. My sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta (another thing I wouldn’t have experienced if I had stayed at Rice), takes up a lot of my free time; I currently have a programming coordinator position and play dodgeball and flag football. And as chance would have it, my best friend out there, whom I met in songwriting class, grew up in Danbury, Connecticut. As far as after graduation, I'd like to travel and maybe find a place to work abroad. Right now I like the idea of working on a ranch in the Australian outback for a while before settling back in the States.

Courage and Patience

T

-Elma Burnham ’06

rying to describe my four months in Cameroon is kind of like trying to describe a favorite food. If I told you that maple syrup tasted sweet, soft, and smoky, I have neither done it justice nor piqued your appetite.

Those who know its taste may now be craving a short stack from their local greasy spoon smothered in Vermont’s famous syrup, but unfortunately for me very few of those reading this will know the taste of Cameroon—and even fewer will know the taste of my experience there.

It’s possible that the twelve peers I spent last semester with don’t even know the taste. Sure, we were all eating maple syrup…but each from a different tree. For those of you who can conjure up a little taste of Cameroon, West Africa, or even Africa, please forgive me. I’m sure we have many shared experiences, and I’m sure you’ll also understand why I’m confident the overall readership isn’t exactly sure where or what I’m talking about. This is not meant to be a guilt trip or a bragging contest—rather I’m trying to cover my own hide as I attempt to explain the inexplicable. It’s okay that you don’t know anything about Cameroon, neither did I. If this opening has inspired you to pull out a map, I thank you—you’ll find the country on the west coast under the shoulder, bordered by Nigeria to the north and tiny Equatorial Guinea to the south as well as Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, and Gabon to the east. Now as I attempt to describe my time in this funny-shaped country, I am already sure that I will fail. Not only because four months anywhere is indescribable but also because I have Binyavanga Wainaina’s satirical piece “How to Write About Africa” breathing down my neck. His article is a great, cynical viewpoint that challenges all of us to forgo the stereotypes of “The Dark Continent.”

With the Bongos, one of my three homestay families

Two of my classmates with Maxime, our local fruit vendor in the capital.

All this being said, I will do my best. I will try to, at the very least, describe a little taste of my four months. I traveled and studied in Cameroon with the School for International Training with a program focusing on social pluralism and development. Cameroon defines itself as an “emerging” country and has a set of development goals hoping to be reached by 2035; the country is immensely diverse with over 200 ethnic groups living in relative peace. I lived with homestay families in three different cities, spending the longest stint of six weeks with a Muslim family in the northern city of Ngaoundéré. For the first two and a half months we took classes within our program, focusing on development, French, and preparing for the last month when we each conducted independent research. My research project led me to two 6th grade classrooms, one Anglophone and one Francophone, where I observed the teaching styles and the cultural differences created by the different languages. While my studies were interesting and central to my semester, it was the experience of living abroad and trying my hand at cultural immersion that made this experience fascinating, challenging, and totally worth it.

Part of my experience was actually shared with my mom with whom I spent several days hiking. In this photo, we’re at the top of Mt. Cameroon, which boasts an elevation of 13,255 feet. Putting that into context for New Englanders, that peak’s elevation is over double that of Mount Washington.

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The aforementioned ethnic diversity of Cameroon means that the country has two official languages, French and English, as well as over 200 national, localized languages. One of these is Fulfulde, spoken mainly in the Muslim north. In Ngaoundéré, a winding city with a beautiful Islamic aesthetic, I learned two very important Fulfulde words that help to explain my experience: hapdou and hakila.

Hapdou means courage; I very rarely felt unsafe in Cameroon, but at the beginning it took courage to use my French, to leave my room to hang out with my host families, to ask the hard questions, to order the very Cameroonian ndole instead of the pomme frites. This hapdou paid off not only in the market where I learned to barter for a fair price, or at least the fairest price a white college student could get, while making friends with the vendors all along. After the initial hesitation to use my French, aggressively arguing that my Cameroonian friend bought the same thing for a third of the price, it became a friendly game where both parties (usually) came out smiling.

Hakila means patience and is most often used as a warning to be careful or pay attention but can also be directly translated. For instance, when I stepped a little too far out in the road, a little too close to a moto-taxi, someone yelled, “Hakila Nasarah!” (Patience, white lady!). This was not a defining moment of my semester, but patience was. We began to call it Cameroonian time; it’s one of the larger cultural differences between Americans and Cameroonians, possibly Americans and most everyone else. Firstly, things don’t always run on time, and when they don’t no one is at fault.

This semester gave me a new lens to understand my culture and myself, and it is still fascinating to me how fast we Americans move through life. We call this a necessary pace, but really, we could all use a little hakila.

There’s no need to rush. Secondly, we can patiently relax together by doing just that—being together. We don’t need to plan an activity or talk the other’s ear off. This semester gave me a new lens to understand my culture and myself, and it is still fascinating to me how fast we Americans move through life. We call this a necessary pace, but really, we could all use a little hakila in my opinion.

Photos speak louder than words; my words are only a taste-tester’s first descriptions, but I hope I could portray a feeling of this place and this semester. I still have not done it complete justice, just as I could not fully explain my own self, skin, culture while in Cameroon. Instead, I widened my palate and took a taste. The taste is exciting, new, different, takes some energy and patience, and is highly recommended! Hapdou and hakila, mes amis.

I’m looking forward to my senior year and will be staying busy with the Middlebury Activities Board Marketing Committee, the student darkroom, and WRMC 91.1 college radio. I plan to graduate with a major in French and minors in elementary education and African American studies.

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Seeing for the First Time -Zoe McLean ’06

O

n August 8th, 2011 I left my country, my home, my family, my friends and my comfort zone in hopes of immersing myself in the world's fastest growing economy−China. I began my year abroad in Hong Kong where I lived in Kowloon, often referred to as the "dark side," because its location is across the water from all the international banks and wealthy residents.

I was fortunate to take business classes with a focus on Southeast Asia and Chinese from a mainlander at City University. Often on the weekends, my friends and I would travel around Southeast Asia. During my 12 weeks of classes I was able to visit the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Macau.

After completing the academic portion of my semester, I traveled again throughout Southeast Asia for ten days. Nine friends and I flew to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where we visited a small portion of the Viet Cong tunnels and the War Remnants Museum. All ten of us climbed through dark, dusty and 95+ degree tunnels that were once used by the Viet Cong. Being able to learn about the Vietnam War from a different perspective, was to say the least, eye opening! There are many events that occurred during the Vietnam War that are not included in American history text books. Specifically, the after effects of chemical warfare on the Vietnam population and future generations. After touring the Viet Cong tunnels and War Remnants Museum, all I could think was "How can the Vietnamese people be so kind and courteous to us?" At the end of the day, our tour guide told us that the United States and Vietnam were once enemies but now they are no longer and that both countries are now at peace with each other. Though this is true, it is important to note that there isn’t a single McDonalds in Vietnam and it is not because the market could not support it. I left Vietnam with a whole new perspective of the United States and our decisions in warfare.

I then traveled across Cambodia to Siem Reap where I was able to see the Angkor Wat temples. I left Siem Reap and headed for the disputed border of Cambodia and Thailand, which is known as Poipet, and then onward to Bangkok, Thailand. The last part of my trip was spent on the beautiful beaches of Phuket, Thailand.

Here I am on The Bund with Pudong, the financial district of Shanghai in the People’s Republic of China, in the background. The Bund is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai.

With a full grown Bengal tiger in Chiang Mai, Thailand (my parents can be seen behind the fence!)

When I returned to Hong Kong, I began interning in the Central District, the financial capital of Asia, at Cohen & Steers Asia Limited. Interning in Hong Kong was one of my favorite experiences while living abroad. I developed a deeper understanding of the Asian financial market and specifically commercial real estate, and the growth it is experiencing. I learned how companies deal with different cultural business practices and the struggles that come from language barriers and interpreters. I was able to experience first-hand how an office that deals with billions of dollars of assets functions on a day-to-day basis in an unpredictable market. While I was interning, I was assigned to build an Excel spreadsheet that tracked and predicted the performance of a company's stock Cohen & Steers was interested in investing in. I also updated Excel spreadsheets, sat in on meetings with the analysts, traded stock with their trader, and read a lot of annual reports.

After completing the 6-week internship, I said goodbye to my abroad group and hello to my parents. For the next two months my family and I lived out of our suitcases and traveled throughout Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Mainland China.

After saying a tearful goodbye to my parents, I began my studies at 清华大学 (Tsinghua University), China's most prestigious university. There I enrolled in an intensive Chinese language program that ran four hours a day, five days a week and took a course called “China in Transition” where we had open discussions about China's government, economics, environment, foreign relations, and culture. After a semester of studying beginner level Chinese at Tsinghua, I am happy to write that I will be placing into Intermediate 2 at Tulane University this fall semester. The key to learning Chinese is practice, practice, practice. It means studying the characters every night and speaking with locals and friends at all times.

I was constantly practicing my spoken Chinese with taxi drivers, bus boys, waiters, and locals.

After completing the semester, I took a bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai interning at SOHO China and AsiaMedia. At SOHO China, I dealt with English-speaking clients and at AsiaMedia I performed social media research for the company’s clients.

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Being abroad has given me the chance to look at the world from a new angle. I've had access to individuals whose opinions are not aligned with the US. I've listened to Chinese students speak about the China Communist Party, and I’ve been able to hear opinions of those who do not agree with the CCP. Life in China is significantly different than it is in the US. I was constantly outside of my comfort zone.

At times people stared, gawked, touched my skin and took photos of me.

But other times, they invited me into their homes and told me about their family.

In front of the City People's Community Office in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam

Upon arriving in Shanghai, I was blown away by how modern and European the city appeared. In the last 20 plus years, Shanghai has gone from having 30 skyscrapers to over 250!

While writing this piece for ViewPoints, I was able to reflect about my time in Asia and what I have learned. Choosing to go to China was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It opened my mind to a whole new perspective on life and the world. It was as if I could truly "see" for the first time in my life. The United States news and media is clouded and extremely one-sided.

U.S.-China relations are horrendous and the American media constantly portrays China as a scapegoat, out to get the U.S. But once you leave, you see that it's not just China that is furthering the issues between the two countries.

Being abroad has given me the chance to look at the world from a new angle. I've had access to individuals whose opinions are not aligned with the U.S. I've listened to Chinese students speak about the China Communist Party, and I’ve been able to hear opinions of those who do not agree with the CCP. Life in China is significantly different than it is in the U.S. I was constantly outside of my comfort zone. At times people stared, gawked, touched my skin and took photos of me. But other times, they invited me into their homes and told me about their family.

They asked where I was from and told me they loved America. And to this I quickly responded "我爱中国" (I love China). I have countless stories from my time in China, and I've met so many amazing people. One of my favorite experiences in Beijing was the time I spent with my Chinese class in and outside of class. There were 13 students in my class from 10 different countries and the ages ranged from 18 to 43. To say the least, it was a vibrant and diverse group. I was the only American and often teased for it, all in good fun though. The teasing consisted of my accent, clothes, beliefs about the world, love of hamburgers and Coca-Cola, and being one of the youngest in the class. I went out at night with my class and one time we were even able to convince our Chinese teachers to come out for a class dinner at a Korean BBQ restaurant. At the restaurant, we ate delicious Korean food, practiced our Chinese, played drinking games and attempted to get our teachers intoxicated.

The night ended with KTV (karaoke), an extremely popular activity in Asia.

Anyone with an open mind and an interest in the Far East should consider a trip to China. Be prepared to be completely blown away. I am studying international business and Mandarin at Loyola University New Orleans. I am looking forward to returning to my university and finishing my degree. At the moment I cannot make up my mind about returning to Beijing during the summer of 2013 or pursuing an internship as an analyst in New York. Even if I do not make it to Beijing next year, I know that I will get back to China soon enough. China means so much to me and is dear to my heart.

With my Tsinghua Chinese class at a Korean BBQ with our teachers

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The Importance of Turning the Map Around -Duncan Grimm ’08 At the Saigon Post Office

In an age when an entire city can be built overnight, where is the place for history? Is old culture becoming obsolete? I would argue no, and agree with Professor Rob Efird (Kunming/Seattle University) and assert that history has the “unique ability to mediate between past and present,” and to provide individuals with a firm foundation on which to stand.

W

ouldn’t it be great if there were places where someone could have their world views broadened daily, social norms challenged, and boundaries pushed?

In late June 2012, I returned from Southeast Asia, where all of these things occurred. I went with 19 other Trinity College students and three professors who had expertise in history, environmental sciences, and urban studies. In thinking how to begin this piece, I thought about writing that this study abroad experience was the most other-worldly and eye-opening traveling I have ever undertaken. To say this, however, puts a strong sense of finality in my opinion.

This trip has helped me to realize that at Trinity, these opportunities exist on a daily basis; one merely needs to recognize and take advantage of them.

That being said, my four-and-a-half week trip through China, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam and nine culturally diverse cities was a whirlwind. The trip was an extension, a summer component, of a class (“River Cities of Asia”) I took this past spring semester. One of the defining characteristics of the course was its interdisciplinary nature involving history, sociology, and environmental science, a theme which remained true, both throughout the school semester and on the opposite side of the world. Our excursions all were related to this approach, and towards the middle of the trip, I saw the connectivity of all of the subject areas. I am a history major because after extensive study of enough topics, one can begin to see the transcendent themes throughout the ages of human history. I took this course because of my passion for history, but also because I wanted the exposure to sociology and environmental sciences in a unique way.

The programming began with several days of preliminary lectures and excursions to relevant sites such as the Connecticut River Museum in Essex and the Pratt & Whitney Research and Development facility in East Hartford to name two. The morning we were to leave for the far side of the world came sooner than I thought possible, and at 2:00 a.m. we boarded a bus that would take us to Newark Airport. We would then arrive in Shanghai by way of Toronto, Canada.

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Sixteen hours later found us in a jet-lagged state; and disembarking the plane into a foggy world, I soon recognized this as the most populous place I had ever been, and probably ever will be. Even in our temporarily handicapped state, the incredible nature of where we were was not lost on us.

Shanghai was a vast megalopolis, blending ancient, colonial and modern China together. While the U.S. is a post-industrial, twenty-first century power, using many of its traditionally industrial waterways today for pleasure, (i.e. the Connecticut River) China is still undergoing, albeit rapidly, much of the industrialization the United States undertook over a century ago. Consequently, China’s rivers are used primarily for the transport of goods, commodities, fishing, and other economic practices.

Chongqing, a city of 28 million people, almost four times the size of New York City, was memorable as the place where two major rivers−the Jialing and Yangtze− come together. Chongqing is China’s economic powerhouse as the major manufacturing city and transportation hub of China. Here we saw the HP laptop factory, Pratt & Whitney, and the Zongshen motorcycle factory.

Our itinerary stipulated we visit several state-run planning halls in Shanghai, Chongqing, and Kunming, but soon a theme emerged highlighting the major disconnect between what the urban planners thought and the livelihoods of the everyday Chinese. It seemed planners were so busy making (quite literally) concrete plans, they were forgetting the historic traditions of people which make the Chinese culture so incredible.

Traditional foods being prepared for tourist enjoyment in a rebuilt town near Lijiang

A view of a section of Chongqing at night

Next we visited Kunming and pastoral Lijiang, our last stops in China, before journeying onward. It was fascinating to study these cities and locales as separate entities; it was possible to see physical change and rapid modernization in front of us. Cranes were everywhere in China, giving the impression that every conceivable piece of land was bagged and tagged, the clock ticking as to when a new high rise complex would be built.

In stark contrast to Chongqing was Vientiane, Laos, the capital that time has forgotten. I could reserve that eponym for several of the places we visited, not the least of which was Can Tho, Vietnam, but as we traveled through Laos and Cambodia, the European colonial architecture looked as if it had not been touched since the Japanese and French exodus.

The most notable old street in Chongqing is the Shibati, which means “eighteen stairs,” or steps. The name goes back to the Ming Dynasty when the area housed a well just 18 steps from the nearby residential area. Sadly, the area is slated for demolition within the year.

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Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia were also astounding for their very well-preserved ancient and colonial architecture. Most Americans only visit Cambodia to experience the world’s largest religious complex of Angkor Wat, as our group did as well. However, after the nightmare of dictatorships in the years following the Vietnam War, Laos and Cambodia are just now beginning to show signs of hope for the future. It is a region out of sight, out of mind for many Westerners, but as we move towards an increasingly globalized world, it is a region that will be essential to understand and work with to combat global issues such as climate change and growing pollution. The Mekong River, the third largest river in the world, leaves China and flows through Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, however, the Mekong is regulated on paper only, as the countries downstream of China have no way of controlling the water themselves, or regulating what their neighbors do.

As we came full circle to Saigon, our final stop, it felt as if it was thriving. There was colonial architecture, but it was in good condition and Saigon is the destination for many tour groups. There were many people, but the roadways were well maintained. Unlike Cambodia and Laos, where the foreign influence was old and forgotten, Saigon felt like Boston or Chicago in the sense that it was a modern, twenty-first century city. It has held a large foreign presence in recent history, and continues to do so during present-day as well.

In many of the places we visited so much was changing but so much was also remaining the same. It was fascinating to see how these cities, steeped in tradition and history, have dealt with the changing times, and their “progressive,” and “western” minded governments. Often the governments’ plans do not align with what is best for their populations. In an age when an entire city can be built overnight, where is the place for history? Is old culture becoming obsolete? I would argue no, and agree with Professor Rob Efird (Kunming/Seattle University) and assert that history has the “unique ability to mediate between past and present,” and to provide individuals with a firm foundation on which to stand, while giving architects, city planners, and the average person context,

The Phnom Penh Post Office, a classic example of French architecture, was virtually untouched since French forces departed Vietnam following their defeat at Ðiên Biên Phu, in 1954. .

