Preserve our Heritage… WilbrAhAM & MonSon AcAdeMy PROFILES IN PLANNED GIVING

Invest It’s never too early to create a legacy and in our Future. join the WMA Heritage Society. Robert Edmunds ’01 put WMA in his will, and you can too! ob Edmunds is a smart guy. After he purchased his first home and had acquired some assets, he knew that it was time to create an estate plan to ensure that in the event of his Rpassing, those things that he had worked hard to achieve would end up in the right hands. Rob also wanted Wilbraham & Monson Academy to be the recipient of part of that estate.

“The time I spent at the Academy was a wonderful period of my life. It truly shaped who I am today. I want to make sure that other young people get the same benefits I did during my time at the Academy. What better way to do this than through my estate?” said Rob. We hope that Rob lives a long, happy life and that many years go by before his assets are transferred to WMA. We are honored that he has chosen to remember the Academy in this way.

You can join Rob and the many Alumni, parents, and friends who have added WMA to their wills or as a beneficiary of their retirement plans.

heriTAge SocieTy MeMberS enjoy benefiTS ThAT include:

n The knowledge that you have left behind a legacy that will help WMA stay strong for many years to come n Enrollment listing with fellow members in all publications and information distributed about the Society n A special certificate personalized with your name and year of membership and Heritage Society pin n Highly attractive annuity rates n An annual Society event hosted by the Head of School Please note that WMA does not n Invitation to special events at WMA provide tax or legal advice. Gift calculations may be provided for illustrative purposes only, and More information on how to include WMA in your estate plans can be found at www.WMA.us/HeritageSociety the actual values may vary based or by contacting Christina Cronin, Director of Major Gifts & Campaign Coordinator, at [email protected] or on the timing and nature of your gift. Advice from legal and tax 413.596.9189. counsel should be sought when considering a charitable gift plan of any kind.

WMA 32 · S pring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World pages 8-15 pages Schoolon Middle Blake the real thing. India. Thisisno Photoshopjob;it’s Stephanie Robbins ’10onthetripto Paul Bloomfieldshotthisphoto of

worldon pages 21-23 ahead Receptions 18 Development Travel and Photo Essay now?, andNecrology 26 ClassNotes, Where arethey 25 Passages 24 Trustee Spotlight 21 CapitalImprovements 5 Titans Victorious 2 NewsontheHill Reflections Departments 10 Faculty &StudentProfiles 8 Curriculum Place toLearn Blake MiddleSchool: A Great Feature T Young Alumni reception onpage20 he A cA de My W orld M AgA zine ·S S pring pring 2010· WMA 1 2010 HMUN inNewsontheHillpage3 on page25 Florence Shaw Remembering on pages18-20 on

development travel News from the hill Vineeta Vijayaraghavan form for many years. In addition, students 2009-2010: A yeAr of were treated to Bollywood movies and leArning About indiA offered dance lessons, carrying the theme The 2009-2010 WMA focus on India into weekend activities. began with the all-school read over the summer, Vineeta Vijayaraghavan’s Over spring vacation in March, eleven Motherland. During opening-of-school students and chaperones Wally Swanson meetings, faculty members were treated and Paul Bloomfield traveled to India to a lecture on Indian culture and history by to deliver the funds raised in the art sale described below Mount Holyoke College Professor Indira Peterson, which helped to Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT). $1,000 is equivalent to in the discussion of the book with their advisees. In October, about 47,000 Indian rupees and will go a long way toward Ms. Vijayaraghavan visited school. She had lunch with the supporting the programs of SBT, an organization in New Dehli Bicentennial Scholars and spoke to the community at School that strives to improve the well-being of the children of India Meeting. and provides its services to over 3,500 children a year. CEGS Director Wally Swanson says, “There was a hefty focus on In November, the entire school attended Mira Kamdar’s lecture citizen organizations and NGOs. In addition to SBT, we visited at the Springfield Public Forum, a social enterprise installing wireless internet into mountain sponsored by the Academy. She met and rural communities called AirJaldi, as well as several for over an hour with Bicentennial community-based NGOs working in Dharamsala on issues of Scholars before the lecture and health and well-being.” Read more about this and other CEGS answered their questions about her international travel at www.WMA.us/travel2010. book, Planet India, which they had read and discussed. The Holiday Program in In April, The Robert W. McCallum ’47 December featured a traditional Indian Visiting Lectureship Fund sponsored a dance choreographed by Priyanka performance by the Aparna Sindhoor George ’11, who has studied the dance Dance Theatre, a nationally recognized company that performs contemporary Left, Indian traditional dance performed and classical Indian dance. The final at the Holiday Program. Right, event for The Year of India is an exhibit Mira Kamdar speaks to Bicentennial in Binney from May 21 to June 13 Scholars before Springfield Public Forum. featuring personal accounts in photos Below right, Adrianne Hanson ’10 in her and words by those who went to India. art sale boutique.

WMA Artists offer Hope for indiA’s created and underprivileged CHildren sold printed by jeAnneTTe VienS ’11, STAff WriTer designs to Students in Mr. Bloomfield’s AP Portfolio and Mr. Swanson’s help raise Grade 9 Global Studies classes created a showcase gallery of money for the student work in December that not only children of raised awareness of issues confronting the India. children of India, but also raised a total of $1,000 in funds. Grade 9 Global Studies The students made informative posters and signs presention of about child labor in India and the impact of the art was globalization on India’s children, which has compelling. been an area of study in the CEGS classes. Each artist stood before their work and explained it to the art The AP Portfolio students created individual show guests. “The art show was brilliant,” says Sommer Mahoney boutiques based on their own designs. ’11, one of eleven students who went on a trip to India in March, Emma Camilleri ’10, Adrianne Hanson ’10, “Not only was the art itself impressive, but the messages and and Sunghyuk Seo ’10 created t-shirts, bags, symbols were inspiring. The show made me even more excited and hangings. Art students Moon Hwang to go to India because we may be able to alleviate some of the ’10, Vicky Liu ’12, and Donna Lee ’11 also issues, especially child labor, that the art show exhibited.”

