The Governor's Academy Head of School Newsletter: Vol. 4

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE A Newsletter from the Head of School VOLUME 4 | WINTER 2020

Student cast members in the fall production of The Book Club Play

THE GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY 1 ELM STREET BYFIELD, MA 01922

with true $75M

“We know that our students learn best when they live and work with students who represent the rich diversity of the world they will enter when they move on to college and beyond. ”

PRESORTED NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PA I D BEVERLY, MA 01915 PERMIT NO.50

COURAGE

THE CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR’S

$59.5M

$75M

$5M

FINANCIAL AID AWARDED

Peter H. Quimby, Ph.D. ’85, P’14

Need-based financial aid was awarded to 29% of our students for the 2019–2020 school year, comprising the largest dollar amount in the Academy’s history.

$59.5M

CAMPAIGN PROGRESS TO DATE With True Courage, The Campaign for Governor’s is raising $75 million to strengthen our community, invigorate our curricula, rejuvenate our campus, and support the Academy’s character. $75M

NEW

DONORS

A NOTE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Peter Marshall French Student Center

SCHOOLHOUSE SOCIETY During the campaign, twenty-five alumni, parents, and friends have joined the Schoolhouse Society. These thoughtful donors have prioritized the Academy through their estate planning and have committed over $20 million in planned giving to help secure a bright future for the Academy.

WITH TRUE COURAGE, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. Dummer Family Motto

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

948

Since the campaign began, 948 NEW donors have shown their commitment to the Academy.

Through the generosity of alumni, parents, past parents, and friends, the Academy reached the fundraising goal for the Peter Marshall French Student Center project and officially broke ground on its redesign and expansion on February 1.

Construction is expected to be completed in time for the opening of school in fall 2020.

A Newsletter from the Head of School

To date, 3,800 alumni, parents, and friends— representing decades of support and loyalty to the Academy—have supported With True Courage, The Campaign for Governor’s.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS!

VOLUME 4 | WINTER 2020

TOTAL DONORS

Student cast members in the fall production of The Book Club Play

3,800

$59.5M

THE POWER TO CHANGE Every year at around this time, members of our Admission Office engage in a heartbreaking exercise. They take bright, talented students who have earned the right to come to the Academy— students who would elevate the level of class discussions, enhance the performance of our musical ensembles, and improve the performance of our athletic teams—and they put them on the waiting list simply because we have run out of financial aid.

We have far more students applying for admission than we have spots available. In most recent years, we have accepted just 22–24 percent of those who apply. This is a wonderful position to be in from an enrollment perspective, but I dream of being able to make Governor’s an affordable option for even more students.

Financial aid has the power to change the lives of those who receive it. As a student who was only able to come to Governor’s because of the generosity of those who came before me, I can attest to its transformative power firsthand. As Head of School, I can also see the ways in which financial aid benefits our entire community. We know that our students learn best when they live and work with students who represent the rich diversity of the

world they will enter when they move on to college and beyond.

Having a robust financial aid program plays a critical role in our ability to draw students from a variety of backgrounds and offer a Govs education to as many qualified students as possible.

Recent research shows that fewer than 3 percent of US households can afford the cost of a boarding school education, compared to 25 percent a few decades ago. This is why it is imperative that we grow our endowment for financial aid. In fact, Laurie and I created an endowed financial aid fund in honor of my parents as part of our gift to the With True Courage campaign. We want to know that other students for generations to come will have the same ability that I did to have the kind of life-changing experience that the Academy makes possible.

Peter H. Quimby, Ph.D. ’85, P’14

THE GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY 1 ELM STREET BYFIELD, MA 01922

with true $75M

“We know that our students learn best when they live and work with students who represent the rich diversity of the world they will enter when they move on to college and beyond. ”

PRESORTED NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PA I D BEVERLY, MA 01915 PERMIT NO.50

COURAGE

THE CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR’S

$59.5M

$75M

$5M

FINANCIAL AID AWARDED

Peter H. Quimby, Ph.D. ’85, P’14

Need-based financial aid was awarded to 29% of our students for the 2019–2020 school year, comprising the largest dollar amount in the Academy’s history.

