The Lantern • Spring/Summer 2023

Lantern

SPRING/SUMMER 2023

The Lantern is published twice yearly by the Marketing and Communications Department at Landmark School, P.O. Box 227, Prides Crossing, MA 01965-0227

The Lantern is available online at www.landmarkschool.org/lantern Contact us at lantern@landmarkschool.org

Managing Editor

Susan Tomases

Designer

Melanie deForest-Malloy

Lantern Editorial Committee and Contributors

Josh Clark

Hazel Crowley

Michelle Granese

Jill Flemming

Scott Harlan

Kimberly Hildebrandt

Rob Kahn

Chrissy Kenney

Bernie Romanowski

Jennifer Whyte

Contributors

Beth Jamieson

Kelly Scimone

Copy Editor

Beth Rowen

Photographers

Matt Baginski

Kelly Howard

Kieran Kesner ’09

Lifetouch

Eddie Pratt ’24

Cindy Spreer

Brook Sumner

Jonathan Tadiello

Jules Work

Everything and the Kitchen Sink STEAMworks at Landmark School

Founded to Disrupt the Status Quo Innovation and Instinct Form the Building Blocks of Landmark School

Technology Takes Center Stage Innovation in the Performing Arts

24 Class of 2023

32 2023 Scholastic Art Award Winners

from Josh Clark, Head of School

Continually Innovating

by Josh Clark

As Steve Jobs said, “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity—not a threat.” I love this because Landmark School founder, Dr. Charles Drake, was that kind of innovator and change maker. His vision of a school that would transform the lives of students with dyslexia was groundbreaking in its time. (See page 16.) Today, we honor his legacy by continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in our field.

At Landmark, innovation is not just a buzzword; it is the driving force that has allowed us to continuously redefine what is possible in educating students with dyslexia and related languagebased learning differences.

Innovation here is about more than just adopting the latest technology or methodology. It’s about a mindset—a willingness to question the status quo and consistently seek better ways to support our students. It’s about recognizing that dyslexia is not a disability to be cured but a unique difference to be valued and harnessed.

In this issue, you will read about the fantastic things happening in our STEAMworks labs, how technical theater pushes the limits of what’s possible on the stage, a new Elementary•Middle School elective designed to embrace the power of the imagination, and more. It’s also our Commencement and

Lighthouse Ceremony issue. Join us in congratulating our extraordinary students on their accomplishments!

As we look to the future, we are confident that our commitment to innovation will continue to guide us.

We eagerly imagine the possibilities and are committed to ensuring that Landmark School remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. BOOK-OPEN

“It’s about recognizing that dyslexia is not a disability to be cured but a unique difference to be valued and harnessed.”

World Dyslexia Assembly, Lincoln Center

EdChat— Join the Conversation!

This spring, head of school, Josh Clark, debuted EdChats. The initiative is designed to facilitate conversations that delve into the intersection of artificial intelligence, education, and learning disabilities. Guests include professionals representing research, academia, business, technology, and education. Listen to recordings of our past EdChats and register for upcoming conversations.

LANDMARK CARES

SEPTEMBER 23 - 30

Join in the fun as we celebrate Landmark’s caring community throughout the week.

HOMECOMING

SEPTEMBER 30

This spring, Landmark’s head of school, Josh Clark, led a panel discussion at the World Dyslexia Assembly in New York City hosted by Made by Dyslexia. Many highprofile guests with dyslexia, including Richard Branson (founder of the Virgin Group), Eric Adams (mayor of NYC), Barbara Corcoran (Shark Tank star), Princess Beatrice of the UK, and many others, gathered to reframe and elevate awareness of this learning difference. They highlighted the importance of educating students with dyslexia, the power of employing people with dyslexia, and how dyslexia has shaped and led many people to achieve success personally and professionally. EVENTS!

Recruit your friends and come back to campus for a 5K road race, Fall Festival, and more!

CONNECT WITH US: facebook.com/landmarkschool @landmarkschool landmarkschool

The Landmark School Alumni landmarkschool.org/blog

AND MORE EVENTS

SEE OUR WEBSITE

Check out a comprehensive list of upcoming events: landmarkschool.org/ events

The Truth About Reading

Recently Landmark partnered with The Reading League to support a viewing of the film, The Truth About Reading. The documentary highlights the illiteracy crisis in the U.S. and the urgent need for reading instruction centered on the science of reading. Following the documentary, Emily Hanford, the journalist and host of the popular podcast Sold A Story, led a panel discussion with reading specialists, researchers, department of education, and others.

Google Research Partnership

Landmark School continues its tradition of helping not only our students but also those who struggle to read. Over the last few years, Landmark has partnered with many organizations, such as Understood.org, to help Google develop its redesign of Reading Mode in the Chrome browser.

High School Community Service All Stars

Students

Our initial relationship with Google began mid-pandemic, and our work with its accessibilities teams has expanded. This spring, Google launched five gamechanging Chromebook updates for students and teachers, and Landmark School’s contributions to the redesign of the Reading Mode feature was mentioned in the formal announcement.

Landmark students, faculty, and staff contribute thousands of hours of community service each year to our local and broader communities. Bill Ferguson, Landmark High School chaplain, honors students who have made community service a priority and have gone above and beyond in their participation and commitment to a variety of causes. These students have performed more than 50 hours of service in the past academic year. Join us in thanking:

Dylan Almeida ’23

Max Ash ’23

Derek Cannuscio ’24

Mitchell Geffin ’25

Suly Ramirez ’26

Post-Secondary School Fair

Despite a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Landmark High School’s Transition and Guidance Department hosted their second Post-Secondary School Fair for Students Who Learn Differently.

Teachers gather at this spring’s The Reading League event.

talk to college and program representatives at the PostSecondary Fair.

Over 50 exhibitors set up booths in the Alice Ansara Athletic Center to greet hundreds of attendees from Landmark School as well as towns as far away as Newton. Mark your calendars for next year’s fair on March 28, 2024.

Burke Awards

The Burke Awards are financial grants given to faculty members who apply for support to develop curriculum over the summer. The Burke family established the fund in memory of their son who taught at Landmark. This year, the Burke Awards were given to Tim Burke (no relationship to the family) for a short prose tutorial curriculum featuring diverse authors and to Kanella Zaralides to develop materials for students of English as a foreign language.

Congratulations Tim and Kanella!

Winter Photo Contest Winners

With the fall ahead, it’s difficult to turn back time to winter 2023, but we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to congratulate this year’s winners of Landmark School’s Winter Photo Contest.

High School: Will Pitkin ’24 Elementary•Middle School: Melina Molitano ’30

Photos were judged by a panel of faculty and administrators from both campuses. They reviewed all submissions for skill, technique, creativity, and originality.

Stamps That Deliver

This spring, High School students in the Graphic Design class were challenged to design a postage stamp using Landmark School’s branding and style guide. The assignment provided students with real-world experience. They came up with some extraordinary designs.

High School winner, Will Pitkin’24 (above), EMS winner, Melina Molitano ’30 (below)

Playing It Forward

Spring Math Day

The spring High School Math Day celebrated women and diversity in the fields of math and science. Students explored ways to engage with math that are unexpected, like mapping constellations in the night sky or trying to retrieve a boarding pass that fell down a storm drain. Classes worked as teams to complete four different activities. Winning topics: Women in STEM Storm Drain Activity

Constellations in the Night Sky Price Is Right

On the Road Again

Adventure and service travel is back! This spring 18 Landmark High School students traveled to Costa Rica and immersed themselves in local food and customs, got out of their comfort zones, and gave back. Organized by High School Chaplain Bill Ferguson and house parent Sarah Gosse, the students and three chaperons painted a local school, worked with elementary school students, and toured rainforests, beaches, and a coffee plantation.

Teen Poetry Contest Finalist

Congratulations to Abby C. ’25 who was a finalist in Beverly Public Library’s 27th Annual Teen Poetry Contest. Abby’s piece was chosen as one of 10 in a field of 391 submissions.

Way to go Abby—we are so proud of you!

It’s Our Fault (Abby’s Poem)

Is it really our fault we ended up this way

Scared to live and scared to die

Having to depend on something like an addiction

You would rather blame us than accepting what you did

You were the ones that gave us these “vile” things

You taught us to find comfort in them

depend on them when you didn’t want to care

They were there when you weren’t

To many, these phones were more of a parent then you ever were

No wonder we can’t get rid of them

YOU

GAVE US THE WORLD

Athletes of the Week

Olle L. ’25 - Swimming

Gavin M. ’23 - Lacrosse

Elijah A.’23 - Track and Field

Abbi L. ’23 - Tennis

Felim M. ’24 - Tennis

Ella G.’26 - Lacrosse

Laz G .’24 - Baseball

Grant G.’24 - Sailing

Abby L. ’25 - Sailing

Aidan H.

- Swimming

Join us in congratulating Hannah Tsouvalas ’23 who committed to attend and play ice hockey at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI, this year! Go Hannah and go JWU Wildcats!

Max Ash ’23 committed to attend and play golf for Swarthmore College this fall. Max had a number of colleges and universities interested in having him play for their school. We’re excited for Max and wish him the best!

’26

The Science of Sound

On a hot Friday in early June with energy running high, The Fourth Wall, part of Young Audiences of Massachusetts, delivered two enthralling presentations to our Elementary•Middle School (EMS) students called The Science of Sound. Three talented performers, playing the flute and piccolo, bass trombone, and vibraphone, and layering in movement, helped to illustrate complex concepts, such as sound waves, amplitude, timbre, frequency, hertz, vibration, octave, harmony, melody, and so much more. Thank you to the Held family P’29 for making this and other cultural-enrichment presentations for our EMS community possible.

My Story: A Lesson in Self Discovery

Under the supervision of EMS faculty member Ann Andrew, three Landmark students recently shared their My Story presentations with faculty and staff. “The goal of the project was to help our students better understand themselves so that they can effectively advocate for

their needs in the future,” said Andrew. Gemma S. ’27, Lola R. ’27, and River G. ’28 shared the results of many weeks of research and rehearsals to reveal a range of important self-discoveries, including their strengths, challenges, goals, and dreams. They outlined what they need as learners as well as their promise as learners. The students also shared artwork with phrases that helped to illustrate their likes and dislikes, interests, and hobbies.

Mushing, Sled Dogs, and Marla!

