The Gryphon: Fall/Winter 24-25 by The Cambridge School of Weston (CSW)

LEADERSHIP LESSONS

A Conversation with Outgoing Board Chair Ann Gorson

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2024–25

Allie Altman P’12

Treasurer; Chair, Finance Committee

Ssanyu Birigwa ’95

Luiz Miguel Camargo P’25

Lise Charlier Head of School

John Finnerty P’21

Michael (Mike) Flanagan P’20, ’22

Michael Fleming ’81 Chair, Development Committee

Ann Gorson P’16 Chair of the Board

Cynthia Harmon

Snowden Henry P’16, ’18 Chair, Governance Committee

Dana Howell ’25

Boarding Student Representative

Chin Lin P’18

Secretary; Chair, Building and Grounds Committee

Ann Marie Lindquist P’10 ’19

Noah Loren P’22 ’24

Vice Chair of the Board

Meredith Oppegard

Faculty Representative

Youhua (Nancy) Nie P’25

Dmitri Rabin P’22

Chair, Investment Committee

Ranjit Rajamani P’22

Adriel Roncal

Faculty Representative

Will Stansbury P’20

John Thompson P’05, ’07

Britte van Zadelhoff ’25

Day Student Representative

THE GRYPHON, FALL/WINTER 2024-25

Lise Charlier Head of School

Emma Fedor Director of Marketing and Communications

Jeanette Origel

Assistant Director of Communications

Emmanuelle Charlier

Assistant Director for Alumni and Parent Engagement

CONTRIBUTORS

Russ Campbell (P’19) Photography

Christine Chamberlain ’63

Jared Charney Photography

Avalon Jellinek ’28

Michele Levy P’19

Xavier Mercado ’28

Nathaniel Salzano ’25

DESIGN gokorodesign.com

The Cambridge School of Weston is an independent, all-gender day and boarding school for grades 9 – 12 and post-graduate study. Inquiries for admission should be directed to the Admissions Office at 781.642.8650.

The Gryphon welcomes class notes and photographs by alumni, parents, and friends. Please email submissions to alumni@csw.org, call 781.642.8619, visit www.csw.org, or send to:

Alumni Relations

The Cambridge School of Weston 45 Georgian Road Weston, MA 02493

CONTACT

www.csw.org

To contact the editor, please send us an email at gryphon@csw.org.

Cover photo by Jared Charney

LEADING THOUGHTS

Dear members of the CSW community,

The relationship between board chair and head of school is an incredibly important one, and I feel so fortunate to have had Ann Gorson, the focus of this issue’s feature, by my side since my first day on the job. As Ann transitions from her role, we celebrate not only her accomplishments, but also the spirit of collaboration, resilience, and shared purpose that has defined her time with us.

Ann’s leadership has been nothing short of transformative. Yet, as we reflect on her contributions, we are reminded of an essential truth: that leadership is not born in isolation. It is nurtured by the collective efforts, insights, and support of those who stand alongside us. It is the combined work of the trustees, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni that has allowed Ann’s vision to come to life.

This tension—the balance between individual leadership and the collective energy of a community— often sits at the heart of any organization. On one hand, a single person’s determination can propel a school forward in ways that ripple throughout the years. On the other, true impact and sustained change are almost always the product of collaboration, dialogue, and the shared labor of those who believe in the same mission.

As we move forward into the next chapter of our school’s journey, let us take inspiration from Ann’s example, and from all those who make our school community so vibrant. Together, we continue to write the story of our school, shaping it with each decision, each conversation, and each act of support.

Sincerely,

Lise Charlier, Head of School

ON THE QUAD

Dining Hall Facelift

The Cheek Dining Hall was upgraded with new paint, flooring, and furniture over the summer. Changes were also made to the servery to facilitate the flow of foot traffic and provide additional dining offerings to community members.

Wall of Hope and Love

Led by Visual Art Faculty Tom Evans, members of the community got together to create a collaborative wall art collage following the theme of “Hope and Love.” Working on squares of paper and cardboard, participants were encouraged to create something suggesting hope and/or love. The squares were then hung up and shared in the Red Wall Gallery.

Panama Visitors

A New Home for the Head

The school recently purchased and completed renovations on a new Lexington Street property, which now serves as the Head’s House. This property was formerly a part of CSW’s campus, back when the school first relocated to Weston in 1931, and we are pleased to reclaim it once more.

In October CSW welcomed 12 students from C.A.D.I. Bilingual Academy in Panama, the school students visited as part of their mod abroad course in spring 2024. Visiting students stayed with CSW host families and attended classes with student ambassadors.

White Farm Update

CSW said goodbye to the campus housing unit known as White Farm over the summer. The structure, which was originally built in 1795, was deemed unsafe by the Weston Fire Department in 2019. In the years that followed, the Board of Trustees explored various options for preserving the historic residence, only to discover that years of disrepair had pushed it beyond the point of restoration. The school found itself with only one possible course of action: remove, and if deemed appropriate, rebuild. Today, the former location of the building is marked by a small meadow, the future of which is yet to be determined.

Spirit Week

In the weeks leading up to Fall Family Weekend, community members showed their school spirit by dressing up in accordance with daily themes. This year’s themes were Adam Sandler Style, Anything But A Backpack, Neon Glow, Y2K, and the traditional Blue and Gold Day.

Read-a-Thon

Over 30 students, faculty, staff, and friends participated in the 2024 CSW Read-A-Thon, a 12-hour celebration of reading.

From 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., this year's participants were able to log 14,830 pages, 522 minutes of audiobook content, and 40 full books. They also consumed an impressive 9.1 pounds of gummies. The mission of the day was to relax and relish in the pure pleasure of re ading. Participating students were welcomed to read whatever they wanted, so long as it was not assigned reading for school (not that school reading can't be pleasurable too!).

Learn more about the CSW Read-A-Thon at library.csw.org/home/ csw-readathon

Photos by Avalon Jellinek ’28 and Xavier Mercado ’28

League Champs!

Both the boys and girls varsity basketball teams had banner seasons this year, first winning the Gryphon Goblet tournaments, and later going on to win the Massachusetts Bay Independent League (MBIL) and Independent Girls Conference (IGC) League Championships at home in the Fit. This is the first time in school history that both teams have won league championships in the same year.

Black Legacy Gala

CSW’s Black Student Union hosted its Black Legacy Gala on campus this winter. The evening celebration included a spoken word performance, a dance performance, and an artist talk. The night ended in a “sneaker ball” style dance.

Rock/Pop

Music teacher Gustavo Brasil called this year’s Rock/Pop tribute to progressive rock and Billy Joel, “a true labor of love brought to life by the incredible hard work and dedication of our students.” The show featured intricate arrangements and powerful performances, showcasing the high level of talent of the student performers.

Photos by Nathaniel Salzano ’25

Elevated Thought

CSW was proud to welcome multidisciplinary artist and activist Marquis Victor to campus as its 2025 MLK Day Speaker. Victor is the founder and executive director of Elevated Thought, an art and social justice organization that provides creative access, exposure, and opportunity for youth and artists of color.

Lifelong Learning Initiative

CSW kicked off its Lifelong Learning Initiative — a series of continuing ed courses taught by CSW faculty — with a “Drawing: Self Portrait” class with Tom Evans this fall. The class culminated in a gallery opening showcasing participant work. Spring offerings will include “Totalitarianism: Past and Present,” with Ryan Jacobs, and “Photography” with Anne Rearick. Alumni and parents/ guardians are welcome and encouraged to sign up for classes.