$59.5M

CAMPAIGN PROGRESS TO DATE With True Courage, The Campaign for Governor’s is raising $75 million to strengthen our community, invigorate our curricula, rejuvenate our campus, and support the Academy’s character. $75M

NEW

DONORS

A NOTE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Peter Marshall French Student Center

SCHOOLHOUSE SOCIETY During the campaign, twenty-five alumni, parents, and friends have joined the Schoolhouse Society. These thoughtful donors have prioritized the Academy through their estate planning and have committed over $20 million in planned giving to help secure a bright future for the Academy.

WITH TRUE COURAGE, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. Dummer Family Motto

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

948

Since the campaign began, 948 NEW donors have shown their commitment to the Academy.

Through the generosity of alumni, parents, past parents, and friends, the Academy reached the fundraising goal for the Peter Marshall French Student Center project and officially broke ground on its redesign and expansion on February 1.

Construction is expected to be completed in time for the opening of school in fall 2020.

A Newsletter from the Head of School

To date, 3,800 alumni, parents, and friends— representing decades of support and loyalty to the Academy—have supported With True Courage, The Campaign for Governor’s.

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS!

VOLUME 4 | WINTER 2020

TOTAL DONORS

Student cast members in the fall production of The Book Club Play

3,800

$59.5M

THE POWER TO CHANGE Every year at around this time, members of our Admission Office engage in a heartbreaking exercise. They take bright, talented students who have earned the right to come to the Academy— students who would elevate the level of class discussions, enhance the performance of our musical ensembles, and improve the performance of our athletic teams—and they put them on the waiting list simply because we have run out of financial aid.

We have far more students applying for admission than we have spots available. In most recent years, we have accepted just 22–24 percent of those who apply. This is a wonderful position to be in from an enrollment perspective, but I dream of being able to make Governor’s an affordable option for even more students.

Financial aid has the power to change the lives of those who receive it. As a student who was only able to come to Governor’s because of the generosity of those who came before me, I can attest to its transformative power firsthand. As Head of School, I can also see the ways in which financial aid benefits our entire community. We know that our students learn best when they live and work with students who represent the rich diversity of the

world they will enter when they move on to college and beyond.

Having a robust financial aid program plays a critical role in our ability to draw students from a variety of backgrounds and offer a Govs education to as many qualified students as possible.

Recent research shows that fewer than 3 percent of US households can afford the cost of a boarding school education, compared to 25 percent a few decades ago. This is why it is imperative that we grow our endowment for financial aid. In fact, Laurie and I created an endowed financial aid fund in honor of my parents as part of our gift to the With True Courage campaign. We want to know that other students for generations to come will have the same ability that I did to have the kind of life-changing experience that the Academy makes possible.

Peter H. Quimby, Ph.D. ’85, P’14

Do you have a few favorite memories or things that you learned during your time here?

A CONVERSATION WITH MIKE KINNEALEY AND MIKE MOONVES

I remember the track meets, cross country races, fun advisory meetings, Saturday nights at Mansion House, weekend trips, fun times in the dorm, and beautiful winter concerts.

Academically, the biggest thing I learned was how to learn. My teachers were really dedicated to making sure that you learned the material.

Dr. Alex and Ms. Stickney always offered extra help and explained concepts in new and different ways. Their classes were some of the most challenging, yet fair, and while I learned a lot of material from them, I learned how to advocate for myself in an academic context. I also learned to be persistent not just for a good grade, but to truly understand the material.

Mike Moonves P’82, the Academy’s former Director of Admission and Financial Aid, recently joined current Director Mike Kinnealey to share thoughts and reflections on the Academy’s financial aid program. Both expressed great enthusiasm for strengthening endowment for financial aid as a fundraising priority of With True Courage, The Campaign for Governor’s.

During the conversation, Moonves and Kinnealey discussed how the objectives of financial aid have evolved over the decades. In the early 1980s, when Moonves was director, financial aid supported expanding economic and cultural diversity in the Governor’s community by improving access for a broader demographic of applicants, in particular those from urban areas. Today, “We continue to attract shared Kinnealey, applicants who not only financial aid bring economic and presents an cultural diversity to the opportunity to community, but also shape the community in more different perspectives, opinions, and experiences.” extensive ways: “We continue to Mike Kinnealey, Director of Admission attract applicants who not only bring economic and cultural diversity to the community, but also different perspectives, opinions, and experiences.”