As spring was just appearing with daffodils reaching toward the sun, Landmark’s elementary students heard the first-hand account of the bone-chilling Serum Expedition from veteran dog musher, Marla Brodsky, of Hilltown Sleddogs. Students listened with rapt attention to the story of the historic 750-mile Serum Run Trail in Alaska that follows the old mail trail from Nenana to Tanana and then along the Iditarod trail from Tanana to Nome. The trail travels along the frozen Yukon River and the Bering Sea, where temperatures reach as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marla brought two of her mushing dogs, Spunk and Una, to campus, and they were happily smothered in love and attention from the crowd. The students were transfixed hearing her tales of endurance, grit, and perseverance.

Students snuggle with Hilltown sleddogs.

Lola R. ’27, Gemma S. ’27, River G. ’28

On the Stage

The drama club at the EMS met once a week after school to learn techniques of acting, developing characters, writing and creating their show, and rehearsing. Guided by actor and faculty member Carolyn Aliskevicz, the students presented their performance to EMS teachers and administrators at the end of the year. Students performed confidently with focus, courage, and humor.

Beverly Bootstraps Donation Tour

Elementary students recently had the opportunity to go on an after-school field trip to Beverly Bootstraps. Thirteen students and faculty advisors, Beth Mahoney and Sarah Turnbull, brought 419 POUNDS of food collected during the Spring Spirit Week Food Drive to Bootstraps. They also participated in a tour of the food pantry. The students asked great questions and would love to head back to participate in more programs!

Social Thinking Luncheon is Back!

After a three-year hiatus, the Social Thinking Luncheon for Landmark’s elementary students returned and was better than ever! The event provided students with an opportunity to practice social skills, including making a reservation at EMS’s Social Star Restaurant, engaging in conversation with friends and newcomers at a dining table, taking turns, sharing, using proper

Below: Students dine at the Social Star Restaurant to have fun while practicing social skills.

table manners, and so much more. Thank you to Wendy Ellis, Beth Mahoney, and Laura Polvinen for their leadership in stewarding the Social Thinking curriculum at the EMS.

HISTORY BUFF

James “JJ” K. ’27 took it upon himself to submit his research paper “New Frontiers: The California Gold Rush” to the National History Day regional contest. With support and encouragement from his teacher, Megan Palleschi, he continued to fine-tune it. He was awarded a silver medal at the state level, which helped him advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C. this spring. JJ, we commend your smarts, motivation, and bravery!

Drama Club is alive and well at EMS.

In the following collection of articles, you’ll explore just a few examples of how Landmark continues to innovate. You’ll read about the limitless possibilities that teachers in our STEAMworks labs offer students to invent and innovate; meet a new teacher who invites students to let their imaginations play out through a variety of art forms; get a behindthe-scenes peek of how our technical theater department teaches skills to make magic on the stage; and learn how it all started in 1971 with a visionary leader who helped students succeed because of their learning differences, not despite them.

“The first step in teaching students to innovate is making sure that educators have opportunities to be innovators themselves.”

–SUZIE BOSS, EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT, AND AUTHOR

AND THE KITCHEN SINK

High School

STEAMworks students choose projects ranging from engineering a drone to coding computer games, making skis, and everything in between.

STEAMworks at Landmark School

BY HAZEL CROWLEY

PHOTOS BY KELLY HOWARD & EDDIE PRATT ’24

To start, a confession. Before I began speaking with colleagues and doing research in preparation for this article, I didn’t really know what STEAM was. It’s embarrassing, but I kind of thought STEAM classes involved… well, steam. I pictured chugging engines and bubbling cauldrons. I was so wrong. STEAM is much, much cooler. It’s about blowing geometric bubbles, building 3D-printed bridges and action figures, creating art with conductive paint, and exploring programs like Python, Arduino, Logic Pro, and Fusion 360. It’s engineering the audio for a movie trailer, laser engraving tree identification tags to install around campus, and learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion from a leftover can of Diet Coke.

DEFYING DEFINITION

After talking to teachers at both Landmark campuses, I’ve realized that, in the best way possible, STEAM defies definition. Sure, the program’s core ingredients are as stated (a bit of science, technology, engineering, art, and math), but the feast concocted by the department is flavored with other spices (a dash of forensics, a sprig of impressionism, a teaspoon of graphic design). This everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach provides a platform for students to not only discover and explore individual passions but also collaborate with and learn from their peers. By igniting intellectual curiosity and fostering experimental innovation, Landmark’s STEAM curriculum nurtures creative thinking and imaginative problem-solving—an impressive (and necessary) skillset to have in a rapidly evolving world.

FOR STEAM TEACHERS, IT’S PERSONAL

Landmark’s STEAM faculty are each drawn to the role for personal reasons. Take Carl Gasowski, a former science teacher with a medley of hobbies

including music, photography, and video production. Now Technology Department head at the High School, Carl recognizes a similar creative energy in his students. “By nature, what we do is hands-on, so students develop ownership over both their projects and their learning goals,” he observed. Teacher Carissa Neal, inspired by her father’s career in computer programming and her own success as computer science club president at her high school, aims

to share both her skills and passion with her classes. “Students love that they get the opportunity to experiment with a bunch of different mediums and projects,” she said. Computer science teacher Sarah Ciras recalled being queried by a former student about programming before such a curriculum existed. In response, she taught herself to code by taking online classes, and almost a decade later she now serves as a research practitioner partnering with the

Alexandria C. ’24 uses a CAD program to design a bridge that will be constructed in a 3-D printer.

University of Washington’s AccessForAll program that helps promote accessibility for students with language-based learning disabilities and others within the technology field. “I know that our students are capable of anything they put their minds to, and I want to help prepare them for technological fields.”

FOSTERING CRITICAL THINKING

The personal connection explains, in

part, the value placed on exploration and self-discovery. Each teacher emphasizes that their primary role is to facilitate learning experiences for their students. Carissa explained: “I’m there to help develop solutions to problems that arise or guide them to think critically about their project.” Carl agreed, saying, “We support the brainstorming process to make sure the projects are doable with the equipment and materials we have available, but mostly what we aim to do

is foster growth, creativity, curiosity, and independent life-long learning skills.” For Sarah, this is the most rewarding part. “Kids come to us with great ideas and passion, and we get to help them act on that.” In Nell Schwechheimer’s relatively new STEAM elective at EMS, the students’ giggles and cheers say it best—innovation is pure fun!

WHERE MAKING MISTAKES IS ENCOURAGED

The journey isn’t easy, and that’s what’s crucial. STEAM is less solving the daily Wordle and more playing Pictionary with a Roomba. It’s a thorny puzzle with manifold solutions that serves as both the allure and the challenge. “There is no right or wrong way to figure out the answer,” said Carissa. “Learning how to navigate through and past challenges is what ultimately leads to success,” concurred Carl. Sarah views the try-tryagain experience as a certain type of freedom. “My class is a place to make mistakes, where failure is not a bad word. Each defeat is a learning experience and a chance to be resilient.” BOOK-OPEN

Bini H. ’24 uses his musical knowledge to compose electronically.

FOUNDED TO

BY SUSAN TOMASES

THE STATUS QUO

Innovation and Instinct Form the Building Blocks of Landmark School

This issue of The Lantern magazine, with feature articles about innovation, would be incomplete without the origin story of the school. I recently sat down with Bob Broudo, one of several founding faculty members and head of school from 1990 - 2022, to talk about those early days.

A student aboard the Te Vega, a schooner that Landmark used as a teaching vessel on transatlantic sails— taking hands-on learning to a new level.

A VISION FOR A NEW KIND OF SCHOOL

As a new college graduate, Bob remembers the feeling of entrusting what would become his life’s work to founder Dr. Charles ‘Chad’ Drake, “a leader who had a clear vision and followed his instincts. Dr. Drake was a minister from the South who had dyslexia and was pursuing his doctorate in Education at Harvard. He was laserfocused on what he understood our students needed. By nature, he was a disruptor. In those early years, what we were doing was pretty experimental and we learned and fine-tuned as we went. Dr. Drake worked tirelessly to support all of us and to perpetually improve the program and hone our methods—and this is what Landmark was built on,” he recalls.

SIX TEACHING PRINCIPLES™

These best practices provided the blueprint for the Landmark approach, and were proposed by Dr. Drake when the school was founded in 1971. They were constantly refined and expanded, and are still used to this day.

1 Provide opportunities for our students to experience success.

2 Use multisensory approaches to teach.

3 Use micro-units and structured tasks for every student.

4 Ensure automatization through practice and review.

5 Provide models for our students to use as guides.

6 Include our students in the learning process.

Trendy? Not for a second. Effective and empowering? Without question. Landmark’s Six Teaching Principles™ are the basis of our method and remain the proven, effective, evidence-based approach for ALL learners, not only students who struggle with reading, writing, speaking, and auditory processing.

OPENNESS, TRANSPARENCY, COLLABORATION, AND TRAINING

Though it may not seem particularly innovative today, openness and transparency were key building blocks to Drake’s approach. This helped to foster trust, making Landmark unique. Bob offers, “No matter the time of day, we could always find Dr. Drake in his office, desk piled high with papers, Marsh Wheeling cigar burning—open to talking through a problem, discussing ways to make improvements, and generating opportunities to better meet the needs of our students.”

Training and collaboration were inherent parts of the approach. There were daily Milkbreak meetings for students to have a snack and relax, while teachers met to discuss classroom challenges, the best approach for a given

With hands-on lessons as a key building block of the method, students experiment with electricity.

student, and ways to better support fellow faculty and staff members. Bob continues, “We learned to problemsolve and find best practices from each other and then continually made improvements.” Taking advantage of Landmark’s location just 30 miles from Boston and Cambridge, Drake regularly hired experts from universities to deliver workshops as well. This continues to this day.

INDIVIDUALIZATION

“No matter if we had 40 or 400 students, our approach was diagnostic, prescriptive, remedial, and customized to every student’s learning needs. Most schools were hiring teachers who were content specialists. Drake’s view was to teach kids how to learn, thus enabling them to access the what , or content. We were giving them tools so they could unlock their potential and let their curiosity soar,” Bob said. Individualization also meant that there was no one program that

would be the most effective choice for any given student. Teachers were trained in various methods and through close support from Case Managers, now called Academic Advisors, the one-to-one tutorial flourished as the cornerstone of the Landmark approach.

COGNITIVE SCIENCE TO SUPPORT THE METHOD

Before MRI technology allowed researchers to view and track cognitive activity, Dr. Drake knew that the brain was a muscle that needed to be trained and flexed to grow stronger and for skills to become automatic. For example, cursive writing, which may seem like a thing of the past, is still explicitly taught at our Elementary•Middle School. Science has since proven that this practice helps students make formative connections to piece together letter combinations, sounds, and spelling— essential skills for reading, writing,

and speaking. Modern neuroscience, now widely accepted in education, has perhaps had the most profound impact on learning since Horace Mann conceived of the first formalized public schools in the early 1800s.

