The Stony Brook School Bulletin - Spring 2020

stony brook The Bulletin of The Stony Brook School

WINTER | SPRING 2020

THE

POWER OF

CIVILITY

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stony brook The Bulletin of The Stony Brook School

WINTER | SPRING 2020

Vol. XC No. 2, Winter/Spring 2020 head of school Joshua Crane P ’18, ’20, ’23 director of advancement Luke Layow P ’22, ’25 advancement associate for communications Alana Mercurio editor Alessandra Trouwborst art director/designer Jeanine Davis photographers Bruce Jeffrey P ’21, ’23 Tom Gao ’20 Emma Pedersen ’20 Rosemary Wu ’20

the stony brook board of trustees S. Michael Koh ’88, Chair Elaine M. Kanas P ’09, Vice-Chair Henry Ho ’78, Secretary Ian Haynes P ’15, ’17, ’21, Treasurer Polly Berol, Assistant Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Operations Bruce Bohuny P ’17 Sharon Bottomley P ’06, ’16 Joshua Crane P ’18, ’20, ’23, Head of School Christine Kang P ’18 Bradley R. Kirk ’82 Christopher Levy ’84, P’18 Wendelyne Horst Murphy ’82 Rebecca Haile Swanson ’78

ALL SHOOK UP 10

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DEPARTMENTS

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The Stony Brook Bulletin, USPS #522-440, is produced for all alumni, parents, and friends of The Stony Brook School. The Bulletin is published by The Stony Brook School, Inc., Stony Brook, New York, three times a year. mission statement The Stony Brook School is an independent college preparatory school (grades 7-12) that exists to challenge young men and women to know Jesus Christ as Lord, to love others as themselves, and to grow in knowledge and skill, in order that they may serve the world through their character and leadership.

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From the Head of School

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Campus Life

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The Arts

1 2

Athletics

1 6

Features

2 6

Letters

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phone 631-941-1550 fax 631-941-1557 email alumni@sbs.org website sbs.org

Faculty Logs

printed by Corporate Color, Deer Park, NY

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Alumni Logs

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In Memoriam

send address changes to: the stony brook school alumni office 1 chapman parkway stony brook, ny 11790

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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Friends of The Stony Brook School, I write to you during extraordinary times. As this issue of The Bulletin will show, The Stony Brook School has chosen to speak into a cultural challenge that was threatening to cause much harm to the fabric of our society and our humanity—the lack of civility. However, since the time of conceiving and compiling this issue, a much more pressing threat has emerged that has had an enormous impact on our School: COVID-19.

The Stony Brook School started its COVID-19 journey in late January, when many of our international parents petitioned that the School remain open for our spring break, which was February 14–March 1. Many SBS teachers and administrators gave up portions of their spring breaks to facilitate a meaningful experience for 25 students who remained with us during that time. As COVID-19 began to make its way to our region, in an early effort to keep our students and community safe, we suspended School beginning on March 13 and moved our entire academic program online in the span of three days. Simultaneously, our faculty and staff provided extraordinary care to the students who, because of travel restrictions and other complicating factors, were unable to return home, which at one point was more than 100 students. As of this writing, we still have 20 students on our campus who fall into this category. Faculty and staff have been delivering meals, driving students to the airport in the middle of the night, and providing reassurance and care during anxious times.

When posterity looks back on this chapter of The Stony Brook School, it will find a God who graciously answered our prayers for protection and provision. It will find courageous, generous, skillful, and caring people who lived our mission of serving the world through their character and leadership. It will also find a time of great innovation. This break in our routine has given us an unprecedented chance to think about how to most effectively sustain and advance our School particularly in the field of online learning. There is much more to share with you at a later time on this topic. While the challenges presented by COVID-19 may test our resilience as a School, they will not overwhelm us.

Our School’s history is not unlike our personal stories. As the hymn writer says, “through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come.” What we know about our faith is that often the most challenging times produce the greatest growth. There will be much to write about how COVID-19 shaped our School for the good, and we are already seeing signs of this. We look forward to sharing it all with you at the right time.

We pray that every Brooker experienced the hope of the Resurrection this Eastertide. As Christians, we know that while it may often look and feel like Friday, Sunday is indeed coming. May God protect you and aid you in persevering through this time.

Best regards, Joshua Crane, Head of School

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To The Class of 2020 Encouragement from SBS Faculty & Alumni Seniors, I am so proud of you for all you have accomplished this year, but what impresses me more is the character you have developed during your time at SBS and the relationships you continue to nurture even while worlds apart. We truly love and miss you and wish we could enjoy spring with you on campus! Finish strong academically and lead the underclassmen with courage in response to the challenges we are currently facing. Your faith, hope, love, courage, and temperance are being tested. Show the world what people of character do when faced with challenge and uncertainty! God is good enough and powerful enough to see us through this. He is present to each of us no matter how far we are from each other.

– Dr. Sean Riley, Academic Dean

The history books will speak of the Class of 2020: how they persevered through adversity, supported their fellow students, uplifted their community, and obtained their high school diplomas. On behalf of the SBS Class of 2014, I want to commend you for your hard work and dedication. We are excited to soon welcome you into the alumni community. And, as an SBS graduate, I can tell you that life’s greatest adventures are still to come.

– Sasha Rubman ’14

When I think about each of you, the strength, courage, and resilience embedded within you all, I know you will make it through hard times, both now and in your future. I will always cherish the joy, laughter, depth, and love you have brought to my life at SBS. Thank you for that gift!

– Linda Thiele, School Store Manager

Remember that your classmates will always love and accept you, so be vulnerable with them in this time.

They are safe, and they knew you and your good heart before all any of these current challenges existed. Always remember: Character before Career.

Your character is being tested right now in ways mine was not in the spring of my senior year. May God bless you as you navigate this unusual valley.”

– Douglas Alexander ’75

Class of 2020, you are an incredibly unique and talented group, and it has been a joy to see you grow and flourish during your time at The Brook. You have given so much to our community, and we hope that as you leave us, you take a little bit of us with you. Don’t forget us on your exciting journey ahead, because we won’t forget you.

We love you! God’s blessings!

– Dan Hickey ’04, Director of Athletics

I loved my time at the Brook because of the special community that I am still deeply connected to decades after graduation. Though there is a great deal of uncertainty about the days ahead, I would like to remind you that times of uncertainty also provide opportunities for us to be our best possible selves. I hope that you are taking a deep dive into yourselves and finding ways to mark your time at The Brook that you could not have imagined months ago. Congratulations on the beautiful connections you have made during your time at The Brook.

– Antoinette Quarshie ’83

Many of you do not know this, but I began praying for your class many years before you even thought about coming to SBS. When my own son was still little, I realized that he was going to be in the Class of 2020! I want to encourage you that this time and this year were specially chosen just for you—and that is good news! We are so thankful for each one of you and what an amazing class you are!

