BrewsterConnections Spring 2007

Transcription

BrewsterConnections
Spring 2007
Inside:
• Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Trey Whitfield Memorial Lecture
BG Hodges ’66
Brewster Academy
2006-2007 Board of Trustees
Daniel T. Mudge, President
(Tapley-Ann ’98, Ashley ’02)
George J. Dohrmann III
(George ’05)
Leslie N. H. MacLeod, Vice President
(Todd ’97)
Peter Ford ’80
Rex V. Jobe, Treasurer
(Reagan ’01)
Helen S. Hamilton, Secretary
Michael Appe
Roy C. Ballentine
(Brian ‘97 and Susan ‘94)
Susan Harger
(Kelsey ’07)
President, Parents’ Association
Michael Keys
(Matthew ’04)
Lynn Kravis
(Jay ’07)
Anthony J. Leitner ’61
Nancy M. Black
(Nicole ’02, Robbie ’05)
Derek J. Murphy ’77 C. Richard Carlson, Estate Trustee
James E. Nicholson
David L. Carlson ’54
Todd P. Parola ’89
Candace Crawshaw ’64
President, Alumni Association
Arthur O. Ricci, Estate Trustee
Dr. Mitchell Sanders ’82
The Reverend Nancy Spencer Smith
Estate Trustee
Shawn Smith
(Susan ’08)
Steven Webster
(Brooke ’08)
Trustee Emeriti
Walter N. “Rink” DeWitt ’54
P. Fred Gridley ’53
Grant M. Wilson
(Grant ’87, Kirsten ’88)
BrewsterConnections
Brooke Webster ’08
Spring 2007
Inside
2 A Message from the Head of School
6 Creating Opportunity Out of Tragedy
The Trey Whitfield Memorial Lecture
8 Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
11 Huckleberry Finn and the Power of Theater
Essay by Drama Director Dan Clay
Head of School
Dr. Michael E. Cooper
Assistant Editor
Layout/Design
Peggy Comeau
Assistant Director of Communications
Contributors
Dan Clay, Peggy Comeau, Mike Cooper,
Marcia Eldredge, Beth Hayes ’81,
Matt Hoopes, Bob Richardson, Shirley
Richardson, Martha Trepanier ’83
Brewster Alums Share Their Post-Brewster Lives With Students
17 Teacher Appreciation Celebration
Director of Advancement
Tim von Jess
Editor
Marcia Eldredge
Director of Communications
12 Comedian, Environmental Educator, Marketer, Singer- Songwriter
19 The Pendulum Project: Helping Children With AIDS
21 Brewster’s Re-Accreditation
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. Grants Continued Accreditation
30 Welcome!
New Trustee Michael Appe
36 Morgan Huntley ’00
Building His Future While Building Boats
38 Hoopla: The Write Stuff
Bruce Hawkins ’01 and Noelle Lamperti ’89
58 Writing Brewster’s History: “Scott’s Palace”
A Glimpse Into the Life of Brewster Students from 1911-1915
On the cover:
Scenes from the winter trimester taken by
talented community photographers.
Phil Stiles
Mark Deering ’09 and Scott Cameron ’08
Departments
BrewsterConnections
is published three times a year
and mailed to alumni, parents of
students, and friends of
Brewster Academy
80 Academy Drive
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
www.brewsteracademy.org
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16
24
25
28
31
45
53
In the News
Around Campus
Athletic Awards
Community Service Projects
Fine and Performing Arts News
Advancement Office Update
Class Notes
In Memoriam
Laura Kingston ‘08 and
Alison Waldorf ‘08
A Message from the Head of School
A
s I write this, the days are becoming longer and brighter, but we are still
wrapped in winter here in Wolfeboro. Winter in Wolfeboro, as it is in most of
the northeast, is one of those times when we hunker down to wait out the arctic
blasts for signs of spring and a rebirth of what the earth has to offer. For those
of us living on the big lake, hunkering down against the blast of the cold north
wind is like trying to insulate an old house, no matter how much you bundle
up and brace yourself, somewhere, somehow, the cold will find its way through
those protective layers. But even though that cold seeps its way inside, things
are still warm and cozy on the inside, and that certainly is true of the halls of
the “Ac,” not only because of the layers of clothing we don, but mostly from the
camaraderie and warm feelings we gain from one another. Winter is also a time
for contemplation, planning, and renewing of thoughts, especially for those of
us in education. We use this time of year to begin looking ahead at a new school
year and to new beginnings. And this winter has been no exception.
One of those new beginnings is taking stock from the fact that we have been
granted re-accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and
Dr. Michael E. Cooper, Head of School
Colleges, our decennial review of programs, services, and activities at the Academy.
You can read more about the review later in these pages (21-23), but let me
briefly summarize that it was an affirming process for everyone as we were given wonderful feedback about how we
go about our daily affairs and how we are educating young people. To have validation that what we are attempting to
accomplish as a school is, indeed, recognized by outside reviewers and from our own self-study, is energizing and offers
us motivation to continue to strive toward excellence in everything that we do.
Another new beginning is the brand concept that we will be unveiling over the coming months. In a recent Wall Street
Journal article (December 12, 2006) titled “How to Keep Your School from Being Brand X,” the author sums up the
importance of brand by quoting the dean of Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business, “… the customer’s risk is
high because you can’t test drive multiple schools and you can’t change your mind once you make your purchasing
decision. That makes brand extremely important as a trust mark that helps reduce the customer’s risk.” We have taken
that sentiment to heart as we have been developing our brand concept. The preliminary feedback that we have received
confirms that we have developed an exciting and compelling message. Please look for it over the next few months.
Finally, it became abundantly clear to me in the fall, through independent reading and travel, how global we are
becoming. A trip to Asia confirmed for me that, not only has the world shrunk on one level, but also on another, just how
large it can feel. That largeness transcends physical size and really points to the magnitude of the population in different
parts of the world and what that means for our educational system here in the United States. While a topic for future
pages of Connections, it certainly requires our time and attention as we plan for our future, and in fact, has become a
compelling theme as we move forward.
These are challenging and exciting times, and I want you to know that we are giving our full attention to what they
mean for the future of the Academy. The state of the school is good, but like any enterprise, could be better. We continue
our quest to move from good to great and hope you share in the excitement that we feel. We intend to continue to reach
out to you over the coming months and to learn more about your thoughts and ideas for the future Brewster Academy.
For The School,
Michael E. Cooper, Ph.D.
BrewsterConnections l Spring 2007
In the News
Topher Grace ’97
to Appear in Spider-Man 3
Topher Grace will star as Eddie Brock/Venom
in the movie Spider-Man 3, due out in May.
Grace has appeared on TV in That 70s Show
and on the big screen in Ocean’s 11 and In
Good Company, among others. He currently
has three other films in production. l
Gregory Douglass ’99
Records Sixth CD
Instinct magazine says of Gregory Douglass’ sixth and newest
album, Up & Away channels everyone from Stevie Wonder to
Fiona Apple in a way that’s terrifyingly mature for someone
so young.”
Douglass composed and recorded the material for his first two
albums while still a student at Brewster.
Read about Douglass’ participation at the recent alumni
career panel on page 12, and more about his music at www.
gregorydouglass.com. l
Bruce Hawkins ’01 Publishes 131 Box: Path of Purpose
Bruce Hawkins, Brewster graduate, Brooklyn native, and
current law school student, has writtten a book about how he
fought for his dreams in a world of crime, drugs, death, and
hopelessness.
131 Box refers to a game that characterizes the mindset and the
culture of the people he grew up with. While most people would
probably consider basketball as the game that characterizes the
ghetto – or maybe football – Hawkins says, “The lottery best
captures the essence of the ghetto. For if one is able to understand
the diverse motivations of its players and enthusiasts, I believe
one could comprehend the difficulty of life in the ghetto, and,
more importantly, life in poverty. Learn more about Hawkins
and his book in this issue’s Hoopla section, page 39. l
2006 Winnipesaukean Earns Outstanding Recognition
Jostens, Inc., publishers of Brewster’s yearbook, recently selected the 2006 Winnipesaukean for
recognition as one of the year’s outstanding high school yearbooks out of the thousands it publishes
each year. Congratulations to the editor Melissa Fortin, advisor Andrea Cooper, and the students
who worked so hard and long on last year’s edition! l
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In the News
Marta Filip-Fouser Travels to Poland for Peace
Jenn Clements ’07 Crowned
Miss New Hampshire Teenager
The group of U.S. legislators, the Holocaust survivors, the mayor of
Oswiecim, and translator Marta Filip-Fouser (second from the left.)
History teacher Marta Filip-Fouser traveled to her native Poland in
February to serve as a translator for a delegation of U.S. state representatives.
The delegation made the trip as part of the Mound of Remembrance and
Reconciliation Project – “a symbol of remembrance and meditation uniting
the people and nations of the world in order to create a life in peace.”
Filip-Fouser was invited to join the group by Janusz Marszalek, mayor
of Oswiecim, her hometown. Renamed Auschwitz during World War II,
Oswiecim was the site of the infamous Nazi concentration camp.
The Mound is being built by former camp prisoners and will include
symbolic stones from around the world – stones from people and places
committed to peace. During an official ceremony in the presence of
Polish National TV and other Polish media, the U.S. delegation members
presented commemorative stones to be placed at the Mound.
Jenn Clements, on the right, with
last year’s Miss National Teenager
On March 17, Jenn Clements ‘07 of Wolfeboro
was crowned Miss New Hampshire National
Teenager. Participants in this contest are
judged on academic achievement, school/
community involvement, interview, poise
and personality, personal expression,
and public speaking. Among her prizes
and honors are scholarship and tuition
assistance offers. Clements will travel to
Nashville, Tennessee, to compete for Miss
National Teenager in July. Read more about
Clements in a community service profile on
page 26.
In addition to the nine senior state lawmakers, a Wall Street Journal writer
and a Rwandan genocide survivor and best-selling author were among
the delegation.
Filip-Fouser has been an educator for English and Swedish speaking
visitors to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial in Oswiecim. She is fluent in
Polish, Swedish, and English.
“Auschwitz is usually associated with terror, genocide and death,” said
Filip-Fouser. “I think it is important to be aware that, in history, hatred
and intolerance resulted in the death of millions of innocent people. … The
more that governments and organizations commit to the cause of peace
and remembering those tragic events in history, may make our population
more tolerant and less hostile toward other ethnic groups.”
“As a Pole living in the United States, it made me feel proud to be able to
serve as a translator for a group of American policymakers who came to
my hometown in Poland.” l
Marcia Eldredge
In the News
Chen-Hsu Wang ’07, Ross Randall ’08, James Simoneau ’07, Owen Dennis ’07, Burke Lord ’07, Connor Dunn ’10, and Kevin Crosby ’09 work out
in the new crew tanks. Coach Mark DeNitto is standing on the far left.
Friends of Brewster Crew Bring Rowing Indoors
Anyone who has wandered through the east
crescent of the Smith Center for Athletics and
Wellness in the past two months has seen the
latest addition to the facility – an indoor rowing
tank. Friends of the Brewster crew team, which
includes current and alumni parents as well
as current students and alumni, raised nearly
$90,000 to make the indoor rowing tank a reality
for Brewster.
The tank is actually two fiberglass tanks
connected by decking, which has eight seats and
oar riggers attached. Each tank holds about two
feet of water. The tank was manufactured by the
Durham Boat Company in New Hampshire.
“The tanks are two above ground pools with
seats and riggers in between. The rowers sit
between the two pools and use the oars that are
attached to the pools,” explained rower James
Simoneau ‘07. “The crew team is extremely
excited for these tanks. Many of the top crews
in the country use this same type of tank to get
a step up on the competition.”
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At any time, despite weather conditions
outside, the 8-person rigger allows coxswains
to practice commands while oarsmen work on
their timing and fine-tuning their blade work
and body position, said Crew Coach Mark
DeNitto. “Novice rowers will have a chance
to ‘get their feet wet’ without getting their
feet wet, while Brewster’s experienced rowers
can stay sharp through the winter and better
prepare for the early spring races,” he said.
Simoneau and his teammates believe that this
addition to the crew program will put Brewster
on the map as a rowing school. “The tanks are
everything that the team had hoped they would
be,” he added.
Brewster Academy is now one of two
independent schools in the country with an
indoor rowing tank. l
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“Novice rowers
will have a
chance to
‘get their feet wet’
without getting
their feet wet,
while Brewster’s
experienced
rowers can stay
sharp through
the winter and
better prepare
for the early
spring races.”
Creating Opportunity Out of Tragedy
The Trey Whitfield Memorial Lecture
By Marcia Eldredge
H
ead of School Dr. Michael E. Cooper opened
the 18th Annual Trey Whitfield Memorial
Lecture by reminding the community that out
of a tragedy 18 years ago – the death of Trey
Whitfield ’89 – came the unfolding of a legacy, a
legacy of a young man who touched many lives
in his short life and whose legacy has created
opportunities for others.
That legacy even extends beyond the Trey
Whitfield School to Brewster Academy, which
has enrolled 24 Trey Whitfield School graduates
over the past 18 years.
One of those inspired by Trey Whitfield was the
day’s guest speaker, Dr. Joyce L. Ferris, former
academic dean at Brewster.
Like Ferris was about to do, Cooper
reminded everyone in the standingroom only Anderson Hall that hopes and
dreams can carry us through our darkest
moments.
The Trey Whitfield School Choir entertained with a series of inspirational songs.
Trey envisioned a world where everyone,
regardless of ethnic background, has equal access
to the educational opportunities that they need to
reach their potential in life; that every child will
have a helping hand and every young person
will get support from someone who cares about
their future.
Photos by Marcia Eldredge
“His parents took that legacy … and made it into
something spectacular and powerful affecting
many, many lives,” Cooper said, referring to
the educational opportunities afforded by The
Trey Whitfield School (formerly Bethlehem
Baptist Academy) to primarily inner city kids
from working class families. A.B Whitfield and
Janie Whitney, Trey’s parents, run the Brooklyn,
New York, pre-K through eighth grade school
that sets the foundation for strong character and
high academic standards in students and where
“respect for others and self is paramount.”
Ferris talked about how the Trey Whitfield
Memorial Lecture arose from one of those
dark moments. It was 1990 she explained
and Trey’s parents, A.B. Whitfield and Janie
Whitney, along with numerous family and
friends, including Ferris herself, were still
in much pain from Trey’s death. Ferris,
A.B., Janie, and then-headmaster David M.
Smith came up with the idea for a memorial
lecture in Trey’s memory. “It helped to ease
our pain,” Ferris said.
“It never occurred to me that I would be
here as the speaker,” she added.
Anticipating with delight this year’s concert were seniors
Carole LeBlanc, Janna Anctil, Alyssa Hennigar, and
Elaine Fancy
With the lecture, we also wanted to make a
connection to Martin Luther King Jr., a man whose
dreams and legacy have created opportunities in
the lives of others, Ferris said. “Trey and Martin
Luther King were excellent examples of showing
what it meant to be wonderful human beings.”
Ferris and Trey first met while Trey’s older
brother Alvin was a student at Cushing Academy
and where Ferris was the director of studies. “We
called [Trey] the little guy and I couldn’t wait to
have him as a student,” Ferris said. After Trey’s
freshman year at Cushing, he transferred to
Brewster. A year later, Ferris joined the Brewster
community as the academic dean.
Ferris spoke candidly about her trepidation
at being new to the community; however, she
recalled having the good fortune of arriving at
Brewster for the Sunday night barbecue during
opening-of-school weekend. She described
feeling intimidated, standing at the edge of the
crowd, watching students reunite after summer
break and welcome new students.
Trey Whitfield School graduate Whitney White ’07 with
A.B. Whitfield and Annie Debow ’07
“Here comes across the lawn, running, not
walking, dodging people … there was my friend
Trey, his arms outstretched … he lifted me, spun
me around.”
“I was a small person, but Trey made me feel tall
and regal, like a queen.”
“If I was in with Trey, I was in at Brewster. I had
it made,” she recalled smiling. “In the midst of
this good time, this reunion, he was thinking of
me.” And that was Trey Whitfield.
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A.B. Whitfield, Dr. Joyce L. Ferris, Janie Whitney, and Dr. Michael E. Cooper
Although often remembered as a 6’5” athlete
who performed magic on the basketball court,
Ferris recalled Trey the scholar, remembering
fondly the day that every teacher cherishes, when
he or she witnesses one of their students “get
it.” It was a mythology lesson and Trey chose
to write about Theseus, the Greek god who was
known to have relied on his knowledge, not
his physical strength, to meet his challenges. “I
remember very well and understand what Trey
got out of that class,” Ferris said. “He read the
material. He listened. He formed an insight that
was meaningful to him. Trey chose the mind.”
Ferris offered more stories of Trey, each one
describing a young man who genuinely cared
about his friends and teachers but who remained
open to their strength when he needed to draw
on it. And with that, she advised students to
reap all the benefits of their education and the
opportunities offered at Brewster. “I want you
to listen to your teachers because they really do
listen to you.”
“Trey and
Martin Luther
King were
excellent
examples of
showing what
it meant to
be wonderful
human
beings.”
“I found it to be inspirational, and it really gave
me a feel of what he was like,” commented
Alison Waldorf ‘08 after the lecture.
Before Ferris concluded, she joyfully introduced
the Brooklyn, New York-based Trey Whitfield
School Choir, always a highlight of the annual
lecture. The choir, comprised of students in
grades 2-8 and under the energetic direction
of Donna White (Whitney’07), delivered a
powerful, uplifting performance of inspirational
songs. l
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Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
February 23-25
Presented by Brewster Academy Performing Arts
By Peggy Comeau
“I was completely entertained and amazed at the talent that erupted on the stage last night from our student body and faculty.”
~ faculty member Rob O’Blenis
“I was able to travel to school [from Connecticut] to see the fabulous performance of “Big River”and fully enjoyed myself.”
~ Nancy Peterle (David ’09)
“I think it was the best production that we’ve done so far.”
~ faculty member BG Hodges ’66
(Anne ’03, Sara ’07)
I
n rehearsals since October, it was evident that the cast
and crew, along with the drama and musical directors,
worked very hard – and with great success – to produce
this entertaining musical version of the story of Huck
Finn. What a pleasant surprise it was to discover how
much talent – including good voices, dancing, and stage
presence – so many of the Brewster community cast
members possess!
The Big River cast
This epic tale set in 1840s Missouri is a timeless reminder
of the internal struggles adolescents face in the process
of self-discovery. During his eventful trip down the
Mississippi River on a raft with Jim, a runaway slave,
Huck is confronted with making decisions on what
actions to take and what values to use as a guide. Their
journey is a symbolic one, in which Jim and Huck
question the nature of freedom, slavery, and their own
beliefs.
With music and lyrics by Roger Miller (of “King
of the Road” fame), most of the ensemble songs
had a strong bluegrass and country sound, and
Vince Herrington
played Tom
Sawyer
Miss Watson (Leigh Feldman) and the Widow Douglas
(Sarah Thompson) sing “Do You Want to go to Heaven?”
to Huck Finn (Nik Krainchich)
Jim (Jose Docen) tells
Huck about his plans
once he escapes to the
North.
