oncircle wa s h i n g t o n m o n t e s s o r i s c h o o l n e w s l e t t e r · SUMMER 2016 · vol. 32, no. 2
BACK: Maxwell Rhodes, Carter Day, Jack Gersten, Sean Dunbar, Jacob Bruck, James Lawlor, Britton Davis, Reilly Mahan, Will Allee THIRD: Kayla Surajnoth, Najla Braddock, Charles DeVos, Nathaniel Ince, Oliver Sanchez, Max Benton-Cook, Philip Valletta, Bella Boljonis, Liana Swarz-Burt SECOND: Lily Thompson, Isabel O’Connell, Najma Braddock, Logan Clew-Bachrach, Laura Davenport, Sarala Grayson-Funk, Aurora Aviles, Kenyon Prenoveau FRONT: Livia Greenberg, Isabel Martin, Zhanara Ray-Tunis, Meghan Spangenberg, Ella Paolucci, Eliza Travelstead
GRADUATION 2016
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n a simple, yet touching, gesture at the beginning of graduation, the thirty-two members of the class of 2016 stood together and applauded their teachers and advisors for their guidance, enthusiasm and dedication. They joined Chair of the Board of Trustees, Bill Dunbar, in thanking them. “Most importantly, thank you to the teachers, to the staff and to Pat for everything you’ve done for our kids,” Bill said. “You’ve taught them; you’ve coached them; you’ve advised them; and you’ve inspired them. As a parent and as a trustee, I’ll be forever grateful for the work that you do.” Appreciation for their teachers was a theme continued by
the graduates throughout the ceremony. As is the tradition at WMS graduations, each student took to the stage to either speak or perform. “WMS has helped me build a vision of who I want to be in the future,” said Max Benton-Cook. “Ever since I was little, the teachers here have supported my creativity and they have helped me legitimately enjoy trying new things and going on new adventures.” Trying new things emerged as yet another theme. Many graduates talked about appreciating WMS for helping them to push themselves beyond their own expectations. continued on page 2
GRADUATION 2016
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continued
“The most important thing I’ve learned and accomplished at WMS was to step out of my comfort zone,” said Isabel Martin, who noted, among other things, the recent 8th-grade service trip to New Mexico, where she and her classmates faced and surpassed
to accept any challenges that come my way and to maintain a good character. We’ve encountered different ways to conquer our fears. We were encouraged to walk out of our bubble of safety.” “I’ve learned a lot about myself. I’ve
class of 2016 high school choices : Will Allee
Britton Davis
Isabel O’Connell
Aurora Aviles
Charles DeVos
Ella Paolucci
Max Benton-Cook
Sean Dunbar
Kenyon Prenoveau
Livia Greenberg
Zhanara Ray-Tunis
Millbrook School The Gunnery
Pasadena Waldorf School, CA Bella Boljonis
Berkshire School The Gunnery
The Taft School
Stratton Mountain Los Altos High School, CA School Najla Braddock
Sacred Heart High School Najma Braddock
Sacred Heart High School Jacob Bruck
The Gunnery
Logan Clew-Bachrach
The Taft School
Laura Davenport
Out of Door Academy, FL Carter Day
The Hotchkiss School
Westminster School Westover School Litchfield High School The Gunnery
Maxwell Rhodes Sarala Grayson-Funk Kent School Housatonic Valley High Oliver Sanchez
School
Marvelwood School
Jack Gersten
Meghan Spangenberg
Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Nathaniel Ince
The Gunnery
James Lawlor
South Kent School Reilly Mahan
Canterbury School Isabel Martin
The Gunnery
The Taft School
Kayla Surajnoth
Westover School
Liana Swarz-Burt
Westover School Lily Thompson
The Taft School
Eliza Travelstead
The Taft School
Philip Valletta
South Kent School
many surprising physical and emotional challenges. “During my years at WMS, I have grown a lot.” “Here I was taught to go out of my comfort zone, take responsibility and be independent,” said Najla Braddock. Her sister Najma said: “I learned to persevere,
learned how to conquer my fears and how to get through things that scare me,” said Liana Swarz-Burt. It’s true that teaching students to push their own boundaries is one of the goals of our curriculum—especially in Middle School. Through encouragement to face
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challenges head on, develop strategies to master new skills, and learn how to deal with setbacks, our students leave WMS well-prepared to handle the demands of the ever-changing world that awaits them. “It’s not only a school where you learn about math and science,” said Carter Day. “It’s a school where you are also taught how to be a respectful citizen and an all-around good person who benefits his friends and surroundings. The lessons I learned here will always stick with me, and I will use the knowledge I gained here throughout the rest
“
WMS has helped me build a vision of who I want to be in the future... ever since I was little, the teachers here have supported my creativity and they have helped me legitimately enjoy trying new things and going on new adventures.
”
–Max Cook of my life. I truly believe that my life here at WMS will never be over. I will always look back to this school and remember how much it did for me and how important it’s been in my life.” Following the remarks by our graduates, their 6th- and 7th-grade classmates presented them with personally written poems, another WMS tradition; one that illustrates the deep sense of community and friendship felt within the Middle School. Head of School Pat Werner then addressed the class of 2016. “It’s time to expand your world and we are sure you are ready to go.”
TENNIS COURTS As part of our 50th Anniversary Capital Campaign, the four W new tennis courts are part of the WMS Sports Park situated on the
e are pleased to announce that the tennis courts are finished.
north end of campus. The tennis courts offer a breathtaking view of the school and the surrounding area. We invite members of the WMS community to enjoy the tennis courts and have established some guidelines for their use. Please visit washingtonmontessori. org/tenniscourts to read the expectations prior to playing tennis.
Eighth-grader Laura Davenport and her classmates were part of the first team to play on WMS’s new tennis courts. Seventh-grader Augie Delves-Broughton tosses up a serve on the new tennis courts.
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GRANDPARENTS & SPECIAL FRIENDS
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1 Maya Woodhall with her grandmother Sally Woodhall. 2 Eliot Wadsworth with his grandfather Eliot Wadsworth. 3 Lily Slepoy with her grandparents Jackie & Manny Silverman. 4 Jack Horgan with his grandparents Leigh & Roger Peet. 5 Emery Baumgartner with her grandmother Nancy Weiner. 6 Hayden Fisher with her grandfather Alan Fisher. 7 Caroline Davis with her grandparents Barbara & David Lilyestrom.
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ALUMNI NEWS 1983.......................
1987.......................
1989......................
1993.......................
Kerry Dorton continues to
Amy Habbas continues to live in Manhattan. She spent two weeks this summer in Lake Como, Italy. Among other things, she recently had dinner at Gabe McMackin’s ’90 Brooklyn restaurant The Finch.“It was incredible! Everyone must go,” she raved.
TJ Oneglia and his wife Mary welcomed their third child this year, a daughter named Tess. Tess joins big brother Jack and big sister Lucy.
and her husband Jon welcomed their first child this winter, a son named Bodhi Emerson.
teach Middle School math and science at WMS, but she has also been developing and implementing curriculum for Slooh Classroom, a live space lab for 4th- through 8th-graders.
Sara Lynn Leavenworth is the Director of Admissions at The Gunnery. She admits she 1988....................... loves meeting and interviewing Rachel Davis and her family WMS students. continue to live in upper Mara McDonald continues to Manhattan. Her daughter Zoë live in Southbridge, MA where is 2.5 years old. she was recently appointed Joanna Schindhelm Jones to the board of the town's art continues to teach primary-age council, Quinebaug Valley children. She and her sons, Ben Council for the Arts and and Riley, 14, moved to Denver, Humanities. She is heading Colorado last summer. Over the up their first ever membership holidays, Joanna married David appeal and has also been Jones, an old and dear friend showing her photographs there. from her Canterbury days. “We
1985....................... Tanya Tolchin visited WMS
last year for a quick tour while in the area visiting her sister.
have made a wonderful home here in Littleton along with his two children, Carson and Anna. I am absolutely loving my life!”