The Stone Forest, or Shilin, is a set of limestone formations located near Shilin approximately 75 miles from the provincial capital Kunming. Since 2007, two parts of the site have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites though condos and hotels are being developed on the very edge of the park.

something concrete and definite to hold on to throughout this whirlwind of development. This experience indelibly affected my view not only of Southeast Asia and China but the world as a whole. We were exposed to people whose challenges are greater than our own, who have less, yet whose nations have the potential to affect great change in the very near future. I am glad to be where I am, but I am also glad I had the unique opportunity to turn the map around and see our world through their eyes, to see their daily lifestyle, and to fully immerse myself in China and Southeast Asia.

From the Author I am very much looking forward to returning to Trinity this fall for another successful semester. Before the academic year begins, however, I am staff on a freshman orientation program on the Appalachian Trail, the same program in which I participated one year ago. The program, known as Quest, is put on by the college and led almost entirely by students. Of the two positions open to students, Quest Leaders and Quest Staff, I am the latter, and my job is to supply and inventory gear and food into crates for each group. Once the group of six freshmen and two leaders receives their crate, they divide up the gear and food as equally as possible to carry with them on the trail. During the program itself, the Quest Staff members should get some hiking in as well, for the majority of our work is at the beginning, middle turnaround between groups, and at the end with clean-up. A day after the end of Quest the school year officially begins.

As a history major, my classes this fall reflect this track. I’ll be taking “Crusades and Medieval Society,” “World War II,” and “Classical Art and Archeology,” as well as a class on Marx, Nietzsche, and Freud, and finally a logic course to finish out the second half of my mathematics requirement.

The previous two semesters saw me “launched” successfully into the college academic sphere with courses ranging from Tolstoy to Renaissance Italy and a major declaration somewhere in between. I may go on to focus additionally in English literature and/or international relations, perhaps with additional classics courses wedged in to continue previous successes from The Williams School. This is not to say that I’ll be in the library for the next nine months. I consider myself fortunate to have wonderful friends from all walks of life and different involvements around campus, and I also hope to rekindle my dormant sailing career, or start fresh with rugby. Suffice it to say I’ll be busy, but most importantly, I’ll be engaging all of my faculties to make the absolute most of my time at Trinity College.

[For interested parties, you can explore the blog Duncan kept at dgrimm.blogspot.com.]

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Engineering Boot Camp -David C. Hannon, Director of Development

F

or 17 plus years, I’ve been making the drive from my home in Westerly, RI to Pine Point. Part of the drive takes me down Rt. 1, passing Stonington High School on my left and Stonington Police Department on my right.

Next to the police station is a relatively new brick structure that houses the manufacturing facility and offices of Cable Components Group (CCG). Like most people who live in the area, I doubt many know what CCG does, nor that they employ a workforce of 63 people in their 68,000 square-foot facility.

It’s one of the largest, cutting-edge companies in southeastern Connecticut that utilizes its intellectual property of eleven patents to innovate new products predominantly focused on serving the market for copper and fiber optic high speed data transmission cabling.

Charles Glew ‘07 at the hopper after loading pellets of FluroFoam

I had an opportunity to tour the plant back in June. Suffice to say that my write-up of what I found had broad input from the owner of the plant, Chuck Glew, and his son, Charles ’07. In my conversations with them, I nodded my head a lot, suggesting that I was getting what they were saying. In truth, most of it was far beyond this former history teacher.

CCG was started 15 years ago by past board member and parent, Chuck Glew. The company designs and engineers extruded products that are used within cables. These cabling fillers include tapes, mono- and multi-filaments, crosswebs, and tubes, which are used as the “cable guts” to separate copper twisted pairs or house delicate fiber optic members. CCG utilizes 30 extrusion lines to manufacture these products.

Several years ago, CCG developed an evolutionary, chemically-foamable pellet called FluoroFoam® for fluoropolymer cable fillers that improved cable flexibility, enhanced electrical performance, and exceeded all Underwriter Laboratories (UL) standards for plenum local area network cables with respect to fire retardancy and low smoke characteristics. In today’s world of ever-increasing data transmission speeds that are required by banks, brokerages, on-line retailers, hospitals, etc., the demand for lightning-fast data transmission is paramount. Foamed fluoropolymers optimize electrical performance by mitigating signal loss. In the last decade, data rates have climbed from 100 megabits to 1 gigabit to today’s 10 gigabit per second standard for Category 6A local area networks. CCG’s patented flap-top design, which uses FluoroFoam®, is a dominant product for this cabling standard. Currently the cabling industry is pushing toward the adoption of a 40 gigabit per second performance standard. Based on this trend, CCG is developing for the wire and cable industry its FluoroFoam® foamable pellets for use as an insulating material.

In tackling this new market segment for fluoropolymer foamed insulations wherein over a billion plus feet of cabling is used annually in North America, CCG has set up an engineering team and dedicated an extrusion line to process foamed fluoropolymers for these thin wall insulations, i.e., (.007 to .010 inches).

Charles Glew ’07 has worked throughout the plant over the last six summers, involved in a number of maintenance department activities ranging from learning to weld steel to adjusting the rpm of servo motors. For the last two summers he has learned to extrude a wide range of polymers from Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) to Polyethylene (PE) to Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) working with manufacturing and process engineering. He likens his experience to “engineering boot camp.”

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Charles is a rising junior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, NY where he is pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. In choosing RPI, our country’s oldest technological research university, he indicated he doesn’t mind “getting greasy.” This summer, he joined the CCG process engineering team working to improve FluoroFoam®. While he understands the need to learn from the classrooms of RPI thermodynamic rates and direction of chemical reaction and the material science of molecular weight and melt flow properties, he has always been focused on “hands-on” learning. In working at CCG, he gets to do that.

When I visited Charles in June on the manufacturing floor of CCG, he and others of the process engineering team were setting up to run a .0075 inch insulation over 24 Awg copper (.0201 inch diameter) at 1800 feet per minute with a 30% foamed FEP dielectric. Prior to the run, Charles had selected the tip and die tooling and bolted them on the extrusion head. As with any design or experiment for polymer extrusion, the temperature profile for the seven zones of the extruder were dialed in ranging from 690°F in the first zone to 760°F in the extrusion head. Given the multitude of variables of temperature, pressure, foaming rate, etc., the target was a stable and smooth insulation thickness at 1800 feet per minute so that FluoroFoam® would be economically viable to the wire and cable industry for data cables. Charles and the engineering team met this goal and their research and development activity will be presented in a technical paper at the International Wire & Cable Symposium on November 12, 2012 in Providence, RI. At the end of our time together, Charles said, “All of my summer work in polymer extrusion is laden with math and science.” He was quick to point out that the 8th and 9th grade math and science program at Pine Point, along with “an amazing chemistry teacher at Portsmouth Abbey,” put him on the right path toward chemical engineering at RPI. This fall, Mrs. Owen, Pine Point’s 8th and 9th grade math teacher (she’s also Middle School Head) will bring her students to Cable Components Group to see how math can be directly applied to real-life situations. No doubt the experience will prompt one or two of the students to reconsider their view of math and science.

In the lab analyzing data with his father (far right)

Keeping Things Running

Matt Wright ‘98 works on a specialty fabric on a machine he built. The fabric is ECTFE (Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene). ECTFE is a chemical resistant and fire-retardant, non-woven fabric used for filtration in coal-fired plants.

L

ong-time Pine Point faculty who had Matt Wright ’98 in class can tell you that going back to his days in the kindergarten he was happiest when he was building something or playing trucks. Those passions never died; the toys just got bigger and the work more complicated.

As it turns out, there’s a second Pine Point connection at Cable Components Group. Matt is one of three individuals responsible for maintenance at the plant. Matt has broad responsibilities at the plant and brings to the job considerable talents. In asking about his role at CCG, he explained, “I’m here to keep things running. I’m responsible for lots of metal fabrication, which involves a good bit of welding. The goal is to keep as much of the work in-house so we don’t have to go outside the company to get it done, be it repairs or buying equipment. Building some of the machines is like playing Legos.”

Matt met Chuck Glew at one of the Pine Point Weekend Warriors projects in the fall of 2006 that saw the clearing of the stone wall Charles and Matt at the latter’s work bench behind the playing fields. That shared volunteer effort and a simple conversation on a Saturday morning turned into full-time work that demands creativity and machining skills. Asked about Matt, Chuck said, “He’s an incredible welder, a great lathe operator and designs innovative ancillary equipment to improve extrusion efficiency. It was Matt who taught Charles how to weld back when Charles started working at CCG in the summers when he was at Pine Point.”

After graduating from Pine Point and Stonington High School, Matt served with AmeriCorps in the Catskills where he was involved in environmental education, rock wall restoration, and trail building. He later moved to Wisconsin where he graduated from a heavy equipment operator training school, receiving national certification and his CDL (commercial drivers license). He returned to Stonington and worked for Beacon Home Improvement and Excavating while running WrightWay Services, a landscaping and snow removal business he started in 2006.

Outside of work, Matt is a member of the Wequetequock Volunteer Fire Department. A diesel truck enthusiast, he is a member of the Nu Generation Muscle Truck Club.

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From the Development Office -David C. Hannon, Director of Development

T

he quiet of summer offers the opportunity to put together the Annual Report, and, in doing so, reflect on the past year. The great news is that Pine Point enjoyed strong success in the areas of endowment giving, special events, and the Annual Fund.

Endowment Our endowment continues to see solid growth as a result of a rising market, but even more, its value has increased as a result of a steady infusion of gifts. In the last four years, over $1 million in new gifts and pledges have been made to help secure the long-term financial stability of Pine Point. In this most recent year, $195,000 was added to the endowment. The bulk of the giving came in the form of two additional installments ($129,000) from the estate of Loring Bailey honoring his wife, Dot, while the Chester Kitchings Foundation gave $45,000 to enhance the Davis K. Knox ’04 Financial Aid Fund. In a time of explosive demand for financial aid, the growth of the Knox Fund is playing a critically important role in making the Pine Point experience a possibility for new and even current families.

As laid out in the winter/spring issue of this magazine, there are a number of endowment funds that are regularly enhanced by family members to honor or memorialize a loved one. We’re grateful for their enduring commitment. As well, during the course of the year, over $10,000 was given in memory of former Head of School Alan Houghton while the retirement of beloved Preschool teacher Sandy Walton resulted in $5,500 being directed to The Fund for Teaching Excellence.

The importance of the endowment in providing a stable source of funds for Pine Point cannot be underestimated. At the end of August our endowment stood at just under $2.2 million. In the very near future the endowment will be adding $100,000/year to the operating budget. (The 5% draw on the endowment is based on a rolling threeyear average of its value.) We need to do even more to strengthen the endowment, but for a few moments we should take great pride in what we’ve been able to achieve together in building this important resource.

Special Events Special events continue to have an important place in the overall development program. We again partnered with some of the area’s bestloved restaurants (S&P Oyster House, Bravo Bravo, Azu, Señor Flaco’s and Bridge) to raise funds for Pine Point, to support local businesses, and to enjoy the company of other members of the Pine Point family. Certainly two of the highlights of the year were the service at Pine Point that brought together alumni from across the country to honor Alan Houghton and the two gatherings in May to celebrate Sandy Walton’s great teaching.

We also hosted the alumni reunion and the alumni soccer and field hockey games, the donor reception, an alumni reception in Boston, the golf tournament (the upcoming tournament in May 2013 will be the 21st time we’ve run the event!) and, of course, one of our favorite days of the year−Grandparents’/Grandpersons’ Day, which this year brought to campus 220 special friends and guests.

Of all of this year’s special events, however, it was the Snow Ball that stands out. In the fall the Board of Trustees determined that it ViewPoints 58

was time to address the issue of suitable changing facilities for our middle school athletes. The mission was clear. We needed to raise $75,000 in net income to make it a reality.

As we had done in 2010, the means would be an auction at an off-campus location.

What accounted for the stunning success of the effort? The same core group that had run the auction in 2010 at the Branford House was ready and willing to do it again augmented by several new individuals. The fact that our venue was at the Ocean House certainly worked in our favor. The response from the Pine Point and extended community in terms of sponsorship, auction item donations, and attendance (a capacity crowd of 250) and the overall generosity of 170 donors resulted in a great event that brought in $147,000! Ask anyone who was at the Ocean House that night. They’ll tell you it was a fabulous evening! And those locker rooms? They were finished in the second week of August and were ready for the kids when they arrived for the first day of school.

Annual Fund The Annual Fund posted its third-best showing in the 63-year history of our School, raising $248,724 to support the entire program. One thing can be said with great conviction about the members of the Pine Point family. When they make a pledge, they keep it. This year, we collected every single pledge made to the Annual Fund. That’s quite extraordinary and worth mentioning.

The success of the Annual Fund is a function of several factors.

Firstly, with 513 donors making a gift this past year, it enjoys a broad base of support. Secondly, within that group are quite a number who make a gift year after year. Over the last five years there are 222 donors who have consecutively made a gift and over a ten-year period that number is 85! Consistent, and generous, giving is critically important to any annual fund-raising effort, and that’s certainly the case for small, independent schools. Lastly, we are blessed to have the support of leadership donors. Donors giving over $500 accounted for 84% of the Annual Fund. Coincidentally, that mark exactly matches leadership giving for last year.

Thank You When all was said and done, just under $700,000 was given to Pine Point! While Pine Point has been accomplishing great things with children since 1948, we are still in many ways a small school. We can’t rest for a moment in our work to ensure its vitality. In this last year, 670 people made a gift to the School. What makes that number all the more impressive is that we are a constituency of approximately 2,000. To this group of 670 donors, I extend our great thanks for their faithfulness. And if you haven’t made Pine Point a priority with your philanthropy, I hope this will be the year that you join the ranks of those who care so passionately about Pine Point.

From the Faithful The Annual Report doesn’t adequately convey the deep attachment and concern so many individuals have for the School, though the breadth of that support suggests that there are, in fact, many whose feelings for Pine Point are strong and long-held. During the course of the year we receive many wonderful notes and emails from alumni, parents, past parents, and grandparents that attest to their abiding faith in Pine Point. We present fifteen unsolicited testimonials that are typical of the sentiment expressed by countless people. Do you have a story to tell about Pine Point? We would love to hear it!

What you do each day at Pine Point is a foundation for our children’s future.-Chuck Glew I still feel a stronger connection to Pine Point than any other school I’ve attended, and I am so grateful for everything it has provided me.

-Laura Hagen ’06 We love catching up with the Pine Point community and of course were happy to see photos of Zach ’96 and Jessica in the last ViewPoints. Every publication is such a wonderful reminder of what a great school Pine Point is and how grateful we are that Zach was able to attend such an exceptional learning environment that truly built the foundation for him to succeed in his business and personal life.

-Janie Stanley What a great job you all have done with the continued building of the School and the continued growth and nurturing of the student body within that special environment—a truly beautiful facility.

-Mimi Borden In reading the winter/spring ViewPoints I was reminded of the role Pine Point played in my life in my ninth grade year. So many layers have covered up that year so I was pleased to have those sentiments come to the fore and grateful that my parents were wise enough to send me there even for a year. While the School has changed in many ways, most noticeably in its physical plant, it certainly is still fulfilling its mission of shaping and guiding young people.-Ellen McGuire ‘68 I recently received my issue of ViewPoints, and all I can say is WOW! I attended Pine Point from grades one through nine and graduated in 1976. My son is attending a very good public school in our neighborhood, and I firmly believe he is getting a better education than I did at Pine Point in the ‘70s. The “Pine Point and the iPad” article impressed me. Christopher Hurtgen’s piece. “Providing the Best Tools,” motivated me. Evidently education has come a long way since I was in grade school. I will share this issue of ViewPoints with my son’s teachers, and will be forever thankful that I have not stopped learning from the educators at Pine Point! Bravo!-Rob Emmet ’76

One of the best gifts of Pine Point is the community that continues long after our students have graduated and moved on. I saw Van Brown at the funeral for Ed Wozniak−a dear and close friend of Ana and Jeff Schneider. I felt comfortable approaching him because of the connection Dugan ’97 and Brianna ’99 had at Pine Point many years ago, and I discovered a man who has an incredible gift I didn't know about−his ability to help hospice patients "cross over.” Pine Point is what is RIGHT with the world right now. I have become increasingly passionate about the values I believe Pine Point shares−respect, accountability, responsibility and kindness. I don't know how we return to these strong core values, but amidst all the "change" we hear happening, this is the change I hope for. Hugs to all.-Holly Carbonneau Pine Point, as always, remains a critical cornerstone in Mia’s ’14 development. Its faculty and staff are inspiring and encouraging beyond my expectations; and Mia’s personality is a reflection of the values Pine Point tries to instill.-Rocky Marciano Hi. This is Emily Marquardt. I am having a great time here in PA. School is different but I have a lot of new friends. The teachers are great, but I always think back to Pine Point. I think 6th grade was my favorite year. I really want to thank you. You helped me so much and I have used everything I learned at Pine Point in my new school. You helped me realize what is most important in life and to give everything 110%. I miss 6th grade so much but it is okay to move on, thank you and I hope to come visit Pine Point soon.

-Love, Emily Marquardt ’14 Pine Point gave me the values and skills I needed for The Williams School and I will continue using them at college next year.