The Duke (Ryan Cooper),
the King (Eric Burns)
and Huck sing of the
riches they plan to collect
from the unsuspecting
townspeople
Pap Finn (Andy Campbell) decides to steal Huck
away from the Widow Douglas
the lyrics were sometimes wacky but always clever, in the
Miller tradition. The Broadway production of this adaptation
by William Hauptman won 10 Tony awards, including Best
Original Score and Best Musical, so the songs were a treat
to hear.
The orchestra consisted of versatile and talented local
musicians on piano, guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, violin,
harmonica, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, trumpet, and drum.
Members appeared to be an extension of the cast, clad in
denim jeans and plaid shirts for the occasion.
Nik Krainchich ‘08 was in fine voice as Huck Finn. His part
was a demanding one, as he had the most solo songs and
sang and danced in most of the ensemble pieces. Jim was
played by artist-in-residence Jose Docen, whose acting and singing talents are
huge. Memorable performances were also given by Leigh Feldman ’07 as Miss
Watson; Sarah Thompson ’07 as the Widow Douglas; Vincent Herrington ’08 as
Tom Sawyer; Ryan Cooper ’09 as the Duke; music director Andy Campbell as Pap
Finn; systems administrator Eric Burns as the King; Brittanie Pierce ’10 as Mary
Jane Wilkes; Amanda Graham ’10 as Alice; and the Young Fools, played by Grace
Apfeld ’10 and Campbell’s children John, 5, and Helen, 8.
This adaptation opens with Miss Watson and the Widow Douglas, joined by the
Company, all singing to Huck, “Do You Want to go to Heaven?” which has the
refrain: “You better learn your readin’, and you better read your Bible or you’ll never
get to Heaven ‘cause you won’t know how.” Huck is not sure he’s interested in
getting to Heaven because he doesn’t like going to school or reading the Bible.
Dragged away in the night by his drunken father, Huck escapes to an island to
hide for a few days and discovers he’s not alone – there’s a runaway slave, Jim,
also hiding there. During their journey, Huck learns that Jim hopes to escape to the
north and buy his family out of slavery, and Huck realizes that Jim is more than
a runaway slave, that he is a human being with feelings and hopes for the future.
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Huck is mistaken for Tom Sawyer by
Tom’s aunt Millie (Ally Reiner)
A memorable – and quite moving – part of the play is when Huck and Jim sing
“Worlds Apart,” in which Jim observes:
Huck realizes that he’s falling for Mary Jane
Wilkes (Brittanie Pierce) after he helps The
Duke and The King steal from her and her
orphaned sisters.
I see the same stars through my window
That you see through yours
But we’re worlds apart
Worlds apart
And I see the same skies through brown eyes
That you see through blue
But we’re worlds apart, worlds apart
Then together, they sing:
I see the friendship in your eyes
That you see in mine
But we’re worlds apart, worlds apart
Together, but worlds apart
Huck questions what he’s been taught in school and church about what is right
and what is wrong, and in the end decides not to turn Jim in, but to help him gain
his freedom. “All right, then, I’ll go to Hell!” is the classic line that shows Huck’s
maturity and resolve in standing up for what he feels is right. By deciding to help
Jim escape, Huck has chosen to go against what school and religion have told him
is illegal and immoral.
Huck comes to terms with his decision to help
Jim escape to the North.
Huck and Jim encounter con artists, bounty hunters, and angry farmers during
their adventure down stream, and many of the scenes were laugh-out-loud funny
while some were quite poignant and thought-provoking. The production of this
adaptation was a great choice in terms of the subject matter, the quality of the
libretto and score, and for showcasing the talents
of all those involved in this great entertainment
provided for the Brewster community.
Congratulations go out to Drama Director Dan Clay
for another successful production! l
A mourner (Sarah Thompson)
belts out a sorrowful tune at
Mr. Wilkes’ funeral
There were many energetic song and dance numbers in the production.
Photos by Peggy Comeau and BG Hodges ’66
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Caitlyn Edson, Leigh Feldman, Anna Purvis, Grace Apfeld, and
Sarah Thompson portrayed simple and poor townspeople who are
scammed by The Duke, The King, and Huck.
Huckleberry Finn and the Power of Theater
By Dan Clay
Human beings will always be hardwired to draw immediate
conclusions about situations in order to protect themselves
from harm. We use our eyes to make quick assessments about
what is safe or dangerous, and we will always
have the tendency to make assumptions about
people or ideas that are unfamiliar to our own
experience. I believe that it is how we respond
to these situations, how much responsibility
we take for our own behavior, that defines
our character.
This is what fascinates me about the theater
and its possibilities. When we watch good
theater we are given the opportunity to
“become” each character. In other words, a
good performance has the power to allow us
to live vicariously through its characters and
to accompany the protagonist on his or her
journey and to understand and emphasize
with his or her experiences so that we might change our
perspective. Good theater can also afford us the chance to
explore the bigger questions that are on our mind, to have a
debate in a forum outside of ourselves, and look for answers in
a safe, “fictional” environment.
In February our school gathered together as a community to
enjoy this year’s musical, Big River, based on Mark Twain’s novel
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Even if you haven’t read the
novel, you are probably at least marginally familiar with this
story about the journey that a young white boy and a runaway
slave share on the Mississippi river in the mid-1800s. Big River
is an edited version of Twain’s story set to music by the popular
folk/country singer Roger Miller.
At the start of both Twain’s version of the story and ours there
appears: “Notice: Persons attempting to find a motive in this
narrative will be prosecuted …” Here Twain is being facetious.
He means that there is most definitely a motive within the
narrative. Brewster’s Theater Department chose to produce this
story because we felt that Twain’s motive is still very relevant
today. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn withstands the test of
time because it explores freedom and the quest for freedom.
For example, “freedom” has been in the public consciousness a
great deal lately as we debate the implications of war in Iraq and
what “freedom” means to those who are directly or indirectly
affected by it.
In Twain’s story, Jim is in search of freedom from slavery, which
was an unfortunate reality during the time in which the story
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is set. Huck is in search of the freedom to think for himself, to
make up his own mind about what is moral in a society that
can be contradictory and corrupt.
If we stop and think about it, I think we can
all relate to the search for freedom in one
way or another. My hope was that when we
watched Big River together we could begin to
see through the eyes of both Jim and Huck,
so we could all experience what it might have
been like to be a slave in the mid-1800s or a
young boy in search of the truth in a society
with questionable moral standards.
Obviously, slavery is a touchy subject for
everyone and even if you haven’t read the
novel, you may have a strong emotional
reaction, positive or negative, upon hearing
even its title, based on what you have heard or
experienced in the way of the book’s subject matter. The book
has certainly been the subject of controversy for its treatment
of religious, moral, or political themes.
But if good theater affords us the opportunity to “become” each
character, then actors and directors have a responsibility to be
as real as we can in our attempt to tell a story. Even if that story
has the potential to make us uncomfortable. I believe that our
version of the story was a very sensitive retelling of Twain’s story
and that we took great care to make it real and accessible to our
audience so that we did not offend or alienate anyone.
It is my belief that even the painful parts of history should be
discussed, as long as they are addressed in a forum that’s safe
and respectful, a forum outside of ourselves, so that we may look
for answers in a healthy, “fictional” environment. I believe that
kind of discussion is the backbone of moral education. I also
believe that theater is the ideal forum to start that discussion.
Here’s to the hope that Big River created a respectful dialogue,
but above all, that our audiences enjoyed the show.
There was quite a moving duet between Huck (Nik Krainchich)
and Jim (Jose Docen) at the beginning of the second act. Jim
sang, “I see the same skies through brown eyes that you see
through blue, but we’re worlds apart.” The song happens
after an argument that brings Huck to a moment of painful
realization. Huck’s perspective begins to change as he and Jim
share experiences and eventually understand one another. This
is the power of theater. l
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11
Comedian, Environmental Educator,
Marketer, Singer-Songwriter
Brewster Alums Share Their Post-Brewster Lives With Students
By Marcia Eldredge
Discipline, perseverance, preparedness … practices instilled at Brewster years earlier played a role in launching
the successful careers of four alumni who returned to campus in January. The four Brewster graduates – Rob
Gorden ’90, Kit Van Wagner ’89, Gregory Douglass ’99, and Chris Petronio ’01 – were back in Wolfeboro to talk
to students about their careers, how they came to those careers, and what impact Brewster had on their choices.
They came with jokes, reflections, adventure stories, and advice. Here are their stories.
Rob Gorden ’90: Comedian
R
ob Gorden, who arrived at Brewster as
an actor and hasn’t stopped acting since,
opened the panel with a reflection on his own
days at Brewster.
“Last time I was behind a podium at Brewster,
I was the student council president and I was
about to be impeached.”
Gorden began doing stand up comedy at age
16 while at Brewster. Since then he has added
Boston, New York, and Chicago to his venues. “I
realized after graduation that I was not Robert De
Niro.“ Maybe not. But Gorden has made a name
for himself in the entertainment world.
Currently, Gorden is
“Last time I was behind a podium part of a comedy duo
The Rob and Mark
at Brewster, I was the student Show and together
council president and I was about they host SpikeTV’s
“Geek-Ray Vision.”
to be impeached.”
Their show has been
seen on The Oxygen
Network and their performances have been a
New York comedy highlight. Long before the
SpikeTV and The Rob and Mark Show, however,
Gorden earned a B.F.A. from Salem State College
in Salem, Massachusetts, and studied with
Shakespeare & Company in the Berkshires.
He has performed in commercials, film, and
theatre, including appearances on CBS’s “The
World Wild Web”, QVC, and the classic B movie
“Drainiac.” Gorden’s interest in the Civil War
Photos by Marcia Eldredge and his role as a reenactor led to a voiceover role
12
in the award-winning film “Gettysburg: The
Boys of Blue and Gray.”
Rob and Mark are songwriters, too. Their songs
have earned airtime on WFNX in Boston, WZON
(owned by Stephen King), in Maine, XM Satellite
Radio, and the legendary Dr. Demento show.
They have written songs for the Boston Red Sox,
and their video “The Subway Song” recently
premiered in New York City.
So, how did Brewster help launch his comedy
and songwriting career or, as Gorden put it to the
All-School audience, “what does acting comedy
have to do with Brewster?” First Gorden had to
explain, “I was like the kid in all the smart classes
who maybe shouldn’t have been there.” And
one of those classes was Dick Fahy’s AP History
class. Gorden respectfully, but humorously,
talked about how the late Mr. Fahy was quick
to remind his students that he was a Marine and
when you’re a Marine, if you fall down, you get
right back up. And Mr. Fahy, Gorden exclaimed,
expected that same discipline of his AP History
students.
“I hate writing comedy, but I have to, otherwise
I won’t have a job. I hate it because I don’t think
[my writing] is funny.” In these moments of
writer’s doubt and angst, Gorden hears Mr. Fahy.
“I was in the Marines. I was in the mud, you get
up, you get writing.”
And so the need for discipline ingrained many
years ago in a Brewster history class from a
teacher with high expectations, has helped Rob
Career panel particpants, l-r: Chris Petronio ’01, Gregory Douglass ’99, Rob Gorden ’90, and Kit Van
Wagner ’89
Gorden get his work done so he can realize his
dream – making people laugh – and there’s
nothing funny about that.
The next panelist came to Brewster as a day
student and remembered that she found the
small community of Wolfeboro somewhat of a
shock after having lived in London; Kobe, Japan;
and Oslo, Norway.
Kit Van Wagner ’89:
Environmental Educator
While at Brewster Kit Van Wagner ’89 realized
her interest in both the arts and sciences. In
fact, she spent hours and hours in the school’s
darkroom and discovered a love of photography,
something she knew she wanted to be a part of
what she did with her life. She just wasn’t sure
how that would come together.
Following graduation, she yearned to return
to city living. She enrolled at Simmons College
in Boston but soon realized that city life really
wasn’t what she wanted. She transferred to
the quieter campus of Middlebury College
in Vermont, where she earned a degree in
environmental studies. Upon graduation and in
search of a warmer climate, Van Wagner headed
south to the Florida Keys where an internship
l
awaited her at the Newfound Harbor Marine
Institute. After four months, she became a science
instructor at the Institute and at its summer
program, Seacamp. It turned out to be everything
she wanted and she spent every day in the water.
She stayed for four years and during her fourth
year, she added divemaster, deckhand, and
kayak guide to her responsibilities.
During this time, Van Wagner was taking
advantage of all the opportunities around her
that would build her professional portfolio
and complement her studies. This included
obtaining her U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license
and scuba instructor rating and learning to sail.
With these certifications and her expertise, Van
Wagner has worked for nearly a decade as an
onboard naturalist on small expedition ships
in the South Pacific, New Zealand, the islands
of the Caribbean, Alaska, Costa Rica, and Baja,
Mexico.
She spoke with regret about not having been
involved with Brewster’s sailing program while
she had the opportunity. The Pinckney Boathouse
had just been completed and the sailing program
could have given her a jump start in a direction
she would soon find herself heading. She
encouraged students to take advantage of all
l
13
that Brewster offers, never knowing what seed
might be planted along the way. “It’s up to you
to take advantage of things here.”
Van Wagner admitted
that luck and timing had
something to do with
finding the right jobs and
career path for her but the
hard work and perseverance that precedes that
luck or the good timing, puts a person in the
position to be ready for it when it comes along.
“The friends you make
here are for life.”
After four years with the Newfound Harbor
Marine Institute she returned to school, earning
a master’s degree in science education from the
Florida Institute of Technology. “I had planned
to move out of Florida after graduation but the
reality was the best opportunity for getting jobs
was right there.” She spoke about her knowledge
of the Florida ecosystems and having made
professional connections in the community. So
she stayed and worked for a local government
land conservation program as an education
specialist. In addition to creating meaningful
outdoor experiences for audiences of all ages, she
has enjoyed developing educational brochures,
interpretive exhibits and signage, interactive
touch-screen kiosks, teacher workshops, and
acting as a liaison with her community.
Van Wagner now works for the Narragansett
Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in
Rhode Island. She is the education coordinator
and her “office” is Prudence Island in the middle
of Narragansett Bay, which means she arrives
for work each day by ferry, never far from the
water.
Before closing, Van Wagner spoke briefly about
Brewster friendships. “The friends you make
here are for life,” she assured the community.
Gesturing to Gorden she explained how they
hadn’t seen each other since graduation day but
the night before, upon running into each other
at the Wolfeboro Inn, they sat down and talked
like no time had passed since that day.
Chris Petronio ’01: Marketer
While time was passing between when Gorden
and Van Wagner had last seen each other and
would meet again, Chris Petronio ’01 enrolled
as a junior and was having his own Brewster
14
experiences. The third panelist empathized with
today’s students, saying, “It’s not easy at your
age to leave your comfortable environment and
move here. You are risk takers.”
The self-described risk-taker talked about his
college to work transition. He graduated from
college on a Monday (the College of Wooster,
with a degree in history), moved to New York
City on that following Friday, and started looking
for a job on Monday, motivated as much by all
the possibilities Manhattan could offer as by
the need to survive and pay big rent in the big
city. Petronio began enthusiastically searching
for a career in business and sales. The first job
– selling online office products – ended up being
the “absolute wrong job for me.”
Then another job came along that he really
wanted and for which he thought he was the best
candidate. When he didn’t get the job, he called
back to say that he
wanted to work
“It’s not easy at
for the company,
that he thought
your age to leave
he was right for
your comfortable
the company, and
asked them to
environment and
consider him for
move here. You
ot h er op en in g s.
He e-mailed once
are risk takers.”
a month to check
in and see if any
opportunities had come up. One day, out of
the blue, something had opened up and the
opportunity was his.
Along the way, between jobs, one person who
hired him was a Brewster alumnus and although
it wasn’t the job for Petronio, he and the alum
parted amicably and Petronio urged students to
remember his name because maybe some day
he could help one of them. He now works for
the direct marketing company, ParadyszMatera,
where he is the coordinator for various accounts,
including Smithsonian, Financial Times, Fidelity
Investments, TV Guide, and Vonage.
As the panelists before him had imparted,
Petronio encouraged students to appreciate their
Brewster experience. “Do get to appreciate it
here. There are so many people out there who
would kill to be here.”
He has co-billed with They
Might Be Giants, India Arie,
Jason Mraz, and Melissa
Ferrick.
How does he make it
happen? “I’m pretty much
a workaholic these days as I
am self-managed on a fulltime basis. Usually writing/
creating/recording happens
in waves or chunks of time
where I put everything else
on hold to stay in the ‘groove’
of inspiration. Otherwise, I’m
booking and promoting myself
until all hours of the night and
performing/touring as much
as possible.”
Gregory Douglass ’99:
Singer-Songwriter
The final panelist of the day chose the piano
bench from which to relate to students. Gregory
Douglass, born and raised in rural Vermont,
taught himself to play the piano and guitar
and during junior high began writing his own
songs.
“I liked to sing and write songs,” Douglass said.
That was a big part of his decision to attend
Brewster. He was looking for a college-like
experience and found that experience at Brewster
and more, referring to the school’s recording
studio, which gave him the opportunity to demo
his music early on.
When Douglass graduated from Brewster in 1999,
then-Headmaster David M. Smith presented him
with a music award and announced that Douglass
was the first student he has ever encouraged not
to go to college. Douglass immediately acted on
that advice and began pursuing his passion fulltime. That passion has led to the release of six
records as an independent artist. He composed
and recorded the material for his first two albums
while at Brewster.
His accolades include being a finalist for both
the 2005 International Songwriting Competition
and the 2004 Independent Music Awards and
winning the 2003 GrammyFest Awards in
New York City. In 2003, he was the inaugural
performer on the American Red Cross “Save A
Life Tour.”
l
And what does Douglass do for fun? “I don’t do
much else honestly but the occasional movie or
concert always fuels a little inspiration and some
times I can even get a new song out of it.”
Between performing songs at the All School,
the 26 year-old singer-songwriter
offered this advice to the current
students of his alma mater: “Follow
“Take a close
your dreams, as clichéd as that
look at what
sounds, I think we need to.”
“Take a close look at what you want
to do and how you can make that
happen. Find out what you need to
do realistically.”
Douglass performed “Sail the Sea”
from his fifth record, Stark, and “Up
& Away” from his sixth record, Up
& Away.
In April, he embarks on his 2nd
Annual National House Concert
Tour, which will have him traveling
around the country through August.
you want
to do and
how you can
make that
happen. Find
out what you
need to do
realistically.”
Despite his success, Douglass isn’t all that
removed from his days at Brewster. Driving
over to campus from Vermont that morning, he
realized he was wearing his holiest jeans. With a
wide smile he commented, “I’m so not in dress
code right now and I’m really enjoying that.”
For more information on Douglass, to order cds,
or to check concert schedules, please visit www.
gregorydouglass.com. l
l
15
Around campus
Ting-Chun Lin ‘09, Chen-Hsu Wang
‘07, David Liao ‘07, and Hyun Ku Cho
‘07 enjoy the Mardi Gras-themed winter
formal dance.