– Martha Pavao, World Language Chair and Senior Master

Although I can only imagine how difficult this may be for you as the end of your senior year draws near, I encourage you to not let this experience sour the end of your time at Stony Brook. Take a moment to reflect on the year, or years, which you have spent at SBS, since what you have learned both inside the classroom and out will stay with you for the rest of your life. I also encourage you to remain connected with your teachers as they have so much to offer beyond teaching you subject facts. They are there to help you grow as individuals, and may provide comfort during such a trying time.

They truly care about you. I would not be the woman I am today without the wonderful teachers I had. Take care.

I have faith you all will get through this much stronger than you were before.

– Joy-Louise K. Gape ’17

Fearful I would not graduate in 1955, I penned this poem: ‘O Stony Brook, thy courts are hard, And many from your exits barred, Are seeking refuge in the ditch Instead of seeking roads of which Might lead to equal glory.’

At this juncture of life, there are second chances! We can thank God for that!

– Richard Purchase ’55

campus life

What’s Happening at SBS Robotics Lower School: Our Middle School Robotics Team competed in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) LEGO League Qualifier on February 7. This competition challenges students to research issues such as energy efficiency and recyling. The team then develops a solution and present it to the community. Additionally, they design, build, and program a robot using LEGO to compete in an arena.

At the qualifier, Team 11362 (the “Urban Ursulas”) won the Core Values Gracious Professionalism Award, and Team 11363 (the “HydroBears”) won the Alliance Award and Robot Design Programming Award, and had the opportunity to move on to the Championship round at Longwood High School.

Upper School: The SBS Upper School Robotics Team competed in the FIRST Robotics Long Island Regional Competition against 27 other teams on February 2. In six weeks, students were required to build a robot that could participate in tournament-style games against other teams.

After winning 2-1 in a hard-fought match in the semi-finals against a rival team, they rolled into the championship matches 2-0. In addition, students took home awards in all three engineering categories for Programming, Design, and Innovation. Lastly and most significantly, they won for the first time the Inspire Award, which is the highest award given at these competitions!

On March 7, the Upper School team competed in the Regional Championship where they battled against the best on Long Island, emerging as the Long Island Champions, and securing the coveted Innovation Award. Although the championship was canceled this year, the 9-0 win would have moved the team on to the World Championships in Detroit for the second year in a row.

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Driven Retreat At the beginning of January, a group of students, faculty, and staff traveled to Camp Spofford in New Hampshire for the annual Driven Retreat. This weekend trip, led by the SBS Christian Life Team, is organized each year to give students an opportunity to focus on their spiritual growth.

Alumnus Michael Hickey ’05, the weekend’s featured speaker, had a great way of relating to the students as a past Brooker. His vulnerability paved the way for a lot of honest conversations and opening up, and students commented on being very grateful that he shared his story.

Throughout the weekend, students played games by the fire, dodgeball, and hockey; went tubing; and built new friendships. During the Saturday evening session, many students went forward for prayer and were able to let their guard down in a safe space with their peers. On Sunday, the kids were sad to load up the buses, and many asked if SBS could make it a week-long retreat next year.

Lydia O’Brien, Student Life Assistant and Activities & Community Service Coordinator, has seen many students come to know the Lord more deeply on these retreats, and is grateful that more and more students want to attend each year.

“Students have told me that as a high schooler, there’s often so much you have to deal with, and sometimes stuff down. The retreat is a place where they feel safe dealing with hard things, where they can be comforted by their friends and also by the Lord.”

“ The retreat is a place where they feel safe dealing with hard things, where they can be comforted by their friends and also by the Lord.”

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campus life

International Festival On Saturday, January 25, we held our annual International Festival. It was a wonderful night spent celebrating diversity, culture and unity, and over 30 countries were represented! Guests received passports upon arrival and used them to collect stamps from each country’s table.

Over 400 people were in attendance.

Students not only shared their culture through food, but through beautiful song, dance, and an incredible yo-yo performance. The night ended with a bang as students shot off 20 large confetti poppers.

“Diversity is not and should never be a selling point of our school. Rather, it is a cherishable quality this community is blessed with to serve our students, so that we can empathize with others and take pride in the fact that we live, study, and thrive in such a rich cultural pool,” said Wensan Yin ’20, the president of the International Council.

“The fact that students, faculty, and parents are walking around tables at the International Festival, curiously learning about various cultures, is the clearest manifestation that the love for ‘diversity’ is deeply ingrained in our hearts.”

A big thank you to the International Council, the club’s faculty sponsor Mrs. Marci Winston, and everyone that made the evening possible!

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SBS’ Final Helen Figge Moss Show On March 12, SBS held the opening of its final Helen Figge Moss Memorial Exhibition, featuring the works of Ben Frank Moss III. Ben Moss ’54 was a well-respected artist, teacher and mentor, and conceived of the exhibition. Along with his wife Jean and other family members, he supported it generously over the years. After Ben’s passing in 2019, the School decided to honor his commitment to SBS and the arts by featuring his work in this last exhibition. Ben’s son, Ben Frank Moss IV ’87, attended the opening to speak about his father’s artwork.

Thanks to our community being more generous than ever before, the 19-20 school year boasted the completion of many mission-critical projects. As we approach our fiscal year end, we ask you to consider partnering with us to continue making a difference in the lives of our students.

Giving to the SBS NEXT Annual Fund provides support to areas that need it most—like new materials for our STEM department, ongoing campus improvements, continued investment in academics and curriculum development, and so much more.

GIVE TODAY

to the SBS NEXT Annual Fund at www.sbs.org/give.

the arts

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All

Shook Up

by Majida Smith, Director of Theatre Arts

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he Theatrical Arts Society put on the jiving, hilarious, Elvis-inspired musical All Shook Up this past February. Just as with every other production, each one brings with it its own set of challenges and rewards both on and off stage—and this year was no different.

The tech, set, and design crews worked tirelessly to bring a bit of magic to Carson Auditorium by transforming the stage space into an invitingly homey diner, a small town main street, and a nostalgically winsome carnival. The crews let their creativity take over while working with design and prop ideas to facilitate a more immersive theater experience for our audiences, from effect lighting to interactive props. The Green Room crew brought their meticulous attention to detail and an eye for fashion to the stage. The aesthetics crew enjoyed putting together retro designs and ensemble character sketches, and they all agreed that getting “the Elvis cut” (i.e. a pompadour) just right is much harder than it looks!

Our talented and hard-working cast enthusiastically learned music, lines, and choreography, which is never an easy feat for any production! They also delightedly learned to navigate roaring laughter from the audience when one of the quirky characters dropped a funny line or broke out into an unexpected song. The cast brought personality, charm, and individuality to their roles, all while maintaining a positive and encouraging ensemble dynamic. As always, the glue to any show is evidenced most in its stage managers—from reviewing lines, blocking, and choreography; to organizing props, setting the stage, and helping the cast; to “running” production nights—and ours were no exception.

Nearly 50 students were involved in bringing this production of All Shook Up to life. Brought together by the iconic and well-loved music, as well as the infectious humor of the show, the students’ dedication, enthusiasm, and care for each other made for a wonderfully honest and cohesive off-stage and on-stage experience. Our students learned, as the characters in the musical did, that sometimes listening and empathy go a long way toward understanding.