Kinnealey then added, “To succeed as leaders tomorrow, we must prepare our students today to be culturally nimble and fluent, so we must reflect the diversity of the world in which we live in the Governor’s community.”

▲

“The amount of trust and respect that members of Govs have for each other make Chapel talks possible...

My Chapel talk was a way to say thank you to a community that gave me so much.”

Olivia Haouchine ’18

Inspired by the Govs Community

Currently, the school’s financial aid program is primarily funded through the annual operating budget, which is largely dependent on tuition. Through the fundraising efforts in this campaign, the goal is to shift to a financial aid funding model that is supported in larger part by endowment. “A robust financial aid program takes tremendous resources. I’m thrilled that Govs is pushing to increase its endowment in this regard,” said Moonves.

Kinnealey added, “Strengthening the financial aid program gives the admission team the flexibility to admit more applicants who bring truly diverse perspectives to our classrooms, fields, studios, and dorms.”

Mike Moonves P’82, Faculty Emeritus, and former Director of Admission and Financial Aid

Moonves, who continues to champion the Academy’s efforts to raise funds that support financial aid, added, “The greatest gift we can give our children is access to an exceptional education.” Kinnealey agreed and said, “By enhancing our endowment for financial aid, we are making it possible to admit students from a range of backgrounds and offer our distinctive educational experience to those who might not have the opportunity otherwise.”

Olivia Haouchine ’18 on the meaningful people and experiences during her time at the Academy We recently met up with Olivia, now in her second year at Middlebury College. She reflected on her Govs experience and shared her perspective on how her time in Byfield prepared her for this next phase in her life.

Why did you choose to come to Govs?

Mike Kinnealey Director of Admission

Mr. Kinnealey visited my middle school a few times to share what Governor’s was all about and it piqued my interest. I was an eager seventh grader, so I convinced my mom to drive me up to Byfield to see the school. It seemed like a dream. Unlike many other high schools I visited, students smiled and said hello to each other and to the teachers.

Because of the generous financial aid package that I received, I was able to come to Govs!

My favorite, most profound memory has to be my Chapel talk and Chapel talks in general. To me, Chapel talks represent the community that I experienced when I first visited Govs. Chapel talks given by faculty, staff, or students were wonderful; a piece of advice, or a fun memory to get us through the winter months, and for most students, a coming-of-age story to inspire the student body. The amount of trust and respect that members of Govs have for each other make Chapel talks possible. I remember being behind the podium looking at the faces of faculty, staff, and students; my heart was beating so fast until I thought: These are the people I grew up with; teachers and classmates who had seen me through the past four years, through all of my ups and downs and supported me while I matured and grew more confident. My Chapel talk was a way to say thank you to a community that gave me so much and it was the perfect way to close out my career at Govs.

How did your experience at Govs impact who you are today?

I see now that my Govs education wasn’t just in the classroom. I learned as much in my academic classes as I did in orchestra, tech, cross country/ track, and from my fellow students. Govs was no walk in the park, but teachers supported me to be the best student I could be and I am still inspired by them every day. Govs helped me to become a confident learner and my teachers inspired me to be a well-rounded person who will contribute positively to society and to the communities who have given me so much.

GOVS COMMUNITY UPDATE

BYFIELD STARTUPS Govs Students Launch Businesses as Part of Entrepreneurship Seminar While most high school students are seated in a classroom listening to a teacher lecture, Governor’s students recently learned firsthand from a group of successful entrepreneurs and professionals as part of our Visiting Professional Seminar Series. This fall and winter, twenty-four students participated in a seminar taught by Turing Award winner, MIT professor, and business entrepreneur Dr. Michael Stonebraker ’61.

In six four-person teams, students created and managed their own on-campus startup businesses selling coffee, protein shakes, care packages, snacks, room cleaning services, and decorative door signs for the home.

Dr. Stonebraker challenged each business to achieve $1,000 in gross sales, and the teams went to work. Student entrepreneurs were seen all across campus during various events and breaks throughout the school day. Students also leveraged faculty and staff connections to support their marketing efforts—they really hustled! Interim Academic Dean Bill Quigley P’04, ’10 observed, “Though some teams achieved more sales than others, all students profited by learning how intriguing, difficult, and challenging an entrepreneurial startup can be, and that resilient, inventive responses to failure are essential to success.”

