Hilltopper 2014 winter

HILLTOPPER the

putting

GLOBAL

PERSPECTIVE into PRACTICE

+

winter 2013/14 VOLUME XXII / ISSUE 2

CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

CONTENTS

10 seeking sustainability CAMPUS INITIATIVES CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING

BY CHERYL BARDOE

WINTER 2013/14

contents

4

putting global perspective into practice STUDENT, ALUMNI LIVES INTERWOVEN

BY CHERYL BARDOE

18

Jeff McCreight & Ming Tseng FACULTY PROFILE

BY JODY MCNAMARA P’09,’12

4 departments

24 41 26

3 FROM THE EDITOR 14 ALUMNI NEWS 18 ON THE HILLTOP 24 IN THE MIDDLE 26 VARSITY CLUB 28 PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS 29 CLASS NOTES 37 PASSINGS 41 FROM THE ARCHIVES

the

HILLTOPPER

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

officers & members

President Henry Dormitzer III ’88 Vice President Susan Weagly Jacobs, J.D. Treasurer Sarah (Sullivan) Pulsifer ’91 Secretary Brian A. O’Connell, Esq. ’67

MISSION

Benny Sato Ambush ’69 William Breidenbach ’69 Dr. Craig R. Dufresne ’69 Patricia Z. Eppinger R. Victor Fields ’71 David P. Forsberg ’65 J. Michael Grenon ’88 Thomas Heiser Arthur Kentros ’74 Jamie E. Lavin ’02 Dana R. Levenson ’75 Charles J. O’Connor III ’73 Andrew B. O’Donnell, Esq. ’73 Jacqueline Peterson James J. Pietro ’81 Hervey S. Ross ’46 Robert Scumaci David V. Shamoian ’70 Jonathan S. Stuart ’86 Luke M. Vaillancourt ’01

Worcester Academy exists to instill in its students the desire to learn throughout life, to engage passionately with the world around them, and to be honorable persons of strong and resourceful character.

winter 2013/14 VOLUME XXII / ISSUE 2

Head of School

Ronald M. Cino

Hilltopper Editor

Neil R. Isakson

Associate Editor

Barbara M. Strogoff

Graphic Design

Photography Patrick Adams Greg Cappello Emory Magazine Emily Isakson Neil R. Isakson Tom Kates Pam Lefferts Mike Nyman Rocky Widner

Advancement Staff Marillyn G. Earley, Director of Advancement

Frank R. Callahan ’71, Director of Planned Giving

Greg Cappello, Director of Alumni Relations

Alicia Figueiredo, Coordinator, Campaign Operations and Event Planning

Neil R. Isakson, Director of External Communications

Pamela A. Lefferts, Director of Global Alumni Relations

Anette Macintire, Annual Fund Coordinator

Marcia Mallett, Director of Marketing

Dexter P. Morse, Head Emeritus/Advisor to the Capital Campaign

Nancy K. Osborn, Director of Parent Relations

Erica Driscoll Ribeiro, Director of Annual Giving

Donald E. “Dee” Rowe ’47, Special Assistant to the Head of School

Kim Stone, Director of Donor Development

Barbara M. Strogoff, Gift Coordinator/Editor

Featured Writer

Contributing Writer

ON THE COVER Deqa Abdirahman Aden ’14

2 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

Good Design, LLC

Cheryl Bardoe is a freelance writer on topics relating to education, nonprofit organizations, and science. She is also an award-winning author of books for children. She lives in Connecticut with her family.

Jody McNamara P’09,’12 The Hilltopper is published twice yearly by Worcester Academy.

Reader comment, as well as information of interest, is always welcome.

Please write to Neil Isakson, director of communications, at Worcester Academy, 81 Providence St., Worcester, MA 01604 USA, or e-mail neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org

from the editor Welcome to the new Hilltopper magazine! New design.

New features. New approach with you in mind!

Our goal is to give readers a fresh perspective on the life and learning that take place at Worcester Academy. Here are some of the changes. >> A new size. The format change allows for greater design options (with more breathing space!), allowing stories, images, and graphics to be published more cohesively. >> A new color palette. No, we have not changed our school colors, but we expanded the available choice of colors used by our designers. You will notice the spot color in the magazine header on the cover, for instance. That is used to complement the image, rather than to denote any color’s official status. >> A dynamic, contemporary design. In our partnership with Good Design (yes, that’s really the design firm’s name!), Gaby Good Hoffman and her colleagues have committed to providing an experience that exemplifies fundamentally good design, excellent use of typography, dynamic editorial graphics, and a generally superior visual experience for our readers. >> New features. You will find new profiles of WA students and faculty—our greatest assets—along with alumni portraits. The richness, quality, and diversity of our school community will be front and center.

As for our cover story, we have focused on two engaging Worcester Academy students from Somaliland (located in the Horn of Africa), whose attendance at Worcester Academy is the result of the efforts of Jonathan Starr ’94 and the generosity of Harry Emmons ’60 and his wife, Lori. The secondary feature shows how making a global impact—part of WA’s strategic educational vision—extends to sustainability in the use of the world’s available resources.

We hope you’ll add your own perspective on how we see the world by sending a Letter to the Editor! We’d love to hear from you, whether by snail mail or email, and we’d like to publish some of those letters in upcoming editions. We also welcome your input on the new design!

The staff of the Hilltopper thanks you for allowing us into your homes, and your hearts, twice a year. Enjoy your new Hilltopper magazine.

Neil R. Isakson Hilltopper Editor Worcester Academy

3

“When I came here to Worcester Academy … that is when I started having hopes for my life.”

—DEQA ABDIRAHMAN ADEN ’14

4 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

putting

GLOBAL

global perspective

PERSPECTIVE PRACTICE into

by Cheryl Bardoe

“Great explorers have great companions

who inspire and support their quest. For

our students, these great companions are

adult mentors who share their wisdom and experience—but it is also fellow students who often carry the greatest influence.

For that reason, students such as Deqa and

Mubarik add immeasurably to the diversity and richness of the Worcester Academy

community and to the academic experience.”

—RONALD M. CINO, HEAD OF SCHOOL

T

This fall, Deqa Abdirahman Aden ’14 honed her list of possible colleges and reflected on the dream she once thought impossible. “It’s difficult to have high expectations when you grow up in Somaliland,” she says of her home, an autonomous breakaway region in northern Somalia. “When I came here to Worcester Academy … that is when I started having hopes for my life.”

Deqa enrolled at WA during her junior year, her studies here made possible by a $50,000 annual gift from Lori and Harry Emmons ’60, specifically to bring students to the academy from Africa. More recently, the generosity and intention

of the Emmonses was formalized as an Endowed Scholarship through a $1 million gift to the academy’s ongoing capital campaign. Deqa’s success underscores the investment of WA alumni and highlights how the concept of global impact is interwoven into the academy’s past, present, and future.

SCHOOLED in SOMALIA

Somalia is struggling to recover from two decades of civil war, overlapped with recurring drought. Trauma from the war affected Deqa’s father so much that he could not care for his family, leaving her mother with sole responsibility for three children. Surrounded Worcester Academy

5

global perspective

“Our students gain three reading levels each year so that by graduation they are prepared to seek world-class educational opportunities.”

—JONATHAN STARR ’94

by ongoing conflict and struggling to survive, Deqa’s mother still made sure that her children attended the best public schools in the city of Hargeisa.

From first through eighth grades, Deqa sat in classes of 60 students, with boys on one side of the room and girls on the other. Teachers had little time for class discussion, and particularly did not appreciate questions from girls, whom no one expected to attend school beyond eighth grade. Nonetheless, Deqa soaked up all the knowledge she could. “If education was like food in a bowl,” she says, “then my siblings and I ate the most.”

At the end of eighth grade, Deqa took the exam that all Somaliland students take at that age level. “I thought my hard work would be recognized,” she says, “but a lot of people cheated. If your father is famous, or if you are from a particular clan, then you will get a good score.”

While Deqa despaired, her mother encouraged her to take one more test. This time, Deqa’s efforts were rewarded as she earned the highest score of any girl in the country. She was accepted to the Abaarso School of Science and Technology, “Abaarso Tech,” a boarding school with a unique mission.

6 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

NEW SCHOOL brings NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Founding Abaarso Tech was not on Jonathan Starr’s radar when he graduated from WA in ’94. After college Mr. Starr began his career with a meteoric rise in the financial world. By age 27, he had founded Flagg Street Capital, a private investment firm with more than $100 million in assets. By age 30, he was becoming burned out. “I was up at 3 a.m.,” he says, “wondering what would happen in markets on the other side of the world, or if my predictions on the telecommunications industry would be accurate. I wanted to think about something else.”

In 2008, Mr. Starr traveled to Somalia with an uncle who had grown up there.

He was impressed both by the depth of devastation that had occurred and by people’s enduring efforts to rebuild. The country’s education system symbolizes its struggles: The United Nations estimates that four out of ten children in Somalia attend school. Within a year, Mr. Starr had closed his investment firm in Cambridge, MA, and opened a boarding school in the desert 17 miles west of Hargeisa. “I thought that I may never again in my life see an opportunity to contribute in such a significant way,” he says.

Endowing Scholarship Fulfills

H

LIFELONG dream

Harry Emmons ’60 observed the connection between education and thinking globally firsthand when he was a young soldier.

From 1963 to 1965, Mr. Emmons served at Kagnew Station, a U.S. army base in Eritrea that was 7,000 feet above sea level, and thus perfect for eavesdropping on Cold War radio communications. At Kagnew, Mr. Emmons interacted with U.S. Peace Corps volunteers, Italians who had once been the governing class of this region, and Eritreans from many ethnic groups. During his farewell party, he noticed these groups mixing and mingling.

“It was easy for people to get involved with tribalism,” he

jobs at an Oldsmobile factory. Lori Emmons, Mr. Emmons’s wife, worked many years in the library at Michigan State University.

The Emmonses have always remained close to WA. “The school has an energy level,” says Mrs. Emmons, who has grown fond of the academy through attending her husband’s reunions. “You feel the potential, and kids need that kind of motivation.”

Mr. Emmons says the WA slogan has been a prime motivator in his life. “I like to think that I’ve ‘Achieved the Honorable.’

No matter what I do, I keep that in the back of my mind.” A few years ago, he read in the Hilltopper that another alumnus had

Education helps people set aside differences and communicate: “I always wanted to do something to further that.” explains, “but here, people were all together.” Because most guests had college degrees, Emmons concluded that education helps people set aside differences and communicate. “I always wanted to do something to further that,” he says.

After his service, Mr. Emmons had a 30-year career driving a forklift, being a hot metal inspector, and filling a variety of other

Lori and Harry ’60 Emmons

endowed a scholarship to WA for students from Haiti. Suddenly he knew how to fulfill a lifelong dream: Harry and Lori created the Emmons Scholarship to support one student at a time from anywhere in Africa. “This sends students out into the world with a great education,” Mr. Emmons says. “Who knows where that might lead?”

Harry on a few of his many visits to Worcester Academy

Worcester Academy

7

“Being accepted at Worcester Academy changed my life.”

—MUBARIK MOHAMED MOHAMOUD ’13

About two dozen teachers staff Abaarso Tech, teaching an English-based curriculum to 165 students. Only the best students from throughout Somalia are invited to attend, yet most arrive as ninth graders with what elsewhere in the world would be considered a first-grade reading level. “Our students gain three reading levels each year,” Mr. Starr explains, “so that by graduation they are prepared to seek worldclass educational opportunities.”

Building and operating the school have not been easy. Abaarso Tech has strong support from government and religious leaders, who have inspected and approved it for adhering stringently to local cultural customs. Yet it has also received threats, and the campus is surrounded by a nine-foot security fence and armed guards.

An equivalent obstacle is getting the rest of the world to take a chance on Abaarso Tech students. Most schools abroad don’t expect Somali students to have the academic foundation to succeed at their institutions. Mr. Starr, however, is just as obsessive about this work as he once was in the financial industry. “I’m still awake at 3 a.m.,” he says, “but now I’m thinking about how we will position kids to get into college.”

Mr. Starr credits WA with making the breakthrough for his students.

What does

THE ROAD to WORCESTER ACADEMY

A previous recipient of the Emmonses’ generosity, Mubarik Mohamed Mohamoud ’13 arrived at WA in 2011, first for the summer program and then for the full academic year. Mr. Starr believes that Mubarik was the first student from Somalia to be accepted into any U.S. boarding school in decades.

Mubarik grew up in the impoverished Somali region of Ethiopia. The vast majority of people in this state are ethnic Somalis, including many nomads and about 200,000 refugees who live in United Nations camps. Mubarik’s family lived in a remote area with no schools; at around age 10, he ran away to seek an education. His family brought him home several times, but Mubarik was persistent. He lived on the streets of Hargeisa, attending school and eventually securing a place at Abaarso Tech through the entry exam. When Mubarik won the first opportunity for an Abaarso Tech student to study abroad, his friends hoisted him on their shoulders to celebrate.

“Being accepted at Worcester Academy changed my life,” Mubarik says. “I did not know if I would succeed at a big school in America, and other schools did not want to take kids from Somalia. Worcester Academy accepted me, and I did succeed.”

THINKING GLOBALLY mean to you?

