SUFFIELD [2015 Winter/Spring] by Suffield Academy

su ffi eld

Suffield Academy 185 North Main Street Suffield, CT 06078

suffield WI NTER/SPRI NG 2015

WI NTER/SPRI NG 2015

MANAGING EDITOR Maeve Ryan CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tobye Cook Seck ’88 ART DIRECTOR / PHOTOGRAPHER Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, P’18 EDITORIAL STAFF Charlie Cahn P’18, Hillary Rockwell Cahn ’88, P’18, Linda Colo, Tobye Cook Seck ’88, Kris Halpin, Alison Vigneau PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Caroline Bauchiero ’15, Matthew Volpini from New England Business Media Inc., Charles Ferguson ’09, Risley Sports Photography, Lindsay Reilly ’15, Abbie Schuster ’08, Tobye Cook Seck ’88, P’16, Alexandra Tremaine ’04, Alison Vigneau CONTRIBUTORS Peter Arango ’64, Matthew Volpini from New England Business Media Inc., Charlie Cahn P’18, Amanda Baildon ’15, Alex DuFresne ’15, Audrey DuFresne ’18, Charles Ferguson ’09, Billy Glidden ’10, Jim Hagan ’80, Betsy McComb P’04 ,’06, Harry Melendez III ’07, Andrea Plakias ’87, Lindsay Reilly ’15, Maeve Ryan, Abbie Schuster ’08

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Daniel R. Tisch ’69, P’02, President | New York, New York Jackson W. Robinson ’60, Vice President | Boston, Massachusetts Frederic B. Powers III ’83, P’14, Secretary | Greenwich, Connecticut Charles Cahn III, Headmaster | Suffield, Connecticut Susan W. Autuori P’06, ’08, ’10, ’13 | West Hartford, Connecticut Nancy A. Brooks ’87 | Boston, Massachusetts Cindy M. Burke P’13, ’15, ’17 | East Longmeadow, Massachusetts Dennis W. Chalke P’08, ’12 | Longmeadow, Massachusetts Andrew C. Chase | Deerfield, Massachusetts Kate O. Cleary ’88 | Cambridge, Massachusetts Michael J. Daly ’59, Trustee Emeritus | Longmeadow, Massachusetts George B. Daniels ’71 | New York, New York Andrew Fabricant P’14 | New York, New York Matthew P. Fine ’95 | New York, New York Samuel S. Fuller ’41, Trustee Emeritus GP’04, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’09 | Suffield, Connecticut Michael Gingold P’16, ’18 | West Hartford, Connecticut Valisha Graves ’81 | Brooklyn, New York Matthew W. Greene | Wilton, Connecticut Walter Harrison | Hartford, Connecticut Kathy G. Hoffman P’13 | Avon, Connecticut Christopher M. Houlihan P’05 | New York, New York Christopher T. Jensen P’07, ’09, ’11 | Riverside, Connecticut Kenneth H. Landis P’16 | New York, New York Philip Mactaggart P’17 | Millbrook, New York

SUFFIELD is published by the Marketing and Communications Department of Suffield Academy for alumni, parents, and friends of the school. All publications rights reserved. Contents may be reproduced or reprinted only by permission of the editor. Opinions expressed do not reflect the official position of Suffield Academy. COMMENTS May be addressed to Marketing and Communications marketing@suffieldacademy.org

Karen L. McDonald P’12 | New York, New York Jeffrey K. McElnea ’67, P’12 | New York, New York Patricia Q. Moore P’09, ’14 | McLean, Virginia Tracy Orr O’Keefe ’85 | Westfield, New Jersey Steven R. Sheresky P’12 | Rye, New York Hope G. Smith P’12 | Locust Valley, New York John M. Tremaine ’66, Trustee Emeritus P’94, ’03 | New Canaan, Connecticut Suzy B. Vogler P’11 | Cornwallville, New York and San Francisco, California Jeffrey White ’65 | Westport, Connecticut Jacqueline R. Williams P’04, ’07, ’08 | New York, New York

SUFFIELD is printed by Allied Printing Services, Inc. About Allied: FSC Certified, EPA Partnership & ISO 9001. The fundamental principle of Allied’s environmental policy is to minimize any negative impact to the environment, while conserving natural resources. Using educational and administrative controls, we continuously assess our processes and practices to identify areas for education in energy, waste, and emissions. www.suffieldacademy.org

MISSION Suffield Academy is a coeducational, independent secondary school serving a diverse community of boarding and day students. Our school has a tradition of academic excellence combined with a strong work ethic. A commitment to scholarship and a respect for individual differences guide our teaching and curriculum. We engender among our students a sense of responsibility, and they are challenged to grow in a structured and nurturing environment. The entire academic, athletic, and extracurricular experience prepares our students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and active citizenship. NON-DISCRIMINATION Suffield Academy does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, physical attributes, disability, age, or sexual orientation. We administer our admissions, financial aid, educational, athletic, extracurricular, and other policies so that each student is equally accorded all the rights, privileges, programs, and facilities made available by the school. Copyright 2015 | Suffield Academy, Suffield, Connecticut 06078

suffieldacademy.org/bookstore

SUFFIELD WINTER/SPRING 2015

FEATURES 15 Mentors & Friends: A Look at Suffield’s Advisory Program 20 An Overseas Voyage: Suffield’s March Trip Journal by Lindsay Reilly ’15 28 From Microfiche to Portals 33 Suffield’s Four-Year College Counseling Program CAMPUS NEWS 2

Headmaster’s Column

New Trustee Mike Gingold P’16, ’18

Winter Chapel Series

12 Student Telethon 38 Performing Arts Review 42 Winter Sports Overview PROFILES 19 Alum Abbie Schuster ’08 26 A Remembrance of Henry Thevenin ’10 32 Class Agent Jim Hagan ’80 48 Legacy Family: Andrea Plakias ’87, Alex ’15 and Audrey Dufresne ’18 CLASS NOTES 50 News from the Classes of 1948-2014 76 Weddings and Engagements 77 Births

ON THE COVER Boots, boots, boots, and more boots! SUFFIELD displays an array of winter boots adorned by Academy students around campus.

Winter / Spring 2015

“

You are the sky. Everything else—it’s just the weather. (Pema Chodron)

“

Headmaster’s Column Charles Cahn III

We certainly had a memorable winter at Suffield. Snow and ice filled campus from November through March, but our students’ positive spirit was unwavering. They love this school. This issue of SUFFIELD highlights some of our great programs, including college counseling and advising. It reflects our strong momentum. Yet like all good stories, Suffield’s includes periods of both resilience and good fortune. History could have easily unfolded differently. Weakened by the loss of students and the diminishing effects of World War II, Suffield Academy was unable to pay its bills in the early 1950s. The trustees voted 8 to 5 to “cease operations” in June 1952. Today—63 years later—more than 1,000 students applied for 130 spaces. Almost 3,000 people made gifts last year totaling nearly $10 million to support all aspects of campus life. We have a talented, proud student body and faculty, a gorgeous physical plant, and a compelling position in the independent school landscape. How did this happen? Shortly after the Great War, Headmaster Hobart Truesdell’s report to the Board of Trustees in February 1921 spoke of a school with 106 boys in desperate need of a campus. “The time has come,” he wrote, “when we should have a definite plan of expansion for the future.” But mere existence was a great challenge. As the Second World War consumed America and Suffield’s public high school opened in 1939, the Academy somehow (barely) kept its doors open. The 1942 budget was in the red for the fourth straight year with fundamental challenges including too small an enrollment (too little tuition) and too many expenses. Board Chairman G.W. Skilton wrote, “Before we decide upon a new headmaster, we should decide whether or not the Academy can continue in operation.” Enrollment reached 132 in 1946, but the financial challenges were unaltered. Headmaster Connie Hahn noted, “We have not been able to get in the black this year. We have had to use more red ink, and while this has helped a few more of my hairs to turn gray, I think we should look forward with confidence tempered by the sober realities of our condition.” The trustees engaged the consulting firm Marts & Lundy in 1951 to examine whether Suffield Academy should remain open, and if so, how operations could be financed. The resulting plan was to raise $105,000 of revenue from 107 students. It proved unattainable and on June 5, 1952—by a vote of 10 to 4—the Board of Trustees supported “the suspension of the Academy’s operations and liquidation of its assets.” It was the end. Twelve days later the trustees reconvened and rescinded the motion by an 8 to 5 vote. Several trustees resigned, but the newspaper article below ran on June 21, 1952.

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Ap Seaverns arrived in 1952 as Suffield’s headmaster and a renaissance unfolded. The 1953 enrollment was 105 boys, but Ap was just starting. The tenor changed immediately; Ap was the leader and everyone—the trustees, faculty, and staff—craved his direction. They knew he was the school’s last hope. Ap was entrepreneurial and fiercely determined. North Building was renovated and rededicated as Fuller Hall in 1953, and he raised and financed $373,000 for a new gymnasium opening in 1955. Through the next decade growth continued with dormitories, Holcomb Science, and Brewster Hall. For 20 years Ap led Suffield, strengthening and saving the school. Like us all he had some regrets, some of which he expressed to me in conversations in the 1990s—the school had not built an endowment, demands on family and relationships took their toll, and there were those periodic extra inning losses. But Ap is Suffield’s patriarch. He put our school on the map. In our next issue I will write more about Suffield’s post-Ap era, including the skilled leadership of Headmaster David Holmes ’60 and Trustee Bill Kotchen ’60. I will also highlight Dan Tisch’s exceptional 10-year tenure as Board President. Dan’s impact on this school has been massive. Fortunately, he will continue to serve as a trustee and Fred Powers ’83, P’14 will be our new president. Fred and his wife Lauren love Suffield, both at its best and in its challenging moments. The depth of their affection is significant. Like Dan, Fred will be an excellent Board leader.

Headmaster Charlie Cahn

I close here by noting that Ap’s legacy and our talks inspire me. He wanted us to aggressively recruit students and encourage them to love the school; engage those who care and ask them to help; hire talented faculty members and help them excel; and invest in everything—our people, campus, and programs. Suffield most highly values leadership and citizenship—prestigious prizes here recognize service, sensitivity to others, good humor, and “distance traveled.” Happily nothing in the past 60 years—and hopefully nothing in the next 60—will be quite like that moment in June 1952 when our doors were set to close. We are firmly focused on the sky, letting the weather do what it will without unnerving us. To all those invested in our rich history and fabric, thank you from Suffield Academy.

Charles Cahn III with former headmasters David Holmes ’60 and Ap Seaverns in 2004 Winter / Spring 2015

CAMPUS NEWS NEW TRUSTEE Dr. Michael P. Gingold P’16, ’18 joined Suffield's Board of Trustees in May 2015. He will serve on the Investment Committee and the Budget, Finance & Audit Committee. Mike is a board certified ophthalmologist specializing in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. He is a partner with Consulting Ophthalmologists, with offices in Farmington and Glastonbury, Connecticut, and is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Surgery at The University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Mike holds an AB from Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where he majored in biology and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. Mike completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine and a fellowship in ophthalmic plastic, orbital, and reconstructive surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in New York. He subsequently earned his MBA from the University of Connecticut Graduate School of Business. He has been on the Board of Trustees at Renbrook School in West Hartford, Connecticut, since 2007. He has been a member of the Executive Committee as treasurer and chair of the Finance & Audit Committee since 2010. Mike lives in West Hartford with his wife, Karen. They are the proud parents of David ’16, Caroline ’18, and Andrew, who is in seventh grade at Renbrook. On joining the Suffield Board Mike commented, “Suffield Academy has provided for David and Caroline a challenging academic program in a caring community. We are grateful to the many teachers who have gone beyond expectations to assist in their development. I am honored to have been asked to serve as a trustee at a school we love, and eager to help contribute to Suffield's continued success.”

JEFF WHITE ’65 SCHOLARSHIP Trustee Jeff White is endowing a merit scholarship for talented day students applying to Suffield. Jeff noted that day students are an integral part of the Suffield community and he wanted to help encourage talented local students to attend the Academy. He said, “Prior to coming to Suffield I spent several wonderful years living in nearby Windsor, Connecticut, and I have a great affinity for the area. Day students have been a critical part of the Academy’s past. Often they made significant contributions to the Academy’s academic, cultural, and athletic activities. I am hopeful this gift will help ensure that this important segment will continue for years to come.”

Winter / Spring 2015

CAMPUS NEWS ADMISSIONS SETTING NEW RECORDS

Suffield had its largest-ever applicant pool in 2015 as demand for the school continues to soar. First-round decisions were sent on March 10 to more than 1,000 applicants. Applications have tripled during Headmaster Cahn’s time on campus and the acceptance rate dropped below 30% this year. “We are proud that so many families see the great value Suffield offers as a challenging and encouraging school,” Headmaster Cahn said. “Our outstanding admissions staff and everyone here has done a great job articulating this message consistently. It is reflected in every aspect of the community.” Suffield will welcome 130 new students in September and total enrollment will again be around 410 students (for the 12th straight year). New students will come from around the country and the world with home states including not only Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, but also California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Wyoming. New international students will come from Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, China, Egypt, Guatemala, Jamaica, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, and Spain.

www.suffieldacademy.org/congratulations

INTERACTIVE CAMPUS MAP As part of an initiative to enhance the school’s new mobile-optimized website, Suffield launched an interactive campus map. The map includes information on all academic, administrative, and athletic facilities, dorms, visual and performing arts venues, and other points of interest (including fields, parking lots, and the health center). It was created by Concept 3D and is intended to improve the online experience for visitors to Suffield by providing clear visuals, descriptions, and directions to all locations on campus.

www.suffieldacademy.org/visit

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50TH NIGHT FOR THE CLASS OF 2015

Suffield’s Class of 2015 spent a special evening with the faculty on April 2, focusing on the final 50 days of the academic year. This event has become a valued annual school tradition. Gray Johnson ’15 gave a wonderful talk about individuality and finding one’s path. Class advisor Jeff Depelteau ’02 compiled video clips from members of the Class of 2014 encouraging the seniors to make the most of their last two months on campus. Before the singing of Suffield’s “alma mater,” Headmaster Cahn spoke about the year and offered advice to the seniors. He noted that a central trait of successful people is the willingness to ask others for help, highlighting the Chinese proverb, “To know the road ahead ask those coming back.”

AREA STUDIES MUSEUM PROJECTS

The History and Languages Departments proudly presented students’ museum projects on January 29 featuring Latin American Studies and European Studies/China East Asian Studies projects. This interdisciplinary event was the culmination of weeks of hard work by the juniors enrolled in Suffield’s Area Studies Program. Aligned with our students’ language study, the Area Studies courses seek to integrate a traditional history curriculum with art, literature, music, politics, and contemporary culture.

Winter / Spring 2015

CAMPUS NEWS

TIGERS

HEADED TO COLLEGE ATHLETIC CAREERS

WHILE MANY SUFFIELD GRADUATES PLAN TO PURSUE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS IN COLLEGE, SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2015 SIGNED OFFICIAL LETTERS OF INTENT THIS WINTER AS PART OF THE PROCESS OF RECEIVING DIVISION I ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS.

Becca Titterton ’15 signed a letter of intent to swim at Xavier, Endy Morales ’15 signed to play baseball at West Virginia, and five members of the football team signed on February 4: Andrew Chuma ’15 and Trent Crossan ’15 (Lafayette), Drew Mahoney ’15 (Bentley), Christian Wilkins ’15 (Clemson), and Michael Yerardi ’15 (University of Massachusetts). While final college decisions are still taking shape, it is already clear that members of the Class of 2015 will pursue college athletics at a range of schools including Amherst, Bentley, Brandeis, Connecticut College, Gettysburg, Hamilton, La Salle, Middlebury, New York University, Pitzer, South Carolina, Springfield, Tufts, Union, and Wesleyan.

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Winter Chapel

SPOUTS OF WATER During the summer of 2014, 15 Suffield students and faculty members traveled to the JoshKrisDan Home of Refuge (founded by John Moritz ’74 and his wife, Libby). This was the second visit by Suffield community members, and the orphanage was the recipient of funds raised through three events during the 2013-2014 academic year. A winter chapel presentation highlighted these recent visits to Ghana and the school’s plans for the 2015 school-wide fundraising project. Trip organizer and Director of Academic Support Kim Wiggin explained how some of the funds raised were used to install new water pumps and provide the home with furniture and appliances. The majority of the money, however, will be used for a new primary school that will make it possible for more children in the area to receive a formal education. She said, “The best part of the trips is always witnessing the interaction between our Suffield students and the children of Ghana.” The chapel program concluded with a presentation from Baek Kang ’16 and Nick Alfano ’15 regarding this year’s fundraiser recipient, SPOUTS of Water.

Winter / Spring 2015

CHAPE L

JAMALL CALLOWAY Jamall Calloway spoke to the Suffield community on the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jamall is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and a decorated student and minister at The Church of Christ (UCC) in Mt. Washington, Massachusetts. He highlighted the humanity of the person behind the “I Have a Dream” speech. “We hear so little about his humanity,” he noted. “We only learn a section of his speech and therefore never really know him.” Jamall wove in comments about current issues that have elevated racial tension in America and encouraged Suffield students to learn more about others that have written about race and the American experience. He also commented that students have the power to end racism and xenophobia in their lifetimes. Tiquan Ewell ’16 remarked, “I loved how he went into detail about MLK Jr.’s entire vision and humanized him.” Faculty members Molly and Tom Gotwals heard Jamall speak at the UCC in 2014 and recommended him as a guest speaker. Jamall is currently pursuing a PhD in systematic theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York.

DUKE'S MEN OF YALE Twelve young male a capella singers performed enthusiastic renditions of popular songs by artists such as Miley Cyrus, Adele, John Mayer, Sara Bareilles, and Guster. Performing Arts Department Chair Tom Dugan commented, “They had great stage presence and gave us a nice mix of classic and modern songs.” A Suffield junior added, “They were amazing. The Duke’s Men of Yale made me curious about trying singing when I get to college.” The Duke’s Men of Yale has been entertaining audiences for over 60 years and has had numerous accolades celebrating its musicality and performance. For more information, visit www.dukesmen.com.

SUFFIELD

MICHAEL FOSBERG Actor and professor Michael Sidney Fosberg has spent the last several years delivering a very important message about race. At age 34, he discovered that his biological father was African-American. The journey this discovery led him on was life-changing and self-affirming. He talked about his struggle of feeling both exhilarated and confused by the news of his extended family. Michael’s humorous yet dramatic presentation dealt with serious issues and inspired the Suffield community to think about topics related to race, identity, stereotypes, adoption, and divorce. “We should come to love all of our identities,” said Michael. “I’m trying to get people of all ages to think and talk about these issues and not be afraid to do it.”

SPECIAL OLY MPICS CONNECTICUT Marc Mercadante, senior director of Community Impact at Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT), spoke about Suffield’s partnership with their organization. SOCT offers year-round training and competition in 27 Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Angie D’Amico, winner of the 2013 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award and a Special Olympian, also spoke and expressed her enthusiasm for her role as global messenger for the organization. Suffield planned two SOCT events—a special half-time competition on February 13 during the Suffield boys’ basketball game, where Suffield students educated the community regarding the R-word campaign, and a Fitness Walk on April 12. Junior class organizers Callie Platt, Emma Repka, and Katie Kuzmeski invited over 100 Special Olympic athletes and their families to the Suffield campus, and are thrilled by the support from the Suffield community.

Winter / Spring 2015

PUTTING TALENT TO WORK SUFFIELD STUDENT TELETHON IN SUPPORT OF SPOUTS OF WATER

SUFFIELD

Each year, Suffield Academy students select a charity to support with three campus-wide fundraisers. This year’s selection was SPOUTS of Water, a non-profit organization that creates ceramic water filters to provide access to clean water in Uganda. Baek Kang ’16 worked with SPOUTS in Uganda over the summer and brought the idea to Suffield Academy when he returned to campus in the fall. After a successful Color Course fundraiser event in October, Suffield held its winter event on March 5. Based on the success of last year’s Telethon—which raised funds for the Hearts of the Father refuge home in Ghana—Baek and other student council leaders decided to hold another one this year. The Telethon helped them successfully meet their goal of raising $25,000, roughly half of the goal for the entire year. With the money that Suffield Academy raises, SPOUTS will be able to install large-scale filters in thirteen different primary schools that serve over 10,000 students.

MENTORS FRIENDS

A LOOK AT SUFFIELD'S ADVISORY PROGRAM BY MAEVE RYAN

The heart of Suffield rests in our relationships. When students and parents have questions about academics, college counseling, or student life, they are directed to the administrative leaders in those areas. Advisors serve a different and unique purpose, however; while they don't need to be experts on things like course recommendations, college choices, or discipline issues, they provide our students with guidance, support, and encouragement. The advisee-advisor relationship is a wonderful part of the Suffield experience. The advisory program is a key element of the Suffield program. It helps nurture relationships by designating formal times for advisors to meet with their advisees, yet a large part of the advisory program is organic. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the time spent watching advisees compete in sports, going to their dance performance or plays, helping them with social issues and navigating Suffield, and building long-lasting bonds by inviting them into faculty homes and families.

“Whether it’s carving pumpkins in the fall, making holiday cookies in the winter, or sitting around a faculty member’s fireplace eating brownie sundaes, the consensus is that students simply enjoy being in a home,” one Suffield advisor pointed out. Married advisors like faculty members Nick Zanussi and Erika Picciotto-Zanussi often combine their advisee functions and gatherings where students meet, eat, and play games. The advisory program pays it forward for all parties involved; it is an extension of a student’s social circle as well as an opportunity to be another member of the advisor’s family. We asked several seniors and their advisors to tell us more about what makes Suffield’s advisory program so special. We wanted to find out just how much of an impact advisors had on their advisees and vice versa. By digging a little deeper, we discovered something quite rare: an opportunity for advisors and advisees to thank each other for how much they’ve influenced each other. In nearly every interview we conducted, we heard advisors and advisees say how close they’ve grown to one another. When asked how frequently they communicate, the response was often, “we talk or text every single day.” In the interviews we also learned there are flexible strategies in place for building and sustaining these relationships. Suffield’s mission lays the groundwork and the rest falls into place.