WMA 2 · S pring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World tHe globAl eColeArn projeCt® updAte Please note that The Global EcoLearn Project received a registered trademark on April 6. What could possibly get students out of bed on Sunday mornings to walk the wilds of the WMA campus? The Global EcoLearn Project® has expanded to include the Land Stewardship Club. The data that students and biology teacher Paul Ekness have been gathering from the forests on region. He also had lunch with the Bicentennial Scholars, the WMA campus this winter will be used to apply for Green where he went into more depth on the subject. Later in the Certification of future forest products that come from trees spring, he spoke on the same topic at the Washington, D.C. harvested on Academy property. In the spring, the students will reception. focus their activities on gathering information about the vernal ponds on campus. They will begin data collection with water students in tHe neWs temperature, pH, vegetation types in and around the pools, and Class of 2010 Counts Down usage of the pools by various species of amphibian life. On Thursday, February 18, the Class of 2010 enjoyed the fifth annual 100 To support this effort, Paul has Days Celebration, initiating their arranged for the purchase of Arc official countdown to Commencement. Info, a geographic information Each year, the Alumni & Development system (GIS) computer software Office treats the graduating class to program that, as he says, “… has lunch off campus and an ice cream endless possibilities, from the social in the Spa. During this event, analysis of data we already have the seniors learn about becoming to analyzing and mapping data Alumni. They also elect their class we know we will be collecting agents: Emma Cammilleri, Megan Cole, in the future.” This software will Stephen Marcus, Stephanie Robbins, enable students to analyze and and Hannah Tanguay. map data in nearly every subject area of the curriculum. Paul says, “Virtually anything that has the arts spatial reference points can be mapped and used.” Congratulations to Sea Yoon Park ’11, whose oboe audition Another aspect of The Global EcoLearn Project® in January earned her a spot in the All-State Festival Band, involves the planting of the 350 fir trees on the which performed at Boston Symphony Hall on March 20. WMA campus scheduled for April 17 (weather Four upper school musicians performed at the Senior District permitting), coinciding with Earth Day. The project Festival at the UMASS Fine Arts Center on January 16: was initiated by students in the Global Studies A & vocalist Jon Lee ’12, Henry Liao ’10 on violin, Brooke Mele B second trimester classes. The students spoke about ’11 on flute, and Sea Yoon Park on oboe. Blake Middle School the Nature Conservancy’s carbon footprint calculator students deserving praise for their musical achievements and used it to measure their individual impact on planet include Jackson FrenchRobitaille ’14, who played trumpet in Earth. Doug Hutcheson, who is advising other students the Junior Festival Band, and Leigh Johnston ’14, who played as they work on The Global EcoLearn Project®, has agreed to violin in the Junior Festival Orchestra at the Fine Arts Center mentor this Global Studies group as well. With his guidance, the at UMASS on March 13. Four BMS students, Emily Carson students will find an area on campus to plant 350 balsam and ’15, Andrew Faulstich ’15, Alina Fraser fir seedlings. Another 150 seedlings will be distributed Shirley ’15, and Alexandra during Reunion Weekend so Alumni can share in the project. Zulkiewicz ’14, performed in The Global Studies A & B students hope that more trees will the Quabbin Valley Festival be planted each year by subsequent students to give the project Chorus in early March. an element of sustainability. The first harvest of the trees should Congratulations to Academy take place in about ten years. Repertory Company actors insigHt into AfgHAnistAn & Michael Hacking ’10 and AkistAn Kathryn Sloan ’10 on being p named to the All-Star Cast for While Former Trustee Jon Sperling ’57 was in town for an their performances in “Blue address at the World Affairs Council of Western Massachusetts, Kettle” in the Massachusetts he visited Global Studies classes on campus and filled students Drama Festival. in on the culture and complicated political situation in the The AcAdeMy World · S pring 2010· WMA 3 countries: Monaco and The following briefs, as well as the one on the India Turkmenistan. The fundraiser, are condensed from articles in the February 12 HMUN students and March 1 issues of the student newspaper, The Atlas. You were assigned a can read the articles in their entirety at www.WMA.us/atlas. country as well KisseD: MusiCal enthralls wMa as a committee in early October. From that time up until hours before the first committee sessions in Boston, the delegates studied and researched issues of international significance, including the global financial crisis, the right to self-determination, and gender equity, and their countries’ views of these issues. Senior and two-year veteran Brian Carr elaborated on the educational value of Model UN. “As a two-year Model UN student, my education at WMA is more complete. [HMUN] by eVAn filkinS ’11, STAff WriTer combines debate, research, and foreign policy to understand “Kiss Me, Kate” is Cole Porter’s modern retelling of how to take part effectively in committee.” Not only is HMUN Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” in the form of an a great experience and a class unlike any other at WMA, it off-off Broadway production. The show, complicated by a provides students with experience in diplomatic negotiation waspish starlet and a womanizing producer, depicts a play- and international cooperation and exposure to global issues. gone-to-hell, full of on-stage meltdowns and actors performing Bigger, Better relay for life under duress. The WMA Academy Players performed three by nAru SugiurA ’11, STAff WriTer sold-out shows February 18-21. The audience was enthralled Cancer claims the most lives among from the moment the lights went up, the orchestra played the Americans after heart disease. The overture, and Priyanka George ’11 sang the first five words of American Cancer Society created Relay the production: “Another opening to another show.” For a solid For Life for fundraising purposes so twenty minutes, I forgot this was a high school production. that cancer might no longer be an The choreography of the show was a bit simple, but the quality equivalent to a death sentence. Relay of vocal and instrumental talent more than made up. For Life was founded by Dr. Gordy Poetry out louD: anD the winner is … us! Klatt, who ran for 24 hours in the beong jo kAng ’11, STAff WriTer hopes of showing support for his On Thursday night, February 12, the Student Center was patients and to raise money for them. The second crowded with students, faculty members, and guests who annual Relay For Life of Wilbraham will be held were excited to hear poetry. Yes, that’s right P-O-E-T-R-Y., as May 15-16. Since November, the WMA co-chairs, in poems, limericks, sonnets, quatrains, and even free verse. Stephanie Robbins ’10 and Jacqueline Smith ’11, The event was Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s first ever have devised plans for Relay For Life based on the principles poetry recital competition as part of the National Endowment of “Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back”, the mantra of the for the Arts’ Poetry Out Loud competition. The recital was organization, and have added many ideas on how to make it a the culmination of weeks of class assignments, performances, better communal experience. and, ultimately, competitions aimed at determining who would The overall fundraising goal of this year’s Relay For Life represent WMA at the Massachusetts state competition. For Committee is $95,000. The organizers plan to have more the competition at WMA, each class winner had to recite two entertaining things to do. The Relay will start around 6:00 poems from the Poetry Out Loud list of approximately 600+ p.m. on May 15, a Saturday, and finish on Sunday at noon. poems before a panel of judges. Nicholas Jalbert ’12 was The team-building process began at the kick-off event on named WMA’s 2009-2010 finalist for Poetry Out Loud for his February 27. During Relay, each team has one person walking recitation of “Harlem” by Langston Hughes and “London” by at all times. To join a team, individuals must contribute $10. William Blake. Relay For Life of Wilbraham is the primary campus-wide hMun: a MoDel exPerienCe community service project at the Academy. Relay began at by Willie bourgeoiS ’10, STAff WriTer Apart from Mr. Cook and the nineteen Model United Nations WMA in 2005 when the late Jane Kelly, teacher, coach, and students, not many people at Wilbraham & Monson Academy advisor, and Carolyn Weeks ’05 organized the first Relay. The know much about the Harvard Model UN, affectionately fund-raising event became an annual greater-Wilbraham event referred to as HMUN. This year, WMA represented two in 2009. WMA 4 · S pring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World California, with the Nomads. Based in TiTaNs Victorious Northampton, Massachusetts, the team is comprised of high-calibre players from brittAny bArry nAMed All AMeriCAn, both public and private schools in the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas. A first in ACAdeMy History All players on the team intend to play in The announcement on December 2 by the National Soccer college, and many used the Palm Springs Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/adidas of its 2009 trip to showcase their talents to the Girls High School All- numerous college coaches that were there. Brittany and Coach America team capped an A two-year player in the League All-Star Nickolson eventful season for the Titans Game, Emma is currently being pursued soccer player. On October 17 by several Division III college coaches. against Canterbury, Brittany Jeanette Barry scored her 100th high Jeannette, two-time co-captain of the school goal. By the end of Wilbraham & Monson Varsity Volleyball the season, Barry had a total team and two-time New England Prep School Girls Volleyball of 51 goals in her two years Association All Star, was named this year to the Husky Mizuno at Wilbraham & Monson 18 team. The 18 team is usually comprised of high school Academy and 110 in her high seniors, and it is quite an honor to make the team as a junior. school career. Husky Volleyball is a developmental program for girls’ volleyball located in central Connecticut. The team competed at the The Massachusetts Soccer WinterFest Tournament in Hartford, Connecticut, on January Coaches Association selected Brittany, who lives in Springfield, 16-18, where more than 150 teams from all over New England, for the All-State team. The NSCAA/adidas named her to the All- the Tri-States, Maryland, and Delaware competed for the top Region team and from that group, selected the junior forward spot in several brackets. The Huskys won the Diamond Bracket for the national All-America team. Barry is the first female with a record of 6-3. They also traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, athlete in the history of Wilbraham & Monson Academy to be in April to play in the Northeast Qualifier Tournament. awarded this honor. The All-America selections were recognized at the annual All-America Luncheon, held in Philadelphia, Carly plays club lacrosse for LaxPlus Pennsylvania, on January 16, as part of the 2010 NSCAA Connecticut, training through the summer Convention. and playing in elite tournaments in New In addition to playing for WMA, Brittany divides her time England and New York. She also captains between the Massachusetts Olympic Development team, Stars Berkshire FC of the Massachusetts Premier of Mass, which is a nationally ranked Division 1 club team, Soccer (MAPLESoccer), based in Westfield, and the New England Mutiny of the Women’s Premier Soccer the only Division 1 team from Western League. Massachusetts. They travel the state to play on Sundays in the spring, and the current More titAns plAying on elite teAMs players have been together since they were 9 A number of girls who add strength and a competitive spirit years old. Carly plays varsity soccer, varsity Carly to Titan athletics are also playing on elite regional and national basketball, and varsity lacrosse for the teams. Although more girls play on elite soccer teams than any Academy. She was MVP of the Girls’ Varsity other sport, Emma Camilleri ’10, Jeannette Viens ’11, Carly Basketball team, and she was selected for the All-Tournament Cronin ’13, and Mia Konstantakos ’13 are making their presence Team at the Holiday Basketball Tournament held annually at felt in their respective sports Stoneleigh-Burnham School. of field hockey, volleyball, Mia Emma lacrosse, and swimming. Mia holds the WMA girls’ 100-yard backstroke record with a time of Emma has been playing field 1:07.40. She swims with two other hockey with the Nomads teams, the Wilbraham-Hampden U19 National Travel Team. Falcons and a USA Swimming team Over Thanksgiving break Meis Typhoons, based in Springfield. the captain and MVP of the Last year, Mia swam for the 2009 Wilbraham & Monson AquaBears, coached by Titan coach Academy Varsity Field Hockey Dan Moran. team traveled to Palm Springs,

