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

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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. Harold W. Bogle, learning via tablets. We accomplished this while still maintaining our core values of ‘70 Mrs. Kathleen and also ended up becoming industry leaders Simplicity of Life, Directness of Purpose Credit Suisse Lindenmayer, CAPT, in digital curriculum adoption. In 2011, we and Self Reliance. This is an incredible feat Managing Director USN (Ret). ’79 launched the first phases of the CFI, an and continues today as we try new ideas and Mr. Jeffrey Burke, ‘85 Mr. David Lyon, ’94 impactful curriculum that covers some of the challenge ourselves to “think outside the UBS Financial Services Northwestern Mutual most relevant topics currently challenging box.” To borrow a phrase from Headmasters Vice President Financial Network the world. We also took a bold leap in at SKS over the years – SERVANT, WELL Prof. Rodney L. Burton, Mr. Fitz Robertson, ‘05 athletics. In 2011, South Kent partnered DONE! ‘58 J.P. Morgan Univ. of IL at Urbana- Asset Management with Selects Sports to grow our Ice Hockey I would be remiss if I did not mention Champaign offerings for our student-athletes beyond the someone who has been here through much Prof. Aerospace Mr. George H. Bartlett traditional Prep League. With two league of our history. He is our longest tenured Engineering (Emeritus) and regional titles plus a trip to Nationals member of the South Kent faculty/staff: Mr. Frederick K. Day, Mr. Legare W. Cuyler, (as one of the top 12 teams in the country), Paul Abbott. Paul announced his intention ‘78 ‘58 SRAM Corp. (Emeritus) I’d say what was once just a tiny seed of an to retire this fall. I would like to take this idea is now fully coming to fruition. Now, opportunity to thank Paul for his 49 years Mr. McLean Erskine, Mr. John S. Farber the construction of The Admiral James & of service to our great community. You will ‘99 (Emeritus) Old Trails School Sybil Stockdale Ice Arena is well underway, always be a special part of the South Kent Mr. Christopher Farr, Headmaster preparing to match the elite level of athletics family. ‘84 The Shipley School Mr. John Farr, ‘58 with an equally high caliber rink. I am proud to continue as Chairman Director of External (Emeritus) The Center for Innovation offered of the Board for another year and I look Affairs 20 new classes this year, including forward to watching SKS continue to grow Mr. Noble F. Richards, Mr. Hani Farsi, ’86 ‘49 Alternative Energy Solutions, Watershed and change this coming year. Corniche Group / (Emeritus) Management, Practical Entrepreneurship, Mohamed S. Farsi C++ Programming and more. This year also Together, we are making history. Foundation Dr. Charles P. CEO & Founder / Whittemore, ‘39 meant the growth of our music program, Chairman (Emeritus) with a new Chamber Orchestra, the creation Mr. John L. Garceau, Ms. Sally Wister of tiered level music lessons and more. ‘94 (Emeritus) We saw one of our students accepted as a Jeffrey Rosenberg Thomas & Hutton Eng. tenor in the All-State Chorus after scoring Chairman of the Board Co. high in multiple auditions, and we had an

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 3 inprogress The New Rink

Introducing: The Admiral James & Sybil Stockdale Arena

Sybil and Admiral James Bond Stockdale

outh Kent School is proud to announce co-written with Sybil, In Love and War: The that our new state-of-the-art ice rink Story of a Family’s Ordeal and Sacrifice During has been named The Admiral James the Vietnam Years. During the 1950s while at S& Sybil Stockdale Arena. Not only were the Naval Air Station Patuxent River base Admiral James and Sybil Stockdale important in Maryland, Stockdale tutored the “young historical figures, but their sons Sidney ’73, Marine aviator” and future astronaut John Stanford ’79 and Taylor ’81 all attended South Glenn in physics and mathematics. In 1976, Kent School. President Gerald Ford presented Stockdale Admiral Stockdale ( James Bond Stockdale) with the Medal of Honor “for conspicuous was a highly decorated vice admiral in the gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life U.S. Navy. He became the highest-ranking above and beyond the call of duty while senior prisoner-of-war (POW) during the Vietnam naval officer in the Prisoner of War camps War after his plane was shot down. He was of North Vietnam.” Additionally, Stockdale in captivity from 1965-1973. During this earned three Navy Distinguished Service time his wife Sybil co-founded the National Medals, four Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit League of Families of POWs and MIAs. with Combat “V,” two Distinguished Flying Through this organization, she brought to Crosses, two Bronze Stars with Combat “V,” light the mistreatment of the POWs and the Air Medal, two Purple Hearts and the called on the President and Congress to Prisoner of War Medal. openly acknowledge this reality. For her Notably, Admiral Stockdale ran for Vice groundbreaking work, the Chief of Naval President of the United States on the 1992 Operations awarded Mrs. Stockdale the Independent bid with Presidential candidate Distinguished Public Service Award from the Ross Perot. South Kent is proud to honor U.S. Navy Department. these inspirational patriots, pioneers, leaders Admiral Stockdale wrote seven books, and parents with the naming of The Admiral including the highly acclaimed memoir James & Sybil Stockdale Arena.

4 • The Hillside Winter 2014 About the New Rink

1923

he combination of South Kent School’s innovative educational program and high level athletics continues to attract the type of high caliber, driven young men that South Kent has a reputation for educating. Through our partnership with Selects HockeyT Academy, we have placed boys in Yale, Cornell, Boston University and many other top tier Division I colleges. With this success comes a greater need that the aging facilities at Cuyler Rink are not able to meet. Construction will begin in March 2014 on a new rink, designed to meet our current needs along with expanding our capabilities for the future.

The new facility will feature: The new rink will: • NHL grade ice surface • Support a high level program with • A state-of-the-art training facility improvements to the quality of the ice • 4 SKS team locker rooms surface and locker room facilities at • 2 visiting team locker rooms South Kent • 118 seats, as well as a raised handicap • Enable year round use seating area • Provide a comfortable game-viewing • A heated viewing area experience • A laundry room • Support all of the SKS hockey teams • Offices for team coaches • Allow for back-to-back games, thanks • A first aid room to the two visitor locker rooms • A skate sharpening room • Enable rental to outside teams and • Enhanced ice resurfacing capabilities organizations • Provide a place for athletic trainers to assess and treat injuries • Improve the overall appearance of South Kent School’s facilities, giving visitors a better impression of the school

1923

SOUTHSCHOOL KENT

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 5 inperspective Global Service

CFI Educators Make a Difference in Malawi

any here on the Hillside know many families cannot afford this expense. that South Kent School’s Cen- “Upon our return to the United States, the ter for Innovation (CFI) Farm importance of education and its part in MManager-Educators Kasey Clark and Tonya breaking the cycle of poverty has never left Taylor spent some time in Africa while our minds,” Clark explained. It is no surprise serving in the Peace Corps. The two are a that with this passion for education in our wonderful addition to the community, global world, these individuals ended up on actively participating in sustainability the Hillside. South Kent Head of School education and bringing special- Andrew Vadnais often encourages students, ized agricultural knowledge to faculty and staff to “follow your passion.” It students who yearn for this can be surmised that this charge is one of the type of hands-on, experien- reasons this special community is comprised tial learning. of so many positive, skilled and dedicated Clark and Taylor met educators. in Malawi, one of the In September 2013, Clark and Taylor ten poorest countries helped students raise chickens in their in the world. “We both Sustainable Agriculture class and brought lived in rural villages for the question to their students of where the two years with no running profits from bird sales should go. “Having water or electricity,” Clark heard our stories, many students suggested said. “While living in we take the money with us to Malawi,” Clark our villages, it became explained. The two had been planning and quickly apparent how saving money to return to the country in important an education is January 2014, and this was a perfect way to not only to each individual take something back with them. but also to the state of the Once in Malawi, Clark and Taylor nation.” Although elementary school got to work right away. “We did a bit of is free for children in Malawi, once groundwork in Wimbe village, Kasungu students reach high school, they must district, organizing a village committee that pay fees to continue. With an annual named themselves ‘The Friends of South household income of less than $1,000, Kent.’ The committee was tasked with

6 • The Hillside Winter 2014 Far Left Page-Clockwise: Rich Chavka, “Friends of South Kent” and Tonya Taylor; Tonya Taylor and identifying local students who were both WBR was founded in 2005 by alumnus F.K. students; Tonya Taylor and Kasey Clark on safari; promising and in need of help for paying Day ’78 and his wife Leah. South Kent has Kasey Clark with students and committee members school fees,” Clark said. Meanwhile, the a history of partnering with World Bicycle at the school two traveled to the airport to pick up CFI Relief, participating in multiple fundraisers Director and Associate Head of School over the years. Right Page-Clockwise: Richard Chavka on his ride Rich Chavka, who joined them for 10 days. Now back on the Hillside with classes to Wimbe Village; Tonya Taylor on safari; Kasey Clark “We returned to Wimbe Village with Mr. in full swing, the CFI pioneers have new outside WBR; Kasey Clark and Tonya Taylor with WBR Chavka and interviewed 16 students,” he experiences and perspectives to bring back, Zambia Director Brian Moonga said. “All made favorable impressions, though both in teaching students and planning for we didn’t have quite enough to send them what’s next at the School’s innovative and all to school.” Although one student was creative lab. South Kent is proud to have able to find sponsorship from another party faculty members like Mr. Clark, Ms. Taylor (leaving 15 candidates), there were still too and Mr. Chavka, who help continue this many students based on funds raised. “The community’s growth as a global learning three of us decided we could not tell any of environment. these deserving youths that they would not be attending school, so we put down about a third of the cost out of pocket and were happy to be able send all 15 students to school next year.” About World Bicycle Relief Clark, Taylor and Chavka spent the In response to the Indian Ocean Tsunami, following days traveling through the greater the organization is dedicated to providing community to meet with headmasters in access to independence and livelihood order to secure places at each school for the through the Power of Bicycles. Since its sponsored students. After some free-time inception, WBR has put over 100,000 activities such as going on a safari (and specially designed, locally assembled bicycles being charged by elephants!) and spending in the hands of students, healthcare workers time with friends, Clark and Taylor visited and entrepreneurs in developing countries World Bicycle Relief (WBR) in Zambia in around the world. By increasing their order to deliver half of the donations they mobility, WBR has likewise increased their had brought with them to the organization. lives’ possibilities.

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 7 inuniform Fall and Winter Athletics CARDINALS

Soccer Basketball

Cross Hockey Country

8 • The Hillside Winter 2014 PHOTO

Cross Country the improvement of the runners who had Patrick Curry runs on the hillside during a cross country race at South Kent School. stayed healthy. Exactly one month before, Hampered by injuries and lacking South Kent had run in a league meet on the experience, the cross country team endured same course, and every Cardinal ran faster in a long season that nonetheless saw great the championship race--some dramatically. individual improvement by several members Sixth former and captain Cheng Chi of the team. The season began well enough improved by nearly a minute, fourth former with a fifth place finish (out of 15 teams) at Fei Hu improved by nearly two minutes, the Oakwood Friends Invitational–a meet and fourth former Xingwen Wei improved for small schools–but then the injuries began by more than two minutes. In the Division to kick in, with the team rarely fielding IV New England Championships, hosted in a healthy top seven. In this respect, one Thompson, CT, by Marianapolis Preparatory promising fourth former, Zach Schullery, School, South Kent finished 25th out of 30 was not able to run over the last month teams. because of a knee injury, and sixth former After the season, the team’s coaches, and team captain Pat Curry was unable Father Steve Klots and Mr. Keenan to run in the league and New England Sheridan, were pleased to award the Anne Championships because of a possible stress Funnell Cup for the Most Valuable Runner fracture. Even so, there were some highlights, to Pat Curry, and the Arthur W. Brown Cup such as the Cardinals’ third-place finish in for the Most Improved Runner to Xingwen the South Kent Invitational on Fall Family Wei. Weekend (despite missing two runners from Submitted by Steve Klots the squad’s top seven). At the end of the season, South Kent came in sixth place in the HVAL Championships, hosted by Chase Collegiate at Bucks Hill Park in Waterbury, CT. While disappointed by this finish, the team could take pride in

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 9 Fall and Winter Athletics

PREP SOCCER NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONS!!!

Many already know that South Kent it last year. Before that, we had won four local chapter of Rebuilding Together. School’s prep soccer team won their sixth championships in a row. Not having won The early season began strong, but the New England Championship in the last it last year made us really appreciate how team began to feel the pressure from a tough eight years, and their fifth Class B title in difficult it is to win it,” Finberg explained. schedule, with extensive travel and the high the last six by besting the number one seed For Finberg, it was essential to start this quality of opponent teams. “One of the Lawrence Academy on penalty kicks in the season right. He brought back alumni from biggest obstacles we faced as a team was finals. But what people may not know about previous championship teams: Sean Weir developing the ability to trust one another,” is the bumpy road of perseverance the team ’08 and Mike Garzi ’09 to help coach and student-athlete Newton Tsang ’14 said. “At took to the championship this year. to inspire the current student-athletes. the height of our season, some players were Weir played at University of Connecticut fatigued and others were mentally drained The Journey and Garzi played at Colgate University from the competition and travel.” Noting Team captain Abel “Mickey” Watson ’15 and is currently a professional player with that communication is key, he continued, was part of the team last year and reflected Rochester Rhinos. “Before this year’s “We held several team meetings in the on the importance of this season. “After tournament, they held their New England locker room to talk it out. The first few losing in the first round last year, we all knew trophies and talked about what that meant weeks into our season were difficult, but as that we needed to bounce back this year,” he to them,” Finberg said. Finberg worked to we bonded, we grew as a team and were able said. Head Coach Owen Finberg also noted bond the team together through various to accomplish our ultimate goal: to win a the loss as an important lesson on refocusing preseason activities including trips and New England Championship.” for this season. “One of the reasons why this community service projects like attending Injuries to several players were also an title was so special was that we didn’t win alumni matches and partnering with the obstacle for the team. “Guys stepped in and

10 • The Hillside Winter 2014 PREP SOCCER NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONS!!!

