The MacDuffie School ALUMNI MAGAZINE

Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 HEAD OF SCHOOL

At each Candlelight, I remind our Seniors to think of us each Thursday evening before Columbus Day and to know that we are welcoming a new set of MacDuffie students into our special community.”

– Steve Griffin MISSION: To foster in all students the “ intellectual habits of mind, high ethical standards, and respect for diversity required for becoming effective individuals in their personal and work lives and moral Greetings from the Head of School, and responsible participants in the world beyond.

t our Candlelight ceremony in the fall, I reminded our students that our community is formed and maintained through common ADVISORY BOARD experiences. Sharing space in a school and classes is a fine place to start, but it is our unique and cherished traditions that bond our Steve Griffin, Head of School students together across generations. At each Candlelight, I remind Deborah Jacques, Advisory Board Chair our Seniors to think of us each Thursday evening before Columbus Abney Seyler ‘88 ADay and to know that we are welcoming a new set of MacDuffie students into our Nina Metz, Past Parent special community. It’s a fine line to walk in a school, where every year brings a fresh group of about Dawn LaRochelle, ELL Department Chair ninety students, and a group of about seventy seniors, looking to make a lasting John Soares, Past Parent impact on MacDuffie. Which activities withstand the test of time? Every year brings Timothy Duff, Headmaster of new activities to create bonds and memories, and this year - with the advent of Christian Academy ESports and the return of , there are plenty of new opportunities for Andrea Bordenca, Current Parent students. Cheryl Lyncosky White ‘93 Will new traditions displace old ones? Some traditions seem destined to continue ad infinitum; Mountain Day and Candlelight certainly seem to be going strong despite the occasional request to avoid the “forced march” portion of the day. Other traditions seem to be wavering in support; Heart Week and Song Contest seem SPRING 2019 PRODUCTION STAFF: to require a redoubled effort to motivate our students to produce the inevitable Writer & Editor: Allyson Morin, Marketing “MacDuffie Miracle” - has it always been this way? and Communications Specialist Other events move forward by the sheer willpower of individuals - I wonder if (and hope that) the Run for Hope, now in its eighth year, and the team, now in Designer: Paul J. Pereira of Paul J. Pereira its twelfth, will gain the traction required to continue long after their founding faculty Design / www.paul-pereira.com members are gone. Some traditions, just when you thought they were about to fade into oblivion, Photographers: have come back due to the nostalgic efforts of our Seniors. Just when I thought it Allyson Morin had fizzled forever, a recent assembly ended with the familiar SENIORS, SENIORS, Michael Epaul Photography S-E-N-I-O-R-S lalalalala chant. What traditions do you recall that impacted you the most? Do you remember with Members of the MacDuffie community and whom you shared these memories? Perhaps you can write an impassioned letter to featured alumni have also provided photos. our students to reinstate or maintain your favorite traditions. I’d love for you to feel safe in the knowledge that some of the same traditions that inspired and impacted you are continuing to inspire this and future generations. CONTACT US: 66 School Street, Granby, MA 01033 I also hope that you’ll find time to return to MacDuffie, even if it’s for an assembly 413.255.0000 | macduffie.org to play rundown and to say “woo” after every line of the birthday song, or to ring the [email protected] victory bell.

CONNECT WITH US With best regards, Steve Griffin P’21,’23

Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 1 CONVOCATION Candlelight Ceremony

“Community is formed and maintained through shared Welcome new students!

experiences,” shared Head of School Steve Griffin at the The MacDuffie School welcomed 100 traditional Candlelight Ceremony in early October. new students this year to form a body 276 strong. These students represent 25 different countries, bringing their diversity of experience to our shared corner of the globe in Granby, Mass.

Candlelight Ceremony Fall 2018

2 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 3 ARTS Students perform The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

MacDuffie Fall Play The 2018 Fall Music and Dance Concert “The arts, especially theater, are one way that students build and maintain a tight-knit social circle within the larger The 2018 Fall Music and Dance Concert MacDuffie community,” asserts theater teacher and art transformed our student center into a department chairperson Becky Beth Benedict. world class stage aglow with colored lights and electric energy as about 80 talented “We have a picture when you come to the theater that says welcome to MacDuffie performers showcased their art to your tribe. There is room for every person in the theater so there’s that a sold out crowd. social structure that takes you out of the classroom and gives you that bond,” said Ms. Benedict. The fall play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time tells the story of a young boy named Christopher with an extraordinary brain determined to solve the mystery of who murdered his neighbor’s dog. “Although never put into words, one can assume [Christopher] has Asperger’s Syndrome. So his sense of community and how he interacts with that community is very different than the other people. In the adventures he goes on in this play he is actually forcing himself to go out in the community, to get clues to solve the murder of Wellington the poor little dog and eventually he takes himself on a solo trip via a train and subway through London to a small town in England. So he’s really immersing himself in a larger and larger community and experiencing things as he has never experienced before, sharing those experiences that he has been kept from or avoided because he hasn’t communicated in that fashion before,” said Ms. Benedict. As Head of School Steve Griffin said at Candlelight ceremony this fall, a community is formed and maintained through shared experiences. “It was wonderful to see the melding of our middle school and upper The school theater communities and to see the veterans of Macduffie theater inspiring joys in the newcomers,” said middle school theater teacher Lucy Tew. In her pre-show ritual, Ms. Tew helps the theater invoke stage magic in a group pep talk. “For me, it’s always confidence. What you do in theater if you’re designing the sound or building the set of doing the costumes or memorizing lines and performing, you lead this experience with confidence. I always tell kids confidence is going to take you wherever you want to go,” said Ms. Benedict. From the actors to the costuming to the stage crew and more, the end result of this shared experience could only be described as stage magic. “As always we have our volunteers, parents, and students help with ARTS the set on Saturday work days. The costume department is run by a student and they had a lot of say in the costumes. What was so different about this play was what we call the booth crew, which brings sounds, lights, and for this play, projections, which was really the first time we brought projections to the stage. We used three different projectors, two from the sides, moved by hand manually as well as an overhead projector,” said Ms. Benedict. “It made the end result of the play something special.” Many of the students who took part in the fall play return to the stage for this year’s winter musical, Cinderella, building lifelong memories and strengthening their sense of community through the magic of theater.