- Parker Verhoeff ‘09 I carry my experiences at Pine Point with me everyday. Pine Point laid an exceptional foundation for my siblings (T.J. ‘98 and Gina ‘01) and me. Having passed the Rhode Island bar exam last summer, I owe a great deal of gratitude to the entire faculty and staff at Pine Point!Nicholas E. Capalbo ’00 I’m happy to once again make a contribution to Pine Point for the large difference you all made in the life of our family. I am ever grateful.-Mary Lenihan How I miss the days when Taras ’10 was in kindergarten at Pine Point and he snuggled into my lap on the floor every Monday morning meeting - telling me, this is a caring school where sons can snuggle their mothers in public! If it would be possible the year 2000 would be my forever year!-Claire Pleskun As always, many thanks to everyone in the Pine Point family who make it such a wonderful place.-Harvey DeMovick, III ’87 Pine Point is near and dear to my heart, and I look forward to being part of its movement toward an even brighter future.-Karen Stone

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2011-2012 Annual Report (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012)

ANNUAL FUND Alumni Businesses Faculty/Staff Foundations Friends Grandparents Parents Past Faculty/Staff Past Grandparents Past Parents Students

$248,724 $23,726 $4,984 $11,188 $31,212 $12,900 $43,254 $81,521 $5,127 $425 $34,216 $171

RESTRICTED GIFTS Dorothy L. Bailey Fund Alan Banister Endowment for the Teaching of Science Frances and Jack Brown Fund

$277,280 $129,050 $100 $1,000

Robbie Campbell ’76 Fund Jules X. Escorcio-Schneider ’86 Fund Geise Library/Technology Center Alan N. and Elizabeth J. Houghton Fund for the Arts Humphreville Endowment Davis K. Knox ’04 Financial Aid Fund Andrew E. Leadbetter ’89 Fund David Whittemore Leib ’70 Fund Marshall G. McKim ’84 Fund Richard W. Mitchell Fund Raymond/Banister Oceanology Fund Restricted Russel T. Miller ’55 Fund Helen L. Petty Book Fund Scholarship The Fund for Teaching Excellence Hugh Huidekoper Toulmin Fund

$250 $2,000 $250 $10,260 $250 $45,000 $100 $50 $50 $1,000 $150 $3,390 $175 $150 $78,420 $5,535 $100

SPECIAL EVENTS Golf Tournament K-1 Quilt Raffle Snow Ball Summer Reception

$173,534 $20,431 $5,135 $147,353 $615

All dollar figures presented in this listing represent new commitments in support of the School.

Donor names presented in the following pages reflect all new gifts and pledge payments made in the last fiscal year.

A listing of Honorary and In Memoriam Gifts can be found on page 71.

Annual Fund Total Giving $699,538

HEAD OF SCHOOL’S CIRCLE ($10,000 and above) Loma and Frederic Carlson Harvey and Jeanne DeMovick, Jr. Josh and Alejandra Welch PINE POINT PARTNERS ($5,000-$9,999) Anonymous Victor K. Atkins, Jr. Alan and Patience Banister Georgina Miller Bissell Linda Goddard and Charlie Gill Joan B. Gray Chester Kitchings Family Foundation (Chester W. Kitchings, Kenneth D. Kitchings ‘70, Margaret Kitchings, Margaret H. Kitchings, and Patricia Kitchings) Paul Long Montauk Foundation (Barbara Timken) Hugh and Debbie O’Brien Carla and Bob Petrocelli ‘81 Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Rick Bob and Nancy Schachner David Schulz and Karen Stone PINE POINT PATRONS ($2,500-$4,999) Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Butler Charles and Kathleen Glew Christopher and Fiona Hilton Ted Liston and Cindy Oksanen John and Sandy Pereira Carl and Dot Reiser Mr. William R. Rolla and Dr. Donna Romito Rolla Cassandra White Sweeney ‘73 FOUNDERS GROUP ($1,949-$2,499) Lou and Sandy Doboe Michael and Leslie Hawley Norman S. Jason

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The Sarah E. Kelly Family Fund David Kelsey and Marcy Withington Daniel and Jennifer King Thomas and Betsy Moukawsher Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Royce Joe Staley

Katherine Hull Perkins S&P Oyster Company David and Jennifer Schwindt Phil and Starr White Snead ‘66 Sue and A.J. Zimbelmann

1948 SOCIETY ($1,500-$1,948) Cy and Maury Anfindsen Pam Brewster ‘71 Jim and DeeDee Buffum Drs. Anca Bulgaru & Constantin Carseli Jak and David Cruthers Lifetouch National School Studios General William Mayer Foundation/Dennis and Debby O’Brien Ardice and John Perry Feng Bian and Lingyu Zhu BENEFACTORS ($1,000-$1,499) Drs. Matthew and Amy Amaro Stephen W. Bennhoff Ratna Bindra ‘87 and Raja Mukherjee Susan H. Blair ‘65 Peter and Candace Briggs Ardelle F. Darling Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Darling, III Raymond F. DuBois, Jr. ‘61 Anne Fix ‘76 and Kevin Bowdler Reginald H. Fullerton, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Julian E. Gillespie Bill and Geraldine Griffin Biao Huang and Hongying Gao Dorothy B. Leib Patsy Marshall Aaron McBride ‘89 Archana and Chandrasekhar Naik John Pagnozzi, M.D. and Kathleen Schwam, Ph.D

Holly Gillespie ‘14 Each year in the Annual Report we spotlight the art work created by the students. Last year, we highlighted the 3rd grade’s use of recycled magazines as the medium for creating collage flowers.

In previous years, we’ve presented the 5th grade’s focus on vertebrates, the 6th grade’s study of birds, and the 8th grade’s examination of musical composers. This year, in a twist, we offer a range of creations by the students.

MAJOR DONORS ($500-$999) Eddie and Julie Abbiati Richard and Susan Arms Richard Arms III ‘87 James Belli and Shelley McBride-Belli Brad and Mimi Borden Drs. Arindam Bose and Gopa Bose Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Bundy David and Heather Burnham Mr. and Mrs. Carl L. Carboni Joy Castle Sharan A. Carney and Dennis A. Holt Castle Family Foundation (Thomas R. Castle ‘67 and Dorrit P. Castle) John “J.B.” Daukas ‘77 Susan and Harvey DeMovick, III ‘87 Drs. Lisa and Bill Donovan Dr. and Mrs. Francis Falck, Jr. Pamela A. Farr Mr. and Mrs. John R. Fix Paul and Robin Geise Lester and Johnatha Gorin Ann Gray ‘73 and James Royle George Haines ‘55 David and Jane Hannon

Emily Rundlett ‘15 Mohammad and Tasneem Khan Nancy Klotz Gay S. Long The John and Karin McCormick Foundation (Karin McCormick) Mary Minn and Insu Kong Diana and Page Owen James and Dina Petrosky Hamilton Salsich Lisa and Stephen Scott Elizabeth Seltzer ‘93 Carol H. Smith SoccerPlus Juniors Stonington Paresh and Manjula Soni Alix and Janie Stanley Edward Stillman ‘91 You Sung and Jennifer Sang Betsy Trimble ‘77 and Michael Feltes Mr. and Mrs. James Weeks Ruth Saunders and Jonathan White Dr. and Mrs. Richard Withington Marilyn Wronowski Drs. Gregory Young and Barbara Deindorfer-Young

Señor Flaco’s Regan and Chris Seymour Anish U. Shah and Kate A. Flanagan-Shah Dr. and Mrs. Ron Slocumb David B. Smith ‘69 and Robin R. Smith G.A. Sprecace, M.D., J.D. Zach Stanley ‘96 Philip and Cynthia Stein Therrien ‘73 Daniel M. and Carol Viccione Mr. and Mrs. William B. White Alexandra Johnstone Wood ‘91 and Peter Wood Mary Denny Wray Debbie and Charlie Wright Heather Lofkin Wright ‘87 and Jonathan A. Ford

Athan Bourganos ‘13 HOUGHTON CIRCLE ($250-$499) Anonymous Abbott Laboratories Bridge Restaurant Mrs. Paul I. Bartholet Daniel and Cynthia Benfield Teddy Benfield ‘08 Aymi Bennhoff Dr. Melinda Blum and Dr. Thomas Blum Louise Desjardins and Jacques Brunswick Sally and Tom Cogan Charles Curtin John and Laurie D’Amato Frederick and Patricia DeMary Roy Dubs Kirsten E. Eckelmeyer ’91 Richard and Jayne Fawcett Margaret Field John and Erica Eppinger Fox ‘88 Jim and Susan Funk Xiang Gao and Anh Tran Holly ‘14, Dean ‘16 and Anna Gillespie ‘19 Barbara Ginsberg ‘70 and Marc Ginsberg Sherrylee W. Green Randy Greene ‘63 Robert and Anne Gregerson Carol H. Hambleton Matt and Meredith Hargus ‘89 W. Lee Hisle and Julie Worthen Thomas and Kimberly Hodgson Robert A. Humphreville ‘73 Lori Ingersoll Jaffe Kathy and Connie Kronholm Harry and Alice Lam Mark, Maryellen, and Maeve Lamson ‘20 Keith and Karen LaRose Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Lawton Jennifer (Niffy) Powers Ligeti ‘81 Bruce and Catherine Littman Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Martin Stafford McLean and Elizabeth Archer Nancy and Brian Neff Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Owen Miles N. Peterle ‘73 Vic and Claire Pleskun Stefanie Pluschkell and Raymond Greene Xizyang Qiu and Sheng-lu Hou Bagley Reid Ellen T. Ryan Diane Corwin Seltzer ‘67 and Mark Seltzer

GREEN AND GOLD TEAM ($100-$249) Anonymous (3) Binti and John Ackley Elaine M. Anderson ‘86 John H. Anderson ‘63 Karen Anderson Karen Rand Anderson Stephen Antoch Isaac Arms ‘92

Alexandra Dubs ‘15

Annual Fund Highlights The Annual Fund was supported by 513 donors with an average gift of $484.

Alumni donors comprised 32% of the total donors. The average alumni gift was $227.

112 donors made a gift of $500 or more. Those leadership gifts accounted for 84% of total giving.

Matching gifts accounted for $17,567 or just over 7% of funds raised.

Online gifts totaled over $38,000.

Consistent giving is critically important to the success of any fund-raising effort. 222 donors (up from 197 last year!) have made an Annual Fund gift for 5 consecutive years while 85 donors have made a gift for 10 consecutive years! Securing the support of new donors is also vitally important.

This year there were 50 new donors.

The most important gift? The one you make!

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Maddie Hurtgen ‘14 Mrs. Herbert M. Atherton Mr. and Mrs. Harold d’O Baker Bank Square Books Peter ’76 and Amy Barry Lisa Tepper Bates and Scott Bates Hugh Beach ‘65 Sheilia Terranova Beattie ’78 and Tom Beattie Debbye and David Bell Ale and Chris Benbow Dean and Sheila Bennett Melissa Bennett Thorr Bjorn ‘83 Neal Bobruff ‘73 and Jane Lassen Bobruff ‘75 Kip Bochain Cathy and Doug Brandt Andrew Bronk ‘12 Karen S. Bronk Leslie Ahern Brown ‘64 Janet and Jeff Buckley Charles and Jane Buffum Sarah Cahill and Sally McGee Erin C. Call and Jay Frink Dr. James F. Calvert, Jr. ‘59 Nicholas E. Capalbo, Esq. ‘00 Thomas J. Capalbo, III, Esq. ‘98 Milly Carlson Robert J. Chambers Jill Champagne Judy and Curt Christoffersen Lee Sprecace Clark ‘78 John ‘55 and Chris Coggeshall Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Collier ‘66 Paul Connor ‘58 Gillian and Charles Crawford Ruth W. Crocker Michael and Leslie Dameron Judy Davis Julie Wright DelPrado ‘89 and Juan DelPrado Tim and Cindie Desmond The Diaz Family Wendy Brakenridge Diffley ‘81 Lara and Garth Dolphin Warren and Judy Dolphin Evan M. Ehrlich ‘06 Sue and Owen Ehrlich Tony Featherston and Helen Roy Peter and Anne-Marie Fleming Tiffany Barres Foley ‘98 John and Barbara Foster Beth and Peter Gianacoplos

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Richard Gildersleeve ‘53 Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Godfrey Jack and Stephanie Gosselin Michael and Maureen Gosselin Bruce Gouin and Christine Benoit Eliza Jewett Gray ’68 and Stephen D. Gray ’68 Cecelia Bookataub Grills Royden and Valerie Grimm John ‘73 and Alice Groton Anne and Doug Hagen Bill and Sharon Hall Andrew Halsey Elizabeth C. Halsey ‘65 Sue and Doug Heckrotte Hilary Heminway David ‘65 and Jackie Hemond Mr. and Mrs. Russell Holland Douglas Hollenbeck and Morgan Lloyd Hollenbeck ‘96 Simon and Alison Holt Dr. William and Mrs. Christine Horgan Katherine W. Hoxsie Meredith Jason ‘79 Lea Jewett ‘67 Kathleen G. Johnson Jennifer Johnson and John Wilbur Robert Johnson and Patricia Burr Bruce and Sandra Kirchner Robert and Susanne Knisley Susan Kozel Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Lamb Elizabeth Langille Andrew and Lynne Langlois Jack and Ann Lazarek Dr. and Mrs. Richard Lena Mary E. Lenihan Mr. John Leuba ‘82 Geoffrey Little and Meg Lyons Linda Lozis Sheila Lyons Reid and Linda MacCluggage Noam Makover ‘15 Rocco Marciano Paul Marshall ‘71 and Dr. Susan Marshall Sally McBee Mr. and Mrs. Brian McCormick ‘90 Robert E. McGee Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. McGlinchey Marcia McGowan Ellen Humphreville McGuire ‘68 and James McGuire

Nathan Amaro ‘19

Did You Know?

Did you know that 22% of all Annual Fund donors made their gift online and that the average online Annual Fund gift was $347?

The next time you’re thinking about making your gift to Pine Point, consider using our safe and secure online capabilities.

Online giving saves the School postage, it’s easier on the environment, and we immediately put your gift to work!

Shannon and Matthew McKenzie Christopher Mitchell ‘87 Jon Mitchell and Jenny Doak Susan and Tony Mitchell Dorothea Moore ‘67 Sue Mosher Dr. M. Nager Margo Novak and Andy Gifford James Noble Porter O’Brien ‘05 Mr. and Mrs. John C. O’Brien Dana Oliveira Julie A. Olson Joan Schwartz O’Neill ‘75 and Tim O’Neill Harry H. Orenstein, M.D. ‘68 Kim Anker Paddon Lauren Edelstein Park ‘81 Josh and Jennifer Parsons Dr. and Mrs. Bruce H. Patterson Casey Morgan Peltier ‘60 David C. Perkins and Olga LaBella Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Petrosky Ming Lee Prospero and Christopher Raithel Elizabeth and Jim Reid Betsey Hofer Rice ‘61 Gordon and Lynne Ringer Scott and Irene Carlson Ritter ‘78 The Robbin Family Ward Robbins Rosemary and Skip Robertson Bruce and Debbie Rogers Dr. Vincent R. Rogers Dr. and Mrs. David N. Rosenberg Sylvia O. Rosenberg Neil Ryan Linda Sample Susan Sindall Schickele and Peter Schickele David Schrage and Diane Thompson

Lanette Hernandez ‘16

Duncan J. Brown ‘08 Steve and Kate Brown Caroline Burlingham ‘09 Elma Burnham ‘06 Laurel A. Butler ‘72 and Chris Daniels Sharon L. Butler ‘74 Gerald and Linda Call Michael I. Campbell & Marie Jo De Maestri Louise V. Card Betsy B. Carr Jason Everett Carter ‘95 Frank and Margaret Church Samira K. Clough Richard and Catherine Conant Virginia Cottrell-Colassano ‘57 Benjamin Dameron ‘11 Peter Davis and Jill Maurer-Davis Doug and Tricia DeLapp Olivia Denison ‘09 Nathaniel P. Dodge ‘56 Joanna Douglas ‘96 Alexis Dudden

Mateo Welch ‘16 Robert N. Schwartz ‘73 Jesse Shaw ‘98 Barb Silver Holt and Harry Holt Ray and Janine Srour Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Staley John and Marilyn Starr Mrs. Sigmund C. Stein Cindy Jason Sullivan ‘76 Emma M. Sutphen ‘08 Eunice and John Sutphen Lillian H. Tang ‘65 Gina Toriello Lou and Judy Toscano Jim and Sue Tremble Nick and Eileen Utter Katherine S. White ‘70 William King White ‘81 Dr. and Mrs. John C. Wiles ‘60 Bruce and Nanette Williams Christie Williams and Catharine Moffett Gary and Jean Williams Daniel E. Wood ’82 Jenna Worthen Cornelia Petty Young ‘69 Mystic Yoga Shala (Amy Dechen Zezulka) Anne Zogbaum CIRCLE OF FRIENDS ($1.00-$99) Anonymous Ed and Audrey Adam Donald and Ada Amaro Kimberly Fullerton Anderson ‘85 and Robert Anderson ‘84 Theresa Anderson Paul S. Andrews, II ‘61 Carol and Walter Ansel Kerilynn Antoch Alicia Banister ‘97 David Banister ‘91 Sarah Harts Banister ‘94 Miss Ashley Barres ‘00 Julie and Michael Bean Thomas Benfield ‘10 Ranjit ‘91 and Kavitha Bindra Anthony and Lucy Biondo Robert and Phyllis Boggs Janice Botsko Andrew Brown and Monica Gallego

Mr. and Mrs. George B. Dunnington, Jr. Judith G. duPont ‘56 Frederick C. Eckel, Jr. ‘60 Barbara and Ed Eckelmeyer Kara Falck ‘12

Inpyo Hong ‘12

Alex McAusher ‘17

Participating in the Future of Our Favorite School Do you love Pine Point but sometimes find that you're not sure if you've made your Annual Fund gift? A great way to make your life a little easier and continue to regularly support Pine Point is by setting up a recurring gift. Past parent and former President of the Board of Trustees Kim Paddon has been taking advantage of the recurring gift option for the last five years.

