Nonprofit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Winter 2012017-186-17 Permit No. 259 Newburgh, NY

Address Service Requested OakNEWSLETTER FROM OAKWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL • CELEBRATINGLeaves OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY 2018 Spring School Calendar

April 3 Breakfast with the Head Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block ’90 Presents International Human April 24 Earthshare Day Dash Davis Gleiter Lecture on Social Justice Rights Day April 27 Dash Davis Gleiter Lecture By Denique (Abbie) Tullock ’19, UNA Intern Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block ’90 ory of Dash Davis Gleiter ’51 in recognition of her work in civil rights and her lifetime of May 17-19 Spring Production volunteer activities to promote social justice. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown May 18 Arts Presentation Rabbi Kimelman-Block is the Washington Di- rector of Bend the Arc Jewish Action, where he Jonathan Kaplan ’68, ceramicist works to bring the voices of progressive Ameri- May 18-20 Alumni Weekend can Jews into the halls of power in Washington May 23 Spring Concert DC. He is the co-editor and co-author of Just: Judaism. Action. Social Change and served as June 6 Middle School Moving Up the Director of the PANIM Institute for Jewish June 7 Senior Dinner Leadership and Values. He received his rab- binic ordination from The Jewish Theological June 8 Commencement Seminary of America and his B.A. in Political Science from Grinnell College. His talk to the Visit us at www.oakwoodfriends.org Oakwood community will address: In a Diverse Society, Can Religion Be a Force for Good? Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block Jason is also the founding member of a cohous- ing community in Maryland, where he lives with 16 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY Alumnus Jason Kimelman-Block, class of 1990, will return to Oakwood Friends School to his wife, sustainable food activist and KOL Foods present the Caroline Dash Davis Gleiter Lec- founder Devora Kimelman-Block, and their four Abbie speaking at Human Rights Day event at ture on Social Justice on Friday, April 27th, at children. Jason’s sister, Jessica Kimelman ’93, is the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park A Winter Field Trip in Esopus, NY 2:30 pm. Now in its 14th year, this lecture se- a member of Oakwood’s Board of Managers. ries was established by classmates in mem- The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a member- ship organization dedicated to inform, in- spire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the Unit- New Spackenkill Entrance Lights the Way ed Nations. Our local chapter of the UNA, the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter, promotes social To Oakwood Friends School justice and international humanitarian issues.

Oakwood Friends School lost a wonderful The fifth local celebration of International friend and distinguished alumnus when Samuel Human Rights Day was held on December P.S. Ho, class of 1955, passed away last year. 7, 2017 at the FDR Presidential Library. The Throughout his adult life, he expressed his two themes of the day were “Working To- gratitude and affection for Oakwood with gen- gether for Gender Equality” and “Connecting erous support of the Annual Fund to ensure the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to that students today will enjoy the same impor- Hudson Valley Issues and Solutions.” We dis- tant experience that he had. When settling his cussed our rights, specifically freedoms and financial affairs, Sam made a legacy gift to Oak- the political aspects and perspectives regard- wood of $100,000 to be used at the discretion ing those topics. Following last year’s event, of the head of school and board of managers. the suggestions generated by the workshops were shared with elected officials from all over Sam’s gift was used to refurbish the main en- the area. Four of the workshops included for trance to the School on Spackenkill Road, liter- 2018 were the Freedom of Expression, The Right ally lighting the way onto the Oakwood cam- to Participate in Politics, The Right to Safety, pus. With a new sign, fencing, lighting and and The Right to Equity in Compensation, all landscaping, the entry to Oakwood is beautiful under the general theme of “Women’s Rights and welcoming, and visible to those driving by “I have wonderful memories of my teach- are Human Rights.” Our goal is to continue in the community. We are so grateful for Sam’s ers and of friends I made at Oakwood. The to have productive and effective discussions generosity in making this much needed reno- surrounding various social issues. Drafted vation possible. We are pleased to acknowl- five years I spent at Oakwood were some of documents were shared with the attendees to edge Sam with a plaque at the entryway. the happiest of my life.” help them reflect and grasp a deeper mean- Black Creek Preserve Sam Ho ’55 ing for creating a more egalitarian society. 2 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 15 Inspiration from our Alumni Remembering Zane Mandel-Michalak ’13 By: Chad Cianfrani, Head of School impact of food scarcity and distribution IN MEMORY within the Hudson Valley. When upper servers, but rather of individuals genuinely school students study economics and inter- Elizabeth Abel Wade ’30 engaged with a culture vastly different from national relations, they do so with a global March 20, 2017 their own. Their work and research helped perspective enriched by a community draw- shape community development policy, hu- ing experience from multiple nations and Ellen Hart Mulvey ’39 man rights, international policy and peace cultures. And when we gather each week August 16, 2017 studies, and did so in a manner truly reflec- as a community in silent meeting, we listen Charlotte Brown Tickell ’39 tive of the needs unique to each community. inwardly; we reflect deeply and we draw strength and support from one another. March 23, 2016 At Oakwood, we strive each day to inspire F. Stewart (Stu) Stover ’42 and challenge our community to view the Talking with Paul this winter served as an January 17, 2018 world through a similar lens. We ask stu- inspirational reminder of what lies at the dents to use their education as a means of intersection of passion, engagement, cu- Peter Lewis Silveston ’47 Zane with brother Max expanding their understanding and as a ve- riosity and humanity. As he and his class- January 7, 2018 hicle to evoke social and political change. mates prepare to celebrate their 70th re- When our current middle school students union this May, I am excited to envision Neil Alan Randell ’49 study sustainable practices in the green- the important work our current seniors July 25, 2017 This winter I had the great fortune to travel house, they are challenged to explore the will tackle in the decades to come. Joan Guzy Gold ’50 and share some of the exciting and important December 9, 2017 work underway in Oakwood’s classrooms and throughout our campus. From California John Highberger ’52 to Boston to Florida, alumni, board members September 13, 2017 and friends of Oakwood welcomed me into their homes and communities. I listened Alice Kelsey ’52 intensely to students, some of whom I re- February 27, 2018 member teaching as 9th graders, as they dis- cussed their graduate studies and the exciting John ( Jack ) Collins ’53 challenges of their first jobs. I was humbled January 27, 2018 by other alumni who discussed life’s work Frank Rizzolo ’57 dedicated to professions in academia, fi- June 2, 2011 nance, medicine, politics and education. Robert Douglas Moore ’58 Zane with Zach Missen-Jones ’11 December 10, 2017 on vacation Marcia Heiman ’59 January 8, 2018 Chad catching up with Basira Daqiq ’17 and Jackie Jin ’16 at a gathering hosted by board member Beth Porter ’87 in Newton, MA. Thomas Caswell Grave ’61 October 4, 2017 Judith Ann Nierenberg ’64 Members of the Board of Managers gathered July 7, 2016 Mary (Molly) Wood ’68 on the new Reagan patio in January. July 15, 2017 Abby Litwin Mooney ’79 October 8, 2017 Christopher Naney ’83 October 28, 2017 Don Spencer, Paul Doughty ’48 and Elaine Zane Mandel-Michalak ’13 Miles in Gainesville, FL. Zane with middle school friends Ozi Mat- September 4, 2017 While enjoying some delicious fish and thews, Henry Harms and Alex Rodriguez Harold (Hap) Peele chips in a little diner in Gainesville Florida a Former Faculty few weeks ago, our board president, alumni December 15, 2017 director and I had the distinct pleasure of eating and talking with one such alumnus, Oak Leaves Georgia Preston Paul Doughty ’48. Soft-spoken, witty and Winter 2017-18 Former Faculty eloquent, Paul joked that he could talk ef- January 18, 2018 fortlessly on any topic, but only in 50 min- ELAINE MILES ute increments (as that was the length of Director of Development & Alumni Affairs Joseph Rutledge the classes he had taught.) Both Paul and Former Board Member his wife Polly dedicated their lives to stud- JULIE OKONIEWSKI October 3, 2016 ies in applied anthropology, a field Paul Associate Director of Development & has engaged in for almost seven decades. Back row: Ralph Skeels ’60, Michael Quinland, Fred Rodriguez, John Scardina, Alumni Affairs Yoshiro Sanbonmatsu As we moved from dipping bread to onion Eric Wohlforth ’50, Bob Bomersbach, Henry Brecher ’51. Front row: Jessica Kimelman ’93, Former Faculty WENDY GIANGRASSO October 22, 2017 rings he described the many Latin American Fred Doneit, Don Spencer, Loren Talbot ’91 and Najah Muhammad ’10. Assistant Director of Development & communities in which they immersed them- Not in photo: Jackson Collins, Mark Colvson, Patrick Crowley ’50, Emilie Gay, James O’Barr, Alumni Affairs selves beginning in the early 1950s. Paul’s Beth Porter ’87 and Bill Reagan. words painted a picture not of outside ob- 14 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 3

2007 2015 Congratulations to Emily Atkin on her coverage of Shray Pathania met up with former teachers and Parent Dinner Supports 2018 Annual Fund Alumni Gatherings the environmental disaster looming in Puerto Rico. alums at NYU in January where he has transferred Emily is a staff writer covering the environment for to the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. the New Republic. Thank you to our gracious hosts, Nancy and Art Saltford ’52, who welcomed Ella Maslin and her fiancé Ben Fink have started alumni and guests into their home in a collaborative company called Wood and Cut Washington, D.C. on October 29th. that focuses on handmade goods made primarily from locally sourced materials in the Hudson Val- ley. Ben, the woodworker, brings wood furniture, home wares, and jewelry to the mix, while Ella brings papercut art and textile goods that are made in their shared 19th century barn studio space in Milan, New York.

Shray with Oakwood faculty member Stephen Miller 2011 Congratulations to on earning his Gabe Matsakis 2017 Parent Volunteers: Alysa Sullivan, Bob Bomersbach, Josie Angley, Heidi Kronenberg, master's degree in International Conflict Analysis Kudos to Jabreel Harrell, a freshman at SUNY Cor- Martina Deignan, Doug Kirchner and Susanrachel Condon ’80. In photo, Eric Golden ’57, Walter Dent ’57, from The University of Kent in Canterbury, England. tland studying Economics, on his project to start Juan Williams ’72, Nancy Saltford, a Summer Youth Basketball League in the City of Barrett Nnoka ’74, David Sitomer ’65, Thank you to Tim and Laurel Sweeney, Poughkeepsie. Through this project Jabreel hopes Center for Therapeutic Massage, Ruchira Jessica Cuneo ’10, Elaine Miles, parents of Sean ’09, and owners of Stone to, “give young men and women the opportunity Chandra & Ryan Borress, Debbie Guy- Janet Tenney ’67 and Art Saltford ’52. to get off the streets and participate in an activity Ridge Wine & Spirits, for sponsoring our Christiansen & Peter Christiansen, we all love.” 13th annual wine dinner & auction to Reno Colalillo & Nancy Butterfield, support the Annual Fund. The event was Richard & Susanrachel Condon ’80, On November 12th, held on January 26th at Locust Grove – Peter Richmond Amy & Bob Cook, Laurie & Dave Craft, welcomed alumni to Samuel Morse Historic Site, catered by and Beth Porter ’87 De’s Jewelers, William Deluca, Eliza’s Eye their home in Newton, MA. Thank you! Cosimo’s. The festive evening was shared Family Photography, Kathleen & Frank by parents, faculty, board members and Estony, Richard & Melanie Feldman, Sabrina guests. Thank you to parents Emmy Gay Ferguson & Anthony Bax, Eve & Bruce and Alysa Sullivan who stepped up to serve Gendron, Gold’s Gym, Hudson Beach as auctioneers. Student artwork was on Glass, Hudson Valley Renegades, Hyde Park display and student musicians opened the Roller Magic, Italian Center, Joe Jankovsky, 2013 evening with their performances: Willow Timothy Judge, Kenco Outfitters, Katy Sebastian Wayne debated foreign policy at the 69th Bennison ’20, Elias Fredericks ’20 and Youyin Keen & George Kilby, Douglas Kirchner & annual Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA) 2008 (Benna) Su ’19. We are especially grateful Martina Deignan, Kramer Portraits, Heidi titled "The Politics of the Forgotten and the Ag- to two local businesses who sponsored Kronenberg, Claudette Leveque, Susan Angela Cuneo – Just got the letter today in the mail. grieved: Remaking the World Order" in November. 10 yr reunion coming up. Been so long since I’ve the dinner this year: Cleveland Plumbing & Masciale-Lynch & Sean Lynch, Locust Grove, Sebastian is a history major at Mount Saint Mary Heating and County Carburetor. Thank you! Marist College, McGillicuddy’s, Jonathan been back to Oakwood. Can’t wait to bring my son College. for his first Oakwood experience. Moss & Sadie Moss Jones, Mountain Float Spa, Jennifer & Ben Munger, Jeff Pollard, Evan from left - Basira Daqiq ’17, Sophie Poux ’17, Rabin, Bonnie Raitt ’67, Mary Redmond & board member Beth Porter ’87 and Rachel Lee – is currently working in the mobile ad- Faculty & Friends Peter Richmond, Alyssa Spencer ’13, Board member has been promoted Eli Schloss, Maia Rossini & Ryan Kelly, Lou vertising industry in Korea but will be making a Jackson Collins Eric Nelson ’82 and Sam Arfer ’85. move to Rome, Italy with her fiancé in May. to Associate Executive Director at Prep for Prep, a Simons ’56, Amy & Louis Solis, Amy Steckel leadership development program that offers stu- & Ted Farhangi, Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits, Natalie Varrallo is serving as the Director of the Cu- dents of color access to a private school education. Dan & Alysa Sullivan, Lucia & Scott Swartz, linary Arts Department at the Heartwood Institute Jackson previously served as Director of Counsel- Lynn Tirado, Malcolm Turk, Anne-Marie in Northern California. The culinary arts program ing, overseeing the well-being of over 700 students & James Uebbing, and Anna Wilson. focuses on a system of plant-based education that enrolled in independent day and boarding schools. merges nature with the science and art of agricul- ture and food preparation. Working with her in the Congratulations to French teacher Kate Saumure- culinary program is fellow alum, Nate Schoettle- Jones and her husband Steve Jones on the birth of Greene ’09. Natalie was just recently accepted to their son Charles on September 21, 2017, a wonder- the Sustainable MBA program at Green Mountain ful addition to our campus community. College in Vermont. The conference was held at the U.S. Military Acad- Student musician Elias Fredericks ’20 2009 emy at West Point. Delegates served on one of 15 Through the generosity of all our Congratulations to former student clerk Jonathon (JP) regional and topical round tables and were asked to Powers on his engagement to Jennifer Kennett ’08. auction item donors, we raised $13,000 assess and debate issues such as the impact of pop- for the Annual Fund. Thank you: A2B Young alums: Alyssa Spencer ’13, ulism on U.S. and European domestic and foreign Basira Daqiq ’17, Jackie Jin ’16 2010 Transportation, Adams Fairacre Farms, policy, the future of American alliances throughout Poughkeepsie, Sharon Alexander ’82, and Sophie Poux ’17. Lauren E. White graduated from Alfred University the world, U.S. responses to climate change, and Basira and Sophie are both freshman at in 2014 with a degree in Early Childhood Educa- Kayla & Hunter Allen, Akram Amirhosseini, U.S. policies to address ethnoreligious conflict and Josie & Michael Angley, Elizabeth Arnold, Smith College; Jackie is a sophomore at tion. She is a New York State certified teacher and mass displacement. Sebastian presented his group's Boston University and Alyssa is a graduate has worked for one year at the Branksome Hall Atlantic Theater Company, Balance Rolfing & policy memo for the reformation of NATO. Massage, Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Bill of Clark University and currently works School, in Jeju Island, Korea; 2 years at the Interna- in their Development & Alumni office. tional School of Stuttgart in Germany and recently Bogle ’76, Bottini Fuel, Boscobel Restoration, 2014 Bread Alone, Yvette Brockington, Camp Cody, joined the faculty of the American International Beth Gross – is now attending Pace University School in Budapest, Hungary where she teaches in Elizabeth Casasnovas-Calderon & JC Calderon, Auctioneer Emmy Gay, parent, the early childhood program. Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Willow Bennison ’20