Kathy Huber, an entrepreneur, startup founder and advisor, investor, computer network specialist, and philanthropist co-taught the entrepreneurship class

with Stonebraker. Huber is a mentor with MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service and the Sandbox Innovation Fund. Rounding out the teaching team were teaching assistants Sandi Schussel GP’16, ’20, ’20, ’22, and MIT Sloan School of Management graduates Jennifer Storer P’20,’22, a Governor’s science teacher, and Stacey Griffin P’16, ’20.

Academy senior Scotch went all-in on promoting his business: “Every week we had a two-hour seminar taught by real entrepreneurs in the “Take the shot! tech industry, and then It’s okay to fail. during the week we sold our product (cold brew coffee) Find your passion.” in the dining hall during free Paul Nardone ’86, P’19, Trustee blocks. It was a master class on managing orders and demand, choosing fair prices, building our brand image, and getting our message out— everything we’d be doing with an actual startup.”

Students were lucky enough to have a final seminar discussion with alumnus Paul Nardone ’86, P’19, Trustee, who mapped the journey from his early entrepreneurial forays as a college student to his current status as a visionary and highly sought-after force in the packaged foods industry.

His parting message to the class was, “Don’t let school get in the way of your education. Take the shot! It’s ok to fail.

Find your passion. And finally, learn to pivot (quickly).”

Academy senior Scotch promoting his business as part of the Visiting Professionals Seminar Series this year

My Motivation for Supporting Financial Aid Richard Snowdon ’61 on his commitment to support endowed financial aid We caught up with Richard Snowdon ’61 at his busy law firm in Washington, DC to learn more about his ongoing philanthropic support for financial aid at the Academy. Snowdon, along with Alan Booth ’61, was a leader in establishing the David M. Williams Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of their former teacher, David Williams, who taught at the Academy from 1951 to 1992.

Snowdon is a generous regular contributor to the fund. He shared the personal motivations behind his support.

What motivated you and your classmates to establish this endowed fund?

Creating a fund in David Williams’s name was particularly meaningful to me. He was a key person in my life when I was at GDA. I’d even say that he saved my life. I was in Commons dorm in my junior year, and Dave was the dorm master. I have dyslexia, and he put in the extra time to support and encourage me. He really cared about all of us.

Why endowed financial aid?

I’ve been involved with several independent schools over the years, and I’ve always been a strong supporter of financial aid. Schools need a robust financial aid program in order to diversify their student body, and it’s critical that we support that, but it can often be the hardest money to raise. All of my gifts to schools are to support financial aid. It’s incredibly important to me.

Why do you continue to support the Academy in this generous way?

It was a sweet time at GDA, and we were lucky enough to have an extraordinary group of people: Dave Williams, Heb Evans, Buster Navins. They took care of every kid. Without this group of individuals and my fellow classmates, I would never have gone on to such a good college or had the self-confidence to pursue my dreams.

That group of faculty was hugely influential and helped me mature as a young man. I made my first philanthropic gift to the Academy in 1960, and I’ve been a supporter ever since.

Do you have a few favorite memories or things that you learned during your time here?

A CONVERSATION WITH MIKE KINNEALEY AND MIKE MOONVES

I remember the track meets, cross country races, fun advisory meetings, Saturday nights at Mansion House, weekend trips, fun times in the dorm, and beautiful winter concerts.

Academically, the biggest thing I learned was how to learn. My teachers were really dedicated to making sure that you learned the material.

Dr. Alex and Ms. Stickney always offered extra help and explained concepts in new and different ways. Their classes were some of the most challenging, yet fair, and while I learned a lot of material from them, I learned how to advocate for myself in an academic context. I also learned to be persistent not just for a good grade, but to truly understand the material.

Mike Moonves P’82, the Academy’s former Director of Admission and Financial Aid, recently joined current Director Mike Kinnealey to share thoughts and reflections on the Academy’s financial aid program. Both expressed great enthusiasm for strengthening endowment for financial aid as a fundraising priority of With True Courage, The Campaign for Governor’s.

