Westminster Bulletin Fall 2014

Westminster Bulletin

Sharing a Passion for the Arts A SHIFTING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS LANDSCAPE

2014 Reunion & Commencement

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Westminster Bulletin

FALL 2014

FEATURES

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Arming Students for College Admission

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Reunion 2014

A Vibrant Arts Program

Commencement 2014

DEPARTMENTS

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Headmaster’s Message

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From the Archives

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Hill Headlines

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Martlets on the Move

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Athletics

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Class Notes

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Supporting Westminster

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Closing Thoughts

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Cover photo, Travis Percy ’14, Emily Mell ’14 and Brian Kelleher ’15 perform at Westminster.

Left, students study in Gund Reading Room of Armour Academic Center.

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FROM THE HEADMASTER

Dear Members of the Westminster Community, A cacophony of troubling world events erupted during the summer of 2014: in West Africa, the spread of Ebola; in Iraq and Syria, the terrorism of ISIL; in Ukraine, the threat of a Russian invasion; between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza, war; and here in the United States, the plight of immigrant children at our border as well as the death of Michael Brown. The drumbeat of troubles spanning the globe echoed loudly through June, July and August.

Our world suddenly seems so fragile. In The New York Times, Tom Friedman wrote about what he described as the “world of order” and the “world of disorder.” Friedman observed: “Leaders and their people are going to eventually have to embrace a new, more sustainable source of order that emerges from the bottom up and that is built on shared power, values and trust.” Implicit in Friedman’s observation, a flourishing civil society must be at the foundation of this “more sustainable source of order.”

Yet, around the world today, civil society — the networks and associations that provide the stabilizing infrastructure for society, such as NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) and CBOs (community-based organizations), in fact, any nonprofit or volunteer group — seems more and more elusive, and more and more frail.

Reflecting upon this global setting, Westminster School’s mission, core values and motto are especially critical. More than ever, our world needs young people prepared with a rigorous liberal arts education, who are not only literate and numerate critical thinkers, but who are also thoughtful, empathetic and appreciative leaders. Westminster students balance both grit and grace. We strive to inculcate among our students the grit necessary for a lifelong commitment to self-improvement at the same time that we seek for them to espouse the personal, selfless sensitivity to others that accompanies grace.

A facility and familiarity with the associations that cultivate civil society is best nurtured over a lifetime. When our founding fathers wrote the Constitution of the United States, they drew upon their collective experience discussing and debating politics and government at the local and state level throughout the colonial period. Our founding fathers were lifelong students of government, and the lessons they learned informed their debates in Philadelphia. Emphatically, 1787 was not the first time that they thought about the powers and limits necessary to government. They had experimented for years across 13 different colonies and countless local communities, learning what worked and what did not in conceiving and implementing effective government. Lifetimes of experience in multiple settings guided their deliberations.

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As we seek to prepare our students for meaningful and fulfilling engagement in the world beyond Williams Hill, our program extends well beyond the excellent academic preparation we offer. Every student must contribute to our school community by becoming involved across a variety of activities. Lessons about working together are learned at a meeting of the John Hay Society, just as they are learned at a meeting of the Student Activities Committee and myriad other student organizations. Intentionally, we gather on a regularly scheduled basis as a school community for chapels, assemblies and family-style meals.

Throughout each day, whether in classrooms, onstage, on teams or in residences, we interact with each other, learning to share, to listen, to appreciate, to cooperate and to compromise — in short, learning the lessons essential to navigating civil society.

Our world needs a lot more of what Westminster School offers. The lessons we teach cannot be imposed successfully all of a sudden in the midst of a crisis, as has been revealed so often in world events when promising democratic initiatives have devolved into chaos. The relationships, the networks and the trust that assure social stability must be learned over a lifetime. To that end, schools must teach these lessons intentionally by stretching students beyond that with which they are comfortable. Students must learn how to work effectively with peers and in the process to appreciate the opportunities for advancement offered to communities that embrace an ethos of civility.

As we are reminded here on Williams Hill every year, while learning these lessons, individuals and communities sometimes stumble. Significantly, those moments offer opportunities to reflect upon the habits of resilience, humility, compassion, forgiveness and perspective. Of course, these attributes include those that help to bind civil society and to provide a more promising opportunity for general prosperity. Yes, the news reports from around the world and nationally are disturbing, but at the same time our school’s mission has never been more important.

With Grit & Grace,

William V.N. Philip P’06, ’09 Headmaster

HILL HEADLINES

Westminster Begins 127th Year Westminster began its 127th year by welcoming 393 students to campus including 267 boarding students and 126 day students. The students represent 23 states, 17 countries and numerous Connecticut cities and towns.

Following their arrival on campus and registration, they participated in orientation activities, cookouts and an all-school Texas Line Dance.

At the first assembly of the year held Sept. 5 in Armstrong Atrium, Headmaster Bill Philip welcomed everyone to the new school year and asked them to give a round of applause to new students. He spoke about the importance of Westminster’s community moments such as assemblies, chapels, guest speakers and family-style dinners saying, “That is how we bond as a community.”

Head Prefect Ryan Seymour ’15, a boarding student from Fairfield, Conn., then gave welcoming remarks to each form. He congratulated Third Formers on their admission to Westminster and explained the school’s core values of community, character, balance and involvement. “It is my hope to see that you all take each one of these into account as you spend each day here on the Hill.” He then recommended that they try to involve themselves in as many activities as possible.

Likewise, he advised members of the Fourth Form not to be afraid to do things they might not ordinarily do. “You never know, it might become one of your passions.” He also reminded them to be sure to involve new students. “In some ways, that is one of the best things about Westminster,” he said. “You always have the chance to meet new people.”

He shared with the Fifth Form that their year ahead might not be as “scary” as it may seem. “I think the hardest part about Fifth Form year is learning to balance academic and social life,” he said. “You are now upper formers, and you are in leadership roles with the Sixth Formers.”

Lastly, he congratulated his fellow Sixth Formers on their long journey at Westminster. “Let’s have fun and a strong senior year,” he said. “What goes for the Third and Fourth Form also goes for us. Don’t be afraid to try new things because this is our last year, and there is no better environment to try something new, like a new sport or auditioning for a role in the fall play.”

In Westminster tradition, everyone then proceeded to the Sixth Form Lawn for the Pin Ceremony, where Sixth Formers were presented with a class pin or pendant designed by their form. Following that, all new students participated in the Sign-In Ceremony in Andrews Memorial Chapel, where they were greeted by the Sixth Form Prefects and Headmaster Philip, and signed their name in the new student book signifying their formal entrance to the school.

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HILL HEADLINES

Alumni Art Exhibit Features Work of Five Artists

Clockwise from top left, “1926 Atwater Kent,” a chromogenic print by Michael Tauber ’90; “Island,” an oil on canvas by Quince Quaintance ’54; “Point-to-Point,” a photograph on lustre photo paper by Chip Riegel ’90; and “Jebel al Qattar, Mountain of the Dripping Spring,” an oil on canvas by Will Sillin ’73 Following the success of Westminster’s 125th anniversary Alumni Art Exhibit last year, another alumni art show was held May 9-26 in Baxter Gallery featuring the work of five distinguished alumni artists.

Nancy Winship Milliken ’80 is a sculptor who uses a variety of natural and industrial materials to create site-specific installations that explore the relationship between humans and animals and the landscape around them. Prior to the opening of the show, she served as an artist-in-residence at Westminster and created two outdoor sculptures.

Quince Quaintance ’54, who was celebrating his 50th reunion this year, considers himself a “natural Florida” painter who tries to envision what Florida used to be. His landscapes tell a story about the importance of saving natural resources.

He also loves painting people and animals, and is known for painting Bahamian themes, having spent many years visiting the islands.

Chip Riegel ’90 began his career as a professional photographer in 2004, after working for 10 years in the Westminster Admissions Office.

He loves that photography is a blend of art and science, and his photographs are defined by their 4

Westminster Bulletin

HILL HEADLINES

color, texture, light, lifestyle and moments. While Chip is based in Providence, R.I., his editorial assignments and commercial projects take him all over New England and the Mid-Atlantic states.

Will Sillin ’73 is a landscape painter from Sunderland, Mass. When selecting a subject for painting, he tries to find an unusual composition that conveys a sense of motion: clouds; rocks that erode, fold or fault; rocks that have fallen; trees that explode with growth, twist, fall and decompose; and water. His landscapes illustrate a model for the structure and changing states of physical phenomena and a sample of the universe.

Mike Tauber ’90 is a photographer specializing in portraiture, travel, interiors and architecture. He shoots worldwide for magazines and commercial clients from his base in New York City. His forthcoming book, “Retro Radio: Six Decades of Design 1920s-1970s,” is “a visual

journey through the radio’s aesthetic history, encouraging us to consider how far we have come with regard to the marriage of technology and design.”

An opening reception for the exhibit was held May 9 and a portion of the artwork sales will benefit Westminster students through the Wilde Fund.

“We were delighted to present the work of five very talented, alumni artists this year,” said Jenny Philip P’06, ’09, who organized the exhibit. “Each brought a different approach to his or her work, but the resulting paintings, photographs and sculptures were an exploration of the relationship of the natural and man-made worlds.”

Jenny Philip P’06, ’09 and Nancy Winship Milliken ’80

Nature Transforms Sculptures Members of the Westminster community watched with great interest as landscape artist Nancy Winship Milliken ’80 created two site-specific sculptures on campus during her weeklong stay as an artist-inresidence last spring. Her sculptures are known for revealing the actions of wind, rain and sun as they alter shapes and materials. The two installations were on display during the Alumni Art Exhibit.

“Wool Cube,” which measured 8 feet by 8 feet by 6 feet, was composed of raw New England wool, fishing net and scaffolding, and was located adjacent to Armour Academic Center. The cube was created in collaboration with students from the visual arts classes of faculty members John Sandoval P’13, ’15, Whitney Barrett and Jane Toner P’02. “Its flexible and soft walls were in contrast to the solid, static materials used in Armour Academic Center, while the opening in front, related to the surrounding windows and doors of the center,” said Nancy. “Inside the cube, the sunlight created dappled designs, and at night, it was lit from within.”

“Ode to Talcott Range,” which was made of steel and fishing net, measured 14 feet by 14 feet and was located adjacent to Pratt House on the ridge overlooking Talcott Mountain cliffs.

Nancy grew up by the cliffs and crossed the Farmington River every day as a day student traveling to Westminster. “This sitespecific ’viewfinder’ captured sunlight in the net which followed the landforms of the range,” she explained. “This is my father’s, Johnson Winship ’48, favorite view from Westminster. He has always asked me to paint him a landscape painting; well, this was my version of that.”

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HILL HEADLINES

Decennial Evaluation Process Underway Westminster is in the midst of a rigorous self-study as a part of a two-year accreditation process by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) that takes place every 10 years.

NEASC is the nation’s oldest accrediting association, serving more than 2,000 public and independent schools, colleges and universities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont and American/international schools in more than 60 nations.

The process has two aims: quality assurance and school improvement.

“NEASC accreditation is recognized and respected globally, and we look forward to this opportunity for review and introspection,” said Headmaster Bill Philip.

The head of Westminster’s English Department, Michael Cervas P’96, ’01, ’10, is chairing the process with the assistance of Mark de Kanter ’91, director of academic technology, and a steering committee of faculty and staff.

Last spring, surveys on various aspects of school life were circulated to faculty, students, parents and alumni.

Throughout the current academic year, committees comprised of faculty, students, parents, alumni and trustees are preparing reports in response to 15 accreditation standards established by NEASC. “The work of self-study entails reflection regarding where we are and where we aspire to be in every area of school life,” said Headmaster Philip. The reports will be submitted to NEASC in preparation for a school visit by educators from other New England independent schools in fall 2015. Members of the visiting team will meet with a broad cross section of the school community, evaluate Westminster’s own plans for improvement, and prepare recommendations for continuing accreditation.

“This is a transforming process for schools, even if they are very good schools,” said Bill Bennett, director of NEASC’s Commission on Independent Schools when he met with the Westminster faculty last spring to give an overview of the accreditation process. “You are the ones who are going to do your accreditation.”

“As Bill Bennett reminds us, even very good schools can profit from the decennial evaluation process,” said Michael. “Westminster happens to be in a particularly strong position right now in terms of enrollment, facilities, faculty and staff, programs and endowment.

But that doesn’t mean that a year of meticulous self-study won’t suggest many ways in which the school can accomplish its mission even more effectively. I’m looking forward to working with all of my colleagues to make the most of this opportunity for institutional growth.”

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For the 14th year in a row, Westminster hosted the annual MS Walk in Simsbury. Hundreds of individuals turned out to participate in the event April 6 with family, friends and teams. As in past years, Westminster faculty, staff and students served as volunteers, helping with the day’s setup, operations and cleanup. Many also participated in the walk.

Students Take Top Spots in Essay Contest Westminster students swept the top two spots in this year’s WALKS Constitutional Essay Contest. Drew Brazer ’15 earned the highest honor, and Tom Dudzik ’15 was named first runner-up.

The students were chosen as the two finalists from Westminster to compete against finalists from Avon Old Farms School, Loomis Chafee School, Kingswood Oxford School and Suffield Academy. This year’s topic “Who is an American and who decides?” addressed the issue of citizenship and immigration throughout American history and up to the present.

The students spent the winter researching the topic and, ultimately, produced a 3,000-word essay.

Connecticut Superior Court Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Elliott Solomon evaluated the essays and picked the winners. Judge Solomon spoke to the finalists at a dinner hosted by Kingswood Oxford School, which included a lively discussion about citizenship.

Drew Brazer ’15

Tom Dudzik ’15

HILL HEADLINES

Lincoln Sculpture Gets New Home in Armour Academic Center A copy of Daniel Chester French’s scale model of President Abraham Lincoln that is situated in the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., now graces Westminster’s Armour Academic Center.

The reproduction measures side to side, 25 inches; front to back, 27 inches; and height, 32 ¾ inches.

The copy was cast in 1987 by artist and president of Skylight Studios Robert Shure of Woburn, Mass., from a mold taken off of French’s original. Shure has worked extensively with historical associations, museums, universities, towns and cities, private collectors and organizations such as the National Park Service on the replication of original sculptures. He creates faithful molds and copies in enduring materials that are suited for the intended location and visually match the original pieces.

The reproduction, which was previously located in the lobby of the old Superior Court Building in Bulfinch Square, Cambridge, Mass., is a gift to Westminster from Graham Gund ’59, president of GUND Partnership, which is located in Bulfinch Square.

Bulfinch Square, so named because its original structure was by renowned Boston architect Charles Bulfinch, is a Certified Historic Rehabilitation comprised of six 19th- and 20th-century courthouses that served as the seat of government for Middlesex County from 1814 to 1974. The restoration and adaptive reuse completed in 1984 and led by GUND Partnership rehabilitated and transformed the historic buildings into an intimately scaled commercial office development and public park.

Ravi Coltrane’s Tour Makes Stop at Westminster Jazz saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, the second son of legendary jazz musicians John and Alice Coltrane, gave a performance at Westminster last spring as a part of the Graham Gund ’59 Visiting Artist Series.

Performing with him were Adam Rogers on the guitar, Nate Smith on the drums and Matt Brewer on the upright bass.

Community Service Day Westminster students and faculty volunteered at 16 locations in the Greater Hartford region Oct. 9 as a part of the school’s annual all-school Community Service Day. They raked leaves, prepared and served meals, cleaned and organized sites, worked with children, stocked food shelves and entertained senior citizens. Staff also planted 2,000 daffodil bulbs along Perkin Memorial Drive.

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HILL HEADLINES

Historic Whiffenpoofs Concert Members of the Westminster community were treated to a very special performance of the Yale Whiffenpoofs of 1958 and 2015 on Sept. 25 in the Werner Centennial Center. The joint performance is thought to be the first of its kind in the 105-year history of the group.

The Whiffenpoofs are the world’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group. Each year, 14 senior Yale men are selected to be in the group, which performs throughout the United States and internationally.

