10 Main Street Cheshire, Connecticut 06410-2496 203-272-5396 www.cheshireacademy.org
PERMIT NO. 121
PERMIT NO. 121
NON-PROFIT U. S. POSTAGE PAID AUGUSTA, ME PERMIT NO. 121
NON-PROFIT U. S. POSTAGE PAID 04330 PERMIT NO. 121
CHESHIRE
Parents: If the CA graduate in your family no longer maintains a personal address at your home, please contact the Alumni and Advancement Office at alumni@cheshireacademy.org or 203-439-7276.
TH E MAG AZ INE OF C H E S H IRE AC AD E MY
REUNION
May 16-18
www.cheshireacademy.org/reunion
WINTER 2014
SAVE THE DATE
WINTE R 2 0 1 4
THE MAGAZINE OF CHESHIRE ACADEMY
Cheshire Academy is an International Baccalaureate速 World School.
Photo by Greg Howley '14 Advanced Digital Photography Class
220 Years of Growth
Board of Trustees
On the Cover
a Cheshire Conversations
2013-2014
Hear a panel of Cheshire Academy alumni share their story with students and reunion guests on how they achieved their career goals and how Cheshire helped them get there. Go online to learn about our five panelists! • Jeffrey Barker '71 – New York Market President; Bank of America • Richard Levy '64 – Inventor; creator of the Furby • Bryan Jackowitz '96 – Vice President; American Distilling • Christine Krais – Schott '82 – CEO & Creative Director; CKS. • Alex Case '99 – Training Center/Travel Manager; New York Rangers Hockey Club
Chairman Richard Cerrone '67 — Stamford, Connecticut Vice Chair Howard Greenstone P'12 — New York, New York Treasurer Michael Mauro PP — Monterey, Massachusetts Secretary Richard A. Katz, Esq. '64 — Harrison, New York
Michael Belfonti '76 — Hamden, Connecticut Ronald Feinstein '64 — Weston, Massachusetts Suzanne Fields P'12 — Westport, Connecticut Michael Freedman P'15 — Westport, Connecticut Suzi Raferty Herbst '94 — New York, New York David G. Jepson '59 — Glastonbury, Connecticut
Taken by Cheshire Academy senior, Greg Howley, this photograph is part of a student art showcase on display at Cheshire Coffee. The assignment was part of faculty member Nicole Van Slyke's advanced digital photography class. This striking image suggests growth, representing Cheshire Academy's 220 years of history and community. This image also ties into the Campus News section, which features a story about the Academy's sustainable living practices, and of course, the story of Van Slyke's class and their art show at Cheshire Coffee. To learn more about the Art Show, read the story on page 20 and flip to page 52 for another photo from "Caffeine and Comfort" on display through April.
Graeme M. Keith, Jr. P'11 — Charlotte, North Carolina
Andy Moss P'14 P'15 — Westport, Connecticut Donald Rosenberg '67 — Wayland, Massachusetts
Brett F. Stuart '68 P'09 P'09 P'10 — East Hampton, Connecticut Mark F. Testa, Ph.D. '68 — Carrboro, North Carolina COUNCIL OF OVERSEERS Michael A. Belfonti '76 — Hamden, Connecticut Dan Gabel, Jr. '56 — New York, New York Douglas N. Morton '58 — Englewood, Colorado Frank Motter '61 P'97 — Montreal, Canada Brett F. Stuart '68 P'09 P'09 P'10 — East Hampton, Connecticut
Join us Friday evening to celebrate Bevan Dupre '69 and his 50th year of Cheshire Academy Lacrosse. The inaugural "Under the Lights" Alumni Lacrosse game begins at 7:30 pm on Simosa Field.
a Hall of Fame
The tradition continues! Help us honor our newest members during our revered Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame induction: Art Leibowitz '64, Rick McGowan '64, Jose Caldera '69, Barry Davis '74 and Jorge Vidal '79
Go "Up a Palm Tree" and get personal with Brother Houghton and other prominent leaders from Cheshire Academy's history. These larger than life displays highlight former faculty members and Headmasters, including Arthur Sheriff, Morris Sweetkind, Ernie Beaulac and more.
Patrick K. McCaskey '68 — Lake Forest, Illinois
Lendward Simpson, Jr. '68 — Knoxville, Tennessee
a Alumni Lacrosse under the Lights
a Memory Walk
Gerald Larson, Ed.D. ex officio — Cheshire, Connecticut
Armando Simosa P'08 — Miami, Florida
Join us!
Help Us Produce the Next Cheshire Academy Alumni Directory Cheshire Academy has partnered with Harris Connect to update all alumni contact information and generate a new edition of the Alumni Directory. Starting in April 2014, please be on the lookout for postcards requesting your participation, as well as phone calls from Harris Connect employees. We appreciate your help in connecting our alumni community. If you have any questions, please contact the alumni office at alumni@cheshireacademy.org.
Don't miss these other fun events: Friday, May 16
• • • • •
Class of 1964 Golf Outing at The Course at Yale "Back to the Classroom" - Join Students During Class Campus Tour w/ Student Tour Guides "Remembering the Waverly" 50th Reunion Dinner @ O'Connor House with Cheshire Conversations Panelists & Classes 1969 and older.
Saturday, May 17
• • • • • • • • • •
All Day Video Booth - Tell your Cheshire Story! Fun Run /Walk for Petit Foundation Trolley Tour of the Old Campus and Houses of Cheshire with Bob Gardiner & Ann Moriarty Alumni Soccer on Simosa, Alumni Basketball, Memory Walk, Art Gallery, Open Time for Alumni, Yearbook Tables in Community Forum Sunday Tea on Saturday at the Headmaster's House (O'Connor House) Class Photo Outdoors in the Courtyard at Gideon Welles Dining Commons Wine Tasting in the Courtyard at Gideon Welles Dining Commons Alumni Dinner at Dining Commons Awards/Recognition – Hall of Fame, Bowden Distinguished Alumni Award & Induction of the 50th Reunion Class to "old cats" Dancing
Sunday, May 18
•
Goodbye Brunch with Memorial Service
REUNION
May 16-18
www.cheshireacademy.org/reunion
contents THE MAGAZINE OF CHESHIRE ACADEMY WINTER 2014 Head of School Dr. Jerry Larson Director of Communications Stacy Jagodowski
Contributors: Jess Barry '02 Chip Boyd Leah Brennan Tom Charette Cheryl Costello Barbara Davis Bevan Dupre '69 Susan Eident Richard Ferraro '71 Hannah Gailey '17 Caitlin Garzi Lucas Hoffman '14 Greg Howley '14 Leslie Hutchison Stacy Jagodowski Jeremy LaCasse Jerry Larson Jason Lee '15 Charlotte Leser '16 Christian Malerba '04 Alyssa Mancinelli '05 Carrie Moores Ann Moriarty Scott Pottbecker Kimberly Pugh Nicole Van Slyke Barbara Vestergaard Jacky Zhang '15
5
17
21
20
24
34
2 From the Head of School
16 Campus News
3 A Lot Can Happen in 220 years 4 What's in a Name? A Brief History 5 The Glory and Demise of Horton Hall 8 Past and Present Tradition 9 Dr. Horton Hears a Who
10 Archiving Ann If you have news or updates for The Cheshire Magazine, send them to Christian Malerba '04 at christian.malerba@cheshireacademy.org. Photos should be submitted in high resolution (300 dpi) for publication. Join our social media groups including Cheshire Academy and Cheshire Academy Alumni on Facebook.
A look at the illustrious (and humorous) career of Archivist Ann J. Moriarty.
12 From Student to Senior Master Bevan Dupre '69 celebrates 50 years of being part of Cheshire Academy.
Š 2014 Cheshire Academy
14 The Camp that Became a Home
Please direct admission inquiries to
admission@cheshireacademy.org or to 203-439-7250.
The Rehor Family's CA Story.
34 Alumni Notes
16 Cheshire Academy Adds Banners to Sheriff Field House Walls
34 The Power of Floating: Jeremy Spang '05 Opens Healing Center
17 Basketball Takes Home NEPSAC Class B Championship Title
36 Come to the Red Door: The Golden Age of Elsner Tolson Tells a Tale
18 Swimming Shatters School Records: Takes Home Two Medals
39 Class Notes
19 Cheshire Academy Goes Live
44 Harwood Planned Giving Society
20 Cameras and Caffeine: Student Art Display
45 Simosa Brick Campaign
21 James Van Der Beek '95 Visits
46 Remembering David Markin '48: Funding the Markin Tennis Center
22 Blue Goes Green: Sustainable Living Efforts
48 Historical Tweets: What if Twitter Existed in the 1800s?
24 The Next Generation of Learning: iPads
50 We're old, We're Awesome, We're Here to Stay
52 Last Look: Student Photography 26 Looking to the Future Cheshire Academy's Strategic Framework Analysis and Action Plan.
30 CA Events
Inside Back Cover: Reunion 2014! Schedule and Highlights. Register online today! cheshireacademy.org/reunion
Receptions, gatherings and more. View additional photos online at cheshireacademy.org/mediagallery WINTER 2014 CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE 1 WINTER 2014 CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE 1
CHESHIRE ACADEMY From the Head of School "Every effort of teaching should be directed to the evolution in the student of a complete personality. If there is properly an 'art' of education, it must involve the consideration of what is ideally attainable in the material at hand, and the effort by a method as much creative as scientific, to realize this ideal in its highest form. Thus each student may remain a true individual rather than become the representative of a type." – Arthur N. Sheriff ca. 1928 Recently a group of faculty and trustees completed a planning process where we reviewed Cheshire Academy's past and present, as well as looked ahead a few years. In reviewing the archives we came across many documents composed by long-serving Headmaster Arthur Sheriff (1923 – 1966); we were struck by how relevant his philosophy is today as it was at the beginning of the 20th century. Mr. Sheriff and the faculty at Cheshire Academy believed in an individual education for each student, rather than a typical boilerplate program where students are made to fit a certain mold. This belief continues to be at the core of The Cheshire Experience, and even though curriculums have become broader and more complex, Cheshire Academy continues to focus on the individual student and to meet them where they are in their own learning journey. Our faculty also continues to be creative as well as scientific in their approach to teaching for learning, and we look to address the global world our students will live and work in through our use of the International Baccalaureate Programme, where students can pursue a diploma or individual certificates. What we are most proud of is that Cheshire Academy continues to focus on being a student-centered school that strives to be inclusive and innovative in preparing each student for their "best fit" college. Along with providing our students with a great college preparatory education, we continue to believe in providing a complete education that includes arts, athletics, community service and character development. We believe that good character is vital for a citizen of the 21st century, as well as strong communication skills and the ability to look at issues and problems in a variety of ways. We have also begun, as part of our planning efforts, a continuing conversation to explore the value of a Cheshire Academy education. We welcome each of you to join us in this Cheshire Conversation, which will remind us of the legacy begun so many years ago when Mr. Sheriff shared his educational philosophy. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Friday, May 16, 2014 as we continue the dialogue to insure Cheshire Academy remains true to being a school focused on each individual student's success. Best wishes, Dr. Jerry Larson Head of School
2 CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE WINTER 2014
A lot can happen in 220 years. For more than two centuries, Cheshire Academy has been the leader in student-centered teaching and learning. Educational philosophies today align with those of the school years ago, sharing the common goal of meeting students where they are and taking them beyond where they imagined possible. It is this personalized and dedicated approach that sets Cheshire Academy apart from other schools and creates a unique and unforgettable educational experience. Cheshire Academy would not be the school it is today without the people who have shared the journey over the years. The Academy is grateful to have a community truly invested in its future, from teachers who dedicated their lives to serving CA, including alumni who returned as faculty members, to families who have sent multiple children and even multiple generations of children to Cheshire Academy. We continue to tell our story of educational achievements, athletic accomplishments, artistic endeavors and other student successes every day. In this latest issue of The Cheshire Magazine,
School the
Student-Centered
we want to share not just the story of our revered history, but your stories. It is you—our valued families, students, faculty and alumni—who tell your stories best: stories of success, enlightenment, fulfillment, relationships, and more. The pages in this magazine celebrate our collective experiences, memories and everything we as a community love and cherish about this historical and important educational institution. Join our conversations and continue to share your stories.
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE 3
BLUEPRINTS OF THE OLD ACADEMY What's in a name?
A brief history of Cheshire Academy and its changes over the course of 220 years. The name of the Academy has changed several
In the early 1900s, alumnus Joseph Harriman
Sheriff became dean of students in 1920 and
times in our history, but the core mission of
modernized the campus, abolished the military
headmaster in 1923, a post he held until 1966.
helping young people grow has endured. When the
aspect of the school and renamed it The Cheshire
In 1937, Sheriff saw the school become Cheshire
Academy was founded in 1794, it was named the
School.
Academy, retaining its small, challenging classes
Episcopal Academy of Connecticut. At the time,
and strong teachers.
the Episcopal religion faced decreasing support
In 1915, Arthur Sheriff, who later became one of
from the colonies, and the church believed that
the school's most influential leaders, brought his
Today, under the leadership of Head of School
an American bishop could help the religion to
student-focused philosophy from Yale University,
Jerry Larson, many of Sheriff's teaching
prosper. The Episcopal delegation sent one of their
where he worked as a teacher. Two years later, in
philosophies still stand true. Cheshire Academy
members, Samuel Seabury, to England with hopes
1917, the school was purchased by the Roxbury
continues to serve as a leader in student-centered
that he would return to revive the religion. Their
Training Center for the purpose of preparing
education, with its goal to meet students where
hopes were realized when Seabury returned as the
students to enter Yale, merging the two institutions
they are and take them beyond where they
first Episcopal Bishop of America. One of his first
as The Roxbury School.
imagined possible. C A
duties was to start a school to educate future clergy, which resulted in the founding of the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut. The original charter for the school was liberal; the Episcopal Academy provided for the education of both genders and allowed students to practice the religion of their family's choice. That charter was changed in 1836 when a new constitution outlined that the school was to be exclusively for boys, a mandate that remained in place until 1969. Even though the school was officially known as the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut, by the early 1800s families had started to address letters to The Cheshire Academy. Rev. Sanford Horton began as headmaster in 1862. He renamed the school to the Episcopal Academy Military School and changed the focus of the school to a military academy. He instituted new blue and grey uniforms (including our iconic blue blazers), and built dormitories.