1 4 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 13

1963 both Oakwood alums already, but it was amazing recently interviewed about her book on Late Night Sports Center Martha Richdale – It has been a rough two years to find out that Nina was as well. And there we with Seth Meyers. Toni Morrison was her thesis advi- By: Charlie Butts, Athletic Director with the illness and subsequent passing of my won- were, the three of us, all working to preserve cul- sor at Princeton and became her mentor. derful husband, Bill Bough, on August 9th. I am ture and history, each, in our own way. Who knew? As the 2017-18 school year opened, we back in New Hampshire in my little beach cottage, knew there would be challenges in the adjusting to life without him, looking forward to the athletic department. Many talented se- first snow and ‘reinventing’ myself. In April I am go- niors had graduated and many teams ing to Iceland, a trip we had hoped to make togeth- would need to rebuild. What would this er. I know he’ll be there in spirit! I wish you all good mean for our participation levels? I am health, laughter, love and peace in the year ahead. pleased to report that our athletes an- swered the call with 83% choosing to 1964 1995 play on a team in the fall. This would Pamela Tinnes Lord – An idea got into my head Forrest Rohde – I am currently an independent re- make the season a success no matter the about nature and how the animals react to very bad altor in Prescott, AZ, working in an International team’s record. Now, some highlights… weather. Before I knew it I had the workings for a Adrienne Larys ’62, Gary Slutzky ’70, Nina network. I am happily married to the beautiful children’s story. I have always made up stories to Lawford-Juviler ’53 Meghan Jo, and expecting my 4th child and 3rd son Our varsity soccer teams were especial- tell the grandkids at bed time. I had never written in April. I’m full of gratitude for all that is beautiful ly hard hit by last year’s graduation, but anything before and on a whim I sent the story to 1973 and wonderful in my life. they played hard and improved through- Page Publishing as a first time author. They read it, Annie Finch has just sent two new books to her out the season. On the girls’ side, coaches liked it and offered to print the story. I am looking agent: a book of poems called Amulet for Brave Jodi Allen and Megan Sanger juggled their to have it printed by January 2018. The story is Women and book of nonfiction, The Witch in You: lineups and players earned valuable ex- about friendship, inclusion and ecology. Girls' soccer team with seniors in front: Shai Black Bird & Aiyana Alexander Five Directions to Your Inner Goddess. Annie is perience at multiple positions. The team thrilled to be offering her first international retreat, traveled to Marvelwood in the first round 1965 a transformational week of writing and yoga for of the HVAL playoffs and played inspired John Blackman – retired as an attorney from the women at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala in February 2019 soccer, nearly pulling off the upset be- county of Los Angeles as of July 1, 2017. (more at anniefinch.com). fore falling 3-2. For awards, senior Shai Blackbird won the Versatility Award, and 1966 1974 sophomores Willow Bennison and Ste- Congratulations to Janet and Jerry White on their Jeff Fitts– Looking forward to early retirement from fanie Quintanilla won the Perseverance 40th anniversary. They celebrated in Hawaii. 36 years at Eastman Kodak. Enjoying the ability to and Commitment Awards respectively. stay connected through Facebook. For the boys, coaches Will Bussert and 1968 Stew Diaz lost 11 seniors from last sea- Andy Schlossberg - Happily retired for 7 years Karen Knowles – I retired from nursing in May 2017 Forrest & Meghan at the Scottish Games in Prescott, AZ son. Junior Xiao Kirchner improved nota- from the NYC Dept. of Ed. Enjoying traveling, my after 31 years. I am enjoying traveling, working bly over the course of the year and was a children and my new cockapoo puppy. Living in out, reading and connecting with old friends. 1998 team leader in his aggressiveness fighting Brooklyn, N.Y. Georgia Dalto – I love it out here in Nevada! We've for the ball. On defense, the team devel- 1975 had a strangely mild winter, but now it is finally oped better chemistry the more they com- 1969 snowing! I'm still working on my PhD, so that's sort municated and learned to cover for one Chuck Schwartz – Things could be better, but I will of a pain, but I hear it gets better after you graduate. :) another. Sophomore sweeper Christophe try to stay on course. Religion is very important. Mooney and junior right back Sage Per- Science is critical, though. We now have an anti- 2003 kins were particularly impressive. Chris- science President – this could spell doom. Congratulations to Jennifer Yee and her husband tophe’s ability to disrupt plays was criti- Eric Duchon and their son Julian on the birth of cal throughout the season. While nearly 1970 baby sister Eleanor Irene Shu-guang Duchon on all of​ Oakwood's​ 2017 roster could come Theresa Riley Baron – Still loving the retirement December 4th, 2017. back next year, we will lose the following phase of my life. Working with LEGO and Robotics seniors: ​goalie Matthew Rodriguez, ​mid- Coaches Will Bussert and Stew Diaz with boys' soccer team is still a great passion of mine but now, I am more 2004 fielder Chris Ishimwe, midfielder Amir Mo- judging the teams than mentoring them. I recently Megan Krause-Kelley – Bodhi Marcus Kelley was vahedi, defender Spike Kelly-Rossini, and fulfilled one of my ‘bucket list’ items and that was Rachel Silveston with her Dad Peter Silveston ’47 at born on November 9, 2017. We can’t wait to take him forward Taji Parker. These players will be In cross country, our boys and girls teams visiting the GIANT causeway in Northern Ireland. Alumni Weekend 2017. home! Chlöe loves her little baby brother! A great missed for their leadership and toughness. were once again led by coaches Bill Doo- Wow! Hi to all my classmates and enjoy whatever 4th birthday present for a big sister (November 10th!) little and Sean Thompson. Both teams comes your way. 1976 Our girls’ varsity volleyball team, coached were larger than normal and both were Bill Bogle – I have retired from the practice of law 2005 by Sara Sandstrom, finished third in a a mix of experience and youth. Over the Helen Claxton – The remarks of Rebecca Gnessin and left Poughkeepsie for warmer climate. We are Irene Yee is a climber and climbing photographer in very competitive Hudson Valley Athletic season, the teams developed good pack- ’01 in the November mailer really resonated with living in the South Carolina low country near Hilton Las Vegas, NV. She started climbing 3 years ago and League. They eventually lost in the HVAL running which works in the favor of scor- me. I echo many of her sentiments when speaking Head, Beaufort, Bluffton and Savannah, GA. My immediately fell in love with the sport. It inspired semi-finals in a tough match with Storm ing. The teams were often in the thick of to friends about my time at Oakwood. My experi- mom, Gloria Bogle, class of 1943, sold her house her to pick up a camera and start chronicling her King. They also narrowly missed out earn- the scoring, and just points away from a ence at Oakwood transformed my intellectual and this summer and has moved to Savannah, GA. We adventures and the people she meets along the way. ing the team’s first ever bid to the New high finish. Some highlights included the spiritual DNA! Like Rebecca, I give to Oakwood to are loving the south, finding new friends, and car- Irene also works as a carpenter for Cirque Du Soleil. England championships. Throughout girls' first place finish at the NYMA In- help the school keep doing what it does. Thank ing for our two dogs, Hawkey and Wrigley. the season, there was some tremendous vitational, and junior Layton Liu outpac- you, Rebecca. Thank you, Oakwood. serving by seniors Maty Thiam, Claudia ing the 3 favorites for an individual cham- 1986 Sicherman, Nancy Masimbi, and Briana pionship at the PDS Invitational. For the Gary Slutzky - You just never know how, when Sarah Hoffmann – Enjoying the season. Happy to Uket. In one game, the team was trail- season awards, Layton was the Boys' MVP, or where Oakwood Alumni will come together. offer hospitality to traveling friends. Email to ar- ing by 6 and Briana served out the game and freshman Adele Fredericks was the The three of us attended the annual Zadock Pratt range. I’m in a new job in stroke research. Life is with 8 straight points. Another senior, Girls’ MVP. Coaches' Awards went to the Museum dinner at Hunter Mountain to honor re- good! [email protected] Adele Ruboneka, was one of the league girl's captains, seniors Echo Xu and Lily cipients of awards for preserving the culture and leaders in blocks. Solid all-around play Schaeufele for their fine leadership and hard history of the Catskills. Adrienne Larys and I have 1988 from junior setter Caitlin Amann and work. Finally, earning Coaches’ Awards known each other for some time, as we are board Congratulations to Ladee Hubbard for her debut novel, Briana kept the team in most matches. for the boys were junior Evan Qian and 8th members of the Mountain Top Historical Society. "The Talented Ribkins." Ladee is an adjunct lecturer in grader Eamon Lynch, who together led the Jeremy Atkins and 8th grader We met Nina Lawford-Juviler, a regional cultural the Africana Studies Program at Tulane University in team in practice and in meet scoring. Dylan Horton-Ungar in a martial arts magazine publisher (Kaatskill Life), tonight at our New Orleans. She earned her undergraduate degree demonstration for middle school table. Somehow, Nina mentioned she graduated at Princeton University, her MFA at the University of from Oakwood. Adrienne and I knew we were Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. at UCLA. She was Irene Yee – featured in the Las Vegas Review Journal 12 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 5 Class Notes Students took on the challenging work of "She Kills Monsters" by Qui Nguyen was The Arts at Oakwood Henrik Ibsen with their fall production of performed in February to an enthusiastic A Doll’s House. Performers were transport- crowd. The play takes place in 1995 and ed back to 1879 where the lead character, follows the story of average Agnes Evans, a Nora Helmer, is being blackmailed. In an 24-year-old high school English teacher, who effort to save her husband Torvald’s life, becomes a lot less average when her parents Nora borrowed money and forged a name. and younger sister, Tilly, die in a tragic car Now her fate rests in the hands of a dis- accident. While finally getting around to gruntled bank employee, Mr. Nils Krogstad. cleaning out her family's house, she finds If Torvald discovers the truth, will he pro- Tilly’s Dungeons and Dragons module, a tect his wife? Students delivered a strong map for a game. As Agnes plays the game 1943 Paul Doughty – Don Spencer, President of the Marion Cunningham Twichell – We evacuated from performance and grew as actors through in order to get to know her sister better, she Bertha May Nicholson – What a delightful surprise Board, joined Chad Cianfrani and Elaine Miles on a the Ojai Valley during the devastating Thomas fire their experience of preparing for the play. discovers the sister she never really knew. to receive a certificate commemorating my gradu- visit with Paul Doughty at his home in Gainesville, and were very grateful to return to our unscorched ation from Oakwood. Has it really been 75 years? Florida in February. and intact home. Much kindness from strangers and It’s unbelievable how fast time flies. My year at friends, heroics by firefighters, winds blowing in the Oakwood was formative, very important to me. I 1952 right direction are highlights of this experience. think especially of Will Reagan, Miss Purnell and Andrew Harkness – Pee Wee King once said ‘A the view from the summer house. good day is one when I awake, extend my elbows 1958 and don’t feel wood!’ So, I have decided to live Michael Beecher – Still living in Seattle and teach- Stefanie Quintanilla ’20 with Music Director 1946 forever…or die trying! ing at the University of Washinton. But with our Ted Messerschmidt at Marist College Elizabeth Nunn Kramer – Still hanging in there – youngest son at Columbia Medical School, we’re living at a retirement community connected to the 1954 hoping to combine a visit to NY with the 60th re- Oakwood sophomore Stefanie Quintanilla University of Florida – Go Gators! Married to Buddy Linda Rahl Nadas – Well, my daughter Ruth Gita union of the class of 1958. Would love to hear from and Music Director Ted Messerschmidt per- Kramer died in 2017. She left a son Jakob. He is okay and some classmates! formed at Marist College's "Music through my husband and I are guardians. I am still creating the Ages" in December. Stefanie played clay objects with attention. Creating is the closest 1959 viola with the Marist College Symphony Or- thing to total meditation. I fire to cone 9 and so far Carole Grayson, widow of Alex Hart – A month be- chestra under Ted's direction. The concert so good. Anita Dickhuth and I see each other of- fore her sudden death, Sukey Stone Eldridge and included music from the past 500 years with ten. She actually has turned into quite a collector of I spent a lovely day in NYC. I was visiting from selections by Glinka (Overture to Ruslan pots! Best wishes for the new year everyone! Email: Seattle. Met her at Grand Central with a list of and Ludmilla), Tchaikovsky (The Nutcracker Willow Bennison ’20 as Nora in [email protected] museums open that day, a Monday. Instead, we Suite), Astor Piazzolla (Libertango), and John "A Doll's House" repaired to a café, where we talked for 4 hours. Williams (Superman Returns Soundtrack). Sara Jane Benson Victor – We were impacted by We then bought bagels next door, talked more and hurricane Irma but are slowly getting our house walked back to Grand Central. I treasure memories Oakwood's Community Service through the back to normal. Welcomed 2nd great-grandchild of that day and seeing Sukey at her and Alex’s 50th Arts class gives students hands on experi- Four Years of in May. and 55th reunions and at a small memorial for Alex ence in planning and implementing com- Claudia Sicherman ’18 in in Bethlehem, CT, in May 2016. Alex always had munity performances and brings the arts to "She Kills Monsters" 1956 a special place in his heart for Sukey. I miss them. people who may not otherwise have regu- Theater at Oakwood By Claudia Sicherman ‘18 Martha Ullman West – As I approach my 80th birth- lar access to live music. During the winter acters in Oakwood theater however, are the day and also the completion of my book: Ballet, Family and friends gathered at Oakwood to celebrate term students performed at the Manor at casts and crews. Though they also change Deborah Satz Scheer – Chad Cianfrani and Elaine American Style: Todd Bolender and Janet Reed, I the life of Sukey Stone Eldridge on November 25. Woodside Retirement Home in Poughkeep- My legs shake, and the stage creaks from term to term, once a student or fac- Miles visited with Debbie Scheer in November at am distracted, pleasantly, by my grandchildren, Fe- sie and the Cardinal Hayes School for Spe- ever so slightly as the cast takes their ulty participates in a production, it becomes her home in Corte Madero, CA odor and Flora West and unpleasantly by the sorry 1960 cial Children. Residents of both programs places. In that one instant, the whole very evident that we are, in fact, a family. state of the republic, starting each day with the sign- Ralph Skeels – Chad Cianfrani and Elaine Miles vis- thoroughly enjoyed the performances and room holds its breath, then the lights Dysfunctional though we may sometimes ing of petitions. ited with Board member Ralph Skeels and his wife appreciated spending time with the stu- come up and thus begins: Act One… be, fighting on (and sometimes off) -stage, Judy Skeels at their home in Woodbury, NJ. dent performers. This year, an additional we all come together in the end for a com- David White – Our apologies to David White for program was initiated involving an arts From first setting foot on Oakwood stage, mon goal: to put on a fantastic show. The- omitting his name from the 10 year honor roll in exchange with young people at a youth to being cast in my final musical this term, ater has taught me to work with others in 2017. We appreciate David’s dedicated support! detention center in the Hudson Valley. theater at Oakwood has changed and a way I hadn’t needed to before, and has, bettered me as an actor, a student, and on more than one occasion, caused me to 1957 a person. When I first arrived as a rather form some unlikely but very strong friend- Henry Greenberg – My family narrative was pub- outgoing freshman, I had very limited ex- ships. One particularly challenging produc- lished on Amazon in 2017. “Enoch’s Legacy” is perience with performance art, and always tion was Sartre’s No Exit, because of its titled for my paternal grandfather and dedicated to thought myself better suited to visual art. small cast of four actors and its heavy con- our 5 grandchildren, the youngest now 6 weeks On Orientation Day, I strolled past the hu- tent. Despite being one of the more chal- 1948 old. Of all my schooling, Oakwood, by far the best. manities teachers and stopped to look at lenging plays for me, it was also the most Irene Nemes Csordas with her grandson Alexander the courses offered in the arts. I stopped rewarding and important to me as an ac- and his bride Elizabeth at their wedding on August Marty Shaw enjoyed a lunch visit with Beth and 1961 to look at drawing classes when a flyer tor and from a literary standpoint as well. 12, 2017. Alex is the son of Ann & Gabor Csordas ’68. Hugo Sonnenschein and Gwen Rice at Gwen's Jean Kantambu Latting – Our apologies to Jean caught my eye: Xanadu. I auditioned on home in Chicago. for omitting her gift in memory of Barbara Mahone a whim, and, before I knew it, I’d found From Xanadu to You’re a Good Man, Char- Brown ’62 in the 2017 Annual Gifts Report. a passion and talent I never knew I had. lie Brown, Oakwood theater has set me on a path I didn’t originally envision for my- 1962 Theater at Oakwood has always been an self, but I couldn’t be more grateful. I hope Edith Root – I have been rebalancing my life since outlet for me: the people, the plays, and many students to come get to experience my husband’s death last month. I intend to pur- even the space, where I sometimes find my- the laughs, tears, and support that the the- sue my passions for skiing by teaching and running self between rehearsals, simply because it ater program at Oakwood has given me. womens’ programs (30 years!) at Jiminy Peak AND feels so natural. Most people find the open, My director, Melissa, music producer, Ted, my love of nature and horses by continuing work dimly-lit room to be unsettling, but to me, and the group of consistent “theater kids” with fox hounds of Old Chatham Hunt. Oakwood it’s home. I’ve seen it change and grow over have taught me so much and mean the helped me learn that we all must find our personal the years, much as I have. It has seen new world to me. It is truly a life-changing jour-