The AcAdeMy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 5 TiTaNs Victorious and 8 assists, will be playing next year at the University of boys’ soCCer: undefeAted seAson Massachusetts. Marco Ilao, who was All League and All State, ends in plAyoffs plans on going to St. Lawrence. by jASon duke ’11, ATlAS STAff WriTer Though the team is losing many of its key players, the future The Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Boys’ Varsity Soccer is still bright. Mr. Cook said that there is a “good nucleus” team had an amazing season, finishing the regular season with returning next season, and that the team has a lot of potential. an undefeated record of 10-0-4 with a 1-0 win over Avon on senior day. The team was led by their strong defensive core, allowing only eight goals in fifteen games, an average of only boys’ vArsity half a goal per game. In average goals scored per game, the bAsketbAll Titans led the Western New England Prep Soccer Association, The WMA Boys’ Varsity which has forty-nine teams. Basketball team had it best season in years, getting to the finals in the Western New England Conference tournament before losing to Kent School 58-36 after trouncing Cheshire Academy 86-55 and winning a buzzer-beater against Taft 57-54. The team, coached by Chris Sparks ’95, finished 18-8. Coach Sparks commented after Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team the final game, “As a graduate of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, I am so proud to be a part of Milan Drecun ’10, whose three- The team went into the playoffs as the number 2 seed, playing such a wonderful community. point shot with 27 seconds left The Brooks School in the first round of the playoffs. The Our focus is to bring in students against Taft sealed the Titan win. Brooks School, which has successful soccer teams year in and who are dedicated to the year out, and a “very storied soccer tradition” according to academics and the athletics, and Coach Cook, was expected to be a tough team to beat. The this group surpassed my expectations.” Postseason honors two teams played a good game and were tied at the end of went to three players. Chris Williams was named Second regulation. They were still tied after overtime, so the game went Team ALL-WENPSA, Peter Rakocevic was named Third Team into penalty kicks, which Brooks won in the seventh round. All-WENPSA, and Eric Dortch was named Honorable Mention All-WENPSA. Ten of the members of the graduating class After the loss, Mr. Cook said that it “hurt” since the team are committed to such college programs as Trinity College, had high expectations for itself in the playoffs. Though the Florida International, Brown, Stonehill, and Ball State. season came to an unexpected finish, Mr. Cook said that the undefeated regular season was still “special”. Mr. Cook also said The WMA Ski team did well in NEPSAC Alpine Skiing that this was one of the top five teams he has ever coached, Championships with Stephanie Robbins ’10 placing 4th in the and one of the top two during the regular season, which is Slalom & 10th in the Giant Slalom and Adam Ginsberg ’10 high praise from someone who has been coaching for twenty- taking 6th place in the Slalom for the boys. nine years. This year’s team was led by 10 starting seniors who attracted college coaches to 11 games this season. Many of the seniors have plans to play soccer in college. Captain and keeper Casey Marini, who was named All League, All State, and All New England with 7 shutouts this season and a school record 18 career shutouts, applied early to Connecticut College. Captain Trevor Moran, the starting center midfielder, who earned All- League honorable mention, committed to play at University of Rhode Island. Drew Pehoviak, the starting left back, committed to Colby Sawyer. Connor Devivo, a starting striker who earned All-League honors and led the team in scoring with 15 goals

WMA 6 · Spring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World CollegiAte AtHletes On October 23, University of Rhode Island Assistant Soccer Coach Mitch Stone ’92 brought the Rams, including Greg Balicki ’07 and Alex Tuohey ’07, to campus for training before the UMASS game, which they won 1-nil. Senior guard Andre Roberson ‘06 capped his Rickey Moore ’10 signed a National Letter of Intent to attend basketball career at Brandeis University with a and play football with Sacred Heart University on National great postseason run. He had 11 points in the Signing Day while Athletic Director Skip Jarocki, his football team’s 66-52 win over St. John Fisher College, coach Jeff Vartabedian, and his mom looked on. which sent the Judges to the Division III Sweet 16. The three-point shot he made with fewer Sean Meunier ’12 took first place in the US Tennis Association than three minutes left in the game included the level 16’s tournament in February, defeating the number-one 1000th point of his career, making him the 28th player in seed in the semifinals and winning the final 6-2; 6-3. school history to reach that plateau. In the first round, Andre’s scrappy play was instrumental in the Judges’ 76-65 win over Joseph Thibault ’13 has been wrestling for five Rhode Island College. Their run came to an end in the Elite years. He is one of the best in New England in 8 when they fell to Williams 71-57, a game that was close the 112-pound weight class. During the month of until the last 4 minutes. Andre led the Judges with 14 points January, Joe was undefeated in nine matches. He in the final game of his college career. Photo credit: Brandeis continued his streak into February and, despite University Web site a sprained ankle, he finished eighth in the New England Championships, qualifying for the Josh Bronner ’08, playing for the Nationals at Lehigh University. UNH Wildcats, was named to the Joseph conference All-Rookie Team. Nathaniel Lee ’10 has been swimming competitively since Russell Dinkins ’09 had a the Grade 7 and is now looking forward to rewarding winter track season his swimming in college. He currently holds five freshman year at Princeton. His Titan swim records: 200 Freestyle (1:48.42), times steadily improved, and he 200 IM (2:05.56), 100 Fly (56.82), 100 set records and earned national Russell at the Dartmouth track Freestyle (48.20), and 500 Freestyle (5:14.50), rankings in a number of events. with former faculty members all but the 100 Fly set this season. He’s been Nathaniel A time of 1:01.70 at a January Sean and Kate Rakowski clocked at under 21 seconds in the 50-Free 30 meet in New York City briefly sprint, and his official best time in the 50 Freestyle is 22.29. boosted him to a national number 1 ranking in the 500. It is After his performance last summer, Nate was ranked 2nd in a Princeton school record, and is the second fastest time ever Connecticut and 132nd nationally. The school record for the run by a student attending the current Ivy League schools. 50 Free, 21:30, is held by Jason Bois ’92, who went on to Russell helped Princeton win the Ivy League championship Slippery Rock after WMA. We’d like to get reconnected to held at Dartmouth College in February with a first place in Jason, so if anyone has contact information for him, please the 500 and a leg of the distance medley relay for a second pass it on to the Alumni & Development Office. place Princeton finish. Russell holds top five times for the Ivy League in the 400, 500, and 800. He also ran on the 4x400 ACAdeMy CoACHes meter relay and the distance medley relay over the course of Congratulations to Lee Pinney ’59 on his induction the season. into the Connecticut Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Lee played at Wilbraham and Cornell and continues to Aaron Haas ‘09 played for the Temple play in club and summer league programs to this Owls vs UCLA in the Eaglebank Bowl day, as well as participating in the Alumni game at game December 29 in Washington DC. Reunion most years. Lee also coached both boys’ Matt Risley ’96 was shooting Spring and girls’ lacrosse over the years in Connecticut Fling Lacrosse in Florida when he schools. He has turned his family farm in Somers, spotted Chelby Wakefield ’09 with the now with fifteen fields, into a lacrosse mecca. For Smith squad in a scrimmage. several years, Lee also coached wrestling at WMA.