4
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
HORTON HALL
The Glory
and Demise
of Horton Hall
The majestic Horton Hall, established in 1874, was a vision much envied across private schools of a competitive caliber. The ornate tower of Horton Hall was once known
remarkable girth of Horton Hall obscured the
including the iconic blue blazer. Under his lead,
as the singular marker that distinguished the
understated Bowden Hall (erected in 1796), tucked
classes became small, student-centered, discussion-
Episcopal Academy of Connecticut–now known
just behind its tall shadow.
based seminars as opposed to the large, pedantic
as Cheshire Academy–from the narrow stretch of Main Street that led to and from the school. The
Prior to the vast expanse of Horton Hall's construction, Bowden Hall stood as the campus' architectural landmark. At the time, Bowden Hall shared the surrounding landscape with the
Horton left an indelible mark of prosperity and renewed academic vigor on the Academy during his era of leadership.
Junior and Senior Halls, considerably less majestic
A fine building of stalwart material and aesthetic
than the building that would later be built on its
virtue, Horton Hall was built to reflect the values
footprint. In 1873, those halls, along with many
of its beloved namesake. Consisting of three floors,
important school records, were destroyed by a
Horton Hall housed an impressive living room,
fire—a tragedy for one of the oldest boarding
classrooms, laboratories, 60 dormitory rooms,
schools in the United States. Less than a year after
and a small dining hall. A grand piano, fireplace,
the fire, Horton Hall was erected on the very same
and classical white columns occupied the ornate
site with unprecedented speed.
rooms that were a favorite gathering place for
Horton Hall stood as an example of a new era of educational excellence. Its namesake, the Reverend Sanford Jackson Horton, led the school as headmaster from 1862-1892. He changed the Horton Hall was named for the Reverend Sanford Jackson Horton, Civil War-era headmaster from 1862-1892. Rev. Horton established the iconic blue blazer, still worn by students today.
lectures more common at the time. Rev. Sanford
institution's name to the Episcopal Academy
both students and faculty alike. "Horton Hall was considered to be one of the most opulent boarding school buildings for its time," Cheshire Academy Archivist, Ann J. Moriarty, notes. "It was almost certainly the town jewel of Cheshire itself."
Military School, shifting the mission to provide
A Horton Hall-era brochure describing the
a military boarding educational experience. Rev.
Academy paints a picture of an expansive campus—
Horton also established the blue and grey uniform,
the same 100 acres—though mostly consisting
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
5
BLUEPRINTS OF THE OLD ACADEMY of vast fields that were later to be developed. "In
The main campus consisted of Bowden and
and what was referred to as "the master's houses,"
addition to the campus," the brochure reads, "there
Bronson Halls, initially standing as two separate
also used as dormitories for the boys.
are two athletic fields, nine tennis courts, and a
buildings but later joined. Bronson Hall housed
large tract of land, including beautifully wooded
the school library and the old chapel (now referred
portions, suitable for outdoor activities."
to as the stately 'Blue Room' and Alumni and
According to the pamphlet, Horton Hall was the central unit for the younger boys. Dorm rooms and faculty apartments occupied the second and
Advancement offices), while neighboring Bowden Hall contained administration offices and several dormitory rooms.
Besides its function as a primary unit for boys' residence, Horton housed offices (formerly Arthur Sheriff's office) and held historic documents and student files dating back to the Academy's origins, as well as post-revolutionary war era furniture and valuable paintings. All would be lost, save for a few
third floors. The vast ground floor was home to
The campus also included Governor Hurley Hall,
artifacts, to the swelling conflagration as firemen
classrooms, a small dining hall, and common
which served as a dining room and commons, as
ran into the burning tower, emerging with arms full
area—a popular gathering place for students,
well as a dormitory for students and faculty. The
of paintings, books, and what ornate furniture they
who enjoyed chatting around the marble fireplace
Gymnasium stood next door to Horton (occupying
could carry out as the walls crumbled around them.
or tinkling out a sonata at the grand piano. A
what is now the student center and music room).
stunning work of modern architecture for its time,
Other campus buildings included the Richmond
Horton Hall was surrounded by otherwise colonial
Infirmary, Woodbury Hall, Philips House, Seabury
relics.
Hall (classrooms and a supervised study lounge), Bailey Memorial Hall (housing several laboratories and a lounge), the Alumni Memorial Building,
6
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Bowden Hall would once again become the signature building on campus on the morning of January 9, 1941, following the great fire that destroyed the iconic Horton Hall, forever changing the campus blueprint. The blaze of Horton Hall began swiftly and without much circumstance
HORTON HALL on the night of January 8, 1941, around 8 pm.
The terrible fire claimed no lives despite originating
After being alerted by a local passerby that flames
in a building that provided residence to students
had engulfed the tower, firemen rushed in from
and faculty. The school had been abandoned for the
five neighboring towns in order to battle the
winter break; Horton Hall had been left behind,
powerful flames, though an article in the Waterbury
unattended. The local Fire Marshal speculated that
Republican published the next day, January 9, 1941,
a tangled array of electrical outlets, plugged in and
cited that "… the handicap of low water pressure
abandoned, likely caused Horton's demise.
… made impossible the saving of any part of the building."
Well into the next day, photos captured the ashes of Horton that continued to rise. The charred remains
The same article described the scene in vivid detail,
were soon embalmed in a glass-like casket as a
particularly the stunning moment the tower finally
January ice storm encased the rubble.
gave way, crumbling in smoke and wild fire: "… As the attic reaches of the dormitory caved in, great masses from flames shot up between the walls casting their glow throughout the center of town. Traffic congested the main street as cars of families drove through to witness the spectacle." A tragedy for the town and for the school, the headline screamed, "FIRE RUINS CHESHIRE SCHOOL HALL," offering multiple photographs of the iconic building ablaze, lighting the town of Cheshire in an eerie glow. "Blaze of undetermined origin rages throughout the night," costing an estimated $200,000 worth of damage for the Academy—a sizable amount for its time.
Without delay, however, Cheshire Academy resumed classes the following Monday. Boys and faculty who had lost their rooms to the fire were temporarily housed by local residents, eager to offer their homes to the displaced members of the school. While a new Horton Hall—a smaller dormitory— would soon be dedicated in honor of the magnificent structure and its namesake, nothing could capture the grandeur and history of the lost tower. Today, the famous campus spot remains a grassy footprint; a simple brick memorial stands as a modest echo of the once magnificent edifice, the crown jewel of Cheshire and its Academy. C A
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
7
BLUEPRINTS OF THE OLD ACADEMY
Past and Present Tradition The mark of any great academic institution is
Students enrolled in Roxbury often take IB courses,
The building, modeled after the Hill School
measured by its ability to adapt through the years,
one of the many ways in which Cheshire Academy
gymnasium by architect Theodore Appel, was
to grow and shift gracefully with the demands of
continues to meet students where they are and take
completed around 1926.
each new generation, to advance in both physical
them beyond where they imagined possible.
construction and technology, to recruit and employ
Converted into the Dining Commons shortly after
new and experienced talent, and to bend with ease
Small classes serve as the central element of a
the field house was completed, the once-existing
in order to meet the shifting needs of its students.
Cheshire Academy education. Today the ratio of
second-level track was used for overflow dining for
As Cheshire Academy celebrates its 220th year, no
student to faculty remains 7:1, not unlike the class
a period of time. While the track level was removed,
stranger to change over the span of two centuries, it is
sizes dating back to the Civil War era.
Welles continues to serve the famous clam chowder
important that we honor all that remains the same.
Philosophy
Construction
Bowden and Bronson Halls continue to nestle snugly together in the Southeast pocket of campus. The Blue
Arthur Sheriff shaped the Academy around the belief
Room—while it has seen various hues—remains blue,
that each student is an individual, and that a school
and the Headmaster's office has continued to be a
should be an inclusive environment, welcoming to
central component of Bowden, the fireplace in winter
many people and ideas. Dating back to its founding
provides a warm invitation for students to stop by
in 1794, Cheshire Academy was revolutionary in
and chat when the door is open.
its inclusion of students from varying religious traditions and in coeducational attendance. In
The back pond continues to intrigue students with
1850 the Academy was one of the first schools to
lore of snapping turtles; the springtime finds many
welcome students from all over the world. By 1857,
dropping in a line to catch a fish, and the winter
more than 20 Cuban students had enrolled as word
freeze welcomes the age-old game of pond-hockey
of the Academy traveled through the agricultural
(the team is still undefeated according to its players).
commercial shipping business between New Haven and Cuba.
in the 80s!) and the flags continue to wave proudly. Alumni may return to see more countries represented than they recall. Senior Master Bevan Dupre '69 recalls taking part in Community Dinners as a student, something that still takes place today, a monthly occurrence now. "Every lunch and dinner was essentially a community dinner," he explains. "All students sat with a faculty member. When I attended school, the faculty would serve the meal and students were responsible for taking away the plates and cleaning the table."
Faculty
Our campus is still a home to many familiar faces Von der Porten Hall (VDP), the Sheriff Field House
dating back almost half a century. Many long-
and Maintenance Barn are central buildings that
standing faculty members and returning alumni
Cheshire Academy students now represent
have remained in use since the 1960s. VDP currently
have kept the spirit of Cheshire Academy—and its
30 countries and 17 states. The International
houses the underclass boys, while the Sheriff Field
student-centered philosophy—the hallmark of the
Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programme places
House, a project that began with the first shovel
220-year-old institution. Among those dedicated
Cheshire Academy at the forefront of global learning.
of dirt on August 15, 1963 and was dedicated in
faculty members are eight alumni who have returned
Students learn to gather information central to
1966, is bustling with learning and activities every
to their alma mater as professionals:
helping them solve complex and meaningful
afternoon and weekend.
problems. Like Sheriff envisioned for the Academy,
8
on Friday (as Food Services director Otis established
individualized attention for each student, with the
The Gideon Welles Dining Commons, while initially
added benefit of neuroscience and educational best
established as the gym with a second floor track
practices, has remained a part of his legacy. Once
(much to the dismay of opposing teams, who found
called the Roxbury School, today Cheshire Academy
themselves being heckled from above by Cheshire
continues formalized academic support through our
Academy students hanging off the track rails) has
comprehensive Roxbury Academic Support Program.
served as the campus dining hall since the 1960s.
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
• Bevan Dupre '69 (appointed 1975) • William Johnson '71 (appointed 2003) • Richard Ferraro '71 (appointed 2013) • Jess Barry '02 (appointed 2011) • Eric Sacco '03 (appointed 2013) • Christian Malerba '04 (appointed 2012) • Alyssa Mancinelli '05 (appointed 2012) • Kirsty Leedham '07 (appointed 2013) C A
THE BELL
Dr. Horton Hears a Who According to Cheshire Academy lore, the first incarnation of the Old Academy Bell that tolls from the top of Bowden Hall once hung ominously from a Spanish ship during a pilgrim voyage to America. With the founding of the Episcopal Academy of Connecticut in 1794 (and the later construction of Bowden Hall in 1796), the bell landed in the belfry of the school house, chiming forth the boys and girls to classes. Over a century later, in 1880, the Board of Trustees presented the bell to beloved Dr. Horton, who relocated the sonorous memento to the belfry of a small chapel near his cottage at Short Beach, in Stratford, Connecticut. In its stead, Dr. Horton commissioned another bell to be made for the Academy tower by Meneely Bell Foundry. The slightly heavier, modern bell would hold its own for at least a class life of four years. In 1884, the Board of Trustees of Trinity Colleges presented Dr. Horton with the historic old Trinity bell to grace the Academy campus. Sent back to the Meneely Bell Foundry with the instructions to melt down and recast the bronze beacon, this reincarnation would ultimately settle into the heart of the campus, where it would remain. The original bell of ambiguous Spanish origin returned to campus and was stored until Dr. Horton presented it to St. Paul's Church in Southington. The second bell, commissioned by Horton himself in 1880, was sold to the Union Chapel at Short Beach, where it would remain until 1909, when W.C. Demarest of New York—a graduate of the class of 1875—bought it back from the Chapel, exchanged it for the original bell at Southington, and returned the original to the Academy. C A
Love learning about Cheshire Academy's history? So do we! Tell us what you want to read about in future issues and share your stories with us. Email: alumni@cheshireacademy.org WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
9
Archiving Ann Nestled in the corner office of the Cheshire Academy library, obscured through the glass windows by fading news clippings and inspirational photographs, you'll find Ann J. Moriarty, school archivist —but you'll probably hear her, first. Those who have come into contact with Moriarty
Following the birth of their first son, Billmo,
during her 30-plus-year tenure at Cheshire
Moriarty took what she refers to as her "16-year
Academy are well versed in her mischievous laugh
leave of absence," staying at home to raise him, and
of 15 different books," she recalls with palpable
and whip-sharp quips. If she isn't preoccupied
his soon to be little brother, Christopher. It would
fatigue. "It was tough. I had books just scattered
documenting the stories that have unfolded during
be her decision to enroll Billmo at nearby Cheshire
everywhere." After building a name for herself and
the Academy's 220-year illustrious history, she is
Academy that would inextricably change the
gaining the respect of both students and faculty, it
spinning her own with a playful smile or warm,
direction of her life.
was a great shock to Moriarty and no one else when
winking admonishment.
"I came to the Academy to enroll my older son, and
The Laurel Thatcher Ulrich quotation, "Well behaved
decided to stay, myself," she chimes. When asked
women seldom make history," immediately comes
what year her son graduated, Moriarty takes a long,
to mind when conversing with Moriarty. Her
contemplative pause. "I'm the archivist—I can look
encouragement of the young women of Cheshire
that up!" she cracks.