The 1958 Whiffenpoofs included 13 members, four of whom were members of Westminster’s Class of 1954: Sherm Durfee, Bart Miller, Chris Smith and Terry West. Eleven of the original 1958 Whiffenpoofs performed at the Westminster concert, including three of the Westminster alumni, along with an honorary member, former Westminster headmaster and 1955 Whiffenpoof Don Werner P’79, ’82. Terry West was unable to attend.

The groups rehearsed for their joint performance at a “singing dinner” in Hinman Reading Room just prior to the event. During the concert, the 1958 group sang six songs, and

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the 2015 group sang seven songs. The two groups then sang four songs together, including the traditional Whiffenpoof Song.

Ehrik Aldana, the popocatepetl (business manager) of the 2015 group, said, “I thought we jelled very well,” adding, “One of the best parts is being able to pick the brains of those before you.”

And Dr. Robert Eppes, who serves in a similar role for the 1958 group, said he “wouldn’t have missed the Westminster concert for the world.” And of the experience of being a Whiffenpoof, he reflected, “It lasts a year but always lasts a lifetime.”

Don Werner, who arranged the performance, said he received a number of calls the morning after the concert from people saying how much they liked the joy of the occasion.

“People mentioned how music binds us together,” he added. He was pleased with both the music and the spirit of the occasion.

Bart Miller, who was a member of the Westminster a cappella group The Martlets when he was a Westminster student, said Westminster has a legacy with a cappella singing.

He was pleased to see current Westminster students enjoying the concert. “Westminster is so enthusiastic. Singing is a good thing.”

HILL HEADLINES

Opposite page, top, the Whiffenpoofs of 1958 and 2015 perform the Whiffenpoof Song; bottom, the 1958 Whiffenpoofs during their performance.

Clockwise, from top left, 1958 and 2015 Whiffenpoofs rehearse during a dinner in Hinman Reading Room; former headmaster and 1955 Whiffenpoof Don Werner P’79, ’82 gives remarks at dinner; members of the 1958 Whiffenpoofs Chris Smith ’54, Sherm Durfee ’54 and Bart Miller ’54; the 2015 Whiffenpoofs perform; and a 1958 Whiffenpoof solo. Center, the 2015 Whiffenpoofs finish a song.

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HILL HEADLINES

Teaching Symposium Focuses on Learning Service Fifty educators from area private and public schools visited Westminster Sept. 26 to join Westminster faculty members as participants in a Westminster Teaching Symposium titled “Learning Service: The Theory and Practice of Community Engagement.”

It was the fourth annual symposium put on by the Westminster Teaching Initiative (WTI), which aims to make good teachers even better through the sharing of ideas. In addition to holding weekly meetings for Westminster faculty, WTI hosts a symposium each year that enlarges the circle of sharing with educators in the region.

“Although the commonly used title to describe the focus of the symposium is really ‘service learning,’ in WTI we read an article that proposed flipping that title around in order to emphasize that learning should be an integral part of any service endeavor,” said Nancy Urner-Berry ’81, P’11, ’16, co-director of WTI. “One needs to investigate the culture and climate of the individuals and communities they are hoping to serve and then have time to reflect on the activity afterward.”

An Opportunity to Learn From Each Other Headmaster Bill Philip welcomed everyone to the symposium and described some of Westminster’s learning service initiatives including a Civic Engagement course for Fourth Formers, an annual Community Service Day, the Community Service Program and the Westminster Crossroads Learning Program in Hartford (WCLP). “This is an opportunity for us to learn from each other,” he said about the symposium. “All of us want students to go out into the world and make a difference.”

The keynote speaker was Jon Isham, director of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Middlebury College, who spoke about how the center promotes social engagement through social entrepreneurship. He said the two most important goals in the initiative are to help students to look outside of themselves and to look inward through reflection. “This is what education is supposed to be about,” he said. “It is a lifelong conversation.”

He talked about the concept of social entrepreneurship, saying, “Social entrepreneurship doesn’t solve problems but helps us get to a greater equilibrium.” He added, “The model promotes that in each of us is the opportunity to change the things around us; everyone is a changemaker.” He also gave an example of major change resulting from a class he taught related to climate change that led to a major conference and the grassroots organization 350.org. “As a teacher, I threw a rock into a pond and something happened.” He encouraged the

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teachers in the audience to think about how social entrepreneurship connects with what they do with their students.

Following his address and before sessions with other presenters, Mark de Kanter ’91, co-director of WTI, told the participants, “This is all about getting us together. It is an opportunity to stop, take a breath and think about what we are doing.”

Participants then had an opportunity to attend presentations given by Jon; Todd Eckerson, director of the Westminster Crossroads Learning Program in Hartford; Al Freihofer, director of the Norton Family Center for the Common Good at Loomis Chaffee School; Amy Sun Neilson, chair of the InterMission term at Miss Porter’s School, and Susan Reeder Moss, ninth grade InterMission dean also at Miss Porter’s School; Sheri Schmidt, director of Equity and Social Justice at The Ethel Walker School; and Michael Van Leesten, director of Breakthrough New Haven at Hopkins School.

“One of the goals of the symposium was for the Westminster faculty to put the ideas they learned during the day into their preparation for an all-school service day Oct. 9,” added Nancy.

Westminster Teaching Symposium speakers Jon Isham, below; Sheri Schmidt, bottom left; and Al Freihofer, bottom right

HILL HEADLINES

Left, Naomi Shihab Nye gives a reading in the Werner Centennial Center and, below, meets with students in their English class.

Naomi Shihab Nye Returns as Westminster Poet Naomi Shihab Nye visited Westminster April 12-15 as the 14th Westminster Poet. During her stay, she met with students in their English classes and gave a reading in Werner Centennial Center. She is the first Westminster Poet to return to the Hill for a second visit, having served as the seventh Westminster Poet in 2007.

Naomi is a prolific writer, the author and/or editor of more than 30 volumes, including eight volumes of poetry, three collections of essays, two novels for young readers, two picture books and eight prize-winning poetry anthologies for young readers. Students prepared for her visit by reading a variety of her works including “Honeybee,” “Red Suitcase,” “There Is No Long Distance Now,” “You & Yours” and “Transfer.”

Naomi began her reading by saying, “It is a great honor to be back at Westminster. I have thought of this school since I was here and am grateful to be invited back.” She read many of her poems and described the inspiration behind them.

She also explained how her notebook is the most important part of her life as a writer. “Most everything I have done started in my notebook.” She credits her favorite poet, William Stafford, for getting her interested in keeping a notebook in order to stay in touch with her life.

She closed her reading with a story from one of her nonfiction essays and then played the guitar while singing “Lullaby Raft.” It was the same lullaby she sang at her reading on campus seven years ago.

During her meetings with English classes, she answered student questions about specific poems and explained why she often uses daily life as the focus of her writing. “Because my life is filled with ordinary things, I think dailiness is giving us clues about the larger meaning in life.” As a child, she felt a compulsion to study the details in life. “I am a listener and an observer,” she said. She also talked about the inspiration she finds in human voices. “They often come into my writing. There are lots of poems in the air in people’s voices. I listen and then I write it down.”

“Naomi’s first visit to Westminster seven years ago was so perfect that it was hard for me to imagine that her return visit could be better,” said Michael Cervas, head of the English Department. “But it was. Her poems, themselves, are so interesting, so varied, so surprising that students, naturally, are taken by them. And, as was true of her earlier visit, Naomi proved to be remarkably generous, too, in answering questions and in respecting student opinions during the class sessions.

Singing the lullaby at the end of her reading affirmed it as a way of ending her visits to Westminster (we’re the only place she visits that she ends her readings that way). Naomi’s insistence on the value of keeping a daily writing journal may end up being the most important contribution she makes to the lives of our students.”

Duncan Kellogg ’15, who studied Naomi’s work in his AP English 5 class found her poetry to be “very grounded” and to have “a very real and raw sense of modern commentary on human events.”

Jacqui Richard ’16, who read “Red Suitcase” in AP Language and Composition, said, “I particularly enjoyed how Naomi was able to incorporate so many literary devices, while also embodying different tones throughout her poems. Many poems were filled with mystery and ambiguity, which I liked discussing with my peers in class.”

Naomi concluded her class visits by saying, “Westminster is an atmosphere that appeals to me as a very thoughtful and inspiring place. It is rare as a poet to be at a school where students have read my poems.”

Naomi has won many awards and honors, including four Pushcart Prizes, the Golden Rose Award, a Lavin Award from the Academy of American Poets, the Isabella Gardner Poetry Award, the Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award and the Paterson Poetry Prize. She has also been a Lannan Fellow, a Guggenheim Fellow and a Witter Bynner Fellow at the Library of Congress. In October 2012, she was named laureate of the 2013 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature.

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/ / / / / AT H L E T I C S / / / / /

Spring Season Overview Former Sports Information Director Betsy Heckman reviews some of the highlights of the spring athletics season.

Softball It was another dominant spring for First Softball.

The Martlets completed an undefeated season (17-0) and for the sixth time in seven years, won the Western New England Class A title. The squad also won the Founders League title. Few opponents could provide a challenge for the Black and Gold who were strong offensively and defensively. The closest game of the spring came early in the season when it took extra innings for Westminster to defeat Suffield. The semifinal matchup against Loomis was also a competitive pitchers’ duel, which the Martlets won 3-0. After a big first inning in the championship game against Williston, the Black and Gold cruised to a 12-4 victory. According to coach Mitch Overbye, “This is perhaps the best-hitting team I’ve ever coached,” which the Martlets proved by outscoring their opponents 213 to 15. Defensively, the team was led by pitcher Amanda Savino ’14 and catcher Jordan Gowdy ’14.

Savino and Brooke Woljeko ’14 played on the Western New England All-Star team, and Gowdy and Rachel Monroe ’14 were named All-League Western New England.

Track and Field In an outstanding year for the Track and Field program, records fell and champions were crowned. Aaron Rubin ’15 established himself as one of the premier runners in New England, winning the New England Division II Championship in the 1500M and 3000M. He also broke the school records in both events, which now stand at 4:08.98 and 19:19.77 respectively. He helped lead his team to a fifth-place finish at New Englands. David Carter ’15 aided the effort, coming in second in the triple jump and third in the long jump. Unique Shakoor ’15 and Katherine Eckerson ’16 also broke the school record in the triple jump. Shakoor out jumped her fellow Martlet to establish the new best distance at 34-5.0.

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/ / / / / AT H L E T I C S / / / / /

Lacrosse

First Girls’ Tennis

First Boys’ Lacrosse and First Girls’ Lacrosse competed well in their respective leagues against tough competition. For the third time in the last five years, the boys’ team earned the sportsmanship award from the Western New England Coaches Association. Individual standouts included Brian Smyth ’16, Ben Shively ’14 and Sam Dardani ’14, who were selected as WNESSLA Division I All-League. With a final record of 11-5 and big wins over Choate, Deerfield and Berkshire, the girls were led by WNEPSWLA All-Stars Mary French ’15 and Katie Savage ’15 and NEPSWLA All-Stars Eliza Christman ’15 and Susanna Baker ’15.

Coach Dave Werner ’80 had a great deal to celebrate in his last season as head coach of First Girls’ Tennis. Compiling a record of 8-6, including wins over Taft, Kent, Choate and Loomis, the Martlets earned a spot in the Class B New England Tournament.

In the quarterfinal round, Westminster squeezed out a 5-4 win over Miss Porter’s but then fell to a talented Berkshire squad in the semifinals. Coach Werner commented that this was one of the nicest teams that he had ever coached, which was a fitting way for his career to conclude.

Coach Recognized for Decades of Service Faculty member David Werner ’80, P’10, ’11, ’16 was recognized for his 23 years of coaching First Girls’ Tennis at a courtside ceremony May 14. He is trading his head coaching responsibilities to those of an assistant coach with the team due to new responsibilities as Westminster’s director of alumni relations.

“Twenty-three years doing anything is a long time,” said Headmaster Bill Philip in recognizing David’s contribution to the tennis program. “Lots of us get into schools to spend time with young people, and the wonderful thing about coaching, is you get to know young people in so many ways.”

Team captains Lia Petersen ’14 and Katherine Kelter ’14 also paid tribute to David’s leadership as their team’s coach.

Following their remarks, David spoke about his appreciation for the athletic directors under which he served, how seriously the team takes tennis, and how he will remember both the good and bad music during van rides to and from matches.

He concluded by saying, “What is great about tennis is there is no clock, and you’ve got to close.”

First Girls’ Tennis captains Lia Petersen ’14 and Katherine Kelter ’14, First Girls’ Tennis Coach David Werner and Headmaster Bill Philip, who presented David with a silver tray with the inscription, “In recognition of your 23 years of coaching with Grit and Grace.”

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A Look Back at the Bulletin In this issue of the Bulletin, we introduce some graphic design changes intended to freshen this long-standing publicationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s look. While the department sections have remained the same, we have made some enhancements to the cover and to the page layouts. We also streamlined the format of Class Notes, with marriages, births and adoptions now listed under each class rather than separately.

The following is a look back at some of the cover designs of the Bulletin over the years, beginning with the earliest issue we could find in the Westminster Archives, which is dated Vol.1, No. 4., April 1936. At that time, the Bulletin was published five times a year, and its editor was faculty member George D. Vaill â&#x20AC;&#x2122;31.

As in subsequent issues of the Bulletin, it included coverage of school news, academics, athletics, the arts, community service and alumni.

While the Bulletin has experienced many graphic design changes over the years to keep up with creative trends in publishing, its goal to keep members of the extended Westminster community connected to the school and one another has remained the same.

Darlene Skeels Editor

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Director of College Resources Jane Toner P’02 with students in the College Resource Room.

Arming Students with Opportunities and Choices in the College Admissions Process For the Westminster Class of 2014, it was a banner year for college admissions. Following their collective 743 applications to 196 colleges, 88 percent were accepted at schools classified by Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges as “most competitive” or “highly competitive” colleges.

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And for the first time since Westminster started tracking admissions decisions in 2000 on Naviance — a college and career readiness program that helps connect academic achievement to postsecondary goals — there were students who were admitted to all eight Ivy League colleges.

But underlying these excellent results is a college admissions landscape that has shifted dramatically in the past decade.

At Westminster, the College Counseling team of Director of College Counseling Greg Williams, Director of College Resources Jane Toner P’02 and Associate Directors of College Counseling Peter Newman ’80, P’16 and Mary Pat Gritzmacher work with students and their families during the college search process. The team sat down recently to chat about some of the major issues currently facing students in the college admissions process and how the College Counseling Office works at Westminster.

better and best fits, and most schools are in that best-fit category.

We also never tell a student not to apply to a certain school.

What we try to do is focus them on those schools that have a very high academic standard and we know are in good financial standing, and that is why we use Barron’s guide to help them develop college lists.

What is the best role for parents in the search process?

Greg: The best parent role is an active parent who is a partner and who communicates regularly with their child and with their child’s college counselor. It is a process where everyone is learning. We want students to steer the ship, but there are a lot of folks behind them who are powering it.

Are there any reading materials you would recommend for parents?

Greg Williams Greg has served as director of college counseling at Westminster since 2010, following four years as director of college counseling at Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, Md. He also spent seven years at Colgate University, his alma mater, as a senior assistant dean of admission.

What is the most important element of the college search process at Westminster?

Greg: I would recommend “Letting Go” by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger, and “College Admissions Together: It Takes a Family” by Steven Roy Goodman and Andrea Leiman. Parents should be careful of blogs and personal anecdotes because for every bad opinion written, there are a hundred good ones that are silent.

How has the increased use of early decision (ED) affected the process?

Greg: Most colleges are accepting as many as 50 percent of their freshman class through the ED rounds. ED is becoming a bigger advantage to those students who use it, especially for those who are not seeking financial aid. ED is binding, and if you look at it statistically, there is an advantage for those students, mostly because schools are willing to take a chance on someone students who absolutely wants to be there.