During the conversation, Moonves and Kinnealey discussed how the objectives of financial aid have evolved over the decades. In the early 1980s, when Moonves was director, financial aid supported expanding economic and cultural diversity in the Governor’s community by improving access for a broader demographic of applicants, in particular those from urban areas. Today, “We continue to attract shared Kinnealey, applicants who not only financial aid bring economic and presents an cultural diversity to the opportunity to community, but also shape the community in more different perspectives, opinions, and experiences.” extensive ways: “We continue to Mike Kinnealey, Director of Admission attract applicants who not only bring economic and cultural diversity to the community, but also different perspectives, opinions, and experiences.”

Kinnealey then added, “To succeed as leaders tomorrow, we must prepare our students today to be culturally nimble and fluent, so we must reflect the diversity of the world in which we live in the Governor’s community.”

▲

“The amount of trust and respect that members of Govs have for each other make Chapel talks possible...

My Chapel talk was a way to say thank you to a community that gave me so much.”

Olivia Haouchine ’18

Inspired by the Govs Community

Currently, the school’s financial aid program is primarily funded through the annual operating budget, which is largely dependent on tuition. Through the fundraising efforts in this campaign, the goal is to shift to a financial aid funding model that is supported in larger part by endowment. “A robust financial aid program takes tremendous resources. I’m thrilled that Govs is pushing to increase its endowment in this regard,” said Moonves.

Kinnealey added, “Strengthening the financial aid program gives the admission team the flexibility to admit more applicants who bring truly diverse perspectives to our classrooms, fields, studios, and dorms.”

Mike Moonves P’82, Faculty Emeritus, and former Director of Admission and Financial Aid

Moonves, who continues to champion the Academy’s efforts to raise funds that support financial aid, added, “The greatest gift we can give our children is access to an exceptional education.” Kinnealey agreed and said, “By enhancing our endowment for financial aid, we are making it possible to admit students from a range of backgrounds and offer our distinctive educational experience to those who might not have the opportunity otherwise.”

Olivia Haouchine ’18 on the meaningful people and experiences during her time at the Academy We recently met up with Olivia, now in her second year at Middlebury College. She reflected on her Govs experience and shared her perspective on how her time in Byfield prepared her for this next phase in her life.

Why did you choose to come to Govs?

Mike Kinnealey Director of Admission

Mr. Kinnealey visited my middle school a few times to share what Governor’s was all about and it piqued my interest. I was an eager seventh grader, so I convinced my mom to drive me up to Byfield to see the school. It seemed like a dream. Unlike many other high schools I visited, students smiled and said hello to each other and to the teachers.

Because of the generous financial aid package that I received, I was able to come to Govs!

My favorite, most profound memory has to be my Chapel talk and Chapel talks in general. To me, Chapel talks represent the community that I experienced when I first visited Govs. Chapel talks given by faculty, staff, or students were wonderful; a piece of advice, or a fun memory to get us through the winter months, and for most students, a coming-of-age story to inspire the student body. The amount of trust and respect that members of Govs have for each other make Chapel talks possible. I remember being behind the podium looking at the faces of faculty, staff, and students; my heart was beating so fast until I thought: These are the people I grew up with; teachers and classmates who had seen me through the past four years, through all of my ups and downs and supported me while I matured and grew more confident. My Chapel talk was a way to say thank you to a community that gave me so much and it was the perfect way to close out my career at Govs.

How did your experience at Govs impact who you are today?

I see now that my Govs education wasn’t just in the classroom. I learned as much in my academic classes as I did in orchestra, tech, cross country/ track, and from my fellow students. Govs was no walk in the park, but teachers supported me to be the best student I could be and I am still inspired by them every day. Govs helped me to become a confident learner and my teachers inspired me to be a well-rounded person who will contribute positively to society and to the communities who have given me so much.

GOVS COMMUNITY UPDATE

BYFIELD STARTUPS Govs Students Launch Businesses as Part of Entrepreneurship Seminar While most high school students are seated in a classroom listening to a teacher lecture, Governor’s students recently learned firsthand from a group of successful entrepreneurs and professionals as part of our Visiting Professional Seminar Series. This fall and winter, twenty-four students participated in a seminar taught by Turing Award winner, MIT professor, and business entrepreneur Dr. Michael Stonebraker ’61.