Photography by Michael Epaul 4 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 5 ARTS ARTS

MacDuffie Teacher were African American, but we’re not taught that in history class. You only see the western Brings School movies with the blonde haired, blue-eyed cowboys, so it was interesting to learn that about our history. So, I’m imagining myself Dance Curriculum as a farm girl and Curly as a cowboy, you know, how they really lived these lives. There To All-Female Cast were 50 all-black towns in the 1900s. One of them, Deerfield, Colorado, is where we are in California specifically portraying. Doing that research really prepared me for the role and the “What I like about MacDuffie is it’s a director really pushed me to believe Laurey modern dance curriculum, which is really is closer to me than I think because I’m an special I think for our students because it independent go-getter type of woman. is truly an American art form, something Finding her within myself helps me to that we can claim,” said Ms. Angie Muzzy, portray her. Dance Director and Coordinator at The Is this particular iteration of Oklahoma all MacDuffie School. African American? Over winter break, Ms. Muzzy brought The Wooden Floor Studio in Santa Ana, CA. Gibson: It is and it is historical. her love for modern dance to The Wooden Floor in Santa Ana, CA where Ta’Nika Gibson How has that shifted your perspective she spent several weeks in a residency of it? program to help local girls aged 8-16 build “It’s lovely to see so many students, Performs on Gibson: Actually it made me like this play skills in dance. so many kids, young people, Dance 8 Recital more, I never really really loved Oklahoma. Ms. Muzzy’s task was to choreograph a dancing. That really enriched me.” Broadway And now you’re playing Laurey in I liked being in it and the last time I was in it 20-minute dance routine for a group of 93 Oklahoma on Broadway? was ten years ago at MacDuffie. Seeing other – Angie Muzzy, Dance Director girls of varying skill level. Ms. Muzzy said Ta’Nika Gibson ‘09 first performed Gibson: Yes, I am. productions, the southern accents seemed that coming up with the material for the Oklahoma as a junior on the MacDuffie fake to me. The storyline didn’t make sense, but with it being all-African American it dance was largely a collaborative process stage under Headmistress Kathryn Gibson, How is that character different from producer Denise Boutin, and director Ted changes the meaning and story behind it. among the all-female cast. Annie? Lyman. Since then, Gibson has taken to For example. the biggest change is when “I was toying with this idea of a verdant for another two weeks in the residency Gibson: Well Annie is very free, flirtatious, Broadway and traveled around the world and very sexual for that time (1906). She Curly starts singing Oklahoma and I finally world, something green, or being outside program to iron out details and rehearse acting and performing on the world’s biggest kisses a lot of guys. She’s the girl who can’t marry him. He says we belong to the land and in nature and how we are all connected, with the dancers before the final stages, returning to “Oklahoma” as she say no. Laurey is very independent. The way the land is grand, and at that point in history performance in May. be it through breath or that when trees headlined in Chris Coleman’s Denver City they have me play her, in the beginning, I’m hundreds of black people traveled hundreds are upside down they can look like vessels In addition to choreography, the Production of the play. The experience has in overalls and very tomboyish. At the start of miles to get to this point on their own in the lungs. This idea of connectivity lighting and costuming must be brought her full circle this year in the ten-year of the play when Curly is coming out and land. That was so important in 1906 after the and grounding to the earth is where I’m considered. These costumes a designer anniversary of her graduation from MacDuffie. singing, I come out and throw a bunch of Emancipation Proclamation to come to this headed,” Ms. Muzzy said. will make, by hand, for every one of the disses at him. He’s trying to chop some wood place and put their stamp on it and America. In their 3.5 hour nightly rehearsals, the 93 dancers. How young were you when you when you and he misses and misses and misses and I It just means so much more. I feel like I’m the girls at The Wooden Floor utilized many Then there is the question: how to fit decided that Broadway was the course come up and chop it every time. I’m supposed realization of my ancestors’ dreams. of the same skills Ms. Muzzy’s MacDuffie 93 dancers on a single stage? you wanted to take? to get it every time in one fell swoop. That’s Gibson: Birth. I was singing Barney songs Let’s come full circle back to MacDuffie, students are learning on the classroom “I don’t think we will all fit on stage! how Laurey is though, strong, beautiful-- but when I was three at Toys R Us. naturally beautiful--and a lot of the guys are Do you still feel connected to MacDuffie dance floor. There will be a bunch of sections,” said into her, but she’s not into any of them unless Theater and the art department? “We worked with this idea of scaffolding Ms. Muzzy. You always knew. they are bringing something to the table. By Gibson: Yeah, I came to see Anything Goes Overall, Ms. Muzzy says the residency so it looks like everyone is on top of each Gibson: Always. Always. When I applied the time Curly asks her hand in marriage he’s last year. It’s been hard running around the other, and then having a barrier of bodies program experience has been rewarding to MacDuffie, Linda Keating was the on his knees. There’s no talk about how good world. I can’t believe it looks so different. looking like a forest, and then having and enriching as she represents The administrative director and I remember he is. She could care less. She’s a very sturdy, them come in on their hands and knees MacDuffie School on a big stage. talking to her about wanting to sing, act, and confident, and yet demure character. What is one of your favorite memories at scurrying through, all of it making them “It’s lovely to see so many students, so dance. She said, “You need to go to classes MacDuffie? seem connected,” said Ms. Muzzy. many kids, young people, dancing. That and do your work,” and I said, “Yeah but How do you prepare for your roles? Gibson: One of my favorite memories was “When I go back in March and take really enriched me,” she said. what’s your acting program like?” Gibson: We really wanted to do our historical running morning assembly and connecting videos [the MacDuffie dance students] will After her return to California in March I’m so happy I went to MacDuffie and research, so they brought us to the rodeo, with the student body. It made me feel be like ,‘Oh, I know that!’” Ms. Muzzy said. and May, The Wooden Floor students that by the time I left not only were we onto the Black American West Museum. ingrained in the community and a part of know for our academics and sports, but also We learned so many fascinating facts. For MacDuffie. That’s what it was all about, The Western Mass. native dance will put their skills to the test at Irvine for our arts. example, a fourth of the cowboys in America Community, Integrity, Respect. teacher returns to California in March Barclay Theater in Irvine, CA this May.

6 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 7 MIDDLE SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL

Field Trips Middle School

ATHLETICS MUSTANGS HISTORIC DEERFIELD Town Hall

ATHLETICS MUSTANGS

Typeface Used: Berthold City Bold 1890 Typeface is Playfair Display Black 1890 1890 MACDUFFIE MACDUFFIE T. T. ES ES ATHLETICS ATHLETICS

With the goal that students use their voice in a respectful way to be leaders in their community, The Middle School holds a yearly town hall meeting in which teams of students present STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE legislation on issues important to them, for example, cell phone use in the hallways. This year’s town hall was attended by a packed crowd.

