The fall is an exhilarating time of year at schools, and particularly at Vermont Academy. This fall is no exception and it has been outstanding so far. In addition to their classes and athletics, VA students are involved in school government, affinity groups, music and the arts, and issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
First year students bring new excitement, diverse thinking and cultures, and their own interests to the school. Life is thriving on our 450-acre campus, and we are carrying forward the high purpose of preparing our students for self-discovery and lives of fulfillment. This issue of VA Way skims the surface of what’s happening on campus (it would be 64-pages long otherwise). Student leadership is highly valued, and speaking with Abby Hawkins and Alden Ormont, two focused seniors and the VA Student Association (VASA) co-presidents, is enlightening. These two are involved in many initiatives – the DEI Committee, arts, and music, and interestingly, they are both drawn to the sciences and medicine.
Read about our partnership with LaLiga, the Spanish soccer league, that we teamed up with in the spring. This will undoubtedly “up” our game and extend our season beyond the fall and our regular Lakes Region competitions. You’ll also learn about Matt Emsley, VA’s new CFO and COO. He is a dynamic leader with a substantial career track record.
Finally, many alumni have shared with me their memories of discovering lifelong passions through courses they experienced at VA. Today, we have thriving entrepreneurship, economics, psychology, sustainability, and advanced robotics courses. We caught up with Al Simon ‘81, a dynamic graduate who forged several paths as a student. Earlier this fall, the members of the Classes of ‘81-’83 gathered on campus in memory of Wes Roussel ‘82. The new disc golf course, which they gifted in his name, begins in the fields and stretches to the observatory. It is outstanding.
We are anchored in a vision for student learning that draws on our wonderful campus and place-based learning, on learning by doing, and on being nimble to provide students with the nuances of content and skills that will prepare them for college and future careers.
It is going to be an exhilarating school year.
Warmly, Dr. Jennifer L. Zaccara, Head of School
As late autumn settles into southern Vermont, we are excited to launch our annual giving program for the 202223 school year. After last year’s success, VA has once again set a goal of raising $1.3 million for this fiscal year. This sum represents approximately 15 percent of VA’s operating budget. Annual giving plays a critical role in daily operations, directly and immediately supporting inspired teaching, academic and extracurricular opportunities, and financial aid for our students.
Philanthropy powers impact. Gifts of any amount support all the wonderful things happening here at Vermont Academy. Anything donated between now and the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2023, is used in the current academic year to drive our mission of developing confident, active learners and respectful citizens.
Vermont Academy has visionary leadership, an unwavering commitment to its educational philosophies, exemplary teaching, and an unequaled sense of community. Thanks to a strong tradition of generous support from alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends, our school will continue to thrive.
Make a gift today by visiting www.vermontacademy.org/give and keep an eye open for our appeal by U.S. Mail; or call Tonia Fleming, director of advancement, at 802-869-6298 to make your gift. Thank you!
Alden Ormont ‘23 and Abby Hawkins ‘23 became Vermont Academy Student Association (VASA) co-presidents for this academic school year, and they are bringing with them some realistic goals. Learn more about each co-president and some of their aspirations.
Alden Ormont is a four-year day student from Keene, New Hampshire. Family friends strongly recommended that he attend VA. He loved the location and the campus and decided that VA was the school for him. Throughout his junior year, he had talked with Abby Hawkins, who was also interested in running for the VASA presidency, about changes they wanted to see at Vermont Academy. “We are looking at what VASA presidents have done for the past few years,” says Alden. “It is important for us to listen to ideas from other students, and to move our initiatives forward by meeting once a week with Mr. Diaz ‘14, director of international and residential life.”
Both Abby and Alden quickly realized that they shared similar viewpoints on what they believed VASA needed to do for them to have a successful senior year, so they banded together and ran as a joint team. “When we were building up our campaign, we discussed our goals and what we could realistically accomplish,” said Abby. “We never called anything impossible because nothing is really impossible. If we put in the work and we fight for it, anything can become possible at VA.”
Among their goals are speaking with the dining hall staff about including more options for students who are gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian, as well as collaborating with farms and dairies in the area to bring local products to the dining hall. Another one is to increase student turnout at athletic events and artistic performances and presentations. “Students’ confidence in themselves and in their peers is integral to a positive high school experience,” Alden feels. Both Abby and Alden participated in this year’s Cabaret in several performances, including Jazz and Vocal Ensemble. Alden also had a solo performance of Radiohead’s Fake Plastic Trees.