1990...................... Christopher Eanes and
his wife Kelly Ann Nelson welcomed their second child this summer, a son named Coleman Nelson. He joins big sister, Zaiya, who turned 3 on August 12. Just before that, Christopher and Kelly Ann spent two days working with the WMS Middle School chorus (see photos, page 7). Josh Kilbourn and his son, Gray, took part in our ParentChild Program last fall.
1992....................... Cynthia Davis is living and
working in Missoula, MT. She and her husband Scott have a 1-year-old daughter named April.
Carly Thurlow Rabideau
1994....................... Christina Oneglia Rossi and her husband John welcomed their third child, a daughter named Lyla, this winter. Lyla joins big sister Anna and big brother Jake. Nell Solley and Josh Feil
welcomed their second daughter, Livie, on March 30. She joins big sister, Layla. They live in Norwalk, CT. They recently hosted a mini WMS gathering while Miranda Pasch was visiting from Texas with her three little girls. The party included Miranda Pasch Grant with her daughters Hastings, Landry and Olive, Christina Oneglia Rossi with her children Anna, Jake and Lyla and Sarah Graham Needham with her daughters Charlotte and Cate.
Josh Kilborne, ’90, and his son Gray. Joanna Schindhelm Jones, ’88, lives in Colorado with her husband David Jones and her two sons Ben and Riley.
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1995....................... Caroline Kinsolving just closed a new play at the Shadowland in NY and is starting a Shakespeare Theatre Company in upstate NY. She is also slated to be the lead in a feature film in LA this fall. Her YouTube channel, FOEMS byCK, just reached over 11,000 views worldwide. WMS was thrilled to have Caroline back on our stage this spring when she performed a stage reading with fellow WMS alumni and community members as part of our WMS Presents... series.
This May, MS Chorus students enjoyed a choral workshop given by Christopher Eanes, ‘90, and his wife Kelly Ann Nelson of the Cincinnati Boychoir. Students were coached on vocal and choral technique and learned several new pieces during their time together. In sectional groups, the girls learned parts to a spiritual Jordan’s Angels and how to shape vowels to further beautify their full, bright tone. Boys worked with Chris to explore the challenges of the changing voice and worked on tenor and baritone part-singing. The morning culminated in an informal concert presentation for UE and MS students and teachers. Kelly Ann also worked with LE students and Matilda in the afternoon.
Galen Largay Ryley has a
second little boy—Peter, born on April 4. Lindsey Muir Turner is
back at WMS on a daily basis. Her son Calvin is a student in Myrna’s Lower School classroom. Lindsey is busy taking photographs under her company name Lindsey Victoria Photography. 1996....................... Sarah Bodley is living and
working in Alexandria, VA. She is Operations Manager at Empowered Women International, a program that works to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for immigrant, refugee, low-income, and atrisk women in the Greater Washington DC Metro Area. 1997........................ Julia Tingley Kivitz’s
specializes in cutting-edge digital media. He returned to Brooklyn last fall after a number of years living in New Orleans and working on several documentary films, and on various international film editing assignments. When not working, he plays music with friends and is a member of the Kings County Film Society. 1999....................... Liza Solley married Kelsey
LeBuffe on September 26, 2015 at Holliecroft Farm in Washington. 2000....................... Betty Gilpin and Cosmo Pfeil
were married in August.
in that state. He returned to Vermont a year ago after numerous chef and restaurant management jobs in Block Island, Nantucket, Telluride, Friday Harbor and Squaw Valley. When not working he snowboards and hikes the Green Mountains. 2004....................... Liz Hawley Dayton was
part of the ensemble cast who performed a stage reading of The Big Chill as part of our WMS Presents... series. She continues to teach at The Gunnery. She and her husband Scott are expecting their first child in February.
2005....................... Josh Johnston was part of the ensemble cast who performed a stage reading of The Big Chill as part of our WMS Presents... series. He also recently performed in An Ideal Husband alongside Michael Urie and Gabriel Ebert, and directed by Tony Nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel at the Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater OffBroadway.
2006....................... Will Talbot taught ceramics for our WMS Summer Camp this year and will be filling in for our art teacher while she’s on maternity leave.
Scotty Ryan is marrying John James Goldbeck in October.
2001.......................
daughter Eloise, age 3, will be a WMS student beginning in September.
Maria Littlefield is engaged and is planning a fall 2017 wedding.
1998.......................
2002 ......................
Toby Arturi is a senior
Sam Arturi is a chef at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vermont, the second-most Liza Solley, ’99, and Kelsey LeBuffe were married last September. popular tourist attraction Caroline Kinsolving, ’95, as Lurene in Last Gas at Shadowland in NY.
editor at Carrot Creative, a Brooklyn-based advertising firm owned by Vice Media that
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ALUMNI NEWS
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2008....................... Ben Gardner has enlisted in
Music Business and Production. He is also working as a freelance musician/producer and playing shows.
the US Coast Guard. When he’s done with basic training, he hopes to be stationed on the west coast or Hawaii until he attends A School to become a Boatswain’s Mate.
Jake Paron is in his senior year at Colorado College and spent the summer working for sculptor Mark Mennin.
2009.......................
Andrew Trevenen finished
Jane Funk is in her senior year his junior year at Cornell
at UNH. Harry Gilpin is in his senior
year at UVM. Cam Loomis transferred to
SUNY Cobleskill last fall and changed major to Turf Management. He had a great year, playing goalie for the lacrosse team. He especially enjoyed his science courses! Cam spent the summer doing an internship at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord, MA. Ray Mennin is in his senior
year at Princeton where he is a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams. Ray was named 2016 Ivy League Champion in the Men’s 400.
University, where he spent the fall playing Cornell Sprint Football. Summer was spent interning in New York City, where he had an opportunity to catch up with many of his WMS pals.
The children of Nell Solley, ’94, Miranda Pasch, ‘92 , Christina Oneglia Rossi, ‘94 , and Sarah Graham Needham, ’94.
Phoebe Paron, and her team,
Caroline Hermans continues to attend Carnegie Mellon University. She spent the summer completing an externship with Apple.
Mud for Brains, competed in Tough Mudder New England and raised nearly $20,000 for the Avielle Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent violence and build compassion in communities by fostering brain science research, community engagement, and education.
Ithaca College in the fall. Zoë was nominated for two Halo Awards this year—one for Best Sound Design and one for Best Incidental or Original Music in a Play for her work on The Gunnery’s production of And Then There Were None. The Halo Awards recognize excellence in high school theater in Connecticut.
Sam Neubauer is a junior
2012.......................
Max Laufer graduated from
2010.......................
at Bates College, majoring in English. He spent the summer working as an EMT on Martha’s Vineyard. 2011.......................
Harris Owens is currently in Colin Hay graduated from school at Belmont University in Kent this year and is headed to Nashville, TN with a major in Ithaca College this fall.
high school and is headed to Canterbury where she received Haverford College in the fall. Along with another classmate, the Canterbury Art Legacy Max was instrumental in Award, which recognizes the starting the high school accomplishments of advanced division of Ideas for Action, a art students. She is headed to competition from the Wharton Sarah Lawrence this fall. School of Business and the Zoë Cameron graduated from World Bank. Ideas for Action the Gunnery and is headed to asks youth from all over the Olivia Binzen graduated from
Will Talbot, ’06, taught ceramics at WMS this summer. Ray Mennin, ’09, was named 2016 Ivy League Champion in the Men’s 400. Max Laufer, ’12.