History teacher Ms. Gordon speaking at the middle school town hall.

8 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 9 ATHLETICS MUSTANGS

ATHLETICS MUSTANGS

Typeface Used: Berthold City Bold 1890 Typeface is Playfair Display Black

ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY The cross country team raced a total of 1890 1890 MACDUFFIE MACDUFFIE T. T. 935 kilometers or about 580 miles in just ES ES ATHLETICS ATHLEunderTICS two months! MacDuffie Student- Athletes Sign National 6 Letters of Intent this year A signing ceremony is a special event for any student-athlete as their attention turns to college athletics. The MacDuffie School was proud to witness six student- athletes sign National Letters of Intent as Ania Ludkiewicz they committed to college athletics. The ceremony began with brief words by Head of School Steve Griffin and Director of Athletics Meirion George. Both outlined the six student-athletes’ outstanding physical achievements and expressed thanks to parents, coaches, teammates, and the MacDuffie community for their tireless support. James Bouknight Ania Ludkiewicz, a senior from Granby, M.A., signed her letter of intent to Sacred Heart University, surrounded by family, eSPORTS teammates, and Coach Meirion George. For the first time in its history, The MacDuffie She will join their soccer program as a School is now offering an eSports program freshman next fall. in its athletics lineup. The MacDuffie School James Bouknight ‘19, a senior from partnered with PlayVS to add a “League Brooklyn, N.Y., signed his National Letter of Legends” eSports team to their slate of of Intent to the University of Connecticut Ismael Massoud competitive sports. MacDuffie is one of only where he will join the program three private boarding schools in New England this fall. He was one of two MacDuffie to currently offer competitive eSports. basketball players to sign their letter of “I think there is a benefit to having a team like intent that evening. this at the school. It’ll be good to see how it Ismael Massoud ‘19, a senior from develops. My teammates support each other, New York, N.Y., will join Wake Forest cheer each other up, and I feel encouraged,” said University’s basketball team this fall. They Quan Nguyen, a junior from Vietnam on the team. were joined by teammates and Coach Del The League of Legends team finished on top Rosario in celebration. Michael Cruz of their regular season, ranked highest among Michael Cruz, a senior from Chicopee, the 32 teams competing in . M.A., signed a letter of intent to AIC “Both teams are statistically very strong where he will enter their baseball across all metrics of the game,” said Coach program as a freshman next fall. He Gray. At the conclusion of the regular season, signed his letter surrounded by family, varsity ranked first of 32 while junior varsity a crowd of teammates, and Coach Neil stood fourth of 32 in the state. Domer-Shank. Ala Legowski ‘19, a senior from South Hadley, M.A., committed to Northeastern BASEBALL THIS YEAR! Ala Legowski where she will join their Division I soccer In exciting news from athletics, MacDuffie added program. baseball to its sports roster this year! We have Mia Levesque ‘19, a senior from also begun construction on a new baseball Monson, M.A., also a star soccer player, diamond that will be finished for the start of the committed to AIC’s Division II team. Both first season in spring. ladies will join their respective programs this fall. Both girls signed their letters of intent in front of a packed library of friends, family, and teammates. Mia Levesque