"EACH STUDENT AT SUFFIELD IS ASSIGNED A FACULTY ADVISOR WHO SERVES AS A CENTRAL RESOURCE WITHIN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY FOR THE STUDENT, AND WHO MONITORS THEIR ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL PROGRESS. ADVISORS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE STUDENTS IN ORDER TO HELP THEM SUCCEED AT SUFFIELD BY KEEPING TRACK OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS, ASSISTING WITH COURSE PLANNING AND SELECTION, HELPING WITH PERSONAL MATTERS, AND FACILITATING GOOD COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE STUDENT AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THERE ARE REGULARLY SCHEDULED TIMES SET ASIDE FOR MEETINGS WITH THE ADVISOR. IN ADDITION, ADVISORS ARE EXPECTED TO MEET WEEKLY WITH ALL NEW STUDENTS DURING THE FALL TERM, AND MONTHLY WITH ALL STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AT A MINIMUM. THEY RECEIVE RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR ADVISEES FROM CLASSROOM TEACHERS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, AND DORM PARENTS. ADVISORS HAVE FORMAL WRITTEN CONTACT WITH FAMILIES THROUGH THE ADVISOR REPORT THAT IS WRITTEN TWICE EACH YEAR. IN ADDITION TO ADVISOR REPORTS, EMAIL, AND PHONE CONTACT, THERE ARE SCHEDULED MEETINGS FOR PARENTS AND THEIR CHILD'S ADVISOR DURING THE FALL AND SPRING PARENTS' WEEKENDS. ADDITIONAL MEETINGS CAN BE ARRANGED DIRECTLY WITH THE ADVISOR. STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SHOULD SEEK OUT THEIR ADVISORS ON ANY MATTER. THEY CAN BE A RESOURCE FOR ADDRESSING CONCERNS OR DIRECTING STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO AN APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATOR." STUDENT AND PARENT HANDBOOK 16

SUFFIELD

ALI WALSH '15 AND MOLLY VIANNEY ALI:

I came as a sophomore and was unsure of what to expect. Mrs. Vianney was always available and gave me individual attention whenever I needed it.

MOLLY:

I get so much out of being an advisor. It’s an opportunity to connect with the students on a whole different level. I’ve been lucky because these students are close to the age of my children, so there’s a parenting piece to it. Having two daughters go through Suffield helped prepare me for some of the challenges.

ALI:

Mrs. Vianney was my teacher and field hockey coach, so she advised me in many different areas of my life.

MOLLY:

I really like the built-in time the school gives us to be with our advisees. We have so many rich traditions at Suffield, but for me the culmination of the advising experience occurs during the faculty line-up on High Street after Baccalaureate. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for me to say thank you to everyone, especially my advisees.

ALI:

She’s really been remarkably helpful to me. She’s been there every step of the way and our relationship has been one of my favorite things about being at Suffield.

TRISTAN GRUSH '15 AND SEAN ATKINS TRISTAN:

I was always in Mr. Atkins’ office. I wanted to go home but he told me that if I was going home, he was coming with me.

SEAN: Tristan reminded me of myself, so my approach was to be as rigid as possible in the beginning. I believed he was a tremendous young man and felt that removing him from social media was the best way to help him get totally immersed in this culture and be happy. Did the phone experiment make him like me in the beginning? No… but eventually it worked. TRISTAN:

I went from waiting for school vacations to waiting to come back to campus.

SEAN: When I think of the phrase Charlie Cahn always uses in looking at our students—“distance traveled”—I think of Tristan. But I have to mention his supportive family. They entrusted me to be the disciplinarian in order to earn his trust. TRISTAN:

My relationship with my advisor has been one of the key components of my success here at Suffield. There’s no doubt in my mind our relationship will continue long after I graduate.

CAMI ROCHA '15 AND GIS-XI NAHMENS

CAMI: She’s has really helped me. She knows when to hug me and when to give me tough love. GIS-XI:

She’s like a daughter to me. I have learned a lot from her, like the way she deals with things. I’ve also learned how to read her.

CAMI: She truly cares about what I say and it is great to have someone I can always look to for advice and guidance. GIS-XI:

We are in contact multiple times a day. Plus she’s a teaching assistant in a Leadership class I teach. We’re very close.

CAMI: Here at Suffield you really do get to be a part of the families that live on campus. I certainly didn’t have that at my old school. The unique relationships have enhanced my experience here and helped make Suffield really important to me.

KELLY TAYLOR '15 AND LIZ WARREN KELLY:

Mrs. Warren was my brother’s (Lester Taylor ’11) advisor and I knew I wanted her to be mine as soon as I met her during Summer Academy in 2010.

LIZ:

She’s in our home and babysits for us all the time. To watch her grow and develop into the young woman she is today has been remarkable.

KELLY:

I seek her out every day. She keeps my secrets because she has to! (laughing)

LIZ: We trust each other. She’s like my daughter. KELLY: It can be hard to be away from home, so having a family at

Suffield and being in a place where people are constantly supporting me helps immensely.

DANNY FAUCETTA '15 AND TOM DUGAN DANNY:

Moving to Suffield from New York City was a big adjustment and Mr. Dugan was very helpful with my transition.

TOM: We set up a timeline at the beginning of the year and met weekly. DANNY: He encouraged me when I did well, but when things needed to get done he was on my back…in a good way!

TOM: Suffield advisors gets to know the students beyond the classroom and the playing field. We get to see them as a whole person. That helps when writing college recommendations or having to encourage them to do better or work harder. Danny has a laid back personality and knows what his passions are. DANNY:

My relationship with Mr. Dugan has helped me in a lot of ways. He was just one of the ways Suffield built a system to help me be successful.

AMANDA SILVERSTEIN '15 AND EMILY BALABAN-GARBER AMANDA: We’re really close because she’s been my advisor since my sophomore year. It also helps that we’re not that far apart in age. Ms. BG understands and can relate to what I’m going through. EMILY: Advising is an organic process, but we talk at least once a week if not every day. I’ve seen Amanda become such a compassionate person over the past three years. She always makes an effort to reach out and make sure people feel involved. AMANDA: The other night we had an advisory get-together at Ms. BG’s apartment. It was just nice not to think about school work for a bit and have fun. EMILY: As my advisees have grown I have grown too. Now they come to me with real problems! (laughing) AMANDA:

We’ve both found our place here at Suffield.

ALUMNI PROFILE BY MAEVE RYAN

ABBIE SCHUSTER ’08

Rubert, Abbie’s two-year-old rescue blue heeler lab from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana, frequently accompanies her on fly-fishing trips

FLY-FISHING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF ABBIE SCHUSTER’S ’08 LIFE. Originally from Simsbury, Connecticut, Abbie grew up fly-fishing with her father, Rollin, on the Long Island Sound. She credits her dad for introducing her to Montana, where the two of them took a fishing trip during Abbie’s sophomore year in college. “I started at the University of Vermont, but decided to transfer to the University of Montana because I loved it so much. It’s just different out West,” Abbie says. Abbie now lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is the women’s program director for Emerald Water Anglers (EWA), a full-service fly-fishing outfitter that offers individual instruction and group casting clinics. Abbie says she is proud to be working with EWA to make the generally male-dominated sport more accessible to women and to represent fly-fishing as one of the only female leaders in the industry. In addition to being on the EWA pro staff, Abbie is also a representative for Scott Fly Rods, a company that recently released a rod just for women. “It’s exciting to see the sport evolving in this way. Patagonia, Orvis, and a few other companies have developed women’s fly-fishing clothing lines. This is a step in the right direction,” says Abbie. While a senior at Suffield, Abbie took an environmental studies class with Steve Goodwin. “After taking Goody’s class, I knew that was what I was going to study for the next four years.” However, environmental studies wasn’t the only passion she picked up while at Suffield. “Hillary Cahn taught me photography which I use every day. I’d never even touched a camera before and now it’s such a huge part of my work.” Abbie’s photographs are currently used to promote Scott’s fly rods and the women’s casting clinics she teaches twice a month. She also hopes to get them into the Patagonia catalog someday. In addition to her work at EWA, Abbie volunteers her time at Casting for Recovery, an organization that caters to women living with breast cancer through fly-fishing retreats. Abbie leads clinics a few times a year and teaches women of all ages and levels to embrace the sport as a therapeutic way to connect with nature. “I’m creating this cool community of people,” she said. “It helps that I came from such a supportive community like Suffield. Being a part of Suffield taught me to be independent and have a creative mind.” Abbie reflected on her time at Suffield by noting it was pivotal in who she has become today. At the time of our talk, she was making plans to get together with a group of Suffield alums living nearby. “It’s great because even after moving all the way across the country, I always have this little net to fall back on,” she said. Suffield helped shape her passions in life and also allowed her to have the confidence to follow her dreams. Her advice to current Suffield students is to follow their intuition. “There were times when I fell down and was broke, but if you’re passionate about it, if you let it guide you, you’ll always find a way to make it work.” When asked what makes her most proud about being a Suffield alumna, Abbie says it’s the continued sense of community after graduation and the familiarity once you step back onto campus. Abbie has returned to campus a few times: for her sister’s graduation in 2011 and her five-year reunion in 2013. “The last time I was at Suffield, Charlie asked me how Seattle was. It’s just nice to know that the caring doesn’t end and the connection lasts forever. Whenever I go back, it feels like I never left.”

Winter / Spring 2015

an overseas voyage suffield's march trip

Suffield Academy offers overseas trips each spring during the March vacation. For many years these were led by faculty member Amparo Samii. Upon her retirement in 2004 faculty member Kim Wiggin took over the leadership of these excursions. Over the past decade, Kim has helped lead visits to all of western and central Europe, China, Ecuador, Peru, the Galapagos Islands, and South Africa. The trips have offered valuable learning experiences beyond the boundaries of the Suffield campus. As Kim commented, “By interacting with other cultures our students have developed even more respect, compassion, and understanding for others. What greater skills can there be in this world right now? Stepping out of their comfort zone has helped them gain increased independence, responsibility, and flexibility.” The 2015 trip included 55 students and faculty members who traversed through Switzerland, Northern Italy, and the French Riviera. SUFFIELD asked aspiring journalist Lindsay Reilly ’15 to keep a log of her experiences. Caroline Bauchiero ’15 took photos along the way, some of which are included here. Lindsay noted, “In between exploring the Swiss Alps, hiking a route between the five villages in Italy's Cinque Terre, and discovering every patisserie in Nice, I recorded my experiences in a notebook that never left my possession.”

Day 1 After an eight-hour flight our group landed on time in Zurich, Switzerland, eagerly peeling off our sweatshirts in the sixty-degree, sunny weather. Following a short bus ride into the city, we walked around Zurich’s old town, which is marked by its medieval architecture and matching cobblestone streets as well as its seemingly endless hills. The walking paid off as the group broke up for lunch, and my friends and I found ourselves looking over the menu at Café Henrici, a restaurant not far from the Limmat River. Kira Demitrus ’15 and I both ordered homemade minestrone soup, while Amanda Baildon ’15, Ashley Gambrel ’15, and Lydia Swain ’15 each had different vegetable quiches. Although our meal was delicious, the highlight of lunchtime was our cappuccinos that were each decorated with a unique design. As we walked back to our designated meeting spot, we window-shopped in Louboutin and Chanel. We eventually met up with everyone and began driving to Lucerne. After checking into our hotel, we walked as a group to a local restaurant for dinner. Day 2 About 45 minutes from Lucerne lies Titlis, a mountain with one of the highest summits in the Swiss Alps. After riding on several gondolas, climbing snow-covered stairs, and crossing a suspension bridge, we reached the top. The view spanned miles and we could see not only other mountaintops, but also the skyline of Lucerne. When our Alpine excursion ended, we walked around Lucerne before meeting for a fondue dinner in town. Our tour director joked about not letting any bread fall in the cheese, so we were all careful enough not to do so. During our free time after lunch, my friends and I roamed around the city, visiting many shops and a café in search of Swiss chocolate. Day 3 Leaving Lucerne this morning, we traveled to Switzerland’s capital

city, Bern. Along with some friends I explored the area surrounding the main river and found many locals relaxing on makeshift benches. With the entire group we climbed a steep hill in order to see a picturesque view of Bern’s skyline. We eventually walked into town and split up for lunch. Much of the group ended up eating at the same restaurant, which had outdoor seating

Winter / Spring 2015

that spilled into the streets. After our meal, my friends and I explored Bern, finding a park overlooking the city where we spent a substantial amount of time enjoying the sun and each other’s company.

Day 4 Although our time in Switzerland seemed brief it was time for us to move on and cross the border into Italy. We had a short lunch break in the town of Como, where I had my first scoop of Italian gelato. As a group, we crossed Lake Como in a ferryboat and reached the village of Bellagio. This was one of the most charming towns we had seen, with extremely narrow, cobblestone streets. The buildings were painted in warm colors, most notably deep reds, yellows, and oranges. Shop owners sold locally produced goods including scarves, leather products, and wine. After a few hours we took a boat back to Como and ate our first Italian dinner. We also had some free time to explore the area around our hotel, which overlooked the Mediterranean Sea.

"It was great to see our students outside of the everyday life here at Suffield and share an experience that will last a lifetime. The views atop Mt. Titlis in Switzerland were breathtaking, and the architecture of the Duomo di Milano was unbelievable. Milan still has cobblestone streets and uses cable cars as a method of transportation! We were able to hike the Cinque Terre alongside one another, stand at a summit in the Swiss Alps, experience Monaco, and most memorably eat gelato while walking the streets of Milan. Thank you, Suffield, for this great opportunity with my colleagues and these 41 amazing students." -harry melendez iii '07, director of alumni relations

Day 5 In the morning we drove about an hour west of Como to Lake Maggiore. After a quick ferry ride, we visited Isola Bella, an island that has hosted many notable figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife, Josephine. The highlight of the trip was seeing the Borromeo family’s palace. The estate was adorned with priceless paintings and statues, and white peacocks roamed the gardens. After our visit to Lake Maggiorie, we travelled back to Como for dinner at a local pizzeria. Then we had the opportunity to go to San Siro Stadium and watch AC Milan beat Cagliari 3-1 in one of the most exciting soccer matches I have ever seen. Day 6 Before travelling to Rapallo, the site of our next hotel, we spent the morning and afternoon visiting Milan. For lunch, my friends and I ate a variety of pasta dishes inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the most posh malls in Europe. Looking to shop in stores more geared to us, my friends and I explored Duomo Square. The square is named for the Duomo di Milano, a huge cathedral dedicated to Saint Mary. We capped off the afternoon with espressos from a small café before meeting the rest of our tour group to drive to Rapallo. Day 7 Today our group hiked part of the Cinque Terre, a portion of the Italian Riviera composed of five hilltop villages, including Rapallo. After a brief tour of the town of Rapallo led by a local guide, we began our hike across one of the mountains to Monterosso. Naturally spreading out into small groups, we climbed for over an hour, up narrow sets of stairs and across makeshift ramps built into the earth. While hiking we were able to see breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea as well as Rapallo and Monterosso. Amanda Baildon ’15 and I conquered the hike together, and finished fairly quickly. While waiting at the bottom of the mountain, we rested on a beach with some of our peers. Instead of sand, the beach was comprised of multicolored pebbles and rocks. We spent the remainder of the day in Monterosso before driving back to our hotel in Rapallo. Day 8 During our last day in Italy, we visited the town of Genoa and its famous aquarium. Caroline Bauchiero ’15 and I saw and learned about over a dozen sea creatures, including manatees, seahorses, and penguins. Caroline and I also were lucky enough to stumble upon the pool filled with dolphins during their feeding time. After the aquarium we broke up for lunch and to see the city. Many of us ate linguini with pesto sauce after discovering the dish originated in Genoa. We eventually made our way back onto the bus to drive to Nice, France. Day 9 Not too far from Nice lies Monaco, our next destination. We

visited the Palais du Prince and watched the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Then we had a quick lunch in order to save time to walk around the city. On our way back to Nice, we stopped to see the famous Monte Carlo Casino.

SUFFIELD

"The palace on Isola Bella in north Italy was remarkable. Every part of the house was incredibly detailed-- from the ceilings to the floor, it was embellished with ornate woodwork,and outside it was surrounded by magical gardens-- I felt like I was in a fairy tale. After exploring the palace, we took a ferry back to Como, ate lunch, and toured the city where I bought some gifts for my family. At night we went to see Milan and Cagliari compete, and I was blown away by the intense spirit of the Italian soccer fans-- it was my first soccer game and I loved it! This trip has inspired me to travel more and more... every place we visited brought me an overwhelming sense of excitement. I felt so lucky to be traveling with this group." -miles johnson '16

Day 10 Today we spent the entire day exploring Nice. In the morning,

we visited a candied fruit and chocolate shop and were lucky enough to watch artisan chocolatiers create their treats. We also got to sample several unique desserts, including lavender-infused chocolates. After our visit to the candy shop, my friends and I grabbed a quick lunch with Henriette Lingelem ’14, who is currently studying in France. She took us to one of her favorite gelato shops, where I tried several unique flavors, including salted caramel, hazelnut, and tiramisu. We spent the remainder of the day relaxing on the beach, which is covered in small, gray stones instead of sand.

Day 11 After about a 45-minute drive, our tour group arrived in Cannes, a city on the French Riveria that is famous for its annual film festival. Even though we did not see any famous European socialites, we had a picturesque morning exploring the town. Kimmie Meunier ’15, Caroline Bauchiero ’15, and I practiced our French and spoke with many of the local shop owners. Before leaving, my friends and I ate at a small café overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. We spent the afternoon in the beautiful medieval town of Saint Paul de Vence. Perhaps my favorite village on the trip, Saint Paul de Vence is characterized by its many

small boutiques. Maggie O’Shea ’16, Ashley Sarris ’16, and I visited as many art galleries as we could and admired the locally made paintings and sculptures.

Day 12 Our last day in Europe was spent in Nice. As a group, we

walked to Cours Saleya, an open-air market in the old town, to buy a variety of foods for lunch. Along with Kimmie Meunier ’15, Caroline Bauchiero ’15, and Lydia Swain ’15, I visited fresh fruit and vegetable stands. We met up with Maggie O’Shea ’16 and Emma Repka ’16 who bought homemade jam, bread, and an assortment of cheeses. Together, we picnicked at Parc du Chateau before exploring Nice one last time. We spent a significant amount of time in a local leather store, trying on handmade shoes and handbags. We grabbed some gelato on our way back to the hotel, where we met the rest of our group for our last dinner together. Visiting Europe with Suffield Academy was something that I will never forget. Being exposed to new cultures and sharing the experiences with my peers only made the trip more special.

Winter / Spring 2015

SA Artists

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Top Row Jeanette Tran ’16, Jackie Zhang ’15, Emma Repka ’16, Daria Kovaleva ’17, Jackie Zhang ’15 Bottom Row Kelly Tayor ’15, Daria Kovaleva ’17, Cathy Yan ’18, Alexander Skomorovskiy ’16, Prao Leeswadtrakul ’16

Middle Row Jackie Zhang ’15 and Andrew Robitaille ’17,

Brooklynn Hayes ’17, Andy Colby ’15, Liz Sacco ’17, Ali Veitch ’15, Sarah Raymond ’16

HENRY THEVENIN ’10 [A REMEMBRANCE] By Billy Glidden ’10

To see Henry Thevenin ’10 move through his life—to hear his childlike laugh, to be wrapped in his embrace, to witness his boundless enthusiasm for the world and its inhabitants—was to see a man who found his life’s meaning in simple, everyday acts of love. No community that welcomed Henry was ever left the same as when he found it. That was true, apparently, from the day Henry was born until the day, at the age of 20, he succumbed to leukemia. Henry didn’t love life because life was easy. He loved it because he felt, at the core of his being, that life was good—that it deserved our attention, our care, and our love. “It’s the way of the world,” he would say. At his funeral in Brockton, Massachusetts, dozens of Suffield Academy students joined hundreds of other mourners to pay tribute to this man who had so enriched their lives. In his eulogy, Henry’s older brother highlighted how struggling through adversity had defined his little brother’s time on earth—how an illness Henry contracted in Haiti almost ended his life before any of us ever got to meet him, and how Henry’s last months were spent in a battle with leukemia. “He fought for his life on his way into the world,” his brother said, “and he fought for it on his way out.” Which perhaps explains why Henry, wherever he happened to be, whatever he happened to be doing, radiated enthusiasm; he knew life’s fragility well, and he felt no need to conceal his joy at getting to share another day with the people he loved. “He didn’t want people to be so worried about the future that they miss right now,” Atiq Lucas ’10 told me. And Henry was shameless about sharing his joy. Atiq remembers how Henry would greet almost anyone he walked by on campus with the affectionate nicknames he’d invented. (Mine was “prez”). “Just seeing Henry could really brighten up somebody’s day,” Atiq said. In the spring of 2011, when Henry learned that what he thought was a football-related neck injury was actually the result of leukemia, one could have forgiven him for feeling despair. At the peak of his athletic abilities, in the prime of his life, in a college community he loved, with a beautiful girlfriend and massive extended family back home, he was forced to confront the possibility of leaving it all behind. But that wasn’t Henry. Instead, he did what he’d always done. He moved toward his loved ones with his arms outstretched.

Living life like a daisy looking forward to the sun. It’s the way of the world so you already know.” Henry Thevenin’s yearbook quote, source unknown

Shane Cranmore ’10, Henry’s designated “mentor” at Suffield and a pallbearer at his funeral, remembers bringing a group of Suffield alums to visit him in the hospital. “Henry actually apologized to the people there for not responding to their Facebook messages quickly enough,” he told me. “He was like, ‘I got about a thousand of them, but my bad.’” On another occasion, Henry tried sharing his hospital food with some visitors. “He’s in the hospital, sick with cancer, hooked up to an IV, and he’s passing his plate around and asking us if we wanted any food. That’s the epitome of Henry,” Shane said. “He had an amazing ability to make everyone around him feel valued.”

On the day of the Academy’s 2011 Commencement, Henry made a final visit to Suffield. Hours before the Commencement ceremony, Shane picked Henry up from the hospital and asked what he wanted to do. “Take me to Connecticut,” Henry said. Although heavy traffic ensured that it would be a long trip, Henry knew where he needed to be. “Henry kept saying, ‘I’ve got to get to that graduation,’” Shane remembers. “He was adamant.” If you were at Commencement that year, odds are good that you talked to Henry. I talked to Henry for just a few minutes. He hugged me and my mother (made sure the “prez” was safe), and went to share his joy with others. It was a typically extraordinary Henry Thevenin moment, one of many such moments that spring afternoon. “He talked to everyone that day,” Shane said. “He made his way around the whole school, and made everybody feel that he was doing well, and life was good. It was his way of saying goodbye.” Mere weeks later, we received the unimaginable news of his passing. The occasion for this essay is the Class of 2010 Reunion, which will be held this October. I’m at a loss for words. My desire to say something hopeful about life and death is thwarted by the reality of grief. It’s hard to imagine a Class of 2010 Reunion without Henry. “Henry would be doing great things right now,” Atiq said. “So, I try to carry that with me, to have the same openness to all people that he had. It’s funny that I only knew him this short time, because he really changed me as a person.” Indeed, there is not a member of the Class of 2010 who is not somehow better—kinder, more generous, more hopeful—because of Henry Thevenin. When I asked Shane what he would tell Henry if he could talk to him, Shane laughed. “I wish he could say things to me,” he said. I know all of us who knew Henry feel the same. Of course, there are some things we don’t need Henry to say. Henry doesn’t need to tell us how simple, everyday acts of love can change our lives. We already know.