path to spread happiness in those we touch. paint jobs, renovations, different sets, and, ney I’ve been on, and I’m sad to leave it in Marty, Hugo & Gwen Students performing for residents from play to play the space changes, almost the past, but I’ll never forget the feeling of as if it were a character itself. The best char- stepping onstage for the very first time. 6 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 11 My First Year at Oakwood Oakwood Welcomes Yosh Sanbonmatsu - Legendary Teacher Reflections By: Stew Diaz, Spanish teacher Author Paula By Marj Frazer Lacey ‘56 So sorry to hear about Yosh's death. He did, I have been very impressed by the manner Whitacre indeed, have in his own quiet way a tre- in which these students have been using mendous influence on many of us. I had their Spanish knowledge to conduct valu- always liked to write, but during my ju- able comparative research; on the one hand, nior year at Oakwood in Yosh's American meeting all their grammatical, vocabulary, Lit class, I soon discovered I had a lot to and cultural background requirements; on learn about that craft. Yosh not only chal- the other, effectively communicating the lo- lenged me to think analytically (a real cal efforts taking place in the Hudson Riv- stretch for me at the time), but to express er Valley with the three ethno educational myself clearly and master the art of tran- schools from the villages of Bunkwimake sitioning from one point to another in a (Arhuacan), Mulkwakungui (Kogi), and way that the reader could easily follow. Zalemaku de Sertuga (Wiwa), both in writ- ing and speaking (re. video production). He took the time to sit down and go over each paper I wrote and point out exactly Students are currently in the process of trans- how I could improve it. Though I felt very ferring their story boards to dialogue format, connected to many of the teachers at Oak- which will be edited, rehearsed, and filmed wood, Yosh was special; I felt that he cared as a final project and first video going out Sue Cianfrani, Community Outreach Co- about me as a person, not just as an Ameri- to these communities. In turn, they will be ordinator, author Paula Whitacre and Bill can Lit student. As you might imagine, my receiving responses from their indigenous Jeffway, Executive Director of the Dutchess choice of careers (all of them) are in one way Cyril Uebbing ’20 with Stew Diaz during peers and my former indigenous colleagues. County Historical Society. Yoshiro Sanbonmatsu died in Plymouth, taught a course at the high school on the or another partially an outgrowth of his in- Spirit Week’s Twin Day. Massachusetts, on October 22, 2017. Yosh, African-American experience. He also taught fluence. During college, I worked on the lo- Stew Diaz earned a BA in English and The- cal daily newspaper and planned to pursue On Wednesday January 24th, Oakwood as he was known, was born on April inmates at a local prison and was an active The idea of working with a diverse student ater Arts at Virginia Tech, an MA in An- a career in journalism. Once I started a fam- hosted author Paula Tarnapol Whitacre 24, 1924, in Holtville, California, to supporter of Native American causes. A population and talented group of colleagues thropology at Universidad de los Andes, Bo- ily, however, I sought a more child-rearing- in a special Community Meeting. Paula Teru Tsuchiya (mother) and Yoshimitsu patriot in the mold of Mark Twain, whom he has been exciting for me. It's been an event- gota, Columbia, and is currently working friendly avenue and (you guess it) became shared her book, “A Civil Life in an Un- Sanbonmatsu (father). During the Second admired (and taught), Yosh loved his country, ful year, whether engaged in the Spanish towards an MS in Environmental Education an English teacher. That segued into school civil Time: Julia Wilbur’s Struggle for Pur- World War, anti-Japanese hysteria led to the but resisted its government's war-making. classroom, spending time with students in at Southern CT State University. He special- counseling and family therapy--again simi- pose” with the community during her visit. US government's internment of Yosh and his the dorms, on the soccer field, or on the bas- izes in Latin American culture, ethno edu- family at a Japanese-American internment After retiring from the Plymouth schools, lar to something Yosh did so well, namely ketball court... fully absorbing the school cul- cation, literary criticism and bilingual cur- connect with people on a personal level. The subject of her book, Julia Wilbur, at- camp in Poston, Arizona. Yosh left the Yosh became a full-time artist, concentrating ture and ethos-- not to mention, being a cam- ricular design for environmental education. tended Oakwood's predecessor school, camp to become a student at Swarthmore on political and social themes and working pus resident, has also enhanced this process! Prior to joining Oakwood, he lived in Co- Now, in retirement, I continue to write-- Nine Partners, in the late 1820s. As an adult, College, then joined the US Army and in oils, acrylics, watercolor, silkscreen, and lumbia for 8 years, teaching and conduct- first a book (It's Not a Life Sentence) and she became active in abolitionism in Roch- served in Europe and the Phillipines in sculpture. He received a Masters in Fine Art Classes have come alive and provided ing anthropological research with indig- now a website devoted to that topic, a ester, and then went to Alexandria, VA, to 1944-45. After the war, Yosh completed from Bridgewater State College and studied some cultural learning opportunities for enous communities in the Sierra Nevada of travel site (traveltripsntips.com), and a po- assist African Americans escaping slavery. his BA in literature at Swarthmore. at the Massachusetts College of Art. In the students and Oakwood community mem- Santa Marta, Columbia. He enjoys combin- litical site (voter beat.com). Writing has After the war, she worked for the Freed- 1990s, he was one of the co-organizers of bers alike. During the fall and early winter, ing Spanish with fieldwork in the classroom been a constant for me throughout my life. men’s Bureau and tried to register to vote After working at the Doubleday bookstore Dave's Art Gallery, a political art gallery for example, all my Spanish classes have to encourage a career-minded focus. in the Washington in 1869. Her Quaker in New York, and after briefly retiring to in Cambridge, as well as the Gallery of helped build a community altar in the Li- One story may illustrate Yosh's impressive roots served her well throughout her life Paris with a young man's dream of writing Social and Political Art in Boston. Yosh's brary for our Oakwood family to participate the Great American Novel, Yosh settled artwork, the subject of a gallery exhibition ability as a teacher. When I went to Earl- with; we made sugar skulls to display dur- ham, I was placed in Freshman Humani- While doing research for her book, Pau- upon a career as an English teacher. His in Boston in 2004, can be viewed at ing Days of the Dead, and learned about ties, an advanced six-unit English course. la Whitacre contacted Oakwood Friends first appointments were at the Cherry Lawn www.sanbonmatsu.net. the Three Kings Day traditions in Spain The chair of the English department was School and heard back from student archi- School in Connecticut, then at Oakwood and other the Spanish-speaking regions. on sabbatical my freshman year, but I had vist He wrote: “I was Friends School in New York. In 1963, Yosh put family above all else. He was Matthew Voorhees ’17. heard many good things about the sopho- forwarded your email and was excited about Yosh joined the faculty of the English happiest when biking or kayaking with his All Spanish classes have also highlighted more Masterworks class he taught so, when this information. It is always nice to learn Department at Plymouth Carver Regional partner, or camping or going to the beach the Oaxacan Regional traditions in Mex- he returned the following year, I enrolled. about former students – even if it was over High School, and served as department with family. He was a loving and unusually ico, as a pre-cursor to our 2018 Spring Part way through the year, my fresh- a hundred and fifty years ago. I recognized chair. Yosh remained at PCHS for 28 years, involved and devoted father and grandfather, Break trip with students and my col- man professor stopped me in the hallway. Julia Wilbur’s name immediately and knew playing a key role in developing the high never too busy to help his children with league, Clara Crosby. We are visiting that in the Alson and Irene Van Wagner Ar- school English curriculum and offering math homework, to read their poetry, or to Oaxaca from March 3rd to March 12th. "I just wanted to tell you," he said. "Your chives Room here in the library, there was a path-breaking courses in film making create sand sculptures for them at the beach. Masterworks prof asked me recent- copybook that she had written in 1829.” and visual literacy, among other subjects. He hand-crafted dollhouses for each of his As part of their final project going into spring daughters, replete with wallpapered rooms, ly if I taught you to write the way you term, Spanish 4 students have also been A fierce advocate of freedom of thought, carved banisters, and a working doorbell. do. I told him no; you came that way." learning about the Kogi and Arhuacan indig- Yosh once publicly defended the teaching enous communities, especially in regard to of J.D. Salinger's book, Catcher in the Rye, Yosh will be remembered by all who And the fact that I "came that way" was largely their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) against would-be school censors. He was knew him as a legendary teacher, a due to Yosh. It wasn't until I watched my fel- systems. This ethnoecological work, carried a widely respected and admired teacher loving father, grandfather, husband, and low freshmen struggling to put thoughts to out mostly by the Kogi and Arhuacan Ma- who sought to educate his students helpmate, and as a man of great dignity paper that I realized what a gift I'd been given. mas (tribal leaders), focuses on water man- about the human condition in all its and moral seriousness who nonetheless agement and our human impact on Mother complexities and contradictions. To this retained his sense of playfulness, good Thank you for the opportunity to reflect Earth (re. mining, destruction of sacred ter- day, former students of his speak of the humor, compassion, and humility to the on a very important part of my life. ritories, lack of understanding). The students Stew Diaz working with Michael Angley '21 enormous impact he had on their lives. end of his days. He was a modest man will also be responsible for organizing a and Dylan Horton-Ungar '22 making sugar of more1 than modest accomplishments. fundraising effort to collect school supplies Throughout his life, Yosh was a passionate skulls for a Dia de los Muertos celebration and used clothing for these communities. advocate for social justice who identified with Reprinted with permission from Yosh’s son, the most vulnerable in society. Inspired by John Sanbonmatsu, Ph.D., Professor of Bailey Allen ’22 at work the Civil Rights Movement, he designed and Philosophy, WPI. 10 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 7 Jonathan Kaplan ’68 to Open Alumni Weekend Remembering Scientists at work in the Middle School