“I enrolled in the recurring donation option for gifts to the Annual Fund to make sure I participate every year. My daughters−Lydia ‘96, Molly ‘00, and Denise ‘98− (shown above) are also enrolled. We’re grateful for our many collective years at Pine Point and want to participate in the future of our favorite school. I particularly like the recurring donation because I’m assured we won't lose track of when or whether we've given in any year. As a past co-chair of the Annual Fund, I appreciate how important regular giving is to the School, and particularly by its alumni.”

Some donors choose to make their gift monthly; others do so yearly. The next time you make an online gift, look for the box that makes that possible. It’s easy, safe, and secure.

Go to https://pinepoint.ejoinme.org/annualfund to make it happen.

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Megan O’Brien ‘15 Bruce and Pamela Fellman Carol Finkelman Lucy Whitford Freitas ‘96 and Michael Freitas Jim Friedlander ‘60 Patricia Fritzsche Arianna E. Funk ‘00 Nathaniel T. Funk ‘04 Kate Murphy Gardner ‘94 Katie Geise ‘03 Sheila and Irv Goldman Katie Goode GoodSearch Alex Gosselin ‘06 Annick Gouin ‘99 Brendan Gouin ‘98, D.M.D. Marilyn M. Graham Duncan F. Grimm ‘08 Priscilla H. Griscom Julia Griswold Sophie E. Groton ’10 Mark and Jennifer Hagelston Will Hagen ‘05 Virginia Haines ‘65 Amy Hallberg Sally D. Halsey Rush Hambleton Molly B. Hannon ‘06 Amy Leadbetter Higgs ‘85 Miss Cynthia P. Holland ‘20 Robert John “RJ” Holland ‘17 Heather Honiss Salsich ‘96 Joanne Huber-Williston and Michael Williston Astrea S. Hupfel Christopher and Caitlin Hurtgen Tom and Nancy Hurtgen Maria Iacoi Mark and Lexi Jackson Paul and Sarah Janssens Elizabeth Jordan ‘99 Joyce E. Jordan Karen Joyce-Griffin Nan and Don Kaplan Larry Kaplan ‘73 Jon Knisley ‘85 John F. (Jef) Kurfess, Jr. ‘61 Laurie Jean Lamb ‘68 Lands’ End, Inc. Jamie Larkin ‘95, Laurie and Rick Larkin Mary M. Lassen ‘68 Peter and Linda Lindquist

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Ekaterina Litvinova Hannah E. Long ‘11 Mrs. Frank C. Lynch Robert and Bonnye McGill Scott McGill ‘83 Susan Hay McGuire ‘77 Lloyd Miller ‘64 Ariel Mitchell ‘00 Susan C. Moffett Liza Moore ‘74 Mr. and Mrs. George C. Moore, Jr. Matthew Moore ‘85 Christopher and Edie Morren Laurie Mortrude Madeline Neff ‘10 Nicky and David Newbery Patty Oat ‘69 Mel and Dorothy Olsson Matt Owen ’11 Tom Owen ‘08 Denise Paddon ‘98 Lydia Paddon ‘96 Molly Paddon ‘00

Avery Lena ‘15 Henry R. Palmer, III ‘68 John J. Papp Barbara Pattenden Nanette Patti Bill and Jamie Peirce M. Holly Peirce ‘83 Ethan Perry ‘84 Ellie Peterson and Terry Lindquist Sarah E. Pinto, Esq. ‘85 Catherine Planeta-Campbell ‘86 Daniel Potter ‘60 and Marya Ursin Robert Proctor and Martha Wakeman George and Helen Quallich Mary G. Raftery Lisa Card Rapoza ‘73 Brian Reubelt ‘08 Vinnie and Maureen Reubelt Robin Rice Nan Roberts ‘65 Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rolla Mrs. Barbara Romito Carol Roper Dale Rundlett Kyle Sebastian ‘09 Eliza Hannon Smith ‘03 Scott R. Smith ‘97

Hunter Dolphin ‘17

Adam Sprecace ‘85 and Jean Sprecace Hannah Staley ‘09 Elizabeth Steward Archie C. Swindell Cathy Taylor Vanessa “Allena” Tillman-Brown ‘95 The Tillman-Brown Family Wilson and Addie Tucker United Educators Insurance Adam Verhoeff ’11 Parker Verhoeff ‘09 William and Susan Verhoeff Sanda O. Walton Jennifer Warmath ‘02 Margot Welch Sarah L. Whitford ‘91 Peter Wiles ‘62 Jill and Ken Wilson Erin M. Wright ‘91 Matthew E. Wright ‘98 Wick York ‘65 Carol N. Ziegenhagen ‘60 Dale Butler Zumsande ‘71 Matching Gift Companies and Foundations Abbott Laboratories Bank of America Dominion Google Pfizer Quest Diagnostics Reid and Riege United Technologies Wells Fargo

Bryce Antoch ‘15, Brian McGlinchey ‘15, and Alex Zhu ‘15

Alumni Giving (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012) The following alumni supported Pine Point with gifts to any one of the following areas: the Annual Fund, endowment, restricted funds, or special events.

Class of ‘53 Richard Gildersleeve Class of ‘55 John Coggeshall George Haines Class of ‘56 Nathaniel P. Dodge Judith G. duPont Class of ‘57 Virginia Cottrell-Colassano Class of ‘58 Paul Connor* Class of ‘59 William J. Adler Dr. James F. Calvert, Jr. Class of ‘60 Frederick C. Eckel, Jr. Jim Friedlander Casey Morgan Peltier* Daniel Potter John C. Wiles Carol N. Ziegenhagen Class of ‘61 Paul S. Andrews, II Raymond F. DuBois, Jr. John Humphreville* John F. (Jef) Kurfess, Jr. Jane B. Perry Betsey Hofer Rice Class of ‘62 George L. Chimento Peter Wiles Class of ‘63 John H. Anderson Randy Greene Class of ‘64 Leslie Ahern Brown Lloyd Miller Michael Petty* Class of ‘65 Hugh Beach Susan H. Blair Joan Humphreville Fitzgibbon Virginia Haines Elizabeth Castle Halsey David Hemond* Richard L. Humphreville Nan Roberts Lillian H. Tang Wick York Class of ‘66 Robert S. Collier Starr White Snead* John M. Timken, Jr. Polly Morgan Timken

Class of ‘67 Anonymous Tolly Boatwright Thomas R. Castle Lea Jewett* Dorothea Moore Diane Corwin Seltzer* Class of ‘68 Eliza Jewett Gray Stephen D. Gray Laurie Jean Lamb Mary M. Lassen Ellen Humphreville McGuire* Joan Morgan Harry H. Orenstein, M.D. Henry R. Palmer, III Class of ‘69 Peter G. Letz Patty Oat David B. Smith* Cornelia Petty Young Class of ‘70 Barbara Ginsberg Kenneth D. Kitchings Katherine S. White* Class of ‘71 Pam Brewster Paul Marshall* Dale Butler Zumsande Class of ‘72 Laurel A. Butler Class of ‘73 Neal Bobruff Ann Gray John Groton Robert A. Humphreville Larry Kaplan Miles N. Peterle Lisa Card Rapoza Robert N. Schwartz Cassandra White Sweeney Cynthia Stein Therrien* Class of ‘74 Sharon L. Butler* Liza Moore Class of ‘75 Jane Lassen Bobruff G. Stuart Campbell Andrew H. Griscom Ann Hallberg Harvey Joan Schwartz O’Neill David A. Schlesinger Class of ‘76 Peter Barry Anne Fix Adam S. Fritzsche Edmund Goehring, Jr. Cindy Jason Sullivan*

Class of ‘77 John “J.B.” Daukas Susan Hay McGuire Betsy Trimble* Class of ‘78 Sheilia Terranova Beattie Lee Sprecace Clark Galan Daukas Irene Carlson Ritter Class of ‘79 Meredith Jason* Class of ‘80 Natasha Schneider Class of ‘81 Wendy Brakenridge Diffley Jennifer (Niffy) Powers Ligeti Lauren Edelstein Park* Bob Petrocelli William King White

Class of ‘90 Brian McCormick Theodore C. O’Brien Class of ‘91 Anonymous David Banister Ranjit Bindra Kirsten E. Eckelmeyer Evan Field Edward Stillman Sarah L. Whitford* Alexandra Johnstone Wood Erin M. Wright Class of ‘92 Isaac Arms Laura Field Jessie Hoyt Paul Leeming Class of ‘93 Elizabeth Seltzer*

Class of ‘82 John Leuba Daniel E. Wood*

Class of ‘94 Sarah Harts Banister Kate Murphy Gardner*

Class of ‘83 Thorr Bjorn Scott McGill Eric Mitchell M. Holly Peirce

Class of ‘95 Jason Everett Carter Jamie Larkin Vanessa “Allena” Tillman-Brown

Class of ‘84 Robert Anderson* Ethan Perry

Class of ‘96 Lucy Whitford Freitas Heather Honiss Salsich* Lydia Paddon Zach Stanley

Class of ‘85 Kimberly Fullerton Anderson Ellery Griscom Amy Leadbetter Higgs* Jon Knisley Matthew Moore Sarah E. Pinto, Esq. Adam Sprecace Class of ‘86 Elaine M. Anderson* George M. Carr Catherine Planeta-Campbell Class of ‘87 Richard Arms III Ratna Bindra* Harvey DeMovick, III Angela Kanabis Christopher Mitchell Kittson Peirce Steinberger Heather Lofkin Wright* Adam Wronowski Class of ‘88 Erica Eppinger Fox* Class of ‘89 Julie Wright DelPrado Meredith Michaud Hargus* Aaron McBride

Class of ‘97 Alicia Banister Jurgen Nebelung Scott R. Smith Class of ‘98 Anonymous Thomas J. Capalbo, III, Esq. Tiffany Barres Foley* Brendan Gouin, D.M.D. Denise Paddon Jesse Shaw Matthew E. Wright

Class of ‘02 Jennifer Warmath Class of ‘03 Katie Geise Eliza Hannon Smith Class of ‘04 Nathaniel T. Funk Robert Scott Class of ‘05 Will Hagen* James Noble Porter O’Brien Class of ‘06 Elma Burnham* Evan M. Ehrlich Alex Gosselin Molly B. Hannon Tess Adelle Moffett Williams Class of ‘08 Teddy Benfield Duncan J. Brown Duncan F. Grimm Tom Owen Brian Reubelt Emma M. Sutphen Class of ‘09 Caroline Burlingham Olivia Rose Denison Kyle Sebastian* Hannah Staley* Parker Verhoeff Class of ‘10 Thomas Benfield Sophie E. Groton Madeline Neff Class of ‘11 Benjamin Dameron Hannah E. Long Matthew K. Owen Adam J. Verhoeff Class of ‘12 Andrew Bronk* Kara Falck*

Class of ‘99 Annick Gouin Elizabeth Jordan Class of ‘00 Ashley Barres Nicholas E. Capalbo, Esq. Arianna E. Funk* Ariel Mitchell Natalia Mortrude Molly Paddon Justin C. Rosenberg

* = Class Agent

Class of ‘01 Kip Bochain

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20th Annual Pine Point School T

he School’s annual golf tournament, held at Stonington Country Club, was a great success for Pine Point. It was also a great deal of fun. With the Holstein Family (and Noank Shipyard) and Professional Planning Group again serving as lead sponsors, the event generated just under $10,000 in net income to benefit the students and teachers.

The tournament was again chaired by parents Lou Doboe and Jim and Dina Petrosky.

This year’s event saw a nice boost in raffle prizes including golf outings at The Course at Yale, Stonington Country Club, and Winnapaug Golf Club; a getaway at historic Mohonk Mountain House, iPad accessories from The Wireless Zone, tickets to watch the Red Sox in the team’s 100th year at Fenway Park, tickets to the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT; a $100 gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods; and a 4hour private cocktail cruise provided by Springline Yacht Sales.

For the fourth year in a row the team put together by Jon Kodama (far right) won the tournament. That core group was again in place with the addition of Bob O’Connor (far left). He joined Bill Ernst, Tim Sisk and Jon with the group putting up a 59!

Corporate sponsors John Holstein, Jill Holstein Bach, and Jonathan Holstein ’92 rounded out their group this year with J.P. Morales (second from left).

Lee Hisle. Robert Gay, Josh Parsons, and Jim Reid.

Insu Kong, Carl Reiser, Marc Ginsberg, and Cal Ackley

Dave Waddington, Tim Burrows, Isaac Lazarou, and David Chiappone

Competition Holes Longest Drive (Men) #9 Rich Denesha Frank Toscano, Lou Toscano, Joseph Saunders, and Dr. Ronald Capalbo

Longest Drive (Women) #9 Anne-Marie Fleming Closest to the Pin #12 Gus Campos

Taylor Heal, Kip Bochain, Andy Feinstein, and Rocky Marciano

Closest to the Line #17 Cal Ackley

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Brian McGlynn, Sam Rodman, David Cruthers, and Howie Martin

Christopher Wallace (far right) of Professional Planning Group invited Marc Nicol, Mike Cima, and Don DeVoe to join him at Stonington Country Club.

Golf Tournament

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(All photos by Van Brown)

Mark your calendar for next year’s tournament, which takes place on May 20, 2013!

Justin Robbins, Gus Campos, Chris Hedden, and Kip Bochain ’01 once again took second place with a score of 61.

Don Amaro, David Schwindt, Paul Holland, and Matt Amaro Doug Plassche, A.J. Zimbelmann, Mike Morris, and Kevin Browne

John Pereira, Rich Denesha, Joe Salon and Neil Ryan put together a great day, capturing 3rd place with a 62.

Jim Petrosky, Dina Petrosky, Nikki Scott, and Steve Scott

Kim Rick, Dan Rick, Anne-Marie Fleming, and Peter Fleming

Curt Christoffersen, Tony Semproni, Phil Iredale, and Jim Cook

The SoccerPlus Junior Hawks team was once again made up of David Newbery, David Rush, Barry McLarnon, and Tony DiCicco.

Todd Pezzolesi, David Burnham, Tom Doherty, and Charlie Meyers

(Not shown are the foursomes made up of Jim Belli, David Hannon, Shelley McBride-Belli, and Mary Roy; and Lou Doboe, John Leger, Bob McDonald, and Steve Sudigala.)

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RESTRICTED GIVING The Dorothy L. Bailey Fund Loring M. Bailey Alan and Patience Banister The Alan Banister Endowment for the Teaching of Science Alan and Patience Banister Frances and Jack Brown Fund The Tillman-Brown Family Vanessa “Allena” Tillman-Brown ’95

Save the Date

This year’s Grandparents’/Grandpersons’ Day takes place on April 26, 2013.

Robbie Campbell ’76 Fund G. Stuart Campbell ’75 Jules X. Escorcio-Schneider ’86 Fund Ana and Jeffrey Schneider Edward Wozniak The Fund for Teaching Excellence Eddie and Julie Abbiati Alan and Patience Banister Stephen W. Bennhoff Jill Champagne Jak and David Cruthers Michael and Leslie Dameron Ruth and Chris Daniels and Laurel A. Butler ’72 Jim and Susan Funk Linda Goddard and Charlie Gill David and Jane Hannon Molly B. Hannon ‘06 Norman S. Jason Mark, Maryellen, and Maeve Lamson ’20 Peter and Margot McArdle Jurgen Nebelung ‘97 Hugh and Debbie O’Brien Carla and Bob Petrocelli ‘81 Mr. William R. Rolla and Dr. Donna Romito Rolla David and Jennifer Schwindt Dr. and Mrs. David E. Slavin Marcy Withington The Paul Geise Fund Peter and Candace Briggs Jim and DeeDee Buffum The Carbonneau Family Coventry Health Care, Inc. Harvey and Jeanne DeMovick, Jr.

One of the 220+ guests attending Grandparents’/Grandpersons’ Day was Joan King, who drove down from her home in Providence, RI to spend the morning at Pine Point with her grandson, Oscar King ’18 and his dad, Dan. (Of course, she also made sure to attend classes with her other cherished grandson, Henry ’21).

Afterward, she wrote to the School: “In the photo, Oscar is sharing a math game that I can only say, if I had learned math in a way that was fun, and that made so easily evident and effective the manipulation of numbers, I would have grown to love mathematics instead of dreading it! What an inspiring experience sharing a day in the academic life of my two grandsons. Each year I leave Grandparents’ Day increasingly in awe of the dedication and commitment of the entire faculty and the enthusiastic and inspiring atmosphere that you all create to foster a learning experience that is enjoyable and effective for the children. Thank you again for all that you and the entire staff bring to the lives and minds of all your students and for sharing it generationally on a very special day each year.”