In six four-person teams, students created and managed their own on-campus startup businesses selling coffee, protein shakes, care packages, snacks, room cleaning services, and decorative door signs for the home.

Dr. Stonebraker challenged each business to achieve $1,000 in gross sales, and the teams went to work. Student entrepreneurs were seen all across campus during various events and breaks throughout the school day. Students also leveraged faculty and staff connections to support their marketing efforts—they really hustled! Interim Academic Dean Bill Quigley P’04, ’10 observed, “Though some teams achieved more sales than others, all students profited by learning how intriguing, difficult, and challenging an entrepreneurial startup can be, and that resilient, inventive responses to failure are essential to success.”

Kathy Huber, an entrepreneur, startup founder and advisor, investor, computer network specialist, and philanthropist co-taught the entrepreneurship class

with Stonebraker. Huber is a mentor with MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service and the Sandbox Innovation Fund. Rounding out the teaching team were teaching assistants Sandi Schussel GP’16, ’20, ’20, ’22, and MIT Sloan School of Management graduates Jennifer Storer P’20,’22, a Governor’s science teacher, and Stacey Griffin P’16, ’20.

Academy senior Scotch went all-in on promoting his business: “Every week we had a two-hour seminar taught by real entrepreneurs in the “Take the shot! tech industry, and then It’s okay to fail. during the week we sold our product (cold brew coffee) Find your passion.” in the dining hall during free Paul Nardone ’86, P’19, Trustee blocks. It was a master class on managing orders and demand, choosing fair prices, building our brand image, and getting our message out— everything we’d be doing with an actual startup.”

Students were lucky enough to have a final seminar discussion with alumnus Paul Nardone ’86, P’19, Trustee, who mapped the journey from his early entrepreneurial forays as a college student to his current status as a visionary and highly sought-after force in the packaged foods industry.

His parting message to the class was, “Don’t let school get in the way of your education. Take the shot! It’s ok to fail.

Find your passion. And finally, learn to pivot (quickly).”

Academy senior Scotch promoting his business as part of the Visiting Professionals Seminar Series this year

My Motivation for Supporting Financial Aid Richard Snowdon ’61 on his commitment to support endowed financial aid We caught up with Richard Snowdon ’61 at his busy law firm in Washington, DC to learn more about his ongoing philanthropic support for financial aid at the Academy. Snowdon, along with Alan Booth ’61, was a leader in establishing the David M. Williams Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of their former teacher, David Williams, who taught at the Academy from 1951 to 1992.

Snowdon is a generous regular contributor to the fund. He shared the personal motivations behind his support.

What motivated you and your classmates to establish this endowed fund?

Creating a fund in David Williams’s name was particularly meaningful to me. He was a key person in my life when I was at GDA. I’d even say that he saved my life. I was in Commons dorm in my junior year, and Dave was the dorm master. I have dyslexia, and he put in the extra time to support and encourage me. He really cared about all of us.

Why endowed financial aid?

I’ve been involved with several independent schools over the years, and I’ve always been a strong supporter of financial aid. Schools need a robust financial aid program in order to diversify their student body, and it’s critical that we support that, but it can often be the hardest money to raise. All of my gifts to schools are to support financial aid. It’s incredibly important to me.

Why do you continue to support the Academy in this generous way?

It was a sweet time at GDA, and we were lucky enough to have an extraordinary group of people: Dave Williams, Heb Evans, Buster Navins. They took care of every kid. Without this group of individuals and my fellow classmates, I would never have gone on to such a good college or had the self-confidence to pursue my dreams.

That group of faculty was hugely influential and helped me mature as a young man. I made my first philanthropic gift to the Academy in 1960, and I’ve been a supporter ever since.

Do you have a few favorite memories or things that you learned during your time here?

A CONVERSATION WITH MIKE KINNEALEY AND MIKE MOONVES

I remember the track meets, cross country races, fun advisory meetings, Saturday nights at Mansion House, weekend trips, fun times in the dorm, and beautiful winter concerts.

Academically, the biggest thing I learned was how to learn. My teachers were really dedicated to making sure that you learned the material.