"So I Asked Myself.... How Did I get Here?" Hap Peelle Black-legged tick project Garden Grant: By Daniel Shurman ’67 If you see a couple of sites on campus with This $2,000 grant will be used to enhance a webcam and bait set up (one behind Craig our very successful garden program now in working as a ceramic artist. He now curates dorm and one in the wetlands by the solar its second year. Oakwood’s garden program Plinth Gallery and serves on the board of The array,) don't be alarmed! Cary Institute is uses a four season passive solar greenhouse. Studio Potter. In 2015, Jonathan was elected teaching the ecology of the black legged tick Last year, C.J. Nutting ’17 built a fence enclo- to the International Academy of Ceramics. (better know as the deer tick) to the 8th grad- sure to help prevent animals from entering. ers. It turns out deer are NOT the major cul- With this grant, we hope to grow enough This event is the 5th annual arts presentation prit of these menaces but squirrels and voles in the garden to donate to the local food launched by Jonathan Talbot ’57 who are! Stay tuned to hear what we catch on pantry in addition to providing fresh veg- presented “Collage: Medium and Metaphor.” the cam or on our home made track plates! etables for our school’s dining room. We The following year, Molly Lynn Watt ’56 also want to install a drip irrigation system presented “On the Wings of Song – a that teaches students about water conser- Journey into the Civil Rights Era,” followed vation and naturally creates a system that by Lakota performer, storyteller and activist ensures plant health. We will also purchase Tiokasin Ghosthorse who visited campus for a storage barn solely for garden supplies. a 3 day celebration of Lakota culture. Last Growing our food. year, photographer John Willis of Marlboro Howard “Hap” Peelle - my Oakwood Oakwood’s garden program is a wonderful College combined his presentation about a football coach and advanced math teacher enhancement to our science and math cur- Our 5th annual Arts Presentation will cross-cultural arts exchange with a day of from 1964 to 1967. Thank you Hap for your riculum. In middle school, we teach earth, open Alumni Weekend 2018 on Friday, service learning on Earthshare Day. Special coaching and teaching. You changed the life and environmental sciences. Composting May 18th, 2:30 pm. Ceramicist Jonathan thanks to Marsha and Jonathan Talbot ’57 for course of my life. Without your insistence has been used to study ecology and explain Kaplan, class of 1968, will present: "So I their on-going support of this lecture series. that I learn to program computers in 1967, Afghan Girls Build how sewage treatment works as students By Hadi Daqiq ’19 asked Myself………How Did I Get Here"? because they would become important in learn about the local watershed. They also on the occasion of his 50th reunion. the geometry of the world, there would study alternative energies and the passive “Had it not been for the ceramics class I took have been no second career for me in the solar greenhouse is a perfect model to help Jonathan Kaplan earned a BFA from Rhode in my senior year with Rebecca Willis, I would world of personal computers and high tech. understand this concept. In earth science, Island School of Design and an MFA from There would have been no WFB Jr. in my students learn geology and erosion and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. not have had a meaningful and productive life, nor Bonnie McDaniel Johnson, and no Cary Institute educator Shelly Forster the ingredients of soil. Photosynthesis ex- He has had a serendipitous career in career as a ceramic artist and educator. I am David Liddle and Paul Allen. Hap, thank periments are also conducted in the green- ceramics including teaching, writing as well forever grateful to Oakwood School to have you for your Quaker-informed kindness Whole Kids Foundation Grants house. Students measure and record com- as maintaining an active studio practice enriched my life in such a way.” and your quick humor. You touched Congratulations to middle school science post data in an excel program and study and including design and manufacturing for the – Jonathan Kaplan ’68 me many times over what became a 53 teacher Miriam Straus for receiving two graph the data. Oakwood works in partner- tabletop industry for over 40 years. Jonathan year friendship with you and your wife. grants from the Whole Kids Foundation ship with the Poughkeepsie Farm Project. seems to reinvent himself from time to time whose mission is to improve children’s but has always kept his eye on the prize, When we experienced your last months nutrition and wellness by supporting edu- Miriam Straus grew up on a dairy farm and and death we knew that we would miss cators and families to help children get ex- studied agriculture in college. Prior to teach- Alumni Weekend you. And at the same time you are re- cited about fresh fruits, vegetables, whole ing, she had a shiitake mushroom operation May 18-20, 2018 membered: You were and continue to be grains and other nutritious whole foods. to grow and sell mushrooms locally. She also - a shining example of how to be human worked in programs specifically designed Friday, May 18th and excellent - all at the same time. I will Honey Bee Grant: to integrate gardens into the classroom 2:30pm Arts Presentation celebrate your birthday on Feb 8 with a This grant for $1,500 seeks to stimulate curi- and to learn about food production. 40 Years with Jonathan Kaplan ’68 trip to Bean Hollow to see the ocean. osity in young people about the importance 5:30pm Welcome Reception & Buffet Dinner of honey bees in our lives and food system, “Well it has been “a few” years but a nostalgic 8:00pm Student production: the need to understand and embrace them, at heart when I got the letter from Oakwood You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and the value of caring about their well- with your email addresses I could not resist. A.H. Lane Auditorium being. Miriam Straus accompanied the 6th I was sorry the list was not complete and grade class to Adams to purchase a bee pack- Saturday, May 19th Over winter break, I went home to names like Byron, Lane, Tony, Barb, Ralph, age consisting of a queen bee and about a Afghanistan and had the most enlightening Keith, Lisa, Arlene, Michelle, Leslie and Susan 9:00am Registration & Continental Breakfast pound of worker bees to get the hive started. experience of my year. I started a program were not included but I wanted to reach out 10:00am Alumni Association Annual Meeting Congratulations to class of 1943: Gloria called “Afghan Girls Build,” a website to each of you. Though only there for a quick & Community Meeting Garlick Bogle, Joyce Benson Caswell, Bertha development program for girls. We had 12:00pm Lunch under the tent & year, my senior year, I truly loved Oakwood May Pearson Nicholson, Dorothy Hansson two weeks of training and I have seen my Class Photographs Richardson, Marjorie Wilder Ross, and Carl students going from no knowledge of web and recall most of you quite vividly. I have 2:00pm Reception for Class of 1968 development to building their own websites. visited the campus a few times as Julie James Swenson on the occasion of your 75th 3:00pm Tea in Collins Library reunion! ’80 and I eventually got together and are 4:30pm Reception for Oak Tree Club The purpose of the program is to encourage now married. Moved out of NYC in 2000 and - (Class of 1967 & prior) Afghan girls to study computer science and have two “big” kids here in Delaware. Julie 6:00pm Festive Dinner in Dining Hall to show them the possibility of what they has family in the Hudson Valley and I spent 8:00pm Student production: And to class of 1948: Frederick Brady, could do by coding. I realized that we fully some time there as well so we have dropped You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Virginia Self Bunker, Beatrice “Tooky” Scherf achieved the goal of the program when I A.H. Lane Auditorium learned that one of my students changed in to Oakwood a few times over the years but Campione, Robert Collins, Irene Nemes th Csordas, Earle Curtis, Paul Doughty, Patricia her major to Computer Science because of never on the actual reunion day – so it has Sunday, May 20 Weaver Erne, Marian Amsen Finch, Lt. Ray the program. All of my students were able been more like a “campus walk around”. So 9:00am Hot Breakfast Frasier, George Langer, Janet Deuell Merritt, to make and launch their own websites by much looks the same. Hope all of you are well 10:30am Meeting for Worship Marilyn Beers Neal, Bruce Osborne, Tom the end of the program and I even had a and thriving. Write back if you dare!” - Nine Partners Meeting House Renouf, Lyova Rosanoff, Preston Smith student who started working in a company – Ken Brick ’78 and Gretchen Shane Swackhamer on the Students ordering a bee package at Adam's. Miriam Straus placing order with an as a web developer. I hope to expand the [email protected] occasion of your 70th reunion! Adam’s employee. program in the next couple of years.

1 8 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 9 Universal Declaration of Human Rights Libby Moroff Ethics Bowl By Sophie Poux ’17 Leadership Program By Nafisa Rashid ’19 Participants in the Libby Moroff Leadership On Saturday morning, January 27th, 2018, Program have had a busy few months! In student adviser Stephen Miller and seven January, members of the group attended Oakwood students traveled to New York Ignite National's NYC Young Women's Po- University to participate in The National litical Leadership Conference at NYU and High School Ethics Bowl Competition. Stu- connected with alumnae who participated dent participants included ninth graders in the initial roll out of the program. Speak- Bella Gedeon and Elizabeth Estony, Elev- ers included a wide variety of political enth graders Hadi Daqiq, Abbie Tulloch and leaders and advocates including Congress- Nafisa Rashid and Twelfth graders Adele women Grace Meng and Yvette Clarke, Ruboneka and Garrett Tanis. Another elev- enth grader, Olivia Castanza-Leasure who and Tarana Burke, founder of the #metoo Abby Tullock ’19, Nafisa Rashid ’19, movement. The girls took part in work- helped to organize this year’s ethics bowl teams was unfortunately unable to attend Bella Gedeon ’21 and Garret Tanis ’18 at shops covering topics such as social media Ethics Bowl campaigns, working on the Hill and tips due to a sudden cold. Participants had to for lobbying. It was a wonderful, hands- prepare over several months by studying on event that included great networking! ethical dilemmas, learning moral theories Sophie Poux at Smith College and figuring out ways to solve these ethi- When I got to New York University I saw cal dilemmas. Some of these dilemmas in- many other students my age reading over volved whether people should be hired if many papers and preparing for the Bowl. I they are smokers, whether students should prepared with my team members by going still be accepted or not into Harvard based over several cases and finalizing what argu- on immature actions they took on social ments we wanted to make. When compet- media and many other very interesting, ing against other teams I felt very nervous timely and thought provoking questions. but when I finally spoke I felt a little more relaxed and had support from my team- Oakwood Students were divided into two mates, Abbie, Bella and Garrett. During the teams, Teams A and B, and participated in breaks between the rounds I was able to three one-hour rounds with students from talk with Adele, Hadia and Eliza from Oak- 21 New York City high schools. Oakwood’s wood’s other team about how they did in Team A won two out of three rounds and their rounds. I was also able to talk with Oakwood’s Team B won one out of three Oakwood Alumna Nai’lah Taariq ’17, cur- rently a freshman at NYU. While I had to Julie Okoniewski, Libby Moroff Leadership rounds (including a win against Stuyvesant High School!). Both teams did a lot of moral use a lot of reasoning and brain power Program coordinator, with Asha Amberslie ’17 reasoning and critical thinking to debate the that day it was very fun and exciting to and Sage Altamirano ’16 at NYU. ethical dilemmas given and did very well try to solve ethical dilemmas with other students and spend time with my peers. Shortly after, a group from the program at- against other teams. This year was Oak- tended a forum in Woodstock to hear from wood’s third year at the NYC Ethics Bowl. “Ethics Bowl is a national event sponsored the potential candidates for the Congres- by the Squire Family Foundation. It asks stu- sional race in November. They also met at After a few months of going to morning and dents to present fully developed arguments Oakwood with a local representative from after-school meetings to learn new moral about a number of topical case studies. Our the non-partisan Dutchess County Progres- theories such as Kantian ethics and virtue students did beautifully, especially given sive Action Alliance (DCPAA). They learned ethics, I woke up at five in the morning to the fact that with our mandatory afternoon about how they can get involved locally catch the train to New York City with sev- sports, we have much less time to meet and through action committees which cover a en other Oakwood students. This was my prepare than our competitors. In the end, wide range of issue areas including educa- second year participating in Ethics Bowl. one of our teams won 2 out of 3 rounds and UNA interns in 2017: Basira Daqiq, Mimi Taariq, Sophie Poux, tion, the environment and women's rights. placed fifth. The other team placed as the top Stephen Miller, faculty adviser, Bianca Luna-Lupercio, and Alice Flanagan team overall in the Commentary section of Finally, students attended a lecture at the the event, the section where they respond to Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies this the other school’s argument. This section de- the supply ran out. They remained on the month entitled “Water On, In, and Under mands high level critical listening and rea- ship arms linked in prayer when it sank. the Greenland Ice Sheet”. At this lecture 75 years ago soning skills. Oakwood was the only school by glaciologist Kristin Poinar they learned Lt. Clark Poling, Oakwood class of 1929, was outside of New York City invited to participate. The chaplains were posthumously award- about the Greenland ice sheet and the vast one of the famed Four Chaplains who gave All in all, a great day for our participants.” ed the Purple Heart and the Distinguished aquifer under its surface that holds a Lake up their lives so others might live during Service Cross. In 2006, a commemorative Stephen Miller, Humanities Chair WW11. Poling, who was a pastor at the First Tahoe-sized volume of water from the sum- plaque was installed on the front of New mer melt. This lecture ties directly into the Reformed Church in Schenectady, New York, York State’s WW11 Memorial at the Em- became an army chaplain during the war. project study area of one of the students pire State Plaza in Albany in their honor. in the group who will be presenting about Congratulations to Nafisa Rashid who was climate change during the spring term. On February 3, 1943, a German torpedo Oakwood alums Dylan Shad ’05 selected as one of the ten finalists from the struck the United States troop transporter, and Lillian Shad ’07 are members United States for round one of the Interna- SS Dorchester, which left New York Harbor of the extended Poling family. tional Philosophy Olympiad! Now, she has bound for Greenland on January 23rd. The Support boiler room exploded and the ship began to the opportunity to write another essay in sink. The four chaplains onboard, Lt. George Oakwood Friends School French or Spanish. If she’s chosen as one of Fox, Lt. Alexander Goode, Lt. John Washing- William Reagan with the 1928 debating Donate Now two finalists, she will travel to Montenegro ton and Lt. Clark Poling helped to calm the team. Clark Poling (seated), Robert Breed, Nafisa Rashid with Lily Schaeufele at to compete in the final round. crew and assisted other soldiers onto life Agnes Reagan (Kuhn), "Jack" Hogan www.oakwoodfriends.org FDR Presidential Library boats, giving up their own life jackets when 8 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 9 Universal Declaration of Human Rights Libby Moroff Ethics Bowl By Sophie Poux ’17 Leadership Program By Nafisa Rashid ’19 Participants in the Libby Moroff Leadership On Saturday morning, January 27th, 2018, Program have had a busy few months! In student adviser Stephen Miller and seven January, members of the group attended Oakwood students traveled to New York Ignite National's NYC Young Women's Po- University to participate in The National litical Leadership Conference at NYU and High School Ethics Bowl Competition. Stu- connected with alumnae who participated dent participants included ninth graders in the initial roll out of the program. Speak- Bella Gedeon and Elizabeth Estony, Elev- ers included a wide variety of political enth graders Hadi Daqiq, Abbie Tulloch and leaders and advocates including Congress- Nafisa Rashid and Twelfth graders Adele women Grace Meng and Yvette Clarke, Ruboneka and Garrett Tanis. Another elev- enth grader, Olivia Castanza-Leasure who and Tarana Burke, founder of the #metoo Abby Tullock ’19, Nafisa Rashid ’19, movement. The girls took part in work- helped to organize this year’s ethics bowl teams was unfortunately unable to attend Bella Gedeon ’21 and Garret Tanis ’18 at shops covering topics such as social media Ethics Bowl campaigns, working on the Hill and tips due to a sudden cold. Participants had to for lobbying. It was a wonderful, hands- prepare over several months by studying on event that included great networking! ethical dilemmas, learning moral theories Sophie Poux at Smith College and figuring out ways to solve these ethi- When I got to New York University I saw cal dilemmas. Some of these dilemmas in- many other students my age reading over volved whether people should be hired if many papers and preparing for the Bowl. I they are smokers, whether students should prepared with my team members by going still be accepted or not into Harvard based over several cases and finalizing what argu- on immature actions they took on social ments we wanted to make. When compet- media and many other very interesting, ing against other teams I felt very nervous timely and thought provoking questions. but when I finally spoke I felt a little more relaxed and had support from my team- Oakwood Students were divided into two mates, Abbie, Bella and Garrett. During the teams, Teams A and B, and participated in breaks between the rounds I was able to three one-hour rounds with students from talk with Adele, Hadia and Eliza from Oak- 21 New York City high schools. Oakwood’s wood’s other team about how they did in Team A won two out of three rounds and their rounds. I was also able to talk with Oakwood’s Team B won one out of three Oakwood Alumna Nai’lah Taariq ’17, cur- rently a freshman at NYU. While I had to Julie Okoniewski, Libby Moroff Leadership rounds (including a win against Stuyvesant High School!). Both teams did a lot of moral use a lot of reasoning and brain power Program coordinator, with Asha Amberslie ’17 reasoning and critical thinking to debate the that day it was very fun and exciting to and Sage Altamirano ’16 at NYU. ethical dilemmas given and did very well try to solve ethical dilemmas with other students and spend time with my peers. Shortly after, a group from the program at- against other teams. This year was Oak- tended a forum in Woodstock to hear from wood’s third year at the NYC Ethics Bowl. “Ethics Bowl is a national event sponsored the potential candidates for the Congres- by the Squire Family Foundation. It asks stu- sional race in November. They also met at After a few months of going to morning and dents to present fully developed arguments Oakwood with a local representative from after-school meetings to learn new moral about a number of topical case studies. Our the non-partisan Dutchess County Progres- theories such as Kantian ethics and virtue students did beautifully, especially given sive Action Alliance (DCPAA). They learned ethics, I woke up at five in the morning to the fact that with our mandatory afternoon about how they can get involved locally catch the train to New York City with sev- sports, we have much less time to meet and through action committees which cover a en other Oakwood students. This was my prepare than our competitors. In the end, wide range of issue areas including educa- second year participating in Ethics Bowl. one of our teams won 2 out of 3 rounds and UNA interns in 2017: Basira Daqiq, Mimi Taariq, Sophie Poux, tion, the environment and women's rights. placed fifth. The other team placed as the top Stephen Miller, faculty adviser, Bianca Luna-Lupercio, and Alice Flanagan team overall in the Commentary section of Finally, students attended a lecture at the the event, the section where they respond to Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies this the other school’s argument. This section de- the supply ran out. They remained on the month entitled “Water On, In, and Under mands high level critical listening and rea- ship arms linked in prayer when it sank. the Greenland Ice Sheet”. At this lecture 75 years ago soning skills. Oakwood was the only school by glaciologist Kristin Poinar they learned Lt. Clark Poling, Oakwood class of 1929, was outside of New York City invited to participate. The chaplains were posthumously award- about the Greenland ice sheet and the vast one of the famed Four Chaplains who gave All in all, a great day for our participants.” ed the Purple Heart and the Distinguished aquifer under its surface that holds a Lake up their lives so others might live during Service Cross. In 2006, a commemorative Stephen Miller, Humanities Chair WW11. Poling, who was a pastor at the First Tahoe-sized volume of water from the sum- plaque was installed on the front of New mer melt. This lecture ties directly into the Reformed Church in Schenectady, New York, York State’s WW11 Memorial at the Em- became an army chaplain during the war. project study area of one of the students pire State Plaza in Albany in their honor. in the group who will be presenting about Congratulations to Nafisa Rashid who was climate change during the spring term. On February 3, 1943, a German torpedo Oakwood alums Dylan Shad ’05 selected as one of the ten finalists from the struck the United States troop transporter, and Lillian Shad ’07 are members United States for round one of the Interna- SS Dorchester, which left New York Harbor of the extended Poling family. tional Philosophy Olympiad! Now, she has bound for Greenland on January 23rd. The Support boiler room exploded and the ship began to the opportunity to write another essay in sink. The four chaplains onboard, Lt. George Oakwood Friends School French or Spanish. If she’s chosen as one of Fox, Lt. Alexander Goode, Lt. John Washing- William Reagan with the 1928 debating Donate Now two finalists, she will travel to Montenegro ton and Lt. Clark Poling helped to calm the team. Clark Poling (seated), Robert Breed, Nafisa Rashid with Lily Schaeufele at to compete in the final round. crew and assisted other soldiers onto life Agnes Reagan (Kuhn), "Jack" Hogan www.oakwoodfriends.org FDR Presidential Library boats, giving up their own life jackets when 10 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 7 Jonathan Kaplan ’68 to Open Alumni Weekend Remembering Scientists at work in the Middle School