picked up the slack,” Finberg said. “Injuries overtime periods. It came down to individual happen to every team every season; handling players from each team taking turns with those setbacks is part of being a successful penalty kicks. team and a successful program.” Lawrence scored twice, but then Matias Correa ’14 scored the first goal, followed by The Playoffs and the Championship Christopher Watts ’16. Goalkeeper Richard Finberg knew that the team needed to Glemawu ’16 came up with an outstanding maintain its focus. “I knew we could win it save. Next, Lawrence scored, but a shot by but at the same time I knew we could go out Aaron Laranetto ’14 tied the match at 3-3. at any one of the rounds as well,” he said. “This set the stage for Newton Tsang to be The team would need some inspiration. the hero and win the match,” Finberg said. “On Friday, before we went up to And Tsang did just that, sealing a 4-3 victory. Worcester, I showed them the TED Ed talk The Cardinals’ victory marked the first time from Angela Lee Duckworth called, ‘The the highly powered Spartans had been shut key to success? Grit,’” Finberg explained. out all year. “Grit is passion and perseverance. It’s how “Coach Finberg has done everything in badly you want it and how hard you’re his power to make us successful. All the going to work to get it done.” In the TED hours that the coaching staff put into the talk, Duckworth points out that there is a little details to making this season successful difference between natural ability versus hard did not go unrewarded.” Tsang said. The work and perseverance. “Talent doesn’t make credit belongs to the team and coaches for you gritty,” she says. making this season possible. The moment we Watson latched onto Duckworth’s lifted the trophy, we lifted it as a team…as a concept. “With all of the obstacles in the community.” playoffs, from injuries to excessive travel, Finberg believes that South Kent’s resolve we were still able to come out with a win,” was, in fact, the winning factor this season Watson said. “We were able to overcome by and in the playoffs. “In the end, it was down sticking together and being gritty.” to their determination to succeed that was This idea of grit certainly came into play the difference between the two teams,” he during the semifinal match against The said, admitting, “Lawrence Academy may Rivers School. South Kent’s opponent had have been more talented, but I think we beaten them 3-0 earlier in the season. The wanted it more.” Cardinals showed their strength but went into overtime with a 1-1 tie. After two overtime periods with no goals on either side, it came down to penalty kicks. “It’s Left: The Prep Soccer team celebrates after winning so pressure-packed and so intense that it’s the Class B New England Championship at Loomis an unbelievable experience for the guys,” Chaffee School. Top to bottom: Mickey Watson raises the championship trophy as the rest of the Finberg said. And an unbelievable experience team surrounds him in celebration; Matias Correa it was for the South Kent team, who brought shoots on net against St. Andrews in home opener. home the win with a score of 4-2. (also in photo Newton Tsang); Raul Chamale makes a diving save; Jeff Charles sets to cross the ball during South Kent battled for the championship a match; Marc Almeida dribbles at a defender during with undefeated Lawrence Academy. After a match. a full match with a score of 0-0, the tie brought the teams into two 10-minute

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 11 Fall and Winter Athletics

VARSITY SOCCER HVAL CHAMPIONS!!!

When the 2013 Varsity Soccer season a part throughout the season. “I wasn’t too entered their first HVAL game, the Forman began, the coaches had no idea that a simple worried about the difference in playing Lions came out strong against the Cardinals, phrase habitually uttered by Head Coach ability that we had,” said Assistant Coach scoring the first goal. Forman showed that Lou Pereira would ultimately turn into the Brian Newsome (class of ’08). He went on they knew how to stop the Cardinals’ power. perfect way to sum up the team “ATTA- to say, “In my playing experience, it is rarely After their goal, the Lions sat in with eight BOY!” Coming off their second consecutive the 11 most talented players that will win a defenders begging the Cardinals to shoot HVAL Title (Housatonic Valley Athletic championship for you. It is the gentlemen from distance. With only ten minutes left League) the mighty Cardinals had one that will work hard and play with heart for in the game (and around twenty shots later) thing on their minds: Three-peat! As the ninety minutes that will win you games, fifth former Jackson Nahom finally found season began, the team looked at Captain and we had that all year.” The Cardinals’ the back of the net on a thirty yard blast to Samuel Lartey to lead them to glory. The began their season with three goals in mind: the top of the corner. Unfortunately this late fascinating thing about this team was the Undefeated Season, HVAL regular season goal was not enough to push the Cardinals difference in the level of players it had. champions, and a third consecutive HVAL to victory. The game resulted in a 1-1 draw All forms were represented this season, Title. with the Cardinals in second place in the as well as all levels of playing ability. The The Cardinals were soaring to begin HVAL behind rival Christian Heritage. team ranged from first timers all the way the season, winning their first 4 games It seemed that this trip-up was exactly to future All-State candidates. Even more and scoring 23 goals while only allowing what the Cardinals needed to push them for fascinating was the fact that all forms (and 1 against. However, as hot a start as the the remainder of the season. The Cardinals players included within those forms) received Cardinals were having, the wind was briefly came together in order to win seven out of significant playing time, and each played taken out from under their wings. As they their next eight games (a 2-2 draw against

12 • The Hillside Winter 2014 VARSITY SOCCER HVAL CHAMPIONS!!!

HVAL rival Chase Collegiate) flying Coach Lou Pereira said later. He went on straight into the HVAL playoffs, having to say, “Even though he made the assistant achieved two of their three preseason goals: coaches and me think that he might not an undefeated season, and HVAL regular survive the game, he never stopped. Yu has season Champions. The Cardinals ended the biggest heart on our team.” Just when all their regular season with a record of 11-0-2, players seemed too tired to continue, hope a record that ultimately gave them a free pass was restored. Captain Billy Hoadley returned to the Semifinals and home field advantage from his meeting, changed into uniform, and throughout the playoffs. sprinted onto the field. The rules of the Hillside state that no With a late goal scored by MVP Tyler athlete in academic trouble will be eligible to Hoadley, the Cardinals were able to pull play the first week of a new marking period. through, winning their third consecutive The Varsity Soccer team lost a total of eight HVAL Title. “I am so proud of the players players to this rule. The team would now that we had that faced adversity and turn to their two MVPs, third former Tyejae overcame it. I am honored to say I coached Burchall and fifth former Tyler Hoadley to such outstanding young men,” said Coach help them achieve victory. Lou Pereira as he commented on the quality For the semi-final game, the Cardinals of the team he had this year. This team would face the Forman Lions once again. of Cardinals flew straight no matter the Immediately the Cardinals were all over strength of the wind. them, scoring in the first ten minutes and Submitted by Coach Brian Newsome never letting up. The final score was 5-0. The Cardinals now found themselves one win away from another title. Then the Cardinals faced yet another setback. Team Captain Billy Hoadley (Head Prefect) would be missing from the lineup against Christian Heritage due to a college interview. This left the Cardinals with only 11 players against their most challenging competitor yet. “It will be a battle, this game won’t be easy for us. Play with heart and never give up,” said Assistant Coach Marcus Cooper (class of ’06). What Coach Cooper did not anticipate was a twenty-five yard, left-footed strike off the foot of Zach Pereira Left: The Varsity Soccer team celebrates after to lead South Kent to an early 1-0 lead. winning their third straight HVAL championship. The game was not an easy one. In order Top to Bottom: Tyler Hoadley and Alden Grayson- to finish as strong as they started, everyone Funk celebrate after scoring a goal; Samuel Lartey and Billy Hoadley holding the HVAL championship had to play a part. The Cardinals managed trophy; Chao Huang making a move on a defender to find support from a bench player. This during a game; The Varsity Soccer team thanking player was none other than Yu (Charlie) Wu, their fans during a cool-down jog after a game; this year’s Most Improved Player. At times Coach Lou Pereira talking to his players during a game. (in photo are Jackson Nahom, Samuel Lartey, Yu would fall to the ground, but he never Zach Pereira) quit. “I can’t believe that amount of heart Yu showed during the final game” Head

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 13 Fall and Winter Athletics

Prep Basketball backcourt was led by Iona-commit Schadrac Varsity Basketball Casimir. At 5’10” Casimir, a second-team The Prep Basketball team had its best All-League selection, led the Cardinals The 2013 / 2014 Varsity Basketball team start ever, racing out to a 14-2 record. With in scoring at 17.4 ppg. A dynamic scorer, experienced a lot more success than our its unique brand of small ball (the team had Casimir had games of 36 points versus record suggested. three players under 6’0” tall), they were able Brewster Academy and Northfield Mount The boys were competitive in every game to be a mainstay in the nextuprecruits.com Hermon and 32 versus St. Thomas More. but were always one talented player away top-ten rankings. A combination of unselfish Casimir’s backcourt mate was third former from finishing games with more victories. play and hard work was the key reason for Tremont Waters. Waters, an All-League What I was most impressed with was never this season’s success. Honorable Mention selection, showed his noticing the team giving up; they fought The team was led in the post by second- worth all season.Waters was third in scoring hard to the end of every game. To never give year big man and Binghamton-commit (12.7 ppg) and first in assists (3.2 apg) for up when you see the outcome happening is Dusan Perovic. Perovic, a second-team the Cardinals. an honorable quality, and part of how these All-League selection, was one of the top Casimir and Waters had a lot of help in boys earned my respect the entire year. post players in the NEPSAC AAA. Perovic the backcourt from Jordan Strawberry and One of the highlights of this season was led the team in rebounding (8.1rpg) and was Arell Hennings. Starters on most teams, Joel Garcia making the All-League second second on the team in scoring (15 ppg). His Strawberry and Hennings were major team. Congratulations to Joel; he had a very leadership will be missed. contributors off the bench for the entire good season averaging over 20 points per Christian Foxen and Albert Christensson season. Binghamton-commit Romello game. were also solid contributors all season in the Walker was another major contributor on Do we look to the future, to getting back front court. Foxen came on strong the second the perimeter. Walker consistently used his to being the dominant team in our league? half of the year, starting the last 18 games length and athleticism to become the team’s Yes, we do, but above and beyond wins and of the season and averaging 9 rebounds per best defender. losses is how the team represent themselves game over that period. The Prep Basketball team concluded its on and off the court. Guard play was the team’s calling card. season with an invitation to the National To the parents of this year’s team, you Despite our small size, we were able to use Championship Tournament, cementing its can be very proud of your boys; they defense and our ability to create offense with place in the top eight teams of the nation. were extremely courteous and respectful the dribble to score points in bunches. The Submitted by Coach Kelvin Jefferson everywhere we traveled. There were two

14 • The Hillside Winter 2014 occasions where patrons of the restaurants players playing at different skill levels, it ended on a high note with a victory over we were in came up to me and expressed was difficult at times to get them all to Forman in the last game at home. We will how polite this group of boys were. I as their understand plays that we ran, but it was great be bidding farewell to six students this year coach was very proud to be associated with to see their effort day-in and day-out to try in Billy Hoadley, Cheng Chi, Tian Zhang, these fine young gentlemen. and get better. Every one of the players got Yuhao Liu, Bohan Chen, and Shihao Hu. I wish our graduating team members good better throughout the season. It was great to However, the great thing about this year is luck next year in college and look forward to have a few games in which players who did that we will have many players returning November for the beginning of another year not normally get a lot of playing time could next year, as there was a great mix of forms of Varsity Basketball. play and gain experience in game situations. on the JV Squad this year. There will be 12 Submitted by Coach Gary Benz Coach Funk and I had a great time working players returning from this year’s team, so with the 19 players we had throughout the the chemistry will still be there. Coach Funk Junior Varsity season, working with each one to improve and I had a great time coaching together this his skill. Some came into the season not year and can not wait until next winter to get Basketball having played basketball at all before this this group back on the court. So until then, season. The goal of the JV program is to get SOUTH KENT on three….ONE … TWO The 2013-2014 JV Basketball season was everyone involved and have a good time. I ….THREE…. SOUTH KENT !!!! a fun-filled and successful one. The team believe that Coach Funk and I have done Submitted by Coach Anthony Camardi ’08 finished with a record of 9-4 and played a so this season, as not one player was left out schedule that allowed for different lineups of any drill or activity that we conducted. to suit different skill levels. There were many I was pleasantly surprised at how well the tough, hard-fought victories within those guys played together. The team chemistry 9, but the one that stood out was a hard- they were able to develop while playing every Far left to right: Romello Walker skying toward the nosed 37-34 grind-it-out win over Salisbury day was great, and it really showed in games hoop in a Prep Basketball game against Coastal School. It is those kinds of wins that make when the ball was getting moved around; Academy (also in picture are Albert Christensson, left, and Arell Hennings, right); Joel Garcia fighting you smile as a coach–knowing your guys put players knew where their teammates were through defenders while Samuel Lartey hustles everything out on the floor to win the game on the floor, and that kind of teamwork is back on defense in a Varsity Basketball game against in front of the home crowd. what is needed to succeed. Unfortunately Storm King (also in picture Coach Gary Benz); Yuhao Liu drives to the basket in a home JV Basketball With the JV program having so many the season had to come to an end, but it game against Forman (also in picture Cheng Chi)

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 15 Fall and Winter Athletics

SELECTS ACADEMY U16 NATIONAL NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONS!!!