10 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 11 ATHLETICS ATHLETICS Season NOTES Turf Field WINTER 2018-19 The MacDuffie School held an official Boys’ Prep Basketball ribbon cutting ceremony this morning MacDuffie basketball had their best season yet under 6th-year On the Court to celebrate the completion of a new Head Coach Jacque Rivera, finishing with a final record of 22- with Josh Wilchcombe ’13 synthetic turf field. Head of School Steve 10, 13-3 in conference to earn a top three seed in the NEPSAC Griffin expressed thanks to the hard- AA playoffs. Josh Wilchcombe ‘13 is a senior on do things counterproductive to the things working team of individuals who helped Three players have already committed to college basketball Oklahoma Wesleyan (NAIA DII) we read or we are taught and expect that the project come to a realization. programs from the class of 2019: Ismael Massoud ‘19 basketball team, ranked among the spirit to move within us and have that A special thanks to Mountain View (Wake Forest University), James Bouknight ‘19 (University of highest in the nation. Oklahoma breakthrough as we want. Every one of Construction, Milone and MacBroom Connecticut), and Matt Niemczura ‘19 (University of Rochester- Wesleyan was ranked top spot in the my teammates works really hard. They’re Architects, Construction Solutions Group, Girls’ Varsity Soccer DIII). Tanahj Pettway ‘19 is poised to make a decision regarding NAIA DII Men’s Basketball Coaches’ amazing in every single way. I wouldn’t Andrew Parker and Meirion George for The stellar team nabbed the title of New England Class C college basketball in the coming months. Top 25 Poll as of Feb. 8 where the 6’8” have the success that I have on the court driving the project internally. Champions, their fourth championship in five years. senior from Elmont, N.Y. has averaged if it wasn’t for them pushing me every With slit film and monofilament, the Swim Team Among noteworthy standouts: 13.18 points per game this season. single day. turf’s dual fibers are meant to mimic the The growing team enjoyed a strengthened schedule of ten Western NE All-Stars - Ala Legowski ‘19 and Anna Ludkiewicz ‘19. However, the senior transfer feel of a real grass playing field. It will be meets, including the CISAC Championships at Hamden Hall, CT. NE Junior All-Stars - Grace Drost ‘20 and Jordyn Shepard ‘20. student and psychology major said Let’s rewind a little bit and go back enjoyed by boys’ and girls’ soccer as well The team also sported their new MacDuffie swim suits for the Ala Legowski ‘19 was called up to the Poland U19 national team he didn’t start playing basketball to your time at MacDuffie, what as girls’ for both home games 2017-18 season. Eighth-grader Julianna Mason ‘23 won the 200 and selected as High School All-American. until his senior year of high school, memories do you have of being on and practices. meter at the CISAC Championship. when he discovered the way it added campus? Mr. Griffin said to the student-athletes, Boys’ XC “This field is for you.” discipline to his life. Wilchcombe: If there was one thing I SPRING 2018 MacDuffie was proud to host this year’s SENE XC Championship really loved at MacDuffie, It will be enjoyed by all of The MacDuffie for the first time. What drew you to it would be the diversity in School sports teams, the students, and Badminton retained the NE Prep School Tournament basketball? the student body. Meeting their families for years to come. Girls’ XC Championship for the second year running. Wilchcombe: Honestly, and mingling with different He then cut the ribbon with members of The team was the SENE Champion for the second year in a row. it was to add my discipline cultures and people is just the administration and the student body Performance standouts: into my life. In high school something I love doing present to signal the official opening of Tennis had 30 student-athletes representing MacDuffie SENE All League- Ian Hua ‘20, Nicolette Peterson ‘19, Olivia I didn’t pay as much in general, so I loved the the field. against other New England and SENE schools in boys’, girls’ Ramirez ‘19, Jessie Kong ‘19, Haley Moriarty ‘19 attention to my work as I cultural exchange with kids and Co-ed play. New England All-Stars- Ian Hua ‘20, Nicolette Peterson ‘19, should have so basketball from China, Japan, Turkey, Girls’ Lacrosse Olivia Ramirez ‘19, Jessie Kong ‘19 was a means to give Brazil, and so on. It taught With the healthiest number of players in years, the Mustangs me discipline in many me new things as an Boys’ Varsity Soccer competed in a weather-impacted 13-game schedule in New ways. It’s something individual that I wouldn’t Boys’ varsity soccer took second place in the Western New England and the SENE. that I caught onto and have known. England Class C League. They also welcomed new coach Luke gravitated towards and I Track and Field Alvaro, former Springfield College and Hartford City FC stand out. found out I wasn’t to bad What was one big Student-athletes continued to utilize the spring season for SENE All-League: Turec Akalin ‘19, Emir Sengun ‘19 at it. It later grew into something I had a takeaway you took from your improved sports fitness. Honorable Mention - Hazim Jaber ‘19 passion for. time here? Golf Western New England All-Stars: Charlie Avery ‘19, Turec Wilchcombe: Things might now always Golf enjoyed an eleven-match season, culminating in a great Akalin ‘19, Hazim Jaber ‘19 How has the season been going? go to plan, but everything is for a purpose. day out at the SENE Championships at the premier golf club at New England Senior All-Stars: Turec Akalin ‘19, Emir Sengun ‘19 We have seven returning seniors, so we Carnegie Abbey, Portsmouth RI. have a sense of urgency of wanting to What are your plans for the future? Varsity win. We have learned from our mistakes Wilchcombe: My plans have me going Ultimate Frisbee Volleyball continued their strong record by reaching the New in our past. It’s important to spiritually wherever God has me going. I really Ultimate frisbee reached finals at the Marianapolis Invitational England Class C semifinals for the third straight year. Among allow God to move through us while we want to do missionary work at this point. and left with the Tournament Spirit Award. noteworthy players: Kacey Deecher ‘20 was named NE All- play. That goes for off the court as well: I have a strong passion for mission Star while Sarah Scott ‘19 and Maya Levine ‘20 received NE Are we feeding ourselves in the right work overseas. I also want to pursue FALL 2018 Honorable mention. way? Are we in the weight room? Are we my masters in psychology. That’s what I The community welcomed the completion of the turf field Strength and Conditioning getting enough exercise? Are we studying would like to do but it’s all dependent on construction. Strength and conditioning continued to grow as a way of life for film? For God to work in a specific way what god wants. I’m trying to be sensitive MacDuffie added a boys’ baseball team for 2018-19 led by Coach our varsity athletes. Both in-season players and out-of-season we have to be willing vessels, we can’t to the spirit. Neil Domer-Shank. athletes are able to benefit from the program.

12 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 13 TRADITIONS Mountain Day Traditions

Halloween Party

Hulbert Outdoor Trip

14 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 15 COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Leadership has to entail getting beyond one’s self, it has to pull on the strengths and interests of the individual, but it has to look outward also into the community and the overall needs of the society.” “ — Carol Tomkiel, English department chairperson

The MacDuffie School Partnership with Smith College

The MacDuffie School’s ongoing relationship with Smith College has been recently strengthened by MacDuffie English department chairperson Carol Tomkiel’s new position on Smith College’s education committee.

“There are resources beyond the campus that speak directly to our curriculum,” Ms. Tomkiel said. The English teacher plans to bring resources from Smith back to MacDuffie to be used in lesson plans from the science department Community to the English department. The college’s current exhibit, Plastic Entanglements, explores the impact of the polymer on modern life through a variety of thought-provoking artwork. “Plastic Entanglements, consisting of 60 works and 30 artists, focuses on ecology with subtopics of climate change, stability and even speculative futures,” Ms. Tomkiel said. “I let the science Outreach department know it’s happening and I will facilitate in any way I can,” she said. For English classes, students utilize Smith College’s extensive art collection as inspiration for lessons in a style of poetry called LEADERSHIP ADVISORY GROUP to be thinking about it. It’s something I articles of clothing,” Ms. Tomkiel said. ekphrastic poetry, or poetry that responds to works of art. “Leadership has to entail getting beyond want to continue to investigate with my As part of the service requirement, “My students, Ms. Panico’s students, and Ms. Sherman’s one’s self. It has to pull on the strengths kids, the meaning of leadership and the students must complete ten hours of students are doing poetry right now and we have had the good and interests of the individual, but it has reason we’re doing what we’re doing,” community service. As a core value fortune of meeting with Professor Matt Donovan. Donovan is a to look outward also into the community Ms. Tomkiel said. that supports our mission statement, professor at Smith and director of The Poetry Center. He will be and the overall needs of the society,” While researching topics including leadership holds a prominent role in teaching a class on ekphrastic poetry,” Ms. Tomkiel said. said MacDuffie English department mental health and the role of senior the MacDuffie community. Our students In a recent field trip, Professor Donovan shared with students chairperson Carol Tomkiel. centers, aided by The MacDuffie School’s demonstrate leadership in the classroom, poetry responding to specific artwork in the Smith College At The MacDuffie School, serving in library resources, the kids brainstormed on the field, in the arts, and through collection, after which students were free to walk through the a leadership capacity is a requirement ways they could take charge to be leaders service. Throughout their time here, they museum to find works of art that inspired their own ekphrastic for graduation. Seniors must declare in their community. work closely with our faculty and staff as poems. a leadership activity, write a reflection “They’re at the point where they are part of our Path to Excellence advising Ms. Tomkiel said it’s important to look outside of the classroom on it, and be evaluated by their mentor. beginning to research topics like mental program. into the surrounding community to see what resources engage Ms. Tomkiel’s group of senior advisees health or the role of senior centers. You The MacDuffie School believes that with the curriculum and encourage students to think more broadly initially decided to research the topic of know, in order to keep elders viable in this curriculum requirement will provide about important issues. aging, which led to their adoption of the all kinds of different ways. While that’s students with relevant, mindful leadership “It doesn’t mean they need to all get on a bus and go to the Belchertown Senior Center. happening, we’re returning again to the opportunities and experience in order museum because now they are providing lesson plans and videos “Aging is something that a lot of young senior center, where we are doing a fund to be well-rounded citizens in their online,” Ms. Tomkiel said. people don’t necessarily think about a drive for them which will be launched communities and beyond. Steve McPherson, Wavelengths, 2012–13, from current Smith Exhibit: Plastic Entanglements. lot, but our society definitely needs them next week in their store in which they sell