Deqa ABDIRAHMAN ADEN ’14 senior

Barbara AHALT Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School

SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT OTHERS LIVE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THEY DO, BUT PEOPLE LIVE DIFFERENTLY ALL ACROSS THE WORLD. IF YOU THINK ONLY ABOUT YOUR OWN SITUATION, THEN YOU ISOLATE YOURSELF. YOU ALSO MAY NOT APPRECIATE HOW LUCKY YOU ARE. WE ARE ALL CONNECTED IN THIS WORLD. IF EVERYONE THOUGHT ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE’S STRUGGLES, THEN THE WORLD WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE.

SOCIETY HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY AWARE OF HOW EVERYTHING WE DO AFFECTS SOME DISTANT PART OF THE GLOBE, AND ALSO OF CHALLENGES THAT LOOM FOR OUR WORLD AS A WHOLE. BECAUSE OF THIS, INDUSTRY LEADERS TODAY VALUE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO THINK FROM A MULTICULTURAL PERSPECTIVE. OUR GOAL AS EDUCATORS IS TO PREPARE STUDENTS TO NEGOTIATE THIS WORLD. YOUNG PEOPLE MUST USE TECHNOLOGY EFFICIENTLY AND THINK FLEXIBLY AND RESPONSIVELY, SO THAT THEY CAN WORK AND LIVE WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.

8 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

global perspective Today, Mubarik is a freshman at MIT, considering a degree in either electrical engineering or computer science. “When I graduate, my goal is to go back and do what I can to create a better environment in my home.” Mubarik understands, however, that he is already improving opportunities for young Somalis. “It is important that we can be accepted at schools in the U.S.,” he says. “This tells the world that our students can do well too.”

Since Mubarik’s achievement at WA, 19 other Abaarso Tech students have been accepted to study at other boarding schools and prestigious colleges such as Oberlin, Trinity College, and Georgetown University. Mr. Starr estimates that his students have secured more than $3 million in scholarships to further their educations abroad.

THINKING GLOBALLY BEGINS at HOME

Assistant Head of School/Director of Upper School Barbara Ahalt says that WA was confident in accepting Mubarik, and later Deqa, because Mr. Starr was an alumnus who knew firsthand about the academy’s academic rigor. “We trusted Jonathan to send us students with the tools to be successful,” she says. “He is passionate about what he’s doing, and we understand what he is trying to do.

“It’s important to expose students to what the world looks and feels like,” Ms. Ahalt continues. “We’re fortunate to be a boarding school where we can support hosting students from around the world.”

WA currently has students from 29 different countries. Ms. Ahalt describes classes in which students from Africa, New Zealand, Western Europe, Kazakhstan, and Mainland China exchange ideas alongside students from the United States. “It’s a remarkable achievement to break down cultural barriers and think about the world from a global perspective. This connects kids in a real, personal way.”

Even with the Abaarso Tech training, adjusting to WA can be a challenge. Enrolled in classes such as AP Chemistry and AP Calculus, Deqa recalls struggling for her first trimester, but then earning all A’s in her second trimester. The warmth of the community, she says, makes WA a welcoming environment to try new things, like choir and public speaking. In fact, she recently won the Dexter Prize Speaking Contest for a speech about humanity and what things drive people apart from each other. “I was speaking to the audience here,” Deqa says, “and I was thinking about my fellow Somalis at home.”

Scheduled to graduate from WA in 2014, Deqa no longer has low expectations for her life. “Here, they don’t care about your clan or your background. They care about what you can do. I feel like I can do anything.”

Special thanks to Patrick Adams of Emory Magazine for the photos taken in Somaliland.

“Here, they don’t care about your clan or your background.

They care about what you can do. I feel like I can do anything.”

—DEQA ABDIRAHMAN ADEN ’14

Special thanks to Patrick Adams of Emory Magazine for the photos taken in Somaliland.

Jonathan STARR ’94 founder of Abaarso Tech school

Mubarik MOHAMED MOHAMOUD ’13 current student at MIT

YOU CAN READ ABOUT ANOTHER PLACE OR CULTURE, BUT THAT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO MEETING AN ACTUAL PERSON FROM THAT PLACE. BY SPENDING TIME WITH SOMEONE, YOU DISCOVER HOW PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS REACT. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS LEARNING EXPERIENCE. MY STUDENTS IN SOMALILAND HAVE GREATLY CHANGED THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF AMERICANS BY INTERACTING WITH THE TEACHERS AT OUR SCHOOL. WHEN ABAARSO TECH STUDENTS COME TO THE UNITED STATES, THEY CHANGE PERCEPTIONS HERE ABOUT SOMALILAND. THEY ARE REAL PEOPLE, PUTTING THEIR BEST INTO THE WORLD, GIVING A REAL FACE TO A CULTURE.

JUST BECAUSE A PERSON IS BORN IN ONE PLACE DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE ONLY MEANT TO THINK ABOUT AND STAY IN THAT PLACE. WHEN I CAME TO WORCESTER ACADEMY, THE STUDENTS SHOWED A LOT OF INTEREST IN MY CULTURE. THEY WANTED TO UNDERSTAND WHERE I AM FROM, AND I FOUND THE COMMUNITY TO BE VERY WELCOMING. IF PEOPLE THINK GLOBALLY, THEN WE WOULD REALIZE THE WAYS IN WHICH WE ARE THE SAME AS WELL AS DIFFERENT.

Worcester Academy

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seeking

SUSTAINABILITY CAMPUS INITIATIVES

opportunities for

create

LEADERSHIP

and Learning

by Cheryl Bardoe

10 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

Michael Carroll,

director of sustainability, on the roof of Heydon Hall

seeking sustainability

IN THE DAYS WHEN WALKER HALL WAS BUILT, architects focused on classic proportions and graceful arches to lighten the visual effect of weight-bearing brick walls. They relied on generous windows to bring natural light into interiors. Substantive scale and Victorian elegance created a milieu on Union Hill that signaled Worcester Academy as a place of significance and inspiration.

More than a century later, WA is proud that its campus environs still radiate that venerable atmosphere— and offer exciting possibilities to explore contemporary concerns about sustainability.

The growth of industrialized society has revealed limitations in our earth’s resources, making what was once a new buzzword into an internationally recognized model for thinking about how to serve the needs of current generations without compromising the capacity of future generations to meet their needs.

Sustainability is a concept that many young adults have now grown up with and represents some of society’s most pressing challenges. Against this backdrop, WA’s pursuit of sustainability provides dynamic opportunities for students to relate what goes on in the classroom to the world beyond.

“This is place-based learning at its best,” says Michael Carroll, WA’s director of sustainability. “Worcester Academy and the city around us have a history of striving to honor the past and also fostering a spirit of innovation. That allows us to do work that is meaningful and engage the students in that conversation.”

Sustainability goals integrated into WA’s strategic plan include: >> Maximizing the school’s long-range financial stability by controlling energy costs >> Reducing WA’s carbon footprint by 30 percent within five years >> Adopting a school-wide approach to environmental responsibility and civic engagement.

Plans are off to a sound start with the renovations to historic buildings, an installation of solar panels, changes to dining hall operations, and a variety of student activities.

HISTORIC BUILDINGS WITH

modern values The first six buildings erected by the WA on Union Hill around the turn of the 20th century (all recognized on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places) hold great potential from a sustainability perspective.

For starters, improving energy efficiency is reducing WA’s operational fuel costs, as well as its carbon footprint from the use of fossil fuels. The 2008 renovation of Kingsley Laboratories lowered energy consumption by upgrading windows, repairing masonry, and replacing the roof. Energy savings are also a primary goal of the makeover currently occurring in Walker Hall.

“WA’s pursuit of sustainability provides dynamic opportunities for students to relate what goes on in the classroom to the world beyond.”

replaced outdoor lights with 45w LEDs = 25,000 lbs of CO2 reduced per year Worcester Academy

11

seeking sustainability To go along with its improved efficiency, Walker Hall already has many factors that promote sustainability, according to Peter Kleiner of Schwartz/Silver Architects.

Being a well-maintained existing building, with access to bus routes, and sited on a green oasis amidst an urban setting are all favorable qualities.

“These speak a lot to an understanding of how to build correctly and the original planning of how the building fits into a community,” Mr. Kleiner says. “Community connectivity is important for sustainability.”

In addition, the Walker Hall transformation—which is occurring over the span of two summers so that taking parts of the building down to its structural bones won’t disrupt classes—is using construction materials with high recycled content or that are made from rapidly renewable resources. The linoleum flooring, for example, is made from sawdust and jute fibers, both of which come from the waste stream of other products. Paints, glues, and finishes are being chosen for low emissions of volatile organic compounds. Plus, materials are being sourced within a

500-mile radius to minimize transportation costs.

The building’s existing values, plus the choices made in construction, contribute points toward a rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council, which over the past 20 years has become the national standard bearer for environmentally responsible buildings. The finished Walker Hall is expected to qualify for the prestigious Silver rating for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a status also known as LEED certification.

The Walker renovation is one of a number of projects being made possible by the academy’s continuing $50 million fundraising effort, “OnWArd: The Campaign for Worcester Academy.” Additional projects include building a terrace connecting Walker, the Megaron, and Adams Hall. An “Arts Generator” building—which envisions the conversion of a former generator structure into a state-of-the-art performing arts space—is being planned for South Campus, next to Morse Field.

Other monies raised will go toward growing the endowment.

converted bottled water to tap water hydration stations = 11 metric tons of CO2 reduced per year “These are all opportunities for teachers and students to examine the ways that our consumption habits affect the larger world.”

Walker Hall 12 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

SOLAR PANELS

and synergy WA’s commitment to clean energy is immediately visible in aerial views of the campus. In 2010, an array of 439 solar panels, each with 210-watt capacity, were installed on the rooftops of Daniels Gym and Heydon and Stoddard dorms. The panels were installed and are operated and maintained by the private company Nexamp, in connection with an initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Energy.

“One challenge of the sustainability movement is to try to resolve an enormous global burden by asking individuals to contribute to improvements on a local level,” Mr. Carroll says. “That strategy can be powerful, but it can also be limiting because it requires many people to take action on a small scale. By working in collaboration with government and industry, the school becomes part of a larger endeavor to maximize renewable energy statewide.”

Since installation, WA solar panels have generated 234,070 kilowatt hours of clean energy, which is enough to power an average American home for 20 years. If the equivalent had been produced from fossil fuels, then 313,892 pounds of carbon dioxide would have been emitted into the atmosphere. The project cost WA nothing, and allowed the academy to lock in a below-market rate for its own electricity needs for the next 20 years.

RETHINKING

daily habits WA students explore these and other real-world examples of sustainable solutions through the Environmental Club, an annual Green Cup Challenge to reduce energy consumption, science classes—and in the dining hall.

“Food systems are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases caused by humans,” Mr. Carroll says. “There are impacts before and after the food reaches the table.”

In recent years, WA has eliminated trays from the cafeteria line, which cuts down significantly on food waste and water consumption. Sage Dining Services puts a priority on organically grown produce and local food suppliers. It also purchases biodegradable, bleach-free napkins, and coffee that is certified “free trade,” meaning that humane working conditions are documented by growers.

“These are all opportunities for teachers and students to examine the ways that our consumption habits affect the larger world,” Mr. Carroll says.

Whether considering the impact of a small cup of coffee or a multimillion-dollar building renovation, WA students carry valuable experiences from these conversations with them as they grow into stewards of our world.

installed rooftop solar panels = 89,683 lbs of CO2 reduced per year

THE INS AND OUTS OF

energy efficiency The best strategy for reducing energy use in a building is to “seal the envelope,” which is how architects describe the process of tightly controlling the exchange of air between the inside and outside of a building. Yet it is generally unwise to insulate thick brick walls like those of Walker Hall. In the winter, moisture from people breathing in the heated, insulated interior would freeze as it traveled through the cold exterior, causing the brick to crack and crumble. If the brick is not insulated, it will usually stay warm enough to prevent moisture from freezing before it has actually left the wall.

So how are architects increasing energy efficiency in Walker Hall?

Just like in houses, new windows and an insulated roof will make a difference. Plus, the building is getting a new mechanical system.

Architect Peter Kleiner of Schwartz/Silver Architects describes Walker Hall’s older heating system as one-size-fits-all. In that scenario, however, the school had to pay for extra heat in some parts of the building to ensure that enough heat reached other areas. The new mechanical system can be controlled from room to room. It will also allow for cooling in the summer. The improvements will make the building more consistently comfortable—and thus a better learning environment—while also reducing fuel costs.

Worcester Academy

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Alumni News the Tien student impact award The Tien Student Impact Award has been endowed by Michael Tien, a member of the Class of 1968, to honor the life-changing positive influence that an outstanding teacher, coach, dorm parent, or adult mentor can have on a Worcester Academy student. Mr. Tien, founder of the Hong Kong-based retail chain G2000, is now deputy chairman of Hong Kong’s New People’s Party and a member of Tsuen Wan District Council.

This award was created in appreciation for Mr. Tien’s personal experience at Worcester Academy. “I’ve come to understand [from my experience

at Worcester Academy] that the best teachers are not necessarily the ones who impart the most knowledge, but are those who effectively allow the student to bring out the best in themselves,” Mr. Tien told alumni during a visit to campus in 2008.

The head of school will choose the honoree(s) annually from among current employees, based upon nominations received from students, parents, or young alumni (Class of 1999 or younger). Nominators will submit a short letter outlining the personal impact and lasting positive influence

that the teacher, coach, or adult mentor has had on their lives (or that of their child). All letters must be sent to cindy.sabik@worcesteracademy.org

by May 1.