SUFFIELD

self-reliance

inspiration

support a community of future leaders Please make a donation to the 2015 Annual Fund. The Annual Fund supports every aspect of life at Suffield Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all focused directly on our students. www.suffieldacademy.org/donate

creativity

leadership Winter / Spring 2015

from microfiche to

PORTA LS

SUFFIELD

by Maeve Ryan

S. Kent Legare

LIBRARY Gone are the days of card catalogs and microfiches. If you have no idea what those words even mean, then chances are you were born after 1990 and have always known libraries to have at least a few computers. Today’s libraries have evolved from places that house books and periodicals to meeting places where people can research independently or as part of a group. While the library will most likely keep its name (derived from the Latin word libraria, meaning “bookshop”), it is becoming known more as a student center—or as The International Conference on Libraries, Information, and Society describes it, a “portal of information without borders.” The modern-day library is a place that provides endless access to media via the Internet, in particular vetted and reliable databases.

Winter / Spring 2015

S. Kent Legare Library

Suffield’s S. Kent Legare Library is a beautiful space that contains 20,000-volumes, a multimedia center, the 100-seat Tisch Auditorium, and computer resources that include 55 Internet drop sites. Academic Dean Sara Yeager led Suffield’s’ search for a new library director in 2014. She noted that because the use of libraries continues to evolve, Suffield sought an educator with particular experience in utilizing technology. “The nature and focus of libraries have changed,” she said, “so the leader of the library must evolve and be familiar with curating sources and teaching students the essential skills for serious scholarship at Suffield, in college, and in their professional lives beyond college.” The search led to Kelli Tosone ’90, who became library director in September 2014. Kelli’s background included work as a classroom teacher, in the CREC Curriculum and Assessment Consortium, and leading a pilot program utilizing tablets to conduct research, design web quests, and integrate writing skills into curriculum. Sara Yeager commented, “The library remains a relevant and key place for students, and Kelli is a natural fit to take our library programming to the next level.” Among Kelli’s goals was making sure students felt comfortable stopping by whenever they had a free period or needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the Student Union. “The library is a great spot for students who may find other areas on campus too loud or distracting. This space opens up a different kind of social landscape for students and we want to encourage them to utilize it as often as possible,” Kelli explains. We also no longer have to worry upon entering a library that we will get “shushed” by the librarian. Kelli laughs at the antiquated notion. “Yes, that’s how they used to be,” she says, “but libraries no longer need to be completely quiet. They are transforming into open, welcoming places where learning and collaboration occurs.” Kelli’s role, like that of most library directors, evolves on a daily basis. In addition to making the library a welcoming space on campus, she ensures that its print and digital software are current and relevant to the needs of the students. Approximately one-third of the library’s total budget is spent on e-resources such as e-books and databases like JSTOR. Since every Suffield faculty member and student has access to more than 60,000 e-books via the library’s online portal (library.suffieldacademy.org), Kelli’s responsibilities are more hands-on than behind the desk. “When I was a classroom teacher, my favorite part of the day was helping students one-on-one with research projects,” Kelli explains, “and that’s really the most important skill library directors need to have.” She often finds herself advising students and helping navigate the intricacies of the many databases. For the sophomores in History Department Chair Bryan Brissette’s U.S. History class, learning how to use the library’s resources is crucial for their success. Yet because every student has a laptop and may be accustomed to the world of just ‘Googling’ whatever they need, whenever they need it, many of them have had little exposure to library databases. “The sophomore year is really about introducing them to the basics of research. Since it’s difficult for students at this stage to know where the starting point is, we teach them not only where to look for information, but how to look for it,” explains Bryan. “It can get overwhelming.” Like Kelli, Bryan emphasizes that the primary goal for the students is to learn good research habits regardless of whether the source is print or digital. Suffield’s ebrary database allows students to download pdf documents for two weeks. “They need to plan ahead and be efficient in their work, and this makes them accountable,” says Bryan. Learning about responsibility in research is perhaps the most important take-away for students. Citing sources can be tricky, and while each teacher at Suffield carefully covers the topic of plagiarism, Kelli plans to also include it as a key part of her library orientations. “With umbrella research databases like EBSCO that pull from a variety of sources, it’s essential for us to teach our students where their information originates.”

SUFFIELD

Sara Yeager said she also learned from some young alumni that Suffield students would benefit from additional exposure to academic databases. She commented “we’re developing more skill-based training to critically evaluate online sources and synthesize the vast amount of information available to students today. Simply ‘Googling’ a topic doesn’t necessarily give a student the best or most relevant information. We want our students to be discerning consumers of information.” Libraries have always been places where stories are told and translated. By their very nature, libraries inspire others to seek knowledge in a variety of ways. And yet the changing nature of libraries not only now allows for the reliance on local services, but also the global connections made possible through digital access. A question all educators examine is: will libraries continue to be relevant in the digital age? Will they be needed in the ever-changing world of tablets and e-books? Suffield’s answer is undoubtedly yes. “History is the keeper of the research and a library is vital for that,” says Bryan Brissette. “Our students must be prepared to conduct smart research when they go to college and some of those skills can only be taught in a library setting.” Kelli agrees, adding that the library’s physical setting should address the new and different kinds of learners. In his Slate article, “What Will Become of the Library?”, Mike Agresta describes state-of-the-art libraries that are struggling to stay relevant by using robots to fetch books and installing visualization labs. He makes the comparison between libraries and cathedrals. “To maintain a monumental institution in the middle of a community requires patronage, in both the financial and civic engagement senses. If the people want emerging technologies more than they want books, libraries have to respond to that.” Kelli understands the challenges that lie ahead but she’s excited about what is possible. Looking ahead, she hopes to see the addition of café tables to make the space more teen-friendly and conducive to group work and socialization. “Let’s find out how we might design the ideal library and then plan around that.” Knowledge Quest, the journal of the American Association of School Librarians, has also published several articles about the changing nature of the library. One such piece—“The Flexible Learning Lab” in the March/April 2014 issue—profiled Leslie Cartier, a librarian in upstate New York who petitioned to transform the physical space of her school’s library from a static place where nothing much happened to an action-filled learning commons. In doing so, she discovered that the revitalization of the space not only served two different audiences (teachers and students); it also changed their perceptions of the school library. “I am now included in weekly meetings with classroom teachers to collaborate on enrichment opportunities for our students,” she writes.

The history of Sydney A. Kent Legare Library dates back to the late 1800s when Mr. Kent, a graduate of the Connecticut Literary Institute, loaned money to the town of Suffield to build a library. It served as the town’s public library for roughly 80 years. The town finally outgrew the space and moved to a new building across the Suffield green. Suffield Academy had the opportunity to re-purchase their building around 1970 and subsequently began renovations that included the addition of Tisch Auditorium. The two libraries will be forever linked and students in Bill Sullivan’s American Studies course often give presentations at the town’s Kent Memorial Library as a way to share their class research with the community. Today, the S. Kent Legare Library contains a vast collection of print, audiovisual, and web-based subscription services. Audiovisual equipment is available for loan and students have access to a collection of digital video cameras, digital cameras, projectors, DVDs, and CDs.

Suffield seeks to accomplish the same opportunities for our faculty and staff. The essential resources of our library support our mission of academic excellence with a strong work ethic. Our ability to adapt to the evolution of the library in the 21st century is just one of the many ways in which we honor that tradition. Card catalogs? What are those? Libraries are anything but old.

Winter / Spring 2015

CLASS AGENT

JIM HAGAN ’80 BY BETSY MCCOMB P’04, ’06

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN, CIVIC LEADER, AND KINDHEARTED VOLUNTEER, JIM HAGAN SETS THE BAR HIGH WHEN IT COMES TO HIS PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. Jim came to Suffield Academy in 1979 as a postgraduate from Westfield, Massachusetts. He had heard about the school from a hometown friend. Jim was young for his grade and “felt a year of growth and maturity at Suffield would be beneficial.” It was Jim’s first experience away from home and what he calls his “most meaningful academic year.” Jim said,”I enjoyed meeting new people and developing new friendships both with my teammates and with the teachers and coaches. I really loved being part of successful sports teams and athletic programs.” While at Suffield, Jim played soccer, baseball, and basketball. Faculty members Barry Cleary, Gerry LaPlante, Dennis Kinne, and David Nelson all had a positive impact on Jim. “They opened their hearts and their homes to me. They took a sincere interest in me both in the classroom and on the fields.” Jim arrived early for pre-season soccer and moved into Spencer Hall. He recalls a group dorm meeting that Phil Currier and Dave Nelson held that first week of school. In setting the stage for the new school year, Mr. Currier said something that has stuck with Jim ever since: “Today marks the beginning of a new phase of your life. Your slate is clean. You can choose to work hard and do well, or you can choose not to. You can be whoever you want to be; the path to success is up to you.” This had a profound impact on Jim and he finds himself saying these same words to his employees and the team members he coaches. Jim has been president and CEO of Westfield Bank since 2005. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Westfield State University and his master’s in business administration from American International College. Jim started his career in commercial lending for Bank of New England and then Fleet Bank, and he joined Westfield Bank in 1994 to establish the commercial lending division. Since then the bank’s assets have grown from $400 million to $1.5 billion and it has expanded to 13 branches throughout western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.

SUFFIELD

Jim’s kindness, generosity, and philanthropy are shown in many ways. He helped start a scholarship for Westfield High School student-athletes in memory of his Suffield roommate and childhood friend, Dan Trant ’80, who perished in the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001. He serves on the boards of Westfield State University, Noble Hospital, Stanley Park (Westfield), and St. Mary’s School (Westfield), and he is active in the Westfield Boys’ and Girls’ Club, the American Red Cross, Cancer House of Hope, and the Jimmy Fund. Suffield was the “turning point” in Jim’s life. He feels it was here that he developed his self-confidence, keen work ethic, organizational and time management skills, and became proficient in public speaking. Jim’s interest in philanthropy started at Suffield as he witnessed how faculty volunteered to help and make a difference in people’s lives. All of these qualities have played a role in Jim’s daily life as he manages a staff of 230 employees, meets with investment bankers, speaks to audiences of up to 10,000 people, and most importantly in his roles as father and husband. Family is an important part of Jim’s life. He and his wife, Kristin, have two teenage children, Mairead and Jimmy. Jim enjoys spending time with his children and coaching their sports teams. When asked what advice he would give to a current Suffield student, Jim repeated what his coaches and teachers instilled in him 35 years ago: “Work hard, have fun, and enjoy the time you have at Suffield. Get involved and be an active participant in the classroom, on the sports teams, and in your everyday life.” Jim volunteers as a Suffield Class Agent because “it is enriching to come back to campus to witness the physical and academic improvements.” Jim enjoys giving back, being reunited with classmates and other Class Agents, and being part of the growth and development of Suffield Academy. “I am proud to represent Suffield and to give back to an institution that shaped my future.”

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THE FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAM

WHIRLWIND. WAITING GAME. STRESSFUL. ANXIETY-FILLED. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS STUDENTS HAVE USED TO DESCRIBE THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS. SEVERAL YEARS AGO THEY MAY HAVE EVEN BEEN USED TO SUMMARIZE THE EXPERIENCE AT SUFFIELD. BUT NO LONGER. WITH THE INCEPTION OF SUFFIELD'S INNOVATIVE FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAM IN 2012, THE COLLEGE COUNSELING OFFICE TOOK ON AN AMBITIOUS CHALLENGE FIRST PRESENTED BY HEADMASTER CHARLIE CAHN IN 2010: TO ENHANCE THE PROGRAM BY INTRODUCING AND BY DEVELOPING A CURRICULUM AS EARLY AS FRESHMAN YEAR, AND DEVELOPING A PLAN THAT WOULD INCLUDE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PREP WORK IN EACH GRADE. As Director of College Counseling, Ann Selvitelli remarked in the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of SUFFIELD, the four-year college counseling program was designed in keeping with Suffield’s mission to nurture and support each individual student. She describes the juniors who had just returned from winter break and were suddenly faced with the anxiety of the college admissions process. “Stress ran high, and it caused us to pause. Why did it have to hit them all at once? We started to realize that perhaps slow and steady does win the race. Not that college is a race to be won—rather, it is a match to be made,” said Ann. As incoming freshmen, students are introduced to the college counseling process with three meetings where students learn about the high school transcript, how GPAs are calculated, and how they can best maximize their four-year Suffield experience by planning for the future. They also take a class visit to Yale University to see college life in action. The tenth grade curriculum introduces topics including use of the online database (Naviance) for test preparation and college research, assessment of personality types, the differences between the SAT and the ACT, and summer opportunities that can help in the college process. Once students enter their junior year at Suffield, they hit the ground running. They take part in a 10-week “College 101” course from December to March. The course is taught in weekly leadership classes and utilizes College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best College For You as a guide. By weeks four and five, juniors learn how to build a college list and create a student résumé. In weeks eight and nine, they participate in two mock admissions committees to understand how their applications are reviewed.

SUFFIELD

Ann notes that the integration between college counseling and Suffield’s Leadership Program makes sense and “fits well philosophically” with the overall mission of the school as it prepares our students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and active citizenship. It was essential that the goal of the four-year college counseling program wasn’t just about how to get into college. For this reason, the junior year emphasizes self-reflection and discovery related to the process of finding the right college, the importance of research and self-advocacy throughout the college search, and how to present oneself professionally at college fairs and campus visits. Since senior year can often be the best yet most stressful year of a student’s high school career, Suffield’s college counselors hold a special “Senior Day” program before classes even begin in the fall. In preparation for the day, seniors are expected to have written two college essays and to have completed the Common Application. English Department faculty members help review student essays and guide them toward a final draft. One senior commented, “Mr. Sullivan’s English IV class dedicated time for us to work on our college essays. He and all of the English teachers were accessible and willing to answer any questions we had.” The college counseling office has also added a feature called “Future Friday Workshops” to help students examine various topics including summer opportunities, financial aid, athletic recruitment, and visual and performing arts. Associate Director of College Counseling Irene Kim led the “Warm Up: Summer Programs” workshop this winter, where eight sophomores came to the Hoffman Center conference room to learn how they can start preparing now for summer jobs and internships. When asked why they chose to add this feature, Ann Selvitelli said, “We are always trying to ‘up the ante’ by giving students as much information as possible.” The 2014-2015 academic school year marks the cumulative effects of Suffield’s successful four-year college counseling program. The program was initiated in 2012 after construction on the new Hoffman College Counseling Center was completed. The 3,000 square-foot center is located in the center of the academic quadrangle and includes offices on two floors for the five college counselors, a light-filled open area for the director’s assistant and a materials library, a private interview room, and a conference room. For the past four years, the physical space has complemented Suffield’s ambitious college counseling four-year plan initiative by providing a welcoming place in the center of campus for students to meet in groups or one-on-one with their counselors and college representatives. Trustee Kathy and Bradley Hoffman P’13 and Trustee Suzy Vogler ’12 generously supported the project along with several other donors and took part in the center’s dedication in May 2012. Kathy and Bradley Hoffman said they were compelled by Headmaster Charlie Cahn’s vision for the four-year concept and new center. “We saw this as an opportunity for each child to feel less overwhelmed. By beginning the college process in their freshman year versus their junior and senior years, it would allow students to take their time to do research without added pressure.” They added that while they never had any doubts about Suffield’s ability to assist its students in being accepted to competitive colleges and universities, the four-year model would allow students to figure out the best college suited to their needs. “We wanted them to realize it is not about going to the ‘It’ school, it’s about going to the ‘Fit School.’ Charlie conviced us all that this would be a developmentally appropriate sequence and actually reduce the stress of this process rather than add to it.”

THE 2014-2015 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR MARKS THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF SUFFIELD'S SUCCESSFUL FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE COUNSELING PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM WAS INITIATED IN 2012 AFTER CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW HOFFMAN COLLEGE COUNSELING CENTER WAS COMPLETED.

Winter / Spring 2015

OUR GOAL IS TO TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF GETTING INTO COLLEGE AND REMIND THEM THAT THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION.

Former Vanderbilt admissions counselor Carolyn Pippen wrote a blog entitled “7 Things I Learned from Admission the Movie.” She commented, “Life happens to all of us—whether it’s a sudden illness, the stress of juggling multiple tasks, a particularly gloomy day…at the risk of sounding sentimental, however, none of these things are any match for the privilege of meeting a group of incredibly intelligent and interesting students, and giving them the shot at this experience that they truly deserve.” Suffield’s college counseling team, consisting of Ann Selvitelli, Kate Bashaw, Jeff Depelteau ’02, Irene Kim, Wayne Patterson, and Marlene Rusczyk, would wholeheartedly agree. They eagerly support Suffield’s goal of making sure students leave Suffield with the tools they need to be successful wherever they go to college. “Suffield students and their parents hear the same messages starting in ninth grade, so they’re really well prepared,” Ann explained. “One of the many benefits of our program is that parents know what’s happening early on in the process. Our goal is to take the stress out of getting into college and remind them that the focus should be on the journey, not the destination.” Kathy Hoffman adds that her hope for the future of the program is to show hard data that demonstrates Suffield students’ compatibility and satisfaction with the colleges they choose. “We have no doubt that the program will help our students, add greater value to the school, and support Suffield’s trajectory.” Here’s to seeing what the next four years bring.

SUFFIELD

We asked a few of our seniors to describe how the college counseling experience unfolded for them. Here is what they had to say:

H AN N AH B E L L O R A D O ( G E O R G E W A S H I N G T O N U N I V E R S I T Y )

I initially wanted a small school in the suburbs—like Suffield!—but Mrs. Bashaw encouraged me to look at city schools like Northeastern, Boston College, and George Washington. I was a little resistant at first but she helped me think “outside the box.” I would go into her office and have mini panic attacks about the process. She was a godsend, helping me re-do my college list, editing, looking stuff over. She has been there for me from the start and I wouldn’t have gotten into GW without her.

ABBY BLYL E R ( M I D D L E B U R Y C O L L E G E ) Being introduced to the information as early as freshman year really planted the seeds so that it was always in the back of our minds. By junior year we knew we should be visiting schools and talking to as many people as possible. The counselors also encouraged us to get a lot of stuff done over the summer so that by the fall of senior year we were ready to roll. My biggest concern was financial aid, but the college counseling office brought in a lot of financial counselors from the outside. It was basically like having my own financial advisor. I learned a lot and it was quick and painless. W ILL BU C K F I R E ( U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I C H I G A N )

The college counseling program sets you up so that you have someone in your corner guiding you through the process every step of the way. The counselors are extremely supportive and accessible. Mrs. Selvitelli wanted to make sure I wasn’t “putting all my eggs in one basket,” so she helped me broaden my college list by encouraging me to look at other Big Ten schools.

KAISO N IF I L L ( A M H E R S T C O L L E G E ) Suffield’s decision to start the college counseling process early and have it build in a logical way to senior year is great. In my case I was able to identify Amherst earlier than I would have otherwise, and then use resources here like Coach Andy Lowe to help with the admissions process of contacting Amherst’s swim coach. My counselor, Mrs. Kim, was excellent, and without her guidance, support, and outreach, the college application process would have been more stressful and challenging. I am grateful to Suffield for its approach to college counseling and for the help I received throughout this process. T AEH U N K I M ( N O R T H W E S T E R N ) Because of my counselor’s guidance and encouragement, I had 99% of my applications done over the summer. I’m from South Korea, so they had special meetings for international students since we have to take an extra test, the TOEFL. They take all of the guesswork out of the process and know exactly what you need. My financial aid information document was missing from one of my applications and my counselor was so on top of things that I got her confirmation email saying she had sent it before I even got the notification from the school. EASAN POR T M A N ( U N I V E R S I T Y O F N O R T H C A R O L I N A )

I enjoyed the process of choosing a college, even with the stress that came along with the admissions decisions. Suffield’s plan to get us early, timely information helped me understand it all better and helped keep me organized and prepared. Headmaster Cahn also played a personal role in encouraging me to look at UNC, and I am really excited about heading to Chapel Hill.

BEC C A T IT T E R T O N ( X A V I E R U N I V E R S I T Y ) The four-year program helped me stay focused and realize that every year counts. Mrs. Kim was my counselor this year and was so accessible. If I had a question, she’d get back to me within just a few hours. When I had forgotten to register my NCAA number with Xavier, Mrs. Kim pulled me out of class. They know what’s important and how much our future depends on the details. ALI W ALSH ( C O L G A T E U N I V E R S I T Y )

The great thing about the four-year college counseling program is that they don’t pile it on all at once. Some of my friends at other schools barely know their counselors’ names, but the counselors here are all really accessible and helpful. I visited a lot of schools and Mrs. Selvitelli helped me narrow my list down, making sure that my final list was what I wanted. But I wouldn’t have had all of the options I had if it weren’t for Suffield. The school made me stay on top of things and be proactive.

Winter / Spring 2015

Performing 01

In the Heights Suffield’s winter musical, In the Heights, was performed in December. It was a complex performance boasting a 14-member cast, 16-member ensemble, and a 25-person crew. In the Heights is the story about a Dominican-American neighborhood in Washington Heights, New York. Lin-Manual Miranda wrote the music and lyrics for In the Heights in 1999 while a sophomore at Wesleyan University. The show went on to win four Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Orchestrations, and Best Choreography. Tom Dugan, who directed the play, says he chose In the Heights for its contemporary and fresh edge. “I always want the challenge for our students and community,” he commented. “I don’t tend to choose plays that are expected or typical of high school. I prefer for us to do stuff that’s slightly provocative, and fortunately that has been supported here.” Because the culture and the choreography of the play was so important to the story, students studied with faculty member Gis-Xi Nahmens and her husband Carlos Plaz to learn the proper dialect and dance moves. “Gix-Xi was our cultural consultant,” noted Tom.

SUFFIELD

Arts

“We wanted to make sure that accents were authentic and we represented the Latino culture in a respectful way.” While only two of the cast members were of Latino descent, it was very difficult to discern which of the other students had never before spoken a word of Spanish. “I initially doubted myself,” said Tom, “but it didn’t take long to realize that we could pull this off because of the students’ hard work and dedication.” Part of their task was to research their characters. Katherine Kalill ’17, who portrayed sassy shop owner Daniela, was initially worried that she wouldn’t be able to accurately depict the brazen and flashy character, so she turned to two women in her life that she knew could give her guidance. She credits a close family friend named Rosa and Mrs. Nahmens for supporting and encouraging her through the process. Katherine said she also prepared for her role by watching episodes of Modern Family in order to mimic the mannerisms and voice of Gloria, played by Sofia Vergara. “I really loved playing Daniela,” Katherine reflected. “My ability to take on the role came from the influential women in my life and the response I received after the play helped me to feel much more confident in my ability as an actress. It was such a wonderful experience. I wish Daniela was my alter ego!”