Learn more and sign up at www.csw.org/ lifelong-learning

Yan Lei

Working artist Yan Lei shared insights into his creative process and the evolution of his work over the course of his nearly 30-year career at an assembly this fall. During the assembly, Lei shared what art means to him. He believes art is deeply embedded in the artist's body, making it difficult to interpret to others. He also described art as being like a brain—about factual truths and driven by the artist's strong will. His views over the years have been influenced by classical artists like Goya, among other artists, and the Dada movement, which he encountered in high school.

Fall Family Weekend

Model UN

The CSW Model UN team recently traveled to Providence, Rhode Island, to participate in a conference hosted by Brown University. While on College Hill, students were tasked with brainstorming solutions to some of our country's — and world's — most pressing issues, including corporate tax evasion, nuclear disarmament, artificial intelligence weaponry, human rights, and global epidemics. Beyond committee sessions, st udents forged new friendships with delegates from other schools, experienced life on a college campus, and enjoyed Providence's delicious food scene!

For the second year in a row, families descended on campus for Fall Family Weekend in September. Parents and guardians got the chance to shadow their students, meet faculty and staff, and partake in community activities. Thank you to all who joined us!

FACULTY/STAFF SPOTLIGHT

JEANNETTE LEE-PARIKH

English Teacher, Lead AISNE Coordinator, Community Reading Head

Q You’ve been a member of CSW’s fac ulty for almost 15 years. What is it you love about teaching here?

I truly, deeply believe in progressive education. And I believe that we are in the right historical moment. We have enough cognitive science on what is developmentally appropriate for teenagers for progressive ed to finally, truly be the way forward. And I think that I like problem solving, so I like that we are always working on things and striving to improve. There is always space for change and flexibility. I wouldn't want to be an institution that thinks it has it all figured out, that always stays the same. That would be a nightmare for me.

Q There have been a lot of headlines in the news about declining interest in the humanities. As an English teacher, does this concern you?

I think the decline in the humanities makes sense for a number of reasons. One is we live in such a test-oriented education system, and the humanities are harder to quantify. And the ways in which you do quantify it sort of empty it out of its meaning. And I think that at the higher ed level, (speaking as someone who did study and teach at the higher ed level) the content doesn’t connect to kids in the way that it should. The humanities are about the human experience, artists writing about what it means to be human in a particular culture or a particular historical moment, and when I teach, I try to help kids understand that. I want them to discover lessons about universal truths, because that's where the lesson is for us. If you do the humanities well, what you

cultivate in students is the ability to think. You cultivate the ability to reason, to develop an argument, to get to know themselves, and to develop empathy for other people. It's a kind of mindset that you develop.

Q You were instrumental in designing CSW ’s current English curriculum. What are the goals of the program?

One thing I wanted to make sure of was that there was equity in the curriculum — that the curriculum was diverse and inclusive, not just of American racial and ethnic identities, but also international, and that we ran these classes every single year. This way, kids can at least have access to taking classes that are outside of what they know. And I really wanted to streamline writing — to really develop our students' writing skills, because I always tell students that writing is thinking. If you can write clearly, you can think clearly. Sometimes, the only time you can really know what you're thinking is when you write it. I know I've had that experience many, many times. And so I really wanted to make sure that there was a clear path from ninth grade to twelfth grade, ensuring that there was vertical alignment from “Writing Foundations Workshop,” to “Writing About Reading II.”

Q The English Department recently sha red highlights from its curriculum at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention. What was that like?

I love NCTE. I think it's a great organization. So when I saw that they were coming to Boston, I knew we had to present. We spoke primarily about what it means for a curriculum to be truly diverse and inclusive. Because it’s not just about including one poem by a person of color in one class; it’s about integrating diverse narratives and perspectives from 9th grade, all the way through to 12th. And so our current department chair, KB Kinkel, developed a tool for departments to use to evaluate their own programs. After our presentation, a number of people came up to us and asked for advice on how to implement a similar curriculum at their schools. It was great to be in a space where we could share what we're doing with an audience of peers and get really positive feedback.

Q In addition to your teaching responsibilities, you have taken on the role of “Lead Coordinator” for the school’s accreditation process through the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). What has that process been like for you?

I have really enjoyed it. I have enjoyed getting to know the whole school and seeing how different parts of the institution interact with each other. It's broadened my perspective. Because I have to admit, I did have a bias. I thought, don’t schools really just need teachers and students? Who are these other people? I am being facetious, but I didn’t understand the extent of these other roles. I see now that every single part of the institution impacts the learning in some way. One of the things I'm working on right now is looking at all the scopes and sequences of our academic offerings to see how they speak or don't speak to each other, given what our mission is. It's interesting work because I am able to get to know other departments in a deeper way and really see what their role is and think, with the head of school, about how to best optimize things.

Q What advice do you have for people who want to make reading a bigger part of their lives (or the lives of their kids/family members)?

I did a lot of research before I revamped our community reading program, because I wanted to understand how you can change the culture of reading at a school. And from that, what I would say is to follow your interests — whether it’s fiction or nonfiction — find what you like and find the books that excite you. I also recommend shifting away from reading on a device. While any reading is better than nothing, there’s good research now that says if you read on a device, you are less likely to engage in deep reading and much more likely to skim the text. You are also less likely to fully absorb and remember what was read, as compared to the tactile experience of reading a hard copy book. So what I do is, I never leave home without a book — an actual, physical book. So if I am waiting at the doctor’s office or something, instead of pulling out my phone and scrolling, I can pull out a book. I practice the same with my kids. Whenever we go in the car, I always pack books for each of us.

NEW FACULTY & STAFF

PIERCE ELLINWOOD

Admissions Office

Pierce is excited to be at CSW for his first year working full-time in admissions after several years teaching English at independent schools such as The Derryfield School, St. Paul’s School, and the Loomis Chaffee School. His passions include reading, writing, cooking,

JESSIE FENG

Math Department

Jessie is joining the Mathematics Department at CSW. They received their bachelor's in mathematics and art history from Wellesley College, and is currently

running, and ice cream. He lives in Arlington with his wife and two corgis, Kingsley and Ruth, but as a New Hampshire native, he takes every chance he gets to head north to the mountains. Pierce earned his bachelor’s degree from DePauw University, and his master of arts in liberal studies from Dartmouth College.

I met my wife in a school library—and ten years later, we returned to that same library to get married. My graduate work in c ultural studies focused on teaching hip-hop in high school English classrooms. I was the NH state champion in alpine ski racing as a senior in high school.

pursuing a master's in teaching for mathematics from the Harvard Extension School. In what spare time they have, Jessie can be found singing with the Metropolitan Chorale, competing at masters swimming meets, and contra dancing.

I manage all the lifeguard volunteers for the Head of the Charles Regatta. I c an beatbox (and do a surprisingly decent Batman impression).

I have a strong — and sometimes irrational love for a plain baked sweet potato.