For Abby Hawkins , the three-year senior boarding student from Memphis, Tennessee, she was immediately drawn to the VA community. “Everyone was very welcoming. I loved that; it was my favorite school and decision day wasn’t hard for me. I’ve made great friends here and I’m doing better academically; I’m taking on more challenges and doing more than I ever could in my other school.” Abby was looking for a boarding school where she could pursue her interests in music, theater, and more, and the place that had the best education for her . For example, during her sophomore year, Abby was in charge of set design and stage-managing. This turned out to be one of her greatest learning experiences. She had never built a set before and wasn’t much of a builder, but she was determined. “Although the process was very interesting and fun, it was also very challenging, and frustrating,” she said. “From errors in cutting the wood, to having to change
my design, it was very tiring. We even fell behind at times. I spent my free blocks working on the set, but we got it done in time, and the actors put on a great show.”
Both seniors recognize how to have fun, and also when it is time to dive into serious issues, so both play an instrumental role on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. Issues of inclusion mean a lot to both Abby and Alden, who are bringing new ideas and listening to what their peers want, too. “Our goal is to create an environment where students feel heard and comfortable. Not to say that the current environment isn’t, but we just want to do the best we can. This includes addressing diversity issues and expanding things for students to do,” she stated.
Both are already making in-roads this school year. Alden began by hiking 40 miles of the Long Trail. He says this was an amazing experience when he did it a few weeks before the start of his freshman year and he was happy to do it again. “Senior year is the jumping off point to the future,” Alden says, “I am passionate about music and my relationships with people. I would love to stay involved with music in college and afterward, and I am interested in studying psychology. I hope to work in a field where I can have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.”
And after senior year? “There are many things I’d like to do in the future—to the point where I’m a little undecided,” says Abby. “I have been passionate about music and theater since I was young, but I’m also very interested in medicine and science. Who says I can’t do both?”
We’re fairly certain that with the passion and preparation that Abby and Alden possess, they can do just about anything they set their minds to and we know they are having a positive impact on VA students this year!
An exciting start to our school year included many traditions: a return to the Long Trail, the 11th Annual Wildcat Games, orientation activities galore by class and advisory, VA Service Day, Community Meeting and Community Lunch, our first concert of the school year and a visit by artist and activist Robert Shetterly. All this in just the first four weeks of school! We are looking forward to what the rest of the year will bring!
LaLiga Academy Vermont is an academic and soccer immersion program for young student-athletes, ages 14 to 19, launched on the VA campus in September. Through this unique partnership between VA and the North American branch of LaLiga, students compete at a high level year-round, while receiving a rigorous US college preparatory education with exposure to coaches at top US colleges and universities. Students will train under the LaLiga soccer methodology with LaLiga’s top coaches at Vermont Academy. The goal: enhanced personal development, growth, and future career opportunities.
LaLiga (Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Primera División) is the men’s top professional soccer division of the Spanish soccer league system. While LaLiga currently operates nine permanent soccer academies around the world, the LaLiga Academy Vermont partnership is the first LaLiga soccer program outside Spain to offer a comprehensive college preparatory education combined with LaLiga’s soccer development methodology.
“This wonderful and innovative soccer immersion opportunity with LaLiga further connects VA with the most popular sport in the world at its center. We are thrilled to partner with LaLiga, a world class soccer organization that shares Vermont Academy’s commitment to global educational opportunity and excellence,” said VA Head of School Dr. Jennifer Zaccara.
Nicolás García Hemme, vice president of strategy & business development of LaLiga North America, shared, “The agreement with Vermont Academy is in line with what we have been committed to for years: sports training and education as individuals combined in a holistic player development
program. Vermont Academy has values that fit with LaLiga’s philosophy: empathy, dedication, and adaptability, amongst many others.”
LaLiga methodology focuses on all-around training and education, encompassing all areas of development of youth players: technical, tactical, and physical, as well as academic, personal, psychological, and emotional. It also emphasizes talent development and the individualization of the training process. This holistic approach can make the difference in modern day soccer.
At LaLiga Academy Vermont, student athletes benefit from a soccer methodology established by one of the best professional leagues in the world and a dedicated team of elite coaches and resources to develop their athletic talent and potential. They participate year-round in national and international soccer competitions with the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) and Lakes Region during the fall, as well as tournaments and showcases throughout the academic year. The student athletes also partake fully in VA’s educational, extracurricular, community, and personal growth opportunities.
Eduardo Caturla Hidalgo, a certified UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) professional with extensive international experience, is the year-round LaLiga technical director in residence at VA. Eduardo directs the methodology of LaLiga at VA and joins VA soccer coaches Brian Gilloran and Adrian Diaz Guerrero ‘14 in coaching and training student-athlete participants in the partnership program.