16 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 17 COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMUNITY OUTREACH

KEY CLUB

KEY CLUB The MacDuffie School Key Club aided the local community in a number of areas this year. In a successful toy drive for The First Lutheran Church, students donated new, unopened toys to be sold in the church fundraiser benefiting scholarship funds. In this way, MacDuffie helped ease some of the financial worry associated with buying holiday gifts for some families as well as helped those in need of assistance to afford education. “Thank you MacDuffie for posting this and for all the students, faculty and staff who donated new and gently used toys and games. You guys filled the whole back of my car with donated toys! I brought them to the church last night and when the pastor came out to help bring them inside, he was so surprised when he saw the back of the car! Meghan’s Light He was so appreciative of the toys. You guys For the third year running, The MacDuffie community was proud to support really added to the number of toys they will Meghan’s Light 5K Run/Walk held at Look Park in Florence, MA. Meghan’s have available and I suspect you all made the Light was established to commemorate the life and legacy of Meghan holidays a little brighter for some kids,” said Hukowicz Zoll ’93. Erika LaChance P’20 on Facebook. One day after her 39th birthday in September 2014, Meghan succumbed Key Club also ran a Pennies for Patients to cystic fibrosis (CF) after a valiant 78 day fight against the disease in the ICU drive to benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Meghan was a mother, wife, Hat Society. Empty jars were divided by grade daughter, daughter-in-law, soul sister, niece, cousin, godmother, friend and and students from each grade could add colleague. Meghan inspired family and friends by her courage, strength, and & pennies to their class jar to earn one point determination in her day-to-day battle against CF for 39 years. She was feisty, each. They could also add nickels, dimes, radiant, warm and caring. Scarf Drive or quarters to other class jars to subtract Friends and family were devastated by her loss and came together a few either five, ten, or twenty five points from that months after her funeral to celebrate her. Their December 2014 meeting class. All the money was ultimately donated evolved into Meghan’s Light, whose mission is to support finding a cure Students made 42 scarves and 263 hats to fund research and treatment of the for cystic fibrosis and to inspire hope and courage in patients, families and aforementioned diseases. communities impacted by the disease. Meghan’s Light remembers the light to donate to The Amherst Survival Center in Recently as well, Key Club ran a tampon without and the light within that radiated from Meghan during her earthly and pad drive to benefit homeless women journey and the continued presence of her light that shines brightly today. honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day! at The Amherst Survival Center. Students Money raised by the Meghan’s Light 5k Run/Walk benefits Boston collected feminine hygiene products in the Children’s Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Discovery Fund, Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, and library to benefit those who would otherwise Meghan’s Light 65 Wellness Wishes. The event is in its third year, and The struggle to find these resources. MacDuffie School has been a sponsor since its very first year.

18 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 19 INTERVIEWS INTERVIEWS

You always hear people say how their job is dull or boring but here you meet people new all the time and it’s never boring. There is nothing that is predictable, even when I make a list for Monday it’s going to change on Monday.”

– Susan Clayton, Director of Boarding Admission Q&A with “ Leslie Ketchen Levesque ’90, Susan Clayton P’99, P’01 Head of School at The Phoenix School MacDuffie Director of Boarding Admisssion