MADISYN GOMEZ

Science Department, Health, and Student Life Office

DAVID EPSTEIN

Science Department

This year David taught CSW’s new “Meteorology” class. David has been a meteorologist and horticulturalist for over 35 years. He studied meteorology at Lyndon State College and has a master’s in education and an MBA, both from Boston College. David writes for The Boston Globe and is the meteorologist for GBH Boston’s local NPR. He has been an

DAVID GORESTKI

Science Department

David has joined CSW’s Science Department as a chemistry teacher. David was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, and moved to the U.S. to pursue studies in biology and chemistry.

Madisyn Gomez joins us in the Science and Health Departments, the Student Life Office, as a dorm parent, and as a girls’ varsity basketball and track and field coach. She recently graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Economics and Environmental Studies. In her free time, she likes to read, bake, hike, or explore new restaurants.

on-air meteorologist at various stations throughout New England, including WBZ and WCVB. In 2006, David founded Growing Wisdom, a business producing educational and marketing videos that can be found on his YouTube channel of the same name.

I love to garden and grow a lot of my own food in the spring, summer and fall. I s wim three days a week for just under an hour and love it. I even took a plunge in the ocean in Maine in January this year.

I enjoy helping people, especially my students, be the best version of themselves and love putting people together who might collaborate on projects or just become friends.

He has a B.A. from Williams College and an M.S. from MIT. He has experience teaching at the college level, as well as working in biotechnology startups where he focused on research and creating innovative learning environments. Outside the classroom, he loves exploring nature, playing basketball and tennis, and experimenting with pottery.

I d rink green tea every day. I’ve never liked chewing g um and drinking soda. My partner and I have four cats.

I have played over 10 different competitive sports in my life.

All 40+ of my grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins l ive in the same small town of 3,000 people.

I love to bake and hope to open my own coffee shop/ bookstore/bakery in my old age.

DAN KOSTYK

Math Department

Dan has joined the CSW community as an assistant robotics coach. Dan comes from an engineering family, with both his father and uncle in manufacturing and machine design. He graduated from Northwestern University with a BSME and worked for over 10 years in the power industry for the Fluor Corporation, which

THOMAS PETTENGILL

Science Department

Tom is joining CSW as a member of the Science Department, an assistant coach for the Cross Country Team, and a faculty advisor for the Sustainability Committee. He has his bachelor's in biology from Brown University

took him to Egypt and Kuwait. Later he received an MBA from the University of Chicago and worked for over 10 years in quantitative finance in Boston. Dan is also a CFA charter holder. Dan spent several years on the board of the Chestnut Hill School where he volunteered as an assistant STEM teacher for K through 6th Grade.

I was a registered professional engineer, and a registered fossil hunter in Illinois.

I have a wonderful wife and two terrific daughters, and an Australian Cobberdog named Maple. I love the remoteness and solitude of a cabin in Western Maine.

and a master's in secondary education from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been teaching science and coaching running for eight years across multiple independent schools in the New England area and is passionate about environmental education, sustainability, and collaborative learning experiences. Tom currently lives in Watertown with his partner and two cats, Merry and Pip. He will show you pictures if you ask!

I have never eaten an orange.

I was almost eaten by an alligator in Georgia. I have never broken a bone.

ELLA WECHSLER-MATTHAEI ’10 Dance Department

LISA PALMERO Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion,

and Belonging

Lisa Palmero is CSW’s new Dean of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Lisa comes to CSW with over 20 years of experience working as a DEIB practitioner, having held key leadership positions at Wilbraham & Monson, Hopkins School, Westminster School, and Commonwealth School. In these roles, Lisa developed and supported community affinity group programs; built partnerships with mission-

MAHEEN MASOUD Math Department

Maheen comes to CSW from Hamilton College, where she earned a degree in computer

With over 20 years of experience in the dance world, Ella Wechsler-Matthaei is CSW’s newest member of its Dance Department. A performer, choreographer, and teacher, Ella has graced stages across the world, from Trinidad to Nigeria to Brazil, bringing her passion for movement to audiences and communities alike. Ella earned her B.A. from Trinity College and her M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Beyond her personal artistic pursuits, Ella is deeply committed to the power of dance

aligned organizations; oversaw informative speaker series; and conceptualized and implemented educational community programming. Lisa is also a seasoned classroom teacher, dorm parent, and professional mentor with a passion for partnering with students and adults to promote empathy, leadership, and personal growth. She holds a B.A. from Ithaca College, a master’s in English for Teachers from Western New England University, and a master’s in psychology in education from Columbia University.

I once enjoyed finding, collecting, and caring for black desert beetles. One summer, after taking weekly classes, I fell in love with both Bachata and Muay Thai. I got into kindergarten early because I knew how to hold a crayon and share with others.

science with a minor in mathematics. Maheen will teach math and computer science, support the Residential Life program as a teacher in the evening support program, serve as an assistant robotics coach, advise, and teach in the CE program.

I speak four languages. I participated in math oplympiads seven times in middle school. I love to paint.

education. She has taught Hip Hop and Afrocentric genres in schools and universities across Cambridge and Boston, using dance as a tool to inspire self-expression, confidence, and joy in young people.

I was born in Waco, Texas, and adopted at 10 weeks old. I swam over sharks in the Galapagos… without an official tour guide. I had a double lung transplant in 2021.

HEAD OF SCHOOL LISE CHARLIER

NAMED PRESIDENT OF AISNE BOARD

The Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE) announced this summer that CSW Head of School Lise Charlier has been appointed as their new board president.

“I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time for AISNE, and for independent schools across New England,” Lise shares. “Together, we will continue to innovate, support our educators, and empower our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

AISNE started in 1904 as the Private School Association of Boston. In its 120-year history, it has grown to serve more than 270 member schools across all New England states. Today the association accredits schools (including CSW!), hosts professional learning events for educators and school leaders, and serves as a hub for education pr ofessionals to share knowledge and resources, strengthening the local education industry.

AISNE’s Board ensures that the association remains committed to its mission of shaping the educational landscape for independent schools through leadership, education, service, and strategic advocacy with a commitment to equity and inclusion.

AISNE’s Board of Directors is composed of leaders in the region’s independent schools, including heads of schools, chief financial officers, and consultants. As president of AISNE’s board, Lise partners with and supports AISNE’s executive director, Sara Wilson, and is helping to lead the creation of a strategic framework for the organization to ensure that AISNE continues to thrive and support New England’s independent schools.

“It is a pleasure to work alongside Lise as our board envisions the future of AISNE. She br ings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing independent schools that are an asset to every school in our membership,” says Sara.

Prior to being named president of the AISNE Board of Directors, Lise served as the association’s vice president. Before beginning her tenure at CSW, Lise served as director of studies and strategic initiatives at Severn School in Severna Park, Maryland. Before this role at Severn, Lise was upper

“As Head of School at CSW, Lise has consistently led with empathy, patience, intellect, and a passion for progressive learning. This has enabled all facets of our program — academics, athletics, and the arts — to flourish, making CSW a highly compelling option for families in Greater Boston and around the world. It is exciting to see her accomplishments recognized by AISNE in this way.”

CSW Board Chair Ann Gorson P’16

school assistant principal at Friends School of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland. Lise has also served on the board of trustees for Green Street Academy, the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS), the Cowles Charitable Trust, and most recently the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education (CSEE). She holds an M.S. in education from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. from Georgetown University.