Greg: The biggest thing for us is that it is always about the students, and in order for that to happen, it is about us getting to know them. We want to find out what is We want important to them, including what they like to do, the people they like to be to steer the ship, but How about early action (EA)? around, what kind of person they want to be in five years and whether they there are a lot of folks Greg: EA tends to be used at larger, want a school similar to Westminster or highly competitive colleges. The schools behind them who are something different. After that, we can are going to accept students who they get to the point of creating a college list think are the most qualified and try to powering it. that makes sense for them. lock them in, but it is not binding.

I always think we are successful Usually what students will do if they get whenever our students have college in through EA is either to be done with choices. Ideally, students are applying to five to eight schools that the process, or if there are a few other schools they want to look they would be willing to attend if admitted. Hopefully, by at, to be more deliberate about their decision. arming them with opportunities and choices, that will put them into a good position.

Has this accelerated the timeline for the application

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process?

How do you help educate students and their parents about the likelihood of admission to a particular school?

Greg: We give them access to our Naviance system, where they can see based on their profile, where students in the past with a similar profile have been admitted. We also tell students that there is no such thing as a perfect school, but there are good,

Greg: Close to 80 to 85 percent of our class will do ED, EA or rolling admission sometime by December, as opposed to the regular January application deadline. About 40 percent of the Class of 2014 was admitted through ED, and there were also a number of students who had committed to EA early, although they were not obliged to until the May 1 deadline.

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How has the increased number of girls nationally applying to colleges factored into admission decisions?

Greg: It continues to be tougher for girls because there are more girls than ever before looking at colleges. It is a market where there is just greater competition. This increased scrutiny for girls in the admission pool happens even for girls who have traditionally been well represented on campuses and girls from underserved and underrepresented populations too. Also, specialized programs do matter for them. They tend to have an advantage going into engineering, physics and sometimes business, while going into education or health services can be a disadvantage. You can’t always foresee where it is going to be a challenge. There is no sign of this trend ending.

Does the need for financial aid affect an applicant?

Greg: Students seeking financial aid have found admission to be either significantly more difficult or the hurdles of paying for college raised much higher. Even if a family is doing exceptionally well, there is still a chance they will need financial aid due to soaring college costs. This makes our jobs tougher because we can speak with families and advise them, but we can never speak on their behalf with colleges because it is a personal matter. The Net Price Calculator is a tool that students can use to estimate their net price to attend a particular college or university.

Has the increased competition at highly elite colleges affected Westminster’s top students?

Greg: When you get an admission rate under 15 percent at a college, it is obviously a new level. There was a point when you could predict where students would get in and be 90 percent accurate at all levels, but that does not exist, especially for the top students at the most elite schools. If we have a strong pool of students, they are still going to do well, provided they have the grades, the classes and the testing.

Are the increasing numbers of international applicants making competition even harder?

Greg: Over the past five to seven years, there has been an explosion in international applications with most of them coming from China. International students tend to look for more urban, medium to large, highly competitive schools.

How do you help a student manage being placed on a waitlist?

Greg: First, the student has to show strong interest in the school through communications. They need to speak with the college frequently and remind them that they are interested. They also need to see if there is any additional information the college might need. Our students have done pretty well in this regard.

Waitlists are where the colleges shape their class in deliberate ways. We tell students to never rely on a waitlist. They have to deposit somewhere by May 1.

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Jane Toner Jane has been working in the College Counseling Office since 1988 and has seen it grow and adapt to changes in college admissions over the years. Among her current responsibilities as director of college resources is administering student standardized testing. She also teaches photography.

What are some of the biggest changes in the College Counseling Office since you started working there in 1988?

Jane: Graduating classes were much smaller in the late ’80s, with about 80 to 89 students. This year, we were at 107. And as the competitiveness of the college process has intensified so have the needs of the students. We had to be more proactive as it became harder to obtain admission. With the birth of the Common Application in the late ’70s, students could easily apply to many more schools with one form. And as we began to admit more international students, they presented various needs with respect to taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and coordinating college visits.

Two other big shifts were the arrival of online college applications and our Naviance program. We were one of the first

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In our College Resource Room, students have open access to all of our catalogs and updated college materials as well as a full library of SAT, ACT and AP preparation materials.

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private schools in the area to use Naviance. It gives the counselor, the student and the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family a better understanding of the competitiveness of the college process.

Another new development was the need to stay on top of the NCAA eligibility requirements as we admitted more potential Division I, II and III student-athletes.

How do you introduce parents to the college process?

Jane: We begin in October with an introductory meeting with Fifth Form parents during Parents Weekend where we discuss college visits and the standardized testing timeline. Later in the year, we offer a Fifth Form Parents College Day that gives parents a more in-depth view of the college process, and they hear a panel discussion with admissions professionals from a number of colleges. It is a great venue for parents to ask questions and learn about the college process at Westminster.

Peter Newman also offers an athletic recruitment seminar for parents of student-athletes in conjunction with the College Day program.

Are students taking more standardized tests?

Peter Newman

Jane: Students are sitting for more testing periods and taking both the SAT and the ACT. Many students have added the ACT to round out their profile since some seem more comfortable with the style of the ACT. Also, students now have the choice of what tests to send to colleges. In recent years, the College Board and ACT added an extra writing component to their tests, making them longer and more comprehensive. In spring 2016, we will see more changes in the SAT as the College Board redesigns the test once again.

Peter was appointed to the faculty in 1987 and has been serving as associate director of college counseling for the past nine years.

He also teaches Spanish and coaches basketball and lacrosse.

One of his college counseling responsibilities is helping studentathletes with their college placement.

What resources do you offer students?

Jane: In our College Resource Room, students have open access to all of our catalogs and updated college materials as well as a full library of SAT, ACT and AP preparation materials. I also maintain an up-to-date database on Naviance where they can search and apply for scholarships and Gap Year programs. I am readily available to assist students as they navigate through the college financial aid process.

What stood out about the college process at Westminster when you were a student graduating in 1980?

Peter: I applied to one college and there was very little discussion about a backup plan. Because of the Internet and the cost of college today, it is much more of a consumer-oriented process, and everything has been amplified. For athletics, it was not as formalized then. More players could try out for a team, even if they were not previously recruited or committed.

Westminster hosted representatives from 180 colleges and universities at the Hartford Area Independent Secondary Schools College Counseling Association College Fair in April 2013.

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come in feeling like they know nothing, and eventually, they emerge believing that they will spend their next four years at a school they are really going to like.

Has the role of athletics in college admissions changed much recently?

Peter: I don’t know that the percentages are any different with regard to the number of kids playing sports in college, but I do think there is a greater awareness at the college level of the impact of a successful athletics program. About 30 percent of our graduating class has athletics play a role in their college admission.

Has scouting for athletes started earlier?

Tommy Griffith ’14 adds a marker to a map in the College Counseling Office indicating the location of where he is attending college.

How do you think you will handle this process with your own children?

Peter: I hope to have a broad and open-minded perspective because I live with it every day, trying to open people’s minds and broaden their perspective to find the best fit for their child. I want my children to put themselves where they are challenged and not pigeonholed in the process. In the end, I just want them to have choices like every student who goes through Westminster.

When they then make a choice, they can say this is what I chose, and I am going to make the best of it because this is my school.

Ninety-nine percent of our students are happy where they end up, and that is how I measure the success of our process.

How do you help students handle rejection from a college?

Peter: We tell them very early that there are three possible outcomes for every application: They could be admitted, waitlisted or denied. Because of this, we start talking to them in their Fifth Form year about a backup plan. If they are going to put all of their eggs in one basket, they may be setting themselves up for disappointment. There are more than 3,000 colleges out there that can be looked at, and my guess is that there will be more than one that they will fall in love with. That comes back to our goal for them to have choices. In early June of this year, I went to South Carolina to look at six schools, and last year, I was in North Carolina. I have also been to Ohio and Florida to look at schools and be able to speak in a more informed way to the parents and the kids about some wonderful options.

How do you help a student make a final decision?

Peter: I want them to talk through it because the more they talk, the more empowered they are going to feel to make a good choice. I don’t ever tell a student where I can see them. The exciting piece is working with them and having them learn more about themselves and where they will best fit. Often, students

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Peter: I saw in The New York Times that some programs are evaluating eighth graders. I see it happening as a lacrosse coach.

We have a number of students in the Class of 2016 who are committed to Division I programs in hockey and lacrosse.

Colleges are reluctant to make too much of it because it is only a verbal commitment and a lot of things can happen in the meantime. Part of my job is to help students navigate the very dynamic, fluid and, at times, unpredictable process. I try to help them stay ahead of the deadlines and requirements, and make sure certain conversations happen.

Does an athlete have an advantage in the admissions process?

Peter: Recruitment certainly does help with admission to most colleges. There are so many different constituencies that colleges and universities need to satisfy in order to remain viable, and athletics is one of them. The big caution is how much pressure the students put on themselves related to playing a sport in college. So many of them think they are never going to play college athletics if they are not committed by their sophomore or junior year. I tell them that if they are a good enough player in their sport, then probably their school, their coaches and their family will get them in front of enough college coaches for them to be either recruited or not. Also, the student should play the sport because they love it and not because they want to use it to get into college. At some point, the coach is going to figure out if they are not committed, and there is no guarantee they will be able to continue playing anyway. If they are committed, they have to honor that commitment through their citizenship, their academics and their performance in their sport.

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We tell them very early that there are three possible outcomes for every application: They could be admitted, waitlisted or denied.

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What concerns students the most when they start the search process?

Mary Pat: For some, it is as basic as worrying about whether they will get into a college, and for others, it is deadlines. We encourage students to control the pressure of deadlines with good time management. I have many students emailing me their college essay in August, so I can give them feedback even before they arrive back on campus in the fall. The Common Application goes online at the end of the summer, so they can also fill out some of the questions. For the ones who do not get a start on those things, everything with a deadline puts more pressure on them.

As an AP U.S. History teacher, how do you feel about rigor of course load versus grades?

Mary Pat Gritzmacher Mary Pat, who was appointed associate director of college counseling in 2013, has served as a history teacher at Westminster since 2000. She has coached swimming and diving, and field hockey at Westminster.

Mary Pat: I think it is most important for a student to have as strong a performance as they can have. If they can achieve at high levels with AP courses and honors courses on their slate that is stronger. We require students who take AP courses to take AP exams, and it is always good in the admissions process to have grades of 4s and 5s on those exams. Subject tests are more optional, with only a handful of colleges requiring them without substitutions.

How do you work with college representatives?

Mary Pat: Many of the representatives know Westminster well.

In terms of a particular student, they might let me know if a Why did you elect to join the College Counseling student doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have all of the pieces in Office last year? his or her file completed. Sometimes Mary Pat: I really like working with they have questions about students, so students individually, even as a history then I can be an advocate. It is We require students teacher. In the college admissions wonderful to have close relationships process, we are building relationships who take AP courses to take with our students and be able to talk and getting to know the students and beyond what would go in an their parents very well. It has been a AP exams, and it is always admission letter.

I often share with a smooth transition. I have taught college representative about having a good in the admissions history to almost half of the Fifth student in class or give anecdotes that Form, and I live with so many students process to have grades of 4s are positive and can help paint a fuller in the residence hall, so by the time the picture in support of the applicant. students come in for their first college and 5s on those exams. counseling meetings, I generally know What do you like most about Subject tests are more them well. We have a good connection this role? from which to start. There is a lot of optional, with only a Mary Pat: It is all about working with listening about what the students are students and their families. Parents ask thinking about and looking for in a handful of colleges a lot of questions, even if they have college, and then a lot of suggesting requiring them without been through a college search before and broadening. From there, it is with another child. The process is still answering any questions that come up substitutions. new with every child. I stay in close and what they will need in terms of touch with parents, so I can answer testing and test preparation, essay their questions and keep them up to writing, visiting campuses and then speed about what their child is thinking and what we are talking narrowing things down. about until the process reaches a successful conclusion.

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A Vibrant Visual and Performing Arts Program

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Westminster School offers a comprehensive visual and performing arts program with course work in studio art, drawing and painting, photography, digital arts, architecture, theater, music and dance.

Numerous extracurricular activities such as Dramat productions, Cabaret and art exhibitions are also available to students along with participation in the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Dance Ensemble, Chorale and Chamber Choir.

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Introducing the Visual and Performing Arts

Giving Westminsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Third Formers early exposure to the broad spectrum of visual and performing arts courses they might pursue during their Westminster careers is a recent addition to the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s academic curriculum. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, all Third Formers now take an Introduction to the Visual and Performing Arts course that meets twice a week throughout the year and includes content related to music theory, music appreciation, music history, drawing, painting, sculpture, art history, devised theater, acting and theater history.

During the fall and winter trimesters, the students are divided into sections to spend part of their time learning about music with Head of the Visual and Performing Arts Department David Chrzanowski, theater with Director of Theater A-men Rasheed and studio art with art teacher Whitney Barrett. For the spring semester, the students then choose an elective among five class options: mixed media, sculpture, interactive

Top, students on a field trip to the New Britain Museum of American Art and, left, helping a visiting artist assemble a sculpture made out of raw New England wool.

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Broadway, introduction to acting, and music theory and history.

While there is no homework associated with the yearlong course, the students must attend school arts events such as gallery exhibitions, the musical performances of the Friday Nights in Gund series, Dramat performances and Cabaret.

They also take field trips to local art museums.

Though students receive no credit for the class, they, hopefully, will be inspired to pursue an area of artistic interest in order to fulfill their onecredit requirement in the arts.

“We are trying to help students understand how important the arts are for them as a person and for the school community,” said David.

“One of the benefits of the class is that the students are able to choose their path by selecting what they take in the spring trimester and, from there, if they would like to take additional courses.”

A-men likes that the course gets students to try things they might think they are not good at.

“It is a great way to get the new Third Formers involved in the visual and performing arts on campus,” he said. “I think arts courses challenge in the same way core academics do and can make a person think even deeper sometimes. The courses can have emotional content and help people think outside of the box. Music, artwork and theater all tell tales. They feed people’s soul a bit, and I enjoy being a part of that.”

Whitney agrees that it is important to offer such a course early in a student’s career.

“Sometimes we have had Sixth Formers say they wished they had taken an arts class two years ago. Now we are giving our Third Formers a taste of the arts, so they know about their options. And with David, A-men and me getting to know the whole Third Form class, we can encourage students who have been really engaged or quite talented to think about various course options.

“Basically, we want to show students that the arts are fun and, hopefully, they can fit them into their schedule,” added David. “Understanding how a song is written, a musical is put together or a sculpture is created are valid aspects of someone’s education. The arts help us to decipher what life is about. And businesses, more than ever, are looking for people who are creative. I always tell my students that I don’t expect all of them to become music majors, but by understanding music, being passionate about it or having a sense for the value of it will, hopefully, make them a better person.”

Top, Director of Theater A-men Rasheed with students rehearsing a scene in the Werner Centennial Center; center, art teacher Whitney Barrett with students in Hamilton Art Studios; and, below, Head of the Visual and Performing Arts David Chrzanowski, on the left, and A-men Rasheed with students in their interactive Broadway class.

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Five Westminster students who are passionate about various areas of the arts share their stories.

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David Swenson ’15 rehearses for Cabaret.

David Swenson ’15 SIMSBURY, CONN. SINGER AND ACTOR When did you start singing and acting?

By the time I was 3, I was mostly listening to The Who and “Singin’ in the Rain,” an odd combination, but it worked for me. My first acting role was in a first grade play titled “Bugz” with the song, “Going on a Picnic.” Fortunately, I started singing seriously when I was 9, and I’ve had the good fortune to work with some very talented music teachers and conductors.

I’ve always loved going to musicals as well. Around age 10, I went to see a show at Westminster. While I don’t remember much about the show, I vividly remember walking around the Werner Centennial Center and telling my mother that I wanted to go to Westminster and perform in the theater.

for the past two years. Westminster exposed me to musical theater, and I have discovered I love performing onstage as a character. I think I surprised my friends and family the first time I stepped out on the stage as Prince Dauntless in “Once Upon a Mattress.” Mr. Chrzanowski and Mr. Rasheed have opened up a whole new world to me in terms of singing and performing. I am taking AP Music Theory this year.