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world to submit proposals with their ideas for financing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Lexi Long graduated from Taft and received an Athletic Award for earning more than 6 varsity letters throughout high school. Colton Loomis graduated from South Kent School, and will be attending Wagner College in the fall. He has been recruited to play lacrosse for Wagner. For the summer, he is once again working in the clubhouse and as a caddie at Bull’s Bridge Golf Club. Gabriella Martinez had an
amazing senior year at The Marvelwood School in Kent where she was named Editor of the Yearbook, and voted Most Improved on her soccer team in the fall. She made the High Honor Roll in the Winter, and graduated in May with honors. At Prize Day she was awarded Most Improved in Trigonometry, and was the recipient of the The Rachel Carson Audubon Award for environmental conservation. She received this award in recognition of her work in her Honors Ornithology class,
on the Globally Important Bird Area application, and her drawings of sensitive bird species. Gabriella has been accepted at The Hartford Art School, and was awarded their highest Artistic Merit scholarship. Most recently she received the John Howard Sanden scholarship from Portraits Inc., that is awarded to well-rounded persons who have a passion for learning and a desire to make themselves into the best they can be. Gabriella is spending her summer working, volunteering and banding birds in the woods of Kent with her ornithology teacher Ms. Doss.
and Editor in Chief of the art and poetry magazine, The Lantern. She also recently recieved her 3rd degree black belt and ran a Self Defense Club. Joscie continued to compete in poetry competitions this year and was thrilled to reconnect with Kathy Coe, "who always inspired me to write in Humanities." This summer Josice backpacked 8 4,000-footers in the White Mountains. Joscie is attending the University of Vermont and will study Environmental Science and Studio Arts. "I am so excited for UVM’s Outing club and the Saturday Farmer’s Markets!"
Maggie McNeill was inducted
Emmarie Toppan graduated magna cum laude with high distinction in arts and distinction in English from Brooks School. She will be attending Gettysburg College.
into the Cum Laude Society at Taft. She was also awarded the school’s Class of 1981 Award, which recognizes students who during their time at Taft have displayed exceptional personal growth and perseverance. Joscie Norris graduated
from Westover where she completed a research project on native plant biodiversity and an art project with an antique printing press. Joscie was captain of the Outdoor and Rock Climbing teams
Alden Grayson-Funk, ’13, and Colton Loomis, ’12, played lacrosse for South Kent.
offerings. He will continue to pursue STEM at the Rochester Institute of Technology where he will begin as a freshman this fall. 2013.......................
Alden Grayson-Funk spent his summer playing on the Lynx lacrosse team, an elite from South Kent School lax program for high school where he was awarded the students, and working as a Scholastic Improvement Award. Throughout his time at caddie at Bull’s Bridge Golf South Kent, Nick took part in Club. He is entering his senior robotics, an afternoon extension year at South Kent where he of the Applied Technology and is a member of the mountain biking, hockey and lacrosse STEM (Science Technology teams. Engineering and Math) class Nick Valletta graduated
Emmarie Toppan, ’12, graduated magna cum laude with high distinction in arts and distinction in English from Brooks School. Ben Laufer, ’14. Bella Papov, ’14, received the Roderick Clarke ’46 Award for Academic Excellence at Canterbury’s graduation in May. Gabriella Martinez, ’12, graduated with Honors from Marvelwood School.
Washington Montessori School · On Circle · Summer 2016 · 9
Liam Lawlor is entering his
Ben Laufer is enjoying
Alvin Hermans spent
the second semester of his sophomore year studying abroad in Demark. He will return to Shepaug this fall for his junior year.
chosen to be a monitor at Taft next year. She continues to play the harp and tennis.
performance of the porter’s speech the morning after Duncan’s death. Max also plays soccer for the school and skis 2015....................... competitively on the school’s Julian Aviles, Will Brodhead racing team. and Sean Douglas, all During his freshman year sophomores at The Gunnery, were inducted into the national at Taft, Brady Grustas Tri-M (Modern Music Masters) performed in the school’s Honor Society, a program with production of The Laramie Project. His performance earned strict eligibility requirements him a Halo Award nomination including honor roll grades in non-music courses, high honor for Best Standout Performance roll grades in music courses, as in an Ensemble Play. The Halo Awards recognize excellence well as community service. in high school theater in After completing an enjoyable Connecticut. Brady also earned and successful first year of honors in the school’s annual high school at Canterbury, lower mid Macbeth recitation. James Birge spent two weeks Lee Mashburn had a great of his summer vacation with year at Marvelwood where Brady Grustas, ’15, in Greece. he received the Biology One James has maintained his close Award. friendships with his fellow WMS alumni, and appreciates Violet Reid easily transitioned that he was well-prepared for to life in Texas this past year high school. achieving a 4.3 gpa at her Montessori school and IB Saoirse Fischer is now going by her middle name, McCauley. program. She is dancing in the pre-professional program She is transferring to Putney graduation in May. This award School this year where she will at Ballet Austin which is one is given to the student with the of the USA’s major ballet be a sophomore. highest GPA in the class for the companies. She is also keeping year. Max Fossland took 1st up with piano lessons (which Place in Taft’s annual lower she began at WMS), singing Macy Toppan earned high mid Macbeth recitation for his and writing her own music. honors at Taft and has been
his time at Taft where he is focusing on his academic endeavors. He is currently interning with Initiate for Global Environmental Leadership (IGEL) at the Anna Paolucci is in her senior Wharton School of UPenn, year at Westover where she has writing a report on urban been elected to serve as Day farming in Connecticut. Student Head. He has participated in two environmental leadership Sydney Trevenen finished programs at Dartmouth and her junior year at The Taft in Costa Rica and plans to School after a successful study sustainable agriculture in academic and varsity tennis year. She was nominated and college. selected for the Yale Medical Lydia Mahan was chosen to School Discovery to Cure High be Third Head of Wests at School Internship program and Westover. spent her summer researching Willa Neubauer is a junior cancer at one of Yales at Hotchkiss. She spent the biomedical research labs. summer working as a counselor 2014....................... at an art camp. Jyne Dunbar was nominated Bella Papov is a junior at for a Halo Award for her Canterbury where she has been performance in Westover’s a member of the rowing team. Hamet. The Halo Awards Bella received the Roderick recognize excellence in high Clarke ’46 Award for Academic school theater in Connecticut. Excellence at Canterbury’s senior year at Forman where he is a member of the ultimate frisbee and soccer teams. He spent the summer doing a film program at NYU.
Lee Mashburn, ’15, received the Biology One Award at Marvelwood this year. WMS alumni and members of Westover's class of 2016: Mariah Fortunato, Nellie Funk, Ava Mennin and Joscie Norris. Joscie Norris, '12, backbacked the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine this summer.
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WMS IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE COLLEGE CHOICES OF OUR CLASS of 2012. We wish you luck in this next step of your life.
Olivia Binzen Sarah Lawrence College
Colton Loomis Wagner College
Zoë Cameron Ithaca College
Shea Mahan Bryant University
Jack Coyne Carlton College
Gabriella Martinez The Hartford Art School
Mariah Fortunato UCONN
Maggie McNeill Gap year
Nellie Funk Saint Lawrence University
Joscie Norris University of Vermont
Emily Garfinkel Naugatuck Valley Community College
Andrew Siemon Champlain College
Alex Hubbell Pennsylvania State University Max Laufer Haverford College Lexi Long Lafayette College Julian Aviles, ’15, and Julius Chiang-Boeckmann, ’15, sport their high school spirit. Macy Toppan, ’14, played on the Taft tennis team and had the chance to get some pointers from tennis legend Chris Evert. James Birge, ’15, spent two weeks of his summer visiting Greece with fellow WMS classmate Brady Grustas, ’15.
RJ Susi Stonehill College Emmarie Toppan Gettysburg College Nick Valletta Rochester Institute of Technology
We do our best each year to find out what our alumni are planning for their next steps. Regretfully, we are sometimes unsure of an alum's college plans by time of publication.