Lise joined the CSW community in 2019 and has since led the school through a global pandemic; stewarded the introduction of the co-curricular program known as PACE:

Promoting Awareness and Community Engagement; guided the transition to a new and improved iteration of the Module System (the school’s unique academic model); expanded off-campus learning opportunities, both locally and abroad; and spearheaded critical diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, including the establishment of a Racial Equity Task Force. During her tenure, CSW’s campus has also benefitted from a number of vital upgrades and expansions.

Head of School Lise Charlier with fellow AISNE leaders Brad Bates (Board Vice President), Allison Webster (Board Secretary), and Sara Wilson (Executive Director).

PRIDE & PREJUDICE

This fall, students had the opportunity to engage in "Focus Fusion" courses, a new curricular initiative set in motion by Diana Baruni, Assistant Head of School for Academics. Focus Fusion courses are classes specifically designed to complement one another, allowing students to delve into a particular topic, area of interest, or skill from a variety of different angles and perspectives. One such topic was Jane Austen’s classic, Pride and Prejudice Over the course of one mod, participating students were able to consider the work as a piece of literature in an English class taught by Jeannette Lee-Parikh, while also studying the dramatic adaptation in preparation for the Theatre Department’s fall mainstage production, directed by Emily Ranii. It was an experience that allowed students to dive into the text itself, while also inviting them to bring it to life.

Following the final stage performance this focus fusion pairing culminated in a "talk back" session, where students who participated in both the theatre and English classes came together to reflect on the process. In these discussions with the audience, they shared what it felt like to move from page to stage, drawing connections between the textual analysis and their lived experience of performing the story. It was a moment of intellectual and creative synthesis, whereby students were able to see how literature and performance art intersect, and how analysis and creativity can coexist.

Z Kelly-Mongomery ’25, Corrine Mangum ’26, and Emily Winig ’28 as Lizzy Bennet, Jane Bennet, and Charlotte Lucas.

LEADERSHIP LESSONS

A Conversation with Outgoing Board Chair Ann Gorson

As Ann Gorson P’16, CSW’s board chair for the past five years, prepares to step away from the role, she caught up with past trustee and friend Christine Chamberlain ’63 to reflect and share insights on CSW’s past, present, and future.

CHRISTINE: Here we are, with more than 70 years of combined experience with The Cambridge School of Weston — me as an alum; you as a parent; both of us as volunteers in various capacities. I’m so pleased to be able to reflect and celebrate with you as you wrap up your tenure as board chair.

ANN: I know… we’ve each seen so much over our time with the school, from different perspectives. I know you were a student here and participated in governance.

CHRISTINE: I am a little unusual in that I attended CSW for 12 years. I went to the lower school on Concord Avenue in Cambridge for grades one through six, then came out to the Weston campus for grades seven through twelve. There were two or three of us who did so. Basically, my entire education prior to college was with CSW. I went on to Wellesley College, the first from CSW to do so, and I am going to echo what so many say: I had no significant difficulties academically with the transition to a fairly traditional high-profile women's college. I also brought with me a strong sense of community in the academic environment, and as a result I have enduring and supportive friendships from my time at both CSW and Wellesley.

What was your first association with CSW, Ann?

ANN: Our daughter Katie was a sophomore at another independent school when she told us she would like to try public school or check out CSW. Some of her good friends from summer camp were students here, and they loved the school. Ken, my husband, and I knew very little about CSW, but we were happy to explore the possibility. Once we visited the campus in 2014, Katie told us that was where she wanted to be.

She had a fabulous experience at CSW. She was excited about her classes, bursting to tell us everything when she came home from school. The change was unbelievable, so much so that Ken and I would kick each other under the table as Katie told us about all she was learning! She went on to Skidmore, where she continued to thrive. CSW had prepared her well for college and she was ready to make the most of it.

CHRISTINE: Were you active as a parent wh ile Katie was at CSW?

ANN: Prior to CSW, Ken and I had always been involved in our children's school lives. But we figured that since Katie was older, and driving herself back and forth to Weston, we didn't need to be as active. Clearly, we were mistaken!

What drew me in was my curiosity. I wanted to find out what it was about the school that led my child to think so highly of this place. I wanted to know the “secret ingredient” that made our child so happy and enthusiastic.

CHRISTINE: How did you first become involved?

ANN: What drew me in was my curiosity. I wanted to find out what it was about the school that led my child to think so highly of this place. I wanted to know the “secret ingredient” that made our child so happy and enthusiastic. I popped in to observe an assembly on a day when they had a speaker and was impressed to see that the students were at ease with themselves and completely engaged. The atmosphere was casual and natural, but the students were alert and paying attention. They were respectful and they asked very good questions. On that day I was energized in just the way the school was energizing Katie. It brought home again what a special place this is.

As we have both seen during our time with CSW, there are lots of ways for alums and parents to support the school. How did your own connection with CSW take shape?

CHRISTINE: I went overseas to live and work for a number of years, but when I returned CSW was a strong association for me. It was one of my communities. And when I began to attend events and participate, I discovered that I related to the people I met as though

Ann Gorson P’16 addresses the CSW community at Graduation.

I had known them forever. That says to me that the basic principles of the school are always there. And what brought you to volunteer after Katie graduated?

ANN: While Katie was a student here, CSW was running a campaign for the Health and Fitness Center (the Fit). I was asked at the end of her first year to become involved in the Parent Association as a volunteer, and with that I was assigned a position as parent representative on the Board of Trustees. It’s important to note here that I had no prior experience in being a board member!

When Katie graduated, they invited me to come on as a full trustee. This was at a time when both of our children were out of the house, and I had some time. I enjoyed the school so much, but I didn’t yet know a lot about it… here was an opportunity for me to learn more and become involved in board work. I accepted the invitation, and was immediately assigned to the Development Committee, a place where I felt I could make a real contribution.

CHRISTINE: That brings us up to our own meaningful collaboration supporting the head of school search and transition. Let’s talk

about that work, which was transformative in so many ways, and which resulted in such a nice friendship between us.

ANN: In the course of my time on the board, Head of School Jane Moulding announced that she would be retiring in 2019. Around that time, Sue Vogt P ’14, a dedicated CSW past parent, vacated her position as board chair due to a move out of state, and the vice chair, Sarita Shah ’86, stepped up.

CHRISTINE: As this was Sarita's last year on the board, she invited us to serve as her vice chairs. That worked out so well, given our respective experiences and tenure with the school.

ANN: Absolutely! I also want to make an important point here. Working together, you and I had fun. It’s been my experience that while board service is hard work, it can also be very enjoyable and satisfying. CSW, in particular, is a place where people are compatible.

CHRISTINE: The richness of any experience is firmly connected to the level of commitment and involvement. I knew and enjoyed you through our experience together at board

meetings, but it was only during the time we spent together working on the transition that we really came to know and appreciate each other. We shared our observations and thoughts, as well as a deep respect for the people and the process. I know that Lise's first year as Head of CSW coincided with your first year as board chair. I'm sure that was a learning experience for both of you.

ANN: It absolutely was. Early on, Lise invited me to come to the campus for a behind-thescenes tour, and there were some things I hadn’t expected. A lot of attention had quite rightly been focused on fundraising for and building the Fit. Now there were some things, particularly involving the school's infrastructure, that needed doing. It was clear that a lot of work would be required to address those issues. We were fortunate that fellow board member and parent Chin Lin P’18 had an architectural background. His expertise was invaluable as we evaluated all our buildings.