The season kicked off Labor Day weekend The next big event for the U16N team Westminster) in the semi-finals. In a close with a tournament in Marlborough, MA. We was the Beantown tournament, which game, U16N came out 1-0 victors to advance went 7-0 and captured the championship at showcased teams from all over North to the finals to play the CT Wolfpack (a the first event of the year; this was a good America including top ranked Chicago team comprised of top players from prep sign of things to come. The U16N team Mission and Little Caesars. U16N went 6-0- schools such as Loomis, Gunnery, Salisbury, consisted of 9 returning players and 12 new 1 and captured their 3rd championship of Avon). With some great goaltending from additions to the School. To a coach, it is the year, including a 1-0 win over top-ranked Josh Boyko and an overtime goal from Tyler always unknown on how a group will gel Valley Jr Warriors in the Quarterfinals, a 2-0 Augustinsen, in front of many South Kent or come together as a team, especially with win over York Skipjacks, and an exciting 3-2 School supporters U16N would advance to so many new players in the fold. The team win in the championship game versus Cape the Nationals. Coach Rask on the victory: continued to have success and won their Cod. “This is a big step for our program; being second championship of the year, winning Next up was the New Englands to able to advance to the Nationals in only the JR Bruins Shootout and continued on a see who would advance to the National our second year eligible is fantastic. I’m so 21-game winning streak. The championship Championships in Green Bay. The team proud of this group as they put the team game versus Team Comcast saw U16N finished first in New England league ahead of their individual goals; that is why coming from behind 1-0 late in the game play and would be the top seed at New they are having so much success.” Coach to win 2-1. It was apparent to the coaching Englands. We went 2-0-1 in round robin Rask on the crowd at the Berkshire rink: staff at this point that the team was coming play and would face the Stamford Sharks (a “No question the fan support from fellow together and there was something special team comprised of top players from other South Kent School students and staff, along about this group. prep schools including Gunnery, Kent, with U18 cheering them on, helped lead us

16 • The Hillside Winter 2014 to a victory.” Later on U16N would be able teams and went on to win 4-1. Next up to watch U18 capture the New England for U16N was TPH Thunder, and behind Championship and advance to Nationals!!!!!! strong team play, U16N won 6-3. In the final Coming off the heels of the New England game of round robin against the Buffalo Championships, U16N would play 6 league Regals it was a win or go home situation for games heading into Christmas break. The both Buffalo Regals and Selects Academy team went 6-0-0 and finished 40-3-3 as at South Kent School. In a tight hard players went home for a much deserved fought game, both teams exchanging leads Christmas break. including a 3-2 lead for U16N with less than Returning in January, U16N picked up five minutes remaining, the game would right where they left off and continued on eventually head to overtime and then end in their winning path as they won the next 4 a shootout. Buffalo would eventually go on games heading into the annual Legacy Elite to win, needing extra shooters to advance. Invitational South Kent School tournament. Coach Rask: “It was a tough way to end The tournament would consist of top 20 the season, but some days you don’t get the ranked teams Wilkes Barre/Scranton Jr bounces. I’m so proud of this group; they Knights, Long Island Gulls and the host have accomplished so much this season and Selects Academy at South Kent School should hold their heads high.” (ranked #8). U16N started the tournament with a tough loss to the Long Island Gulls, Team Highlights: losing 4-3. On Saturday U16N would • Labor Day Classic Champions beat the CT Oilers and tie Wilkes Barre/ • Jr. Bruins Shootout Champions Scranton Jr Knights. In the semi finals • Beantown Champions U16N faced the Long Island Gulls, and • New England Champions the result was a 3-0 win, rebounding from • Legacy Elite Invitational South Kent their earlier loss. U16N went on to win the School Champions tournament in front of a loud home crowd, • Regular Season and League beating Wilkes Barre/Scranton Jr Knights Champions 4-3. • Team Record of 65-6-4, finishing Last up before Nationals would be the with the most wins in the country USPHL playoffs with the championship • 21-game winning streak games being held at Merrimack College. • 19-game winning streak U16N finished the regular season in 1st • 29-0-0 USPHL regular season record place with a league record of 29-0-0 and • 32-0-0 in USPHL play would go on to beat York Skipjacks, Islanders Submitted by Coach Devin Rask Left: U-16N team celebrates after winning 2nd Hockey Club and Jersey Hitmen 5-3 in the Annual Legacy Elite Hockey Invitational at South finals to capture the league championship Kent School. Top to bottom: Goaltender Josh and finish undefeated in league play 32-0-0. Boyko eyes the puck in the corner of Cuyler Rink during Championship game in Legacy Elite Hockey Next up were Nationals in Green Bay, Invitational against Scranton/Wilkes Barre Junior starting with players returning early from Knights; U-16N team raises the trophy after winning spring break to practice. Both U16N and the Legacy Elite Hockey Invitational; U-16 National U18 headed out to Green Bay on Monday, Selects Academy New England Championship banner; Andrew Peeke getting ready to take the March 31st and would start game action on ice after intermission; U-16N players on bench Wednesday. First up for U16N was Number waiting during a home game; U-16N players begin 1 ranked Honeybaked. In a back-and-forth celebration after buzzer sounds in Legacy Elite Hockey Invitational Championship; Aaron McPheters game Honeybaked took the edge in special controls the puck during a game.

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 17 Fall and Winter Athletics

SELECTS ACADEMY U18 NATIONAL NEW ENGLAND CHAMPIONS!!!

The 2013-’14 season was one of high winning goal with 26 seconds left. final game of the tournament we won 1-0. expectations and accomplishments. The The very next weekend was the It was our turn to play Comcast’s U18 team 23-man roster was a balance of six returning Woodchuck Classic Showcase. We played in the tournament’s championship game. members of last year’s U-18 team, nine three games in the span of 19 hours so we We gave a dominant performance, holding members who moved up from U-16 had our challenges with regard to rest and a territorial advantage in play all game and National, and eight newcomers from various fatigue. We set the tone early with a big 6-2 walked away with a 3-1 win going 6-0 and programs throughout the world. win over the Boston Jr. Bruins. We followed winning our first championship together. It up with two more wins, 6-2 over the New was a tremendous feeling in the locker room Unfinished Business Hampshire Monarchs and 5-4 over the and we finally got over the hump together. Our goal this year was to earn the New South Shore Kings, to go undefeated at the We rode this momentum to a 17-0- England Regional Championship that we Woodchuck Classic. 2 run, winning a season-high 17 games had been so close to winning the season The next big event was the prestigious straight during this stretch and besting before; however, it didn’t come without Boston Jr. Bruins Shootout. We started the previous U18 winning streak of 11 overcoming some adversity. In the first out the tournament with a 5-1 win. After straight wins the season before. This stretch tournament this year, The Labor Day Faceoff spotting a 2-0 lead in the second game we lasted from the 3-2 loss in the Labor Day Classic, we got off to a fast start winning our rebounded to take that game 5-2. The next Classic Tournament Championship game first five of six games. We started out that morning we won 3-2 in a shootout. On the on September 2, 2013 against the Boston championship against Boston Advantage final day of this tournament you had to win Advantage to the East Coast College Cup Black with a 2-2 tie halfway into the third three 30-minute mini games to win the quarterfinal game where we fell to the #2 period. A penalty call on us put Boston whole thing. We started out the quarterfinal ranked team in the country, Detroit Belle on the power play where they scored the game by winning 5-1. Up next in the semi- Tire U18, 2-0 on October 20, 2013.

18 • The Hillside Winter 2014 Next up was the Beantown Fall Classic. bracket. Unfortunately our season ended After a 3-2 win in the first game and a on a tie-breaker as Detroit Belle Tire had a 5-1 win in the second, we faced the 2013 goal differential two points better than ours. National Champions, the Neponset Valley Regardless it was a great showing for our Riverrats in the first round playoff game, boys, and we proved that we can compete at defeating them 2-1. Up next was Detroit a national level. Belle Tire who struck first to take a 1-0 lead. Our chemistry as a unit was Down a man as we were called for a penalty unprecedented; brothers pulling for one with less than two minutes to go, Chase another, this year is one that these young By The Numbers Priskie picked up the puck, casually weaved men won’t forget. I know that I won’t, and After clinching the New England Regional through defenders to their goal line at an off I want to thank them all for giving me one Championship and earning a berth angle and ripped a highlight reel shot. Three of the best experiences of my life and for to the National Tournament here is a overtimes and a shootout later we fell to all the memories that go along with that. I list by the numbers of our U18 team’s Belle Tire 2-1. especially want to thank the nine pioneers of accomplishments this season: At the New England Regional this program: Chase Priskie, Brenden Walch, • Labor Day Face-Off Tournament Tournament we started off with a very Karl El-Mir, Joe Delandro, Nico Silva, Finalist sloppy 0-0 tie, and then dropped a 3-1 loss. Jimmy Meyer, Anthony Siderio, Al Rogers, • Boston Jr. Bruins Shootout Champions • East Coast College Cup With our backs against the wall we went out and Roberts Smits. These nine players took a Quarterfinalists and dominated in our next game, winning chance on this program three years ago with • Beantown Fall Classic Quarterfinalists 4-0. In the semi-final game we faced off the first U16 at South Kent. These guys are • Connecticut Hockey Conference against the 2-seeded New Hampshire leaving South Kent and the Selects Program Champions: 5-0-1 Record Monarchs. We scored first, and then on a better than when they arrived, and I don’t • New England Regional Champions 5-on-3 power play New Hampshire tied think anyone could have done a better job. It • USPHL Regular Season Champions: the score at 1-1. Some late game Anthony is only fitting that U18 closed the doors to 24-3-0 Record • USPHL Tournament Champions Siderio heroics put us up 2-1 which we Cuyler Rink forever with a USPHL regular • 17 Wins Straight managed to hold to win it. Mid Fairfield season title-clinching 6-0 win over Suffolk • Tier 1 Toyota/USA Hockey National Yankees were next and came out swinging; PAL. Championship Tournament luckily for us Al Rogers made several I am very proud to have been a part of it Participants: 2-1 Record highlight reel saves in the first five minutes. and I am very proud of this team and how • Overall Record: 52-10-5 Finishing up the game, Anthony Siderio they represented South Kent and the Select buried two goals and helped lead us to our Academy program. We wish the players Player Honors: first New England Championship and our moving on and their families the very best • USPHL Defensive Player of the Year: Chase Priskie first bid to the National Championship and hope for bright and prosperous futures. • USPHL Offensive Player of the Year: Tournament. It was a remarkable team We also hope they won’t be strangers Karl El-Mir effort; with our backs against the wall we and will come back to South Kent at • USPHL Most Valuable Player: Karl won 3 straight games and surrendered only 1 various alumni events to see the growth El-Mir goal in that span. and prosperity of their school and hockey Our goal was to win the Triple Crown, program as they were the foundation to its the New England Regional, the USPHL success. and the National Championships. We got 2 U-18 Head Coach, Matt Plante out of 3 this year, falling short in Green Bay, Left: U-18N team poses for picture after unveiling of their New England Championship banner; Top WI at the National Tournament. We won to Bottom: Chase Priskie and Jeremie Lintner share 2 out of our 3 games out there, defeating a laugh on the bench during a game; U-18N New Detroit Belle Tire 4-3 and the Los Angeles England Championship Banner; Al Rogers observing his team during a U-18N home game; U-18N team Jr. Kings 2-0, but falling to Detroit Victory line up at the blue line during their final home game Honda which created a three-way tie in our at Cuyler Rink.

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 19 Fall and Winter Athletics

Selects Academy a well deserved break was necessary for the home ice. Checkmate! The boys finished the U16 American this young squad. Reassembling in early chapter with pride and won the showcase January, the club found its way through and the last game ever to be played at Cuyler. Hockey a winter blizzard to the Martin Luther A remarkable 39-14-2 record, a feeling of King Showcase at Merrimack College. It brotherhood, and a hard-working season was The U16 American 2013-’14 squad was here that the true colors of our group finished by a group of young men that will started out the season in late August with shone through. Playing a schedule of teams always be remembered by its coaching staff. 23 student athletes never having met as in the USPHL U16 National division, Submitted by Coach Eric Soltys a whole. The boys were anxious but truly our athletes were determined to continue showed the coaching staff a competitive club to make South Kent proud and battled to Varsity Hockey pulling together right out of the gate who the silver medal, losing only one game vs a found the way to the playoff round in the team from Canada with a roster of mostly The 2013-2014 Varsity Hockey team’s prestigious Labor Day Classic. Day by day 1996 birth years. The long winter months season was a hard-fought battle right from and practice by practice, it was apparent that crushed New England with snow and cold, the start. Each member of the varsity team this group of young SKS student-athletes but the boys never blinked and continued to came down the hillside and cherished were starting to grow and gel as a team. The march together as one. Sadly, late February every last minute on Cuyler’s surface. The team plowed forward and continued to find was upon us and our team was down to Cardinals were light on numbers due to a winning ways through our independent its final exam, defending our Hillside in busy winter schedule but they were led by schedule, racking up a solid record over the the U16 American Legacy cup showcase. sixth form captain Tristan Elliott. Elliott is a first couple of months. Entering the East Battling against solid competition, the U16 three-year boy and made sure that everyone Coast College Classic, the Selects were American found themselves in a must-win, kept his head up, game-in and game-out. determined to keep the run alive. Another goal differential situation on what would be Elliott will be graduating at the end of the check mark for this group, this time finding the last South Kent game played ever at our year and heading to Assumption College. their way to the semifinals. Our team made Cuyler arena. Holding true to form, it was Coach Crowley stated, “We never had to up of boys born in 1999 and 1998 were one of the coldest days in the old barn, and worry about anything on the ice when competing on a weekly basis against teams the U16 American team was on a mission Tristan was out there, and it will be hard to mainly composed of boys born in 1997 and to be sure it was a memorable one for all find as good a leader for next year.” He had 1998. Winter break was soon upon us, and alumni who had laced up the skates on our the help of a close friend, Grayson Makris,

20 • The Hillside Winter 2014 SOUTHSCHOOL KENT STORE

Vintage Pigtail Against the World Tee

who will be joining the Cardinals for ice and is always one of the last kids off the another season next year. The two of them ice. He has the drive to continue to be the led the team in points and made sure that most improved player each time he steps off everyone stayed positive both on and off that ice.” Coach Soltys and Coach Crowley the ice. Between the pipes, Zach Schullery worked with the team on all aspects of the did a nice job of guarding his net. Colton game, but most importantly taught them Kitchenware, Loomis was another strong advocate for to be a composed team and keep their Mugs and the team’s success. When it came down to sense of sportsmanship. The team was also Glasses it, each of the Cardinals brought something lucky enough to have the help of Coach different to the table. We were a team of Pinchevsky, Coach Henderson, Coach all different sizes, styles, and skill levels Haig, and Mrs. Capobianco along the way but one thing is for sure: each member of to assist in any of the Cardinals’ needs. Men’s and the team grew and became a better player. Lastly, the team is extremely thankful to Women’s “Throughout the season, the team became have the help and support from the School stronger as a whole unit, and that’s exactly and the parents, especially Mrs. Brady. SKS Branded what every coach or captain is looking for,” Thank you for everything along the way Apparel stated Elliott. Each member of the team and keep those cookies coming! was there for each other, and it showed in Submitted by Coach Pat Crowley ’08 the way they not only learned from but taught each other along the way. Liam Ties, Belts, Delehanty is somewhat new to the sport Hats and More of hockey, and it was nice to see a kid take Far left to right: Kyle Warren scores a break-away goal against Rothesay in a U-16 American Selects every chance he could to better himself. Hockey game; Grayson Makris scores a goal He truly embraced every second of his against Forman on a rebound from Christopher ice time both in practices and in games to Richards in a Varsity Hockey game. To get your hands on all the learn as much as he possibly could. Coaches latest SKS gear, visit: Crowley and Soltys said on Delehanty’s behalf, “Liam is one of the first kids on the store.southkentschool.org

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 21 inrecollection Celebrating 46 Great Years