The Phoenix School recently seem, whereas here they are with kids of different ages laid the groundwork for building Our long-standing Director of with his family because he was special importance to me. He received a new Head of School able to learn to be responsible. to academically challenge a very individualized education Boarding Admission and parent worried about the future of his just got married last Christmas who is a familiar face among The There’s less of the typical middle them. We also use the Salem of passion-based learning where of two MacDuffie alumni Susan own country. We went on a so he’s celebrating his one year MacDuffie School community. school behavior, and we’re too community as our campus. kids can be interested in the Clayton said one of her favorite total tangent and, by the end, anniversary, but there are kids Leslie Ketchen Levesque, a small for cliques anyway so kids We use the YMCA as our gym content. aspects about her job is the way we were hugging and crying. over the past 24 years now that 1990 graduate of The MacDuffie become friends with others that and the museum as our other My goal is to carry that it allows her to make meaningful You make connections. You have stayed in touch and have School, accepted the Head of they may not have otherwise. classroom. We really try to through and let the kids make connections with individuals as make connections way beyond kept in contact way beyond what School position after about Middle school at that age is get involved in what’s going their own choices. I think she travels around the world in promotional sales. You’re truly a work life might be and they twenty years of serving at the important for development. I on in Salem. And while I was reaching them at their level and her recruitment effort. making friends. So I wrote to this become an extended part of my school in various capacities. The think it’s very unique and some at MacDuffie, some of the challenging them is important, person and described how I was family and that’s what he was. Phoenix School serves a total of the kids we get here are community outreach there so we’re constantly changing our How many countries have you really humble and how I love Next week when I leave I’m of 30 children grades K-8 where gifted kids, so they don’t fall helped me learn that this is curriculum if a student needs it been to this year? this job. going to Copenhagen first and I’m all grades learn and work in a into academically their grade what kids need to know going or we see fit. We follow the core Clayton: I’ve been to many meeting with the families of four one-room open environment in level so we can individualize forward. curriculum but we do things that countries. I’ve been to England, When you travel you meet new Danes who are coming in the Salem, Mass. their curriculum and when they kids are interested in and life Thailand, Vietnam, Norway with alumni? fall. Because of our travels, we are are at recess they can interact Can you tell me a memory of skills as it’s far more important. Denmark, Germany, Brazil and Clayton: In Thailand, I always getting four new kids and I get to Congratulations on being with others they might not have MacDuffie that you think was The other things I’m really on Sunday I’m going back to get to see Porntida “Muffin” meet their parents in real life. named the head of the school because of their grade level. indicative of that sense of passionate about is kids Norway and then Finland which Thitaparun ‘16. Every time I got of The Phoenix School, that’s community? learning social and emotional will be for the first time. to Bangkok I connect with her When talking to former so exciting. What do you How does this sense of Levesque: I think the first one skills. We have very adult-like and her mother and we go out students and alumni, what do think the benefit is of this community compare to your that popped into my mind was conversations with the kids. What is it like to travel all over to eat. We would try to bring in they relate as their happiest nontraditional model of own experience at MacDuffie? being on the field hockey team, We say to them, “You can the world for a living? other alumni and it would be a moments? learning? Levesque: I was thinking about it wasn’t a sport I played before think something inside but when Clayton: You always hear challenge because they would Clayton: As a school, I would Levesque: I think there are so what some of the parallels and I didn’t have a whole lot of it comes out of your mouth and people say how their job is dull either be working or have exams. say two things. One would be many benefits when you think of where and how my experience confidence, but I just went for affects someone else you have or boring but here you meet Malik Eichler ‘16 from Germany the teachers. Some of the kids it from the student perspective, at MacDuffie led me to go on it and felt so supported by my to own it.” people new all the time and it’s also graduated in 2016 and I make really close connections younger students have built in and get my Masters in Education classmates and my coach. The We treat them like family and never boring. There is nothing always try to connect with him if with the faculty in that regard. mentors so they see what the in Creative Learning. I think way that the community rallied we hold them to high values and that is predictable, even when I he’s not busy and I have dinner They talk about teachers and older students are doing and a big piece of that was when around supporting each other, the results are incredible. make a list for Monday it’s going with him, and that’s always the pride and education they got they get really excited about I moved to MacDuffie in my I made friends in a way I had to change on Monday. You’re wonderful too. here. The second point would wanting to do more. I think for sophomore year, that was really never made before. I didn’t see Thank you so much for taking going to meet someone new When I was in Denmark be their friends. Because this the older students, especially the first time I felt like I belonged the seniors as being seniors and the time to talk to me today. or get e-mailed by someone or a while back I met Cathrine generation knows how to use the middle school age, they to community. It was really freshman as the freshman, I saw Anything else you would like asked a question where you have Pedersen ‘20 who is here now. I technology and social media get the benefit of becoming eye-opening for me because that everyone was a MacDuffie to say? to stop and think. It’s a constant went to see Vincent ‘18, his mom, they stay connected and know leaders and they are held more out in Western Massachusetts student and everyone was Levesque: I’d like to say it’s been challenge. and Cathrine. I got to tour the everything about everyone: accountable and learn to be there isn’t a lot of diversity in valued. one of the most life-changing I’ve had people talk to me for school that they both went to who’s doing what, who’s getting more responsible, especially the small towns. I think that the experiences in the most thirty minutes about nothing and that Cathrine will go back to married, who’s doing this or that when working with the community I had really let me As Head of School of the positive way being a student professionally but about when the year is over. professionally so it’s no longer younger students in the school appreciate people for who they Phoenix school, what are your at MacDuffie. It put me on the their lives and their problems I have kids I have had a close difficult to keep up with people, environment. are and where they came from. main issues and topics you path to where I am now and politically, economically, and connection with and who have it’s all around them. I don’t You’d expect them to act crazy It was a real community-building wish to focus on? it’s gotten me excited to teach what their families are going stayed in touch. One is a kid think any of them forget the or at least that’s how a middle experience. Levesque: As the school is and keep the kids engaged and through. I remember this man from Jamaica named Jordan good times at least, maybe final school environment would Here, we have kids work 38-years-old, the founders really learning. who was so worried because Campbell ‘04. Jordan is one exams, but they don’t forget the he had to leave his country of those kids who has a really other moments at the school.

20 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 21 Commencement 2018 Farewell, Class of 2018!

This year’s 2018 Commencement exercises took place on Kevin Hillman, French teacher and Chair of World Lan- Saturday, June 9, at Abbey Chapel on the Mount Holyoke guages, was chosen by students to be this year’s Commence- College campus. Seventy-seven domestic and international ment speaker. “As most of you know, I find great solace in ev- students comprised the class of 2018. erything green and growing. I’m going to ask you to please, “In a year when moments of silence, flags at half mast, and each and every one of you, go out and plant your own life’s thoughts and prayers are more the norm than the anomaly, garden,” he said, near the end of his speech. “Take pride and our students taught us about being moral and responsi- joy in the work that you do. Confront the weeds that get in ble participants in the world,” said Head of School Steve the way of things—but leave a few around to give life some Griffin in his opening remarks. “The Pride march, walkouts perspective. Who knows, you might just find a beautiful to protest gun violence, and the peace parade were strong flower in the end. Above all, be sure to share your harvests examples that show that our students have a voice and are with others. My friends, if you do all that, then I will be so, so not afraid to use it. One of the great measures of becoming proud to have the time to live in that beautiful world.” effective individuals is the ability to have an impact on those around us—to expand our circle of influence.” Best of luck in all that you do, graduates!

(Photos courtesy of Grynn & Barrett) ADVISORY BOARD Commencement 2018 Meet your Advisory Board

