2013 Wooster School Spring Magazine

Spring 2013

{NEWS}

87 YEARS OF SERVICE

IN WOOSTER’S 87TH YEAR A TRADITION OF SERVICE 3 GENERATIONS

OF WOOSTER

KICKING OFF THE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Spring 2013

{NEWS} IN THIS ISSUE Headmaster

{ P3 } 87 YEARS

{ P8 } SERVICE ACTIVITIES

Timothy B. Golding

Contributors Justine Bryar Emily Fried ’13 Abigail Googel Matthew Honeycutt Lori Kriegel Jay Young ’64

Design Peapod Design

Photography RoseMarie Wallace

Proofreader Sally Andre

{ P14} ATHLETIC HALL

Send letters, alumni news, or address corrections to:

OF FAME

Justine Bryar Wooster School 91 Miry Brook Road Danbury, CT 06810 USA Justine.Bryar@woosterschool.org 203-390-3900 woosterschool.org

Front cover: Joey Bradley ’19 Parker Chieffalo ’24 Karelin Dominguez ’19 Russel Elfont ’19 Blair Hamilton ’15 Sharon Rowland ’19

{ P18} TIM GOLDING

Back cover: Giselle Bazos ’27 Simon Felicione ’19 Brooks Fischer ’27 Dalia Leonard ’26 Taylor Lewis ’26

Mission Statement

{ P22} NEW SPACES { P36} SERVICE

{ P26 } 3 GENERATIONS

The mission of Wooster School is to educate the minds of its students, to cultivate their ethical understanding, to develop their artistic appreciation and expression, to promote their physical well-being — thus to prepare each individual for college and for a useful life.

{ LETTER } FROM HEADMASTER{ EMILY} FRIED Senior Prefect

Dear Wooster Community: I began my experience here at Wooster in eighth grade. I was an “average” student and had very limited knowledge of who I was.

Before Wooster, I was the girl who would spend her time hiding in the crowd, but that all changed when I stepped onto campus. From the moment I arrived at Wooster, countless students and teachers approached me with endless questions about who I was and what I was interested in. I recognized that up until this point, I had been doing it all wrong. The person I am now is almost unrecognizable to those who knew me five years ago because prior to Wooster, I lacked passion. Today, I have many passions, but Wooster may be the one I am most passionate about.

Wooster School invests in its students every day, providing us with an invaluable education, enthusiastic sports teams, and innumerable opportunities to share our originality. But, most of all, Wooster provides us with a nurturing community whose members are more than tolerant—they’re incredibly accepting.

And, in turn, we as students invest in Wooster, taking pride and ownership of our institution. Each day, we learn the importance of self-help: holding open a door, clearing a plate in the Dining Room, picking up trash on campus, or even simply asking how someone is doing. These values are held with such normalcy in our everyday lives at Wooster that I did not even realize I was growing because of them. It was not until a culminating experience, three and a half years after I walked onto campus, that I began to understand just how much I had grown.

It was Friday the 13th—deafening school bells were ringing for what felt like hours as students pushed and shoved themselves into every crevice of the James Marshall Chapel. As juniors, our adrenaline had taken over; it felt like we had been waiting our entire Wooster School careers for this moment.

Eventually, the bells ceased and everyone froze in their seats.

Headmaster Golding made his way to the podium with the pride of knowing something that no one else did. “The Senior Prefect for the school year of 2012-2013 is…Emily Fried!” In that moment I was paralyzed, playing back exactly what he had said, feeling as though I had heard him incorrectly.

Initially, my sole positions at Wooster were student and teammate, but when my name was called, everything changed in an instant. Everyone’s eyes would be on me. From organizing the Jobs Program, to being the voice for both students and faculty, to playing a significant role in the disciplinary process, I suddenly had a responsibility to be Wooster’s most outstanding citizen. I feared that I would let everyone down, but as it happens, being thrown into the job was exactly what I needed. Immersion was the catalyst that helped me to see in myself what the community already knew. I was instantaneously absorbed into my role as prefect, forced to become increasingly independent and adopt a stronger command of myself. Through this experience I learned not to be scared of my weaknesses, but instead to turn them into my strengths.

There is something about Wooster that I just can’t put my finger on. Maybe it is the people, or the teachers, or possibly just the electric energy that made all of this possible.

Regardless of the cause, I have learned more about myself here than I have learned anywhere else. At Wooster, I became an individual and not just a number. I found that I am an academic who enjoys the privilege of learning. I learned that it is okay to feel uncomfortable sometimes, but to always have faith in myself. And, I realized that I am confident enough to hold my own without feeling pressured to change myself for anyone else.

It was in a short amount of time that I matured into the person my family, peers, and superiors already knew I was, but my development does not end here. Even with the butterflies that accompany new challenges, I know that there is more to learn and more new scenarios to be faced. It feels like just yesterday that I was crossing the Wooster bridge for the first time, beginning my journey of growth; but, soon I will cross the Wooster bridge in the other direction, heading for college and so much more. To the Wooster community: as I walk away, entering the next chapter of my life, it will be with gratitude that I think of you. Thank you for everything.

Sincerely, Emily Fried, Senior Prefect

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SERV

{ LOWER} SCHOOL

Hi, my name is Alexandra Lecher. I’m in fifth grade here at Wooster. My favorite subject in school is Art. I love all of the different projects.

Even though I just started here, Wooster has already taught me a lot. Two Wooster values that are important to me are to be nice to friends and to be truthful and kind.

When I am not in school, my favorite thing to do is dance. This may be my first year at Wooster, but it is my eighth year dancing. I do ballet and tap. I dance Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We do a lot of fun things here at Wooster, but I wanted to find out what some other students do outside of school. I interviewed fourth graders, Brianna and Alyssa. Just like me, they do cool activities outside of school!

Brianna Barnett, Figure Skater

Alyssa Gagnon, Cheerleader

Brianna started figure skating when she was two years old. She became interested in it because her mother ice skated as a child. Her mother still figure skates as an adult and works as an instructor at the skating rink.

Brianna practices every day of the week. For her, the hardest part about being a figure skater is learning new moves. Before every competition she is nervous, but she is also excited. Her favorite routine is the one that she performed this past December. She performed this routine in the ISI Holiday Challenge, a National Competition held at the Danbury Ice Arena. This was her first National Competition and she placed second.

The worst part about figure skating, according to Brianna, is tying up her skates before practice. She also once sprained her wrist. The best part about figure skating is the group of friends she has made while skating. Brianna’s current goal is to land her axel perfectly.

At Wooster, Brianna’s favorite activity is gym. She says that she “love[s] playing games and working with other pupils— especially when we are playing games as a group.” In class, her favorite project this year was studying Ancient Greece. Wooster has taught Brianna that “if someone is different than you, you can still be friends” and the things that are most important to her are to have a “big, loving, warm heart,” and “trying your best in school.”

Alyssa started cheerleading when she was five years old.

She became interested in it because her babysitter was a cheerleader. Alyssa practices every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

According to Alyssa, the hardest part about being a cheerleader is making her muscles strong and calming her nerves before each competition. Her favorite competition was the one that she went to in Disney World. It was exciting to be competing at the park.

Alyssa’s Jr. Pee Wee Cheerleading team came in 6th out of 16 teams at the Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Competition.

Alyssa says that the worst part about being a cheerleader is that her wrist often hurts. She has many bruises after competitions and practices. The best part about being a cheerleader is working toward her goals. Her current goal is to get her roundoff back handspring.

At Wooster, Alyssa’s favorite activity is computers. She loves that the teachers here are really nice and that everyone helps each other. Wooster has taught her to “respect others, stick up for others, and play by the rules.”

{ P2} SERVICE

{LYNNE} Effinger Muller

{MARILYN} MCALEAVEY

{TOM} HACKETT

{87} YEARS OF SERVICE

in Wooster’s 87th year

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{LYNNE SERVICE } } ACTIVITIES Effinger MULLER Lynne has played many roles at Wooster over the course of her twenty two years here.