The AcAdeMy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 7 Chelby Wakefield Blake Middle School: A Great

Blake Middle School Director to Charlie D’Avanzo with Grade 8 students Gillian Smith, Maria Slater, Brent Kane, earn and Nick Beauchamp LCh arlie Place D’Avanzo, Director BLAKE Middle School features an exciting, engaging, challenging Coordinating with the theme of “Knowing One’s Past”, Jamie curriculum. The centerpiece of the middle Palmer has developed the Grade 6 Art course to include the creation of artifacts associated with the cultures being studied school academic experience is our humanities in humanities. She helps our students fashion Egyptian program. Humanities at Blake Middle School sarcophagi, mint Roman coins, and paint Grecian pots is a combination of English and history with and urns along with other projects. In health classes, Erika a theme-based focus by grade. Whipple introduces our students to the health triangle as a foundation to good health and explains the role that family plays in maintaining one’s health. In science, the focus of study Grade 6 – Knowing One’s Past is Earth Science, where Blake Middle School Director Charlie Dan Moran teaches Grade 6, where the theme is “Knowing D’Avanzo invites the students to consider “Earth Time” and the One’s Past”. Students investigate the past from the origin of the major geologic events that have occurred through the millenia. human species to the early civilizations that continue to impact our culture today. The summer book for students entering Grade 6 is A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park, a wonderful book Grade 7 – Knowing One’s Self that invites our incoming students to think about the past The integrated nature of the BMS curriculum continues into through the eyes of a twelve-year-old Korean boy, Tree Ear, Grade 7 and the theme, “Knowing One’s Self”. In Grade who lived in Korea during the 12th century. Students in this 7 Humanities, taught by Sherri Krassin, students learn grade investigate many ancient cultures, Egyptian, Greek, by delving into three case studies that demonstrate the Roman, and Mayan. dehumanization of individuals for reasons of religion, race,

WMA 8 · Spring 2010 · The Academy World Blake Middle School students and and gender. In the fall trimester, the case study is 20th faculty at the Capitol building century Europe, the Weimar Republic, Nazi Germany, and the Holocaust. In the winter trimester, our students investigate the Civil Rights Movement in the United States in the 1950s and ’60s. In the spring, the focus of the case study is the Women’s Movement in the early 20th century. Each of these case studies challenges our students to think about the importance of identity and of the strength of the individual in society. We introduce the terms victim, perpetrator, bystander, and upstander into each case study to help our students better understand how each of us plays all of these roles at various points in our lives as part of our shared human experience. We connect the theme “Knowing One’s Self” into Grade 7 science, taught by Jim Lagomarsino, by investigating how to study humans scientifically via the SEPUP model. SEPUP through the development of workers’ rights. Our Blake Middle is an acronym for Science Education for Public Understanding School students complete their three-year humanities study by Program. This is an amazing science program created and identifying the challenges that continue to face the American developed at the University of California at Berkeley that truly dream as we move into the 21st century and by considering challenges our students to learn science by DOING science! those who remain excluded from the ideals expressed by our Each grade uses SEPUP to make our science classes active, founders over 200 years ago. inquiry based, exciting, and highly enjoyable. Art in Grade 7 Art classes in Grade 8 explore how we can learn about a challenges our students to explore how they can depict who culture and a community through the art its members create they are through art. Students create self portraits, Cornell and value. Art is regarded not only from the standpoint of boxes, based on the work of artist Joseph Cornell, and other its aesthetic value but also as a platform used to comment, projects that form a bridge between art and humanities. In question, criticize, and incite. Our Grade 8 art students also health class, Grade 7 students study nutrition and exercise study architecture and how the buildings and monuments regimens to better understand their personal eating habits and created by a culture serve both a practical function and as to establish an activity level necessary for a healthy lifestyle. an avenue of artistic and creative expression. Health classes look at the societal issues associated with health, tobacco use, Grade 8 – Knowing One’s alcohol and substance abuse, and STD’s. Grade 8 students view science as it relates to the community, again using SEPUP. The Community science activities they develop focus on resource management, After a look back into our collective past and a look at our waste management, and other ways science impacts a selves as individuals, our Grade 8 students are asked in the community. third year of our integrated curriculum to consider how we reach out and connect with other people to build a healthy, This is the core of our curriculum, the central piece. We have supportive community. The theme for Grade 8 Humanities, many other equally as exciting, inviting, and educational taught by Sarah Barnes-Vallandingham, is “Knowing One’s pieces emanating from this core including mathematics, music, Community”. The historical context of her class in the fall is physical education, and world languages. Blake Middle School the founding of the American democracy and the dream of is a place where students are challenged to learn and create forming a more perfect union. In the winter trimester, her every day. students consider who was left out of that dream and how we expanded our democracy for people of color in the mid-19th E xploring Washington, D.C. century. In the spring, students study the early 20th century At Blake Middle School, we found a novel way to re-acclimate and the expansion of the dream to include the labor force our students to school following spring vacation; we went to Washington DC! While the rest of Wilbraham & Monson Academy was back in the classroom on Tuesday, March 23, Blake Middle School students were on two Peter Pan buses heading south to the nation’s capital. Our trip to DC connected to our curriculum in many, many ways. From creating memorials to studying the Holocaust and the founding ideals that are the bedrock of our democratic system, Washington D.C. has so much to offer to our Blake Middle School students. The Academy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 9 Jim with the Middle School Boys’ Basketball team We were on the road by 7:30 Tuesday morning and settled briefly into the hotel before departing for a night tour of D.C. with Old Towne Trollies. The tour brought us to the Iwo Jima Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Capitol. It was a good way for our students to orient themselves to the city and to prepare for the days to come. Day two was a tour of the Capitol with the highlights being a surprise visit from Congressman Richard E. Neal and a visit to the House Chamber where a debate was taking place about the stimulus bill funding a summer jobs program. Our tour of the Capitol was followed by lunch in the Old Post Office Pavilion and a walk through the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the World War Ja mes Lagomarsino Two Memorial. We enjoyed dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe Wednesday evening and finished our busy day at the Spy ames Lagomarsino, aka Mr. Lago, has been at the Academy Museum. for 29 years. He is a graduate of Springfield College, Jwhere he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Thursday started at the Washington Monument and then a tour Currently his role consists of teaching Grades 7 and 8 Science, of the National Holocaust Museum. This was followed by a trip coaching Middle School Boys’ Basketball and Varsity Golf, and to the Smithsonian Museums where we first had lunch and advising the Rube Goldberg team. then visited several of the museums, with the Air and Space Museum being the most popular choice. When asked what he liked best about teaching at the Academy, Jim was quick to reply, “We have great students! The inclement weather cut short our visit on Friday, and we I look forward to meeting the new students and seeing the arrived back to WMA safe and sound thanks to the wonderful returning students that I get to work with for another year. I driving skills of Andy and Nuno, our Peter Pan bus drivers. love getting to choose the curriculum that I teach, especially It was a wonderful trip full of the grandeur and majesty the Quabbin unit. I am always looking for new ways to help associated with the nation’s capital. students understand, appreciate, and learn to take care of the natural world. Challenging my students to grow and helping them to prepare for success at the next level of their science Blake Middle education is what keeps me on the job. Coaching is satisfying because I get to see significant growth in many areas of these School faculty & young athletes’ performances.” Both Jim’s children are Alumni of the Academy. Jeff ’99 received his undergraduate degree from George Washington student University. He finished his master’s in human rights at Columbia University, and he is working for two of his former Columbia professors in a start-up carbon capture company in New York City, Global Thermostat. Kim ’01 completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland and her master’s degree in conflict resolution and mediation at George It takes a special blend of patience, Mason. Presently, she’s working for Zero To Three, a non- enthusiasm, showmanship, courage, profit in Washington, D.C. that helps young children get a and a genuine love of the profession to engage middle school healthy start. students in active learning.Profiles These teachers of humanities, science, health, and art at Blake Middle School have all that Jim lives with his wife Cindy and their black Lab/mutt Sasha in a log cabin he built himself on a plot of woodlands near and more, a commitment to bringing out the best in their the east side of the Quabbin Reservoir. He is a deacon in the students every day. To survive middle school intact is a Tri-Parish Community Church in Hardwick and has enjoyed challenge for all young people. To thrive while developing their coaching youth soccer for 14 years. When asked about his talents and leadership skills as these BMS students are doing interests, he replied, “I still love wilderness canoeing, winter is a tribute both to their families and to the faculty and staff of mountaineering, golf, and taking care of my log cabin and 46 WMA’s Blake Middle School. acres of woods.”