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athletics

ATHLETIC FE

by Dan Hickey ’04, Director of Athletics

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ach season brings familiar rhythms, and winters in Stony Brook are no exception. Wreaths adorn the entrance to Gaebelein Hall, the Service of Lessons and Carols ushers in the Advent season, and Swanson Gymnasium becomes a warm refuge on icy nights. The winning tradition followed as well as the Bears extended their streak to six consecutive seasons with a team championship and upped their 2019-20 total to seven.

The Swim team took on some of the best swimmers in the east as they returned to the prestigious Easterns Championship in Lancaster, PA. Seven Bears turned in 10 season-best times, highlighted by Hunter Markowitz’s ’20

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school-record mark (1:00.12) in the 100 breaststroke.

Sofia Arrascue ’22, Amelia Griffin ’25, Rebecca Crane ’20, and Ruthie Crane ’23 joined forces to earn finals berths in the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays while seniors Rebecca Crane (100 freestyle) and Markowitz (100 breaststroke) earned spots in individual finals. One week later, Markowitz claimed silver and bronze medals at the NYSAIS Swim Championships while Arrascue turned in 5th and 15th place finishes. Robby Fehrenbach ’21 added a 13th place finish in the 100 freestyle.

For the 20th straight year, the Boys’ Varsity Basketball team punched a postseason ticket, extending the second-

EATS longest active streak in Suffolk County behind the perennial power Amityville. The highlight of the season was a thrilling 71-68 win over The Knox School as the Bears avenged a 37-point loss against last year’s Class B state semifinalists. Despite bowing out in the PSAA quarterfinals, the Bears’ resume earned them the program’s first at-large bid into the NYSAIS Tournament. Owen Sobel ’20 earned All-PSAA honors in his final season while Colin Scanlon ’21 and TJ Wachter ’21 were named All-Division.

The Wrestling team went undefeated in PSAA play to claim the program’s first League Championship since winning the Ivy League title in 1972. Thirteen wrestlers 13

athletics

“ The winning tradition followed as the Bears extended their streak to six consecutive seasons with a team championship and upped their 2019-20 total to seven.”

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moved on to the NYSAIS Wrestling Championship where Carter Brett ’22 and Jason Kim ’23 earned fourth-place finishes, Forest Kaplan-Walbrecht ’23 took third, and Eze Barrah ’20 became the school’s first wrestling State Champion, claiming the NYSAIS crown in the 195-lbs class. The victory earned the senior a berth in the New York State Federation Championship in Albany, the Bears’ first since the Hulse brothers’ in 2013.

team finished runner-up in the PSAA East Division before upsetting the West Division’s top-seeded Lawrence Woodmere in the semifinals, 26-24. The win booked them a return trip to the PSAA Championship game where they narrowly fell by eight points to an undefeated Portledge squad. Niamh Scanlon ’23 earned All-PSAA honors while Nadia Hall ’20 and Wura Obasanjo ’20 claimed spots on the All-Division team.

Despite graduating one of the best scorers in program history in 2019 with Beth Felix, the Girls’ Varsity Basketball

We look forward to more thrilling seasons to come. n

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feature

Halfway There Making space for students to have real conversations about pressing topics

by Chris Burton, Frank E. Gaebelein Director of Equity and Inclusion

A “ When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born.”

(Lev. 19:33-34)

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year ago my family and I made the decision to join the community here at SBS. We were tremendously excited and I remember asking God, “Lord, what are you up to? Why are you bringing me here?” My excitement was tempered by a hermeneutic of suspicion and a familiar question bubbling in my spirit, “How is this going to go?”

Stevie Wonder prophetically sang that “Love is in need of Love today.”

We see this when we see our society’s inability to promote civil discourse.

Rather than learning from one another, we have a proclivity to reside in our respective echo chambers and treat the matters of the day with the sort of tribalism best reserved for sporting events. This year, the Equity and Inclusion office has been a part of two initiatives aimed toward preparing our community for the countercultural, critical, and—most importantly— sacred work of civil discourse.

Our Prefect Board conceived an initiative called Meet Me Halfway.

Twice a month, students gather over dinner and dessert as we discuss hot button issues such as refugee crises, immigration, climate change, and cultural appropriation. Every gathering of Meet Me Halfway furthers my conviction that civil discourse is good, sacred work. I am continuously impressed and honored to be with students who demonstrate remarkable thoughtfulness and care for one another. Meet Me Halfway has a message for the world: You can disagree without belittling. We can encounter differences without “othering.” Our diversity is our strength.

Another initiative that has impacted civil discourse has been the Community Read initiative. This year, faculty, staff and students held parallel conversations centering on Beverly Daniel Tatum’s seminal text, Why are all the Black Kids sitting together in the Cafeteria?: And Other Conversations about Race. As we

know too well, conversations regarding race can be delicate. Week after week, I witnessed members of our community share their experiences and adopt a posture of understanding with one another.

The call for equity and inclusion resounds in scripture. Leviticus mandates “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born” (Lev. 19:33-34).

When coupled with the inextricable nature of Jesus’ commandments to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” (Mark 12:30) we understand that loving our neighbors is critical in our endeavor to demonstrate our love for God. Equity and inclusion is a work grounded in love. When we love one another, it creates space for civil discourse.

I am tremendously excited for SBS’ opportunity to witness to the world in this regard. Civil discourse is sacred work because the alternative is anything but. When we remove civility for our way of being, we call our tethers into question. Interconnectedness is critical. We need to model this in a world that would rather disassociate itself from those who disagree. We can demonstrate a better and more understanding path.

When we take civility seriously, we will be surprised by who we will encounter. God continues to majestically knit creation together, in part by allowing people to find a common bond. Imagine if we let worldly schisms keep us apart? I mourn for the losses we have incurred by resisting love for our neighbor.

Perhaps we are fearful of what divides us. Perhaps we are anxious about how we will be received.

Sometimes we even get weary when we try to be heard or attempt to be

hospitable. My prayer for us is that we will not be weary in well-doing.

Fear of the other continues to compel many but we have a wonderful opportunity to train young people to model civility.

I will never forget visiting SBS for the first time and being really pleased by the diversity. Standing in Hegeman chapel, looking out at a room filled with young people from all over the world is a joy I continue to appreciate. The International Council does great work here. The International Festival, in particular, is truly a delight and the entire week in which our community celebrates our diversity is a highlight of the School Year. It is a joy to celebrate one another and civil discourse allows us to deepen our joys together. Life will not always call for celebration but it will often call for understanding. n

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feature

Diving Deeper with Alpha

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he week after the annual Driven Retreat to Camp Spofford, SBS senior Steven Saraniero and four other student leaders held the first meeting of Alpha for Teens: a 13-week course that creates a space for students to bring their friends and have open conversations about God, faith, and life. Every meeting begins with a meal, moves into pre-recorded videos that address questions like “Who is Jesus?” and “How do I pray?”, and then ends with group discussion. This program has helped over 35,000 people around the world unpack and explore some of life’s most pressing questions.