Memories

s we said good-bye to Cuyler Rink this year, we all honored this special facility in different ways: by taking the final photos on the ice, through a chapel service of thanksgiving, and perhaps most effectively, in the sharingA of memories. We were happy to hear from many alumni, faculty, stu- dents and faculty children who each commemorated Cuyler Rink in his or her own way. Here, we take a few moments to remember together. Enjoy!

forget. Anything from winning, the awesome 1990s 2010s crowd, the struggles we have overcome Duncan Berry Andrew Peeke ’16 playing at home, and just having a great time (Faculty ’96-’01) I just have one memory I’ll never forget at practice. I will always remember this rink My children all learned how to skate in that happened to me in Cuyler Rink. My as one of my homes and it will always be in Cuyler Rink. My son, Matthew, learned freshman year of school at South Kent on my heart as one of the big reasons these past how to play hockey in Cuyler Rink and the the U14 team, we played Hillside School. It three years have been so good and so much Kent School rink. I opened and closed the was the loudest Cuyler has ever been, since I fun. rink on the weekends when I was on but attended school. We ended up winning in a never got to resurface the ice. (John Farr or shoot out, and that game was just so intense Anthony Florentino ’13 the maintenance staff did that.) My fondest I will never forget that one game in Cuyler. I have too many memories to count. All I memories are the days when my sons and I know is that Cuyler will forever be my home. had the rink to ourselves (one of the perks Dominic Costello ’15 I have never enjoyed hockey as much as I did of being entrusted to opening and closing I will never forget winning the legacy when I suited up in red. There is nothing in in season), and the occasional times I did tourney. All the times in the locker room life I am more proud of than to say I played the scoreboard for the local youth league. I with my pals. for and went to South Kent. am glad that South Kent School is moving forward. Connor Sundquist ’15 Nicholas Malone ’13 Cuyler was the place to go and clear As a recent graduate of South Kent, it Sumner Crawford ’99 your mind, playing the game you loved. is hard to see this Cuyler Rink’s journey I grew up on a farm in Virginia, so playing Championships were won, and great coming to an end. Although I spent a single ice hockey wasn’t exactly on my radar. When friendships were made at Cuyler Rink. year at South Kent, Cuyler Rink became I went to South Kent in the fall of 1995, I very special to me. Throughout my hockey assumed I’d play basketball in the winter as Roberts Smits ’14 career I have laced up the skates in hundreds a sport, but when the season came I decided I have had the privilege to call this my of rinks, but Cuyler is by far the most to try out for ice hockey instead. I remember home rink for the past three years. I have memorable. thinking to myself that even while walking, a ton of great memories that I will never I have a stunning ability to trip or fall over

22 • The Hillside Winter 2014 Right to Left: Cuyler Rink from above; Nicholas Malone takes the ice before a game; Anthony Florentino skates down the ice in a game against Hill Academy; Sumner Crawford’s Sixth Form photo almost nothing so I was eager to put pads Josh Dwyer ’98 The delicate tissue paper is cut to regulation on first, skates second. After getting geared I have too many memories to name, but I size, up, I met Mr. Brown who was the Leagues will say that I had a friend who went on to Boldly assuming the responsibility of Hockey “coach” and by “coach” I mean, he’d play in the NHL state that Cuyler was his governing the massive force of blades and sticks supervise a bunch of kids who knew nothing favorite rink to play on. and pucks. about skating or playing hockey and try to The paint cans are pried open with caution give us pointers while we fell, or if we were Kris Walleyn ’98 And lathered onto the ice as frosting on a cake unable to stop, hit the wall. I usually did My memory of Cuyler Rink was in 1996- (evenly dispersed, not a bit wasted, both at the same time. Eventually I learned, 97 season when we played Kent. We beat disguising the underneath). slowly, but I learned to the level where my them in OT; this is the biggest memory for fifth and sixth form years I played on the me as I scored the game-tying goal and the Those who come to volunteer their service JV team; this may not seem like much, but game-winning goal in OT. One of the best and share his passion, it was a major victory to me and a major moments at SKS. Disregard the wind or homework or headache for my parents. Saturday night dance. My time on the hillside gave me many Molly Simmons The faster this gets done, the earlier they can fond memories in Cuyler Rink. I loved to (Faculty Child on the step onto the ice, sit on top of the concrete walls and bang Hillside from ’78-’98) Smell the sweat, coldness, and brilliant the plexi-glass while we screamed Cardinal I wrote this poem when I was a senior at energy of the rink, cheers during varsity games. I still remember Taft, in 1996. Feel the rush of the self-induced wind, scoring my first-ever goal in that rink. It was Hear their souls pushing their bodies to a shot from our D-man on the point, which “My Father Floods the Rink” physical limits. the goalie kick-saved, but when rebound As the fall season comes to a close and the came right to me; I shot it in. Hauling bitter November transition sets in, So it is done, around the fire hose with Mr. Simmons to My father gets a familiar gleam in his eye as Under the meticulous, wire-framed eyes of help put the ice down was a favorite memory the hot steam from the past eight months my father of mine, knowing hockey season was just Clears to introduce an icy path towards his Carrying the faithful love of a game. around the corner. The memory I hold passion. And when it is f inished, closest to me is that Cuyler Rink was where The product is a canvas for daydreams and I learned to play hockey, a sport I absolutely The pipes are turned on, aspirations love and still play today, even way down here The sprinklers are strategically placed over that have been imprisoned during the in Charleston, S.C. I’ll certainly miss Cuyler the rough sand, and eternity of seasons with unbladed shoes. Rink, but I am glad to have had the chance The powerful f ire hose is unrolled and once to play there. Servant, well done. again, reduced to the embarrassing spit of water pressure.

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 23 Celebrating 46 Great Years

Howard “Howie” Brande ’93 more lights started going out. By this time Cuyler Rink but of my entire time on The I guess my earliest memories of Cuyler about half the lights had gone out, so Coach Hillside. Rink date back to going up to watch games Simmons headed off to investigate what was when my brother Rich ’88 was attending. going on and instructed us to start warming Ruth Abbott-Greenberg ’84 It was unlike any rink I had ever been to in up the goalies. It was the usual: line up in My earliest memories of Cuyler Rink my life. The wooden beams, the bubbles on each corner, skate out above the face off dot, include learning to skate there as a little girl the ends, the fieldhouse, a penalty box with pass from the corner, shoot. So Brian Peake, under the watchful eyes of my mom and no door. A few years later I started skating a PG goalie, was in net and Chris Jennings dad as I pushed a small chair in front of me. in the rink during my own time on The ’93 who had a cannon of a shot skated out, As a preteen I practiced jumps and twists as Hillside. circled the dot, received the pass, let a slap I had dreams of being a figure skater. As a I transferred into the Third Form right shot go. Right at that moment, the rest of faculty brat we would often go down late at after Thanksgiving in 1989. Hockey players the lights blew out and it went pitch black night skating under the star filled night at a returned earlier than the rest of the students, in Cuyler Rink. A split second later, we all time before the rink had a roof. New Year’s so we could get on the ice. Because of this, I heard that unmistakable sound of a puck Eve was often celebrated under those stars. actually had my first hockey practice at SKS slamming into a face mask, followed by a As a student I will never forget those games before I attended my first class. Over the scream and some cursing. That shot in the where we battled Salisbury. The students years I surely had moments to remember. dark nailed the goalie right in the face, and were packed around the rink and up on the South Kent vs. Salisbury was our biggest with the lights having gone out, it could not snow banks screaming out for the boys on game of the year, and the rink would be have been scripted any better. There had the ice. I even briefly tried to be a member packed to capacity and then some. I was a been a fire in the roundhouse that knocked of the junior leagues, trying my best to goalie, and you could say my fifth and sixth out some of the electricals. play hockey, one girl with a whole pack of form years were re-building years for the My other memory isn’t one of a specific brothers. program. My sixth form year I did have a day, or practice or game. It is of the Saturday big win over Berkshire at home in front of a nights and Sunday mornings, just going Chris Farr ’84 pretty packed Cuyler Rink. down to Cuyler Rink and playing pick-up I am a Cuyler Rink orphan...My father, Yet the two things I will always remember hockey, mucking around, throwing my goalie John Farr, was the self-appointed rink about Cuyler Rink did not occur during gear on a classmate who had never been caretaker from the day the rink was built games. The first happened during practice on the ice before so we could pepper him until the time I graduated (1984). He has one dark winter night. We had the late night with shots. Afterwards just hanging out in probably spent more days and nights down practice slot after dinner; the Hillside would the locker room, talking about what boys at that rink than any human alive. Many be pitch black at night back then. We got on in boarding school talk about. It was those people also know that his specialty was the ice and started stretching and a couple times on the ice and in the locker room “ice resurfacing.” He drove, repaired, and of lights blew out. That was strange. So where bonds and friendships were made. coddled the first ice-resurfacing machine we began our warm-up skating drills, and Those are not only my fondest memories of at SKS (aka - the Husky) through many

24 • The Hillside Winter 2014 Left to Right: 1993 Varsity Hockey Team, Back, left to right: Mr. Richards, Walker, Folli, Bartholomew, Merrick, Dumont, Garceau, Kosecki, Mr. Simmons; Front, left to right: Brande, Neil, Gunderson, Staples, Patton, Jennings, Paxton, Ouellet, Giruzzi, Tobani; John Farr operating the ice resurfacer (Not Pictured: His family); Senior League 1979 Back Left to Right: Ives, Crawford, Applemans, Gallagher, VanRhyn, Mills, Prescott, Ryan, Funnell, Hickox, Ossorio, Lewis; Front Left to Right: Higbie, Speeler, Rosenberg, May, Dann; Uncredited photo from 1976 brutal years of hard labor. Until the late ‘80’s childhood heroes like Sid Stockdale and pretty well etched into my memory banks. there was no roof on the Cuyler Rink, and Lawrence Smith. As a student, coming down the ice resurfacing machines (now known the hill for the Saturday night Salisbury Thompson Gerke ’76 as Zambonis) did double-time to clear the game in a torchlight parade, kerosene soaked As for most South Kent School boys in snow and rain off the ice. Despite the fact socks blazing on the ends of broken hockey the 1970s, Cuyler Rink was an integral part that Cuyler Rink diverted many moments sticks. The most vivid memories, though, are of my prep school experience. I learned how of my father’s affection away from his wife from hiking back up the hill after late-night the ice is manually installed in a skating and children, it became the home away from Senior Leagues games on frigid January rink...who can ever forget the bone-chilling home for many of us faculty brats. It kept nights, trading war stories from meaningless cold as we ice laying tyros assisted the “old us out of trouble (mostly), it kept us in good games, our freshly-showered hair frozen stiff. hands” in spraying water out of a fire hose shape, it kept us tired, and it bred many to create layer after layer of ice. Our job passionate hockey players. I will never forget Peter S. Bartlett ’77 entailed nothing more than the ignoble task the big games against teams like (then-arch- I’m sure that several from my era will of holding the hose across our shoulders rival) Salisbury when the entire school would recount this occurrence, but in the event to keep it off newly freezing ice layers. Of come down and line the boards to cheer on that they don’t, I wanted to make sure that it course, manhandling the end of the fire hose the teams. So many wonderful memories. I “made the book.” We were playing Salisbury as an upper classman was indeed a badge am sure that the new rink will provide the in a Saturday night game, mid winter. of honor. When I attended SKS, once we same!!! We were well into our warm-ups when it entered the winter sports season learning to became increasingly obvious that none of skate was a sink or swim matter. Though I’d Tom Prescott ’80 our fans had arrived for the game. As both been on skates since a small boy, I never truly The last time I skated on Cuyler Rink, it teams completed their pregame routines and became proficient at skating until I took to had no roof, so it’s been a while. I remember were collecting at their respective benches, the ice on Cuyler Rink. It was there that how magical it was to play hockey while it you could hear chants coming from up the I learned to skate backward! Many of my snowed on that rink, and how cold your feet hill, from in front of the chapel to be exact, fondest memories are of free skating periods could get taking your shift to put in the ice and as I looked up that way I could see a on the weekends. The memory most etched in the middle of the night (but that made column of torch light making its way down in my mind is the time we were chasing each skating on it that much sweeter). the hill towards the rink - it was amazing. other through the tangle of skaters making As the noise grew, and the fans and torches their way more slowly across the ice in an Jamie Funnell ’79 filed in to surround both sides of the rink, I easy circuit of the rink. I’ll never forget my I have many fond memories of Cuyler remember feeling completely overwhelmed sense of horror when I attempted to overtake Rink, the earliest riding around the rink with pride and excitement for the game a skater and upon swerving ahead of them on the Husky with my grandfather while that we were about to play - I can’t even ran full force into Mr. Fowle. My shoulder Victor Deak drove. As a kid, years of playing remember the result, but the feeling of made solid impact in his torso sending Kent Youth Hockey there and cheering on watching the students come down that hill is both of us to the ice. I offered my apologies

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 25 Celebrating 46 Great Years

and asked if he was OK, and he bravely • The entire school surrounds the rink. the time. Of all the sports I played at South resumed skating as did I, and under much Westminster had crushed us earlier in Kent, I enjoyed hockey the most- even the more control the rest of the afternoon. It the season but NO ONE beats a team practices. We had four teams so everybody wasn’t until later that evening at dinner that with 160+ brooms! got a chance to play if they wanted to, and I learned he’d broken one or two ribs! I felt • Ma Brown as ref for J.V. and Third there was time on the weekend for messing horrible. However, in typical teenage fashion, Team games. Does it get any better?? around. I was back on the ice the following weekend, Yup, I close my eyes and I am there again; When we went to support the various skating faster and more wildly than I knew for these and SO many more memories! hockey games, all the fans stood around the I should. outside of the rink. Because there was no Hayward Chappell ’71 roof, these events had a very open feel to Reed Martin ’76 My first couple of years, if you wanted to them which I think made them very lively. I close my eyes and I am there- play hockey, you went to Hatch Pond. As I No school supported their team like South • Being part of the all-night crew that remember, when the ice finally froze enough, Kent- home or away. We had the best fans- made the new ice in late-November, we got a day off or at least half a day and hands down. After the games, we hit the and being among the first to skate on all went down to shovel off the lake. We all showers and then walked up the hill to an it. Then using No-Doz to stay awake formed a line with some kind of squeegees after-game “tea” with the other team, which for class the next day! To be able to be and skated around behind one another consisted of cake and a beverage. These were a part of that activity again!! pushing off the snow to make the basic highlights, especially when you won. • Eagerly and attentively listening rink. Then the boards were put up. These to Sid Stockdale ’73 as he let third were fashioned out of two by fours and George S. Ledyard ’70 formers know that the most magical chicken wire and staked into the ice. Our I am Class of SKS ’70, so I was there when skate was when you had practice on “Zamboni” was ingenious- a tracker pulling the rink was first constructed, before roofs a cloudless moonlit night when the a giant water tank that emptied into a long or any such luxuries. My first year or so we temperatures were below 0; he was horizontal pipe with holes that spread the still skated on the pond. I have to say that right! hot water over the ice. I know of no other black ice was amazing, as was the wind chill • Being sadder than sad when a winter school we played that did not have a rink. coming down that open expanse of ice. It rain meant shutting the rink down, Cuyler Rink was built during my fifth certainly was far more beautiful than the which meant tremendous repair to the form year (I think) and we felt we had hit rink with the artificial ice, but I have to say ice surface once the front had passed. the big time. We did not have a roof in we felt in the lap of luxury when we had The rink lived and breathed. those days, so there still was shoveling and the new rink. The location was far more • The old Husky–John Farr and crew sweeping involved. Part of the rink facility sheltered which was a blessing for the fans keeping that machine running, truly a included new locker rooms which also were if not the players. We all had an investment labor of love! used for football and other sports so this was in that rink.. The whole school turned out • SKS 2-Westminster 2, winter of 1973 quite a luxury. The rink seemed to be used all to shovel the sand over the pipes once they

