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South Kent School Magazine | Winter 2014 TheCuyler Rink SpecialHillside Edition 1968-2014 The 2014Hillside Volume LI Number 1 Head of School’s Report Editor: Thomas Javery Communications Coordinator Head Writer: Proud History; Sarah Pfeffer Communications Associate Bright Future Copy Editor: A Mary Flemming Brown A As the conclusion of the 2013-2014 academic year nears, I find myself reflecting on not Contributors: only the wonderful achievements of faculty, students, and alumni this year, but also over the Carol-Ann Bruen Anthony Camardi last 90 years of South Kent’s existence. Cheryl Moore To be sure, a lot has changed since 1923–styles, expectations, technology, and now, even our climate. As Head of School, an important task is to figure out how to position the School Send address changes to: to move forward while also retaining our essential long-held traditions. Because of these South Kent School changes, many exponential in nature, each boy today needs help finding his authentic path. 40 Bulls Bridge Road He must learn to distinguish between a social network and a true community, to understand South Kent, CT 06785-1199 the difference between working a job just for money and crafting a meaningful career to (860) 927-3539 x206 email: [email protected] find happiness. He must make time in his life for service to others and recognize that he is a member of a larger-than-human community. South Kent School adheres to a long- standing policy of admitting students Today, South Kent is a diverse, multitalented and multicultural school that fosters of any race, color, creed, religion, sexual an atmosphere of unity, responsibility, and community. The ideals of Simplicity of Life, orientation, and national and ethnic origin Directness of Purpose and Self-Reliance continue to resonate, but their vibrations need to be to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made amplified and coded for today’s audience. As a community of learners, we understand better available to students at the school. It does each year how to do this vital task. not discriminate on the basis of race, Together, we move forward into the future. We are proudly a one-to-one iPad school with color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the a 99% e-textbook adoption rate. Students are exploring at the Center for Innovation and administration of its educational policies, learning hands-on how to solve the real-world problems of today and tomorrow. I am proud admissions policies, and other school- administered programs. of our boys here, all of whom are striving for excellence and to become balanced, thoughtful, and creative leaders. Mission Statement Many of our alumni come back to visit and I hear the same message: South Kent is on the South Kent School is an independent, forefront of educational technology, applied sciences, environmental stewardship and boys’ college preparatory school for boys. Since its founding, South Kent has maintained learning. Yet, we are still the same School that was founded in 1923 by Reverend Sill, Samuel ties with the Episcopal Church. Three Bartlett and Richard Cuyler. What a beautiful thing! principles define the school: Simplicity It has been a momentous year. The arts are flourishing here. Our rising Classical Music of Life, Self-Reliance, and Directness of Purpose. program is training incredibly talented artists such as Taek Gi Lee ’15, who just won the We offer, by living simply, an uncluttered Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition in London. Two of our elite hockey environment for lively and rigorous teams won both league and regional titles and earned spots at the National Tournament. learning. Our Prep Soccer team won the NEPSAC title as well. We said goodbye to Cuyler Rink We encourage our students to become and the construction of a new, state-of-the-art rink is underway. Beyond these (and more) self-reliant in order to develop competence and self-esteem. notable milestones this year, we look back at the last 90 years and are proud to be South Kent We value directness of purpose: we want Cardinals. each student to welcome the challenge to We are honored to be part of this community and brotherhood. We are proud because of focus his energies, to set goals, and to work the School’s perseverance, passion and progression. We are confident because the next 90 to meet them. years hold endless possibilities. South Kent School fosters these principles in a community, small in numbers, that provides a safe and supportive family structure. We embrace diversity and cherish honesty, courtesy, and compassion. In this energizing atmosphere, we provide leadership opportunities that develop Andrew J. Vadnais a student’s sense of responsibility and service. We nurture in our students, [email protected] regardless of belief or