Tara Mead ‘07, Gina Commissiong ‘10, Jess
Palmer ‘09, and Kerry Mead ‘09
Winter
Formal
Andrew
Borden ‘07
and
Denise
Sprague ‘07
Teagan Lewis ’08, a guest, and Chanita Susewi ’10
Chanelle Roy ‘08 and
Christine Merry ‘08
Basketball star Emmanuel Negedu ‘08
can skate, too!
Contenders at
Winter Carnival:
Channel 4 News
16
Fun at the Pop Whalen Arena!
Teacher Appreciation Celebration
By Beth Hayes ’81
Yee Haw!
O
Co-chair of the Local Parents’ Association Anne Sprague (Leah ‘04, Denise ‘07)
shares in the delight, along with the rest of the crowd, of history teacher and team
leader Charlie Hossack, who won the grand prize trip of three nights in Key Largo!
Faculty members Brittany Ames and
Michelle Rafalowski-Houseman kick up
their heels.
n Saturday night, March 3,
Brewster’s Pinckney Boathouse
was transformed into the BA Corral!
Over 100 Brewster faculty and staff
members and their guests enjoyed
a knee-slapping, toe-tapping night.
Thanks to the creativity and generosity
of the Brewster parents, there were gift
baskets piled as high as the eye could
see. Every faculty and staff member
who attended selected the basket of
their choice as their raffle number
was called out by Anne Sprague,
co-president of the Local Parents’
Association, and faculty member and
emcee Byron Martin. In addition to the
gift baskets, there were 12 special prizes
in a faculty raffle that brought the folks
to their feet in anticipation of winning
one of these beauties.
Faculty winners and their prizes included:
Emily James - a MacGregor putter, donated by Paul and Phyllis Tessier and Bald Peak Colony Club
Chris Byers - $100 gift certificate to Garwoods Restaurant, donated by Melinda Fitting and James Eastham (Katherine Eastham ‘08)
Jim Weeks - A gourmet dinner including wine for six donated by Jim and Kathy O’Brien (Jimmy ‘04, Katie ‘06)
Sharon K. Lee, TJ Palmer, Byron Martin, Rob O’Blenis, and Bill Lee each won two bottles of fine wine, donated by Jim and Kathy O’Brien (Jimmy ‘04, Katie ‘06)
Jaime Garzon - Six Red Sox tickets, donated by Grant Wilson ‘87
Kevin Lawlor - Two round-trip airline tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S., donated by Rex and Sharon Jobe (Reagan ‘01)
Sarah Anderson - L.L. Bean gift bag with wine and $100, donated by Susan and Ernie Whitehouse (Spencer ‘09)
Charlie Hossack - Grand Prize Winner -Three nights for two in Key Largo, donated by Peter and Bea Citron (Matt ‘04)
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17
Marsha Brooks from the Business Office shows a few country steps to
faculty member and emcee Byron Martin.
You can’t have a proper hoedown without proper vittles
and music. Jim Carey and Lionel Tandy from Brewster’s
mess hall put on quite a a spread: Texas-style beef brisket,
barbecued chicken, Southwest mac and cheese, quesadillas,
and corn bread were just a few of the fixin’s, not to mention
the Southern Comfort peach cobbler. And you should have
seen those teachers dance! They bootscooted, boogied, sidestepped, and high-heeled all over that dance floor to the
sounds of country classics and Southern rock.
English teacher Sarah Anderson (with
Aengus, 5 months) catching up with math
teacher and team leader Kevin Lawlor.
Kevin and his wife, dorm parent Jillian,
became parents in December.
Thank you to all of the parents who sent baskets, gift
certificates, and sponsorships. YOU MADE THIS HAPPEN!
Thank you to the cowhands who went to market, wrapped,
hauled, and decorated for the night’s festivities. A special
thanks to Anne Sprague (Leah ’04, Denise ‘07) and Patti
Edson (Caitlyn ’08, Megan ’09), who co-chaired the event,
and to the parents who stayed at the event until the last
of the cowboys/girls went to their bunks. Also, a special
thanks to BA parents Linda and Lou Siracusa (Liz ’07) of
Linda’s Flowers, who created wondeful centerpieces
that resembled the Arizona desert in bloom.
Our parent and friend volunteers also included:
Kristine Apfeld (Luke ’09, Grace ’10)
Judith Braun-Colcord (Alex Colcord ’09)
Christie Bravo (Andrea ’05, Ethan ’08)
Karyn Caldwell (Robert ’07)
Sue Corby (Emily Oas ’09)
Catherine Drouin (Nate ’10)
Kathy Engel (Mike ’09)
Kim and Warren Gould
Mary and Roland Lefebvre (Nicole ’09)
Lisa Lucier (Chezney Aubert ’07)
Bobbie Moulton (Alex ’08)
Jeanne and Mark Pierce (Brittanie ’10)
Cathy Roy (Jordan ’09)
Robin Webster (Brooke ’08) l
Some of the incredible gift baskets created by Brewster parents. Well over
100 baskets came in from across the country!
18
Photos by Peggy Comeau
The Pendulum Project:
Helping Children With AIDS
All-School December 15, 2006
By Peggy Comeau
E
llen McCurley, executive director of The Pendulum
Project, used to have a high-paying job at a corporate
marketing firm. Realizing that she wanted more – to help
people in need on a grassroots level – she went back to
school and earned first her master’s in social work, then
her master’s in public health. Then, six years ago, she
founded The Pendulum Project, a non-profit humanitarian
foundation that helps families and communities care for,
support, and protect orphans and other vulnerable children
in Malawi, where the HIV/AIDS epidemic is raging.
The Pendulum Project links those who help these at-risk
children with those who can provide resources and hope.
She explained that every family in Malawi is affected by
the AIDS crisis – the death rate among children five and
under is 23 percent; the life expectancy of an adult is age 42;
and 25 per cent of all children are orphans, many of whom
are caring for not only their own brothers and sisters, but
cousins and other unrelated children who have no family
left.
McCurley recently returned from the project’s office in
Malawi, where she spends an average of four months
each year. Her son and daughter, both college students,
accompanied her on this most recent trip, and it was a
life-changing experience for both. She told the Brewster
students that no matter what they ended up doing in life,
they should realize they are part of a small world, a global
community, and should look for ways to help, to take over
from the generation now helping but getting older.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, philanthropist
Warren Buffet, and even pop singer Madonna were praised
for their help in the fight against HIV/AIDS. McCurley
stressed that the funds her organization raises via grants
and other donations world-wide do not go to pay for high
salaries nor benefits for the project’s staff, but for helping
Malawi children’s aid organizations at the most basic
level with medicines, education, books and other school
supplies, training, and simple technology.
Ellen McCurley, founder of The Pendulum Project, smiles
as she tells the students about Gladys, an orphan who was
very sick when they met but who was helped by an aid
organization supported by the project. On her recent trip
back to Malawi, McCurley found Gladys in better health
and back in school.
“AIDS is not just something we can
contain to one continent or turn a blind
eye to. Africa is not a lost cause. It’s time
for our generation to take a stand.”
~ Amberlee Jones ’08
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McCurley urged the students to consider
accompanying her group to Malawi in the future.
When asked what kind of help a student could offer,
McCurley explained that some have helped the aid
organization workers learn how to use a laptop;
some have helped build houses, taught guitar, or
helped with planting farms. McCurley stressed
that just going over and working with the children,
letting them know that other people care about their
plight, is a tremendous help and gives hope to a
generation without a lot of hope.
Students and faculty gathered around McCurley
after her talk to ask questions about her work and
how they might get involved. Students and adults
also admired the handiwork of the Malawi children
on display, purchasing necklaces and bracelets
McCurley explains to students and faculty how they can help the orphans and other
priced at $1 to support the project in a small way. l vulnerable children in Malawi.
Annie Debow
’07, Brooke
Webster ’08, and
Annie Dearborn
’08 admire
their purchases,
jewelry made by
the children of
Malawi.
Upcoming All-Schools
April 13: Travis Roy
April 27: Russell Cosby
May 11: Talent in the House
May 18: School Elections
May 23: Spring Sports Awards
Lady Hoopsters Also Selected for New Englands
Continued from page 24
averaged 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2
steals per game and was the leader in all four
categories. Seniors Beth Gallugi and Elaine
Fancy (Moncton, New Brunswick) also added
to the team’s success. Both Gallugi (Swampscott,
Massachusetts) and Fancy missed eight games
due to injury, but when they were on the court,
Brewster was obviously a much better team,
Jacobs said. Fancy had the second highest scoring
average at 6.5; Gallugi was right behind her with
6 points per game and was the second leading
rebounder for the team. “We are going to miss
the athleticism of all three of these seniors. It will
be hard to replace their stats,” Jacobs said.
20
“What is great about this year, is that we made
the playoffs, and all of our younger players
got an opportunity to play and improve,”
he added. Seven players will return next
season: juniors Hannah Byers (Wolfeboro)
and Sam Brown (Bedford, New Hampshire),
sophomores Emily Oas and Taylor Callahan,
both of Wolfeboro, and freshmen Margaret
George (Wolfeboro), Ellen Hayes (Wakefield,
New Hampshire), and Kelsey Hammond
(Wolfeboro). •
Brewster’s Re-Accreditation
By Dr. Michael E. Cooper
I
n November 2006 The Commission on
Independent Schools informed me of its vote to
grant Brewster Academy continued accreditation
by the New England Association of Schools and
Colleges, Inc. (NEASC).
Independent schools desiring accreditation
by the NEASC must undergo re-accreditation
every 10 years. Brewster has received continued
accreditation since its initial membership with
the NEASC in 1933.
Upon confirmation of Brewster’s re-accreditation,
the Commission commended Brewster for
following its mission with clarity, for innovations
in teaching, (e.g. “best practices”), and for the
Brewster Academy Summer Institute, which has
involved the entire faculty.
The NEASC is the regional accrediting body
for New England and American/international
schools in more than 60 countries. It accredits
programs from pre-K through the doctoral
level.
The Re-Accreditation Process
The evaluation program for re-accreditation
is a three-step process, which includes a selfstudy by the school, an evaluation by a visiting
committee, and a follow-up program by the
school to implement findings from its self-study
and the valid recommendations of the visiting
committee.
For the Brewster community, the re-accreditation
process began with the appointment in early 2005
of Bonnie Medico, director of personnel, and
Raylene Davis, director of the English as a Second
Language program, as co-chairs of Brewster’s reaccreditation process. The self-study began in
spring 2005 with a goal of examining how well
Brewster met the accreditation standards of the
NEASC. Every teacher, administrator, and staff
member served on one or two committees during
the self-study. Each committee was responsible
for writing a specific section of the self-study
report. Additionally, parents provided feedback
and input to committees via questionnaires, and
where appropriate, students served on select
committees.
The self-study committees focused on the
following areas of the Academy: Mission, Students
and Parents, Professional Staff, Governance,
Administration and
Faculty, Institutional
Issues, and Culture and
Climate.
In writing the reports,
committee members
examined what Brewster
says it does while looking
at how well the school
actually does it. Members
also identified – and
made recommendations
for – areas needing
improvement.
The self-study groups
worked for nearly 18
months, producing final
drafts by Summer 2006.
The reports were then sent to the Visiting
Committee, appointed by the Commission on
Independent Schools, that would visit Brewster
for four days in October.
This Visiting Committee comprised eight
administrators and faculty from independent
schools throughout New England. This group
was charged with determining if Brewster
passed the NEASC standards, assessing if
Brewster’s self-study was a true reflection of
the institution, and making commendations
and recommendations. While on campus,
they conducted interviews with faculty, staff,
administrators, and students.
I received official notification in mid-November
that Brewster was granted re-accreditation.
Photos by Stephen Allen
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21
What Does Brewster’s Re-Accreditation Mean?
After reviewing the self-study reports and concluding their campus visit, the
Visiting Committee responded to a “checklist” of standards for accreditation. In
all, there were 77 standards to which each of the Visiting Committee members
responded to regarding Brewster’s commitment to and practice of fulfilling its
mission and, ultimately, how well it serves the needs of its
students.
Committee members voted unanimously, in the affirmative,
on 67 of these statements. Of the 10 standards that did not
receive a unanimous affirmative response, each one received
between five and seven affirmative responses. Thus, all
standards received a majority of positive votes. Overall, an
excellent “grade report” for Brewster Academy and, most
importantly, for the students whose needs are being well served
by Brewster’s programs.
As it was validating to learn that what Brewster thinks it does
best, is indeed what Brewster does best, the school also was
eager to learn where committee members indicated there was
room for improvement. Recommendations for improvement
ranged from fundraising priorities and maximizing human and
financial resources, to a review of equity in staff assignments
and assessing and clarifying roles in certain areas.
At the heart of
Brewster’s strength
is its mission and
the commitment
of administrators,
trustees, and faculty
to allow the mission
to guide them
in planning and
decision making
in all areas of the
school and for this
the Committee
commended the
Academy for this
clear articulation
of mission.
22
The specific recommendations, taken directly from the Visiting Committee’s
report:
•Give every priority to the building of the infrastructures required to increase annual and capital giving to the school while maintaining high levels of enrollment, given the pressures on the operating budget as a result of low endowment.
•Review the equity of coaching, teaching, and residential life assignments to ensure parity.
•Assess communication about and the role of faculty involvement in the creation and evolution of policies in the school.
•Clarify the role of the faculty and administration in curriculum development.
•Assure that communication is open and clear between Maintenance, Housekeeping, and the Administration in order to maximize the benefits of human and financial resources.
What Does Brewster Do Best?
At the heart of Brewster ’s strength is its mission and the commitment of
administrators, trustees, and faculty to allow the mission to guide them in
planning and decision making in all areas of the school and for this the Committee
commended the Academy for this clear articulation of mission.
Another significant commendation by the Committee – and directly related to how
we best serve our students – is Brewster’s benchmark practice. When questions
arise about Brewster’s ability to adequately meet the needs of an applicant who
has additional academic support needs, a benchmark committee convenes to
thoroughly assess the applicant’s ability to achieve success within the Brewster
program. The benchmark program coupled with a thorough application process for
all applicants has helped produce a high retention rate (approximately 96 percent)
of students who return to Brewster. The Committee acknowledged that this practice
is directly connected to a high rate of student success at Brewster.
The committee’s major commendations, taken directly from the report:
•Brewster recognizes the developmental levels of children and takes them into consideration in planning programs and teaching methodologies. Through the Brewster model and the core beliefs underpinning teaching methodologies, Brewster Academy establishes itself at the forefront of pedagogical development and is clearly pro-active in the development of
curriculum that is student-centered and takes into consideration individual differences.
•The Academy prioritizes time for teachers to plan together and discuss students. Of particular note in this regard is the creation of the team structure that is grade specific and brings together in regular meetings teaching faculty and advisors to discuss individual students of concern or note. This collaborative sharing creates both in perception and reality a system that ensures no student will go unnoticed or un-supported.
•With the opening of the Smith Center for Athletics and Wellness, Brewster Academy admirably fulfills that part of its mission, which speaks to the education and development of the whole child both in mind and body. In particular, a first-class athletic training system exists for the prevention and care of athletic injuries.
•In an environment where many schools struggle with the internal competitions of programs, Brewster Academy is remarkably committed to sustaining the focus as outlined in the mission.
Brewster’s latest
re-accreditation
report reveals that
•Brewster Academy’s sophisticated utilization of technology enhances
the delivery of its mission through the evolution and implementation of curriculum. Technology also enhances the Academy’s ability to communicate in an effective and intentional manner to both internal and external audiences.
At every turn, Brewster Academy puts students at the center of every decision
– from program pedagogy and teaching methodologies that consider individual
learning styles to prioritizing time for teachers to collaborate and share their
students’ progress and challenges so no student goes unsupported. Brewster’s
latest re-accreditation report reveals that the Academy’s commitment to mission
is foremost and it is this commitment that allows the school to stay focused on its
most important goal – serving the needs of its students.
the Academy’s
The final and third step in the process takes place in 2008 when Brewster will report
on what steps it has taken in response to each recommendation.
most important goal
Anyone interested in learning more about Brewster’s re-accreditation is welcome
to contact me (Michael_Cooper@brewsteracademy.org). For information on the
NEASC and accreditation in general, please visit the NEASC website at
www.neasc.org. l
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commitment to
mission is foremost
and it is this
commitment that
allows the school to
stay focused on its
– serving the needs of
its students.
23
Varsity
Boys’ Varsity Basketball
Coaches’ Award
Sean Arrington
Coaches’ Award
Grant Hope
Coaches’ Award
Jonas Lalehzadeh
Boys’ Varsity B Basketball
Leadership Award
Matt Fontaine
Coaches’ Award
James Ellison
MIP
Stone Lauderdale
Girls’ Varsity Basketball
MVP
Kelsey Harger
Coaches’ Award Taylor Callahan
Coaches’ Award
Hannah Byers
Varsity Alpine Ski
MVP
MVP
Coaches’ Award
Katherine Welch
Scott Cameron
Max Weinstein
Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey
MVP
Sam Avoine
Coaches’ Award
Will MacNeil
Coaches’ Award
Grant Gosselin
Girls’ Varsity Ice Hockey
MVP
Suzanne Fenerty
MIP
Teraysa White
Coaches’ Award
Kristen Ezard
Nordic Skiing
Career Achievement Sara Hodges
Career Achievement Andrew Borden
Junior Varsity
Boys’ JV Basketball
MVP
MIP
Coaches’ Award
David Liao
HyunKu Cho
Yu-Nien Chien
Boys’ JV B Basketball
MVP
Matt Nichols
MIP
Kanji Nada
Coaches’ Award
Ting-Chun Lin
Girls’ JV Basketball
MVP Coaches’ Award
MIP
Boys’ JV Ice Hockey
MVP
MIP
Coaches’ Award
Girls’ JV Ice Hockey
MVP
MIP
Coaches’ Award
24
Ellen Hayes
Gina Commissiong
Isabel Ritter
Alex Hutchins
Chris Cason
Evan Price
Tara Mead
Anna Schaefer
Annie Dearborn
New England Finalists
T
he boys’ varsity basketball team
enjoyed another successful season
finishing with a record of 29-6, which
earned them a final ranking of 5th
nationally. It’s the sixth consecutive
year the team has been ranked in the top
10 nationally. The 29 victories also set a
new school record. During the playoffs,
the team won an overtime contest in
the NEPSAC Class A quarterfinals vs.
St. Thomas More (97-91) as well as an
exciting victory over South Kent School
(85-83) in the semifinals before losing
in the championship game to Bridgton
Academy, 67-80. During the season, the
Bobcats captured the New Hampton
Invitational for the first time in school
history. The team was led by cocaptains Andre McFarland (Las Vegas)
and Emmanuel Negedu (Kaduna,
Nigeria), who provided tremendous
leadership throughout the year. The
boys enjoyed outstanding support
from the Brewster community during
the year. Over 100 NCAA Division I
coaches made the trek to Wolfeboro to
evaluate and meet with members of
the team. Many have earned scholarships
and will continue playing at the collegiate
level. Brewster will have new alums at
the following universities this fall: Andre
Walker of Flossmooor, Illinois (Vanderbilt),
McFarland (Idaho), Craig Brackins of
Palmdale, California (Iowa State), and
Phil Stiles
Winter Athletic Awards
Dogus Balbay of Istanbul, Turkey
(Texas). Others will make their decisions
later this spring. “Overall, the year was
most successful and I look forward to
staying in touch with the guys in the
future, as well as following their college
careers,” Coach Jason D. Smith said. •
Lady Hoopsters Also Selected for New Englands
T
he girls’ varsity basketball team,
led by head coach, Michael Jacobs,
also saw post-season play but lost in the
quarterfinals to #1 ranked Kimball Union
Academy.
