summer 01.qxp - Brewster Academy

Transcription

SUMMER 2001
BREWSTERCONNECTIONS
A
N E W S L E T T E R
F O R
T H E
B R E W S T E R
C O M M U N I T Y
Brewster Academy Graduates 103 at Commencement
By Marcia Eldredge
Bruce Hawkins (far
left) and Paul
Wilson (far right)
celebrate their
graduation – and
try to stay dry –
with a little help
from their friends.
On June 2 under rainy skies on Brown Field,
103 members of the class of 2001 walked through
an arch of umbrellas, held by underclassmen, to
their graduation ceremony. The wet day did not
dampen the spirits of the graduates or their teachers
and families.
Katherine E. Thornton of Princeton, Mass.,
was the valedictorian, and Brian J. Wyatt of
Milton, N.H., was the salutatorian. In her valedictory address Thornton talked about stepping outside the commonplace and the ordinary to more
fully appreciate our own journey in life. She
described how a recent school trip to Thailand
served to remind her and her classmates “how mad
and passionate and exciting we had made it all
already, at our own Brewster.”
‘Joy should permeate your life.’
—Marcy Carsey
Commencement speaker
In his salutatory address, Wyatt reminded classmates that life should be simple and that they
should enjoy the simple pleasures of life. “Don’t let
life ever be too complicated and never give up the
opportunity to keep it simple,” he said.
Hollywood producer Marcy Carsey traveled to
Wolfeboro to give the commencement address
telling the graduates that “joy should permeate your
life” and that “the sensible thing is to follow your
heart. Believe me, believe me, the money will follow,” she added lightheartedly.
Prior to the recessional, the ceremony closed
with the HOWL chorus singing Dare to Dream
accompanied by Nate Gendron ’01 and Brett
Scheinfeld ’03 on instruments. Graduates then
met to celebrate with each other and their families
over a buffet lunch in the Estabrook.
Brewster Welcomes New Board President
Daniel T. Mudge was elected president of Brewster
Academy’s Board of Trustees in May, replacing Grant M.
Wilson, who retired after serving 13 years as president.
Dan, along with his wife Kathleen, also a trustee, has
been an important part of the Brewster community since
his oldest daughter Tapley-Ann arrived as a freshman in
1994. A year after Tapley-Ann graduated in 1998, the
Mudge’s youngest daughter Ashley arrived as a sophomore. While Tapley-Ann is
now a senior at
Muhlenburg College,
Ashley begins her senior
year at Brewster next
month.
Dan and Kathy wasted
no time getting involved
with Brewster and their
daughters’ educations—
both immediately joined
the Parents’ Council and
Daniel T. Mudge
then the board as co-presidents of the Parents’ Association in 1998. Dan has served
as the board’s treasurer and chair of the finance committee and as a member of the strategic planning and development committees. Kathy has served as co-chair of the
advancement committee and on the education committee. Her current focus is heading the campaign for a new
athletic and wellness center.
Dan is president and chief executive officer of
OpVantage in Greenwich, Conn., a company created in
April 2001 by combining the quantification operational
risk groups of PricewaterhouseCooper and NetRisk. He
received a BS in economics from the University of
Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard Business
School. The Mudges live in Larchmont and East
Hampton, N.Y.
In a recent interview, Dan talked about his presidency and how he hopes to lead the school.
How does it feel to take the presidency of the
Academy at a time when the school continues to gain
attention and interest from educators worldwide as
well as the media? I feel that Brewster is special and that
it’s an exciting time with great things happening at the
Nothing put a damper on graduation day for Aja
Devork, Carter Maxwell ’03, and Alana ChauvinDiaz.
Inside Brewster Connections
Meet the Students
2
Hoopla
7
Brewster in the News
3
Class Notes
11
Reunion 2001
6
Letters
13
w w w. b re w s t e ra c a d e m y. o rg
Academy. The attention that Brewster receives reflects
that we are fulfilling the promise to our students and
their parents. In addition that reputation enables us to
attract high-caliber faculty and administrators, increase
our applicant pool, and attract additional financial
resources. I also believe some of the program features
that have been implemented with such success here at
Brewster can be shared and make a difference in education in America.
I’m fortunate to be taking over the leadership of the
board after Grant Wilson contributed so much to the
school in his 13-year tenure. I’m also grateful to be
working with David Smith, who has helped redefine
teaching and learning. While I’m excited to continue the
fine work of Grant and David, at the same time, I know
I have big shoes to fill.
What do you hope to accomplish during your
Mudge (continued onPage 5)
Trustee Officers Elected
In addition to Dan, Brewster also welcomes Rex V.
Jobe as treasurer of the board of trustees. Rex is cochair and chief executive officer of The Color Place,
which he founded in 1972 and which is the centerpiece
of The Jobe Group of photographic-related entities.
Rex and his wife, Sharon, an attorney, have a son
Reagan, who graduated from Brewster this year and
will attend the University of San Diego, and a daughter
Lauren, who recently graduated from Harvard. The
Jobes reside in Dallas and Pebble Beach, Calif.
Leslie N.H. MacLeod and Helen S. Hamilton
were re-elected as vice president and secretary, respectively, also in May. Les joined the board of trustees in
1986. He is a member of the executive committee,
chair of the strategic planning committee, and is a past
chair of the board resources committee. Since 1983,
Les has been president of Huggins Hospital in
Wolfeboro.
Officers (continued on Page 5)
PA R E N TS
Student Profiles
Bruce Hawkins ’01
Brooklyn, New York
Alicia Childers ’01
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Carl M. Fliescher ’01
Monchengladbach, Germany
What are your
plans for the
summer and
next fall?
What are your
plans for the
summer and
next fall?
What are your
plans for the
summer and
next fall?
First of all, I had
a job working for
my father over
March break, and I
plan to continue
working with him
this summer doing
construction. Also,
he runs a basket-
This summer I’m
working at Garwoods
(formerly Rumors)
in downtown
Wolfeboro as a
waitress and also at
Brewster’s Alumni
and Development
Office. Maybe tak-
First, I am going
to go back to
Germany. I am
required to do
either Community
Service or Military
Service for ten
months. I chose
Community Service,
ball tournament for youth in the inner city, and I plan
to play and coach. Lastly, I plan to make speeches
wherever I am invited (churches, community centers)
to raise money for equipment and uniforms for my
team and to raise awareness for various controversial topics such as race relations, diversity, drugs,
persistence.
ing a trip to New York or to Boston to see friends
before heading to orientation at Pratt Institute of Art
on August 25.
and I am going to work with my church, mostly working with youth of the church. I also hope to keep up
rowing in Germany. After that year I plan to come
back to the United States and attend a University. I
got accepted at Georgetown University, but I still
hope to get into the University of Pennsylvania.
This fall I will be a freshman at Vanderbilt
University in Nashville, Tenn. I plan to continue in
the path that I have worked towards at Brewster —
continue to do great things.
Describe yourself at your 10th reunion?
I will be studying art direction, which involves
selling advertising and graphic design, illustration,
and communications. I first was going to study
graphic design but learned art direction covers all
aspects and opens up a lot more opportunity —
appealing to my ultimate goal of opening my own
communications office in Europe!
Ten years from now I will probably just have gotten out of graduate school — maybe medical school.
But I am certain I will be successful at whatever I am
doing and also enjoy my job. I plan to have a house
in a nice neighborhood. Maybe have my first child.
I hope to have traveled throughout the world.
Possibly be married, probably owning my own company. I would be very interested to see what Carl
Fliescher, Katie Thornton, Gillian Brown, and Bruce
Hawkins are doing as we are heading in different
directions now (colleges, interests etc).
What advice can you offer underclassmen?
Basically, stay focused. You can do anything that
you put your mind to — believe in yourself because
no one else can do it for you. Strive for greatness
and learn from your mistakes. Be willing to ask for
help when you need it. Have faith in God.
Join everything possible! Keep busy so when you
look back you will be pleased to have met so many
different people and learned from your experiences.
These experiences you will take with you for the rest
of your life.
What non-academic activity will you miss
the most about Brewster?
Student Council—being president was fun. I was
given the leadership position, given a position of
respect, and I felt that I was ready for it. And since I
was, I was ready to lend advice when needed and
share my experience over my four years, and to me
there are very few things more important or more
satisfying than helping another person.
Working on the yearbook as co-editor and chief.
Because it was the hardest goal to accomplish—it
consumed so much of my time for an entire year. The
result is a professional finished product that is such
an important part of this community.
What teacher(s) will you miss the most?
Mr. Adam Man and Mrs. Mary Fallon and Mr.
Andy Campbell
It is hard to say which one teacher I will miss the
most as I have developed great relationships with
various teachers from various teams over the years.
The faculty has been a friend outside the classroom,
been a great source of advice and leadership for
myself and the rest of the students at Brewster. From
every teacher that I have come into contact with, I
have learned more than just textbook information.
Mr. Man and Mrs. Fallon because they run their
classes like college professors and expect you to
know your material and value individual interpretations. Mr. Campbell because of his fun-loving nature
and his ability to make something difficult fun. They
all genuinely cared for me and wanted me to challenge myself.
In 2011 — it is so difficult. I hope to have finished
my college education and started working in a job,
then start my MBA. I plan to first work and then get
my master’s in business to have the experience. I
also don't really know where I’m going to live in ten
years. I think that depends on where I can get a
good job, because I like living as much in the United
States as I do in Germany.
I have a lot of advice. The biggest piece would be
as long as you try to have fun at learning, school is
so much easier. It doesn’t help you to think you have
a bad teacher — that will just make you grumpy,
which is only bad for yourself. Try to make the best
of it. And enjoy the beautiful setting that Brewster
has — the lake. If you do that the time is going to go
by so fast. It will be easy if you approach it from the
positive side.
I will surely miss crew the most—rowing out on
the lake, having the sun shine, and being in a great
sport on this beautiful lake. When you row in the
city, it isn’t the same as being in this beautiful setting.
That is a difficult question because it is more
than one. I think I would have to say nearly all the
teachers at Brewster. They were all filled with fun at
teaching, and when the teachers have fun teaching
you, you have fun learning. So, I think it’s all of the
teachers. In Germany teachers seldom have fun
teaching you — that was one of the reasons I came
to a private school in the United States.
Fall Parents’ Weekend, October 12-13
‘Tailgate 2001” — Bring Your Team Spirit!
As a new or returning parent to the
Brewster community, there are many
opportunities for you to participate in
Brewster life.
Events are held throughout the year,
with opportunities for all levels of participation. Please check our web site,
www.brewsteracademy.org to learn
what’s happening on campus and how to
get involved. Our first event is the Fall
Fling Thing Benefit held on Friday of
Parents’ Weekend, October 12. We are
excited this year to celebrate an exciting
and school spirited theme, Tailgate 2001.
2
We invite and welcome volunteers to
decorate and blow up balloons (helium is
provided.) on Friday, beginning at 8 a.m.
in the gym, and we always welcome general clean-up help on Saturday at noon.
Many hands make light work and much
fun.