She has been first lady to the headmaster, a substitute for all three divisions, an unofficial librarian for the Lower School, and a resource provider; always ready to help at any time.

First and foremost, she has always been a teacher and a lover of learning.

Lynne loves Wooster deeply and played a key role in the initial creation of the Lower School. As the founder of the fifth grade in 1992, Lynne has been a fifth grade teacher at Wooster for twenty years. In addition, she was the founder and director of the Summer at Wooster Enrichment Program, beginning in 1997. Starting in 2007, she began spending time in the Admissions office, as well as the classroom, always promoting Wooster in any way she could. Still today, she is the Director of Lower School Admissions, including grades six and seven.

Lynne relishes the course she introduced to fifth graders last year and has polished with this year’s fifth graders: Cultural Literacy. Built on the premise that we must first understand our past in order to move forward, each of the two classes meets weekly to make themselves competent and knowledgeable when it comes to their culture. Lynne has also participated in the Midnight Run, edited the Lower School literary magazine, and created a stock club, among other things. All through her career at Wooster, she has chaired and participated on various committees, always with the goal to help the school move forward.

Being that she was the first person charged with writing a report on the viability of having a Pre-K at Wooster, one could say that Lynne is the visionary for Wooster’s successful Pre-K program, but that is not all. Lynne is also responsible for the current progressive fifth grade space, as well as the fifth grade’s progressive way of learning. Lynne initiated a shift in educational

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philosophy in her classroom and never looked back. She is inspiring all of Wooster to approach teaching and learning using a perspective of the needs of a 21st century student.

She is offering current practices based on the latest brain research conclusions.

Lynne is the catalyst for implementing 21st century strategies in the classroom, including seminar teaching, blended classrooms, collaboration, and art and technology integration.

She truly raises the bar for her students and colleagues, helping students to dig deep down into their thinking. She has high expectations, but also provides great support to her students. For example, the stock club provides students with a real world application of math, along with leadership opportunities. Aside from the stock club, last year Lynne brought the Harlem Renaissance to life, so that her students could experience 20th century history. She has participated in all kinds of community service, such as working to clean up Tarrywile State Park and volunteering at food pantries. She has implemented a weekly design squad where students practice real-life problem-solving skills. Lynne promotes being an “upstander”— standing up for what is right and for others, and that is exactly what she is. Lynne is a special person, educator, and friend to Wooster.

A few of her former students and parents wanted to share their favorite memories of Lynne:

Aubrey Nolan ’06: I was in 5th grade when the first Harry Potter book was released. I vividly remember curling up on the floor and the couch with my classmates—all of us mesmerized by the story and Mrs. Effinger’s passionate storytelling. For me, it was, and still remains, a very special memory to have been read to —even as the eldest children in the Lower School. Somewhere amid the storytelling, I’m sure, was a snow dance on top of our desks.

Anthony Garritano P ’20: When our older son Dayo started getting bullied and teased we started looking at private schools.

As a former teacher, I realize that every child has learning strengths and weaknesses so finding the right fit for Dayo was important. In the end, Dayo started at Wooster this year in Ms. Muller’s fifth grade class. After the first day of school we waited and watched to see if this was the right choice/school for Dayo.

The day of realization came when my wife picked Dayo up from school one day. Dayo is very quiet until he gets to a certain comfort level with people. So, when my wife saw Dayo affectionately rest his head on Ms. Muller’s shoulder and Ms. Muller immediately put her arm around Dayo and hugged him close, she knew that we had made the right choice. The entire Garritano family is very grateful to Ms. Muller for how she has eased Dayo into this new school and how supportive she has been of him throughout the year.

Tristan Cowan ’01: I had Lynne for 5th grade. She was the first teacher I had who drew me aside and explained what was going on socially in the class. It was very helpful and kind of her.

She was very attuned, not just to how kids were learning, but also how they were interacting with each other. In addition to being a great fifth grade teacher, Lynne has kept in touch with

me all through my schooling and today. She really helped me out a lot growing up—she became not only my teacher, but also my friend.

Stacey and Anthony Damiano P ’20: How lucky is our daughter Riley to have just transferred to Wooster School in January 2013? Ms. Muller has made her transition flawless and re-ignited a love of learning we are so happy to have back in our daughter. We are forever grateful for her and feel truly blessed to have had Riley taught by such an amazing teacher!

Ann Bazos P ’16 ’19 ’27 : Lynne Muller taught our daughter Yasmine in 2011/2012. She took Yasmine under her wing and gave her a spectacular year. She inspired, challenged, and motivated Yasmine. She was also a very dear friend to her.

Ms. Muller’s motivation and enthusiasm are unparalleled.

What an incredible woman and educator—cannot say enough.

Jodi Felton P ’19 ’22: I remember when my son entered 5th grade and maybe a week into the school year Lynne Muller emailed all the parents telling them to read an article in the NY Times. The article had to do with the best learning method: Let your children make mistakes so they can learn from it. In other words take a step back and let your child fall and see what greatness can come from that. The teachers will be there to help and your child will have to rely on guess what—himself! It was hard to completely step back but Lynne Muller insisted so we did. We watched and waited... no tears and no drama. The children took risks and they received an abundance of payback.

That 5th grade year was a joy to watch our children unfold into more independent learners, thinkers, and people.

{ P5}

{TOM} HACKETT Tom Hackett has been a very valuable presence here at Wooster for the last forty years—yes forty! Since he arrived in 1973, he has been an advisor, coach, and of course, English teacher.

His career at Wooster has encompassed so much and he is fondly remembered by so many of his students, whether his unique teaching techniques, or his talented coaching skills on the soccer field or golf course. The truth is, who hasn’t been influenced by his charm and wit—whether they attend Wooster today, or graduated decades ago, Wooster students remember Mr. Hackett. In 2006, he was even named Connecticut Girls’ Soccer Association Coach of the Year, but there is no need to go on and on about Mr. Hackett’s accomplishments—his students’ memories tell all.

Nick Allred ’09: Mr. Hackett is a character and a half. Nobody wears a mustache with quite the same aplomb. He amuses himself so genuinely and completely that it’s impossible not to be amused with him, whether or not you get the joke. Mr. Hackett embodies a school that “seriously tries not to take itself too seriously.” I remember one year I dressed up as Mr. Hackett for Halloween. I did it because I knew he’d be a wonderful sport, because I happened to come across a knit tie and a sweater vest, and because Mr. Hackett is what I want to be when I never grow up.

Kevin J. O’Brien ’95: I still use these “classic” Hackett moves: Answering a question “Yes” orally while shaking head back and forth as to indicate no and calling on someone and pointing at someone else. Always makes me smile and think of Mr. Hackett.

Adam Jasensky ’07: When anyone would say “what’s up” to Mr. Hackett, he would always respond with “a preposition” in reference to what part of speech the word “up” actually is.

Poly de Oliveira ’03: Lacrosse practices with Mr. Hackett: When it would rain, we would ask if there was going to be practice that day and he would say, “Lacrosse is a waterproof sport”— I still tell myself that when I’m too lazy to go for a run and it’s raining outside! It’s helped motivate me since then! Mr. Hackett also taught us how to share. If ever we brought anything to the classroom—food, candy, hand cream... whatever it was—we were only allowed to use or consume these things if we shared with the rest of the class!

Headmaster Tim Golding: When you ask him how he is doing, he says, “Better than I deserve,” no matter what time of year or what time of day.

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Sarah Westerberg Dormady ’03: He was nicknamed “Hack Attack” on the soccer fields. We’d start every game with the poem Desiderata, “You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

With his leadership, support, and guidance, he led us to championships and great seasons. We were truly not just a team, but a family. Of the five years I played on the Varsity team, we made it to the NEPSAC championships four times. We were undefeated in the HVAL and also won sportsmanship awards.