Beth and Peter Gianacoplos Christopher and Fiona Hilton Norman S. Jason Robert and Susanne Knisley Ocean Blue Catering Carla and Bob Petrocelli ‘81 Ruth Saunders and Jonathan White David Schulz and Karen Stone Sea Research Foundation, Inc. Barb Silver Holt and Harry Holt Alix and Janie Stanley Cassandra White Sweeney ‘73 Josh and Alejandra Welch Geise Library/Technology Center Dr. Harry H. Orenstein ’68

Erin Ritter ‘15

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Alan N. and Elizabeth J. Houghton Fund for the Arts Anonymous William J. Adler ‘59 Kerilynn Antoch Alan and Patience Banister Chuck and Marlene Beckman Susan H. Blair ‘65

Tolly Boatwright ‘67 Brad and Mimi Borden Mr. and Mrs. James Bower Dorothy R. Brooks Peter V. Buttenheim Mr. and Mrs. Philip Cantillon Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Carrier Coleman H. and Jo Champlin Casey George L. Chimento ‘62 Lisa Jones Chung and Family Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Collier ‘66 Connecticut Association of Independent Schools Jak and David Cruthers Derby Academy Mr. and Mrs. John T. Dobbin Frederick C. Eckel, Jr. ‘60 Margaret Field Joan Humphreville Fitzgibbon ‘65 Mr. and Mrs. Benedict D. Flynn Priscilla Houghton Flynn Paul and Robin Geise Marion T. Greim David and Jane Hannon Dr. and Mrs. Alan N. Houghton

Alan N. Houghton John and Kathleen Houghton Norman S. Jason Dave Jones, Sr., Ann Jones, and David Jones, Jr. Gerrit M. Keator Jeanie Melson Taha Merghoub Joan Morgan ‘68 Christopher and Edie Morren Frank M. Perrine Jane B. Perry ‘61 Renbrook School Gabriella P. Schlesinger Diane Corwin Seltzer ‘67 and Mark Seltzer Mrs. Sigmund C. Stein Mr. Nicholas S. Thacher John M. Timken, Jr. ’66 & Polly Morgan Timken ’66 Linda J. Williams Feng Zhao The Humphreville Endowment Mr. and Mrs. John Humphreville ’61 The Davis K. Knox ‘04 Financial Aid Fund Chester W. Kitchings Family Foundation (Chester W. Kitchings, Kenneth D. Kitchings ‘70, Margaret Kitchings, Margaret H. Kitchings, and Patricia Kitchings) Andrew E. Leadbetter ’89 Fund Alan and Patience Banister Allen and Barbara Leadbetter David Whittemore Leib ’70 Fund Mia Perry ’13 Marshall G. McKim ’84 Fund Alan and Patience Banister Russel T. Miller ’55 Fund Richard Gildersleeve ’53 Lloyd Miller ’64 Richard W. Mitchell Fund for Teaching Excellence Anne Sanger Helen L. Petty Book Fund Michael Petty ’64 Cornelia Petty Young ’69

Charlotte White ‘15

The Katherine Tod Johnstone Society

The Katherine Tod Johnstone Society honors those individuals who have made a bequest to Pine Point or provided for the School in their estate plans with a bequest, life income gift, or a charitable trust. Please consider what legacy you would like to leave at Pine Point.

Members Anonymous (3) Dorothy B. Leib Loring and Dorothy Bailey* Julie Olson Ratna Bindra ‘87 & Raja Mukherjee Harry H. Orenstein ’68 Hilda Brunswick Miriam Patterson* David C. Cruthers Annie Philbrick David and Jane Hannon Ana Schneider Alan Houghton* Starr White Snead ’66 Susan Kozel Alix and Janie Stanley Eric Larson Talcott Stanley* John K. Lee Edward Wozniak* * realized bequest

From tiny seedlings come majestic trees Raymond/Banister Oceanology Fund Alan and Patience Banister Ellen Humphreville McGuire ’68 Restricted Ronald L. Ellis and Sharon Y. Ellis Florence K. Liang Paul Long Anthony P. Louvis and Alta Indelman John and Ardice Perry Linda C. Prospero Scholarship Deb and Bob Bacewicz Alan and Patience Banister Neal Bobruff ‘73 and Jane Lassen Bobruff ’75 Chester Kitchings Family Foundation The Compass Fund (Damon Navarro and Edmond Navarro) Jak and David Cruthers Martha and Steven Cutts Harvey and Jeanne DeMovick, Jr. David H. Edelstein Dale and Patricia Faulkner Edmund Goehring, Jr. ‘76 Sheila and Irv Goldman David and Jane Hannon Rev. Dr. Lynne C. Holden Meredith Jason ‘79 Chester W. Kitchings Family Foundation (Chester W. Kitchings, Kenneth D. Kitchings ‘70, Margaret Kitchings, Margaret H. Kitchings, and Patricia Kitchings) Peter and Linda Lindquist Maryanne Lohrey Eric ‘83 and Marci Mitchell Margo Novak and Andy Gifford Kim Anker Paddon Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Royce Mr. David A. Schlesinger ‘75 and Mrs. Rachel W. Schlesinger

Claire Griffin ‘17 Gabriella P. Schlesinger Natasha Schneider ‘80 David B. Smith ‘69 and Robin R. Smith Mrs. Sigmund C. Stein The Pfizer Foundation Philip and Cynthia Stein Therrien ‘73 Dick and Dot Wingate Marilyn Wronowski Robert G. Youngs Family Foundation (Lisa Tepper Bates and Scott Bates) The Snow Ball Eddie and Julie Abbiati Advantage Personal Training AJ’s Bistro Merrick and Alexandra Alpert Drs. Matthew and Amy Amaro Ancient Mariner Kimberly Fullerton Anderson ‘85 & Robert Anderson ’84 Carol Ansel, Photographer Antonio Hair Design William W. Backus Hospital Alan and Patience Banister Bank Square Books

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Mr. and Mrs. Chaplin B. Barnes Lisa Tepper Bates and Scott Bates Julie and Michael Bean Debbye and David Bell Bella Vita Salon Stephen Bennhoff Nic and Alison Betts Philip Biondo and Catherine Robbins Dr. Melinda Blum and Dr. Thomas Blum Boston Red Sox Bougainvillea Beach Resort Bump Wines Mr. Emmanuel Borbon and Dr. Yolanda Borbon Drs. George Bourganos and Penny Vlahos Tamim Braish and Teresa Smolarek Cathy and Doug Brandt Linda Brenner and Tony Green Pam Brewster ‘71 Brian S. Bronk and Dianne K. Bryce Jason and Virginia Brown Steve and Kate Brown Jim and DeeDee Buffum Mrs. Robert C. Buffum Drs. Anca Bulgaru & Constantin Carseli Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Butler David and Alison Cameron Tom and Bert Capalbo Rich and Denny Caruso Marisa Moro-de-Casillas Cask ’n Keg Rachna and Shiv Choudhary Coleman Realtors Gillian and Charles Crawford Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc. Jak and David Cruthers Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Darling, III Galan ‘78 and Denise Daukas Marie C. Deindorfer Julie ‘89 and Juan DelPrado Mario DeLucia Harvey and Jeanne DeMovick, Jr. Susan and Harvey DeMovick, III ‘87 Dick’s World of Wines Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Desmond Lou and Sandy Doboe Thomas and Sarah Dodd Dog Watch Café Lara and Garth Dolphin Tiffany Dubin Alexis Dudden Education Works

Julia Little ’14 Drs. Michael Ehlers and Laura Ehlers Monica and Frank Eppinger Mark and Susan Fader Falck Eye Center, LLC Tony Featherston and Helen Roy Searle and Lauralee Field Laura Field ‘92 Anne Fix ‘76 and Kevin Bowdler Mr. and Mrs. John R. Fix Shaun and Ashley Foley Foxwoods Resort Casino Eva Franchi Adam S. Fritzsche ‘76 and Jill Fritzsche

Bill and Geraldine Griffin Cecelia Bookataub Grills Dr. and Mrs. Andrew H. Griscom Ellery Griscom ’85 and Kristin Griscom Robin Hall Martina Hamilton David and Jane Hannon Hartford Stage Ann Hallberg Harvey ‘73 Haystack Club High Street Yoga Christopher and Fiona Hilton W. Lee Hisle and Julie Worthen Douglas and Morgan Hollenbeck ‘96 Dr. William and Mrs. Christine Horgan Christopher and Caitlin Hurtgen Maria Iacoi Philip and Marie-Claire Iredale Danielle Jarry Meredith Jason ‘79 Norman S. Jason JB Tackle JTK Management Angela Kanabis ‘87 Charles and Perry Kellogg Jennifer and Daniel King Patricia Kitchings Susan Kozel

Gavin Seymour ‘19

Cameron Gouveia ‘19

Caitlin Diaz ‘15

John Paul Wronowski ‘17

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Jim and Susan Funk Xiang Gao and Anh Tran Garbo Lobster Linda Goddard and Charlie Gill Mr. and Mrs. Julian E. Gillespie Barbara Castle Ginsberg ’70 Charles and Kathleen Glew Tom and Mildred Goebel Lawrence and Susan Goldman Ann Gray ’73 and Jim Royle Mr. and Mrs. William J. Griffin, III

Kathy and Connie Kronholm Mark, Maryellen, and Maeve Lamson ’20 Keith and Karen LaRose Chris and Glory Lena Dr. and Mrs. Richard Lena Jeff and Kim Liquori Ted Liston and Cindy Oksanen Geoffrey Little and Meg Lyons Paul Long John and Sumlid Lugaresi Malcolm Makin Noam Makover ‘15 Mallove’s Senator Andy Maynard Peter and Margot McArdle Karin McCormick Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. McGlinchey Jon Mitchell and Jenny Doak Mix It Up Fitness

Charlie Parsons ‘15 Mr. and Mrs. George C. Moore, Jr. Michael Moore Thomas and Betsy Moukawsher Tom Murphy Mystic Indoor Tennis Mystic Seaport Museum Mystic Yoga Shala Nicky and David Newbery New England Science and Sailing New York Yankees Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit J. Nicholas Noah’s Restaurant North Stonington Health Center Oak Tree Wine & Spirits Hugh and Debbie O’Brien Ocean House O’Keefe’s Discount Liquors Dana Oliveira Victor and Mary Jo Pucci Orsinger ’63 Orthodontic Associates of Southeastern Connecticut Diana and Page Owen Josh and Jennifer Parsons Barbara Pattenden John and Sandy Pereira Ardice and John Perry Carla and Robert Petrocelli ‘81 James and Dina Petrosky Francis Pijar Pond View Racquet Club Ming Lee Prospero and Christopher Raithel Mary G. Raftery Elizabeth and Jim Reid Carl and Dot Reiser Restaurant Bravo Bravo Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Rick Gordon and Lynne Ringer Evan and Jackie Rogers Kevin Rogers Mr. William R. Rolla and Dr. Donna Romito Rolla Dr. and Mrs. David N. Rosenberg Peter and Kate Rotella Donald and Mary Roy Chuck and Deborah Royce Mr. Edwin L. Russell and Mrs. Kimberly Rayner Russell S&P Oyster Company Anna Sawin Photography Sawyer Law Firm Elaine C. Schmidt

David Schrage and Diane Thompson David Schulz and Karen Stone David and Jennifer Schwindt Lisa and Stephen Scott Seaport Marine Seaport Studios Sea Research Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Seidel Elizabeth Seltzer ’93 She’s Back Shoreline Gymnastics Skipper’s Dock David B. Smith ‘69 and Robin R. Smith Lawrence and Susan Spencer SRP Studios Nick Stahl Joe Staley Kittson Peirce Steinberger ‘87 Stonington Natural Health Center Joann Sullivan Rapepat “Ja Ja” Supasawad Cassandra White Sweeney ‘73 Tiffany & Company Barbara C. Timken Lou and Judy Toscano Betsy Trimble ‘77 and Michael Feltes Universal Package Store, Noank Jonathan VandeVusse and Deborah VandeVusse William and Susan Verhoeff Washington Trust Company Water Street Cafe Waterford Group Charitable Foundation Weekapaug Golf Club Mr. and Mrs. James Weeks Josh and Alejandra Welch John and Lisa West Bruce and Nanette Williams Gary and Jean Williams Marcy Withington Pauline B. Wood, M.D. WOW’s Work Out World Heather Lofkin Wright ‘87 and Jon Ford Jenny and Adam Wronowski ‘87 John and Susan Wronowski Yellow House Coffee and Tea Room Drs. Gregory Young and Barbara Deindorfer Sue and A. J. Zimbelmann

Caleb Shafer-Courter ‘17 Hugh Huidekoper Toulmin Fund Saren Langmann The Westerly Alumni Scholarship Fund Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Royce Honorary and In Memoriam Gifts Alan and Patience Banister (I/M of Loring Bailey, Irene Campbell, Mabel Kornacki Carlson, Jules Escorcio-Schneider ’86, Alan Houghton, Bob Hyde, and Jack Sindall) Hugh Beach ’65 (I/M of Mr. Houghton) Ranjit ’91 and Kavitha Bindra (I/M of Jasjit S. Bindra) Andrew Bronk ’12 (I/H of the Class of 2012) Peter Davis and Jill Maurer-Davis (I/H of Allen Davis ’07) Joanna Douglas ’96 (I/H of Hamilton Salsich) Raymond F. DuBois ’61 (I/M of Alan Houghton) Kara Falck ’12 (I/H of the Class of 2012) Tiffany Barres Foley ’98 (I/M of Jonathan Barres) Nathaniel T. Funk ’04 (I/H of Mr. Geise) Sherrylee Green (I/H of the Pine Point students) Cynthia P. Holland ’20 (I/H of Sandy Walton) Robert J. “Bob” Holland ’17 (I/H of Sandy Walton) Mr. and Mrs. Russell Holland (I/H of Sandy Walton) Jennifer Johnson and John Wilbur (I/H of Sandy Walton) Larry Kaplan ’73 (I/M of Richard Mitchell) Susan Kozel (I/H of Sandy Walton) Paul Long (I/H of Hannah ’11, Grant ’14, and Roland Long ’16) Aaron McBride ’89 (I/H of Gary Williams) Shannon and Matthew McKenzie (I/H of Sam McKenzie ’23) Margo Novak and Andy Gifford (I/H of Jordan Crawford’s ’12 graduation and I/M of Dick Mitchell) Joan Schwartz O’Neill ’75 and Tim O’Neill (I/M of Dick Mitchell) Katherine Hull Perkins (I/H of Jack Carver Ryan ’19) Miles N. Peterle ’73 (I/M of Mrs. Joy Peterle) Ruth Saunders and Jonathan White (In recognition of the support our family has received from the teachers and the broader Pine Point community) Robert N. Schwartz ’73 (I/M of Ivy Bartholet) Carol H. Smith (I/M of Rose M. Smith) Mary Denny Wray (I/H of Garnett ’13 and Izzie Reid ’15) All capital gifts to funds honoring or memorializing: Dorothy L. Bailey, Frances and Jack Brown, Robbie Campbell ’76, Jules Escorcio-Schneider ’86, Paul G. Geise, Alan N. and Elizabeth J. Houghton, Neil Humphreville, Andrew E. Leadbetter ’89, Marshall McKim ’84, Russel T. Miller ’55, Richard W. Mitchell, Helen L. Petty, and Hugh Huidekoper Toulmin. All gifts to The Fund for Teaching Excellence honor Sandy Walton while nearly all gifts restricted to Scholarship memorialize Dick Mitchell.

Dean Gillespie ‘16

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Tess Adelle Moffett Williams ‘06 Heather Lofkin Wright ‘87 and Jonathan Ford

Fehme Braish ‘15, Alex Dubs ‘15, Colin Kronholm‘15 Matching Gift Companies and Foundations (Capital Giving and Special Events) Bristol-Myers Squibb Dominion Pfizer United Technologies Summer Reception Elaine M. Anderson ‘86 Kimberly Fullerton Anderson ‘85 and Robert Anderson ’84 David Banister ‘91 Julie Wright ‘89 and Juan DelPrado Evan Field ‘91 Anne Fix ‘76 and Kevin Bowdler Lucy Whitford Freitas ‘96 and Michael Freitas Arianna E. Funk ‘00 John ‘73 and Alice Groton Molly B. Hannon ‘06 Jessie Hoyt ‘92 & Chris Fondulas Richard L. Humphreville ‘65 Paul Leeming ‘92 Natalia Mortrude ‘00 Theodore C. O’Brien ‘90 Justin C. Rosenberg ‘00 Robert Scott ‘04 Kittson Peirce Steinberger ‘87 Cindy Jason Sullivan ‘76 Cassandra White Sweeney ‘73 Dr. and Mrs. John C. Wiles ‘60

Harrison Hall ‘13

20th Annual Pine Point School Golf Tournament Dr. Matthew Amaro James Belli and Shelley McBride-Belli Kip Bochain Kip Bochain ‘01 David Burnham Timothy Burrows C&S Pawn Dr. Ronald Capalbo Jak and David Cruthers Lou Doboe Mr. Andrew A. Feinstein Peter and Anne-Marie Fleming Linda Goddard and Charlie Gill Marc Ginsberg Hartley & Parker, Limited, Inc. Taylor Heal W. Lee Hisle Bruce Holstein Holstein Foundation (Jill Bach, Bruce Holstein, John P. Holstein) Phil Iredale JTK Management Corporation Insu Kong Mr. Malcolm Makin

Johnna Anderson ‘15 Rocco Marciano Howie Martin Brian McGlynn Charles Meyers Mohonk Mountain House David Newbery Debbie O’Brien Josh Parsons John Pereira James and Dina Petrosky Todd Pezzolesi Douglas A. Plassche Professional Planning Group Jim Reid Carl Reiser Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Rick Sam Rodman Mary Roy Dale Rundlett Neil Ryan

Annabelle Iredale ‘16 Bob Sasena David and Jennifer Schwindt Seward and Monde Certified Public Accountants Steak Loft The Tillman-Brown Family Lou Toscano David Waddington A. J. Zimbelmann Gifts-in-Kind Eddie and Julie Abbiati Jak and David Cruthers Michael and Maureen Gosselin Bill and Geraldine Griffin Robert Guarino and Jean Baur David and Jane Hannon Rev. Dr. Lynne C. Holden Maria Iacoi and Jason Rosen Heidi Neuhoff-McWilliams David Mitchell Premier Business Services, P.C. Nancy H. Roberts ’65 Dr. and Mrs. David A. Schwindt Ye Olde Curiositie Shoppe

Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this report. Please notify the Development Office should you find an error or omission as we want the opportunity to correct our records and appropriately recognize all contributions.