Academy has been a central part of her life and career as a teacher, middle school head, school archivist, and Coleman Group Co-Chair. "I've done almost everything here," Moriarty says of her many hats while at the Academy, "But working with young women may be what's keeping me here now— showing them that it's ok to network, that they need to respect each other. That sticking together for a common goal does work."
up in nearby Prospect, and later attended Central Connecticut State University, where she earned her degree in elementary education, followed by a master's degree in reading from Southern Connecticut State University. At Prospect Community School, she would eventually meet her late husband, Bill Moriarty—the Vice Principal of
But Moriarty thought about it, and indeed became years. "I walked into that Middle School, which was
the Assistant Head of School at the time, Scott
Beardsley House at the time, and I just knew this was
Wing, approached Moriarty. "Did you ever think
where I belonged," she recounts of her newfound
about teaching here?" he asked, innocuously sealing
role at the Academy. "I think I enjoyed those years
her fate.
the most—probably because I had all of the control!"
"No. Absolutely not," Moriarty replied matter-of-
With that, Moriarty was placed in the Reading and Study Skills Department—what would later become the Roxbury Academic Support Program. "I'm not even sure I filled out a resume," Moriarty recalls with glee, "And if I did, I wouldn't want to see it now! It was probably written on a piece of tissue!" she adds, with token self-deprecation.
won't get into those details," Moriarty shoos off with
overnight to watch the boarding students, Moriarty
impish delight.
realized that this was not a teaching job—it was a lifestyle. "Those first few years, I was teaching out WINTER 2014
"No!" she balked, characteristically.
(brother Christopher '85 would soon also attend),
After just one weekend at Cheshire Academy, staying
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
about being Head of the Middle School?"
the Head of the Middle School for the next 10
the school where Moriarty taught second grade. "I
10
one afternoon, asking "Ann, have you ever thought
As Billmo '82 entered his senior year at CA in 1981
factly.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Moriarty grew
then Head of School John Hyslop approached her
she says, only half-joking. "Those middle-schoolers thought I was the head of the entire Academy and I let them think that." After 10 fruitful and fulfilling years as Head of the Middle School, in the spring of 1999, Moriarty grappled with the slow decline of her husband, Bill Sr.'s, health. When he passed away that June, Moriarty felt it was time to retire. She was sent off with a spectacular retirement party; perhaps it was so good, she decided she'd have another. When Moriarty was asked to return to work at the Academy by Dr. Larson that very fall, she accepted her new hat graciously and returned by
October as the school archivist. Now, as Moriarty spends most of her days in the corner library office compiling the history of the school, perhaps she, better than most, can accurately track the ebb and flow of such a historic campus. However, even after 220 years, she insists, less has changed than one might think. "Heads and buildings may have changed, but not the character of the school," Moriarty affirms. "Knowing students very well is at the heart of it. The basic idea is that we bring in students who—regardless of what their gifts are—are willing to make the effort to succeed. And we do our darnedest to support that." Currently in her 31st year, what could be described as the pinnacle of Moriarty's career at Cheshire Academy came as a surprise this past summer.
A favorite quote of Ann Moriarty's describes her well. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich once said, "Well behaved women seldom make history."
Moriarty became the recipient of the prestigious John Bowden Award at the 2013 Commencement—an honor rarely bestowed upon faculty. "It was the biggest moment of my life at Cheshire Academy," she reflects, emotion etched in her voice. "There I am, half listening, and all of the sudden, I thought—Oh My! It's me … I don't know how I got across that stage, but I did. I walked over to Jerry Larson, and I hugged him. Twice. And I said, 'I hope this isn't to nudge me into retiring,'" she smiles. If teaching, advising and archiving have been the meat and potatoes of Moriarty's long career, her co-chairing, along with Senior Master Karen Smith, of the campus women's club, The Coleman Group,
women in society, and discussing topics relevant to
goings of current students, Moriarty undoubtedly has
them at Cheshire Academy today. "I think hosting
plenty of steam and witticisms to carry on working
these 'Girl Talk' meetings are important, because it
for another 30 years. Reflecting upon her 31-year
gives our girls power," she explains.
experience as a teacher, advisor, mentor, and advocate
While many students and faculty have left indelible marks on Moriarty over the years ("They know who they are," she says resolutely,) working with young women on campus is a particular joy. Unfolding a freshly hand-written letter—one of many from her desk—she beams, “They still write to me. In pen."
at Cheshire Academy, Moriarty gives pause. "I've really enjoyed my time here," she muses. "But I don't want to die here in this chair; I'd rather it be in a bathing suit at the beach." But that's not until she's had her second retirement party—even better than the first. C A
Today, settled in her corner office in the library, surrounded by ample history and the comings and
has surely been the pudding. Established in 2004, The Coleman Group was named for author Marion Moore Coleman, who published Cheshire Academy: The First Twelve Decades, in 1976. In the spirit of women leaders, activists and intellectuals, The Coleman Group seeks to raise important issues confronted by women in society today. This all-female association is an actionoriented group of dynamic women—students, faculty and alumnae alike—who work to create a positive environment for women on campus. Hosting two symposia a year as well as smaller "Girl Talk" meetings regularly, Moriarty is passionate about educating female students about powerful WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
11
From
Student
to Senior Master
For those who have been associated with Cheshire Academy at any point during the past 50 years, "Bevan" is a name that can only belong to one person. Hearing that name will almost certainly conjure a smile—and a sense of instant connection to the Academy.
The inimitable Bevan Dupre, class of 1969, has
an incentive to study even harder for his exams. "I
experienced life at Cheshire Academy, in many
didn't want to pour asphalt the rest of my life!" he
incarnations, since the sixth grade. Born and raised
exclaims.
in Hamden, Connecticut, Dupre recalls his first encounter with then school Headmaster Arthur
After passing his exams, Dupre returned back east,
Sheriff, as he struggled to pass the writing sample
to New Jersey, taking a job in sales, though he soon
asked of him during an interview.
discovered that this was no life for him. Deciding to call his old Cheshire Academy dean, Dr. Ernest
"As a sixth grader, I could barely write. And there
Beaulac, Dupre expressed that he would really like
was Arthur Sheriff, asking me if I wanted to go to
to return to the Academy and become a coach.
Cheshire Academy—of course I said 'yeah.' Mr.
While no such position was available at that time,
Sheriff simply replied, 'I'll find a space for you.' That
almost a month later, Beaulac—freshly appointed as
kind of student-centeredness—Arthur Sheriff's idea
the new headmaster for the school—called Dupre,
for the school—is something that has never changed, the idea that you can meet students where they are at and take them to where they need to be, making lifelong learners. That's been the philosophy for as long as I have known the school." Attending Cheshire Academy from 1963 to 1969 as a boarder ("my family lived in Hamden, but we only had one car," he explained,) Dupre would graduate high school and go on to attend Bethany College in West Virginia, where he would major in psychology. Venturing out to California immediately after college, where he planned to study for his comprehension examinations, Dupre took a job pouring asphalt in the middle of the desert—a job so hot, the workers could only pour the 140-degree medium after the sun set. Dupre cites the work as
12
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
"When I began at Cheshire Academy, the kids were like my brothers. When I returned, they became my sons. And now, they are like my grandchildren."
in need of a lacrosse coach and history teacher.
commitment to the Academy. "When I began at
seemed to pick right back up. Shortly after, John
Dupre would be Beaulac's first new hire of the year.
Cheshire Academy, the kids were like my brothers.
White was the angel who gave us the Science Center,
When I returned, they became my sons. And now
which we sorely needed at the time. It seemed to start
After a period of six years away from the Academy,
they are like my grandchildren," he quips with a
this momentum of people giving back and wanting
in the spring of 1975, Dupre returned to teach and
laugh.
to help the school they loved."
coach, I love the kids, and I really enjoy the boarding
In his own career as an educator and mentor at
Despite the physical changes Dupre has seen at
school context," Dupre muses of his long-term
Cheshire Academy, Dupre has wished to instill
Cheshire Academy over the years, the spirit of
the same sense of work ethic and acceptance in his
the students and faculty has never faltered. One
students that he once benefited from. "My parents
characteristic Cheshire Academy has always instilled
definitely instilled a strong sense of work ethic in
in its students, Dupre reflects, is humility. "One
me," he explains, "but Cheshire Academy reinforced
thing that has always unified the students of Cheshire
that work ethic in me every step of the way. I also
Academy is their humble nature. They have never
learned how to get along with different types of
been elitist—we've never been an elitist prep school.
people—the Academy has always been very diverse,
Even the really wealthy students have never carried
and that was an incredibly important life lesson
airs," he asserts.
coach, where he has remained ever since. "I love to
for me. In my role as a coach, I always try to instill the same life lessons—to play fair, to demonstrate
"When I was a student, the most influential teachers
sportsmanship, and to possess a strong work ethic."
I had were Pepe Millares, who taught Spanish, Doug Rehor (math), Mr. Kita (Head of the Middle School)
During his long tenure at the Academy, Dupre has
and Stew Lindsay, my former lacrosse coach, just to
experienced firsthand the many changes the campus
name a few," he recalls. "They had a huge impact
has endured, such as the selling of the Watch Factory
on me growing up, and that's something that hasn't
and several houses around the town as the campus
changed—there is still that same dedicated and
began to consolidate to the north side of the street
caring faculty at Cheshire Academy."
during economic hardship in the 1970s. "Then the school entered an era of giving, as Charlie Harwood
As his students, both old and new, would agree, Mr.
gave a tremendous endowment for the Student
Dupre is most certainly among the best of them. C A
Center," he recalls. "The energy of the campus
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
13
The Camp that
became a Home.
The Rehor Family's CA Story.
14
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
In 1948, The New York Yankees Professional Football Team held their annual training camp at Cheshire Academy. Little did Doug Rehor know at the time—as an AllAmerican star football player fresh out of Dickinson College—the very site of this camp would someday also be a home to him and his family. After being the first collegiate football player to throw for over 100 completions in a single season, serving as a U.S. Marine, and earning his master's of education from New York University, Doug and his wife, Angela, wished to finally settle down and start a life together. Looking for a quieter, more peaceful pace of life in a suburb as opposed to the hustle of New York City, Doug fondly recalled the time he spent training in the picturesque village of Cheshire, home of Cheshire Academy. Although he had only spent a short time on campus, he was always overtaken by the sense of community that the school offered, and he felt a strong conviction that this was where he and Angie should raise their family. Doug, a coach and teacher, and Angela, the Cheshire Academy nurse for several years,would spend 29 years together at the Academy. During this time, they had four children, three of whom would graduate from Cheshire Academy: Donna, Charlie '71, Doug Jr. '74, and Cheryl Rehor '77. Speaking with the Rehor family today, it is clear that Cheshire Academy meant much more to them than just a school. For Charlie Rehor '71, his life-long career as an Academy student began from the time he could walk. "I ate lunch and dinner with the students and faculty from the time I was three until I graduated!" he recalls. He and his brother, Doug Jr. '74, who hunted frequently with their father, recounted the days that they would head out to the fields to hunt game, hop in the car with their pheasants, and always head straight to Welles Dining Hall to eat dinner before returning to their home
on Maple Ave—one of many Rehor family traditions that included Cheshire Academy while growing up. Doug Jr. '74 –born on the same day his father began work at the Academy—also dreamed of becoming a Cheshire Academy student and football player from the earliest days he can remember. Having spent so much time on campus with his parents—watching varsity football games, eating in the dining hall with faculty and students and spending his weekends in the gym playing basketball with his siblings—he couldn't imagine himself anywhere but Cheshire. Proud to be a part of the Cheshire Academy family, he knew that the campus was always where he wanted to be; it was simply his home.
long history. Doug Rehor Sr. perfectly embodied the spirit of Cheshire Academy's philosophy of "bettering our students," a quality in teachers that continues to make Cheshire Academy not just a place of work, but a home. C A
So much a home was Cheshire Academy to the Rehors, in fact, that youngest sibling Cheryl, class of '77, recalled the time her father was offered the opportunity to teach at a nearby public high school, an incredibly tough decision at the time, since the public school offered an increase in salary. Considering what this might mean for his family, ultimately, Mr. Rehor just couldn't leave the dear old Academy. "My father was made to have his life at Cheshire Academy," she explains. "Clearly he had found his niche among students and faculty. He was so happy with his life, loved the small student body and most importantly loved being able to get to know each individual as more than just a student but as an important person in the world." A true Cheshire Academy family, the Rehors continue to be a special part of the Academy's
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
15
Campus News
Cheshire Academy Adds Banners to Sheriff Field House Walls Football The Fighting Cats were selected to compete in the 2013 New England Preparatory School Athletic Counsel Dan Rorke Bowl Championship, one of only 10 teams in New England to participate in the 5 championship bowl games. Cheshire Academy (then 7-1) squared off against New Hampton School (then 8-0) on November 16 at the championship game at Williston Northampton School in East Hampton, Massachusetts. In an exciting game, Cheshire Academy took down
Heywood Thomas on the Vikings' home
New Hampton School with a 70-20 score. Patrick
court. Unfortunately, the Cats fell to King
Kehoe '15 was 35 – 47 passing for 660 yards and
in game four. Despite the disappointment,
scored 8 TD's, while Tarik Black '17 had 9 catches
the team can look back on this season with
for 190 yards and 3 TD's. Matt Torrey '14 had 6
pride. They beat 16 teams, including both
catches for 145 yards and 2 TD's. Frank Zumbo '14
of the teams that played for the Class B
had 9 carries for 75 yards and 2 TD's, and Kehoe
Championship (Pomfret and Ethel Walker).
completed passes to 9 different receivers. On the team page, they thank coaches Both Cheshire Academy and New Hampton Prep left
Tom Brady and Andrew McBreen "for
the season with 8-1 records.