THE FUTURE

Like the building blocks of a grand cathedral, Landmark continues to rest on the original innovations that have helped the school position itself as a leader in the field. Current Head of School, Josh Clark, shares some similarities with Landmark’s founder, Dr. Drake, as an energetic, innovative, visionary—who also happens to have dyslexia. Josh instinctively understands the needs of Landmark’s bright and curious students. And he’s on a mission to reframe the narrative around learning differences. He is often heard saying, “Our students will be successful because of their learning differences, not despite them.” And just as we’ve always done, Landmark will continue to lead the way to empower these smart and capable students to reach their full potential and thrive in an everchanging world. BOOK-OPEN

ART OF THE

At EMS, a New Elective Is Born

BY ROB KAHN PHOTOS KIERAN KESNER ’09

“Art pulls from identity.”

“Trust the process.”

“Let’s remember one of our core themes: We are imagining the world we want to live in!”

Had I been transported to a seminar at MassArt or RISD?

No, I was definitely standing in Landmark Elementary•Middle School’s Classroom B, listening to Alexis Lynch speak to students who were taking her new elective “Art of the Imagination”

Alexis Lynch (right), guides a student to use their imagination

Innovation often springs from need and opportunity. During her job interview, Alexis had asked to be kept in mind for art projects or perhaps an after-school club. But in her first term at Landmark, she quickly became consumed with tutoring, training, science class, and graduate studies. At the end of first term, Head of EMS campus, Claire Sullivan, asked if she wanted to create a new elective.

“I took the weekend to lock myself in my room and consider the possibility of designing a class,” said Alexis. “I decided to honor my first art class in college, my advisor, who was also the professor, and my fascination with identity as a theme.”

THE POWER OF SELF DISCOVERY AND STORYTELLING

Alexis’s identity has formed her personal philosophy and her approach to life. As a youngster, she said she felt “invisible”: she read slowly, was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, and was the

object of bullying and teasing. She has always set goals and worked diligently to accomplish them: from becoming the best ski racer in the school to performing a vocal solo in spite of being naturally shy. Alexis practiced her solo performance secretly for two years before signing up for the all-school coffee house, where she brought the audience of peers and faculty to their feet with her favorite song from Les Misérables.

“Self-discovery is a big part of my story. I needed to leave my K–8 school to establish a new me in high school,” Alexis said. “Fast forward to art studies in college. I realized it was time to figure out what my art was going to be about. I asked myself what my elementary or middle school-aged self could have used back then?”

“I’ve always been a storyteller,” she reflected. “When I was talking with EMS Assistant Dean of Students Tara Joly-Lowdermilk, she helped me realize I was sitting on a trove of untold

personal stories that I could use in my work. I don’t think enough role models for kids with dyslexia and ADHD exist. When I was in school I could have used a character with learning differences in books, music, and movies. That’s what my work became about, and I became that character.”

“Identity is everything to our students, and their identities are just being formed,” she said. “I want to encourage them to think about identity in every aspect: their facial expressions, their interests, the world around them. Then let’s see how we can create something from nothing!”

A NEW ELECTIVE IS BORN

Art of the Imagination stems from Alexis’s personal experience, and destiny seems to have led her to Landmark and its neurodiverse student body. Pictures and stories prove the point: in junior year of high school, Alexis’s self-portrait shows her with her arms crossed. “Extended time” is written on one, “a road to brilliance” on the other. Another photo shows her at the base of Landmark’s driveway—two years before she began teaching here. “My brother and I had been hiking in the woods in Wenham and we got lost. When we found Route 127, I said: ‘Now I know where I am!’ and he took the picture.”

IDENTITY AND IMAGINATION LEAD THE WAY

The first project challenged students to explore character designs, specifically facial features (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth) and expressions, and then give architectural objects around school a personality. It gave students permission to break the rules, to alter parts of the environment that might normally

be off limits for the sake of art. Soon, inanimate objects like hand sanitizer dispensers or emergency light fixtures mysteriously sprouted anthropomorphic qualities, and it was clear Lynch’s students were enthusiastically following her lead.

Students then transitioned to a second project, Treehouse of Your Imagination, which involved using found objects and watercolors to create an original treehouse design. Lastly, students ended the semester creating a self-portrait or a place important to them with their choice of medium, then turning it into a collage.

During my visit, students were happily making use of Josef Albers’s color theory

and math to design and resize their creations. “Using Landmark Teaching Principles 80% of the time and my own art practice 20%” is how Alexis describes her approach. She moves around the room, setting kids up for success, reframing questions to teach growth mentality, fostering executive functioning. It’s clearly a Landmark classroom, where the skills content is art and the subject matter is the students’ imagination. “Ms. Lynch is always willing to let us express our feelings and thoughts,” said seventh grader Maya N. “Art of the Imagination is a good break from school!” Sixth grader Tyler B. added, “This class is very cool and enjoyable. I did not know about collage, but now I do!”

As they work, students are not only acquiring techniques but also absorbing Alexis’s philosophy: learning life lessons through collaboration, brainstorming, turn-taking, and creativity. The class activities encourage them to chart a path, use Alexis as a mentor when needed, and let identity develop and imagination roam. As class wraps up, Alexis points to a drawing of a light bulb on the front wall and remarks, “Does that remind anyone of a hot air balloon?” From there, the idea for a future project comes tumbling out: structures, metaphors, suspended in air, around the school. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Art of the Imagination! BOOK-OPEN

EXAMPLES OF STUDENT WORK FROM EMS’S ART OF IMAGINATION CLASS

TAKES CENTER STAGE

Innovation in the Performing Arts

BY SUSAN TOMASES

It’s Carrie, the Musical and we are transported to a horrifying scene in a high school gym with realistic theatrical blood splattering on the main character’s head. There’s a silent snowfall on a video background accompanying a student in a captivating dance performance. It’s a Shakespearean play and the lighting sets a mood that convinces us that it’s a dark and stormy night. At Landmark High School, innovation and creativity are the engines behind this wizardry.

PHOTOS BY KIERAN KESNER ’09

Technical Theater Director, Nate Haywood (left), Music Director, Nate Efinger (right)

The Performing Arts Center is nestled up “the hill” on the High School campus. Overseen by Department Head Alyssa Gibbs, it’s a hive of activity day and night. With performances scheduled monthly, there’s always something being built, painted, rigged, or getting struck for the next show.

Two key players behind much of this technology are Music Director, Nate Efinger, and Technical Theater Director, Nate Haywood. On campus, they’re known as “the Nates.” They grew up in theater, studied music and performance in college, and outside of their work at Landmark, still perform in a variety of capacities. They speak the same language, possess the same boundless energy, invent and iterate at warp speed, and share all of these gifts with their students.

“For every show, we try to find that magical moment that will spark the audience’s imagination. But we mostly want our students to be captivated and motivated by what’s possible,” said Haywood. “Knowing how to run a sound and/or light board is important, but understanding, dreaming, and using an endless array of traditional and hightech tools and software to invent is what makes working in technical theater rewarding—even thrilling. If there are 10

characters in a show, the lighting, sound, and effects are characters too,” adds Efinger.

The Technical Theater program, which has always been popular, continues to grow and evolve, keeping up with the latest innovations in technology. “We want our students to be prepared for 21st-century theater when they leave here. We’re constantly reinventing how things are done,” said Haywood. “Our students are learning about all aspects of putting on a performance and are hands-on at all levels.”

As much as the team members encourage the use of technology, they are also teaching their students oldschool skills, like drafting a lighting plan on graph paper, manually setting up lighting rigs, constructing sets, painting, and more. Efinger said, “There are 180 days of school and each day is different. It keeps it fresh for the students. We try to foster the learning process from beginning to end, and our students know that their efforts matter.”

Tools of the Trade

Below is a list of just some of the software and other platforms Landmark’s Performing Arts department uses to produce a variety of monthly shows both on- and offcampus.

MUSIC: Logic Pro

Garage Band

MainStage

Sibelius

Pro Tools Music Software

Ableton

TECHNICAL THEATER: QLab

Adobe After Effects

Yamaha LS9

Ion Xe

Projector

Vectorworks

AutoCAD

Audacity Sketchup: 3D Design Software

Haywood and students run sound and lighting during a spring performance.

CLASS OF 2023

Cameron Afrookteh

Chapman University

Orange, California

Anthony G. Aiello

University of New England

Biddeford, Maine

Dylan Smith Almeida

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Daytona, Florida

Elijah Chaofeng Anderson

American University

Washington, District of Columbia

Alejandra D. Armengol-Moes

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Max J. Ash

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

John Patrick Becker

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Daytona, Florida

Dillon Matthew Below

Plymouth State University

Plymouth, New Hampshire

Nona Leora Bodkin

Roger Williams University

Bristol, Rhode Island

Jack Richard Bram

Berklee College of Music

Boston, Massachusetts

Colton P. Brimicombe

Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, Maine

Charles A. Brizius IV

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California

Olivia J. Brown

Dean College

Franklin, Massachusetts

Milo G. Capodieci

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

A.J. Carey-Marujo

Lynn University

Boca Raton, Florida

Finbar James Carpenter

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, Massachusetts

Rocco Armando Gabriel Carrieri

University of New Hampshire

Durham, New Hampshire

Nicholas David Catania

New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Lillian Estelle Coble

University of Vermont

Burlington, Vermont

Breanna R. Cohen

North Shore Community College

Danvers, Massachusetts

Sara Marie Cross

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Nicholas R. Csongor

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Boston, Massachusetts

Joseph Sparks Dalton Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Kathryn Jennifer Davagian

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

Nicholas Blinn DiBurro

Trinity College

Hartford, Connecticut

Oona DiCastri

Lasell University

Newton, Massachusetts

Cole N. Drouin

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, New York

Rylee Alyssa Edgarton

Lasell University

Newton, Massachusetts

Chase Fairweather

Middlesex Community College

Lowell, Massachusetts

Daniel Freedman

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, Massachusetts

John W. Froling

Culver Military Academy

Culver, Indiana

Caitlin Garcia-Stevenson

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Amanda Mary-Agnes Gemski

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Gavin Gregory Goddard

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Joe Graham

Champlian College

Burlington Vermont

Luke Campbell Graham

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusett

Nikolai Grant

Norwich University of the Arts (UK)

Norwich, England

Teagan Ariel Spector Hardiman

Drexel University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TO THE 2023 LPA AWARD WINNERS: Jack Becker, Dillon Below, Sara Cross, and Amanda Gemski