To learn more on how to get involved,
please contact Beth Hayes ’81, at
603.569.7133, or beth_hayes@brewsteracademy.org of the Parent and Alumni
Programs Office. We look forward to
your participation.
The Brewster Academy Communications
Office publishes Brewster Connections three
times a year for parents, alumni, and friends of
the Brewster community.
Director of Communications/Editor:
Marcia Eldredge
marcia_eldredge@brewsteracademy.org
Assistant Director of
Communications/Assistant Editor:
Peggy Comeau
peggy_comeau@brewsteracademy.org
Contributors to this issue:
Carrie Ahlborn, Beth Hayes ’81, and Matt
Hoopes
PA R E N TS
Brewster in the News
Brewster Teachers Featured
in National Magazine
Once again, the innovative work off Brewster teachers has been spotlighted.
The August issue of Converge magazine pays tribute to the entire Brewster faculty in an article titled “Brewster
Academy Teachers: Successfully Shaping the Future.” In addition to the print edition, the web version of the article
features Brewster students talking about how Brewster teachers have positively impacted their education.
At press time, the URL was not available. When the story is posted to the Converge web site (www.convergemag.com) in
August, the Brewster Communications Office will send an e-mail to parents and alumni with the link to the article.
Converge, a monthly magazine with a circulation of nearly 60,000, details real-life solutions and offers expert
advice about technology and its positive influence on education. It explores innovation and spotlights actual profound
changes in the administration and delivery of education at all levels. Readers include educators, administrators, and
technology decision-makers in K-12 education, higher education, government, and industry.
Bob Carter Receives National Award
Bob Carter’s leadership and successful integration of technology into the classroom has earned him his second
award of the year. Most recently Carter was one of two teachers nationally recognized by TECH CORPS with a
Leadership in the Classroom award.
Carter traveled to Chicago in late June to accept the award at TECH CORPS’ annual National Educational
Computing Conference (NECC).
Winners were chosen based on their creative and innovative use of technology in the classroom, the breadth of the
technology infused into teaching and learning, and their demonstrated capacity to mentor other teachers. “TECH
CORPS is pleased to recognize the efforts of individuals who have used technology to improve teaching and learning
in their classrooms,” said Karen Smith, executive director of TECH CORPS. “These award-winning educators have
enhanced student performance by incorporating technology into many subject areas, and by expanding technology in
K-12 schools within their communities.”
TECH CORPS is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing K-12 education through the effective
use of technology in classrooms.
Earlier in the year, Carter received the Pat Keyes Technology Educator award by the New Hampshire Society for
Technology in Education.
Spring Sports Award Winners
During the last weeks of school, athletes received
awards for their accomplishments during the spring
season. The following students were given awards for
most valuable player (MVP), most improved player
(MIP), and coaches’ awards. In varsity crew, the hammer award is given to a rower who shows the strongest
effort during both practices and competitions throughout the season.
Varsity
Boys’ Lacrosse
MIP
Coaches’ Award
MVP
Sean Perry
Peter Connolly
Steven Petsche
Girls’ Lacrosse
MVP
MVP
Coaches’ Award
Ashley Trimble
Kori Gatta
Georgia Christoforou
Boys’ Tennis
MIP
Coach’s Award
Coach’s Award
Young-Kyu Lee
Derek Weld
Lennart Geisler
Girls’ Tennis
MVP
MIP
Coach’s Award
Kristal Karakus
Marge Grella
Christina Clarke
Baseball
Nicole Weyer, Dean of Community Life
Coaches’ Award
Coaches’ Award
Coaches’ Award
Matt Rougier
Mike Stanton
Jeff Ilvonen
Boys’ Crew
Hammer
Coaches’ Award
Early this summer, Brewster welcomed Nicole Weyer
as the new dean of community life. She found some time
in her busy summer schedule to talk with the Brewster
Connections staff about her background and her goals for
the Brewster community. Nicole resides on campus in
the Estabrook dorm.
What interested you about Brewster and its community
living program? Brewster and the community living program caught my attention initially because this role synthesizes my previous experiences and areas of interest. I
believe in working in partnership with students to assist
in and guide their personal development as well as working with other dedicated professionals to create learning
opportunities beyond the classroom. The comprehensive
nature of the Brewster program and the emphasis on
developing the whole student impressed me as well.
Were you working with students prior to Brewster? I
spent the past year working as a counselor at a therapeutic boarding school in Northern California. In that role,
I focused on building relationships with students and
designing individual programs to assist in their social and
emotional growth. Prior to that, I taught speech communications and lived in residence at Landmark College. I
worked closely with Landmark students and assisted in
their development of communication, social, and interpersonal skills. While in graduate school, I worked with
international students in the United States and also volunteered at an educational advising center in Malaysia.
Since arriving on campus in June, what is different
about Brewster than at previous schools? I am
impressed by the dedication to teamwork and the willingness of community members to assist one another in
achieving their goals.
Do you plan to make any changes in the community
living program? In this first year, my emphasis will be on
strengthening the fundamentals of the program; giving
specific attention to maximizing student leadership
opportunities; enhancing the group meeting and having
it serve as the primary problem-solving venue for students; and utilizing existing systems to provide timely
evaluation and development opportunities for community living parents.
Brad Attaway
Carl Fliescher
Girls’ Crew
MIP
Coaches’ Award
Hammer
Jessica Gates
Megeen Simoneau
Katie Thornton
Sailing
Coaches’ Award
Coaches’ Award
Brent Phillips
Erin Drew
Junior Varsity
Boys’ Lacrosse
MVP
Coaches’ Award
MIP
Doug Miller
Rick Sierpina
Steve Hofmann
Nicole Weyer
What is your philosophy regarding teaching and working with students and what impact do you hope to
have on the Brewster community? My philosophy about
teaching and learning is to work in partnership with students to create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment that allows individuals to flourish.
I am a strong proponent of developing a relationship-based program, with clear guidelines for behavior,
that works with students to identify and achieve their
goals. I am dedicated to shaping compassionate, respectful, and responsible young adults through activities, celebrations, service, group meetings, and individual relationships.
Through my interactions with students and faculty, I
hope to share my passion for community service, learning, and striving for excellence with the Brewster community.
What are your interests? In my free time, I enjoy
hiking, swimming, playing volleyball, running, local and
international travel escapades, cooking, reading, and
playing cards with friends.
Girls’ Lacrosse
MVP
MIP
Coaches’ Award
Alison Pouliotte
Tomoko Oyama
Bemi Aregbesola
Boys’ Tennis
Coach’s Award
Coach’s Award
MIP
Andrew Bauld
Charles Glover
Darin Levesque
Girls’ Tennis
MVP
MIP
Coach’s Award
Emely Eichhorn
Candice Long
Carrie Gallugi
Baseball
MVP
MIP
Coaches’ Award
George Papachristopoulus
Julian Weber
Nate Gendron
Crew
MIP
Coaches’ Award
Doug Shilo
Matt Keys
Sailing
www.brewsteracademy.org
MVP
MIP
Coaches’ Award
Kurtis Breed
Elliott Gordon
Nichole Davis
3
PA R E N TS
Ivy Address Takes Place at New Water Garden
The Ivy Address is a Brewster tradition that includes
a ceremonial planting of ivy in front of the Academic
Building and speeches by the third-ranked senior and
the first-ranked postgraduate. This year’s address
occurred in the front of the Wilson Center for Teaching
and Learning, which is the location of a fountain and
water garden that was given to the school as a gift from
the Class of 2001.
King Ogbogu, the first-ranked postgraduate, reminisced about all that Brewster had exposed him to during
the year. “I saw my first snowmobile, my first live hockey
game, 12-foot snow banks, and cars driving on the
lake.” He praised his teachers for being “nothing but
positive influences on me. From problem solving in the
classroom to solving problems in life, my teachers here
have helped me in every instance.… Most importantly, I
have become more independent. By living away from
home, I have become more mature and responsible.”
King, who is from Cleveland, will attend Cornell
University in the fall.
Carl M. B. Fliescher, the third-ranked senior, entertained the Ivy Address audience by sharing his story
about a little German boy who flew across the ocean to a
place where everyone spoke English, which the little
German found difficult. He went on to say how
Brewster helped change him from a “lonely, anxious, and
critical German into a happy, positive and highly successful German. He grew from failing his basic English
course to being ranked first in his class and being able to
give a speech at an ivy address.”
Carl praised Brewster’s natural setting within the
lakes and mountains in helping him to appreciate and
This water garden, given by the Class of 2001, sits above Brown Field in front of the Wilson Center.
learn how to settle into the pace of nature to help overcome the stress of school and a foreign place.
Carl will return to Germany for a year of community
service before attending either Georgetown University or
the University of Pennsylvania.
At the ceremony’s conclusion, then current student
body president, Bruce Hawkins from Brooklyn, N.Y.,
passed the gavel to the incoming president, Alex Phillips
of Sioux City, Iowa.
Where They’re Headed . . .
Josh Ackerman: University of Houston
Brent Phillips: Boston University
Mari Kawamura: Lewis and Clark College
Ben Andrews: University of Maine at Farmington
Brianne Plancon: Utica College of Syracuse
Maura Kehoe: Colgate University
Michael Anna: University of Georgia
Beth Racioppi: College of Wooster
Courtney King: Southern Methodist University
Joshua Arnold: Wheaton College
Kimberly Rawson: Merrimack College
Ryan Lafond: University of New Hampshire
Phillip Avallone: American University
Carrie Richards: Florida Southern College
Christopher Lake: Valencia College
Gabe Avalon: New England Culinary Institute
Allison Rohde: University of Alabama
Merritt Lee: Roger Williams University
Trey Avery: Western Washington University
Michael Romagnoli: St. Lawrence University
Matt Lemieux: University of New Hampshire
Robert Bayliss: St. Lawrence University
Matthew Rougier: Bryant College
Gillian Brown: Emory University
Anne Marie Roy: Carnegie Mellon
Andrew Bryant: Rose-Hulman Institute
University
James Burton: Drew University
Andrew Scanlon: Marietta College
Owen Cheevers: Cornell College
Katie Shreve: Elon College
Alicia Childers: Pratt Institute
Richard Sierpina: Babson College
Hwan-Young Choi: Pennsylvania State
Andrew Sklawer: University of Florida
University
Michael Smiley: College of the Holy Cross
Georgia Christoforou: Wheaton College
Sa-Ra Sohn: School of Visual Arts
Michael Christopher: St. Michael’s College
Michael Stanton: Wheaton College
Ashley Clark: Marlboro College
David Stentiford: Whitman College
Matthew Dacier: Embry Riddle Aeronautical
Ian Stewart: University of Vermont
Brett Danahy: Fordham University
Matthew Sykes: Georgetown University
Aja Devork: Berklee School of Music
Shannon Thibodeau: Columbia College
Alana Diaz: Monterrey Tech
Brock Thom: Lake Forest University
Erin Drew: University of Rhode Island
Katherine Thornton: Cornell University
Emely Eichhorn: Returning to Germany
Maiko Ushigome: Returning to Japan
Alex Eisenberg: Lynn University
Tae Washino: University of San Francisco
Paul Fallon: University of Denver
Paul Wilson: Dalhousie University
Carl Fliescher: Georgetown University
Sean Winchell: University of Dayton
Carl Fliescher is all smiles at commencement. He is shown here with his
Phil Freres: Warwick University
Fallin Witt: Southern Methodist University
mother, Christel Schaub-Fliescher, and Sandy and Bob Carter.