Alex Mainolfi ’15 had the lead in the play and spent the summer prepping for his role as Usnavi by listening to—and practicing—rap. It was a big departure for the senior who had never rapped a day in his life. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to go from playing a coward (Sir Robin in Spamalot) last year to a 24-year-old man trying to survive in Washington Heights,” Alex said. However Alex’s singing coach at Suffield, Susan Blanchette, convinced him to go for it. Alex watched YouTube videos from other schools, which he said is how he learned the trick to keep his left hand in his pocket and use only his right hand while rapping. He also listened to rappers like The Notorious B.I.G. and Jurassic 5 for inspiration. The reaction from Suffield’s students, faculty, and staff was that In the Heights was one of the best performances they’d ever seen. “Our cast and crew were especially proud of this one because they put on something people doubted we could do,” said Tom. “I was so pleased with how hard they worked and the lessons they learned, especially that we can represent other cultures in an intelligent and respectful way. Suffield’s support lets us do that—present diverse, dynamic productions to the community.”

Suffield’s Performing Arts Department has already won two Connecticut Halo Awards, and Tom is hopeful that they will be recognized again this year for In the Heights. “This is their version of a sports championship,” explained Tom. “Getting the Halo Award at the high school level is like getting a Tony on Broadway.”

09 01 Cast of In The Heights 02 Alex Mainolfi ’15 03 Katherine Kalill ’16 04 Miles Johnson ’16, Isabelle Attianese ’18 05 Will Robidoux ’16 06 Maisie Puris ’16, Joe Islam ’16, Will Robidoux ’16, Amanda Baildon ’15, Alex Mainolfi ’15, Katherine Kalill ’16, Jeremy Carrasquillo ’16 07 Jeremy Carrasquillo ’16, Maisie Puris ’16, Alex Mainolfi ’15 08 David Gingold ’16 09 Amelia Hern ’17, Bella DeSimone ’16, Greg Pentz ’15 10 Katherine Kalill ’16, Amanda Baildon ’15, Amelia Hern ’17, Maisie Puris ’16 10 Winter / Spring 2015

Let's talk about the set. Stage Manager Casey Lampert ’15 is no stranger to working behind the scenes on numerous plays at Suffield. Now a senior, she has been involved with Stage Crew since the end of her freshman year when faculty member Erica Caginalp asked her to get involved. Last year was a turning point for her, however. Her impressive set design work on The Crucible and Spamalot earned her two Halo award nominations. In the Heights was her third production at Suffield and the biggest set she’s ever designed. The plus? “It was a unit set so we could focus on the little details,” explained Casey. The colorful details of the set were vital to the success of the play. As Tom Dugan pointed out, “For most plays, the curtain is closed before the show. But we kept the curtain open so that the audience can take it in. The set is a character in itself.” In preparation for her role as stage manager, Casey came to campus during pre-season to start her research, studying images of bodegas in a typical Washington Heights neighborhood and drawing sketches. The preseason allowed her to focus on making it Suffield’s best set ever. “I gained a greater appreciation for the set once I learned what was possible,” said Casey.

Behind the Scenes of In The Heights Amanda Baildon ’15 Anxiety runs high in the moments before the opening night performance. Just five minutes before the show, Mr. Dugan makes his legendary speech about how our hard work over the past three months has paid off, and we have “a great show” to prove it. All the seniors are teary-eyed, reminiscing over their memories in the theatre. For some, it’s their first performance in front of an audience; for others, this type of thing is second nature. Once we are all in our places for curtain, the nerves and tension are nearly tangible. We’ve done the show so many times and could probably recite every word in our sleep, but we can’t help feeling a little nostalgic. Once the cast list comes out in September, the drama begins, and not just on the stage. This year was especially hectic. As the stage kisses happened onstage, new relationships were forming backstage. When props went missing, the stage managers frantically ran around searching for alternatives. Quick changes caused a few onstage wardrobe malfunctions too. During the first rehearsals, the director and cast alike goof off. This, however, is the calm before the storm. As the show quickly starts biting at our heels, we have to learn to control the backstage antics. This year, the pressure was mounting to finally memorize those last few lines, songs, or blocking, especially with the flu spreading like wildfire around the cast. During the week of the show, we were noticeably quieter in class because of “vocal rest,” and our study hall for non-varsity athletes during practice time became a cast-wide nap. After a long week, our run of In The Heights ended in a party filled with tears, but mostly jokes. We each took our memorabilia from the set, shampoo bottles from the salon, or snacks from the bodega, and reminisced over our favorite number, “Piragua!” Each member of the cast came away from In The Heights with new friends, but nothing can top the fond memories we shared during the most unexpected moments.

SUFFIELD

Winter Guitar Show The annual winter guitar show featured a variety of songs and performances by Maisie Puris ’15, Nathan Rosenkranz ’15, Kevin Doten ’16, Katie Madrak ’16, Harry Liddle ’16, Oskar Kvaternik ’16, Dan Tran ’16, Katherine Kalill ’17, Riley Miles ’17, and Graham Shannon ‘17. Kaitlyn Nigro ’16, Ben Intarapuvasak ’15, and faculty member Tom Gotwals accompanied on the horns. Additionally, Susannah Johnson ’18, Isabel Munoz-Sune ’18, Isabella Attianese ’18, Hannah Arthur ’17, and Drea Breck ’18 joined in the final song, “Happy Together,” as backup singers. 01 Katie Madrak ’16 02 Riley Miles ’17, Katherine Kalill ’17, Kevin Doten ’16, Oskar Kvaternik ’16 03 Katherine Kalill ’17, Harry Liddle ’16, 04 Oskar Kvaternik ’16

Dance Show Suffield Academy’s Dance Company performed in Dance Inc. featuring a unique line-up of 15 acts. Dancers included Isabella Attianese ’18, Amanda Baildon ’15, Ana Carafotes ’15, Ashley Gambrel ’15, Caleigh Horrigan ’18, Cari Cyr ’17, Stephanie Greer ’15, Eva Hafner ’18, Juhi Rayonia ’18, and Molly Tettemer ’15. 01 Ashley Gambrel ’15, Ana Carafotes ’15, Eva Hafner ’18, Isabella Attianese ’18, Stephanie Greer ’15 02 Members of Dance Show 03 Cari Cyr ’17, Isabella Attianese ’18, Juhi Rayonia ’18, Ashley Gambrel ’15, Caleigh Horrigan ’18

WINTER SPORTS

Boys’ Basketball NEPSAC Class A Finalist / Girls’ Swimming NEPSSA Class A champions / Boys’ Swimming Class A runner-up riflery Connecticut State Champions / Skiing Zach Mooney ’17 and Maggy Skaugen ’17 won the Class A New England prep school slalom boys’ and girls’ championship / Wrestling Trent Bellows ’15 and Drew Mahoney ’15 Western New England champions

Garrett Stephenson ’17 Christian Wilkins ’15 Juwan Anderson ’15

Angela Vecchiarelli ’16

Bailey Hyland ’18

Ellis Christmas ’16

Boys’ Basketball Boys’ varsity basketball had a great season, finishing 10-2 in their first year as a member of NEPSCA’s Class A league. The team earned a spot in the Class A tournament finals and finished with an overall record of 18-8. Entering the tournament as the #4 seed, the Tigers beat Belmont Hill 72-64 at home and earned a 68-61 victory in the semis against top-seeded Kent. After splitting regular season games with Williston, Suffield came up on the short end of a 61-58 game against them in the finals. This year’s team had seven members from the Class of 2015: Juwan Anderson, Sam Averbuck, Anthony Deni, Jack Kalmbach, Tucker Newman, Max Parks, and Christian Wilkins. Christian concluded his four-year Suffield basketball career with four tournament appearances, a New England title (in 2013), 1,100 points, and 734 rebounds.

Girls’ Basketball Head Coach Wayne Patterson returned to the sidelines this year, and seniors Jordyn Gonsor, Marysa Massoia, and Rebecca Fregonese helped lead a young team to a successful season. A convincing win against Choate and Jordyn Gonsor’s three-point buzzer beater to edge Hotchkiss highlighted the campaign. The Tigers’ future is bright with several returning players; Angela Vecchiarelli ’16, Kaitlyn Nigro ’16, Ally DiMauro ’17; and five freshmen: Bridget Carey, Bailey Hyland, Susannah Johnson, Lexi Mnich, and Kate Rookey.

Winter / Spring 2015

Sarah Pickup ’15

Lindsay Hayden ’15 Shaun Johnson ’18

Drake Muth ’17

Ralph Koo ’15

Girls’ Swimming and Diving The girls’ team “threepeated” as New England Division I champions and remained undefeated in New England dual meet competition. Their sole loss came from outside the region in a close meet with New Jersey’s Peddie School. The girls swam to a New England record and All America honors in the 200-yard medley relay (Pure Maleenont ’15, Becca Titterton ’15, Eva Crouse ’17, Shaun Johnson ’18). Titterton was a double event winner in the 200 I.M. and breaststroke, and Crouse swam to All America times in the 200 and 100 freestyle events. Emily Lowe ’15, Lindsay Hayden ’15, Brooklynn Hayes ’17, Kiersten Ness ’16, and Devina Bhalla ’18 all double finaled, along with Maleenont and Johnson, helping the team to more than a 50-point margin of victory in the championship. Sarah Pickup ’15 set the 6-dive school record, amassing an impressive 240 points in the final dual meet of the season.

Boys’ Swimming and Diving In an impressive showing, the boys finished in second place in the Division I New England championships for the third year running. They were bested only by Deerfield, a team the Tigers lost to by a single point in their only New England prep dual meet loss. A New England record and automatic All America time was put up by the speedy quartet Ralph Koo ’15, Cameron Auchinachie ’17, Brandon Liao ’17, and Kaison Ifill ’15 in the 200 free relay, and both Ifill (50 free) and Koo (100 free) also claimed individual event victories at the meet. Outstanding swims also earned double event final eight finishes for Quinn Egan ’16, Tarm Durongkapitaya ’15, Liao, and Auchinachie, helping the team to runner-up honors, ahead of traditional powers Phillips Andover and Phillips Exeter.

SUFFIELD

Zach Mooney ’17

Maggy Skaugen ’17

Alpine Skiing

Wrestling

The ski team won the Brigham Ski League Slalom championship, led by New England champion slalom racers Zach Mooney ’17 and Maggy Skaugen ’17. The team finished with an 11-1 record. Other top-ten league championship finishers were Tristan Grush ’15 and Rex Krieg ’17. Luca Lorenzoni ’15, Maura Eagan ’16, Maggie O’Shea ’16, Ben Intarapuvasak ’15, Hayden Childs ’15, and Arianna Saxton ’18 also raced for the varsity team all season. In addition to Tristan and Ben, this year’s other senior skiers included Frances Bingham, Diana Wallace, and Piper Holliday.

The Tigers had a 15-8 record this season that included victories over traditional rivals including Deerfield, Williston, Salisbury, Pomfret, and Choate. Western New England champion wrestlers Drew Mahoney ’15 and Trent Bellows ’15 led the squad. They served as captains along with Easan Portman ’15 and Aidan Clark-Long ’15. Trent Bellows finished the season with a 25-0 and second straight WNEISWA title. His four-year Suffield wrestling record was 114-11. Drew Mahoney won his fourth straight WNEISWA title and second straight outstanding wrester, finishing the season 27-0. He finished his four years with a 152-4 record. Drew and Trent are two of only three wrestlers in Suffield’s history to earn more than 100 victories. Other consistent varsity performers included Matt de Haan ’17, Mac Dickerson ’16, Milo Marcus ’18, Nick Mayo ’17, Will Moryto ’16, Colin Pittorie ’16, and Michael Robidoux ’18.

Matt de Haan ’17

Easan Portman ’15 Winter / Spring 2015 45

Girls’ Varsity Squash Girls’ varsity squash team had an outstanding 13-2 season that included victories over Westminster, Pomfret, Kingswood, Williston, Berkshire, and Canterbury. Senior captains Jessie Bicknell and Aaliyah Davidson led the team. Other key members were Cami Rocha ’15, Ann E. King ’15, Emma Repka ’16, Caroline Pape ’16, and Annbelle Pape ’16. Tori Repka ’18 played in all of the matches with Caroline Gingold ’18 who made varsity contributions as well. Every player on the team had a winning record, and the girls’ success led to placement in the Class A New England tournament for the first time in program history.

Caroline Pape ’16

Boys’ Varsity Squash Boys’ varsity squash season was highlighted by victories over traditional rivals including Berkshire, Salisbury, Williston, and Canterbury. They had a ninth place finish in the fifteen-team Class B NEPSAC tournament. Andy Colby ’15 was runner-up in #3 seed bracket. Other consistent varsity performers included Jeremy Carrasquillo ’16, Andy Bicknell ’16, Ping Virameteekul ’17, Gray Johnson ’15, Baek Kang ’15, and Peter Kelley ’17.

Graham Shannon ’17

Jeremy Carrasquillo ’16

Varsity Riflery Suffield’s riflery team continued its long streak of excellence by earning its seventh straight state title. In an undefeated season filled with close matches, the final was no different—as Suffield won by merely one point while shooting a season-best 963. Top shooters included Aya Ishikawa ’16, co-captain Casey Lampert ’15, Billy Cordes ’16, Jake Mnich ’16, and Chris Choi ’16. Other varsity participants included co-captain Alex Breault ’15, Meg Williams ’16, Chandler Parker ’16, Greg Pentz 15, and Tae Hun Kim ’15.

SUFFIELD

Will Breault ’15

Suffield Alum’s Business Mentioned in the Popular Business Book Conscious Capitalism Kevin Armata ’74, P’13, ’15 and his company Windsor Marketing Group (WMG) were recognized in the 2013 book Conscious Capitalism. They were highlighted for upholding what the book’s authors (John Mackey and Raj Sisodia) cite as the four characteristics of good business. These are a higher purpose, stakeholder integration, conscious leadership, and conscious culture and management. Below is the excerpt about WMG. “Windsor Marketing Group is a small Connecticut company that produces in-store signage for some of the largest retailers in the country. Founder and CEO Kevin Armata recalls a tough situation the company faced as the last recession took hold: ‘Our business declined by 30 percent. If we had laid off even 20 percent of our workforce (as all our competitors were doing), it probably would have resulted in seven or eight families losing their homes, and maybe six or seven divorces. We realized the company was in a better position to make it through the crisis than many of these families were, so I decided not to lay anyone off. We would get through it together.’ “When the recession hit, the company had already initiated work on a large new factory. Rather than suspend work on the factory, Armata came up with an innovative solution. He asked the team members (who had a lot of spare time because business was so slow) if they had any construction experience. It turned out that a number of them had been masonry workers, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians earlier in their lives, most only for a brief period. So the company put its people to work building the new factory whenever they had extra time on their hands. “Eventually, the company had a brand-new 160,000 square-foot factory building that had largely been built by its own team members. As the recession ended, the business came roaring back, growing 40 percent quarter over quarter. The level of engagement, commitment, and gratitude the team members feel toward the company is just immense. They built walls for the company; now, even more than before, they are willing to walk through walls for it.”

Kevin Armata is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Windsor Marketing Group, a company who develops, manufactures, and distributes in-store marketing programs for some of the largest retailers in the U.S. Now in its 38th year, Windsor Marketing Group continues to lead the industry by developing innovative solutions to complex in-store marketing challenges. The company’s ability to customize sign programs down to the individual store on short production schedules gives retailers the ability to react quickly to competitive situations and increase sales. Today, Kevin’s early vision is seen in signage programs communicating a retailerís brand position, promotions, and décor. Equally admirable is Kevin’s leadership in sustainability. Windsor Marketing Group is committed to growing in a way that will improve the quality of life of associates, their families, and the local community as a whole. The company demonstrates responsible community leadership by conserving energy, manufacturing products than minimize environmental impact, and working with suppliers who share the same high standards.

PLAKIAS / DUFRESNE ANDREA PLAKIAS ’87, ALEX ’15 AND AUDREY DUFRESNE ’18

HOW HAS SUFFIELD AFFECTED YOUR LIFE POSITIVELY? Andrea Suffield continues to affect my life, as I now have both my son and daughter attending. I experience Suffield through their eyes as an adult, a parent, and former student. Alex I could go on forever about this, but in short, Suffield has supported me and all my classmates, through the crucial transition from childhood to adulthood. I see this support every day, and I believe nothing could be more important than this—regardless of who you are, where you’re from, or where you are going. Audrey Suffield has given me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and has helped me build friendships that will stay dear to my heart for many years to come. The boarding experience has allowed me to spend a lot of time on campus, strengthening my relationships with the faculty and students.

LEGACY PROFILE

WHO IS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FACULTY MEMBER? WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE SUFFIELD? Andrea Honestly, it was my parents and extended family that influenced me to go to Suffield. I’m so thankful. Alex Suffield was always my first choice and the only school that I applied to. But I really fell in love with the school far before I ever stepped foot on campus. Constant childhood stories about my mother’s experiences at Suffield left me with a desire to see for myself what it was like. It was, and still is, a life-changing experience. Audrey I chose Suffield originally because of my family. I heard my mother, aunt, and brother talking about the loving and supportive atmosphere of Suffield Academy since a very early age. On my Revisit Day everyone was so kind and helpful, and everywhere I looked there was a smile. WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE PART OF YOUR SUFFIELD EXPERIENCE? Andrea There are so many it is hard to choose just one. Dorm life would have to be at the top. For me, Suffield is now home and family. It taught me tolerance, patience, and understanding. I was lucky enough to have Mr. and Mrs. Nelson in New Dorm (now Academy House). Also, who could forget lunch announcements with Mr. Compton, and of course...pizza in the Union at 10 p.m.! Alex In my four years at Suffield, the most memorable experiences have been traditional all-school events. To me, they are all priceless. The atmosphere created when a community like Suffield comes together is something that takes my breath away every time and can only truly be understood by experiencing it. Audrey The best part of the Suffield experience has absolutely been meeting the people here. I came from a school with limited ethnic and racial diversity. Suffield Academy has introduced me to different cultures and people. I can’t thank Suffield enough for helping me develop into the well-rounded individual that I have become.

SUFFIELD

Andrea Mr. Nelson and Mr. Butcher were my most influential faculty members. Alex It would be wrong of me to say each faculty member isn’t superbly influential in their own right, however, without a doubt, “gregorius Lynch” (Dean of Students Greg Lynch) has profoundly changed me. Whether by design or just happenstance, his relationship with students is vital, especially boarders who are, in some instances, thousands of miles away from home. Because of this, it always gives me great joy to make him proud. Audrey The most influential faculty member is Mrs. Henle! She has helped me through everything, both academic and social. She is my advisor, my second mother, and always my ally. I know she has my back, and that it certainly helps to know you have someone in your corner. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS? Andrea The window in Brewster lobby. It was one of my favorite places to sit and relax or wait for a friend, especially in the spring. The smell of the flowers and cut grass would blow in. It always amazed me how this hall that hosted pep rallies, receptions, and waiting time before entering the dining hall could become so tranquil! Alex Kotchen Quad. As a boarder, all freshman dorms are located in this area, and it is the start of many experiences at Suffield with friends, teachers, and lifelong associates that you never keep more than a phone call away. Many of my first priceless Suffield moments were created with friends bonding in that quad. Audrey My favorite place on campus is a toss up between the library and the math office. Mrs. Henle is head of the Math Department, so I know I can always find her there for help when it is needed. The library, however, is where I spend the majority of my time. It is so beautiful and grand, and it takes my breath away every time I enter.

ALUMS IN THE NEWS LEN RENERY ’67 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HALL OF FAME It is fair to say Len Renery ’67 had an outstanding soccer career at Columbia University after graduating from Suffield. Len is not only the first ever All-American in Columbia’s program history, but also the first two-time selection. Serving as a co-captain his senior year, Len also helped lead the Lions to their first ever NCAA tournament. Along with Amr Aly, Columbia Class of 1985, Len was inducted into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame in late October.

LESTER TAYLOR ’11 FORDHAM UNIVERSITY & BAHAMIAN RECORDS IN INDOOR 800M Lester Taylor ’11, a senior at Fordham University, was named Co-Performer of the Week in the Atlantic 10 Conference after competing at the Terrier Classic at Boston University on January 31. The Bahamas native broke the school’s indoor record in the 800m when he posted a 1:50.64, which also bested the previous Bahamian.

ADAM GREENBERG ’98 WINS FOOD NETWORK’S CHOPPED On February 24, Adam Greenberg ’98 appeared on the Food Network’s nationally televised competition, Chopped. The theme of the episode was “Late Night Food Brawl,” and each chef was given no hints or suggestions before they received the basket of secret ingredients. They were given thirty minutes to create a dish from the provided items. Adam said, “The minute you see the food, your instincts kick in, and I definitely surprised myself for sure.” After surviving the three rounds of the competition, Adam was awarded the $10,000 prize, which helped the newlywed pay for his wedding last July. Holding a degree from Johnson & Wales University, Adam began his career soon after graduating from Suffield. He now works with the owners of the Fortina restaurants in Westchester County, New York, as they prepare to open a Stamford, Connecticut, location in June.

MARLA ZIDE ’93 LEADING THE WAY IN MARYLAND Marla Zide ’93 was recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the “Top 50 Women Maryland Super Lawyers” for the second consecutive year. Marla was also one of the “Top 100 Maryland Super Lawyers.” Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Marla is a graduate of Goucher College and the University of Baltimore School of Law, and she practices family law in the Baltimore and Annapolis regions.

PETER ARANGO ’64 AUTHOR: MEMORY’S DOOR Peter Arango ’64 is the author of three novels (Memory’s Door—a year in the life of a boarding school, The Christmas Quilt—where an emerging artist faces the challenge of friendship and family through quilting, and A Whiff of Murder—The history of Yale University and a cappella singing tied up with a “coming of age” murder). He is also the author of America’s Best Kept College Secrets—An Affectionate Profile of Outstanding Colleges and Universities, now in its Second Edition. He is a graduate of Rumsey Hall, Suffield, Kenyon (BA), and Wesleyan (MA). Peter has taught at several independent schools including Cate School since 1997. His acknowledgement in Memory’s Door includes his gratitude to Alan Fuller, Mason Nye, and Paul Sanderson—“true schoolmen who gave an ungainly boy a second and third chance at Suffield Academy.” Winter / Spring 2015

Class Notes

SUFFIELD

1948

1952

Class Agent Gene Spaziani

Class Agent Gary Miller

Gene Spaziani This awful winter is much like the winter I spent at Suffield in 1947-1948. A lot of snow and cold weather, but there is always sunshine around the corner. I was recently enshrined into the State of Connecticut American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame for my many years of service to the group.