On a gorgeous spring weekend, approximately 100 alumni and friends gathered for the first in-person Reunion since 2019, the pandemic-imposed break in reunions only serving to reinforce their shared love for Vermont Academy!
The weekend kicked off with alumni-planned gatherings on Friday, June 3. Special thanks to the alumni who organized five class and decade-gatherings. George Welles ’53 and David Morse ’58 planned a dinner for the classes in the 1940s and 1950s. Rick Moulton ’67 organized three opportunities for his classmates to celebrate on Friday. Sarah Campbell ’80 and Corina (Luther) Belle-Isle ’80 held a dinner for the Classes of 1979, 1980, and 1981. Tom Oxholm ’82 and Nicole Goguen ’82 hosted a 40th Reunion dinner. Eddie Miller ’15 and George Atkins ’15 hosted a dinner for the Classes of 2010 through 2021.
On-campus activities followed on Saturday, June 4. There was something for everyone to enjoy, whether it was nearby golfing, the walking tour of outdoor learning spaces, campus tours with student-led guides, the food truck lunch and AlumniFest, the chance to celebrate and honor fellow alumni, the farm-to-table dinner, or the bonfire!
TED Talk-style presentations were made by Dr. Bill Chapman ’67, “A Fortunate Life: Notes on a Peripatetic Career in Heritage Conservation”; Katherine Dawes ’99, “Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities, and the Impact of the Pandemic”; Alana Lopez ’15, “Team Puerto Rico Women’s Ice Hockey and People of Color in Ice Hockey”; and Bill Morton ’57, “The Importance of Pollinator Gardens.”
Special thanks to the volunteers, faculty, and staff who made this event so special. To read the full Reunion recap article, visit https://bit.ly/2022reunionrecap. Save the dates of June 2-4, 2023 for Reunion 2023, which will include the Old Guard celebration.
Special thanks to Tom Oxholm ‘82 for his tireless work as the past president of the Vermont Academy Alumni Association.
Reconnecting
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Five additions to the Athletic Hall of Fame were announced at the 2022 VA spring reunion: alumni Dominick A. Dawes ’99, Shelby L. Johnson ’12, and Patience A. Peterson ’00; and special contributors Franklin H. Geist P ’84 and Russell Williams. Inductees are recognized and honored for their outstanding contributions to the VA athletic program.
Dominick A. Dawes ’99 received the Daniel MacFayden Ice Hockey Award and was part of the Norwich University team that won the 2003 Ice Hockey National Championship. He then ranked as the winningest coach in Neumann University ice hockey program history; led his team to the 2009 NCAA Division III National Championship; and at Stevenson University, was named Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year for the 2017-2018 season, and MAC Co-coach of the Year for the 2019-2020 season.
Franklin H. Geist P ’84 coached the 1969 VA cross-country team to finish first out of 13 teams at the New England Prep School Athletic Conference Class B Championship, and first out of 15 schools in the 1970 championship. Franklin inspired decades of VA students as a coach, faculty member, parent of an alumna, volunteer timer for basketball games, and general supporter of VA athletics.
Shelby L. Johnson ’12 received the Barrett Medal, the Greatest Contribution Award for ice hockey, the Dorothy Sener Most Valuable Player Award for lacrosse, and made both the All-League and All Lakes Region lacrosse teams. She completed a PhD at the University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan School of Medicine while balancing her volunteer coaching commitments.
Patience A. (Baldwin) Peterson ’00 made impressive contributions to the girls’ field hockey team and varsity lacrosse team—which won the 2000 Lakes Region Championship. Beyond her VA athletic experience, whether as a D1 lacrosse player or a nationally ranked competitive weightlifter, her continuing passion for competition stands out.
Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Franklin Geist P ’84, longtime Vermont Academy Assistant Athletic Director and Equipment Manager Russ Williams, Shelby Johnson ’12, and Dominick Dawes ’99 with Head of School Dr. Jennifer L. Zaccara. (Missing from this photo is Patience (Baldwin) Peterson ’00, who attended the ceremony via Zoom.
Russell Williams is recognized for his years of service to VA’s athletic program and steadfast support of VA students and teams. Many former and current VA athletes share the sentiments of his nominator, Brianna Wood ’17: “Russ has always been there for VA athletic programs... Russ cares about the students and faculty and… wants everyone to be successful in everything.”
Bill Chapman ’67, the 2022 Florence R. Sabin Class of 1889 Distinguished Alumni Award honoree, with Head of School Dr. Jennifer L. Zaccara.