26 • The Hillside Winter 2014 Left to Right: 1971 Second Hockey Team Back, left to right: Manager Bernard, Bushman, S. Mitchell, W. Mitchell, Putnam, Dingman, Smith, Dowling, Cross, Quinn, Coach Abbott; Front, left to right: Anderson, Eadie, Michel, Chappell, Brockway, Carter , A. Smith, Andrews; Un-credited photo from 1970; Duane Stone’s Sixth Form portriate

were laid down. When it went into operation I entered SKS in the fall of 1966 as a 4th and took all day to shovel out. Since then I we felt that SKS had really hit the “big time.” former. Come wintertime the only sport have attended countless games and witnessed I have fond memories of screaming myself available was hockey, and everyone was the development of many fine players. I will hoarse down there by the boards. Have to required to play no matter what your level of miss Cuyler but cherish the many memories say it makes me feel old to hear there’s a new skill. Being a novice I played on the Tri-Pods it has blessed me with. rink coming... Am I really old enough to (aptly named for needing two legs and a have outlasted our old “new rink?” Guess so. hockey stick to stay upright). Back then the Tri-Pods played on Hatch Pond with a rink Eric Stoll ’70 consisting of 2 x 10 planks. Skating on Hatch Pond was a great source The varsity rink had full-size boards made of pride back in the day. We were clearly of 2 x 4’s and chicken wire. The black ice tougher than those schools with artificial on the pond gave SKS a distinct advantage rinks. Then came the Cuyler Rink. An over other schools that weren’t accustomed artificial rink at SKS! No Zamboni for us; to playing on such a surface. The entire we had a Husky (maybe that wasn’t the best school would attend the varsity games on plan...). At any rate, the day came for the Hatch Pond, whereupon in-between periods first skate on the new rink. The whole school we would all take brooms to sweep off the was there, ready to skate on this new marvel. surface...no Zambonis there. I tied on my skates and awaited the signal I believe my 6th form year was the first when we could hit the ice...we were finally year for Cuyler Rink. Although there was given permission. Over the boards I go... no roof, compared to the previous year, fortunately there was so much activity few we thought we were playing at Madison noticed that I still had my skate blade guards Square Garden. I played Senior Leagues on and promptly fell down several times that winter where our games were played before I noticed. I casually removed them after dinner under the lights. We couldn’t (praying that no one saw me) and skated wait to get down there. My team was called away. After my initial stupidity, I loved that The Puckhandlers, and we played others rink and have many fond memories of the such as Bell’s Angels, and Rabbit’s Raiders. night intramural games. No roof then, so we If there was a wind, which there always was, could still have some of that Hatch Pond the team skating against it was at a distinct “we’re tougher than you” attitude. disadvantage, but what great fun we had. I remember that winter a great blizzard that closed the school for the day actually Duane Stone ’69 filled Cuyler Rink to the top of the boards

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 27 inrecollection Now and Then

efore uyler BC Celie Brown Whittemore

Faculty ’58-’87 Celie Brown Whittemore & Joe Brown

KS is to have a new skating rink! This There were always several rinks as news caused great excitement and a there were three teams plus the “tripods” look to the future. It also caused some (beginners who relied on a hockey stick to Sof us to look to the past. hold them up). The varsity rink had pride I remember the Cuyler Rink when it of place in an area quite near shore, which was new and the excitement it caused both stayed as shady as possible. because it was one of the first artificial rinks Every afternoon all able-bodied school in the area and state-of-the-art – at that time boys and a number of faculty members – – also because it changed winter at SKS in a coaches plus others – gathered at the lake. very significant way. Everyone worked on the rinks but still had Joe Brown and I came to SKS in the fall of time to hone skating skills and have team 1947. We had heard that hockey was a very practices. On very cold days when it was also popular sport here – which was fortunate very windy, being there was a challenge. But as at the time it was the only winter sport. most days it was lovely there and everyone The first winter turned out to be a most was too busy to worry about the cold. The unusual one as it snowed so heavily very lower team rinks just had low boards (2x4s early in the season that Hatch Pond could or some such) but they still had to be swept not be used. All the skating that year was on and often flooded. To accomplish the latter, the so-called “Chapel Rink” (now the tennis holes were drilled in the ice, a pump inserted courts). It was a lot of work keeping good ice and a hose attached. here even in bitter cold and often involved The varsity rink required higher school boys taking turns flooding through maintenance through the same flooding the night. However, it was very convenient technique. When the weight of snow for spectators. shoveled to the side became so heavy that After that year, skating was on Hatch it was a strain on the sides of the rink Pond where maintaining good rinks involved area, Joe would bring out a machine which ingenuity and a lot of work. On the rather looked a bit like a hand-pushed plow. This rare occasions when the lake froze without had a motor plus a large, very sharptoothed snow, a large expansion of black ice made saw blade in the front. He would push this everything easier and we all enjoyed it. around the perimeter of the rink causing Skating over the entire lake on black ice is the rink ice to rise up. There was no guard a wonderful experience and the greatest fun between the operator and the blade but as anyone who has done it knows. Snow did luckily there were no mishaps. This rink add a complication. also had high boards made of some sort of

28 • The Hillside Winter 2014 “turkey wire” – not solid because of the wind. a group of volunteer divers came with the The photos on this page are of hockey on Hatch During a game, between periods, there was proper equipment and managed to bring up Pond, from before Cuyler Rink was built. of course no Zamboni. Instead there was an the tractor. This was not easy in murky water. army of school boys armed with brooms who To thank them, the school had a dinner for swept the rink with remarkable efficiency. (I them at the beginning of the next vacation. was once in the coffee room in time to see a They proved a lively group with colorful “Fuller Brush Man” with somewhat glazed stories of past rescues they had made. eyes listening as eager coaches explained that My children all learned to skate on Hatch they needed really sturdy brooms suitable for Pond, and we would enjoy watching practices sweeping rinks). and of course get excited at games. The low Also during games there would be “goal board rinks were sometimes quite close to judges.” Some faculty members would be each other – enough so that whistles could assigned to stand right behind each goal be confusing. I remember that Joe, a hunter, with no protective gear. It was their job to used to bring his duck call down and use that decide if a goal had actually been scored if instead of a whistle on one of the rinks. the puck went in and bounced out. This was The first year Cuyler Rink was in not an enviable job. operation, winter at SKS was indeed very During games there was always a large different. Everything was easier and more group of enthusiastic cheerers for our heroes. efficient, and all the refinements were Visiting teams usually parked on the road – much appreciated. I am sure both home players then put on their skates on the shore and visiting teams, especially, welcomed and skated across the lake to the rinks. I do having locker rooms in which to store their remember one time when there was actually gear. There were still plenty of enthusiastic beautiful black ice on the rink, and the coach cheerers, but now teams practiced at of the opposing team complained that it was different hours, and never again did most of too difficult to see the puck. the community work together in that united There were a few mishaps though all had project. So, as with many changes, much was good endings. John Deak often drove his gained, but also something was lost. tractor on the lake to help with the work. One day by some mischance the ice gave way, sending John and his tractor under water. He did get rescued promptly and made a good recovery but never went near Hatch Pond again. Later after the ice melted,

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 29 inrecollection Cuyler Rink 1968-1998

hen I was growing up in – an argument or a quick fight would ensue. Minnesota, we skated outdoors Most times, the two ‘combatants’ would all the time: local ponds, town- settle their differences alone, away from the maintainedW skating rinks with a set of group, as the game kept going. boards in the middle, streams and creeks. When I got a little older, organization By the time I started playing organized crept in. The peewee team had one practice hockey (at 11 or 12), we had moved to the a week (Wednesday nights) and then a Kenwood neighborhood of Minneapolis. game or two on the weekends. Uniforms: Our house was two blocks from the skating red and gold jerseys with ‘Kemps Ice Cream’ rink on Lake of the Isles. Every day, a city stitched across the front. Coaches. All of snow plow would creep out onto the ice the games were played outdoors on other and drive around in ever-increasing circles, city-maintained rinks. When I moved pushing the snow and ice to the perimeter. from peewee to bantam, it got even more There was indeed a hockey rink set in the organized in that we played more games and middle of that large area, and at the north traveled further afield – into the suburbs end there was a long loop they also plowed. like Edina and Bloomington and Wayzata Not only was that used by speed skaters for and St. Louis Park and Richfield. Once in a practice, but it also offered a nice diversion while, we might play a team from St. Paul. from skating on the rinks themselves. There At the end of that year, we qualified for was a large wooden warming house on the state tournament, which was played at the west bank where we changed in and the Wakota Arena – ‘The Cow Palace’ – in out of our skates and warmed ourselves South St. Paul. by the coal-burning pot-belly stove in the I attended Blake School, at the time center of the building. You could buy a soft an all-boys, K-12 day school in Hopkins, drink (or “bottle of pop,” as we called it in another suburb of Minneapolis. When I By Sam Simmons ’68 Minneapolis in those days) and a candy bar started at Blake, they maintained three from Big Al or Big John, the city employees hockey rinks, all natural ice, of course. So, who manned the place. when the school built a fully-enclosed arena I cannot recall a Thanksgiving when we with the machinery to maintain artificial ice, were not able to skate on Lake of the Isles. it was a very big deal in 1965. There were We would skate over there every day after few indoor arenas in the Twin Cities at the school until it was time to head home for time, and for a school to have its own was dinner. And then, most nights, we would go even rarer. back down and skate until 8:30. Weekends I have taken the time to set the stage, meant we could be there all day Saturday if you will, for the hockey scene at South and Sunday. Games were usually pick-up Kent School in the mid-60s. My family games: throw the sticks in a pile, and some- moved from Minneapolis to Philadelphia one would split them in half. The goals were in 1966, right in the middle of my IV either a pair of boots or chunks of snow. Form year at Blake, and we realized early No jerseys. No coaches. No whistles. Very on there were hardly any hockey options little equipment. Some guys wore hockey in the Philadelphia area at that time. The gloves, but most of us simply sported leather Flyers were part of the NHL expansion “choppers,” blue jeans, a sweater, and a wool in 1967-1968, so if I wanted to continue hat. And the game was on. I am not so sure playing, I would have to look farther afield. we kept score. And there certainly were My mother’s brothers had gone to SKS in not many traditional rules, as we paid little the early 40s, and since we knew virtually attention to off-sides or icing. There were nothing about eastern schools other than ‘infractions’ but those were either ignored, what we had from personal experience, she or – if it were one of a more egregious nature called the school and made an appointment

30 • The Hillside Winter 2014 Left: 1967 First Team, Back Row left to right: Coach Richards, Dalton, Townsend, Church, Mason, Rose, Coach Farr, Front Row left to right: Manager Hollinger, Wetherell, Simmons, McCoun, Raymond W, Raymond K., Hereford, Clapp; Below: Pond hockey in 1967

To me, the idea of everyone playing hockey, no matter what his skill level might be, was like for a visit in the spring of 1966. We drove up up with soft ice on warm days, or realize from Philadelphia, met with Art Smith (who there would be days when we could not dying and going to was the Director of Admissions) and Wynne skate at all went with the territory. While Wister (then the Headmaster) for a few the students supplied the muscle, the heaven. hours in the afternoon. And it was settled: I coaches and other faculty and staff members would start in the V Form in September. provided the expertise. Noble Richards, The rinks at SKS at that time were down John Farr, George Bartlett, Joe Brown, and on Hatch Pond. Typically, there were three: Paul Abbott were ably assisted by Victor two with low boards (2”x12”) for the lower and John Deak operating the heavy-duty teams and ‘leagues’ (intramural teams) and Gravely snow blowers, tractors, plows, the one with regular boards (as regular as one ancient power saw to cut the ice, the plane, might call boards made with ‘turkey wire,’ and the “Gooseroni,” a Rube Goldberg-like a heavy-gauge mesh material stretched contraption that was pulled behind a tractor tightly over frames made of 2’x4’s, which and used to flood the ice with hot water. The were anchored to the ice. The boards were expression “it takes a village” just may have constructed in this manner because were grown from the School’s remarkable efforts they made of some rigid material (e.g., to maintain these rinks under the cliffs along wood planks or plywood), they would have the west side of the pond. been blown down or away by the wind The reality of it was not necessarily so howling down the valley. Please know that sentimental. While there are hundreds of the athletic options in those days at SKS terrific stories about the rinks on the lake were much more limited than they are now. (and the efforts to maintain ‘land rinks’ Everyone in school played football in the fall, earlier, between St. Michael’s Chapel and and everyone played hockey in the winter. the Garfield House, on the tennis courts We made some choices in the springtime: between the Chapel and the Bartlett House, baseball, crew, or tennis. To me, the idea of on the fields below the Brown Gymnasium, everyone playing hockey, no matter what to name a few), it was a tough battle every his skill level might be, was like dying and year, and when the temperatures were too going to heaven. That we were expected warm or there was too much rain, there was to scrape the ice after practice, shovel the little to be done. The First Team in 1966- snow when it accumulated on the rinks, put 1967 played thirteen games and practiced