Steven first encountered the Alpha program in his 9th grade Sunday school class, and experienced first-hand how encouraging and satisfying it was to have a communal conversation about real-life things in a candid environment.

“The way Alpha is designed really gets people talking, and not just about surface-level stuff,” said Steven. “That’s one of the aspects of the program that really shines and draws people in.”

After completing the program himself, Steven felt it on his heart to bring Alpha to Stony Brook for almost two

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by Alana Mercurio

years before he took action to get the program set into motion on campus.

Once he secured funding from Student Activities and a plan was set in place, other student leaders were added to the team, and sign-ups were announced.

“Honestly, for the first meeting, I expected maybe 10-15 people to sign up,” said Steven. “But within the first hour, 16 people had signed up. Then, the next morning, it was even higher, and slowly climbed up to 60 people! That’s more than 10% of our student body.”

After the first week, students kept coming and began inviting friends. A total of five students composed the leadership team—(pictured opposite, L-R)—Caitlin O’Neill ’20, Ethan Layow ’22, Lars Johnson ’21, Wolf Moller ’20, and Steven—helped facilitate conversations.

Students who are new to the faith, or still at the stage of exploring what Christianity really is, began attending and asking hard questions. Students who have a solid faith have also begun to attend and get fired up about sharing the gospel.

Lydia O’Brien, SBS’s Activities & Community Service Coordinator and Student Life Assistant, oversees the program, and was floored by the results. “Many nights, the table leaders and I get together after the students all leave and we look at each other, jaws dropped, in awe. We have been absolutely floored by the attendance, conversations, questions, and positive feedback from the students.

Our students love talking to each other about life: Alpha has been the catalyst to help them dive deeper.”

“It looks different for every student who attends, but I believe progress is being made and a deep work is being done,” said Steven. “Different kids have come up to me and said ‘I’m so glad Alpha came to campus, it’s bringing me closer to the Lord’ and that’s just so incredible.”

In addition to seeing their peers’ hunger for the Lord increase, each leader has been pushed past their comfort zone; and as they’ve continued to invest in the ministry, they’ve seen their own faith grow.

“Serving the Lord in any capacity forces you to ask yourself questions that you wouldn’t normally have to face,” said Steven. “But by doing God’s work, it brings you so much closer to Him and helps you see more clearly.

All of this has opened my eyes to how much the Lord is pursuing this community, and also how much people are seeking Him here.” n

It looks different for every student who attends, but I believe progress is being made and a deep work is being done.

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feature

We are ONE Team ETHICS BOWL CHAMPIONS

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by Sean Riley, Dean of Academics

oming off consecutive regional Ethics Bowl championships and a fifth-place finish at Nationals last spring, The Stony Brook School Ethics Bowl team was flooded with interest from talented students at the beginning of this School year.

As coaches Brad Brummeler, Luke Trouwborst, and I surveyed a roster of over 20 Brookers competing for 10 starting roster spots, we knew we could field a competitive team staffed only by students who we would eventually have to cut. We also knew that we had a group of students who possessed the character needed to commit to the process of preparation, even in the absence of individual rewards. So we encouraged everyone to embrace whatever role the team needed them to play. “We are one team” became our daily mantra. “Whether you compete at regionals at Hofstra University, serve as a practice squad sparring partner, or simply contribute research and suggest argumentative strategies to the starters,” we told them, “we are all an integral part of the same team.”

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SBS Ethics Bowl team at Hofstra University after winning the Long Island High School Ethics Bowl for the third year in a row.

Remaining unified is especially difficult in Ethics Bowl, a competition designed to force people with different convictions to discuss hotly contested moral and political issues.

To win, teams must put forth rigorous and nuanced arguments while engaging their opponents humbly and graciously. The rubric the judges use to evaluate the teams includes categories for acknowledging opposing viewpoints and respectful dialogue. This year’s cases included: • whether mature 17-year-olds should be forced to undergo chemo that neither they nor their parents want • whether billionaires who chose to donate to the restoration of Notre Dame made the right choice, instead of giving their money to fight hunger and poverty • whether families should be allowed to involuntarily commit their drug-addicted loved ones, and • whether it is morally permissible to punch a white supremacist who has not committed acts of physical violence.

Even within our teams, viewpoints differed and emotions sometimes ran hot, but students learned to humble themselves, hear each other out, swallow their pride, and forge a pathway forward together.

At the regional competition, the character of our students was on full display. They demonstrated intellectual humility and courage, clarity and acuity in their arguments,

and an infectious love for truth. They deferred to one another, acknowledged their weaknesses, and let each other’s strengths shine. At times they appeared more mature, more temperate, and more composed than some of the adult judges at the event.

And most impressively, they engaged their opponents with greater civility than most adults seem to be able to manage in public and private life these days.

For their efforts, both Stony Brook teams went undefeated on the day, finishing first and second in the opening rounds and qualifying for the semi-finals. In tightly-contested rounds against Syosset and Bethpage, both teams emerged victorious, setting up an unprecedented sweep of the event by a single school. According to Ethics Bowl rules, if a school, and not a particular team from the school, wins the event, the contest ends there with both teams finishing in first place, and they are chosen to represent Long Island at National competition. It was a fitting end to a season focused on team unity, and now that team is headed to UNC-Chapel Hill to compete in its third straight National High School Ethics Bowl.

We are one team, united in our pursuit of truth, humbly offering our various talents and perspectives in service of goods greater than ourselves, and we couldn’t be prouder of our students who continuously show us the ways they have been transformed by the principles of Character Before Career. n 21

feature

May it Please the Court Mock Trial teaches competitors to speak with dignity, grace, earnestness, and conviction

by Luke Trouwborst, history faculty and Mock Trial coach

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hoenix Jones was working at his desk one August afternoon when the federal agents knocked at his door. They had questions. Had he ever purchased stolen goods online? Had he shipped them to a local pawnshop and split the profit with the pawnshop owner? Jones maintained his innocence, but to no avail.

He was arrested and charged with conspiracy to traffic stolen goods. Officers had been trying to find the identity of the pawn shop’s provider for months, a mystery figure known to pawnshop employees as “Emery Rose.”

The evidence against Jones is daunting. When officers searched his room, they found $7,500 in cash under his bed—an amount that exactly matched pawnshop records for payouts to “Emery Rose.” Jones’ computer revealed incriminating Google searches for the prices of stolen items. And officers discovered that Jones had a connection to the alias used to commit the crime: his long-deceased uncle’s name was “Emerald Rose.”

As the evidence against Jones piled up, The Stony Brook School Mock Trial Team stepped in to prosecute—and, on

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alternating weeks, defend—Phoenix Jones. Jones, of course, is a fictional character created for a mock trial simulation run by the New York State Bar Association.

The Stony Brook team comprises three attorneys and three witnesses who portray key characters in the case.

Twenty-six other Suffolk County schools also field teams in the competition. Each school must be prepared to prosecute or defend Phoenix Jones.