"So I Asked Myself.... How Did I get Here?" Hap Peelle Black-legged tick project Garden Grant: By Daniel Shurman ’67 If you see a couple of sites on campus with This $2,000 grant will be used to enhance a webcam and bait set up (one behind Craig our very successful garden program now in working as a ceramic artist. He now curates dorm and one in the wetlands by the solar its second year. Oakwood’s garden program Plinth Gallery and serves on the board of The array,) don't be alarmed! Cary Institute is uses a four season passive solar greenhouse. Studio Potter. In 2015, Jonathan was elected teaching the ecology of the black legged tick Last year, C.J. Nutting ’17 built a fence enclo- to the International Academy of Ceramics. (better know as the deer tick) to the 8th grad- sure to help prevent animals from entering. ers. It turns out deer are NOT the major cul- With this grant, we hope to grow enough This event is the 5th annual arts presentation prit of these menaces but squirrels and voles in the garden to donate to the local food launched by Jonathan Talbot ’57 who are! Stay tuned to hear what we catch on pantry in addition to providing fresh veg- presented “Collage: Medium and Metaphor.” the cam or on our home made track plates! etables for our school’s dining room. We The following year, Molly Lynn Watt ’56 also want to install a drip irrigation system presented “On the Wings of Song – a that teaches students about water conser- Journey into the Civil Rights Era,” followed vation and naturally creates a system that by Lakota performer, storyteller and activist ensures plant health. We will also purchase Tiokasin Ghosthorse who visited campus for a storage barn solely for garden supplies. a 3 day celebration of Lakota culture. Last Growing our food. year, photographer John Willis of Marlboro Howard “Hap” Peelle - my Oakwood Oakwood’s garden program is a wonderful College combined his presentation about a football coach and advanced math teacher enhancement to our science and math cur- Our 5th annual Arts Presentation will cross-cultural arts exchange with a day of from 1964 to 1967. Thank you Hap for your riculum. In middle school, we teach earth, open Alumni Weekend 2018 on Friday, service learning on Earthshare Day. Special coaching and teaching. You changed the life and environmental sciences. Composting May 18th, 2:30 pm. Ceramicist Jonathan thanks to Marsha and Jonathan Talbot ’57 for course of my life. Without your insistence has been used to study ecology and explain Kaplan, class of 1968, will present: "So I their on-going support of this lecture series. that I learn to program computers in 1967, Afghan Girls Build how sewage treatment works as students By Hadi Daqiq ’19 asked Myself………How Did I Get Here"? because they would become important in learn about the local watershed. They also on the occasion of his 50th reunion. the geometry of the world, there would study alternative energies and the passive “Had it not been for the ceramics class I took have been no second career for me in the solar greenhouse is a perfect model to help Jonathan Kaplan earned a BFA from Rhode in my senior year with Rebecca Willis, I would world of personal computers and high tech. understand this concept. In earth science, Island School of Design and an MFA from There would have been no WFB Jr. in my students learn geology and erosion and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. not have had a meaningful and productive life, nor Bonnie McDaniel Johnson, and no Cary Institute educator Shelly Forster the ingredients of soil. Photosynthesis ex- He has had a serendipitous career in career as a ceramic artist and educator. I am David Liddle and Paul Allen. Hap, thank periments are also conducted in the green- ceramics including teaching, writing as well forever grateful to Oakwood School to have you for your Quaker-informed kindness Whole Kids Foundation Grants house. Students measure and record com- as maintaining an active studio practice enriched my life in such a way.” and your quick humor. You touched Congratulations to middle school science post data in an excel program and study and including design and manufacturing for the – Jonathan Kaplan ’68 me many times over what became a 53 teacher Miriam Straus for receiving two graph the data. Oakwood works in partner- tabletop industry for over 40 years. Jonathan year friendship with you and your wife. grants from the Whole Kids Foundation ship with the Poughkeepsie Farm Project. seems to reinvent himself from time to time whose mission is to improve children’s but has always kept his eye on the prize, When we experienced your last months nutrition and wellness by supporting edu- Miriam Straus grew up on a dairy farm and and death we knew that we would miss cators and families to help children get ex- studied agriculture in college. Prior to teach- Alumni Weekend you. And at the same time you are re- cited about fresh fruits, vegetables, whole ing, she had a shiitake mushroom operation May 18-20, 2018 membered: You were and continue to be grains and other nutritious whole foods. to grow and sell mushrooms locally. She also - a shining example of how to be human worked in programs specifically designed Friday, May 18th and excellent - all at the same time. I will Honey Bee Grant: to integrate gardens into the classroom 2:30pm Arts Presentation celebrate your birthday on Feb 8 with a This grant for $1,500 seeks to stimulate curi- and to learn about food production. 40 Years with Jonathan Kaplan ’68 trip to Bean Hollow to see the ocean. osity in young people about the importance 5:30pm Welcome Reception & Buffet Dinner of honey bees in our lives and food system, “Well it has been “a few” years but a nostalgic 8:00pm Student production: the need to understand and embrace them, at heart when I got the letter from Oakwood You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and the value of caring about their well- with your email addresses I could not resist. A.H. Lane Auditorium being. Miriam Straus accompanied the 6th I was sorry the list was not complete and grade class to Adams to purchase a bee pack- Saturday, May 19th Over winter break, I went home to names like Byron, Lane, Tony, Barb, Ralph, age consisting of a queen bee and about a Afghanistan and had the most enlightening Keith, Lisa, Arlene, Michelle, Leslie and Susan 9:00am Registration & Continental Breakfast pound of worker bees to get the hive started. experience of my year. I started a program were not included but I wanted to reach out 10:00am Alumni Association Annual Meeting Congratulations to class of 1943: Gloria called “Afghan Girls Build,” a website to each of you. Though only there for a quick & Community Meeting Garlick Bogle, Joyce Benson Caswell, Bertha development program for girls. We had 12:00pm Lunch under the tent & year, my senior year, I truly loved Oakwood May Pearson Nicholson, Dorothy Hansson two weeks of training and I have seen my Class Photographs Richardson, Marjorie Wilder Ross, and Carl students going from no knowledge of web and recall most of you quite vividly. I have 2:00pm Reception for Class of 1968 development to building their own websites. visited the campus a few times as Julie James Swenson on the occasion of your 75th 3:00pm Tea in Collins Library reunion! ’80 and I eventually got together and are 4:30pm Reception for Oak Tree Club The purpose of the program is to encourage now married. Moved out of NYC in 2000 and - (Class of 1967 & prior) Afghan girls to study computer science and have two “big” kids here in Delaware. Julie 6:00pm Festive Dinner in Dining Hall to show them the possibility of what they has family in the Hudson Valley and I spent 8:00pm Student production: And to class of 1948: Frederick Brady, could do by coding. I realized that we fully some time there as well so we have dropped You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Virginia Self Bunker, Beatrice “Tooky” Scherf achieved the goal of the program when I A.H. Lane Auditorium learned that one of my students changed in to Oakwood a few times over the years but Campione, Robert Collins, Irene Nemes th Csordas, Earle Curtis, Paul Doughty, Patricia her major to Computer Science because of never on the actual reunion day – so it has Sunday, May 20 Weaver Erne, Marian Amsen Finch, Lt. Ray the program. All of my students were able been more like a “campus walk around”. So 9:00am Hot Breakfast Frasier, George Langer, Janet Deuell Merritt, to make and launch their own websites by much looks the same. Hope all of you are well 10:30am Meeting for Worship Marilyn Beers Neal, Bruce Osborne, Tom the end of the program and I even had a and thriving. Write back if you dare!” - Nine Partners Meeting House Renouf, Lyova Rosanoff, Preston Smith student who started working in a company – Ken Brick ’78 and Gretchen Shane Swackhamer on the Students ordering a bee package at Adam's. Miriam Straus placing order with an as a web developer. I hope to expand the [email protected] occasion of your 70th reunion! Adam’s employee. program in the next couple of years.