Emmett Coakley ’04: I had Hackett for English back in ‘03 and ‘04. I always remember the one quote he would say whenever anyone forgot their homework. I’m paraphrasing, but it was to the extent of, “Oh, for the life of a student. No real responsibility whatsoever.”

Bill Curnow ’89: Mr. Hackett was one of my favorites, although I’m sure I was careful to never let him know that. I do recall successfully negotiating with him that centre, colour, litre, and armour, were all spelled correctly. Mr. Hackett, thank you for allowing me to become an American teenager in my own time.

You made my repatriation a little easier.

Matthew Feldman ’78: Mr. Hackett was my advisor and soccer coach. I have fond memories of him—his sense of humor, his knowledge of Literature (which I now teach), and his bawdy joke about a drunken Scotsman who passes out on his way home from the pub and wakes to find that “he” won a blue ribbon...’nuff said.

Julia Lee ’83: Tom Hackett put the emPHAsis on the wrong sylABle, but also put so much emphasis on treating each of us as individuals. He always seemed to know what each student needed, both inside and outside the classroom. He is one of the many Wooster classics I was so fortunate to have known during my years there. Sad news for future students, but a well-deserved retirement. He has given so much to the school.

Helen Laura Clarkson ’79: Tom Hackett amused and bemused and amazed us all with his wit and intelligence. He is a treasure and it is a shame that future Wooster students won’t have such an extraordinary teacher and mentor. I cannot imagine him actually being retired—perhaps it is just the start of another adventure for him! Let’s hope so!

Rebecca “Ripps” Garber ’95: Mr Hackett coached me in varsity soccer and lacrosse and was my English teacher. Of the many fond memories I have of him, one comes to mind... It was a rainy day in the fall and we had soccer practice down on Wilson field.

He was teaching us how to slide tackle. We slid into a huge puddle over and over again. We were quite the muddy team afterwards. So fun!

Michael Malone ’84: I attended Wooster from 7th through 12th grade, class of ’84. Tom Hackett was my JV soccer coach for at least a couple of those years. Our team was generally mediocre at best and we used to get killed by other schools. Anyway, I’ll never forget one thing that Tom said to us before one game we were almost certain to lose. It has stayed with me all these years and I’ve shared it with my kids among others as one of the guiding principles to managing competitive adversity. He told us essentially that no matter how much the other team dominates us, just keep smiling at them.

John Cheesman ’57: During 30 years as Wooster colleagues, in our daily routines Tom normally greeted me with an enthusiastic, almost melodic “How DO you DO!—either a question or an explanation, I never knew which. During those memorable encounters, Tom would offer a witticism or observation that predictably elicited a magnificently sincere hee-haw-like bellow (his—not mine). The man clearly knew how to make us feel instantly at ease, comfortable, included, happy, even joyous. And whether in his familiar Coburn classroom or on the soccer field or in the Dining Room, Tom Hackett knew how—with a word, an antic, an anecdote—to make us smile and feel like we were an important part of the Wooster community.

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SERVICE} ACTIVITIES {{MARILYN MCALEAVEY Marilyn McAleavey has filled Wooster with the joy of music for the past twenty five years. She began at Wooster in 1988, teaching piano and voice lessons part time while her oldest son, Stephen, attended as a student—but Wooster soon became just as much her school as his. Soon, her sons Timothy and Christopher followed, not just in time, but also in their mother’s footsteps, adopting Marilyn’s principles of hard work, diligence, perseverance, and fun.

During Marilyn’s time at Wooster, she has helped to further the music program in many ways, initiating the creation of the Hand-Bell Choirs and Madrigals, even bringing students to perform at Carnegie Hall and sing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium. Rebecca “Ripps” Garber ’95 remarks on her wonderful time in the Madrigals, “Some of my favorite times were spent singing in the chapel with that small group of ladies, perfecting our harmony. The bell choir was a unique opportunity and a lot

“For many years, Marilyn has toiled as one of Wooster’s quiet, hard-working, unsung (no pun intended) heroines—coordinating schedules, rehearsals, concerts, students, faculty, parents, (everybody)—and doing it all so very well on so many occasions. The School will miss her talent, stamina, and intensity. And we will be forever grateful, too, to both Marilyn and husband Gerald for those three memorable Wooster grads— Steve ‘92, Tim ‘96 and Chris ‘00. Here, here.”

– john cheeseman ’57 headmaster emeritus

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of fun. What happy memories.” In 1999, Marilyn became the Chair of the Music Department, encouraging students of all ages to be the best that they could be. Morgan Hopkins ’06 notes, “Mrs. McAleavey taught me how to play hand-bells and let me be in the Upper School choir as a Middle Schooler! She always pushed us to be better.” Still giving it her all to this day, she has one of the hardest jobs on campus, organizing and scheduling all of the private music lessons for Wooster students with our many adjunct music teachers. Marilyn’s voice will forever resonate throughout the Chapel.

“ Marilyn McAleavey, my silent mentor, my friend.

“I’ve been blessed and grateful to work in the Wooster Music Department under Marilyn McAleavey for the past 12 years. Mrs. McAleavey is one of those people who executes her talents and skills so quietly and matter-of-factly that you don’t realize how good she is at what she does.

She makes a complicated department run smoothly and efficiently. In the choral world, having only half an hour to rehearse once per week is unheard of.

Yet, I am always amazed and impressed by what Mrs. McAleavey accomplishes with Wooster Singers and Madrigals in that short amount of time.

Both groups always sound and perform beautifully under her direction.

As a department head, Mrs. McAleavey has always been easily approachable should any problem arise. From scheduling conflicts, to ideas on how to tackle an educational topic, to advice on how to handle a student who is having personal difficulties, Marilyn fosters a tone of respect, cooperation, humor, and caring in the department, while always keeping the best interests of the students and Wooster in mind. All of us who work under her love her and I am sure there isn’t one faculty member in the Music Department who won’t miss her terribly.”

– sarita valentine, voice and piano

In a day and age when an education in music may not be as appreciated as an MBA, Mrs. Mac saw it in me. I hadn’t known what it was, but she saw it. I was 16 years old and I played the pipe organ. Naturally, I was the most popular kid in school (hardly). As the time came for my college applications, I had applied to all the big schools— Juilliard, Manhattan School of Music, Oberlin—but Mrs. Mac said to me, “Why not try Hartt”, her own alma mater. And so I did. I was quickly accepted. I went to Hartt in 1995.

I then followed at Westminster Choir College in Princeton and at La Schola Contorum in Paris.

Mrs. Mac influenced me in ways that she will never know. She and Diane Wilburger encouraged me to play for chapel every week. And even now, I am still the organist at Wooster on Christmas Eve. I couldn’t have done it without her encouragement.

Marilyn MacAleavey is an ambassador for musicianship and good will. I never would have come to where I am without her support, her (sometimes) scolding, her love and appreciation.

I am grateful every day for her participation in my life.

As my hands touch the keyboard, it is Marilyn McAleavey who helped me keep them there.”

– sam levitt ’95

{ SERVICE} ACTIVITIES I n the true Wooster spirit of self-help, our students and their families have been giving back to the community in leaps and bounds so far this year.

Hurricane Sandy Relief Drive Wooster families collected over 6,000 items for victims of Hurricane Sandy, including bottled water, clothing, cleaning supplies, non-perishable foods, pet food and more.

Dressapalooza Over 125 dresses were made by Wooster students. Students met for workshops and learned how to sew the dresses themselves.

The dresses were sent to South America and Africa for children in need.

Stuff A Bag Wooster students filled over 200 backpacks with school supplies for students displaced

by Hurricane Sandy.