“We surprised a lot people by getting in
this year,” Jacobs said. “Although we
didn’t have an overall winning record, we
did have a winning record within Class
C, our league. Most of our losses came to
Class B and A schools.”
“Playing a very tough schedule actually
helped us get selected for post-season
play,” he said. Six of the teams’ losses
and one of their victories came against
schools that won the New England
Championship for their class.
Senior Kelsey Harger (Glenview,
Illinois) earned team MVP honors. She
Continued on page 20
Community Service Projects
In this issue of BrewsterConnections, we highlight students who
are involved with community service projects that directly impact
individuals in the local Wolfeboro community.
What Are You Doing With Your Free Block?
Marcia Eldredge
Dallas Aho
D
uring his free block on Fridays of winter trimester,
Dallas Aho ’07 wasn’t doing his homework and he
wasn’t chillin’ in the Estabrook. He was driving around
Wolfeboro delivering meals – Meals on Wheels.
Aho first became familiar with Meals on Wheels this past
summer in his hometown of Vancouver, Washington. Meals
on Wheels is a non-profit group that prepares nutritious
meals for people who are unable to prepare their own
meals.
“This summer I helped out at a place that delivered Meals
on Wheels, but I wasn’t old enough to be a driver so I rode
along on a route. Then one day during my free block in
Wolfeboro a car drove past me with a Meals on Wheels
sign. I thought that it would be a good community service
project – since I was now 18, had a car, and a free block
during lunch time.”
Dallas Aho ’07 stands beside his wheels he uses for delivering Meals on
Wheels
“ ...
we both developed strong bonds and
had meaningful experiences in the very
same place 73 years apart.”
l
And so on Fridays Aho would drive the 2/10s of a mile to
the local Huggins Hospital where the meals were prepared.
He’d load them in his SUV and head out to make his
deliveries. “On the Wolfeboro route, there are usually about
10 meals. At the drop-off it’s really just a quick exchange of
a meal, a smile, and a greeting.”
But Aho remembers one of his delivery stops fondly. “One
of my most amazing experiences with Meals on Wheels
was when I got to deliver to Ms. Pollini. ... Inside her home
can be found a Brewster quilt on the rocking chair. When I
asked her about the different Brewster items in her home,
she told me that she graduated with the class of ‘34. To me
it was really cool to think that she and I had walked the
same halls and were part of something powerful. ... It was
the idea that we both developed strong bonds and had
meaningful experiences in the very same place 73 years
apart.” l
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25
Community Service Update
Putting Smiles on Faces
With Her Dancing: Jenn Clements
J
enn Clements ’07 of Wolfeboro has been dancing ballet since she was
three and plans to continue dancing when she heads to college next
year. In between classes and sports commitments (she’s a varsity field
hockey and lacrosse player), and her own ballet classes, she shares her
love of dance with the young and the old right here in the Wolfeboro
community.
Once a week she heads to a local ballet studio to teach ballet to
beaming three year-olds. “It’s my favorite thing to do. They are so
driven to do well and want to learn.”
Last summer she brought one of her dance routines to the Adult
Day Center at nearby Huggins Hospital. The center serves mainly
community members afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and other
types of dementia. Clements would perform Faith Hill’s “Breathe” on
pointe for the attendees, her grandmother among them.
She says the experience was very rewarding, and she continues to share
her love of dance and Alzheimer’s awareness with other communities
as a participant in local and state pageants where she has the
opportunity to speak about the disease and it’s impact on families.
“People don’t realize how it affects families and how families suffer
from it as well as the patients,” she said.
Jenn Clements ’07
On March 17, Jenn was crowned Miss New Hampshire National
Teenager and will be competing for Miss National Teenager in July in
Nashville, Tennesee. l
Did you know?
During the 2005-06 school
year, Brewster students
completed nearly 7,000 hours
of community service.
26
Community Service Update
Don’t Throw Out That Can!
Bring it to the Goodwin Girls
B
eginning in January, every Tuesday after their dorm
meeting the girls of Goodwin House head out to a few
dorms to collect returnable bottles and cans. So far they’ve
collected about five large trash bags, according to Marika
Deppmeyer, the girls’ community life parent.
But the girls aren’t just recycling for the sake of recycling,
although that alone would be a good cause, the girls have
another mission. Through Director of Residence Life Jaime
Wehrung, the girls learned of a local woman who was
collecting recyclables and bringing them to Maine for the 5cent redemption per can and bottle. (New Hampshire does
not offer a redemption for recyclables). This woman’s
goal is to earn enough money to pay for a much needed
prosthetic device for her arm and hand.
“The girls in Goodwin were passionate about recycling,
and we wanted to take that and translate it to a
community service project that the girls would be excited
about,” Deppmeyer said.
The girls will continue their collection efforts through the
end of the school year l
The Girls of Goodwin (l to r): Susan Ngai, Emily Lesko, Maria Schaefer, Christie Sharlow, Suzanne Fenerty,
Nicole Louiseize, Tara Mead, Jenn White, Alyssa Hennigar, Marika Deppmeyer, and lounging across her dorm
mates is Kelsey Glencross.
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27
Friends of the Arts
S
everal Brewster students submitted their artwork this year to the Friends of
the Arts show at Plymouth State University’s Silver Center for the Arts.
Juried into the show were a 7-inch by 9inch photo titled “Norway Streets” by
Paul Algate ’07 and a 19” ceramic vase by Denise Sprague ’07, both of whom
are from Wolfeboro.
Shannon Doherty ’08 of Wolfeboro and Susan Ngai ’08 of Hong Kong both
received Honorable Mention in the ceramics category for their 19” vases. •
19-inch vase by
Denise Sprague ’07
“Norway Streets” by Paul Algate ’07
Brewster Music Department Concerts
November 14:
Music For The Crescent Moon in Anderson Hall
HOWL chorus, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Wind
Ensemble performed.
December 12:
Roll Over, Beethoven in Anderson Hall
HOWL and Chamber Orchestra warmed up for the
Beethoven Mass in C gala at the University of New
Hampshire. Jazz Band and the Wind Ensemble also
performed.
December 16 and 17:
Clearlakes Chorale presents A Radiant Christmas at Saint
Katherine Drexel Church
Featuring Magnificat of J. S. Bach and Carols from Victorian
England
28
January 20:
Beethoven Mass in C Major at the University of New
Hampshire
HOWL was again invited by the director of Choral
Activities at the University of New Hampshire on January
20 to join with a few other area high schools in performing
Beethoven’s Mass in C with the UNH Concert Choir and
Orchestra.
Those participating in the UNH concert included:
Grace Apfeld
BoKyung Choi
Mark Deering
ChangSuk Oh
SongJi Choi
Caitlyn
Edson
Anna Parker
YoungEun Choi
Katherine
Fan
Brittanie Pierce
HyunJi Chung
Marina
Garland
Caroline Prozer
Karin Clement
HyunSoo
Kim
Elena Rukhadze
Ryan Cooper
Nik
Krainchich
Chanita Susewi
PJ Dailey
Lauren Landau
Sarah Thompson
Alex Moulton
Spring Drama Production
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE,
ABRIDGED is a high-speed roller-coaster condensation
of all of Shakespeare’s plays and is not recommended for
people with heart ailments, bladder problems, inner-ear
disorders, and/or people inclined to motion sickness.
Watch what happens when a group of Brewster students
attempt to perform all of Shakespeare’s plays in just 90
minutes. Romeo and Juliet is performed by two people,
Othello becomes a rap, all the comedies melt into one, the
history plays are done as a football game, Titus Andronicus
is a cooking show, and Hamlet is done backwards!
This wacky play will be performed by just five Brewster
students who have been rehearsing all year during their
E-block acting class. Starring are Amberlee Jones ’08, Alex
Moulton ’08, Brittanie Pierce ’10, and Alison Waldorf
’08, with a surprise guest appearance by another Brewster
drama favorite!
Performances for the upper school will be on May 17, for
the lower school May 18, with a public performance on
May 19 at 8 p.m. Performances will be held in the Rogers
Building. l
February 22 – 25:
Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Brewster’s Theater and Music Departments teamed up
once again to tell this tale of adventure and self-discovery
which begins on a raft on the Mississippi River in the 1840s.
(see story page 8)
April 20:
Family Weekend Adventures in the Performing Arts at the
Black Box Theater
Featuring HOWL, Chamber Orchestra, and Theater
students l
Stephen Allen
January 30:
Winter Carnival Concert in the Rogers Building
Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band featured.
April 1 and 3:
A Mozart Gala Concert
The Brewster Academy Chamber Orchestra played a joint
concert with the Mountain Top Community Orchestra on
Sunday, April 1 at Salyards Museum in North Conway,
New Hampshire, and on Tuesday, April 3 at Anderson Hall
on campus. The concert featured the renowned clarinetist,
Joe Rinaldi, performing Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. Other
Mozart gems were performed as well.
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29
Welcome!
Michael Appe, New Trustee
B
rewster Academy is pleased
to welcome Michael Appe as
the newest member of its board
of trustees. Appe and his wife
Irene retired to Wolfeboro from the
Seattle area following a career with
Microsoft Corporation. He retired
as vice president of sales, United
States.
Michael and Irene Appe
Since his arrival in the Lakes Region,
Appe has been an active volunteer
with the Wolfeboro Area Children’s
Center and has served on the board
of directors of the Wolfeboro Area
Recreation Association since 2001.
the University of Vermont with a
degree in mathematics. He and Irene
are avid golfers and are members at
both the Lake Winnipesaukee Golf
Club and Kingswood Golf Club.
The Appes hosted a wonderful
silent and live auction this fall at
their home as part of the Shamrock
Open to benefit the John Naramore
Scholarship Fund at Brewster
Academy.
Their niece, Marlowe Appe ’10, of
Charlotte, Vermont, is a Brewster
student. •
Born and raised in the Albany, New
York, area, Appe graduated from
D
uring the February
Board of Trustees
meeting, Brewster
hosted a luncheon
for trustees and
community leaders. The
luncheon provided an
opportunity for trustees
to meet communtiy
leaders and for those
leaders to meet trustees
and become more
familiar with the
Brewster community.
30
Among those community leaders who were able to attend were: Mary DeVries (Executive
Director, Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce), David Owen (Wolfeboro Town Manager), Linda
Murray (Wolfeboro selectwoman), Bob Varney (attorney), Jane Milligan (Rotary Club), Edie
Desmarais (N.H. Workforce Housing Council, Eastern Lakes Region), Lou Siracusa (Lions
Club), Susan Whiting (Executive Director, Wolfeboro Area Children’s Center), and Robert Reid
(Wolfeboro selectman) l
Dow Cabinet Finds
a Welcome Home at
Brewster
I
n the fall of 2006 Marjorie Dow of Dow’s
Corner Shop in Center Tuftonboro, New
Hampshire, donated a massive solid mahogany
cabinet to Brewster. Crafted in the late 1800s, the
cabinet was used for displays by a department
store in upstate New York. Marjorie and her
late husband, Albert H. “Sandy” Dow Jr. ‘41,
acquired the cabinet and used it as a display
piece in their shop for many years.
This magnificent mirrored cabinet stands eight
feet tall and eight feet wide. It took some Yankee
ingenuity and many hours and men to move it
from Center Tuftonboro to Wolfeboro. Its new
home is the hallway outside of the Kenison
Library where the Academic Building and the
Wilson Center for Teaching and Learning join.
The Dow cabinet, as it is now known, will be
used to display student artwork.
The inscription on the plaque inside the cabinet
reads:
Given in memory of
Albert H. Dow, Sr. ’06
and
Albert H. Dow, Jr. ’41
by Marjorie H. Dow
The Dow Cabinet in its new home
outside the library
Benefactor Marjorie H. Dow
with family friend (and Brewster
instructional support teacher)
Jim Monahan
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31
Alumni News
Recent Gatherings
Colorado
I
n November, nearly 50 alumni and friends turned
out to enjoy a night of fun and getting reacquainted
at the Wynkoop Brewery in Denver, Colorado. Former
Headmaster David M. Smith and wife Sheila, a former
admission officer, were in attendance as were sons Tim ’91,
Dan ’93, and James ’95, who all live in Colorado. James’
band, Interstate Stash Express, played several sets for the
group.
E. Anton Rainold ‘87 shared a video showing his
recent business venture, Colorado Kiteforce. The Frisco,
Colorado-based company runs daily kite ski and
snowboard excursions.
Two of Brewster’s most recent alums, Rachel Berman ’06
and Eric Reusche ’06, took a break from their studies at the
University of Denver to join the fun.
Dick Weeks, former Brewster faculty member and dean of students,
with Anton Rainold ‘87 and Sage Daly Wirth ‘88 in Denver. Weeks is A special thanks to David Collins ’84 for co-hosting the
currently Head of School at the Bridge School in Boulder. event and helping the alumni office organize this evening
far from the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Upcoming Events
If you would like to inquire about hosting or helping
with an alumni gathering in your area, please contact
Craig Churchill at (603) 569-7146 or craig_churchill@
brewsteracademy.org. l
Boston Museum of Science
Thursday, May 10
Reunion
Friday, June 1- Sunday, June 3
Bobcat Open
Monday, June 25
at Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club
Photos by Craig Churchill and Martha Trepanier ’83
32
David Collins ‘84 and former Headmaster David M. Smith at the
Denver reception held at the Wynkoop Brewery.
Alumni News
California: Taking Their Game to the West Coast
H
ead of School Dr. Michael E. Cooper and wife Andrea along with trustee
Dan Mudge and wife Kathy welcomed Brewster parents, alumni, and
friends in Calabasas, California, the first week in December. The occasion was
the Stoneridge Holiday Prep Classic basketball tournament to which the boys’
varsity Bobcats were invited. The Coopers hosted a post-tournament reception
at the Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas.
Mike Cooper
The tournament included nationally-ranked prep school teams South Kent
School (Connecticut), Boys to Men (Illinois), St. Thomas More (Connecticut),
Findlay College Prep (Nevada), Stoneridge Preparatory School (California), and
Brewster Academy. The Bobcats picked up wins against Stoneridge Prep (10697) and Findlay Prep (79-73) but lost to Boys to Men (88-98). l
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dan Mudge and wife Kathy hosted a pre-game breakfast for Brewster’s
basketball team, coaches, and families.
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33
Alumni News
Scott Bixler ‘98, Martha Trepanier ‘83, Meridith Mucci ‘98, Michael Means ‘98, Bruce Hawkins ‘01, Geoff
DeMeritt ‘98, Rachael Brown ‘02, CJ Britt ‘02, Steve Kasulke ‘02, Nick Millette ‘99, Andre Jesse ‘99, and
Jeff Goldberg ‘97 at the 18th Amendment in Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC
A
nother great alumni turnout in D.C. on January 27 at the 18th
Amendment club!
Thanks to faculty member Doug Kiley and special thanks to Jake
Harrington ’99 for suggesting the location and to CJ Britt ’02 for
his Hilton connections.
Thank you Meridith Mucci ’98 and Rachael Brown ’02 for
entertaining us and Scott Bixler ’98 for managing the bar when
we needed him to!
Thank you Michael Means ’98 and Jeff Goldberg ’97 for your
enthusiasm and ideas on how to make your 10-year Reunions
special … let’s do it! And to all of you, thank you for coming out
to visit with other Brewster folks.
Please save the date – January 26, 2008 – and join us next year. l
Photos by Martha Trepanier ’83
Bruce Hawkins ’01 and Andre Jesse ’99 were among the alumni
at the Keyhole Bar at the 18th Amendment. Hawkins is in law
school at Howard University and Jesse is studying at George
Mason University. (See story on Hawkins’ new book in the
Hoopla section, page 39)
34
Alumni News
Penn Club, New York City
T
he Mudge family again graciously
hosted Brewster at The Penn Club of
New York on Friday, February 23.
The New York Brewster community
gathered to hear Mike Cooper and
Lynne Palmer, director of admission,
enthusiastically share Brewster’s innovative
new marketing concept.
Special thanks to the Mudge family for their
generosity and outstanding commitment to
the Brewster community. •
Special thanks to our host and chairman
of the board of trustees Daniel Mudge
Rob Gorden ‘90, history teacher TJ Palmer,
and Chris Petronio ‘01
Jeff Goldberg ‘97, now in Virginia, and
Brewster’s Bob Simoneau (James ’07) share
ideas for Jeff’s 10-year Reunion in June.
Photos by Deb Gurka and Martha Trepanier ’83
Lynne Palmer congratulates Tara Stein ‘95 on
the recent birth of her third son.
Katie Boote ‘96 and Heidi Jessop ‘96 congratulate Liz Chapman
‘95 on her engagement.
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Freddy Friedman (Molly ‘10), Kate Considine ‘03, and Brewster community
leaders Charlie and Michele Hossack and Maureen Simoneau (James ‘07)
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35
Alumni News
Morgan Huntley ’00
Building His Future While Building Boats
By Martha Trepanier ‘83
S
Martha Trepanier ’83
tanding well over six feet tall, Morgan
Huntley ’00 proudly takes Brewster faculty
member Byron Martin and me on a tour of The
Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design
in Arundel, Maine. Here, he has found his
passion – the art of boat building.
Huntley, a student at this school located along
the Kennebunk River, explains that he is on
one of two teams of six students working
with an instructor (not unlike at Brewster).
Their project is to build – completely by hand,
with only wood and glue – a 27-foot Arundel
powerboat in 10 months.
The boat has already been sold so the deadline
is real.
Instead of laptops, students at The Landing
are armed with planers, clamps, chisels, levels,
and saws. All measurements are taken using
the metric system in order to be most exact.
Huntley describes the concept of cold molding,
or building a boat without screws. The team
builds the stern by gluing dozens and dozens
of layers of wood together and holding them
with clamps until they are dried and shaped.
Huntley’s general boating knowledge is
stronger than his woodworking knowledge,
and he now recognizes the value of patience.
He has never been too far from the water. He
grew up on Long Island, New York, and then,
as a Brewster “lifer,” spent four years on the
shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Huntley in the workshop of The Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design
“No matter what you think now, when
you think back, your memories of
Brewster are always fonder ...”
36
Tim Radley, one of Huntley’s former Brewster
dorm parents, remembers him as a real
individual “… who created a ‘get well’ video
for me when I was battling cancer by recording
best wishes and commentaries from a broad
cross-section of the Brewster community.”
Alumni News
Jennifer Huntley
Even college couldn’t keep Huntley off the
water. While attending The New School in
Manhattan – where he completed his liberal
arts degree and graduated in 2006 with a
3.68 GPA – he lived for two and a half years
aboard Crimson Tide, a 35-foot wooden Chris
Craft. During that time he hosted two floating
Christmas parties complete with guests and a
lighted Christmas tree!