Gary Miller We had another great summer in Maine and successfully arrived back here in southeast North Carolina just before the cool air arrived at the end of October. We enjoy summers up there and get our New England “fix” in close proximity to brother Lee ’50, who is nearby on the same lake. In Maine, I have been elected president of the local lake association (Sheepscot Lake Association), and you can keep up with our activities at our new website: sheepscotlakeassociation.webs.com. The major focus of our association is the prevention of invasive plants and pollution from entering the lake. We inspect boats as they launch to assure they’re clean and we check on causes for lake algae blooms. It keeps us busy from June to October, and so far we’ve held the fort. Come on, guys, let’s get you published; email me at gawami@bellsouth.net.

1949 Class Agent Bob Harrison Bob Harrison Winter is here in Texas as well. At least it is today, 34 degrees this morning, about 70 yesterday afternoon. As they say, as changeable as a woman’s heart. Attending Suffield’s 2014 Reunion was among the highlights of my fall road trip to New England. While in Connecticut, I visited classmate Henry Bahre at his insurance and real estate office in Canton. It was our first time to be in each other’s presence in 65 years. In October, six of us alumni joined for lunch at the Marco Polo restaurant in East Hartford. Again, with one or two exceptions, it was the first time that any of us had seen each other in 65 years. Everyone had changed in appearance, except for me. The truth is I think the years seem to have been kindest to Michael Grossman.

1950 Class Agent Lee Miller Lee Miller Grandchildren are my major interest: one graduated from University of Virginia and is working at Microsoft; one is in London for a master’s degree; one is currently at the University of Virginia, and one is at Northeastern. I keep busy with Rotary and classes in plays and playwriting. Having a good time with friends and retirement.

1951 Class Agent Sam Marks Sam Marks Life is quite serene here in Stratford, Connecticut. Our eight grandchildren are growing up. One is married and lives in Chicago, Illinois, and the only granddaughter will get hitched in August. I represent a company from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, that manufactures diamond blades and bits for the construction industry. Thank you, Suffield, for giving me the training and confidence to “ask for the order.”

1955 Class Agents Al Gesler Bob King Al Gesler I’m sitting here in 20-degree weather confined to the house due to ice conditions. I am planning to come up to the 60th reunion this year and hope that several of my classmates will also be making the trip. I spoke to Jim Mutch recently and encouraged him to come along. Any other classmates that can, should come up and see the number of changes that have occurred at Suffield. You won’t recognize the place. So much is new and/or improved. Walt Hoesel Still functioning at age 75. However, am slowed by the need for lifesaving kidney dialysis three times a week. Still do part-time work as an elder for Wilderness Awareness School—check out www.wildernessawareness.org. Suffield Outing Club was an experience that helped me explore nature. I maintain the house and grounds and attend sweat lodge but am not allowed to go in. My pride and joy is a mixed Lab rescue dog named Sadie who I could recommend most highly as a better companion than most humans. My musical training has faded, but each day I manage to sing to clinicians and fellow patients at dialysis! My best wishes to classmates—Go, Tigers!

1956 Class Agents Peter Olin John Taylor Chip Beers I am fully retired as a school psychologist. My Margaret and I travel some and enjoy our granddaughter and son David. Our health is fair, some neurological difficulties at age 77.

Ron Cormier This has been a year of ups and downs. My children are thriving, thank God. This year was our 55th anniversary, and to celebrate I took my bride to Paris, France, for the second time. We visited my ancestral home of St. Aubin Du Cormier while we were there and in the south of France we met with the best genealogist of France, Anne Dorddel. She is going to try to find my great-grandfather, Abraham, born in 1525 in Deippe, France. He has been a mystery for me. That was the highlight of the year for us. Bob Houghton My high school sweetheart, Marcia, and I will celebrate our 53rd anniversary this year. I still enjoy fishing and gardening. Dave Jellison I continue to reside in Highlands, North Carolina. I do volunteer work at the Highlands recreation park/civic center and at the police department. Jon Klarfield Here in Boston and at Boston University College of Communication, where I continue as director of the journalism program. We are coping with an almost Shakespearean situation, “Now is the winter of our discontent.” Hoping for a “glorious summer by this sun of York” or by spring at least. Assuming spring does arrive and the streets are cleared of snow, this winter makes one wonder, among other things, why Suffield has not restored ice hockey, male and female, to the sports program.

1958 Class Agent Mike Sheridan Neil Johanson We had a summer on the coast of Maine. We are back in sunny and warm Florida. All is well here. Kip Shepard Barbara and I have two granddaughters, Addison and Aria, along with 65 Appaloosa horses. Addison (3) is riding one of Barbara’s show horses. Our binder and wrapper cigar business is doing well, along with our environmental lab. We recently purchased Ethical Solutions, an “all green” remediation company that also deals with oil wells along with an “all green” bug repellent for flies, mosquitoes, and ticks, etcetera.

1959 Class Agent Paul Grimmeisen Fred Farnham Work and home prevented attending the ’59 reunion, but may make it next time around. I feel most fortunate in having good health and work that is meaningful as the code enforcement officer for the town of Buxton, Maine. Those two years at Suffield were most special and have made the difference in my life’s journeys. I have treasured the Webster’s

Winter / Spring 2015

01 Dick Anthony ’63 emptying his bucket list with a Ford Trimotor Flight in Naples, Florida 02 Terry Staples ’65 and Les Abberley ’65 hiking in Dillon, Colorado 03 Todd Zimmerman ’65 with his first granddaughter, Emilia 04 Bill Milliken ’65 posing under the John F. Kennedy portrait while attending the White House Christmas party this past winter

Collegiate Dictionary presented to me by Headmaster Seaverns for the Faculty Award for Outstanding Citizenship and School Service on June 7, 1959. My life continues in service to others, as that is what is most important to me. Eliot Mag Certainly NOT enjoying this winter in Connecticut. But keeping busy nonetheless. Opted not to go to Florida this year in favor of traveling abroad in the spring. We are looking forward to a two-week tour of Italy in May. Our first trip out of the country for many years. Hard to imagine that 56 years have gone by since Suffield graduation.

1961

Tom West In November, my wife, Margaret, and I traveled to Singapore, where I was invited to give five talks as part of their new effort to highlight and take advantage of the distinctive talents of dyslexic children. My son Jonathan, and daughter Susannah both visited during the holidays and we had Christmas dinner at our house with other family members. We have much to be grateful for. All my best to the Suffield community.

1962 Class Agents Paul Connor Andy Spector

Class Agents Jerry Kargman Mike Menzies

David Kaplan I’m still at Loyola University Chicago where I’m a professor in the English Department.

David Isaacson Married in September 2013 to Barbara Smith Isaacson of Leawood, Kansas. We dated from age 21-27. I am slowing down my Massachusetts firm and will be moving next year.

Con O’Leary I continue to see Ken Kirk and his wife, Aurora, sometimes in their beautiful home in Santa Fe, California, and sometimes in D.C. They visited Connecticut over the Christmas holiday. I also keep in touch with Don Livingston who is living in Norwalk, Connecticut, and taking care of his young son when his wife is in Guatemala for her studies.

Boots Wardinski In Vermont and experienced some water lines freezing this winter. Had great fun hauling buckets of water from the dug well for the horse and house. Tom Walker Retired but still working part-time for the New England Patriots. I work game days for VIP sales in the private Putnam Club taking care of the club members. I get to watch all home games, meet with many former players as well as many of the current cheerleaders. I also work all the concerts such as Taylor Swift, One Direction, Beyoncé and Jay Z, George Strait, and others. What a great job this is! For those that haven’t heard, the Patriots won the Super Bowl—Go Pats! Currently spending six weeks in Vero Beach, Florida, this winter to get away from the snow in New England. Six inches of new snow today at home, and I’m enjoying 80-degree weather here in Florida. What a great country!

SUFFIELD

Andy Spector Thanks to all our classmates for their gifts to the Annual Fund.

1963 Class Agent Sandy Prouty Bill Bresleau After 43 years at the firm I still enjoy practicing law with my partner in Vernon, Connecticut. Susan and I have 15 grandchildren that live with my sons, Ben and Jeremy, in the Boston area. We look forward to more travel. Life is good!

Bob Horne It’s 12 below zero, sunny, and quiet before everyone but the cat awakens and seeks demands on the day. The cat hopes of something new in her dish and for the same omelet that happens every day. Such is the beginning of every day for the past two years. My only connection from this reality to Suffield is the brief moment to check Facebook and find that Pete Hayman has gone to a Tampa Bay Lightning game. Eldercare is a difficult and full-time commitment. We did take a week to fly to California for a friend’s birthday, but basically we are here. As spring approaches, I look forward to preparing my catboat for sailing on Lake Champlain this summer. Grandgirls are the best mates for this. They enjoy it all regardless of the “screw-ups” of the skipper. Normand Keeney I have enjoyed my work over the last 44 years, but it is time to ease into retirement. I am now semi-retired and will fully retire sometime next year after clients have transitioned to my partner. I look forward to catching a few more games.

1964 Class Agents Jon Booth Nat Stevens Tom Webster Peter Larom What a great 50th reunion this year for the Class of 1964s! Twenty classmates were able to be part of the hilarity, but also the solemnity as we remembered four classmates who are no longer with us. We tolled the Bell in their honor. I am in my third retirement position as part-time rector of the Episcopal church in Clinton, Connecticut. I have been a priest for 45 years. My wife of 37 years, Margaret, has created a huge vegetable garden in the churchyard to feed those who rely on the church’s food pantry, so I bought a tractor. My personal goal, and that of our Class of ’64 colleagues, is to revive the school song at Suffield. “In each one’s heart there’ll be a spark for friendships formed at old Suffield.”

Mark Loether ’64 Mark passed away on March 11, 2015. He had a distinguished 44-year career as an educator, serving as a teacher, coach, business manager, and assistant head. Mark loved Suffield, as do his wife, Amy, and son, Jon ’01. Suffield classmate Peter Arango sent the following words about Mark. Most of us were boys in 1964; we were awkward and self-absorbed, generally feckless, and endlessly distracted. Mark Loether, on the other hand, even then, was a good man, displaying all the qualities we knew to be necessary to a life well lived. A remarkable athlete, serious student, and effective class leader, Mark was impossibly unassuming, a generous friend, and an absolutely authentic human being. Among his many gifts were a gentle sense of humor and the willingness to go to any lengths to meet his responsibilities. Many of us wrote to Mark when we learned that his good fight against cancer was coming to an end. After many years, I tried to express my gratitude to Mark for having been such a significant influence on my own life: It’s awkward to call a classmate one of my heroes, but enough time has passed for me to come clean; you’ve been one of the people who has shaped my character (ok, as much as my lumpy character has been shaped), and I am grateful to you for being the man you were when I was a child. Mark brought selfless patience and enduring strength of character to the schools he served so well in a long and distinguished career with independent schools; he met his illness with the sort of grace few of us can summon. Memories fade, of course, but for those of us who knew Mark Loether, the example of his courageousness and principled life remains a last gift from an extraordinary classmate and friend.

In Memoriam

01 Ernest E. Ball ’39 on 12.03.13 02 Frances H. Connelly ’39 on 11.10.14

03 James H. Gary ’79 on 10.24.14 04 Charles C. Herdman Jr. ’52 on 11.03.14

05 05 Bennett Russell ’47 on 01.10.15

Not Shown William D. Tipton ’59 on 10.31.14; John B. Tenney ’74 on 11.11.14, Ralph H. Learned ’54 on 12.24.14; Roger Chrisman ’80 on 11.24.12; Pamela Plotkin Ponder ’82 on 10.15.14; and Henry J. Whitfield ’54 on 11.29.14

Winter / Spring 2015

02 01 Bill Fuller ’65 and wife, Jenn, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their first date in Paris in December 02 Bill Fuller ’65 and wife at 12th Night Dance in December 1964

Peter Symasko Thoroughly enjoyed attending my 50th reunion. Sincerest thanks to all who labored to make it such a grand event.

1965 Class Agents Tim Hemingway Bill Kelly Bill Fuller This past December I surprised my wife, Jenn, with a trip to Paris. We spent two days in New York City, where she thought we would be vacationing, and then five days in Paris. We saw the sights, had a photographer take pictures, went to the Christmas markets and each night had dinner with a view of the Eiffel Tower. But December 12th was the special night. The hotel arranged for us to arrive for dinner in a chauffeur-driven 1928 Rolls Royce. The venue was a private rooftop “bubble” decorated with hearts and flowers and a marvelous dinner all with view of the Eiffel Tower. The special occasion was the 50th anniversary of our blind date. Suffield was invited to Mary Burnham School for the “12th Night Dance” on December 12, 1964. I had asked Larry Andre, that year’s social director, to pick a good date and he did. We were king and queen of the dance, and Peter Kinnear’s date placed the crown on Jenn. Tim Hemingway We had a great time on a ranch in Arizona over Thanksgiving with Larry Hyde and his wife, Molly. Larry assures me that he will definitely be at our 50th reunion this coming fall, October 9-11, 2015. So classmates, please mark your calendars for this great get-together. I will be working with John Gavitt to get some pictures of the era for the reunion. In the meantime, we have two wonderful kids (41 & 38) and three fun grandchildren. Went to the Grand Canyon with all of them last year and hope to be up on Nantucket with them this year. If you are ever in the Midwest/Chicago area, give me a call.

SUFFIELD

Larry Hyde Our latest grandchild, Edward, was born December 11, 2014. We now have five grandkids from Boston to Oso, Washington, to visit as often as possible. This fall my wife, Molly, and I travelled on a 15-day river cruise from Amsterdam to Vienna. What a great trip. In addition, we just booked a 16-day trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos for the fall of 2016. We highly recommend the folks at Outdoor Adventure Travel and Grand Circle River Cruises. The main trip for me this year is the 50th reunion trip to Suffield in October. I am looking forward to catching up and laughing with the Class of 1965. Boy, that seems like a long time ago. Bill Krochalis I am thoroughly enjoying retirement, living and skiing at Lake Tahoe most of the year with my wife, Sara, with plenty of trips to New York to see our two adult boys (one single in Williamsburg, the other married in Morris Plains), and lots of special time in Portland, Oregon, with our three-year-old grandson and his lawyer mom. Having lived for decades in Atlanta, Georgia, we have lots of ties there and still keep a part-time home. I am lucky enough to be married to my best friend, and we get the chance to travel quite a bit as well, seeing friends and family along the way. During my active business career, I had to travel pretty much every week, and after the kids left home, my wife joined me on a lot of those trips (although seldom to Omaha in February), so it just doesn’t feel natural to stay in one spot too long. After several stints in various insurance businesses and with an admission to the bar in Connecticut that I never used, I ended my prolonged adolescence more abruptly than intended by starting up a specialty business in my kitchen, which instantly consumed all my available time and energy. Just 15 years later, it became enough of an overnight success to attract an overseas acquirer and let me transition out to a more age-appropriate lifestyle. Fired up with a lifelong love of history from Mr. Lindfors, and finally having some time, I now get back to my college (Yale) for an alumni residential seminar with about 20 other

interested graduates, parents of students or friends of the university one week a year. For any of you contemplating similar adult classes, I can offer my own experience as a testimonial. With classes composed of those who have lived active and diverse lives in business, law, medicine, diplomacy, the military, and other unique fields, incredibly varied and thoughtful perspectives and insights are brought to a discussion of the lessons of Thucydides on current policies, or the applicability of Machiavelli to today’s politics. We just all have so much more to offer now than we did as kids, and once the discussions start we all surprise ourselves with how much more open and receptive we are to new ideas and different positions. I’ll bet all of you are a whole lot more interesting now than you were 50 years ago, and I certainly hope to find out at our upcoming 50th reunion. Kevin McKeown I’m serving as the mayor of Santa Monica, in my fifth term on the city council, while still providing educational technology consulting to the local public school district as my day job. My wife, Genise, and I are both elected delegates to the California Democratic Party state central committee. I’ve been named Democrat of the Year twice and am vice-chair of the statewide Irish-American Caucus. Bill Milliken I just concluded a year of service as the 100th president of the Michigan Realtors, a 25,000-member trade association. Milliken Realty Co., a commercial firm I formed in Ann Arbor in 1996, was named a Best of Michigan Business in 2008. There are a number of directorships that I have held, including a seat on the board of the National Association of Realtors. Prior to moving back to Michigan, I worked in Washington, D.C. for NASA and the U.S. Department of Justice. On the fun side, my car collection includes a 1927 Chrysler LeMans race car, the restoration of which was just completed last year. It’s an aberration that many of us experience living around Detroit. The highlight of 2014, however, was being invited to the White House Christmas party.

02 Jennifer, had her second child (my fourth grandchild) in early March. She works for the GAO in Washington, D.C. My other daughter, Kimberly, has a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old. She works in accounting for the New Mexico Health Care Connection here in Albuquerque. My email is land4unewmexico@juno.com if anyone is ever passing through Albuquerque. Tom Hart I was surprised to run into fellow Suffield alum, Ndongo Ndiaye ’96, at a dinner for the departing U.S. ambassador in Dakar, Senegal. The 6’11” Ndiaye played college basketball at Delaware and is now the Senegalese presidential advisor on youth and sports. I am looking forward to my move to Paris this summer.

01 Kevin McKeown ’65, Mayor of Santa Monica and city council member 02 Tom Hart ’67 and Ndongo Ndiaye ’96 in Dakar, Senegal 03 Kevin McKeown ’65 and wife Genise 04 Max Starkloff and the Fight for Disability Rights by Charles Claggett Jr. ’65

1966 Class Agents Charlie Claggett Bruce Fletcher Chris Frost Paul Brezina I recently retired after teaching at a community college for 39 years. I miss the classroom but not the term papers. Enjoying life with lots of travel, skiing, and trying to break 90 on the golf course without much success. We are expecting our fourth grandchild this June. Charlie Claggett I have just authored a “thriller” published by the University of Chicago Press and Missouri History Museum, Max Starkloff and the Fight for Disability Rights. It’s an amazing (true) story about an ordinary guy who becomes severely disabled in a car accident in 1959 at the age of 21 and goes on to become a nationally recognized leader of the disability rights movement, helping to improve the lives of millions of people with disabilities. Thank you, Mason Nye!

Richard Older We moved a year ago to South Jersey near Atlantic City in Galloway, New Jersey, and we are really enjoying being here at Four Seasons of Smithville. I’m especially enjoying all the great golf in the area. John Scott I was a late bloomer. My daughter Maggie graduated last year from Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and is now pursuing a career in theater and sex education. My son, James, will be attending Middlebury College as a freshman, having been recruited to play soccer. I am still practicing law in San Francisco and playing basketball.

1967 Class Agent Chris Harlambakis Frank Andreone I’m in my 30th year in real estate brokerage in Central New Mexico. My youngest daughter,

William Jayson We have welcomed three new grandchildren over a seven-month span in 2014, and they were all boys. It’s been a BIG year; my wife and I celebrated our 40th anniversary with a trip to South Africa, and I turned 65, which makes me a senior citizen. Mo Moriarty My son, Ryan ’99, visited from Aspen this fall, and we had a wonderful time. We enjoyed the big Amherst College win over Williams College and remarked on the success of Suffield, which served us both very well. Our experience established the educational and athletic foundation and more importantly, our personal growth and maturity for success at Amherst and post graduate work and life. I am still enjoying the practice of law in Springfield, Massachusetts, and my tenure as city solicitor in nearby Chicopee. Ryan and I send our best to the Suffield Academy family and wish continued success to the Academy. Len Renery Living and working in the San Francisco Bay area for the past 33 years in the educational sales industry. I’ve done a lot of soccer playing and coaching over the years, including at Suffield. Recently honored and humbled by being elected in the Columbia University Athletic Hall of Fame. I’d love to reacquaint with the guys on the 1966 Suffield soccer team!

Winter / Spring 2015

01 Ted Dudley ’69 and Sandy Orr ’69 reunite in Naples, Florida, this past February 02 Paul Breslau ’70 with sea lions in New Zealand

1968 Class Agents Tyler Bumsted Tom Christian Tyler Bumsted Everything is warm and wonderful in sunny, southwest Florida. I have three girls, two graduates of the University of Florida and one currently at Florida State (a house divided when it comes to football). My oldest, Amanda, is getting married in April, so needless to say preparations have been underway for a while. I just stay out of the way. Since graduating from Suffield in ’68, Hobart in ’72, UNH in ’77 and Harvard in ’82 (Suffield was such a good experience, I kept going back to school), I have been an educator and am currently the coordinator of the international baccalaureate programs at Dunbar High School, and teaching history at the local college. Mr. Lindfors instilled a love for history in me. I am one year away from retirement. So I am planning on attending our 50th reunion in 2018. The Class of ’68 should rally our “troops” for this one. Through the years we have lost some of our classmates and we need to come together while we can. Start planning now on attending! I have kept in touch with Brian Hersey, Tom Christian and Bob Morris as Class Agents. I have also spoken with a few other classmates and look forward to seeing everyone at the reunion. I welcome anyone who is tired of the cold weather to come on down to sunny southwest Florida! Don Cohn I am entering my ninth year as a county court judge in Miami, Florida. My wife, Beth, and I celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary this past September. Bob Morris I am especially pleased to bid farewell to the winter of 2014-15. While traveling in Kentucky, I suffered a heart attack on December 17th, only to discover by virtue of tests in a Louisville emergency room that I had five arterial blockages which required prompt attention. Accordingly, once I returned to Virginia Beach, I was admitted to the Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk, where I spent Christmas and had quintuple by-pass surgery on December 26th. Happy to report that the complex surgery was entirely successful; I have spent the last two months in recuperation and switched to a vegan

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diet, through which I significantly lowered my cholesterol count and lost some superfluous pounds. Hence, other than my Georgetown undergraduate education, I finally have something else in common with Bill Clinton! All’s well than ends well. Otherwise, life is good; my wife and three children are thriving, and my youngest, Sasha, is preparing to choose from the numerous college acceptances she has been blessed to receive. Looking forward to a happy (albeit somewhat less eventful) 2015, and beyond. Steve Newell After nigh on 40 years as a glass artist in London, 2015 has turned a new page in this book of my life with the distant dream of a Tuscan restored monastery—a summer school for the arts—realized against what seemed like impossible odds. We sit in the foothills of the Apuan Alps—on the well-trod Pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome—a remote but sun-blessed hillside where hermits choose to rest their contemplative eye 800 years ago, the birth-place of the Augustinian Orders. I can return to a sense of my youth, and we fling the doors open to new and challenging influences. Anyone who cares to cross the threshold and raise a glass to the creative spirit in us all, visit www.romitideltorrente.com. Seth Whitaker Enjoying lazy days of retirement in the Sonoma wine country. Visitors are welcome!