Aeden Connelly ‘17

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The 1950s

Class Notes

Paul Connor, 12 Spring Street, Noank, CT 06340, PACNOANK@aol.com

1960 Casey Morgan Peltier, 6807 19th Road N, Arlington, VA 22205-1809, caseyp@patriot.net

1961 Jack Humphreville, 456 South Arden Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90020-4736, Jack@TargetMediaPartners.com

1962/1963 (50th Reunion!)

1964 Michael Petty, 1007 McCeney Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901, sundancepetty@gmail.com

1965 David Hemond, 81 Silas Deane Road, Ledyard, CT 06339, davidlhemond@yahoo.com

1966

A great group came to Pine Point for the alumni reunion on August 11. The biggest group of Class Agents ever was in attendance. Let’s hear it for, seated, Zach Oat ’92 and Bob Anderson ’84; standing, Lea Jewett ’67, Heather Wright ’87, Betsy Trimble ’77, Diane Corwin Seltzer ’67, Elaine Anderson ’86, and Gillian Sulick Janus ’98! Lea and Diane were celebrating the 45th anniversary of their graduation!

Starr White Snead, 1359 North Edgewater Drive, Charleston, SC 29407, 1stStarr@bellsouth.net

1967

1969

1971

Lea Jewett, 227 Vauxhall Street, New London, CT 06320, hl_juet@sbcglobal.net

We send our condolences to the family, friends, and classmates of Peter LaCour, who passed away in August in Pass Christian, MS. Peter and his wife, Cindy, owned and operated Gulf Reporting Service, a court reporting, video, and litigation technology service in Metarie, LA and Pass Christian. After Pine Point, Peter attended the Harvey School in Katonah, NY and Westminster School in Simsbury. He attended Tulane University where he majored in sociology. Besides his wife, two daughters, brother Jonathan ’62 and sister Lorrie LaCour Guiza ’65, Peter is survived by many cousins from the Humphreville and Powers families.

Paul Marshall, 63 Duck Cove Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852-6240, imagesideas55@hotmail.com

Diane Corwin Seltzer, 4 Windover Turn, Westerly, RI 02891-4407, dcorwinseltzer@gmail.com

1968 (45th Reunion!)

Ellen Humphreville McGuire, 203 Glenwood Avenue, New London, CT 06320, Pigel@ct.metrocast.net Mary Lassen is the managing director of the Center for Community Change, a Washington, DCbased non-profit. The Center’s mission is “to build the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to have a significant impact in improving their communities and the policies and institutions that affect their lives.”

1970 Kassy White, 42 Centre Street, Dover, MA 02030, kassywhiteksw@gmail.com

Paul Marshall reported, “I was happy to help form a scholarship foundation for music students at Westerly High School in memory of our WHS Class of ’74 President, John Cuda. We raised $10,000 with a concert at the Knickerbocker in Westerly, and we hope to make it an annual event.

Just say ‘meow’ to good music!”

Alumni Reunion Save the Date August 10, 2013 ViewPoints 73

1973 (40th Reunion!)

Jon Wool ’74 owns and operates two companies: JHW Hospitality Consulting and Finesse Cuisine Catering and Events, the latter a boutique catering company serving Chicagoland. Amongst those he has catered to are: President Obama, Oprah Winfrey, John Travolta, and the Rolling Stones. Before segueing into special events, Jon received his BFA in acting from Carnegie Mellon University. He worked in the New York theatre, and on soaps, commercials and was Michael Douglas’ photo double for Fatal Attraction, Black Rain, and Wall Street. Simultaneously, he began working on special events, attended the Executive MBA program at Loyola University and was then tabbed to open and operate Wolfgang Puck’s Chicago catering initiative. After six years with Chef Puck, Jon launched Finesse.

He conducts seminars at institutions such as DePaul University, Chief Executive Boards International, and the Coleman Center for Entrepreneurship, has served as an Adjunct Professor of Hospitality Management at Kendall College and is central to the national Catersource Consulting Unit (CCU). He and his wife, Carole, just celebrated their twenty-ninth anniversary and are proud of their children: Greg, 24, an actor in New York, and Alana, 22, a senior studying art and design in Denver.

Cynthia Stein Therrien, 47 Paag Circle, Little Silver, NJ 07739-1738, Therriens@Comcast.net

1974 Sharon Butler, 2603 O Street NW, #4, Washington, DC 20007, butsharon@gmail.com

1976 Cindy Jason Sullivan, P.O. Box 90, Higganum, CT 06441-0090, csullivan09@snet.net

1977 Betsy Trimble, 3 Heron Road, Mystic, CT 06355, IETrimble@sbcglobal.net Susan Hay McGuire wrote, “I’ve been enjoying life, teaching as adjunct at Central Connecticut State University and UCONN at Avery Point and started Creative Theater Connections teaching creative writing and drama to children. My daughters have graduated from college and my husband, John, and I have been happily married for 29 years. Life is full of good and lots of fun, and I hope all of my former classmates are having good lives, too. Visited P.P.S. the other day and, although there are many changes, the school still has a wonderful, friendly atmosphere!”

Adam Fritzsche ’76 (right) hiked Mount Washington with his two daughters, Madison (left) and Ashley (middle). Ashley graduated summa cum laude from Mount Holyoke in May, and is in Australia for a year doing work in a Melbourne art gallery. Madison is studying psychology at Hampshire College. Adam continues as principal of Fritzsche Financial, specializing in investment, tax, and estate planning services.

1978 (35th Reunion!)

Chris Knisley, 175 Beech Street, Wrentham, MA 02093, Knisley@albanyroadrep.com Chris Knisley, along with three partners, has started a new business. Albany Road Real Estate Partners has offices in downtown Boston near South Station. “My partners and I look forward to creating a dynamic, recognized, and well-respected real estate investment and management firm, with an initial focus on acquisition opportunities across New England,” Chris said in an announcement of the firm’s debut. Ambitiously, he expects “to pursue deals in the $10MM - $50MM range, as we work toward reaching our aggressive but attainable goal of having $500MM in gross assets under management by the end of our fifth year.” The company will focus on office, industrial, research and development, retail and storage spaces. Chris was formerly chief investment officer of the R.J. Kelly Companies in Burlington, MA.

Tom Goehring ’77 married Florence Corcoran on June 30, 2012. The two were introduced through a yoga instructor three years ago. Florence is also a physical therapist and manages the physical therapy side of a private orthopedic unit in Nazareth, PA, where Tom and Florence reside. Tom continues to play trumpet with Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society and appeared in August at the Newport Jazz Festival.

1979 Meredith Jason, 6130 31st Street NW, Washington, DC 20015, crcmlj@msn.com

Alumni Reunion Save the Date August 10, 2013 ViewPoints 74

Betsy Trimble ’77 traveled with her family to St. Moritz for some skiing in March. Here, her stepson Logan Feltes, husband Michael Feltes, and stepson Cooper Feltes ’11 join Betsy at the top of the mountain. In the summer, she and Michael traveled to London and took in the Wimbledon championships. They also had a meal with Linnea Corwin Elrington ’77 and her husband, Barry.

1980 It was the 35th anniversary of the graduation of the Class of 1977, and three members of that class attended the Alumni Reunion in August.

Class Agent Betsy Trimble was joined by J.B. Daukas and Linnea Corwin Elrington!

Scott ’83 and Sean McGill ’81 are shown celebrating their respective August birthdays in 2011 at Fenway Park.

Scott continues as a Professor of Latin language and literature, as well as various topics of Roman culture, at Rice University. Sean operates McGill Chevrolet in Pawcatuck.

Natasha Schneider was one of many alumni who contacted the School sharing her thoughts about Mr. Mitchell, and, in the process, updating classmates and others as to what she’s doing these days. (Her extended thoughts on one of Pine Point’s most beloved individuals can be found in the article devoted to Mr. Mitchell.) She wrote, “Mr. Mitchell was probably the most important teacher I ever had, and it has been hard to articulate this and sit with the grief that comes. I can’t begin to tell you how much I value everything and everybody that Pine Point has offered and continues to offer. I have a lot of gratitude and contentment in my life.

And I’m still trying to figure out what I want to ‘do’ with my life. Most of all I just like doing what I do. I work as a contract senior business analyst for Hewlett-Packard. I am a turban-wearing Sikh living at an Ashram outside Boston. I am married to Della GuruRas, my partner of nearly 20 years, and we have two dogs. I also work in GuruRas’s Community Acupuncture Clinic (MetroWest Whole Health) as the office manager and feel blessed to be part of that community as well.”

1981 Lauren Edelstein Park, 1519 5th Street, Boulder, CO 80302, lparkco@yahoo.com

1982 Dan Wood, 156 Ludlow Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10002, dxwood@work.ac

1983 (30th Reunion!)

Karen Church, 1951 Canyon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068, karen.church@tvc.cbs.com Various members of classes from the 1980s got together at the Alumni Reunion to renew old acquaintances. From left to right are: Patrick O’Hearn, Kimberly Fullerton Anderson ’85, Elaine Anderson ’86, Marianne Schwartz O’Hearn ’83, and Bob Anderson ’84.

1984 Bob Anderson, The Dormers, 3 Everett Avenue, Watch Hill, RI 02891, anderboard@me.com

1985 Amy Leadbetter Higgs, 87 Fernbank Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054, amylhiggs@gmail.com

1986 Elaine Anderson, 42 South Street, Middlebury, VT 057531316, elaineavt@gmail.com

1987 Erika Wood ’85 is an associate professor of law at the New York Law School, which she joined in the fall of 2011 to teach “Legal Practice.” Previously, she was the deputy director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, where she designed and launched major reform campaigns around the country and provided legal counsel and strategic guidance to advocates, legislators, and policymakers nationwide. Erica created the Brennan Center Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Advisory Council as well as the Center’s Communities of Faith Initiative. She has litigated complex civil rights cases and is a frequent speaker and commentator on voting rights, criminal justice reform and racial justice issues. She previously taught as an adjunct professor in the Public Policy Advocacy Clinic at New York University School of Law and was an attorney with the Legal Action Center. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets across the country, including the New York Times, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and National Public Radio. In 2009, she was awarded the Eric R. Neisser Public Interest Award by Rutgers Law School in recognition of her efforts to carry forward the law school’s mission of providing liberty and justice for all.

Ratna Bindra, 7 Pond View Lane, Ossining, NY 10562-1961, ratna.bindra@pfizer.com Heather Wright, 132 Irving Avenue, Providence, RI 029064510, hlofkinwright@gmail.com

Join us at Azu and Bravo Bravo in Mystic on November 13 for the second Pine Point Dinner ViewPoints 75

1988 (25th Reunion!)

Erica Eppinger Fox, 65 Montauk Avenue, Stonington, CT 06378, eeppfox@gmail.com Martin Griswold continues to manage Judge’s Farm Nursery in Old Lyme with his brother, Matt. Last winter they built a greenhouse and added herbs to their inventory. Martin’s and Sondra’s two sons, Ali and Huck, are growing fast! Dan Leech has a new job with Synapse Engineering, an automotive company in San Diego. “Simply put, I help grow the business. They hired me to run and direct the sales and marketing programs so I work closely with different groups in different channels to help accomplish our deliverables. If you need a BOV (Blow-Off Valve) come see Danny D!”

1989 Meredith Michaud Hargus, 140 Castle Hill Road, Pawcatuck, CT 06379, Meredith.Michaud@gmail.com

1990 Sam Applegate wrote, upon the passing of former Head of School Dick Mitchell, “I’m out in Bellingham, WA and am the father of a six year-old son, Oscar, who lives over the border in Vancouver, BC. I am a frequent border crosser. I work as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley and fly fish whenever possible. Best wishes to the Pine Point community! I hope I get the chance to attend another reunion celebration one day.”

Alumni Reunion Save the Date August 10, 2013

A Love for Learning Jonah Salsich ’88 has been named Stonington Teacher of the Year for 2012-13. He teaches third grade at Deans Mill School, after stints at Pawcatuck Middle School and Winthrop Elementary School in New London. Principal Doug Hammel said of Jonah: “He has a way of connecting with each kid. What makes him special is he brings his own passion to the job. He likes learning as much as the kids do and the kids know that.”

Jonah acknowledged as much. “Perhaps the greatest evidence that I inspire a love of learning is the fact that I love to learn. To be honest, that is the primary reason I became interested in education – I knew that teaching would provide me with endless learning. Most of the life choices I made after high school were based on seeking out new learning opportunities; getting a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology, spending 18 months in a remote village in rural Belize, working on a lettuce farm in Sausalito, CA, working for 18 months at a homeless shelter and another two years as a case manager for individuals with severe mental illness – certainly none of these were done for economic riches. I simply love to learn; through questioning and exploring of ideas, and through personal experience. That excitement for learning and questioning manifests itself everyday in my teaching. I don’t have to pretend to be excited about concepts we are learning, or projects we might attempt – I am excited! And I feel that that is often (though not always) contagious. In addition, these experiences of seeking new ideas and understandings, whether they took place in the rainforests of Belize 10 years ago or while constructing a life-size model of a coyote for a classroom project on deserts, allow me to relate stories of real world learning to the students in every content area.

“I also demonstrate that all students can learn by modeling that in my own life. I candidly tell the students about concepts and skills that were more challenging for me than others when I was young, and areas that are still challenging. We reflect frequently on how different people have different areas of strength, but that everyone can still master each skill, it just may take different amounts of time or a different approach for some. Finally, I am not afraid to ‘make mistakes’ in front of the students. As one example, when we are working with technology and something doesn’t go as planned it is an opportunity to talk about the value of ‘mistakes’ or obstacles and how they are integral to lasting learning.”

1991 Sarah Whitford, 121 Deepwood Drive, Portland, ME 04103, slwhitfo@hotmail.com

1992 Zach Oat, 214 Haviland Drive, Patterson, NY, 12563-1326, zachoat@gmail.com

1993 (20th Reunion!)

Emilie Di Mario, 2 Elizabeth Street, Rye, NY 10580, edimario7444@aol.com Elizabeth Seltzer, 900 State Street, New Haven, CT 06511-3921, elizabethbseltzer@gmail.com The Class of 1987 celebrated the 25th anniversary of their graduation in fine fashion at the Alumni Reunion. Kittson Peirce Steinberger, Heather Wright, Adam Wronowski, Kirsten Montgomery, and Laura Kahler all enjoyed themselves.

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1994 Kate Murphy Gardner, 1460 Church Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, kateemurphy@gmail.com

In the last issue of ViewPoints we featured Becca McBee ’91 and her work at Mount Vernon. In late June, she posted on Facebook: “My boss and I went book shopping in New York on Friday.”

Accompanying that was a video and news story about their purchase – George Washington’s copy of the Constitution that was up for auction at Christie’s, with Washington’s handwritten notes in the margins. The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association paid a final sum of $9.8 million for the book, which will be the centerpiece of a new library to open on the grounds of the estate in late 2013.

(The actual auction price was $8.7 million with other sums added to bring the final price.) The book was especially bound for Washington in the first year of his presidency and is stamped with the Washington family crest. It also contains the first acts of Congress, which included legislation to establish the State, Justice, War, and Treasury departments. Becca accompanied Ladies’ Association Regent Ann Bookout, who did the bidding. Becca is her assistant, and, when asked if she would accompany Ms. Bookout to New York, “jumped at the chance.” She summed up what was quite an experience by saying: “It was the best day of my professional life so far!”

Joanna Douglas ’96 and her brother Julian ’02 stopped by Pine Point in early August. Joanna continues her work for Shine, Yahoo’s fashion arm, while Julian is studying marine biology and coastal zone management at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. They were able to visit with Robin Rice and Robin Smith while they were on campus.

1996 Heather Honiss Salsich, 22 Orchard Terrace, Arlington, MA 02474, hhoniss@gmail.com Ian Clough is still working at Electric Boat in Groton.

Outside of work, Ian enjoys working out and recently participated in a triathlon.

Guthrie Jackson Oat entered the world on July 8. Guthrie, son of Melissa and Zach Oat ’92, joins big sister Hazel (holding her new brother) in rounding out the Oat family. Zach continues as marketing director at Diamond Select Toys, writing and acting as press liaison.

Join Pine Point for Dinner

Join Pine Point for Dinner

Tuesday, October 30

Tuesday, November 13 or

Nestled in the heart of downtown Mystic’s shopping district, S&P Oyster Company has been proudly serving guests from around the world for over 20 years. S&P Oyster Company will donate 15% of the sales that night to Pine Point. Enjoy a great meal and help Pine Point at the same time!

Azu and Bravo Bravo, which are operated by Angela Kanabis ’87 and her family, will donate 15% of the sales that night to Pine Point. Enjoy a great meal and help Pine Point at the same time!

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1997 Kate MacCluggage, 16 Park Avenue, Apartment 15C, New York, NY 10016, katemac@gmail.com James Dixon is associated with Fellner Associates Architects, a firm in East Haddam that specializes in sustainable design.

He spends much of his time renovating his New London home. Molly McKay has entered her final year as a law student at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. She qualified (for the second time) to be in the Moot Court Competition in February which is held at Pace Law School in White Plains, NY. Over 200 law schools participate. The students must testify in front of a panel of five “judges.” The “judges” are experienced lawyers who volunteer their time. They challenge the students, interrupting them, constantly asking questions.

The students are then critiqued by the panel.

1998 (15th Reunion!)

Tiffany Barres Foley, 2310 Rock Street, #6, Mountain View, CA 94043, tfoleyram@gmail.com Gillian Sulick Janus, 97 Hancock Street, Apt. 2, Cambridge, MA 02139, gbsulick@yahoo.com Nate Clough graduated from law school and is now studying for the bar exam. Jesse Shaw is engaged to Liz Lyons.