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Get Out the Vote In the weeks leading up to Election Day, Wooster fifth graders helped to “get out the vote� by making vote posters in art class. The posters were hung on the barn at the entrance of campus. The fifth graders further encouraged the public to vote by passing out flyers at the Danbury Fair Mall.

Dalai Lama In October, Wooster hosted a simulcast of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s appearance at Western Connecticut State University. This was organized through a student club at Wooster, called PeaceJam. The club’s mission is to create young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities, and the world, through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates who pass on the spirit, skills, and wisdom they embody.

Turkey Drive Wooster collected over 135 turkeys and more than 4 dozen bags of non-perishable food items. The turkeys and canned goods were donated to Danbury’s Daily Bread Food Pantry.

Llama Donation With over sixty donations, Wooster was able to sponsor a llama and a flock of chickens through Heifer International. Thanks to Wooster, a needy family in South America will receive these animals, which will provide them with cargo, transportation, and quality wool for clothing, as well as fresh eggs.

Toy Drive Led by the Middle School in the weeks before Winter break, Wooster collected over 625 toys for the Dorothy Day Hospitality House.

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{PROJECT-BASED} LEARNING INITIATIVE Believing that cooperative learning and problem solving are important skills for students to develop, the Project-Based Learning Initiative was the brain child of four Wooster teachers.

Science Department Head Janet Jochem, fifth Grade Teacher Lynne Muller, Upper School Head David Newman, and Middle and Upper School Science teacher Pete Lingenheld came together to make this idea a reality. The four teachers designed an activity that required multi-aged groups of students to research and develop a proposal for the problem “If I could make Wooster School a better place I would…”. The teachers gave students a $1,000 dollar ceiling for the project.

“I love the creativity of the little ones and their strong positive force.”

— anonymous student Students were split into thirty small teams and each was led by a member of the junior and senior classes. In order to allow the students full ownership of the experience, the faculty were asked to be present, but limit their involvement in the process. In January, the proposals were judged by the executive committee of the Parents’ Association on creativity, feasibility, quality of preparation, and implementation. In exit surveys, the juniors and seniors unanimously cited their enjoyment of an all-school opportunity to work together.

The Parents’ Association chose two winning teams. The winning proposals were announced on Founder’s Day and will be funded by the PA. The winning teams were the “Purple Flamingos” and the “Snowdogs.” Team “Purple Flamingos” came up with a proposal called, “Go Green!” In their proposal, they suggested that Wooster would be a better place with “trash, paper and bottle bins for all of campus. This will keep our campus clean and beautiful for years to come. Students can also encourage living ‘the green life’.”

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“I enjoyed seeing all three divisions come together and work as one to come up with ideas. By the end we were laughing and having fun like old friends.”

— anonymous student

This came in an at estimated total $440.00. Team “Snowdogs” came up with the idea of a “Reusable Water Bottle Filler Station” and proposed that Wooster put a “reusable water bottle filler, mounted on the wall by the gym, as a convenient, eco-friendly way to fill up our water bottles.” The estimated total cost for this project was $543.20. All in all, everyone had great ideas!

{OUR PROSPECT} PERSPECTIVE Jessica & Sean Cunningham — The Prospect School at Wooster has done wonders for our son, Tate. It has been everything we hoped for, and more.

Because we were there at the beginning, we truly understand just how far the promise of Prospect has come. That first July (2011), we walked through stacks of school furniture and boxes, hearing of the plans for Prospect, and wondering what would become of it.

The summer before Prospect opened was a ride to say the least. The vision was there, the Wooster commitment was there, the building was transforming daily, the countdown was on, and then there was a curve-ball, a major hiccup—the leading “visionary” was gone! Wooster now needed to double-down on their commitment to Prospect, and they asked for our leap of faith—the leap that would turn out to make all the difference in our son’s school life. While many Wooster pros jumped into Prospect’s first “live” year, it was an everyday commitment for Andrew Gray, CFO at Wooster. Andrew demonstrated a very personal, very passionate commitment—a body of work that is herculean in hindsight.

The “vision of what Prospect will be” was always there that first year, but it was the nature of our collective commitment— stubborn, creative, student-focused, unwavering commitment— that fueled Prospect straight towards that vision. From day one, our son, Tate, fell in love with everything Prospect and Wooster.

Whether it was Uno card games with Mr. Gray at the morning greeting, one-on-one learning with dedicated and talented learning specialists, making lunch for visitors, or being “up the hill” with the third graders who were kind and inclusive, the feeling seemed mutual. On top of Tate’s constant smile and “my-school” pride, we also experienced that most sought-after thing: our son can now do many things academically that he could not do before Prospect. Nothing tops that.

Commitment is what ultimately fueled a two-student/ two-teacher Prospect throughout its first school year, setting the scene for a greater learning experience, of which one could only dream. Today, we walk through totally transformed hallways, collectively displaying the kind of talent, creativity, and passionate commitment that have helped to realize the original Prospect vision. We walk these hallways with our highly trained Prospect teachiers and administrators. We are overjoyed to see that Prospect has grown to fourteen students, representing grades three through seven. As the children split their time “up the hill” for specials, various projects, and events, being among new peers is priceless. The children relish their time to learn and explore in both settings, with new friends, giving them a wonderfully rich Wooster experience.

{ P13}

{ ATHLETIC} HALL OF FAME Canton has one, Springfield has one, and Cooperstown has one. And now, Wooster has one—an Athletic Hall of Fame! This has been the vision and dream of Wooster’s Athletic Director, Dave MacNutt, for over a decade.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to celebrate the accomplishments and pay tribute to Wooster student athletes, coaches, and others who have helped to establish the legacy and tradition of Wooster sports over the past nine decades.

The Wooster School 2013 Athletic Hall of Fame Inaugural Class Hobart Warner Carol Hackett Jack Sullivan Charles Tiedemann ’42 Don Kelly ’46 Ron Kelly ’46 Andy Sullivan ’47 Evan Clay ’48 Bill Shepard ’48 Alvah Jessup ’49

Silas Ayer ’50 Don Seifert ’51 Bill Tiedemann ’51 Mel Powers ’59 Jim Hammer ’63 Sally Rogol ’76 Jason Setchen ’88 Margaret Baackes ’94 Shana Barry ’01

First Time Undefeated Teams

1942 Hockey 1945 Football 1949 Wrestling 1969 Boy’s Basketball 1980 Girl’s Basketball 1995 Girl’s Soccer 2000 Girl’s Tennis 2008 Girl’s Volleyball

{P14}

Hall of Fame Moments There have been many moments since Wooster’s first football team played in 1926.

Here are a few: Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Steve Young, all Hall of Famers in their sports, have been to our campus. The “Babe” gave a talk to our students in 1936, Jackie had a campus visit with his son in the early 1960’s, and Steve and his foundation are largely responsible for the “Forever Young” Gym. Basketball was indeed played against other schools in the barn—had to keep your shots low.

Hockey was initially played in the middle of Warner Field (students would flood the field at midnight each winter). In later years, very competitive hockey was played on the pond.

Baseball is the only sport at Wooster that has competed in consecutive seasons since 1927.

According to Sue Silver O’Connor, in 1974, the first girls soccer team had to share uniforms with the JV boys. The boys would finish their game and then give the uniform to the girls. In Sue’s words, this was quite “stinky”.

In the1976 hockey season, Glenn Dunn ’76 had 30 goals and 28 assists.

The 1945 undefeated football team included six of our honorees: Don and Ron Kelly ’46, Alvah Jessup ’49, Andy Sullivan ’47, Bill Shepard ‘48, and Coach Jack Sullivan.

Sally Rogol ’76 was the first woman to win the “Triple Crown” – winning the MVP award in each of the three seasons in one school year. Rogol won the award for Soccer, Basketball, and Tennis.

McKenzie Corby ’98 became the first female basketball player to reach the 1,000 point plateau. She scored a total of 1,455 points in her career—a record which still stands today.