I can think of several recent accomplishments of which the board can be very proud. For instance, the school purchased a home at 110 Lexington Street — a space that provides much-needed additional room for entertaining and events, and a more suitable living area for the Head of School. The Kluchman building, which houses the Head of School's office and the library, was renovated to be more functional and ADA accessible. The dining hall was also renovated, and a number of improvements were made to the dormitories.

During my tenure, we also started the Access Fund, which provides financial support for students on financial aid to cover expenses for weekend spending/outings, school trips, laptops and school supplies, for example.

CHRISTINE: And then there’s COVID. Let’s talk about perhaps the biggest challenge of your tenure.

ANN: Indeed! The pandemic broke out during my first year as board chair and Lise's first year as head of school. That was an extraordinary example of the power of collaboration. Working with the board, faculty, staff, parents and experts in the medical field, we navigated a safe way to open school and keep our community healthy. It took an enormous amount of time, care and attention to accomplish this, and I can't emphasize enough the impact of Lise's strong leadership, clear goals, and creative approach. We both benefited from the strong support of the Board of Trustees, many of whom were past parents. I don't know whether this is true of other schools, but I was struck by the long-term loyalty

Past and present board members gather for a 2019 celebration of leadership at CSW.

As a volunteer, I benefited greatly from the relationships I established with good people and from the deeper understanding they provided of CSW’s culture.

CSW parents feel and their willingness to work on the school's behalf. They stand as a hallmark of the deep loyalty a wide range of people hold for the school and the willingness I saw to give energy, time, and funds. This collective engagement is part of the community spirit I experienced especially during COVID, but really throughout my entire tenure on the board.

Cynthia Harmon, who served as my vice chair, demonstrates the importance of also including members of the broader community on the board. As an educator and former head of The Park School in Brookline, Cynthia contributed a deep knowledge of school operations in general. She was so incredibly supportive of me and Lise, especially during COVID. Every time I picked up the phone to ask her to do something, “yes” was on the other end.

CHRISTINE: What could you say about your board experience and what you learned from it? How did it enrich you, for example?

ANN: It has been my experience that the skills you build and utilize in the workplace transfer well to the skills required to be an effective board member. For instance, I was able to tap into my financial background and my management and leadership skills, capabilities that date back to my business school days and to my career. And as I did in the business world, I never hesitated to tap into the expertise around me. For instance, Ranjit Ranjamani P’22 and Ben Alimansky ’87, former chairs of the Investment Committee, and current Investment Committee chair, Dimitri Rabin P’22, have been instrumental in managing the growth of CSW’s endowment during my time as board chair.

As a volunteer, I benefited greatly from the relationships I established with good people and from the deeper understanding they provided of CSW’s culture. I know every school sees their faculty as special, but I really do feel that the outstanding CSW faculty are what make the student experience as rich as it is.

I feel greatly enriched by the friendships I formed with a wide range of kind, inspired, and brilliant people, many of whom are gifted educators. In that vein, I’m incredibly grateful to Rebecca Parkhill ’85, P’17. She’s the daughter of Alorie Parkhill, who arrived at Cambridge School in 1963 and served over the next 44 years as English and theatre teacher, academic dean, and assistant head of school. Rebecca was so helpful to me and provided deep insights into the history and spirit of CSW.

I’m leaving with a great sense of accomplishment because of my time on the CSW Board, and I am very grateful for the opportunity afforded me.

CHRISTINE: What advice do you have for others interested in getting more involved with board work?

ANN: I think sometimes people make the assumption that you need to have experience with schools, specifically, to be a valuable contributor to the board, and that’s just not true at all. What we really need is people with experience in a variety of different industries. Some fields that are helpful to have expertise in include marketing, local governance, finance, sustainability, and workforce diversity and support. And it’s important to have a board made up of people from a diverse array of backgrounds.

CHRISTINE: This is so true. The current board is an amazing group of individuals with a wealth of experience, and I know they are working on some exciting projects. Can you talk a little more about that?

Christine Chamberlain ’63 and Ann Gorson P’16 together at the farewell event for Head of School Jane Moulding in 2019.

ANN: Yes, I am really excited to see how some of the items we are working on now will come to fruition in the years ahead. Renovations to the French Gym are well underway. We will soon have upgraded math offices and classrooms, in addition to an alternative space for large gatherings and performances. We’re also continuing to expand our summer offerings, with a launch of a day camp, a theatre workshop, and the summer mini module courses we began offering a few years ago. We’ve also implemented a series of continuing education courses for adults that we are calling The Lifelong Learning Initiative. Other important priorities include investing in off-campus learning experiences at the local and international levels; continuing our efforts to foster a more environmentally sustainable infrastructure and reduce our carbon footprint; attracting and maintaining the best and strongest faculty and staff; and growing our endowment to increase financial sustainability and make a CSW education more accessible to all.

CHRISTINE: Is there anyone else, aside from those you have already mentioned, that you would like to acknowledge?

ANN: Oh, there are so many! I certainly have to thank John Thompson P’05, ’07, who has put in so much work for the school. He is a past parent and a great friend of the school. He loves The Cambridge School, as I do, and has been a coach to us all on the importance of fundraising and development. Snowden Henry P’16,’18, will also be stepping down from the board in June, and has done fabulous work as chair of the Governance Committee. Phil DeNormandie ’67, who has already left the board, is a proud alumnus and continues to be one of CSW’s most loyal donors and a strong supporter of Lise’s leadership. And Allie Altman P’12, who will leave the board in 2026, showed up at a turning point in her life that was similar to mine and some others on the board. As the Finance Committee chair, she has worked closely with the committee, Lise and the school’s senior administration to ensure CSW’s prosperity and long-term financial stability. And of course, Dia ne Garthwaite P’99, whose daughter went to CSW, has been another active and generous parent, and the namesake of the incredible Garthwaite Center for Science and Art.

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge all the faculty and student representatives to the board during my tenure. Having their voices at the table is so important, and I remain so proud that CSW is a place where all community members can have a seat at the table, and that we even invite our students and faculty to serve as voting members! This is so special.

CHRISTINE: Clearly, it’s been a busy few years for you as a volunteer leader within the CSW community. And I suspect that you’re not planning to slow down any time soon. What’s next for you?

ANN: I currently serve on another board, The Metrowest Women's Fund (MWF), which was co-founded by Rebecca Parkhill. MWF’s mission is to identify the needs of women and girls in the 33 towns in Boston's Metrowest area and raise resources to meet those needs. I'm excited to devote more time to MWF and working to improve the lives of women and girls in my community. But in the very near future, I actually do plan to take a little break. I’m heading to Florida to enjoy the sun and have some margaritas on the beach!

The 2024-25 CSW Board of Trustees.

ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME

December saw the return of the Alumni Basketball Game — the first since the pandemic. Young alums and current students gathered in the Fit to take part in the game and cheer on their classmates! Many thanks to the 15+ alums that were able to join us.

Photos by Avalon Jellinek ’28

CLASS OF 1971 AND FRIENDS

Members of the Class of 1971 and the surrounding classes came together on campus in early October to meet with students and faculty, sit in on classes, tour campus, and catch up on old times. In the evening, alums enjoyed dinner and dancing, with a collaborative student-alumni jazz performance.