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8th - GRADE SERVICE TRIP : NEW MEXICO have a long traTditionSchoolherestudents at WMS, and this year is he spring class trips for Middle
no exception…or almost no exception. The 8th-grade students have for the past several years traveled to Puerto Rico, and we were expecting to make the same trip this year. Our trips involve students in researching and preparing for their adventure, and we focus on making connections with another culture, doing real work where it is needed, exploring new lands, and working together to support each other in a strange place far away from home. By January all plans had been made, airplane tickets purchased and contacts established. Unfortunately, with the late introduction of the Zika virus in the Caribbean, Pat Werner and the chaperones – Theo, Nora, Melissa, Lauren, Tom and Addison – decided that we had to cancel the Puerto Rico trip. This left us
with just a few weeks to research and make new arrangements, and so, after a brainstorming session with the 8th-graders, and with some recommendations from other Montessori schools, we decided to explore the desert southwest with a trip to New Mexico. With so little time to prepare, we all had to be ready to face the unknown. Based on our requests, our outfitter, Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, prepared a trek that included physical challenges and cultural exchange, as well as environmental and archaeological education. After meeting us at the airport, Cottonwood Gulch loaded the students and the gear and set off on a six-day adventure in the high desert of northwest New Mexico. We explored the otherworldly mushroom-rock landscape of Ah-ShiSle-Pah, bathed in hot springs in the mountains, camped on the edge of a mesa among huge chunks of petrified
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wood, and experienced nighttime winds and storms that nearly took our tents away. We climbed ancient trails, using footholds chiseled into the stone 500 years ago by the Anasazi, high into the red rock cliffs, and then squeezed ourselves down slot canyons so tight we held ourselves up by friction alone. We met Navajo elders, who told us their creation stories and explained how their matrilineal culture and its traditions sees the world and the creatures in it. In spite of the many wonderful experiences, the trip was a real challenge for the students and chaperones. Each day we took on a new adventure, and each night we slept in tents or cabins. Although we were in the desert, the nights got near freezing while the days were clear and warm. With water scarce, we saved our one shower for the last day of the trip, when we visited the Old Town section of Albuquerque before heading to the airport. The students arrived back home tired and hungry, but proud of what they had accomplished, and with a renewed appreciation for their classmates and friends. -Tom Fahsbender, Middle School Head Teacher
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1 The slot canyon hike gradually becomes more difficult. 2 The group ready to relocate to a new camp site. 3 Navajo Elder, Carrie House, shares stories and information on the Navajo. 4 Sarala Grayson-Funk enters final reflections on the trip in her travel journal. All students recorded their personal experiences in journals throughout the week. 5 The fearless leaders—Theo Grayson, Tom Fahsbender, Lauren Long, Addison Owens, Melissa Hay and Nora Hulton. 6 Exploring Ah-Shi-SlePah. 7 Heading down a steep part of the slot canyon hike.
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FIELD DAY and the day filled with fun, terrific Fsportsmanship, encouragement from or Field Day, the weather was perfect
all the teams, and exceptional school camaraderie as older students supported younger teammates and teams cheered for each other. Each individual had opportunities to contribute to their team through a variety of running events, long jump, gaga, cooperative games (created by the 8th-graders), Boot, Scootin’ Boogie dance, yoga, and team games and relay. It was wonderful to watch the field of color as students enjoyed a fabulous day with tons of positive energy and smiles. The six color teams supported one another throughout the day in friendly competitions. The final tally of team points showed how well-balanced
the teams were with three teams tying. The day emphasized the importance of our philosophy, with everyone having an opportunity to be part of a larger goal, supporting each other, appreciating what each individual brings, having fun, and winning and losing with grace. It was wonderful to watch older students cheering on younger and younger students receiving high fives and hugs after completing events from older. Another terrific Field Day. -Theo Grayson, Director of Athletics
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1 1 The blue team celebrates their Boot, Scootin’ Boogie win. 2 Laura Davenport and Hayden Fisher earned points for the orange team working on a cooperative game together. 3 Georges DeVos doing the long jump. 4 First- through 4th-years line up at the start for the half-mile race. 5 Layla Copen and Serena Lowy paired up to compete in the three-legged race. 6 Eighth-graders Lily Thompson and Logan Clew-Bachrach lead the orange team in spirit 7 Maeren Hay and McKenna Casey cheer on the green team. 8 Zhanara Ray-Tunis and Meghan Spangenberg 9 Jacob Bruck, Britton Davis, Sean Dunbar and Reilly Mahan lead the pack during the half-mile race.
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UE SHAKESPEARE PLAYS T
he Shakespeare plays are a signature part of the Upper Elementary curriculum at WMS. We have been extremely fortunate for several years to have had the talented Ann Gilpin, parent of WMS Alumni, as the director of these plays.
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1 Jane’s & Kathy’s class performed As You Like It. 2 Cecilia Moisan and Sam Wieder 3 Mark Aguilar, Wyatt Lee and Hugo Vilbois. 4 Graham Ince, Serena Lowy and Juliette Dutton. 5 Sophia Oldakowski, Ana Karpas and Regan Colton. 6 Olivia Mooney, Maureen Previn and Lara Belcher.
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1 Aurora’s and Jennifer’s class performed The Winter’s Tale. 2 Edward DeVos and Jonas Veleas. 3 Benjamin Lowy and Maeren Hay. 4 Piper Skilton and Emmy Swan. 5 An ensemble performance of the Boot, Scootin’ Boogie in a modern twist on the Bohemian scene. 6 Ashleen Hay and Jemima Paolucci.
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ANNUAL REPORT
July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016
A Message from the Chair of the Board of Trustees and Head of School there was still a palpable buzz in A the air from our 50th Anniversary. The s school opened in the fall of 2015,
celebrations of the prior year brought us closer together as a community, reminded us of where we've come from, and helped prepare us for the future with a $2.5-million capital campaign. With all that positive energy in the air, we set the theme for the 15-16 school year as "Momentum.” Certainly the most outward change to WMS over the past year has been the construction of a new Sports Park and Lower School playground. Made possible by our generous 50th Anniversary Campaign donors, the additions to our campus have been transformative. The playground opened in the fall to the delight of our youngest students, and our tennis team was able to use the new courts for spring practices. The final preparations for the new field are underway. The campaign also raised a significant amount of money for teacher professional development and financial aid. Those funds will be available to us in the coming year, and their impact will be felt by our students throughout the school.
As always, our community worked together in many ways throughout the school year to support our school. Parent volunteers can be seen at every school event and function, supporting the teachers and staff. The annual fund raised close to $217,000, while the auction brought in roughly $117,000 including $28,500 specifically for Technology. Our Polar Plunge raised $27,000 for our WMSCP program. These volunteer and fund raising efforts are critical to our programs and we sincerely thank everyone who contributed their time, talent and money in support of our students. In all, it was another great year at WMS. Our program continues to offer students an educational experience unmatched in our area and we're forever grateful to everyone who makes that possible. Bill Dunbar, Chair, Board of Trustees
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Bill Dunbar, Woodbury; Chair Matthew Karpas, Litchfield; Vice Chair Doug Day, Litchfield; Treasurer Alex McNaughton, Bridgewater; Secretary Chrissy Armstrong, New Preston Peter Becker, Washington Barrie Birge, Litchfield Mark Booth, Roxbury Rob Copen, Washington Liz DeVos, Kent; P.A. Representative, Ex Officio Emily Fitzhugh, Washington Angela Siebrecht, Litchfield Karyn Sorce, Washington Jessica Travelstead, Litchfield Denise Trevenen, Washington David Wieder, Sherman Pat Werner, New Preston; Head of School, Ex Officio Elvira Charles, Salt Lake City, UT; Trustee Emeritus DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Jessica Travelstead, Chair Chrissy Armstrong Barrie Birge Doug Day Liz DeVos Bill Dunbar Laura Martin Trish O’Reilly Angela Siebrecht Pat Werner ANNUAL FUND VOLUNTEERS
Pat Werner, Head of School
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Amy Julia Becker Marc Blair Christine Davenport Barat DelVicario Miki Duisterhof Tal Fagin Victoria Fossland Alex Ince Miriam Laufer Laura Neminski Krysti Ray Katie Ré Scheidt Nell Solley ‘94
Jamie Spannhake Herb Swarz Helena Sweet Jessica Travelstead Janice Uhl Diana Varlay Jami Weiner Caroline Wilcox GIFTS TO THE WASHINGTON MONTESSORI ANNUAL FUND
FOUNDERS $10,000 to $19,999
Suzanne & Doug Day Patrick ’82 & Erin Dorton Gretchen Hachmeister & Randy Orzano Anonymous (2) LEADERS $5,000 TO $9,999
Amy Julia & Peter Becker Jana & Bill Dunbar Juliet & John Hubbard Emily Dalton & Matthew Karpas Susan & Tom Kendall April & Sandy Neubauer, in honor of Sam ’10 & Willa ’14 Coco & Frank Sellman Karyn & Salvatore Sorce Vicki & Herb Swarz Pat & Erhard Werner BENEFACTORS $2,500 TO $4,999 Leslie & Raymond Cappella Connecticut Community Foundation Give Local Ania & David Hubbard Marina Belica & Steven Lowy Jan & Paul Prenoveau Jessica & Jason Travelstead Anonymous (1) PATRONS $1,500 TO $2,499 Elvira Charles Lisa & Andrew Clark Justine Keating & Daniel Colton Judith Friedman Lani & Dale Geurts Karen & Perley Grimes
THE WMS leadership circle The WMS leadership circle has been established to honor the donors who have made lifetime cash gifts exceeding $100,000. We would like to express our utmost gratitude and appreciation for their contributions. Because of their generosity, the vision of our founder Elvira Charles lives on and the children of Washington Montessori School have flourished.