Christiane Gauthier: Cornell University
Seth Wolfson: Marietta College
Nathan Gendron: Quinnipiac College
Brian Wyatt: Yale University
Mariko Goto: Emmanual College
Katherine Wyatt: Cornell University
Candice Long: SUNY Geneseo
Ryan Graham: American University
Seaton MacMillian: University of Denver
Margery Grella: Southern Methodist University
Edward Manderson: University of Georgia
Jodi Harris: University of Denver
Ira Martin: playing junior hockey
Bruce Hawkins: Vanderbilt University
William Marvin: Colorado State University
Jason Heimbuck: University of California at Berkeley
Katie McCarthy: St. Lawrence University
Brett Henderson: University of Mississippi
Christopher Merritt: Babson College
Jason Hong: Sacred Heart University
Doug Miller: Skidmore College
Cory Howe: University of New Hampshire
Keith Milward: New Hampshire College
Jeffery Ilvonen: Assumption College
John Murray: Drew University
Gyeonguck Jeong: University of Wisconsin at Madison
Josh Nichols: Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute
Reagan Jobe: University of San Diego
Zach Nims: University of Kentucky
Brett Johnson: Bentley College
Julie O’Daniel: Smith College
Todd Johnson: Ithaca College
King Ogbogu: Cornell University
Kristal Karakus: University of North Carolina at
Chesney Pearman: American University
Charleston
Christopher Petronio: College of Wooster
4
PA R E N TS
Class of 2001
Dedicates Yearbook
to Mary Fallon
The Class of 2001 dedicated this year’s yearbook to English teacher Mary Fallon. In the dedication, students praised Fallon, who taught at
Brewster since 1984, saying: “Mrs. Fallon, you
have given us the will to try, the ability to succeed,
the hope to continue, the challenge to change our
surroundings, the love of literature, and the power
of words.”
In mid-May, the “Lifers” (students who attend
Brewster for all four years) enjoyed a cookout and
kayaking at Headmaster David M. Smith and Sheila
Smith’s cottage. Pictured here are some of the
Lifers. Back row (left to right): Philip Avallone, Josh
Arnold, Doug Miller, Brian Wyatt, Chris Merritt,
Carrie Richards; middle row: Katherine Wyatt, Katie
Thornton, and Ricky Sierpina; front row: Merritt
Lee, Alicia Childers, Gillian Brown, and Georgia
Christoforou.
Students Net Commencement Awards, Honors
The following students were honored with awards
during the graduation ceremony:
Katie Thornton received the Grace Webster Hertz
Prize for excellence in English; the Headmaster’s Prize —
awarded to the class valedictorian; and the Arthur M.
Hurlin Award — presented to a senior who has done
the most for the welfare, good name, and progress of the
Academy.
James D. Burton of Jamaica Plain, Mass., received
the Faculty Growth Achievement Award — presented
to a senior who has shown the greatest improvement in
general record during junior and senior years at Brewster.
Alicia E. Childers of Wolfeboro received the David
Sirchis School Service Award — presented to a senior
who in terms of spirit, dedication, and contribution of
service, has done the most for the Brewster community;
and the Fine and Performing Arts Award to the student
who has achieved a high level of quality in either dance,
music, theatre, or the visual arts.
Carl M. Fliescher of Monchengladbach, Germany,
received the Grace Webster Hertz Prize for excellence in
mathematics; the Harold Hart Memorial Award for
outstanding scholarship in social science and exemplary
conduct in community and school activities; and the
Burtis F. Vaughan Award — presented to a senior or
postgraduate who successfully combines scholastic and
athletic excellence with personal qualities of sympathy,
sincerity, and appreciation in all associations.
Reagan V. Jobe of Dallas received the Faculty
Community Service Award — presented to a student
who provides the strongest example and makes the greatest commitment to Community Service — a student
who considers such service not as a responsibility or an
obligation but rather as something that comes from a
driving inner motivation to be of value to others.
Maura C. Kehoe of Ontario, Canada, received the
Eva A. Mooar Prize for excellence in French; the
Athletic Director’s Award for her contribution to inter-
scholastic sports; and the Arthur J. Mason Foundation
Award for good sportsmanship on playing fields, in the
halls, classrooms, and among students, faculty, and others.
Min Jin Kwon of Seoul, Korea, received the Myrtle
Dodge Scholarship — awarded to a returning freshman
showing great promise.
Christopher J. Merritt of Intervale received the
Faculty Quiet Contributor Award — presented to a
student who gives unselfish service to others, is responsible in judgment, takes initiative and follows through,
illustrates an independence f thought in a positive and
constructive manner, and genuinely and consistently
cares about and for others and for his or her school.
John W. Murray of Wolfeboro received the Science
Award for excellence in science.
Joshua P. Nichols of Wolfeboro Falls received the
Mabel Cate Tarr Award — awarded to a senior whose
record is one of outstanding citizenship and scholarship.
King K. Ogbogu of Orange, Ohio, received the
Postgraduate Award — given to the student who has
achieved the highest academic record during the postgraduate year.
Edward C. Petronio of Baldwinsville, N.Y., was
awarded the Ronald “Buzzy” Dore Memorial Award
— given to a senior or postgraduate who exemplifies
qualities of our alumnus and friend and who shows outstanding leadership in academics, athletics, extracurricular activities and is a friend to all.
Alexander D. Phillips of Sioux City, Iowa, received
the Harvard Prize Book — awarded to a member of the
junior class for best all-around member in character, academic excellence, and extra-curricular activity.
Brianne T. Plancon of Gilford received the Jill
Carlson Memorial Award — presented to a senior
girl who exhibits outstanding athletic abilities, determination, drive, dedication, and who displays an inquiring
curiosity to learn about and experience life.
Daniel E. Slipp of New Brunswick, Canada,
Mudge (continued from Page 1)
pate in the near future? From a facilities perspective, I
will help drive the expansion of facilities necessary to
accomplish our program goals. Construction on the new
athletic and wellness center begins this month with plans
to open in the fall of 2002, and I’m looking forward to
being in a position to take on the next big project — the
fine and performing arts center, which will come out of
an exciting concept for the complete renovation of the
current gymnasium.
Another simultaneous goal of the board is to increase
our endowment, which will allow us to ensure quality in
all that we do and to have more of a cushion for future
trends.
In closing: One of the things I find attractive about
Brewster is that it is somewhat akin to what I do professionally (blazing new frontiers in the way we do business
in the financial markets). Brewster is leading the way in
its own field in an effort to ensure that young people
reach their full potential.
tenure as president? Again the board’s first commitment
is to our students. That means we are committed to
maintain the excellence of our program that translates to
the excellence of curriculum that results in the fulfillment of our promise to continue offering the best valueadded education for our students. I know the Brewster
diploma is commanding an ever higher attraction in the
marketplace, and I hope to contribute to that continued
reality. At the same time, if we don’t try to optimize the
great things that we’ve accomplished by sharing our ideas
and curriculum with other educators and institutions,
we’re missing an opportunity to impact other students.
The qualities that make our current education model so
attractive enhance the recognition value of the Academy
and since our students will be beneficiaries, I think
Brewster should take advantage by spreading the word.
What physical changes to campus do you antici-
Josh Nichols proudly displays his diploma. He also
won an award for outstanding citizenship and
scholarship.
received the Esther Lord Page Scholarship — awarded
to the most promising returning member of the sophomore class.
Matthew Sykes of Conway received the Arthur J.
Mason Foundation Award for good sportsmanship on
playing fields, in the halls, classrooms, and among students, faculty, and others.
Seth E. Wolfson of Bloomfield, N.J., received the
Grace Murray Hopper Book Prize — awarded to a
member of the graduating class who exemplifies proficiency, excellence, and dedication in the field of
computer systems.
Officers (continued from Page 1)
Les and his wife Nancy reside in Wolfeboro. They
have five children, including Todd, a 1997 Brewster
graduate.
Helen has been a trustee since 1974. She works with
Kids Voting, a national, private nonpartisan program
dedicated to educating America’s youth about the importance of an informed electorate and about the responsibilities of voting to sustain a democracy.
Helen and her husband George, who have two sons,
live in Bow, N.H.
The Brewster Academy Board of Trustee is a 25member volunteer board responsible for setting policy,
hiring and supporting the headmaster, and serving as
legal stewards of the assets of the academy.
5
a lum n i
Reunion 2001 ~ June 8-10
On June 8-10, about 250 alumni gathered on a very warm and sunny campus for three days of reminiscing and catching up with former
classmates. Here’s just a glimpse of some of the fun that folks shared during the weekend.
Members of the Class of 1951 pictured with former faculty member Charles Tousley (center,
front row) and David Smith at the Pinckney Boathouse luncheon.
Tom Trieschmann ’76 and Todd Parola ’89 with David Smith in
Lord House. They are recognized as two of the founding members of Brewster’s Midwest Association. The association was
the 2001 Alumnus of the Year recipient.
‘We had a blast! I wish we could have
Reunion every weekend.’
— Linda Edington Camacho ’81
Class of 1971 Returns: Ed Dolan, Gene Kee, Jeff Clough, Steve Morrissey, David Smith,
Richard Matthews, and John Jamieson.
‘Talking with David Smith and old friends made a beautiful day spe-
cial. The school looks tremendous, and we all should be very proud of
Brewster. I look forward to coming back again; keep up the great work!’
— Richard Matthews ’71
Harry Widman, who taught
history from 1972-1981 and
who remains active as a substitute for a variety of subjects, was recognized at the
Reunion Dinner for his outstanding commitment and
service to the Academy. A
classroom has been named in
his honor in the Academic
Building. He is pictured with
son Greg ’78 and Brewster
staff member Fran Laase on
his right.
Members of the Class of 1991 gathered to watch their senior slideshow.
6
Matt Hoopes pictured with Mason Sears ’96 and Rick Coles
’96 at right.
Gail Bourdon Antonucci ’61, Dotti Johnsen Kay ’61, and Linda
Stevens Roeder ’61 at Reunion Dinner.
Hanging out by the lake are Matt Baldwin ’81, Sarah Morrison
Fallon ’82, Jenifer Hamblett Parker ’81, Ruth Espy Booth ’81,
and Stephanie Zerilli, wife of Jeff Zerilli ’81.
HOOPLA
Hoopla
Greetings, you wonderful young alums . . .
Just a few rambling thoughts before I introduce this issue's
amazing contributors ...
Leaving my sailboat behind, I suffered with my fear of flying,
yet I did make it back to the States in time for Brewster’s graduation. As always, it was an impressive event, even photo-scenic
this year in the pouring rain and 355 colorful umbrellas! The following weekend we hosted Reunion 2001 and that brings me to
my semi-point/message here: the F.O.R. phobia factor.