Shana Barry ’01 set the record for the most MVPs won by an individual. She earned a total of 9 MVP awards (4 in volleyball, 2 in lacrosse, and 1 in soccer), including winning the Triple Crown in her senior year.

John Verdery was the coach of one of the undefeated teams, which will be honored in the Hall of Fame—1949’s wrestling team. Practices and matches were held underneath the Chapel, which also served as Study Hall, the stage, and post office.

Carol Hackett led both the 2000 Girls Tennis and 2008 Girls Volleyball teams to their first two undefeated seasons in Wooster’s history.

Holly Wickham ’10 broke the previous record by accumulating a total of 9 MVP awards (4 in softball, 3 in volleyball, and 2 in basketball), 7 of which were in consecutive seasons. Holly won the Triple Crown in both her junior and senior years.

Mr. Verdery also took the first shot from midcourt in the alumni gym. It was nothing but net…

Jim Hammer ’63 was an MVP athlete at Wooster and went on to play soccer at the University of North Carolina. He came back to Wooster to teach and coach for many years.

In the last two decades, Wooster teams have earned 60 New England Tournament bids, 48 championships, 42 sportsmanship awards, and accumulated 9 undefeated seasons.

Mel Powers ’59 was a standout in Football, Wrestling, and Tennis while at Wooster.

{P15}

{ ATHLETIC } HALL OF FAME

(continued)

NOMINATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Athletic Director: Dave MacNutt, Co-Chairman President of Alumni Council: Jon Greenfield ’93, Co-Chairman VP of Alumni Council: Russ Choma ’99 Director of Development: Matt Honeycutt Assistant Director of Development: Justine Bryar Trustee Presentative: Richard Clarkson ’81 Current Coach: Suzanne Najman ’86 Former Coaches: Carol Hackett, Korb Eynon School Archivist: Jay Young ’64 Alumni Representatives: Paul Valentine ’49, John Cheeseman ’57, Frances Huntoon ’75, Geoff Malyszka ’95 and Sarah Dormady ’03

Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and Steve Young, all Hall of Famers in their sports, have been to our campus. The “Babe” gave a talk to our students in 1936, Jackie had a campus visit with his son in the early 1960’s, and Steve and his foundation are largely responsible for the “Forever Young” Gym. A Wooster education is not complete without the lessons learned from participating on a team. Over the years, many have found that they can accomplish more than they thought. It may have been on the football field, in the barn, on Tiedemann Field, in the Alumni Gym, in the Forever Young Gym, on the pond or on ice made on Warner Field when winters used to be cold.

Regardless of the place, we all have learned how to rely on another teammate. They’ve learned from a coach, they’ve learned sportsmanship, many have learned to be leaders, and everyone has learned to have fun. All of these are lessons that build a lifetime of self-confidence and self-esteem.

With this in mind, Dave MacNutt and Jon Greenfield ’93, Alumni Council President, began the planning a few years ago to make this happen. Both have been tireless in gathering informtion and creating a collaborative process to establish the Hall of Fame for this first year and years to come. A nominating committee was established consisting of the Athletic Director, alumni from across the decades, the Development office, a Trustee representative, and current and past coaches, Suzanne Najman ’86, Korb Eynon, and Carol Hackett.

{P16}

SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Athletic Director: Dave MacNutt, Co-Chairman President of Alumni Council: Jon Greenfield ’93, Co-Chairman Head of School: Tim Golding Director of Development: Matt Honeycutt Trustee Representative: Neil Marcus ’65

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Athletic Director: Dave MacNutt, Co-Chairman President of Alumni Council: Jon Greenfield ’93, Co-Chairman Director of Development: Matt Honeycutt Alumni Representatives: John Cheeseman ’57, Jay Young ’64, Sarah Dormady ’03

“A Wooster education is not complete without the lessons learned from participating on a team. Over the years, many have found that they can accomplish more than they thought. It may have been on the football field, in the barn, on Tiedemann Field, in the Alumni Gym, in the Forever Young Gym, on the pond or on ice made on Warner Field when winters used to be cold. Regardless of the place, we all have learned how to rely on another teammate.”

This group reviewed information from the athletic archives to identify teams, students, and coaches who have made significant contributions to Wooster’s athletic program.

Last fall, recommended honorees for the first class were presented to the selection committee, made up of the Head of School, Director of Development, Alumni Council President, a current member of the Board of Trustees, and the Athletic Director. The inaugural Class of 2013 was affirmed and they will be honored Friday evening, May 10, as the kickoff to Alumni weekend.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Friday evening, May 10, 2013 at 6:00 PM under a tent on Coburn lawn.

Dinner will be served and all alumni/ae are encouraged to attend. The inductees will be honored a second time during a cocktail party in the Donald Schwartz Reception Center on Saturday afternoon, May 11, 2013 at 4:30 PM.

{P17}

{ A Conversation with} Headmaster Tim Golding In the months leading up to his retirement, Headmaster Golding took a few moments to share some thoughts on his time at Wooster.

As he finishes his sixth year, Mr. Golding looks back, fondly, on his tenure and the achievements of faculty and students alike.

Coming to Wooster, Mr. Golding, found himself at an institution very different from his previous schools. “If I were to write a book about my two experiences as headmaster, the title would be A Tale of Two Schools,” Mr. Golding remarked with a chuckle.

Wooster, he said, proved to be the more unique of the two because of its “extraordinary culture of kindness, the community’s ability to draw people in, and a very strong and immovable mission.” And, despite its small size, he felt that Wooster, had an enduring quality that many larger schools lacked. “We find the inner light in students and help them to realize their full potential.” It is this quality that brought Mr. Golding out of retirement to serve Wooster six short years ago.

{ P18} SERVICE

One thing Mr. Golding tackled at the start was faculty compensation. “Over three years, we managed to increase faculty compensation in line with Fairchester schools and acknowledge our teachers’ commitment to their craft and our students.” In addition to increasing salaries, Mr. Golding grew the reach of Wooster’s program by leading efforts to add an Early Childhood Program of Pre-K students and, later, helping to create The Prospect School at Wooster. “Prospect has provided us with the opportunity to bring excellence in teaching to an entirely new group of students,” he said as he began to reflect on the infancy of Wooster’s newest Division—“When the idea of Prospect came to pass, I harkened back to my headship in Wilmington.” In that city, there were two schools that he had always admired. These two “jewels” were both well-equipped for children with learning disabilities and also worked to help mainstream the students back into other independent schools.

“There isn’t anything more exciting than creating a new school, especially under the umbrella of a legacy school like Wooster,” Mr. Golding remarked on the creation of Prospect. “This is perhaps the most unique innovation that this administrative team and Board of Trustees produced in the last six years; the best part is that Prospect is—and will always be—here for children who previously didn’t have a chance for a great education.”

A keystone in Wooster’s ever constant culture and the part of Wooster that Mr. Golding will continue to embrace, even after he leaves, is the Jobs Program. Wooster’s “Self-help” mentality is something Mr. Golding has always believed in. In four prior schools, he implemented similar principles. It was nice to come to Wooster and find this fundamental already in place. “I loved the fact that Wooster’s students were taking care of the

“ The mission of this school is so right.

Thanks to the vision of its founders, that mission has been there since the beginning.” community and putting it—and each other—first. To come to a school where the student body was already living this principle was great.”

Jobs is also Mr. Golding’s favorite part of the day. He loves the interaction with the students while they are working in McAlister Cottage. “I love time with the kids and really enjoy going to drama productions, concerts, sports games, lunch, and other events where I get to observe and interact with the students.

Working with kids is why I got into this profession 43 years ago.

Moving into administration, the responsibilities can take you away from that sometimes. I am excited to be back in the classroom this semester. In fact, I am envious of the teachers who get to spend all day with our students,” noted Mr. Golding.