Ann Barry Virginia & Robert DeCourcy Patrick ’82 & Erin Dorton Dick & Susan Saint James Ebersol Judith & John Friedman Susan & Murray Haber Lindell Hertberg Juliet & John Hubbard Shelley & Robert Hunt Susan & Tom Kendall Samantha & Ivan Lendl Denise & Alex McNaughton Constance Miller The Mortara Family April Stevens & Sandy Neubauer Cathy & Greg Oneglia Ann Hertberg & Tom Paron Sally & Seward Ryan Smart Family Foundation Pat & Ed Werner Anonymous (6)
Janet Janssen & Craig Puffenberger Caroline & Michael Lind Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program Mr. & Mrs. James Preston Fourgie & Willie Smith Anonymous (1) MENTORS $1,000 TO $1,499 Dr. & Mrs. Austin Abramson Lily Binns ’95, in memory of Louise Read Barrie & Chuck Birge Kimberly & Marc Blair Joan Buchanan Tal Fagin & Robert Copen Barbara & Richard Davis Susan & Michael Eanes, in honor of Isabel Martin '16 Martina & Milos Forman Susan & Murray Haber Ellen Barrett & Steve Inglese Sheila Largay Mandy Risley Gandt ’86 & Emma Risley ’90 Katie & Eric Scheidt Angela & Kevin Siebrecht Marci Silverman & Bill Slepoy, in honor of Lily Slepoy, ’20 Sue Stevens Denise & John Trevenen Jane & David Wieder FRIENDS $500 TO $999 Christine Cowles
Christine & Jim Davenport, in honor of Laura Davenport, Class of 2016 Linda Saarnijoki & Rusty Davis The DeVos Family Joline & Gregg Douglas Emily Fitzhugh Tanya & Denis Horgan Jane & Chuck Ince Alex & Brandon Ince Alex McNaughton Bola & Brian Mooney Kimmi & Duane Morikawa Margaret & Brendan O’Connell
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Cathy & Greg Oneglia Francis J. & Louisa J. Oneglia Foundation Hilary & Ethan Ram Krysti Ray & Marty Tunis Beth & Tom Rickart Beth & Franz Schober Susan & Craig Schoon Nancy Shilts, in honor of The Martin Children Starr Snead Nicholas Solley Jamie & John Spannhake Terry & Peter Sullivan Helena & Zach Sweet SUPPORTERS $150 TO $499
Suzanne Lefebvre & George Barth Carol Beebe-Mestel Patricia Booth Barbara & Alan Braverman Judy & Larry Brownstein Amanda Carlson & Craig Cornell Betsy & Mike DeLuca Margret & Philip Delves-Broughton Roberta & David Dougherty The Douglas Family, in honor of Joline Thompson Amy & Stan Dumoch Dawn & Ron Fiddler, with gratitude from Sam ’13 & Ben Willis ’15 Victoria & Toby Fossland Julie Loughran & Brendan Foulois The Habbas Family Mary & Erik Hawvermale Jane & Paul Hinkel Trish O’Reilly & Jim Huffstetler Roula & Magdi Khalil Julia Tingley Kivitz ’97 Miriam & Samuel Laufer JoMarie Leifert Mrs. George Lindsay, in memory of Louise Lindsay Read Shari & Michael Mahan Cheryl & Dwayne Malloy Joanne Marqusee Eve & Marc Moura Laura & Perry Neminski Liza & Dan Oneglia Mr. & Mrs. Gerald O’Reilly
Andi & Nick DePreter Charles DeVos ’16, in honor of Nancy Binns Mara McDonald DeWitte Michele Ganon & Jim Donegan Kerry Dorton ’83 Miki Duisterhof & Steven Boljonis Christopher Eanes ’90, in honor of The Eanes & Martin Families Lori Fedewa & Peter Brodhead Arnon ’09, Emma ’11 & McCauley Fischer ’15 Jessica & Jon Fletcher Anke Franklin Rita & Paul Frenkel Liz & Steve Funk, in honor of Cherry Thurlow Ineke & Joseph Ghering Mimi Gillen Priscilla Grayson Theo Grayson & John Funk BOOSTERS Kara & Stephen Gritti UP TO $149 Heather & John Grustas Denise & Peter Arturi Amy Habbas ’87 Susan Averill Ellen Hadad Elizabeth & Gil Aviles Joan Hammond Jenn & Craig Badger Elizabeth Handelsman Briana & Landon Ball Meg & Paul Handelsman Elizabeth & Benjamin Bartlett Nick Hawvermale ’03 Maggie & George Bartlett Colin Hay ’11 Jami Weiner & Jason Baumgartner Anne & Friso Hermans Melinda & Duncan Belcher Jill Hirshfeld Rebecca & Ted Bent Vanessa Hoppe ’92 & Steve Susie & Jeff Berg Haskell Joan Bernstein Patricia & Denis Horgan Nancy Binns Nora Hulton Gussie Binns-Berkey ’02 Chiquita & Kelvin Jefferson Lisa & Duncan Breese Sevara Jeleva & Ken Paul, in Joy Brown honor of Kathryn Paul ’08 and in Zoë Cameron ’12 memory of John M. Friedman Sarah Jane & Michael Chelminski Larry & Cuyler Jennings Betty Clark F. Todd Johnson & Michael LaHart, Sheila Coad-Bernard & Randy in memory of Vern & Eileen Bernard LaHart Claire & David Copen Reagan Colton ’20 Rebecca & Octavio Couto Laura & Richard Langworthy da Silva Mary Beth & Niall Lawlor Emily Curtis-Murphy & Matthew James Lawlor ’16 Yetman Tom & Kathi Lee Ingrid Davis Lauren & John Long, in honor of Debby DeGuire WMS Middle School Teachers Barat & Joe DelVicario Pat Conroy & Tony Lovotti Michele & Stephen Paduano, in honor of Stephen ’08 & Joseph Paduano ’09 Eliza & Mike Paolucci Carol & Vlad Papov Susan & Geoffrey Purdy Sheila & George Raines Wendy & Rick Rhodes, in honor of Nancy Binns Mary Ann & Tom Ryan Diana & Philip Savory Pamela & John Siemon Liza Solley The Susi Family Laura Swarz-Burt & Peter Burt Diane & Peter Wilson Christine & Jason Woodcock Jennie Panchy & Matthew Woodhall Anonymous (4)
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Billy Lovotti ’03 Carroll & Michael MacDonald Kirsten & Mike Marich Chris Martin Laura ’86 & Richard Martin Luke Martin ’18 Laura & Burt Mashburn Jacki Romano & Jack McArdle Melora Mennesson Amy & John Moisan Elese Smith & Jeremy Montambault Laura & Mickey Morris Richard Mottley Shelley & John Oberwetter Marie O’Brien & George Theisen, in honor of Alex Theisen ’07 & Faith Neubauer ’22 Robin & Steve Oldakowski Ann O’Reilly Jeremiah O’Shea Marina & Tom Outwater Reese & Vi Owens Stephen Paduano ’08 Gillian Panchy Kathryn Paul ’08, in memory of John M. Friedman Susan & John Payne Leigh Peet Micky & Joe Pratt Ethan Pratt ’09 Harper Pratt ’11 Gillian Desjardins & Fletcher Previn Hitchy Rahilly Carol & Larry Rand Curtis Read Piedad Schor Stephanie Schor ’11 Mia & Dan Sedore Kira Siebrecht ’15 Beth Simon Jill & Mark Skilton Bev Smith Nell Solley ’94, in honor of Beth Rickart Hunter Southworth Pilar DeMann Tillinger & Sebastian Tillinger, in memory of Prince Ayesha Thompson, in honor of Anjavie Thompson ’17 Carly Thurlow ’93, in memory of Jevon Thurlow ’90