IT WAS TIME TO DO MORE

Allen Hopper ’58 shares what led to his recent legacy gift

As I look back now on those years at CSW, I remember them as a bedrock for my learning not only a wide array of subject matter, but for developing the strength to exercise “critical thinking” and, above all, gaining greater compassion for an overwhelmingly complex world that would be unfurling itself before me.

I’ve been a regular contributor to CSW’s Annual Fund ever since I graduated in 1958. But recently, some 66 years later, I felt the time had come to do something more.

Just over a year ago while I was still living in Georgia, my wife passed away and I decided — as someone in his mid-eighties without any younger-generation family members nearby — I would need to seriously consider relocating to be closer to my family in North Carolina. As with

many people my age, this meant planning to sell one home and moving into another one, in my case, quite some distance away.

Moving is never an easy thing to do but with the fortunately profitable sale from my now former home in Georgia late last year, it became a welcome opportunity for me to consider benefitting CSW with a substantial legacy gift. In December 2024, I arranged for a stock transfer directly to CSW as a tax-exempt entity, effectively reducing the capital gains that I would have otherwise been subject to for my annual income tax that year.

Reflecting on My Years at "Cambridge" Back when I had arrived at CSW in the fall of 1953, I embarked on what became a very memorable early-through-midadolescent period of my life. One that laid a foundation for my many, many further years of “formal education,” first in college (Emory in Atlanta), then graduate school (Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA), and then, by the age of 30, on to a long professional career in the field of psychology (back again in Atlanta).

Joining with Others in the Spirit of "Paying it Forward" for Future Students

I am indebted to CSW not only for all of this educational “foundation” it gave me as one of its students but, along with that, the school’s willingness to craft what amounted to a financial-aid package for me to defray payment of my tuition. The school agreed to hire my mother, Amelia Hopper, as a half-time assistant staff member in then Head of School Dolph Cheek’s office throughout each school year, and this covered my tu ition for all of the five years I attended. I hope this story of CSW’s remarkable generosity to me as a student while I was there will inspire others to join with me in supporting its Patience Lauriat legacy gift program.

CLASS NOTES

1940s

Larry Nathanson '46 writes: Paul Sapir '46 died on December 25, 2024. He was a classmate and friend of mine. He was in the Harvard College Class of 1950, Harvard Medical School Class of 1954, and was a medical psychiatrist in Providence, RI, for many years.

Mary Parker '49 writes: Congratulations to my classmates that we have lived this long. I continue to be in contact with Emilie Coolidge '49 and Janet Sherwood '49, and enjoy hearing about what Penny (Witte) Allderdice '49 is up to in Newfoundland.

1950s

Competing in the New York State Senior Olympics this summer, Ira Carmen '53 won a gold medal by finishing first in the 90-and-above age group by running the 5000 meters in 39:05, a meet championship record.

Nicholas Dawidoff writes: Heidi Dawidoff '56, a proud graduate of the class of 1956, died in August. She talked across her life of her love for the friends and teachers she knew at The Cambridge School, how the superior education she received from those gifted teachers set her on course for her own life’s work as a (magnificent, revered) high school teacher.

1960s

Christine Marston Chamberlain '63 writes: Home for me now is divided between Marblehead, Massachusetts, and Br unswick, Maine. I am still, after 30 years, producing oral histories as a profession for individuals and families, companies and organizations — working all over the country. It is a perfect occupation for me and keeps me interested and busy. Sadly, I lost my husband, Charlie, to cancer in 2021.

I stay close to Cambridge School, and I am so proud of the way it has grown and thrived over the years. I am forever grateful that I had so many good years there. I see quite a few people from that time. I have been down to Truro on the Cape to visit Sally '63 and Carl Brotman '63, and joined them for a CSW get-together last summer. I had been in Brunswick for some time before I learned that Kit St. John '63 and his wife Eunice lived virtually around the corner from me. Kit has been very active in town and state organizations, including

serving as executive director of the Maine Center for Economic Policy, and it is through him that I became involved in Tedford Housing. Tedford, which provides safe and affordable housing for those experiencing homelessness, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2027, and Kit and I are working together on a history for that occasion. If any of you find yourselves in Maine or Boston, I would be pleased to meet up. I wish all of you well.

Emilie Small '64 writes: I recently published Altered: Stories We Found In Our Closets, a collection of essays and poems written by myself and members of my longtime writers group. I have four essays in the book. It is available in print at BookBaby Bookshop, as an ebook at Amazon and wherever ebooks are sold. I hope you enjoy it! And if you do, please write a review. Thank you. My best to all of the CSW community!

1970s

Till Müller-Ibold '76 writes: A quick note to let you know that I have (mostly) retired from my partner role at Cleary Gottlieb. I will continue to devote a bit of time to my role as a (part-time) professor of law at the University of Passau, but I intend to enjoy life at 66 more fully, without the inevitable strictures resulting from full- (or part-) time devotion to the role of a practicing lawyer in private practice.

It w as almost 50 years ago that I arrived in Weston as an exchange student and was exposed to the incredible enthusiasm with which teachers approached almost any subject. I got to appreciate the broader American way of life, not only academically (e.g., through American history classes) but also through life at Trapelo dorm. One important change to

Ira Carmen ’53 won a gold medal by finishing first in the New York State Senior Olympics.

my life (but certainly not the only or most important change) brought about by my time at CSW was my ability to speak English (in my first module at CSW I took math and computer science, subjects I knew a bit about, which allowed me to reverse engineer from the formulas or the computer code, what I did not understand in the teachers' English language explanation). Four weeks into my time at CSW, I had lost most inhibitions to speak, and at the end of the academic year, I had become a pretty confident user of the English language. I had not anticipated that English would become the

HEAD OF SCHOOL LISE CHARLIER VISITS CHINA

Head of School Lise Charlier had the pleasure of traveling to China in December to meet with alumni, past and present CSW families, and prospective admissions candidates. Lise visited Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Beijing. CSW is so grateful to the CSW families and friends who hosted Lise with open hearts, creating long-lasting connections between CSW and this incredible part of the world.

predominant language I would use throughout most of my professional car eer, and the interest in civil liberties I developed at CSW would guide me in the choice of my academic and professional career. But in retrospect: it all started in Weston. With this in mind, I salute the Cambridge School. I have visited the school a few times since my graduation and will be back from time to time when I visit friends in the Boston area (some of which are from my CSW times).

Maya Andrea Y. Grillo Massar '78 writes: Come visit me in Quebec! Love to all.

Valerie (Pocock) Behiery '78 writes: 1978 was wonderful. I loved Cambridge School. Since then, I have lived in Canada, Greece, France, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. I was a painter but then became an Islamic art academic and writer. I have worked at museums and universities, but am now retired. I recently had a short fiction book published, Stories of Hope and Healing. Happy to have received good reviews. I will soon be publishing a poetry book and a novel, too. Very best regards to you all and to all who have studied at Cambridge School in the past. May your lives be well in 2025 and further too.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Everyone is invited to submit news to the Alumni Office. Visit alumni.csw.org to sign up for our new alumni hub and share your news with classmates.

1980s

Michael Garber '80 writes: My second book comes out in February — Songs She Wrote: Forty Hits by Pioneering Women of Popular Music (Rowman and Littlfield). My wife, Sue, and I are still in Westchester County, New York, but have moved to a historic house in Mount Kisco. I am doing the community music programs using songs from the jazz decades (mostly), with children pre-K through 5th grade, including homeschoolers and their parents-teachers, and also with older adults.