The recipient(s) of The Tien Student Impact Award will receive a monetary award in recognition of the impact made on the lives of Worcester Academy students.

Worcester Academy thanks Mr. Tien for his generosity and looks forward to granting these inaugural awards in June.

Michael Tien ’68

meeting with alumnus leads to surprise When Jonathan Salter ’04 met Worcester Academy’s Director of Donor Development Kim Stone for coffee in New York City last summer, he had no idea he was uncovering a piece of family history. Jonathan, a financial analyst, is the grandson of Paul Salter ’37, a former WA trustee.

Jonathan mentioned that he had never seen a 1937 academy yearbook, so Ms. Stone agreed to search the archives and forward photocopies.

When Jonathan arrived on campus in October as a member of Worcester Academy’s Board of 14 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

Visitors, Ms. Stone was able to hand him a beautifully hand-wrapped box, which he quickly opened.

Inside was a copy of the 1937 yearbook. But there was an even better surprise to come. Upon opening the book, he was astonished to discover the name Paul Salter signed neatly on the inside cover.

Astonishingly, this was the same yearbook his grandfather had received upon graduating from Worcester Academy some 76 years earlier. Thus, a piece of Salter family history was rediscovered.

—Hilltopper Staff

alumni news

events close to home 1 Towers Club and

1834 Dinner

Dick Sargeant ’40 drove from Exeter, NH, to attend the Annual Towers Club and 1834 Society Dinner on the same weekend as fall festival in October.

The dinner, which followed the WA-Northfield Mount Hermon football game, was held in Walker Gallery. The Towers Club includes alumni who have previously celebrated 50th reunions. The 1834 Society members include those donors who have made provisions for the academy in their estate plans.

2 Class of 1953

1 2

Reunion Dinner

Dick Canton, Lou Bragaw, and Jim Connors enjoyed looking at a 1953 Towers yearbook during a Class of 1953 60th Reunion dinner in October at Nuovo Italian Restaurant. Members of the class organized the event after realizing many classmates would not be able to make the Towers event the next evening.

3 Boston Reception

More than 30 alumni attended a Worcester Academy Boston Alumni Club reception hosted by Jon ’86 and Kelly ’86 Stuart at Jon’s Windhaven Investment Management offices in Boston. Those in attendance—including Pat Brosnihan ’05, Liz Amorello ’05, Cara Early ’07, Lisbet Crowley ’07, and Maggie Amorello ’07— braved traffic from Game Six of the 2013 World Series, as well as snarls caused by President Obama’s motorcade. Jon, who is managing director of Windhaven, a firm serving institutions and high net worth individuals, is a member of WA’s Board of Trustees.

3 Worcester Academy

15

Worcester Academy worldwide THAILAND

Discussing WA soccer scores were Sho Inaba, Leo Van Someren, and Kotaro Sasano.

On a trip in October, Head of School Ron Cino

and his wife, Nathalie, and Global Alumni Relations Director Pam Lefferts were able to visit with more than 100 alumni, parents, and families. Overseas trips usually include special gatherings for alumni and parents, visits to admission consultants, private meetings with benefactors, and interviews with prospective families.

This was the team’s first visit to Vietnam, and they enjoyed a very warm welcome from parents and consultants. In South Korea, the alumni surprised Pam with champagne and a cake to mark her upcoming retirement. John Ettore, WA director of international recruitment, joined the group in Tokyo, where he interviewed families and enjoyed meeting alumni.

Parents and alumni gather in Bangkok, Thailand.

KOREA

Vietnamese parents welcomed Ron Cino and his wife, Nathalie Perez-Cino, for a first-time visit.

Korean alumni surprised Pam Lefferts with a cake in honor of her upcoming retirement.

16 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

VIETNAM

Korean alumni enjoyed an evening in Seoul.

alumni news

KOREA

we’d love to see you!

Want to reconnect with classmates, faculty, and other friends?

Visit us during one of our upcoming alumni events! The schedule below includes many fun opportunities to share memories and rejuvenate fond friendships.

For additional details, updates, or to register, go to worcesteracademy.org/register.

February 24 Ron Cino and his wife, Nathalie Perez-Cino, enjoyed meeting our Korean parents.

JAPAN

John Van Someren ’96 has his hands full with future Worcester Academy students!

MIAMI BEACH

VARSITY CLUB DINNER

Hosted by Ken Sadowsky ’80 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The Megaron

May 2-3

February 25

REUNION WEEKEND

Ritz Carlton Beach Club Hosted by Bob ’76 and Shana Arello 5:30-7:30 p.m.

May 24

SARASOTA

March 13

LOS ANGELES RECEPTION

JAPAN

April 24

The Jonathan Beach Club Hosted by Bob ’61 & Diane Reagan 6-8 p.m.

ALUMNI BOYS SOCCER GAME

May 31

ALUMNAE GIRLS SOCCER GAME

June 9

THE 16TH ANNUAL ROWE SCHOLARSHIP CLASSIC

© Oleg Golovnev/Shutterstock.com

To host an event or to suggest an event location, or for more information, call Director of Alumni Relations Greg Cappello at 508-459-6933, or email greg.cappello@worcesteracademy.org.

The alumni gathering in Tokyo.

Worcester Academy

17

e h t on

HILLTOP Jeff McCreight & Ming Tseng FACULTY PROFILE

by Jody McNamara P’09,’12

“We’re a couple with far-flung interests and talents, and Worcester Academy is a place where we can use them all. That’s unique and hard to find.”

The very best part of Worcester Academy’s global community is that it’s full of delightful surprises. Take the photo on your left, for example. Pictured here are Jeff McCreight and Ming Tseng, happily married Worcester Academy faculty members and dorm parents. Now, here’s the surprise: If I were to ask you which of these two delightful young people teaches Mandarin Chinese and which teaches English Literature, chances are many of you would be wrong on your first and obvious guess. But cheer up! That’s the last time you’d be mistaken about this couple. In fact, in terms of academics, Ming and Jeff are both fully capable of teaching either of those intricate and nuanced subjects. And, as it turns out, that’s not where their talents or similarities end. Ming and Jeff’s overlapping accomplishments, interests, and talents make these two peas in a pod vital and integral pieces of the WA mosaic.

“We do everything together,” Ming laughs, and history, it seems, bears that out. The couple met as undergrads at Vassar College where Ming earned a B.A. 18 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

in English and Chinese (Honors in English) and Jeff a B.A. in Chinese and Japanese (Honors in Japanese). Both were Phi Beta Kappa Society members. After a year in Shanghai working for a multinational corporation and teaching English parttime, Jeff made his way in 2010 to Worcester Academy. Ming followed in 2011, spending the year prior in New York City with AmeriCorps, and originally joining the WA faculty as our John Hope Fellow.

The John Hope Fellowship was established in 2007 to give new teachers experience in an independent school, while helping Worcester Academy continue its legacy of diversity. The fellowship is named for revered black educator John Hope, a member of the Academy’s Class of 1890 and the first black president of Morehouse College.

Ming’s background in diversity work and role as WA’s John Hope Fellow have been invaluable to her in her recently added capacity as International Student Advisor.

“We were so happy to have found WA,” Jeff tells us. “We’re a couple with

on the hilltop “Without WA’s support, we’d never be able to take advantage of this great program and bring its benefits back to the kids.”

far-flung interests and talents, and Worcester Academy is a place where we can use them all. That’s unique and hard to find.”

Today, in addition to their dorm parent duties, Ming and Jeff have very full WA schedules. Jeff teaches basic and advanced Mandarin courses in both the Middle and Upper Schools, and manages to find time to brighten campus with his considerable artistic talents. He offers a cartooning club for Middle Schoolers (Jeff’s “Oskee,” the school mascot, is the best we’ve seen!) and, believe it or not, a juggling club. Ming teaches upper-level

English Composition and Literature, several English electives for upperclassmen and post grads, and serves as our International Student Advisor, a vital role that buoys our students from around the world as they integrate into our global community.

The togetherness doesn’t stop there.

Both Jeff and Ming are enrolled at Middlebury College, where Jeff is getting his master’s in Chinese and Ming is getting her master’s in English. “We’re so grateful to Worcester Academy’s focus on faculty professional development. Without WA’s support, we’d never

be able to take advantage of this great program and bring its benefits back to the kids,” says Ming. Jeff seconds his wife’s enthusiasm. “We’re in this master’s program with educators from all over the world who teach at both the secondary and collegiate level. Very few of them get the financial support that we get from Worcester Academy.”

As if all of this weren’t enough, there’s more togetherness in store for this dynamic couple. The two will be chaperoning our 2014 Spring Break Trip to Shanghai.

Don’t you wish you could go?!

Jeff’s “Oskee” rendering, used during an athletic contest against Cushing.

wherefore art thou Romeo?

Romeo and Juliet (Michael Papetti and Sarah Potter, both Class of 2015).

SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO AND JULIET thrilled audiences who had the chance to see the Upper School fall play in November. Juniors Michael Papetti and Sarah Potter, who played the title characters, gave memorable performances of the star-crossed lovers, thwarted in their pursuit of one another by feuding families. The show, which featured a set more recognizable to today’s youth, was held in the old gym and included ladders that reached all the way to the second level (yes, the running track!) above. Director for the play was Worcester Academy Performing Arts faculty member William Addis.

Worcester Academy

19

new board of trustees members

WILLIAM BREIDENBACH ’69

JAMIE E. LAVIN ’02

ROBERT SCUMACI

William “Bill” Breidenbach is president of Health Plans Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Health Plans is referred to as a third-party administrator (TPA), which specializes in the payment of medical claims on behalf of larger business that self-fund their health benefits. Health Plans was founded in 1981 and has grown into the largest organization of its kind in New England.

Health Plans. was sold to Harvard Pilgrim in 2005 to lead the company’s presence in the self-funded marketplace.

While at Worcester Academy, Mr. Breidenbach participated in JV football, varsity wrestling, and varsity sailing. Following graduation in 1969, he has remained active at Worcester Academy, including being a member of its Alumni Committee. Two of his four sons also graduated from Worcester Academy—Daniel, Class of 1998, and Kurt, Class of 2000.

Mr. Breidenbach’s other interests include flying. He is a multi-engine instrument rated pilot with 2,000plus hours of flight time throughout the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas, and Cayman Islands. He also has had formal training in the arts, including drawing, oil painting, watercolors, and ceramics. He continues to paint regularly and occasionally displays his work in regional exhibits.

Jamie E. Lavin is a vice president at JPMorgan Private Bank in New York City, where she provides sales and trading coverage across asset classes to sophisticated individual investors, family offices, and small hedge funds. While working with clients broadly across the country, Ms. Lavin primarily works with clients in the Northeast and Southern U.S., as well as selectively in the Middle East and Europe.

Ms. Lavin graduated from Boston College, where she received a bachelor of science in finance and history.

Following graduation, she moved to New York City, where she joined JPMorgan in 2006 as part of the Asset Management Analyst training program. From 2007 until 2009, Ms. Lavin worked as a business analyst for the Head of Global Investments for JPMorgan Private Bank.

Ms. Lavin resides in New York City and is an active member of the community. Among her top priorities, she is a member of the New York Junior League, where she serves as committee chairperson for Spotlight on Performance, a weekly afterschool program focusing on theater arts and working with underprivileged children. Jamie’s sister, Jordann, Worcester Academy Class of 2006, also lives in New York City, and the two frequently enjoy spending time together.

Ms. Lavin has been a longtime supporter of Worcester Academy and joined the Board of Visitors in 2012.

Robert “Bob” Scumaci is managing director of Scumaci Properties, LLC, which rehabilitates homes with the goal of renting or selling them to veterans or current military families. He is an alumnus of Fordham University, where he received a B.S. in accounting in 1981.

Until 2010, Mr. Scumaci was executive vice president and CFO of Sepracor Pharmaceuticals, now called Sunovian Pharmaceuticals. He also served as special assistant to the chairman of Sepracor to oversee the integration with Sepracor’s acquirer, Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. He is a member of the Board of Trustees at Fay School, as well as the Board of Trustees for the Central New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Mr. Scumaci and his wife, Jennifer, live in Hopkinton, MA, and have three children, Jake (Worcester Academy Class of 2015), Louis, and Angela.

20 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

on the hilltop

board of visitors

PRAISES WA FOR ‘AUTHENTIC’ LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Alumni, community ambassadors, and other friends of Worcester Academy took a deep dive into project-based learning on Oct. 4. Those assembled—all members of the Academy’s Board of Visitors—accepted a challenge to use craft materials and other objects to demonstrate the most powerful school lessons that they themselves remember learning—and then to design lesson plans around them.

The goal was to get members’ creative juices flowing as they learned about Worcester Academy’s Innovative Teaching and Learning, that portion of WA’s Strategic vision that has increasingly emphasized project-based learning (PBL) as a best practice.

Leading-edge school curriculum designers at WA and elsewhere in the country have embraced project-based learning as a key to developing the skills needed for success in the 21st century—skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, cultural literacy, and connectivity.

A panel of renowned education and business executives also addressed the gathering. In “An External Perspective: The Skills Needed for Success in the 21st Century,” the panelists talked about the need to prepare students for new ways of studying, working, and interacting with the world around them.