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 31 Cuyler Rink 1968-1998

several evenings on the Nadal Rink at Kent example of taking a village to complete a and went to work. It was awfully slow going, School, which had artificial ice making most worthy task, I would also offer that it but we were making some progress. Through equipment and was covered but had no was a labor of love and great pride, as some the course of the morning, waves of students ends or sides. Of the schools we played of the latter stories well bear out. would show up during their free periods and that season (Canterbury twice, Hotchkiss, As was written in the 1968 SKS Yearbook, man the shovels. By lunch time, the rink was Darrow, Kent, Hopkins Grammar, “The (1968) hockey season proved to be completely clear of snow, so I called Avon Westminster, Millbrook twice, Gunnery, a period of radical change for South Kent to let them know we would be hosting the Salisbury, Berkshire, and Lenox), two were as well as one of rewarding success. There game on the Cuyler Rink. The boys had covered but did not have refrigeration was none of the seemingly interminable also shoveled the walk from the parking lot systems (Millbrook and Salisbury), four days of midwinter thaw this year thanks to the Fieldhouse, cleared off the benches, had artificial ice but no covers (Canterbury, to the addition of the Richard M. Cuyler and the entry way to the lower level. When Hotchkiss, Westminster, and Gunnery), two Rink, which provided a beautiful sheet ice the Avon bus arrived at 1:30, they could not had covers and ice making equipment (Kent sheet despite various inclemencies of New believe the work that had been done. The and Berkshire), and three were skating on England weather. Another major change piles of snow surrounding the rink provided natural surfaces without covers (Darrow, from the norm was the team’s participation excellent viewing for the spectators that Hopkins, and Lenox). in the Lawrenceville Tournament during afternoon. When the SKS Board of Trustees made December, which presented to the players on There were indeed some spectacular the decision to build a rink with artificial the squad (an) excellent experience and fine afternoons and evenings on the rink before ice making equipment, the original plans competition.” the cover was added. Brilliant sun, pristine included a cover (these drawings are The new rink did indeed provide a snow drifts, and starry nights, however, were included in an old issue of the South Kent much more consistent sheet of ice. The mixed with howling winds, driving rain, and Quarterly); the fact was there was enough lights allowed for evening practice, which bitter cold. The sun and warm temperatures money for the refrigeration systems, but were necessary because all five teams were made keeping the ice a real challenge, and the cover would have to wait until the skating on the Cuyler Rink. Even with a there were times when we were compelled 1985-1986 season. The construction was rotating schedule of practices times, there to postpone games and cancel practices completed in late December of 1967, and were skaters on the rink until 10 o’clock because the ice was not usable. By the late we were able to use it when we returned most nights. When the School eventually 70s, SKS was the last school to be using an from Christmas vacation in early January of purchased the first ice resurfacer, the uncovered rink. Millbrook and Salisbury 1968. If I am not mistaken, the first person maintenance of the sheet became much had added refrigeration systems, Canterbury, to skate on the aptly-named Cuyler Rink more efficient. The Tennant Husky could Gunnery, and Westminster had covered their was Andy Richards, the youngest son of pick up the water when it rained, but the rinks, Hotchkiss had built a new facility, long-time faculty members, Noble and Liz snow still had to be blown off with the and Darrow, Hopkins, and Lenox no longer Richards. Andy’s first strides on the smooth Gravely machines and lots of shovels. I can fielded hockey teams. Through the 70s and ice surface marked a new beginning for SKS recall one January when we had a massive 80s, as the SKS schedule included more hockey. Those first years of the new rink blizzard the day before we were scheduled teams, many of them farther away, it was were still awfully rudimentary: the Wister to host Avon Old Farms. John Gardner, becoming more and more apparent that no Field House was not built until later, so the Avon coach, had called the night before matter how quaint the uncovered rink may players changed in the Field House and the game, graciously offering to switch the have been, no matter how many magnificent walked down to the rink to put their skates contest to their rink, which was completely nights we were able to enjoy skating under on, either on the benches or in the Round enclosed. I thanked him for the offer and the stars, it was still a real challenge to keep a House, where there was plenty of room, as told him I would let him know at 12 noon decent sheet. the first ice resurfacer - a Tennant Husky - the next day. Early the next morning, John The School made a commitment to did not arrive until later. The rink did have a Farr and I met at the rink to assess the start the construction of the roof, aiming scoreboard (given to the school by the family situation. The snow was so deep and had to have it ready for the 1985-1986 season. of Ted Church ’67, a wing on that last team drifted so much overnight that we could not The foundation work to tie the concrete to play on Hatch Pond). The scraping and see the tops of the boards or the benches; abutments together had been in place shoveling and planing, as well as the flooding only the screenings at each end of the rink since the rink itself was installed in 1967. and painting, were done by the students and were visible. We decided we would give it a The laminated wooden arches arrived on faculty members. If indeed this was still an shot and so fired up the two snowblowers huge trailers and were lifted into place by a

32 • The Hillside Winter 2014 massive crane. Once the arches and beams and flooding and painting and planing and were bolted together, the 2” pine decking shoveling and snow blowing the Cuyler was nailed and the shingling began. The Rink, and later driving the Zamboni for translucent ends could not be installed until what seemed like forever. We could not the walls were in place, so we began the have done it without the effort and support 85-86 season with just the roof in place. The of the rest of the “village.” But, now, those masons and other contractors would work memories, many of which have been through January to finish the project, and rekindled as I have worked on this piece, are finally the rink was completely enclosed. But indeed quite nostalgic. Those efforts were the boys on that First Team that year (Matt an important part of my life at the School, Dickson, Chris Pinkerton, John Amico, and they are right where they ought to be: Sarge Luke, Rob Young, Jeff Moore, Paul ensconced in my memory. Pechmann, Brian Cosgrove, Rich Wood, As I prepared to gather these thoughts, I Paul Young, Doug Pinkerton, Doug Wunder, spent hours looking through the yearbooks Ford Draper, Rick Hart, Peter Johnson, of the years I was directly involved, and Henry Brownell, Larry Miano, and manager fondly recalled SKS boys and games and Sam Dickerson) will never forget the first opponents and fellow coaches, all too time it rained during an evening practice numerous to mention. It seemed as if it were and we did not have to leave the ice, we did almost yesterday that we were getting ready not get wet, we could continue the practice to play one more game at the rink or pack session. We stopped practice that night and our bags and load the vans for another away had a little ceremony at center ice. Lying on game or tournament. our backs, we pointed our upraised sticks to And along with the memories of the the roof, and offered a prayer of thanks to St. players on those SKS teams and the games Maurice, the patron saint of rink roofs. played through the years, I have been able to The Cuyler Rink, in its present form, has dig out so many others associated with the been the site of tremendous growth and Cuyler Rink: Sparkle and Flax, the Richards’ expansion of the hockey program at South faithful Yellow Labradors, fetching the pucks Kent School. The words written in the shot out of the rink and bringing them back ’68 yearbook were prophetic, weren’t they? to the bench; faculty broomball games at The ‘radical change’ and ‘rewarding success’ Christmastime; driving home on South Kent through the years have been remarkable. The Road from Kent, and coming around the evolution and improvements of the facilities corner along Hatch Pond and seeing the rink – from the land rinks to those on Hatch lights aglow in the winter sky; leaving the Pond to the artificial ice without the cover to ice between periods of a Gunnery game to the present rink – have allowed the hockey be told that Charlie Whittemore and Celie Above: Students and Faculty clear the ice before the program to grow in ways that may seem hard Brown had announced their engagement, rink had a roof; Below: The first beam goes up for to believe. But as I put my six decades of and who but Rusty Funnell would just Cuyler Rink’s roof involvement with the sport into perspective happen to have a bottle of champagne and think back to my own exposure to and chilling in his refrigerator; Allie Funnell involvement with its evolution – at SKS and at her same spot along the boards at the everywhere else – I see that the time has southeast corner; building the raised team come for a facility that can meet the school’s benches on the north side and modeling needs. them after those in the Montreal Forum; and When I look back on the two years I the list goes on and on. was a student at SKS and then the twenty I can only assume that the new rink will years when I served as a faculty member provide as many wonderful moments and and hockey coach, I know I shall retain the memories for the players and coaches and memories I had working on the pond rinks, spectators in the years to come.

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 33 inperson Alumnus Profile John Pollard ‘82

t South Kent School, it is both the Kent, Connecticut, at the start of Fourth diversity of heritage and of talents Form. Looking back, he says that, “The that make our student body and whole experience of leaving home at 15 to multi-facetedA group of alumni so unique. go live with a bunch of strangers is stepping While some of our alumni/ae are known out of a comfort zone in its purest sense.” for their entrepreneurial ventures, some for So what brought Pollard here? With both their athletic achievements and some for of his parents gearing up for sabbaticals their artistic endeavors, all share something in Asia as University of Michigan faculty in common. Every student who steps foot members, they hoped for a more stable on the Hillside, whether as a day student experience for their son in boarding school or a boarder, walks out of his comfort zone in the United States. Similar to many and into a new way of community living. alumni, Pollard found and enrolled at South He takes on challenges and is encouraged Kent School at the suggestion of a family to take appropriate risks. He grows, learns friend. and moves on to his role in the world with Pollard described his experience at South the tools he has gained alongside a band of Kent School as “overwhelmingly positive, brothers. mostly because of the people, the place and Our students, who come from all over the its traditions.” He reminisced on some of United States and the world, have varied the School’s traditions, recalling that he stories of how their paths led to the Hillside. can remember most of Geoffrey Chaucer’s One such alumnus, John Pollard ’82, grew up prologue to The Canterbury Tales, and that in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but ended up over he can get “all the way through Come, Labor 650 miles away from home in rural South On.”

34 • The Hillside Winter 2014 Fast-forward almost 35 years, and Pollard has a successful career in technology, having spent time at large companies like Microsoft and in entrepreneurial pursuits as well. He resides in Seattle, Washington, with his wife of 22 years and two daughters, ages 16 and 19. Pollard received a BA in History from Kenyon College, which he attended “mostly because I fell in love with the place, and perhaps a little because Paul Abbott [49- year South Kent faculty veteran and current Senior Master and Alumni Secretary] went there; he always seemed like a pretty smart guy.” Now launching his own social sports app, Sprio, Pollard came back to speak with South Kent and reflect on his personal journey. Surprisingly, Pollard was a History major John and classmates from the Class of 1982 when he got his first taste of the tech arena path for him either, this Boston connection at their 30th reunion at Kenyon College, a private Ohio liberal would bring him further than expected. arts college about 60 miles northeast of “Not long thereafter, I was in a bar in Columbus. “I was on a lot of loans and London (no, really) and met a Boston needed work-study money, and I ended up guy who worked at a very cool systems being a student manager in the Computing integration company called Cambridge Center on the late shift for my junior and Technology Group,” he said. “We hit it off, senior years,” he said. This led Pollard to and my career in tech was off and running. I enroll in several computer programming worked there for two years, went to business courses, which piqued his interest and school at University of Michigan, and then The gift is that at allowed him to attain a Computer Science got recruited out to Seattle by Microsoft in minor. Still, his path to success was not 1993.” the most important always straightforward, particularly early Microsoft was an exciting company to on in his college and post-college years. work for in the early 90s, “growing wildly, period of character Thankfully, he was not new to challenges, with crazy projects every which way you such as making a new home at South Kent looked,” Pollard said. There, he started development you’re in and learning how to work with different building a consumer business and then a relatively safe place types of people at the School, whether peers, went on to work in the “massive” business students or coaches. of Office. Starting in 1996, Pollard saw the to be challenged, listen A college senior in 1986, Pollard took trend in web businesses and jumped on interest in the Foreign Service. After board, starting at Yelp-predecessor Sidewalk. to feedback, and grow spending a summer abroad and passing com and then Expedia.com. In 2001, Pollard – across a lot of facets. the entrance exam, he interviewed and the wanted to work in mobile phones and outcome was not what he had hoped. “I got decided to go back to Microsoft because he crushed, mostly because I was just young thought it was the place to innovate in this and a bit, well, undiplomatic,” he admitted. area. He realized after some time that this Pollard then decided to go in a completely was a large corporation with great people, different direction, moving to Boston with a but they were stuck in “gridlock.” He left college friend and working at a global public to start his own business because it would health think tank at Harvard University. give him the freedom to create without the Although this did not end up being the right obstacles of the large corporate structure.

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 35 Alumnus Profile

This venture into entrepreneurial territory was a great growth environment, whether was the beginning of Pollard’s company, in sports, in the classroom, in Chapel, or Jott. “Our idea was that you should be able in the many hours just being with people I to press a button on your phone, speak, and trusted and who knew me uniquely well,” he have transcribed text put anywhere you said. “The gift is that at the most important want: in a To Do list, into Google Calendar, period of character development you’re in a a text message, etc.” Sound familiar? That’s relatively safe place to be challenged, listen to because, as Pollard explained, “It was a feedback, and grow – across a lot of facets.” precursor to Siri. We had some interesting Pollard thrived while on the Hillside, but patents and sold the company to Nuance in he has also taken the principles he learned 2009, where I spent several years building a with him throughout his life. “SKS honors messaging business.” Although the innovator hard work, discipline, honesty and focusing decided to move on and leave Nuance in on the essentials. Those are good things to January 2013, Pollard still looks back and live by,” he said. sees this period as truly valuable, calling Jott And what can current South Kent “easily the best professional experience of my students learn from Pollard? He suggests life to date.” watching Steve Jobs’ Stanford University But with a mind like Pollard’s – always commencement address on YouTube. looking to the future of cutting edge Beyond that, Pollard urged, “Make the most advancements – his creativity and ideas of your time on the Hillside – it goes by are coming to fruition in fresh ways now quickly.” more than ever. Enter Sprio, an original app created by Pollard, his Jott co-founder Shree Madhavapeddi and Facebook’s first Seattle employee, and chat-engine creator Ramesh Vyaghrapuri. According to Pollard, Sprio is “an app with a simple but powerful mission: to help foster amazing team life.” He describes the goals and future of the program: “We want coaches, players, parents and team fan/followers to be able to 1) have an incredibly easy time connecting and sharing content during the season, and 2) be able to look back and easily re-experience all the many teams and people. In-season it’s a powerful tool for communication and content sharing. At other times it’s a network of your sports life. We think there are about a billion people who would like using it. We’re just getting started and have amazing plans.” With a clearly successful and prolific career, Pollard got the support and encouragement he needed during a vital time to launch him into the world. And this influence is quite clear today, with South CHECK OUT Kent being featured prominently on Sprio’s website and also as one of the primary beta www.sprio.net testers for the program. “South Kent School

36 • The Hillside Winter 2014 Schedule of Events Friday, June 13 Friday Arrivals

• Early Arrivals For those of you arriving Friday evening, a dormitory room assignment sheet will be posted • Reunion Dinners (arranged by class) in the Dining Hall. Refreshments will also be available in the Dining Hall. Please make yourselves at Saturday, June 14 home.