Sharon Tingley & Ting Tingley Andrew Trevenen ’09 Caroline & Mustafa Ugurlu Janice & Doug Uhl Sue & Bob Ullram Carol & Ray Underwood Linda & Gerry Valletta Jon Veleas Sara & Aaron Videtto Ingrid Salcedo & Ulrich Vilbois Arlyn & John Wasserman Nancy Weiner, in honor of Blake ’22 & Emery Baumgartner ’24 Shannon & Brett Wheeler Sally Woodhall Bill & Tina Zampaglione Sunny & Aaron Zweig Anonymous (1) IN MEMORY OF LARRY MOTTLEY Joanne Marqusee Richard Mottley Pat & Erhard Werner
Joma, Inc. J.R.C. Transportation Karpas Strategies Lakeville Interiors MacDermid, Incorporated Preferred Building Maintenance Rational 360 Trevenen & Coploff Zero Odor SPONSORS: PUPPETRY FESTIVAL
Copes Waste Solutions SPONSORS: WMS PRESENTS…
Jack Black Salisbury Bank and Trust Trevenen & Coploff GIFTS OF GOODS & SERVICES
Susan & Sam Averill Beau Baxter Elizabeth Hawley Dayton ’04 Pilar DeMann GRANTS Laura Dunn & Bailey Connecticut Community Josh Johnston ’05 Foundation—Priscilla S. Ann Kearney & Phil Dutton Whittemore Grant David Grasmere Anonymous (3) Caroline Kinsolving ’95 Michael Lombardi GIFTS TO THE WASHINGTON Dorothy Lyman MONTESSORI COMMUNITY Hilary Ram PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Marsha Reid Catherine & Bill Bachrach Jeff Savage Amy Julia & Peter Becker Craig Schoon Susan & Michael Eanes Jamie Spannhake Emily Dalton & Matthew Karpas Sebastian Tillinger Susan & Tom Kendall Caroline Wilcox Ugurlu Gingerbread House Project Janice Uhl WMS PA Ulrich Vilbois Anonymous (1) Kathy Weiser Ed Werner SPONSORS: WMSCPP POLAR Jane & David Wieder PLUNGE FOR PARTNERSHIP B&D Controlled Air Corp Blink Productions Compass Capital Management Copes Waste Solutions Fox Crossing Equestrian The Hopkins Inn
GIFTS TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Dr. & Mrs. Austin Abramson Mrs. Betty Abramson
Mrs. Ann Fay Barry, in honor of Abigail, Savannah & Jane and in memory of Albert Evans Walker, III Barbara & Joseph Bartlett Amy Julia & Peter Becker Carol Beebe-Mestel Melinda & Duncan Belcher Laura & Robert Benn Kimberly & Marc Blair Brown Tufts Montessori Chris & Adam Bruck Joanna & Edward Carpenter Sarah Jane & Michael Chelminski Jaime Bachrach & Tim Clew Justine Keating & Daniel Colton Regan Colton ‘20 Tal Fagin & Robert Copen Christine & Jim Davenport Suzanne & Doug Day Charles ’16, Edward ’19, & Georges ’22 DeVos Brian Donegan ’02 Patrick ’82 & Erin Dorton Jana & Bill Dunbar Jyne Dunbar ’14 Susan & Michael Eanes, in honor of WMS Teachers, past & present Emily Fitzhugh Kelly Franklin ’01 Judith & Julia ’09 Friedman, in honor of John M. Friedman Lani & Dale Geurts Ineke & Joseph Ghering Ann & Jack Gilpin Christina & Joseph Gorbecki Ali Grimes Karen & Perley Grimes Heather & John Grustas Susan & Murray Haber Jessica & Alex Harvill Juliet & John Hubbard Trish O’Reilly & Jim Huffstetler G. Buckley Huffstetler Emily Dalton & Matthew Karpas Susan & Tom Kendall Lauren & John Long Marina Belica & Steven Lowy Dorothy Lyman Judith Mahan Laura & Burt Mashburn Jacki Romano & Jack McArdle Alex McNaughton
April & Sandy Neubauer Cathy & Greg Oneglia Ann Hertberg & Tom Paron Denise & Peter Pasch Susan & John Payne Sarah & Phil Payson Micky & Joe Pratt Mr. & Mrs. James Preston Sheila & George Raines Hilary & Ethan Ram Wendy & Rick Rhodes Martha & Bob Schindhelm The Sellman Family Angela & Kevin Siebrecht Beth Simon The Skilton Family Fourgie & Willie Smith Starr Snead Vicki & Herb Swarz Jessica & Jason Travelstead Heidi Diedrich & Kevin Umeh Lesley Waldron Nancy Ware Pat & Erhard Werner Jane & David Wieder Max Wieder ’17 WMS Class of 2016 WMS P.A. Anonymous (3)
2016 AUCTION: Light The Path Auction Committee Heidi Diedrich, Co-Chair Briana Ball, Co-Chair Briana Ball, Design Gillian Desjardins, Design Lani Geurts, Administrator Laura Neminski, Acquisitions Coco Sellman, Acquisitions Cherry Thurlow, Operations Acquisitions Team Ellen Barrett Suzanne Blaicher Heidi Diedrich Mary Beth Lawlor Laura Martin Laura Neminski Coco Sellman Marci Silverman
Washington Montessori School · On Circle · Summer 2016 · 21
Jamie Spannhake Helena Sweet Jessica Travelstead
Middle School Sheila Coad-Bernard, Head of Middle School
Advertising Liz DeVos Lani Geurts Christine Gorbecki Laura Martin
Data Entry Lisa Breese Laura Neminski Helena Sweet Janice Uhl Christine Woodcock
Classroom Projects Laura Neminski, Coordinator YCC Carmen Abramson Jamie D’Amico Lower School Jamie Spannhake Pilar Tillinger Christine Woodcock Lower Elementary Kimberly Blair Emily Kent Katie Ré Scheidt
Graphic Design Gillian Dejardins Briana Ball Lani Geurts Jill Skilton Cherry Thurlow UNDERWITERS Barrie & Chuck Birge Marina Belica & Steven Lowy Michael Curry & Angela Skouras Christine & Jim Davenport Suzanne & Doug Day
General Support Christine Davenport Ellen Hadad Erik Hawvermale Chiquita Jefferson Justine Keating Laura Martin Robin Oldakowski Ellen Willert Operations Lisa Breese Dan Evon Laura Neminski
auction photos by Jon Veleas
Upper Elementary Lauren Booth Betsy Renwick
Decorating Committee Briana Ball Mindy Belcher Gillian Desjardins Robin Oldakowski
The DeVos Family Joline & Gregg Douglas Judith Friedman Chrissy & Joe Gorbecki Heather & John Grustas Suzanne Lefebvre & Chip Barth Amy & John Moisan Barbara Norris Trish O’Reilly & James Huffstetler Hiedi Diedrich & Kevin Umeh Coco & Frank Sellman Helen Shu & Eliot Wadsworth Arlyn & John Wasserman Jane & David Weider
Montessori moms Katie Ré Scheidt, Kimberly Blair and Margret Delves-Broughton multi-tasked online bidding and socializing during the silent auction. Two-week- old Iris Ball might be the youngest WMS auction guest ever. Parents Briana and Lani are troopers for making it through the evening.