Among the panelists were the College Board’s Joan Carlson, UMass’ Karen Lawton, Boston Biomedical’s Lauren Baker, and EMC’s Tom Heiser.

Also speaking to the Board of Visitors were Head of School Ron Cino and Board of Trustees President Henry Dormitzer ’88.

The result? Many Board of Visitors members expressed enthusiasm for Worcester Academy’s strategic, innovative approach to education, praising PBL for its outcomes, its intuitiveness, and its ability to engage and motivate students: “It hits very close to the skills I look for in hiring.”

“This is definitely applicable in the workplace. It’s incredibly relevant to the real world and is great start to any child’s education.”

“I appreciate the opportunity to experience authentic learning and to witness it, not just hear about it.”

The Board of Visitors Annual Meeting was rounded out by visits to classrooms in the academy’s Middle School and High School. Additionally, the Board of Trustees, which was holding its fall meeting across campus in Walker Gallery, joined the BoV for lunch.

—Hilltopper Staff Worcester Academy

21

lead the way…

STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Worcester Academy has many great opportunities that allow students to challenge themselves and grow as leaders—those students who embrace and exemplify the mission and values of

WA STUDENT LEADERS HARD AT WORK WA students gathered in the fall for workshops, networking, and skill building at a special Leadership Retreat for all WA student leaders. Among the participants were club officers, members of student government, athletic captains, and peer educators, to name a few of the groups represented. Pictured are, from left, Deqa Aden ’14, Roman Serov ’15, Jessi Park ’15, Alex DelloStritto ’14, GiGi Geng ’14, Ashay Athalaye ’16, and Charles Chiang ’15.

the academy. Some of the more prominent leadership opportunities include the Board of Monitors (our esteemed BOM!), class officers, dorm proctors, head ambassadors, varsity club officers and team captains, Pillars Peer Educators, and the Residential Student Association, among others.

Three of these groups—the BOM, class officers, and dorm proctors‚ work together on committees that address major concerns of student life: community service, day-boarding connectedness, student activities, and special events.

excitement of the school day resides.

These leaders are evident in our clubs (of which there are more than 50); in the project-based learning initiatives in the classroom; in chorus and the orchestra with the various section leaders; in the theater program with the set, costume, sound and house managers; and in the ad hoc student committees working on policy changes.

It’s in all these places where the components of leadership are being shaped and experienced by any student who wishes to participate.

Other Leadership Opportunities

Peter Dykeman-Bermingham ’14, Head Monitor

Besides the more prominent student leadership opportunities, there is another level of student leader here at Worcester Academy. These are the quiet, understated, behind-the-scenes leaders who flourish at the grassroots level where the everyday energy and

LIFERS MARCH WITH 6TH GRADERS IN ANNUAL TRADITION BOARD OF MONITORS WELCOMES MIDDLE SCHOOL LEADERS! The Board of Monitors last fall held its first-ever Tapping Ceremony for Middle School students elected to the BOM. It is the second year that our youngest leaders have contributed as an integral part of WA’s student government. Pictured, following the tapping, are: first row, from left, Andrew Crowthers (Middle School Monitor) ’18, Susan Ewings (Middle School Monitor) ’18, Tanay Srivastava (Middle School Monitor) ’19, and Emily Goodrich (Middle School Monitor) ’19; second row, Catrina Cattaneo (Second Monitor) ’14, Philip Peterson (Master Prefect) ’15, Zachary Fask (Oversight Monitor) ’15, Peter Dykeman-Bermingham (Head Monitor) ’14, and Shengkun “Marco” Duan (International Monitor) ’14; and third row, Sheldon Matalon ’14 (Sergeant at Arms), Carly Heman (Treasurer) ’12, and Brian Kee (Secretary) ’12.

22 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

WA Senior Lifers led new Worcester Academy sixth graders—members of the Class of 2020—into a cheering assembly at the Opening Convocation of the school year. Lifers are those students who have attended WA from the lowest grade offered (Sixth Grade) all the way through to their senior years. The Sixth Graders who march in with Lifers are potentially Lifers themselves and are recognized as such.

on the hilltop

oskee weekend FULL OF SPIRIT, PRIDE, AND FRIENDLY COMPETITION

WA fans and parents Irene Polito P’15,’16,’20, Kim Doherty P’12,’15, and Dina Nichols P’13,’15.

Class of 2020 parents, from left, Erin Lundgren P’19,’20, Pamela Nydam P’17,’20, Kevin and Kellie O’Connell P’20, and Dr. Beata Stancel-Grabias P’11,’20.

The 2nd Annual Oskee Weekend had something for everyone this year, as families, alumni, and neighborhood friends gathered Sept. 28 for tailgating, fall athletics, and other activities.

In what has become a spirit-filled and highly anticipated fall festival, Oskee Weekend 2013 (named for school mascot Oskee the Hilltopper) featured football under the lights, as well as soccer and field hockey, and heart-pounding cross-country matchups. A display of student art filled Walker Gallery to round out the weekend activities, the culmination of student-led WA Spirit Week.

On the gridiron, the Hilltoppers beat Northfield Mount Hermon in a thrilling 40–6 game at Morse Field, as alumni and families watched from the sidelines or from nearby tailgates. Each WA class had a tailgate station, as did many clubs and special interest groups.

The alumni tent in particular was popular, as Luke Vaillancourt ’01 and his wife, Anna, passed out kettle corn in WA-branded bullhorns to cheer on the festivities.

All the while, Oskee, that mascot with a penchant for all things Worcester Academy, kept a cold crowd warm with his energetic antics and Hilltopper Pride.

If you weren’t here this year, you’ll want to be next year. Keep an eye out for details on next fall’s Oskee Weekend, and plan to join your classmates, friends, and WA students and families for what is fast becoming the “can’t-miss” event of the year. See the results for all our Sept. 28 Oskee Weekend competitions on the academy website at worcesteracademy.org/athletics.

faculty development speakers

Suzie Boss

ENCOURAGING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING Worcester Academy faculty and staff heard from three nationally recognized educators and curriculum innovators in September who shared insights on deeper learning experiences and projectbased learning (PBL).

Among the speakers were Expeditionary Learning CEO Ron Berger, High Tech High founder Rob Riordan, and noted author and curriculum designer Suzie Boss.

Funding for the trio came from WA’s newly established professional development speakers series, created with proceeds from the academy parent-run auction “Above & Beyond,” held last April. Worcester Academy’s goal is to

bring cutting-edge educational leaders to campus to share innovations and best practices in teaching and learning with the entire faculty.

Designing Curricula and High-Quality Projects Boss, a writer for Edutopia and for the Stanford Social Innovation Review, recently co-authored the book Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age. In her remarks to WA faculty, she espoused PBL as a key to the quality educational experiences desired by parents and students alike.

Twenty-first-century teachers, Boss said, need to design curricula and projects that engage students more passionately, a sentiment echoed by Berger and Riordan.

Those projects need to be high in quality, authentic, and relevant to the real world if students are to engage, learn more deeply, and take pride in their work.

“Every one of you is at a different point along this journey,” Boss told WA faculty.

“Some are you are just beginning. Some of you are experimenting more deeply.

Some of you are giving projects a central place in your curriculum. And then there are those of you who can teach and guide others.

“Know who guides are among you,” she said, as ten faculty members stood and were recognized for their trailblazing in PBL practices at the academy.

“They are valuable resources as we plan new ways of implementing PBL at Worcester Academy.”

Worcester Academy

23

the

middle:

middle schooler Rahul Krishnan ’19

achieving success at the academy

by Jack Chase ’15

also finds the challenge entertaining and inspiring. He says algebra is his favorite of the schools of mathematics.

He relishes working creatively with the systems of algebra. For Rahul, math is like a language (I agree!). He says, almost instinctually, that he finds Mandarin a strong second. However, he is interested in many other school activities as well.

Rahul enjoys chess, tennis, and Middle School dances and clubs. He participates in Worcester Academy’s cross-country program. He has also participated in wrestling, competing in one of the lightest weight classes—60 to 70 pounds.

Rahul Krishnan ’19 and author Jack Chase ’15

“At Worcester Academy, being a ‘try-hard’ is respected, even welcomed.”

Rahul Krishnan, a Hopkinton, MA, resident, is a prime example of an “honorable” Worcester Academy student. As a member of the Worcester Academy Middle School and Class of 2019, Rahul studies hard, has varied interests, and participates in WA’s many clubs, sports, and activities.

He is also achieving success in an 11th grade math class, Honors Algebra 2, taught by Math Department Chair Lynne DiRoberto in WA’s Upper School.

That means Rahul shares a classroom with students four years older than he.

While this may be Rahul’s most obvious achievement, he has been working for this for as long as he has been in school.

24 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

In first grade, Rahul’s father, Krishnan Ramakrishnan, noticed his son’s interest in math, and took advantage of that interest to explore some exciting opportunities. Rahul participated in the Russian School of Math (RSM), which led him to move up two grades in math the following year. The RSM also began Rahul’s experience in mathematics competitions, where he has excelled. As a member of the Middle School Math Team and the Upper School Math Team, he received a perfect score at the middler team’s first meet.

Humbly, Rahul admits he finds trigonometry challenging, but that he

At the age of 13, Rahul does not exactly know his plans for his future. Yet, like many aspiring mathematicians and scientists, Rahul is interested in MIT. “At Worcester Academy, being a ‘tryhard’ is respected, even welcomed,” Rahul says, noting that he’s been rewarded here for his efforts.

Well done, Rahul!

Jack Chase, also a Hopkinton, MA, resident, is a member of Worcester Academy’s Class of 2015. He is head editor of the Academy’s Lance literary magazine and has been a contributor to the Vigornia student newspaper.

news from Worcester Academy middle school

?

guess who

Hey, it’s “Mr. Potato Head,” the iconic children’s toy and character who was seen all over campus at Halloween.

Any guesses who it is!?! Here’s a hint: The wearer is an esteemed Middle School faculty member who handcrafted the costume to delight students and faculty alike.

Turn to page 34 to find out who’s inside!

the middle

a day of friendship:

WA/Applewild event

WA Middle School students had a great time in October at the school’s annual Worcester Academy/Applewild Day. The afternoon of fun featured friendly athletic contests, a Middle School tailgate, and the antics of everybody’s buddy, Oskee, WA’s “wicked popular” mascot! There was also the chance for Applewild students to get to know Worcester Academy, the high school destination of many Applewild students following graduation from their K–8 school.

Worcester Academy’s Zach Stolberg ’19, left, and Jared Duffy ’18.

Oskee, the Worcester Academy mascot, a welcome sight for Hilltopper fans!

middle schoolers

set sail

on lake quinsigamond

Associate Athletic Director Julie Berberian, left, and Head Athletic Trainer James Mili representing in their academy gear.

Worcester Academy’s Liam Kirk ’19 seemed a natural on deck as WA Middle School students set sail on beautiful Lake Quinsigamond. The Middlers inaugurated the Middle School Sailing Club on the lake, which covers about 800 acres on the north end of Worcester. The lake is home to Quinsigamond State Park and Regatta Point Community Sailing, which teaches boating fundamentals to WA Middle Schoolers in the sailing program.

Worcester Academy

25

© 2013 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

by Jody P. McNamara P’09,’12

“Throughout my athletic and professional career, I have valued my time spent at Worcester Academy and playing for Coach Tom Blackburn. I was able to develop personal and professional relationships that have lasted a lifetime.”

—Sacramento Kings Head Coach Mike Malone ’89

Congratulations and the very best wishes to Mike Malone ’89 as he makes his way through his first season as an NBA head coach! Mike took the reins of the Sacramento Kings in early June, but now, as he progresses through the season, Mike is amassing plenty of praise and confident good wishes from his WA family.

He sends good wishes back to his Worcester Academy family as well.

“Throughout my athletic and professional career, I have valued my time spent at Worcester Academy and playing for WA Coach Tom Blackburn,” Mike said recently. “I was able to develop personal and professional relationships that have lasted a lifetime.”

26 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

Mo Cassara ’93, a good friend, fellow Hilltopper and basketball coach, could not say enough good things about Mike. “Michael Malone is one of the true rising stars in coaching today. Throughout the NBA, Michael is known as a tireless worker and someone who really loves to teach the game.” What could be better? Mo adds these kind words: “Throughout his college and professional career, Coach Malone has always been a great friend and supporter of Worcester Academy.”

Former WA basketball coach and director of athletics Tom Blackburn seconds Mo’s sentiments. “I always admired Mike’s competitive play at Worcester Academy, and I know he was a tremendous influence on our success as a team. I’ve followed his career, and Mike has stayed in touch as he’s moved around professionally. I know he brings that same high level

of competence and competition to everything he does.”

Mike brings over 18 years of coaching experience, 12 in the NBA in assistant coaching roles with the Golden State Warriors, the New Orleans Hornets, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks. Some notable highlights: >> With Cleveland, Mike helped coach the Cavaliers to five consecutive playoff appearances, including the 2007 NBA Finals, and a franchise-record, leaguebest 66-16 season in 2008–09. >> Mike was an assistant coach with the New Orleans Hornets for the 2010–11 season.

Allowing a league-best 8.7 fewer points per game than the previous season, the Hornets had the most improved defense in the league and made the 2011 playoffs. >> With Mike as assistant coach in the 2012–13 season, the Golden State Warriors improved from a 23-43 record to finish 47–35 and earned the team’s first playoff berth since 2007. >> In 2012, Mike was named the best assistant coach in the NBA by NBA general managers.