their hard work and dedication in nudging, pushing and cajoling this diverse group of young women further than they could
Volleyball
ever have imagined." And of course, thanks
The varsity volleyball team made history with one of
and congratulations to the girls of this
the strongest seasons in Cheshire Academy history,
competitive team, "for giving us all, the
taking home the Class C Championship as part
students, the faculty and the families, the
of the New England Prep School Girls Volleyball
chance to dream of greatness." C A
Association tournament semi-finals. They clinched this title thanks to a 3-0 win over Bancroft School. The win pushed the Cats into the tournament final. After two straight years of heartbreak in the Championship semi-finals, the Cats were anxious to avenge the season's only loss. As was written on the team's page, "Championship chances don't come easily, and they don't come often. However, this plucky Cat Crew of volleyball players (2-14 just three short years ago) has earned the right to play for the game's greatest prize and can hold their heads high." The Cats traveled to Stamford to face King Low
16
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Campus News
Basketball Takes Home NEPSAC Class B Championship Title After an exciting and extremely close game versus
score of 31-27 by the end of the first half. Returning
"I've never in my 6 years at Cheshire Academy—or
Brooks School on March 2, the varsity boys
to the court after half time, CA excelled during the
in my 25 years being in prep schools—seen two
basketball team emerged victorious as the NEPSAC
final 16 minutes of the game. The Cats were able to
better home crowds for the playoff games," Kehoe
Class B Champions. With a final score of 66-56, the
maintain the lead over Brooks to the very end in a
reflects. "In coaching basketball, we refer to these
Cats walked away with a nearly 4-foot tall trophy,
gripping match, the final score in CA's favor with
crowds as the 'sixth man.' And our student body was
and with Wilfredo Rodriguez '14 named MVP.
a 66-56 win. The NEPSAC Class B championship
definitely the 'sixth man' in the playoffs. They were
win marked the first in 24 years at CA. The most
as important to these games as any individual player
In the NEPSAC semi-finals the previous day, the
recent NEPSAC title was under Coach Billy Casson
on the team."
team played to a packed gym at home against The
in 1990, when the team won against Kingswood–
Rivers School. The pressure was intense as both teams
Oxford School. Prior to that, Cheshire Academy took
Head of School Dr. Larson expressed his pride for
knew that a trip to the finals was on the line. Rivers
the title in 1976 against Avon Old Farms.
the NEPSAC championship team. "It's just
carried a slight lead in the first few minutes of the
awesome," he marveled. "It was a terrific game where
game, but the Cats caught up and were in the lead by
When asked what set the team apart this year and
the team played as a truly cohesive group. There were
2 points with a score of 35-33 at the half. CA picked
drove them all the way to the championship for the
times when they could have been rattled; instead they
up their game and played a stronger second half,
first time in CA's history, Kehoe didn't hesitate to
pulled together with a resolve that lead them to a
taking the game with a score of 67-62.
come up with the key ingredient. "This year, the
decisive victory. A great team effort!"
team really learned how to trust each other. They Heading to Clark University to face off against
absolutely embraced the slogan 'No Excuses.' They
Team captain Brandon Spencer addressed the
Brooks in the NEPSAC Class B Championship
figured out how to meet every challenge, they refused
community at an all-school meeting on Monday
on Sunday, the team was ready for the challenge.
to accept anything less than success and worked hard
morning. "I couldn't be more proud of my team. We
"We only talked about one thing in the pregame—
day in and day out."
are all brothers now," he said.
this was an important moment, individually and
Finding new ways to challenge the team at every
Riding high on the unprecedented victory from the
collectively as a team," said Coach Kevin Kehoe. "I
practice, Kehoe even arranged for the CA boys to
weekend, Coach Kehoe, like any dedicated coach, is
asked them, how did they want to be remembered in
take on The United States Military Academy's JV
already looking to continue CA's success next year.
this moment? What was the legacy they wanted to
team earlier in the season. While the team pushed
"We are actively recruiting our team for next season,
leave for their community, and in the history of the
themselves to reach new heights at every turn, the
and we are looking to continue our winning streak,"
NEPSAC championship games? I think that really
final victory, Kehoe stressed, had much to do with
he shares. "It's a great time to play for Cheshire
resonated with them. They were just ready."
the incredible school spirit displayed by the Cheshire
Academy, and we're already preparing for another
Academy community, who filled the stands, followed
great year in the history of CA basketball." C A
that life is defined by important moments, and
Stealing an early lead at the onset of the
along via live-stream, and checked CA's athletic
championship game, the Cats were up by 4 with a
Twitter @CAFightingCats for by the play-by-play.
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
17
Campus News
Swimming Shatters School Records: Takes Home Two Medals This season, the Cheshire Academy swim team
Senior Emma Gawronski finished in 4th place in
a record with her teammates in the freestyle relay,
walked away with several awards and shattered
the 200 freestyle with a time of 2:00.45, and won
broke the school record in the 50 freestyle, with a
numerous school records.
the 500 freestyle with a time of 5:16.11, breaking
time of 25.97. At the finals session, she finished 4th
the school records in both. Gawronski, along with
in both the 50 and 100 freestyle.
First, during the Bud Erich Western New England
teammates Ali John '14, Jenna Molnar '18, and
Championships, we saw several personal bests and
Jess Wilson '14 broke the school records in the 200
Matt Molnar again saw success, winning the 100
school records broken. Matt Molnar '17 broke his
freestyle relay, finishing 3rd with a time of 1:48.02,
breaststroke event, breaking his own record for the
own records in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke,
and the 400 freestyle relay, in a time of 4:04.09.
second time, with a time of 1:01.32. He finished 2nd
winning both events with times of 1:58.95 and
Coach Repass is particularly pleased for Gawronski.
in the 200 IM earlier in the evening.
1:01.79 respectively.
"Emma was within a half second of the 200 freestyle record three or four times during the regular season,
Gawronski again won the 500 freestyle in a time of
Swim coach Michelle Repass states, "It has been
so it was gratifying to see her break both of these
5:18.62 and finished 3rd in the 200 freestyle.
incredible to watch Matt swim all season. He has
records and get a best time in the 200. She works so
already broken six individual records, and just
hard; there isn't anyone who deserves it more than
Jenna Molnar placed 2nd in the 200 IM with a time
bettered two of them at Bud Erich's this weekend. As
she does."
of 2:22.24. Congrats to all our swimmers on a great
he is only a freshman, he has limitless possibilities for the rest of his swimming career."
season! C A Closing out the season at the Division III New England Championships, John, who previously set
18
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Campus News
Cheshire Academy Goes Live: Introducing our new Live Streaming Capabilities By Tara Lynch '18
The Cheshire Academy Athletic Department is excited to announce they will be live-streaming upcoming athletic games in order to better connect our diverse student population with their supportive families and friends. Cheshire Academy boasts students from over 30 countries and 17 states whose families and friends can now cheer them on during the games without having to travel. Players and coaches are also excited to review the games after they take place, plus our student-run live-streaming program will offer students an opportunity produce a televised sporting event at the high school level. Gregory MacDonald, assistant athletic director for Cheshire Academy, states, "The idea to live-stream came from the recognition that many other private and public schools throughout the country had begun to stream their games. From a personal perspective, I enjoy being able to watch my alma mater, Quinnipiac University, in live-streamed events." Driven by a desire to stay competitive in the athletic world, our energetic staff researched possibilities, finally deciding to use the PlayOnSports.com system. "I felt that PlayOnSports and the NFHS network offered us the best product for our needs," says MacDonald. The program is student-run with a producer and cameraman; it shows the producer different graphics and options for the broadcast.
There is also a cameraman position, and hopefully
of a live telecast and the ability to watch their own
soon, an audio mixer position.
games at a later date."
Live-streaming provides Athletics an opportunity
Dechan Choden, an eighth grade junior varsity
to broaden its reach. MacDonald explains, "With
basketball player, is an international student whose
the ability to live-stream we can reach our alumni,
family resides in Bhutan. She says, "My family can
prospective students, families and friends who are
see me play even when they cannot be here because
unable to attend events, and anyone else who is
they live half way across the world!"
interested in the content that we are streaming at the time. Our students come from all over the country
In the future, the live-stream program will grow
and the globe, and this platform allows us to deliver
to include multiple telecasts per day. "Beyond the
a look into Cheshire Academy from any distance.
broadcast of sporting events, we could potentially
We also have an extremely widespread alumni base
stream musical performances, theater productions,
that will also be able to tune in, free of charge, and
guest speakers, artist talks in the Kohn-Joseloff Gallery,
see our live on-campus events."
and even our graduation in June!" says MacDonald. "The platform allows us the basic ability to feed video
The first live-streamed game took place on
and project overlays (scores, names, etc)."
Wednesday, February 5. From this point on athletes, coaches and fans will be able to enjoy Cheshire
The possibilities are endless for this exciting addition
Academy Athletics anywhere. Boys' fourths
to the athletic program. Cheshire Academy invites
basketball coach, Dr. Anthony Kandel, commented,
the world to campus via this new technology. The
"While the greatest advantage of live-streaming
link to our video/stream portal can be found at:
will be for families who can enjoy games remotely,
www.nfhsnetwork.com/channels/cheshire-
athletes will also benefit from both the excitement
academy C A
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
19
Campus News
Cameras and Caffeine: Student Art Display that made it through the
"I wouldn't guess the work was done by high school
selection process can now
students, probably because of the quality."
be viewed on the walls of Cheshire Coffee through
At a nearby table, Cheshire Academy senior, Lucas
late-April. Students
Hoffman, chats with his friends after school, his
featured are Gregory
buddies unaware that Hoffman produced a few of
Howley '14 (featured
the pieces lining the walls. "Some of these are actually
on the cover of this
mine," he remarks, pointing to an image depicting
magazine), Charlotte Leser
coffee beans ablaze with an incandescent blue flame.
'16 (pictured left), Hannah
Photo by Charlotte Leser '16
Gailey '17 (pictured
"No they aren't," a friend interjects skeptically.
pg. 52), Regina McCoy
Followed by friendly banter, Hoffman reaches into
'17, Lucas Hoffman '14
his backpack and pulls out his camera, displaying the
(pictured below), and
same image in the Nikon's tiny frame.
David Blokh '14. "It's actually really creative," Cheshire Academy
Nicole Van Slyke, photography teacher at Cheshire Academy, was enjoying a hot beverage and admiring
"I wanted my students to think that their work
junior, Gonzalo Rodriguez, remarks. "I would have
the local artwork at Cheshire Coffee when inspiration
would be seen by the Cheshire community, not just
never believed that my friend Lucas was capable. I
struck. "My students are just as talented—their work
by me or their peers in class. It raises the stakes—it's
didn't even know Lucas was a photographer!"
should be up on these walls." Contacting the café's
good to be nervous about the art you are producing
owner, Nick De Grazia, Van Slyke arranged for a
sometimes," Van Slyke offers.
Van Slyke hopes to reach out to other places of business in the community and see if they will
field trip to the café with her advanced photography students so they could learn what it takes to present
Now a vibrant and diverse display in the shop, the
feature artwork from Cheshire Academy students
art locally and pick up a few tips about what the shop
artwork creates a warm and caffeinated atmosphere.
in the future. "I'd like to increase the opportunities
owner wanted. "The very first class of the semester
Each piece offers a unique perspective—a quality that
for our students to get their work out there into the
we walked over to Cheshire Coffee and listened to
Assistant Manager, Brenda, enjoys while at work. "I
community," she says. "If they know they can hang
Nick [De Grazia] describe what he wanted for the
enjoy the fact that they all follow a coffee theme, but
their work in a shop, maybe one day they will be
environment—he wanted to create a comfortable,
that the students don't take a shoe-box approach.
inspired to put their own work out there in other
colorful yet relaxing atmosphere."
The perspectives are varied—it's not what you would
contexts." C A
normally expect to see, like the variation of colors in After hearing De Grazia's needs for his shop, the
the tea bags piece (see page
students headed back to class with field-journals
52)."
full of descriptive words. A group brainstorming session followed; students put the words up on the
Cheshire Coffee Barista,
board and conceptualized the project narrowing
Amber, adds, "The
down the client's needs until they emerged with
photography is really
the words "comfort," "nature" and "caffeine." The
good—you don't expect
students then began experimenting with different
high school students
visual elements to capture the ideal atmosphere for
to work at that level."
Cheshire Coffee.
Local resident Tim often relaxes in Cheshire Coffee,
Each student took an average of 20 photos over the
enjoying the artwork for
coming weeks, critiquing each other's work in class
the "calming atmosphere"
and narrowing the selection down to two or three
it creates. After examining
images apiece. The caffeine-inspired photographs
the work, Tim confesses,
20
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Photo by Lucas Hoffman '17
Campus News
Read more ... Dan Ford '14 Meets with WhippleHill Founder for Real-World Advice 77 years of Town Scholars
Actor James Van Der Beek '95 Visits CA
C
heshire Academy alumnus and actor James
Drama students had a chance to talk with Van
Van Der Beek '95 returned to campus on
Der Beek, who shared advice ranging from how to
Friday, October 25, for the first time in 18
prepare for an audition to how he gets into character
years. Since graduating in 1995, Van Der Beek has
for a role, he reflected on his time pursuing acting
enjoyed a versatile career starring in films, television
while attending Cheshire Academy. "I couldn't
and theater. Notable roles include playing Dawson
have done what I did at any other school," he told
Leery on the WB's Dawson's Creek (1998-2003),
students, citing the supportive nature of his teachers
Mox in Varsity Blues (1999), and as himself in Don't
while he traveled back and forth to New York City,
Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (2012). Van Der Beek
often working on assignments on the train at night
also joined the cast of How I Met Your Mother in the
and faxing homework to instructors from casting
reoccurring role of Simon, and played a supporting
calls.
role in the film, Labor Day (2013). Van Der Beek recently picked up a CBS primetime show, Friends
Van Der Beek later joined students for lunch in
With Better Lives.
the Gideon Welles Dining Commons, followed
Patrick Brown '17 Receives Honorable Mention Award at Model UN event. Students take to the airways in the new #Scratchup Blog and Twitter account. Varsity Basketball Invited to Play US Army Team International Student Dinner Series - Cooking Authentic Cuisine with Academy Chefs
by a meeting and photograph with current Town Surprising students at morning meeting, he stepped
Scholars Nicky Lamberti '14, Danielle Putnam '16,
up to the podium and delivered thoughtful advice
and Muira Wiley '17 (Van Der Beek was a recipient
on being successful in high school and beyond. "I
of the Town Scholarship in 1991). His family - wife
am trying to think of what I would have wanted to
Kimberly Van Der Beek, daughter Olivia (3) and
hear when I was in your seat," Van Der Beek began.
son Joshua (2), and parents Melinda and James
Stressing the importance of giving back to one's
Sr., - later joined him for a tour of campus, led by
community, Van Der Beek encouraged students to
admission ambassadors Danielle Rios-Roberts '15
"Listen to your elders—take what you need, and
and Emmanuel Poku '15.
leave what you don't." He also reminded students that, while high school is an important time in one's
While it doesn't look like a 'Capeside High' reunion
life, following graduation, "You all have the chance to
will be happening anytime soon, Cheshire Academy
reinvent yourself."
is certainly happy to have been reunited with
Get the latest news & photos online! www.cheshireacademy.org
'Fighting Cat,' James Van Der Beek. C A WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
21
Campus News
22
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Blue
goesGreen
Campus News
Cheshire Academy has been a quiet yet powerful force when it comes to sustainable living practices. From making recycling easier and more accessible to eliminating more than 23,000 disposable water bottles from our lives, the Academy's carbon footprint is constantly shrinking.