He moored in Northport, New York, and
Jersey City, New Jersey, as well as at various
marinas. “I loved the flexibility, being able to
move whenever I wanted,” he explained.
There are a variety of challenges in living on
the water, he conceded. Huntley smiled as he
said, “Those batteries for the fridge get pretty
expensive, especially in mid-July.”
Martha Trepanier ’83
Although Huntley will be at The Landing for
the next two years, he’s already contemplating
his next move. “I am not interested in the
West Coast – I’d like to stay on the East
Coast, although I don’t see myself staying in
Huntley’s Crimson Tide
Maine.” He’d like to be in a metro area, where
he could build boats and gain experience,
and then move into management. “Florida
is where everything is happening. They are
building boats year-round, they have bigger
The boat has already been sold so the deadline is real.
suppliers – basically there is 10 times the
boatbuilding activity as there is up here. I’ve
already had some interesting job offers for
down south.” Huntley says The
Landing School has an excellent
reputation for placing graduates,
and he’s glad to be a part of the
program.
If you’re interested in the
boating industry keep your eyes
open for Huntley – our bet is he
will be building some terrific
boats, maybe even designing his
own – the “Huntley” does have
a nice ring to it! l
Huntley explains the boat building
process to faculty member Byron Martin
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37
Alumni News
Hoopla
The Write Stuff
A
ll those alums who once upon a time were trapped
in my sophomore English classes and thereby forced
to read my collection of short stories will stand up and
cheer upon learning that I no longer am writing fiction.
Actually, when I moved down to the Bahamas 12 years
ago, one of my goals was to do more writing. Well, ok,
I have been writing, but mostly those annoying “Class
Notes” postcards, Reunion letters, and the “Hoopla”
columns focusing on young alums. While I do enjoy
keeping in touch, I really do want to get back to my
exciting stories and/or the long-postponed novel. A few
years ago I tried my hand at nonfiction, having been asked
to write the history of the area on Eleuthera where I now
reside, and I spent three years collecting information for
“Rainbow Rising.” It was an interesting task, but one I’ll
never again attempt. I still do help edit a local newsletter/
magazine here on the island, but that’s more of a political
piece, one which constantly causes me to plunge into
troublesome waters. Yet, hopefully, someday soon, you’ll
be able to wander into your local bookstore and ask for
Hoopes’ latest short story collection or hot novel; but until
then, here are reviews of two young alums’ published
masterpieces, which readers will enjoy far more than those
dreaded Hoopes’ tales of yesteryear.
Alas, the response to my recent plea to readers for topics
for future columns has been nil. I’m really interested
in your topic suggestions so please do send them. The
next Hoopla is likely to focus on young alum online
entrepreneurs offering various forms of art, be it written,
photographic, or otherwise. Another possibility: alums
who sell expensive automobiles (you’d be surprised at the
number) or failing that, I’m quite certain I can persuade
Bill Meehan ‘92 to write Chapter Two of his “Fun and
Games in Selling Life Insurance.”
Now please enjoy reading about the writings of Noelle
Lamperti ‘89 and Bruce Hawkins ‘01.
And please write to me at my island e-mail address: islesman@batelnet.bs
or you can write me in care of my mail-forwarding
address:
Hoopes, P.M.B. #100
411 Walnut Street
Green Cove Springs FL 32043
Keep on writin’!
Matt Hoopes hard at work in the Bahamas
38
Matt Hoopes was a faculty member from
1975 to 1996. During this time he and
his journalism students founded The
Brewster Browser, the Outcroppings
literary magazine, and the BAPA (Brewster
Academy Photo/Address) book. Since his
“retirement” from the classroom in 1996,
Hoopes has worked as the Young Alumni
Correspondent from his hilltop house in
the Bahamas or from his island in Maine,
helping to keep the alumni connection alive.
In each issue he brings life-after-Brewster
stories to the pages of his Hoopla column.
Alumni News
Hoopla
Bruce Hawkins ’01:
Author, Law Student
I did not meet Bruce Hawkins until he returned to Brewster last June for his 5th
Reunion. I recall I was chatting with some members of the class of ‘96 when he joined
us at the table, just sitting and listening quietly. When the others moved on, Bruce
introduced himself and we talked a little about his days at Brewster. Somewhere in the
conversation Bruce let slip that he was writing a book. My interest piqued and I started
to press for more details but was dragged off to give a slide show. Bruce looked me up
Sunday before leaving and thus began many months of enjoyable e-mail dialogue. I
couldn’t wait for his book to be released and for a copy of 131 Box: Path of Purpose to
make it down to the Bahamas. The cliché “I couldn’t put it down” proved true for me as
I’m sure it will for many of you. The intensity of the details as he relives the stages of his
inspirational “path of purpose” is a lesson to humble all of us.
Metaphorically speaking,
[my lottery number] 131 box
represented my ticket out of
the ghetto and the poverty of
mind, body, and soul...
B
ruce told me his story in his e-mails, and some of the
reasons he wanted to write about it, but it wasn’t until
I immersed myself in his book that I felt I understood what
he was trying to say, and that feeling only grew as I turned
the pages. The reader actually gets hooked in the preface
where Bruce points out that 131 Box refers to a game that
characterizes the mindset and the culture of the people he
grew up with. While most people would probably consider
basketball as the game that characterizes the ghetto – or maybe
football – Hawkins says, “The lottery best captures the essence
of the ghetto. For if one is able to understand the diverse
motivations of its players and enthusiasts, I believe one could
comprehend the difficulty of life in the ghetto, and, more
importantly, life in poverty. Lotto is the only game that plays
against you … [it] can become a habit or an addiction, in which
purpose is completely disconnected from the act of playing.”
Hawkins goes on to explain his choice of title: “131 box was
the number I played. My birthday is January 31, so 131 is
a numerical representation of me. [If you played “box,”
the winning numbers could be in any order.] My box is the
combination of skills, experiences, attributes, and dreams
that make me unique and allows me to empower others ...
Metaphorically speaking, 131 box represented my ticket out of
the ghetto and the poverty of mind, body, and soul...”
In his book Bruce tells of a close friend who encouraged him
to pursue his greatness and to accomplish his sense of purpose
– this was uncommon in Bruce’s community, just as it was
uncommon to maintain a dream. Bruce tells of how devastated
he was by the death of this friend and that was when he
decided to write a book to inspire others as his friend had
inspired him.
Continued on page 42
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39
Alumni News
Hoopla
Noelle Lamperti ‘89
Children’s Book Author
Noelle was smart enough to avoid my sophomore
English class, and cleverly ditched my journalism class
as well, so I can’t claim that I had any influence on
her literary career, nor her pre-Brewster charming art
work. In both cases I wish I could have taken credit!
W
hen I started searching for Brewster authors
for this column, I was surprised to turn
up less than a handful and several of those I’d
included in earlier articles. I can’t recall just
who mentioned to me that Noelle had written a
book, but I quickly phoned in an order. As I had
to wait about a month for the copy to make it
to the islands, I had lots of time to guess about
the plot. I recalled that Noelle was a good friend
and classmate of the late Trey Whitfield and
wondered whether her book would include any
references to Trey, as she was close to his family.
Emptying my weekly mailbag on the floor, I spied
the bookstore’s label on a package, but it was the
wrong shape, the wrong size. At first I was really
disappointed to see that it was a children’s book,
geared for 3- to 7-year-olds. “Hmmm ... How can I
review this? I don’t even know or care for anyone
3 years old, and I certainly don’t know what they
like!” And then I sat back and read it, over and
over again. I was hooked.
Brown Like Me (originally published in 1979 as
Noelle’s Brown Book and re-released in 2002 with
the new title) is an autobiography of a young
African-American girl who is encouraged by her
white adoptive family to seek out the beauty of
being brown-skinned. The book opens with a
close-up of a smiling Noelle and the text, “Hi,
I’m Noelle, a girl who likes brown. I like to look
for things that are brown like me.” And Noelle
does just this by taking the reader through photos
of herself “in action” – discovering brown items
from leaves to horses to her own self. The last
page shows Noelle flexing her arm muscles
with the text, “I am strong brown.” Noelle also
includes her own artwork, showing what she
discovers on her quest to overcome her sometimes
lonesomeness for brown.
Jacqueline Wallen, an associate
professor at the University of
Maryland, and a mental health
professional, wrote in the introduction,
“I recommend this book to parents and
children of all colors. In celebrating
families and the color brown, this
book enriches all of us and is sure to
delight a whole new generation of
‘strong brown’ children.” And it does
just that – I’ve shared Brown Like Me
with several Bahamian families whose
children have loved the book, turning
the pages back and forth, smiling at the
drawings, enjoying the story.
There is a great combination of
photography, artwork, and text at the
end of the book. One of the last pages
shows Noelle coming to the end of the
“path” that she’s been traveling in her
search for brown objects and on the
40
Alumni News
Hoopla
opposite page she’s staring at herself
in a large mirror, smiling, and the text
reads:
“When I am
lonesome for brown
I look in the mirror.
I can see my
bright brown eyes,
curly brown hair
and smooth
brown skin.”
And it’s her smile that says it all!
In the afterword of the book there is a
stunning photograph of a grown-up
Noelle leaning against a tree. Next to
the photograph is her reflection on
Brown Like Me:
“I was reminded of the importance
of this book when 10 years after it was published
I went into the local library in Hanover, New
Hampshire. A small brown girl about six years
old saw me, and I overheard her saying to her
adoptive mother, ‘Mom, is that Noelle?’
Her mother looked at me and I heard her say, ‘I’m
not sure; why don’t we ask.’ They stopped me and
the woman asked if I was Noelle from the Brown
Book. I told her I was, and she said the book had
been very important to them, and they read it all
the time.
Helping to create the Brown Book was a wonderful
experience for me as a child. Being encouraged
to create both a story line and drawings made
me feel special. Most importantly, writing this
book was an affirmation of who I was and am. In
a community where very few people looked like
me, the Brown Book was something that I could
look to and be reminded that being brown and
looking different was a good thing.
I think that this book is great for everyone in its
celebration of diversity.”
In corresponding with Noelle during the past
several months, I was able to put the “missing
l
years” together since her graduation from
Brewster in 1989. Noelle met her husband, Robert,
while attending the University of Massachusetts at
Amherst. Robert, who was from England, was on
an exchange year from the University of Sheffield.
They both graduated in 1996 and left for eight
months of traveling in Central America. At the
end of their trip they returned to the States and
got married in Vermont, where Noelle had grown
up. Shortly after their wedding, they moved to
London. They worked and played in London for
five years and in 2002 they decided to return to
Vermont – and build a house.
Noelle is presently working in the Career
Development Office at the Tuck School of Business
at Dartmouth College in Hanover. She and Robert
live in Norwich, Vermont, and soon will be
completing their “dream house.”
For those alums with children, or even old solo
types like me, who would like a copy of Brown Like
Me (and believe me, you will like it!), rush your
order to your nearest bookstore or write:
Noelle Lamperti
513 New Boston Road
Norwich, VT 05055-0027 l
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41
Alumni News
Hoopla
Continued from page 39
“I was 13 when I
left my family, my
friends, and my
comfort zone and
moved about six
hours away to be
in good company
and received a wellrounded education.
It would become
one of the most
important decisions
of my life.”
Bruce wrote me that “one of the major
challenges in writing the book was to
try to incorporate my life into a book,
being as detailed as possible on each
point of transition.” Bruce continued
to brainstorm but had difficulty
starting to write. The idea that the
lottery was an analogy to life broke
a long period of writer’s block, and
the most challenging moment finally
arrived – writing the first word – and
from here he knew that the rest of the
words would come.
I was impressed that a man as young
and busy as Bruce – completing
college and gaining admission to a
prestigious law school – could still
have the time and desire to write a
book. It took me many attempts and
many more years before I was able
to do so, but I didn’t have Bruce’s
desire, his need to repay an important
friend. I asked Bruce if he had always
written so well and so easily and he
replied that he always felt that he was
creative, that he enjoyed poetry, music,
and other art forms. Bruce concludes
each chapter with a poem that circles
back on the meaning of the chapter.
Bruce is quick to point out that
financial profit was not a factor in
his decision to write and publish
131 Box: Path of Purpose and that he
was satisfied in knowing “… that in
my view I made a quality work that
should motivate
others to give their
In Good Company
best.” As the book’s
You would be surprised by how much easier it
jacket states, “Many
people speak of
is to accomplish a dream
the importance of
When among inspirational people, places, or
leading a purposethings
driven life, but
Our expectations for ourselves grow and
it is not an easy
become more detailed
task for those
Our friendship and relationships grow in depth
who live in abject
as well.
poverty.” Bruce
describes how he
42
forgot to realize his dreams in a world
defined by crime, drugs, death, and a
pervasive sense of hopelessness.
Bruce mentioned to me that he had
attended the private Bethlehem
Baptist Academy in Brooklyn starting
at the age of three. I didn’t make the
connection until much later when I
realized the school is now called The
Trey Whitfield School, in memory
of a member of Brewster’s class of
1989 (see page 6.) With the close
connection between Trey’s parents
and Brewster Academy, Bruce’s
decision to attend Brewster made
sense. When I asked him if he looked
at other schools and why he chose
Brewster, Bruce replied, “I decided
to attend the school because it was
future-oriented, and because of the
computer model, the professional
look of the Brewster students, and the
emphasis on academics, all of which
attracted me to Brewster over other
prep schools.” He continued, “I was
13 when I left my family, my friends,
and my comfort zone and moved
about six hours away to be in good
company and received a well-rounded
education. It would become one of the
most important decisions of my life.”
While Brewster Academy’s campus
was beautiful, Bruce points out that it
was also quiet – almost too quiet. He
was used to hearing ambulances, fire
trucks, police cars, and even gunshots
throughout the night. “There were
noises that penetrated my walls from
upstairs, downstairs, or next door.
The total silence that I experienced at
Brewster actually frightened me for
awhile.”
When asked how he felt as a minority
in a predominately white school of
350 students, Bruce replied that he
fielded many questions concerning
controversial issues such as slavery,
Alumni News
Hoopla
drug use, and oppression. He said
he felt “… as if the weight of my
culture were on my shoulders with
each answer to those questions. I
felt my answers had to be thorough
and expressed within a context that
could explain the intricacies of my
culture. Furthermore, I knew that an
understanding of my culture was one
way in which my stay at school could
be made easier.”
Another Brewster challenge was
financial-related. Bruce told me that
he had attended Brewster on an
academic scholarship – not a full
one, but one that covered most of
the costs. Brewster exposed him to
a community in which the citizens
were less burdened with financial
conditions than he was used to. Many
of the students were able to dine out,
shop, and vacation without giving it
a second thought. “I was presented
with several opportunities to realize
the meaning of the dollar and how
little spending power I had. I never
felt poor, but I was able to recognize
the various economic classes that
surrounded me, and I was certain that
I was near the bottom.” The family
weekend and senior fund-raising
auctions made Bruce uncomfortable,
even alienated, although he realized
these events benefited students in
terms of scholarships.
“Over time I matured and learned
how to better handle these obstacles.
The issues regarding my environment,
social matters, and finances became
less stressful to me. I became the
change I wanted to see in others, and
eventually I found my comfort zone.”
After talking with Bruce during last
year’s Reunion weekend, it was
obvious to me that he had been very
involved with the school during his
four-year stay. He was low-key about
what he had done, but position after
position came up as we talked about
his interests and his involvement.
He apparently was a good athlete
and willing to try new sports, but
basketball was his favorite, even
though he stepped down from his
team to take on other responsibilities.
It was obvious by his election to his
many posts that he was respected and
popular. By the time of his graduation
his list of accomplishments was more
than impressive, truly outstanding:
student-body president, member
of the National Honor Society,
proctor, prefect, and member of the
Judicial Board. “Within my four-year
attendance at Brewster, I had grown
into a smarter, more mature, and more
responsible young man. There is no
doubt that I made a huge impact at
Brewster, but it made an even greater
impact on me. I
continue to reap
the benefits of
Comfort Zone
school through
Oh how different we walk, we laugh, we talk, we
long-lasting
play
friendships that
How different we sleep, we dress, we eat, we
span the globe.
pray
Enrolling at prep
How different is my hometown
school was one of
from the place where I sleep and study now
the most important
How long can I last being different?
decisions of
How much can I change without changing at
my life. My
all?
experiences left me
anxious for college,
All I need is a visit
but confident that
From someone or a trip somewhere that I
I was well-trained
knew before.
for any obstacles
that would come
my way.”
While Bruce obviously enjoyed his
four years at Brewster Academy, there
were times that he did experience
changes in friendships with some
of those he left behind in the city.
Bruce spoke of the difficulties of
returning home for a vacation – the
readjustment and the cautious and
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43
Alumni News
Hoopla
somewhat curious reactions he
received from former friends. In his
book, Bruce described one incident
that occurred at a pickup basketball
game that could have easily ended
in injury or possibly his death. He
pointed out that “It is a challenge to
accept success when those you love
seem to have no avenue to accomplish
their dreams. However, it makes
your path. Your success is even more
special because you represent so much
more than just yourself.”
131 Box
There is a game that we play that is not meant
to be played
Because it blindly grips the dreams of the weak
and the brave
It handicaps our lifestyles into that of a slave
Repeating the harsh cycles of poverty again and
again.
We play for the fortune and we miss the luck
Believing that all will be well... When we get
our bucks
But if you can win the jackpot and still feel poor
Do what people tell you is right and still need
more
Then you have to ask yourself why do you play
this game for
What do you really need? And how can you get
more?
The jackpot or the prize is purpose itself
Become naked to the world and look deep
inside yourself
Where do you want to go?
What do you want to be?
What do you love to do?
What dream do you need to see?
You need to believe in yourself before you try
to do it
Even if you need some help and struggle you can
get through it
44
Bruce Hawkins graduated from
Vanderbilt University in 2005 and is
now a student at Howard University
School of Law where he will graduate
in the spring of 2009.
To those who would like to read Bruce’s
131 Box: Path of Purpose – and I would
strongly suggest it, as my attempted
review really does not do the book the
justice it truly deserves – it can be
purchased for $12.95 by going to Bruce’s
website at www.131box.com or to the
publisher at www.wheatmark.com. l
These words come to me like a story I wrote
Like a life that I lived that started when I was a
kid
Used to get in line to play that game
Looking for my way out ... then my jackpot
came
But not in any coin or dollar amount
Not from following the dreams from the next
man’s mouth
Not from repeating the cycle or being too
scared
I was being myself and God made me
prepared
To think outside my box ... to read between
my lines
Analyze the game and in the game I would find
A way to explain my past thoughts ... the
struggles I climbed
A metaphor of the diseased body, soul, and
mind
Good day and One night and to all much love
Thanks for your hearts and minds ... all of the
above
This is 131 Box in exchange for yours
The blueprint of a struggle ... to help you
control your course
Alumni News
Class Notes
Tell Us How You’re Doing!
We want to know what you’re up to. Whether it’s a new
address, a job change, a marriage, a new baby, or any
other news you’d like to share with your classmates,
please drop us a line (and/or a photo) and we’ll try to
include it in the next BrewsterConnections.
