Oxford’s boys’ soccer team had one of the most successful seasons in recent memory, going undefeated and winning the Coastal Prep League championship in dominating fashion. The season started with a large unknown, new coaches, and only 4 returning players from the previous year’s team. Several incoming students quickly made an impact as the season started strong with several authoritative victories. As the season progressed, the team became more of a cohesive unit, consistently scoring goals and working together defensively. During the regular season, The Boys in Blue scored 66 goals in 11 matches, while only allowing 18. In the championship match, Oxford was able to win 5-1, earning its second Coastal Prep League championship since joining the league.
It is with great pride that I write to each of you today and share that our beloved Oxford Academy has experienced a record level of interest and the school is taking gigantic strides in every imaginable way. This past summer, admissions welcomed its largest female population to date, and we look forward to another group of talented young women to join our boys for another successful co-ed summer program. Speaking of admissions, we have had more young men interested in attending Oxford than ever before and they continue to reach out from all over the world to find us. And when they show up to begin their journey, they will see a beautiful campus with a number of recent improvements including our new tennis complex and our newly renovated science labs. Another critical addition to the campus that may not catch their eye at first, but is critical for our infrastructure, is our new whole-campus generator which ensures that regardless of any unforeseen weather or power events, the boys will still have their classes and I am sure they are very excited about that!
For the past 7 years, Anne has had the honor of working part-time, with some students at The Oxford Academy, and is thrilled to be transitioning to a full-time position as School Clinician. Anne is a Connecticut Native, and grew up in Wilton, before moving to the Shoreline to raise her family. Anne and her husband now live in Killingworth, where they love to spend time with their children and grandchildren. Anne started her career working with children at Clinton Youth Service Bureau 25 years ago and has worked with adolescents and their families ever since. For the past 10 years, Anne has maintained a private practice as a licensed psychotherapist and has extensive experience working with adolescents and young adults dealing with issues such as, maladjustments to changed family dynamics (divorce, long-term illness, death), anxiety, depression, trouble transitioning to college, executive functioning challenges, bullying issues, school phobia, anger management problems, and trauma.
Originally from South Dakota, Carter Price graduated in 2020 with his B.S. in Biology from York University (then known as York College). While working in a patient engagement role following graduation, he realized his passion for teaching others and decided to pursue an accelerated Master’s degree from William Jewell College. During his student-teaching experience, he helped implement new competencybased practices in the biology program. In college, Carter was involved in a number of student organizations including choir, student government, and the track team. As a York Panther, he achieved multiple academic and athletic All-American awards. Now, Carter continues playing and watching all kinds of sports. He also enjoys traveling, hiking, tinkering, and watching movies. Carter currently lives on campus with his wife, Rebekah, and their two cats.
Ema-Joanne Brauchler joined the Foreign Language department in August of 2022. She was born in Connecticut and grew up on the shoreline. Ema is a graduate of Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore where she earned her B.A. in Spanish and Writing. Prior to teaching at Oxford, Ema tutored college students in Spanish and taught part-time at Loyola. She loves to play rugby, and she is looking to start an intramural rugby club at Oxford. In her free time, she spends time with her family on the beach, reads classic literature, and rides her bike around the area.
Michael is glad to be back at Oxford as a residential faculty. As an alumnus who graduated in 2010, he attributes his success to Oxford Academy. “I wouldn’t have received a scholarship from my first picked college without the help of my incredible teachers here,” says Michael. He earned his B.A. at Washington College and his Master’s at the University of Maryland. Before joining Oxford, he worked abroad in Ethiopia at a private medical school as a guidance counselor and taught anthropology to first-year med and dental students. His passion involves working with students to help them achieve their academic goals. During his free time, he enjoys documentary filmmaking, traveling/exploring different cultures, and spending time with his wife, Sora
Early in life, Patties love for both animals and nature directed her towards a biological career path. She started academically with an undergraduate degree in pre-medical studies at The University of Connecticut. Education continued to play a significant role in other held positions, such as her teaching assistantship during graduate studies in wetland science at The University of Massachusetts, environmental educator at a marine coastal community in Southeastern Georgia, a fish surveyor for large pelagic species off of CT and RI, and a biological technician with the local Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge here in Westbrook. Although she grew up in Essex and has been back with her family for the past 10 years, the opportunity to travel for work projects has been an invaluable learning experience of diversity in cultural values towards natural resource use and in environmental stewardship.
Andrew graduated from the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education in 2012. He then pursued his passion for history by teaching American and world history, as well as civics at Windsor High School until 2019. From 2008 to 2016, Andrew spent his summers as a camp counselor at the Windham-Tolland 4H Camp, teaching campers a variety of outdoor, recreational, and leadership skills. Before joining the Oxford community in 2022, he also pursued an interest in welding, working structural and pipe fitting jobs in southern Connecticut. These days when not in the classroom, he spends his time fermenting, studying history, tinkering, adventuring outdoors, and relaxing with his family at their home in the mountains. He lives in Lind Hall with his wife Maggie.
Michael Kebede
Patty Kusmierski
Andrew Folsom
We are gearing up for another great co-ed summer! The fiveweek program will run from June 19th to July 21st. The summer session generates enthusiasm for academics and offers abundant seaside recreation for students who are ready to keep learning during their summer break. There are opportunities to accelerate learning and experience individualized support with customized, 1:1, and small group classes until 12 pm followed by department lead activities and fun summer recreation on campus and Long Island Sound in the afternoons and evenings. Never hesitate to reach out to learn more!