1999 Tiana Baker, 45 Auburn Street, Apt. 4, Framingham, MA 01701-4849, tiana.baker@gmail.com

Elizabeth Jordan ’99 checked in from the Big Easy! “I’m starting at the Tulane School of Medicine in New Orleans this fall. I’m part of the MD/MPH dual degree program, which means I’ll be studying public health and tropical medicine alongside the normal medical school curriculum. We’re really liking New Orleans and its vibrant culture so far - the city reminds both of us a little of West Africa, where my husband, Moussa Traore, grew up.” They are shown after Elizabeth’s white coat ceremony, the beginning of her medical school year.

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Brendan Gouin ’98 (second from left) joined art teacher Maria Iacoi, kindergarten teacher Laurie Mortrude, and David Peterle ’06 at the Alumni Reunion.

Alesha Christensen Newland ’99 sent in this great photo of her family near their home in Centennial, CO. “Nate is currently an Off-Highway Vehicle Law Enforcement Ranger for Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife. He gets to ride a dirt bike all weekend and write people citations as well as check trail conditions and see if grant money is being used appropriately. I am a stay at home mom, but taking care of my energetic son Isaac, who turned one on September 4th, is definitely a full-time job and I love every minute of it!”

Why not make your Annual Fund gift online?

Pine Point has made it easier for you to support the School.

• Go to Pine Point’s website • Then to the Giving Section (Annual Fund) • Look for the online giving icon

It’s that simple!

The fund runs through June 30.

Every gift is important in helping us reach our goal and supporting the entire program at Pine Point.

The site is administered through Pine Point’s partnership with Greater Giving, one of the premier online gift processing firms in the country, so you can make your gift with confidence.

2000 Arianna Funk, S:t Johannesg. 30E:182, 752 33 Uppsala, Sweden, ariannafunk@gmail.com

2001 Kathleen Coss, 8 Concord Street, Apt. A2, West Hartford, CT 06107, audriie@hotmail.com Cindy Morren Griffin, 405 Gardiner Road, West Kingston, RI 02892, cindymorren@yahoo.com Jessica Williams, 180 West 8th Street, #3, Boston, MA 02127, jessicaswilliams87@gmail.com

Ariel Mitchell ’00 and her husband, Ryan Dillon, moved to Bergen, Norway on August 1, 2012.

Ryan will be starting a master’s program in physical oceanography. Ariel will be teaching yoga and pursuing her art career. They absolutely love the city, surrounding mountains, and the friendly people. If you would like to read their blog about moving overseas, California//fjords, etc., you can do so at: http://arielmitchell.wordpress.com/.

Kathleen Coss checked in with what she was up to during the summer in Washington, DC. “I’m presently working on The Hill for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee of Environment and the Economy. I’m enjoying my time here very much, and I even get to resume my old post working for Lilly Pulitzer on the weekends! I live in a beautiful row house in Georgetown and luckily was not affected by the powerful June storms, although a tree fell atop one of the houses across the street. We remained with power throughout!” This fall, Kathleen continues as a second-year law student at UConn School of Law. Thomas Dixon is living in New London and works as chief engineer at Tylaska Marine Hardware in Mystic, CT. He was involved in the design of a new type of clevis pin, a ubiquitous component of sailboat rigging used to connect two fittings to each other. “They’ve been around since the early days of sailing,” said Tom. Tylaska’s new version of the item, which the company is referring to as the “ball lock” clevis pin, solves two longstanding problems sailors have had with clevis pins. The first is that they stick out and get caught on clothing, sails, line, and other fabric. The second is that they are difficult to remove quickly without special tools. The ball lock clevis pin is held in place by a built-in locking mechanism rather than a ring or a pin, minimizing the likelihood that it will snag. This built-in lock – which looks like a series of ball bearings at the bottom of the pin – can be retracted by pushing a button on either end of the pin, making it easy to slide in and out of place.

2002 Beth Abbiati ’00, Talia Mortrude ’00, and Gillian Sulick Janus ’98 get reacquainted at this August’s Alumni Reunion.

Ryan Peterle is working at the Ocean House in Watch Hill. Ian Schulz is in New York. He moved to Greenpoint in Brooklyn and is living with three other apartment mates. He’s acting in films - mostly student productions. He’s also working for a catering company (with Calvin Utter) to pay the rent. He loves being in New York.

Chris Fiftal ’02 is engaged to Steffy-Maya Ravson. Chris wrote, “Steff and I met a very long time ago in high school, but never got close until about two years ago when she came to visit me in Vermont with some mutual friends. We were inseparable after that. She left for Taiwan last May, but as soon as she came back, we decided we never wanted to be apart again. We’ve lived together for the last year, and in June, were officially engaged. Steff runs an online vintage store called mayalune (www.mayalune.com) and helps run the retail side of my company (Emulsion). We’re lucky enough to spend every day together, working together as much as possible, with many plans for the future! We have our dog, Cashew, and an upcoming marriage in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in March. Steff’s family is from all over Europe (mostly France) and her uncle owns Cafe Des Artistes in Mexico - where our ceremony and reception will be. We will never take for granted how lucky we are to marry our best friend!” Chris and Steff are shown at a wedding in Peru, ME, this past summer.

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Alumni Reunion Save the Date August 10, 2013 2003 (10th Reunion!)

Diptesh Soni is attending grad school at Columbia University in New York. His focus will be on international affairs with a concentration in human rights.

2004 Samantha Luca, 4 Seagull Lane, Mystic, CT 06355, Lukky555@aol.com

2005 Will Hagen, 2111 NE 47th St, Seattle, WA 98105, will_tucker@comcast.net Harrison Brunswick graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a B.F.A in May. He planned to move to New York City in August.

Kalen Larsen graduated from the U.S. Military Academy on May 26. While at West Point, she concentrated her studies in kinesiology and environmental engineering and received a B.S. degree in kinesiology. She was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army’s medical branch and began her medical studies at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in August. Peter Menniti majored in music business at New York University and graduated in May with a Bachelor of Music.

He’s living in New York. This summer he started working in the finance department at Beggar’s Group, a British record company with offices in New York. Alex Schulz is doing well. He was on the College of Engineering Dean’s List (again) this spring. He’s enjoying the program at Northeastern and started his third co-op in July, which will run until December. Then he’ll be back in classes and will graduate in the spring of 2013. He’s enjoying transportation engineering. Matt Sullivan is attending Naropa University in Boulder, CO.

Eliza Hannon ’03 married Merrick Smith in June at Whispering Pines in Rhode Island and, as you can see, Pine Point was well represented at the affair. In front are Molly Hannon ’06, Kate Scott ’09, Eliza, Merrick, David Hannon, and David Cruthers. Standing are: Melanie Holstein ’02, Jane Lassen Bobruff ’75, Neal Bobruff ’73, Stephen Scott, Mary Raftery, Lara Dolphin, Tony Featherston, Maureen Gosselin, Garth Dolphin, Sherry Fritzsche, Lisa Scott, Susan Fader, Robert Scott ’04, Riley Featherston ’08, Lucy Featherston ’13, Helen Roy, and Jane Hannon.

Jonathan Martin ’05 married Melanie Rose Lima on July 27 in Groton.

They will be settling in Massachusetts after Melanie finishes her master’s in elementary education. Jon is focused on pursuing a career in photography. In fact, Jonathan was one of the photographers from Lifetouch Photographers to take pictures at this year’s photo day at Pine Point! They are shown with Jonathan’s parents, Pine Point music teacher Jean Martin, her husband Greg, and sister Rebekah ’07.

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Eliza Hannon Smith ‘03 and Merrick Smith

Danielle Giovanni Stone ’04 married Air Force Captain David Stone in May 2011. They have lived all over the world, and, for the next three years, will be stationed near Las Vegas. You’ll read more about their lives in the next ViewPoints.

Will Hagen ’05 graduated with honors from the University of Washington’s Political Science Department. He was also named one of the “150 Seniors” from his class of 5000 students as one of the top donors to the Purple and Gold Forever Fund, a fund for their class gift. Being in the “150” is a major deal, as it is the University of Washington’s 150th year. He is a member of Phi Delta Theta where he served as vice president. He also ran for vice president of the entire student body during his junior year. Will is currently working on the campaign of Rob McKenna, Republican candidate for Governor of Washington State. He is a field coordinator for South and East King County, probably the highest Republican population in the Seattle area. “My job as the field coordinator for East and South King County (largest county in the state and 15th-largest in the US - includes Seattle) is to manage the field operations of the campaign. Every campaign, from state representative to president, has a ground game that includes door-to-door work and making phone calls to voters. A large part of what I do is to organize and monitor those efforts. Additionally, I’m responsible for distributing yard signs in my region, all the way up to 4x8 signs that go on the side of highways. King County is where this election will be won or lost. If we don’t get at least 40% of the vote here, we’re mathematically almost guaranteed to lose.

To say this election rests on my shoulders would not be much of an exaggeration.” He’s pictured at his graduation with his sister, Laura ’06.

Chris Wiles ’05 graduated from St. Lawrence University, cum laude, in May with a B.S. in biology (pre-medical). In addition to academics, Chris was involved with a variety of activities, including running for the varsity cross country team during his first two years and working on campus as an EMT a couple of weekends per month. He also volunteered at the Canton Fire and Rescue Department. As a founding member and treasurer of the Pre-Health Club, Chris helped to promote several health-related fundraising events on campus as well. This past spring, he became certified in basic, advanced, and rescue/scuba diving. During the summer, Chris spent most of his time studying for the MCAT and working part-time as a bartender for Cross Sound Ferry (as he’s done during the past two summers). In the coming year, Chris expects to take some upper-level biochemistry courses and work part-time as a bartender and an EMT with a local fire department. His goal is to start medical school in the fall of 2013. Chris is shown with his proud parents John ’60 and Joan.

Tucker Walsh ’05 is embraced by his proud mom, Pine Point Nurse Dana Oliveira, after his graduation from the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, DC. “After graduating in May, I moved to Brooklyn, NY and started working for a production company called M ss ng P eces.

[Editor’s note, this is not a misprint!] I’ve directed a project for American Express and worked on a short documentary film for an organic pet food company. I’m super grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with such a creative and passionate team I’ve already learned a ton!”

Sejal Soni ’05 graduated from Tufts with a double major in geology and environmental science. She has also become a certified dive master. She will be taking some time off this fall, but diving will assuredly be a part of whatever she does.

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The Class of 2006 had the largest representation of any single class at this year’s Alumni Reunion. It was great to see Zoë McLean, Emily Gibbs, Danica Mitchell, David Peterle, Tess Williams, and Sarah Lane back at Pine Point.

2006 Elma Burnham, 43 Wilcox Road, Stonington, CT 06378, eccburnham@gmail.com Mariél Rice Frechette, 57 Denison Hill Road, North Stonington, CT 06359, m.frechette@comcast.net Jason Chornyei is attending Drew University where he is majoring in business and is a member of the basketball team. In his first year with the team he appeared in 23 games with eight starts. He was sixth on the team in rebounds with 51. Johnny D’Amato is a fitness trainer specializing in “correctives.” Corrective fitness focus is on stabilization exercises to correct imbalances and breaking faulty movement patterns. He is also a property manager for the family business. Laura Hagen worked this past summer at Badlands Trail Rides and Eastview Campground in Killdeer, ND where she has been the past three summers. She was selected for the University of British Columbia‘s elite two-year creative writing program (75 applied and 25 got in), but she needs 12 writing seminar courses to graduate and she was only able to take four courses this year due to classes being full (15 students). She’s doing well in the courses, receiving an A+ in fiction and an A+ in non-fiction in the spring semester. Laura will likely graduate in the fall semester of 2013. She has also had a poem published in a new online literary journal, Northern Liberties Review. In early May Danica Mitchell reported that “things at school are great, albeit constantly kind of hectic. I’m finishing up my sophomore year at RISD/Brown, majoring in industrial design and engineering, respectively, which has proven to be a pretty intense endeavor.”

David Peterle spent the summer working at Skipper’s Dock and doing the lighting for Shakespeare in the Park in Westerly. He is in his senior year at Roger Williams.

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2007 (Welcome to your first reunion!)

Jay Greenfield, 74 Legare Street, Charleston, SC 29401, jayg763@aol.com Amber Weinberg, P.O. Box 3114, Mashantucket, CT, 06338, aweinberg89@yahoo.com Sarah Brandt is in her junior year at Syracuse University majoring in advertising and minoring in information technology. Allen Davis wrote, “I spent most of the summer at Baylor University in Waco, TX, researching dusty plasma, plasma containing nanometer or micrometer-sized particles suspended in it. The experience has reaffirmed my plan to study astrophysics in graduate school.”

Francesca Gaudio was in Washington, DC for the summer taking classes for fun hoping to get her Spanish translation certificate. She also worked a side job and planned to study abroad in Spain during the spring. Blake Hunnewell is currently at West Point in his junior year. He plays on the West Point rugby team. He was in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for leadership training and just came back from SAPPER school in Fort Leonardwood, MO. He doesn’t get too much free time but when he does he travels or is learning something new, like flying, racing rally cars, and occasionally sailing.

Dana McGuire worked at Stonington Country Club

Alumni Reunion Save the Date Classes of 1952-2007 August 10, 2013

during the late spring and summer. She’s a junior at Fordham where’s she focused on English and also communications and media studies. Chris Regan is studying abroad at Lund University in Sweden for the entire 2012/2013 academic school year studying water resource engineering. The program is through his current school, UCONN. Amber Weinberg wrote, “I have been working a lot. I work at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center as an educator. My boss, the Director of Public Programs, happens to be a Pine Point alumna, Kimberly Shockley ’98, my cousin.

My main responsibilities are to give tours of the museum to the public, including giving tours to Pine Point classes. It is always a great experience giving our school a tour, because I can remember back to when I came to this museum with them and now I get to teach them. It’s a great feeling.

Almost a year into working here I applied for a higher position and I got it. My responsibilities now are to develop and give classroom programs.

We offer craft, enrichment, and even Scout programs. It has been a great learning experience for me, and I absolutely love it here. The summer is full of really fun activities for all ages. We will be having a veterans’ event in October, and a veterans’ powwow here on November 10th and it’s going to be lots of fun! If you have a chance, come by and check it out!”

2008 Duncan Brown spent the summer in Stonington working for a landscaping company and taking a chemistry course at Avery Point. He’s a sophomore at the University of Findlay in Ohio. One of the major reasons Duncan chose the school is that they offer a program in pre-veterinary medicine, which has been a passion of his for years.

Nicholas D’Amato is transferring from Roger Williams University to Sacred Heart in Fairfield, CT. Jake Mortrude worked this past summer at the Westerly Town Beach where he manned the parking lot during the days and on the nights of concerts. He also played American Legion baseball.

He is currently attending CCRI. Still passionate about running, Olivia Mortrude is training for the last leg of the UnitedHealthcare Triple Crown, which is a three-part running series that takes runners through some of the most scenic and wellknown landscapes in Rhode Island. The third and last leg of the tour, the UnitedHealthcare Newport Half at the Amica Marathon, has been voted as the best half marathon in the Northeast by Competitor Magazine for a course that takes runners along famed Bellevue Avenue and its historic mansions and then along Ocean Drive’s beaches and cliffs that overlook the Atlantic. James Stewart had a great summer working in Watch Hill tending to people’s sailboats. He managed to frequently see good friends like Wiley Markham and Jake Mortrude. James headed back to the University of South Carolina in the third week of August.

Planking the Last Wooden Whaleship Tim Larson ’07 is in his third year at Wheaton College in Norton, MA. He is currently declared as a creative writing and music double major.

This summer he worked at Mystic Seaport on the Charles W. Morgan, the last surviving wooden whaleship, which is undergoing an extensive renovation. As evidenced from his writing, the work on the Morgan merges modern techniques with old-fashioned ship’s carpentry. Tim also put his writing skills to work this summer as he interned at Mystic River Press as a press writer. This was his second summer with the paper.

T

hey’re not necessarily the greatest pictures, but they do sort of represent what I was doing most of the time I spent working in the shipyard this summer. The plank I’m handling in the picture is being planed by a large, if not gargantuan, power-planer. We were trying to get the thickness down from about four inches to maybe a little over three inches. Most of the planks on the Morgan are a little over three inches thick, and, though they vary in length and width, the shortest and smallest one I ever helped put in was about twenty five feet long by three inches thick by eight inches wide, with an end that tapered toward the bow to become a little less than five inches wide where it met the bowsprit. Almost all of the planks we put on the Morgan are white oak, but, as the stock of white oak in the shipyard has been decreasing, we’ve been supplementing the planks that are more toward the midsection of the ship with yellow pine.

For the futtocks that had to be replaced, we used mostly live oak.

Our live oak stock came mostly from the Hurricane Katrina blowdown, and it is even more dense and heavy than yellow pine and white oak. Live oak has a density of about 80 lbs. per square foot of material. It is very hefty stuff, and I’m just happy that I wasn’t involved in working with it because apparently it is a pain to cut. It is, however, ideal for replacing frame pieces. For one, its density is close to that of stone. Although you would think the ship would be a lot heavier with that kind of wood, the amount of surface area and the water it displaces more than makes up for it. Another reason why live oak is ideal for the futtock replacement pieces (futtock is another word for a frame piece) is because it does not rot. Its immense density does not allow for it to be very porous, which means very little water, if any at all, gets between its fibers. Also, it is pretty much a wood-consuming insect’s worst nightmare. It would probably take about three years for your average termite to chew a quarter inch diameter hole through two inches of live oak.