“I imagine I’ll be back in that role sooner than later,” he said with a smile. It looks like he’ll be coming out of this retirement, too!

When asked where he sees Wooster in years to come, Mr. Golding replied, “I see it moving to new heights. As part of that, I would love to see a new performing arts center, which would act as a living room for the campus and a place for everyone to

meet.” He hopes to come back for the school’s Centennial and see the growth that he knows Wooster will experience. “The mission of this school is so right. Thanks to the vision of its founders, that mission has been there since the beginning. Our challenge is to keep it strong, while still allowing for growth”.

Mr. Golding is very proud of Wooster’s faculty. They have really raised the bar in recent years. As headmaster, he often felt that one of his most important jobs was to hire the best people he could, and believes the Wooster community is better because of the people who are here. “The school is the people—not the buildings—and Wooster is blessed with truly great people who are selfless and put the students first. I hope we continue to attract those kinds of individuals.”

What’s he looking forward to? “I’m terrified about one part of retirement— not knowing what to do with all the free time!” For the foreseeable future, however, he looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren, Peyton and Paige. “That’s the point of retirement, isn’t it?” Mr. Golding remarked with a wry grin, “to get enough time with your children and grandchildren.”

Timeline of Tim’s time at Wooster July 2007 Arrived at Wooster

Fall 2008 Established Pre-K 4 Program

Spring 2008 Created the Angel Fund

Fall 2011 Opened The Prospect School at Wooster

Fall 2012 Highest enrollment in Tim’s 6 year tenure

Spring 2013 Secured funding for renovation of Coburn Hall

June 2013 Retirement from Wooster

{P19}

{ COLLEGE} ACCEPTANCES Congratulations to all of Wooster’s seniors!

We wish them well as they head off to college.

Wooster School January 15, 2013 Acceptances By College Columbia College Dickinson College Elizabethtown College Elon University The New School for Liberal Arts Fairfield University Fordham University Franklin Pierce University George Washington University

{P20}

Georgetown University Green Mountain College College of the Holy Cross University of Iowa Ithaca College Lees-McRae College Lesley University McDaniel College New College of Florida Pennsylvania State University Providence College SUNY at Purchase Ringling College of Art and Design

Rochester Institute of Technology Saint Joseph’s University Salve Regina University Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design School of the Art Institute of Chicago State University of New York at Albany University of Tampa Ursinus College Wentworth Institute of Technology Western New England University Wheaton College

save

the date

for Wooster’s inaugural

Kentucky Derby Gala SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2013 at 6:00PM The Essex Ballroom of the Ethan Allen Hotel 21 Lake Avenue Extension Danbury, CT 06811 don your derby hat and your dandiest attire and join us as we celebrate the service of Wooster’s retiring head of school tim golding. enjoy the sights and sounds of the 138th running of the kentucky derby, complete with appropriate cocktails and cuisine. then, place your bets in support of the wooster school wish list and the endowment for the faculty professional development fund before we dance for the finish line to the music of tangled vine.

{ NEW} SPACES

Thanks to the generosity of current parents, past parents, alumni, and friends, Wooster School was able to update and renovate many of its campus spaces last year. All of these spaces have proven to create an immediate and lasting benefit for the community as a whole.

Lower School Science Room This new room is an amazing resource for students. Not only are the floor and walls a bright green color, but there are giant leaf lamps and a scenic carpet that turn the whole room into a jungle. The classroom contains many touch tanks with various creatures and plants for students to learn hands-on. Children are inspired to think “outside the box� in this innovative environment.

{ P22}

Graphic Arts Studio The addition of the Graphic Arts Studio to Wooster’s Library allows students to combine their studies of the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, and take learning to a new level. With the newest technology and media, students can work with non-traditional mediums in the Graphic, Video, and Digital arts, while also having the opportunity to participate in writing and publishing courses. This space has limitless potential!

Fifth Grade Classroom The Fifth Grade classroom is one of the most innovative classroom spaces on Wooster’s campus. With a huge map of the world and walls that double as white boards, students can interact with their surroundings. This space truly demonstrates hands-on learning at its finest.

The Pond

Archives Room Created last spring above Wooster’s beloved Chapel, was a space for faculty and community members to meet around a large conference table. Whether it is pressing matters, or simply old times to be discussed, this room is a beautiful backdrop for any conversation. Old Wooster photos and memorabilia line the walls in glass cases so that they may be enjoyed and remembered by all.

The pond has existed on the Wooster campus since the founding years, though it has not always been utilized to the fullest.

Over the summer, the brush around the pond was cleaned out so that students may sit and sketch nearby, or even explore along the water’s edge in their science classes.

{P23}

{ STUDENT} SPOTLIGHTS No one knows the art of getting involved in a community better than Sage. A junior at Wooster School, Sage has already created a sizable list of activities to put on her résumé, and it all started four years ago when she first stepped foot on Wooster’s campus.

Sage credits Wooster for transforming her into the outgoing, committed, and respectable person she is today and claims that Wooster’s countless values have shaped her into someone who fearlessly faces every challenge.

Sage is the president of both the Eco-Friendly Club and the Student-Faculty Committee, participates in Big Brother Big Sister, takes art classes, plays Girls Varsity Soccer, takes zumba classes outside of school, and is looking forward to playing Ultimate Frisbee this spring. As if there weren’t enough on her plate, Sage also does a fair amount of community service. As someone who has always had a love for animals, Sage began volunteering for the Bethel Land Trust, raising money for several foundations.

Through the foundation she began walking dogs, taking care of dogs suffering from separation anxiety, and caring for special needs dogs. Soon after, she began volunteering at the Wolf Conservation Center. This past winter, Sage raised money in order to have a wolf from the center visit the Wooster campus with the goal to educate her peers about wolves.

Through her time at Wooster, Sage has grown from a quiet and easily-overwhelmed student to a strong and dedicated addition to the Wooster community. Sage feels that Wooster has taught her not only to recognize the significance in doing things for oneself, but also to take action for bigger causes.

{ P24} SERVICE

{ sage } SOLOMINE ’14

Sage Solomine ’14:

Sartaj Singh ’20:

{ SARTAJ } SINGH ’20

When Sartaj came to Wooster, he found himself surrounded by a kind environment. The first thing Sartaj expressed was the radical distinction between his old school and Wooster. At Wooster, his classes were much more motivating, courses were more challenging, and classmates were easy to get along with.

He loved the extra attention that he was getting in his small classes and felt that his needs were being better served as a student. After being immersed in the Wooster culture, he could feel the change within himself. He was becoming kinder and his grades were rising rapidly.

There are five words that Sartaj tries to live up to every day: collaboration, empathy, creativity, integrity, and leadership. He collaborates when he invites family and friends to take part in community service activities. Whether it is volunteering at a nursing home or offering time at a food pantry, Sartaj finds ways to work with his peers. He empathizes as he works to be a kind person. Sartaj uses his creativity every day. Recently, in working on his “Counting By Tens” project, he generated a 10-yard timeline of the twentieth century decades. Sartaj proves to have integrity as he continues to transform into a mature individual. As a fifth grader, Sartaj demonstrates leadership, taking advantage of the opportunity to participate in the Jobs Program on Friday afternoons when he vacuums, washes windows, and wipes down desks. Sartaj truly recognizes the importance of the Jobs Program, taking his duty as a Wooster citizen very seriously.

{ TESS } CICALA ’17

Tess Cicala ’17: Tess has been a part of the Wooster community for the majority of her life. Now an eighth grader, Tess started at Wooster in Kindergarten. Beginning her development at Wooster at a very young age, Tess couldn’t feel better about the student and the person that she’s continually becoming.