Have you received any special recognition as a singer?

I like that singing combines my love of music, geography, history and foreign languages. For example, when I performed with the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Honor Choir in Chicago in 2011, I got to sing in one of the native Inuit languages of northern Canada.

I won music awards in elementary and middle school and have performed in select groups since fourth grade, including the Townwide Elementary Chorus in Simsbury, the Connecticut Children’s Honor Choir, the ACDA National Honor Choir in middle school and the Henry James Memorial School Select Chorus. While at Westminster, I was selected for the National Association for Music Education National Honor Choir and performed in Nashville on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

Two summers ago, I performed in an a cappella group and was featured as a soloist. This past summer, I worked as a junior counselor at an a cappella camp.

In what music activities have you participated at Westminster?

What are your future plans with respect to singing and acting?

I have been in Chamber Choir and Chorale since Third Form year and am president of Chorale this year. I have also participated every year in Cabaret and been in the winter musical

I can’t imagine singing not being a part of my life going forward and hope to continue singing and acting in college.

What interests you most about singing?

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Unique Shakoor ’15, center, rehearses with the Dance Ensemble.

Unique Shakoor ’15 NEW YORK, N.Y. DANCER When did you start dancing?

I started dancing when I was around 9. My stepsister and I attended a program called Milbank Children’s Aid Society where they had African Dance. That was the first type of dance I ever learned. I have now been dancing for eight years and have participated in many different dance groups and programs in New York City.

What do you like about dancing?

What I like most about dance is performing for my peers. I like rehearsing and getting things precise so they look good onstage.

I also like the adrenaline of dancing, which puts me in a really good mood afterward.

What areas of dance interest you the most?

I enjoy all areas of dance. My favorite is probably hip-hop because I’m the most experienced in that type of dance since I’ve been doing it for the longest.

In what dance classes and programs at Westminster have you participated?

I have been in Dance Ensemble since my Third Form year. We have a wide variety of dancers and choreographers, and everyone has a different style and brings something unique to the table. I have also participated in the afternoon program in dance three terms to work on my technique.

Have you grown as a dancer while at Westminster?

Prior to coming to Westminster, my main focus of dance was

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hip-hop. I performed modern pieces at home once in a while, but hip-hop was my concentration. Now, I am experienced in many different types of dances including jazz, modern, ballet and swing, and I have come to appreciate all of them.

Where have you performed?

I performed at many places with my old dance group, Somethin’ Untouchable, including the Apollo Theater in New York City.

We have performed at many dance competitions, schools, a fashion show and parties.

Do you have an interest in other areas of the arts?

In addition to dance, I have participated in drama and singing.

Last fall, I was a part of the cast of “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspre (Abridged).” It was my first Dramat production at Westminster, and I loved it. Although I stopped singing when I got to high school, it used to be one of my favorite hobbies. If I had not attended Westminster, I would have attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where I auditioned and was accepted for the vocal program. I liked Westminster better, and I like dancing more than singing.

What are your future plans with respect to dance?

I hope to always have the opportunity to pursue dance, at least as an extracurricular activity in the future. I am still unsure of my future plans, but I know I want to continue dance in college.

Brian Kelleher ’15 WILTON, CONN. MUSICIAN When did you first start playing the guitar?

I had an interest in learning guitar beginning around fifth grade, but didn’t act on it until I was 14. To force myself to learn to play, I signed up for a guitar elective in the spring term of my last year at New Canaan Country School (NCCS). I took some lessons the fall preceding that class, so that I would have some idea how to play. The music teacher I worked with at NCCS, Damon Kelliher, was a very accomplished musician and worked closely with me and inspired me to play and practice.

How long have you studied music?

I played saxophone and viola when I was in elementary school, so I’ve been studying music since around age 9, but I gave those up after a few years. I have been seriously studying music and guitar for about four years. I spent nearly two years teaching myself guitar with Internet videos, and started taking lessons at Westminster about two years ago. I have been extremely fortunate to have another awesome teacher, Andy Sorenson, who is a very accomplished musician.

Brian Kelleher ’15 performs in the Werner Centennial Center.

What do you like about being a musician?

How have you advanced your study of music at Westminster?

Music is great because I can let the songs and the guitar speak for me. One of the main things that really drew me into playing was a search for a niche, socially and personally. I never found that in sports, so I’m happy that I found that with guitar and music. I also like being able to look back on where I started and see how far I’ve come, because the progression is pretty visible to my family, my friends and me. I just love playing.

Before coming to Westminster, I was largely self-taught, so by my second year at school, I felt like I had hit a wall. I realized I couldn’t get better alone anymore and that I’d need some sort of instruction. In short, two years of instruction at Westminster have broken down that wall and shown me more about the instrument and about music than I would have been able to teach myself in a decade. I’ve still got a long way to go.

What areas of music interest you the most?

Where have you performed?

I’m mostly drawn to blues and soul music, but Americana has found its place on my iTunes library too. They really had it right in the ’60s and ’70s. I like Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Stevie Wonder on the soul side of things. My blues influences go back to guys like T-Bone Walker, all of the Kings, on through to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. I’m really into John Mayer’s music too. He was able to find a way to make blues and soul music more accessible to a modern audience without sacrificing the integrity of the music. He’s also a great guitar player.

I have played at many of the coffee houses at Westminster, and it is nice to have had a receptive audience. I have also been honored to accompany a few classmates during their chapel talks and played at the Westminster Today program. I have participated at open mic nights in my hometown and played informally at hotels. I have been asked to accompany a talented vocalist from my hometown on a YouTube video she is putting together. While I love to perform, for now, I’m mostly interested in fine-tuning my skills so that I’ll be better prepared to play live later in life.

In what Westminster music classes and programs have you participated?

Do you have future plans with respect to music?

I’ve taken Jazz Band with Mr. Aber for three years and have had an exemption from the afternoon program in the fall twice to work on my playing and to compose some original material. Mr. Aber has been great about taking my suggestions for pieces for us to play in our Jazz Band concerts. This year, I am taking AP Music Theory with Mr. Chrzanowski.

I was really excited to participate in the Berklee College of Music Five Week Summer Performance Program this past summer. It was a great opportunity to meet and play with musicians and to study and learn more about guitar. I plan on continuing my music education wherever I attend college. I want to follow music wherever it takes me.

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Preston Eppler ’16

Have you received any special recognition as a photographer?

NEW CANAAN, CONN. PHOTOGRAPHER

Last year, I was lucky to have two photos published online in The New York Times high school blog project known as My Hometown, where students across the country submitted photos of their hometowns.

When did you become interested in photography?

I became interested in photography just before my freshman year at New Canaan High School. I was looking at photos of wildlife while I was on vacation in Colorado, and I became fascinated by the art. I have been studying photography for the past two years.

I first studied it at my old high school and now at Westminster.

What do you like about being a photographer?

I like being able to express myself and share moments with others. I believe every image tells a story, and I try to imagine what the photo will look like before I take it. Every photo should not only tell something about the subject, but also tell us something about the photographer.

What areas of photography interest you the most?

I like to take portrait photos in a natural environment. While landscape photography is beautiful, it doesn’t draw the viewer closer. Portrait shooting inspires the viewer to dig deeper, which makes the piece a better work of art.

How have you advanced your photography at Westminster?

Last year, which was my first year at Westminster, I took the introductory class, but as the year went on, I helped my teacher, Mrs. Toner, as more of a teacher’s assistant. Over the winter trimester, I had an after-school exemption to be the winter sports photographer, when I took photos of the winter teams and then prepared a slide show. This year, I began an independent study in photography where I will create an AP portfolio that I can send to colleges.

My study of photography has broadened my mind to other types of photography even if I haven’t explored them or if I’m not very fond of the style. The Westminster campus is so beautiful, and there is so much to see that you can take photos of almost anything.

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What are your future photography plans?

I plan to continue photography for the rest of my life and maybe even find a profession that involves photography. I dream of becoming a photojournalist and getting paid to travel the world.

Preston Eppler ’16 prepares a photo for display.

Meg Forelli ’15 DARIEN, CONN. VISUAL ARTIST When did your interest in art surface?

I cannot remember a time when I was not interested in art. My mother claims that when I was little, all I needed to be kept quiet were some crayons and a piece of paper.

What do you like about being an artist?

Being an artist allows me to escape from the rest of the world because it compels me to focus on my drawing and forget about everything else around me. Time flies by when I draw because it is always an enjoyable and relaxing experience.

What areas of art interest you the most?

I love realistic drawings and paintings because, for me, art is about recreating something that you love about life, so you can share that with others. I can relate to realistic art, and others can appreciate it, too, because they can make a connection with it.

In what Westminster arts classes or programs have you participated?

Last year, I had an exemption in independent art as my afternoon commitment in the winter. I had not Meg Forelli ’15 works on a drawing in the Hamilton Art Studios. taken an art class since the required art classes in middle school. I enjoyed the Have you exhibited your art? exemption with Mr. Sandoval since it forced me to pursue my Some of the pictures I drew during my exemption were displayed aspiration of drawing again and pushed me to improve my skills at the 52nd Annual Community Cooperative Nursery School Art and techniques. Prior to this, I had drawn less than five pictures Show in Norwalk, Conn., last June. The CCNS Art show is in two years because I could never find the time or motivation to highly regarded and has professional as well as growing artists’ draw. It also increased my interest in art as a whole because it artwork. made me realize how rewarding it is. The feeling of finishing a piece is very satisfying, and it makes me want to do more, learn Do you have future plans with respect to art? more and get better. This year, I am taking AP Art History and I have no plans to ever stop pursuing the arts. I hope drawing AP Studio Art to further my knowledge and techniques in art. and painting will always be a part of my life. They help me express myself, relieve stress and make me feel accomplished.

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pproximately 275 people from 14 classes returned to Westminster May 9-11 for reunion. Many had been back

to campus numerous times since their graduation, while others returned for the first time. Some even traveled from as far away as Ecuador, England and Bermuda.

The weekend began with an opening reception Friday evening for the second annual Alumni Art Exhibit in Baxter Gallery that featured the work of five talented artists: Nancy Winship Milliken ’80, Chip Riegel ’90, Will Sillin ’73, Michael Tauber ’90 and Quince Quaintance ’54. (Please see related story on page 4.)

Headmaster Bill Philip welcomed everyone saying, “I hope you have a wonderful weekend here. Westminster is about people, and to have so many people come back for reunion is great fun.”

Class dinners followed at numerous locations on campus and around Simsbury.

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50th Reunion Headmaster Philip and Jenny Philip hosted a dinner in Hinman Reading Room for the Class of 1964. As a part of the class’s 50th reunion celebration, it brought the Stephen Perry ’64 Scholarship to the $1 million mark through a combination of cash and planned gifts.

Stephen Perry ’64 was killed in action in Vietnam in 1969. His memory has been an important unifying force for his classmates for more than four decades.

Annually, the Stephen Perry ’64 Scholarship is awarded to one of Westminster’s most outstanding students.

The Chamber Choir performed at dinner, and among the invited guests were former Headmaster Don Werner P’79, ’82 and Geoffrey Wilbraham P’76. Members of the reunion committee included Ed Cosden, Bill Egan, Peter Greene, Jeff Sarnoff and Doug Unfried.

25th Reunion The Class of 1989 celebrated its 25th reunion at Sanger House, the home of faculty members Amy and Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12. Members of the reunion committee included Sarah Alford, Will Beckford, Kerry O’Malley Hanson, Cara Burnham Herdeg, Fell Herdeg, Abby Wilson Hoven, Ed Naylor, David Newman, Aishling Watterson Peterson and Matt Vendetti.

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Events Saturday morning began with a Headmaster’s Coffee in Baxter Gallery followed by a Meet the Martlets student panel moderated by Director of Theater A-men Rasheed in Gund Reading Room. Panel members included Head Prefect Pierce Cote ’14, Ellie Deveaux ’14, Zac Hamilton ’14, John Pappas ’14, Yvonne Pruitt ’14 and Maxine Smith ’14. The students talked about their Westminster experience and their plans for college. They also responded to questions about their career goals, sports in college, the Davis Scholars Program, Hill Holidays, stickball and how they decided to attend Westminster.

Following the panel discussion, faculty members Nancy Urner-Berry ’81, P’11, ’16 and Mark de Kanter ’91 gave a presentation about the Westminster Teaching Initiative (WTI), which they co-direct, and its annual Westminster Teaching Symposium.

In his headmaster’s welcome, Bill Philip talked about the conclusion of the 125th anniversary celebration and gave an update on the school including the success of the recent admissions cycle and the widespread interest in the school.

He also pointed out, “In conversations I have had with so many of you, the overwhelming impression when you come back on the campus, particularly for folks who have not been on the campus recently, is that everything has changed. The physical structure of the campus is different from what it was back in the early 1980s, but even in the structure of the new buildings, we worked very hard to maintain what we think are the most important parts of Westminster. For Armour Academic Center, the practice of bringing the school together on a regular basis for assemblies and announcements led by the head prefect still remains very much the same and was intentionally designed into Fall 2014

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this building. And the work that went into the two new dormitories was again about developing and supporting that essence of Westminster which is community.”

He highlighted the 20 faculty members who have been on campus 20 years or longer, saying, “It speaks to the institutional continuity that defines the school and contributes to making this school such a special place.” He responded to questions about the school’s strategic priorities, tuition and financial aid program, and how it defines itself with respect to other schools.

At the Sixth Form induction ceremony into the Alumni Association, Trustee Rob Horsford ’89 talked about his Westminster experience and told members of the Class of 2014 that “college will be an amazing experience, so cherish it.” He shared that his close friends today were his closest friends at Westminster. “Life would not be the same without my Westminster family. I encourage you to do your part to stay in touch.” He then welcomed the class to the Westminster alumni family.

Headmaster Philip and Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96 then led the Alumni Memorial Service remembering 21 alumni who died in the past year.

As is tradition, all of the classes next participated in the Grand March of Alumni by walking around Baxter Lawn to the reunion tent where they ate lunch and took class photos.

Brewster Taylor ’49, who was visiting for his 65th reunion from Ecuador, remembered how the school was so different during World War II. “We worked a lot, shoveling snow and raking leaves. We also had to know everyone’s middle name then.”

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“What kept the class close was the polio epidemic,” added Tim Smith ’49, who explained how the school had to close for several weeks when he was a student, and parents came to take students home.

Tom LaMotte ’54, who was back for his 60th reunion, said he has “a lot of memories here” and “noticed a lot of changes” with respect to campus buildings. “I was really impressed by Armour Academic Center.”

Abby Wilson Hoven ’89, who was celebrating her 25th reunion, said how much she enjoyed seeing people she hadn’t seen in 25 years and liked hearing her classmate Rob Horsford speak at the Alumni Association induction ceremony.

And Emily Fuller Rooney ’94, who had been back for her fifth and 15th reunions, said it was fun to come back again. “The school looks so different and Armour Academic Center is just gorgeous.” She looked forward to touring the new student and faculty residences later in the day.

Following the luncheon, alumni toured Armour Academic Center and the new dormitories and attended numerous athletic contests. Writer William Kilborne ’54, who visited an English class earlier in the day, also gave a reading of some of his poetry in Gund Reading Room, including a poem he directed to his classmates.

The evening’s festivities began with the Class of 2009, which had exceeded its reunion participation goal of 60 percent, opening its time capsule.

And due to inclement weather, the Black and Gold dinner took place in the dining hall rather than under the reunion tent. While eating dinner, many alumni reminisced about the many meals they had eaten in the dining hall as students. The evening was capped off with dancing in the Armstrong Atrium of Armour Academic Center.