Improved On-Campus Recycling
E-Waste Collections
Sustainable Communication
Cheshire Academy hosted an electronic waste collection in December, giving community members an environmentally friendly and free way to dispose of their e-waste. We invited Creative Recycling, a collection truck, to park on campus near the Gideon Welles Dining Commons and accept certain electronics. Today's technology enables the company to manage 24,000 lbs of electronics per hour. "We have been running these electronic waste collection events for three years now," explains faculty member Theresa West. "E-waste recycling is important because it recovers precious metals like gold, silver and copper. Creative Recycling also keeps toxic materials found in electronics out of landfills." This most recent e-waste collection event yielded 1,320 pounds of waste that will be kept out of landfills
Thanks in part to West and faculty member Katie
Filtered Water & Promoting Reusable Water Bottles
Evans, Cheshire Academy recently invested in new
An eco-friendly addition to the Sheriff Field
trash and recycling receptacles in order to make
House is a popular filtered water fountain. With
recycling on campus much easier for students and
every slurp and sports-bottle refill, the fountain
faculty. "The bins are a more adequate size for our
steadily counts and displays the number of
needs and they have wheels, which make it easier
disposable water bottles that have been saved.
for our students to transport the recycling to the
Since its installment in February 2013, CA has
larger container behind the field house," West
helped eliminate waste from more than 23,000
points out. "There are also smaller bins for Hurley
disposable water bottles.
and Horton dorms that enable students to easily carry them outside for pick-up by our community
Community Weekend & Earth Day
service students."
As part of its planned programming this year, Cheshire Academy advisors will cover recycling practices on campus with their advisees, and the
This fall, the Academy made the decision to not
Science Department is currently organizing an
print the 2012-2013 Annual Report of Giving,
"Earth Day" themed all-school event as part of our
and instead publish it online. That move saved
Community Weekend series.
more than 700 pounds of paper by foregoing the traditional book version in favor of digital, and
Summer Studies
only producing a small postcard that was mailed
As part of past summer programs, students
to families telling them where they could view the
learned about "effective design and how we can
report. In addition to favoring digital over print
use everything that is available to us in the most
materials, the Communications Office works hard
efficient and optimum way," says faculty member
to be sustainable when materials are printed on
Ray Cirmo. "It is more important than ever that
paper. Whenever possible, publications are printed
we learn how to make use of alternate energy
on recycled paper by local printing facilities that
sources and sustainable practices." As part of the
support sustainable practices, like Wind to Print
course, students produced a compost bin for use
capabilities, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
by our Sage Dining Services, and erected a turbine
certified papers and Bio-Derived Renewable
windmill to generate power for the scoreboard on
Content (BRC) printing inks.
the Alumni Baseball Field. C A
and disposed of properly.
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
23
The Next Generation
24
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
of Learning: iPads In the age of digital communication, tools like tablets and smart phones have become not just luxuries, but necessary components of our every day lives. These tools are not just for communication either; they are also for learning. Dedicated to maintaining cutting-edge technology and educational practices focused on student-centered approaches, Cheshire Academy is taking the next step in learning: implementing a 1:1 iPad program throughout the entire school. Slated to launch in the fall of 2014, the iPad program
learning technologies significantly improved the
will equip each student and teacher with an iPad
learning process for a host of students. Tablets like
during the academic day and throughout the entire
the iPad promise to speed things further by enabling
Cheshire Academy experience. Students may use
students to spend more time using information and
this tool to research; to produce examples of their
solving problems—both essential learning elements for
learning—like traditional papers, iMovie productions,
Cheshire Academy graduates.
and artwork—and to become more effective learners by utilizing technology to solve problems. The
The implementation of iPads also brings the end of
numerous apps available to students and teachers will
most printed text books that students must purchase
further enhance the learning process and make the
and carry with them. Instead, all students will have
classroom a more efficient and effective environment.
access to notes, books and assignments via their iPads. The eBook technology has come a long way, allowing
Our goal is to empower teachers to engage directly
for annotations, dictionary integration to look up
with students by speeding the process of sharing and
words, bookmarking and more. Gone is the day of,
editing student work and spawning more meaningful
"I forgot my book, assignment, notes" and gone is
discussions. Imagine, for a moment, a teacher who
the arduous task of lugging heavy text books across
engages directly with the class throughout the period
campus in a backpack. The result is a financial savings
while also providing the visual benefit of having notes
for our families—most eBooks cost less than their
on the board. An iPad allows teachers to take this
printed counterparts—and a health benefit to students
a step further, and not only project notes that they
who should see a significant reduction in the weight of
create, but also update and edit on the spot all while
their backpacks.
freely roaming the room and engaging face-to-face with students. And, thanks to our comprehensive
What won't change is the student and teacher
Learning Management System, students can find these
relationship. This relationship is the essence of
notes after class stored on their class pages. Tablets
Cheshire Academy and still is the most powerful
enhance a teacher's ability to understand how each
and tangible support for student learning. The iPad
student is traveling through the learning process and
will merely provide greater latitude to the teachers to
provides them with the tools to facilitate that process.
help our students learn together. We look forward to providing our teachers and students with the tools
The addition of tablet technology is akin to the
to grow from where they are to beyond where they
advent of the black board or the pencil. These older
imagined possible. C A
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
25
Looking to the Future Cheshire Academy's Strategic Alignment Framework
Cheshire Academy stands on the shoulders of 220 years of educational history. We have taught significant leaders who have figured prominently in the history of the United States and the world. We did this work in the past by understanding what our students needed and providing an experience that aided them in becoming the best they could be in life. That mission remains today and requires us to
that affirms our values and provides us the
together to develop as students, artists, athletes and
apply the same foresight that enabled our prior
means, in the words of Michael Porter, Bishop
leaders." These sensibilities provide the strategic
success. A dedicated and capable group of faculty
William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard
guidance necessary to help us move forward in a
and board members spent substantial time looking
Business School, to "delineate a territory in which
changing world to best serve our students. Arthur
into the future to determine how we can best
[Cheshire Academy] seeks to be unique."
Sheriff said it best when he stated:
continue to meet the needs of our students, today and tomorrow. The result is a Strategic Framework
The Strategic Framework states that, "Cheshire
Our faculty believe[s] absolutely in the value of
Academy meets students where they are and takes
steady daily application; in regular and thorough
them beyond where they imagined possible. Every student at Cheshire Academy receives individual attention and guidance
accomplishment of small tasks in order that capacity for greater deeds may follow. We believe also that in working with the imponderable factors of human personality, we should adopt a positive rather than negative attitude. We believe as an article of our
from members
educational creed that every boy has deep within
of a dedicated
him powers which he has not yet realized; and our
and capable
first assumption as a matter of course is that these
faculty. Cheshire Academy
powers may be discovered and developed. We have faith in every [student]; and having that faith we
challenges and
are willing and eager to allow such opportunity as
supports all of
we can for the proper and healthful evolution of
its students to
each [student's] spiritual life. We do not believe in
reach further–
rigid molds.
take a higher level course, try a new sport, sing a solo – while providing structures and supports that enable students to improve. Cheshire Academy is an international community of learning where young people of character from all over the world come
26
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
"We do not believe in rigid molds." - Arthur Sheriff
Guided by Sheriff's sound philosophy, The Strategic
7. Increase financial resources and reduce tuition
outcomes. The education of an adolescent, much less
Framework committee has outlined seven goals:
dependence by expanding annual giving and other
a group of them, has always achieved positive results
philanthropic support for current operations and
when a group of thoughtful and committed adults
1. Clarify and fortify Cheshire Academy's unique
building an endowment that will become a source of
apply the best of what we know to helping each
place among independent schools by leveraging and
significant operating income in the future.
student learn.
marketing the signature programs of the Academy. We now look to implement this strategy and ensure
We are proud of what we have accomplished and
2. Strengthen and realign the academic program in
that Cheshire Academy can provide a life-changing
look forward to creating more capable graduates to
ways that enhance the educational experience for
experience for our students now and well into the
lead the future. Our Strategic Framework helps us
students and increase the effectiveness of faculty.
future. This effort, as it has in the past, will require
continue to improve on this good work and build on
all of us to work together to achieve successful
our long history of success. C A
3. Enhance the student experience outside the classroom by ensuring the current offerings and experiences promote character development, life skills, and growth of the whole person. 4. Strengthen the sense of community, commitment to shared values, and school pride among students, faculty and staff, and forge stronger relationships with alumni, parents, and the town of Cheshire. 5. Grow and strategically balance the student body by targeting and attracting motivated students well suited to flourish and meet their full potential at Cheshire Academy while actively contributing to the life of the Academy. 6. Recruit, reward, and retain diverse and talented faculty members willing to innovate in the classroom, immerse themselves in the Cheshire Academy
Cheshire Academy: meeting students where they are and taking them beyond where they imagined possible.
community, and make a difference in the lives of the students they teach, coach and mentor. WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
27
The Action Plan ... Strategic Goals 1. Clarify and fortify the Cheshire Academy marketplace position
2. Strengthen and align the academic program 3. Enhance non-academic experience 4. Strengthen shared values 5. Balance student enrollment 6. Attract/Retain faculty talent 7. Improve financial resources.
Academic Affairs
• Grow capacity in admission and marketing (Goal 5) • Promote core values and realign Eight Pillars (Goal 4) • Benchmark best practices (Goal 7) • Enhance campus climate/culture (Goal 4) • Engage Board of Trustees to enhance fundraising (Goal 7)
Admission & Financial Aid
• Integrate IB, Roxbury, College Prep and ELL (Goal 2)
• Balance student body mix (Goal 5)
• Cohesive student match (Goal 2)
• Focused, integrated outreach (Goal 5)
• Dynamic Curriculum Guide (Goal 2)
• Targeted financial aid (Goal 1)
• Professional Development (Goal 6)
• Build high performing process and team (Goal 5)
• Performance Management (Goal 6) 28
Administration & Business
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Advancement & Fundraising
IT, Library & Technology
• Expand Annual Fund, Capital Giving and Endowment (Goals 3 & 7)
• Continue innovating Learning Management System (Goal 2)
• Begin Capital Projects campaign (Goal 3)
• Incorporate 21st century skills (Goal 2)
• Reinvigorate Cheshire Academy Parents Association (Goal 4)
• Support an enhanced digital media program (Goal 1)
• Promote planned giving (Goals 5 & 7)
Communications • Branding & messaging (Goal 1) • Integrated marketing approach (Goal 1) • Targeted outreach (Goal 5)
Roxbury Academic Support • Plan for modest growth (Goal 1) • Succession planning (Goal 1) • Clarify, focus marketing (Goal 5)
• Redesigned website (Goals 1 & 5) • Focused publications (Goal 1)
Facilities
Student Life • Holistic residential life (Goal 3)
• Enhancements for signature programs (Goal 1) • Residential life enhancements (Goal 3) • Enhance arts and athletics facilities (Goals 1 & 4)
• Athletic program strategy (Goal 3) • Focused character, values and service (Goal 3) • Enhance international student experience (Goal 4)
• Address deferred maintenance (Goal 1) WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
29
caevents
Winter Reception for Families and Alumni
Col. Paul Ingram '44, Director of Development Barbara Davis and Joan Ingram.
Director of Athletics Brett Torrey and Pete Gailey P'14 & P'17
Tom & Lorri Cavaliere P'09 & P'15, Lorie & Mike Annatone P'15, Maria & Bill Raccio '76, Pat Rocco '78
Andy Aldo '72, Director of Summer Programs Richard Ferraro '71 and Vinnie Esposito '74
30
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
John Cherney '84 P'15, Michael Belfonti '76 & Christina Vestergaard Casavina '79
Great minds think alike: Former Senior Master Bob Gardiner and Director of Development Barbara Davis both dressed in festive red colors.
Aunt Chilada's Reception
Faculty Member Ray Cirmo, Archivist Ann Moriarty, Elliot Jennings '11, Oliver Jennings '10, Faculty Member Chip Boyd, Brendan Carbone '12
Noah Leonwich '08, Amanda Donovan '08, Ryan Scalise '12 and Ariel Scalise '08
Heather Cirmo '09, Eric Stern '09, Brendan Carbone '12, Mike Fiske '10
Mandy Grass '04, Mike Van Haaften '04, Kalea Edwards '04, Advancement & Alumni Associate Christian Malerba '04
Steve Wheeler '07, Faculty Members Laura & Brett Torrey, Chip Boyd, Pete White '07 and Bob Slauson '08
Amanda Donovan '08, Tanasia Hoffler '09, Julia Tinetti '08, Faculty Member Chip Boyd
View more alumni photos online www.cheshireacademy.org/alumni WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
31
caevents
Convocation & Opening of School
Senior Masters Karen Smith and Bevan Dupre '69 lead the Convocation parade, followed by the faculty in order of seniority, followed by students.
The view from above at Convocation 2013.
Students gather before the opening of school Community Life BBQ: (back l-r) Dylan McBreen '16, Mahalia Bazile '14, Keisha Ng-A-Qui '14, Sydney Moss '14. (front l-r): Jailen Booker '17, Elise Singleton '16, Aidan McBreen '14.
32
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Another Convocation tradition, the bagpiper.
Stephanie Trusty '14 performs during Convocation.