religious affiliation, a thoughtful engagement with spirituality. _ _ _ . Visit South Kent School’s website at www.southkentschool.org Volume LI, Number 1 inside Winter 2014 The Hillside “While living in our villages, it became quickly apparent how important an education is not only to each individual but also to the state of the nation.” see page 6 6 8 22 40 Cuyler Rink Memories FRONT&CENTER 22 ALUMNI Alumni, faculty, students, and faculty children share stories and thoughts Board’s Report on Cuyler Rink, along with a special Cuyler Rink Memories 3 recollection of the times before 22 Cuyler Rink. 4 The New Rink 34 Alumnus Profile The 49-Year Boy 6 Global Service 38 Fossil Report 38 Paul Abbott tells us what has kept 8 Fall and Winter Athletics him at South Kent for all of these 40 Class Notes years and about the changes he has seen on The Hillside. 46 In Memoriam inschool Missives Dear Hillside, We have enjoyed watching the changes at The Center for Innovation. Congratulations, you should be pleased! We have walked the road connecting the two campuses – beautiful views! Rosemary and Jerry Nahley P’86 For digital back issues or to view The Hillside online, visit: Dear South Kent School, www.southkentschool.org/magazine The last Hillside magazine was excellent, as usual, and reflects very positively upon SKS and its values. Walter Strohmeyer ’46 Dear Lads and Lasses of Yesteryear, (who are products of Jerry’s French and Latin classes,) I was charmed with Cal Frost’s and Jack Dear Pigtail, Stevenson’s glimpses of Jerry’s theatrics while I find myself transfixed reading the latest teaching. e-mail document about Pigtail! Jerry never shared much with me about So much “Wonderful Stuff ” going on! that side of his life, but I do know that when “Wonderful Stuff ” that Sam Bartlett and he got out of the service and wasn’t sure what Dick Cuyler couldn’t even have imagined to do - he went to the Stevens Institute for a when they began the school some 90 years career aptitude test. Much to our amazement ago! I frequently wonder how they would - the answer came out - ACTING! Of react to our 21st Century realities! course we thought that was not very helpful. Stephen W. Rule ’54 NOW - I know that was right on. I remember when we were invited out in the middle of the week, once, - Jerry said “No way! you don’t realize that I am on stage 5 periods a day.” NOW - I know the “dramatic” prediction was true! I loved these stories! Fond memories to all, -Nancy Waller To Reach Us... Editor’s Note: We welcome any correspondence that you might Keep up with be willing to share with us. Please email letters to the editor to the latest SKS [email protected]. You can also send mail to Hillside Letters, South Kent School, 40 happenings by Bulls Bridge Road, South Kent, CT 06785. All letters may be edited liking the SKS for content. Letters received by The Hillside will be considered Facebook page! for publication unless otherwise stipulated by the sender. www.facebook.com/SouthKentSchool 2 • The Hillside Winter 2014 The Board of Trustees The State of Being Nimble South Kent’s Chairman of the Board Jeffrey Rosenberg We have all heard the saying, “Things International Piano Concerto Competition Mr. Jeffrey G. Mr. Matthew Gardella, get better with age.” As we celebrate and winner in London. Rosenberg, ‘80 ‘87 look back at our 90-year history, I find it When considering these accomplishments, (Chairman) Edwards Wildman astonishing how much South Kent School one important facet of South Kent stands Bila Family Partnership Partner General Partner has grown as an academic institution. out to me: as a community, we are nimble Ms. Susan Hecken Having recently completed our NEASC and open-minded to new ideas. South Kent Mr. Lincoln Day, ‘83 Gardner, ‘80 (President) (New England Association of Schools and has always been creative and entrepreneurial- Generation Marine Mr. James M. Garnett, Colleges) accreditation, we were commended minded, going back to the beginning of the Finance Jr., ‘74 on our innovation in the classroom, our School in 1923. It’s in our DNA. After all, President Citi Head of Risk Oversight athletic programs and our Center for years ago, we were known as “Pigtail against Mr. Kai Chin, ‘67 Innovation (CFI). We are at the forefront the world.” (Treasurer) Mr. Robert H. Hacker Wells Fargo Bank of education, and not many (if any) schools We have taken this attitude, with the Mr. Jeffrey L. Heath, have accomplished what we have over the help of all SKS constituents – faculty, Mr. Andrew J. Vadnais ‘71 last 10 years since our last review. administration, trustees, students, parents (Secretary) South Kent School Mr. Curtis Himy, ’84 In 2010, we set out to become the first and partners – and we have grown SKS Head of School PET/CT Imaging of New England school to integrate digital to meet the challenges of the 21st century Berkeley Mr.