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Class of 1944 — Jim Goodenough and Kirk Jewett

Class of 1949 — Front row, Bill Thomson, Bruce Taylor and Chuck Kellogg; back row, Tim Smith and Was Denham

Class of 1954 — Front row, Jim Brown, Sheldon Clark, Sherm Durfee and Tawny Kilborne; back row, Dave Hubby, Greg Neal, Peter Cooper, Dick Cuyler, Tim Clark, Bill Hincks, Tom La Motte and Jim Draper

Class of 1959 — Front row, Peter Kellogg, Art Gilliam and Ben Day; back row, Sherwood Willard, Charlie Dilks, Phil Kerr, Graham Gund, Lee Dunham and Henry Swayze

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Class of 1964 — Front row, Mavis Kelsey, Bill Egan, Jeff Sarnoff, Nelson Van Atta, Joe DuBarry and Doug Unfried; middle row, Don Werner (former headmaster), Howard Capito and Ned Kriz; back row, Geoff Grout, David Maclay, Nicholas McKinney, Stephen Hoyt, Peter Greene and Ed Cosden

Class of 1969 — Arondel Jones, Hilly Ebling, Richard Porth and Bob Bynum

Class of 1974 — Front row, John Hugens, Andrew Lazarus and David Bartram; back row, Jon Price, Steve Barrand, Bob Sargent and Win Hotchkiss

Class of 1979 — Front row, Charlie Baxter, Chris Hamilton, Hendon Pingeon and Jake Jacob; back row, Tim Willard, Steve Smith, Jeff Brewitt, Tim Rogers, David Kirby and Cal Groton

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Class of 1984 — Front row, Elisabeth Andresen Massey, Liz Grant Schroeder and Lisa Dulaney Dobbs; back row, Nick Stevenson, John von Stade and Tom O’Connor

Class of 1989 — Front row, Stewart Winkler, Randy Richardson Beckford, Will Beckford, Sloane Andrews Bergien, Cara Burnham Herdeg and Aishling Watterson Peterson; middle row, Kendall Hoyt, Hector Gordon, Jamie Peterson, Lisa Sullivan Butler, Charles McConnell, Sarah Alford, Kerry O’Malley Hanson and Abby Wilson Hoven; back row, Elliot Gray, Rob Horsford, John Mechem, Steve Young, Dan Keating, Fell Herdeg and Nathan Brady Crain

Class of 1994 — Front row, Steve Reeves, Emily Fuller Rooney and El Francis; back row, Marc Brandon, Elizabeth Hibbard Sianturi, Jody Garland, Elizabeth Richey Cristini, Darcy Halsey, Martha Payne, Paul Freeman, Maritza Torres-Manzino, Beecher Scarlett, Kelso Davis, Jose Ruiz and Dwayne Hamblin 40

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Class of 1999 — Front row, Brian Mitchell, Torrey Trzcienski and Ryan Balavender; back row, Newell Grant, John Timken and Nick Berno

Class of 2004 — Front row, Andrew Stone, Tyler Young, Ted Levine and Mike Reddy; back row, Scott Carleton, Drew Malbin, Melissa Silvanic Veale, Liz Torres, Shane Spinell, Chris Wacker and Rob Martin

Class of 2009 — Kneeling, Whitney FitzPatrick, Mary O’Connor, Margot Lieblich, Peter Briggs ’71 (form dean), Julia Simons, Kendall Deflin, Lindsay Laird, Annie Ulrich and Chandler Murphy; front row, Claire Corroon, Emily Walsh, Bree Evans, Robin Cotter, Avi Greene, Aimee Hannah, Ali Bragg, Caroline Moran, Ashley Jeffress, Colby Mauke, Kyle Zinn, Jeremy Zelinger and Michael Dudley; middle row, William Manning, Jaclyn Savage Engel, Alie Philip, Abby Pribble, Amanda Humphrey, Jamie Ferrari-McComb, Hannah Dimmitt, Caroline Scott, Adam Lederer, Izzie Wragg, James Lord, James Curtiss and Steve Buskey; back row, Abby Stevens, Taylor Gould, Will Wierzba, Dave Hovey, Will Danforth, John Enright, Andrew Overbye and Charlie Keegan

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Westminster Celebrates Graduation of Class of 2014

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Family members, friends and faculty celebrated the graduation of 107 students in Westminster’s Class of 2014 at commencement exercises May 24.

The class has the distinction of being the school’s 125th graduating class due to a one-year closure of the school following the retirement of Westminster’s founder, William Cushing.

“By honoring important traditions, we are acknowledging those who came before us and preparing for those who will follow,” Headmaster Bill Philip told the assembled graduates and their families about the 125-year milestone. “The humility of this perspective recognizes that our moment at this school is not singular but rather part of a continuum, which extends backward across many generations in the past and forward to countless generations in the future.”

Headmaster Bill Philip

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Pierce Cote ’14

Mae Mullen ’14

Salutatory Address

Outstanding Scholar Address

In his Salutatory Address Head Prefect Pierce Cote ’14 reflected on the past four years and cited things his classmates now know that they didn’t know when they first arrived at Westminster. “These four years have been about what we now know about ourselves, each other and what we are capable of accomplishing.” Looking forward, he continued, “I think I can speak on behalf of the entire Sixth Form when I say that we are excited about what we will learn about our new schools, friends and, ultimately, ourselves in the future. The idea that we will enter a new chapter of our lives without being handed a map is thrilling and an experience that we all look forward to.”

In her Outstanding Scholar Address, Mae Mullen ’14 talked about how time is relative. “Relativity is the most important quality of time, and I think that learning to control the elasticity of time is one of the most important things we can do, as students and more broadly as people.” She emphasized, “We are made of time, so time is an integral part of who we are.

It is part of us, and we are part of it; we can control how we see time and with that we can take full advantage of everything we’re given.” In closing, she said, “And now, together, we’re going to go out into the world and embrace all the time we have yet to make and spend, and all the wonderful experiences we have yet to have, remembering that we are made of time.”

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Nick McDonald P’96, ’04

Keynote Address

Presentation of Awards and Diplomas

The keynote speaker was Nick McDonald P’96, ’04, a longtime Westminster science teacher and a geologist who was retiring at the end of the academic year. He spoke about the lessons that can be learned from rocks and how Westminster’s motto, Grit and Grace, lends itself to geological analogy. “All of you have been shaped and molded by the Westminster environment and by your triumphs and failures,” he said.

“Challenges and disappointments shape our character. By employing our grit, we create opportunities for grace.”

He encouraged the students to find something that fascinates them. “None of us minds working hard when we enjoy the work.” He also suggested that they “seize the day” and “do not let moments or opportunities slip by.” He concluded by saying, “And so fellow graduates and classmates, armed with a wealth of skills and talents, and armed with experience shaped by grit and grace, good luck and best wishes for a life of passion and fulfillment.”

Following the addresses, numerous faculty members and students were recognized for achievements in a variety of areas of school life and were presented prizes and awards. Next, Headmaster Philip and Chairman of the Westminster Board of Trustees Tread Mink ’77, P’11 presented diplomas to members of the class. The graduates then participated in the Westminster tradition of passing their diplomas. They formed a circle on the Sixth Form Lawn and passed the diplomas they received randomly during the commencement ceremony until they received their own diploma. They then stepped out of the circle signifying their graduation.

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FACULTY PRIZES

STUDENT PRIZES

Twenty-Year Service Pins Sara M. Deveaux P’14, ’16 (awarded in September)

Gretchen Hupfel ’82 Art Purchase Prize Charles E. Griffith III P’11, ’14, ’17 Pamela J. McDonald P’96, ’04

Jarunetr Sae-Lim ’14

Cowing Art Award Michael J. Natale ’14

Excellence in Dance Rosalie J. Wetzel ’14

Edward Scull Jr. ’71 Award for Excellence in Architecture Andrew D. Bell ’14 and Abigail C. Reed ’14

Excellence in Science Mae E. Mullen ’14

Joyce Wilson Prize for Excellence in Mathematics Soon Kwan Park ’14

The John Sherwin Jr. ’57 and W. Graham Cole Jr. Chair

Excellence in Economics

This chair is awarded every three years to “recognize a senior faculty member who sets the standard for leadership and embodies the true meaning of Grit and Grace.”

Richard P. “Scott” Berry Jr. P’11, ’16

Class of 1941 Peter Mars Memorial History Prize

The Swayze Award

Riley T. Bitterli ’14 and Anish Chadalavada ’14

Mae E. Mullen ’14

WALKS Constitutional Essay Contest First place: Andrew S. Brazer ’15 Second place: Thomas O. Dudzik ’15

Dramatic Award for Service and Achievement in Acting

Presented annually in honor of distinguished alumnus, trustee and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Townsend Swayze ’55, this award is given to a member of the faculty for outstanding contributions to the life of the school.

A-men Rasheed

Yvonne J. Pruitt ’14

The O’Brien Award

Critchell Rimington Creative Writing Award

This award is presented annually in honor of Marianna and the late Junie O’Brien P’81, who devoted their lives in service to young people and to schools. It recognizes a member of the faculty who has, over the course of the year, been especially selfless and generous with time and care in the nurture and support of students and whose extraordinary, ongoing personal commitment to young people sets an example to the Westminster community.

Michael R. Cervas P’96, ’01, ’10

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J. Lawrence Gilman Award for Achievement in Music and Participation in Musical Activities Emily F. Mell ’14 and Travis M. Percy ’14

Gordon McKinley Award for Excellence in English Mae E. Mullen ’14 Riley T. Bitterli ’14

Burdett Prize for Excellence in the Study of French Andrew D. Bell ’14

Richard P. Hopley Excellence in Latin Prize Mae E. Mullen ’14

Moncada Prize for Excellence in Spanish Jacqueline D. Mendia ’14 and Rosalie J. Wetzel ’14

Chinese Prize Rachel Chan ’14

Sixth Form Prizes for General Scholarship Third in the Sixth Form: Riley T. Bitterli Second in the Sixth Form: Rosalie J. Wetzel First in the Sixth Form: Mae E. Mullen

Butler Bowl

Wilbraham Bowl

Paul Winship ’35 Alumni Book Prize

The faculty presents this award to a member of the Third Form for character and leadership.

Adrian K. Enchill ’17

This award is presented annually to a member of the Fifth Form who best embodies the qualities of Geoffrey Wilbraham, who gave distinguished and loyal service to Westminster from 1958 to 1994: high personal standards, consistent respect for others, unswerving commitment to the common good, steady insistence on fair play and abiding human decency.

Cristina C. Lynch ’15

This book prize is awarded to a Sixth Former who has made an unusual commitment in both breadth and depth to the school’s programs and activities.

Travis M. Percy ’14

Outstanding Scholar Award Adams Bowl This award is presented annually to a member of the Fourth Form who best embodies the qualities of Richard and Barbara Adams, who gave devoted service to Westminster for over 40 years, showing outstanding personal qualities and concern for the community and unwavering dedication to students. Barbara served on the faculty from 1995-2011, and Dick served on the faculty from 1970-2013.

Wonjune Kang ’16

Brian T. Bruyette ’77 Senior Athletic Award This award is given annually to the Sixth Form boy and girl who best exemplify excellence in athletics and who contributed to the character of the team.

It is given in memory of Brian T. Bruyette ’77, who in his enthusiasm, sportsmanship, effort and skills, represented all that is best in this school.

Tristan J. S. Rai ’14 Brooke A. Wolejko ’14

This award is presented to the Sixth Former who, in the opinion of the faculty, is the outstanding scholar of the class. The award is not necessarily determined by rank in class but is based, rather, on the attributes of the true scholar: curiosity, imagination, power to associate new observations with prior experience, thoroughness, appetite for ideas rather than for grades as an end in themselves and the ability to move easily in the realm of concepts.

Mae E. Mullen ’14

Keyes Bowl Richard K. LeBlond II Honor Award This award is given annually to a member of the Sixth Form who exemplifies dedication to academics and loyalty to the school.

Zacharie P. C. Hamilton ’14

Established by the Class of 1966 and recognized as the school’s most prestigious commencement award, the Keyes Bowl is presented annually to a member of the Sixth Form and recognizes the qualities of loyalty, courage, leadership and humility.

Eleanor C. Deveaux ’14

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CLASS Henry Cooper Anderson Southern Methodist University Mary Norine Anderson University of Saint Joseph Kelly Lynn Andrien Boston College Arismer Angeles Tufts University Alexa Rae Armour Rollins College Benjamin James Bauchiero Providence College Andrew David Bell Wake Forest University Mario Benicky Colby College Michael Anthony Benincasa University of Delaware Riley Thomas Bitterli Vanderbilt University Mackenzie Elise Blinn Hult International Business School, U.K. Eli Alexander Bonadies Santa Clara University Thomas William Casper Union College Anish Chadalavada Dartmouth College Rachel Chan Emory University Timothy Kyle Chartier Lehigh University Shannon Marie Cherpak Quinnipiac University Emily Banks Clippinger University of Southern California Carlo Emil Comia University of Pennsylvania Pierce Lamb Cote St. Lawrence University Stephen Andrew Pierce Cox Elon University Thomas William Cragg St. Lawrence University

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OF

2014

Emily Thorndike Crocker Connecticut College Timothy James Daigler Hamilton College Samuel Lyons Dardani Colorado College Victoria Jean DeAngelis Quinnipiac University Charlotte Grace DeLana Trinity College Eleanor Carson Deveaux Hamilton College Camilla Guernsey di Galoma Colby College Leila Grace Dodd Southern Methodist University Evan Andrew Doodian St. Lawrence University John Gregory Dowling Wake Forest University Claire MacPhail Egan University of Richmond Vincenzo David Ferraro St. Lawrence University Kelcie Katherine Finn Trinity College Ryan Christopher Fox University of Richmond Harrison Kent Garek Southern Methodist University Mike Gaon Duke University Jennifer Rae Girard Bentley University Chaunce Alyssum Gooden Trinity College Jordan Elizabeth Gowdy Bowdoin College Megan Deane Gresham University of St Andrews, U.K. Thomas Charles McFadden Griffith Colby College Margot Tait Hahn University of Denver

COLLEGE

MATRICULATION

Zacharie Paul Charles Hamilton Colgate University Seton Youn Han New York University Elizabeth Anne Hark Northeastern University Morgan Stockton Heck Boston College Alvin Schroeder Heumann III Dartmouth College Katharine Graham Hovey St. Lawrence University James Yuchan Hsieh University of Illinois Angelo William Hunt III Boston College Oliver Daniel Israel Boston University Katherine Bancroft Kelter Trinity College Benjamin Alexander Kleinschmidt Wake Forest University Matthew John Knight Hobart and William Smith Colleges Anne Hayes Lacey Gettysburg College Do Hyung Lee The George Washington University Michael Andrew Logan Colby College Jake Scott McCausland Lafayette College Stephen Michael McCormick Jr. Providence College Michael Thomson McNally Bucknell University Reed Anderson Melhado College of Charleston Emily Fulton Mell Bucknell University

Jacqueline Denise Mendia Colgate University Rachel Emily Monroe Bryant University Laura Campbell Moore St. Lawrence University Mae Ellen Mullen Harvard College Yamilex Mu単oz Emory University Eugenia Noelle-Lenore Naamon Boston University Michael Joseph Natale Trinity College Chandler Elizabeth Nemetz Hobart and William Smith Colleges Marquet Tiwan Newsome St. Lawrence University Charles Bushnell Niles University of Denver John Daniel Pappas Colby College Soon Kwan Park University of Virginia Youngseo Dominica Park Boston College Olivia Joy Parmenter University of Vermont Katherine Jeannette Pate University of Vermont Travis Marcel Percy Tufts University Eva Rosalia Petersen St. Lawrence University Mark Renton Pfister Boston College Charlotte Winslow Poler Colorado College Yvonne Jessica Pruitt Seton Hall University Taite Alyson Puhala Brown University Tristan Jeremy Singh Rai Gap Year

Abigail Carol Reed Northeastern University Stephan Reyes Lehigh University Erik Mason Rost Connecticut College Charles Taggart Russell St. Lawrence University Jarunetr Sae-Lim Brown University Laila Omar Samy Wesleyan University Amanda Marie Savino Franklin and Marshall College Thiele LeRoux Schroeder Denison University Benjamin Hume Shively Wesleyan University Maxine Aurora Smith Fordham University Brittany Searing Swanson Bucknell University William Searing Swanson Franklin and Marshall College Austen Thayer Tibbetts Trinity College Cade William von Gal University of Richmond Megan Elizabeth Walsh Providence College Kristin Louise Wertz Southern Methodist University Rosalie Jean Wetzel Columbia University Jacques Laquan Wisner Stonehill College Brooke Alexis Wolejko St. Lawrence University Alexander Joseph Wrona George Mason University

The Lawn Ceremony

Due to heavy rain, this year’s traditional Lawn Ceremony, which takes place the evening before commencement, had to be held in the Armstrong Atrium of Armour Academic Center rather than on the Sixth Form Lawn. Spirits ran high as members of the Class of 2014 brought members of the Class of 2015 onto the “lawn” during the ceremony. After everyone else had been pulled on, the current members of the Prefect Board pulled on their successors: Will Brophy, George Brown, Jewel Brown, Tyler Buckley, George Crawford, Margo Frank, Duncan Kellogg and Georgia Morley. Finally, the new junior prefect, Eliza Christman, and the new head prefect, Ryan Seymour, were brought onto the lawn.