Simon Semyachkin '15, Artemiy Shumsky '14, Dean of Academics Julie Anderson
Parents' Weekend, Sports, Community Service, Arts and More ...
During Parents Weekend, numerous sporting events took place, giving family and friends ample time to cheer on our teams, visit our refreshment tents and enjoy the great fall weather.
A record number of runners turned out for the 10th Annual O'Connell Cross Country Race.
Our football team had an exciting season that included winning the 2013 Rorke Bowl Championship.
Check out the Community Service albums, including this IB project.
The Varsity Players performed "The Madwoman of Chaillot" and "Kiss Me Kate" so far this year.
View the full albums from these events and more online at cheshireacademy.org/mediagallery WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
33
Alumni Notes
The Power of
floating
Cheshire Academy Alumnus Jeremy Spang '05 shares his story of how he came to embrace the healing power of floating and open his center, Surrender to the Float.
34
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
A
Alumni Notes
fter having a very vivid dream one morning that my dad almost died, I woke up and three hours later got a call from his girlfriend that he had had a heart attack. After five days of being in a drug induced coma he completely recovered. Seeing how my dream predicted this event in precise detail, I became very interested in advanced spiritual practices and this is what led me to opening a float center, since the float tank is a very effective tool for expanding awareness. A float tank is essentially a large bath tub five-feet wide by eightfeet long with eight-foot high ceilings. It is body temperature water with 800 pounds of epsom salt. When the lights are turned off, there is no sound, no light, no nothing, just you and your point of consciousness. Floating is the closest thing to relaxing in outer space that you can find on this planet. In this zero-gravity environment, the sense of time is changed and your nervous system becomes free to work on helping other areas of your body, since it no longer has its resources tied up in helping the body fight gravity. Floating raises seratonin, dopamine, and reduces stress chemicals like cortisol, which is linked to heart disease. It's also the most effective way to balance out blood pressure without taking medicine. Floating relieves chronic pain, and studies have been done to show how floating has dramatically helped people suffering from all kinds of chronic pain: herniated discs, sore muscles, whiplash, and other ailments such as insomnia, colds, drug addictions, and weight problems. It also helps people learn practices such as lucid dreaming.
and we all do this in one form or another, so everyone can find benefit in floating. We have two float rooms at our center, each room with its own shower. The float center is here with the intent to bring together the highly conscious and spiritual people of our community, while also providing a powerful and necessary outlet (in this busy and distracting society). It is here to help people raise their levels of awareness in the pursuit of the human potential, which is realizing emptiness or the fact that everything we see is like a dream. The energetic expression of realizing emptiness is compassion. If everyone floated, world peace wouldn't seem like such a lofty idea. For more information on Spang's center, located in Guildford, Connecticut visit www.letitfloat.com or call 203-506-9142. C A
There are three types of nutrition - food, sleep, and meditation. Meditation is the most powerful form of nutrition; if it wasn't, you would not be able to find monks in the Himalayas meditating for years without eating or sleeping. Through sensory deprivation, floating forces you into a deep meditative state that allows you to connect to the power of your unconscious mind and to further realize how everything we experience is created by consciousness. The benefits of this experience with your mind are so profound that words hardly can do it justice. We are all alive to experience altered states of consciousness Photos courtesy of Ocean Float Rooms and Float Rooms USA
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
35
Alumni Notes
The Golden Age of Elsner The Elsner Brother Brood - Morton '31, Allan '34, Jim '37 and Bobby '39 -
mono and taking a leave of absence, Bobby decided to dive right into Cheshire
were the 'big men on campus' during the 1930s. In the golden days of Cheshire
Academy when he was well again. Joining the military shortly after, Bobby would
Academy when snow days were non-existent and school pranks were a right of
go on to help liberate a concentration camp in Germany during WWII.
passage, the Elsners certainly made their mark on Academy life. While students at Cheshire Academy in the 1930s, the brothers remember taking The eldest of the memorable brood, Morton Elsner, was the proclaimed "brightest
the trolley from the Academy to New Haven, where they would catch the latest
of the bunch," according to younger siblings. Attending both Yale Law School and
movie. While they claim that all dining hall meals were very good (breakfast most
Harvard Business School following his days at the Academy, Morton embodied
certainly being the very best), the brothers enjoyed dining out at the local Waverly
what it meant to be a life-long student. Second in line, Allan attended Williams
Inn or Coffee Cottage, which was a favorite place for faculty to grab a cocktail.
College following Cheshire Academy, eventually opening his own bookstore in New
Rose Platt, a local burger joint, had the best burgers in town.
York on the corner of 1st and 53rd. Third in line, Jim, initially began school at the NY Military Academy—and, as he professes, spent most of his time in study hall—
As Bobby and Jim point out today (their brothers Morton and Allan passed away in
before transferring to the Roxbury School, as the Academy was named at the time.
2006 and 2001 respectively), Cheshire Academy means a lot to them even 70 years
He would later attend Hobart and U Penn for his college career. The youngest,
later; both alums remember the names, faces and stories like it was yesterday, and
Bobby, originally attended Hartford High School for two weeks; after contracting
they continue to make contributions to the CA community every year. C A
36
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Tolson Tells a Tale
Alumni Notes
RJ Tolson '11, currently a student at Whittier College in Whittier, California, doesn't spend his free time the way most college students might. At just 20 years old, the 2013 finalist for both the Beverly Hills and National Indie Excellence Book Awards has been on a whirlwind book tour circuit promoting his fantasy novel, Chaos Chronicles Book 1: Zephyr The West Wind, the first installment of a series to follow. Tolson recently stopped by Cheshire Academy to speak to students and sign copies of Zephyr. A few of his biggest fans, including former instructors Karen Smith and Theresa West, who eagerly dropped in, pens in hand, for a signed copy from their former-student-turned-internationalauthor. West, who taught Tolson in her philosophy course, isn't surprised at his ambitious venture and success as a fiction writer. "RJ was a student in my existentialism class; we covered the work of various existential philosophers including Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Camus," she explains. "RJ always took every homework assignment very seriously and wrote well beyond my expectations. He was always typing away ‌ RJ has since told me that this class was his first introduction to metaphysics." In addition to being an international author and self-made CEO of his company, RJTIO, Tolson hopes to ignite a passion in young readers and encourage them to read, write, and volunteer in their communities. Embarking on what Tolson refers to as a "literacy campaign," he hopes to instill young people with the tools necessary to follow their dreams, chiefly through the skills of reading and writing. Appearing on such media outlets as NBC and Fox News during his tour circuit this fall, Tolson also took the time to address local schools and talk to young readers about hard work and perseverance. Addressing more than 500 students at Lincoln Middle School in Meriden, Connecticut this September, Tolson's message was clear: pursue your passion, and never give up. As Tolson explains on his website, "I hear young people of all ages saying they never really thought they could make any of their dreams come true...But I'm here to tell you, where there is inspiration, there is a way. It is up to us to find our path, or paths, but once we do, we have to keep at it and
Come to the Red Door
try our best. Just never give up." For more information, visit www.rjtolson.com. C A
The Advancement and Alumni Office invites all alums to "Come to the Red Door." Schedule a personal visit with us, tour the campus, share your story and have your picture taken in front of Bowden Hall's iconic Red Door. Look for more Red Door stories to appear on our website at www.cheshireacademy.org/reddoor. Will you be next? alumni@cheshireacademy.org • 203-439-7307 WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
37
Alumni Notes
A picture is worth a thousand words ... Follow the Cheshire Academy story on Instagram - @CheshireAcademy.
38
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Alumni Notes
classnotes 1949
Peter H. Hubbard '56
John enjoys tennis, skiing and traveling. Most recently his travels brought him to France, Egypt, China,
Robert B. Treat '49, and his wife
Antarctica and Bali. John recalls his
Sally Stillman both graduated from
three years at Cheshire Academy as
the University of Arizona in 1953.
"some of the happiest of [his] life."
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. When he returned to Tucson, he completed 22 years as a math teacher and raised four daughters with his wife. After leaving teaching and losing Sally to cancer in 1986, he continued his past sideline of income tax preparation. He married his second wife Stephanie in 1991
1954 James "Bill" Mitchell '54, cannot believe that next May will be his 60th Reunion. He hopes that many of the "old guys" will come back to celebrate.
and helped raise her daughter as his own, while traveling extensively to Europe and enjoying a world-circling sailing trip. Robert retired from the
1956
tax business in 2011 and devotes time
Andrew J. Franks '56, has enjoyed a
to traveling and loafing. He spends a
50-year career in the fine arts. He is
month each year in Mazatlan, Mexico.
76 years old and still produces CD projects, YouTube videos and performs
1951 John B. Cunningham '51, graduated from Stanford in 1955. He went on to work in the advertising business representing Sports Illustrated and Forbes magazines for the first 16 years in the Bay Area. While working in this business he only recalls meeting two Cheshire grads, Bob Cochran '52 and Tom Williams '53. After working in publishing he moved into the sales promotion area providing promotional events to packaged goods marketers
as a pianist in wineries, hotels, and restaurants. He has lived in 47 states and 4 countries. He writes, "Cheshire
Peter H. Hubbard '56, was recently vacationing with his wife in Costa Rica. Above is a picture of the 55lb mahi mahi he caught while staying at
Stathis J. Orphanos '58, has enjoyed
The Sugar Beach Resort.
a career photographing many of today's top cultural and entertainment figures, including over 100 authors.
1957
His work has been exhibited in Beverly Hills, La Jolla, Newport
has had a lot to do with my life in many ways, mostly through the skills
Martin I. Levy '57, retired from oral
that the school taught me as a young
and maxillofacial surgery in 2002
man. I've always felt strongly about
and is now a real estate broker in
the school, and will give to it when
Florida. His daughter Jodi is a dentist
my business recovers. Allow me to
in Manchester, Connecticut and son
share with the current student body
Todd is a law clerk for a federal judge
that the skills being taught to you now
in Western Virginia.
will be of endless value to you in your
1958
Beach, San Diego, Hollywood, and at New York's prestigious MIDTOWN GALLERIES. UCLA recently established a Stathis Orphanos Photographic Archive at their University research library's special collections department. His work can be viewed at orphanos.com.
later life; the time you invest now is an investment in yourself. The yield is guaranteed if you follow through."
which required him to move the entire family to New Canaan, Connecticut. WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
39
Alumni Notes Class Notes
1961
Award for outstanding dedication and
analysis, investment management, and
freshman year at Cheshire, my dorm
service to his alma mater. At Ohio
private banking/wealth management
master at Skilton House was the late
Wesleyan, Auch was a history major
assignments. In addition to his service
Larry Kelley, who won the Heisman
Robert M. Eisner '61, is enjoying
and a member of both the Delta Tau
to Ohio Wesleyan, Auch has served
Trophy in 1936. I maintained a
retirement after a 40-year career as a
Delta fraternity and Battling Bishop
as a past board member, treasurer and
friendship with him for many years.
broker for the federal government.
men's lacrosse team. After graduation,
president of the New York Bond Club,
He was active with the Heisman
Bob and his wife Esther enjoy their
he served with distinction as an
as well as the creator, producer, writer,
Foundation, and I had a Heisman vote
eight grandchildren and their goal is
officer in the U.S. Army from 1968
and host of WGCH Radio-AM 1490's
for more than three decades and am
to travel as much as possible. Bob also
to 1972, earning the Bronze Star for
"Sound Investing." Auch holds an
still a voter for the annual inductions
recently retired after a 27-year career
his tour of duty in Vietnam. Upon
MBA in finance from the Stern School
into the International Tennis Hall
as an ice hockey official with over
his return home, Auch became a vice
of Business at New York University.
of Fame. Since my retirement I have
5,000 games officiated. He remembers
president with Paine, Webber, Jackson
He and his wife, Lynne, have two
been elected into Words Unlimited,
the years he and Frank Motter used to
& Curtis, beginning a notable career
children, Ted and Katie, and one
Rhode Island's Hall of Fame for
clean the ice off the Academy outdoor
in financial services that included a
grandson, Jack.
sportscasters and sportswriters and
rink before each hockey game.
vice presidency with Kidder Peabody & Company and a vice presidency
Peter A. Miller '61, who is turning 71 this year, has been married 45 years and still actively practices law. He maintains the largest personal injury law firm in Arkansas with 25 full time employees. His daughter is the executive director of OurHouse homeless shelter. Michael E. Sapol '61, is retired and
with the Financial News Network/ CNBC. Later, Auch worked with Oppedisano & Company, an executive search practice, and then founded and became managing director of New York City-based Auch Financial Partners LLC, an investment management and executive search firm specializing in investment banking, capital markets, securities
the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Bob Burg '64, enjoys spending his time with all 11 of his grandchildren (picture below). He looks forward to returning to Cheshire for his 50-year
Fame. Looking forward to attending the Class of 64's 50th anniversary in 2014 if I'm back from my early-spring digs in Florida."
reunion. Terence T. McManus '64, is the artist manager for the TV star Les Stroud
Richard "Rick" McGowan '64, retired in the summer of 2011 after 35 years as a sportswriter/columnist at The Newport Daily News in Rhode Island. McGowan writes, "during my
aka "Survivorman." He is helping him transition from his TV series to a live touring show that emphasizes the environment through film, music
living in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He and his wife Carol have four grandchildren and spend many hours enjoying Cape Cod.
1962 Arthur A. Cirkus '62, is a retired real estate investor and enjoys fox hunting and golf. He lives in Jupiter, Florida for seven months a year and spends five months in Milford, Pennsylvania.
1964 Walter "Skip" Auch '64, an Ohio Wesleyan University alumnus, was Bob Burg '64 and his 11 grandchildren
recognized with the 2013 Alumni 40
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Alumni Notes Class Notes
and stories. Les' eighth season of Survivorman began in January on the
1970
Discovery Channel. Donald R. Morin '70, was elected a
1965 Frederick E. Bradstreet '65, had a great time at the Academy's holiday reception "seeing old and making new friends." This will be his last winter in Connecticut and looks forward to moving to Florida in the spring.