8:30 a.m. • Registration in the Dining Hall

• Continental Breakfast

9:30 a.m. • Campus Tour – meet in the Courtyard

• School Store Display and Sales on ground floor of Old Building (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

10:00 a.m. Presentation: State of School and Alumni Presentation: “In My Day...” Alumni Weekend Head of School Andy Vadnais will discuss highlights of the 2013-2014 school year. Immediately following, the members of the Class of ’64 will lead returning alums in a lively recount of their memories of their time here on June 13-15, 2014 the Hillside.

ALL ALUMNI ARE WELCOME 11:45 a.m. Ceremonial Ground Breaking for the The Admiral James & Sybil Stockdale Arena TO COME JOIN US HERE ON 12:30 p.m. Welcome Back Lunch in the Dining Hall THE HILLSIDE! *If you are interested in rowing on Hatch Pond in the afternoon, please let us know so that we will have a crew shell ready for you. For more info, visit: 2:00 p.m. Center for Innovation Open House - Buses start leaving from courtyard at www.southkentschool.org/reunion 1:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m. Cardinal and Black Softball Game

6:00 p.m. Alumni Memorial Chapel Service in St. Michael’s Chapel

6:30 p.m. Reception, cocktails, dinner and dancing in the Brown Gymnasium

Sunday, June 15

9:00 a.m. Chapel (Communion Service)

9:30 a.m. Brunch

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 37 involved The Fossil Report

THE 49 YEAR BOY

n May of 1965, on a glorious sunny Sunday morning, Terese and I drove for the first time up the old road by the Ifootball field. The new entrance was recently completed, but I had not been back to South Kent since my visits while a student at Mill- brook in the mid-1950s and I did not know much about it. We had come to interview with the Headmaster, Wynne Wister, about a possible job teaching chemistry and third The answer to the first question may form science. My father had watched the surprise you. Although I have never left, South Kent/Millbrook baseball game with my job changed often and in many ways Doc Whittemore the previous Wednesday, that makes the progress of my career much and Charlie told him Wynne was looking for more diverse than most jobs in the “real someone like me. world.” Thus, I never got into a rut that Married less than a year, with a 2-month- many folks do. A short list of examples old daughter, we were living on Long Island will show what my life has actually been. I and I was teaching at Uniondale High have taught biology, ecology, and physical School. It was not a fun situation for Terese. science, and a 4th form religion course on She had already related to the kind of life my St. John’s Gospel! I have coached hockey, parents had as long-time faculty members at football, and crew. I was a dorm master in Millbrook, and, when she realized we could Bartlett. I have been Director of Activities, do likewise at South Kent, she became very Dean of Students, College Counselor, Dean enthusiastic about the move. of Academic Affairs, and believe it or not, We went back to Long Island and closed Business Manager. down the school year, coming to the Hillside My final task here in the Development formally in August. Forty-nine years later Office as Alumni Secretary is certainly we are still here! We never expected that the fitting as I know so many of you! I have place would become our focus for a lifetime. reinvented myself many times as the needs of Although we have lived in our own home in the School required, and I guess I fit the Old Kent for the past twenty-three years, South Man’s definition of how to handle a school Kent School has been my real home. This master: hire him and let him make his own June will be my last month as a member job. Each of these tasks was the right task for of the faculty, and although I have mixed me at the time I did it. emotions, I am very much ready! The second question is more complex. As this is my last fossil report, I am going The academic world as well as the social to answer two questions often asked of me. framework for our country has changed The first is how have I managed to do the tremendously in the last 50 years. When I same job all of these years? The second is first came into teaching, we were in a “brain what changes have I seen at South Kent in race” with Russia to get into space. Science response to changes in the outside world? was king but we did all of our calculations Let’s begin. on a slide rule. To be honest with you, many

38 • The Hillside Winter 2014 of the issues we discussed in graduate school is enriched by special courses in the CFI still are with us but the technology we can and the three Affinity Groups. The Prep bring to bear now is extraordinary. Today’s Basketball and Soccer teams and the Selects young men have many more tools to use. Hockey Teams create real challenges for The key issue is still making the world a time-management. Many different extra- better place for our own lives and future curricular activities round out the day. generations. Although we talked about You can even have pizza delivered to the ecological issues in the 1970s, South Kent courtyard, and we have a snack bar where is now really offering ecology work, through you can buy a hamburger in the evening. the CFI experiences, that prepares our young Obviously, some things have had to change men to make a difference. to make room for all of these activities, but When we arrived, life on the Hillside the bottom line is the School has never had was very Spartan and, in many ways, very so many really comfortable and supportive dull. We had a drawbridge mentality that students. It is working. manifested itself in the famous phrase Let me end by assuring you that the sense “Pigtail against the World.” We were right of community and the relationships forged and everyone else was wrong. It certainly with faculty and fellow students is still very made tasks simpler, but it was not a lifestyle much a part of our culture. The bonds that that prepared boys for college and beyond. tie us all together are stronger than ever. I remember one young man who called me We have learned how to change and grow from college upset because his bike had been without losing the important things that stolen. I asked him if he had locked it. He really matter. The place continues to amaze said, “No.” He never had to worry at South me, and I know I am leaving it in good Kent, and he was only at the library. In all hands. fairness, the lifestyle of South Kent in the Terese and I look forward to seeing you at period preceding 1970 worked, but when the Alumni Day in June. social changes in our culture began, things needed to be different. With all the coming and going we now have for the boys, it is hard to imagine a life with no extra food, no Paul L. Abbott TV, and no trips to Kent! Alumni Secretary Today, South Kent is an extraordinarily Senior Master busy place. The extensive academic program [email protected] Paul and his grandson Corey Greenberg ’14

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 39 intouch Class Notes

RETIREMENT BIG MOVE BIRTH

ANNOUNCMENT MARRIAGE NEW JOB JUST CHECKING? IN ALUMNI GET TOGETHER We’d love to hear from you! Please remember to send in your class notes by mail, or email Carol-Ann Bruen [email protected]. Don’t forget the picture! Noble Richards and Chuck Everett will be on the Hillside for Alumni Weekend; will you? 1945 1954 Ray Anderson Noble Richards Alan Greener I fondly remember playing on the and Chuck Everett I am helping out as the class “Ham ‘n Eggers” on the land rink We are helping out as the class agent for our class. Come join behind the chapel in 1943. agents for our class. Come join me for our 60th Reunion. Alumni us for our 65th Reunion. Alumni Weekend is June 13-15, 2014. Weekend is June 13-15, 2014. For more information visit: 1948 For more information visit: www.southkentschool.org/reunion Richard R. Cuyler www.southkentschool.org/reunion I am keeping fit, juggling and performing Dickens when called Stephen W. Rule upon at picnics, fairs and festivals. You may rest assured that my 1952 calendar has been blocked out for Bill Reynolds William (Rusty) Alumni Weekend, June 13-15, in Thanks to my 5 classmates who Funnell anticipation of my 60th Reunion. attended our 65th reunion in Allie and I prosper on Cape Cod I will be there - even if I must hire June, 2013! I will make plans to where shellfish are plentiful special people to take care of me! see you all again in 2018 for our and SKS friends even more My very best wishes to Andy, who 70th! so: Goddard, Bartlett, Cuyler, has, in my humble opinion, been Richards, Dingman, Worthington, the best thing for SKS since we McClenahan, Woodward clans; began coloring the lard - that’d be 1949 SKS families. almost 60 years ago! Frazer Crane At 84 still enjoying good health - Playing tennis twice a week, Hank Steele even in the hot summer months 1953 The real estate business is slowly when it was almost 110°. Active Anthony Crossley improving here in the Coachella in several clubs here in our As we begin our 11th year, Valley - Yea! retirement community, in nice, Including Kids is about to sign And our strengthening economy sunny, warm Florida. Our new a contract for our own building, here means that things are Anglican Church will close on formerly a Kelsey Seybold clinic. improving elsewhere - Yea! five acres of land to build a new With 1 child in 88 being classified church building on the grounds as autistic, it is indeed a scary of our school. situation.

40 • The Hillside Winter 2014 1955 1962 1967 Ernest Cady Peter Wise David Chamberlain Rob Bauer Ernest is doing well, although I only attended SKS for a single Everything is going well in Remembering JFK’s death: I physically disabled. He is enjoying year - 2nd form, 1951-1952. Mr. Durango. We will be having a 3rd was a 3rd Former living in the his days playing cribbage and still Bartlett told my mother that I was grandchild in February – very Field House with the original 8 is an avid fan of football, baseball, not college material. I now have 5 exciting! Our new Bichon Frise members of the class of ’67. My golf and tennis. He also loves college degrees and an honorary will be 2 in January and travels father had died 6 days before, music and enjoys local concerts. D.D. I am an avid environmentalist everywhere with us – a great and I had just returned to school and own 160 acres in the woods companion. My very best to all after his funeral. I remember the of South Oregon. SKS helped me my friends and classmates in our whole school gathering in the in ways too numerous to mention. 52nd year. The School looks great! large class room on the 1st floor Thanks to all. of the Schoolhouse, where the School’s only TV was. Classes were 1964 cancelled, and we sat transfixed Warren Bicknell watching Walter Cronkite talk us I am helping out as the class thru a national tragedy. There agent for our class. Come join were many rivers of tears among me for our 50th Reunion. Alumni even the tough 6th Formers. We 1960 Weekend is June 13-15, 2014. were many days returning to Bill Ainley For more information visit: normal as was the nation, and www.southkentschool.org/reunion soon we were on our way to live our lives in a world where Camelot would only exist on TV or Samuel Coes, Jr. Broadway. Finally retired in April 2013. I can I have been the general manager be found on the ocean on “The at Beals Lobster Pier in Southwest Belle” during summer or in my wood shop in winter. Looking forward to seeing all in June for our 50th.

1965 Joe Neuhaus Still living in Houston and still a Financial Advisor, I spend part of my time at Morgan Stanley. My wife, Lisa, and I have two married daughters, ages 27 and 30. Our oldest has an 18-month- old daughter Annabelle who, you can see from the picture to the right, is a Baltimore Ravens fan. I hope that all is well on The Hill. Regards, Joe

Joe Neuhaus’ granddaughter Annabelle

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 41 Class Notes

Harbor, Maine, for the past 3 manager of the Port Authority years. 30 boats unload 1 million Transit Corporation commuter lbs a year of lobster here, and rail line. Cornelius, who began we service 25 restaurants with his railroad career in 1976 as an lobster and other items during Amtrak train attendant, was a the tourist season as well. Would manager in Philadelphia, New like to retire, but daughter’s York, and Washington during wedding and high health his 30 years with Amtrak. From insurance deductibles have put 2009 to 2013, he was senior that on hold for a while. Medicare operations manager for Keolis Rail is only 6 months away. Halleluiah! Services, a French company that Hope I live to see it. Kids are runs the Virginia Railway Express great, grandkids are greater, and commuter service in northern have been married now for 42 Virginia and Washington. years to the greatest woman on Above: Newlyweds John Patrick Slavin earth. Lucky to have a lawyer 1980 and Kalumba Veronica Chisambisha. Right hand page, clockwise from son and daughter-in-law doctor, 1977 Patrick Slavin top to bottom: Beth, Nate Lusk and jazz trumpeter youngest son Betsy Provost-Mastin Kalumba Veronica Chisambisha newborn Riley Susannah Lusk; Two and great actress daughter who I was living in Rome, Georgia, and John Patrick Slavin were photos of newlyweds Drew Yarwood is married to a great guy who is and taught Elementary Art for 16 married on August 30 in Lusaka, and Christine Nava: Ritchie Bros. General Manager and Regional Sales a teacher in the Bronx and has years, in a public school. Currently Zambia. Mrs. Chisambisha-Slavin, Manager Chris Edwards on left with fantastic health insurance! I am starting my 6th year a communications and marketing associates. teaching art at Tupelo Christian consultant, graduated from Peter Ramsey Preparatory School, in Tupelo, MS. Roma Girls Secondary School of After 17 years as Secretary of the I am married to Nathan, a minister. Lusaka and holds two degrees Academy for Phillips Academy, I I am currently working on my in Communications from Kuban am stepping aside to work with a second doctorate in Bible studies, State University of Krasnodar, group of key benefactors. During through Covington Theological Russia. Mr. Slavin graduated this time Andover raised more Seminary, out of Chattanooga, TN. from the University of California, than $570M from alumni, parents Berkeley, where he was co-captain and friends. of the men’s rowing team, and Joseph (Jay) Swan holds a Master’s of Science I left McKinsey and Co. Consulting degree from the New School 1969 in September to take an IT University. He was a foreign Duane Stone Engagement Manager position correspondent based in Port-au- I am helping out as the class with Pathways Consulting Group. Prince, Haiti, from 1990-93 where agent for our class. Come join Enjoy working from home. I still he worked for the Washington me for our 45th Reunion. Alumni continue to be a youth lacrosse Post, Newsweek, Miami Herald, Weekend is June 13-15, 2014. coach during the spring months. Newsday and CNN, among For more information visit: many others. His travel writing www.southkentschool.org/reunion has appeared in the New York 1979 Times and the Washington Post. Sarge Pickman Patrick has worked for the United 1974 I am helping out as the class Nations since 1995, currently Bennett M. Cornelius agent for our class. Come join serving as UNICEF’s Chief of The Delaware River Port Authority me for our 35th Reunion. Alumni Communications in Lusaka after hired veteran Amtrak and private Weekend is June 13-15, 2014. completing postings in Haiti, railroad manager Bennett M. For more information visit: Liberia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Cornelius as assistant general www.southkentschool.org/reunion Rwanda.