Savannah Eve Harvey

University of Colorado

Boulder, Colorado

Timothy J. Hearn

The Peterson School

Woburn, Massachusetts

Rebecca Hearns

University of New England

Biddeford, Maine

Liam J. Hempstead

Saint Michael’s College

Colchester, Vermont

Sydney Lee Jolivet

Merrimack College

Andover, Massachusetts

Jakob J. Karp

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

Brendon Harris Katz

Bryant University

Smithfield, Rhode Island

Abigail A. Large Employment

Mauryon S. Lee

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Eyob F. Lifshatz

Lynn University

Boca Raton, Florida

Charlie Lopez

Champlain College

Burlington, Vermont

Luke Michael MacDonald

High Point University

High Point, North Carolina

Agata Rose Markuns

Colby-Sawyer College

New London, New Hampshire

Dylan F. McGlinchey

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, Massachusetts

Luke David McStay

American University

Washington, District of Columbia

Solenn P. Minogue

North Bennet Street School

Boston, Massachusetts

Gaven McQuade Moreschi

McDaniel College

Westminster, Maryland

Brendan Charles Murphy

University of New Hampshire

Durham, New Hampshire

Joseph Paul Murphy

Southern Maine Community College

South Portland, Maine

Molly Regan Nadeau

Manchester Community College

Manchester, New Hampshire

Maureen Jacqueline O’Brien

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Summer Elizabeth O’Sullivan

American University

Washington, District of Columbia

Hannah Kathryn Perry

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Timothy R. Picoli

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Kaitlyn H. Rattray

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Marcus N. Reeve-Patel

Gap Year - Canada

Caden Jeffrey Ring

New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Thomas P. Ryan

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

Ethan M. Saffle

Eckerd College

St. Petersburg, Florida

Neve Teresa Schirmer

Fairfield University

Fairfield, Connecticut

Shane Skinner

Employment

Blade M. Spataro

Employment

Anna Catherine Steffen

University of Denver

Denver, Colorado

Henry Meade Sterrett

Loyola University Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland

Davidson J. Harrah Sturm

Employment

Hannah Powers Tsouvalas

Johnson & Wales University

Providence, Rhode Island

Sophia M. Vasil

Elon University, Elon, North Carolina

Kyle Christian Weldon

University of Massachusetts

Lowell, Massachusetts

MacKay Dunbar Yearley

Bryant University

Smithfield, Rhode Island

KEEPING IT REAL: New graduate, Sara Cross, poses on the Commencement stage with Head of School, Josh Clark, for her daily BeReal post.

Class of 2023 Academic Awards

Jack Becker ’23 LPA Peggy E. Cook Award Brian W. McDonald Resilience Award

Rocco Carrieri ’23 Muska Family Award

Amanda Gemski ’23 LPA Peggy E. Cook Award

Gaven Moreschi ’23 Max E. Clayman Compassion Award

Dillon Below ’23 LPA Peggy E. Cook Award

Sara Cross ’23 LPA Peggy E. Cook Award

Joe Graham ’23 Faculty Award, Murphy Award

Hannah Perry ’23 Christopher Darcy Award

Jack Bram ’23 Stowes Citizenship Award, NS Chamber of Commerce Honors Scholars

Katie Davagian ’23 Alumni Council Award, NS Chamber of Commerce Honors Scholars

Teagan Hardiman ’23 Faculty Award

Neve Schirmer ’23 Murphy Award, NS Chamber of Commerce Honors Scholars

Colton Brimicombe ’23 Faculty Award

Caitlin Garcia-Stevenson ’23 Muska Award

Luke McStay ’23 NS Chamber of Commerce Honors Scholars

Hannah Tsouvalas ’23 NS Chamber of Commerce Honors Scholars

2023 EMS GRADUATES

This June, the Elementary•Middle School community celebrated students moving on to other schools. Congratulations to all of our students on another wonderful year of growth and discovery. We’ll miss our friends who are moving along. Please stay in touch with your Landmark family. We’ll always be here for you!

EMS Students

Moving On

Tyler Arredondo

Luke Beatty

Anthony Berte

Cameron Blanchard

Liam Booker

Jackson Bryant

Shane Bryant

Bryce Campanale

Chloe Campbell

Salvatore Ciccia

Margaret Conly

Jack Cuddy

James Dube

Valentina Falfan

Jacob Fine

Shayne Flannery

Niccolo Guarnotta

Bryan Hackett

Austin Hardwick

Emma Hiott

Linnea Imbrie

Abigail Jacques

James Kean

James Kirkpatrick

Julia Larco

Ruby Leif

Roland Lemieux

Zachary Malo

Declan McKernan

Joshua McKnight

Lilah McLaughlin-Shostak

Evan McLean

Marie Minogue

Nuala Mohan

Darvin Montero

Brooke Oppenheim

Miles Oringer

Rebecca Powers

Lola Rich

Lydia Rigali

Caidan Scaplen

Gemma Shakespeare

Gabriel Sweeney

Liam Symmes

Ethan Thom-Kerridge

John Varney

Kaleigh Waters

Zachary Worley

Liam Booker, Clayman Compassion Award

Caidan Scaplen, Langston Citizenship Award

Luke Beatty, Charles Drake Award

Shayne Flannery, Rob Kahn Director’s Award

Maggie Conly, Overall Student of the Year

SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the oldest and are considered to be the most prestigious art and writing recognition for teens in the country. Each year, our High School Visual Arts Department partners with its students to create, curate, and submit works to the program. This year, 14 Landmark students were recognized in the Massachusetts round of competition with one piece advancing to the national round where it earned a Silver Medal. Congratulations to all of the participating students.

Nick Csonger ’23 GOLD KEY SELF PORTRAIT

Alejandra Aremengol-Moes ’23 GOLD KEY SELF PORTRAIT

Katie Davagian ’23 GOLD KEY SELF PORTRAIT

Julia Bottarelli ’23 GOLD KEY SELF PORTRAIT

Charlie Lopez ’23 HONORABLE MENTION SELF PORTRAIT

Charlie Lopez ’23 GOLD KEY SELF PORTRAIT

Katie Davagian ’23 HONORABLE MENTION SELF PORTRAIT

Charlie Lopez ’23 SILVER KEY SELF PORTRAIT

Alejandra Armengol-Moes ’23

HONORABLE MENTION ADOPTION

Keya RaoShah ’24 GOLD KEY SELF PORTRAIT

Keya Raoshah ’24 SILVER KEY PEACOCK

Nick Csonger ’23 GOLD KEY NIGHT

Julia Bottarelli ’23

HONORABLE MENTION OWL

Nick Csongor’s ‘23 illustration, Night, advanced to the national level of competition where it received a Silver Medal.

SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS

MENTION SELF PORTRAIT

Maggie Aloisi ’25 HONORABLE MENTION UNTITLED

Savannah Harvey ’23 HONORABLE

Nick Csonger ’23 GOLD KEY MONSTERS

Solenn Minogue ’23 GOLD KEY LAMP

Nick Csonger ’23 SILVER KEY BUG SEWING

Nikolai Grant ’23

HONORABLE MENTION CONCERT POSTER

MacKay Yearley ’23

SILVER KEY MOVIE POSTER

Christianna McGaffigan ’24

HONORABLE MENTION SUNFLOWER

Kiara Nisenbaum ’24 SILVER KEY MONOCHROMATIC STILL LIFE

Teagan Hardiman ’23 SILVER KEY SELF PORTRAIT

SPOTLIGHT students

What They Learned

by Jill Flemming

OnMay 12, 2023, Landmark School hosted its annual Making Waves event. Anticipation filled the impressive Shalin Liu Performing Arts Center in Rockport, Massachusetts, as we waited to hear the headliners, Sister Hazel’s Drew Copeland and Ken Block. The Landmark High School band, Peace Rolls, performed, as did many talented high school student vocalists.

At the same time, two elementary classes waited in the wings for their debut at the event. Katie Parker and Kristine Stark’s classes would be the first Elementary•Middle School students to perform at the Making Waves event. The hard work and hours of memorization and practice would pay off with the stellar recitation of the poem “I’ve Learned” by Maya Angelou. Cheers filled the air at the end of the students’ performance—an incredible experience for all involved!

In keeping with the poem’s theme, I interviewed fifth graders Daniel Colella and Zack Long, two students who recited the poem. I wondered what they had learned in their first year as Landmark students.

“I’ve learned to face my fears about reading and writing, and that is important to me. I need to keep trying. Landmark provides me with the tools that I need to learn at my level,” Zack recounted. “I feel challenged here and now know that having a language-based learning disability is not something to be

ashamed of. I’m learning more because the work is designed for me, and I’m experiencing success in school for the first time.” Zack continued, “It was hard for me to adjust when I first came to Landmark, but once I figured out that

the school helps you learn, I started to have a great time.”

Daniel also recited the poem at the Making Waves event. When I asked what he had learned during his first year here, he spoke eloquently and with

I’ve Learned

by Maya Angelou

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.

I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’.

I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.

I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.

I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

praise for Landmark’s programming.

“When I found out I had dyslexia, my parents searched for the right program for me and they chose Landmark. I am making progress for the first time. The teachers present lessons at a level that I can understand and where I can be successful. Everything is broken down into parts. The pace is slower, and I can follow the directions. I’m learning cursive and although I’m slow at it, I am getting better,” Daniel said. “I appreciate what I can do in my tutorial class. I like to read and I am starting to love books. Landmark includes the students in the learning process. It was kind of hard for me to come here at first. I understood that I needed to be at a special school for my learning needs. I’ve become a better person now that I feel better about myself and school. I was shy when I first came to Landmark but my speaking skills are getting better. These new skills help me not only at school, but in my everyday life. And I get to take visual art and practical arts classes too. I enjoy these electives because I create things and use my imagination.”

“I was nervous about performing the poem at Making Waves, but I was also very excited,” Daniel added. “When I saw my parents waving at me from the audience I told myself, ‘I am ready to do this!’ The poem says that whatever you do now can impact you in the future. I enjoyed performing it for everyone to hear. It has a great message.”

Maya Angelou’s poem does indeed have a great message about learning life’s lessons, and these students definitely have learned not only academic lessons, but also personal life lessons too. BOOK-OPEN

Living the Dream

by Bernie Romanowski

For Derek Cannuscio ‘24, the day we met was an important one. After many years of preparation and dedication to the Boy Scouts, he was waiting to hear if he was to become an Eagle Scout. Spoiler alert: He passed his interview and is now an Eagle Scout!