1944
Helen Hatch would love to get up to
Wolfeboro for the next Reunion. She lost
her brother A. Ross Adams, Class of 1942,
in 2005.
Hilary T. Masters has a new novel: “Elegy
for Sam Emerson.”
Lucille Macolino writes, “I wish all my
classmates the best in 2007. I have six
grandchildren and have three greatgrandchildren. I joined the senior center
club last year and also sing in my church
choir. My husband Ray and I celebrated
our 57th anniversary on November 26. Best
of luck to all.”
1945
Hope MacDonald’s granddaughter Maggie
MacDonald graduated from Brewster in
2006. Maggie’s brother Tyrel will graduate
in 2008, and her sister Gwen in 2010. “I am
a retired X-ray technician, and I worked at
Castle in the Clouds for years. I have been a
widow for seven years. My grandchildren
are following in the path of their father, my
son John ’74.
1946
Shirley Wharff is a retired R.N. She has
three children and two grandchildren. She
has had a knee replacement and a mild
stroke. “Greetings to all the class of 1946.”
Give her a call at 978-740-2762, in Salem,
Massachusetts.
1947 60th Reunion!
Roger Tracy was an aeronautical engineer.
He writes that he is well and retired. He’d
like to hear from his friends from his
Brewster days.
Send your news to:
Office of Alumni
Brewster Academy
80 Academy Drive, Wolfeboro, NH 03894
or e-mail us at alumninews@brewsteracademy.org
Jim Wallace holds an Ed.D. Professor
Emeritus at Lewis & Clark College in
Portland, Oregon. He has completed his
seventh book, which was published earlier
this year. He is working on another one about
the Scott sisters of Wolfeboro who were
early 20th-century teachers (see “Writing
Brewster’s History,” page 58). Jim and his
wife have a beautiful summer home on the
Oregon coast.
Barbara Spalding and her husband, Sam,
have seven grown children.
Herb MacMartin graduated from the
Univeristy of New Hampshire and became
a U.S. Army commissioned officer during the
Korean War. He is now retired and working
as a troubleshooter for various businesses.
His specialty of course, is “the books.”
Richard McQuillen writes, “My wife,
Emilie, and I celebrated our 53rd anniversary
recently and enjoy good health, save the
aches and pains that come with more than
seven decades of wear and tear. A long
time ago we drove with our two sons to
New Hampshire to revisit old haunts and
to introduce the family to them – BFA,
and Camp Tecumseh at the far end of
Winnipesaukee on Moultonborough Neck,
where I washed pots and pans to earn my
fee in the summer of ’43. Sadly, that was my
last visit. I’d dearly like to see the Academy
and the town once again.”
Nancie Buell writes, “I lost my beloved
husband of 58 years last January. I am
hoping to make our 60th Brewster Reunion.
Charlie Hatch is already encouraging our
attendance!”
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l
Become a Class Agent!
Brewster is looking
for alumni to serve as
class agents. As a class
agent you will reconnect
with classmates while
getting in touch with
those you haven’t heard
from in years, learning
how they’ve changed
(or not), and what is
new in their lives. You’ll
also help us update our
records and, as an added
bonus, you’ll have the
chance to help us raise
the much-needed dollars
to keep us competitive
in the growing world of
independent schools.
Don’t delay; contact Craig
Churchill at 603.569.7146
or at craig_churchill@
brewsteracdemy.org.
Help make a difference at
Brewster today!
45
Alumni News
Class Notes
Class of 1957 50-Year Reunion!
On Saturday, June 2 at 3:30 p.m. there will be a Class of 1957 get-together at the home of
Dave and Ann Pollini, 443 South Main Street, Wolfeboro. Classmates and their spouses are
invited. From there, we will go down to the school for cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7
p.m., followed by dancing and reminiscing about old and new times, to complete the evening.
Questions? Want to help rally our class?
Call Dave Pollini ‘57 (603) 569-3420
Bob Bishop writes, “Although retired from
private practice I continue in the medical
field as the senior medical officer for three
large insurance companies.”
Charlie Hatch and his wife, Iva, are planning
to visit Wolfeboro and the Academy to mark
his 60th out of Brewster. He’d like some
phone calls at (616) 363-6600. He’ll be staying
with his brother, Steve ’48, at 3 Greenleaf
Street in Wolfeboro – (603) 569-3866. After
a long and successful career with the U.S.
Army and a longer one with the Honeywell
Corporation, Charlie has turned his talents
to fiction writing and has recently completed
a mystery/fiction novel about a small New
Hampshire town called Wolfred. Charlie
anticipates a 2007 publishing date.
Roger Moody has been married for 53 years.
He has two children and one grandchild. He
retired from the State of New Hampshire
after working for 34 years as an engineer. He
sends his best to all of his classmates.
1948
Joe Ford is serving his 29th year as selectman
in Lee, New Hampshire.
46
Paul Wheeler and his wife, Marguerite,
spend summers in Wolfeboro next to the
Kingswood Golf Club, and in Ormond
Beach, Florida, in the wintertime. According
to classmate Steve Hatch, Paul is known as
one of the best PG football players ever!
1952
55th Reunion!
Muriel Massey writes, “Hello fellow
classmates, wherever you are. I am now
living in Alexandria, Virginia, near two
of my sons who live in the Mount Vernon
area. I am living in an independent senior
living complex and keep very busy with
volunteering here. Of course, I’m ready to
“go” whenever the children call. I hope to
hear from someone in the Class of ’52 to see
who is coming to Reunion. I do plan to be
in Wolfeboro at that time.”
1954
Jackie Murray moved back to New
Hampshire in August 2006 to be near her
grandchildren.
1955
Jim Poelman writes, I am still involved in
China as before, but now I am also pastoring
a growing church in Singapore. Everyone
is young except me and my wife, but it is a
very rewarding ministry. We did a Christmas
Cantata on December 23, 2006, with a very
capable Singaporean director, and the house
was packed. I regret that we were unable to
attend my 50th Reunion in 2005, but I had to
be out of the country at that time. Brewster
has held and always will hold a special
place in my heart, and I am thankful for
my experience and education during those
four years.”
1956
Dianne Rogers Quayle writes, “William B.
Quayle, a retired mechanical designer from
Ohio, and I were married on December 1,
2006. We met in August – he is my cousin’s
brother-in-law. Happily, he loves New
Hampshire, water, fishing, etc., so Wolfeboro
will continue to be my – and our – home. It
is never too late to live happily ever after.
Ken Gould got elected to his seventh term
in the New Hampshire State Legislature, and
Harry Merrow to his third. Class governance
has led to state governance.”
Alumni News
Class Notes
1957
50th Reunion!
John Wardner is retired and he keeps active
in senior games.
1961
George L. Eldridge writes, “I am now fully
retired. I retired from the U. S. Navy in 1985
and have had my own advertising business
since. After becoming 100 percent disabled,
I sold my business and fully retired. In
September 2006, we visited back in Center
Ossipee and Wolfeboro with our motor
home. We’re going to Utah in the spring.”
1968
David White writes, “With our children
raised, Linda and I moved home to Illinois
in 2005 and built a home on a farm that has
been in our family for 103 years. We
constructed a log home and a horse
barn and await the arrival of our
third grandchild in June. We also look
forward to my 40th Brewster class
Reunion in 2008!”
Carl Smith graduated from Springfield
College in 1972 and went to Europe
to study diplomatic history. He writes
that he has had many professions: “I
worked for Dunn & Bradstreet for
three years and then owned my own
business in Massachusetts.” In 1993
he received an M.A. in counseling
and psychology from Cambridge
College in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Carl and his wife Patricia live in
Swampscott, Massachusetts, in the
summer and in Ponte Vedra Beach,
Florida, in the winter. They have two
children – Amanda, 30, and Grant,
26. Carl helps with the PGA ProGolf
Tournament at T.P.C. (Tournament
Players Club) Sawgrass.
1969
1970
Carlos Noble works at Northern Trust Bank
in Coral Gables, Florida. He and his wife
Georgia have two children, Rebecca,16, and
Juan Carlos,13. Carlos called Dave Pollini
’57 to congratulate him on being inducted
into the Brewster Athletic Hall of Fame.
Carlos likes to play golf at the Biltmore
in Coral Gables and spend time with his
family. His dad previously taught Spanish
at Brewster and coached JV basketball. His
mother lives nearby in Coral Gables.
1976
Mel Foster and his wife Brenda have recently
returned from a 10th anniversary trip to
Italy. He writes, “We also enjoy renting RVs
around the United States. Our interests also
include motorcycles, boats, and touring the
Tim Holz has two daughters, Erika, 4, and
Kayla,1. He writes that he is very busy in
nursing school.
Marcus Daugherty writes, “I just want
to say hello! I’m still alive and want to
reconnect.”
Scott Mason writes, “Life is great on
Hampton Beach! My son, Alex, will be off
to college in the fall for film production and
my daughter, Kelsey, will be a senior in high
school. I am a software engineer for Liberty
Mutual.”
1979
Susan Cutts writes, “I’m living in Tasmania,
Australia, for six months. It is amazing.
Beautiful birds and animals. I had the
good fortune of spending a weekend
with Paige Livingston ’80 at her
home in Sydney in September. She
works for ABC and is doing well and
has two beautiful children and a great
husband.”
Rich O’Brien is still living in Denver.
He writes, “I am still single with no
kids and loving it! I am still a property
manager of 65 ‘Brittany House’
apartments.”
1982
25th Reunion!
Mitch Sanders writes, “In January
I founded a new angel investment
group in Worcester, Massachusetts:
www.Boyntonangels.com. Next fall
my wife Lisa is opening a cafe called
John 7, Joe 9, and Tommy 7, sons of Beth Hayes Scala ‘81 and Pi that will serve decadent desserts
her husband Dino and international coffees at Worcester
Polytechnic Institute’s Life Science
Complex (Gateway Park). Our kids
countryside in a convertible. The newest
addition to our family is a 5 lb. toy poodle are getting huge, and we hope to bring them
up for the Reunion.”
named Lola.”
Fritz Tai writes, “I have been doing clinical
research in cancer at Eli Lilly & Company
for the past two years. Prior to that I was in
private practice in oncology in Bloomington,
Indiana, for 12 years. I have a son who
graduated from Purdue University, and he
is a computer engineer at Intel. My daughter
is a junior in high school. I appreciate your
sending me news about Brewster.”
1978
Debbie (Warner) Al-Harbi writes, “I am
back in school doing two years in one,
studying to be a psych counselor. My
daughter is teaching in Spain. My son Adam
is in college and my son Samuel is in school.
My husband is in research at his job – busy
busy busy. Hello to you all.”
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1983
Rick Clay-Storm writes, “I may be moving
from our island paradise to the Mt.
Washington Valley of New Hampshire to
start anew in our mountain paradise and
perhaps begin a new business venture.”
47
Alumni News
Class Notes
Jonathan Hibbard got married on New
Year’s Eve 2005. “I am getting ready for
retirement this coming July. I’ve started
breeding wire fox terriers. Boating is still
wonderful, but how could time on the water
not be? My private business, OSHA Safety
Training, is doing well. Look forward to
seeing everyone again.”
1985
Chris Aeschliman writes, “I have changed
jobs at Labcorp in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, and am now a member of the
materials management team. My tennis
team, the Great Bay Tennis Team, is 2-1, and
my individual match record is: #1 singles 1-0;
#2 singles 2-0.”
Hank Nusloch writes, “My daughter
Caroline is now 3 1/2 and Mary is 5. We are
all doing fine in New Orleans and managed
to escape major damage from Katrina. I will
finish my master’s in English teaching next
semester.”
Nick Tepper writes, “Lots of things changed
for me this past year. I got married to a
beautiful and intelligent and humorous
woman named Anna last June at my sister’s
place in Oyster Bay, New York. We are
expecting our first child this coming May,
a son (point guard). I have been working
harder than ever as a busy litigator here in
Los Angeles. Last year was by far my best
year ever and 2007 looks promising too. In
December I attended a Brewster basketball
game out here which, unfortunately, they
lost. I guess they could have used a little
more outside shooting from the likes of
Mike Roach! I then had dinner with the
new head of school, Dr. Michael Cooper
and his wife, Andrea, and other Brewster
luminaries. Needless to say, it looks like
the school is in exceptionally good
hands. I really feel disconnected
from my old friends from that one
great year I had back there. I would
love to e-mail with any of you,
especially Mike, Chris, Yasu, and
Judy. What’s up?”
Andy Weiner writes, “So I hit the
big 40 a few months ago. I can’t
believe I was once a teenager. I have
been with Brinks Inc. for about four
years now. I started as a crew chief
and am now the branch trainer for
all aspects – firearms, driving, and
basic training. I enjoy it but miss the
old days of information technology.
I have been married almost eight
years to Marcia, and we have a
beautiful 4-year-old, Rachel, and her
best friend Gizmo the Shih-Tzu.”
1986
Bruce Pennypacker writes that
he’s currently at his fifth startup, a
company called Third Screen Media
that provides all the tools needed for
advertising on mobile phones. After
15 years of volunteering for the U.S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary, Bruce is retiring.
He’s still active in theater and is currently
working on his 33rd production since he
started doing “techie” stuff and lighting
design back in ’99. Bruce is on the board of
directors of a small community theater in
Reading, Massachusetts. Bruce’s e-mail is
brucke@pennypacker.org.
Mark Roelli writes, “Simone and I married
in January 2002, and Gabriella was born
on October 21, 2006. I currently work for
GE, maintaining their corporate aircraft at
Stewart Airport in Newburgh, New York.”
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Reunion 2007
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48
June 1-3
Mike Hope ’85 with his wife Paulette
and their sons Turner and Dillon
Katie (Wolfe) Ruesch writes, “Nothing too
new. My husband (Bill) and I moved from
Chicago to North Carolina about three years
ago. We really like it here. I still get Christmas
cards from Heather (Monroe) Rohner ’87
and Tamah French-Proops ’87. I would love
to hear from some former classmates.”
Joanna Lavarello works as an R.N. in
the emergency department of a trauma/
emergency medicine hospital in Seattle. She
is taking a second trip to New Orleans to
help rebuild homes. Her whole family is in
Seattle now – her sister Steph ’87 finished
chemotherapy/radiation for breast cancer
last year, and Joanna is proud of her.
Jesse Alexander writes, “Save the cheerleader
... save the world!”
1987
20th Reunion!
Tom Daoulas writes, “I switched into the
education field from accounting five years
ago. I am now in my third year as a classroom
Alumni News
Class Notes
teacher. I teach sixth-grade math. My wife,
daughter, and I love life on the South Shore
of Massachusetts, and I hope all from the
class of ’87 are doing well.”
1988
Megan (Scully) Orlandi would love to hear
from any alumni in the Charlotte, North
Carolina, area! “I have put off writing for
years but this time I want to catch up. I
met my husband, Dave, while living in
Boston in 1998. From Boston we moved to
Boulder, Colorado, and then to Sausalito,
California. We got married in 2002, and
in 2003 Dave was transferred to Charlotte
with his job as a software consultant for
Embarcadero Technologies. We have two
children, Abe, 2 1/2, and Ginger, 3 months.
I stay at home with them, which is fun,
crazy, and lonely all at once. I stay in touch
with Courtney (Crane) Munroe and Julie
(Kaplan) Saloman. Sister Liz ’87 just bought
a town house in Watertown, Massachusetts,
and is a project manager for a company
called Name Media.”
Hilary Walton writes, “I’ve taken teaching to
the next step – I’m now a public high school
biology teacher in Los Angeles. I’ve begun
to have some sympathy for the Richardsons,
Mr. Friend, Mrs. Fallon, Mr. Carpenter, and
all the others that had to deal with me!”
as well as sailing. I am happy – the position I
now have is a chance to work at the national
level. In a few years I hope to be a director
of a small, low-key nature center on a nonformal educational facility somewhere near
the ocean out west. I’ve even had thoughts
of going after a Ph.D. I still work for a small
ship cruise company and spent almost
three weeks in November in Vanuatu, New
Caledonia, and New Zealand.”
Jason Rockwell writes, “I am entering my
seventh year at Hargray Communications
– I am a corporate sales manager. My kids
are growing fast! I put on the Fourth Annual
Sycamore at the Stadium baseball camp in
Savannah [Georgia] this year. I also resumed
playing baseball again in the adult baseball
league in Savannah, playing for the league
champion Savannah Bombers!”
Todd Willens writes, “I reside and work
in Washington, D.C. My wife, Morna, and
I recently welcomed the birth of a fourth
child – we now have two boys and two girls.
I changed jobs in October from Capitol Hill
to the Department of the Interior. I keep in
touch with Jay Howren and John Mautz.
They are doing well too.”
Katie (White) Yesinko writes, “We had our
second child, Maeve Lucy, on March 14,
2006. She is a total dream. She is loud though
– must get that from someone other than her
mom. We hope to come up as a family soon
for a weekend visit. Congrats on the mention
in Sports Illustrated for Brewster b-ball, great
news!!”
1990
Jonathan Gibbs is still the manager of the Bar
GS Ranch in Oak Creek, Colorado, where he
has a herd of 50 mother cows, which will all
calve out in April and May. He and his wife,
Heidi, have three kids aged 8, 5, and 2. Jon
is still playing his guitar in a couple of local
bands. He sees classmates Jon Davenport
and Kim McDermott in Steamboat Springs
from time to time.
Keith Johnson got engaged last summer and
bought a condo in Lexington, Massachusetts.
“We will be eloping this summer and
traveling to the French Riviera and Vienna,”
he writes.
1991
Laurence Seiterle writes, “My wife and
I recently became investors and partners
in a new ‘ultra premium’ tequila called
TequilaMe. The product is of exceptional
quality (aged three years) and the feedback
from the tequila connoisseurs has been
Jon Konheim writes, “Carly Megan, our
third girl, was born January 22 and all is well
here in Southern California. I am currently in
transition on the work front (out of airplane
parts) and should be all settled in a new
position in a month or so.”
Jim Snidow is still a reggae DJ for KUCI in
Irvine, California, where he’s been doing a
top ranking three-hour reggae show since he
started there in 1997. He said he’ll be working
on a new music film called “HOME.” He’s
been in touch with former classmate, Todd
Philips, who’s now making films.
1989
Kit Van Wagner writes, “I returned to
Brewster to participate in the Alumni Career
Panel All School held in January. (see article,
page 12) I’ve been living and working in the
Florida Keys for years, doing research work
Michael and Elizabeth (Palmer) Traverso ’89 with Lily and Mr. T
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49
Alumni News
Class Notes
remarkable. San Antonio’s real estate
business is booming and keeping me busy,
but I still have time to be president of the
San Antonio men’s lacrosse team, and I still
race motorcycles.”
Elizabeth Jennings-Lax writes, “My wife
and I welcomed our daughter, Caitlin Lee,
on June 1, 2006. After giving birth I decided
not to return to work in Manhattan. I am now
practicing law part-time so I can be home
full-time with our daughter.”
Beth Dales has moved back to Wolfeboro
and is working at the Wolfeboro Area
Children’s Center. “Jack is five years old
and doing great, and we have a new puppy
named Samson.”