Out of all of Tess’s Wooster experiences, the opportunity that she values the most is leadership. As a fifth grader, Tess initially learned what it means to be a leader. She learned how to be a good leader by following the leadership of others while taking part in various activities: becoming part of the volleyball team, taking dance classes in lyrical, jazz, and tap, and learning how to play an active role in the community as a whole. But, soon it would be her time to lead. As an eighth grader, Tess has been serving multiple leadership roles every day. She is an advisory representative for her class and also serves as a Job Captain.

Tess feels that the Jobs Program in particular has provided her with the best representation of what it means to be a leader.

Facing high expectations from the rest of the community and maintaining a balance of approachability and authority with her workers have both been challenging, however, she feels that they have also been the most rewarding.

It is no surprise that this young woman is one of the many unforgettable additions to the Wooster community. Tess holds herself to a standard of excellence and her drive, focus, and integrity have ignited brilliance within this soon-to-be Upper-Schooler.

{P25}

{3 GENERATIONS} OF WOOSTER Q&A with Michael Marcus ’61: What is your favorite thing about Wooster?

My favorite thing about Wooster is its values and also its sense of direction.

What was Wooster like when you went here?

It was a very structured, male boarding school. Although my family did not live far from campus, I was still a boarder.

What is your favorite Wooster activity?

My favorite Wooster activity had to be being a member of the Wooster Midget and JV football team. During my 4th, 5th, and 6th form we had three undefeated seasons.

What are your fondest memories of your days at Wooster?

My fondest memory was calling my then girlfriend, now wife Nancy, for our first date on the pay phone that was located in the foyer to the right of the Chapel. Obviously, she agreed and we have been married for over 45 years.

{ P26} SERVICE

Is there a Wooster experience or value that best prepared you for your life and career?

The core Wooster values, which include the reinforcement of self help, personal societal obligation, and the commitment to the Honor Code (which also reinforced the examples that my parents set at home), are what best prepared me for my life.

Your family has been involved in the history of Wooster School for many years. How does it feel to share Wooster with your kids and grandkids?

It makes me proud to see the tradition continue and to see how much my granddaughter loves the school.

Tell us a bit about what you are doing now…

I currently sit on many non-profit boards—The Danbury Land Trust, Jewish Home for the Elderly, and The Tarrywile Park Authority, to name a few. I also do some real estate development and spend as much time on horseback as possible.

Q&A with Skyler ’22:

Q&A with Sean ’88:

What is your favorite thing about Wooster? My favorite

What is your favorite thing about Wooster?

thing about Wooster is the teachers. They are all so nice— especially my third grade teacher Mr. K.

My favorite thing about Wooster is the sense of community and the excellent broad-based education it provides.

Describe what Wooster is like today…

What was Wooster like when you went here?

Wooster is a cool school. The co-curricular classes are fun and interesting.

When I went to Wooster it was grades 7 through 12. Grades 9 through 12 were comprised of both boarding and day students.

We always had tons of homework and the self-help work system was a big part of the experience.

What is your favorite Wooster activity?

I have many favorite activities and so it would be hard to pick just one. I find art very fun and science really interesting—I love the new classroom—and I like gym a lot.

What is your favorite Wooster activity?

Picking up my daughter on a nice day and watching her play outside with her friends for a while before we leave.

What are your fondest memories of your days at Wooster?

I was a day student and only enrolled for 7th and 8th grade, class of ’88. Some of my fondest memories were wrestling Varsity in 7th and 8th grade. At the time I believe I was the youngest student to receive a Varsity letter. In 8th grade I was part of the first ever Lacrosse team. We weren’t very good and lost every match, but it was fun. Also that year, I spent a week boarding while my parents were away. That experience was memorable because I got to see the boarding culture which was different than the day student experience.

Work days at Wooster were also lots of fun. I remember working in the Girl’s gym when we were raided by the group working in the Boy’s gym. The fire extinguishers made great defensive tools against marauding upper classmen.

Is there a Wooster experience or value that best prepared you for your life and career?

Saturday Study Hall. It showed me that if you don’t work hard there will be consequences that you don’t like, so it is better to do the best you can to avoid negative repercussions.

Unfortunately I spent a lot of Saturdays at Wooster.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time so far at Wooster or a favorite thing that you have done here at school?

Last year we studied Egypt and as a class trip we were able to go to the MET and get a tour of all the Egyptian artifacts. I couldn’t believe they had all these things that we learned about there!

How do you feel about going to a school that your father, grandfather, and uncles have also attended?

I’m very happy that I get a chance to go to the same school that so many members of my father’s family went to—it’s very special. I remember when the Dairy Bar was still open and how so many Wooster kids would go there when it was a half day.

I miss the Dairy Bar, but everyone seems so excited about the new shopping center.

Your family has been involved in the history of Wooster for many years. How does it feel to share Wooster with both your father and daughter?

It makes me proud to be part of such a fine institution.

My daughter, Skyler ’22, loves the school and we have become close with many of the other parents and faculty.

Tell us a bit about what you are doing now…

I am the Operations Manager for Marcus Dairy Inc. We continue to deliver milk and refrigerated products throughout CT, NY, MA, and PA. We serve many schools, including Wooster, institutions, hospitals, and stores, as well as direct home delivery. This is our 100th year anniversary.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I can’t decide right now, I have a long time.

{P27}

{ ALUMNI} SPOTLIGHTS Leslie Duran ’09

I barely made it to my first day at Wooster in September of 2003. I had always walked to school, never knowing anything but public school, and on my first day at Wooster, I missed my bus. I called to let the administration know and instead of marking me absent, the secretary in the main office, Mary DeSantis, got in her car and picked me up herself. Thirty minutes

later, we pulled up to campus. I stepped out and while trying to find my group under the tent on Coburn lawn, a girl approached me, and greeted me by name.

I looked at her in shock, wondering how she knew, and she replied that Wooster is a small school and everyone knows each other. And soon enough I learned what it meant to be at a school where everyone literally knows your name. This place seemed so outrageous to me with all of its morals and self-help and kindness, but soon I fell in love with it. And, the lessons I have learned at Wooster have stuck with me.

At Wooster, I learned how far kindness could get you—this is how I fell into the Hospitality industry. I learned how to lead through the self-help program. And, I learned that there’s always something more to be learned.

Learning isn’t for school, it’s for life. At Wooster, I had my first job, my first and only F, my first sport, and my first bad slip.

This school challenged me, believing I could do it all along. No matter where I go, I carry Wooster in my heart. Being a part of Wooster is like being part of a family: some days you love it and some days you hate it—but, when it’s all said and done, this place becomes a part of you.

“At Wooster, I learned how far kindness could get you— this is how I fell into the Hospitality industry. I learned how to lead through the self-help program. And, I learned that there’s always something more to be learned. Learning isn’t for school, it’s for life. ” – leslie duran ’09

{ P28} RVICE

Cindy Drahzal ’91 My husband, Jason ’89, was in 8th grade when he began at Wooster; I began as a 7th grader, one year later. Who knew that when John Cheesman (Head of Admissions, at the time) accepted me to Wooster in 1985 that it was going to forever shape the rest of my life. For me, Wooster was a great experience academically and really helped me to come into my own. It shaped both Jason and me in the most critical years of our lives, but we never imagined it would play such a larger role.

Back in the ‘80s, Jason was a good kid, but he had all of the parties.

Evidently, he was known as the party guy.

Headmaster O’Neil knew him well, often pulling Jason into his office to tell him that he couldn’t play in the next lacrosse game if he had a party that weekend. He even told Jason that he couldn’t walk at graduation if he didn’t stop hosting the weekend festivities. I distinctly remember going to my first “Jason Drahzal Party” in eighth grade—it was really a big deal.

There were many more to come.