Patrick Barrett '86 writes: After long stints in San Francisco and Austin, in 2019 my family and I moved to Brooklyn, NY, where I regularly get to see fellow CSW alum Athena Devlin '86. My daughter is at Rutgers studying anthropology and archeology and my son is at the School of Visual Arts in NYC studying UX. I have spent most of my career working in tech, starting in design before moving to product management. I am currently at Salesforce in NY, where I work on software for marketers.

Erik Rosengren '86 writes: Hello CSW friends! I've been happily living in Florence, Italy, for the last eight years with my husband Pierpaolo. In the last few years, we've had really wonderful visits from Annie Porter '85 and her family (all her kids are our beloved godkids, so we get semi-regular visits!), Jessica Schickel '85 and her husb and Chris, Amy Clark '86, Colleen Kavanagh '88 and her family, Charlie Jenkins '86 and his wife Terrill, Phil Greven '84 and his family, and just yesterday, I had a great lunch with Scott Haas '86 and his wife Nikki. CSW is still a source of tremendous nourishment and lifelong friendships.

Five years ago, we bought half of a 15th century monastery on auction in the countryside just outside of Florence. Now, the other half is for sale and we're trying to figure out how to buy it as well so that we can run a bed and breakfast/retreat space. The beautiful 13th century church is attached — so many possibilities! Anyone interested in discussing a joint venture or shared-use situation?

If you're passing through Florence, I'm always happy to hear from old friends. If you want a short or long-term rental in Florence, we have a small two-bedroom apartment that we rent to friends: erosengren@gmail.com.

Following a month-long trip to India, Rupa Goswami ’85 (right) writes: I was teaching at one of India’s newest national law schools in the eastern state of Odisha. Only 15% of India’s lawyers are women, so I’m always trying to find ways to get out there and be visible!

Jono Kornfeld ’88 (left) continues to teach and make music alongside Christopher Gamper ’88 (right) in their funk/ jazz/jam group, Hop Sauce.

Jono Kornfeld '88 writes: I am still living in San Francisco with my wife and 11-year-old son. I have been teaching at Community Music Center (a very CSW-esque place!) for over 20 years and love my work. I'm also an adjunct music instructor at SFSU. I continue to make music with CSW alum (and fellow CSW Rock Concert bandmate) Christopher Gamper '88 in our funk/jazz/ jam group Hop Sauce. We released a new live album earlier this year. Check it out through the band's website: hopsauceband.com.

1990s

Jennifer Hanks '90 writes: I am loving being at this stage of life and am CoFounder of a nonprofit, Grandmother Collective, focused on empowering and advocating for older women changemakers globally. I'd love for CSW women to join us!

William Fertman '96 writes: I'm still living in Berkeley, CA, with my wife and two wonderful children. I just finished my first nonfiction work, The Deaf Baby Instruction Manual, a parenting guide for families with deaf and hard-of-hearing children — we'll see if it finds a publisher.

2000s

Betsy Goldman '01 is currently teaching, directing, and doing communications work at Meridian Academy, a small fifth through twelfth grade independent school in Jamaica Plain. It's been quite a long time since she's updated CSW on her life, so here's a quick rundown: She graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in English literature and creative writing, has a master's in Educational Theatre from NYU, and a Ph.D. in Theatre History & SocioPolitical Theatre from Tufts. She has worked at the intersections of social justice, theatre arts, and education for over twenty years as a director, dramaturg, educator, performer, and scholar. She has two cats (Yoji and Marcel) and a lovely five-year-old kiddo (Lena).

Jeremy Carter-Gordon '07 has spent the past seven years touring with the vocal harmony band Windborne singing songs of social movements past and present, and harmony singing traditions from countries and cultures with polyphonic music. Five continents and 500 shows later, their most recent album/book became the fifth most backed crowdfunded album ever, and was released in December!

Molly Weinberg '07 writes: Hello CSW community! I am so excited to announce that after seven years of hard work, I am launching a private psychotherapy practice called Wildflower Road Counseling, which can also be found under Molly Weinberg on Psychology Today, since I am still working on my website! I am a licensed mental health counselor, nationally certified counselor, and registered drama therapist. I work with adults and couples looking to receive support surrounding anxiety, depression, women’s issues, OCD, relationship challenges, perfectionism, life transitions, work/life balance, family issues, and other life stressors. If you or someone you know is seeking therapy and I don't have a personal connection with you, please get in touch through Psychology Today. Thank you for helping me spread the word and giving me a chance to update you on my new endeavor!

2010s

Ember Simpson '10 writes: This girl has certainly been on a journey. Since graduating CSW in 2010, she: realized she was trans; realized she was bi; became polyamorous twice; changed her name from Eric Leroy Simpson to Erica Ember Louise Lambros Simpson; changed it again to Ember Louise Maeve Simpson; got married; got divorced; mourned three grandparents; mourned her family cat, Sandy; mourned her family dog, Callie; got a dog named Bowser; had to leave Bowser with her ex; made lifelong friendships; lost lifelong friendships; made more lifelong friendships; got a Harry Potter tattoo; covered up the tattoo with a Blåhaj tattoo; got fired; was gifted earrings twelve different times by Cumberland Farms customers over the course of a year; bought a house; sold a house; caught COVID twice; was in two bachelor parties; was in two bachelorette parties; moved to Burlington, VT; moved back in with her parents in Massachusetts; went dogsledding for a week in Minnesota; taught English in Mexico; attended six colleges; changed majors a half dozen times; changed careers a full dozen times; and graduated from Community College of Vermont with an Associate's in Environmental Science, which she has yet to use. (All of those events were not in that order, not at all). She's been up and down and way up and way down, but she's still here and still crying laughing all along. You never stop learning and growing.

Jasper Tsai '14 is currently attending California Northstate University School of Medicine.

David Sabot '18 writes: I have been working in film for the last two years, and I recently had two films I worked on premiere at the Director's Fortnight at Cannes. I was the unit production manager and associate producer on Eephus, which will be in select theatres this spring, and an associate producer on Christmas Eve in Miller's Point, which premiered in November.

2020s

Sonya Lyons ’23 came and visited CSW’s Theory I class in December to help teach some theoretical concepts related to key signatures. Sonya is a sophomore music major at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Faculty

Photography teacher Anne Rearick's new book, Gure Bazterrak, on the Basque country, was just chosen by Vanity Fair magazine as one of "6 Visual Books for Your Favorite Art Lover." M, a weekend magazine for French newspaper Le Monde, published a 10-page spread of Rearick's Basque work. If you are interested in ordering a copy of Gure Bazterrak, it is available through Deadbeat Club Press.

English teacher KB Kinkel earned Tupelo Quarterly's TQ32 Poetry Prize for his submission “The Spirit Too Has Mastered Its Illusions.” The competition was judged by poet Oliver de la Paz. KB's poems, interviews, and reviews have appeared or are forthcoming in Tupelo Quarterly, Ninth Letter, Prelude, The Rumpus, Poetry Online, and elsewhere.