1992
15th Reunion!
Beth Davies writes, “I have been a teacher in
Cherry Creek School District [in Colorado]
for six years. I recently became engaged to
Kevin Brutsch, and we are moving to the Vail
Valley next summer.”
husky named Samoya and a hyper beagle
named Basil. Reach me at bucks4me2@
verizon.net.”
1994
Andrew Ninios writes, “I will be competing
in the Miami Marathon. It was months
ago when I embarked on this journey.
Through the AIDS/Marathon Foundation I
trained and raised money for the WhitmanWalker Clinic for AIDS patients, here in
[Washington] D.C. A great experience that is
now coming to fruition. In addition to being
involved and contributing to such a great
cause my desire for competitive running
has been re-ignited. I used to run Division 1
at the University of Hartford. In April I will
run the 10-miler Cherry Blossom and am
also looking forward to joining a running
team after the Miami Marathon. My work
at Quality Support, Inc. is going well, as
well as my new life here in D.C. I can’t wait
until the 2009 Reunion to see old classmates
from the class of ’94 as well as teachers. I just
turned 30 in October … wow!!!! Time flies.
Not too long ago, or so it seems, I remember
formal dinners, playing pool with
Geoff Rich ’95, Cory Hunter ’95,
and others in the student center,
or basketball with Viktor Orlovic,
Spencer Sullivan, John Leebow
under coach Bolduc.”
Andrew Leeds writes that he now
lives in Boca Raton, Florida, and
teaches eighth grade physical
science at The Pine Crest School
and says that he can’t think of
anything he’d rather do, since
becoming a pro surfer or golfer
didn’t work out! E-mail him at
misterleeds@gmail.com.
Mandie (Myers) Giroux writes
Cameron and Ellie, children of Kim (Boyce) Seefried ’90 that she and her husband, Todd,
and her husband Charlie have moved from New York
City to Los Angeles, where she
Bryan Bucklen wrote that he’s now living is currently working for a company called
in Elkhart, Indiana, with his beautiful wife, EssaySolutions (www.essaysolutions.com),
Mellisa, and two cute girls, Makayla, 4, and which is an essay consulting company for
Heather, 2, and are expecting another this undergrads and MBA students. “We don’t
April. “I work for HomeCrest Cabinetry, write the essays, but rather give them a crash
a division of MasterBrand Cabinets. I’m course in writing.” Her exciting news is that
having a blast doing environmental work she and Todd were expecting their first child,
for them. I have two cool dogs as well, a a daughter, in February.
50
Carly Megan Konheim was born January 21 to
Amy and Jon Konheim ’88
1995
Mike Kirschner attended the Brewster
phonathon in November at Jamie Hill’s
’86 Manhattan office and told us that he is
engaged!
1997
10th Reunion!
Farleigh (Goss) Barnhart married Sean
Barnhart on September 4, 2004. “We will
try to be at Reunion, and we are looking
forward to it.”
Jessica Ridgeway writes, “My master ’s
thesis in natural resource management and
certificate in ecological design are well under
way with the creation of a new school garden
and education for sustainability curriculum
for sixth graders. I love living in Burlington,
Vermont, where my husband, Seth Lewis, has
joined me after completing his master’s in
education and California teaching credential
at the University of California Santa Cruz.
I ran into Coralia Miller last year and still
hope to catch up with Jackie Pottle in the
near future.”
John Zisis writes, “I am looking forward
to our 10-year Reunion. I spend my days
working for the family, motorcycling, and
I have just started golfing. I never thought
I’d say it, but I miss Brewster and its faculty.
See you all soon.”
Brian Ballentine wrote that he’s engaged to a
nice southern girl he met at Brown University
where they are both getting their doctorates.
They’re both on the championship softball
team and are enjoying life in Providence.
Alumni News
Class Notes
Bridget Buckler writes, “I moved in with my
boyfriend, Christian Demers. We’ve had fun
traveling to Ireland and Colorado. I am now
working at the Comfort Suites/Hampton Inn
in White River Junction, Vermont.”
Topher Grace will appear as Eddie Brock/
Venom in the movie Spider-Man 3 due out
in May.
1999
Peter Aberg writes, “I’m working behind
the bar at the world famous Cheetah Club of
Sarasota [Florida], gaining experience before
I open my own bar in a couple of years.”
Travis Ferland recently returned from two
amazing and rewarding years of Peace Corps
service in the West African country of Senegal.
“I was a small-enterprise development
volunteer and taught classes on management
and computers to entrepreneurs, adolescents,
and young women in a rural town called
Kedougou.”
Julie Holt writes, “I graduated from Boston
University (again) in May with dual master’s
degrees in business administration and
public health. I’m working in marketing for
a healthcare software firm in Boston. Tyler
proposed in October 2005, and we are getting
married in August in Ontario’s Niagara
Peninsula wine region, so that’s keeping me
busy! Hello to all!”
Gregory Douglass ’99 released his sixth CD,
Up & Away in November 2006. He recently
performed at Brewster’s alumni career panel
All-School (see story page 12)
2000
Blair Pyne wrote that he’s been working for
a large marina in Boca Raton, Florida, since
college and is now moving to Houston to
work in a family business.
2001
Brett Danahy is working in sports consulting
at Velocity Sport Agency in Norwalk,
Connecticut.
Bruce Hawkins published a book, 131 Box,
about growing up in an underprivileged,
inner-city community and the challenges
Dan Slipp ’03 in the lobby of the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg,
Russia, on a visit during his study-abroad program in Finland
he has overcome to find success. (See the
Hoopla story on page 39.)
2002
5th Reunion!
Tyler Sandberg writes, “I graduated from
Hobart and William Smith Colleges in May
2006 with a degree in religious studies and
a concentration in international religious
violence. I spent the fall in Connecticut
and New Hampshire working on two
congressional campaigns. While in New
Hampshire I rallied Brewster students to
help with campaign phone calls. Since
December I’ve been working on democracy
promotion in China and East Timor at the
International Republican Institute (IRI).
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I’ve been in touch with Carly Mankus ’03,
Jon Hydeman, Jason Heimbuck ’01, Ryan
Barber, and Catie Callahan. They are all
doing well. I hope to see everyone at the
Reunion this spring.”
Abby Wood writes that she’s “... looking
forward to catching up with everyone at
the fifth-year Reunion. I have been back at
Brewster every summer to teach the Royal
Thai Scholars, but it’s never the same without
the people from your school year.”
Nicole Black writes, “Hi everyone! What’s
new with me? Well, I just started my second
semester of law school in White Plains, New
51
Alumni News
photo by Tim von Jess
Class Notes
Sadie-Wright Ward ’03 scores for UNH in a game against the University of Maine on January 12.
UNH won 7-0.
York, at Pace University School of Law. It’s
definitely tough, but I’m enjoying it so far. I
hope everyone’s doing well! Take care!”
Dan Mufson writes that he’s started his own
music production company, Dan Mufson
Music. “I have been busy composing, writing,
and recording music for TV commercials
such as Rolaids, Under Armor, IcyHot, and
Listerine. My music will be featured in a
film featuring Samuel L. Jackson, ‘Farce
of the Penguins.’” Dan’s website is www.
danmufson.com.
2003
Laura Guerin writes, “I can’t express how
excited I am to be graduating in May. All I
can say is ‘it’s about time.’ I enjoyed Pacific:
playing soccer, joining Alpha Phi, and
doing crew, but now I’m ready to do new
52
and exciting things with my international
business and finance degree. After I graduate
I’m going to London to live with my sister
for six weeks and then traveling with Kristen
Leone around Europe the rest of the summer.
After that, I plan to move to San Francisco
with my boyfriend. It couldn’t happen a
second too soon, I can’t wait!”
Joe Rizzo is a senior business major at the
University of Delaware and a four-year
member of the Delaware Bluehens ice
hockey team. He spent the summer working
for AstraZeneca in the corporate marketing
division.
Dan Slipp is in Finland at Lappeenranta
University studying international finance. It
is part of a study-abroad program with Saint
Mary’s University in Nova Scotia.
2004
Kyle Wilson has been selected for the
Mustang summer consulting and public
relations program this summer in New York
City for 10 weeks.
2005
Jessica Hughes is hoping to transfer to the
University of Maine Farmington in the fall
to pursue early childhood education.
2006
I a n H o c h m a n - R e i d i s a f re s h m a n
at Washington & Jefferson College in
Washington, Pennsylvania. l
In Memoriam
Charles W. Colman ’26
Dr. Charles W. Colman, 97, died
suddenly on December 13, 2006, at St.
Peter’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y.
He was born September 22, 1909, in
Brookfield, a place he always loved
and where he will be returned to in the
spring.
Colman graduated from Brewster in 1926
and received his bachelor’s degree from
Harvard University and a master’s from
the University of Bordeaux in France.
He spent part of the Depression as an
interpreter in Heidelberg, Germany, and
then received his doctorate from Cornell
University.
He began his teaching career as a
Romance Language professor at the
University of Illinois. He also taught
at the University of Mississippi and
the University of Nebraska. Colman
moved to Albany, N.Y., in 1964 and was
the director of international programs
for SUNY Albany until his retirement
in 1979.
He was predeceased by his wife of 68
years, Ruth I. Colman, and a daughter,
Charlotte A. Payne. He is survived by his
daughter, Martha Sue Ferro of Albany,
N.Y.; sons, Charles W. Colman, Jr. and
wife Nancy of Raleigh, N.C. and John
D. Colman and wife Sandi of El Paso,
Texas. He also leaves 10 grandchildren
and 12 great-grandchildren.
He is missed by his beloved dog, Sasha,
and his cat companion, Ginger.
Funeral services will be held in May
in Brookfield. Those who desire may
contribute in his memory to the Mohawk
and Hudson River Humane Society, 3
Oakland Ave., Menands, N.Y. 12204.
John B. Rogers ’30
John B. Rogers, 94, died November 10,
2006, at his home in Keene after a long
period of declining health.
1926
He was born in Wolfeboro on February
21, 1912, the son of Nathaniel and
Margaret (Wallace) Rogers. He attended
local schools and was a member of
Brewster Academy’s Class of 1930. He
had lived in Boston for many years
before moving to Keene in 1989.
1930
Profoundly deaf for most of his life,
Rogers nonetheless was friendly and
outgoing and had a unique sense of
humor. He believed that the cornier
a joke, the more frequently it should
be told. He enjoyed his career as an
electronics technician and was wellliked by his fellow workers, first at LFE
in Boston and later at EG&G outside of
the city.
Rogers was a wonderful father who had
the patience to teach his four children
how to drive a stick shift on the streets of
Boston and, a talented tennis player, he
taught them all how to play tennis. He
also loved photography and developed
and printed his own pictures by turning
the family kitchen into a darkroom
many Saturday nights.
While he was still able to hear, Rogers
took piano lessons and continued to
play until a few days before his death,
even though he could not hear what he
was playing.
He loved his hometown of Wolfeboro,
where he vacationed every summer and
where his ancestors were among the
original settlers.
Survivors include his wife Marie
(Mahoney) Sharp Rogers and a son,
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Charles W. Colman
December 13, 2006
John B. Rogers
November 10, 2006
1931
Louise C. Fournier
December 4, 2006
1933
Leona Chandler Dalpe
September 6, 2006
1943
Richard William Detscher, Jr.
October 10, 2006
1947
Roland “Bill” Carignan
July 3, 2006
1949
George C. Greer
October 28, 2006
1953
Gwendolyn (Barnard) Bierweiler
January 7, 2007
1955
Barbara (Swinerton) Hersey
January 8, 2007
1971
Anne Danila Berenbach
December 22, 2006
2005
Marlon Howe II
December 12, 2006
Former Athletic Director
Stephen Perry McLoy
November 6, 2006
53
In Memoriam
Thomas Rogers, both of Keene; three
daughters, Mary Rogers of Boston,
Jacqueline Cleary and her husband
Wi l l i a m o f We s t m o re l a n d , a n d
Christine Rogers and her husband
Marc Croteau of Ivoryton, Conn.; and
three grandchildren, Elizabeth Cleary
of Walpole and Jon and Genevieve
Croteau. He also leaves a nephew, James
Rogers, of Wolfeboro and Savannah, Ga.
He was predeceased by his first wife,
Elizabeth (Donovan) Rogers, who died
in 1989.
Donations in his memory may be
made to Hospice in care of HCS, 312
Marlborough Street, Keene, N.H.
Louise C. Fournier ’31
Louise C. Fournier, 93, a lifelong resident
of Wolfeboro, died peacefully at Huggins
Hospital on December 4, 2006
Fournier was born in Wolfeboro
February 20, 1913, daughter of the late
Charles and Elizabeth (Britton) Chick.
She was predeceased by her husband
of 49 years, the late Harold L. Fournier,
in 1980.
She was a former employee of the
Wolfeboro National Bank, now Citizens
Bank, and was a longtime local manager
of the League of New Hampshire
Craftsmen shop. She was a devoted
parishioner of St. Cecilia’s Parish in
Wolfeboro and recently at St. Katharine
Drexel Church in Alton. She was a
tireless contributor to numerous church
functions and causes.
Fournier was a 1931 graduate of Brewster
Academy and remained an active
alumna over the years. She was a longtime volunteer at various organizations
in the local area, including the initial 13
years of operation of the former Clipper
54
Home of Wolfeboro, now SunBridge
Care and Rehabilitation Center. She
also was on the board of directors of the
Hearthstone Homes of Wolfeboro (The
Ledges and Christian Ridge).
Richard W. Detscher, Jr. ’43
Her greatest joy came from spending
time with her family and friends and
always put their needs before her own.
Her other passions included cooking,
gardening, and animals.
Born in Manchester on March 6, 1924,
he was the son of Richard W. Sr. and
Marion E. (Blood) Detscher.
Survivors include her son, Bradley
H. Fournier and a daughter Joy
Anne Fournier, class of 1964, both of
Wolfeboro; three grandchildren and two
great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held
in December. Burial was at Lakeview
Cemetery in Wolfeboro. Donations
may made in Fournier’s memory to the
Lakes Region Humane Society, P.O. Box
655, Ossipee, NH 03864 or Maryknoll
Fathers and Brothers (a US Catholic
Church in Mission overseas), P.O. Box
302, Maryknoll, NY 10545.
Leona Chandler Dalpe ’33
Leona Chandler Dalpe, 91, died
September 6, 2006. At the time of her
death, Dalpe lived in Arlington, Mass.
She graduated from Brewster Academy
in 1933.
She was the beloved wife of the late
J. Frederic Dalpe. She is survived by
daughters Diane Dalpe and Cynthia
Delleville and granddaughter Charisse
Delleville. A Remembrance Service
was held in September at the Pilgrim
Congregational Church in Lexington,
Mass.
Richard William Detscher, Jr., 82, of
Meredith died peacefully October 10,
2006, at Golden View Health Care
Center in Meredith.
Detscher grew up in Manchester and
Wolfeboro and graduated from Brewster
Academy in 1943. He was a World War
II U.S. Army veteran, and had been a
resident of Meredith since 1957.
He worked as a life insurance salesman
for many years including at Metropolitan
Life Insurance Co. and Loyal Protective
Life Insurance Co. He also worked for
many years as a real estate and land
broker, working for Cotney Associates,
I.T.T. Community Development Corp.
in Palm Beach, Fla., and Lamprey and
Lamprey in Center Harbor.
Detscher was an active member and
officer of the Chocorua Lodge #83 of
Masons F&AM in Meredith and helped
organize the local DeMolay Chapter.
Detscher was a member and past
director of the Winnipesaukee Shrine
Club, member and past director of the
Bektash Temple, officer of the Bektash
Temple Mini-Bike Patrol, and served as
chairman of the Parks and Playgrounds
Commission of Meredith. He also served
as a captain on the Doris-E mail boat on
Lake Winnipesaukee.
He was predeceased by his wife Billie
Jean (Harper) Detscher. Other survivors
include four children: Christine Dow
and husband John of Canaan; David
Detscher and wife Sylvia of Meredith;
Lynn Allen and husband William of
In Memoriam
Center Harbor; Dwight Detscher and
wife Suwanna of Las Vegas, Nev.;
eight grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren; two brothers: Allan
Detscher and wife Carol of Ft. Meyers,
Fla., and Thomas Detscher and wife
Betty Lou of Villa Rica, Ga.; one sister,
Dorothy Walton and husband Tom of
Alton; and many nieces and nephews.
Queen City Athletic Hall of Fame. He
served Ward 2 as alderman in the early
1980s and was very active in numerous
social and civic organizations. Among
his many contributions to the city,
was instituting the Carignan Amateur
Softball League. Since his retirement, he
loved spending his winters in Bradenton,
Fla., and his summers in Belmont.
A graveside service was held at Lakeview
Cemetery in Wolfeboro. Donations may
be sent to the Chocorua Lodge of Mason,
PO Box 1153, Meredith, N.H. 03253.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years,
Mary (Ecker) Carignan of Concord; one
son, William Carignan of Manchester;
four daughters, Patricia Beaulieu
of Hooksett and Sandra Sukiennik,
June Keusch, and Ann Demers, all of
Concord; seven grandchildren; five
great-grandchildren; one sister, Eva
Chouinard of Hooksett; and a nephew
and niece.
Roland “Bill” Carignan ’47
Roland “Bill” Carignan, 83, of Concord
and a long-time Manchester resident,
died July 3, 2006, at Concord Hospital
after a brief illness.
Carignan was born in Manchester on
September 20, 1922, the son of Frederick
and Leocadie (Lefebvre) Carignan.
He attended Straw School and was
a 1941 graduate of Manchester High
School Central. He also attended
Brewster Academy and Marianapolis
Prep School. Carignan was awarded
a full scholarship to play football at
Boston College. He chose to serve his
country in World War II, however, and
was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served
in the South Pacific and Japan.
Carignan retired from Manchester Parks
and Recreation, where he worked as
the first and only program director.
Prior to that, he had been employed as
a Manchester police officer for 14 years.
He was a highly decorated officer and
attained the rank of sergeant before
leaving the department.
He was an outstanding athlete, having
lettered in all sports at Central High
School, and was inducted into the
Burial was at the New Hampshire
State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.
Donations may be made to the
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,
495 Old Connecticut Path, Suite 220,
Framingham, MA 01701.
George C. Greer ’49
George C. Greer, 79, of Wolfeboro, died
October 28, 2006, at his home with his
loving wife at his side.
Greer was born October 22, 1927, in
Franklin the son of the late Alfred and
Edith (Costa) Greer.
Greer left Malden High School in
Malden, Mass., before graduating to join
the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II.
Upon discharge from service, he finished
high school and earned his diploma
at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro,
graduating in 1949. He continued his
education at the University of New
Hampshire and graduated with honors
with a bachelor’s degree in biology.
l
l
While working summers as a lifeguard
and swim instructor at Brewster Beach in
Wolfeboro, Greer discovered an aptitude
and true love for working with children.
He changed career paths, leading to
a master’s degree in education from
Harvard University.
Greer ’s lifelong work with children
was two-fold and spanned more than
30 years.
His primary career was with the
Winchester School District in Winchester,
Mass., where he influenced countless
lives as an elementary school teacher
and curriculum planner. In later years he
shared his invaluable experience at Tufts
University, teaching graduate courses.