In their first trial, the Bears took up the defense side of the case. Andrew Tinaz ’21 opened the trial by walking the judge through the holes in the prosecution’s theory of the case. “The prosecution will tell you a story,” he explained, “that is missing chapters and characters. It will have unresolved questions and tensions.” Tinaz, Anya Caraiani ’20, and Cici Cheng ’22 followed by cross-examining key prosecution witnesses. Had the investigating officer followed up on other key leads? Were key prosecution witnesses completely honest? Did the prosecution’s expert witnesses disclose conflicts of interest? Then Stony Brook students took to the witness stand to testify—from the defendant, played by Jordan Sundel ’21, to a local taxi driver, played by Emmanuel Avila ’23. Caraiani closed the trial with a summation: She worked through case law and criminal statutes, convincingly arguing that the government had failed to prove each element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge deliberated, then ruled: Not Guilty. He then announced how he had scored the team’s presentations, and announced a winner: The Stony Brook School. The team celebrated, and then got back to work.

Just before the spread of COVID-19 canceled the season, the team was poised for a long run in the NY State playoffs.

Mock trials thoroughly test the courage and composure of high school students. When walking into real courtrooms run by real judges, students must quickly adapt to a wildly complex set of rules and customs. They must learn to navigate the paradox of our legal system. On the one hand, legal proceedings are adversarial. Attorneys will advocate for their clients or positions competitively, intentionally presenting only one side of the story. Yet they must compete with civility and respect for their opponents. These often punishing expectations are a test of true character.

As Stony Brook’s mock trial coach, I warn new students that they will fail this test at first. There is no way to learn mock trial except through failing, and then trying again.

Attorneys and witnesses, after their first trial, are often stunned by the intensity of presenting in such a competitive environment. You can practice a statement 50 times in front of a mirror and still find yourself tongue-tied before a judge. But the finished product: a well-rounded mock trial competitor, is truly impressive. They will move and speak with dignity, grace, earnestness, and conviction. They’ll argue the law with precision and tell stories with empathy. They will be students of character prepared for careers in public service. I’m always proud of our students after a trial when judges encourage them to pursue careers in law. Many praise them effusively, some telling them only half-jokingly that they could skip right to practicing law. The message is consistent: win or lose, succeed or fail, keep working. Character forged in high school will benefit these students’ future communities for decades. n The SBS Mock Trial team after winning a home meet.

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feature

Civic Education an interview with Vippy Yee ’92 Vippe Yee is the Director of the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement at Penn State Brandywine.

She also holds a seat on her city’s council. We asked her about how her work promotes civil discourse. This interview has been edited for length.

What was SBS like when you were a student?

Can you tell us about your career journey?

I graduated from SBS in 1992 and have really wonderful memories from my time here. I was well-prepared academically for college. I spent so many hours laughing and hanging out with the incredible girls in Monro. Was it perfect? No, but few places are, especially in hindsight.

Yet I appreciate the genuine care and love I received from the staff and faculty at the time.

During the fall of my senior year at Dickinson College, I studied abroad in Beijing, China. I had previously spent a summer at Oxford University, but this was my first truly global learning experience. I traveled throughout China and studied with students from all over the world. In Beijing, I met my husband Peter, a Dutchman, who had just graduated with a master’s degree in China studies.

After graduation, I moved to Shanghai and managed the research division at a global financial services firm. Peter and I eventually moved to Washington, DC, where we were married, and I was hired as a communications manager for a national banking trade association.

Later Peter had the opportunity to work as a consultant in Antwerp, Belgium, and I started reevaluating my career path. I researched graduate programs in Europe: What did I really want from a career? What would be meaningful to me? During this time, I also volunteered at a shelter for human trafficking victims, which opened my eyes to the intense suffering of people at the intersections of 24

poverty, corruption, sexism, and globalization. My undergraduate degree was in Political Science and East Asian Studies, but I decided to pursue a Master of Science in Sociology at the London School of Economics. At this point in my career, I thought that I wanted to become a documentary filmmaker, and I wanted to have a deeper understanding of societal problems and structural inequalities to ground and give depth to my storytelling.

A month after I graduated, I gave birth to my twin daughters, Ava and Noa. We decided to move our family back to the Philadelphia region to be closer to my family. Two years later, I began teaching Sociology courses part-time at Penn State University. I also became involved with my local community by volunteering at my church, my children’s school, the Girl Scouts, and in local government. After teaching part-time for 10 years, I worked full-time for Bryn Mawr College as their Assistant Director of Volunteer Programs. My background in sociology, global experiences, and personal commitment to civic engagement prepared me well for this position. After a few years, Penn State Brandywine was given a gift to start a new Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement. The university asked me if I would consider applying for the job, and I was hired as the inaugural Rosenberg Director in June of 2018.

What does the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement equip students to do?

The Center prepares Penn State Brandywine students to become socially responsible leaders who are equipped to make positive changes in the world. I develop community partnerships with local schools, non-profits, and public agencies. Through these partnerships, we encourage students to become active citizens by learning about and building the capacities of our local communities. By connecting with the Center, our students discover community engagement opportunities through volunteering, non-profit internships, community-based research, and campus programs. As they find creative, effective ways to serve their campus and local and global communities, they also make valuable connections and develop professional skills.

I also develop campus programs that promote student voter engagement, ethical literacy, and awareness of social justice issues. For example, this year we created a new campus tradition and research project at Penn State Brandywine that simulates the presidential nominating convention. The goal of the Mock Convention was to predict who the party not currently in the White House will nominate to run for President. This convention will occur every four years and is designed to provide students with leadership opportunities, to create a fun new campus tradition, to increase the civic capacity of students, and to increase our campus visibility in our local communities.

Every student, faculty, and staff member was placed into a state delegation. We held Mock State Primaries and a Mock Nominating Convention for the whole campus.

Our guest speakers were local politicians, and we held a floor vote to determine who we believed would be the Democratic nominee for President. It was a lot of fun and involved the entire campus. Hopefully, it sparked an interest in the real 2020 primaries and the general election later in November.

In 2018, you were elected as a Council Woman for the Rose Valley Borough, in PA. What led you to pursue political work?

I have been very involved in my local community for the past 15 years. I first became involved in the local school district when I was President of the Home and School Association and served on various district-wide planning and search committees. When my children moved to middle school, I decided to run for a seat on the local school board. I lost my first race, but I was appointed to a seat a couple of years later when a vacancy on the school board emerged. Afterwards, I became more involved in my local borough. My parents were born and raised under a dictatorship, so I have always appreciated the incredible opportunity we have as citizens in this country to govern ourselves, directly impact our government, and hold it accountable to the people. I ran in 2017 because I felt that our Borough Council needed to have more representation from the younger generations in my community. It has been an absolute pleasure serving my community with my fellow council members. I have learned so much about how local governments operate and really love being on the council.

You are also heavily involved in your Church, correct?

Yes, I am an elder at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church.

For 10 years, I was also the Youth Choir Director at our Church. I have been Chair of the Worship Committee, and a member of our Outreach, Parish Life, and Christian Education Committees. I am also a Stephen Minister which is an ecumenical caring ministry.