Dr. Alex and Ms. Stickney always offered extra help and explained concepts in new and different ways. Their classes were some of the most challenging, yet fair, and while I learned a lot of material from them, I learned how to advocate for myself in an academic context. I also learned to be persistent not just for a good grade, but to truly understand the material.

Mike Moonves P’82, the Academy’s former Director of Admission and Financial Aid, recently joined current Director Mike Kinnealey to share thoughts and reflections on the Academy’s financial aid program. Both expressed great enthusiasm for strengthening endowment for financial aid as a fundraising priority of With True Courage, The Campaign for Governor’s.

During the conversation, Moonves and Kinnealey discussed how the objectives of financial aid have evolved over the decades. In the early 1980s, when Moonves was director, financial aid supported expanding economic and cultural diversity in the Governor’s community by improving access for a broader demographic of applicants, in particular those from urban areas. Today, “We continue to attract shared Kinnealey, applicants who not only financial aid bring economic and presents an cultural diversity to the opportunity to community, but also shape the community in more different perspectives, opinions, and experiences.” extensive ways: “We continue to Mike Kinnealey, Director of Admission attract applicants who not only bring economic and cultural diversity to the community, but also different perspectives, opinions, and experiences.”

Kinnealey then added, “To succeed as leaders tomorrow, we must prepare our students today to be culturally nimble and fluent, so we must reflect the diversity of the world in which we live in the Governor’s community.”

▲

“The amount of trust and respect that members of Govs have for each other make Chapel talks possible...

My Chapel talk was a way to say thank you to a community that gave me so much.”

Olivia Haouchine ’18

Inspired by the Govs Community

Currently, the school’s financial aid program is primarily funded through the annual operating budget, which is largely dependent on tuition. Through the fundraising efforts in this campaign, the goal is to shift to a financial aid funding model that is supported in larger part by endowment. “A robust financial aid program takes tremendous resources. I’m thrilled that Govs is pushing to increase its endowment in this regard,” said Moonves.

Kinnealey added, “Strengthening the financial aid program gives the admission team the flexibility to admit more applicants who bring truly diverse perspectives to our classrooms, fields, studios, and dorms.”

Mike Moonves P’82, Faculty Emeritus, and former Director of Admission and Financial Aid

Moonves, who continues to champion the Academy’s efforts to raise funds that support financial aid, added, “The greatest gift we can give our children is access to an exceptional education.” Kinnealey agreed and said, “By enhancing our endowment for financial aid, we are making it possible to admit students from a range of backgrounds and offer our distinctive educational experience to those who might not have the opportunity otherwise.”

Olivia Haouchine ’18 on the meaningful people and experiences during her time at the Academy We recently met up with Olivia, now in her second year at Middlebury College. She reflected on her Govs experience and shared her perspective on how her time in Byfield prepared her for this next phase in her life.

Why did you choose to come to Govs?

Mike Kinnealey Director of Admission

Mr. Kinnealey visited my middle school a few times to share what Governor’s was all about and it piqued my interest. I was an eager seventh grader, so I convinced my mom to drive me up to Byfield to see the school. It seemed like a dream. Unlike many other high schools I visited, students smiled and said hello to each other and to the teachers.

Because of the generous financial aid package that I received, I was able to come to Govs!

My favorite, most profound memory has to be my Chapel talk and Chapel talks in general. To me, Chapel talks represent the community that I experienced when I first visited Govs. Chapel talks given by faculty, staff, or students were wonderful; a piece of advice, or a fun memory to get us through the winter months, and for most students, a coming-of-age story to inspire the student body. The amount of trust and respect that members of Govs have for each other make Chapel talks possible. I remember being behind the podium looking at the faces of faculty, staff, and students; my heart was beating so fast until I thought: These are the people I grew up with; teachers and classmates who had seen me through the past four years, through all of my ups and downs and supported me while I matured and grew more confident. My Chapel talk was a way to say thank you to a community that gave me so much and it was the perfect way to close out my career at Govs.

How did your experience at Govs impact who you are today?

I see now that my Govs education wasn’t just in the classroom. I learned as much in my academic classes as I did in orchestra, tech, cross country/ track, and from my fellow students. Govs was no walk in the park, but teachers supported me to be the best student I could be and I am still inspired by them every day. Govs helped me to become a confident learner and my teachers inspired me to be a well-rounded person who will contribute positively to society and to the communities who have given me so much.