1969 Class Agents Greg Putnam Sandy Orr In February, my wife and I vacationed in sunny Naples, Florida. We had the chance to reconnect with fellow ’69 classmate, Ted Dudley. It was great to see him and he assures me he will make the 50th reunion in 2019. Greg Putnam Greetings to my classmates. I hope you all have been safe and sound during the winter storms. To those of you that have donated to the Annual Fund, thank you. To those who may have forgotten, this is your hint. On a personal note, I will become a grandfather again in May. I have changed tracks by selling my mini-storage in

California and buying an apartment complex in Texas. It is a very exciting opportunity. Y’all take good care! Stay in touch and be healthy and happy. David Sperry It was terrific of Putt (Greg Putnam) to cajole me into going to my first reunion in, like, 40 years. It was a hoot. It was great seeing some of the guys, including my roomie Danny Tisch. He hasn’t changed much, except less hair of course. And Dave Bloom, who sat next to me at dinner. I also chased down George Pervear; had to see him before I left. He is one of my favorite people at Suffield. His comment upon seeing me, “Did you get taller, Dave?” I said “No, you got smaller.” I’ve been busy preparing for my daughter Jenna’s wedding on May 2. She’s an RN, MSN at Women’s Brigham Hospital in Boston, and she’s actually marrying a dentist—I’m sure I told Dave that. My son, Brett, got married last summer in D.C. to a nurse anesthetist. Brett and Angela are now in Cleveland where Brett is a doctor at The Cleveland Clinic working on his fellowship in transplant cardiology. I always wondered how I got such intelligent children, since I was clearly an underachiever at Suffield. My sister has a brilliant daughter as well, and one day, admiring how our kids got so smart, she said, “Dave, you have to remember that intelligence skips a generation.” Our father was a genius—the funniest thing she ever said!

1970 Class Agents Kit Warner Chris Weeden Paul Breslau Living and working in Scottsdale, Arizona, and reading about the frigid New England winter. Brings back memories of very cold Suffield winters in the late 1960s. Alan Harvey I recently moved to Annapolis, Maryland, to be with my wife, Dr. Doris Cope, and accept a new health system position as medical director in the department of anesthesiology at Dimensions Healthcare System. There are two hospitals, one surgicenter, and one new hospital under planned construction in Largo, Maryland, on the edge of the metro line and Washington, D.C.

We live in the historic center of Annapolis, near the U.S. Naval Academy, and two blocks from the Annapolis Yacht Club. An open invitation for any class members who want to visit a beautiful part of the country on Chesapeake Bay or if you are visiting Washington, D.C. for business or pleasure to see the museums and art galleries of the capital. We have an upper floor guest suite for visitors—either for national or international visitors. Welcome! Please email me at alanharveymdmba@gmail.com. We are planning to be back in Suffield for our 45th reunion this fall! Paul Moritz Jr. Hope all is well at Suffield. Am still in the swimming pool business but starting to spend more time at our homes in Colorado and Florida. We have five children and nine grandchildren and all are doing well. See you all in October for our 45th reunion. Richard Loomis I am a structural engineer in private practice at Loomis and Loomis Inc. I have worked on power plan designs all over the world and am presently licensed in 22 states. Chris Weeden As some of you may know, we have set all kinds of records for cold here in Clayville, New York. This February was the coldest month ever on record in Central New York. So I set out and searched for a frozen spring that was reported in my immediate area and found it. It is about 18 to 20 feet tall and solid ice, made by a small spring trying to expel its water into the sub-zero weather. Most days have had temperatures well below zero.

1971 Class Agents Pierre Genvert Leo Letendre Doug Rebert Leo Letendre Recently, Tetsuo Nishiumi and Masato Nagase and I were able to visit while I was in Tokyo visiting the Japanese health authorities for Pfizer. Masato and Tetsuo have recently retired from different branches of Mitsubishi and are now spending some of their free time consulting for various entities around the world. I continue to work for Pfizer and am now working on developing a relatively new and exciting branch of oncology medicines called Antibody Drug Conjugates. My time was punctuated by enjoyable dinners with Tetsuo and Masato as well as seeing Tokyo for the first time. We all agreed that it was good to see each other again and hope that we have another opportunity soon. Brian Morris My wife, Cindy, and I are now living in Hermosa Beach, California. Going on my 35th year in the advertising business. Big news for 2015 is our daughter’s wedding in May. Where did the years go? Still have great memories of Suffield and the many friends I made there.

Sam Rapp My youngest son got married on May 31, 2014. We now have our first grandchild, Cedraelle. Mark Wright I have been a U.S. Masters Swimmer for the past 14 years, competing indoors or outdoors in 25-yard and 50-meter pools. This past summer I completed the 4.4 Mile Chesapeake Bay Swim. This is highly organized open water competition limited to 630 entrants swimming between the two spans of the bridge. It is one of the top open water swimming events in the U.S. After being notified of my selection in the lottery in February, I retained my Masters coach to provide me additional workouts and weight training to prepare for this swim. The June 5 race was in moderate Bay conditions with ten-mile-per-hour winds and two-foot waves. Within a quarter of a mile of entering the water, I couldn’t see another swimmer (something my coach warned would happen), but I kept swimming with an eye on the two major openings in the bridge spans for ships to pass through as a means of marking my progress. One hour and fifty-one minutes after the start, I emerged on the far side of the Bay. While the volunteers told me my time, which was slightly under the goal I had set for myself, I had no idea where I placed. About an hour later, my coach approached me and told me that I had won my age group (60 to 64) of 38 swimmers and had placed 56th out of all 630 swimmers. He and I were both quite surprised by my finish. I walked around for a week with a phenomenal and overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride. I wonder if any other SA swimmers have added open water competitions to their repertoire.

1972 Class Agents Chip Spear John Therriault Bill Fiore I am happy to report that on January 5, 2015 (after 32 years of service) I retired from the Springfield, Massachusetts, public schools. I was fortunate to have had a very rewarding career and held a number of positions. I was a teacher, coach, assistant principal, supervisor, director and finally a senior administrator (a title that meant it was getting time to retire). I am looking forward to continuing my work as a real estate agent with William Raveis Real Estate, traveling and spending more time with my family now that my wife (Linda) and I are great-grandparents. Peter Moritz I spent two weeks in late January working at the JoshKrisDan Children’s Home in Ghana, Africa. My brother John Moritz ’74 founded Hearts of the Father Outreach after the loss of his three children in 1992 and built the orphanage in Ghana almost 20 years ago. Students from Suffield first went to the home in the summer of 2013, and I helped lead the Suffield team this past June. It is always remarkable to me that such good can arise from such tragedy! The Suffield Academy community has embraced this worthy endeavor in many wonderful ways, not the least of which was the students raising $60,000, which helped us supply clean water and build a school. Things we take for granted are so

03 01 Chris Weeden ’70 with a frozen spring in Central New York 02 Bruce Bayne ’71 03 Alan Harvey ’70 and wife Doris

Winter / Spring 2015

09 01 Whitney Drayton ’75 and wife, Catherine 02 Ed Kaplan ’77 and Barbara Kaplan ’08 with Amanda Leonard ’06 at the Celtics game this past January 03 Springfield Mayor honoring William Fiore ’72 04 Debbie Dyer Leroux’s ’77 son Wes 05 Jim Knight ’73 busy playing his Strat and working as a Class Agent again for Suffield 06 Jen Cartmell ’76 in Maine using her kicksled 07 Mark Graham ’75 with wife, Angela, and son, Harrison 08 Jeffrey McGowan ’75 09 Steve Peer ’74, 3rd from left, and Blair Childs ’74, second from right, at Deer Valley with wives and friends this past winter

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precious over there. As Dan Tisch ’69 said to John and me at the Alumni Weekend “...you are doing the Lord’s work “and when you do the Lord’s work, amazing things happen.” I look forward to going back in November with another Suffield team. Want to change your life? Join us on a trip. Email me at treeguy1954@gmail.com. Ron Rivard All is well in the Arctic. This winter has been tough on all of us in New England. I have been building my home inspection business successfully, in spite of the economic situation with home sales. My family is well. I have five daughters, and my middle girl is a medic in the Army for another year and a half. I’m hoping she will stay well and safe. I often think of my time at Suffield and appreciate how important it was in my life. I remember fondly the people who encouraged me and guided me while I was there. Esse Quam Videri—a motto more people should live by. Go, Suffield! Thank you, Suffield. John Therriault As of November, I have been volunteering with the Convention of States Project to get House Concurrent Resolution 3 passed in New Hampshire. HCR3 calls for an Article V Convention to propose amendments to limit federal spending, limit federal terms in office, and limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government primarily by closing the general welfare and commerce clause loopholes. I am also now the vice chair of the Cheshire County Republican Committee. Retirement is great. You get to do what you want to do, not what you have to do. I would be happy to host any Suffield graduates at the Keene, New Hampshire, country club if you happen to be in town. Jim Watson I retired from full-time teaching last year and am now working by choice, which is grand. My wife Lea and I just returned from Doha, Qatar, where we spent the month of February training professionals in auditory-verbal therapy. Doha is an interesting city on the Persian Gulf, surrounded by desert. The cultural and social differences between the Middle East and North America are rather striking, resulting in some interesting work for us. Our sons got married to fabulous women in 2014 and are living nearby in Gloucester, Massachusetts, as is our daughter. Life is good!

1973 Class Agents Jody Cranmore Jim Knight John Woodruff I am still busy with architectural photography (just shot IBM/Watson’s new headquarters in Manhattan). I’ve been cross country skiing a lot with all this snow and starting to feel like I am living in the Groundhog movie. Keeping in close touch with deGarmo and Gant. A big HELLO to all my other old buds!

1974 Class Agents Blair Childs Bud Hancock Tom Leonard Jim Hogg I have always been involved with stamp collecting as a hobby and have particularly enjoyed the field of collecting first day covers. I have been elected to the national board of directors for a three-year term to the American First Day Cover Society, a non-profit organization devoted to the advancement and collecting of first day covers. My term of office began on January 1, 2015. Rich Romeo My daughter, Eva Kramer, is having twins in July: Stella Grace Kramer and Katherine Evangeline Kramer. Proud “papou” Richard Romeo and wife, “yia yia” Katherine Romberg. “Papou” and “yia yia” are Greek for grandparents. Martin Sbriglio William Shipley, Thomas Flagg, and I recently attended a wrestling match together at Penn State. The Class of 1974 remains connected and wrestling still runs deep in our blood.

1975 Class Agents Carey Fiertz Jim Plante Mark Teed Connie De Fazio Slampak It’s hard to believe it’s been so many years since we rang that Bell and made our journey into adulthood. Even after all this time I still think of our days at Suffield and the bonds we made. It’s so exciting to hear about the progress on campus. I was able to visit a few years ago, and although some changes were apparent, it still felt like the campus we loved. I’m hoping to attend the reunion and would love to know what other classmates might be coming. It would be so much fun to catch up with all of you. My life is still on the same course. I am the owner/administrator of Abby Home Health Care here in Pennsylvania. I have two daughters, one an orthodontist/ prosthetist and one an attorney. My husband and I travel as much as my schedule will allow, but as I get older, I am learning to slow down and smell the roses a little more. I’d love to hear what my classmates are up to. Shoot me an email sometime at cslampak@verizon.net. Whitney Drayton It is hard to imagine that it has been 40 years since we rang the Bell! I have been living in Sydney, Australia, for many years. Married to Catherine for 27 years; we have three sons aged 24, 21, 16. I represent the portfolio management firm Artisan Partners in the Asia Pacific region. I welcome you to drop me a line should you find yourself in Sydney.

Mark Graham It’s hard to imagine that 40 years have passed by since our days on campus. I am thinking about Sandy, Wasky, Abe Samii, sweet Lou in the kitchen, Mario Vincenti, George Pervear, just to name a few. Too bad there is no WSAR AM, that’s where I got my start in the broadcast business. Also, I’m thinking about October’s 40th reunion—hey, you never know! Charles Rawson I remember Brian “Bri” Holmes. He was a dependable friend and teammate (considering I was the goal-keeper on our struggling ice hockey squad) during a time when those people were hard to come by. I was not an easy person to befriend, but Bri and a few others made the extra effort, and I will never forget them. Clay Play is a youth arts project I have been leading over the last six years. “Where we gather to make art, and end up creating much more.” As well, I am convener of our Verde Valley Friends Worship Group (meeting in Jerome, Arizona). Hugs to Paula, Sarah, Campi, and the Funky Dude himself!

1976 Class Agents Ralph Adler Scott Craig Jen Cartmell Hoping to see alumni in Maine next summer when the snow is gone. In the meantime, spending a lot of time this winter on snowshoes and on my Swedish “spark” or kicksled. Kicksleds are a traditional, fun and easy way to get around in the snow. Jannie Walker Larsson I am good—continuing my executive coaching business, still helping managers lead with both their heads and hearts to implement lasting change and to better understand how to use culture to reach exceptional results and impact, but now with a greater focus on high performance. It is a lot of fun, and my whole career has been pretty incredible. I come over to the U.S. still quite a bit (I believe six or seven times last year). It’s mostly for business, so I get the best of both the States and Europe. Many of my six kids have moved out; two of the youngest (22 & 23) are still at home. One in college and one struggling with ADD, which has been a challenging learning experience in itself, but we are on our way towards a more satisfying life for our youngest.

1977 Class Agents Charlie Alfano Bob Clark Ed Kaplan Debbie Dyer Leroux I always enjoy receiving the SUFFIELD magazine and reading about what my fellow alums have been doing! My life seems rather tame in comparison. I have been enjoying my work as a

Winter / Spring 2015

01 Beth Bogle ’78 with fiance Chris in Utah 02 Jannie Walker Larsson ’76 with her family after a Christmas smorgasbord in Stockholm 03 Tierney, Toby, Olivia, and Mary August, children of Todd August ’78 04 Scott Benedict ’78 and daughter Kelsey

personal assistant to the same amazing woman for upwards of 15 years now. I also appreciate the great flexibility it affords me in my other role as taxi driver to my son. The demands of his seasonal athletic commitments are like a part-time job! We are hoping to start visiting prep schools this coming fall for entry in 2016. Attending and graduating from Suffield has been one of the most significant factors in my life. It has helped me form my views of the world and my relationship thereof. I feel so fortunate to be able to occasionally join up with several of my fellow “seventy-sevens” (ouch!) for dinner. Tom Skeele I am presently spending six or more months in Ecuador and Colombia, studying Spanish and researching possible work projects as part of my late career change to an international context. I am working at the intersection of environmental conservation and sustainable community development. Rich Tuttle It has been a long road since the days of Suffield. I have been a few places since those days in that lovely town, hanging at the Dog House downtown. For some reason, my career is still climbing like a jet plane on a combat mission, and I seem to be always on a war-time footing to the dangers that lurk in every corner of the petrochemical market. Although I was never in the military, my brain thinks tactically and I’m more or less the rain-maker in our sector

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and segment of the global petrochemicals (plastics) market. I’m not sure the exact reason for this, but I try to figure out how to solve the most complex problems in this industry and always seem to throw my team and me into the thick of it. I could say I obtained the discipline and focus while at Suffield. But I’m sure it was more than that. Perhaps this career just honed those basic skills to a sharp point. For some people, money from a job is the motivation. But for me it is more than just money. I truly feel the life flow through this work, and as such live in a hotel and on a plane tackling this company’s opportunities around the globe. While it’s not for everyone and it is sometimes a thankless life, it is a rush. Believe it or not, every day there is something new and exciting. Right now, I’m getting ready for another trip to Japan to coordinate a global project with my team in Asia. This one involves client facilities in the NAFTA region, South America, the UK, Thailand, and China, where the opportunity exists but in four different currencies. Believe it or not, I’m not leading this charge for the prestige. I’m pushing this deal as I feel I am one of the few people in this business that understands the vision and has the ability to project the concept to others and execute the plan. I love the game. It’s a challenge. I’m coordinating the supply of the material from three of our plants in Japan, China, and the U.S. It’s a gas and is interesting as heck, but not for everyone. Working for a Japanese company (Mitsubishi Chemical) is not like a U.S. company. I will say that Suffield

was a good way for me to be exposed to other cultures and people. Depending on what we do in life, the world is a very connected place and you need to have the ability to deal with a number of different people all over the world from different cultures and backgrounds. I’m sure I’m not the only one from the class that feels this way. I’m sure that my classmates are the best they can be in their chosen fields, as I know most of them were far smarter than I was. Sara Whitaker Moved from California to Weaverville, North Carolina (purchased a cottage bungalow), which is ten miles north of Asheville. I am in the process of being licensed in North Carolina for massage and bodywork therapy.

1978 Class Agents Lisa Longo Ed Palomba Todd August Tierney (19) is a sophomore at the University of Kansas. She will attend the University Dublin College for a semester abroad in the spring of 2015. Toby will graduate from high school in May. He is undecided on colleges and next steps at this time. Olivia, our youngest, will graduate from Rockbridge Academy in May of 2016. She will do her grand tour of Greece and

01 Tom Skeele ’77 in South America 02 Lisa ’80 and Andy Rarus ’79 enjoying a cruise to Italy and Spain for their 30th anniversary 03 Alison Welch ’81 with sons Will and Jake in Big Fork, Montana, last summer 04 Lisa Palomba Deni ’79, Ed Palomba ’78 and family supporting Anthony Deni ’15 on his senior night at Suffield this February

Italy in June with her mother, Florence, after graduation. Mary will graduate with Toby (they are triplets), and she will start Plebe Summer at the Naval Academy in July. Drop by anytime for an afternoon of fun on the Chesapeake. Scott Benedict Obviously a proud dad! My daughter Kelsey finished the fall semester of her junior year of high school with a 4.17 GPA and a 4.0 cumulative GPA. I am looking forward to visiting colleges with her later on this summer.

1979 Class Agents Matt Cartmell Ruth Kennedy Renee McDaniel Margolis Lisa Palomba Deni Bob Stanley Matt Cartmell It is with sadness that we inform everyone of the passing of our fellow classmate Jamie Gary in October 2014. Suffield learned of it only recently, and we thought you’d want to know. Perhaps we can remember Jamie and other classmates by taking a few minutes to call, email, or post a Facebook message to other classmates who we have not touched base with for a while. Jamie was a great classmate who always had a huge smile on his face, and what a nice way to

remember him by sharing a few thoughts or just catching up with other classmates. Brian Green My wife Shanen and I live in San Diego and had a baby boy, Bodhi, on December 2. Our Cardiff Skates will be featured in a national TV commercial and available at all Target stores nationwide in May—we feel blessed. I hope my Suffield friends are all happy and healthy!

1980 Class Agents Jim Hagan Mary Carroll Graham Lewis Joe Palomba Bruce Burdge Greetings! I am currently living in Tampa, Florida, where we moved 23 years ago and operate Arcis Investments, a private capital real estate investment fund I started with a partner 12 years ago. My daughter Taylor is a junior at Stanford University; I have a son who is a junior in high school, and we are in the middle of the college search with him. We spend our summers in Mystic, Connecticut, where I often have a chance to see Will Gourd ’81. I have been on the Board of Trustees at Tampa Preparatory School for eight years and often reflect upon my four years at Suffield, using examples from there

to help with my board position. I never really appreciated what a fabulous school Suffield was while attending, and I took it all for granted, as I know many of us did. I’ve got October 9-11 on the calendar to attend our 35th reunion and hope to see many of you there—I’ll be coming from Florida, so everyone can make the effort from where they live! In addition, I’ll be attending my 30th reunion at Skidmore College in late May and look forward to running into many of the Suffield alum who are also Skidmore alum—there are always a few. If you are ever in Tampa or Mystic, look me up. Steve Cotnoir Life is good. Being semi-retired and living part-time in the western Carolina Mountains on a beautiful lake is awesome. Anyone in the Atlanta or western Carolina area, feel free to pop on by. Now that I am an empty nester, it’s time to travel, too! Lisa Keney Rarus The Class of 1980 celebrates our 35th reunion this year. I am looking forward to it and hope to see some familiar faces on campus from our class. Since Meredith ’07 and Drew ’11 are no longer at SA, we miss coming to campus. Excited to be attending the first reunion in the newly renovated Brewster Hall. Attaching a photo from our 30th anniversary cruise to Italy and Spain last year now that the tuition-paying years are just about over.

Winter / Spring 2015

Daniel Pease III My daughter Megan is turning 27 years old, and I’m expecting my second grandchild in February.

1981

1982 Class Agents David Carangelo Elaine Coombs Holmes Margaret Figueroa Hern Madeline Phillips

Class Agents Jack Ferraro Susan Goodwin Fera Valisha Graves Chris Kennedy Alison Welch

Alan Hopps Greetings from Dubai! I was recently in Seattle, Washington, taking a delivery of a new B737-800 from the Boeing factory for flydubai. My wife, Dina, joined me to celebrate our 20th anniversary and her birthday.

Gil Ahrens I recently joined Jefferies & Co. to run venture capital coverage in Silicon Valley. It’s a long way from Suffield, but always close to my heart.

Taro Kono I was re-elected to the Japanese Parliament for the seventh term. I have been appointed chief budget cutter to balance the budget by 2020.

Vera Chrisman-Plescia My brother, Roger ’80, passed away two years ago from colon cancer. I am living in Washington, D.C. I have two girls—one is now applying to colleges. My husband, Marc, works as a family doctor in Reston, Virginia.

John Killeen Saw Rob Dahms ’83 and Jim Kaiser at a surprise party for Jim’s 50th birthday.

Susan Goodwin Fera Our son Max plays basketball for his Dartmouth Cape Travel team, a CYO team, and an AAU team, the Boston Bobcats. Having just turned 13 and now six-feet-tall, he is honing his basketball skills and doing well as a seventh grader at Dartmouth Middle School. All is good here! I have just returned from Denver and the SIA ski/snow show, where I work as an independent rep for a travel bag company called Athalon Sportgear in New York. Isabel is in fourth grade and is busy with a travel soccer team (Vipers) for three seasons, as well as basketball and softball. My husband, Tony, enjoys his tennis now that he is retired from Samsonite and sits on two boards. Alison Welch Will (15) is a sophomore at Camden Hills Regional High School in Camden, Maine, where he is an excellent student and plays soccer, varsity hockey, and varsity lacrosse. Jake (19) is a freshman at the University of Maine-Orono and is in the civil engineering program. We are all avid skiers at Sugarloaf, and in the summer enjoy spending time at my family camp on Mooselookmeguntic Lake in Oquossoc, Maine. Since teaching at Suffield from 1987-1989, I have spent the last 26 years living in Maine, having taught at the Carrabassett Valley Academy for a number of years before landing at Lincoln Academy, where I am now completing my 22nd year. I currently teach all levels of high school French I through AP, and am a class dean. Maine is definitely my home, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else. If anyone is going to be in Camden, Maine, please feel free to look me up.