1 6 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 11 My First Year at Oakwood Oakwood Welcomes Yosh Sanbonmatsu - Legendary Teacher Reflections By: Stew Diaz, Spanish teacher Author Paula By Marj Frazer Lacey ‘56 So sorry to hear about Yosh's death. He did, I have been very impressed by the manner Whitacre indeed, have in his own quiet way a tre- in which these students have been using mendous influence on many of us. I had their Spanish knowledge to conduct valu- always liked to write, but during my ju- able comparative research; on the one hand, nior year at Oakwood in Yosh's American meeting all their grammatical, vocabulary, Lit class, I soon discovered I had a lot to and cultural background requirements; on learn about that craft. Yosh not only chal- the other, effectively communicating the lo- lenged me to think analytically (a real cal efforts taking place in the Hudson Riv- stretch for me at the time), but to express er Valley with the three ethno educational myself clearly and master the art of tran- schools from the villages of Bunkwimake sitioning from one point to another in a (Arhuacan), Mulkwakungui (Kogi), and way that the reader could easily follow. Zalemaku de Sertuga (Wiwa), both in writ- ing and speaking (re. video production). He took the time to sit down and go over each paper I wrote and point out exactly Students are currently in the process of trans- how I could improve it. Though I felt very ferring their story boards to dialogue format, connected to many of the teachers at Oak- which will be edited, rehearsed, and filmed wood, Yosh was special; I felt that he cared as a final project and first video going out Sue Cianfrani, Community Outreach Co- about me as a person, not just as an Ameri- to these communities. In turn, they will be ordinator, author Paula Whitacre and Bill can Lit student. As you might imagine, my receiving responses from their indigenous Jeffway, Executive Director of the Dutchess choice of careers (all of them) are in one way Cyril Uebbing ’20 with Stew Diaz during peers and my former indigenous colleagues. County Historical Society. Yoshiro Sanbonmatsu died in Plymouth, taught a course at the high school on the or another partially an outgrowth of his in- Spirit Week’s Twin Day. Massachusetts, on October 22, 2017. Yosh, African-American experience. He also taught fluence. During college, I worked on the lo- Stew Diaz earned a BA in English and The- cal daily newspaper and planned to pursue On Wednesday January 24th, Oakwood as he was known, was born on April inmates at a local prison and was an active The idea of working with a diverse student ater Arts at Virginia Tech, an MA in An- a career in journalism. Once I started a fam- hosted author Paula Tarnapol Whitacre 24, 1924, in Holtville, California, to supporter of Native American causes. A population and talented group of colleagues thropology at Universidad de los Andes, Bo- ily, however, I sought a more child-rearing- in a special Community Meeting. Paula Teru Tsuchiya (mother) and Yoshimitsu patriot in the mold of Mark Twain, whom he has been exciting for me. It's been an event- gota, Columbia, and is currently working friendly avenue and (you guess it) became shared her book, “A Civil Life in an Un- Sanbonmatsu (father). During the Second admired (and taught), Yosh loved his country, ful year, whether engaged in the Spanish towards an MS in Environmental Education an English teacher. That segued into school civil Time: Julia Wilbur’s Struggle for Pur- World War, anti-Japanese hysteria led to the but resisted its government's war-making. classroom, spending time with students in at Southern CT State University. He special- counseling and family therapy--again simi- pose” with the community during her visit. US government's internment of Yosh and his the dorms, on the soccer field, or on the bas- izes in Latin American culture, ethno edu- family at a Japanese-American internment After retiring from the Plymouth schools, lar to something Yosh did so well, namely ketball court... fully absorbing the school cul- cation, literary criticism and bilingual cur- connect with people on a personal level. The subject of her book, Julia Wilbur, at- camp in Poston, Arizona. Yosh left the Yosh became a full-time artist, concentrating ture and ethos-- not to mention, being a cam- ricular design for environmental education. tended Oakwood's predecessor school, camp to become a student at Swarthmore on political and social themes and working pus resident, has also enhanced this process! Prior to joining Oakwood, he lived in Co- Now, in retirement, I continue to write-- Nine Partners, in the late 1820s. As an adult, College, then joined the US Army and in oils, acrylics, watercolor, silkscreen, and lumbia for 8 years, teaching and conduct- first a book (It's Not a Life Sentence) and she became active in abolitionism in Roch- served in Europe and the Phillipines in sculpture. He received a Masters in Fine Art Classes have come alive and provided ing anthropological research with indig- now a website devoted to that topic, a ester, and then went to Alexandria, VA, to 1944-45. After the war, Yosh completed from Bridgewater State College and studied some cultural learning opportunities for enous communities in the Sierra Nevada of travel site (traveltripsntips.com), and a po- assist African Americans escaping slavery. his BA in literature at Swarthmore. at the Massachusetts College of Art. In the students and Oakwood community mem- Santa Marta, Columbia. He enjoys combin- litical site (voter beat.com). Writing has After the war, she worked for the Freed- 1990s, he was one of the co-organizers of bers alike. During the fall and early winter, ing Spanish with fieldwork in the classroom been a constant for me throughout my life. men’s Bureau and tried to register to vote After working at the Doubleday bookstore Dave's Art Gallery, a political art gallery for example, all my Spanish classes have to encourage a career-minded focus. in the Washington in 1869. Her Quaker in New York, and after briefly retiring to in Cambridge, as well as the Gallery of helped build a community altar in the Li- One story may illustrate Yosh's impressive roots served her well throughout her life Paris with a young man's dream of writing Social and Political Art in Boston. Yosh's brary for our Oakwood family to participate the Great American Novel, Yosh settled artwork, the subject of a gallery exhibition ability as a teacher. When I went to Earl- with; we made sugar skulls to display dur- ham, I was placed in Freshman Humani- While doing research for her book, Pau- upon a career as an English teacher. His in Boston in 2004, can be viewed at ing Days of the Dead, and learned about ties, an advanced six-unit English course. la Whitacre contacted Oakwood Friends first appointments were at the Cherry Lawn www.sanbonmatsu.net. the Three Kings Day traditions in Spain The chair of the English department was School and heard back from student archi- School in Connecticut, then at Oakwood and other the Spanish-speaking regions. on sabbatical my freshman year, but I had vist He wrote: “I was Friends School in New York. In 1963, Yosh put family above all else. He was Matthew Voorhees ’17. heard many good things about the sopho- forwarded your email and was excited about Yosh joined the faculty of the English happiest when biking or kayaking with his All Spanish classes have also highlighted more Masterworks class he taught so, when this information. It is always nice to learn Department at Plymouth Carver Regional partner, or camping or going to the beach the Oaxacan Regional traditions in Mex- he returned the following year, I enrolled. about former students – even if it was over High School, and served as department with family. He was a loving and unusually ico, as a pre-cursor to our 2018 Spring Part way through the year, my fresh- a hundred and fifty years ago. I recognized chair. Yosh remained at PCHS for 28 years, involved and devoted father and grandfather, Break trip with students and my col- man professor stopped me in the hallway. Julia Wilbur’s name immediately and knew playing a key role in developing the high never too busy to help his children with league, Clara Crosby. We are visiting that in the Alson and Irene Van Wagner Ar- school English curriculum and offering math homework, to read their poetry, or to Oaxaca from March 3rd to March 12th. "I just wanted to tell you," he said. "Your chives Room here in the library, there was a path-breaking courses in film making create sand sculptures for them at the beach. Masterworks prof asked me recent- copybook that she had written in 1829.” and visual literacy, among other subjects. He hand-crafted dollhouses for each of his As part of their final project going into spring daughters, replete with wallpapered rooms, ly if I taught you to write the way you term, Spanish 4 students have also been A fierce advocate of freedom of thought, carved banisters, and a working doorbell. do. I told him no; you came that way." learning about the Kogi and Arhuacan indig- Yosh once publicly defended the teaching enous communities, especially in regard to of J.D. Salinger's book, Catcher in the Rye, Yosh will be remembered by all who And the fact that I "came that way" was largely their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) against would-be school censors. He was knew him as a legendary teacher, a due to Yosh. It wasn't until I watched my fel- systems. This ethnoecological work, carried a widely respected and admired teacher loving father, grandfather, husband, and low freshmen struggling to put thoughts to out mostly by the Kogi and Arhuacan Ma- who sought to educate his students helpmate, and as a man of great dignity paper that I realized what a gift I'd been given. mas (tribal leaders), focuses on water man- about the human condition in all its and moral seriousness who nonetheless agement and our human impact on Mother complexities and contradictions. To this retained his sense of playfulness, good Thank you for the opportunity to reflect Earth (re. mining, destruction of sacred ter- day, former students of his speak of the humor, compassion, and humility to the on a very important part of my life. ritories, lack of understanding). The students Stew Diaz working with Michael Angley '21 enormous impact he had on their lives. end of his days. He was a modest man will also be responsible for organizing a and Dylan Horton-Ungar '22 making sugar of more1 than modest accomplishments. fundraising effort to collect school supplies Throughout his life, Yosh was a passionate skulls for a Dia de los Muertos celebration and used clothing for these communities. advocate for social justice who identified with Reprinted with permission from Yosh’s son, the most vulnerable in society. Inspired by John Sanbonmatsu, Ph.D., Professor of Bailey Allen ’22 at work the Civil Rights Movement, he designed and Philosophy, WPI. 12 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 5 Class Notes Students took on the challenging work of "She Kills Monsters" by Qui Nguyen was The Arts at Oakwood Henrik Ibsen with their fall production of performed in February to an enthusiastic A Doll’s House. Performers were transport- crowd. The play takes place in 1995 and ed back to 1879 where the lead character, follows the story of average Agnes Evans, a Nora Helmer, is being blackmailed. In an 24-year-old high school English teacher, who effort to save her husband Torvald’s life, becomes a lot less average when her parents Nora borrowed money and forged a name. and younger sister, Tilly, die in a tragic car Now her fate rests in the hands of a dis- accident. While finally getting around to gruntled bank employee, Mr. Nils Krogstad. cleaning out her family's house, she finds If Torvald discovers the truth, will he pro- Tilly’s Dungeons and Dragons module, a tect his wife? Students delivered a strong map for a game. As Agnes plays the game 1943 Paul Doughty – Don Spencer, President of the Marion Cunningham Twichell – We evacuated from performance and grew as actors through in order to get to know her sister better, she Bertha May Nicholson – What a delightful surprise Board, joined Chad Cianfrani and Elaine Miles on a the Ojai Valley during the devastating Thomas fire their experience of preparing for the play. discovers the sister she never really knew. to receive a certificate commemorating my gradu- visit with Paul Doughty at his home in Gainesville, and were very grateful to return to our unscorched ation from Oakwood. Has it really been 75 years? Florida in February. and intact home. Much kindness from strangers and It’s unbelievable how fast time flies. My year at friends, heroics by firefighters, winds blowing in the Oakwood was formative, very important to me. I 1952 right direction are highlights of this experience. think especially of Will Reagan, Miss Purnell and Andrew Harkness – Pee Wee King once said ‘A the view from the summer house. good day is one when I awake, extend my elbows 1958 and don’t feel wood!’ So, I have decided to live Michael Beecher – Still living in Seattle and teach- Stefanie Quintanilla ’20 with Music Director 1946 forever…or die trying! ing at the University of Washinton. But with our Ted Messerschmidt at Marist College Elizabeth Nunn Kramer – Still hanging in there – youngest son at Columbia Medical School, we’re living at a retirement community connected to the 1954 hoping to combine a visit to NY with the 60th re- Oakwood sophomore Stefanie Quintanilla University of Florida – Go Gators! Married to Buddy Linda Rahl Nadas – Well, my daughter Ruth Gita union of the class of 1958. Would love to hear from and Music Director Ted Messerschmidt per- Kramer died in 2017. She left a son Jakob. He is okay and some classmates! formed at Marist College's "Music through my husband and I are guardians. I am still creating the Ages" in December. Stefanie played clay objects with attention. Creating is the closest 1959 viola with the Marist College Symphony Or- thing to total meditation. I fire to cone 9 and so far Carole Grayson, widow of Alex Hart – A month be- chestra under Ted's direction. The concert so good. Anita Dickhuth and I see each other of- fore her sudden death, Sukey Stone Eldridge and included music from the past 500 years with ten. She actually has turned into quite a collector of I spent a lovely day in NYC. I was visiting from selections by Glinka (Overture to Ruslan pots! Best wishes for the new year everyone! Email: Seattle. Met her at Grand Central with a list of and Ludmilla), Tchaikovsky (The Nutcracker Willow Bennison ’20 as Nora in [email protected] museums open that day, a Monday. Instead, we Suite), Astor Piazzolla (Libertango), and John "A Doll's House" repaired to a café, where we talked for 4 hours. Williams (Superman Returns Soundtrack). Sara Jane Benson Victor – We were impacted by We then bought bagels next door, talked more and hurricane Irma but are slowly getting our house walked back to Grand Central. I treasure memories Oakwood's Community Service through the back to normal. Welcomed 2nd great-grandchild of that day and seeing Sukey at her and Alex’s 50th Arts class gives students hands on experi- Four Years of in May. and 55th reunions and at a small memorial for Alex ence in planning and implementing com- Claudia Sicherman ’18 in in Bethlehem, CT, in May 2016. Alex always had munity performances and brings the arts to "She Kills Monsters" 1956 a special place in his heart for Sukey. I miss them. people who may not otherwise have regu- Theater at Oakwood By Claudia Sicherman ‘18 Martha Ullman West – As I approach my 80th birth- lar access to live music. During the winter acters in Oakwood theater however, are the day and also the completion of my book: Ballet, Family and friends gathered at Oakwood to celebrate term students performed at the Manor at casts and crews. Though they also change Deborah Satz Scheer – Chad Cianfrani and Elaine American Style: Todd Bolender and Janet Reed, I the life of Sukey Stone Eldridge on November 25. Woodside Retirement Home in Poughkeep- My legs shake, and the stage creaks from term to term, once a student or fac- Miles visited with Debbie Scheer in November at am distracted, pleasantly, by my grandchildren, Fe- sie and the Cardinal Hayes School for Spe- ever so slightly as the cast takes their ulty participates in a production, it becomes her home in Corte Madero, CA odor and Flora West and unpleasantly by the sorry 1960 cial Children. Residents of both programs places. In that one instant, the whole very evident that we are, in fact, a family. state of the republic, starting each day with the sign- Ralph Skeels – Chad Cianfrani and Elaine Miles vis- thoroughly enjoyed the performances and room holds its breath, then the lights Dysfunctional though we may sometimes ing of petitions. ited with Board member Ralph Skeels and his wife appreciated spending time with the stu- come up and thus begins: Act One… be, fighting on (and sometimes off) -stage, Judy Skeels at their home in Woodbury, NJ. dent performers. This year, an additional we all come together in the end for a com- David White – Our apologies to David White for program was initiated involving an arts From first setting foot on Oakwood stage, mon goal: to put on a fantastic show. The- omitting his name from the 10 year honor roll in exchange with young people at a youth to being cast in my final musical this term, ater has taught me to work with others in 2017. We appreciate David’s dedicated support! detention center in the Hudson Valley. theater at Oakwood has changed and a way I hadn’t needed to before, and has, bettered me as an actor, a student, and on more than one occasion, caused me to 1957 a person. When I first arrived as a rather form some unlikely but very strong friend- Henry Greenberg – My family narrative was pub- outgoing freshman, I had very limited ex- ships. One particularly challenging produc- lished on Amazon in 2017. “Enoch’s Legacy” is perience with performance art, and always tion was Sartre’s No Exit, because of its titled for my paternal grandfather and dedicated to thought myself better suited to visual art. small cast of four actors and its heavy con- our 5 grandchildren, the youngest now 6 weeks On Orientation Day, I strolled past the hu- tent. Despite being one of the more chal- 1948 old. Of all my schooling, Oakwood, by far the best. manities teachers and stopped to look at lenging plays for me, it was also the most Irene Nemes Csordas with her grandson Alexander the courses offered in the arts. I stopped rewarding and important to me as an ac- and his bride Elizabeth at their wedding on August Marty Shaw enjoyed a lunch visit with Beth and 1961 to look at drawing classes when a flyer tor and from a literary standpoint as well. 12, 2017. Alex is the son of Ann & Gabor Csordas ’68. Hugo Sonnenschein and Gwen Rice at Gwen's Jean Kantambu Latting – Our apologies to Jean caught my eye: Xanadu. I auditioned on home in Chicago. for omitting her gift in memory of Barbara Mahone a whim, and, before I knew it, I’d found From Xanadu to You’re a Good Man, Char- Brown ’62 in the 2017 Annual Gifts Report. a passion and talent I never knew I had. lie Brown, Oakwood theater has set me on a path I didn’t originally envision for my- 1962 Theater at Oakwood has always been an self, but I couldn’t be more grateful. I hope Edith Root – I have been rebalancing my life since outlet for me: the people, the plays, and many students to come get to experience my husband’s death last month. I intend to pur- even the space, where I sometimes find my- the laughs, tears, and support that the the- sue my passions for skiing by teaching and running self between rehearsals, simply because it ater program at Oakwood has given me. womens’ programs (30 years!) at Jiminy Peak AND feels so natural. Most people find the open, My director, Melissa, music producer, Ted, my love of nature and horses by continuing work dimly-lit room to be unsettling, but to me, and the group of consistent “theater kids” with fox hounds of Old Chatham Hunt. Oakwood it’s home. I’ve seen it change and grow over have taught me so much and mean the helped me learn that we all must find our personal the years, much as I have. It has seen new world to me. It is truly a life-changing jour-