Ask anyone who knows Derek, and you’ll learn he’s many things: an athlete, a team captain, a trusted friend and

advisor, and an ambitious dreamer who seems to be able to create his own future. Derek’s journey to Landmark began well before his family even heard of the School. When Derek was about 8 years old, he became a fan of the show Zoey 101, which depicted teenage life at a California boarding school. Derek was drawn to the sense of community among the students, the seaside setting,

and the freedom and challenges of boarding school. Fast-forward to middle school when Derek was diagnosed with dyslexia, he could be found Googling “best schools for dyslexia” and came across Landmark School—and was boarding here two years later.

Though Derek’s family lives about one hour from Landmark, he lives on campus during the school year. Yes, the daily commute would be a challenge for his family but we also know Derek dreamed of boarding at our seaside school. And here he is. Derek has many reasons for choosing to board at Landmark, most of all he says “I like being around different people—it gives me a chance to mature at an accelerated level.” Derek says his

“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

SPOTLIGHT student

residence hall is “like a home” and he’s grateful to have a roommate who shares his high organizational and design standards.

On the weekends, Derek can be found at the beach, eating out with other students, or traveling to Boston for the day. He sometimes takes an Uber to Boston with friends and learns to use the T to get around the city. He also likes being on the road with Landmark staff. “Traveling on weekend trips with the teachers humanizes them. Sometimes we go to their favorite restaurants or sites and I learn something about them. Those are the best days,” he says. Derek also comments on the diversity of his friendships at Landmark, “living on campus forces you to relate to different

people—I have friends that don’t always agree with me but we make it work.”

After graduation, Derek wants to enter the hospitality field, so what’s he dreaming up next? Let’s ask Google. Derek searched for the “best hospitality schools in the world” and learned that Switzerland’s Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) takes the prize. So, this summer, he took a weeklong Introduction to Hospitality course at EHL in Switzerland. I ask Derek how he’s feeling about traveling so far from home, and he said “It’s going to be great, it’s part of my dream.”

Derek sets lofty goals for himself— becoming an Eagle Scout, living abroad, and excelling at Landmark School. We can’t wait to see what Derek dreams up next! BOOK-OPEN

Derek’s TOP 5 Weekend Activities

1. Visiting Boston with friends

2. Going thrifting

3. Beach trips

4. Exploring new places with teachers who know the area

5. Getting coffee

In Honor of the Redirection of Kathie Babcock

by Jill Flemming

Like a ship on the ocean, every boat has a captain whose job is to navigate the waves, decide a course of direction, and adapt their travel plan as they see fit. As elementary program coordinator and academic advisor, Kathie Babcock has been the “captain” of Landmark’s Elementary Program since its inception.

“In 1993, Bob Broudo, Deb Blanchard, and Rob Kahn approached me with the idea of creating a developmentally appropriate early intervention program for our youngest students,” she recalled.

Kathie knew that this was an innovative concept new to Landmark, and she was ready for the challenge. “Prior to starting the Elementary Program, we had always accepted younger students but had placed them in a middle school education model that was not developmentally right for them,” Kathie said.

An Idea Becomes a Reality

Kathie, along with four other teachers, dedicated themselves to researching appropriate and effective curricula for students aged 8–11. They ordered supplies and materials, and in 1994, the first Elementary program began at

Landmark. “We had to ask ourselves, ‘How tall should the desks be? How low should the pencil sharpeners be? What pace, programming, and lessons would best serve our younger students with dyslexia? We had to invent and innovate because we never had a program like this at our school.’” Kathie shared.

And So, It Began

Nine students, four teachers, and two small classrooms. Crafting a program based on the principles that school founder, Dr. Charles Drake, had set forth when he started Landmark was not an easy task. Kathie and others were focused on meeting students’ needs and outcomes. They experimented, learned quickly, and modified along the way— and the program started to develop a positive reputation in the community. “In a few short years, we were serving 51 students. We hired more teachers and our classrooms expanded across the campus.”

And Change It Did

Now, nearly 30 years later, under Kathie’s supervision and guidance, the program continues to thrive and

“Around here, we don’t look backward for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious… and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

evolve. She recounted, “What used to be ‘Friday afternoon social talking time’ has morphed into a full social-thinking curriculum. We’ve introduced technology at a much earlier age and are constantly assessing how we teach to give our students the best education possible.”

A self-proclaimed “Disnerd” (Disney super fan), Babcock takes this quote from Walt Disney to heart. “Around here, we

—WALT DISNEY

don’t look backward for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

The Next Chapter

This year, Kathie Babcock has chosen to redirect her focus to full-time academic advising—something that

she absolutely loves. She credits this move to one of her favorite Disney characters, Jiminy Cricket, who famously said, “Let your conscience be your guide!” Kathie has confidence in her colleagues and the infrastructure she’s helped to build and knows the program will continue to improve. “I’m grateful to all the parents, students, and colleagues who have helped me arrive

at this place in my career.”

We salute you “captain,” and wish you a smooth transition as you tack your sails and redirect your course this fall. Thank you for all of the effort, love, and patience that you have put forth to make Landmark’s Elementary Program a successful place to learn, explore, and teach. Your contributions are so appreciated! BOOK-OPEN

SPOTLIGHT trustee

A Family of Giving

by Bernie Romanowski

Mention the Moreschi-Hover P’23 family to someone at Landmark School, and you’ll immediately notice a smile come across their face. Mention Gaven’s athletic and social skills, and you’ll get a smile. Mention his mother Gretchen’s thought leadership at Landmark, and you’ll get a smile. Mention Mark’s contributions to our Parent Association, and you’ll get a smile.

The Moreschi-Hover family is unique in many ways, most notably for its joyful spirit of giving. Gretchen is a Trustee at Landmark School. In fact, Gretchen has served on the boards of several local organizations. She and Mark are still beaming from Gaven’s success at an end-of-season lacrosse game a few days earlier. Not because Landmark won (which they did!), but because Gaven took the initiative to partner with his peers and faculty to raise more than $2,000 for the American Cancer Society during the run-up to the game. The fact that Gaven is so generous is impressive, but not surprising once you know his parents.

During their six years at Landmark, each member of the family has made significant contributions of their time, talent, and treasure to the school. Mark joined the Parent Association in 2018 and assumed the role of president in 2021. He’s also active in his local community of Middleton, having served as a member of the school committee. The MoreschiHovers are the proud parents of two sons, the oldest of whom can be found on the sidelines of Gaven’s games when he’s home from Miami University of Ohio.

When I asked Mark the source of such devotion to his children’s education, he told me “I care about a lot of things.” Mark then looked at Gretchen and added, “And I never say no to Landmark because of all they have done for us.”

In addition to being a Landmark trustee, Gretchen’s consulting firm, Imbue Partners, provided Landmark with extensive support when it conducted a faculty survey analysis as part of a recent self-assessment. Gretchen said she’s always looking for ways to support Landmark, and this project was a natural

fit. While she is ready for Gaven to graduate from Landmark, she’ll continue to serve as a Trustee at the School.

As for Gaven, his outsized personality and heart have made him known to nearly every faculty member and peer. Two faculty casually refer to Gaven as the ”Mayor of Landmark,” indicating how adept he is at making friends, supporting his peers, and building community. Gaven’s academic advisor, Erin Brewer, said he is “always there for his friends, and he’s friends with everyone. He really is the mayor!”

At this point, my next move was

“When you give, you get multiple layers back. That’s always been true for our family,” Mark Moreschi told me while we sat in the Alexander Academic Library on the first truly beautiful day of May.

obvious: I scheduled a meeting with the mayor. Gaven is the type of person who draws you in with his personality and welcoming manner. He can sound endlessly positive about his time at Landmark but says this attitude hasn’t always come easily. He reveals that getting and staying motivated has been challenging at times but that his family and friends have helped him get back on track.

Gaven was a day student at Landmark, but he was a constant presence on campus. His family’s home served as a frequent gathering place for Landmark day and boarding students. After his

school day and sports commitments were finished, he was often still on campus to eat dinner with friends, spend time in the dorms to get extra study time, or work out in the Athletic Center. When Gaven eventually went home for the evening, he offered to drive other local students home. I asked why he spent so much additional time on campus, and he shrugged and asked me “Everyone’s nice, why would l rush to leave?”

In the fall, Gaven plans to attend McDaniel College in Maryland. We will miss his vibrant and positive presence on our High School campus. BOOK-OPEN

Paying it Forward

As a leader on the boys varsity lacrosse team, Gavin spearheaded a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society with the support of his team and faculty member, Josh Feld. The initiative was a success and raised $2,000. Gavin plans to attend McDaniel College in Maryland in the fall and hopes to become a history teacher. He said he may even return to Landmark to teach in the future. Gavin’s history teacher during his senior year said, “He’s the type of kid who reminds me that I’m making an impact on the students in my classroom. He’s enthusiastic and really gets it.”

“Gaven is always there for his friends, and he’s friends with everyone. He really is the mayor!”

—ERIN BREWER

Alumni on the Water

by Susan Tomases

TYLER SCHULZ ’15 Salt Water Running Through His Veins

For Tyler Schulz, there’s more than a touch of ocean water running through his veins. He grew up on Nantucket and when he was in fifth grade his family took up temporary residence in Beverly, Mass. so he could attend Landmark Elementary•Middle School. During his eight years here, he was an active member of the community, became a residential student at the

High School, and was a leader on the sailing team.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Marist College in 2019 and then took a sales job in Boston, where he soon realized that a desk job was not feeding his soul and the ocean was beckoning. With COVID looming large and a decision to make, Tyler didn’t waste any time. He enrolled in courses in Florida to help him pass the U.S. Coast Guard-approved exams to earn his Master Captain’s License

for 100-ton vessels. With experience captaining private Hinckley charters in the summers on Nantucket and winters in Florida, he was able to fine tune his interests further and realized that running private fishing charters on Nantucket was where his heart was.

He purchased a 21-ft. center console boat, hung his shingle, and is now running a small fishing charter business on the island. When he’s not on the water, he’s growing his apparel business, AckFish, where he designs and sells stickers, t-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts with an expanded inventory coming soon. On his company’s website, Tyler invites his customers to “live life off the charts.” Fueled by the seawater running through his veins, he’s doing just that.

CHUCK MARTINSEN ’96 Doing What He Loves, Everyday

Chuck Martinsen has boundless energy and a tireless commitment to environmental conservation. Among his many roles as the deputy director of Marine and Environmental Services in

The range of fields that Landmark alumni pursue is vast. This summer, we talked with members of our alumni community who have pursued passions to find their life’s work on and near the water. Here are their stories.

SPOTLIGHT alumni

ISLAND BOY Nantucket native, Tyler Schulz, running fishing charters back on his home turf.