Nina Metz P’14 is a community member for the Community Music School of technology. Steve is married to Elizabeth and parent of Zachary ‘14; the MacDuffie Springfield, in Springfield, MA, from 2006 and they have two daughters at Parent Association Co-President, 2011-12; to 2010 and serves on the Advisory Board MacDuffie: Sophie ‘23, and Lily ‘21. Steve a parent volunteer at MacDuffie Open for The MacDuffie School in Granby, MA, maintains an active interest in a variety Houses for Prospective Students, 2010- since 2014 and on the Board of Trustees of sports, including Basketball, Golf, and 2016; and Town of Longmeadow first for the Hartt School at the University of distance running. grade teacher from 1986-2015. Nina holds Hartford since 2018. John is the father of a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood two former MacDuffie students, Ian ‘16 Andrea Bordenca P’19, P’21, parent Education from Wheelock College, and Sarah ‘18. of Jesse ‘19 and Sean ‘21, and future Boston, 1977 and has been a member of MacDuffie student, Willie ‘28 is a the advisory board since 2013. Timothy Duff graduated from University Leadership & Learning Coach; Corporate of Maine with a B.A in Zoology in Consultant & Trainer for The Institute Dawn LaRochelle, ELL Department 1973 and Grand Rapids Theological for Generative Leadership, Founder of Chair (and on-again/off-again English Seminary with a M.A. in Christian School Lead Yourself Youth, Inc., an organization teacher) at MacDuffie (2016-present). Administration in 1998. Timothy’s dedicated to youth leadership President of the Board, Sinai Academy of experience includes: Glen Cove Christian development, Chairperson, DESCO the Berkshires, 2004-2006. Entrepreneur/ Academy, Glen Cove, Maine 1973-1977- Medical Service, healthcare and medical small business owner (2004-2014). Science Teacher; Pioneer Valley Christian emergency service and staffing. She works Dawn is also a “recovering” attorney Academy, Springfield, MA 1978-1980 - with different learning styles to create (Harvard Law School, 1996). Dawn lives Science Teacher, Assistant Headmaster, ease and flow in a demanding & fast- in Northampton with her husband, three 1980-Present - Headmaster; New England paced world. sons, and a Great Pyrenees. She spent Association of Schools and Colleges several years in East Asia and is fluent Accreditation Commission, Commissioner Advisory Board Chair, Deborah Jacques in Mandarin and Japanese. Her hobbies - 2007-2012; Association of Christian P’20, P’22 is entering her second year include cooking/baking (having owned a Schools International, Board Member - as president for the MacDuffie Parent restaurant and two catering businesses 2003-2013. Association. She has 2 daughters for 10 years), , running, and Megan ‘20 and Samantha ‘22 attending ballroom dancing. Steve Griffin P’21, P’23 is in his eighth the school. Deb holds a Doctorate in year as Head of School at The MacDuffie Nursing Practice and teaches full-time at Abney Seyler ‘88 graduated from School in Granby, MA, where he has Springfield Technical Community College MacDuffie. She was an accountant for the overseen considerable growth in both in the Nursing Department. She also works first 22 years of her career and is now a student population and program offerings. at Baystate Medical Center as a Nurse special education math teacher. He spent the previous 15 years in boys’ practitioner on the Cardiac Surgery Service. education in Toronto, Canada, with roles John Soares P’16, P’18 (PhD ’93, FSA ‘04) of Mathematics and Computer Science Cheryl Lyncosky White ’93, attended is a Physicist and an Actuary. He has been teacher, Mathematics department chair, American International College with MassMutual since 2014, working International Baccalaureate Coordinator, completing an undergraduate degree in in their Product Development division, Head of Upper School, and Head of Communications, and received a Master where he oversees the Disability Insurance School. Steve brings a “hands on” of Arts from Emerson College with a focus product. Prior to that, John worked in approach to his roles; at MacDuffie, he in Integrated Marketing Communications. the Health Insurance industry, holding has acted in school musicals, performed She has worked for Athenahealth, Inc various actuarial roles for CIGNA, Aetna at talent nights, initiated the Classic Vinyl a healthcare IT company since 2008 and UnitedHealthcare. Before becoming LP Club, and introduced students to the working in Client Support, Implementation an Actuary, John worked as a Physicist, wonders of ball hockey in the winter. and Sales Development. Cheryl is doing research in the area of Theoretical Steve has a Bachelor of Mathematics beginning her third year as an Advisory Particle Physics, for the University of from the University of Waterloo, and a Board member for the MacDuffie School British Columbia and the University of Master of Education from the University in Granby, MA . She currently resides in Massachusetts in Amherst. He obtained of Toronto. His particular interests in Northampton, MA with her husband Ken (Photos courtesy of Grynn & Barrett) his PhD from Carnegie Mellon University. education are faculty growth, assessment and daughters Olivia & Vivienne. John served on the Board of Directors and evaluation, and educational

The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 25 Class Notes

1954 club Birdland in August and poetry in English: Anaïku, 4-line will be there again March 24th unconventional haïku in three 1965 Mary (Conlon) Orlando at 7:30pm ...if any NY’ers can parts (The Chase, Bonding and Dr. Andrea (Picket) Brode I still have a B&B in Goshen, make it I’d love to see you! I’m Family, Break down). May be For the second year, I am Ct. the Mary Stuart House thrilled for Ta’Nika Gibson ‘09. purchased through Trafford spending the fall semester Bed & Breakfast, loving it, and She has been in 2 Broadway Books under the name of with a group of Beacon College enjoying my five children and productions, starred in an all- Nyuka Anaïs Laurent. Working students in Tuscany. This photo 14 grandchildren and many Black production of “Oklahoma” on a third book of poetry for was taken at a Medici villa community activities. Class as Laurie, and now has a contract with Trafford. near Firenze. I have stepped running commercial...she is Single again and loving the down from the Dean position 1956 bound to be a STAR....everyone freedom! phone: 337 67 47 and am now Coordinator of International Programs. Hence Carolyn (Bjorn) Stringham could see it when she was 73 67 my adventure in Italy! I just received word that Eliza Doolittle in the MacDuffie Newer Works are often on Sally (Sara Jane) Archibald production of “My Fair Lady”. Instagram (anais_laurent45) Hawthorne ‘56 died of cancer I am in touch with Jan Gilley Works from 2005-2016 www. in Florida. ‘62 and Katy Stein ‘62 almost galerie-quint-essences.ch/ everyday on FB! I speak with Oeuvres_Anais_Laurent.htm Notes Laurie Magriel ‘62 all the time, 1962 as well. Jane Scheckter Bob, Yvie, our 10 year old Hi to my fellow MacDuffie Dachshund, and I are doing friends. Well, this has been fine and Bob and I (Yvie will quite a year. Happily, it’s been stay home) look forward to healthy, despite the groans attending the reunion in April !! upon rising from chairs. We have been doing our usual week in the Caribbean and love everything about Turks and Caicos, our new favorite destination. We started doing eight days in Paris to celebrate our anniversary. This will be the 6th year in a row and 39 is the Dr. Andrea (Picket) Brode ’65 big number this year. I figure as long as we are still mobile and in great spirits, we need to do what brings us joy. We have Harriette (Happy) Laurent ’63 many French and American friends that fill up every day that we are there. Miss Yeranian would be shocked and pleased 1963 with my French! We also spend Joyce (Behney) Gradner a full 3 months in Antibes, our [email protected] second home. When Bob had his 80th birthday, we had 38 Harriette (Happy) Laurent friends from many countries Closed the gallery (Quint- celebrate with us! Essences) end Dec 2016. I have been doing a fair Moved to France in June 2017. amount of singing in MA., Now retired but not really; Paris, and Antibes but also in 7/7 painting and writing. April Dina Lyman ‘66, P’03 NYC. I sang at the famous Jazz 2018 published second book of