path to spread happiness in those we touch. paint jobs, renovations, different sets, and, ney I’ve been on, and I’m sad to leave it in Marty, Hugo & Gwen Students performing for residents from play to play the space changes, almost the past, but I’ll never forget the feeling of as if it were a character itself. The best char- stepping onstage for the very first time. 4 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 13

1963 both Oakwood alums already, but it was amazing recently interviewed about her book on Late Night Sports Center Martha Richdale – It has been a rough two years to find out that Nina was as well. And there we with Seth Meyers. Toni Morrison was her thesis advi- By: Charlie Butts, Athletic Director with the illness and subsequent passing of my won- were, the three of us, all working to preserve cul- sor at Princeton and became her mentor. derful husband, Bill Bough, on August 9th. I am ture and history, each, in our own way. Who knew? As the 2017-18 school year opened, we back in New Hampshire in my little beach cottage, knew there would be challenges in the adjusting to life without him, looking forward to the athletic department. Many talented se- first snow and ‘reinventing’ myself. In April I am go- niors had graduated and many teams ing to Iceland, a trip we had hoped to make togeth- would need to rebuild. What would this er. I know he’ll be there in spirit! I wish you all good mean for our participation levels? I am health, laughter, love and peace in the year ahead. pleased to report that our athletes an- swered the call with 83% choosing to 1964 1995 play on a team in the fall. This would Pamela Tinnes Lord – An idea got into my head Forrest Rohde – I am currently an independent re- make the season a success no matter the about nature and how the animals react to very bad altor in Prescott, AZ, working in an International team’s record. Now, some highlights… weather. Before I knew it I had the workings for a Adrienne Larys ’62, Gary Slutzky ’70, Nina network. I am happily married to the beautiful children’s story. I have always made up stories to Lawford-Juviler ’53 Meghan Jo, and expecting my 4th child and 3rd son Our varsity soccer teams were especial- tell the grandkids at bed time. I had never written in April. I’m full of gratitude for all that is beautiful ly hard hit by last year’s graduation, but anything before and on a whim I sent the story to 1973 and wonderful in my life. they played hard and improved through- Page Publishing as a first time author. They read it, Annie Finch has just sent two new books to her out the season. On the girls’ side, coaches liked it and offered to print the story. I am looking agent: a book of poems called Amulet for Brave Jodi Allen and Megan Sanger juggled their to have it printed by January 2018. The story is Women and book of nonfiction, The Witch in You: lineups and players earned valuable ex- about friendship, inclusion and ecology. Girls' soccer team with seniors in front: Shai Black Bird & Aiyana Alexander Five Directions to Your Inner Goddess. Annie is perience at multiple positions. The team thrilled to be offering her first international retreat, traveled to Marvelwood in the first round 1965 a transformational week of writing and yoga for of the HVAL playoffs and played inspired John Blackman – retired as an attorney from the women at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala in February 2019 soccer, nearly pulling off the upset be- county of Los Angeles as of July 1, 2017. (more at anniefinch.com). fore falling 3-2. For awards, senior Shai Blackbird won the Versatility Award, and 1966 1974 sophomores Willow Bennison and Ste- Congratulations to Janet and Jerry White on their Jeff Fitts– Looking forward to early retirement from fanie Quintanilla won the Perseverance 40th anniversary. They celebrated in Hawaii. 36 years at Eastman Kodak. Enjoying the ability to and Commitment Awards respectively. stay connected through Facebook. For the boys, coaches Will Bussert and 1968 Stew Diaz lost 11 seniors from last sea- Andy Schlossberg - Happily retired for 7 years Karen Knowles – I retired from nursing in May 2017 Forrest & Meghan at the Scottish Games in Prescott, AZ son. Junior Xiao Kirchner improved nota- from the NYC Dept. of Ed. Enjoying traveling, my after 31 years. I am enjoying traveling, working bly over the course of the year and was a children and my new cockapoo puppy. Living in out, reading and connecting with old friends. 1998 team leader in his aggressiveness fighting Brooklyn, N.Y. Georgia Dalto – I love it out here in Nevada! We've for the ball. On defense, the team devel- 1975 had a strangely mild winter, but now it is finally oped better chemistry the more they com- 1969 snowing! I'm still working on my PhD, so that's sort municated and learned to cover for one Chuck Schwartz – Things could be better, but I will of a pain, but I hear it gets better after you graduate. :) another. Sophomore sweeper Christophe try to stay on course. Religion is very important. Mooney and junior right back Sage Per- Science is critical, though. We now have an anti- 2003 kins were particularly impressive. Chris- science President – this could spell doom. Congratulations to Jennifer Yee and her husband tophe’s ability to disrupt plays was criti- Eric Duchon and their son Julian on the birth of cal throughout the season. While nearly 1970 baby sister Eleanor Irene Shu-guang Duchon on all of​ Oakwood's​ 2017 roster could come Theresa Riley Baron – Still loving the retirement December 4th, 2017. back next year, we will lose the following phase of my life. Working with LEGO and Robotics seniors: ​goalie Matthew Rodriguez, ​mid- Coaches Will Bussert and Stew Diaz with boys' soccer team is still a great passion of mine but now, I am more 2004 fielder Chris Ishimwe, midfielder Amir Mo- judging the teams than mentoring them. I recently Megan Krause-Kelley – Bodhi Marcus Kelley was vahedi, defender Spike Kelly-Rossini, and fulfilled one of my ‘bucket list’ items and that was Rachel Silveston with her Dad Peter Silveston ’47 at born on November 9, 2017. We can’t wait to take him forward Taji Parker. These players will be In cross country, our boys and girls teams visiting the GIANT causeway in Northern Ireland. Alumni Weekend 2017. home! Chlöe loves her little baby brother! A great missed for their leadership and toughness. were once again led by coaches Bill Doo- Wow! Hi to all my classmates and enjoy whatever 4th birthday present for a big sister (November 10th!) little and Sean Thompson. Both teams comes your way. 1976 Our girls’ varsity volleyball team, coached were larger than normal and both were Bill Bogle – I have retired from the practice of law 2005 by Sara Sandstrom, finished third in a a mix of experience and youth. Over the Helen Claxton – The remarks of Rebecca Gnessin and left Poughkeepsie for warmer climate. We are Irene Yee is a climber and climbing photographer in very competitive Hudson Valley Athletic season, the teams developed good pack- ’01 in the November mailer really resonated with living in the South Carolina low country near Hilton Las Vegas, NV. She started climbing 3 years ago and League. They eventually lost in the HVAL running which works in the favor of scor- me. I echo many of her sentiments when speaking Head, Beaufort, Bluffton and Savannah, GA. My immediately fell in love with the sport. It inspired semi-finals in a tough match with Storm ing. The teams were often in the thick of to friends about my time at Oakwood. My experi- mom, Gloria Bogle, class of 1943, sold her house her to pick up a camera and start chronicling her King. They also narrowly missed out earn- the scoring, and just points away from a ence at Oakwood transformed my intellectual and this summer and has moved to Savannah, GA. We adventures and the people she meets along the way. ing the team’s first ever bid to the New high finish. Some highlights included the spiritual DNA! Like Rebecca, I give to Oakwood to are loving the south, finding new friends, and car- Irene also works as a carpenter for Cirque Du Soleil. England championships. Throughout girls' first place finish at the NYMA In- help the school keep doing what it does. Thank ing for our two dogs, Hawkey and Wrigley. the season, there was some tremendous vitational, and junior Layton Liu outpac- you, Rebecca. Thank you, Oakwood. serving by seniors Maty Thiam, Claudia ing the 3 favorites for an individual cham- 1986 Sicherman, Nancy Masimbi, and Briana pionship at the PDS Invitational. For the Gary Slutzky - You just never know how, when Sarah Hoffmann – Enjoying the season. Happy to Uket. In one game, the team was trail- season awards, Layton was the Boys' MVP, or where Oakwood Alumni will come together. offer hospitality to traveling friends. Email to ar- ing by 6 and Briana served out the game and freshman Adele Fredericks was the The three of us attended the annual Zadock Pratt range. I’m in a new job in stroke research. Life is with 8 straight points. Another senior, Girls’ MVP. Coaches' Awards went to the Museum dinner at Hunter Mountain to honor re- good! [email protected] Adele Ruboneka, was one of the league girl's captains, seniors Echo Xu and Lily cipients of awards for preserving the culture and leaders in blocks. Solid all-around play Schaeufele for their fine leadership and hard history of the Catskills. Adrienne Larys and I have 1988 from junior setter Caitlin Amann and work. Finally, earning Coaches’ Awards known each other for some time, as we are board Congratulations to Ladee Hubbard for her debut novel, Briana kept the team in most matches. for the boys were junior Evan Qian and 8th members of the Mountain Top Historical Society. "The Talented Ribkins." Ladee is an adjunct lecturer in grader Eamon Lynch, who together led the Jeremy Atkins and 8th grader We met Nina Lawford-Juviler, a regional cultural the Africana Studies Program at Tulane University in team in practice and in meet scoring. Dylan Horton-Ungar in a martial arts magazine publisher (Kaatskill Life), tonight at our New Orleans. She earned her undergraduate degree demonstration for middle school table. Somehow, Nina mentioned she graduated at Princeton University, her MFA at the University of from Oakwood. Adrienne and I knew we were Wisconsin-Madison and her Ph.D. at UCLA. She was Irene Yee – featured in the Las Vegas Review Journal 14 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 3

2007 2015 Congratulations to Emily Atkin on her coverage of Shray Pathania met up with former teachers and Parent Dinner Supports 2018 Annual Fund Alumni Gatherings the environmental disaster looming in Puerto Rico. alums at NYU in January where he has transferred Emily is a staff writer covering the environment for to the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. the New Republic. Thank you to our gracious hosts, Nancy and Art Saltford ’52, who welcomed Ella Maslin and her fiancé Ben Fink have started alumni and guests into their home in a collaborative company called Wood and Cut Washington, D.C. on October 29th. that focuses on handmade goods made primarily from locally sourced materials in the Hudson Val- ley. Ben, the woodworker, brings wood furniture, home wares, and jewelry to the mix, while Ella brings papercut art and textile goods that are made in their shared 19th century barn studio space in Milan, New York.