Falmouth, Mass., he is also the deputy chief harbormaster, game warden, shellfish constable, and a veteran environmental law enforcement officer. His territory is one of the busiest coastal areas in the Northeast and is also home to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

At a recent presentation he made at Landmark’s Elementary•Middle School, Chuck shared many stories of his work to help illustrate his passion for his job and the demands and variety of his workday. “There’s no such thing as a typical work day, which is what I love. It fits me, my energy level, and my desire to work outside. One day I could be dealing with an oil spill and the next morning I might be tracking down people who are illegally fishing, and that afternoon I’m partnering with our commercial shellfish farmers.” At the end of Chuck’s presentation to an audience of rapt students, he showed an image of his 4-year-old son, and said, “There are so many things that I’m interested in and that I love, but none more than this little guy. He helps put it all into perspective.”

ANDY LESHAW ’21 When Bootcamp Becomes “A Blast”

Growing up on the coast in Florida, Andy Leshaw has always loved being on the water. When he left Landmark, he knew that he wanted to pursue a career in a field that would enable him to work on and near the ocean. He’s entering his junior year at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he’s majoring in marine transportation. The goal is to earn his unlimited tonnage license, become an officer in the Merchant Marines, and to eventually serve in the Navy’s MSC (Military Sealift Command), where he would be part of a team shipping supplies for the Navy and other branches of the military.

At the Academy, Andy’s days are highly structured and begin at 6:20 a.m. with wake-up and room inspections. And yes, his bed-making skills have advanced from when he was a resident at Landmark—complete with regulation hospital corners! As a student, he’s a member of a regiment where he dresses in the appropriate uniform every day, participates in daily flag raising, and marches in formation. All this before

breakfast. There’s an afternoon and evening protocol too that keeps him busy until bedtime. “Bootcamp was definitely an adjustment, but it got me ready for what was to come next. Once I got used to it, I actually thought it was a blast!” he joked. “It’s not for everyone. We started with over 400 students in my class and we’re currently near 190.” he shared.

Andy credits his comfort with selfadvocacy, time management, and other executive function skills to his time at Landmark School. In Celestial Navigation, one of the hardest classes in the Marine Transportation Program, cadets have to calculate the observed altitude of three stars in order to find their position. Using a modified format similar to two-column notes, he keeps his work neat, organized, and in order of operation. “I’m on the sailing team at Mass Maritime too, and we travel most weekends. It can be challenging to keep up with my classes, participate in the regiment, and stay involved on the sailing team. When I need to talk to a professor to ask for extra time to complete an assignment, I’m totally comfortable with that.”

SHIP SHAPE Ship Shape Andy Leshaw (right) with fellow Mass Maritime classmate

A MAN OF MANY HATS

Chuck Martinson, call him deputy chief harbormaster, game warden, shellfish constable, and environmental law enforcement officer

STEPHEN BROADBRIDGE ’85 Committed to the Caribbean Environment

Stephen Broadbridge is a jack of all trades and a well-known personality and resource on his home island of Trinidad. In high school, his mother noticed that he was struggling to keep up. With family in the Beverly, Mass. area, she brought him north to be evaluated at Boston Children’s Hospital. With a diagnosis of dyslexia, he enrolled at Landmark High School. Coming from the Caribbean, the New England weather was challenging, but he was thriving in the program academically and socially. “I took advantage of everything that Landmark had to offer. I loved scuba diving and got certified while I was at Landmark. I was also introduced to kayaking, which I brought to my home island. And I remember taking the train into Harvard Square to frequent record stores where I discovered a love of classic rock and roll, American blues, and jazz. I have over 2,000 records to this day!” he said.

Fueled with a renewed sense of confidence and appreciation for the

water, he built a successful eco-tourism business. “At Caribbean Discovery Tours we host hiking, kayaking, mountain trekking, camping, birdwatching, sailing, and scuba diving tours, as well as visits to cultural attractions.” He loves his work and remarked on how rewarding it is to be a steward of his local environment and the diverse ecosystems of the region. caribbeandiscoverytours.com

Stephen is also a published wildlife photographer, registered location scout, film producer, game warden, and vice president of the Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators. In these roles, he is often called upon by visiting television and film production companies shooting nature-based programming in

the Trinidad and Tobago area. Among the many productions he has supported, some of the achievements he’s most proud of are films for the BBC and National Geographic.

LEE DALZELL ’20 Teach a Man to Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime

As long as Lee Dalzell can remember, his father lobstered commercially in the Gloucester, Mass., area. Lee enjoyed being out on the water with him and imagined that someday he might turn that into a career. In fact, Lee has been juggling a small commercial fishing enterprise for several years while taking classes full time at Southern

FISHING IN HIS BLOOD

Following in his father’s footsteps, Lee Dalzell hauls in green crab traps.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARD

Stephen Broadbridge ’85 photographing the waters off of Trinidad and Tobago.

New Hampshire University, majoring in business and entrepreneurship. When he’s not in class, he’s primarily trapping and selling green crabs, which are in turn sold for bait, fertilizer, and animal feed. “This is an aspect of fishing that kind of fell into my lap, but I like it,” he admitted. Once he graduates, he plans to dive deeper into the field and grow his commercial fishing business.

Lee and his Landmark classmates graduated in that fated “COVID year.” He remembers his time at Landmark fondly but recalls feeling robbed of all the fanfare of a senior year including prom, a traditional commencement, trip to Disney, and other events. “I probably wouldn’t have gotten this far without Landmark. One of the classes that I think was most helpful was Speech and Debate. When you own a business, you have to be comfortable expressing yourself, and I learned that at Landmark.”

ALLYSON BARTELS ’16

Adventures and Learning

On and In the Water

When Allyson Bartels graduated in 2016 from Landmark High School, she went on to study engineering, following in the footsteps of many of her family members. She quickly realized that the program wasn’t speaking to her. Letting her instincts be her guide, she stepped away from what had been a lifelong dream and pivoted, taking a gap year at High Mountain Institute. There she immersed herself in something that had always been a personal interest: outdoor education. “This was a huge departure for me since I had always planned to go into engineering. I wouldn’t have the guts to do that if I hadn’t taken Landmark’s Outdoor Leadership class,”

said Allyson. She admits that she still has the paddle mounted above her bed that her Landmark teacher, Tristan Whitehouse, gave to every student as they completed the course, which serves as a badge of honor and source of pride. Eventually, Allyson harnessed this passion and enrolled in Prescott College in Arizona, where she took courses, taught through AmeriCorps, and eventually graduated with a degree in adventure education.

She has dabbled in a host of disciplines including, avalanche I and II training and forecasting, snow science, and was a rafting guide, among other pursuits—all leading her to the Tetons

and the Jackson, Wyoming area.

Fast forward and Allyson is working as an educator in the Teton Science School, where she leads school groups through the park and surrounding area.

“We’re out in the field everyday, and I often focus on water ecology, where we diagnose the health of the river water. We test turbidity, nitrates, PH, talk about what a watershed is, how we clean our natural water resources, which macroinvertebrates live in our waters, the role of dragonflies, mayflies, and so much more,” she offered.

Allyson said of her life and career, “I love what I do and am so happy that I let my heart lead the way.” BOOK-OPEN

NATURE’S CLASSROOM Allyson Bartels guides a school group in a water ecology lesson in the Grand Tetons.

Sail On, Landmark Vikings

by Kimberly Hildebrandt

With adrenaline coursing through their veins, the sailing team members huddled together, mapping out their strategy before the race. When the starting gun fired, they skillfully maneuvered their sleek boats through the water, chasing the wind with precision and agility. The intense competition spurred their determination, as they tacked, jibed, and rounded buoys, striving to outwit and outpace their rivals— their teamwork and coordination evident in every movement.

This well-oiled team of Landmark School athletes wasn’t born overnight. They were molded over the season, some through several years of hard work, icecold hands, and patient and knowledgeable coaching.

One for the Record Books

This season was like none other for the Landmark High School Sailing Team, with the Nelson Cup win to prove it. This recognition is given to the team with the overall best score in races against the other teams sailing in Manchester, Mass. The Landmark sailors’ hard work and perseverance culminated in this success.

In addition to the Nelson Cup, the team spent two grueling days this spring competing in the State Championships Regatta held at MIT on the Charles

River. Landmark finished ninth overall competing against many powerhouse sailing schools in Massachusetts.

In true Landmark fashion, having a “successful” season is only part of what makes this sailing team remarkable. Just as importantly, our sailors have developed a true camaraderie. They shared a bond, built through countless hours spent together on the water, facing challenges and triumphs as one cohesive unit. Their interactions were filled with encouragement and unwavering support. Whether preparing the boat, strategizing for a race, or celebrating a well-deserved victory, their spirit and commitment to each other shone through—fostering a sense of belonging and friendship beyond the sport itself. BOOK-OPEN

MATT BAGINSKI (2), BROOK SUMNER

“It is both impressive and scary to see a bunch of High School kids land a boat, jump out to run to the restrooms, guzzle water or Gatorade, and stuff down a slice of pizza or Power Bar in the space of 3 or 4 minutes before sailing off again for the next set of races.”

COACH, DOUG WALKER

Events

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Making Waves & Memories

This spring, our community gathered at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Mass., for the Ninth Annual Making Waves Spring Concert and Auction to celebrate the life-changing power of a Landmark School education and to raise funds for its bright future.

Landmark Elementary School students kicked off the show. They took to the stage with confidence and conviction and recited the poem “I’ve Learned” by Maya Angelou (page 38). The High School band, Peace Rolls, rocked out to classic hits, with solo singers showcasing their top-notch vocals and impressing and entertaining the crowd.

Billy Costa, a local radio and television celebrity, emceed the evening that included a live auction, with proceeds supporting programs for our students and faculty. Head of School, Josh Clark, shared the school’s initiative to purchase and brand-wrap new Transit vans for field trips and athletic contests. Attendees rose to the challenge in the Paddle Raise, and we are proud to share that it generated more than $100,000, surpassing our goal!

The night closed out with a rollicking performance from Ken Block and Drew Copeland of the award-winning band Sister Hazel. Thank you to all who attended and supported this amazing event!

Thanks to our sponsors, attendees, and supporters. Our Making Waves event raised more than $138,000 for the Landmark Fund, in addition to the funds donated for Transit vans! We are so grateful to all who participated in the evening.

ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT

Golf Benefit: A Swinging Success!

Gray clouds didn’t discourage the intrepid golfers who joined us for our 31st Annual Golf Benefit on June 5! More than 100 golfers braved the gloomy weather for a fun, eventful day on the course. Fortunately, by mid-afternoon, the sun was shining through.

The rebounding weather was not the only good news of the day. Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and players, the event raised more than $200,000 for the Landmark Fund, and programs for our faculty and students.