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Wendy Rhodes Coco Sellman Janice Uhl Special Thanks Eric Hummel, Auctioneer Jaime Bachrach & Tim Clew for generously donating the wine. Gillian Desjardins & Briana Ball for their artistic vision and devotion. Laura Martin, Trish O’Reilly, Jill Skilton, Ellen Hadad, Cherry Thurlow, Erik Hawvermale, and Greg DeRosa for their contributions and time to the auction. Taylor Rental for always tending to the details. Executive Cuisine for delivering another warm meal! New Milford Printing for their immediate turn around. Vivid Events for spectacular lighting and sound. Ulrich Vilbois for his visual and video production expertise. To WMS Teachers and advisors who offered assistance with classroom projects. To Pat who provides her wisdom and thoughtful leadership. DONORS, BIDDERS & PATRONS OF THE AUCTION A Better Way Wholesale Autos, Naugatuck Carmen & Evan Abramson Leslie & Austin Abramson After School Arts Program (ASAP), Washington Depot Jena & John Allee Katherine Almquist Ameico, New Milford Amenta/Emma Architects, P.C., Hartford Anonymous Appletree Design Depot, Washington Depot Arbor Services of CT, Inc., Washington Depot Aspetuck Animal Hospital, New Preston
Auction team members Janice Uhl, Laura Neminski, Heidi Diedrich and Robin Oldakowski took an ever-so-quick break from the work to smile for the camera. New Montessori parents Paul Bucciaglia & Rebecca Batchie enjoyed their first WMS auction. At the Corner, Litchfield Monique & Jeff Cataldo Jennifer & Tyson Averill Sarah Cataldo ’18 Elizabeth & Gil Aviles Charym Yoga & Fitness, Litchfield Briana & Landon Ball Sarah Jane & Michael Chelminski Bank Street Theater, New Milford Valeska Chelminski Bantam Pizza Anne Chiang Suzanne Lefebvre & Chip Barth The Children’s Movement Center, Rebecca Batchie & Paul Bucciaglia New Milford Jason Baumgartner Lisa & Andrew Clark Amy Julia & Peter Becker Jamie Bachrach & Tim Clew Carol Beebe-Mestel Logan Clew-Bachrach ’16 Mindy & Duncan Belcher Ellie Clifford ’18 Rebecca & Ted Bent Sheila Coad-Bermand & Randy Dana Benton Bernard Big Johnson’s Guitars & ABC Justine Keating & Dan Colton Music School, Litchfield Compass Capital Management, Bike Express, New Milford Southbury Barrie & Chuck Birge Connecticut Science Center, Suzanne & Trip Blaicher Hartford Kimberly & Marc Blair Connecticut Sports Arena, New Sammy Blair ’18 Milford The Bodhi Tree, Litchfield The Cookhouse Restaurant, New Miki Duisterhof & Steven Boljonis Milford Lauren & Mark Booth Tal Fagin & Rob Copen Boston Red Sox; Boston, MA Copes Waste Solutions, Oakville Yeonsun Won & Taifa Braddock Amanda Carlson & Craig Cornell Lisa Breese County Wine & Spirits, New Brooks Brothers, New York Preston Chris & Adam Bruck Angela Skouras & Michael Curry Canterbury School, New Milford Erin & Darin D’Amico Leslie & Ray Cappella Jaime & Scott D’Amico Casa Bacchus, Litchfield Christine & Jim Davenport Meghan & Kevin Casey David Gavin Salon, Kent
Charlotte Davis ’18 Karen & Elliott Davis Carter Day ’16 Suzanne & Doug Day Margret & Philip Delves-Broughton Andy & Nick DePreter The DeVos Family Diagnostic Radiology Associates, Waterbury Kerry Dorton ’83 Patrick ’82 & Erin Dorton Michali Lerner & Steve Double Joline & Gregg Douglas Dragon’s Breath Forge, Wolcott Jana & Bill Dunbar Eagle Rock Day Camp, Washington Susan & Michael Eanes Earth Sports LLC., New Preston Ericson Insurance Advisors, Washington Depot Daniel Evon Mia Farrow Fife N’ Drum Gift Shop, Kent Fife ’n Drum Restaurant and Inn, Kent The Finch, Brooklyn Sunday & Stephen Fisher Debi Fitzgerald Emily Fitzhugh Marie Flamand The Forman School, Litchfield Fort Hill Farm, New Milford
Julie Loughran & Brendan Foulois Fox Crossing Equestrian, Morris Julia Frank Judith Friedman Sam Funk ’05 Gager, Emerson, Rickart, Bower & Scalzo, LLP, Bethel Geron Nursing & Respite Care, Inc., New Milford Joanne & Gregory Gersten Lani & Dale Geurts Matilda Giampietro Gifford’s, Kent Gilded Lily Jewelry, Woodbury Ashley & Rick Giles Mimi & John Gillen Valerie Gonzalez Chrissy & Joe Gorbecki David Grasmere Green Granary, New Milford Kara & Steve Gritti Brady Grustas ’15 Coleman Grustas ’18 Heather & John Grustas Gunn Memorial Library, Washington The Gunnery, Washington H.A. Dunne & Co., New Milford Ginny Habbas Ellen Hadad Mary & Erik Hawvermale Heron American Craft Gallery, Kent
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Hickory Stick Bookshop, Washington Depot Justine & Christian Hoagland Tanya & Denis Horgan Cara & Win Hotchkiss Karen & Scott Houldin Housatonic Trading Co., Bantam Ania Hubbard Iris Hubbard ’18 Trish O’Reilly & James Huffstetler Jean Grasmere & Peter Hume Huntington and Hope, Washington Depot Lela Ilyinsky ’98 Alex & Brandon Ince Nathaniel Ince ’16 Infinity Music Hall & Bistro, Norfolk Ellen Barrett & Steve Inglese The Inn at Kent Falls, Kent Jack Black, Litchfield Janet Janssen & Craig Puffenberger Chiquita & Kelvin Jefferson Joe’s Salon & Spa, New Milford The Joyful Cup, New Preston Emily Dalton & Matthew Karpas Olivia Karpas ’18 Karpas Strategies, Litchfield Myrna Kenausis Kent Coffee & Chocolate Kent Greenhouse & Gardens Kent School Kent Wine & Spirit Shop
Kidcity Children’s Museum, Middletown Kidsplay, Torrington Kitchenworks & Gourmet Gifts, Litchfield Julia Tingley Kivitz ’97 Jane & Charles Klein Teri Knipe Bud Konheim Kramer Portraits, Connecticut, New York Lake Compounce, Bristol Lakeville Interiors Miriam & Sam Laufer Mary Beth Lawlor Sara Lynn Leavenworth ’83 Susan Lederer Torpey JoMarie Leifert Cindy Leili Sherry & Eric Leitz Molly Levison Lindsey Victoria Photography, Litchfield Litchfield Athletic Club Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market Litchfield Hills Wine Market Litchfield Historical Society Litchfield Jazz Camp Litchfield Jazz Festival Litchfield Tang Soo Do Lauren & John Long Marina Belica & Steven Lowy Lillian Lyon Luz & Bill MacArthur
Shari & Mike Mahan Mahard’s Piano Service, LLC, Bethlehem Sarah Marshall Laura Martin ’86 Marty’s Café, Washington Depot Marvelwood School, Kent Stacey & Pels Matthews The Mayflower Grace, Washington Jacki Romano & Jack McArdle Sue & Ian McLeran Rebecca McMackin’91 Alex McNaughton Megan Meany Isabelle Menozzi & Marc Weisgal Ken Merz Meta44, Millerton Kirsten Leon & Shane Mongar Monster Mini Golf of Danbury, Danbury Laura Monti Bola & Brian Mooney Julian Morris, ’18 Laura & Mickey Morris Eve & Marc Moura Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe David & Mulenga Mwanza Laura & Perry Neminski April Stevens & Sandy Neubauer Monica Neumann New Milford Tennis and Swim Club New Morning Market, Woodbury
New York Jets, Florham Park New York Red Bulls, Harrison Chrissy Armstrong & Ben Nickoll Nicole Miller, New York Nine Main Deli, New Preston Nordica Toys, New Milford Barbara Norris Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts, Torrington O & G Industries, Torrington Emily Buchanan & Brendan O’Connell Robin & Steve Oldakowski Oliphant Design, Litchfield Oliva on Main, Bethlehem Annelise Osborne The Pantry, Washington Depot Eliza & Mike Paolucci Ella Paolucci ’16 Carol & Vladimir Papov Park Lane Animal Hospital, New Milford Kathleen Peratis Pergola Garden & Home, New Preston Pilar’s Mobile Beauty, Washington Pilobolus, Washington Depot Lindsey Pollo Pratt Nature Center, New Milford Jan & Paul Prenoveau Jeremina Prenoveau ’18 Gillian Desjardins & Fletcher Previn Psycho Bunny, New York
Helen Shu wasn’t shy about raising her paddle! Auctioneer Eric Hummel and Suzanne Blaicher kept the live auction fun and fast.