IN MEMORIAM

Paul Sapir ’46

Sherlie (Spencer) Dayton ’47

Anne Cann ’49

Helen Drake Muirhead ’54

Maria “Heidi” Gerschenkron Dawidoff ’56

Donald McKay ’57

Sally Rosen-Webb ’62

Alice McMahon

Sonya Lyons ’23 with music teachers Gustavo Brasil and Michael Weinstein. CSW celebrated our continued relationship with the Kakehashi Okinawa Project at a dinner in January. In attendance were four CSW alums. Left to right: Jeff Hayes ’86, Niho Kozuru ’86, Koh Kozuru ’21, Chieko Yoshida, and Adrian Vele ’07.

Visual Art Faculty Anne Rearick (left) was joined by Seung Hye Kim ’13 (middle) and CSW Fund Director Jayoung Kim (right) at a signing for Anne's new book in Paris!

CSW MOURNS THE LOSS OF ALICE MCMAHON

Former CSW faculty member Alice McMahon passed away on October 2, 2024, at the age of 97 in hospice care at Faulkner Hospital in Boston. A former teacher at The Cambridge School of Weston, it is a tribute to the deep connections Alice made there that she spent some of her final hours with two of her former students, Lisa Hickler ’72 and Jenny Rose ’77.

A lice is survived by her four children, Paul Mc Mahon ’68, Ellen McMahon ’70, David McM ahon ’73, and Peter McMahon ’75; and her four granddaughters, Alice, Della, Hominy and Ginger, all of whom she visited with in the month preceding her death. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, legions of Cambridge School st udents, and her best friend of 80 years, Joan Gitlow. She lived a full and spirited li fe and will be missed by all who knew her and loved her for her critical eye, sharp wit, and creative spirit.

Alice was born in Stamford, Connecticut, and grew up surrounded by intellectuals and ar tists, including her father, George Annand; her sisters, Mary and Helen Sinclair; and her brothers-in-law, Will Barnet and Mischa Richter. Her mother Elizabeth died when Al ice was young, a formative event in her life. She spent much of her childhood living with her father in a studio apartment in New York City during the school year and in Darien, Connecticut, in the summer. She also lived with both her sisters at different times.

She married Arthur “Art” McMahon, a doctor st udying to be a psychiatrist, in 1949. After stints in San Diego and Virginia, where Art fu lfilled his military obligations, and Topeka, Kansas, where he did his residency, they moved to the Boston area. As a young fu ll-time mother, she graced their suburban household with style and creativity. Alice pa ssed on her artistic DNA and refined aesthetic sensibility to all four of her children. When her children were old enough to attend sc hool, she went back to school, earning an M. A. in art history from Boston University to cap her earlier B.A. in Philosophy from the Un iversity of Vermont. She and Art divorced in 1976.

In the fall of 1969, she began a long and successful career as a teacher at CSW. She began by teaching art history but soon ex panded her influence, teaching color theory, book arts, weaving, and the Bible. Though she was steadfastly atheist to the end, she loved the Bible and taught it, she sa id, as a work of literature.

Alice was also a driving force behind the of f-campus program, which provided CSW st udents with real-world experience by pl acing them in jobs all over the Boston ar ea and elsewhere. For some years, she ran the bookstore and also served as a faculty re presentative to the board, among her many roles at the school until her retirement in the early 2000s.

In her later years, Alice focused on her own art practice, painting, drawing and making books. She also devoted herself to preserving the legacy of her father George Annand, a cartographer, many of whose maps she was able to place in the archives of Harvard Library.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to CSW in her memory.

Opening Reunion Weekend

ORLANDO LEYBA AND FRIENDS

Reeling in the Years

FEATURING WORKS BY:

Eric Fertman ’93

Rio Umezawa ’93

Nico Stone ’95

Jonas Wood ’95

Nicole Stone ’96

Andrew Graham ’99

Joe Hoyt ’99

Laura Krug ’99

Devin Power ’99

Carmelle Safdie ’00

Derya Altan ’00

Kelsey Henderson ’01

Rhys Gaetano ’02

OPENING RECEPTION Reunion Weekend

Saturday, May 3, 4PM to 6PM

The Thompson Gallery

We hope to see you during Reunion Weekend for this exciting event honoring former visual art faculty member Orlando Leyba! All are welcome.

Learn more and register at www.csw.org/reunion2025

Orlando Leyba (CSW Art Faculty 1989 – 2000) Untitled, 26.5” X 33.5” Mixed media, oil on paper

My Five

ANJALI

SHARE A FAVORITE CSW MEMORY. 1

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU DISLIKE THAT EVERYONE ELSE SEEMS TO LOVE?

One of my favorites is being in a dance battle at Senior Night in 2023. Meredith (science faculty) and I danced against two seniors who are awesome dancers, and I felt like the crowd really enjoyed it. Perhaps we defend the crown this year?!

One of my favorite CSW memories is the senior speeches for the theatrical production and musical in my freshman year. I think that really made me think of CSW as a real community for the first time.

One of my favorite memories is watching the solar eclipse with my friends on the quad. I loved laying there and laughing uncontrollably while enjoying the moment. I was teaching a new class this year called “Samurai Japan,” and I wanted to incorporate an interactive element using short stories called Samurai Wisdom Stories. I assigned small groups a story each and asked them to enact the story. While each group was working on the assignment I heard riotous laughter; students were totally immersed in their role plays.

I dislike American football, the fact that soccer is the name for football here while it is football everywhere else. Thanksgiving because for me it is a reminder of the injury done to Indigenous peoples and their history. 2

IF YOU COULD TAKE ONE PROP FROM ANY MOVIE/TV SET, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Not a huge fan of eating watermelons on their own. Put them in a salad, used in candy, I'm all for it. On their own...yuck.

Pop culture. I'm always shocked at whatever music people are listening to these days, not to mention the endless television and concerts.

This past summer, I tried scuba diving but didn’t enjoy it at all. I much prefer snorkeling and freediving instead.

I would take the rolling dry erase board Dr. House would use when he and the team were jotting down symptoms when diagnosing a patient's illness. Only Dr. House could use the whiteboard, that's what makes it special.

I would take the batmobile from The Dark Knight Very practical.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU TRIED SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Recently, Jenna in the Library showed me how to upload a document into Natural Reader, turn it into an audio file, download it, and post it on my class page. 4

WHAT IS THE BEST CONCERT/FESTIVAL YOU HAVE EVER BEEN TO?

Recently, I was the MC for the Gryphon Goblet and it was so much fun! The energy at the Fit was amazing, and shout out to the varsity teams for taking care of business that evening as well!

By far the best concert I've been to was Justin Timberlake's 20/20 Experience World Tour in 2013.

Aside from answering questions in a magazine, I tried dance battling for the first time at assembly. Would recommend.

A concert of A.R. Rahman in Boston. He’s probably one of the most celebrated musicians in India and across the globe. It was spectacular. 5

I went to a live orchestrated screening of Star Wars at Tanglewood once.

I'd take the Renesmee doll from Twilight. I think it's iconic and hilarious.

Just recently, I started watching horror movies, even though I was always too scared of them growing up.

The best concert I’ve been to was Mitski last year. She’s one of my favorite artists, and it was an unforgettable experience with so many happy memories.

RANDY JOSE College Counseling

TESS GEMMELL ’26 Student

ZAVIER NAHAS ’26 Student

BHATIA History Department

The glasses worn by Ben Kingsley in the movie Gandhi by Sir Richard Attenborough.