Your education and career have taken you all over the world—while raising twin daughters! How has that built your family identity?

We are definitely a global family. I am Asian-American and my husband is a white European from the Netherlands. I am originally from Sydney, Australia, and my parents were born and raised in Indonesia. My children are bi-racial and were born in Antwerp, Belgium. I believe my identities and life experience have made me really open to change, and I wholeheartedly embrace differences.

While I am deeply invested in my local communities, I generally have a very global perspective on life.

As someone who has spent two decades in civic service and leadership, what lessons have you learned about civil discourse? How can people have more productive conversations and develop greater understanding, especially in today's political climate?

I have been using a project called the Living Room Conversation on my campus for the past year to help groups that have differences to learn to have meaningful conversations. While it can be hard to respect people with values that are vastly different from your own, I always remember that what usually motivates people is a universal desire for connection and to be loved. We may have different ideas about how to implement or reach a goal, but our underlying desires are not usually that dissimilar.

Ultimately, we have to recognize the humanity of the person in front of us.

At Stony Brook, one of our goals is to help students become skillful in the art of civil discourse. What advice would you give to current high schoolers pursuing civic engagement?

It’s important to understand that relationships are at the heart of most civic engagement work. Learn to listen and have long-term commitments when possible. While in high school, you can already start to volunteer on a regular basis with organizations that align with your values. Remember that you are always developing partnerships with people that have just as much, if not more, to teach you. If you are serious about this work, take advantage of opportunities in college or in your community to get connected to organizations. Learn as much as you can about asset-based community development.

While in college I joined Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity that connected me to many organizations in Carlisle, PA. Your college may also have a civic engagement minor or certificate that you can also pursue. n

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letters

Written Prayers At the beginning of this year, students were challenged to write down their prayers as often as they were able, and allow their racing thoughts to be slowed down by their hand.

Dear Heavenly Father, We trust You because You are strong and loving. You delivered us from evil.

We love You with our whole hearts because You sent Your only Son to die for our sins. We thank You for Your unconditional grace. We thank You for this wonderful day. We thank You for mini-course weeks when we have the opportunity to have a break from the normal school schedule. We pray for the protection of the students who are still doing sports. Please watch over them and protect them from injuries. We pray for the seniors who are now preparing for college. We pray that You would care for them and give them wisdom.

In Jesus’s name, we pray, Amen!

Lord, thank You for another day to learn more about You and the love You have for us.

I pray that You would reveal Your love to each and every person here. Lord, You know all the challenges we face as students at SBS. Please help us to find our peace and our joy in You. Lord, we thank You for Your perfect love.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

—Kaibo ’21

Lord, I thank You for the young men and women at our School today, that we are able to gather to learn about You under one roof. I pray that they will be able to put aside the everyday hustle and bustle of school and life to come and connect with You through Your Word. And that even after we leave here today that we will remember what we learned and use it whenever we wish to make bad decisions. In Jesus’s name, we pray, Amen.

—Akinade ’21

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—Ethan ’22

Dear God, thank You for everything You have done for us. Thank You for blessing us with the gift of perseverance and the ability to push through. Especially on gloomy days, it is very comforting to know that You will always be by our side and will reward us with better days in the near future. Lord, please place those who are suffering in the palm of your hand, and guide them through their struggles.

I would also like to pray for all of the leaders in the world. I pray that You give them the wisdom to be the leaders that You want them to be, in order to guide their people like Your son Jesus did. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.

—Shannuel ’21

JOIN THE SBS ALUMNI NETWORK If you’re looking to reconnect with old classmates, build your professional network, find alumni in your area, or just keep in touch with SBS happenings, our new website is the place for you!

What does the SBS Alumni Network allow you to do?

•C onnect and network with over 4,000 SBS alumni, explore what your peers are up to, and find alumni in your area via the map feature

•P ost and explore career opportunities, register for alumni events, and share your own “alumni stories”

•R econnect with old friends, especially those who aren’t on social media and may be “off the grid” ...and more! Sign up for an account today at alumni.sbs.org!

faculty log

FACULTY TRIPS SPAIN: Over spring break, 12 students in upper-level Spanish classes traveled to Seville, Spain, with Mrs. Jennie Stortz (Spanish faculty) and Mr. Steve Stortz (Math Chair) on SBS’ first-ever language immersion program. The students on this trip took part in a mini-course that prepared them for the cultural differences and experiences that awaited them in Spain. While in Spain, students stayed with host families and experienced traditional Spanish family life—from putting into practice greetings learned in class, to adjusting to new meal schedules. Students also took language and culture classes, toured attractions in Seville, learned to make colorful Spanish tiles, learned to dance flamenco, took a cooking class, had a language exchange with students at a local high school, and explored all the cultural richness that Seville has to offer. The 10-day trip culminated in a visit to the historic Alhambra in the city of Granada.

“Throughout the trip, lessons from Spanish classes at Stony Brook came to life as students explored two cities where Spanish culture and history is vibrant and accessible,” said Mrs. Stortz. “Spain captured their hearts and the experience is one to remember for a lifetime.”

FRANCE: A group of students headed to Toulouse, France, with Ms. Lydia O’Brien, the Activities & Community Service Coordinator and Student Life Assistant, led by members of Reign Ministries—an organization that seeks to advance the kingdom of God by developing youth and youth leaders who have great commandment hearts and live Great Commission lifestyles. While there, students worked with local churches to minister to refugees and migrants making their way from impoverished or war-torn countries and seeking shelter and opportunities in Europe.

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Granada, Spain

Mr. Lars Brownworth ’93 was featured on the recently released Netflix documentary series, Rise of Empires: Ottoman. Last year, Mr. Brownworth was flown to the production studio to be interviewed as an expert in this time period of history. “ Filming an interview for a TV show is a bizarre thing to experience. The key thing, of course, is to look relaxed and to have what appears to be a normal conversation,” said Mr. Brownworth. “At the same time, however, there are five cameras at various angles about three feet from your face, a collection of camera operators and techs monitoring you, and various lights that make it nearly impossible to see who’s asking you the question. We talked for about three hours that somehow seemed more like fifteen minutes! Exhausting, but quite the adrenaline rush!”

Dr. Sean Riley (Academic Dean) spoke at the Society of Christian Philosophers meeting in Tampa in January, focusing on helping professional philosophers teach philosophy to their students in a more engaging way.

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alumni log

In January, the SBS Alumni Network was launched—a platform where alumni can access a directory, submit class notes, register for events and connect with alumni around the world. Walter Gale ’54 comments: “My hope is that others from my class will sign up for this alumni network. I think it’s a great way to communicate with classmates that live far from the New York City Area.” Whether you live near or far away from the Brook, we hope you enjoy keeping in touch! Sign up at alumni.sbs.org

Benjamin F. Moss IV ’87 visited SBS campus in March for the final Helen Figge Moss Exhibition that honored his father’s life and work and shared some thoughts on his life and art.