Congratulations to the tournament winners! Thank you to each and every supporter and organization for making this event such a success.

Landmark Parents’ Association— Showering Staff with Love!

The Landmark Parents’ Association (LPA) held two special Faculty and Staff Appreciation gatherings this spring at our High School and Elementary•Middle School campuses. Both events provided the opportunity to mingle with friends and peers, enjoy delicious food and treats, and win beautiful raffle baskets generously assembled by parents and guardians of Landmark students.

The LPA hopes faculty and staff who were able to join felt supported by parents and guardians and, even more importantly, appreciated for all that they do every day for students!

LPA—Reflection of Gratitude & Exciting New Additions

The purpose of the Landmark Parents’ Association (LPA) is to cultivate a strong sense of community and to support Landmark School in its mission to foster an understanding of language-based learning disabilities.

The LPA is led by an Executive Board of Officers that guides the efforts and activities throughout the year. As the 2022–2023 school year wrapped up, we bade a fond and very grateful farewell to members of our Executive Board who are moving on.

Thank you to departing Executive Board members for your commitment and service to the LPA and Landmark School:

Mark Moreschi P’23, President

Jacquie Gardner, P’23, Co-Vice President, High School

Katherine Linhares P’23, Co-Vice President, High School

Suzanne Below, P’23, Secretary

Not pictured: Mike and Carolyn Beatty P’27, Landmark Fund Liaison and Treasurer, respectively

Congratulations to the 2023–2024 LPA Executive Board

President: Jamie Sullivan P’26

High School Co-Vice Presidents: Erin Sweeney P’27

Vacant position - to be filled in Fall 2023

Elementary•Middle School Co-Vice Presidents:

Sondria Berman P’31, Erin Upton P’28

Secretary: Michelle Colella P’30

Treasurer: Jill Hennessey P’25

Landmark Fund Liaisons: Lindsay Bergeron P’30, Heidi Dubreuil P’25

Parent Education Liaison: David De Celis P’25

Resident Family Representatives*:

Karen Altman P’26, Dawn Dorr P’26

Commuter Family Representatives*:

Sarah Bettencourt P’31, Rebecca Silva P’29, Krys Tarlow P’28

*In an effort to better engage families regardless of their geographical proximity to Landmark, we have created these two new positions to help amplify the perspectives of parents and guardians with unique challenges to access campus.

Crew THE

1982

Alumni Notes

1974

Jonathan Rock ’74

I am the director of technical support at Everbridge, a publicly traded technology company with offices in Boston. When I am not working, I love to travel and have been to many countries in Europe as well as India. This fall I am going to New Zealand.

Greg Kearney ‘74

I received both first and second prizes in the 2022 Labor Media Awards of the International Labor Communications Association for editorial cartooning for work done for the People’s World newspaper of Chicago.

(cartoon below)

Stephen Baetz ’82

After departing Landmark School in ManchesterBy-the-Sea in 1977, I went back to public school and graduated in 1982 with my Darien, Conn., high school class. I enrolled in Porter and Chester Institute for Architectural and Mechanical Drafting to earn a degree in architectural and mechanical drafting. I worked in the field of architectural development for a few years, until one afternoon driving home from my job, I saw a sign on the back of a truck that said, “Learn to drive this truck” and that is all it took.

Five million (accidentfree) miles later, I’m still at it. I started as a company driver and went on to own my own truck. I’m single but was married twice. I am in touch with Landmark friends, Adam Hanna, whom I met in 1975,

and Nancy Bennett (Page).

I still enjoy sailing, and if it had not been for the When and If schooner, I wouldn’t have found this hobby on my own. I am into classic cars, attending live music events, Broadway musicals, cooking—that next great cheesecake recipe, great Texas brisket, and watching my weight. Life is great, live it to its fullest.

Without Landmark, I’d most likely have fallen through the cracks of society. Thank you to Dr. Drake for founding Landmark School!

Alumni Notes & Community News

Greg Kearney ’74

Stephen Baetz ‘82

Crew THE

Robert Liddy ’82

The Rise of the Phoenix: The Admiral’s Diaries is one of the books I’m currently writing. My first novel has four sequels; the second and third were just released, and the others will follow soon.

I stopped active military service in 2014 and am currently retired, spending time with my family and working with the Wounded Warrior Project.

My advice is to think before you act. All decisions have an effect. Words are powerful tools that, when utilized well, may alter how people view conventional notions of right and wrong. Everybody can pursue their aspirations without limitations.

I have a degree in history from the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh and another in animal science from the University of Connecticut. I served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone

and the Philippines. I joined the Army Reserves in 1998 and kept working for the Commonwealth of Virginia as a correctional officer. I enlisted in the military prior to the 9/11 attacks to serve as a combat photographer for the Bosnian Peacekeeping Mission. After being called up to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where I first served in Korea and then as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, I decided to enlist in the Army on a full-time basis. I love reading and writing, and I did both a lot while I was in the military. Later, I became interested in painting, working out, cycling, wood burning, drawing, gardening, and landscaping.

1983

Janine Klein Roche ‘83

I own my own business called Beauty Queen ByJ9. I love making people feel beautiful. You can follow me on Instagram. For the past 15 years I have been working with J1 and F1 visas, bringing in exchange students and, before COVID, au-pairs. My husband, Larry, and I just celebrated 24 years of marriage.

1991

Andrew Read ’91

I’m teaching physical education in the UK and have Robert Liddy ’82

Alumni at Graduation

been married for twenty years. I have two daughters Lila (17) and Ruby (25). I still love to play sports.

2004

Aaron Goodman ’04

After Landmark, I moved to Colorado for college and lived there for a decade, working as a trail crew member for Southwest Conservation Corps. I’ve lived and studied in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. I then moved to Thailand and Korea for four years and worked as an ESL teacher. After moving back to the U.S. I became a software engineer. Now, I live with my wife and kid (and another on the way) in Asheville, North Carolina!

2005

Gregory Doucette ‘05

Since graduating from Landmark, and for the past 14 years, I’ve been a paramedic/ firefighter. I got married six years ago and my wife and I are blessed with three children: Madison (5), Zoey (3), and Leo (10 mo.) We enjoy camping in our free time.

2008

Rick Hackett ’08

Carole Rein and Paul Schwartz report that, unlike most people, they love to call their plumber! That’s because he is a former student—me!

I’m now the proud dad of two girls, ages one and three. I’m an excellent plumber. hackettbrothersinc.com

2009

Steve Darby ’09

On October 9, 2022, I had the privilege of marrying my best friend and criminal accomplice on a horse farm in Lancaster, Penn., in front of our friends and family, which included a few Landmark alumni. I’ve been living in Los Angeles for the last 10 years, working as a freelance cinematographer and cinema gear specialist at Panavision’s Hollywood location. I’ve supported or been involved with a wide variety of productions as small as music videos and as large as studio feature films.

My wife and I are also heavily involved with a walking silent disco event group. We even incorporated a silent disco into our ceremony.

Matt Gallant ‘09

I’m currently working as a field engineer at a geotechnical consultant company in the Boston area. I also split my time hanging out with my fiancée from Belgium and organizing aid packages to be sent to Ukraine. I recently hit my one-year anniversary of returning from my Iraq deployment!

2010

Marie Ratterman ’10

A few fun things I’m proud of from this year:

• I spoke for the first time at a conference.

• I host a podcast at our company for young professionals in our industry.

• I started a group for female leaders in the welding industry and we had our first mini conference this year!

Aaron Goodman ’04

Matt Gallant ’09

Paul Schwartz, Rick Hacket ‘08 (center), Carole Rein

Thomas Kazi ‘14 (note on next page)

Anna Glatz ’13

Steve Darby ’09

2013

Anna Glatz ‘13 (photo only, page 57)

2014

Thomas Kazi ’14

After graduating from Landmark, I earned a degree in marketing and international business with a core concentration in political science from Roger Williams University. During my time there, I was an active member of Delta Sigma Pi, a coed business fraternity. My career has been primarily focused on marketing and business development, and I have had the privilege of working with reputable companies such as Yelp, Lennar Corporation, and Howard Sloan. In these roles, I have honed my skills and gained valuable experience in driving business growth and fostering strategic partnerships. An important lesson I learned at Landmark is if you put in the effort, you will become the best version of yourself.

2015

Morgan Barlow ’15

I graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2020. Since then, I’ve been living in Burlington, Vt., and am the assistant women’s lacrosse coach at Saint Michael’s College. I spent the summer back home in Gloucester and am looking

for a new job coaching college lacrosse. I’ve been doing a lot of small group and individual coaching since I’ve been back as well as personal training for high school and college athletes.

Cole Burbage ’15

I graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2020 and am currently living in Boston’s Seaport District with my twin brother, Liam. I’m working for Empower as a retirement plan consultant in Boston. I enjoy skiing, surfing, and photography in my free time.

Casey Nevers ‘15

I’m currently serving as a police officer in Windham, NH.

2018

Maddie Aldrich ’18

I graduated from Lynn University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Hospitality. I moved home after college and am tutoring kids in grades four and up (all subjects but mainly math). After college

I was very burnt out, so I’ve been focusing on myself. In my free time I love to bake. Recently, I traveled to Kentucky, Nantucket, and Hawaii.

Cameron Stewart ’18

I’m living my dream as an independent professional wrestler with multiple appearances on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and

Tony Kahn’s All Elite Wrestling. I was the first person to wrestle on the WWE and AEW in the same evening. Since I was 10 years old, I have been enthusiastically working toward a life goal of signing a full-time contract with either the WWE or AEW. I’m an alum of Flatbacks Professional Wrestling School where I trained with

2020

Margaret Hamilton ’20 I’m heading into my senior year at Westfield State University studying health

Shawn Spears and Tyler Breeze in Orlando, Florida.

Claudia Caliandro ’20 (photo only)

Maddie Aldrich ’18

Morgan Barlow ’15

Cole Burbage ’15

Cameron Stewart ’18

Margaret Hamilton’20

Claudia Caliandro ’20

science with minors in psychology and gerontology. My senior capstone project is a program that I created on campus where college students volunteer to work with older people in the Westfield community to help with everyday tasks that they may not be able to do on their own. Outside of school, I have been enjoying getting outside as much as possible this summer, especially watching Cape Cod sunsets.

2021

Laylah Tsay ‘21

I am an undergraduate student in adventure education at Plymouth State University. I am one of the SOAR program coordinators, creating outdoor events for the student community. This gives everyone from a variety of backgrounds the opportunity to pick up outdoor recreational hobbies. I was very nervous going off to college, but thanks to Landmark for setting me up with the right learning tools, it has been such a relief to be confident in my learning style here. I highly recommend this program at Plymouth State to any Landmark student who learns experientially. All of my classes in my major are experientially based. We go out into the woods and identify trees, birds, and work on team building, etc.