GOVS COMMUNITY UPDATE

BYFIELD STARTUPS Govs Students Launch Businesses as Part of Entrepreneurship Seminar While most high school students are seated in a classroom listening to a teacher lecture, Governor’s students recently learned firsthand from a group of successful entrepreneurs and professionals as part of our Visiting Professional Seminar Series. This fall and winter, twenty-four students participated in a seminar taught by Turing Award winner, MIT professor, and business entrepreneur Dr. Michael Stonebraker ’61.

In six four-person teams, students created and managed their own on-campus startup businesses selling coffee, protein shakes, care packages, snacks, room cleaning services, and decorative door signs for the home.

Dr. Stonebraker challenged each business to achieve $1,000 in gross sales, and the teams went to work. Student entrepreneurs were seen all across campus during various events and breaks throughout the school day. Students also leveraged faculty and staff connections to support their marketing efforts—they really hustled! Interim Academic Dean Bill Quigley P’04, ’10 observed, “Though some teams achieved more sales than others, all students profited by learning how intriguing, difficult, and challenging an entrepreneurial startup can be, and that resilient, inventive responses to failure are essential to success.”

Kathy Huber, an entrepreneur, startup founder and advisor, investor, computer network specialist, and philanthropist co-taught the entrepreneurship class

with Stonebraker. Huber is a mentor with MIT’s Venture Mentoring Service and the Sandbox Innovation Fund. Rounding out the teaching team were teaching assistants Sandi Schussel GP’16, ’20, ’20, ’22, and MIT Sloan School of Management graduates Jennifer Storer P’20,’22, a Governor’s science teacher, and Stacey Griffin P’16, ’20.

Academy senior Scotch went all-in on promoting his business: “Every week we had a two-hour seminar taught by real entrepreneurs in the “Take the shot! tech industry, and then It’s okay to fail. during the week we sold our product (cold brew coffee) Find your passion.” in the dining hall during free Paul Nardone ’86, P’19, Trustee blocks. It was a master class on managing orders and demand, choosing fair prices, building our brand image, and getting our message out— everything we’d be doing with an actual startup.”

Students were lucky enough to have a final seminar discussion with alumnus Paul Nardone ’86, P’19, Trustee, who mapped the journey from his early entrepreneurial forays as a college student to his current status as a visionary and highly sought-after force in the packaged foods industry.

His parting message to the class was, “Don’t let school get in the way of your education. Take the shot! It’s ok to fail.

Find your passion. And finally, learn to pivot (quickly).”

Academy senior Scotch promoting his business as part of the Visiting Professionals Seminar Series this year

My Motivation for Supporting Financial Aid Richard Snowdon ’61 on his commitment to support endowed financial aid We caught up with Richard Snowdon ’61 at his busy law firm in Washington, DC to learn more about his ongoing philanthropic support for financial aid at the Academy. Snowdon, along with Alan Booth ’61, was a leader in establishing the David M. Williams Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of their former teacher, David Williams, who taught at the Academy from 1951 to 1992.

Snowdon is a generous regular contributor to the fund. He shared the personal motivations behind his support.

What motivated you and your classmates to establish this endowed fund?

Creating a fund in David Williams’s name was particularly meaningful to me. He was a key person in my life when I was at GDA. I’d even say that he saved my life. I was in Commons dorm in my junior year, and Dave was the dorm master. I have dyslexia, and he put in the extra time to support and encourage me. He really cared about all of us.

Why endowed financial aid?

I’ve been involved with several independent schools over the years, and I’ve always been a strong supporter of financial aid. Schools need a robust financial aid program in order to diversify their student body, and it’s critical that we support that, but it can often be the hardest money to raise. All of my gifts to schools are to support financial aid. It’s incredibly important to me.

Why do you continue to support the Academy in this generous way?

It was a sweet time at GDA, and we were lucky enough to have an extraordinary group of people: Dave Williams, Heb Evans, Buster Navins. They took care of every kid. Without this group of individuals and my fellow classmates, I would never have gone on to such a good college or had the self-confidence to pursue my dreams.

That group of faculty was hugely influential and helped me mature as a young man. I made my first philanthropic gift to the Academy in 1960, and I’ve been a supporter ever since.