WMA 10 · Spring 2010 · The Academy World and physical education from Northeastern University and has Jessi m ca S ith - Grade 8 been at the Academy for 14 years. Jessica Smith, a consistent Highest or Erika has been a dorm parent in Wallace Blake ever since she High Honors Grade 8 student from West arrived on campus and was the assistant head dorm parent for Springfield, has been at the Academy since two years. In the early years, she lived in the dorm, but now Grade 6. Her mom is executive assistant she lives over Health Services in Benton House. A 20-year Red to Head of School Rodney LaBrecque, and Cross instructor, she is responsible for assisting the faculty her sister Jacqueline is a junior in the upper to be certified in CPR and in First Aid. Her presentations are school. punctuated with the admonishment, “This will be on the test!” As a valued member of Gold Erika teaches health and swimming to all Blake Middle School Key, Jessie enjoys giving tours students, and over the years her lifeguard training courses to prospective families. have helped many upper school students find summer She also plays soccer, employment at area lakes and pools. Her own summers are basketball, and lacrosse. busy with WMA’s Beech Tree Summer Camp, where she is She has been elected Associate Director this year and where she has been Health to a Student Coordinator for six years. Council office Erika has been working on a master’s degree in athletic administration at Springfield College. She enjoys the research involved in her courses and uses what she learns at SC to bring new ideas into the BMS classroom. She says, “I’m really Jessica counting Penny Wars cash inspired by the looks on my students’ faces when they learn a new concept, and when students break out of their shells and become confident, independent learners, I know I chose the each year, progressing from treasurer to vice president, and right profession.” this year she is president. Erika comes from a family committed to education in the Jessie is participating in Relay For Life, and she loves to sing independent school arena. Her dad was on the faculty at and act. She says, “I sang with Dan Kane from the time I was Lawrence Academy and her mother worked at Groton School. 10 until I was 13. I have acted at Red Door Theatre since I Her younger brother Kurt teaches at Williston Northampton was 8. I’ve been in 16 plays, and I will be performing again School. Although her older brother Richard is not in an this summer. I have been in plays such has ‘Woah Nellie’, independent school, he is committed to education through ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘3 of a Kind’, ‘Narina: the Lion, the his work with mentally challenged adults. Erika dotes on her Witch, and the Wardrobe’, ‘Return to Wonderland’, and ‘The nieces and nephew and her “awesome” black Lab, Kallie. She Wizard of Oz’. Many of them were written by our director.” also satisfies the faculty sweet tooth with the amazing desserts she prepares for gatherings on campus. About her experience at the middle school, Jessie says, “Blake Middle School is where I met my closest Although we can’t imagine that she could do more, friends, the friends I hope to have for Erika likes to play and watch ice hockey, and many years. This school is such a nice for six summers, she has worked at the Olympic community, and I have learned so much Training Center in Lake Placid with the Women’s over the past three years. I have enjoyed National Ice Hockey teams. my time here and will miss it when I move to the upper school.” S arah Barnes- Ei r ka M. Whipple Vallandingham arah Barnes-Vallandingham completed an rika M Whipple, is the Assistant associate’s degree at Mitchell College in Athletic Director and Head New London, Connecticut, and received Athletic Trainer. She can often be S E her bachelor’s from Western New England College. found in the training room with athletes At present, she is finishing a master’s in secondary needing to be taped or on her golf cart education at American International College. moving from field to field to be sure all Sarah has been on the faculty of Blake Middle the coaches have what they need. She School since 2005, but she first came to WMA graduated with a B.S. in athletic training E rika and her faithful Lab, Kallie The Academy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 11 to help research and organize the Bicentennial history of the Academy in 2003. She teaches Grade 8 Humanities; she is the Academy Archivist and Head Dorm Parent on Rich II. In the past five years, she has also directed the BMS chorus (she sings professionally in her spare time), advised the BMS student council, was the assistant coach of Brian shows Head of School Girls’ JV Soccer, and assisted with LaBrecque the Lego Robotics plan. the Outdoor Adventure Program. on the Middle School Basketball team, participates in Life Sarah has this to say about Sports in the spring, and is active in LEGO Robotics and the teaching at the Academy, “I Rube Goldberg competition. like the smaller class sizes and S arah and Roman, ability to focus on all students’ Brian plays string bass in Orchestra and bass guitar in the Halloween 2008 idiosyncrasies, which best enables BMS Rock Band, and is a frequent BMS Gold Key guide. teachers to prepare students for Brian is also a member of the Boy Scouts and an altar server their academic futures. I believe in the preparatory school at his church in Wilbraham. He is on the High or Highest system and principles, and I have seen the adults at WMA Honors list each trimester, was the Evelyn Barber Prize help many students reach their full potential. I greatly enjoy recipient for Grade 6 Science, and took first place in the working within a close-knit community of colleagues who AMC8 mathematics contest for Grade 7. support one another as well as their students. I always tell students that even when they are no longer students in my classroom, they always will be my students, and I will be Ja mie Palmer happy to help them in the future.” n her four years at the Academy, Jamie Palmer has taught art to a wide range of students. In addition to her Sarah keeps her teaching fresh and exciting to her students by work with Blake Middle School students, she teaches incorporating the regular use of technology: student-created I courses in studio art, illustration, and painting to upper blogs incorporated into a research project; the inclusion of school students. She received her B.A. from St. Michael’s videos, art, music, and people’s personal stories; projects that College with a major in fine art, and she is currently encourage both creativity and skill development. For example, working on a master’s in education from Lesley University in every year her students create an Inaugural Address and Cambridge, Massachusetts. Jamie is advisor to The Hill, the imagine what programs they would implement if they were WMA yearbook, and has twice chaperoned students in the elected President of the United States. exchange program with Barlaeus School in Amsterdam. She also incorporates student-led discussions concerning Jamie’s satisfaction definitely comes from her students. “I comparisons of past historical events to current events and thoroughly enjoy working with regular student-centered debates on varying topics pertaining our students, as they come to to communities and society today. class excited to learn and expand About her life outside the classroom, Sarah says, “I am lucky upon their artistic skills. They to have an amazing one-and-a-half-year-old son, Roman James, are also so enthusiastic about who is a wonderful treasure. Roman has grandparents, aunts, our projects, which indicates uncles, friends, and a WMA family who love him dearly. I they are getting a lot out of the feel very fortunate. I’m a supporter of the local animal rescue lessons. I love the opportunity shelter, Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, and a supporter to have an art show every year of Covenant to Care of Connecticut.” with the middle school, as it is an opportunity for our students to show off their hard work in Brian Kennedy - Grade 7 a formal setting, much like a professional artist would. The Brian Kennedy came to Blake Middle School last year as a kids really enjoy the event and member of Grade 6. His sister Teresa ’12 was a BMS student for it’s the highlight of my year. I two years before matriculating to the upper school. Brian plays WMA 12 · Springl 2010 · The Academy World Jamie also love working with our middle school staff and director Phillip is a because everyone is so open to working with each other as natural athlete. we make those cross-curricular connections.” He plays soccer Jamie uses the courses she’s taking at Lesley University to on the Pioneer create new lessons and incorporate new styles of teaching Valley team, into the school day. She’s completed courses in the history which is the of education, multicultural approaches to art education, and Wilbraham inclusive visual arts for teaching students with mental and travel team, physical disabilities. She also goes to as many art exhibits and the as she can in the Boston area and on her travels. She says, Wilbraham A’s Phillip in a game against Williston “I am also inspired daily by my fiancé, Steven Keating, who baseball team is a running shoe designer. He often helps me add to my in the John lesson plans and gives me great inspiration!” L. Sullivan Junior Baseball League. He also played on the BMS Soccer and Basketball teams. Like his brother Thomas A Vermonter, Jamie enjoys helping out each spring at her ’13, who has been on the Varsity Golf team since Grade 7, dad’s sugarhouse in Danville. She also loves to snowboard, Phillip enjoys playing golf and plans to try out for Varsity Golf paint, make jewelry, and travel. She and Steven will be next year. Both Phillip and Thomas play in two summer golf married in July in her hometown of St. Johnsbury. leagues, the Cape Cod PGA Junior Golf League and the New England PGA Junior Golf Tour, and they are members of the Philli p Cook - Grade 6 Wilbraham Country Club. In his first year at the Academy, Grade 6 student Phillip A senior faculty member with nearly 30 years at the Academy, Cook is involved in many aspects of life here. He is a Phillip’s mom Robin is the Web Manager and E-mail frequent tour guide for the Admission Office as a Gold Key Postmaster. It’s no surprise that Phillip is a Titan Tweeter, member, and he is a member of the Rube Goldberg team a new opportunity for students to participate in electronic advised by Jim Lagomarsino. Phillip plays trombone in the communication with prospective students and give them a BMS band and cello in the Grade 6 band. He was on the realistic view of school life. What you may not know about High Honors lists the first two trimesters of this year, and he Phillip is that he was named after longtime Monson Academy placed first in the AMC8 math competition in Grade 6. and WMA teacher and coach Phillip Cardone.