Mike is a native of Queens, NY. After graduating from WA, he played college basketball at Loyola College in Maryland, where he graduated with a B.A. in 1994.

He began his coaching career in the college ranks with stints as assistant coach at Oakland University in 1994, assistant coach for the Providence College Friars from 1995 to 1998, director of Mens Basketball Administration at the University of Virginia for the 1998–99 season, and assistant coach at Manhattan College in 2000–01.

Congratulations to you, Mike, and to Jocelyn, Caitlin, and Bridget! We look forward to following your future successes.

© 2013 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

VARSITY CLUB

Mike Malone ’89 new head coach of Sacramento Kings has roots on Hilltop

varsity club

Hall weight room dedication Bob Hall ’62 and his grandson, Connor McNulty, cut the ribbon at the dedication of the newly renovated Hall Weight Room in Stoddard Hall.

Bob was a lead donor in the project to renovate the space, a fundraising effort initially undertaken by Worcester Academy students as a senior project. Bob’s wife, Robin, and daughter, Betsy, also were in attendance.

From left, Turner ’16 and Conrad Geenty ’14, and John Pietro ’14.

generations on the

gridiron

A new generation of familiar Hilltop families met on the gridiron on Oskee Weekend. Playing together were Turner ’16 (OL/DL) and Conrad Geenty ’14 (OL/DL), and John Pietro ’14 (TE/DE). Turner and Conrad are sons of Kris Geenty ’81, the daughter of legendary WA football coach Bob Macko. John is the son of former WA board president Jim Pietro ’81, whose father, John, coached at WA with Bob Macko in the 1960s. The two men were also roommates at Brown University.

Breakfast • Lunch • Golf Carts • Prizes • Cocktail Reception & Dinner • Hole-in-One Prize • Not a golfer? Please join us for dinner.

The 16th annual

2014

Save-the-Date!

Join alumni and friends of Worcester Academy as they “TEE IT UP WITH DEE” to benefit the Rowe Family Scholarship Fund on Monday, June 9, 2014, at Worcester Country Club.

This special endowed scholarship fund was established in 1998 by Worcester Academy alumni, colleagues, and friends of the Rowe family as a lasting tribute to Academy alumnus DONALD E. “DEE” ROWE ’47 and his family. This fund awards scholarships annually to students of outstanding character who, in addition to participation in athletics, exhibit strong leadership both at school and in the community.

Invitations will be mailed in April. For more information, call Greg Cappello at 508-754-5302, or email: greg.cappello@worcesteracademy.org Worcester Academy

27

&grandPARENTS

PARENTS grandparents day 2013

1. Nicholas Bernier ’15 and his grandfather, Bill Bernier, share a laugh at September’s Grandparents Day. The academy honors grandparents annually by inviting them to campus to learn more about WA and to share breakfast, class, and other aspects of school life with their grandchildren.

getting to know you!

2. Milton and Tasheema Anderson P’16 got the chance to know Ron and Nathalie Cino at the New Parent Reception at Abercrombie House. For more pictures, visit http://flickr.com/ photos/worcesteracademy/

3. Parents with students new to Worcester Academy or new to the high school attended a lovely reception Sept. 16 at Abercrombie House—the traditional home of the WA heads of school. Enjoying the reception, and the company, were Susan Puryear and Eric DeMeulenaere P’19.

1 2

3

parent signathon 4. Worcester Academy parents generously lent support to WA’s fundraising efforts by participating in the Parent Signathon in October.

Each year, a group of parents reaches out to their peers asking them to contribute to the academy’s Annual Fund. The fund pays for a range of expenses not covered by tuition alone. On hand were Sixth Grade parents, from left, Mary Jane Rein P’13,20, Mary Beth Miotto P’20, Pamela Nydam P ’17,20, AnneMarie Bird P ’20, and Kim Ferguson P’20.

5. Class of 2017 parents helping to kick off this year’s Parent Annual Fund were: back row, from left, Liz Lapolito P’17, Karen Grala P’17, David LaPointe P’17, Heather Renzoni P’17, Diane Waitkevich P’15, 17; front row, from left, Melissa Platzman P’17, Pamela Nydam P’17,20, Karen Steiger P’17, and Maggie Dumas P’17.

4

WHAT’S BETTER THAN GETTING A WORCESTER ACADEMY EDUCATION?

5

Sharing it with others!

YOU KNOW THE VALUE OF A WORCESTER ACADEMY EDUCATION, SO TELL A QUALIFIED AND MOTIVATED STUDENT ABOUT YOUR BEST WA EXPERIENCES AND REFER THEM TO US. > Small class sizes create an environment full of > Vibrant 5- and 7-day boarding programs, with personal attention, challenge, and space for students to students from 25 different countries and 15 states, grow and flourish. enhance student cultural competency and global > Learning matters! Students find their passion and perspective. learn through traditional academics, innovative teaching, > Convenient buses to campus for day students and and cutting-edge technologies. an after-school program for Grades 6, 7, and 8 help > Character counts! From the classroom to the athletic field, make WA work for families. from the theater to the community at large, our motto “Achieve the Honorable” guides our students every day.

NOW ACCEPTING BOTH MIDDLE AND UPPER SCHOOL ADMISSION APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2014–15 ACADEMIC YEAR. Help a prospective student discover us through an Admission interview or campus tours available year-round or through Open Houses offered each fall and January. Learn more at www.worcesteracademy.org/admission or call (508) 459 5841 to speak with an Admission counselor.

28 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

class notes 1955

1965

WALLACE SPECTER and his wife, Doris,

ED GARFINKLE and his wife, Anne, love the

DAVE FORSBERG has been named the Dean

celebrated 66 years of marriage on Nov. 23, 2013. They live in Boca Raton, FL.

weather in Englewood, FL, where they are retired. Ed is a big Red Sox and Patriots fan.

1946

1956

RAY GOODALE enjoys his summers sailing

JACK HANLON and his wife, Sue, recently

on Cape Cod, MA, and his winters in Vero Beach, FL. He says, “The doctors keep us moving and healthy!”

moved to Scottsdale, AZ, from Lake Forest, IL.

of the Anna Maria College School of Business in Paxton, MA. Dave’s business ties to the city of Worcester, as the former president of the Worcester Business Development Corp., an important force in the economic development of the Central Mass. region, make him uniquely qualified for the demands of the position. Dave’s involvement with Anna Maria began in 2011, when he joined its board of trustees. Dave is also a WA trustee.

1960

1966

BILL KRAFT is a retired high school teacher

ANTHONY KOHLER’S first novel, No Third

and coach of 37 years. He has two daughters and five grandchildren. He reports that he is staying busy and healthy and that “Life is good.” Bill sends his best to all WA alumni.

Choice, is now available as an e-book by Solstice Publishing. See more details and read an excerpt from the book at his website, www.ajkohler.net.

1950 ROGER JACOBY retired in 1996 after 37

14 months old and doing well. He continues to sell his wood turnings at several galleries and occasionally at craft shows.

Karla and PETER GARDNER ’63 were in Columbus, OH, this fall and enjoyed a visit with former headmaster John Mackenzie and his wife, Susan Nybell (seated).

PICHAI “FRANK” SINPATANASAKUL ’67

enjoyed afternoon tea with Pam Lefferts in Bangkok.

They were joined by his wife, Jutamas, and his 8-yearold daughter, Paikea. Frank is retired and loves having time to spend with his family. He also attended the WA dinner and caught up on news from the Hilltop.

1967 BRIAN O’CONNELL, a member of the Class

DICK PIPER’S first granddaughter, Anaya, is

1963

enjoyable years in sales for Northwestern Mutual Life. After Roger graduated from WA, he attended Lafayette College for two years, and then “volunteered for the draft” in the fall of’52. He trained war dogs in Germany until 1954, when he returned to Lafayette and graduated in 1957. After working in Sears Roebuck’s management training program for a short while, he was hired by Northwestern Mutual in 1959. Roger and his wife, Anne, who married in 1956 and are the parents of two daughters and a son, have always lived in Central Pennsylvania (33 years in State College). They still have four season tickets to Penn State football games. Roger and Anne now live in a retirement village.

1967

1944

1966

MICHAEL REIDY ’66 and his son, Harry, were

on campus this October for the Board of Visitors meeting. Harry is headed to South Africa for a one-year internship. Michael has recently been asked to step in as vice chairman of the Advisory Council of Saint Augustine Academy in Maidstone, England.

of 1971 at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, was the recipient of the Alumni Association’s In Hoc Signo award in October.

First presented in 1960, this award is an expression of respect for alumni for their outstanding dedication and lengthy service to the College. Brian, a Holy Cross trustee from 1971 to 1973, was president of the Holy Cross Alumni Association from 2011 to 2012. He also holds the distinction of having served on virtually every Alumni Association committee during his 30-plus years of volunteer service to the college.

1968 EUGENE POLANIK lives in Raynham, MA, and reports that “Life is good!” He has worked for 30 years for the U.S. Post Office and, although eligible, has no plans to retire yet. His wife, Susan, has worked for the Department of Mental Health for 32 years.

Their son, Alex, is a graduate of Assumption College and a certified personal trainer.

Eugene and Susan enjoy taking a cruise or two each year.

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1970

1971

1973

1980

PETER ROSENTHAL, who lives in Roslyn

MICHAEL MARINO was inducted into the

ANDREW O’DONNELL, a partner in the

Heights, NY, is a senior portfolio manager at UBS.

Warren (RI) Athletic Hall of Fame in April for his contributions to the sport of wrestling. His brothers, ANGELO (WA Class of 1968) and Jerry Marino, also are Warren Hall of Famers. At the induction, Michael talked about the wrestling program at Warren High School and the valuable lessons he learned from his coaches. “Our coaches instilled in us that we could be champions,” he told the audience. Also a top-rated baseball player while in high school, Michael went on to wrestle at WA, Lehigh University, and URI. Most recently, he partnered with his daughter, Lilly, to win two gold medals in Rhode Island’s Special Olympics unified bowling.

law firm of Mirick O’Connell, with offices in Worcester, Westboro, and Boston,was selected by his peers for inclusion in “The Best Lawyers in America 2014.” Andy was selected in the field of tax law. He is a member of the WA Board of Trustees.

In October, Forbes named KEN SADOWSKY one of “The 25 Most Influential Kingmakers in Consumer and Retailer Companies.” Ken is the senior beverages advisor in the U.S. for Verlinvest, where one of his roles is to identify promising trends and early concepts in the U.S. beverages market. Earlier in the year, another Forbes article referred to Ken as “the beverage whisperer,” because he is behind much of the success of recent brands Vitaminwater and Vita Coco.

Sharing

the joy of discovery

Worcester Academy Annual Fund 30 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

www.worcesteracademy.org/givenow

Through the innovations of dedicated teachers, we deliver on our mission to cultivate progressive, forward-thinking leaders with a global perspective.

It is the Academy’s Annual Fund that lifts us from good to great.

Help us by making your contribution to the Annual Fund today!

class notes

1985

1989

25th reunion

POLAWAT OUILAPAN, a member of the

1985

Board of Visitors, helped greet alumni at the Worcester Academy gathering in Bangkok in October. Pol and his wife, Pinyada, have two children. Their daughter, Pinwa, is entering college as a music major, and their son, Punn, is a sophomore in high school. Pol has many fun memories of WA and enjoyed sharing some of his dorm “escapades” with the other alums!

1986 JON AND KELLY STUART of Boston announce the birth of their daughter, Piper Swift Stuart, on July 6, 2013. Piper’s big sister, Hadley, is three and a half. Jon is a WA trustee. The Stuarts hosted an alumni gathering at Jon’s office in Boston’s Financial District in October.

1987 MICHAEL BURWICK ESQ. has joined the Boston office of Day Pitney LLP. He received his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he also received LL.M.’s in taxation and in securities and financial regulation. Michael lives on Cape Cod with his wife of 12 years, Marci, and their twins, Rachel and Spencer, who turned five on Christmas Day.

1987

CHARLIE MANOOG ’87 (left) reports that he and JUAN CASO LANO ’87 visited the WA campus in

August; this was Juan’s first visit since graduation. Juan lives in Asturias, Spain. While he was in the U.S. for business in Miami this past summer, he also visited Charlie on Cape Cod and KEVIN LEARY ’88 in Hull, MA.

KRISTEN MUNGER and Brian Dooley were married on July 6, 2013, in a ceremony in The Woodlands, TX, where they live. The couple met in December and knew almost immediately that they were meant to be together.

Kristen’s parents, Steve and Linda, threw a party on July 27 at which many WA alumni and former faculty were present to celebrate the occasion.

JOHNNY KOMEI ITO enjoyed his first visit with WA alumni at the Tokyo event this fall.

Johnny is manager of marketing for Taisei Corp in Tokyo. He enjoyed catching up with classmate and Board of Visitors member HENRI AINAI. Henri, who owns an online magazine service, was instrumental in bringing several new faces to the Tokyo luncheon. Both Henri and Johnny enjoyed meeting WA’s director of International Recruitment, John Ettore.