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Lee Vardakas I am thrilled to announce my son Nicholas is a part of the Suffield Academy Class of 2018. This has given me the opportunity to be on campus more often and I have reconnected with several familiar faces: Rob’s sister, Beth Dahms Bailey, Margaret Figueroa Hern and Tucker Killam ’80, as well as Mr. Godin, Mr. Vianney and Rocky.

1983 Class Agents Bob Churchill Marybeth DiBuono-Riley Eric Cordis Passed the half century mark—doesn’t seem possible. Busy with work in upstate New York and blessed with the opportunity to travel for work to over 14 countries for master planning and building design. I was in Mozambique and South Africa in March. David McAusland After a year off to recharge my batteries, I’ve recently taken a position as the distribution coordinator for Boxlight Inc. We are the manufacturer and distributor of a wide variety of LCD and DLP projectors, including our patented interactive projectors. We have recently added interactive LED panels to our offerings, which are becoming a great hit in the education market. My son Bryan has started middle school and is becoming quite the lacrosse player. Best regards to the Class of 1983. Look forward to getting back to Suffield in the future to see how things continue to change. Michael Paul The company I founded, Lineagen, Inc., an innovative molecular diagnostics company that focuses on disorders of childhood development, recently announced the closing of our Series C round of financing and will support the adoption of our FirstStepDx PLUS. I hope everyone in the Class of 1983 is doing well.

Art Shettle We welcomed our second boy into the world last March: Frederic Roebling Shettle, born in New York City. We are still living in the city but travel quite a bit due to my wife’s job with Doctors Without Borders and my seemingly yearly theater productions outside Berlin, Germany. Our eldest son Piet (6), studies violin at Mannes School for Music and attends PS 110 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where he is in first grade. Very much looking forward to my next visit to Suffield.

1984 Class Agents Shelley Frazier Pelletier Michelle Kaminsky Hossein Pourmand Kerrin Fuller Rowley Still shoveling away in Hingham, Massachusetts. Over 100 inches and it’s still coming. Four kids still keeping us busy—our oldest, Kendall, is a sophomore at Providence College. Our second oldest is headed to St. Lawrence in the fall—we are so excited! Been in touch with Denise Leber Choquette, who now is married and has a one-year-old sweetheart baby girl. Bring on the spring! Geoff Hoyt Hired last summer by the Epilepsy Foundation as an individual giving officer, raising major gifts in the Northeast. Barbara Kinne Hoyt ’86 and I, along with our two children, Lilly and Camden, remain close to SA through work and friends, and I’m looking forward to the fall golf outing again already! Debbie Mattis Collier I am living with my husband, Bill, and three children, Mattis (19), Henry (18), and Forbes (15) in Durham, North Carolina. On occasion I have run into Charlotte Post Chase and Sharon Bell Kolk. We are hoping to visit Suffield one day soon! Jay Mullins Just talked to Steve Martinez this morning and he was bragging about his golfing in South Carolina, while I am slogging through one of the coldest, snowiest winters. Dan Sokol, you need to convince Steve to come to New England this summer, and we will play golf! All is well with the Mullins family. Charlotte Post Chase Life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is wonderful. Especially given the winter our Suffield family has been experiencing this year. I am in my third year at Cisco Systems, now driving a new team to launch a partner manager program for our growing ecosystem of third party vendors. My four children keep me extremely busy and constantly laughing. I spend a great deal of time with my best friend, Judy Killam Campbell ’83. We had a fun Thanksgiving together in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and we try to get together at least once a month, if not more frequently. I still look back at my days at Suffield with fond memories, where I made friendships with both students and teachers that I still cherish today.

01 Alan Hopps ’82 with wife, Dina, celebrating their 20th annniversary by delivering a B737-800 for flydubai 02 Alicia Lally Winter ’87 with husband, Matt, and sons Simon and Nathan 03 Jake Norton, Julie Granger Brassard ’92, Halle Granger, and Matt Granger ’89 at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro on October 5th 04 Grayson (7) and Karsten (5), daughters of Stacey Orben Glazier ’85 05 Bruce Burdge ’80 and wife, Katherine, with daughter Taylor hiking the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in Idaho 06 Michelle Hashioka Lord ’85 and husband, Rich, with their children Conrad and Colette 07 Charlotte Post Chase ’84 and Judy Killam Campbell ’83 spending time in North Carolina 08 Eric Cordis ’83 with wife, Stephanie, and daughter Brianna 09 Luis Zerpa ’85 and daughter Isabella at the Rectory School 10 Max, son of Susan Goodwin Fera ’81, playing travel league basketball

Winter / Spring 2015

07 01 Rasheeda Walcott-Flournoy ’96 with husband, Ramond, and their children Arianna (9), Jonah (5), and Grayson (1) 02 Alexa Economou Rice’s ’93 son J.Holden in Florida 03 Peter DaPuzzo’s ’90 son Jackson with their dog Nelson 04 Adam Greenberg ’98 (far right) wins the Food Network’s nationally televised competition Chopped 05 Ryan Burrell ’98 with sons Reed and Trent 06 Bill Metzger ’94 and wife, Marylou, with children William Jr. and Lucas 07 Samantha and Madison, daughters of Brian Swider ’93, enjoying the snowy winter in New England

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1985

1987

Class Agents Andy Glover Michelle Hashioka Lord Jinnie Lee Schmid Jack Way

Class Agents Betsy Coughlin Tod Jeff Martini Phil Riegel

Brice Batchelor Hall I have been working in the Education Department of the Princeton University Art Museum for about 10 years. I live in Princeton, New Jersey, with my husband, Jim, and our two kids—Jake, who is a freshman at Yale, and Kyra, who is in ninth grade at Princeton Day School. I would love to hear from any Suffield classmates heading our way: bricebhall@princeton.edu. Michelle Hashioka Lord Would be great to hear from my long lost classmates from ’85! I’ve been in San Diego for 13 years after many years moving everywhere (Chicago, Santa Fe, Denver, Tokyo, Hong Kong…). I’m happily married for 22 years to my wonderful husband, Rich, and have two kids. Conrad is a freshman in high school, and Colette is in kindergarten. I work as the vice president of Capital Markets, securing debt and equity financing for a major multifamily company based in San Diego. My work takes me all over the U.S., mostly both coasts. I welcome news and visits from my Suffield friends in sunny San Diego! Jinnie Lee Schmid Would you believe I’m going to be making my airline reservations for October’s Suffield Reunion in just a week or two? Who’s with me? The winter weather has been kinder to us in Atlanta than to those of you in snowy places. I’ve been busy doing some speaking engagements for the consulting side of my business and marketing/sales to grow the new grief recovery part of my practice. I’m really looking forward to seeing many dear old friends later this year—please plan to join us at Reunion! Stacey Orben Glazier I would love to see any classmates whenever they are visiting the Washington, D.C. area. We hope to finally make Reunion in October. Luis Zerpa My family and I are doing well. I’m on my third year at the Rectory School and loving it! My daughter graduates from ninth grade this year. It is an exciting time for us. When I visit SA for sports events I feel pride in seeing how much it has grown. The campus looks amazing, and most importantly, Suffield is recognized as one of the great prep schools in New England and the world, for that matter. God bless everyone, and I hope to see you all soon!

the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York, to serve as liaison counsel for insurer defendants on the Hurricane Sandy docket.

1989

Alicia Lally Winter Things are great here in Kent, Connecticut, despite this cold winter. We just got a new pudelpointer puppy for our next hunting dog. The pudelpointer is a rare, versatile breed that will point as well as retrieve, and we had to wait quite a while to get one, so we’re thrilled with him. On other fronts, my 15-year-old son, Simon, is wrestling for Marvelwood School, and occasionally competes against Suffield. I love to see the orange and black, and I always cheer for them—as long as it’s not a match against Simon! My youngest son, Nathan, is in eighth grade and can’t wait for it to be over. We recently became certified to be foster parents but haven’t had a placement yet, and I’m torn between terror and excitement that they might actually call someday. We get out to Martha’s Vineyard several times a year for fishing and beaching, and I’m still hoping to see Shelly Reveruzzi out there someday! I’ve planned a visit with Tom and Suzy Harris and their three kids in March and can’t wait to see them—love to the whole Suffield gang!

Class Agents Tom Burton Michelle Motta Stewart Jed Nosal Aimee Scherer Hodgkins Rose Yap Thomas

Milo Terzich My wife Margaret and I are living in Rocklin, California, and are busy keeping up with our three children, Ryan (18), Matthew (16), and Lindsay (13). I am the development manager for USA Development in Roseville, California. I am also active in the California Waterfowl Association, as I am an avid duck hunter.

Peter DaPuzzo The winter has allowed me to go on walks with my son Jackson and our dog, Nelson. Looking forward to spring, and our 25th reunion this October.

Pam Thomas Lungaard I am still living in Las Vegas and co-own a company with my ex-husband. It’s an environmental company that does testing of mold, lead, asbestos, and other environmental hazards. I have two beautiful children, Hannah and Parker, who are 11 and 12. If anyone is ever out in Las Vegas, call me.

Class Agents Kim Ames Ide Pat Kennedy Andy Roebuck

1988 Class Agents Beth Buoniconti Fernandez Kate Cleary Patrick Dorsey Jack Warren Jenn Yamzon Jordan Heather Collins Raymond My daughter Sarah ’16 is a new junior at Suffield and is really enjoying it! I am so happy she can share her experience with me, and I am so thrilled to be reconnected with Suffield. Jared Greisman My wife Beth and I enjoy living on the Upper East Side in Manhattan with our three children, Matthew (8), Rebecca (5), and Sam (4). I am in the insurance industry and provide insurance coverage counsel and litigate commercial and insurance cases. In 2014, I was designated by

Matt Granger Last October, my sister, Julie Granger Brassard ’92, and I were part of the Challenge 21 Team for Charity: Water, a group dedicated to bringing clean water to 100,000 people in the Sahel region of Africa. Together we raised over $30,000.

1990 Class Agents Kelli Chamberlain Tosone Peter DaPuzzo Amy Newman Vaughn Courtney Wilson Nixon

1991 Kevin Burke I am currently living in Boston and am the regional sales director at IBM. I am happily married with a wonderful two-year-old, Philipa. Every day I am thankful for the opportunity I was provided to attend Suffield Academy.

1992 Class Agents Marigrace Canter Morris Ntsekhe Moiloa Wadiya Peterson Wynn Marigrace Canter Morris A warm hello to all my Suffield friends! My family is doing well. I hope to pass through Suffield on a road trip this summer and show my three children how beautiful and special Suffield Academy is.

Winter / Spring 2015

1993

1996

1998

Class Agents Alexa Economou Rice Pam Eisen Lauren Roginski-Strelec Marla Zide

Class Agents Tabitha Bliven Heidorn Ryan Dowd Fatimah Guienze

Class Agents Mickey Allen Sarah Fletcher Meaney Sarah Hotchkiss

Rasheeda Walcott-Flournoy Life couldn’t be any better or busier here in the Walcott-Flournoy household. I’ve just about completed an emerging leadership development program at GlaxoSmithKline Inc., and am also nearing my 13th year with the company. My husband celebrates the successful launch of different products he oversees as a project manager for Verizon Wireless. While pharmaceutical sales and project management keep us busy, nothing keeps us more on our toes than our three children. Our eldest, Arianna, is nine and, in addition to consistently making the high school honor roll, dances four nights a week. Last summer we took a trip as a family to London, where she completed some ballet training, and then to Paris, where she performed in jazz and tap shows at Disneyland, Paris. Our oldest son, Jonah, is now five and is following in his sister’s footsteps, excelling in school while also developing as a martial artist, earning himself an orange belt in karate. Our youngest, Grayson, who is now 21-months, spends his time trying to keep up with his older brother and sister. He copies everything they do from counting down from 10 to identifying letters of the alphabet. We work hard and play hard, while enjoying all the little moments we are fortunate to be blessed with.

Ryan Burrell On October 17, 2014, my wife and I had our second son, Trent Ryan Burrell. My oldest son, Reed, is only a year-and-a-half older, so we have been quite busy. The family is healthy, and our new house is great. All is good out in West Suffield. I just hit the 10-year mark with the Suffield Police Department, so I am starting to feel my old age. Feels like I just graduated high school and college yesterday.

1997

Gretchen Allinson Herter My husband and I welcomed our daughter, Larkin Rae Herter, on June 17, 2014. We are all happy and healthy. I’m excited to see everyone at Reunion on the weekend of October 9th.

Alexa Economou Rice My family and I moved to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. I am currently working for Chanel. J. Holden is almost two and already can swim across the pool. I see a future varsity athlete for SA! We are enjoying our days off at the beach, collecting seashells, playing golf or tennis. Marla Zide I was thrilled to be honored in January 2015 as one of Maryland’s Top 50 Women Lawyers, as well as Top 100 Lawyers in the Maryland Super Lawyer’s. My two stepdaughters are doing great; Juliette is loving ice hockey and Savannah just returned from Florida, where her team placed second in a field hockey tournament. I recently returned from a trip to the Dominican for work, where I was rewarded personally when I got engaged!

1994 Class Agents Eric Feijo Alison Kennedy Auciello Scott Sartwell Bill Metzger Hi Suffield! My wife and I welcomed the newest member of the family, Lucas Edward Metzger, last July. William Jr., Luke, my wife Marylou and I live in San Carlos, California, and we are enjoying the weather. We love trips up to San Francisco and the wine country, as well as the nearby hikes. I just finished my first year at WePay, a company in Palo Alto that processes payments for most crowd-funding sites and also marketplaces or platforms. If any of you are ever in the area, I’d love to hear from you: wemetzger@yahoo.com. Jordan Nodelman After 15 years in the New Haven, Connecticut, area, my spouse and I are setting off on a new adventure, packing up the house and dogs and moving to Miami, Florida. I am looking forward to grabbing the sunscreen and beach towel instead of the snow shovel and bag of ice melt! If there are any SA alums in the Miami area, I welcome the opportunity to get together. Email me at jnodelman@gmail.com. Brian Walker I recently relocated back to the East Coast from southern California and live in Manhattan. I am the managing director and founder of International Petroleum and Gas (IPG) Staffing, an oil and gas recruitment and staffing firm that provides staffing solutions for upstream, midstream, and downstream companies in the oil and gas industry. The three divisions of the firm are direct-hire, contractor/contractor-tohire (temporary), and outplacement services. IPG Staffings’ current roster of clients are headquartered in Utah, Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

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Class Agents Amy Blake Cook Lewis Dunn Brian Hetzel Danielle Therriault Meaghan Leahy Palmer We welcomed Bryce Donegan Palmer into the world on March 26, 2014. His big sister, Paige (3), couldn’t be any more excited. Alice, our four-year-old golden retriever, was also thrilled! We are living in Harrington Park, New Jersey, and I am in my 11th year teaching eighth-grade science at George Washington Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Much love, SA! Doug Williams I am currently working for TechniArt in Massachusetts. We are the number one retailer of LEDs in 2014. I hope everyone is doing well in the Class of 1997.

Adam Greenberg It’s always an honor to be on television, or to be featured in some writing or blog. I always try my best to represent Suffield Academy and everyone who has ever driven me to reach for my goals. I hope Suffield was proud and enjoyed the show! The support from all over the world is overwhelming and very humbling. Heard from so many Suffield alums.

2000 Class Agents Michael Coleman Carmine Petrone Andrea Rich Manny Simons Meagan Ward Jenkins

2002 Class Agents Sari Biddelman Alison Carey Hilary Golas Rouse Lynx LaCroix Erin Orr Ligay Payu Nerngchamnong I am continuing with a sports-related business venture. I recently acquired Pattaya United FC, a Thai professional soccer team based in the beach city of Pattaya. We are currently seventh in the league out of 20 teams, and finished 14th in 2014 (before my company took over the club). We hope to finish in the top five by the end of 2015. We have a few members of the Thai national team on our roster, as well as some foreign players who played at the international level. Such players include the former North Korean National team captain and Peruvian National team mid-fielder. We have recently signed a partnership with an MLS team. It will be the first team from the States to play a match in Thailand. I am also the president of the Thailand Lacrosse Association, and we will host the ASPAC 2015 Championship in Bangkok this July.

01 Payu Nerngchamnong’s ’02 professional soccer team, Pattaya United FC 02 Seamus Durkin ’99 and wife, Maddie, celebrating their daughter Colette Michelle’s second birthday in Bermuda 03 Caroline Carpenter Meckel ’04 with dogs, Sadie and Jake 04 Bridget Walsh ’10 and sister Frankie ’09 at Naksan Temple in South Korea 05 Addie, daughter of Brooks Truesdell Dolan ’01, enjoying a sunny day on Bell Hill 06 Brian Rose ’01, Headmaster Cahn, and Trustee Andrew Chase at Eaglebrook School 07 Michelle Aaron ’04 and Kate Braden ’04 (far right) with best friends at Michelle’s wedding this past fall

Winter / Spring 2015

01 Class of 2005 Jon Lefcheck, Dan Fisher, and Shane Hennessey at Dan’s wedding last summer 02 Ginika Anamege ’05 attending a conference at the Harvard Business School focused on linking people with an interest to work with Africa 03 Annie Nguyen ’05 at her cookbook signing (below)

More than 10 countries will be participating in the largest gathering of lacrosse in Thailand since 2013 at Singha’s Battle in Bangkok. Ashley Scibelli Leduc Hello from Boston! For the past few years I’ve worked in public relations at the Boston Beer Company (the brewers behind Samuel Adams craft beer). In May of 2014 I tied the knot with Marc Leduc, a partner at Morgan Lewis, on Cape Cod. If you find yourself in town, I’d love to catch up over a Boston lager. Cheers!

2003 Class Agents Lindsey Pell Lydia Pillsbury Lindsay Rousseau Eric Yale Zach Faas I got married in New Hampshire this past summer to Stephanie Sarcione. There were many guests from the Suffield Academy community, including my parents Kim and Steve Goodwin, Nick Faas ’01, Erik Westerholm, Chad Aiken, Erik Hoagland, Matt Weaver, Kylene Westerholm ’02, Erin Leech ’04, Lindsey Leech ’06, Emily Leech ’08, Julie Leech, and Marlene Rusczyk. My wife and I went to Peru for our honeymoon in April to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. We live just outside of Boston

with our dog, Dibs. Please get in touch if you are in the area and would like to meet up.

2004 Class Agents Kate Braden Jake McComb Alex Naboicheck Anthony Rousseau Andrew Scully William Taylor Caroline Carpenter Meckel Things are busy in the Meckel house! Steve is getting ready for paramedic school in the fall. I started my third year of law school at Quinnipiac University this year. I am volunteering in the low income taxpayer clinic and working on a community needs assessment project in the greater Hartford area. I am still playing rugby for the Hartford Wild Roses and we’re looking forward to a strong spring season. We added a new fur-baby, Jake, in May. He’s a shepherd mix, and just about a year old. He and Sadie simply adore each other. I also volunteer for Double Dog Rescue when I can find time—we adopted both our dogs from them (Jake was actually a foster failure!). They’re a wonderful organization that pulls dogs from shelters in Alabama and pays for their transport up to Connecticut. We are always looking for new foster families!

2005 Class Agents Rick Devlin Dan Fisher Steph Shaker Casey Shanley Ginika Anamege I’m currently set to finish grad school this semester. I’ll be receiving a degree in health sciences with a biochemistry/ pharmacology concentration from Drexel University. I hope to use this degree work within clinical trials development and chemotherapeutic drug design. As a young professional, I’ve had some really great opportunities to pursue my

SUFFIELD

passion of improving healthcare quality and access both here in the States and abroad. In fact, I just came back from a conference at the Harvard Business School that was geared toward linking people with an interest to work in Africa within its various sectors, healthcare being one of them. It proved quite fortuitous because I made some awesome connections. The successes I’ve achieved thus far are intrinsically tied to my Suffield experience, as it was on this foundation that I went out into the world, and it has given me solid footing. Jamie Ansorge I graduated from law school and passed the New York State Bar last year. I now live in Brooklyn and work for the government affairs practice of a large law firm. Dan Fisher After finishing my MBA and getting married this past summer, I have settled into my career in Atlanta, Georgia, working with the sports marketing agency, IMG LIVE, where I help manage Kia Motors sports marketing partnerships. Looking forward to hopefully catching up with some former classmates while in Westchester, New York, this June for the KPMG Women’s PGA championship. Ted Fuller My wife and I are living in Deerfield, Massachusetts, while I work in Northampton for an environmental non-profit. This winter I’ve been trying to get in as many days skiing as possible and have had a good time on the slopes with Nate Fuller, Zack Fuller ’08, Andrew Yuan, Chris Yuan ’08, and Mike Dipietro ’07. Jared Mickelson I recently graduated from medical school and have returned to the area to begin my residency at the University of Massachusetts. I enjoyed the holiday season with my family and hope everyone in the Class of ’05 is doing well. Annie Nguyen I published my first book last year, a cookbook titled The Stories of Cakes. The book has 26 of my most trusted recipes, along with stories about my journey through the years. Unfortunately, the book is currently only available in Vietnamese. I’m working on the English edition for the future.

01 Ted Fuller ’05 embracing the New England winter with some skiing 02 Steph Fox ’06, Mary Perry ’07, Kim Wiggin, Matt Wiggin ’06, Allison Leonard ’06, and Khaya Leary ’07 at Matt’s annual holiday party in New York City

2006

2007

Class Agents Alison Leonard Eric Litmer Luke McComb Gina Petrone Chris Stafford

Class Agents Mike DiPietro Sydney Greenberg Katy Heydinger Matt Jones Harry Melendez Catherine Mis Erik Osborne Meredith Rarus Rob Zammito

Taylor Finkelson Earlier this year I accepted a position as an interactive recruiter at Synergy Interactive Solutions, a digital recruiting agency in New York City, specializing in placements for advertising agencies and Fortune 500 companies. Gina Petrone I am currently in my fifth year of teaching English. After teaching for four years in Springfield, Massachusetts, I am now happily at Suffield High School. I was also recently certified as an adjunct professor for UConn and will begin in the fall. Ben van Renesse I recently finished my second year of teaching in Japan in March and will travel in the Far East. My best to all of my classmates! Brian Sager I’m working as a professional wedding and commercial assignment photographer, based in Nantucket. Life on the island is great! Plenty of sailing, surfing, and offseason travel, including one sailing trip requiring a U.S. Coast Guard rescue 100 miles offshore. Aside from that one instance—which ended safely—all is well. I love seeing the many SA and Eaglebrook School alums who frequently visit the island and hearing about the successes of Suffield’s water polo and swim teams. Congratulations to Mr. Lynch on becoming a father! Matt Wiggin It was great to see so many Suffield faces at my third annual holiday party in New York City this winter. I also spent the winter at Suffield as the choreographer of the Dance Show. Sending my best to the Class of ’06.