The battle raged back and forth Penny Wars over the two-week period with nspired by the community Grade 6 sprinting out to the early service commitment of upper lead, then Grade 7 bringing in a Ischool students who traveled massive quantity of pennies that at to Haiti over winter vacation, Blake one point seemed insurmountable. Middle School students initiated a But with only four days remaining fund raising effort to help support Grade 8 took the lead and the Haitian people following was crowned the Penny War the devastating earthquake that champion! rocked the tiny island nation. The true winners in this contest The Blake Middle School Student will be the people of Haiti as BMS Council organized a fund raising had, at final count, raised more event called “Penny Wars”. The S tudent Council members with Advisor Sherri Krassin than $1500.00 for the Haitian Penny Wars challenge is that each present a check for over $1500 to Chris Sparks. relief effort. Blake Middle School class competes to determine which students presented a check to Mr. class can accumulate the most Chris Sparks, the faculty member pennies over a two-week period. Each student in Grades at Wilbraham & Monson Academy who headed the student 6, 7, and 8 could accumulate pennies for their class in one trip to Haiti in January, who will use his first-hand of two ways. One way was to donate a quantity of pennies experience with humanitarian efforts devoted to to the class jar. The second way was to contribute some the people of Haiti to make sure Blake Middle denomination other than a penny to a competing class jar. A School’s donation helps to relieve the quarter would “buy” 25 pennies that you could move from a suffering and hardship endured by rival class to your class jar, a dollar, 100 pennies, and so on. the Haitian people. The Academy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 13 S herri Krassin Kalina Joffray - Grade 7 herri Krassin has Kalina Joffray, a Grade 7 student from Somers, Connecticut, been teaching Grade who came to the Academy for Grade 6 last year, is part of a S 7 Humanities at the long WMA tradition. Her brother Jesse is in Grade 9 and her Academy for four years. mom is president of the WMA Parents’ Association. Kalina’s She has also taught English grandfather, Don Joffray, is a member of the Wilbraham Class courses in the upper school. of 1946. She earned a B.S. from S herri Ithaca College and a M.Ed. Kalina is a strong student and a talented from Lesley University in athlete. She has earned High Honors Cambridge, Massachusetts. four of the five trimesters she has been She has organized a BMS book club to encourage young at the middle school and Honors the learners to read and explore genres they may not normally fifth. She plays soccer, basketball, and gravitate to (outside of the classroom). She oversees afternoon lacrosse for Academy teams. She’s also a study hall and advises the BMS Student Council. Sherri has dancer, having taken lessons at the Dance also organized Write Now!, the Blake Middle School literary Academy of Somers since she was in first magazine. grade. She says, “I really like any kind of dance, but my favorites are hip Sherri began her teaching career as an aide at the Graham and hop and ballet.” Parks School in Cambridge. She earned Professional Teaching Status in Newton, where she taught English/social studies at Brown Middle School and Oak Hill Middle School. When asked what she likes best about teaching at Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Sherri replies, “I love the student population. In Blake Middle School, we have young people Kalina in music class who sincerely love learning. I am able to use my curriculum development skills to connect English, social studies, and history in a way that makes sense to learners. I also appreciate the supportive parent population and the communication teachers, students, and parents share on a daily basis.” Sherri is very excited about her curriculum and the opportunities it presents her Grade 7 students. She explains, “I always try to look at curriculum in a fresh, new way. This D an Moran is easy to do because the young people in the class change, as aniel Moran joined the Academy faculty in the fall do global events. Humanities is the study of history, culture, of 2008. He teaches Grade 6 Humanities and upper language arts, and social studies. It is engaging and exciting. D school CEGS classes, and he is head coach of the It stays ‘fresh’ because it challenges learners and forces them Boys’ Cross Country team to think deeply about themselves as individuals and about in the fall and the Varsity Dan urging on a society. It allows students to draw conclusions from their Swim team in the winter. swimmer experiences and connect history to present-day society and the choices they confront in their own lives.” Dan earned his bachelor’s degree from Springfield For two years, Sherri worked in London and used the College where, as a opportunity to backpack through Europe. She spent another member of the swim team, year traveling in Asia, primarily in India, but with visits to he was an NCAA Division Thailand, Nepal, and South Korea. Sherri and her husband, II All American in 2006 Fine & Performing Arts Chair Paul Bloomfield, live in Chapin and an NCAA Academic House with their children, Jackson and Zoë. She is involved All American from 2002 with many activities connected with her children through to 2006. This spring he the Wilbraham Parks and Recreational Department. She is is beginning a master’s a member of the local YMCA and loves reading, writing, degree in teaching English museums, art galleries, music, theatre, and spending time at Western New England with her family. College in Springfield.

WMA 14 · Spring 2010 · The Academy World Last year, Brian got involved in Relay For Life of Wilbraham. He explains, “I read an e-mail saying that they needed participants to help out on the committee for Relay For Life. Along with the fact that my grandmother passed away from cancer, I thought that it would be a meaningful activity to join, so I did. I was the only middle school student to do this. I attended all the meetings, and I ended up joining the Entertainment Committee and helpeing out in other areas when needed. This year, not only am I participating in it Brian and Kalina again, I am now an official member of the task force team. I creating energy bars am also on the Registration Committee. I plan on becoming for health class the co-chair and then chair of the event once I am old enough.” Brian is characterized by the middle school faculty Before coming to WMA, Dan held several coaching positions. as respectful, compassionate, and very kind to all those He was head swimming and diving coach at West Springfield around him. High School, coach of the Belchertown Stingrays, who went 30-0-1 and won three league championship titles during his tenure, and head coach of Aquabears North Branch, who, with A lexandra Collins-Anderson - a branch based in Suffield, won the Connecticut age-group Grade 6 championship. Alexandra Collins-Anderson began Grade 6 in the fall. This Dan likes working with students from a wide range of cultural Wilbraham student has earned Highest Honors for the first and ethnic backgrounds and enjoys guiding his students two trimesters, as well as being an active BMS student. She through historical simulation, putting them at the center of participates in ToyChallenge, is on the yearbook staff, and their own learning and making every class new and different. plays clarinet in the band and violin in Advanced Strings. Dan is married to Katie L. S. Moran, a teacher at Peck Allie also played on the Blake Middle School Soccer and Community School in Holyoke. He is a Masters Swimmer Basketball teams, and she’s in Life Sports this spring. with Western Mass Waterhorses, a tri-athlete with Cyclonauts, Allie learned about the Academy from her neighbors, the and an occasional performer with the Wilbraham Community Bourgeois family – Marc ’08, now at Northwestern, William Chorus. ’10, and Emma ’13. She also has a cousin who is an alumnus, Jay Kmon ’89. Brian Popovich - Grade 8 Jill Dangleis, Allie’s math teacher says, “Allie is a mature leader Brian Popovich, a consistent member of the High Honors in the classroom and is always eager to help others. She is and Honors lists from East Longmeadow, has spent three intrinsically motivated to do well at Blake Middle School, and years at Blake Middle School. His brother Gary, a six-year her work ethic and friendly disposition make her an valued student at WMA, graduated in 2008. Brian is very active in the member of our community. “ community, especially through encouraging others to come to WMA. He has worked extensively as a Gold Key member since he was in Grade 6, touring families for the Admission Office, and he has been a valuable volunteer at Open House events. A veteran Tipster, this year Brian worked one-on-one with Admission Director Robyn Boyer to coordinate the welcome program for the middle school. Brian is the treasurer of the BMS Student Council, and, like most BMS students, he participated in the Penny Wars fundraiser for Haiti. He plays Middle School Soccer and Basketball, and participated in the golf activity with Jill Dangleis. He also runs lines for both Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Soccer games. He says, “This year, I decided to try something new and began to participate in the Forest Stewardship program with Mr. Ekness. This involved five weekends A lexandra recording the of learning about our campus and sustainable woodland direction and length of management.” shadow as part of SEPUP

The Academy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 15 Reunion 2010

To ParTiciPaTe: To Join in

Save the date! June 11 & 12 regiSTer online the gloBal sChool® awaits our aluMni froM arounD the worlD. AT WMA.uS/reunion oin in the Milestone CeleBrations of Classes enDing in s anD s Check out your class pages J 5 10 . in the Alumni & Friends area at see your CaMPus toDay anD looK BaCK on yesteryear. WMA.us/reunion.

participation is the Key to

makingthe w ail BgreatrahaM & school Monson aevenCaDeMy better! 2009-2010 annual funD

WE NEED YOU TO: PartiCiPate in BuilDing a gloBal aCaDeMiC CoMMunity PartiCiPate By investing tiMe in your sChool PartiCiPate in BuilDing strong founDations for Bright futures PartiCiPate By saying “thanK you” to your sChool through your annual funD gift! Please return your check in the enclosed envelope or make your secure online gift at www.WMA.us.