1988 After a fabulous week at the Squaw Valley Screenwriters Workshop working closely with her mentor, Jacob Forman, CAITLIN MCCARTHY spent August revising her feature screenplay, Resistance. Caitlin is also working with choreographer Michael Masionis to develop “Free Skate” as a TV series. Check out the details at: www.facebook.com/FreeSkateTheSeries.

MICHAEL COADY is Area Executive for First Citizens Bank, with oversight for South Florida bank operations. He has been married for 16 years to his wife, Jennifer, and they are the parents of William, 9, and Graham, 5.

STACEY GENTEEL LAURENCE wrote that her PG year at WA “was the best thing my parents made me do!” Stacey, who lives in Simi Valley, CA, hopes she can make it to the reunion in May.

PETER MARCOUX was inducted into the Rice Memorial High School (South Burlington, VT) Athletic Hall of Fame. A member of Rice’s Class of 1988, he played football, basketball, and baseball, and ran track in high school, setting a state record in the 400-meter run.

In basketball he is one of the few Rice players to have scored 1,000 career points. Peter continued his basketball and track careers at WA, setting school records in the 400- and 800-meter events. He and his wife, Corinne, live in Dover, NH, where he is involved with the Special Olympics and has coached various youth sports teams.

1990

1990

TANJA BERNSTEIN ’90 and her husband, Heiko Nitzschke, welcomed a son, Max Bernstein Nitzschke, on May 4, 2013. In October, Tanja returned to WA to address a group of students who had gathered for a regional Model United Nations conference on the Hilltop. Tanja works as a policy officer for U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, studying the politics, human rights, and economies of under-developed nations. The conference focused on international events and problem-solving skills.

IRA STOLL and his wife, Aliza PhillipsStoll, had a busy 2013. After moving back to Massachusetts from Brooklyn, they celebrated the birth of their third child, Nathaniel, in July. Ira’s second book, JFK, Conservative ( Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) came out in October. It followed Samuel Adams: A Life (Free Press, 2008).

YOSHIE ISODA was pleasantly surprised to see her former roommate YUMIKO TANAKA ’91 at the WA luncheon in Tokyo. It was the first time they had met since graduation. Yoshie is working as a teacher in Tokyo.

Yumiko attended with her husband and two children, daughter Mayu, 9, and son Uki, 5.

Yumiko works parttime as an English teacher.

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1996

1990

1998 ZACH DAVIS accepted a position as assistant director of alumni and parent relations at his alma mater, Drew University. He lives in Madison, NJ, with his wife, Denise, and their 9-month-old daughter, Maxine.

VICTOR SIERRA ’90 and his wife, Ana, were on the Hilltop for Oskee Weekend in October. They enjoyed lunch

with Elisabeth Cotton and Pam Lefferts before cheering on the boys soccer team. Victor, who works as a financial advisor, toured campus and was amazed at the changes since his days in the dorms. He had many memories and stories to share! Victor and Ana live in New York.

1992

JOJI KANI traveled far to join us for the WA lunch in Tokyo. He owns and manages his family pottery company.

SHARON NG was delighted when former roommate KWAN PATAMAPONGSE KONGSIRI ’91 came to Hong Kong for a visit.

KWAN KONGSIRI, a member of the Board

They were able to share a lunch and memories of the “good old days” on the Hilltop.

of Visitors, attended the WA gathering in Bangkok with her husband, Menn, and sons Med, 9, and Mai, 5. Kwan was very helpful contacting and organizing alumni beforehand.

Kwan owns a publishing company, Wordplay, and has also entered the food business.

Pam Lefferts enjoyed a delicious lunch at Yamagoya Ramen, Kwan’s restaurant, and then visited her ice cream stand.

After spending five years on the road with Cirque du Soleil, ALANA MORGAN plans to settle in Australia with her “Aussie” boyfriend, Ben. Says Alana, “I’m currently the production manager for one of Cirque’s Big Top Shows, KOOZA, but I’m coming off tour at the end of the year to settle in Melbourne and work for the company in a different capacity.”

32 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

NM, with her husband and two children.

She works as a teaching assistant at the University of New Mexico. Beth helped to plan a gathering in November for WA alumni in New Mexico.

introducing her son, Leo, 2, to Kotaro Sasano, 3, son of MASUMI SASANO, and to Sho, 5, son of AYAKA INABA, at the alumni event in Tokyo.

Masumi and Ayaka were known as the Yamada twins when they were students at WA.

ings in Seoul. He is the director for Woo Shin Industries. Jin Ho lives about an hour from Seoul with his wife, Maya, and their 3-yearold daughter, Hillary.

DOO WON LEE ’99 attended the WA gathering in Seoul with girlfriend, Irene Jang. Many of the wonderful photographs from the WA event were taken by him. Doo Won owns and operates a beverage distribution company.

ANDREW NIEDZWIECKI coached the

MINORI FUKUDA VAN SOMEREN enjoyed

JIN HO KUK always enjoys the WA gather-

BETH WILLIAMS is living in Albuquerque,

1996 Auburn (MA) High School varsity boys basketball team to victory in the 2013 Clark Tournament, with his brother, MICHAEL ’01, as his assistant coach.

1999 1999

1991

MOLLY SHANER GARRISON ’96, with Ron Cino, is the new director of development and external affairs at Rhode Island PBS. Said David Piccerelli, the president of the station, “Her enthusiasm coupled with her impressive credentials are just what the station needs.” Most recently, Molly worked in community relations and as the chief of staff in the office of the president at Rhode Island School of Design.

EUGINE OH has taken a year off from work

1998

TAKERU IKEBE ’98 was joined by his wife, Wakako,

and their two children, Shu, 3, and Rei, 1, at the WA event in Tokyo. Tak is an information management specialist for Schlumberger Co. Congratulations are in order, as he just passed the rigorous tests for a promotion! Shu and Rei enjoyed meeting the children of the other alumni.

to study at an art school in Seoul. She sees a career change in her future. Eugine loves meeting up with other WA alumni and enjoyed the recent WA gathering in Seoul.

class notes

2000

2000/03

DR. STACEY-BEBERMAN FISHER and MATTHEW FISHER, ESQ. welcomed their first child, Evan Drew, on March 16, 2013. Stacey completed a dual residency in pediatrics and internal medicine at UMass Medical School, and Matt is keeping very busy as an associate at the law firm Mirick O’Connell in Worcester.

2002

2001

MICHAEL CRIMMIN ’02 is living in Denver, CO, where he is working at The Joshua School for children, ages 2 to 21, with autism. He and his girlfriend, Lauren, love to snowboard, and love live music— especially Phish, whom they have seen more than 30 times! Michael plans to get his master’s in the special needs field.

JULIA POST ’03 AND TIM QUAGLIERI ’00 were married on Aug. 17, 2013, at the College of the Holy Cross, from which they both graduated. They currently live in Shrewsbury, MA. WA was well represented at the wedding.

2003

Back row: Seth Rosen ’03, Meredith Davis ’03, Caileigh Warren ’05, John Glowik ’04, Charles Post ’00, Michael Barry ’03, Larry Gordon ’72, Gary Post ’74, Bob Post ’72, Julia and Tim, Jen Glowik ’01, Jamie Mili, Lynda Mili, Christine Tutunjian Minges ’03, and Beth O’Connor Ferguson ’03.

Front row: Dan Adams ’04, Alex Nicas ’00, Courtney Mili ’18, Samantha Mili ’16, Lauren Mili ’13, and Rory Glowik ’05.

JAMIE ANDRESON stopped in for a visit at AYANA MIZUGUCHI ARAKI ’01, a new WA Board

of Visitors member, and her 2-year-old daughter, Shion, traveled by train to attend the WA luncheon in Tokyo.

Ayana works as a consultant for Venture Japan. Shion and Ayana were recently pictured in a Japanese magazine.

car crash in Boston, is now walking with prosthetic limbs, living on his own in Quincy, MA, and helping to counsel and encourage victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. His story was featured in The Boston Globe in May.

Pictured here with Nathalie Perez-Cino, Board of Visitors member EDDY KIM ’02 and BON KWON KOO ’03 see each other quite often on the golf course. They were happy to catch up with classmates and friends at the WA gathering in Seoul. Eddie works in marketing for LS Cable and frequently travels to Dubai for work. Bon Kwon works as a manager for L.S. Holdings, and spends his free time golfing!

2003

YUKIKO SAKAMOTO ’03 came to the WA luncheon

in Tokyo with her one-year-old daughter, Sarah. Yukiko was able to catch up with classmates while Sarah played with other alumni children.

ANYAPORN “DEER” SAWASDICHAI attended the WA gathering in Bangkok with her boyfriend, Chokanan (Cho) Chammi. She returned to Thailand recently, having lived in the U.K. while earning her doctorate. Deer is working in cancer research. She told us she loved WA and remembers Ms. Barbara Gould and her dog, Murphy, with love, as well as Mr. Jonathan Baker, Mrs. Marsha Bernstein, and other teachers and dorm parents. Deer enjoyed her first WA alumni gathering.

2003

MUJI KARIM, who fought his way back from a

2002/03

2002

Alumni House in July, when she was home for a visit from London, where she has been living for the past couple of years. Jamie works for a branch of eBay called eBbay Enterprise, which provides online solutions to large companies. She is currently working with British Airways on their online marketing. Jamie was happy to attend the Worcester After Hours event for local alumni at Ceres Bistro while she was in town.

AMANDA STROGOFF ’03 and Emily Hayes were

married in a small private ceremony in Worcester in March. In July, family and friends attended their commitment ceremony and celebration in Swarthmore, PA, where they live. They were delighted that WA friends

ALEX DEAN HINRICHS, ELIZABETH RYVKIN, MEREDITH DAVIS, and SETH ROSEN were able

to attend. Having graduated from Williams College in 2007, Amanda is now studying at West Chester University for certification to teach high school math.

Emily is an occupational therapist. In October, Amanda appeared on the NPR game show, Ask Me Another.

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33

Middle School faculty member Sharon Plickert was dressed up as “Mr. Potato Head” on Halloween.

2006

10th reunion

EMILY CHASE-SOSNOFF loves living in

2004

?

guess who:

2004

JOHN FERRISS is in his second year at William & Mary Law School.

JESSICA GUSAR has launched a home decor business, called Live In Mosaics. She creates both decorative and functional mosaics, and will customize them by special request. What began as a hobby grew into a full-fledged passion and career for Jessica, who first experimented with the art form on her own, then took classes locally, and finally seized the opportunity to study with mosaic masters in Venice, Italy. You can view her work at www.liveinmosaics.com. Jessica lives and works in Boston.

SUNG HOON BAE ’04 and ERIK DAE WON KWAK ’04 were happy to see each other at the WA

dinner in Seoul. They shared many memories and stories of their time on campus. Pam Lefferts attributes several gray hairs to their time in the dorms! Erik is working in marketing for a pharmaceutical company and travels to India regularly. Sung Hoon works in a lab doing research on lung cancer.

MALLORY MALKASIAN and Peter Barth are engaged. Mallory graduated from Temple University and is an intern architect at Hellyer & Lewis in Philadelphia. Peter is a graduate of Penn State and Temple University Medical School. Dr. Barth is in residency at Temple University Hospital. The couple will be married in Kennebunkport, ME, in August.

2005 Moonstruck Theater Co., founded by CAROLINE FONSECA in 2006, staged “Little Shop of Horrors” in Framingham, MA, in October. Caroline, who earned her bachelor’s degree in theater and film arts at Smith College, and a master’s degree in film at the University of Edinburgh, directed the musical, and ALYCIA NOETH ’04 played Ronnette.

2002/04/10

BLAKE AHALT ’02 was very happy to finally make it to a WA event in Seoul! Blake is working as an English teacher there. He is pictured here with SUNG HUH ’04 and TONY HYUN WOO KO ’10. Tony remembers Blake’s mom, Barbara Ahalt, now assistant head of school/director of upper school, as his English teacher.

34 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

Albuquerque, NM. After passing the New Mexico Bar Exam, she started her first job as an attorney in September.

A graduate of Boston University School of Law, SARAH COLLINS was called to the Massachusetts Bar last spring and is working in corporate and business law as an associate at Hinckley Allen.

TARA SULLIVAN, who graduated from the New England School of Law, passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam and is working in the Worcester District Attorney’s office as a prosecutor.

2007 MAGGIE AMORELLO, a four-year starter on defense at Wittenberg University, was selected this past fall to the North Coast Athletic Conference All-Decade Soccer Team (2001–10).

Former Worcester Academy defenseman MIKE WHITE recently signed with a professional hockey team in Europe. He is playing for the Les Remparts’ Keepers of France’s Division 2 in Tours, France.

2007

SANTI WANGSAI ’07 thought he would be the youngest alum at the WA lunch in Tokyo, but he was wrong. KAZUHIRO ISHIKAWA ’10 earned that honor! Santi is working in investment banking. Kazuhiro is still in school, studying to become a lawyer.

class notes

get connected Worcester Academy has a variety of social media channels to help you stay up to date with the latest news from the Hilltop. Whether you still live in the area and want to know about upcoming events, or you live overseas and want to see what is happening in our classrooms through videos, social media is our way of bringing the Hilltop to you.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW WAYS THAT YOU CAN STAY CONNECTED: Become a fan of the Worcester Academy Facebook Page. See posts about upcoming events and connect with the Worcester Academy Online Community.