Pictured top: Lee Reineke ’60 with Luke Layow Above: Jack Hall ’77 with Luke Layow

Left, Jim Stephens ’87 visited campus in November.

Director of Advancement Luke Layow met up with Atlanta alumni including Brian Brown ’64, Jack Hall ’77, and Mike Hostetter ’80.

He also visited with alumnus Lee Reinke ’60 in Ponte Beach, FL. John Felix, Warren Tickle, Dave Kleinschmidt, Carl Lingle, Jack Emery, and Warren Hannas

Above, members of the Class of 1963 and their spouses gathered for their fourth annual reunion in Sarasota, FL on February 12.

JOIN THE SBS ALUMNI NETWORK Looking to reconnect with old classmates, build your professional network, find alumni in your area, or just keep in touch with SBS happenings, our new website is the place for you.

Sign up for an account today at alumni.sbs.org!

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Glenn Ogden ’65 was inducted into the University of Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 19, 2018. Glenn was an outstanding distance runner and leader for the “Mizzou” men’s track and cross country programs.

Glenn and his teams garnered numerous honors between 1965 and 1969. While there, Glenn helped to guide Mizzou to its first conference cross country championship in 38 years. He also broke Mizzou distance records in three different events during his time in the uniform; and his two-mile record (8:46 in 1967) stands today as the school record in the event.

Philip Vega ’84 shared on the SBS Alumni Network that his novel, Last Exit to Montauk, was selected 1st place winner, Multicultural Category, from TopShelf Magazine.

This winter Dr. Dolores Griffin Morris ’96 of the University of South Florida hosted and organized the Eastern Regional meeting for the Society of Christian Philosophers. The conference focused on public philosophy.

Dr. Sean Riley, SBS Academic Dean, attended and served on a panel on pedagogy at the conference, which focused on helping professional philosophers think about how they can teach philosophy to their students in a more engaging way. In addition to Dolores Morris, Sean was able to meet up with Kathy Griffin and Michael Harvey, both former SBS faculty members.

Suk Jin Choi ’98 held an SBS get-together in December.

L to R Sasha Rubman ’14, Seema Saifee, Rafael Ruiz, Barry Scheck

Adam Jones ’06 and Sara Jacobson were married on January 18, 2020, at the Seagate Beach Club in Delray Beach, Florida. The wedding officiant was Hannah Nielsen-Jones, Adam’s cousin and daughter of Peter NielsenJones ’60. The newlyweds will continue to live in Delray. Stony Brook alumni also in attendance were Stephen Jones ’65, father of the groom and brother, Ian Jones ’03, and Peter Nielsen-Jones ’60.

Sasha Rubman ’14 is currently in her second year of law school at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City. At Cardozo, she is a clinical student at the Innocence Project (founded by Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld), where she works to help exonerate wrongfully convicted prisoners through DNA evidence. Recently, the Innocence Project was able to exonerate long-time client Rafael Ruiz! “ It was truly an incredible day and an honor to be a part of the legal team that made it possible. It is an honor to learn from attorneys Seema Saifee and Barry Scheck, who are so prominent in this field. I wanted to thank The Stony Brook School for laying the groundwork in my education and teaching me character.”

Chelsea Garbe ’15 visited with Director of Middle School Tonja Detwiler ’88 and Advancement Associate Caprielle D’Ulisse at SBS in January before heading to South Bend, Indiana, where she would start her position as Associate Producer with WSBT-22 News, an affiliate of Fox and CBS.

ALUMNI EVENTS Long Island alumni met up for an event at Locale in Patchogue on November 7.

Denver Alumni gathered with Head of School Joshua Crane on December 4 at the home of Sam Walker ’76 and his wife Cynthia.

Roshni Chuganey ’13, Duhirwe Rushemeza ’96, and Meiya Chang ’14

Brookers attended the Manhattan Alumni event on February 12 at the Cornell Club.

Alumni Ted Turnau ’83 recently published his second book The Pop Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ, which focuses on helping parents engage popular culture with their children; helping them talk about issues that matter, training them to understand their world better, and teaching them to understand how the gospel outshines the idols of this world. Says Turnau on his book:

Florida Alumni gathered in Tampa in early March at the home of Mike ’89 and Gina ’90 White.

“ It’s a difficult world to navigate culture-wise, but I don’t believe just hiding our heads in the sand—withdrawing into a comfortable subculture, abandoning our neighbors to their own devices—is what God would have us do.”

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in memoriam

OBITUARIES Alumni Richard Calvin Sanger ’48 on April 13, 2019 (Canton, CT). Dick attended SBS for two years. He excelled at cross country, and his senior year, he captained the team, which was undefeated. Dick served in the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War, continued his education at Trinity College in Hartford, CT, and then went on to law school at the University of Connecticut.

Afterwards, he began his law practice in Canton and became active in many of the town’s civic organizations.

“ Come to me, all you who are weary and

Dick was predeceased by his wife Eleanor.

He is survived by his son Robert Sanger, his daughter-in-law Christine Andreoli-Sanger, his grandchildren, Elanna and Ryan, and his longtime companion Lois Carroll.

burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

—Matthew 11:28-30 Photo of History Department Faculty: L to R: Terry Harrison, Don Marshall and Milt Hostetter

Wentworth Terry Harrison ’50 on December 22, 2019 (Newnan, GA). When his father, Lt. General William Harrison, was serving in Japan after WWII, he sent Terry to The Stony Brook School. During his years at the Brook, Terry joined the football, track, and tennis teams in addition to participating in the Christian Association, Choir, and the Executive Council. Terry earned a BA in History at Wheaton College, and then he joined the Marines. After six years on active duty he returned to teach at The Stony Brook School from 1962 to 1977. During those 15 years Terry held a wide variety of positions 32

including Bible and history teacher, tennis coach, Admissions Director and Dean of Students. Terry’s wife Andrea writes, “The School is where he chose to teach upon leaving the United States Marine Corps, and it is where he raised his six kids, and it is where he made some of his dearest lifelong friends.” In addition to teaching, Terry was a lifelong learner himself and earned two masters degrees, one in history and one in liberal arts.

Terry was honored at The Stony Brook School’s 90 for Ninety Celebration in 2011 for his work as a teacher, headmaster, and Christian educator. Terry loved his years at SBS both as a student and faculty member.

Terry and his wife Andrea endowed the Harrison Award, which is given on class night to the “best all-around” male and female students in the senior class. Terry also supported his class by serving as their class representative. Terry is survived by Andrea, his wife of 63 years; his daughters Janice ’75, Ruthanne ’80, and Meg ’89; his sons Will ’77, Tom ’79, and Bob ’80; as well as his fifteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Harlin Bradford Hill III ’54 on January 12, 2020 (Watertown, MA). Harlin (also known as Rocky) came to SBS from Boston and spent four years at the School. He enjoyed many different sports at Stony Brook. He also participated in numerous clubs and organizations including the Blue and White, the Photography Club, Rifle Club, Science Club, and the Stamp Club.