42 • The Hillside Winter 2014 1982 1986 Tim Dodge David Speck 2001 Renovating a 114-year-old Just wanted to say hello to the Nate Lusk antique house and adding a Hillside and to announce to my Beth and Nate Lusk are proud new second floor, master suite is friends from the class of ‘86 that to announce the birth of Riley keeping us busy. We should be I’ve finally gotten married. On Susannah Lusk on February 21, ready to move back in by early the 3rd of July, I married Ane 2014. Beth (a Patriots fan) and spring. However, full completion Kristine Bell (Copenhagen) in a Nate (a Broncos fan) have been will likely be early summer. We ceremony on the island of Oahu. living in the Denver area but are looking forward to having Brother Mark (SKS ‘88) was Best expect to be moving back to New a real kitchen sink again. Doing Man. We’re now back living in England sometime this year. dishes in a tiny ½ bathroom sink is Tamarama, Australia and looking getting old! forward to a trip back to the Hillside sometime in the summer 2003 of 2014. Drew Yarwood 1983 Drew was married on November Bradley Hastings 9, 2013, to Christine Nava. Residing in Boston area with my 1987 Drew and Christine live in wife Stephanie the past 20 years. Chris Edwards Denver, where he works for I started WOOF LLC dba Crate In my 21st year of living in Peak Environmental, a small Escape in 2004, which provides Asia, I am happy to have been environmental company. Drew climate controlled play space General Manager of Ritchie Bros. expects to go back to school this for dogs to roam off leash in the Auctioneers in China and leading fall for a Masters in Psychology city. Our locations are essentially Ritchie Bros. to becoming the from Naropa University. private dog parks for well- first ever wholly foreign-owned mannered, social dogs. Today we auction company to receive employ 55 people with locations such a status from the Chinese 2004 in Boston, Cambridge and government and to conduct Steven Bruen Belmont MA. It’s been an amazing auctions here. I am helping out as the class experience witnessing the growth I have been living here in Beijing agent for our class. Come join of this company first-hand and of since 2005 and was lucky to have me for our 10th Reunion. Alumni myself as a business owner. SKS spent two years in Beijing while Weekend is June 13-15, 2014. instilled in me some great work fellow SKS alum Alan Williamson For more information visit: ethics and people skills necessary and his wife were based here in www.southkentschool.org/reunion to be successful in business. ’05-’06.

1984 Chris Farr and Curtis Himy We are helping out as the class agents for our class. Come join us for our 30th Reunion. Alumni Weekend is June 13-15, 2014. For more information visit: www.southkentschool.org/reunion

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 43 Class Notes

2007 2009 Former faculty Sergiy Sorkolat Jesse Bruen Duncan Berry Sergiy is engaged to be married I am helping out as the class My daughter, Alison (BFA Moore this July to Anxhena Azo. The agent for our class. Come join College ‘11) was engaged to wedding will take place in me for our 5th Reunion. Alumni Kevin Castaldo (BFA, Philadelphia Pogradec, Albania (where Weekend is June 13-15, 2014. Arts ‘10) in August. The wedding Anxhena’s family hails from), but For more information visit: will take place on September afterwards the couple will return www.southkentschool.org/reunion 8th, 2014 in Beacon,NY. Alison is to live near White Plains, NY. Since employed as a graphic artist by graduating from Manhattanville Federal Jeans in NYC. While I’m College, Sergiy has worked for 2010 on the subject of the Berry kids: a company in White Plains that Fabio Pereira Matthew is finishing his BS in serves the banking industry, Fabio has signed with the MLS game program design at Full Sail and he is the proud owner Team, the Seattle Sounders. “I’ve University, Jen is an illustration of ShuttleMe, a door-to-door worked so hard all my life for this major at Rhode Island School of transportation service between moment, and I am extremely Design, and Brian just started Westchester County and the New blessed for it,” Pereira said. “I want at Bergen County College as a York airports. to thank all my friends and family computer science major. My wife, who have helped me get to where Beth, is a grocery manager with I am and tell you that this is just Stop and Shop... I’m starting my 2008 the beginning...in fact, now is 12th year at Saddle River Day John Miller when the real challenge begins!” School. Part of my heart will I graduated in June with a BA always be on The Hillside. in Communication from the University of Washington, and 2011 Cecile Whittemore I was recently promoted to Shayne I am now a great-grandmother. Account Executive for KOMO4, Gostisbehere My daughter Nan’s son, Benjy the ABC affiliate in Seattle. I enjoy Shayne helped bring his team, and his wife Katrina have a little working in this industry that I the Union Dutchmen, the NCAA girl, born November 13, 2013. Her am passionate about. For one Division I Men’s Ice Hockey name is Seren Cecile Mason. We fun fact, my first experience in Championship as well as being are thrilled! broadcasting was with AMG at named MVP. He has also officially South Kent. In my free time, I am signed to the NHL team, the playing men’s league lacrosse for Philadelphia Flyers. Coopers, a team my dad (Steve Miller ‘78) helped start back in early ‘90s because of his love for 2012 the game that he learned to play Devin Garrison on the Hillside. In the fall, I am Devin continues to thrive at coaching Ballard Junior Football St. Michael’s College and was (the program that taught me to the only freshman to make the Left, Top to Bottom: John Miller, play football when I was growing varsity golf team! He continuously during his internship with KOMO4 up). I am keeping busy and conveys his great respect for TV, interviewing his SKS classmate Isaiah Thomas ’08, who was then a staying healthy, and I look forward South Kent and all that the faculty basketball star at the University of to visiting the Hillside once again and staff did for him during what Washington; Fabio Pereira scoring his soon. he calls the “most important year” first goal with the Seattle Sounders; of his life. Shayne Gostisbehere with the NCAA Ice Hockey National Championship Trophy

44 • The Hillside Winter 2014 inprint Alumni Author

Fortuneby John Bridwell Found Severance ’54 recounts the adventures of a part-Shawnee Indian lad, Nate Taggart, as he travels from backwoods Virginia to the goldfields of California via the Ohio River, the Mississippi, and Panama in the middle of young America’s 19th century. On his journey, Nate sees much of the new nation’s ethnic diversity and learns some significant lessons before finding his fortune.

John B. Severance has published young adult biographies of Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. He is also the author of Skyscrapers: How America Grew Up and Braving the Fire: A Civil War Novel.

Recently published? Please let us know, and please consider donating a copy of your book to The Martin A. Henry Library’s “Alumni Authors” collection. Not only will our students be impressed by the scholarly and literary accomplishments of alumni, but we will gratefully list your publication on the SKS website’s “Alumni Authors” page! All book donations are considered gifts-in-kind to the School. Please visit www.southkentschool. org/authors to see a more complete list of alumni authors’ works as well as purchasing information. Winter 2014 The Hillside • 45 inmemoriam

Sun News. Gilmore’s final 21 years of sportswriting were spent as sports editor of The Beacon. He typed his last story much like he did his first: with two speedy fingers, on a typewriter, not a computer. Gilmore was devoted to local sports and had at least one key to the city, and a DeLand Little League field named in James Marshall McHugh, his honor. Jr. ’43, beloved husband of Caril D. McHugh, a resident of Manhattan, NY and former William “Buck” Haeseler resident of Washington, DC, III ’48, died October 25, died on August 9, 2012 at St. 2013. Buck began working Luke’s Hospital. Wallace C. Murchison ’37, in Certified Finance in North Tonawanda with his father, died on June 2, 2013 at his Very Rev. William Manning Robert F. Melville ’47, died William Haeseler Jr. and ran home. He was born Oct. 27, Hale ’43, of Marlborough and peacefully on May 25, 2012 the business. In 1970 he 1919, one of five children MacMahan Island, ME, died in Falmouth, ME. Raised in established Certified Travel, of David Reid Murchison, April 4, 2014. He was born in Westport, CT, he attended which he ran for 30 years, and M.D., and May Carmichael New York City, July 12, 1925, South Kent School and then led tours all over the world Murchison. He received his son of Rev. Whitney and Sara Harvard University. He was with his wife Gloria. Buck undergraduate degree from Elizabeth Hale. He graduated a U.S. Army veteran of the traveled to over 150 countries Princeton University in 1941, from South Kent School in Korean War. In 1953 Robert on all seven continents and his J.D. degree from the 1943 and Brown University married Louise. Together they documented his life’s work University of North Carolina in 1949. Enlisting in the Army had three children. Louise died and experiences in his book in 1946 and an L.L.M. from Air Corps in 1943, he received in 1962. In 1965 he married My Whole Life was a Vacation. Harvard Law School in 1947. his wings and commission as Doris. In 1976, he married He served in the Navy during an officer in 1944. At the age Barbara, and moved to Maine. World War II in the Pacific of 18, he flew 37 missions (17 He began his career as a staff theater. Mr. Murchison was as lead bombardier) in the reporter for the Boston Post co-founder and partner in Southwest Pacific, becoming a and the Boston Herald. In 1962 the Wilmington law firm of 1st lieutenant at age 19. After he incorporated the Silver Lake Murchison, Fox and Newton, the war he taught English News in Pembroke, MA. He was now known as Murchison, and Latin for two years at The editor, publisher and editorial Taylor & Gibson, PLLC. Mr. Park School in Brookline, MA., writer there for 13 years. He Murchison served on the before entering The General continued his career at the boards of numerous civic, Theological Seminary in NYC. Journal Tribune in Biddeford, community and professional He was ordained deacon ME. organizations. He was a in June 1954 and priest in devout member of St. John’s December of the same year. Roger Sprague Gilmore ’48, Episcopal Church and served In 1955 he married Helen The beloved sports editor faithfully on the vestry for Houston Frost at All Saints died Oct. 22, 2013. Gilmore’s many years. He also served in Church in Worcester, Mass. life began in Chicago, but a number of positions with Throughout the years he he spent much of his youth the Episcopal Diocese of East in his beloved Vermont Nicholas Reese Leeming served the church in many ’57, of Tucson died on March Carolina and its Foundation. capacities in the Northeast. before serving in the U.S. Navy, where he wrote for 13, 2010. Nick was born in His passions included sailing Peekskill, NY on November and cruising with family the Green Cove Springs Naval Station newspaper. Gilmore 27, 1939. Nick graduated and friends along the coast from South Kent School in of Maine and spending attended the University of Florida in Gainesville and just Connecticut and attended time with his children and Hobart College. He worked as grandchildren. a few days after graduation was hired by the DeLand a stock broker in New York and

46 • The Hillside Winter 2014 California; a hotel manager they raised two daughters, Thomas Wroniak. He loved in New York; a restauranteur Lucy and Belle. They were animals, especially his dog in Nantucket, San Francisco, married for 18 years. Stan Jade, his dirt bikes and his and Wellesley, Massachusetts; worked as a math and science hockey. He played hockey a green grocer in Woodstock, teacher at Stevenson School from the age of 3, recently Connecticut and San in Pebble Beach, CA; Dean of with the Boston Junior Francisco; a landscaper in Students at The Blake School Blackhawks. Bordentown and Tucson; and in Minneapolis, MN; Head of as a caterer everywhere he the Upper School at Graland Roger Bert Levin, PhD, born lived. He was a great gardener Country Day School in Denver, May 14, 1942 in Manhattan, and cook, those activities CO; and most recently the New York, passed away on being the two loves of his VP for Development at The January 3, 2014. He graduated life, loves that reflected his Army and Navy Academy from Phillips Academy, nurturing nature and his in Carlsbad, CA. Stan also Andover in 1960 and, after respect for creation in all of its coached football, one of his some time out in the San aspects. Stanford Baker Stockdale favorite pastimes. With his Francisco Bay area studying ’79, It is with great sadness gregarious personality, Stan at the University of California, that we share the passing of spread good fun and spirit Berkeley, he graduated from Stanford Baker Stockdale on wherever he went. We will Harvard. He held a Masters April 7, 2014. Stanford died remember his infectious laugh Degree in Psychology from peacefully at Tri City Medical and smile, and his twinkling the New School for Social Center in Oceanside, California blue eyes. Beneath the jovial Research in New York and a surrounded by the love of his exterior, however, Stan battled Doctorate Degree in Clinical family and friends. Born Dec. alcoholism and ultimately Psychology from the Saybrook 6, 1959; son of Sybil Stockdale succumbed to the disease. Institute in California. His and the late Admiral James Knowing Stan as we do, we psychotherapy practice, B. Stockdale, Stan and his believe he would want us to located in New Milford, which family moved to Coronado share this reality so that others he ran for over three decades in 1962 when he was three might learn from his struggle along with being the South years old. Stan never lacked with addiction. Kent School counseler, gave for friends, as he had natural loving help to countless charm and charisma as well individuals and couples. as a fun-loving streak that he Roger was also the counselor shared with all. As a happy kid at South Kent School for Robert B. Waldner ’58 passed growing up on “A” Avenue, many years. Roger had a very away on March 11, 2013. Bob he could be found playing devoted relationship with his was born in New York on May Little League or Pop Warner wife, MaryAnn Walker. 2, 1939. He attended South football, riding his skateboard Kent School and graduated down the block, surfing at from Princeton University. North Beach, or just hanging Norma Dorothea Weidner, of He completed his Masters out with his good friends New Milford, CT died Saturday Degree at Cornell University. enjoying a childhood life in November 2, 2013 in New Bob was a management Coronado to its fullest. Stan Milford at the age of 83. She consultant and specialized spent summers with his family was born June 13, 1930 in in rail and transit. He loved on Sunset Beach in Branford, Brooklyn, NY. Ms. Weidner nature and was committed Connecticut with his maternal had lived in Carmel, NY before to land conservation in grandparents. He attended moving to New Milford in Massachusetts and Maine. Bob South Kent School, then spent 1980. She was an RN and was a participant in volunteer four years at Colorado College, worked for the Visiting Nurses organizations including the graduating in 1983 with a Association in New Milford food pantry, Dinner Bell, and Bachelors degree in Geology. Frank W. Wroniak ’09, of and then as a nurse for South the Rotary and Lions Clubs in He later received his Masters Windham, passed away on Kent School. Ipswich. Bob spent summers in Education from Wesleyan Jan. 10, 2014. Frank was at his house in Hancock Point, University. While skiing in born in Hartford on May 13, Maine, where he was active in Aspen, CO, Stan met his wife 1991, the son of Gina Aszklar various organizations. Brenda Carlson, and together Wroniak of Ellington and

Winter 2014 The Hillside • 47 inretrospect Reflections

The Pigtail, June 5, 1964

48 • The Hillside Winter 2014 The SKS Alumni App Is Here

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1923