Years ago, I, too, suffered from this bothersome phobia —
Fear of Reunions — and as a result, like far too many others, I
lost out on years of fun of catching up and hanging out with true
friends of years past. If those with F.O.R. could have seen all the
happy faces, aged 23 to 93, wandering around our campus,
there’s no doubt that they’d be dancing up a storm in next year’s
reunion tent! Reunions are truly wonderful times as they bring out
the best in all! Those nasty little cliques in classes disappear.
Those who fear “competing” as far as what they’ve done with
their lives, how many bucks they’ve made, how bald they are, etc.
are really missing the reunion picture. Old friendships are
renewed in seconds; new ones might take a minute or two to
establish as the echoing question of “Do you remember when we
. . .” are drowned out by peals of laughter. Trust me, those of you
inflicted with F. O. R., if you join us next June, you’ll never miss
another reunion! I’ll be in touch with reunion classes for next year
over the summer, so plan to save the second weekend next June!
Just one more detail: I’d also like to put a plug in for another
Brewster publication, The Browser, the students’ newspaper
(Kathy Morrissette ’79, founder) started with yours truly 24 years
ago — and I’ll confess these many years later, yeah, I DID write
those lame “Campus Advice from Bonnie Bobcat” columns,
though I always blamed them on the journalism kids. Anyway, for
those young alums, ALL alums, who can’t get enough BA news,
you can now have a Browser mailed to your home and once again
be able to guess over “Hall Talk” and learn about present stu-
Treasure hunter Hoopes discovers ancient Bahamian Land Yacht.
dents’ concerns (not a lot different from yours in your BA days, which is kind of reassuring!). All
you have to do is e-mail Beth Hayes ’81 in the Alumni Office (beth_hayes@brewsteracademy.org)
with your mailing address and you’re hooked up!
And finally, a brief, but heartfelt repeat of my thanks to those who continue to write and
share their news with classmates and friends. Do check out the “Class Notes” as well as the following “young alums’ profiles of challenge.”
Ian Belton ’90, Director of Entertainment
Ian: No summer stock, but I went to the U.K. (BADA)
By Matt Hoopes
and later Ireland (The Gaeity Theater) to study, all the
while developing a strong taste for experimental theater.
When I graduated, I joined a theater company with my
friends called C. & Hammermill. There was only room
for one director in the company and so I became a performer. We moved to Prague, lived and performed there
for six months. The company was largely influenced by
DaDa, Robert Wilson, Reza Abdoh, Christo, and the
Fluxus Movement. I came back physically spent and
brain dead. I started directing on my own and then
applied to Juilliard’s new fangled directing fellowship to
escape the mindless rebellion of the avante garde.
BA’s Ian Belton, the Versatile Showman: starring on
stage, pinning on wrestling mats, managing field hockey
girls, editing poetic works, modeling as yearbook’s “Bobby,”
and announcing profound theories at Estabrook’s dinners. In
two short years Ian gained the school’s attention and respect
through his long list of skills, and while it was obvious that
he’d succeed in life, it just wasn’t certain as to whose life or
in what ways. Working overseas, traveling coast to coast,
Ian’s been too on the move to stop by campus, yet he’s been
good about keeping in touch — in Ian’s own way — crazed
notes on X-rated postcards, monologued telephone statements, announcements of openings (and closings) of his
plays, photocopies of news articles proclaiming his recent
awards, and fragmented e-mails guaranteed to leave you
aching from belly laughs. Recently Ian slowed down enough
to answer some of my questions about what he’s really been
up to these past 11 years, and it’s really nice to be able to
share the following with his classmates and BA friends.
Ian Belton is the recipient of the Juilliard
Directing Fellowship, The Richard E. Sherwood
Award from the Mark Taper Forum, and The Sir John
Gielgud Fellowship from the Stage Directors and
Choreographers Foundation. His directing credits for
stage include The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant by
Rainer Werner Fassbinder (Off-Broadway premier),
Borrego by Bob Glaudini (L.A.), Contagion of the
Night by Paul Guzzardo (St. Louis), The Picture by
Ionesco, Sincerity Forever by Mac Wellman, Heiner
Müller’s Philoctetes, The Maids by Jean Genet, and
The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky. In addition to
adapting the text for The Maids and The Bitter Tears
of Petra von Kant, Ian has contributed as a writer to
Cocaine, Blood Flood, B&G, Medeamichine as well as
The Gypsy Tritico for VIA. Ian has also directed
numerous short films and animation for theater and
art installations. His six video shorts for The House
of Atreus Installation were shown in New York and
Chicago as part of JoAnne Akalaitis, Iphigenia Cycle.
He has taught acting, directing, and script analysis
and lead workshops on multimedia theater. This
summer Ian will serve as the Associate Artistic
Director of The Hangar Theater in Ithaca, N.Y.
Hoopes: When did you become serious about acting? Did
you do any directing before you went to college?
Hoopes: Once out of college, then what? How did you get
your first part acting? Ever work as an assistant director
then? Have you worked consistently, or have you been
standing in bread lines from time to time?
Ian: Hmm. Juilliard was fast and furious. By the time I
was done, I was confused but inspired. I have lived very
cheaply, but my parents have come to my financial rescue more than once. I live on my credit card and do my
best to pay it off when I can. For gigs, I’ve been to L.A.
three times, Minneapolis three times, St. Louis, Chicago,
and Bard College twice. To go from gig to gig as a director is a dream. Not having work is a nightmare.
Ian A. Belton ’90
Ian: At Brewster I acted in Impromptu, Rashamon, and
Midsummer Night’s Dream as Puck. I was supposed to be
in Anything Goes, but my understudy (Mr. Bradley) had
to go on because of some on-campus scandal. Prior to
Brewster, I went to St. David’s in New York and it had a
pretty strong drama bent. The teachers used to write
plays and stuff. At college I tried to keep the multi-tasking Brewster thing going . . . student government, journalism, crew, wrestling . . . ultimately I became a philosophy major and wore a lot of black clothing, smoked a
lot of cigarettes, y’know. Then I decided that philosophy
had no practical application, and I was bored with dense
text, so I spent 18 hours a day in the theater. I then
switched my major and became a full-time theater dork.
Hoopes: Did you do any summer stock work while you
were in college?
Hoopes: You read about young actors struggling, then
making it big, the fame, big bucks, but you don’t hear much
about young directors. How does one make it as a young
director?
Ian: There’s no definitive directing path for theater directors. Graduate school helps but is no guarantee. I think
benign conservative directors (with strong language skills
or a dance or music background) work more. On the
edgy downtown scene, it helps to be an uber-director . . .
in other words, you write, direct, design, act-in, produce
your own stuff.
Hoopes: How involved do you have to get in fund-raising,
producing? Is NYC the main theater hub today? The West
Coast? You worked overseas for a while, are there opportunities for directors to work both here and there?
Ian: I’ve put shows on my credit card. And I’ve also
directed stuff that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I know a girl who started a show in a parking lot that is
Belton (continued on Page 8)
7
HOOPLA
Hoopla
Branzetti, Gordon ’84 Return to
Wolfeboro to Cook up Memories
Five Dreams Come True with Opening of Garwoods Restaurant
On June 18 the doors to Wolfeboro’s newest restaurant, Garwoods, opened. Behind those doors, waiting for
hungry patrons, were two of Brewster’s finest, Greg
Branzetti and Glen Gordon, both from the class of ’84.
Not only had the good friends returned to live in
Wolfeboro, but they came to help open and run a new
restaurant in the same building where the two had
worked in the 80’s during their summers at the then Aw
Shucks! raw bar and restaurant.
The new business is owned jointly by David
Hemenway, owner of Black’s Gift Store in Wolfeboro,
and Greg Roark, co-founder and vice president of
Wolfeboro’s Community Bank. Both these gentlemen
have been friends with Greg and Glen for more than 20
years and have continually encouraged them in their
careers and invited them both to join their dreams of
recreating a fine eatery in an excellent downtown
Wolfeboro location, one with spectacular views of the
lake and complete with a waterside deck and boat dock.
Greg and Glen have been joined by another friend, Greg
Roark Jr., who also has had years of experience in the
food service business. He is the manager of Garwoods,
while Gordon is the head chef and kitchen manager.
Branzetti is the restaurant’s general manager and is the
vice-president of the corporation. The name, Garwoods,
befits the nautical motif of the restaurant as well as the
lake location, being the name of a wooden boat.
As Brewster “Lifers,” Greg and Glen’s friendship goes
back to their freshman year. They became great friends
and later roommates with classmates Greg Bilezikian and
Dan Duval. During their first Brewster summer both
worked at Black’s Gift Store; Greg was 14 his first summer at the store and Glen continued off and on for
years. During their sophomore year all four friends
roomed in Sargent Hall where they helped fight the winter’s cabin fever by playing pranks on dorm mates. Greg
and Glen also ran a radio station from their room. They
both also were Estabrook “head waiters” for dining room
manager, Paul Croteau. Croteau taught a business
course, which both Greg and Glen took. They recalled
Croteau’s advice on “How not to run your business into
the ground” and it seems to have paid off for the two talented businessmen.
Greg and Glen have been extremely faithful alums,
Greg never missing a reunion in 17 years and serving
one year as President of the Alumni Association, and
Glen having attended the last 10 reunions. Their careers
eventually took them west, Greg to California, and Glen
to Las Vegas. One concern they both share now is the
New Hampshire winters and cabin fever.
Greg attended Roanoke College in Salem, Va. Later
he returned to Wolfeboro to Aw Shucks!.
He later managed the Woodshed where during the summers he worked with Hadley
Clark ’91, a busboy. He then worked with
Matt Kollmorgen ’84, a waiter, when Aw
Shucks! became the Oyster Club. Greg then
worked for the same restaurant in Dover,
N.H., and later in Greenwich, Conn. After
two years of working in Boston, Greg
moved to California where he went to work
for SYSCO Corp. After five years in sales,
he was appointed sales manager, and during
the next three years, he brought SYSCO
from a negative 18 percent status to a positive 20 percent growth for a total of $18
million per year.
Glen graduated from Johnson and
Wales University in 1988 with an A.S. in
culinary arts and a B.S. in business. During
his college summers, Glen worked at
Restaurateurs Glen Gordon (on the left) and Greg Branzetti
Wolfeboro’s Oyster Club. After college he
went to work for Pizzeria Uno in Boston.
days, weighing the move from sunny California to notThereafter, expanding, Glen bought two Subway franso-sunny New Hampshire, but called back saying that if
chises, one in Franklin, Mass., the other in North
he could be included in a partnership, he’d agree. He
Reading, Mass. Next was New York City where he
said he’d manage the opening and running of the restauworked for California Pizza Kitchen. More recently, after
rant and enter the partnership in November. Next
moving to Las Vegas, Glen worked for MGM for three
Branzetti called Gordon in Las Vegas and told him what
years at its Rain Forest Cafe, the busiest restaurant on
was happening, asking him, later begging him, to join
the West Coast based on its sales.
him as he knew he needed Glen’s experience to get under
Five Dreams Come Together
way in such a short time. Glen, too, considered the New
Hampshire winters, recalling the icy winds blasting
Greg and Glen have known David Hemenway most
across the lake, but he also remembered the good times
of their lives and also knew Greg Roark from their early
and the good friends.
days at Aw Shucks!, as Greg had retail properties in the
Greg Roark Jr. also was excited to hear about the
same building. Over the years the restaurant changed
restaurant’s plans. He had always looked forward to
hands and names and lost much of its initial popularity
returning to Wolfeboro to work and settle in by the lake.
in the area, going from Aw Shucks! to the Oyster Club
He had the remaining expertise the organization needed
to Rumors to the Pirate’s Den. Greg Branzetti tried for
and was quickly at work with the restoration of the
several years to work out an arrangement where he
building.
would buy the business but never was able to do so.