1966
fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2007. His firm is enjoying its 18th year in Charlottesville, Virginia. Donald has two sons who launched their law careers and are enjoying life in Columbia, South Carolina and Baltimore, Maryland. Anne E. Tivin '70, is still working in
Toni-Lynn Lange Miles '83
the scientific field, but has switched gears from being an industrial chemist to working in Quality Assurance for
little time to spend quality time at
in organizational training &
a medical device company, Allergan,
home in California. He does, however,
development on December 18 from
in Boston where she is doing more
look forward to scheduling a visit
North Carolina State University in
Frank J. Larkin '66, joined the
microbiology along with analytical
to the Cheshire Academy campus
Raleigh, North Carolina.
Marine Corps, after his time at
chemistry. It's a long commute from
sometime in the near future.
Cheshire and a couple of years of
her home in Rhode Island, but it is
college in Massachusetts. He served
exciting to be in a field that helps
at several state-side locations and
people be healthier.
one year in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Air Wing. He completed college upon his return at Westfield State College. Frank is now retired after 26 years in law enforcement and 12 years managing nuclear protection programs. His wife Kathy, an accountant, is also retired and they are relaxing in the Pennsylvania countryside with their bearded collie, Finn.
1967 David M. Goodman '67, was elected to Peninsula Yacht Club's Fleet Committee in 2012. He completed a 106-page Boating Information Guide in 2013 and is underway on Volume II for 2014 distribution. In November, 2013, he was elected as a Trustee to The Blumenthal Performing Arts.
Vic Steffens '70, runs the Horizon Music Group recording studio and is a partner in a national record company distributed through Capitol. He spends lots of time with computers and musicians and on occasion still finds time to drum. Check him out at horizonmusicgroup.com.
1973 David R. Whitten '73, writes, "After having spent 10 years working as a Contracts Consultant for Bechtel International, I was assigned to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Project. In 2012 I was re-assigned as the Project Contracts Manager to the Al Khalij Power Plant Project located in Sirte, Libya." Since David's work involves extensive travel, he has very
Toni-Lynn Lange Miles '83, writes, "Basically life is good. After being
1974
diagnosed with breast cancer in February, 2011, I completed all of
Jean-Marc E. Monnin '74, is retired from the software industry and still living in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Jean-Marc enjoys wintering in Naples, Florida.
my treatments and surgeries right before Christmas and am now cancer free. Since 1990 I have worked at Zygo Corporation (Middlefield, Connecticut) as a Software Engineering Manager, handling semiconductor product development and support,
1983
as well as other applications development for our metrology line of interferometers. I served in the
Monica DeTurris '83, lives in
Haddam Volunteer Fire Department
Colorado and works at Chef's Club
for several years before other time
by Food & Wine in the St. Regis
obligations interfered. After teaching
Hotel in Aspen. She has recently made
dance in Cheshire for five years after
contact with a few alums through
college, I opened Middlesex Dance
Facebook. She met Marc Segal '83
Center in Middlefield, Connecticut,
in NYC for lunch, and then went to
and we are celebrating our 22nd
Naples, Florida to spend time with her
exciting season this year. www.
parents, as well as Desiree Jarlowe Pohl
middlesexdancecenter.com. I have
'83 and Barry Higgins '84.
been blessed to have performed at many exciting venues including Radio
Charles A. Lamothe '83, received his master's degree in education
City Music Hall (NYC), Lincoln Center (NYC), Kennedy Center
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
41
Alumni Notes Class Notes
2001
(DC), Walt Disney World (Magic
Juliana (7) and Elisabeth (3) (pictured
accident that almost cost him his life.
Kingdom, Hollywood Studios,
below). Charlotte ran the first three
The Foundation is an effort to help
Downtown Disney), and Atlantic City.
miles of the NYC marathon with him
rehabilitate those who suffer brain
In January 2013, I had a walk-on role
and Juliana ran the next three miles.
injuries. Puerto Rico's main public
PJ Yesawich Jr. '01 spends his time
on Broadway in "Rock of Ages" - very
Then he was on his own for the last
hospitals do not have a rehabilitation
living in Santa Monica, California
cool - and filmed a video/commercial
20. Pete is on the board of the Juvenile
center where patients can go after
and also in Ciudad de Panama,
for MasterCard Priceless New York!
Diabetes Research Foundation in
suffering a brain injury. This is leaving
Republica de Panama. He works as
In 2013 I also celebrated my 25th
NYC and raised over $250K for the
many patients on bed rest for the
an independent creative director for
wedding anniversary to my husband,
NYC marathon.
rest of their lives. His foundation is
many large ad agencies. In January, PJ
looking to change that.
visited Peru (Cusco) to conquer the
C.A. (Yep, really what he goes by - he went on quite the shopping spree in the school store the last time we were at the Academy!) Looking forward to checking out the brick we purchased. The photo [previous page] (yeah my hair is back to normal!) is from September, 2013 - I was a trainer for the day at Mystic Aquarium!"
1984 Heidi Francis F. Garcia '84, lives in Venezuela and enjoys mountain biking.
1992
1993
Hushmand J. Cott '92, has been
2002
married since 2001 and has a 5-year
Brian R. Choi '93, was recently
old daughter. He works as the Finance
promoted to the rank of Major.
Brian Y. Goldmeier '02, recently
Director for global law firm Littler
"Thank you everyone for your support
spent time with Former President
Mendelson.
and encouragement. Go Army." -Brian
Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton (below).
Jessica M. Nocerino Troianello '92, relocated to Destin, Florida in November to accept a position with eLead CRM as the Director of Development/Operations. On Labor Day weekend she competed in a 10K / Half Marathon back-to-back running
1987
Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
event at Disney Land in Anaheim, California.
1995 Rajeev Pahuja '95, recently booked a national commercial with Coca-Cola and was asked to work on "NBA on TNT" with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley in Madison Square Park, NYC. He attended the Screen Actors
Peter Sandler '87 and his wife Olivia
Luis E. Salazar Geigel '92, started The
Guild Awards on January 18, 2014
have three daughters: Charlotte (10),
LSG Foundation five years after a car
hosted by TBS and TNT.
Daughters of Peter Sandler '87
Brian Y. Goldmeier '02 with Former President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton.
1996 James M. Levey '96, married Shari Lynn Coombs on July 3, 2013
2000 Jonathon Marks '00, married his wife Alana on August 16, 2013 (picture right). 42
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Jonathon Marks '00 and his wife Alana.
Alumni Class Notes Notes
2003
Anthony Laudano '04, Doug Wayne '04, Michael Van Haaften '04, Christian Malerba '04, Jake Blasini '04,
Jared B. Koeppel '03, and his wife
Chris Westcott '05 & Brittany Jennings
Marisa welcomed a new baby girl,
'06 all celebrated the marriage of Keith
Mayla Sydney Koeppell on November
Bushey '04 and his wife Katherine
20, 2013. In Jared's words, "Words
Chin on September 7, 2013.
can't describe the happiness we feel. Already loved by so many!"
Kalea E. Edwards '04 writes, "To all of my Cheshire friends, I wanted to write today to inform you of where this wonderful adventure (also known as life) has taken me since graduating in 2004. After studying abroad in Costa Rica and completing my undergraduate work, I attended the University of North Carolina in Wilmington and received my Master's degree in Social Work. I am currently working as a
Jared B. Koeppel '03 and his wife Marisa welcomed a baby girl in November.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist
Jeremy Spang '05 stands in front of his new business, Surrender to the Float. Read more on page 34.
Allyson E. Smally '04, ran the 2013 Boston Marathon and finished in 3:32:47 and recently began a job as an Archivist at Colgate University in
Amy Kaufman Yacullo '07, was married
Hamilton, New York.
to Anthony Yacullo in Walt Disney World on April 21, 2012.
in Wilmington, NC and giving back Cecily P. Rose '03, was married to
to others on a daily basis. When asked
Billy Allison on September 7, 2013
what brought me into this rewarding profession, I cannot help but to think
2004 Peter J. Blasini '04, works as the Associate of Educational and Community Programs at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
2007
2005
of my Cheshire family and all of the
James L. Duggan '05, is a Freelance
support that was provided to me over
Contributor at McClatchy-Tribune –
those four years by peers and staff.
James recently had a photo published
Thank you again! I cannot wait to hear
in the International New York Times.
where everyone else's adventures have
His work can be seen at
taken them at our 10th high school
www.jameslawlerduggan.com.
reunion in 2014! Sincerely, Kalea Edwards, LCSW, LCAS"
Keith Bushey '04 celebrates his wedding with fellow Cheshire Academy alums.
Amy Kaufman Yacullo '07
Jeremy S. Spang '05, has recently opened "Surrender To the Float" in Guilford, Connecticut and offers the newest tank models in the United States. Read his story on page 34.
Julie E. Robles '07, is currently on her first regional tour with The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival! She will be playing Ophelia in Hamlet and Dromio of Ephesus in Comedy
2006
of Errors. Julia is also in the process of applying for an MFA in Acting and hoping to start in the fall of 2014!
Daria Golsorkhi '06, is a Client Service Representative at Nickelodeon.
Anthony E. Cortright '07 is enjoying his senior year at UCONN. After transferring from Springfield College, he walked onto the diving team.
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
43
The Simosa Brick Campaign
F
or many of us, Cheshire Academy is home. Here, on this beautiful campus, we have worked, played, lived and loved. We have discovered our passion for learning. We have made friends for a lifetime, and grown into adults. For
others, Cheshire Academy is the place where our children and grandchildren prospered, growing in skill and confidence, embracing the values of hard work and lifelong learning. Cheshire is a place that forever holds our memories and honors our achievements. One installation on the Cheshire Academy campus is a lasting testament of these strong bonds to our school: the brick wall that hugs the Armando Simosa '08 Athletic Field and Track. In celebration of the opening of this athletic facility on September 23, 2011, Cheshire Academy launched the Simosa Field and Track Commemorative Brick Campaign. Bricks sold through this limited-time campaign were dedicated to students and alumni, faculty and staff, and to families and friends. This past November, the longawaited installation became a permanent part of the field's retaining wall. Built along the west side of the track, the distinguished wall of names now overlooks the Academy's centerpiece athletic facility, capturing this moment in time for years to come. Thank you to those who supported this campaign in order to benefit the many programs that enrich the lives of our community and its members. Your dedication to the Academy is etched in stone. We hope that you will visit us soon and see your name or the names of your loved ones integrated so beautifully into the landscape and illustrious history of Cheshire Academy. To see more photos of the brick wall, visit us online at www. cheshireacademy.org/bricks. C A Photo by Jason Lee '15
44
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Class Notes
2012
Tony has developed into a strong
Stephen '07 and Alexis Wheeler '07
diver under the direction of his coach
welcomed Adriana Lynn Wheeler on
and is the team captain this year. He
May 23, 2012. All three attended the
graduates this spring and is looking
Cheshire Academy alumni reception
Erik Saberski '12 is attending Bates
to complete his master's degree in
at Aunt Chilada's in August (picture
College in Maine. He is majoring in
California.
right).
Physics and Math, and is a member of the men's swim team.
CA
Want to see your news here? Write to Christian Malerba '04 at Christian.Malerba@cheshireacademy.org or visit us online at www.cheshireacademy.org/alumni
The Harwood Society
for Planned Giving
Steve Milligan '62 and his wife Gretchen. "Having been a student and a teacher at Cheshire, I truly believe that everyone who graduates from the Academy has an inspiring story to tell. Gretchen and I selected the unique giving opportunity offered by the Harwood Society because of the impact the school has had on us and because I wholeheartedly endorse its educational philosophy. We know first hand how the Academy can so positively affect someone's life." - Steve Milligan '62, former Trustee Learn more about planned giving and supporting Cheshire Academy. Visit us online or contact the Advancement Office: 203-439-7307.
WWW.CHESHIREACADEMY.ORG/HARWOOD WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
45
A Coach's Tribute David Markin
When David Markin came to our campus on a late fall morning twenty-two years ago, it was the first time he had been back since his graduation in 1948. Through some letters and phone calls, he had pledged to help us build some new tennis courts on a matching gifts basis. However, after touring the campus, he changed his mind and that very day wrote us a substantial check for the entire project. To be by his side during this tour was truly an experience of going back in time, as he reminisced about teachers, dorms, classes and tennis. It was fun looking at the school through his eyes. For example, the current Admissions Buildingthe middle school at the time of his tour – had been one of his dormitories. He laughingly remembered a beloved math teacher telling him, "You know, Mr. Markin, you're not as smart as you think you are." As the minutes and emotional moments built up, his deep love for Cheshire Academy simply took over. I think he was a little surprised by the power of the experience. Since that time, of course, he has been an important member of the Cheshire Academy family, giving us time, money, wisdom, direction and love. He has spoken with passion and eloquence at two graduations. I, and many tennis players and teachers, have been especially lucky; many of us have had the privilege of sitting in his box seats at the U.S. Open in Flushing Meadow Park. David was directly involved in the massive reconstruction of the National Tennis Center there–which is just one item on a list of his tennis accomplishments that is astonishing. He was an outstanding #1 player here, as he was at Bradley University–where my son, not coincidentally, now plays soccer–and then distinguished himself at the highest levels of senior tennis in the United States. He was president of the USTA; he was the Chairman of the US Davis Cup Committee for many years. The list could go on. His passion for the game of tennis essentially had no boundaries. He loved the tennis program here, as much as the U.S. Open, and loved to read the letters I would send him telling him about our players and the stories of our season. I will truly miss writing those letters; they were a deep sharing of joy, love, a commitment to excellence, and occasionally, some frustration and sorrow. David was a brilliant and extremely successful businessman, of course. But I won't list any of his many accomplishments or titles here. I make this choice because, when David was on this campus, more than anything else he was simply a proud graduate who loved the school–deeply and without reservation of any kind. Cheshire Academy gave much to him, and he wanted to give back. He believed in the mission of the school and did much to support us. He will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know him. The school will never have a better friend; we can hope, though, however unreasonably, to have more like him. - Coach Boyd 46
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
to
'48
"He was simply a proud graduate who loved the school–deeply and without reservation of any kind. Cheshire Academy gave much to him, and he wanted to give back."