After planks have been milled, planed, and cut down to size, it’s time for them to be put into a steam box where we pump in steam at about

200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The length of time the plank needs to remain inside the steam box mostly depends on how thick it is. The general rule is one hour per inch of thickness, so the majority of the planks were put in there for about three to three and a half hours. The reason we put the planks in the steam box is to make them more flexible. That way, when we put the plank onto the ship, we are able to bend it easily enough to conform to the shape of the hull. In order to keep the plank on, we use what are called eye rings and ring staves. The eye rings are pretty much what you might think they’d be: they are essentially small loops with a threaded bolt end to be screwed into the futtock above where the plank will go. Below the eye ring, we put a similar contraption that has another larger ring on it, as well. This larger ring is used to catch the tapered end of the ring staff, which is a long piece of wood with a pointed end. Then a rope is tied around the eye ring above the plank and the tail end is wrapped three or four times around the ring staff until it is secure. Then, we use the rope as a kind of block and tackle system to force the plank to bend into the shape of the hull. Of course, since the process isn’t exactly perfect, we put wedges in between the face of the plank and the edge of the ring staff and hammer them in until the plank is flush with the futtocks beneath it. We usually put one ring staff setup about every seven or eight feet along the plank.

In order to hold the plank onto the hull permanently, we use a combination of fastening implements. One of these is called a trunnel. The word “trunnel” evolved from the term “tree nail.” What they are are cylindrical shafts of black locust wood that have a square end. The square end, as you might imagine, is there so that we can wail on them with a large wooden mallet without the end of the trunnel getting too mashed up or cracked. We then pound the trunnels in about one inch shy of their final depth and cut off the excess wood an inch out from the plank. We do this so that we can split the end of the trunnel and put a small, one-inch wedge into the slot. These wedges are called trunnel wedges, and they are put in there so that the trunnels will not slip out under any conditions from the face of the planks. Another fastening implement we use are spikes. These are square spikes that are about seven or eight inches in length made out of copper. These we put in every other futtock. The last implement we use to fasten the planks onto the hull of the ship is called a butt spike. The butt spikes are the same length, if not a little longer than the regular spikes, but they are round instead of square. These are put in at the butt of every plank. The story behind the butt spikes goes as follows: the insurance company required the Morgan to be fitted with butt spikes at the end of each plank before she was able to sail to Alaska to hunt for whales there. I believe the thinking was that the colder water would shrink the black locust trunnels and perhaps even the copper spikes, and the ship would be too likely to literally come apart at the seams. Don’t quote me on that, though - that’s just my own guess.

All in all, working at Mystic Seaport Shipyard was a lot more work than I had imagined it being. It did, however, provide me with a much better sense of what goes on behind the scenes of the restoration process of the Charles W. Morgan. Now, continuing my college education, I am hoping to return to the shipyard either this winter or next summer.

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Pine Point was well represented at The Williams School’s 121st Commencement on June 6. In parentheses are the schools they are now attending. Graduates standing from left were: Ege Izmirli ’09 (Oberlin Conservatory of Music), Zack Dameron ’09 (Hobart and William Smith), Rashad Young ’09 (Bridgton Academy in Maine), Julie Philippe ’09 (Barnard), Kyle Sebastian ’09 (Columbia), Sarah Shourds ’09 (Endicott), Kimmie Meneo ’09 (Connecticut College), Christina Menniti ’09 (Boston University), Olivia Denison ’09 (Savannah College of Art and Design), and Parker Verhoeff ’09 (University of Vermont). Williams graduate Anna Holt ’09 (who is taking a gap year in Italy) kneels between Groton School graduate Lydia Schulz ’09 (Tufts) and Stonington High graduate Scarlet Caruso ’09 (Columbia College, Chicago).

2009 Anna Holt, 43 Barnes Road, Stonington, CT 06378, aholt@williamsschool.org Kyle Sebastian, 65 Coachman Pike, Ledyard, CT 06339, bradliereels@gmail.com Hannah Staley, 156 Long Wharf Road, Mystic, CT 06355, hstaley245@gmail.com After graduating from The Williams School, Gabe Campbell is now at Rhodes College in Memphis. Last spring and summer he worked at Ella’s, a new, upscale restaurant that recently opened in Westerly. Eleanor Hilton was named to the high honor roll at Kent for the spring term. Kimmie Meneo was the co-winner of the Athletic Leadership Award at The Williams School. Christina Menniti won the 2012 Prize for Excellence in Expository Writing at The Williams School. Her short story was accepted for publication in Susquehanna University’s The Apprentice Writer.

She was also named to the Cum Laude Society. Julie Philippe was co-winner of the Prize for Excellence in Spanish at Williams. She was also named to the Cum Laude Society.

Kate Scott ’09 often returns to Pine Point to see her former teachers, one of whom, of course, is her mom, 3rd grade teacher Lisa Scott!

This photo was taken at graduation. “I can’t wait to get back to school and start my final year of classes and sports at Westover, and also to continue to hunt for the perfect college! I will be playing field hockey this fall and will also be a proctor for the senior class.”

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Caroline Burlingham ’09 worked two jobs this past summer which kept her quite busy; one in the bakery at Mystic Seaport and one at a coffee shop in Watch Hill. She worked to save money for her semester in Salamanca, Spain this fall. She will then head to Colby in January. The photo shows Caroline after graduating from Middlesex.

Associate Director of Development David Cruthers dropped by a gathering of members of the Class of 2009 to say “hi” to some of those students who dedicated their yearbook to him. Flanking him are, left, Ceilie Moore and Scarlet Caruso. In front are: Parker Verhoeff, Timmy O’Brien, Lydia Schulz, and Anna Holt.

Ceilie is in her senior year at Taft and Timmy is a freshman at Colgate.

16th Annual Alumni Soccer

& Field Hockey Games

Sunday, October 28, 2012 1:00 pm at Pine Point Wendell Frink ’09 and Hannah Staley ’09 aren’t just members of the same Pine Point class. As it turns out, they each had a younger sibling (respectively Gaelen Frink ’12 and Harry Staley ’12) who was graduating from the School in June. Wendell graduated from Westerly High School and is at Ithaca College while Hannah graduated from Stonington High School and is a freshman at Salve Regina.

2010 Amita Bose won the 2012 Yale Book Prize at The Williams School. The Princeton University Alumni Association selected her as a recipient for her essay describing “how a particular individual among a group of Princeton scientists excelled in fulfilling Princeton’s motto: ‘Princeton in the Nation’s service and in service to all nations.’” Also at Williams, Zoë Moffett was the 2012 Eugene Atwood Award Nominee, and Nathaniel Ryan won the 2012 Connecticut College Book Prize.

Join Pine Point for Dinner Tuesday, November 13 or Azu and Bravo Bravo, which are operated by Angela Kanabis ’87 and her family, will donate 15% of the sales that night to Pine Point.

Enjoy a great meal and help Pine Point at the same time!

T-shirts for the first 50 players signing up.

Contact dcruthers@pinepoint.org!

Lily Hinkle ’10 took a summer trip to Italy through St. Bernard High School where she is now a senior. She spent twelve days visiting places like Sorrento, Capri, Assisi, Florence, and, as you can see by the two pictures, Venice (Lily’s on the left in the gondola) and Rome (Lily’s on the right in the Colosseum).

She worked this past summer at Noah’s Restaurant in Stonington Borough and for a week as a volunteer at Mystic Seaport’s sailing camp. She is thinking about Fairfield University or Boston College after high school.

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2011 Shylia Barnes, 148 Mathewson Street, Unit 402, Jewett City, CT 06351, shylia.barnes@gmail.com Cooper Feltes, 7 Bellaire Road, Niantic, CT 06371, cfeltes5@gmail.com Luke Butler won a technical proficiency award during the 2012 Fine Arts Awards ceremony at The Williams School. Ben Dameron wrote, “My Pine Point experiences really are coming in handy at The Williams School. Thanks for all you did!” Pine Point alumni rule the day at The Williams School as far as student government is concerned. Co-presidents of the Williams Class of 2014 are Victoria Ferrigno and Marion Philippe, vice president is Rudy Harvey, and secretary is Adam Verhoeff.

Attending Pine Point’s graduation were: Andrew Rosenberg ‘14, Austin Rosenberg ’11, Joseph Rosen ’10, Morgan Buffum ’10, Simone Kronholm ‘11, Hanna Kronholm ’12, and Hannah Long ’11, who is holding the hands of Owen Bennett ’22 and Maeve Bennett ’21.

Hannah Long ’11 and her extended family spent two weeks in Kenya this past summer. Here are some of her observations. “Although Kenya is a collage of different landscapes and fascinating animals that most people never get to see in their lives apart from a television screen, what I will always remember from my trip to the country is the sincerity, enthusiasm, and intelligence of every Kenyan I met. I certainly enjoyed watching lion cubs play with their mother in the tall grass and elephants socializing while devouring pounds of vegetation; I loved the monkeys at the Mount Kenya Club orphanage that sat on my shoulder and held my hand, and the excitement of driving off-road through rivers in an open truck.

“What I enjoyed the most, however, was the way every person greeted me with a cheery ‘Jambo!’ or how all of the guides were so eager to share stories and information about their country as well as inquiring about me. Every person was eager to celebrate their own country but also eager to learn about other countries, their people and their languages with the same excitement. It was the trip itself, but also the friends we made along the way, that brought my family together to have one of the best times of our lives.”

Regarding Norwich Free Academy, which Hannah entered last year, she wrote, “Sophomore year for me was all about discovering what NFA has to offer, and this coming school year I'll be continuing to push myself further in the paths I've chosen to pursue. I'm excited for field hockey season and hopefully my team (my ‘field hockey family,’ whom I owe for making my entrance at the school that much easier) can have success in the ECC's! I'm also looking forward to lacrosse, Project Outreach volunteer work, Spanish, and possibly becoming more involved in the Student Art Association when I have the time! So far, I love NFA - it's full of opportunities but also a lot of fun.”

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Jennifer Carroll ’12 and Alan Carroll ’12 came back to Pine Point to see their former classmates graduate. (They are shown with their 6th grade teacher Steve Brown.) Both had a great first year at Stonington High School in the classroom and with the tennis team. They were looking forward to a family trip to Ireland over the summer.

The Carter family was in attendance to support Kiona ’12 during her 9th grade speech in May. She was the last of the 13 9th graders to speak.

From left, brother Joshua, dad Joey, sister Asia ’10 (who introduced Kiona), Kiona, mom Kelly, brother Jared ’99, and brother Justin.

2012 Andrew Bronk, 14 Bobwhite Lane, East Lyme, CT 06333, andrewbronk@gmail.com Kara Falck, 91 Montauk Avenue, Stonington, CT 06378, ffalck1@gmail.com Daniel D’Amato is attending The Forman School and finished his first year with high academic honors. His film-making passion took him to The Hotchkiss School this spring with one of his films making the top twelve.

It’s a stop-action film called “Good Day” with Geb Daukas as the subject.

Join Pine Point for Dinner

Tuesday, October 30 Nestled in the heart of downtown Mystic’s shopping district, S&P Oyster Company has been proudly serving guests from around the world for over 20 years. S&P Oyster Company will donate 15% of the sales that night to Pine Point. Enjoy a great meal and help Pine Point at the same time!

“Like” us on Facebook!

If you’re a Facebook member, type Pine Point School in the search box, and join our new page, which is listed as “Pine Point School, Non-profit Organization” rather than the “Group” page. If you are a member of the “Group” page, please switch. We want to bring our latest news directly to your homepage, and you’ll receive it by “liking” our new page. You can also send your news to the School and your friends through the page!

Apolline Jonckheere ’13 was honored with the Lucretia B. Shaw Daughters of the American Revolution Excellence in American History award. On hand to celebrate with her were her parents, Olivier Jonchkeere and Veronique Riethuisen, and Williams School Middle School Head Jane Hannon.

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Former Faculty and Staff Jacquie Bill is teaching in Griswold, a rural Connecticut town with a single elementary school, middle school and high school.

Back in early May she enthusiastically reported: “This summer the kindergarten and preschool moved into the wing of our new elementary school. It's big, beautiful, and bright with technology all around.” Outside of teaching, she was delighted that her daughter, Kayla, had a terrific freshman year at Syracuse University. Jacquie wrote, “She adjusted well to the extremely different environment. One truly can't compare Syracuse and North Stonington. I kept waiting for the ‘homesick’ call but it never came! I had 40 kindergarten children to tend to in Griswold so I think that helped me with the ‘empty nest’ feeling that comes when we send our children out into the world!” Simon Holt moved back to Stonington in June in order to focus all of his efforts on getting the United Theatre in Westerly up and running. Members of the Pine Point family will recall that Simon and his family moved to Hagerstown, MD in the summer of 2010 when he assumed the

position of choir director and chairman of the fine arts and music department at St. James School, America's oldest Episcopal boarding school. While performing those duties he continued to oversee the Salt Marsh Opera. As well, in June 2011 he was named as the executive adviser of the United Theatre Project. At that time, “A Partnership in a United Future” was announced by the Westerly Land Trust. That project continues to gather momentum and Simon’s return only aids the process of bringing local theater and performing arts groups to the downtown Westerly scene. Joan Turner is the Director of the Acton Cooperative Preschool, a preschool for children 2 years, 9 months through pre-kindergarten located in West Acton, MA. Joan taught at the school for six years before becoming the school’s director in 1999. In that role, she is an active member in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and serves as an accreditation consultant for the organization. In addition, she is an adjunct professor at Mass Bay Community College and is frequently asked to speak at area schools.

Milestones

It was in the summer/fall 2011 edition issue of this magazine that “Milestones” made its debut. That edition and the subsequent winter/spring issue apprised members of the Pine Point family of the passing of eight beloved individuals. In this third installment, we’re delighted to report on the recent marriage of long-time Instructor of English Hamilton Salsich, who, in recent years, has kept a number of blogs. Below is his post from the beginning of August, marking a special day. (Two weeks later Ham and Delycia headed to London for their honeymoon.)

Thursday, August 2, 2012 Yesterday Delycia and I were married quietly in our home on Burrows Street in Mystic. A Justice of the Peace named Luanne, looking both earnest in her duties and joyous for us, stood in our living room and said the brief words that made us man and wife.

We then walked outside to Delycia's flower garden, where Luanne took several pictures of us, with my new wife's flowers in the background. We then drove down to Old Lyme, where we lunched on the veranda of the Florence Griswold Art Museum overlooking the easygoing Lieutenant River. We must have looked like a strangely bemused but buoyant couple as we ate. We were enjoying the food and the pristine scene, but we were also off on some far-away cloud in our new life, trying to understand the mystery of what had happened that morning. We were sitting, but also floating.

Later, we took a picnic supper to the beach at Stonington Point. The evening was still and restful, and we leaned back and loved both our sandwiches and our brand new lives.

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The Fires in Our Hearts A student at Pine Point for ten years, Emmanuel Perry ’12, or E, as he is affectionately known by fellow students and teachers, was one of two recipients to be presented with the Jules Escorcio-Schneider Award. He will attend Monterey Bay Academy in La Selva Beach, CA. Emmanuel was chosen by his classmates to speak on their behalf at Commencement. In addressing his classmates and guests, he chose to stay with the theme of this year’s 9th grade speeches, which was “The Fires in Our Hearts.”

I

am honored to speak today on behalf of our graduating class. We all have fires in our hearts, and they have been kindled in many beautiful ways. You who are sitting here today share this special day with us and kindled many of these fires.

Fires were kindled first by our parents as they helped us build new toys, encouraged us when taking on a new skill, or shared stories of their own struggles, desires and success.

Our teachers from the times when we sat, talked, worked, and played together have ignited fires in our hearts. We were very fortunate to have teachers who are passionate about life, and living what they teach. No matter how confusing the concept was or how difficult we were to work with at times, you gave us all the same amount of encouragement. Your energy and determination started a flame in each of us; a flame that will make us all burn with desire to do well with our own work. Each of you helped us to grasp new ideas and even new dreams.

You were brave enough to take us on many amazing trips to broaden our view of life and the people of the world, beginning our middle school experience with our journey to Carter Notch in New Hampshire, where we learned how Man’s seemingly small impacts on the environment can affect any place in the world: even remote and beautiful mountain passes. On our most recent trip, we visited France and experienced and contrasted the slow country life and the faster-paced city lifestyle and compared it to our lives here in America. Unlike the guided hikes in the mountains, in France the teachers gave us free time to explore the big city. While we could have run around like crazed baboons and caused mischief, we didn’t. Our loving teachers trusted us to be responsible 14 and 15 year-olds that respected their desires.

As we progressed from grade to grade here at Pine Point, we have all changed from small, inexperienced but eager kindergartners to mature freshmen with our own passions and dreams. Dreams of building things, creating friendships, caring for the people and other living things around us, and sharing what we love with the world.

Of course, getting to this point did not come easily to all of us. It took much effort and patience to get us to where we are today. For me, it was quite a challenge learning to manage my abilities, frustrations, and my time. For another classmate, the challenge was achieving success while being thousands of miles away from home in a new culture. For still another, it was about overcoming a major illness; for another, an injury that was a setback, causing him to miss an overseas trip after months of planning. And the list goes on with family challenges of all sorts, illnesses and learning difficulties that forced us to be stronger, more courageous, and to find new ways to overcome.

Some joined midway in the journey of Pine Point and had to make new friends and work and play in a new school. We learned to care even more about the people around us, and we built a strong bond.

Teachers, parents, family and friends, you were there with us all the way. We thank you.

Classmates—my friends, my brothers and my sisters, Class of 2012—thank you for sharing this journey. Congratulations to us! May the fires in our hearts burn brightly! May the fires in our hearts never die!

Last year every 9th grader spoke about the fires in their hearts. It’s also true that there are many for whom Pine Point burns in their hearts. Last year, 513 members of the Pine Point family made gifts to the Annual Fund totaling over $248,000! As you consider your giving priorities, we hope that your passion, or fire, for Pine Point burns ever brightly. When you make a gift to the Annual Fund you are helping every student “to grasp new ideas and even new dreams.”

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