Faculty members Sara and Jon Deveaux P’14, ’16, Charlie and Jeannie Griffith P’11, ’14, ’17, Lee Huguley, and Pam and Nick McDonald P’96, ’04 were also brought onto the lawn as honorary members of the Class of 2014.

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S UPPORTING W ESTMINSTER New Trustees Join Board Four new trustees and three ex officio trustees were elected to the Westminster Board of Trustees at its September meeting.

Timothy D. Armour ’78, P’17 is a graduate of Middlebury College where he earned a B.A. in economics.

He serves as chairman and principal executive officer of Capital Research and Management Company, Inc., part of Capital Group, and chairman of the Capital Group Companies Management Committee. He is also an equity portfolio manager. He and his wife, Sandy, live in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., and have four children: Morgan, Britta, Tim ’17 and Paige. Tim previously served as a Westminster class agent for 12 years and a trustee from 2000-2002.

Edward V. Dardani Jr. P’14 is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and earned his A.B. in history at Dartmouth College. He completed his MBA at Harvard University. He and his wife, Mary, live in Waccabuc, N.Y., with their children Sam ’14, Matt, Ian and Katharine. Ted is a partner with Oak Hill Capital Partners, a private equity firm in New York City. He leads investments in the business services segment. He also serves as president of John Jay Youth Lacrosse in Cross River, N.Y., and has been a youth lacrosse coach for the past 12 years. He is also co-chairman of Friends of Dartmouth Golf.

Colin S. Flinn ’82, who earned his B.A. in history at Hartwick College, is president of Ashburton Development Corporation in Naples, Fla. He and his wife, Susan, live in Sanibel, Fla. He previously served as a Westminster trustee from 20042013, serving on the Business Committee, and he helped steward construction of Hovey Field and continues to serve on Westminster’s Construction Committee.

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David H. Hovey Jr. ’78, P’09, ’11, ’14, formerly an ex officio trustee as co-chair of the Parents Committee for two terms, lives in Simsbury with his wife, Leigh, who also served as cochair of the Parents Committee. They are the parents of Dave ’09, Tommy ’11 and Katie ’14. Dave is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in political science.

He recently retired as an executive with The Hartford, where he worked in sales relationship management for its largest distribution partners. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Westminster Alumni Association, and he and Leigh were honorary chairs of Westminster’s 125th Anniversary Planning Committee.

Three Ex Officio Members As co-chairs of the Parents Committee, Erika L. Brewer and William D. Brewer P’17 join the board as ex officio members for a two-year term. They previously served as members of the Parents Committee during 2013-2104. They live in New York City and are the parents of Elizabeth ’17 and Anne.

Erika is a graduate of Smith College, where she earned her A.B. in government. After a long career in finance, she currently serves as the general manager of the Wallace Dillman Farm and the Brewer Family Farm in Gibson City, Ill. She is chair of the Smith Fund for Smith College, on the board of directors of the Smith College Alumnae Association and the Yerkes Family Cemetery in Northville, Mich., and treasurer of the Brown Bag Feeding Program of Christ & Saint Stephen’s Church in New York City.

Thring Society members Melissa Horne ’00 and her husband, Alex Daigle ’00. They met at Westminster and now live in New Jersey.

Melissa currently works for Deutsche Bank as a trader, and Alex is a lawyer.

Bill is a graduate of Yale University, where he earned his B.A. in economics, and of Harvard Law School where he earned his J.D. He is a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, where he is co-chair and practice group leader of the firm’s global finance practice and head of the firm’s New York finance practice. He is a former secretary of the Yale Club of New York City and a former three-term member of its governing council. He has co-chaired class reunion committees at Yale and Harvard.

As president of the Westminster Alumni Association, Douglas C. Kerridge ’85 also joins the board as an ex officio member.

He lives in New Canaan, Conn., with his wife, Susie, and their daughter, Alexandra, and son, Charles. Doug, who works in finance, earned his B.A. in government and law at Lafayette College and his J.D. at the University of Baltimore School of Law. He previously served as vice president of the Executive Committee of the Westminster Alumni Association.

Think You’re Too Young to Make a Planned Gift? Think Again …

Melissa Horne ’00 did not contemplate joining the Thring Society until the name of a classmate appeared in a profile just like this one.

“If Kate became a member, then why can’t I?” she thought.

After visiting with the Westminster Alumni and Development Office, she was surprised to learn that not only could she make a planned gift and join the Thring Society at a young age — it cost nothing at the time and was easy to do.

With the stroke of a pen, she named Westminster a partial beneficiary of her retirement account. Each month, when Melissa contributes to her retirement account, she’s making a gift to Westminster too. “Of course, I don’t expect Westminster to see this gift for quite some time,” Melissa joked, “but I feel good knowing the school is in my plans and that my gift will grow over time.”

A gift from a qualified retirement account is also a smart financial move. As much as 70 percent of a fund’s balance can be lost to income, inheritance and other taxes when passed to heirs. When passed to Westminster, 100 percent goes to build the endowment.

Consider joining Melissa and other Westminster faithful — parents and alumni of all ages — by joining the Thring Society today and naming Westminster the beneficiary of your retirement account or other deferred giving opportunities.

For additional information, contact: Newell M. Grant Jr. ’99 Director of Gift Planning (860) 408-3058 ngrant@westminster-school.org

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S UPPORTING W ESTMINSTER

Sixth Form Dinner A. Ryan McGuigan ’90 was the featured speaker at the Sixth Form Dinner held May 16 in the Westminster dining hall. Guests included faculty members Mark de Kanter ’91, Nancy Urner-Berry ’81, P’11, ’16, Michael Cervas P’96, ’01, ’10, Todd Eckerson P’09, ’11, ’17, Lee Huguley, Greg Marco P’08, ’11 and Scott Reeves P’03, ’05. In his remarks, Ryan spoke about having Michael, Todd, Greg and Scott as teachers when he was a Westminster student.

As a part of the evening’s activities, members of the Class of 2014 were presented a Westminster blanket from the Alumni and Development Office as a welcome gift to the Westminster Alumni Association. Members of the class also placed items in a time capsule that will be opened at their fifth reunion.

Top right, Ryan McGuigan ’90 gives remarks at the Sixth Form Dinner.

At right, the class agents for the Class of 2014 include, bottom row, Ellie Deveaux, Meggie Gresham, Maxine Smith, Katherine Kelter, Thiele Schroeder and Megan Walsh; and back row, Yvonne Pruitt, Travis Percy, Zac Hamilton, Mike McNally, Pierce Cote and Ben Kleinschmidt.

One Year Out Cookout About 30 members of the Class of 2013 returned to Westminster for the annual One Year Out Cookout held May 23 in Keyes Garden. Celebrating their first reunion, the classmates engaged in great conversation with one another and members of the faculty, and then attended the Lawn Ceremony.

Shown holding their dean, Peter Briggs ’71, P’01, ’05,’07, are, front row, Bridget Gorham, Skyy McGeachy-Campbell, Stan Sandoval, Sarah Holmes, Christian Barral-Arteta, Hayley Ahouse and Kris Hargraves; middle row, Karlie Werdmolder, Alex Colon, Julie LeBlanc, Laura Tingley, Miguel Castelló, Alastair Smith, Clay Cadieux, Cullen Matt, Emily Sirbaugh and Ronald Yeung; and, back row, Alex Tomashoff, Drew Leach, Maggie Garrison, Caitlin Pittorie, Ryan Strange, Preston Miller, Will Mayer and Gavin Durham.

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Iron Horse Half Marathon Alumni, students, parents, faculty and faculty children ran in the Amica Iron Horse Half Marathon June 1 in Simsbury.

Runners enjoyed the picturesque course along the Farmington River and the farmlands of Simsbury. Events included the half marathon, 10K and 5K races, and a FitKids fun run. Many members of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Martlet teamâ&#x20AC;? attended a pre-race pasta dinner and a post-race lunch in Keyes Garden. Westminster was a supporting sponsor of the event.

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Bruins Versus Devils Hockey Game Kim and Brad Mell P’14, ’16, shown below with Scott Stevens, center, hosted 60 Westminster students and faculty, including the First Girls’ Hockey team, which won the 2014 Girls’ Division I Championship, at a Bruins versus Devils hockey game in Newark in April. They did this in appreciation of the girls’ achievement and the many fans who supported them in their championship game.

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Alumni Lacrosse Day The David Hovey Alumni Lacrosse game took place May 17 on a beautiful day on Hovey Field. All three Hoveys present, Dave ’78, Dave ’09 and Tommy ’11, scored for the alumni, but it wasn't enough to beat the young Martlets, led by Brian Smyth ’16 and Tristan Rai ’14.

The Santry family was well represented by Charles ’80, Bob ’86 and Gordon ’12 (10 saves) as was the Eckerson family with coach Todd and long stick midfielder Kyle, each of whom played a major role in the team’s success in the first half with the game at 5-3 for the break. Andrew Ryan ’07, Henry Dillon ’06, Ryan Cholnoky ’12, David Pringle ’05 and Curt Brockleman ’86 helped secure some valuable alumni possessions between the lines, but the Westminster defense came up big when it mattered. The final score was Westminster 11 and Alumni 6.

“What a wonderful and unique privilege for our guys to meet and play against such talented and dedicated alumni,” said First Boys’ Lacrosse Head Coach Peter Newman ’80, P’16. “This game matters for so many reasons, and we are grateful to those who made the trip.”

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Fishers Island Lead organizer and host John von Stade ’84, P’17, along with other hosts Jamie Dwinell ’84, Hi Upson ’50, P’86, Missy Crisp GP ’17, Lyons Brown P’15 and Win Hotchkiss ’74, P’10, provided for a wonderful day of golf and conversation July 31 at Fishers Island Club.

Front row, Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12, Jamie Dwinell ’84, Russ Burgess ’81, Curt Brockelman ’86, Buz Kohn ’66, P’92 and Hi Upson ’50, P’86 Back row, Spike Lobdell ’75, P’07, Lars Noble ’80, Bill Philip P’06,’09, John von Stade ’84, P'17, Steve Mackenzie ’76, P’11, Buzz Gavel ’82, Andrew Sanford ’83, P’16, ’16, Win Hotchkiss ’74, P’10, Brad Mell P’14, ’16, Lyons Brown P’15, Tom Purdy P’13, ’17, Missy Crisp GP ’17, Jamie Pappas P’10, ’12, ’14 and Dave Werner ’80, P’10, ’11, ’16

Vergennes, Vt. Tread Mink ’77, P’11 and Bob Bristow ’76 hosted a golf outing at Basin Harbor Club in Vergennes, Vt., July 10.

Front row, Dave Werner ’80, P’10, ’11, ’16, Tread Mink ’77, P’11, Scott Stevens P’07, ’09, ’12 and Kyle Brewer ’06 Back row, Dale Ribaudo P’06, ’08, Peter Prezzano P’93, GP’15, Paul Brewer P’06, ’08, Tad Ebling ’66, Bill Philip P’06, ’09, Hilly Ebling ’69, Newell Grant ’99, Julie Ogden ’82, Elliot Gray ’89, Mark Wallace ’78, P’07, Bob Bristow ’76, Mark de Kanter ’91 and Jenny Philip P’06, ’09

Manhasset, N.Y. Trustee Jeff Kelter P’12, ’14 hosted a golf outing for alumni and parents at Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, N.Y., on July 23.

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Nantucket Ann and Graham Gund ’59 hosted a reception for alumni and parents at their home in Nantucket Aug. 6.

Tracy Biedron P’07, ’12, ’18, and John and Robyn Davis P’05

Caleagh Cazetta, Peter Creech ’07, Sean Kelley ’10, Mack Lauzon ’10 and Kaleigh Kelley ’11

Kim Merlin P’16, Fergus Fleming and Graham Gund ’59

Headmaster Bill Philip welcomes everyone to the reception and talks about Westminster.

Brad Mell P’14, ’16, Emily Mell ’14, Alli Devins ’13, Kim Mell P’14,’16 and Bill Philip P’06, ’09

Steve Bartram ’75, P’03, ’08, Ann Gund and Ann Bartram P’03, ’08

Frankie O’Brien ’81 and Bob Knowles ’81

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Williams Hill Dinner Members of the Williams Hill Society, who are Westminster’s most generous donors, gathered for refreshments on the lawn outside of Pratt House before enjoying a celebratory dinner Sept. 19 in the dining hall. Headmaster Bill Philip and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Tread Mink ’77, P’11 thanked the guests for their support of the Westminster community, and students in Chorale sang a number of songs.

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Johnson Winship ’48 Presented Alumni Award A major highlight of the Sept. 19 Williams Hill Dinner was the awarding of the Alan F. Brooks ’55 Distinguished Alumni Award to Johns Winship ’48, P’75, ’80, GP’07. Established by the Class of 1966, the award is given annually to an individual who exemplifies in thought, word and deed Westminster’s mission and its core values of community, character, balance and involvement.

While a student at Westminster, Johns played football, hockey and tennis, was a member of the John Hay Society and served on the Dance Committee. His classmates voted him “best natured.” Following his graduation, he earned a B.S. in hotel administration from Cornell University.

Johns served three years in the U.S. Army as a first Alan Brooks '55, P'89, '91, '96 and Johns Winship '48, P'75, '80, GP'07 lieutenant, living two of those years in Villondraut, France. In holding a silver tray that recognizes Johns as the recipient of the Alan F. 1958, he returned to Westminster to serve as business manager Brooks '55 Distinguished Alumni Award. and, later, treasurer of the corporation. In 1969, he took a similar position with Renbrook School in West Hartford.

As a Westminster alumnus, Johns has given decades of service and philanthropic support to the school. He served on the Executive Committee of the Alumni Association in the early 1970s, and for the better part of 30 years, as a class agent and scribe. He has been a reunion leader, including chairing his class’s 50th reunion. In 2002, he was elected a Westminster Fellow. Most recently, he has helped Westminster Archivist Larry Gilman in Alan Brooks recognizes the many contributions Johns Winship gives some anecdotes about his the archives. Johns and his wife, Ann, made by Johns Winship to the Westminster and longtime involvement with Westminster. are regular attendees of Westminster Simsbury communities. receptions, dinners and celebratory events.

Johns’ many professional affiliations included membership on the named Simsbury Hometown Heroes for their extensive Business Officers’ Council of the Connecticut Association of volunteer work.