Bill Chapman ’67 received the Sabin Award at the Academy’s spring 2022 Reunion. The Florence R. Sabin Class of 1889 Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes and honors Vermont Academy alumni who, through their diligence and efforts, have used the basic academic and life skills acquired at the Academy to achieve significant success in their professional careers or have made outstanding contributions in community involvement thereby bringing honor to themselves and to Vermont Academy.
Bill is interim dean of the School of Architecture and professor of American studies at the University of Hawai´i Mānoa. He grew from a small-town Vermont boy to a global authority in the fight to preserve historical sites—and VA helped prepare him for that role. He followed in his family’s footsteps to study at VA. His grandmother attended VA in 1894 (but didn’t graduate); his great aunt graduated in 1906; and his father graduated in 1932. At the Academy, he received a rigorous education and learned new ways of thinking and looking at the world. VA’s core value of “the Land” and focus on sustainability, preservation, and appreciation, were also influential in his becoming a preservationist.
After graduating from VA, Bill received an MS in historic preservation from Columbia University and a PhD in anthropology from Oxford University. Highlights of his career include serving as the chair of the department of American studies and director of the graduate program in historic preservation at the University of Hawai´i Mānoa. He is a four-time Fulbright Scholar and was the American candidate at the International Center for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property in Rome. Chapman has lectured extensively at universities throughout Thailand and Cambodia, contributed to United Nations Educational, Scient ific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) projects, and much more. He has many publications including authoritative texts on the ancient sites of Southeast Asia.
The Vermont Academy of 1978 was a different world from Newark, NJ, where Al Simon ’81 grew up. Adjusting to a new world wasn’t easy. “The program was designed to expose inner city kids to a different lifestyle,” he says. “When I started, there were seven African-American students, and only three by my senior year. But as people got comfortable with me through everyday contact, I got comfortable with them. VA introduced me to different populations for the first time. I realized my world was bigger than my neighborhood. It taught me to interact with different groups and hold conversations.”
Art teacher Mary Hepburn P ‘81, ‘83 asked Al to paint the wildcat mascot on the basketball court. “She was still at VA when I brought my kids up 25 years later. I took them to the courts to show them my work, but it was totally different,” he laughed. Dr. Allison Saville P ‘80, ‘84, ‘89 assigned his students to research their family history—a tough assignment before the internet, especially for African-American students. The experience “set me on a lifelong search. Now, I can trace my father’s family back to the 1820s, my mother’s to the 1740s, and others to Nigeria in the 1600s,” he says with pride. “More importantly, I’ve purchased seven of the 181 acres in South Carolina where our family was forced to work during slavery.”
As a captain’s personal chef in the navy, Al used his VA experiences interacting across cultures to cook for dignitaries from approximately 20 countries. Vermont Academy also influenced his post-navy work in food service, preparing meals and managing systems for country clubs, healthcare organizations, and universities. “I was fascinated by how the VA food services head chef served all the students,” he says. “That, combined with being prepared to interact with people and learn from various cultures, has done so much for me in my life. I would not be the person I am today had I not attended Vermont Academy.”
Al currently works as a senior regional leader at Primerica in Plainfield, New Jersey.
Vermont Academy welcomed Matt Emsley as its new CFO/COO this fall. He comes to VA after an impressive career in finance and business strategy. He worked at a variety of companies ranging from start-up to Fortune 100. Matt earned his CPA/CMA certifications after getting a BS in Finance from Bentley University and MBA from Northeastern University.
Matt is excited to merge his passion for finance and business operations with the dynamic boarding school educational environment at Vermont Academy. “VA is a unique community with a strong connection to the land, which is a perfect match for my time and energy,” he said.
An active runner and hiker, Matt hiked the Vermont Long Trail in 2020, and recently finished the NE67, summiting all the New England 4K peaks. He is highly motivated by achievement patches, which may stem from having been a Boy Scout. Matt’s music playlist is diverse, but he primarily listens to classic rock including his favorite band, the incomparable Van Halen.
Roux Cottage is Matt’s new home with his wife, Alicia, and their two cats, Oprah and Octavia. Their two college-age children, Connor and Becca, attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
P.O. Box 500 Saxtons River VT 05154
December 10, 2022 | 2:304:30 p.m.
Alumni and friends are invited to gather at the Polar Lounge in Bryant Park for an afternoon of ice skating, sweet treats, and winter fun.
One Day for VA 2023 May 2, 2023
Come together with the VA community to support our school with a philanthropic gift on this annual day of celebration.
Reunion 2023
June 2-4, 2023
Reconnect, reunite, and return to campus!
All alumni are invited to join us as we celebrate the classes ending in 3s and 8s in 2023.