WMA 16 · Spring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World dy Ni Come ght the wilBrahaM & Monson aCaDeMy Parents’ assoCiation invites you to the SeCoNd ANNuAl Comedy Night of SPAtANeouS lAughter Saturday, May 8, 2010

6:30 Cash Bar: fine wines & microbrews on tap with hors d’oeuvres in Lak Dining Hall 8:00 – 8:45 Live Auction 8:45 – 10:15 comedians Joe DeVito and Kelly MacFarland

live auCtion of PoPular aCaDeMy sPeCials for a Day: heaD of sChool, Dean of stuDents, BlaKe MiDDle sChool DireCtor CoMMenCeMent ParKing anD seating, Prize Day seating anD ParKing PaCKage Priority ParKing PlaCes at laK Dining hall anD Mattern. Silent Auction items · 50/50 Raffle all Profits go towarD the CaMPus Center renovation ProJeCt.

coming This summer – a greaT new web siTe

Features you like will still be available: • eNews for parents and Alumni will continue. • Social media outlets (Google, Twitter, Facebook) will remain easy to access. • The Parent Resources page will have the same functionality. Improvements will include faster connections, more video, and easier access to news.

The AcAdeMy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 17 Hong Kong Bangkok

Western US Western Head of School Rodney LaBrecque and Shirley LaBrecque with the Tengamnuays, parents of Chanawin ’12 and the Chirathivats, parents of Tayawat ’12.

The LaBrecques with Korn Dabbaransi ’60 and alumni parents, the Durongkapitayas, parents of Chalothorn ’07 and Badin ’08, the Lertsumitkuls, parents of Saranya ’04, pictured, and Niti ’06.

Photos from the top: The LaBrecques with Director of Alumni Sakrapan Eamegdool & Development Don ’72 and his son Sakrarin Nicholson ’79 visited Balankura ’94. Ed Pangan ’82, Floyd Foster ’42, Liz Mulcahy ’84, Jay O’Donnell ’79, Rodney and speaker Rodney and Andrew Bazarian ’86. and valued friends Lev Kraisikdi Choonhaven ’67. and Catee Hubbard.

New Trustee John Wright with Rodney & Shirley LaBrecque when they visited Rodney & Shirley with Ko ’92 and Kong ’95 him in Hong Kong. Dabbaransi.

WMA 18 · Spring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World Taipei Seoul

Rodney & Shirley at breakfast with Joongkeun An & Myungboon Lee, parents of Sangjin ’10. Rodney with junior HuaiTse Sun’s parents, Tien-Shan and Hai-Mei, and his sister. Development TRAVEL

Ahyoung Chyun, mother of Hye Young ’07 and Jong- Il ’11, met Shirley and Rodney for afternoon tea.

The LaBrecques with Jophy Su Liu, mother of Tiffany ’12.

Halloween is very popular in Seoul.

George Wu, father of Yu-En ’09, Shirley, Rodney, Shu Hua Lin, mother of Yi Shen ’10, and Yi’s uncle.

The AcAdeMy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 19 Young Alumni New York Brian Murphy ’03, Klaudia Debelova ’04, and Will Daly ’06. Springfield

Charlie D’Avanzo with classmates Sarah Richard, Sara Fred Watts holding forth with Evelyn Shore and Young, and Josh Binney ’07. Bob Drozdale ’03.

Jim Downey ’73, our host at The Yale Club of New York City, and Steven Miller ’65.

Karen Pekala ’69, her daughter Kara Thayer ’95, John Boozang and members of the Class of 2008 Kaitlin Ben Grant ’97, and Robin Farrington Cook. Camilleri, Erin Simons, and Mark Bourgeois. . Megan McCarthy and Christina Slobody ’07.

Woody Shaw and Hammad Graham of the Class of 1997.

Rodney with Christine and Gordon Tiziani ’52. Sean Duffey ’00 Karen Nicholson and Rebecca and Lindsey Leduc Stromberg. ’00, who was in town and stopped by to see the Athletic Center and to say hello. Eugene Miculet ’06 and Fred Watts.

From left, Marian DeMayo, Patricia Buchholz, Barbara Moran, Bill Faulkner ’57, Mary Bor- tolussi ’80, and Francine Ryan ’78. Worcester WMA 20 · Spring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World Wilbraham & monson academy

Building The Global School®

sCott JaCoBs ’75 faCulty housing funD: new green MoDular hoMe he old red barn that for many years sat behind Hodgkins Tand Chapin Houses is now part of history. It was razed and recycled in late December to make room for a new faculty house provided through The Scott Jacobs ’75 Faculty Housing Fund. In 2009, the Jacobs Fund enabled the Academy to purchase the historic Bartlett House located on Main Street next to Rich Hall.

This new house, shown here, will be a mirror image have a faculty residential complex that will create a great area of the modular home that was built last summer thanks to a for faculty and their families to live, work, and play,” said Head generous gift from the estate of Dr. Edward R. Gramse ’39. of School Rodney LaBrecque. Gramse House will be dedicated on June 12, 2010, during Reunion. CorBin fielDs restoration Both houses feature red oak flooring made with wood harvested from our own campus woodlands through the ProJeCt Phase iii: new tennis efforts of WMA’s The Global EcoLearn Project®. A new Court ConstruCtion driveway will be constructed connecting both homes with his summer, WMA’s current tennis courts will be removed the historic faculty homes along Main Street. “When the and ten new tennis courts will be built in their place construction of the drive and houses are complete we will T along Faculty Street. The project will be as green as possible, including recycling the asphalt used in the current tennis courts to save money and eliminate waste. The leach field from our recently retired septic system will be clean filled and used as a base for the additional courts. New fencing, hardware, and nets will be installed Eugene Miculet ’06 and Fred Watts. along with windscreens.

The Academy thanks the Callahan family, the Dooley family, the Wright family, the Flynn family, and the Rollings family for their generous support of this project that will benefit our student athletes.