Not only has Garwoods brought five good people
Both David and Greg Roark continued to encourage
and good friends back together, offering the opportunity
Greg and Glen in that direction. Meanwhile every time
to work side by side, but it’s brought an old/new landGreg Roark Jr. returned from Colorado, where he
mark of dining back to Wolfeboro. Garwoods, says
worked for five years as head concierge at the Lodge
Branzetti, will be somewhat of a cross between Aw
Tower in Vail, he and his father also considered the posShucks! and the Woodshed, the best of casual dining.
sibilities of reclaiming the restaurant.
It’ll be open for lunch and dinner, 11:30 a.m. to midGreg Branzetti tells the final chapter this way: At the
night. And being in walking distance from campus, it’s
end of April, just a few short months ago, he received a
bound to be a favorite for Brewster faculty, parents, and
phone call in California from Greg Roark, asking him if
especially alumni — with members of the Class of ’84
he’d like to run the new restaurant that he and David
getting very special attention!
were buying. Branzetti said he pondered for about three
Belton (continued from Page 7)
those around me. I’m hoping that teaching and working
with kids will make me less of a jerk.
now going to run Off-Broadway. There’s a musical called
Urinetown that started in the N.Y.C. Fringe Festival and
is now going to move to Broadway. It’s weird and totally
unpredictable.
I’m trying to get a show of mine produced in
London right now. If it comes together, I’m going to be
a born-again Christian. England loves to export to the
United States, but the other way around is touch and go.
I think it’s because of the economy. The rest of Europe is
fair game if you can speak the language, though there
still is a strong ex-patriate community wherever you go
(Vietnam, Paris, Prague). Russia, Africa, South America,
and Eastern Europe are all cheap and fun places to travel
and make art. The Middle East is rich but sequestered.
Most people go there, steal their influences, come back,
and market the ideas in what Edward Saïd calls
“Orientalism” (see The Lion King) or “Cultural
Imperialism.” I have a very good friend who studies Noh
Theater in Japan, does voice-overs for Iron Chef, and
makes a good living as the token “gai-jing.”
Hoopes: You mentioned that you’re working this summer
in children’s theater. Have you done this type of work
before? Would you say there are “seasons” in theater?
Ian: Never done children’s theater before in my life, and
I’m scared out of my mind. I have recently had a change
of life and am trying to be less abusive to myself and
8
Hoopes: Have you done any TV or movie directing? Plan
to?
Ian: I’ve done a bunch of video projects for theater. I
love the language of montage (Schwah Schwah). I’ve also
edited videos of theater I’ve done (which is always dicey,
documentation that is). I like the medium of film and
am strongly influenced by it as per my theater work. I
have a short film I’m planning to do soon. I just need
$20,000. I’m dying to observe on The Sopranos (“observing” is the way one learns to direct television) as the
show blows my mind. I had no idea television could
have that much power.
Hoopes: Where do you see yourself, say, ten years down the
road?
Ian: I want to be rich, have babies, send them to boarding school, and have them get MBAs. I think it’s important for yuppies to raise artists and vice versa. I want to
have an alternative fuel-driven car. I want to have directed the musical version of Blazing Saddles and South Park:
The Movie. I want to be Willem Defoe or Steve
Buschemi and have a schizophrenic Hollywood career
that funds my Experimental Theater addiction. I want to
direct opera. I want to trash a hotel room at Cannes. I
want to end my addiction to Nike Air Rift sneakers. I
want to travel to Iran and see Tah’zieh.
Hoopes: Those BA students seriously interested in an acting career should ... .
Ian: Find a way to nurture their souls while they pursue
their dreams. In other words, life happens while you
make plans.
Hoopes: Those interested in directing should ... .
Ian: Live life to the fullest!
Hoopes: Does it help for one to act before directing?
Ian: No, not necessarily. It helps to have a unique and
twisted vision of the world that you bring to bear on a
medium that you know nothing about ... it’s how genius
occurs. Craft comes later.
Hoopes: What’s the ratio between talent and luck as far as
success goes? How much is banked on being in the right
place at the right time?
Ian: You can have all of one and none of the other and
still be happy. You won’t eat, but you’ll be happy.
Hoopes: And, finally, Ian, basic advice to those thinking of
following in your footsteps ... .
Ian: Try not to smoke or drink too much. Wear a condom. And try not to piss off the police.
HOOPLA
Hoopla
‘Young Mother Alum of the Year’
In the past, all alums featured in the Hoopla column
have been singled out for having created something unique –
traveled and worked some place exotic or swiftly climbed the
ladder in the field of entertainment. In short, those profiled
have been alums that have dared to venture and who have
gained, and they’ve always been presented in a manner that
left the reader feeling upbeat and maybe even proud of their
Brewster connection.
The following alum’s story is indeed different, though it
is certainly from one who has also ‘ventured and gained.’
those skills and enabled me to make it through college.
My favorite book is still Catcher in the Rye.
After a final summer working at Camp Nokomis on
Bear Island on Lake Winnipesaukee (which I will never
know how to spell), I moved permanently to Ohio. I
cannot say I moved there for any reason other than my
husband. Ohio is a nice place, but I love the East, especially New Hampshire. I have told my husband more
than once that someday I would live there, but even
though he thinks it is beautiful as well, he is a true
For a few years now, I’ve been hoping
that a stay-at-home mom would
write me, describing her experience,
the highs and lows, and leaving the
reader with the understanding that
she’s just as successful, if not more so,
than those who have gone the executive route.
Two Reunion Weekends ago, I
ran into my old friend, Jen Rader
Dennis ’88, and while chatting
realized that here was someone whose
life was full and busy. Unfortunately,
I didn’t get a chance to talk with Jen
as long as I would have liked.
Recently, however, I came across a
note I’d misplaced and feeling guilty,
especially as I had not returned her
photo. I wrote, and if it’s possible to
twist one’s arm via e-mail, I did! I
pleaded with her to write her “Life
Since BA” story. I knew she had one
child and that she was a teacher as
well. I had no idea, however, just
what Jen has been though these past
13 years. Her letter to me was very
personal, yet she said I could share it,
as it certainly will inspire those who
have had their own differences.
As I’ve pointed out in my last few
columns, I’ve been looking for someone to whom I give my ‘Young Alum
Mother of the Year’ award. I’m very
pleased and proud to say that in Jen
I have certainly found that person!
My Life Since BA
By Jennifer Rader Dennis
I need to say that I am reluctant in writing all of this for two
reasons. First, because I am sitting
here in a hotel connected to the
number one cancer hospital in the
United States, waiting to find out
the results of my husband’s numerous tests. I cannot say that my writing skills will be up to par or my
Jennifer Rader Dennis ’88 (top photo)
with her husband, Dwight. At right, are
her three daughters. Her stepdaughter
is pictured above.
memory perfect. It does, however, pose a nice distraction
from my future prospects, and I do still love to write.
My second hesitation comes because I have had many
hardships in the last 13 years. My husband, the optimist
of the two of us, was even a bit concerned about telling
my story to inspire students. So, where do I begin?
It is hard to remember 13 years ago, but I will try. I
was accepted at Wittenberg University in Springfield,
Ohio, and opted to go there because of the beautiful
campus and because my twin sister, Judy, wanted to go
to St. Lawrence. Wittenberg wanted my sister because
she did not come with a learning disability, and I made
them eat their words, making dean’s list my first term.
College was difficult and stressful because of my
learning disability, and I hardly remember having a great
deal of fun or making many lasting friendships. I do,
however, still have my beloved German shepherd collie,
Kelly. I played soccer for two years until it got too political, and then played recreationally for the town. This is
where I met my husband, Dwight. I always knew I would
marry a soccer player. I earned my B.A. in education in
the field of learning disabilities. My dream was to somehow give back what was given to me.
When I was eleven, I went to Eagle Hill School, a
private learning disability school. This school and its
wonderful staff gave me the skills, confidence, and determination to be whomever I wanted. Brewster honed
Ohioan and his family is here. Although it has been difficult being far from my family at times, I am very used
to it and visit often. His family and I are very close and
that helps, too. We are all stretched across the country.
My older sister, Lisa, now lives in the house I grew up in
in Greenwich, Conn. My twin sister, Judy, lives in San
Francisco.
The first teaching job I landed was in a severe behavior handicap (SBH) lock-up residential unit, which just
happened to be directly across the street from Dwight’s
brother’s house, where we lived. You cannot imagine
what that was like, coming from my little sheltered life,
but I would never trade my experiences. Many of my
students were locked up for crimes, such as attempted
murder, mostly as a result of how they were brought up
themselves and the people they had to be around. It was
an eye-opener to say the least. Many times I came home
crying from the sheer stress of my first year of teaching
and the job itself. My mother died of lung cancer that
year as well. My life changed forever. That year, I also
became engaged to Dwight. So, my mother did get to
meet my future husband, a saving grace.
After two years of SBH, having total knee reconstruction (due to a soccer injury, of course), having a
wedding, and gaining a new stepdaughter, age 9, who
lived primarily with her mother, I decided that I would
be better off doing something else. Plus, I was teaching
under temporary license and was taking classes at night
at The Ohio State University (OSU). At this point, I still
wanted to save children of the inner city, so I chose,
although I did not know it at the time, the most violent
middle school in the city to try next. My first job was
much safer than the second was. Coming from the suburbs, my eyes were once again widened. It was difficult
enough to teach the regular students, and I was going to
try to teach the special ones. I spent two years there with
two different principals trying to teach those kids something. I think they gave me more
of an education than I gave them.
I learned black or white that if
you were not born into the city
culture it is difficult to try to
work inside of it and make much
progress.
So, once again I ventured
onward, determined to find the
right school for me. I spent the
next three years at a tiny rural
country school, which I enjoyed
for the most part, but did not
quite chime with the small-town
mentality or the principal.
Practically the day I was hired, I
discovered I was pregnant with
my first child. Yes, we had been
trying for three months, but it
can still be quite surprising when
it actually works. My doctor was
never a bit worried about me
because I have always remained
healthy and active.
I was heavily into bike touring. My biggest feat was a ride
called TOSRV, which entails covering 210 miles in two days. I did
it with the stomach flu. I actually
stopped at people’s houses to use
their restrooms because I was
unable to make it to the rest
stops. My husband forced me to
go, knowing that after all the
training I did I would never live it
down. In other words, he would
never hear the end of it. He was
right. I was about to do my first
mini-triathlon when I found out I
was pregnant, and (doctors)
would not allow me to continue
my training due to the summer
heat.