The Class of 2022 walked into the Donald K. Miller Study Center for their graduation on Saturday, June 4th to see lots of proud and happy family faces. Matthew Pondiccio read from Ecclesiastes followed by Mr. Cocchiola’s welcome and presentation of books to the seniors. Mrs. Martha White and Mr. Matthew LaSota then gave awards and plaques to the following seniors:
Certificates:
English: Daniel Berthiaume
Math: Charles Trovini
History: Espoir Kamanzi
Science: Daniel Berthiaume
World Language: Daniel Berthiaume
Photography: Espoir Kamanzi
Plaques:
Significant Academic Progress: Kureese Perez
Award for International Understanding: Espoir Kamanzi
Superior Academic Achievement: Daniel Berthiaume
Headmaster’s Award: Espoir Kamanzi
Senior Athletic Award: Kureese Perez
Daniel Berthiaume was chosen by his peers to give the Student Address and Mr. Gregg Switaj gave the Faculty Address. Frank M. Anderson '64 traveled from Hawaii to give the Alumnus address.
Albertus Magnus College (3)
Bryant University (2)
Chapman University
Curry College
Dean College
Duquesne University
Fairfield University
Florida International University
Fordham University*
Gonzaga University
Ithaca College
Johnson C. Smith University
Manhattan College,
Maryland Institute College of Art
Quinnipiac University
Roger Williams University
Southern Connecticut University (2)
UCONN Hartford
University of Hartford
University of New Haven
Villanova University*
Wagner College
*Early Decision
Schools in bold are where the students landed*
Friday afternoon kicked off Fall Parents Weekend with a victorious soccer game against BCA followed that evening by a lively reception in the Stone Family Student Center, where all the parents were able to meet and talk to each other and faculty and staff in a relaxed, informal setting. Saturday morning, October 1st, after checking in, parents met with their sons’ teachers and got to ask questions about their progress and how they were doing overall. If they had any downtime parents could visit with each other in the Brainerd Room over coffee and pastries. At the end of the teacher sessions there was a presentation in the Stone Family Student Center by Head of School Cocchiola followed by a delicious lunch prepared by Chef Dave in the Opatrny Dining Hall.
Hagrid, Ghost Rider, ninjas, basketball stars, and the Three Blind Mice...just a few of the characters that occupied the halls of Knight Hall on Halloween. Can you guess who the winner was?
A classic Oxford tradition, Harvest Fest! This year's warm and sunny day started with getting the creative juices flowing with a classic pumpkin carving competition, then switched it over to the egg toss (one of the most competitive I've ever seen), and the pieeating contest. The day finished with the students favorite; launching pumpkins with the trebuchet!
During the Fall of 2022, Oxford Academy embarked on its first domestic trip to discover new and different elements of American history, geography, and culture. In November, 13 students and 3 staff went to Savannah, GA, Beaufort, SC, and Charleston, SC. Traveling to different places that covered so many points in American history and culture was a great experience for our young men. Fort Pulaski, Old Town Savannah, eating Gullah food, exploring different state parks, were all exciting engagements our students encountered. The end of the trip was visiting the USS Yorktown, an Essex class aircraft carrier in which we were able to see different elements of military history. The trip was well received by the students and plans are already underway for our next trip in the fall looking West to experience another different element of American history and culture.
Junior Estima ‘11
Christopher Gozzi ‘06
John Jonap ‘65
Robert D. Walker ‘56
Click here to read all about what our Alumni have been up to this past year!
The “Light on Westbrook” photography exhibition at The Oxford Academy was held on Saturday, March 19th, 2022. By donating a photograph(s) to this exhibition photographers helped us to support Westbrook Public Schools Meal Project with a significant donation.
Thirty-three photographers submitted 151 photographs that showed the theme of light. Jurors Chip Rutan and Mara Lavitt judged the entries. They selected the following: Click here
Oxford Academy had some wonderful donors in 2021-22 who stepped up to make truly transformational gifts to the school. A student’s family gave a restricted gift that allowed us to renovate the science labs, a trustee gave another restricted gift that allowed us to install a campus-wide generator and an alumnus gave an anonymous gift that helped us upgrade our tennis courts! Many thanks to these special Oxford supporters!
Here's a link to all our donors.
In early November Oxford traveled to sunny Los Angeles and combined an admissions conference with some fundraising by hosting an alumni and friends gathering in Studio City, CA at HiHo Cheeseburger. Our alums and their spouses along with some current parents came and enjoyed learning about Oxford and bringing us up to date on their lives too! Following that successful gathering, in December Mr. Cocchiola, Rich Connell, Faith Asselin, Martha Neale, Jessica Forrest, and Helen Waldron hosted an alumni and friends gathering at the Park Avenue Tavern in New York City. Again, lots of laughs and fun!
This Spring Mr. Cocchiola will be in Florida and Chicago and our last friend's gathering of the school year will take place in Boston on May 10th. Be on the lookout for specific times and places in our social media posts about these events, but most of all, please plan on joining us if you are in those locations! We’d love to see you there!
Editor-in-Chief: Jessica Forrest
Contributors to this issue: Phil Cocchiola
Faith Asselin
Taylor Sahl
Geoff Cartier
Christeen Gilman
Mike Lindquist
Sam Grogan
Oxford Nation Newsletter Staff