Thomas Blakeley I am still with Performance Architects in Boston and this summer was promoted to senior consultant. Between the job, the house, two dogs, and Kat, I’m keeping myself very busy. Looking forward to a month or two without snow and some time to work on the lawn. Hana Gosney Enjoying my last few weeks at an internship here in San Francisco at Jack Morton. Once I am done, I will be heading back Suffield’s way to New York City to intern at DDB as an art director. Excited for the new adventure in the Big Apple. Mary Perry Hello, SA family! I am currently living in New York City. I recently joined the asset management firm BlackRock as an associate of institutional investor business development and sales. I visited campus in October, and it was great to be back, see many familiar faces, and note all of the impressive ways in which campus has changed. Kind regards and best wishes to all—especially the Class of ’07! Ben Rego The past few months have been incredible. I decided to move home to Bermuda from Boston, where I had been working at Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty since 2011. Looking to take some time off, I traveled throughout many cities and regions in Canada, England, Portugal, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, back to England, back stateside to Utah, and finally, back

to Bermuda, where I plan to stay. It was an incredible experience and allowed me to see many friends and family along the way. My travels once again showed me how big and diverse this world truly is, and I can’t wait to see even more in the not-so-distant future. I am now employed at Rego Sotheby’s International Realty, my family business since 1949 and the oldest real estate company in Bermuda. Activity has certainly picked up here recently for a variety of reasons, none perhaps more influential than the announcement that the 35th America’s Cup will be coming to our shores in 2017. Heading the marketing department here and also possessing my real estate license, I really could not have picked a better time to move home and keep the tradition going, all while hopefully pushing our company and 21-square-mile island to the next level.

2008 Class Agents Becca Bathrick Kirsten Chalke Thomas Drummond-Hay Joel Glassman Rebecca Joslow Barbara Kaplan Kaela Keyes Isy Zellweger Hae Rin Yoon I am currently studying at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. I’m a first-year graduate student, majoring in international security policy. Before coming here, I worked at the U.N. Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Korea. I might pursue intelligence service in South Korea after graduating from Columbia. I miss the old days at Suffield Academy a lot!

Winter / Spring 2015

2009 Class Agents Tom Casey Rosemary Chandler Liz Monty Amy Samenuk Sam Stone Kyle Vigneault Sam Robson I’m staying busy working on my screenwriting career in Los Angeles. I’m in the emerging talent program of Scenario Entertainment, a literary management company, and am on the writing staff of a scenario-produced web series, which is currently in the late stages of development. I am also writing web series for an online TV network, and we hope to go into production in the next month or so. Lastly, I’ve been brought on to help adapt an author’s novel into a screenplay. A note to all Tigers, past and present—if you have a passion, something you love, that you’re not sure can be a career, just go for it. There’s no downside to giving your dream your best shot. Amber Rodgers I will be graduating from the University of Denver in June of this year with my master’s in social work. I am now working for First Descents (www.firstdescents.org), an organization that provides free week-long outdoor adventures to young adult cancer fighters and survivors. In an effort to support First Descents, I put away my car for the final two (and very cold) months of 2014 and rode my bicycle for primary transportation in Denver. A huge thank you to all of those in the Suffield community who supported me in this endeavor.

ALUM IN THE PEACE CORPS Charles Ferguson ’09 As a Peace Corps Volunteer I have been fortunate to call Changwe Village, in Petauke District of Eastern Province, Zambia, home since June 2013. Teaching English full-time is my primary project but my secondary projects vary greatly. From attempting to keep bees with friends in the village, to working in conjunction with UAB and the Ministry of Education to pilot a solar-powered electronic library at a rural secondary school. I try and stay half as busy as I remember being at Suffield. One project larger in scope than any of the others I’ve been working on is the construction of Kapona Community School and Health Post. Together with some incredible people who took their children’s futures into their own hands, we’ve made plans to build a two-classroom school that will also serve as a community health post. At this point (March 2nd) the communities here have done their part (contributing 81% of total costs) and I am working to finish our fundraising. The school will be completed by May 1st. The time I’ve spent exploring Zambia, both in and out of the classroom, has solidified my sincere appreciation for what Suffield gave me—a comfortable and beautiful environment to grow and learn. To read about some experiences from Zambia, the history of Kapona School and Health Post (and see our progress), in addition to other good stuff, please check out CharlesMontieFerg.com.

Kaitlin Ventriglia It was great to be back on campus this past autumn for our fifth reunion. I loved seeing all the improvements that have been made to campus. It was also great to catch up with former dorm parents and faculty members, and, of course, see former classmates. I am living in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and am an analyst for Northern Trust. Frankie Walsh Hey, all! I’m starting my second year living in Seoul, South Korea. So far, it’s been an amazing adventure. I’ve done a lot of travelling within Korea, was able to get away to Japan twice, and was in the Philippines for New Year’s Eve. I’ll be starting a new job and moving to the center of Seoul at the beginning of March. I was lucky to see my parents and sister (Bridget Walsh ’10) who visited in November. It was an incredible visit and very cool to see people from the States for the first time since I left. Also, Bridget just moved to Santiago, Chile—I am so proud of her! I was sad to miss Reunion this year, but I heard all about it, and it sounded like an amazing time. It’s been great to keep in touch with the crew from Summer Academy (Amber Rodgers, Whitney Tuthill, and Taylor Peucker ’11). Hope all is well with everyone else!

2010 Class Agents Michelle Autuori Justine de Chazal Mariah Gonzalez Tom Leonard Alyssa Palomba Lucas Traber Michelle Autuori It was great spending time with classmates this winter when Taylor Walston and I visited Melanie Watson while Tommy Uszakiewicz and Everest Wein visited Joe McGovern in Colorado. Brooke Tashjian I have been missing the beauty of SA campus, especially the Bell, during all these snowstorms. I have been reminiscing and watching the old guitar show videos, and hanging out with some other Class of ’10 alums who are up here in Vermont. I am in the final stretch of my “victory lap” here at UVM. I will be graduating in May with a degree in wildlife biology and returning to my job at LEO Zoological Conservation Center, a non-profit, low impact breeding facility for rare and endangered species located in Greenwich, Connecticut (you may have seen it in the news this past year for historical cheetah and orangutan births). Last summer, my internship really helped

SUFFIELD

to show me I was on the right track with my passion for wildlife, and it is one of the most caring, amazing conservation centers I have had the honor of working with. I can’t wait for Reunion in October to see all the faces I’ve missed over the past five years. Jon Yeston I’m graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in cognitive science. I took a year off in 2012 and went to Laos to teach English to novice monks and find myself, etc. I intend on pursuing my Ph.D. in schizophrenia with functional brain imaging, but in the meantime I am moving my recording studio to Big Sur, California, and winding down for a bit.

2011 Class Agents Joe Begley Serge Derby Kachenta Descartes Colin E Dowd Karoline Hegbom Didi McDonald Shamier Settle Lester Taylor Lorenzo Bernardez “Every moment deserves a moment.” What I mean by that is: enjoy every moment you have with someone because you never know when your next one will come. Let things go; life is too short to always be upset or bitter. Be positive and love others. What you give out to the world is what you will get back in return. Like my boy Biggie said, “Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way.” Peter Ganem I have enjoyed my undergraduate experience at Trinity College. I miss the community at Suffield and hope someday to return whether just for a visit or employment. I am currently applying to every career position I would qualify for as a public policy and law major, expecting to graduate in May with a B.A in that field. Although football has long since ended for me, I still adhere to my need to compete by training, either in powerlifting or Crossfit, hoping someday to compete professionally. I also hope to become the same mentor and coach for students as my teachers, coaches, and dorm parents were for me at Suffield! Go, Tigers! Patrick Lowndes I am now a senior at Emerson College in Boston and love life here. I worked for the Red Sox last summer—what an experience. I continue to do sports broadcasting and commentating on TV and radio at Emerson. I was a varsity basketball starter for Coach Jim O’Brien (former BC and Ohio State coach) my first two years at Emerson, and for Emerson soccer all four years. I was selected as captain for my final season this past fall. I am at Emerson’s Los Angeles campus for my last semester. It has been great to see SA friends over the years—get in touch if you’re in Boston or Los Angeles!

Alumni Lorenzo Bernardez ’11, Jack Fay ’13, Amanda Leonard ’14, Kendall Jackson ’13, Denny Smythe ’14, and Camille Laursen ’14, after Kendall’s team—the Columbia University Lions—took on Hofstra University

Charlotte Yordon I am currently finishing up my senior year in business school at The University of Vermont. I’m hoping to move out to Colorado or Jackson Hole, Wyoming, after graduation and am currently looking for jobs in the outdoor apparel and gear industry. I love being roommates with Lauren Webber, and seeing Peyton O’Connor, Tara Keady, and Terra Arguimbau occasionally!

2012 Class Agents Reed Barbe Katherine Battle Colin E Dowd William Evangelakos Jameson Everett Josh Galant David Huang Taylor Jett Connor Kaplan Caroline Leonard Izzy McDonald Alex Porter Carly Smith Ciara Beaulieu I have recently returned from studying abroad in Vienna, Austria, where I was interning with the world’s first women-led counter terrorism campaign. This internship gave me the opportunity to meet with mothers of radicalized youth who have chosen to travel to Syria as well as with security stakeholders and policy makers in the U.N. Since returning to America, I have used these skills to implement the Teal Ribbon Project in New London, Connecticut, under the Immigration Advocacy and Support Center of Southeastern Connecticut. My project works to extend legal immigration services to survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking. As I plan to graduate early, I am looking to continue working with women in legislation with a special focus

on policies directed towards ending violence and extremism. Colin Dowd I’m loving every bit of my college experience at St. Lawrence University but can’t believe that I will only have one more year left after this semester. Since I am an economics major, I have been actively searching for an internship this summer that is related to my major. I have just accepted an offer to work at Brown Brothers Harriman this summer in Boston as a global tech investment intern. I am very excited about this opportunity to learn more about the finance industry. Every time I come back to visit Suffield I am amazed at the amount of construction completed or going on and am very excited to see the prosperous future for the school. Kara Stockham Goings My time at Bentley is going very well. I am working as a receptionist in the Human Resources Department. Outside of academics, I am still involved in athletics and other organizations such as Bentley’s community service and mentorship programs. In the fall, I will be taking the GMAT and applying to graduate school. Eleanor Kelly My junior year at the University of Denver has been full of new challenges and fun opportunities. I have been taking a lot of studio art and psychology classes, both of which keep me very busy but very interested! I try to go to the mountains once a week to ski and hike or kayak when it’s a bit warmer. We DU kids are very fortunate and pretty spoiled with our outdoor activities! Of course, I think about, and truly miss Suffield every single day, but it has been so cool to follow all the new and exciting changes happening around campus! Plus, I get to see Shivang Jhunjhnuwala ’14 and Izzy Thompson ’14 semi-regularly and be reminded of how unique the Suffield community is. I will

Winter / Spring 2015

Frank Sambor ’08 flying a drone over Suffield’s campus this winter

be staying in Denver for the summer to work and take more classes, but I cannot wait to come home and see my dearest Suffield friends and family. Remington Lyman I am enjoying life at Ohio State University. Shooting on the team is exciting and challenging. I just qualified for NCAA Championship as an individual. I would like to congratulate the Suffield rifle team on winning their seventh state championship! Go, Tigers! Briell Smith This is my third year playing on the Roanoke tennis team. The season started in February, and it looks like it is going to be successful. I’m also playing in three bands on campus, and we have many concerts coming up this spring. Jamel Torrence I’m enjoying my third year in college after a rough transition my freshman year. I transferred back home to Baruch College in New York City. Business and film are my fields of study, and I hope to pursue a career in filmmaking after college.

SUFFIELD

2013 Class Agents Georgina Blakeley Andrés Fernández Vílchez Jay Fields Jamie Johnson Wynn Mason Chris McCormick Paul Metscher Noel Nakamura Jay O’Brien Jay Prasad Emilio Rocha Mike Simmons Jordan Stanley Montana Armata I can’t believe I’m almost half-way done with college; time flies by! I am currently majoring in management and leadership in the College of Business at Western New England University. I am really excited about studying abroad this summer in Peru—I’ve always wanted to go to South America. I recently went skiing for the first time; I figured it was time to start embracing winter and all this snow, rather than continuing to complain about it. Shout out to the Class of 2013; hope you all are doing well!

Olivia Fiallo Over winter break, I visited Suffield and was in awe of all the renovations and updates. It looks amazing! I even got to see Rocky, which is always fun. I’ve recently declared my major at the College of Charleston in psychology and a minor in crime, law, and society with the hopes of continuing my education with graduate or law school. I’ve kept in touch with many Suffield graduates and have heard only good things all around. Congratulations to the Class of 2015! Richie Freckleton I have recently transferred to New York University from Trinity College, and I am still majoring in economics. I’m in the second semester of my sophomore year and I am hoping to study abroad next spring. Cole Hills Hey, Suffield! I took on a new project recently of restoring an old Trek bicycle. I purchased it from Craigslist for $25, took it apart, spray painted it matte black and gold for about four days, and finished putting it together in late February. I’m looking into making a wooden boat this summer about the size of a kayak and working on a PVC trailer to build and match my bicycle. I’m taking classes at Middlesex

01 Brooke Tashjian ’10 working at the LEO Zoological Conservation Center this past summer 02 Taylor Walston ’10 and Michelle Autuori ’10 in Colorado this winter visiting Melanie Watson ’10 03 Briell Smith ’12 during competition at Roanoke College 04 Members of the Class of 2010, Tommy Uzsakiewicz, Michelle Autuori, Melanie Watson, Everest Wein, Joe McGovern, and Taylor Walston in Colorado this winter 05 Ciara Beaulieu ’12 studying abroad in Vienna, Austria 06 Selfie time with Lexie Bicknell ’13 and Emilio Rocha ’13 in Miami, Florida 07 Shamier Settle ’11, Katherine Perry ’11, Carly Smith ’12 and Alex Matalon ’12 at the Franklin Marshall vs. George Washington women’s squash match in Washington, D.C.

Winter / Spring 2015

01 Allen Chen ’14, Jason Chiang ’12, Bolin Wu ’11, Annie Nao ’10, Cheryl Kuo ’13, Andrew Chen ’13, and Eric Chen ’13 gather during winter break 02 Kevin Cournoyer ’14, Patrick Shanahan, and Drew Glennon ’14 in Tampa, Florida 03 Micaela Martini ’14 in front of Notre Dame in Paris, France, while studying abroad 04 Charlotte Hinrichs ’14 joined by Suffield classmates for her debut at the Infirmary Ball in New York City 05 Easan Portman ’15 with Robert Douglas ’14 at a North Carolina football game 06 Robert Douglas ’14 swimming for UNC-Chapel Hill at ACC Championships 07 Julia Miller ’14 on top of Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire 08 Daniel Wiese ’14 and Marisa Sittheeamorn ’14 on campus

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Community College in Middletown, Connecticut, and I hope to enroll at Bryant University in the fall of 2015. I am also getting into photography and taking more pictures of nature. I hope to start a website to post my work and maybe at some point to print, frame, and donate/sell them. Victoria Kiarsis I transferred to Emerson College this semester to study writing, and I am really looking forward to enjoying the classes there if only we’d stop having so many snow days! It actually makes me sad to miss school—so weird. I am still working at a branch of Ralph Lauren and when I’m not with friends, I’m watching Dexter. Mack Montague At the University of Rochester studying business and psychology. I continue to play basketball at Rochester, as well. All the best to the Class of 2013! Jay Prasad College is spectacular. As I get ready to apply to the business school here at NYU, it’s always a pleasure to see fellow Suffield classmates Seth Magoon, Richie Freckleton, and Mike Simmons on campus. These pleasant encounters usually lead to reminiscent talk about some of the most legendary nights back in good ol’ Fuller Hall. The Tiger community at NYU has been growing for quite a while now, and I look forward to seeing some more familiar faces on campus next fall. I also hope to see a few of my classmates at graduation this spring; please come! As always, missing the boys!

2014 Class Agents Kevin Cournoyer Julie Doten Sam Feldman Charlotte Hinrichs Shivang Jhunjhnuwala Griffin Manos Briana Matthews Brice McAllister Zach McCormick Jono Nelson Alexis Sarris Denny Smythe Izzy Thompson Robert Douglas While swimming for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill takes a little more time than swimming for Suffield, there’s little difference. The pool is a little deeper and the people are a little faster, but after experiencing our ACC championships, it has become very apparent that great coaching can be universal. Josh Hillman Second semester at Springfield College has brought new light to my life. I have found a new love for climbing and yoga. Surrounded by good vibes and great people. Life is good! Charlotte Hinrichs After seven months of being apart, Denny Smythe, Christie Arnold, Katerina Gazis, Izzy Thompson, Emily Ferguson, and Amanda Leonard joined me in December for my debut

at the Infirmary Ball in New York City. It was so nice to be back together with part of my Suffield family. Henriette Lingelem I moved to Aix-en-Provence in August and began a French course for foreign students at the Université Aix-Marseille. I’m having a blast, learning French and travelling in France and some other places too. I’ve seen Marseille (the second largest city of France—only 30 minutes away), Lyon, Grenoble, Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Montpellier, and other cities in Provence. I’m heading to Marrakech next week for my winter break, which I’m super excited about. France had a regretful start to the year with the attack of the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris and the surrounding events. It has been amazing to see how the French people have come together after this event. As you might have heard, more than three million people were out in the streets protesting the following Sunday (a record in French history). Here in Aix-en-Provence, there were also protests; the old town was full with people and “La Marseillaise” rang through the streets. I will be enjoying France until the end of April, then I will do some travelling in May. I’m going to India, Sydney, and will finish my trip in New York. Nicole Matysiak My first year at Smith College has been a pleasant one so far. Rooming with Jenna Rubin has been a blast, and I’ve enjoyed taking courses such as French, English, and linguistics. It was nice to see everyone at SA when I briefly returned during January as a TA for chemistry and ESL. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the beautiful view of Bell Hill this season! Julia Miller I’m making the best of the below freezing temperatures here at Franklin Pierce in New Hampshire. There are plenty of mountains to snowboard and hike, and lacrosse keeps me busy. Our first outdoor game was on March 2. I really love everything about this school. It’s the perfect fit!

02 01 RJ Currey ’14, Harrison Moore ’14, Julie Doten ’14, Nicole Matysiak ’14, Iza Ugarte ’14, Jasmine Brooks ’14, Alexis Sarris ’14, Briana Matthews ’14, Brenna Turer ’12, Abbie Wang ’14, Phil Gialopsos ’14 with Suffield’s Performing Arts Director Tom Dugan, at this year’s winter musical In the Heights 02 Josh Hillman ’14 rock climbing at Springfield College

Daniel Wiese As I marked the end to my first 13 years of school this last May at Suffield, I knew big changes ahead would take place in my life. I was moving home. Three years abroad finished, now the return to my fellow Vikings. Nine months later and once again fully settled in the Viking society, I sure have many stories of exploring, plundering, and other activities I could write about. In all seriousness, I have enjoyed my gap year to the fullest. I work full-time at a local school as a teaching assistant. The rest of the day I spend with my fellow Vikings. Norwegian salary is fantastic, so I have been able to travel around Europe, as well. I truly miss the Suffield community and everything that came with it. Fuller Hall will forever be a home for me and bonds formed with students and faculty will never be forgotten. I am excited about my visit in May—I am attending graduation along with many other alums!

Winter / Spring 2015

WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS

01 02 03 04 05 06

Ashley Scibelli ’02 to Marc Leduc in May 2014 Zach Faas ’03 to Stephanie Sarcione on 08.09.14 Michelle Aaron ’04 to Adam Koppelman on 09.27.14 Dan Fisher ’05 to Nicole Pruet on 06.14.14 Sarah Fletcher ’98 to Douglas Meaney on 07.12.14 Taylor Endress ’10 to Kirsten Sorensen on 11.24.14 (formal wedding to be held in June 2015 in Connecticut)

07 Engagement Marina O’Shea ’06 to Anthony Donaghy at Antrim Castle Garden

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BIR THS

07 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

To Art Shettle ’83 and wife, Sheila, a boy, Frederic, on 03.10.14 To Brooks Truesdell Dolan ’01 and husband, Kevin, a girl, Adaline May Dolan, on 03.05.14 To Gretchen Allinson Herter ’00 and husband, Ben, a girl, Larkin Rae Herter, on 06.17.14 To Meghan Liljedahl Smith ’98 and husband Dan, a girl, Savannah Ellen Smith, on 08.27.14 To Meaghan Leahy Palmer ’97 and husband, Todd, a boy, Bryce Donegan Palmer, on 03.26.14 To Brian Green ’79 and wife, Shanen, a boy, Bodhi, on 12.02.14 To Ryan Burrell ’98 and wife, Lindsey, a boy, Trent Ryan on 10.17.14, sitting with older brother, Reed

Other Births: To Dan Beaudette Jr. ’98 and wife, Carissa, a boy, Wesley, on 02.13.14 To Eric Berninghausen ’00 and wife, Leslie, a girl, Vivian, on 06.01.14 To Tabitha Bliven Heidorn ’96 and husband, Scott, a girl, Whitney, on 11.05.14 To William Metzger ’94 and wife, Marylou, a boy, Lucas, on 07.29.14 To Keith David ’98 and wife, Betsy, a boy, Harrison Robert, on 11.20.14

Winter / Spring 2015

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Submit class notes for the Fall edition of SUFFIELD online at www.suffieldacademy.org/classnotes Or send your class notes and photographs to Harry Melendez III â&#x20AC;&#x2122;07, Director of Alumni Relations Email hmelendez@suffieldacademy.org Mail to Harry Melendez, 185 North Main Street, Suffield, Connecticut 06078 Deadline for next SUFFIELD submissions: October 15, 2015 Note: If submitting digitally through email, please send a high-quality JPEG file (preferably 1MB or larger) to suffield.magazine@gmail.com. If submitting prints through the mail, please send a photo-lab quality print.

SUMMER ACADEMY AT SUFFIELD JUNE 28-JULY 31, 2015 The Summer Academy at Suffield welcomes students from around the world. We hope you will join us for five memorable weeks where you will have the opportunity to meet new friends, enhance your study skills, and prepare for the next academic year.

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