Independent Schools and a faculty member for long-range In presenting the alumni award which is named after him, planning seminars sponsored by the National Association of Alan Brooks ’55, P’89, ’91, ’96 described Johns as “the mover Independent Schools. and shaker of the Class of 1948” and “the self-appointed A resident of Simsbury, he also has had a long and deep guardian of all that is right and good about Westminster.” He commitment to the local community, serving as a board member added, “He is the consummate communicator, the embodiment of the Farmington River Watershed Association, the Simsbury of alumni loyalty, a one-man Martlet band, the protector of the Youth Hockey Association, Simsbury Day Camp, Simsbury school’s reputation and the preserver of the grit and grace of this Community Development Action Program and Simsbury Red special place.” Alan closed by saying that he could not be Cross; as chairman of the Simsbury Water Pollution Control happier that the Alan F. Brooks Distinguished Alumni Award Commission; and as a trustee of Roaring Brook Nature Center. now includes the name of his good friend Johnson Winship. In Johns and Ann have three children, Katherine, David ’75 response to receiving the award, Johns said, “I am honored and and Nancy ’80. Their granddaughter Liza is a 2007 graduate. He humbled to be a recipient of this prestigious Westminster award.” and Ann, who has been active in the community as well, were

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PA R E N T R E C E P T I O N S

New Canaan Beth and Todd Baker P’09, ’12 ’15 hosted a reception for parents Sept. 11 at their home in New Canaan, Conn.

Warwick Carter P’16, Jon Deveaux P’14, ’16, Chris and Lisa Alpaugh P’18, and Ann von Stade P’17

Chris Alpaugh P’18, Beth Baker P’09, ’12, ’15 and Rick Gould P’09, ’11, ’13, ’17

Jennifer Poling P’13, ’16, ’18, Rick Gould P’09, ’11, ’13, ’17 and Boo Huth P’12, ’15, ’16

Sandy Brown P’17, Kerry and Jed Stevens ’81, P’16, and Tori Brown P’17

New York City Erika and Bill Brewer P’17, co-chairs of the Parents Committee, hosted a reception for parents Sept. 23 at the Yale Club in New York City.

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Bill Brewer P’17, Zelma Alarcon and Lilliana Minier-Alvarez P’18

PA R E N T R E C E P T I O N S

Simsbury Denise and Chad Alfeld P’16 hosted a reception for parents Sept. 16 at Rosedale Farms and Vineyards in Simsbury.

Anne Sargent P’07, ’17 and Denise Alfeld P’16

Courtney and Rob Feingold P’18, and Leigh Hovey P’09, ’11, ’14

Debbi Cosentino P’00, ’18, ’18, and Greg and Kelly Stedman P’18

Janice and Maurice Gabbidon P’17, and Deb and Rick Ryan P’18

Amy Meltzer P’17, Wendy Sanford P’16, ’16 and Diana Renehan P’17

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Asia Trip Receptions Headmaster Bill and Jenny Philip traveled to Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong; and Taipei City, Taiwan, in June for a nine-day trip to visit with alumni, parents, trustees and students. Both had visited Seoul previously, while it was the first trip for Jenny to Hong Kong and the first trip for both of them to Taipei.

Seoul – The Korean Parents Association of Westminster School held its annual dinner at the Millennium Seoul Hilton on June 21. Hyun Joo and Dr. Sang Duck Lee P’12, ’14, ’17 hosted the event.

Hong Kong – Trinette and Herbert S. Cheng P’08,’11,’13 hosted a reception at the China Club in Hong Kong on June 23.

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Taipei – Mei-Wen Chou Wang and Chun-Chi Chou P’15 hosted a reception on June 25 at My Humble House Restaurant in Taipei.

From the Archives Documenting school experiences with photos is a time-honored tradition.

A look at some photos taken by Richard C. Merrill â&#x20AC;&#x2122;28 from an album in the Westminster School Archives shows what life was like on the Hill from approximately the autumn of 1925 to June 1927. Dick enjoyed photography on an amateur basis and was photo editor for The Westminster News and for the annual in 1927-1928. The album includes photos of school buildings, classmates, faculty members, student life and the Town of Simsbury.

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Inspired to Help Others She doesn’t hold a degree in logistics, but Damali Slowe ’06 kept thousands of moving pieces in order during her three years working at Prep for Prep, a program which identifies New York City’s most promising students of color and prepares them for placement at independent schools in the city and boarding schools throughout the Northeast. While she recently left Prep for Prep to attend

Damali Slowe ’06 and her brother, Omar

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the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, also in the city, she is grateful she had the chance to give back to a program that helped her in so many ways.

Each year, some 4,000 students in grades five and six are nominated to apply to the section of Prep for Prep that selects students for placement at independent schools in the city. As admissions coordinator, Damali oversaw student applications as the pool of students was narrowed through testing, interviews and document review to the 125 who were chosen to receive lifechanging opportunities.

Many of the projects Damali undertook as admissions coordinator focused on creating systems to help families complete the application process and to improve the efficiency of the process itself. “Families don’t always understand the opportunities, which can make the application process seem more onerous,” she explained. “We, therefore, developed an admissions

process to engage all stakeholders in the task of completing a student’s application.”

To that end, Damali created a method to update families on the progress of their applications, and she maintained a system that enables public school staff to monitor and assist their students in completing the Prep application process. To ensure that applicants of varied cultures have equal footing in the process, she facilitated the translation of materials into different languages.

Damali says that growing up, she wanted to be just like her brother, Omar, who participated in Prep for Prep and attended Saint David’s School and The Gunnery.

Damali’s path took her from New York’s Village Community School to Westminster.

“I loved Westminster,” she emphasized. “My experience made me a better person.” She remains close to several of her classmates, including fellow New Yorker Juliet Okpalanma ’06. “We brunch together often,” said Damali.

While at Westminster, Damali participated in soccer, cross country, swimming, lacrosse and track, as well as the Multicultural Student Union, Serving Our Neighbors, the Asian Awareness Club, Chorale, Seniors as Sisters, Cabaret and the Library TAG Team. She was a recipient of the Richard K. LeBlond II Honor Award, which is given to a member of the Sixth Form who exemplifies dedication to academics and loyalty to the school, and the Timken Scholarship.

Among the four Advanced Placement classes Damali took her Sixth Form Year was David Pope’s AP Environmental Science course, from which she became interested in developing economies. “I became fascinated with the idea of helping people raise themselves out of poverty,” she said. That inspiration led her to earn a degree in Middle Eastern languages and cultures from Columbia University and then her work at Prep for Prep.

Just beginning the next step in her education, Damali hopes to apply her law degree to working toward the implementation of economic, commercial and financial infrastructures that foster the growth, stabilization and independence of emerging economies, such as microlending companies. She also looks forward to applying to a law school joint degree program in France. “I would not even be qualified to apply if not for French studies at Westminster,” she added.

Finding the Right Fit A leap of faith, a West Coast move and persistent pursuit have led Eric Swanson ’96 to a fulfilling six-year career with Amazon.com. In April, he was named category leader, software, serving as a general manager with full profit and loss responsibility for the digital and packaged software business lines. He oversees all functional roles, including operations and inventory management, vendor management and negotiations, marketing and merchandising, pricing and marketplace.

Previously, he served as a divisional merchandising manager responsible for movies and television, managing the team charged with all studio negotiations and partnerships supporting Amazon’s DVD and Blu-ray retail business. He has also served as a divisional merchandising manager for athletic, outdoor and kids’ shoes, and as a manager with the grocery team.

Eric’s consumer retail career is a 180-degree turn from his early foray in finance. He graduated from Trinity College with a B.A. in economics in 2000 and joined Credit Suisse First Boston as a research associate. “I went down a well-worn path that wasn’t necessarily the right fit for me,” said Eric. By the summer of 2003, he decided to make a change and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area.

“I dove into the Pacific Ocean and was a beach bum for six months. I needed to re-center myself,” said Eric.

Soon after, he entered the retail field as a database marketing planner for Williams-Sonoma’s Pottery Barn brand, managing circulation planning, analysis and execution of Pottery Barn’s catalog channel.

He then attended the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and studied abroad at Universidad Austral, Buenos Aires, earning an MBA in 2008. “The Bay Area was inundated with technology,” he said. “It was the dawn of the Internet era; I knew I had to get involved. I went to Darden to learn the skills that would enable me to have a career as a tech exec.”

“Getting into Amazon took tenacity,” he added. “The company wasn’t recruiting out of Darden at the time, so I worked with a recruiter and finally found myself in the right place at the right time.” It took him several attempts to secure a position with the Seattle-based retailer. Once hired, Eric became involved in recruitment immediately.

He is now a school recruitment captain, and Amazon is a top recruiter at Darden.

“Amazon has grown tremendously while I’ve been there,” he said. “In six years, you are a grizzled veteran.”

His first assignment with the company was as a product manager in books.

He says that his connection to Amazon’s customercentric mission and the cultural fit have enabled him to

grow within the company. “The pace is fast and problems are dynamic. You are expected to use data and a customerfirst perspective to come up with the right decisions.”

Eric says his time at Westminster influenced his professional accomplishments. “I wasn’t fully receptive to the lessons, encouragement and guidance at the time, but it resonates. I developed the confidence to eventually follow my own path.”

He especially credits faculty members Peter Newman, Scott Stevens and Michael Cervas for investing in him and teaching him valuable life lessons. “I was ‘first team’ Sunday hall,” recalled Eric. “I was young and not always a self-starter. They were always there to motivate me.”

While he was at Westminster, Eric participated in lacrosse, soccer, cross country and community service. He also was involved with the Debate Club, the Spectator yearbook, the Environmental Awareness Group and Dramat.

Mac, Eric ’96, Lindsay

Today, Eric lives in Seattle with his wife, Lindsay, and their daughters, Elie and Mac. “We love Seattle,” he said. “It’s a beautiful city with easy access to the mountains and the sound. It has a great food, music and arts scene and is an ideal place to raise a family and spend time with friends.”

While Eric can’t divulge specific details on what’s on the horizon for software at Amazon, he says that customers want to receive their products digitally, and he’s piloting new ways for customers to purchase and update their software. “It’s an exciting time. On Sunday nights, I’m eager to get back into the fray of work,” he emphasized. “I’m motivated by the challenges.”

and Elie Swanson in Laguna Beach, Calif.

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No Better Feeling than Mission-Driven Work Seema Nanda ’88 is engaged in high-level policy work in the Office of the Secretary at the United States Department of Labor. As deputy chief of staff, she ensures that the Secretary is briefed and has up-to-the-minute information to make decisions for the large, complex agency. “The Secretary can’t be everywhere,” said Seema. “We function as eyes and ears, making sure he knows things quickly, and advise him on decisions.”

After earning a B.A in history and international relations from Brown University and a J.D. from Boston College Law School, she worked in private practice with Davis Wright Tremaine LLP for three years before entering civil service at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Seema Nanda ’88 with her children, Leo, on the left, and Roman at the 2014 White House Easter Egg Roll

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Her appointment to the Department of Labor came after more than a decade of federal government service — first with the NLRB and then with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. “The main thing was to feel more fulfilled with my work,” said Seema about leaving the private sector for public service. “I wanted my work to be aligned with who I was and what I believed in.”

She says that there are pros and cons in private and public sector work. “There are differences in the support that you get and the resources that are available to you.

But there is no better feeling than mission-driven work.”

The policy work under Seema’s purview includes immigration, labor trafficking and workforce development.

She also oversees employee engagement policy for the department to ensure that the agency’s 16,000 employees have the tools they need to do their work and the mechanisms to offer input.

“My jobs have been more intense since leaving the NLRB, but work-family balance is a constant struggle,” she explained. “While the work is important, I try not to take myself too seriously.”

While she was at Westminster, she didn’t have any idea what her career might be. She received the Trinity Book Prize and the History Essay Prize, was a staff writer and editor-in-chief for The Westminster News, was a class officer all four years, was a member of Black and Gold and Chorale, and performed community service at a local nursing home. She also played on First Girls’ Soccer, First Volleyball (captain her Sixth Form year) and Second Girls’ Lacrosse. “My time there influenced my values about work, community and how you spend your time,” she said. “Grit and Grace so well epitomizes it. I say it to my kids all of the time — much to their annoyance! I also think I learned critical writing and analytical skills that have served me throughout my career.”

Seema’s spare time is increasingly precious. Though her long-distance running days are over for now, she still finds time to run shorter races and recently completed a 5K race with fellow Labor Department staff.

This December, Seema, her husband, Vincent Falvo, and their children, Roman and Leo, will be traveling to India for the children’s first visit there. “I’m going where my BlackBerry won’t work — or at least I’ll have plausible deniability!”

The Journey Home Accomplished San Francisco attorney and Larry earned a B.A. from Lawrence University in marathoner Larry Wilson ’62 had never failed to 1966, where he competed in track and was one of the cross the finish line in any race he had started until top divers in the Midwest and twice was an NCAA the attack on the 2013 Boston Marathon. He recently All-American. He was inducted into the Lawrence penned the essay “The Long Road Home” detailing his University Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame in experience as a stranded 2013 runner and his ultimate 2001. After completing college, he served in the journey to the Boston finish line one year and six days United States Air Force as an officer for five years. later in 2014, thereby finally completing his 99th After leaving the service in 1972, he attended Lewis & marathon.

Clark Law School, where he was managing editor of “Marathoning is not a sport you would think the Law Review and where he has been a member of would be the target of a political or terror statement,” the Law School Board of Visitors for more than 20 said Larry. “There was tremendous anger and years. confusion in the aftermath. I wrote the essay to try to Larry began his early law career in a private firm make better sense of an inherently senseless event.” in San Francisco as a litigator in 1975, where he It is a testament that honors the thousands of runners rapidly rose to partner. He started his own firm in who returned to Boston, the hundreds who were 1991 and co-founded the San Francisco Bay Area injured and the three who lost their lives in the attack.

Collaborative Practice Group, shifting his practice to Larry was among the more than 5,500 runners family law mediation as he concurrently curtailed his who were stranded between the midway point and litigation practice. “I didn’t like taking potentially good the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon when a post-divorce relationships and throwing them to the series of explosions brought an abrupt end to wreckers,” he said. “Mediation is more rewarding. I marathoning’s most celebrated athletic event. Those help people come to a constructive and friendly runners were awarded medals and certificates and winding up of a relationship they previously deeply Larry Wilson ’62 in Barbados invited by the Boston Athletic Association to return to valued. Good settlements are the best way for people run in 2014, which he did. to honor what formerly were their most valued “I wore my Boston Marathon 2013 bib in all of relationships. I would love it if litigation disappears my subsequent races,” said Larry. “I wanted that bib to finish all 26.2 some day as a mainstream method for solving family disputes.” miles of Boston, and I wasn’t taking it off until it did.” In total, he pinned Larry has no plans to retire from his law practice and continues a his No. 23902 bib to the back of his racing jersey in 12 additional strenuous marathon schedule. This fall, he will be one of only about 500 marathons — all of which he finished — between the 2013 Boston men in a field of 25,000 runners competing in this year’s Nike Women’s marathon and his 2014 return.

Marathon. And at the request of the event organizers, he also will be Larry did not run his first marathon until 1990. By 2010, he had wearing his 2013 Boston bib for one final time in this year’s Portland completed 60. “I used to do one or two marathons a year; now it’s closer Marathon, after which that well-traveled bib will be permanently retired. to 10,” he said. In addition to marathons coast to coast in the United Larry and his wife, Morli, live in San Mateo, Calif., and are parents States, he has completed 13 marathons in Italy, four in both Scotland and of three adult children, Blake, Faerlie and Laura. Morli is also a distance Barbados, as well as races in Bermuda and Canada, with a personal best runner, having completed many half and full marathons, primarily as a time of 3:41.20. fundraiser and mentor for Team in Training, which raises funds worldwide “I was always an overachiever in athletics,” said Larry, who as a for lymphoma and leukemia research. “She rather approves of this sport,” Third Former already was a varsity diver at Hopkins School prior to said Larry. “It is healthy, and we visit extraordinary places and build attending Westminster. His Westminster admissions interview coincided relationships with fascinating people. If I could wave a magic wand, with a Westminster versus Hopkins swimming meet. “I beat everyone at more people in their 70s and beyond would live fuller lives enriched by Westminster, and it was intimated that ‘there might be a place for me’ at participation in athletics. In my mind, that would be the embodiment of Westminster if I wished to attend,” he recalled. Larry came to Westminster’s motto, Grit and Grace. It’s easy to do, and it’s never too Westminster from Hopkins as a Fourth Former. He participated in soccer, late to begin. As Nike’s ad famously instructs, all you have to do is open swimming and track, performed with the choir and the Harmonaires, and the door, walk outside, take a first step and then another — there you go. was associate editor of The Westminster News.