His second career, and his true labor of
love, was Frontenac Ski Area. Frontenac
was a children’s winter ski camp in
Plymouth, opened in 1963 by Greer,
his first wife Nancy of 39 years (who
predeceased him), and his brother’s
family. With the continuing help of other
loving family members and the teens
who had grown up at camp, Frontenac
ran until 1992.
Greer was a charter member and
charter board of governors member of
the Wolfeboro Corinthian Yacht Club,
serving on the board from 1982-1990 and
several more times until 2003. He was
a member of the buildings and grounds
committee and, along with Joe Balboni,
donated the use of his heavy equipment,
time, and expertise to reconfigure much
of the landscape at the Club as well as
the boat storage area on Route 109A.
Along with John Burt, he built the
clubroom. In 1992, he served on the
long-range planning committee.
He joined the Wolfeboro Lions Club
in 1995, where he chaired and was
a member of numerous committees,
55
In Memoriam
including Operation Dog Sight, formed
to raise money to purchase guide dogs
for the blind. He also was on the board
of directors for Lions Camp Pride. He
was a member of “Team 10” formed
to charter new Lions Clubs and was
instrumental in forming the Loudon
Lions Club. He was twice chosen “Lion
of the Year” and was awarded a Melvin
Jones Fellowship Award, the highest
honor bestowed on a Lion.
Greer was a communicant of St.
Katharine Drexel Church in Alton and
attended daily masses and also served
as Minister of the Eucharist, altar server,
and assistant at funerals. He headed
up the CCD program at St. Joan of
Arc Church in Alton and was on the
fundraising committee for the new St.
Katharine Drexel Church.
Greer was predeceased by his first wife
Nancy (Magee) and his son Steven, and
is survived by his second wife Nancy
(Raza) Greer of Wolfeboro, first cousin
of his first wife and named after her.
He also is survived by his daughter,
Nanette Novak and his son-in-law
Bruce; and grandsons Chad Novak
and Darin Novak, all of Dover; his two
brothers, Alvaro Greer of Framingham,
Mass., and Alfred Greer of Hooksett;
two sisters, Edith Smith and Theresa
Woolley, both of Malden, Mass.; as well
as many nieces and nephews.
Interment will be at Mt. Calvary
Cemetery in Manchester at a later
date.
Gwendolyn (Barnard)
Bierweiler ’53
Barbara (Swinerton)
Hersey ’55
She was born January 7, 1935, in Keene
and had lived in Wolfeboro most of
her life. Bierweiler was a member
of Brewster’s class of 1953 and later
graduated from Nasson College in
Springfield, Maine. She worked for
the Wolfeboro Municipal Electric
Department for 20 years and was a
member of the First Congregational
Church of Wolfeboro.
She was born November 25, 1936,
in Rochester, the daughter of the
late Lawrence and Anna (Adjutant)
Swinerton, and had lived in Wolfeboro
for most of her life.
Gwendolyn (Barnard) Bierweiler, 72, of
Wolfeboro died peacefully in her sleep at
home on January 7.
Bierweiler is survived by her husband
of 50 years, Robert A Bierweiler ‘53 of
Wolfeboro; two sons, Robert A. Bierweiler,
Jr. of Ossipee and Steven D. Bierweiler of
Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; a daughter, Linda
Marie Mitchell of Daytona Beach, Fla.;
and a granddaughter, Robin Bierweiler
of Rochester. She also is survived by
a sister, Norma Richmond ‘62 of New
Hartford, Conn., and several cousins.
Bierweiler was predeceased by grandson
Mark Bierweiler.
A private ceremony will be held at a
later date.
Donations in her memory may be made
to the Hospice of Southern Carroll
County, PO Box 1620, Wolfeboro, NH
03894 or the American Cancer Society,
Relay for Life, Attn. RLF in Wolfeboro,
360 Rte 101 Unit 8, Bedford, NH 03110.
Donations in his memory may be made
to St. Katharine Drexel Church Building
Fund, PO Box 180, Wolfeboro, NH
03894, or VNA/Hospice of Southern
Carroll County, PO Box 1620, Wolfeboro,
NH 03894.
56
Barbara (Swinerton) Hersey, 70,
of Somersworth died January 8 in
Rochester.
She was a 1955 graduate of Brewster
Academy and had worked at the
Wolfeboro Inn for many years.
Hersey was the widow of the late Carroll
F. Hersey of the class of 1948. She is
survived by her sons David Hersey
and his wife, Deborah, of Wolfeboro,
and Michael Hersey and his wife Heidi,
of Wolfeboro; four grandsons: Seth,
Brandon, Jory, and David Hersey, Jr.;
two granddaughters: Kelsiegh and
Sayge Hersey; two brothers, Lawrence
“Sonny” Swinerton, class of 1961, of
Wolfeboro, and Alan Swinerton of
Ossipee; as well as a sister, Jane Sanborn,
class of 1958, of Wolfeboro, and several
nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held in January
at the Wolfeboro Falls Baptist Church.
Burial will be in the Hersey Cemetery
at a later date.
Anne Danila Berenbach ’71
Anne Danila Berenbach, 53, of Wolfeboro
died December 22, 2006, at home after
a long and courageous battle with
cancer.
She was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on
March 14, 1953, the daughter of Eugene
and Daphne Berenbach.
Berenbach attended Brewster Academy
where she graduated as the salutatorian
In Memoriam
in 1971. She then continued her education
at Middlebury College in Vermont,
receiving a degree in fine arts. She was a
phenomenal artist and loved all forms of
art, especially watercolor painting and
pencil sketching.
She was an active member of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in
Wolfeboro and enjoyed doing service
projects with church members. She
was enrolled in hospice classes with the
Hospice of Southern Carroll County.
Berenbach is survived by her three
children, Kaela, Ava, and Isa Raku of
Wolfeboro, as well as her father, Eugene
Berenbach of Wolfeboro. She will be
forever in the hearts of those who knew
her and will be dearly missed.
Burial was at Lakeview Cemetery in
Wolfeboro. Donations in her memory
may be made to the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wolfeboro,
NH 03894.
Marlon Howe II ’05
Marlon D. Howe II, 21, died December
12, 2006, at Rady Children’s Hospital of
San Diego, after a two-year battle with
bone cancer of the spine.
Born in Poway, Calif., Nov. 4, 1985, he
grew up in San Diego, San Marcos, and
Fallbrook and attended local schools
through his junior year of high school.
A promising basketball player, Howe
was highly sought after by coaches
around San Diego county because of his
work ethic, personality, athletic ability,
and potential. He was recruited and
sponsored by Nike, Reebok, and Adidas
to play on traveling teams that took him
around the country. In 2004, he was a
McDonald’s All American High School
Boys Basketball Nominee.
Howe enrolled at Brewster Academy
for his senior year but after two months
into the program, he was stricken with
osteosarcoma of the spine. While Howe
was in treatment at Rady Children’s and
UCSD medical facilities, he took the
opportunity to reach out to others and
made a great impact on other patients’
families, as well as staff members. His
presence was so noticed that he was
labeled the mayor and the ambassador
on the oncology floor.
A Celebration Of Life ceremony for this
beloved grandson, son, brother, nephew,
cousin, and friend was held at Christ the
King Lutheran Church in Fallbrook.
The family suggests donations in memory
of Marlon D. Howe II to College Bound
Scholarship Funds, Children’s Hospital,
and San Diego Blood Bank.
Stephen Perry McLoy
Former Athletic Director
Stephen Perry McLoy, 62, of Concord
and Hebron died November 6, 2006,
at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in
Boston of complications of acute myloid
leukemia.
McLoy was born in Concord on January
23, 1944, and was the son of Edward
Francis and Cynthia (Perry) McLoy.
He was a graduate of Concord High
School and the University of New
Hampshire. He went on to become
athletic director at Brewster Academy,
where he also coached basketball,
football, and lacrosse and taught
environmental education courses until
1984.
While at Brewster, he directed the
Institute for Environmental Education
and edited the Teacher ’s Guide to
l
l
Environmental Education, published by
the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). He wrote and administered
several environmental education grants
from the Ford Foundation and the EPA
and directed the summer intern program
“Clean Water.” Prior to working at
Brewster, he taught government and
writing and coached football at the
Tilton School for seven years.
For 12 years prior to his retirement in
2004, McLoy worked for the state of New
Hampshire and most recently was chief
of operations for the New Hampshire
Office of Emergency Management
and wrote and administered Federal
Emergency Management Grants. McLoy enjoyed fly-fishing, wildlife
photography, cooking, and travel,
especially to Italy and the Caribbean,
and spending time with friends and
family at Newfound Lake. He was a
member of Trout Unlimited and the
Sunset Mountain Fish and Game Club.
He was an avid reader and passionately
followed world news.
He leaves his father, Edward McLoy,
of Penacook; two sons and their wives,
Jason and Kara McLoy of Hingham,
Mass., and Britton and Melissa McLoy
of Georgetown, Mass.; his partner of
five years, Priscilla Gemmill of Concord;
four grandchildren; and several aunts
and cousins. He was predeceased by
his mother.
A celebratory gathering for family
and friends was held November 19 at
the Society for the Protection of New
Hampshire Forests. Memorial gifts may
be sent to the local chapter of Trout
Unlimited, 26 S. Main St., Suite 279,
Concord 03301.
57
Writing Brewster’s History
“Scott’s Palace”
A Glimpse Into the Life of a Brewster Student
From 1911 to 1915
by Bob and Shirley Richardson
D
r. James M. Wallace, Class of 1947,
related to us that he discovered
a remarkable diary when he was
going over the records of his
mother and his aunt, twin
sisters Ethel Scott Wallace
and Edith Scott Tinker, both
members of the Class of
1915. While Edith diligently
kept a daily diary in which
she recorded details about
her schoolwork, meetings,
conversations, and social
engagements, Ethel carefully
kept every piece of required
written work, including
comments by the instructors,
over their four years of
schooling at Brewster. These
two collections not only give
us a valuable insight into
the social life of a teenager
in Wolfeboro at the time, but
also the academic demands
made by the school and the
quality of instruction offered.
Dr. Nathaniel Harvey Scott,
the twins’ father, graduated
from medical school at
Dartmouth College in
1874. He began his medical
practice in Sandwich and
moved it to Wolfeboro in
1880. In 1881, he moved
his family and practice to
Ethel and Edith Scott in front of the Scott house barn a building located on the
northeast side of South Main
Street at Pickering Corner, opposite
Photos courtesy of Dr. James M. Wallace ’47 the Civil War statue.
58
It was here that Dr. Scott became
widely known and respected as
a practicing physician and strong
supporter of civic activities in
Wolfeboro. He soon was elected to
the Board of Trustees of Brewster
Academy and was a long-lasting
influential trustee whose love for
Brewster would extend into the 1940s.
He became a close friend of both John
Brewster and John’s son William.
With a growing family, living and
office space became a problem for
the Scotts, who had six children:
Margaret, Bernice, Louisa and Harlan
(both Class of 1911), and the twins,
Ethel and Edith (both Class of 1915).
Dr. Scott expanded the house by
building a large addition including
a barn where he stored his famous
gasoline-powered buggy, one of the
first in Wolfeboro. Included in the new
addition were several rooms that Dr.
Scott rented out to boarding students
from Brewster.
Serving as dorm master for two or
three students each term was a new
role for Dr. Scott, but the location was
ideal. Students could easily scurry to
school in the morning, come back for
a lunch prepared by Mrs. Scott, return
for afternoon classes, and then hang
out with friends until the required
study hours at night. The term “Scott’s
Palace” soon entered the school
vocabulary.
Living in “Scott’s Palace” placed the
twins in a position to participate in
school activities and carry on a social
life with other students. Wallace
points out, “It appears that the twins’
parents permitted them to participate
in frequent activities, including coed
hikes with a variety of friends. The
parents knew the town and its families
and institutions well and felt that it
was safe for the twins to engage in a
range of activities with a variety of
friends.” (Wallace, The Scott Twins at
Brewster Free Academy [1911-1915],
manuscript; p. 11).
Ethel’s diary records that Miss Anna
Leila Pitman was her English and
history teacher while Miss Evelyn
Spring taught Edith. Mr. W. Herbert
Merrill was their fearsome Latin
instructor with Ms. Eva A. Mooar
in French, Mr. Harry Merritt in
mathematics, and Ms. Sarah L. Bates
in domestic science and elocution.
After sorting out all of Ethel’s papers
by class subject, it was obvious that
most of the demands were placed in
English and history. During a 32-week
school year, Miss Pitman assigned and
corrected in detail nearly two English
papers per week while in history
she demanded a paper every other
week, many more papers than did her
colleagues. Papers were assigned on
Hawthorne’s Twice Told Tales, Scott’s
Ivanhoe and Lady of the Lake, Irving’s
Rip Van Winkle and Legend of Sleepy
Hollow, Dodge’s Hans Brinker and
the Silver Skates, Havell’s Tales from
Herodotus, chapters from The Bible,
Whittier’s Snowbound, and poems by
Longfellow and others.
Like generations of English teachers
Miss Pitman examined papers for
“unity, coherence and emphasis.” She
read carefully, noting spelling errors,
giving suggestions on grammar and
structure, writing positive comments,
and assigning a grade. While the
“Scott’s Palace,” home of Dr. Nathaniel Scott’s medical practice, his family, and a few Brewster
boarding students. It stands across the street from Brewster’s Monument Field.
Pitman teaching demands were high,
it is assumed that similar demands
were made in other courses.
Debates were required by each
class, as were dramatic productions.
One can only imagine the many
afternoons at “Scott’s Palace” as these
enthusiastic young people practiced
their debate and elocution skills.
The junior and senior classes
presented dramatic productions each
year, while choral groups made formal
presentations several times yearly,
most importantly at commencement
and class days. Voices and songs could
be heard coming from the rooms of
“Scott’s Palace” in preparation for
these performances.
“A lot of us had
to stay after
school tonight for
whispering … I
stayed an hour.”
It appears that short class trips and
outings supplemented the curriculum.
Sometimes students ventured on
foot to the Libby Museum at Mirror
Lake – a round-trip of almost six
miles. Some of what they learned was
reinforced through required writing
l
l
59
about their extracurricular events. Certainly the editors of
the weekly newsbooklet The Brewster worked at bringing
student literary works into print by applying great pressure
on young poets and even sports writers who were present
at every event.
“Scott’s Palace” offered a unique opportunity for students
to gather together to share and discuss ideas and school
happenings. Ethel’s diary briefly describes numerous
occasions during which these gatherings promoted social
interaction and learning.
here after school and we played it all afternoon and
evening. It is a Columbia and the records are disks.”
And again she writes, “Clinton, again, had Woodman’s
phonograph downhere today. Harlan (Ethel’s brother) and I danced up in Clinton’s room for over an hour. He taught me the “Boston Two-Step.”
On August 28, she recorded; “Met Mr. Haley and almost
started to run because it was almost seven and it felt
as if I was breaking study hours.” (Mr. Haley was one
of her teachers and the principal. During the school
year, students were expected to keep study hours, even
those who lived off campus.)
Another entry, on September 3: “I have been reading A Tale of Two Cities. I have got as far as the knitting women ... I don’t know as I ever shall dare read farther because I liked Sidney Carton almost better than Evremonde. I had almost rather Evremonde died.”
And on October 15, 1912, Ethel recorded, “It is lots of fun to study nights with lamps, much cozier.” (Apparently the house had been electrified,
but the family still used oil lamps sometimes.) [Wallace, The Scott Twins ..., manuscript, p.7, 4/28/06]
“Met Mr. Haley and almost started to run
because it was almost seven
Standing (l-r): Dr. Scott, Mrs. Scott, Louisa ’11, Bernice, and Harlan ’11. Seated
(l-r): Ethel ’15 and Edith ’15 and an unnamed gentleman.
January 15, 1912 – “Went snow shoing this afternoon …
the snow shoing really wasn’t good but we had a dandy time.”
Then, the next day – “A lot of us had to stay after school tonight for whispering … I stayed an hour.”
April 5, 1912 - “Clayton came to rehearse a violin piece
that he is going to play in C.E. Sunday.” (This is
Ethel’s first mention of Clayton Wallace, whom she
married nine years later. C.E. is Christian Endeavor.).
Later, she writes, “Clinton (possibly Clinton Greenwood,
Class of 1911, a classmate of Harlan who boarded at
the Scott House) had Woodman’s phonograph down
60
and it felt as if I was breaking study hours.”
Both twins graduated from Brewster and the
University of Maine, returned to Wolfeboro, married
Brewster boys (Clayton Wallace ’15 and Herbert Tinker ’16)
and continued to be very active community members.
Today, “Scott’s Palace” stands next to the “Corner Store”
gas station and convenience store. It is occupied by several
small businesses, with some rooms standing vacant. The
shutters have been removed, the bricks painted grey, and a
seasonal antique shop occupies the barn.
Only the memories of those familiar with the Scott family
and the informative and special collections of Ethel and
Edith are left behind to remind us of an era gone by and
the young people who gathered at “Scott’s Palace” as they
discovered themselves and planned their future. •
“My education at Brewster was top notch,”
said Charlie.
“I can think of no better investment
than helping to assure future generations
of Brewster students the same experience.
This is why I made a provision in my estate
plans – a bequest.”
1887 Heritage Society Member Charlie Carter ’51
C
harlie Carter ’51 fondly remembers growing up in Wolfeboro. His
parents moved to New Hampshire to
become the proprietors of the Windrifter Resort on South Main Street. Charlie
attended Brewster and when his family
sold the resort, he stayed on as a boarding student. Though currently living
in northern Vermont, Charlie still feels
drawn to Wolfeboro and is considering
returning to the area in the future. “I
have wonderful memories of my years
at Brewster and was well-prepared for
my college education at Brown and
Cornell.”
“My education at Brewster was top
notch,” said Charlie. “I can think of
no better investment than helping to
assure future generations of Brewster
students the same experience. This is
why I made a provision in my estate
plans – a bequest.”
Now retired from a career with the
state of Vermont targeting the economic growth and development of the
Northeast Kingdom, Charlie recognizes the importance of his gift to Brewster Academy versus another institution
that has larger endowments. “Frankly,
I feel that my dollars are more critical
to Brewster and will have a greater impact on the school.” •
Charlie Carter invites you
to join him as a member
of the 1887 Heritage Society,
a special society
for members of the
Brewster family
who have made arrangements
for a planned gift
to Brewster Academy.
For more information regarding planned giving options available at Brewster Academy,
please contact Tim von Jess, director of advancement
(603) 569-7140 or via e-mail at tim_von_jess@brewsteracademy.org
EXPECT MORE
Expect to live in a community where you grow strong in mind, body, and spirit.
A community you help create, together with new friends from across the world.
A community where everyone respects everyone else and everyone has fun.
EXPECT GREAT THINGS.
OF US. OF YOURSELF.
Office of Admission
•
800-842-9961
Brewster Academy
80 Academy Drive
Wolfeboro, NH 03894
•
admissions@brewsteracademy.org

BrewsterConnections Spring 2007

Transcription

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