Shray with Oakwood faculty member Stephen Miller 2011 Congratulations to on earning his Gabe Matsakis 2017 Parent Volunteers: Alysa Sullivan, Bob Bomersbach, Josie Angley, Heidi Kronenberg, master's degree in International Conflict Analysis Kudos to Jabreel Harrell, a freshman at SUNY Cor- Martina Deignan, Doug Kirchner and Susanrachel Condon ’80. In photo, Eric Golden ’57, Walter Dent ’57, from The University of Kent in Canterbury, England. tland studying Economics, on his project to start Juan Williams ’72, Nancy Saltford, a Summer Youth Basketball League in the City of Barrett Nnoka ’74, David Sitomer ’65, Thank you to Tim and Laurel Sweeney, Poughkeepsie. Through this project Jabreel hopes Center for Therapeutic Massage, Ruchira Jessica Cuneo ’10, Elaine Miles, parents of Sean ’09, and owners of Stone to, “give young men and women the opportunity Chandra & Ryan Borress, Debbie Guy- Janet Tenney ’67 and Art Saltford ’52. to get off the streets and participate in an activity Ridge Wine & Spirits, for sponsoring our Christiansen & Peter Christiansen, we all love.” 13th annual wine dinner & auction to Reno Colalillo & Nancy Butterfield, support the Annual Fund. The event was Richard & Susanrachel Condon ’80, On November 12th, held on January 26th at Locust Grove – Peter Richmond Amy & Bob Cook, Laurie & Dave Craft, welcomed alumni to Samuel Morse Historic Site, catered by and Beth Porter ’87 De’s Jewelers, William Deluca, Eliza’s Eye their home in Newton, MA. Thank you! Cosimo’s. The festive evening was shared Family Photography, Kathleen & Frank by parents, faculty, board members and Estony, Richard & Melanie Feldman, Sabrina guests. Thank you to parents Emmy Gay Ferguson & Anthony Bax, Eve & Bruce and Alysa Sullivan who stepped up to serve Gendron, Gold’s Gym, Hudson Beach as auctioneers. Student artwork was on Glass, Hudson Valley Renegades, Hyde Park display and student musicians opened the Roller Magic, Italian Center, Joe Jankovsky, 2013 evening with their performances: Willow Timothy Judge, Kenco Outfitters, Katy Sebastian Wayne debated foreign policy at the 69th Bennison ’20, Elias Fredericks ’20 and Youyin Keen & George Kilby, Douglas Kirchner & annual Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA) 2008 (Benna) Su ’19. We are especially grateful Martina Deignan, Kramer Portraits, Heidi titled "The Politics of the Forgotten and the Ag- to two local businesses who sponsored Kronenberg, Claudette Leveque, Susan Angela Cuneo – Just got the letter today in the mail. grieved: Remaking the World Order" in November. 10 yr reunion coming up. Been so long since I’ve the dinner this year: Cleveland Plumbing & Masciale-Lynch & Sean Lynch, Locust Grove, Sebastian is a history major at Mount Saint Mary Heating and County Carburetor. Thank you! Marist College, McGillicuddy’s, Jonathan been back to Oakwood. Can’t wait to bring my son College. for his first Oakwood experience. Moss & Sadie Moss Jones, Mountain Float Spa, Jennifer & Ben Munger, Jeff Pollard, Evan from left - Basira Daqiq ’17, Sophie Poux ’17, Rabin, Bonnie Raitt ’67, Mary Redmond & board member Beth Porter ’87 and Rachel Lee – is currently working in the mobile ad- Faculty & Friends Peter Richmond, Alyssa Spencer ’13, Board member has been promoted Eli Schloss, Maia Rossini & Ryan Kelly, Lou vertising industry in Korea but will be making a Jackson Collins Eric Nelson ’82 and Sam Arfer ’85. move to Rome, Italy with her fiancé in May. to Associate Executive Director at Prep for Prep, a Simons ’56, Amy & Louis Solis, Amy Steckel leadership development program that offers stu- & Ted Farhangi, Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits, Natalie Varrallo is serving as the Director of the Cu- dents of color access to a private school education. Dan & Alysa Sullivan, Lucia & Scott Swartz, linary Arts Department at the Heartwood Institute Jackson previously served as Director of Counsel- Lynn Tirado, Malcolm Turk, Anne-Marie in Northern California. The culinary arts program ing, overseeing the well-being of over 700 students & James Uebbing, and Anna Wilson. focuses on a system of plant-based education that enrolled in independent day and boarding schools. merges nature with the science and art of agricul- ture and food preparation. Working with her in the Congratulations to French teacher Kate Saumure- culinary program is fellow alum, Nate Schoettle- Jones and her husband Steve Jones on the birth of Greene ’09. Natalie was just recently accepted to their son Charles on September 21, 2017, a wonder- the Sustainable MBA program at Green Mountain ful addition to our campus community. College in Vermont. The conference was held at the U.S. Military Acad- Student musician Elias Fredericks ’20 2009 emy at West Point. Delegates served on one of 15 Through the generosity of all our Congratulations to former student clerk Jonathon (JP) regional and topical round tables and were asked to Powers on his engagement to Jennifer Kennett ’08. auction item donors, we raised $13,000 assess and debate issues such as the impact of pop- for the Annual Fund. Thank you: A2B Young alums: Alyssa Spencer ’13, ulism on U.S. and European domestic and foreign Basira Daqiq ’17, Jackie Jin ’16 2010 Transportation, Adams Fairacre Farms, policy, the future of American alliances throughout Poughkeepsie, Sharon Alexander ’82, and Sophie Poux ’17. Lauren E. White graduated from Alfred University the world, U.S. responses to climate change, and Basira and Sophie are both freshman at in 2014 with a degree in Early Childhood Educa- Kayla & Hunter Allen, Akram Amirhosseini, U.S. policies to address ethnoreligious conflict and Josie & Michael Angley, Elizabeth Arnold, Smith College; Jackie is a sophomore at tion. She is a New York State certified teacher and mass displacement. Sebastian presented his group's Boston University and Alyssa is a graduate has worked for one year at the Branksome Hall Atlantic Theater Company, Balance Rolfing & policy memo for the reformation of NATO. Massage, Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Bill of Clark University and currently works School, in Jeju Island, Korea; 2 years at the Interna- in their Development & Alumni office. tional School of Stuttgart in Germany and recently Bogle ’76, Bottini Fuel, Boscobel Restoration, 2014 Bread Alone, Yvette Brockington, Camp Cody, joined the faculty of the American International Beth Gross – is now attending Pace University School in Budapest, Hungary where she teaches in Elizabeth Casasnovas-Calderon & JC Calderon, Auctioneer Emmy Gay, parent, the early childhood program. Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Willow Bennison ’20

1 2 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY CELEBRATING OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY Winter 2017-182016-17 15 Inspiration from our Alumni Remembering Zane Mandel-Michalak ’13 By: Chad Cianfrani, Head of School impact of food scarcity and distribution IN MEMORY within the Hudson Valley. When upper servers, but rather of individuals genuinely school students study economics and inter- Elizabeth Abel Wade ’30 engaged with a culture vastly different from national relations, they do so with a global March 20, 2017 their own. Their work and research helped perspective enriched by a community draw- shape community development policy, hu- ing experience from multiple nations and Ellen Hart Mulvey ’39 man rights, international policy and peace cultures. And when we gather each week August 16, 2017 studies, and did so in a manner truly reflec- as a community in silent meeting, we listen Charlotte Brown Tickell ’39 tive of the needs unique to each community. inwardly; we reflect deeply and we draw strength and support from one another. March 23, 2016 At Oakwood, we strive each day to inspire F. Stewart (Stu) Stover ’42 and challenge our community to view the Talking with Paul this winter served as an January 17, 2018 world through a similar lens. We ask stu- inspirational reminder of what lies at the dents to use their education as a means of intersection of passion, engagement, cu- Peter Lewis Silveston ’47 Zane with brother Max expanding their understanding and as a ve- riosity and humanity. As he and his class- January 7, 2018 hicle to evoke social and political change. mates prepare to celebrate their 70th re- When our current middle school students union this May, I am excited to envision Neil Alan Randell ’49 study sustainable practices in the green- the important work our current seniors July 25, 2017 This winter I had the great fortune to travel house, they are challenged to explore the will tackle in the decades to come. Joan Guzy Gold ’50 and share some of the exciting and important December 9, 2017 work underway in Oakwood’s classrooms and throughout our campus. From California John Highberger ’52 to Boston to Florida, alumni, board members September 13, 2017 and friends of Oakwood welcomed me into their homes and communities. I listened Alice Kelsey ’52 intensely to students, some of whom I re- February 27, 2018 member teaching as 9th graders, as they dis- cussed their graduate studies and the exciting John ( Jack ) Collins ’53 challenges of their first jobs. I was humbled January 27, 2018 by other alumni who discussed life’s work Frank Rizzolo ’57 dedicated to professions in academia, fi- June 2, 2011 nance, medicine, politics and education. Robert Douglas Moore ’58 Zane with Zach Missen-Jones ’11 December 10, 2017 on vacation Marcia Heiman ’59 January 8, 2018 Chad catching up with Basira Daqiq ’17 and Jackie Jin ’16 at a gathering hosted by board member Beth Porter ’87 in Newton, MA. Thomas Caswell Grave ’61 October 4, 2017 Judith Ann Nierenberg ’64 Members of the Board of Managers gathered July 7, 2016 Mary (Molly) Wood ’68 on the new Reagan patio in January. July 15, 2017 Abby Litwin Mooney ’79 October 8, 2017 Christopher Naney ’83 October 28, 2017 Don Spencer, Paul Doughty ’48 and Elaine Zane Mandel-Michalak ’13 Miles in Gainesville, FL. Zane with middle school friends Ozi Mat- September 4, 2017 While enjoying some delicious fish and thews, Henry Harms and Alex Rodriguez Harold (Hap) Peele chips in a little diner in Gainesville Florida a Former Faculty few weeks ago, our board president, alumni December 15, 2017 director and I had the distinct pleasure of eating and talking with one such alumnus, Oak Leaves Georgia Preston Paul Doughty ’48. Soft-spoken, witty and Winter 2017-18 Former Faculty eloquent, Paul joked that he could talk ef- January 18, 2018 fortlessly on any topic, but only in 50 min- ELAINE MILES ute increments (as that was the length of Director of Development & Alumni Affairs Joseph Rutledge the classes he had taught.) Both Paul and Former Board Member his wife Polly dedicated their lives to stud- JULIE OKONIEWSKI October 3, 2016 ies in applied anthropology, a field Paul Associate Director of Development & has engaged in for almost seven decades. Back row: Ralph Skeels ’60, Michael Quinland, Fred Rodriguez, John Scardina, Alumni Affairs Yoshiro Sanbonmatsu As we moved from dipping bread to onion Eric Wohlforth ’50, Bob Bomersbach, Henry Brecher ’51. Front row: Jessica Kimelman ’93, Former Faculty WENDY GIANGRASSO October 22, 2017 rings he described the many Latin American Fred Doneit, Don Spencer, Loren Talbot ’91 and Najah Muhammad ’10. Assistant Director of Development & communities in which they immersed them- Not in photo: Jackson Collins, Mark Colvson, Patrick Crowley ’50, Emilie Gay, James O’Barr, Alumni Affairs selves beginning in the early 1950s. Paul’s Beth Porter ’87 and Bill Reagan. words painted a picture not of outside ob- Nonprofit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Winter 2012017-186-17 Permit No. 259 Newburgh, NY

Address Service Requested OakNEWSLETTER FROM OAKWOOD FRIENDS SCHOOL • CELEBRATINGLeaves OVER 200 YEARS OF FRIENDS EDUCATION IN THE HUDSON VALLEY 2018 Spring School Calendar

April 3 Breakfast with the Head Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block ’90 Presents International Human April 24 Earthshare Day Dash Davis Gleiter Lecture on Social Justice Rights Day April 27 Dash Davis Gleiter Lecture By Denique (Abbie) Tullock ’19, UNA Intern Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block ’90 ory of Dash Davis Gleiter ’51 in recognition of her work in civil rights and her lifetime of May 17-19 Spring Production volunteer activities to promote social justice. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown May 18 Arts Presentation Rabbi Kimelman-Block is the Washington Di- rector of Bend the Arc Jewish Action, where he Jonathan Kaplan ’68, ceramicist works to bring the voices of progressive Ameri- May 18-20 Alumni Weekend can Jews into the halls of power in Washington May 23 Spring Concert DC. He is the co-editor and co-author of Just: Judaism. Action. Social Change and served as June 6 Middle School Moving Up the Director of the PANIM Institute for Jewish June 7 Senior Dinner Leadership and Values. He received his rab- binic ordination from The Jewish Theological June 8 Commencement Seminary of America and his B.A. in Political Science from Grinnell College. His talk to the Visit us at www.oakwoodfriends.org Oakwood community will address: In a Diverse Society, Can Religion Be a Force for Good? Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block Jason is also the founding member of a cohous- ing community in Maryland, where he lives with 16 Winter 2012017-186-17 NEWSLETTER FOR ALUMNI AND MEMBERS OF THE OAKWOOD FRIENDS COMMUNITY Alumnus Jason Kimelman-Block, class of 1990, will return to Oakwood Friends School to his wife, sustainable food activist and KOL Foods present the Caroline Dash Davis Gleiter Lec- founder Devora Kimelman-Block, and their four Abbie speaking at Human Rights Day event at ture on Social Justice on Friday, April 27th, at children. Jason’s sister, Jessica Kimelman ’93, is the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park A Winter Field Trip in Esopus, NY 2:30 pm. Now in its 14th year, this lecture se- a member of Oakwood’s Board of Managers. ries was established by classmates in mem- The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a member- ship organization dedicated to inform, in- spire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the Unit- New Spackenkill Entrance Lights the Way ed Nations. Our local chapter of the UNA, the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter, promotes social To Oakwood Friends School justice and international humanitarian issues.

Oakwood Friends School lost a wonderful The fifth local celebration of International friend and distinguished alumnus when Samuel Human Rights Day was held on December P.S. Ho, class of 1955, passed away last year. 7, 2017 at the FDR Presidential Library. The Throughout his adult life, he expressed his two themes of the day were “Working To- gratitude and affection for Oakwood with gen- gether for Gender Equality” and “Connecting erous support of the Annual Fund to ensure the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to that students today will enjoy the same impor- Hudson Valley Issues and Solutions.” We dis- tant experience that he had. When settling his cussed our rights, specifically freedoms and financial affairs, Sam made a legacy gift to Oak- the political aspects and perspectives regard- wood of $100,000 to be used at the discretion ing those topics. Following last year’s event, of the head of school and board of managers. the suggestions generated by the workshops were shared with elected officials from all over Sam’s gift was used to refurbish the main en- the area. Four of the workshops included for trance to the School on Spackenkill Road, liter- 2018 were the Freedom of Expression, The Right ally lighting the way onto the Oakwood cam- to Participate in Politics, The Right to Safety, pus. With a new sign, fencing, lighting and and The Right to Equity in Compensation, all landscaping, the entry to Oakwood is beautiful under the general theme of “Women’s Rights and welcoming, and visible to those driving by “I have wonderful memories of my teach- are Human Rights.” Our goal is to continue in the community. We are so grateful for Sam’s ers and of friends I made at Oakwood. The to have productive and effective discussions generosity in making this much needed reno- surrounding various social issues. Drafted vation possible. We are pleased to acknowl- five years I spent at Oakwood were some of documents were shared with the attendees to edge Sam with a plaque at the entryway. the happiest of my life.” help them reflect and grasp a deeper mean- Black Creek Preserve Sam Ho ’55 ing for creating a more egalitarian society.