Visit Worcester Academy on Flickr to see the latest photos from games, performances and school life. www.flickr.com/photos/worcesteracademy

2008

Watch videos of students, faculty, alumni, and parents experiencing a real-world education. www.youtube.com/user/WorcesterAcademy

MISHA SEREBRENNIKOV ’08 is working for the Ford Motor Co., which requires him to travel between

Dearborn, MI, and Louisville, KY, on a near-weekly basis. He is working on the launch of a new model for 2015 and is responsible for program management for all exterior engineering—doors, fascias, windows, trim, moon roof, etc. Before starting work on this project, he was designing parts for a 2017 model-year vehicle. He hopes to eventually work in Vehicle Dynamics, ideally with the Mustang program. In October, Misha returned to the Hilltop to discuss his work with WA student, who were in the midst of their own projects, designing cars in Physics class.

Misha (2nd from left) with students Stas Zanevsky and Jack Chase, and Science Dept. Chair Derek Segesdy

2008

2009

5th reunion EVAN FONSECA has relocated to the Los

STEFANIE PAGONIS ’08 and John Patrick Murphy

are engaged, and a 2015 wedding is planned. Both are grads of Assumption College, John in 2011 with a degree in marketing, and Stef in 2012 with her degree in accounting. John is serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Stefanie is working as an internal auditor at Waters Corp. in Milford, MA, and is also enrolled in Assumption’s MBA program.

Angeles area, where he recently attended the screening of his short film, Joe Vegas, at the Action on Film International Film Festival. A 2013 graduate of the Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts with a degree in film, Evan is the film’s screenwriter, director, and lead actor. Having his film accepted in the festival was the confidence boost Evan needed, he said. “It felt so good to be a part of the filmmaking community of Los Angeles.”

Catch breaking news about events, lectures, and more when you follow @WorcesterAcdmy on twitter.

After training all summer in Mississippi, NATHANIEL SCHERMERHORN relocated to South Carolina to teach middle school English for Teach for America. Because funds are low for buying classroom supplies, he did some fundraising to start a classroom library to increase his students’ access to enjoyable books. You can follow his teaching adventures on his blog: http://nscherme.wordpress.com/.

2010 Columbia University’s LUKE EDDY led the Ivy League in field goals in 2012, tied Columbia’s record for field goals in a season with 14, and set the all-time career record for most extra points at the school.

Guess which Red Sox fan grabbed the Grand Slam ball that powered the Red Sox into the World Series? When outfielder Shane Victorino’s shot landed in the Monster Seats, the fan who ended up with the ball was

NICK WOOD!

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class notes

2013

former faculty SHERRY LEVIN, former WA varsity girls bas-

MATT LAVELLE ’13 is very busy in a variety of clubs and activities at Boston College. He was elected as one of five senators from his class to the student government; joined the BC Finance Academy E-Board and the Hoops for Hopes E-Board; became a member of the Student Admissions Program; and was also accepted to the Jenks Leadership Program. Matt attended the WA alumni gathering in Boston in October.

gatherings near & far NYC

ketball coach, was honored in September by the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester at its Sports Celebrity Nite. Sherry was honored for being an outstanding local sports professional, who has “made a great impact on our community.”

She is the director of athletics and the varsity girls basketball coach at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, MA.

2013 University of Vermont freshman BERNARD YEBOAH was named the America East Rookie of the Week in men’s soccer for the week ending Sept. 22. He scored both goals to lead the Catamounts past Hofstra, 2–1, in the sole match of the week for Vermont.

Bernard had five points in the first week of the season on a pair of goals and an assist.

NEW MEXICO NM

(top) In December, alumni convened at the Cornell Club in Manhattan for a reception sponsored by Peter Cronin ‘80.

tell us what’s new with you!

To submit a class note, please send note and/or image to Greg Cappello at greg.cappello@worcesteracademy.org

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR SENDING US DIGITAL PHOTOS THAT WILL LOOK FANTASTIC IN PRINT: > set the photo size to 4 x 6 inches or larger, in 300 dpi > set your digital camera to the best photo setting > save files as JPG or TIF > identify everyone left to right in the photo and provide a caption > email photos as attachments to neil.isakson@worcesteracademy.org

36 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

(left) In November, WA hosted its first-ever Worcester Academy gathering in Albuquerque, NM. None of the alumni had previously gathered with one another there.

“It was absolutely fun and magical to watch them connect and bond so quickly,” said Pam Lefferts. (above) Navid Mojtabai ’78

passings 1937

1940

LYMAN WILLIAM “BILL” GRISWOLD passed away

HAROLD H. “HAD” WADE JR. of Bustins Island, ME,

May 5, 2013, in Amherst, MA. After graduating from Colgate University in 1941, he was deployed to the Pacific theater as a naval aviator and remained in the Navy until 1955. Bill married Patricia Henry in 1945; and his second wife, Portia Hawley, in 1958. He opened the One Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaners in Reno, NV, in 1955; the KOA Campground in Bernardston, MA, in 1970; and served on the faculty at the Northfield-Mount Herman School in 1976. Mr. Griswold was a Toastmaster, a lifelong Democrat, and served on the Greenfield Conservation Commission, but flying airplanes remained his first love.

He is survived by two daughters and two sons; five grandsons; and two great-grandsons. Bill was a member of Worcester Academy’s 1834 Society.

died Sept. 7, 2013. He grew up in Worcester, where his father was headmaster of Worcester Academy and his mother raised the close-knit family in a household where clever limericks, poetry, and music were valued and appreciated. After serving in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, he graduated from Clark University on the G.I. Bill. Mr. Wade spent much of his career working in sales for International Packing Corp. in Bristol, NH, where he raised five children with Patricia Davey Eaton. He first went to Maine with his family in 1936 at the invitation of famed Arctic explorer and former WA faculty member Donald B. MacMillan, who offered his family a summer cottage on Bustins Island. Returning almost every summer since and “messing around with boats,” his last visit to the island was just a month before

1939

his passing. He was an avid sailor. Mr. Wade is survived by his wife, Carolyn Jones Wade of Contoocook, NH; four children; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

His son, Stuart Wade, predeceased him in 2007. He is also survived by two sisters and by his brother, Paul Wade, WA Class of 1950, of Brunswick, ME.

1942 PAUL E. FOLEY SR. of Auburn, MA, passed away on July 15, 2013. He leaves one daughter and three sons; seven grandchildren; and a large extended family. Mr. Foley’s first wife, Barbara, the mother of his four children, passed away in 1977; his second wife, Frances, passed away in 1986. Mr. Foley served with the 457th Bomber Group of the 8th Air Force in England during World War II. A 1946 graduate of Dartmouth College, Mr. Foley

FRANK PADDOCK “PETER” WILSON JR. of Tilton, NH, died on Sept. 19, 2011. Mr. Wilson graduated from Brown University in 1947, after interrupting his education for a tour of duty in the service. He joined the U.S. Army in 1942, and piloted Piper Cub L-4 airplanes during World War II from bases in the Pacific. He was recalled for a short tour of active duty in 1950 during the Korean War. In 1947, Mr. Wilson joined Coca-Cola Co.’s New England regional offices; there he worked in marketing and merchandising and met Eleanor McCready, whom he married in 1951. In 1965 he joined the New Hampshire Savings Bank, as manager of the bank’s first branch, where he worked until his retirement in 1982. Throughout his life, Mr. Wilson was an avid sportsman, enjoying skiing, tennis, sailing, boating, and mountain climbing. He skied the Matterhorn and other Alpine mountains but preferred his beloved New England slopes. His wife, Eleanor, predeceased him in 1980. In 1981, he married Brenda Wilson of Pleasant Pond in Deerfield, MA, where they resided until her death in 2010. Mr. Wilson leaves a large extended family and many wonderful friends.

former faculty DR. FRANCINE SMITH of Southboro, MA, died on Sept. 10, 2013, after courageously battling cancer for more than a decade. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. David Echelman, in 2002.

She is survived by sons Daniel ’07, Matthew ’10, and Adam ’13; and her brother, Stuart Smith. Dr. Smith trained as a biophysicist and crystallographer, studying at Wesleyan University and at Johns Hopkins University, where she met her husband. Early on, she had a passion for scientific research.

As her children entered school, she made an effort to bring science into their educations, frequenting their preschool as “Fran the Science Lady.” She pioneered the science enrichment program for the Northboro-Southboro public school system when her children reached elementary school. Eventually, she moved to a full-time teaching career, first as a chemistry professor at WPI, and later at Worcester Academy, where she taught all three of her boys in her classes over the course of her ten years on the Hilltop. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Dr. Smith became involved as a patient advocate at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and was an organizer of the Jimmy Fund Walk and Rock, which became an annual cancer fundraiser sponsored by Worcester Academy students. She was also a mentor to many of her colleagues and students, some of whom had experienced their own personal hardships and took refuge in her classroom. Dr. Smith inspired many with wisdom, courage, and perseverance of spirit. She shared her thoughts and experiences with the Class of 2013 as the graduation speaker at Commencement in June.

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37

worked for the Hartford Insurance Company and for American Mutual Insurance Company for many years. Mr. Foley enjoyed hosting his extended family at his house at Misquamicut Beach in Rhode Island every summer.

JOHN I. WEINHEIMER of Beverly, MA, passed away on May 13, 2013. He was a 1944 maritime engineering graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY, and served as an engineering officer aboard several ships during World War II. Mr. Weinheimer was employed

by New England Telephone Company and served as business office manager in Maine, Vermont, and Beverly, before his promotion to the personnel department at the corporate office in Boston. He retired from NYNEX in1985 after a 38-year career with the Bell System. A Beverly resident for 59 years, Mr. Weinheimer was actively involved in his community, serving on boards in a variety of civic and charitable organizations and working on many political campaigns with the Republican City Committee. Mr. Weinheimer shared 65 happy years of marriage with his wife, Violet, who preceded him in death this past March.

They enjoyed taking golf vacations and spending time with friends and family at “Snug Harbor,” their Beverly Cove home. He is survived by his three daughters; two grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and a large extended family.

1944 DAVID S. KUSHNER of Hollywood, FL, passed away on April 22, 2013. After graduating from WA, he joined the Navy. Upon receiving his discharge, he attended Brown University, graduating in 1950. Returning to Worcester, Mr. Kushner joined his father in business. In 1955, he married Betty Nore and two years later became the proud father of twin sons, Michael and William. In 1959, he moved his growing family to Florida, where his son, Jon, and daughter, Rachel, were born. In 1960 Mr. Kushner bought a small manufacturing company, TACO Metals Inc., that grew into an internationally known company.

He had a passion for his work and a keen business intellect. Mr. Kushner was very proud when his sons joined him and helped grow the company. He was an ardent golfer throughout his life. In retirement, Mr. Kushner and his wife traveled extensively and divided their time between homes in Hollywood and Cape Cod. In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by a sister; seven grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

38 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

DONALD B. SIMON of Manchester, TN, passed away

AXEL W. “BILL” LINDER JR. of Millbury, MA, died on

on May 19, 2011. Mr. Simon was a retired field vice president of group insurance with the Provident Life & Accident Insurance Co. He was also a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Manchester. Mr. Simon was predeceased by his brother, Raymond M. Simon Jr., WA Class of 1940.

He is survived by his wife, Polly; seven children; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 14 great-greatgrandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Aug. 20, 2013. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Jeannette; two sons; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A graduate of WPI, Mr. Linder served for three years as a naval officer, stationed at a naval base in San Francisco, where he was actively involved in bomb testing in Nevada and Eniwetok. He then worked for Westinghouse for a few years before working as a design engineer, first for HH Scott and then Bose Corp. until he retired. Mr. Linder’s interests were in computers, music, and his family.

RICHARD FRANCIS TYLER, a 57-year resident of Fairfield, CT, died June 25, 2013. He earned a B.S. in biology from the College of the Holy Cross, a master’s in education from Boston College, and an MBA from New York University. He worked in industry for more than 22 years, first with Sikorsky Aircraft and then with the Perkin-Elmer Corp. In 1977, Mr. Tyler embarked on a second career, joining the faculty of Fairfield University as an assistant professor of management in the Department of Business Administration. Mr. Tyler was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society in 1997. In recognition of his dedication and service, Fairfield University named him Assistant Professor of Management, Emeritus, upon his retirement in 2005. Following his retirement from teaching, Mr. Tyler dedicated himself to St. Pius X Parish, where he was very active for many years. Mr. Tyler is survived by his three children and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Ann Crotty Tyler, and by his siblings.

1947 NELSON C. BROWN of West Chester, PA, died on Aug. 30, 2011. He is survived by Margaret “Peg,” his wife of 57 years; their son Jeffrey; and four grandchildren. His daughter Pamela Meyers predeceased him. A 1951 graduate of Dartmouth College and a 1956 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Mr. Brown served in the Air Force for four years during the Korean War. He then had a 35-year career at Bell Atlantic, retiring as assistant secretary in 1991. Mr. Brown volunteered at Paoli Memorial Hospital for 22 years, accumulating more than 3,500 hours of service.