During our time at Wooster, Jason and I had many mutual friends, and we would hang out, but I wouldn’t say we were the closest of friends. We did pull off a few pranks together though—one time we snuck out at night and put a For Sale sign out in front of the school with some friends (for some reason we thought this was very funny). We lost touch after high school, but in June of 1998 we reconnected through our mutual friend, Tary Tarlton ’89. From there we got married and had two beautiful girls,

“Sharing Wooster values with our girls, such as self-help and giving back to what gives to you, has been special for all of us.

Wooster has always felt like a family to us, but it really feels like home to Darby and Sadie. They love telling people that “Mommy and Daddy” went to school here and really enjoy going to alumni events with us.”

Darby ’21 and Sadie ’23, who currently attend Wooster’s Lower School. Today, our Wooster friends are still very much our best friends. We are so lucky!

We always knew, from the time that we got married, that we wanted to send our kids to Wooster. We even planned where to live around that decision.

Sharing Wooster values with our girls, such as self-help and giving back to what

gives to you, has been special for all of us. Wooster has always felt like a family to us, but it really feels like home to Darby and Sadie. They love telling people that “Mommy and Daddy” went to school here and really enjoy going to alumni events with us. It has been great to give them back to a community that has given so much to us.

pre-teen that I was, I knew that Wooster deserved a lot of credit for me being who I was, and for helping me find out who I would become.

It was at Wooster that my love for art and music flourished—that is what brought me to art school. After my first semester in college at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), I only became more grateful and aware of the things that Wooster ingrained in me—things that are so easy to take for granted.

Wooster was the only school that I knew before going to college. It’s a strange feeling to be raised in such a nurturing community that simultaneously cradles you and prepares you to leave.

When it was my turn to say goodbye, it was bittersweet, to say the least. I was so Erica Moran ’12 curious, and eager, and full of the excitWooster was the only place I could consistently call home for 13 years. It was ing anticipation of what lay ahead, but I my parents’ excellent decision to send me wasn’t scared; I was comforted knowing here as a kindergartner, but, as I grew up, the that I would always carry with me all of those invaluable gifts that Wooster gave responsibility was passed on to me— it became my decision to stay throughout me. Wooster brought me to the most fascinating, caring, creative people I know high school. I decided to stay at Wooster and taught me how to find and connect because even as the uncomfortable

“Wooster brought me to the most fascinating, caring, creative people I know and taught me how to find and connect with like-minded people. I am so excited about where I am and what I’m doing now, but I will forever find comfort in knowing that I will always be welcomed back to my home on Miry Brook.”

– cindy drahzal ’91

– erica moran ’12 with like-minded people. I am so excited about where I am and what I’m doing now, but I will forever find comfort in knowing that I will always be welcomed back to my home on Miry Brook.

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{ ALUMNI} SPOTLIGHTS

(continued)

Jack Doolittle ’53 I like to tell people that I graduated 13th in my class. I don’t usually mention that there were only 14 in the class.

The intimate atmosphere of Wooster in 1953 was such that faculty, staff, and students (only 80 or so boys) lived in a “closed” community in which we depended on each other as teachers, coaches, students, classmates, team mates, work mates, and friends. The high mutual expectations that were so much a part of the tacit rules of life at Wooster School led most of us to strive to do our best for the good of our community and for our “enlightened” self interest.

The Wooster of my day had no gym, one athletic field, no Coburn Hall, no lower school, no middle school, no art center, no cars, no day students, no girls (except the Warner Sisters), and no parents. The days were filled with schoolwork, housework, chapel, sports, work squad, and—if you had privileges —pipe (only) smoking at a few approved places like the fire escapes. Three communal meals a day at a table with eight other guys, a master, and often the master’s family were central to our emotional and social lives.

Richard Chipman ’79 Mr. Joe Grover was a Wooster institution.

In many ways, he was the prototypic prep school teacher you might see portrayed in movies. With his elbow pads, reserved looking-over-the top-of-his-glasses attitude, and cool sports car, I was always a little desperate to show Mr. Grover that I was not as “slow on the draw” as others might think.

Shortly after summer vacation, I was sitting in Mr. Grover’s English class and he asked me a question related to our required summer reading. I mumbled an answer that had absolutely nothing to do with the actual book in question (full disclosure, a book I had neglected to actually start). Our discourse went something like this: “Master Chipman, you did not even attempt to read the required summer reading did you?”

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“The high mutual expectations that were so much a part of the tacit rules of life at Wooster School led most of us to strive to do our best for the good of our community and for our ‘enlightened’ self interest.”

–jack doolittle ’53

“Well sort of, uhm, not really specifically, but…”

“Master Chipman, you disappoint me and your fellow classmates who took the time to read the material. What should we do with you?”

What I remember most about that day was that he said, “What should we do with you?” The clear lesson of the day had nothing to do with the required reading. It was more about the importance of being fully prepared, doing the work, and not letting the team down. After Wooster, through both undergraduate and graduate school, and in my current career as a wildlife biologist, this lesson has stuck with me and served me well. Thirty years ago, Wooster was a special place that helped its students learn a diversity of life lessons—not all of them strictly academic—and from what I can see, Wooster still very much does just that.

“Wooster was a special place that helped its students learn a diversity of life lessons—not all of them strictly academic—and from what I can see, Wooster still very much does just that.”

–richard chipman ’79

Scott Weighart ’81

In my role as Director of Learning and Development for Bates Communications—a consulting firm focusing on leadership communications and executive coaching—I spend much of my time designing tools and workshops that make meaningful, lasting learning happen.

Reflecting on my six years as a Wooster student, I think that many of the things that worked for me then as a learner also work for my clients in the business world today. Here are two of the best ones: 1. The best learning happens through one-on-one or small-group interaction— not lectures.

One class in particular stands out from my six years at Wooster: Term Paper.

Despite the unpromising, generic course name, this class really taught me how to write from A to Z. Joe Grover designed that class so it was just about impossible

“It’s really important for learners to get out of their comfort zones. Many of my clients today believe that they can’t become a good public speaker or that they can’t inspire a team by telling a story.

Of course, they can…”

–scott weighart ’82

NOT to learn every element of how to research, plan, and execute a college-level paper. From then on, I was never daunted by the idea of writing anything—no matter how unfamiliar the topic, you could always use that process to break it down and make it happen.

The class was a small group with plenty of one-on-one coaching. Mr. Grover didn’t do any of it for you, but he asked tough questions and gave balanced feedback.

It worked great then, and the same formula now helps our executive coaching clients become leaders.

2. All sorts of “muscles” can be developed through practice.

One of the other best things at Wooster was that anyone and everyone had to be involved in sports or performing arts after school. There was a real sense of community around being on a team or putting on a play. My kids today are in a great school system with all sorts of extracurricular options… but, the high school is huge, and probably neither of my kids will get to play a team sport for their school.

Whether in school or in business, it’s really important for learners to get out of their comfort zones. Many of my clients today believe that they can’t become a good public speaker or that they can’t inspire a team by telling a story.

Of course, they can… but only if they have an opportunity to work at it on a regular basis. We all have many undeveloped skills; Wooster helped me develop many of mine.

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{ CALENDAR} Saturday, May 4, 2013 Wooster School Kentucky Derby Gala Don your Derby hat and your dandiest attire and join us in The Essex Ballroom of the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury, CT for a night of cocktails, cuisine, and dancing.

Friday, May 10, 2013 Wooster Golf Tournament Join us for a great day of golf and refreshments at Oxford Greens in Oxford, CT! Tee time is at 9am and lunch will be served at 1pm.

Friday, May 10 – Saturday, May 11, 2013 Alumni Weekend Please join us for a weekend of festivities to honor the reunion class years of 1933, 1938, 1943, 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008. Events will include the induction of the inaugural class of the Wooster School Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, May 10 at 6pm, as well as a cocktail reception to honor the inductees on Saturday, May 11 at 4:30pm.

Friday, June 14, 2013 Baccalaureate and Commencement

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91 Miry Brook Road Danbury, Connecticut 06810

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