‘Just do it.’”

Larry looks back at his years at Westminster as a time when selfTo read Larry’s essay, “The Long Road Home,” please go to accountability and personal responsibility were paramount. “Younger www.Westminster-School.org/alumnirunner. people didn’t confront or push back against their elders,” he explained.

It is posted courtesy of the Portland Marathon.

“The faculty was there to help, but boys were expected to show increasing self-reliability. If there was trouble, the faculty would support you.” He returned to Westminster for his 50th reunion in 2012.

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In Memoriam

1939

1941

1949

Robert Ohmart Corley passed away in

David Kingsbury, who passed away

Fort Myers, Fla., on Jan. 28, 2013. He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Lucy Chatfield Corley. Bob was born in Bristol, Conn., on July 10, 1920, the only son of Robert and Ruth Corley. He grew up in Hamden, Conn., and attended Spring Glen Schools. He was a member of the Yale class of ’43, and at the time of his death, was the class recording secretary, charged with writing class notes for the alumni magazine, a task he enjoyed. While at Yale, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 and served as a first lieutenant with the 5th Marine Division in the South Pacific, miraculously surviving the battle of Iwo Jima. He retired from the Marine Corps as a captain.

Bob married Lucy Chatfield in 1950, as he began a long career with the Barnes Group of Bristol, Conn. His career led him around the country, and he, Lucy and their four children made friends and great memories in Mattoon, Ill.; Los Alamitos, Calif.; Centerville, Ohio; and Simsbury and Pine Orchard, Conn. Together, Bob and Lucy loved family adventures, from camping in Baja, Mexico, to backpacking and skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to taking numerous crosscountry drives in the family station wagon. Their love of the beach led to sailing and long summer days playing in the Pacific Ocean. During retirement, they lived and enjoyed golf in Pine Orchard, Conn., and skied with the 70+ Ski Club.

They moved to Shell Point Retirement Community in Florida, where they swam in the Gulf of Mexico, traveled the world and kept busy with volunteer and educational activities. Bob was a wonderful father and grandfather whose wit, integrity and devotion to family will be missed and honored by those who love him. He is survived by his son and three daughters and their spouses. He leaves eight grandchildren and one great-grandson.

on April 13, 2014, was born in Constantinople, Turkey, where his parents were teaching missionaries. He lived in Berlin, Conn., for most of his life and graduated from Dartmouth College.

He was a member of the Berlin Congregational Church.

David was employed by Prentice Manufacturing Company in Kensington, Conn., and as an engineer at New Departure-Hyatt in Bristol. He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and was on his way to take part in the invasion of Japan when World War II ended. After serving in occupied Japan, he returned home and was later called up as a reservist during the Korean War. David and his wife, June Troup Kingsbury, raised five children in Berlin.

He instilled in them the importance of family, a good education and hard work.

In his later years, he spent summers at his favorite place: his family home on Lake Champlain in North Hero, Vt. There, he could be found tending his flower gardens, puttering around the shoreline, boating or sitting on the porch. It was a place that brought him great joy and peace as he spent time with his extended family. David loved bicycling, skiing and tennis, and he played tennis three times a week into his 80s.

He will be forever missed by his wife; by his surviving children, Fred Kingsbury of Nova Scotia, Lois Kingsbury of Berlin, Alice and Albert McCurdy of California, David Kingsbury of California, and Molly and Francis Onofrio of Berlin; and his grandchildren.

Philip Winston McKee, who died on July 29, 2014, was born in Paris, France, and was a graduate of Columbia University.

He completed military service in the U.S. Marine Corps and later worked as a stockbroker.

Following a family tradition of sailing, he was never without a boat and competed in a number of ocean races from Newport to Bermuda. His transatlantic passages and yacht deliveries created eligibility for membership in the Cruising Club of America. He was also a member of the Annapolis Yacht Club.

Following an extended family cruise to Europe and the Mediterranean and a development venture in Honduras, he returned to Maryland, where he joined Yacht Maintenance, Inc. in Cambridge, Md. He moved to Melbourne Beach upon retirement.

His survivors include his wife, Jini James McKee; his son, Philip W. McKee Jr. ’75; his daughters, Margaret M. McKee, Elizabeth B. McKee and Pamela P. McKee; his grandsons, James M. Ridgely and William F. Ridgely; a granddaughter, Nell M. Bruckner; and a brother, Charles D. McKee.

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1946 Townsend Mink comments on the late James “Jimmy” Strong, who he always

liked and said was a nice guy, “I knew Jimmy at three different schools: Kingswood, Westminster and Nichols Jr. College.”

1954 John T. Austin II of West Hartford, Conn., and Jupiter, Fla., passed away March 7, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Diane; five children, John, Andrea, Steven, Susan and David; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and his sister, Nancy Reed. John was born and raised in West Hartford, and was a graduate of the University of Vermont.

He was a successful insurance agent with Thomas Fahy Insurance Agency and was a passionate golfer and member of Hartford Golf Club and The Kittansett Club in Marion, Mass. John was also a longtime hockey coach for West Hartford Youth Hockey. He was a loving husband,

father, and friend to many and will be deeply missed. Classmate Harry Conkey said, “He was the finest young man I ever knew.”

1956 Howard Leland Berkey Jr. passed away July 30, 2013. Born April 13, 1937, in Tulsa Okla., he attended the University of Oklahoma where he majored in geology.

Howard began his career in the petroleum industry, scouting for oil reserves in Ohio.

He then became involved with the sale, repair and maintenance of standby power generators with Onan Company, which led him to the Northwest in 1973, where he settled in Tualatin, Ore. He later started his own company, Generator Services, where he traveled extensively in the Northwest. His career eventually evolved into owning and operating American Windshield Repair since 1989 in Lake Oswego, Ore. Howard was recognized nationally as one of the best in his field, and he continued to serve his clients up to the end.

His hobbies included barbecuing on his many grills, perfecting, especially, the “thickest and tastiest” steaks. His deep passion for computers was seen when walking into his office, which resembled a

computer lab. He will be deeply missed for his kind, gentle demeanor, quick smile and polite and cheerful disposition. When attending Westminster, he was voted “best natured” of his class, a quality he maintained throughout his life. He taught those who knew him the value of love and the importance of having it in one’s life. He is survived by two sons, two grandsons, two sisters and many nieces and nephews.

Classmate Ted Hilles, who was sorry to hear of Howard’s passing, writes, “He and I ran the 880-yard race together on the track team. We always finished up a race close together; sometimes he was first, sometimes I was first. As a result, a friendship developed.”

1964 Alexander “Skip” J. Standish of

Manchester, Conn., passed away on April 29, 2014. One of Skip’s greatest joys was traveling with his wife, Amanda “Diane” (Ward). In addition to his wife of 20 years, he leaves his niece, Kristin Whitmore; nephews, Michael and Jeffrey Whitmore; and brother-in-law, Skip Whitmore. Besides his father, he was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Whitmore.

Former Staff Betty D. (Duyser) Perkins, 72, of Newington, Conn., passed away July 1, 2014. She was the wife of Ronald C. Perkins for 51 years. Born in Winsted, Conn., daughter of Harold A. Duyser of Florida and the late Hazel (Newth) Duyser, she was a longtime Newington resident and a member of Mill Pond Church. Betty was employed by Westminster School for more than 20 years and was an avid gardener. Above all things, she loved being a mother and grandmother and spending time with her family. Along with her husband and father, she leaves her two sons, Dean Perkins and his wife, Jaycee Chuhsung, and Kurt Perkins and his wife, Monica; three grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle and Dean Jordan; and one stepgrandson, Nicolas Viglione, all of Newington. She also leaves two sisters, Karen Delaney and Joyce Ston, both of Florida.

Fall 2014

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Closing Thoughts

Westminster’s Doug Flutie Moment

By David S. Werner ’80, P’10, ’11, ’16 Director of Alumni Relations

In 1995, I was in my ninth year on the Westminster faculty and entrenched in the daily life of the school as a mathematics teacher, basketball and tennis coach, and dormitory supervisor when Walter Edge ’35 bequeathed his entire estate of $33 million to Westminster. My colleagues and I knew the gift would be transformative. Whether the changes would be to the campus (the addition of Edge House and a renovated Memorial Hall), the endowment (it would more than double) or an increase in the financial aid budget (15 percent increase in two years), we knew Westminster would be a better version of itself in the ensuing years. What I did not fully appreciate at that point in my career was why that gift would become Westminster’s own “Doug Flutie moment.”* In 2004, I joined Scott Stevens, Maggie Pinney, Jane Miller and Alan Brooks in the Alumni and Development Office. It was here that I began to truly understand philanthropy, volunteerism and how the level of pride our alumni have, when captured in a meaningful way, elevates our current students’ experiences as well as Westminster’s standing among elite boarding schools. The momentum of the Edge gift inspired other alumni, parents, grandparents and friends of the school and set in motion further dramatic changes. By 2004, the new Perkin Memorial Drive crested to the Kohn Squash Pavilion, and Sherwin Health and Athletic Center and Hibbard Aquatic Center to its left, and beautiful new athletic fields (and tennis courts!) were in use adjacent to the Jackson Hockey Rink.

Much the same way a Hail Mary pass reputedly changed Boston College’s stature, transformative gifts of Walter Edge’s largesse do not come along with regularity. But the collective energy that is set in motion on the heels of a defining moment is exciting for a school. To be sure, sustained momentum requires continued goodwill from supporters of the institution. In the past 10 years, I have been fortunate to see firsthand the passion our alumni, parents and other good friends of the school have for Westminster. Their loyalty has been demonstrated in numerous ways: through contributions to the annual fund and capital projects; through volunteering as class agents and Alumni Association Executive Committee members; and through serving as hosts of regional receptions and events, and as ambassadors who share their own experiences with others who are considering independent schools.

Now in my 11th year in the Alumni and Development Office and in a new role as director of alumni relations, I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to ensure all of Westminster’s constituents find a reason to remain passionate about the school. There are great stories to share about life on Williams Hill in 2014 — from new teaching initiatives in Armour Academic Center and Hamilton Art Studios to extracurricular offerings and achievements. Keeping Westminster on its

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Westminster Bulletin

current trajectory requires the continued involvement of all members of our community. Through the generous support of many over the years, coupled with prudent investment planning by our Board of Trustees, we take great pride in knowing our endowment has moved from $17 million in 1996 to more than $90 million today. But in order for Westminster to continue to offer a first-rate education to the next generation, more “giving back” is needed.

There are numerous ways in which members of the Westminster community can give back to the school, and it is my hope that we are not leaving stones unturned in this regard. In addition to their own philanthropy, in more recent years, alumni and parents have come to campus to address the community on topics close to them. By leading a chapel service, speaking or performing at a Friday Nights in Gund event or talking to students in the Werner Centennial Theater during a special assembly, they have enriched the lives of our students and faculty.

Likewise, additional people have opened their homes for admissions receptions or social gatherings, while others have provided access to cultural events in museums that bring like-minded individuals together.

In my early years on the faculty, I felt the overriding litmus test for a successful academic year was marked by a number of factors but not limited to: a strong incoming admissions class; Sixth Formers earning acceptances to top-tier colleges; great Dramat productions; and noteworthy leadership from the Prefect Board. Sprinkled in, of course, were other intangibles such as fun assembly announcements in Lounsbury Auditorium (thank you, Paul Spagnoletti ’90), good chemistry on corridors and a stickball season without injuries. While all of these factors are important in 2014, I know better, now, that for Westminster to remain vibrant, it requires the involvement of those who know it best.

Westminster’s lifeblood includes alumni, parents, grandparents and friends of the school. Their involvement is vital to ensuring Westminster’s stature among fine boarding schools. In so many ways, the school is stronger than it has ever been, and I am truly grateful to be a part of a community with so many additional possibilities ahead. *It is often said that in 1983 when Doug Flutie threw a last-minute touchdown pass in the nationally televised Cotton Bowl, it propelled Boston College to victory on the field and in its reputation and admissions profile in the years following.

TRUSTEES

2014-2015

Lori P. Durham P’13, ’15 Denver, Colo.

John S. Armour ’76 Emeritus Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

Timothy D. Armour ’78, P’17 Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.

William C. Egan III ’64, P’92, ’95, ’00, ’02 Emeritus Skillman, N.J.

Elisabeth M. Armstrong P’04, ’06, ’07 Dallas, Texas

Colin S. Flinn ’82 Sanibel, Fla.

Beth Cuda Baker P’09, ’12, ’15 New Canaan, Conn.

Heather Frahm ’86 Weston, Mass.

Susan Werner Berenson ’82 Fairfield, Conn.

Joseph L. Gitterman III ’55, P’86, ’86, ’90 Emeritus Washington Depot, Conn.

Erika L. Brewer P’17 Ex officio New York, N.Y.

C. Andrew Brickman ’82 Hinsdale, Ill. Susanna S. Brown P’15 Batesville, Va. Abram Claude Jr. ’46, P’71, ’80, ’84, GP’02 Emeritus North Salem, N.Y. John A. Cosentino Jr. P’00, ’18, ’18 Simsbury, Conn.

Edward V. Dardani Jr. P’14 Waccabuc, N.Y. John H. Davis P’05 Emeritus Longmeadow, Mass.

Westminster Bulletin FA L L 2 0 1 4

Published by:

Westminster School 995 Hopmeadow St. Simsbury, CT 06070 (860) 408-3000 This magazine is produced twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Office.

T. Treadway Mink Jr. ’77, P’11 Chairman of the Board New Canaan, Conn.

Franklin Montross IV P’16 Bedford Hills, N.Y.

Robert T. Horsford ’89 New York, N.Y.

William D. Brewer P’17 Ex officio New York, N.Y.

Charles B. Milliken P’77 Emeritus Bloomfield, Conn.

John C. Niles ’81, P’14, ’18 Marblehead, Mass.

J. Pierce O’Neil ’76, P’10, ’12 Rowayton, Conn.

David H. Hovey Jr. ’78, P’09, ’11, ’14 Simsbury, Conn.

William V.N. Philip P’06, ’09 Headmaster Ex officio Simsbury, Conn.

Moyahoena Ogilvie Johnson ’86 Bloomfield, Conn.

C. Bradford Raymond ’85 New York, N.Y.

Jeffrey E. Kelter P’12, ’14 Locust Valley, N.Y.

Thomas D. Sargent II ’77, P’10 West Hartford, Conn.

Douglas C. Kerridge ’85 Ex officio New Canaan, Conn.

John Sherwin Jr. ’57, P’83, ’89 Emeritus Mayfield Village, Ohio

Bernard L. Kohn Jr. ’66, P’92 Bloomfield, Conn.

Samuel Thorne ’46, P’74, ’76 Emeritus Bedford, Mass.

Jane Kessler Lennox ’88, P’16 New Albany, Ohio Andrew D. McCullough Jr. ’87 Houston, Texas S. Bradley Mell P’14, ’16 Far Hills, N.J.

Gregory F. Ugalde P’05, ’07, ’10, ’12 Burlington, Conn.

Sara L. Whiteley ’91 West Chatham, Mass.

Hilary Neumann Zeller ’88 Weston, Mass.

Address Class Notes to:

Editor

Design

Beth Goldstein Soycher Westminster School P.O. Box 337 Simsbury, CT 06070-0377

Darlene Skeels, Director of Communications and Publications dskeels@westminster-school.org

John Johnson Art Direction & Design Collinsville, Conn.

Or submit via email: alumninotes@westminster-school.org To update contact information ONLY: dribaudo@westminster-school.org Westminster School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, national origin or sexual orientation in administration of its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other schooladministered programs.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Ken Mason Class Notes Coordinator

Beth Goldstein Soycher Photography

Richard Bergen, Newell Grant ’99, Thea Leach, Ken Mason, Chip Riegel ’90, Jane Toner, Stefen Turner, Scott Stevens and David Werner ’80

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