The MacDuffieVolume 10, School Issue Alumni 1 SPRING Magazine 2019 | 31 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 27 Class Notes

MacDuffie Girl...” I would love country, the kids are never very 1992 Marques White to hear from old friends from far away and I get to spend more Erika (Vie-Carpenter) Babineau I currently live in New York City! MacDuffie. My email address is time with them than I would have We relocated to North Carolina I’m a Producer/Copy Editor at Fox [email protected]. if I had stayed in the U.S. four years ago and are loving it! Our News Headlines 24/7 on Sirius XM In November, I had a wonderful family continues to do well, though Channel 115. I also edit marketing opportunity to spend an evening I can’t believe I have a kid in high videos at Stevens Institute of Tech- with Joan Fine (also ‘72) while 1972 school and about to start driver’s nology in Hoboken, New Jersey. I she was on a tour here in Nancy Parish-Plass ed! Noah is turning 15, Caleb is 12 have spent some time across the Israel. It was amazing how we 64, should be retiring, but I’m and Gabrielle is 9. Greg is doing country working in local television. connected after so many years. far from it! I’ve been living well as an AVP at MetLife and I just I’m glad to be back up north. In one evening, we opened up in Israel on a Kibbutz since got accepted into an RN program to each other more about what 1982. After working in early here. Things will be hectic for a we were going through while at childhood education for 18 while but we are so excited! 2003 years, I made a drastic career MacDuffie (family issues, among Tadd Lyman Deborah Viets Saidy ’70 change and studied animal- other things) than we did during Tadd Lyman ‘03 is a Major in the MacDuffie Lawn 1960s assisted psychotherapy, a move our years together back then. US Army stationed at Fort Bragg, which has drastically changed Interesting. The attached picture NC with the 82nd Airborne Division is of our meeting that evening. (I Africa-based but now travels my life! I subsequently studied Headquarters serving as the G3 1970 am on the right and Joan on the from San Diego to Guadalupe). in a program for advanced Air Operations Officer. He and his Debbie (Viets) Saidy left). I have also been in contact Hard to believe that next year psychotherapy studies, and wife, Lauren and their two children, Among the places I have with, and seen, Liz Pava, Betsy will mark 50 years since our recently received a masters Mary 3 and George 20 months live called home over the past four Bellows, and Ruth Hirsch, all class graduation! Warm regards degree in clinical child social in Southern Pines, NC. decades are Ethiopia, Eritrea, class of ‘72. Charlotte Nichols: to classmates near and far. work. As an animal-assisted Italy, Kenya, South Africa, South psychotherapist, I have worked in Where are you??? Sudan, Switzerland, Uganda various welfare institutions since and Zimbabwe. My husband, 1971 the year 2000, but consistently If you’d like to submit the name Saihou, and I each spent over 20 Marie (Honey) Hanigan in an emergency shelter for 1983 of a loved one who has passed years working on humanitarian Life is good. I am a Professor in away, please email alumni@ maltreated children taken out of Cynthia (Crain) Monarca (a.k.a. Evan Landry ’02 issues with the United Nations. I the College of Medicine at the the home by emergency court Big Bird) macduffie.org. retired from the UN several years University of Oklahoma Health order. In a loving relationship with Glenn ago and relocated from Nairobi Sciences Center in Oklahoma I have published a few Griffin, a lifelong soul mate. We MacDuffie Dance 1960s to Washington, DC where we City. In addition to running my academic articles and chapters are raising two lovely ladies; 2002 both attended grad school and Sarah is a Junior at Northwest cancer research laboratory, I in the area of animal-assisted Evan Landry worked before moving overseas. Catholic, Caroline is a 4th grader am Chair of the OUHSC Faculty psychotherapy, as well as It has been an incredible couple of In 2015, I joined World Food attending Saint Gabriel School. I Senate. My husband is also a a book, Animal-Assisted years! 2018 was great, including Program USA and served as Vice continue my pursuit to be the best scientist, chair of a department Psychotherapy: Theory, Issues the birth of our second son Ben- President, Public Policy until late version of me I can be, one day at the Oklahoma Medical and Practice. I am the founding jamin this past June. Landry Audio last year. I have now “re-retired” at a time, learning from the many Research Foundation. We have and current chairperson of the has been strengthening our niche and am enjoying time with family experiences life has afforded me. two sons who are both grown Israeli Association of Animal- of commercial audio systems, and and traveling. Thankful as ever for the excellent and out on their own. The last Assisted Psychotherapy. All this year merged with a data ca- Not so very long ago (2013), education this community and time I was at MacDuffie was the this I do out of a strong belief in bling company. Now we are known Saihou, Lalo, Matti, Jalika and my family helped me achieve. final alumni gathering on the the importance of this field for as CommLink Integration, and I were living in five different Wishing everyone curiosity, Springfield campus, which was maltreated children and I see the have 15 full time employees. countries. 2019 finds us all held just days after the tornado urgency in professionalizing the passion and empathy in your own back in the US of A. We were life journeys and the strength hit. Had the opportunity to see field. Beth ( Royce) Neas recently together in California to get up when you trip or fall. Melinda Wooster there and But most important to me are I earned my FSA (Fellow of to celebrate the Lalo’s wedding Employer- Unitedhealthcare sing some of the MacDuffie my four children and six (!!!) the Society of Actuaries) in (he is a professional Great White Residing in CT. songs with great nostalgia. grandchildren. One of the many December 2018. Shark diver and photographer Don’t think the current students great things of living in Israel who until recently was South are still singing “You Can Tell a is that it being such a small

MacDuffie Circa 1891

28 | The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine Volume 10, Issue 1 SPRING 2019 The MacDuffie School Alumni Magazine | 29 The MacDuffie School PRSRT STD 66 School Street U.S. POSTAGE Granby, MA 01033 PAID HARTFORD, CT PERMIT NO. 1346 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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