Gavin Colby ‘21

After I graduated from Landmark in 2021, I went to North Bennett Street School for a 9-month program in carpentry. I am now working full time as a carpenter/ contractor/framer.

2022

Nik Guthrie ’22 (photo p.56) Northeastern has been really good. I spent my first semester abroad in Greece, which was amazing, and then I came back to Boston to complete my first year. I worked at Landmark on

the maintenance crew this summer.

Olivia Hearn ‘22

I recently finished my first year at Fitchburg State University and have been living and working on Cape Cod in the summers. For the past three years I’ve worked at Lambert’s Rainbow Fruit.

Mackenzie Stowell ’22

I have been in college for the past year studying to become a nurse. My school is in Nashville, which is the best city to be in and so much fun. I have made so

many new friends and have been using everything that Landmark has taught me even though it has been a bit of a struggle adjusting to college—but it has been fun too. This summer I nannied for a family full time.

Jack Wright ’22

I joined the Quidditch team at the University of Vermont in my first semester there, and the team members have all been the best family a person could ask for! This spring, I interned for Burlington’s baseball team, the Vermont Lake Monsters.

Gavin Colby ’21

Laylah Tsay ’21

Jack Wright ’22

Mackenzie Stowell ’22

Career Day for Freshman

In April during Saturday School, the Transition and Guidance Department organized a career day for our freshmen. Thank you to so many alumni for joining us and sharing your work experiences.

BUSINESS

facilitated by faculty members

Danielle Phillips and Nick MacPhail

Brynne Arsenault ‘17, marketing manager, Ottertune

Jacob Schneider ‘08, workplace operations manager, Liberty Mutual

Jake McCaughey ‘17, real estate

Jackie Mahoney ‘16, marketing

CREATIVE CAREERS

facilitated by faculty members

Robin Day LaPorte and Ris Lee

Elizabeth Hersch ‘17, marketing, AlphaSense

Alison Troy ‘06, hair and makeup

Madison Coddington ‘17, graphic design

SCIENCE CAREERS

facilitated by faculty members

Kathy Kiely and Sarah Ruth

Richard Grant, arborist, Mayer Tree

Chuck Martinsen ‘96, Falmouth Mass., Environmental Police

Elena Sullivan, PA, Dignity Weight Center

Terrence Sturm P’23, architect, Urban Grow

SOCIAL SERVICES

facilitated by faculty members

Samantha Rizza and Diane Vener

Josh Clark P’28, ‘31, head of school, Landmark School

Daniel Cashman, patrolman, Beverly Police

Leah Goldenberg, social worker

Ashley Holmes ‘13, Facilities Coordinator at AMG

Dan Julian, fire fighter, Salem Fire Department

Anjala McAveeney ‘98, second grade teacher, Salem Mass.

TRADES AND HANDS-ON CAREERS

facilitated by Cam Gillis and Candi Mitchell

Matt Tucker ‘17, plumber Colby Deputat, Deer Island Treatment Plant

Peter Norton ‘14, longshoreman, Local 800

Joe Dubinski ‘14, director of facilities, Landmark School

Community News

Katie Chhu, former faculty and admission officer

Former faculty member and admission officer, Katie Chhu, is gearing up for her second year as admission director at Glen Urquhart School. She misses the Landmark community, but is enjoying her new role just down the street! Catch her, Mr. Chhu, and the kids regularly cheering on Landmark sports teams on campus.

Joseph Deffner, former faculty

After 30 years at Thetford Academy, the town school for Thetford, Vermont, and its surrounding communities, Joe stepped back from fulltime teaching. He’s excited about the change and a shift to part-time teaching. Joe said, “The training I received at Landmark has served me very well over the course of my career. I’m grateful that I

was able to spend a couple of years there as a relatively new teacher, and happy to connect with so many former colleagues and friends at last year’s 50th-anniversary party. That was a blast!”

Amanda Farrer, former faculty

In January, Amanda and her family welcomed their third child, a baby girl named Emma Jean. Emma is adored by her big brother, Luke, and big sister, Paige! They still reside in Nashville, Tennessee, and spent a month this summer on the North Shore.

Katie Hamon, former High School faculty and Outreach staff (photo on p. 62)

Katie remains highly involved in the field of education and innovative practices. As a senior program manager, she helps schools implement digital STEM curriculum and

Anna DiPerna

For more than a year, Anna has been participating nearly every Sunday with a grass roots organization that shares their spirited brass music in parade form with neighborhoods around the Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville. Anna picked up playing the trombone in this roving band of musicians, revelers, and activists, often 100-people strong. To join in the fun, you can visit the HONK! Website every Friday to get information on where they’ll be performing, parade-style, on the upcoming Sunday. Anna says, “We like to say that we are a ‘radically inclusive’ band, all are welcome to join, it’s free—no experience necessary. I’d love to have someone join me!”

LEARN MORE ABOUT HONK

SUBMIT A NOTE TO THE CREW!

Calling all Alums, Past and Current Faculty and Staff! Share your news and connect with others in the Landmark Community.

Joseph Deffner

Katie Chhu

intelligent tools through a California-based non-profit called CK-12. She also serves on the board for MC^2, a charter school in New Hampshire. After four years out west, Katie moved back to New England in 2017, where she is enjoying reconnecting with the amazing Landmark community.

Courtenay Macaulay, former faculty

After teaching at Landmark from 2000 to 2015, Courtenay’s family moved to Lexington, Kentucky. She teaches middle school students with dyslexia

and other language-based learning disabilities in a Learning Center at the Lexington School.

Dave Loeper, former faculty

Dave shares the news that he’s happily working parttime, driving a van for the town of Upton, Mass. for the Council on Aging, which gives him more time to relax and spend time with his family. He points out that after driving over an hour each way to Landmark School for 25 years, he now walks just a few minutes to get to work — the irony!

EMS Faculty Take to the Courts

When they aren’t lesson planning, you can find these EMS teachers on the Pickle Ball courts. Pickle Ball Squad: Sophie Wilson, Scott Harlan, Alexis Lynch, Ally Gnoza, Julie Littlefield, JulieAnn Dejoy, Rob Kahn, Melissa Heron, Libby Rozeski, Chris Harris, and Freddi Triback.

Freddi Triback, current EMS faculty

EMS faculty member Freddi Triback is an avid mountain runner and continues to challenge herself with races all over the region. In mid-June, she ran the Mt. Washington Road Race, a 7-mile route that climbs over 4,650 feet to the finish line. Despite chilly temps, rain, and intense fog, she persevered to finish seventh in her age group and was 203 of 1,037 runners. Just one week later, Freddi ran to the top of Mt. Washington again in the Race the Cog challenge along the Cog Railway. It’s a grueling off-road race with a very steep grade on a rocky trail. Freddi was eighth overall and first in her division. These races are just some of a series that Freddi took on this summer. Way to go Freddi!

Dave Loeper

EMS Faculty Pickle Ball Crew

L to R; Carl Gasowski, Katie Hamon, Nathan Gray, Kyle Pietrowski

Date: September 30, 2023

location: Ansara Athletic Center

HOMECOMING!

Join

Crew THE Retirements

2019 - 2023, 4 years

High School Faculty

1984 - 2023, 39 years

Elementary•Middle School Art Teacher

2014 - 2023, 9 years

Director of Admission

2019 - 2023, 16 years

High School Academic Support

Kathleen Coffin

Libby Parker

Susan Hedman

Cal Zelenka

Landmark School 2023 Board of Trustees

Thilo Henkes P’24 CHAIR Georgetown, MA Managing Director and Partner, L.E.K. Consulting

Michael Pehl P’21 VICE-CHAIR Wayland, MA Founder and Managing Partner, Guidepost Growth Equity

Joseph H. Morgart P’12 ’22 TREASURER Waltham, MA Alternative Investment, Amundi US

John Leslie P’21 SECRETARY Newton Centre, MA IHS Markit, Office of the CTO

Josh J. Clark P’28, 31 HEAD OF SCHOOL Beverly, MA Landmark School, Inc.

Dina Kleros

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO HEAD OF SCHOOL ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD Beverly, MA Landmark School, Inc.

Jeffrey Alpaugh P’21 Wellesley, MA Growth and Industry Practices Leader, Marsh & McClennan

Karen Altman P’26 Volunteer

Michael Altman P’26 Atlanta, Georgia Chief Investment Officer, Cortland

Dr. Troy Baker Minneapolis, MN Upper School Director, Breck School

Jennifer Paul Casey P’02, ’06 Minden, NV Community Volunteer and Artist

Nancy Crate P’17, ’21 Ipswich, MA Volunteer

Alan Dachs San Francisco, CA President and CEO, Fremont Group

Lori H. Freedman P’23 Winchester, MA Vice President & General Counsel Organogenesis

Bill Gersh ’06 Beverly Hills, CA Agent, The Gersh Agency

Dr. Brandi Johnson Beverly, MA Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Endicott College

Dr. Ryan Lee-James Atlanta, GA Chief Academic Officer, Atlanta Speech School Director of Rollins Center for Language and Literacy

Gretchen Hover Moreschi P’23 Middleton, MA Founder and Managing Partner, Imbue Partners

Shelley Moses-Reed P’23 Greenwood Village, CO Former Customer Experience Executive, Medallia

Spencer Smitherman ’08 Sacramento, CA Founder/CEO, Switchboard Technologies, Inc.

Brian Stein P’26 Hamilton, MA Owner/Principal, BDS Design, Inc.

Lisa Taffe P’31 Boston, MA Volunteer

Alex Tatum P’28 Topsfield, MA Partner, Constitution Capital Partners

Sam Vigersky ’98

LIFETIME TRUSTEE

*Nicholas A. Lopardo

P’92, GP’20 ’22 ’23, ’24 Danvers, MA

Retired, Vice Chairman State Street Corporation

TRUSTEES EMERITUS

Harvey L. Alter ‘82

Robert J. Campbell P’04

Moira McNamara James P’10

David G. Petersen P’08

Suzanne H. Sears P’02

Catherine Slark P’01

Martin Slark P’01

BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

Mark Moreschi P’23

Parent Representative

Jacob Schneider ’08

Alumni Representative

Beth Knox Elementary•Middle School Representative

Kyle Clark High School Representative

Landmark’s Mission

Landmark’s mission is to enable and empower students with language-based learning disabilities (LBLD) to reach their educational and social potential through an exemplary school program complemented by outreach and training, assessment, and research.