1948 PHILIP JOSEPH CAMPBELL died in Roseville, CA, on Jan. 10, 2013. An Army veteran and a 1952 graduate of Harvard College, Mr. Campbell had a long career as a public high school educator at El Camino High School in Sacramento, CA. He also served as president of the San Juan Teachers Association. Mr. Campbell enjoyed spending time with his family, reading, woodworking, and traveling, particularly to the Northern California and Oregon coasts. He said he would like to be remembered as “loved by my family, respected by my friends and peers, and tolerated by others.” He is survived by Beverly, his wife of 58 years; five children; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

GEORGE P. VITONE of Shelton, CT, passed away on Sept. 1, 2013. He attended Columbia University on a football scholarship, graduating in 1952. At Columbia, he was enrolled in the Naval ROTC and later served as a lieutenant in the Navy during the Korean War. Following his discharge, Mr. Vitone served as a special agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., for six years. He then moved to Shelton and began a long career with The Prudential Insurance Company of America, from which he retired in 1989. Mr. Vitone was known for his sharp intellect, his sense of humor, a beaming smile, and a strong handshake. He was always ready to make a new friend, tell a great story, and enjoy a fun time. Mr. Vitone is survived by his wife, Dorothy; a son and a daughter; and four grandchildren.

passings

1949 GEORGE T. ABDOW of Longmeadow, MA, passed away on May 28, 2013. He was a graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he majored in chemical engineering. Upon graduation, he worked for Dupont Atomic Energy Center in Aiken, SC. Two years later, he joined the Army and was stationed at the Army Chemical Center in Maryland. Mr. Abdow, his brother, Ronald ’50, and sister, Phyllis LaVallee, opened the first Big Boy Restaurant in West Springfield, MA, in 1959.

During their 35 years in the restaurant business, they opened 19 Big Boy Restaurants and 4 Dinner Houses, and Mr. Abdow served as president of the national Big Boy Franchise. For 12 years, Mr. Abdow was on the Board of Trustees at WPI and served as president of WPI’s alumni association. He was elected to WPI’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991, having competed in varsity football and golf there. For 30 years he officiated at football games in the Ivy League and ECAC. He was also an avid golfer and club champion. Mr. Abdow is survived by his wife, Janet; two sons; and four grandchildren; and his brother, Ronald, and his sister, Phyllis.

He was honored by the WA Varsity Club in 1993.

HENRY J. CAMOSSE SR. of Auburn, MA, and Fort Myers, FL, passed away on Aug. 13, 2013. He was known as a compassionate and generous person, who knew no limits when it came to helping others. Mr. Camosse was predeceased by his first wife, Joanne, in 1976, and by his second wife, Marlene, in 2000.

He is survived by six children; 15 grandchildren; two step-children; six step-grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren; as well as a large extended family. Mr. Camosse graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1953 with a degree in civil engineering. After serving in the U.S. Army, he returned to Auburn and joined his father at Henry Camosse & Son Inc., their concrete block manufacturing business in Worcester. Upon his father’s retirement in 1964, Mr. Camosse guided the company through the next 30 years, making it one of the largest masonry yards in Massachusetts. Mr. Camosse served on the boards of several professional and charitable organizations over the years. When he retired in 1994, Mr. Camosse moved to Florida, where he discovered his passion for travel. Every summer for the next 18 years he would travel around the country in his RV. Mr. Camosse showed his exuberance for living by buying a Harley for himself on his 73rd birthday and by playing golf at every opportunity. One of his favorite activities was planning

the biannual trips, where he would host his large extended family on cruises and vacations. Mr. Camosse said that these special vacations brought him some of the happiest moments of his life.

JOHN DONALD FREY JR. of Rochester, NY, passed away on June 24, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol; three sons; a daughter; 10 grandchildren; and his sister, Martha Allen of Denver, CO.

1950 MARCELLO “MARCO” J. LANDON of Fitchburg, MA, passed away on Sept. 1, 2012. He is survived by two sons; two daughters; three grandchildren; his sister; and a large extended family. Mr. Landon was predeceased by his wife, Isabel. He grew up in Leominster, MA, where he was an All-Star football player at Leominster High. At Boston University, Marco continued his stellar play for four more years before entering the Army, where he was stationed in Germany. After returning from the service, Mr. Landon and his wife, Isy, began their family. His career centered around teaching and coaching football, primarily at Fitchburg High School, where he became head coach in the late 1960s. The crowning moment of his coaching career was when he led his team to its first-ever Western Central Mass. Super Bowl victory over Greenfield at Springfield College in 1972. In 1992, Mr. Landon was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame; in 2005, he was inducted into the Fitchburg High School Hall of Fame; and in 2011, into the Leominster High School Hall of Fame. Mr. Landon was known as a true family man, as well as a loyal friend.

1951 JOHN EDWARD BEAUDRY of Westborough and Cape Cod, MA, passed away on May 16, 2013. He graduated from the University of Maine-Orono with a degree in mechanical engineering. A veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Beaudry worked at the former Bay State Abrasives in Westborough for more than 35 years, retiring to the Cape in 1995. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy; a son; two daughters; four grandchildren; a sister; and a large extended family. Mr. Beaudry was passionate about golf, but it was truly his family, especially his

grandchildren, whose activities and accomplishments were a source of great pride. He also enjoyed a good joke, delicious meals, Louis L’Amour novels, and watching the many cardinals at his bird feeders.

1952 JOSEPH F. GAROFOLI of Clinton, MA, died on July 28, 2013. He leaves his wife of 54 years, Janet; four sons; one daughter; a brother; and four grandchildren. He attended Lafayette College, where he was a member of the football team, then transferred to Boston College, where he earned his B.A. in French. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1960. Upon his return home, Mr. Garofoli began a 36-year teaching and 42-year coaching career at West Boylston Jr.-Sr. High School. From 1962 to 1978, he coached the West Boylston Lions varsity boys basketball team, and became heavily involved in the Clark University Basketball Tournament.

During this time, the Lions won five Clark titles. Later, he coached girls basketball and softball, and also served as an assistant football coach at Clinton High School for 15 years. In addition, Mr. Garofoli umpired high school, American Legion and college baseball games for 25 years. The month prior to his death, Mr. Garofoli was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame as a special honoree for his years of coaching.

1954 THOMAS L. PHELAN of Marblehead, MA, died on July 13, 2013. He attended the University of New Hampshire and Suffolk University. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Phelan worked as a teacher and substance abuse counselor.

He was always available to those in need, regardless of the day or hour. Over the course of his life, he was also a cook and launch driver at the Boston Yacht Club. A member of the Eastern Yacht Club, Mr. Phelan was an avid yachtsman, who loved cruising the New England coast on his boat, “Tomcat,” as well as lobstering and fishing. He was known for his pleasant demeanor and witty comments. Mr. Phelan is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rosanne; two daughters; three grandsons, and his brother, Richard Phelan, WA Class of 1951. His brother Edmund predeceased him.

Worcester Academy

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passings

1956

1963

1964

KENNETH BRODY of Pacific Palisades, CA, passed

BRUCE K. FITZGERALD of Sagamore Hills, OH, died

MARC E. GEVINSON of Cardiff by the Sea, CA, died

away on Sept. 5, 2013. He attended UCLA, earning a B.S., an M.S., and a Ph.D. from the department of Space and Planetary Physics. Dr. Brody earned a fellowship from NASA to pursue his studies. A lifelong entrepreneur, he contributed to the success of several family companies: Van Brody Milling, Lucky Cups, and Wonder Container.

He was a pioneer in the solar heating industry. For the past 25 years, Dr. Brody was a venture capitalist and an enthusiastic member of Tech Coast Angels of Southern California. He is survived by Lana, his wife of 49 years; their son Mitchell; two granddaughters and one grandson; and his sister, Lynn Brody.

April 18, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Ann; daughters Laurie Fitzgerald-Tortorella and Ellyn Reynolds; four grandchildren; and his brother, The Hon. James J. Fitzgerald III, WA Class of 1958.

suddenly on Aug. 22, 2012. He is survived by his sister, Darlene Allen; a niece and a nephew; a large extended family; and many dear friends from coast to coast. A graduate of Brown University, Mr. Gevinson was an energetic entrepreneur, starting businesses in several different areas, his latest being Goalkeeper Incentive Systems, a sales and marketing technology company.

When he wasn’t working, he was busy composing music, playing golf, working out, indulging his chocolate fix, and checking in on his best friend and sister, Darlene. Marc was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and The President’s Club.

JOHN A. ROE JR. of Wiscasset, ME, died June 6, 2013.

A graduate of Husson College with a degree in business, Mr. Roe was employed as a truck driver for Yarmouth Lumber in Gray for several years. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Roe enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time in the North Maine woods. He is survived by a son and a daughter; a brother-in-law; and two nieces and three nephews.

1957 JOHN J. BURWICK of Wayland, MA, formerly of Worcester, died on June 22, 2013. He leaves two daughters; a brother, Stephen Burwick, WA Class of 1960, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; a sister; and two grandchildren.

A graduate of Bryant College, Mr. Burwick was co-owner of Associated Credit Services Inc., which he co-founded in 1969. He enjoyed tennis and golf. Mr. Burwick was a member of many professional and business associations.

1962 CAPTAIN PETER B. “HOOT” WESTBY-GIBSON, USN RET. of Yorktown, VA, moved on to his final duty station on March 31, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen; three children; seven grandchildren; and a brother and a sister. Capt. Westby-Gibson earned an M.S. from Auburn University and joined the Navy in 1965.

He was honored to serve his country as a fighter pilot.

His service included three decorated tours in Vietnam, multiple extended deployments, and Command of Fighter Squadron 45 at NAS Boca Chica. He earned numerous decorations, including the Legion of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, 15 Air Medals, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V. After retiring from the Navy in 1992, he embarked on a second successful career in real estate.

40 the HILLTOPPER : winter 2013/14

trustee emeritus 1971 NEAL GRAHAM MCCABE of New York City passed away on July 17, 2013. After earning a B.A. in political science from Brown University, he began his career in finance at Salomon Brothers Inc. in New York, rose rapidly in the bond department, and was promoted to an expanded role in Dallas, TX. In 1978, Mr. McCabe became a vice president of Salomon Brothers and was acknowledged as the youngest vice president in the firm’s history. In 1981, he became the chairman of Shanley Oil Corp. In 1988, Mr. McCabe became an executive officer for Llama Co. and Llama Asset Management Co., the investment and merchant banking companies owned by Alice Walton and family. He later served as the chairman and CEO of Allied Corp. in Tampa, FL, before joining Lehman Brothers Inc. in New York City in 1993 as a senior vice president. By 1994, he was a managing director of Lehman Brothers and served as the Global Co-Head of Lehman’s Dealer Business for more than a decade. He is survived by his mother, Alice Graham McCabe of Boca Raton, FL; three sisters; a niece and two nephews, including Colin Hackett ’06; and his close friends, Stephen Wolf and Barry Jacobson. Mr. McCabe stayed active at WA over the years, serving for a number of years on the Board of Trustees. He was a member of the 1834 Society. His family has established the Neal G. McCabe Memorial Scholarship Fund at Worcester Academy in his memory.

from the archives WALKER HALL HISTORY REPLETE WITH ‘ADAPTIVE RE-USE’

by Frank Callahan ’71

I

t is fitting that Walker Hall, being the oldest academic building at an urban prep school, has experienced the urban renewal term known as “adaptive re-use.” Completed in 1890, Walker was first simply known as “the school building,” as it served in academics and activities beyond the classroom. Though Walker is nearly 125 years old, it has seen many changes in use without the major renovations it is currently undergoing.

Originally, the basement housed the gymnasium, with a running track above and an open area for training activities. Because of its size, it was used as a study hall, which became known as the Pit, a nickname that remained when it was turned into a black box theater space for drama productions.

Initially, the third floor housed the science classes, but after the Kingsley Laboratories was built, the space was used as a dormitory. The large space was also used as a study hall, but was divided into classrooms for the English Department and now the History Department.

The Nelson Wheeler Library was originally located on the first floor in what is today called Walker Gallery.

When the library moved upstairs, Walker Gallery became a meeting space and site for public functions, and doubles as a classroom for the music department.

The large space on the second floor was originally the school chapel. In the 1950s, the Nelson Wheeler Library moved into that space, but that moved to Rader Hall in 2001. Since, then it has served as Robert Thorn’s art classroom.

The use of all of these spaces has changed over time, proving that a historic landmark can be transformed into a wonderful modern structure capable of serving many generations of Hilltoppers.

Frank Callahan ’71 is Worcester Academy’s director of planned giving and a member of the American Antiquarian Society.

Worcester Academy

41

Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage PAID Holliston, MA Permit # 20

81 Providence Street Worcester, MA 01604 U.S.A.

PARENTS OF ALUMNI: If this issue is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumni Office of his or her new mailing address.

mark your calendar for Worcester Academy’s…

reunion weekend MAY 2ND & 3RD

2014

FRIDAY, MAY 2

The Class of 1964 kicks off its 50th Reunion SATURDAY, MAY 3

All Reunion Classes celebrate on campus throughout the day and evening

CELEBRATION REUNIONS IN 2014 1964—50th Anniversary 1969—45th Anniversary 1974—40th Anniversary 1979—35th Anniversary 1984—30th Anniversary

1989—25th Anniversary 1994—20th Anniversary 1999—15th Anniversary 2004—10th Anniversary 2009—5th Anniversary

Come back to the Hilltop to reconnect with former classmates, faculty, and coaches. Non-reunion class alumni are always welcome!

If you have any questions or are interested in getting involved with your class committee, please contact Greg Cappello at: greg.cappello@worcesteracademy.org or 508-754-5302 ext 117. You don’t have to be local to help!