To everyone’s surprise, health
did not assist me at all with my
first childbearing experience; I got
toxemia. My daughter, Taylor
Sperry, was born nine-and-a-half
weeks early at 2 pounds 15 ounces by an emergency Csection, which put me in ICU and sent her to a children’s hospital in Dayton. I was told that we both almost
died, and due to the fluid I retained, my best friend told
me that I was hardly recognizable.
I recovered miraculously after eight days in the hospital. I had held my new daughter’s hand one time and
had seen her only twice in those eight days. A photograph given to me revealed her minute size by catching
my stepdaughter’s 11-year-old hand on her isolet. It
practically covered her body.
Having no idea about motherhood as of yet, I
remember the 40-minute drive to see my daughter for
really the first time. I visited her at least once every day
and was not able to hold her for the first month. She was
in the hospital for two-and-a-half months. She came
home on an apnea monitor, which always seemed to go
off for no particular reason. Her first two years were a
struggle due to her asthma, which developed because of
her prematurity. But I am happy to report she is healthy
as a horse and taller than most her friends in preschool,
not to mention brighter, according to her teacher.
I went back to work the following year after nine
months at home, using much of my sick leave, during
which time I worked on my master’s. I got my first B in
graduate school due to my emergency delivery. Graduate
Dennis (continued on Page 10)
9
a lum n i
Hoopla/Alumni
More Scenes
from Reunion 2001
The Kenney clan is pictured in the photo at the
right. Attending (front, left to right) are: Charlotte
Kenney Bartholomae ’51, Dorothy Kenney Glidden
’46, Marcia Bickford Stearns ’59; in the back are
Ernest Kenney Jr. ’46 and Bruce Stearns ’62, the
husband of Marcia. In the lower right photo, Ron
Bronzetti ’92 compares notes with Greg Branzetti
’84. Below, Headmaster David Smith visits with Les
York ’31, president emeritus of Brewster’s Alumni
Association, and his wife, Irene, who was made an
honorary alumna in 1982.
Dennis (continued from Page 9)
school never challenged me. All I had to do was attend
class and know how to write. Although I was driving an
hour each way to OSU, I would go nowhere else. I love
OSU and have become a true Buckeye.
The following year, Dwight and I decided to try
again. We wanted our kids two years apart, and I would
be done with my master’s before we had another. That
summer, I returned to Brewster for my 10-year reunion
and was pleased to see how beautiful Brewster remained
and saw many old faces. With Taylor attached at my hip
during the day and with free babysitting at night, I was
in seventh heaven. I just had to find my dorm. When I
returned home, I found out I was pregnant. Five months
into it, I found out I was pregnant with twin girls. (I
know my mother was up in heaven and had something
to do with this.) I desperately wanted a son, and now I
was having two more girls. Some of you could imagine
my horror after my first experience with childbirth.
Eight months pregnant with the twins, I graduated
from OSU with a master’s in reading and language arts.
(Quite a feat for a dyslexic with a severe reading disability.) I was very proud of myself, and my husband and dad
were there with much congratulations and lunch.
I completed most of my seventh year of teaching and
gave birth to my twins, Sydney Elisabeth and Madison
Caroline. They were only three weeks early and weighed
5 pounds and 5.5 pounds. (I was just happy to see my
feet again.) We brought them home within a week and
hardly knew what to do. We had no time to get used to
this normalcy, however, because after a week, my smaller,
but older twin, Sydney, caught the RSV virus. She ended
up being flown to a children’s hospital because she was
having trouble breathing.
The next week, Madison entered the hospital with
the same condition. Since Madison’s symptoms were not
as bad as Sydney’s, Madison was released. Taylor then
entered the hospital for testing. While attending to both
of them, the paramedics called me to let me know that
Madison had turned blue on our babysitter and was now
on her way back to children’s hospital. My doctor still
claims that we have the record: three kids on three different floors of the hospital.
10
Madison had taken to the disease quite differently
from Sydney, and through her testing, it was discovered
that at two weeks old, she also had a bladder infection.
This was highly unusual. After the twins returned home,
each on oxygen and monitors, they slowly recovered
completely from the virus. Sydney had been in the hospital for two weeks.
The doctor, however, was concerned about the bladder infection. Madison was tested, as well as the other
girls. It was finally determined that all three children had
varying degrees of bladder reflux, which if gone undetected can burn up your kidneys. All three of them had
surgery that summer. Meanwhile, I looked for and found
a new job, teaching learning disabilities in a high school
with a teacher I had field experience with. So I spent my
whole summer in and out of the hospital because they all
had the surgery at different times. Madison, once again
fooling everyone, was rushed back to the hospital after
her surgery because swelling had caused some complications.
After this fun-filled summer, I turned to a new job of
teaching high school. I had taught pretty much all grade
levels, but never high school exclusively. It was difficult
because what I did not realize was that often once a child
with learning disabilities gets to high school having never
learned to compensate, he or she really has no ability to
learn anymore and no longer cares to either. As if I needed more on my plate, in October we discovered Dwight
had cancer. A tumor was removed from his small intestine. After about four months of recovery, I found a doctor at OSU who monitored him carefully.
Our next Christmas card was finally filled with all it
should have been filled with. Everyone was healthy and
growing, and life was normal for a change. I switched
jobs, hoping once again to find my dream school and
realizing that I will probably never find it. I may try a
learning-disabilities private school someday or even
Brewster. (You can get me in, right, Hoopes?) I do, however, really like the school I am at now because I live in
the district and my children will go to school here. The
staff here is top notch, and there are many professional
opportunities available to me that were never presented
to me at other schools.
Finally after a year-and-a-half of careful monitoring
and normalcy around the Dennis household, doctors
found more cancer in Dwight’s liver. OSU gave us a horrible prognosis, and told us to go to the M.D .Anderson
Cancer Center in Texas. Three months ago, they looked
at my husband’s testing, and the leading specialist in sarcoma told us to go home and enjoy life for another three
months. We have tried to do that. That brings us here to
today.
Hoopes wanted me to tell you of all my successes
and triumphs over the years. Certainly, I have had many.
My stepdaughter now lives with us, and I have the four
most beautiful children in the world. I have a husband
who does more cleaning than I do most of the time and
is a wonderful father as well. I try to be a good mom by
reading to my children almost daily and providing them
with as many experiences as possible.
I believe that teaching allows a person to have a
career as well as being there for the kids. I hardly miss a
doctor’s appointment and attended almost all of Taylor’s
preschool activities this year. Some teacher’s give up their
lives for teaching, but I have had to learn the hard way
that teaching is just a job and family comes first. I know
that on Thursday if my husband has to fight this cancer
with more than a summer’s worth of time, I have no
problem giving up teaching and being right by his side.
My family and his family are all supporting us and taking care of the kids. There is no greater love than family.
My mother remains in my heart daily.
As for advice, live your life to the fullest and remember no matter what you believe, you are never in charge.
Live your life knowing that things will happen overwhich you have no control, but every friend you make
and every turn you take will bring you somewhere and
change your life somehow developing who you are. Try
to enjoy it and never give up because someone is always
counting on you to be there for them.
A LU M N I
Class Notes
1947
Bob Bishop lives in Dallas and
is a semi-retired physician who
now consults for large insurance
companies.
also have a large family that
keeps me busy.” Susan Weyand
Gleason had a baby boy, Brian
Patrick Gleason, on April 11.
1954
Pancracio Palting teaches at
Flowers High School in
Springdale, Md.
1956
David Rich has been at Shaklee
Corporation for 30 years. He is
keeping busy doing interpretive
tours in the Enchanted Forest
Nature Sanctuary.
1958
James Furman writes “I recently
received word that I won an art
commission from the city of
Philadelphia to create a stained
glass entryway for the new
Courthouse. The facility is
expected to be completed early
in 2002.”
1960
Donna Brack King is working
at Brewster Academy as the
accounts payable clerk in the
Business Office.
1964
Candace Crawshaw retired
from Citicorp/Citibank and
continues to live in Singapore.
1976
Mark Conroy continues with
his work as owner and partner
of two funeral homes in the
Boston area. He and his family
enjoy going to Cape Cod on
weekends. Hank Siemon is the
director of sales for The Siemon
Company in Watertown, Conn.
1977
Yong-Hak Huh is a managing
director with J.P. Morgan Chase
in Hong Kong. Derek Murphy
is the vice president for Business
Development for Skillgames,
Inc. He and his family live in
South Orange, N.J. Stuart
Goodman is married and has a
nine month-old son Jason.
1980
Peter Ford is in computer networking sales with VPNet. He
and his wife, Lani, live in
Tampa, Fla. Kristianne
Widman-Johnson has been
spending lots of time in the
Lakes Region assisting brother
(Greg ’78) with building a
house. She writes “it was great
fun at reunion last year — our
20th. Saw several people I
haven’t seen in years.” Annette
Eve Manning writes “I am a
training officer for a law firm in
Bermuda. I train the whole firm
with regard to computer training.”
1981
John Gregory writes “I own a
small landscaping business in
Morris, N.Y. and have been very
busy especially in the summer. I
Brian Patrick Gleason
1982
Richard Beaupre writes “We are
adopting a 3 1/2 year old girl
from the Phillippines.”
1983
Megan Sweeney is living in
Arlington, Mass., and works with
mentally ill children. She is the
administrative team leader,
which she says is very challenging and fun. “Loving those kids
made all the difference.”
and I are working on our house
and yard, cross country skiing in
woods out back, and doing a lot
of traveling. Our most recent
trips include Alaska, Wyoming,
and all over California.” Grant
Wilson writes “We had our second baby boy. His name is Ike
Doubleday Wilson born March
26. I recently bought an old theatre in Portland, Maine, and I
am fixing it up for rock shows.
The upstairs of the Portland
Stone Coast Brewery is being
fixed up to be an upscale steak
house.” Elizabeth Scully writes
“I’m still living in Boston, loving
my commute with all the Big
Dig blessings and touches of
beauty. I’m working at Terra
Lycos as a senior producer. I’ve
been working on the web now
for about four years (that’s like
20 years in normal industries’
time) so, you might say I’m a
seasoned web veteran. But, the
only thing I can tell you about
working on the web is that
things change at the drop of a
hat, and you’d better be really
quick on your toes or else...
BTW—I wish I’d paid more
name is Jack Thomas.” Chuck
Henry is living in Duxbury,
Mass., with his four cats and
two dogs and is looking forward
to the summer. Kirsten Wilson
will be graduating from the
University Without Walls program this December. She and
her husband, Johnny Bivera, live
in Washington, D.C. Jon
Konheim writes “We welcomed
Ashley Danielle Konheim into
the world on June 1.” Bruce
Pawlak writes “I’m currently living in St. Louis with my wife,
Kristina. Eight months ago we
had our first baby, Grant Corbe.