The Markin Tennis Center Dear Friends, This past May, Cheshire Academy's beloved friend and trustee, David Markin '48, passed away in Gainesville, Florida. As we all know, his passion for the Cheshire community and his desire to continually improve it was paramount in his everyday pursuits. One of David's largest gifts to the Academy was in 1991 when he solely funded the construction of 10 new tennis courts. His generosity for our program has attracted tennis players from all over the world and helped them achieve success both on and off the court. Most recent are Vladimir Constantinoff '13 from Paris, France who is now playing Division I tennis at Bryant University in Rhode Island, Michael Rosengren '11 from Sharon, Massachusetts at Villanova University and Beck Bond '11 from Meriden, Connecticut who is playing for the nationally-ranked Division I program at North Carolina State. David's passion for tennis went far beyond Cheshire Academy. He was as large an off-the-court figure as there has ever been in American tennis. David served as president of the United States Tennis Association from 1989-1990 as well as serving as an official referee and board member for many years. He was also the driving force behind the construction of The US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City. In collaboration with the USTA, through their expertise and generous contributions, we now plan to build one of the top facilities in the New England area at Cheshire Academy. It is now time for us to give back to David. This fall we will begin our effort to fund the Markin Tennis Center. We will be asking you, our alumni, parents and community friends, to help us construct this facility by graciously donating to the project. When you are invited to participate, I hope that you will enthusiastically say, “Yes!� In the meantime, I ask that you take a few minutes to read the letter on the previous page, "A Coach's Tribute," written by longtime friend and current 25-year Cheshire Academy tennis coach, Chip Boyd. With best regards, Dr. Jerry Larson Head of School
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
47
Historical Tweets Technology may have changed since the class of 1794, but teens have always found a way to display their charm, wit and sass in 140 characters or less. Compiling actual quotations and musings from archived copies of the Academy's newspaper, The Meteor, and various yearbooks, here's a sampling of what the students* of Cheshire Academy may have tweeted about in the early 1800's. *Names have been slightly altered to comply with fake Twitter handles; hashtags have been added.
Cheshire Academy
Tweets
View my profile page
1794
TWEETS
220
FOLLOWING
220
FOLLOWERS
@WillDem It is the transition from the loneliness of Winter to the warmth and geniality of Spring that makes @CheshireAcademy attractive to us now.
Compose new Tweet ...
@PervisMilnor @DonnyLadd is tall and fair of hair, one of those lads who are irresistible to the Cheshire women.
@DonnyLadd @PervisMilnor your love for the women and your
Trending
unquenchable thirst for peroxide will someday be your downfall.
@CheshireAcademy
#1880s
#LatinClass
@EFlagg
@EFlagg @ExNorton and his brother tried to run away! #homesick @EFlagg I was told Mr. Horton can take out his teeth and one eye!
#homesick
#weirdthingsteachersdo
#weirdthingsteachersdo
@WChatfield Played almost all of the @Westminster game with a broken
#ClassStatistics
jaw #dedication
@EFlagg Four dollars for a Latin dictionary! #broke
Who to Follow
@HaroldChilds Only 20 books have been checked out of the library. Think of that all ye wise seniors and juniors!
@JarvisBoy got a spanking for swimming out of season @HaroldChilds @Harvard you can get rooms for $450 a year, and furnish it to suit yourself
@Manuel87 If I ever marry anyone, it will be @HattieHowe. @JarvisBoy Going to the village store to buy gingerale, #sarsaparilla, and other delicacies!
@HEADMASTER Beware #peddlars, who are in the practice of selling books/pamphlets calculated to destroy every sense of modesty & virtue!
LOADING MORE ... 48
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
@JarvisBoy Performing the female parts in full costumes: curled and powdered wigs, ostrich feathers, etc #FiveActTragedies
@BronsonLockwood it was a peach of day. I feel simply fine after it! @WillDem Why were the faculty all so grouchy the morning after alumni dinner?
Join the Conversation
@WChatfield @CheshireAcademy administered an overwhelming defeat of
@CheshireAcademy @CAFightingCats @CAScratchup
the @ChoateSchool on Saturday
@Dyer_1 wonderful luck! I got a job with a traveling #circus @RantonBros, the greatest show on earth!
@PervisMilnor #Density: the condition of a few of our heads
@CheshireAcademy
@PervisMilnor combine @Burbanks build and fuzzy hair w/ aunties smile and nose…who would not fall for this?
/CheshireAcademy /CheshireAcademyAlumni /CheshireAcademySummer
@Richardson11 Sleigh ride to New Haven! @PhellanBoy Prof W. P. Bradley giving an interesting lecture on #liquid #air @PervisMilnor Hence, vain deluding joys. #Beauty is only skin deep!
/CheshireAcademy
@GHolcomb time to visit @Tonys and get a shave @RusselWells You can see @Fosters49's cranium bulge with knowledge in
imagineyourselfhere headofschool CAscratchup
Latin class
@BronsonLockwood @HaroldChilds you have not set @CheshireAcademy afire with your athletic prowess
@Maynard #ClassStatistics out today! Biggest feet: @RusselWells by popular
/CheshireAcademyTV
vote
@RusselWells Homeliest: @Maynard (he thinks he is) #ClassStatistics /CheshireAcademy
@Maynard Biggest Sponge: @PervisMilnor #ClassStatistics @PervisMilnor RT @Maynard Biggest Sponge: @PervisMilnor #ClassStatistics
/cheshireacademyphotography
What do you think about these historic tweets? Tweet us your thoughts @CheshireAcademy #historictweets or email us: alumni@cheshireacademy.org
/company/cheshire-academy
WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
49
We're Old. We're Awesome. And you help tell our story ... "Stopping by CA in 1990 with our son was the best investment we ever made. Paid back 1,000%!!" - Mary Lou Mullins P'94 P'99 via Facebook "Going to CA was the best decision I ever made. I wouldn't change my experiences for the world!" - Amanda Rose Hillinski '07 via Facebook "So great to see those blue blazers with the CA emblem - Just like the one I wore 47 years ago !!!! Whew !!!!" - Kevin T. DeMatteo '73 via Facebook "I remember when Ms. Van Praagh would take us to Quebec for Presidents' Day weekend to practice our Franรงais!!" - Camelia Pomales-Coll '91 via Facebook
Share your Cheshire Academy story:
"Thanks to Cheshire Academy, I still have the best of friends and husband. If not for Cheshire Academy, I would not have married my best friend or have the most beautiful baby girl. I owe everything I have today to CA." - Lexi Rodriguez Wheeler '07 via Alumni Event "Cheshire Academy was a blessing in disguise! I matured so much in my 4 years at CA, it was a great experience and I wish for more kids to experience the change I did!" - Alex Blackwell '13 via Facebook "I would relive my high school days all over again! Without a doubt, CA has been the most nurturing and supportive experience of my life. They push you to succeed in any and all that you are interested in - what other high school would let me perform in EIGHTEEN plays/musicals in 4 years?? I am forever grateful for being given the opportunity to attend Cheshire Academy." - Julie Robles '07 via Facebook
OnFacebookatwww.facebook.com/cheshireacademy. Tweet us @CheshireAcademy #CAStories. Tag us in your Instagram pics @CheshireAcademy. Or, visit the Cheshire Academy website and submit your own story. www.cheshireacademy.org/CAstories
50
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
We're Here to Stay. Even overdue library books eventually return. Dear Cheshire Academy Librarian, I was a member of the first sixth grade class at Cheshire Academy in the academic year 1975-76. On April 27, 1976, I took out George Orwell's, "1984." It was a great book, and in some ways even more appropriate today, in the era of ubiquitous surveillance by both government and private entities. I never returned the book, however. It has followed me and my other belongings through numerous moves. I hope that you accept this belated return without charging me the fine. I couldn't risk returning the book while Mrs. Welleck was running the library. Thank you for your understanding, and I wish the best for CA and its students, faculty and staff. Sincerely yours, Michael J. Sittnick '82
Continue the story. Support Cheshire Academy.
www.cheshireacademy.org/give WINTER 2014
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
51
last look
This photo, taken by Hannah Gailey '17, was created for a gallery show at Cheshire Coffee entitled, "Caffeine and Comfort." The show was part of the Digital Photography class taught by Nicole Van Slyke. To learn more about the show and how Cheshire Academy's digital photography class got involved, read the story on page 20.
52
CHESHIRE ACADEMY MAGAZINE
WINTER 2014
Board of Trustees
On the Cover
a Cheshire Conversations
2013-2014
Hear a panel of Cheshire Academy alumni share their story with students and reunion guests on how they achieved their career goals and how Cheshire helped them get there. Go online to learn about our five panelists! • Jeffrey Barker '71 – New York Market President; Bank of America • Richard Levy '64 – Inventor; creator of the Furby • Bryan Jackowitz '96 – Vice President; American Distilling • Christine Krais – Schott '82 – CEO & Creative Director; CKS. • Alex Case '99 – Training Center/Travel Manager; New York Rangers Hockey Club
Chairman Richard Cerrone '67 — Stamford, Connecticut Vice Chair Howard Greenstone P'12 — New York, New York Treasurer Michael Mauro PP — Monterey, Massachusetts Secretary Richard A. Katz, Esq. '64 — Harrison, New York
Michael Belfonti '76 — Hamden, Connecticut Ronald Feinstein '64 — Weston, Massachusetts Suzanne Fields P'12 — Westport, Connecticut Michael Freedman P'15 — Westport, Connecticut Suzi Raferty Herbst '94 — New York, New York David G. Jepson '59 — Glastonbury, Connecticut
Taken by Cheshire Academy senior, Greg Howley, this photograph is part of a student art showcase on display at Cheshire Coffee. The assignment was part of faculty member Nicole Van Slyke's advanced digital photography class. This striking image suggests growth, representing Cheshire Academy's 220 years of history and community. This image also ties into the Campus News section, which features a story about the Academy's sustainable living practices, and of course, the story of Van Slyke's class and their art show at Cheshire Coffee. To learn more about the Art Show, read the story on page 20 and flip to page 52 for another photo from "Caffeine and Comfort" on display through April.
Graeme M. Keith, Jr. P'11 — Charlotte, North Carolina
Andy Moss P'14 P'15 — Westport, Connecticut Donald Rosenberg '67 — Wayland, Massachusetts
Brett F. Stuart '68 P'09 P'09 P'10 — East Hampton, Connecticut Mark F. Testa, Ph.D. '68 — Carrboro, North Carolina COUNCIL OF OVERSEERS Michael A. Belfonti '76 — Hamden, Connecticut Dan Gabel, Jr. '56 — New York, New York Douglas N. Morton '58 — Englewood, Colorado Frank Motter '61 P'97 — Montreal, Canada Brett F. Stuart '68 P'09 P'09 P'10 — East Hampton, Connecticut
Join us Friday evening to celebrate Bevan Dupre '69 and his 50th year of Cheshire Academy Lacrosse. The inaugural "Under the Lights" Alumni Lacrosse game begins at 7:30 pm on Simosa Field.
a Hall of Fame
The tradition continues! Help us honor our newest members during our revered Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame induction: Art Leibowitz '64, Rick McGowan '64, Jose Caldera '69, Barry Davis '74 and Jorge Vidal '79
Go "Up a Palm Tree" and get personal with Brother Houghton and other prominent leaders from Cheshire Academy's history. These larger than life displays highlight former faculty members and Headmasters, including Arthur Sheriff, Morris Sweetkind, Ernie Beaulac and more.
Patrick K. McCaskey '68 — Lake Forest, Illinois
Lendward Simpson, Jr. '68 — Knoxville, Tennessee
a Alumni Lacrosse under the Lights
a Memory Walk
Gerald Larson, Ed.D. ex officio — Cheshire, Connecticut
Armando Simosa P'08 — Miami, Florida
Join us!
Help Us Produce the Next Cheshire Academy Alumni Directory Cheshire Academy has partnered with Harris Connect to update all alumni contact information and generate a new edition of the Alumni Directory. Starting in April 2014, please be on the lookout for postcards requesting your participation, as well as phone calls from Harris Connect employees. We appreciate your help in connecting our alumni community. If you have any questions, please contact the alumni office at alumni@cheshireacademy.org.
Don't miss these other fun events: Friday, May 16
• • • • •
Class of 1964 Golf Outing at The Course at Yale "Back to the Classroom" - Join Students During Class Campus Tour w/ Student Tour Guides "Remembering the Waverly" 50th Reunion Dinner @ O'Connor House with Cheshire Conversations Panelists & Classes 1969 and older.
Saturday, May 17
• • • • • • • • • •
All Day Video Booth - Tell your Cheshire Story! Fun Run /Walk for Petit Foundation Trolley Tour of the Old Campus and Houses of Cheshire with Bob Gardiner & Ann Moriarty Alumni Soccer on Simosa, Alumni Basketball, Memory Walk, Art Gallery, Open Time for Alumni, Yearbook Tables in Community Forum Sunday Tea on Saturday at the Headmaster's House (O'Connor House) Class Photo Outdoors in the Courtyard at Gideon Welles Dining Commons Wine Tasting in the Courtyard at Gideon Welles Dining Commons Alumni Dinner at Dining Commons Awards/Recognition – Hall of Fame, Bowden Distinguished Alumni Award & Induction of the 50th Reunion Class to "old cats" Dancing
Sunday, May 18
•
Goodbye Brunch with Memorial Service
REUNION
May 16-18
www.cheshireacademy.org/reunion
PERMIT NO. 121
10 Main Street Cheshire, Connecticut 06410-2496 203-272-5396 www.cheshireacademy.org
PERMIT NO. 121
CHESHIRE
NON-PROFIT U. S. POSTAGE PAID 04330 PERMIT NO. 121
Parents: If the CA graduate in your family no longer maintains a personal address at your home, please contact the Alumni and Advancement Office at alumni@cheshireacademy.org or 203-439-7276.
TH E MAG AZ INE OF C H E S H IRE AC AD E MY
REUNION
May 16-18
www.cheshireacademy.org/reunion
WINTER 2014
SAVE THE DATE
WINTE R 2 0 1 4
THE MAGAZINE OF CHESHIRE ACADEMY
Cheshire Academy is an International Baccalaureate速 World School.
Photo by Greg Howley '14 Advanced Digital Photography Class
220 Years of Growth