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Puddle Mountain Farm, Kent Sonja Shivpuri & Dalip Puri R. Derwin, Litchfield Hilary & Ethan Ram Carol Leskanic & Michael Regan Marsha Reid Silvia Pan & Thomas Reighard Melani Reilly Simon Rhodes ’16 Wendy & Rick Rhodes Karen & James Robinson Robotics and Beyond, New Milford Christopher Roddick Kathy & Matt Root Salt of the Earth, Woodbury Betsy Renwick & Jorge Sanchez Glenn Sanchez Courtney Saulnier ’95 Katie Ré & Eric Scheidt Coco & Frank Sellman Angela & Kevin Siebrecht The Silly Sprout, Litchfield Silvia Castro Massage Therapist, New Milford Jill & Mark Skilton Skip Barber Racing School, LLC, Marci Silverman & Bill Slepoy Fourgie Smith Soccer Extreme, Wilton Karyn & Sal Sorce The Spa at Litchfield Hills, Litchfield Malie Grasmere & Peter Spangenberg Christopher Spannaus Jamie & John Spannhake Spannhake Law, LLC, Sherman Astrid Spina Sportsmen’s, Bantam Stew Jones Restoration, Winsted Kate Suscovich Helena & Zach Sweet The Taunton Press, Newtown Katherine Theisen Thorncrest Farm, Goshen Thule Group, Seymour Cherry Thurlow Pilar & Sebastian Tillinger Paul Tines The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, New York Mary Anne & Alex Toppan
Eliza Travelstead ’16 Jessica & Jason Travelstead Denise & John Trevenen Trevenen & Coploff, LLC, Washington Depot True Value of Bethlehem Lindsey ’95 & Nathan Turner Caroline Wilcox & Mustafa Ugurlu Janice & Doug Uhl Heidi Diedrich & Kevin Umeh Linda & Gerry Valletta Jon Veleas Ingrid Salcedo & Ulrich Vilbois Village Center for the Arts, New Milford The Village Restaurant, Litchfield Helen Shu & Eliot Wadsworth Washington Art Association, Washington Depot Washington Food & Liquor, Washington Depot Arlyn & John Wasserman Jami Weiner Pat & Erhard Werner West Street Grill, Litchfield Westover School, Middlebury Shannon & Brett Wheeler Whistling Hawk Studio, Bethlehem White Horse Country Pub, New Preston White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield Jane & David Wieder Wild Birds Unlimited, Brookfield Ellen & Dimitri Willert Winding Wheel Coffee Bar & Cafe, Woodbury WMS Woodbury Chevrolet Christine & Jason Woodcock Jennie Panchy & Matt Woddhall Kayleigh Woodhouse ’18 Jason Wright Yale Peabody Museum, New Haven YardApes, Inc., New Milford YMCA Camp Mohawk, Litchfield Tina Zampaglione Zero Odor LLC, Litchfield
The “Heads or Tails” raffle was another success! Congrats to Suzanne Lefebvre for beating out all the competition. New WMS mom Malie Grasmere showed off her dancing (and hula-hooping) chops on the dance floor. WMS Dads past and present—Matt Woodhall, Pels Matthews, Steve Funk, Mike Paolucci and Dale Geurtz.
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WMS PRESENTS... THE BIG CHILL Wc
ashington Montessori School was thrilled to host an amazing ensemble of WMS ommunity members this spring as part of our annual WMS Presents… series. It was a fantastic evening—a great turnout and a great show! We are grateful to WMS parent Pilar DeMann for producing the show and to our generous and supportive sponsors: Jack Black; Trevenen & Coploff; and Salisbury Bank & Trust.
WMS grandparent, actress and director Dorothy Lyman directed the stage reading of The Big Chill, one of cinema’s most
iconic films that tells the story of a group of former college friends who gather for a weekend reunion after the funeral of one of their own. Dorothy not only directed the reading, but also played the role of Narrator. WMS Alumni Caroline Kinsolving ‘95, Elizabeth Hawley Dayton ‘04, and Josh Johnston ’05 returned to the WMS stage to play the roles of Karen, Chloe and Michael respectively. It was a joy to have them back performing at WMS. WMS parents, Hilary Ram, Jamie Spannhake and Sebastian Tillinger played the roles of
Sarah, Meg and Nick respectively. Actors and WMS friends Beau Baxter and Michael Lombardi played the roles of Harold and Sam. Actor and WMS friend Jeff Savage played the roles of the Minister, Karen’s husband and the State Trooper. WMS extends our gratitude to all of them for putting in the time to put on a fabulous production for our community. We also thank two of our very own students—8th-graders Will Allee and Oliver Sanchez for working the tech booth during rehearsal and performance.
BACK: Michael Lombardi, Beau Baxter, Sebastian Tillinger, Josh Johnston ’05, Jeff Savage FRONT: Caroline Kinsolving ’95, Jamie Spannhake, Hilary Ram, Elizabeth Hawley ’04, Dorothy Lyman
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END OF YEAR PARTY
we received after last D year’s end-of-year party in ue to the great response
honor of our 50th anniversary, we did it again! The school community had a great time coming together on the last day of school to enjoy food, water play and Italian ice. WMS would like to thank all the parent volunteers who pitched in to make the day run smoothly and also the alumni volunteers who manned the water activities and ensured the safety of all our students. 1
2
3
1 The end-of- year party included three water slides, a dunk tank, assorted water games, music, lunch and Italian ice—a fun day for all ages! 2 Middle School student Kaleigh Woodhouse waits for Lower School student Nicholas Huffstetler to make his way down the water slide. 3 Middle School student Max Wieder takes a turn down the little slide with his Lower School pal Louis Cappella.
Washington Montessori School · On Circle · Summer 2016 · 27
Led by Dan Evon, WMS Director of Technology, and Tom Fahsbender, MS Head Teacher & Advisor, the Middle School spring camping trip included a challenging hike along some of the most scenic parts of the Appalachian Trail. MS students Max BentonCook, Will Allee, Joe Laufer, Max Wieder, Philip Valletta, Oliver Sanchez, Lauren Uhl, Isabel Martin, Audra Regan, Simon Rhodes, Lucas Estern and Lauren Uhl enjoyed the trip. Can you figure out what's wrong with this picture?
LEFT: Eighth-grader Max Benton-Cook was a strong competitor on the track and a solid leader off the track for the WMS running team this season. RIGHT: Kenyon Prenoveau and Ashleen Hay lead the pack during the mile at a meet against Shepaug and Wamogo.
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On Circle is published by Washington Montessori School - 860.868.0551 - www.washingtonmontessori.org Editor: Jill Skilton - Designer: Jennifer Gianfagna - Annual Report: Trish O‘Reilly Washington Montessori School requires that its board, staff, teachers, students and their parents do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in administration of the school’s admission policies, educational programs, financial aid program, extra-curricular or any other school-administered programs, or any activities supported by the school.