He is a blast and being a Dad is
one of the greatest experiences
in life. I can’t believe I just said
that! My how we’ve all grown up
since BA. I am currently working for TWA (soon to be
American Airlines). I am an aircraft technician. Working for an
airline has great benefits, one
being travel privileges. We just
returned from a two-week vacation in Europe. We went to
1984
Matthew Kollmorgen and wife
Judith Fay Kollmorgen ’85
welcomed a baby daughter, Lily,
on May 21. Greg Branzetti and
Glen Gordon have moved to
Wolfeboro and are managing
Garwoods, an upscale restaurant
and grille on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Glen is the head chef and
kitchen manager, and Greg is
the restaurant manager.
1985
Christopher Aeschliman writes
“This winter has been one of the
most challenging and rewarding
winters that I have had in my
lifetime. On Dec. 29, 2000, I
bought my first home – a condo
in Manchester, N.H. I did some
renovations and now it is really
starting to feel like a home.”
Stefan Mandanis is now working in sales for IBM in
Maryland. Judith Fay
Kollmorgen and husband
Matthew Kollmorgen ’84 welcomed a baby daughter, Lily,
born on May 21.
1990
Jeffrey Nelson moved to LA
one year ago. He has been surfing and working as an environmental chemist. He writes
“Sunny and warm every day out
here. Gotta love it!” Matthew
Baker writes “I have been meaning to connect with Brewster
but life is so busy that I have not
had a chance. We are planning
to take a trip to New Hampshire
this summer to visit Brewster.”
Mitch Wolff is a partner with a
commercial real estate company,
Cawley International in Dallas.
Derek Kaloust lives in Dallas
and joined The Nautilus Group’s
Business Case Analysis team in
1999. Derek holds a Juris
Doctor from Suffolk University
Law School, a Master of Laws in
Taxation from Boston University
Law School, and a B.A. in
Political Science from Boston
College. Sarah Larson and
Heather Vaillancourt are coaching the Oyster River Girls’
Lacrosse team from Portsmouth,
N.H. They compete against the
Abenaki Lacrosse Team that
plays on Brewster’s campus.
Kimberly Boyce Seefried had a
baby boy, Cameron Boyce
Seefried, on May 31.
1991
1986
Scott Bassinder is running the
family business (restaurant and
bar) but does have time to do a
lot of fishing in New Jersey,
Florida, Mexico, and St. Thomas.
He also plays fast pitch softball
and races cars in the Skip Barber
Southern Series. He is still single. Elisabeth Kimball Hayes
writes “I am extremely happy to
announce the birth of our child,
Elisabeth Decker Hayes born on
Feb. 18. She is healthy and very
beautiful.” Dennis Phipps lives
and works in N.Y.C. He currently has two companies: DKP
Corp (helping companies develop
executive level strategies) and
Light and Sound Entertainment
(consulting work with multimedia companies).
Barbara and I moved to Texas
and live in the Dallas area. I
work as a headhunter for the
firm Aerotek, connected to Elgis
Group. Barbara is a teacher.”
John Mautz continues to work
in Congress serving as counsel.
He lives in the Washington,
D.C. area.
Henry Lord ’91, a former Brewster varsity hockey player,
recently returned from Michigan to visit the Brewster campus. Henry had been an integral part of the rebirth of hockey at Brewster and was known as a tenacious checker who
possessed an incredible work ethic. Current coach T.J.
Palmer, as an assistant coach, promised Henry that if he
ever became head coach he would start the “Henry Lord
Hustle Award” to recognize the tremendous hustle and grit
Henry displayed and to recognize a current player from
each season who displayed the same. Four years ago, T.J.
Palmer became head coach and started the award as signified by the plaque that Henry is holding.
attention in Mr. Gefers geometry and algebra classes. I love
what I do because every day I
learn something new, and am
NEVER bored.”
1987
1988
Matthew Neutra writes “My
wife Colleen, Chelsey the dog,
Thomas Schwarze writes “We
had a boy on February 12. His
Rome, Switzerland, and Paris.
What a wonderful time!”
1989
Todd Willens writes “I work as
a lobbyist for Ringling Brothers
& Bailey in Virginia.” Ted
Latham writes “My wife
Jennifer Dabney-Nystrom
writes “I will be traveling to the
East Coast next summer with
my husband George. Our first
child is due this November.…
We have a great life. We live in
Northern California in a little
district outside of Middletown,
approximately a 30 minutes
from Calistoga. In 2000 I went
back to school to obtain my
graduate degree in social work. I
have one year left (with baby on
the way that may turn into
two).” Elizabeth Jennings has a
new home on the Connecticut
coast. She is looking forward to
spending the rest of the summer
on her private beach. She also
writes “I have made a major
shift in terms of my career. I
have spent the last couple of
years flying helicopters. As a
commercial pilot I have been
able to enjoy my sincere love for
flying. I also have a great yearning for the law, so this fall I will
be attending law school. I am
also a very active member of
Westport EMS (Emergency
Medical Services) where I serve
as an EMT (Emergency Medical
Technician). If anyone is headed
down to Connecticut, give me a
call!” Matthew Wong writes
that he is still single and currently working in Hong Kong at
Credit Suisse, First Boston’s
investment banking division. He
is focusing on telecommunication and media in Asia. His
work has been extremely busy.
11
a lum n i
Class Notes
His brother, Mark ’92, is back
in Hong Kong as well and is
working for the family business.
Luis Dorta Fernandez just got
a planner’s job in Tenerife, Canary
Islands. Andrew Dickinson is
in Idaho with an Outdoor
Recreation Program.
1992
Stephanie O’Connor is living
in Somerville, Mass., in an
apartment with Meg Woodbury.
Jason Trumpy writes “I work as
a major account executive for a
network integration company,
Pomeroy Computer Resources.
My territory is the Pennsylvania,
so I spend a lot time there commuting from my home in
Cincinnati. My wife, Adrianne,
a CPA, is expecting our second
child in August. We are very
excited. I have spent some time
with Samba Johnson, who is an
assistant coach at Duquesne
University in Pittsburgh and
have kept in touch with Dr.
Ferris, at Sewickley Academy in
Pittsburgh as well.”
1993
Sarah Bunker just got back from
vacation in Florida where she
caught alligators and saw lots of
wildlife! She left her job at the
preschool where she has been
teaching for the past seven years
and was recently appointed to
the staff of the Center for
Wildlife, a wildlife rehabilitation
center in Maine. She has been
volunteering there for a few
graduated from Plymouth State
last year. He is currently living
and working in Breckenridge,
Colo. “Charlie Ford where are
you? Kaler’s Crab & Lobster
House is alive and well in
Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Come
on down!” Matthew Smith is a
third and fourth grade teacher at
New Garden Friends School in
Greensboro, N.C. He is applying
for graduate studies in educational psychology. Greg Nelson
writes “I work as a graphic
designer for Learning Express, a
toy company with stores across
the country. I’ve been keeping
active sailing every weekend during the summer. As a member of
the Falmouth Yacht Club, there
are five or six of us who race J24’s. I am also working on a
goal to fly jets and so far have
my multi-engine rating. The big
news is that I got married to a
great lady, Yvette, on the beach
that overlooks the Vineyard
Sound on June 2.” Todd
Cadagan writes “I am now
working for a division of the
Houghton Mifflin Publishing
Company, Great Source
Education Group, as a member
of the sales force. This is a busy
time of year as schools are selecting their texts for next year’s curriculum. Other than work, I
have been playing as much golf
as possible.
on Dec. 2, 2000, to Jeffrey
Stein. She lives in N.Y.C. and
works for Prime Media in special
events and marketing. Tiffany
Vickers is currently living in
Salt Lake City, Utah, freelancing
as a stage manager and working
as a county stage manager; however, she is looking for a job in
marketing/trade shows. She
1995
writes “if that does not pan out,
I’m selling everything and moving
to an island to scuba dive and be
a bartender.” Nicole Tilley writes
“I work for my dad in California,
and I am a volunteer at a children’s center.” Emily Tucker is
working for the non-profit
Meridian International Center
conducting education programs
to promote an international
understanding of the arts.
Geoffrey Pomeroy graduated
from Skidmore College in May
1999 and moved to Hollywood
to pursue an acting career. He
has appeared in Fiddler on the
Roof and more than 30 other
plays. He also produced a few of
his own plays and has won
awards. He also tends bar at a
Hollywood hotspot. He feels he
gained his confidence while at
Brewster and would like to
thank all his teachers for their
help. Seth Ellis writes “I have
finally achieved one of my boyhood dreams! I am presently
three months into my probationary year as a career firefighter/paramedic with the Westfield,
Massachusetts Fire Department.
I am assigned to the
Massachusetts Firefighting
Academy’s basic recruit training
program. Elizabeth Chapman
writes “I’ve just opened a restaurant in N.Y.C with a well know
chef named Tom Colichio and
we’re getting to be one of the
top spots in the city. I used to
work with another famous chef,
Mario Batali. I am having fun
and am extremely busy.”
Sarah Tower graduated from
University of Iowa in December
1999. She was the commence-
In March, while eating lunch at Barbara Jean’s restaurant in St.
Simon’s Island, Georgia, David and Sheila Smith ran into Tyler
Barta ’93. Barta manages the restaurant for his mother.
months. She writes “I love it, we
have owls and hawks and squirrels
and more, wish they didn’t have
to come see us, because when
they do they are hurt, but … we
release those that we have
rehabbed.”
1994
Michael Nick has been working
for Saturn Corp., for almost
three years and loving it. “I’d
like to say ‘Hi’ to some BA
friends: Tiffany V., Brenda N.,
Maria T., Sarah W., and Dawn
R.” Kate Kumpuris is a political
consultant with Doak, Carrier,
O’Donnell and Associates in
Washington, D.C. Samuel Kaler
ment speaker at the ceremony.
Since then she has worked as a
contributing editor for an online
magazine, as a deckhand on a 75
ft. schooner, and is currently a
ski instructor. She is also applying to graduate school now
(non-fiction writing) and she
got engaged in October. Andrew
Davenport is finishing up his
BS in biology at San Diego
State. He will be going to graduate school at the University of
Miami or the University of San
Diego. He has been traveling
around the country as well as
Australia and Baja, Mexico. He
is in Costa Rica this summer.
Tara Nowick Stein got married
12
Aprisma Management Technology
in Dallas. Richard Coles will
graduate from Rollins College in
the fall and will continue to
work and live in Florida.
Hamilton Cochran moved to
Lake Tahoe, Nev. He is currently
working at the Lake Tahoe
Shakespeare Festival.
York City. Rebekah Seaman
graduated from Boston College
in May. Two days later, she
accepted the position of assistant
director of admissions at Foxcroft
School in Middleburg, Va., an
all-girls 9-12 grade boarding
school. Daegon Keller is a student at Pepperdine University
and is working for the Director
of Educational Excursions in
Argentina. Levar Saunders
made the dean’s list at the State
University of New York and is
now part of the Sociology Honors
Program. Max Rothwell writes
that he graduated from Western
Maryland College in May with a
BA in Communication. Jessica
Ridgeway graduated from
University of California Santa
Barbara in June. She received a
BA in Cultural Anthropology
and minored in Social Cultural
Linguistics.