After Stony Brook, Harlin attended Colgate University, and also served in the U.S. Army as an interpreter stationed in Berlin, Germany. Following his service, Harlin returned to Massachusetts and worked for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement.

Harlin is survived by his wife Galina, his son Marcus, stepdaughter Katya Tsaioun, his granddaughter Eugenie, and his sister Nancy. Rocky was a faithful supporter of The Stony Brook School and recently attended Homecoming, driving himself down from Massachusetts for his 65th reunion at the School.

Charles P. Underwood Jr. ’54 on October 14, 2019 (Bay Ridge, NY). Charlie was raised in Babylon, NY, with his sister Caroline. He attended The Stony Brook School for his senior year and then continued his education at Wesleyan University. Charlie served in the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1960.

Charlie is survived by daughters Martha Underwood and Claire Bonde (Toni), and his grandsons Collin and Charlie Bonde, his companion Maryellen West, and his sister Caroline Miccio and her family.

David Bayles Minuse ’56 on September 8, 2019 (Vero Beach, FL). Dave attended lower school at The Stony Brook School for two years. After college, Dave became a partner in the family hardware-houseware business, D.T. Bayles and Son, in Stony Brook Village, and was very involved in the Stony Brook community until he and his wife moved to Florida.

David is survived by his wife Priscilla (known as Honey), his sons Peter and Paavo, his daughter Robin, two grandchildren, and his sister Cynthia.

years at The Stony Brook School, Jon represented his class on the executive committee, as a class officer, and sang in the choir. Jon also participated in football, basketball, and baseball; none of his classmates would be surprised that he coached all levels and ages of youth sports in his later years. Jon graduated from Judson University with a BA in Human Relations, became a licensed social worker, and eventually earned a Masters in Education. He was a social worker on the Menominee Reservation, in the Shawano and Oconto counties of Wisconsin. His years of work gave him the opportunity to engage in many different areas, including child protective services, youth at risk, and mental health case management. Jon and his wife Stephanie were also licensed foster parents; over 17 years, they cared for 34 teenage boys.

dren; and Jon’s siblings: Tom, Dave, Sally Gutierrez, Mark ’62, and Samuel ’72. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Carolyn, his son Calvin, his brother James, and sister Elizabeth.

Jon is survived by his wife Stephanie and their children: Jonathan, Joseph, Benjamin, Sarah, William, and Robert; ten grandchil-

Brian is survived by his wife Christina Lu, his brother Roger ’84, his sisters Ann ’85 and Lisel ’88, and many nieces and nephews.

Brian Frederick Wycoff ’79 on October 23, 2017 (Frisco, TX). Brian attended The Stony Brook School for three years. He played varsity football and basketball at The Brook and went on to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and served for four years in the Armored Cavalry. Once out of the military, Brian worked as a quality assurance engineer in the electronic manufacturing industry for over 29 years. He also continued to be a dedicated sportsman, sports enthusiast, traveler, and man of faith.

Ralph A. Johnson Jr. ’64 on October 5, 2019 (Aiken, SC). During his three years at SBS Ralph participated in three athletic seasons: football, wrestling, and track.

Ralph led the football and wrestling teams as the co-captain during his senior year and was a class rep in the Student Government. In college, Ralph went on to captain his wrestling team, and was a four time state collegiate wrestling champion and two-time SEC conference champion. Ralph completed his PhD at Ohio University. He served as the Superintendent of the New Albany Schools in Ohio and then became the Director of Leadership at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio.

Ralph is survived by his wife Terry, his sister Grace, and his brother Kenneth.

Raph was a longtime supporter of The Stony Brook School and a member of the Curtis Circle.

Jonathan Gavin Hanchett ’68 on January 12, 2020 (Madison, WI). During his four 33

Faculty and Friends Clara Bergen on January 4, 2020 (Worton, MD). Clara was the wife of John K. Bergen ’45.

Daniel J. Shybunko on October 30, 2019 (Hauppauge, NY). Daniel Shybunko is survived by his second wife Carol; his daughters Donna Shybunko ’83, Anne Shybunko-Moore ’89, and Nora Holland; and his sons Stephen and Daniel.

Rev. Dr. Paul Szto on October 22, 2019 (New York, NY). Dr. Szto was the father of Peter Szto ’73. As founder and pastor of the Queens Christian Reformed Church in NYC, Dr. Szto was an admirer of The Stony Brook School and referred students to the School.

Jean Matheson Jean was the mother of Tom Matheson ’70.

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Myong Shim Choi on December 25, 2019 (Buffalo, NY). Myong Shim Choi was the mother of Chris Loo, SBS Director of College Counseling, and grandmother of Rebecca Loo ’18, Hannah, and Stephanie.

Louise Goldberg on January 3, 2020 (Falmouth, MA). Louise Goldberg is survived by her sister Nancy Cloos Babin and her nieces. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Dorothie and Marvin Goldberg, former faculty members of The Stony Brook School.

Charles Claus Spreckels on February 3, 2020 (East Setauket, NY). Charles Spreckels was the grandfather of Joseph Spreckels ’22 and Caleb Spreckels ’20.

Arthur James Talboo II on February 6, 2020 (The Villages, FL). Art Talboo was a math teacher at The Stony Brook School

from 2003 to 2004. He is survived by his wife Marcia, his daughter Mindy, his son AJ Talboo ’00 (Stephanie), three grandchildren, and his brother Charles (Karen).

Tilden Hamilton Bunge on January 29, 2020 (New York, NY). Ham Bunge is survived by his wife Ann Lydecker Bunge ’84. Ann writes that her husband became a fan of The Stony Brook School; he appreciated the School’s international character because Ham had attended the International School of Geneva when his family was posted there.

Donald Nilsen on March 10, 2020 (Rehoboth Beach, DE). He is survived by four children including his son, Caswell Nilsen, a current faculty member at The Stony Brook School. Donald was a veteran and will be interred at the Arlington National Cemetery.

SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 9-11, 2020

HOMECOMING WEEKEND

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PERIODICALS POSTAGE

THE BULLETIN The Stony Brook School 1 Chapman Parkway Stony Brook, NY 11790

PAID

STONY BROOK, NY PERMIT NO. 522-440

631-751-1800 www.stonybrookschool.org

SUMMER AT THE BROOK

PROGRAM OFFERINGS:

The summer programs at SBS seek to encourage and strengthen families by offering them a place where their children will be inspired, challenged, and well cared for. God has gifted us a world beaming with opportunity, and during the summer weeks we strive to venture into as many of those areas as we can.

After over 60 years, our focus has not changed.

• • • • •

We offer a wide variety of programs for campers entering grades 1-12. Take a look around, see what programs interest your child most, and know that regardless of which program they choose, they are all powered by the same heartbeat: to nurture mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, and social growth in young people.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER CALL (631) 751-1800 x595 email summer.programs@sbs.org or visit sbs.org/summer-at-sbs for more details.

Sports Marine STEM Outdoor Adventure Academics

Ask us about our residential and speciality programs. All of our programs focus on skill development as well as developing a passion for activity and creativity.