1998
Friends of Brewster Crew, which includes current and alumni
rowers, honored Seth Ahlborn for his seven years as head of
the crew program by naming one of the schools new shells
(an “eight” pictured above) after him. Under Seth’s leadership, Brewster rowers captured a 10th place finish at the
Nationals in 2000. Seth left Brewster in June to become
head of school at Chesapeake Academy in Irvington, Va.
1996
Brian Lincoln is doing well at
Norwich University majoring in
mechanical engineering. Erick
Faul is a sales engineer for
1997
Johanna Dunkel was named on
the dean’s list at Muhlenberg
College in Allentown, Pa. Erica
Saiger graduated from the
University of Arizona in costume
design. Jody Gale got married
and has a six-month-old baby
and one on the way. He met his
wife, Tamra, while traveling in
Africa. Gordon Kaywin graduated from Southern Methodist
University in May and has
moved to Los Angeles where he
will be an intern with the
William Morris Agency. David
deSouza graduated from
Donah Brookes Wachsmuth
’83 attended Reunion with
10-month-old daughter
Jessica Brook.
Goucher College this May. He
has moved to Germany for a sixmonth consulting job with a
German television production
company. Lindsey Turner is
actively involved with the
University Without Walls program and currently lives in New
Gregory Nowick is doing well
at the University of Arizona.
Ryan Vazales writes that he is
an economics major at the
University of Colorado. He started as a kinesiology major and
may combine interests by running a gym. He is working on
obtaining his personal trainer’s
certificate. George Johnson
writes “I am doing well at
Quinnipiac. I have my own web
site (www.sealteamsix.com) and
my own radio show. I will be a
senior next year!” Geoffrey
DeMeritt is working for
Merrowvista Educational Center
in Tuftonboro, N.H., this summer and plans to attend their
training program.
1999
Courtney Hoffman “I am
doing great and hanging in with
the whole college experience.”
Julie Holt writes “This year has
been interesting ... it seems like
it has been awfully long. I’ve
done very well in school this
year, and have been named to
the dean’s list. I decided to
major in Rehabilitation and
Human Services, and I think I
might like to work with kids
with developmental disabilities.
I was also involved in my
Residence Hall Association this
year and, as a result, I decided to
apply for a resident assistant
position for next year and got it!
I am working in the Brewster
Summer Programs Office again
this summer. Blake Carr and
Shaya Reiter have finished their
sophomore years at Georgetown
University. Dakota Keller writes
that he is doing well at the
University of Washington. Casey
Johnson completed her sophomore year at Bentley College in
Waltham, Mass. She has been an
outstanding member of the
Women’s Lacrosse Team. She
leads with the most assists. She
also has been coaching the U-12
and U-14 girls lacrosse teams in
Wellesley, Mass. Casey will begin
her junior year in the fall as a
finance major. Jake Harrington
writes that he is going to Geneva
for the fall semester.
A LU M N I
Class Notes
2000
Larry Young writes “Things
have been challenging and
midterms are just as exciting as
the SAT’s, but I am hanging in
there. I will always keep
Brewster in my heart and
mind.” Dennis McNally writes
“I am doing very well in college
and getting good grades. It was a
great hockey season, and I
received the coaches award in
Lacrosse.” Ashley Ahlborn
made the dean’s list at Beloit
College and will be working at a
summer camp in Madison, Wis.,
this summer.
Faculty Notes
Congratulations to the following faculty members who
have accepted new positions and
who will be bringing their talents and skills to our students in
these new areas:
Barbara Barklow moves from
teaching instructional support to
teaching English full time. She
continues as the community living parent in Goodwin House.
Laura Cooper will be a lower
school team leader.
Communications Office as assistant director in June. Robin
Found is the school’s new registrar. In June Kathy Seaman
became a major gifts officer in
the office of Parent and Alumni
Programs. Previously she was a
researcher for this office. Jan
Kaskiewicz is now the academic
and personnel offices administrative assistant. Previously she
was the academic support services secretary. Priscilla Reithel is
the school’s new director of
Health Services. Jason Smith
moved from the math center to
Adam B. Golub is getting his
Ph.D. at the University of Texas
at Austin.
1924
1946 (continued)
George W. Mann
March 18, 2001
Acton, Maine
Gordon G. Corbin
November 1, 2000
Asheville, N.C.
1932
Richard L. Hutchins
April 23, 2001
Wolfeboro, N.H.
Lucille Roberts Davis
June 29, 2000
Campton, N.H.
1952
1935
Peter Lassey, a former instructional support teacher, will teach
history full time in the fall. Peter
is stepping down from his role
as a community living parent to
coach within the athletic department.
Jane Hannah Brewster
March 11, 2001
Kennebunk, Maine
Marsha Brooks moved from
accounts payable clerk to secretary in the Business Office.
Peggy Comeau joined the
After many years of dedication
and commitment to Brewster,
the Academy said goodbye to
Seth and Carrie Ahlborn and
their daughters, Connor, 12;
Maddy, 10, and Jamie, 7. They
are off to Chesapeake Academy
in Irvington, Va., where Seth
will be head of school.
In Memoriam
Jonathan Fouser, a former
instructional support teacher,
will teach within the English
department in the fall.
Staff Notes
Former Faculty Notes
The Alumni Office records with sorrow the deaths of the following alumni and former faculty and extends its sympathy to
their families.
Beatrice Drinkwater Hobbs
February 1, 2001
Tamworth, N.H.
Steven Ribaudo moves from
teaching instructional support to
teaching in the English department in the fall.
an assistant director in the
Office of Admission.
1938
Richard Y. Goodhue
March 7, 2001
Wolfeboro, N.H.
1940
George LeMainery
February 28, 2001
Wolfeboro, N.H.
1946
Herbert ‘Ralph’ Hanington
March 14, 2001
Tuftonboro, N.H.
Marietta Pratt Whitten
May 11, 2001
Greenville, Maine
1960
Charles E. Smith
October 1998
Cape Neddick, Maine
1980
Josie Walker
May 4, 2001
Satellite Beach, Fla.
Vincent David Rogers Jr.
V. David Rogers ’53, Former Faculty
One of the great ones of our school, Vincent David
Rogers Jr., 65, died unexpectedly in Wolfeboro, a
town that he loved, on July 23. Dave’s roots are deep
within our town and our school.
The son of former Headmaster Vincent D. Rogers
(1942-1959) and Marian Rogers, Dave grew up in Lord
House with his brother, Dick, and sisters Davena ’52
and Dianne ’56. Dave graduated from the Academy in
1953.
After attending the University of New Hampshire,
where Dave earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, he returned to campus to teach math
from 1958-71 and to chair that department. Dave also
served for many years as dean of students, where he
was not only a mentor to students but also to young
faculty, me being one of them. After leaving Brewster,
he taught at North Andover High School in
Massachusetts. For more than 30 years and until his
death, he taught summers at the Wolfeboro Camp
School.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy; a son, Keith; a
daughter, Kristen; and his sister, Dianne.
All who knew him are deeply saddened by his loss,
and our hearts reach out to his family.
Reginald E. Clancy
October 1998
Freedom, N.H
—Headmaster David M. Smith
Letters to Brewster
Dear Headmaster Smith:
I am writing to inform you and the Brewster
Academy community that I will be finishing law
school at George Washington University this coming
May 27, 2001. After graduation I will be going to
Atlanta for the summer to study for the bar in July. I
will then be returning to Washington to begin fulltime employment with a law firm named Kirkpatrick
& Lockhard, L.L.P. I will be practicing in the areas of
corporate and tax law.
I have also become a licensed C.P.A. here in D.C. I
passed the final part of the exam this past November.
Who knew once I left Brewster that I would be going
for two professional licenses. I guess you’ll probably
say you did, but I surely did not.
Although my Brewster days seem so long ago
(seven years now), they haven’t been forgotten. I still
miss having three meals a day prepared for me at
Estabrook. I still remember all the professors that
believed in me to help me make it this far. And I
could never forget Ms. Richardson who helped me get
into a school like Georgetown, which gave me a good
foundation to enter the work world. I also learned to
get my applications done early, which I think was the
biggest reason why I got into a law school like G.W.
Headmaster Smith, you help to run a great school,
but unfortunately we don’t realize it until after we’re
gone for some time. You deal with kids at the hardest
stage of life (13-18) and are still able to teach them
many things academically, socially, athletically and personally. I know that I am a better person for having
attended Brewster Academy. I was exposed to a life I
would not have seen in Brooklyn. Brewster helped
refine me to become a lady.
Although I did not get to talk to your wife often,
tell her I said thank you. The last thing she said to me
after graduation is that I should begin to eat shrimp
cocktail since I’m going to a place like Georgetown.
Tell her that I do and all other types of seafood that I
would not touch while a teenager.
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that
started me on this path and believed in me.
If anyone asks Headmaster Smith, tell them that I
am 24 and single and enjoying every minute of it. I
will keep you abreast of any changes in my life.
Love Always,
Kari M. Gibbs ‘94, C.P.A.
Dear David,
A heartfelt thanks for all the years we were given
the use of Richardson House. I know my parents loved
living there and will miss being so close to all the
goings-on on campus. For me it was a wonderful
childhood, and I always felt privileged to be able to
walk to so many places in town, explore so much of
the campus, and to have such an awesome bedroom!
When we moved into the house in 1966, I remember
making my mother promise never to move again until
I was 21 (so old that I wouldn’t care if we moved out!)
It was important to me to stay put.
At the time, I thought one of the biggest advantages of living in Richardson House during the summer was when the Fourth of July carnival set up rides
in the side yard that claimed all our allowance money
(unfortunately for us, my parents found it cheaper to
buy the cottage than to keep us in “ride” money!) We
would watch the fireworks from a bedroom window or
down on the lawn. In the winter, the school set up the
hockey rink in the same spot as the carnival had been
,and we would put our ice skates on in the kitchen
and walk over to the rink.
When I got older and began teaching swimming
lessons at Brewster Beach, I’d walk down to the lake
and along the shore to the small woodland path leading to the beach. I remember thinking how lucky I
was to have such a beautiful commute to work and
that somewhere on the road to Boston were poor suckers sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic!
I have such wonderful memories of living in the
house, and now after 35 years, it goes back to the
school for another family to use. It has been loved well
by us and if a house takes on the spirit of its inhabitants then Richardson House rocks!
To date, my mother has kept her promise to me and
then some! I’m now officially old by my own standards
(well beyond 21) and in a sense, I am still waiting to
turn 21, so I won’t care about moving out of the
house. It’s a great house, in a wonderful location, and I
hope it stays a single-family house so another kid can
feel so lucky to live there.
As I started out by saying thank you, I end hoping
my feelings of appreciation were amply expressed to
you — they run deep. I will always have a soulful connection to Brewster because it is home, and I will
always feel young when I’m there.
Truly thankful,
Susan Richardson Shaw ‘81
13
BREWSTER ACADEMY
80 ACADEMY DRIVE
WOLFEBORO, NH 03894-4115
Nonprofit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Rochester, NH
03867-9998
Permit No. 30
Address Service Requested
www.brewsteracademy.org

summer 01.qxp - Brewster Academy

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