The AcAdeMy World · S pring 2010 · WMA 21 Wilbraham & Monson Academy

Building The Global School® The Campus Center Renovation: Parent Volunteers Close in on Goal of $450,000 Anticipated Campus Center Renovation Project to begin in June 2010

he WMA Campus Center, often known as the Spa, for inclusion of more healthy and fresh food offerings. There Tmany years has been the center of social activity for will be booth-style seating including sturdy modern both day and residential students. It fosters relationships fixtures, computer and Wi-Fi accessibility, and improved between day students and boarding students from across office space for our residential-life staff. the country and around the world, encouraging all students to feel a part of their community, the Academy. The Campus Center Steering Committee worked closely It is a place to study, relax, watch television, play games, with the Office of Alumni & Development to raise hold a meeting, attend a performance, or have a party. The money for this project. The committee is comprised of a location or look may have changed over time, but today’s volunteer team of parents and alumni parents including students use the Campus Center in much the same way Deborah Joffray, John and Kristin Kirwan, Margaret students did fifty years ago. O’Donnell, Anne Colburn, Michael Flynn, Patricia and Laurent Grenier, and Jennifer Bourgeois. In order to remain competitive with our peer schools and to provide our students with an Wilbraham & Monson Academy Campus Center Improvements area that best meets their needs, parents, administrators, and students acknowledged that it was time that the Campus Center had a much-needed update. For the past two years, the Campus Center Steering Committee has worked hard to raise the $450,000 needed to create a space that will best serve today’s students. Improvements will include basics such as new windows, flooring and doors, an expanded serving area to facilitate the

For more information, please contact: Christina Cronin, Director of Major Gifts & Campaign Coordinator

423 Main Street Wilbraham, MA 01095 413.596.9189 [email protected] WMA 22 · Spring 2010 · The Academy World Wilbraham & Monson Academy

Building The Global School®

he WMA Parents’ Associations in both the TUnited States and South Korea also played key roles in raising the funds to support the project through special events including Dazzle in December, a winter gala at the home of Peter ’77 and Melissa Picknelly, and A Night of SPAtaneous Laughter, a successful comedy night. The Board of Trustees Buildings and Grounds Committee consisting of Chairman Michael Flynn, local contractor Kent Pecoy, and current parents Krista Hanson and David Callahan have been working closely with Patrick McCanta, WMA Director of Finance & Operations, on the final design and construction plans. 1

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2 3

5 4

1. Head of School Rodney LaBrecque, Shirley LaBrecque, our gracious hosts Melissa and Peter Picknelly, President of the WMA Parents’ Association Deb Joffray and Rex Joffray.

2. Caroline Smith, Deb Joffray, Lisa & Chris Jalbert, Jocelyn Miller-Roy, and Rob Roy.

3. Peter & Pallianna Borello and Victoria & Nathan Smith

4. Fran & Gerald Antonacci and Margaret & Richard O’Donnell ’80.

5. Pat Grenier and Jean & Tyler Young.

The Academy World · Spring 2010 · WMA 23 Spotlights Trustee WelcoMe To The boArd john ArThur WrighT ohn Wright is the Chief Executive Officer of Global John began his career Sage, a specialist financial-services corporate as a financial journalist, Jintelligence practice and executive search firm with then news editor for significant operations in New York, London, Hong Asia-Pacific, withThe Kong, and Tokyo. John founded the firm in 1998 and Wall Street Journal, has grown the company to be a global industry leader where he covered such serving the world’s best financial services companies and stories as the Afghan their CEOs. War and Tiananmen Square. He then became John is a native of Minnesota. He has a bachelor’s degree a founding member of from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, in Executive Access, where cultural anthropology, and is a trustee there. He earned he built the financial services business and expanded his master’s at the University of Missouri-Columbia the platform to encompass the globe. He is fluent in School of Journalism. German, Pali, and Chinese.

TruSTeeS in The neWS ongratulations to Mike Flynn, ent Pecoy of Pecoy Signature selected to receive one of The Homes, won the HOBI Hero CReminder Publications’ Eighth KAward for Community Service Annual Hometown Heroes awards. Project of the Year for spearheading Mike was honored for his contributions ABC’s “Extreme Makeover” effort for a to the communities of Wilbraham family of 13 in Suffield. It was one of 90 and Hampden. His nomination read Home Builder Industry awards, known in part, “Mike is a valued member of as HOBIs, and 15 community service our community. He has done so much awards presented Tuesday, November 10, to help our region, Wilbraham and 2009, by the Home Builders Association Hampden in particular. He is the kind of Connecticut at its 16th annual of guy you never have to ask for help. awards dinner at the Aqua Turf Club in He just offers.” Southington. teve Marcus’ company, New England Geriatrics, has partnered Swith Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer, Massachusetts, to open a 15-bed Center for Geriatric Psychiatry. The center is led by board-certified geriatric psychiatrists and internists, who are assisted by a professional staff specializing in geriatric care. New England Geriatrics is an organization well known in Massachusetts for its mental health services to residents and their families in long-term care facilities throughout the state.

Robert Charles Photography WMA 24 · S pring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World Passages florence g. clifford ShAW 1913-2009 goodbAnd A reMeMberAnce by don nicholSon ’79, 1948-2010 direcTor of AluMni & deVelopMenT n December 1, 2009, the liff Goodband was an Wilbraham & Monson institution at Belmont Academy community lost CHill School, where he was O a dedicated educator for nearly a very special person in Florence J. Shaw. She passed away at the age of 40 years, but he got his start at 96 in Naples, Florida, surrounded Wilbraham Academy, where he by family members. She and her taught biology and coached baseball husband Phil Shaw Sr., who passed in the 1970-1971 academic year. The following is an excerpt away in August 2000, had retired to from his obituary as it appeared in The Boston Globe in nearby Bonita Springs. February. It is significant to mention both of Boy after boy repeated the ritual after graduating from these wonderful people in the same breath because they Belmont Hill School. Returning to visit years later, they were inseparable during their 65 years together. Florence sought out Cliff Goodband because he was their science and Phil had four sons, Phil Jr. ’57, Stephen ’59, John ’64 teacher or soccer coach, or perhaps because they spent a few eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two formative moments with him in his role as the school’s head nephews. Florence also leaves behind a legacy as a surrogate of discipline. mother to students and a role model and friend to faculty “They wanted Cliff to know they had grown up and were and their spouses. now responsible men,’’ said Michael Thompson, the school’s To this day, the Shaw name elicits fond memories and vivid supervising psychologist. “I think every man who ever stories of how the Shaws shaped the lives of so many during met him measured his own sense of purpose and sense of the better part of four decades. Florence dedicated her life mission against Cliff. I don’t know how he did it, but you to the same mission her husband chose and for that we will looked at this guy and just understood that he had a clear forever be grateful. vision of what kind of men boys should grow up to be.’’ My own memories of Florence include a visit my wife Cliff Goodband, who taught at the boys’ prep school for Karen and I paid her a few years ago. She received us into close to 40 years and spent more than a quarter century as her home so graciously, and as she served us tea, she took director of its Upper School, died of cancer February 19 us on a wonderful journey with memories of her days in in the Wingate at Needham skilled Wilbraham. Neither one of us will ever forget it. nursing facility. He was 62. In March of this year, I was able to enjoy a visit with Phil Jr. Teddy Mitropoulos, a junior at Belmont and Ellen Shaw in Bonita Springs. They told me how tickled Hill said, “Mr. Goodband believed in she was when she passed her driver’s test and had a license me. Some days he even believed in me to drive through age 100. Although she has passed on, the more than I did. He convinced me to legacy of Florence Shaw will take its place permanently keep on working at everything I was alongside that of her husband in the history of our great doing.’’ school. WMA English Department member “Florence was a unique and truly great lady! We consider Tim Harrington ’73 was a sophomore ourselves blessed to have not only known her but considered her the year Cliff Goodband taught at the as a friend. Our lives will be forever enriched because of her.” Academy and remembers him fondly. He recalls the long Stubby Graves, wife of Jim Graves, Wilbraham Academy hours Cliff spent throwing baseballs to him so that he could faculty member win a spot on the varsity team. The AcAdeMy World · S pring 2010 · WMA 25 Class Notes

WILBRAHAM Board as well as Head 32 Agent for the Class of Al Dodge reports that his trip up the 54 at Dartmouth. One Hudson to historic revolutionary grandson is a junior at war sites was really worth it - clear George Washington University weather and a good crew helped another a sophomore at Tufts.” to make it all great. Al is excited Lee Pinney at his Hall of about WMA enrollment, Brittany Fame induction. Barry being named All American, 51 WILBRAHAM and the international makeup of the You can find the paintings of early 1980s. Jim tells us it is the Academy. Ralph Quackenbush at the Art Brut first African American community Gallery in the General Store in Los in Philadelphia to sponsor such a WILBRAHAM Alamos, California. While you’re project. 33 there, stop in at Café Quackenbush On Christmas Eve Dr. S. J. Beale for a coffee or some lunch. Betty Lou and Parker Hodgman and his wife celebrated 70 years thoroughly enjoyed Homecoming, of wedded bliss with 4 sons, 1 remarking, “As always, it’s a delight Bill Danforth relaxes after daughter, 10 grandchildren, and 16 52 MONSON coming back home to my school, walking the Mount Desert Island great grandchildren, who he says, James Wait and his wife Rusty which is doing an excellent job!” Marathon last October. are “all good friends when we get are retired and living on a 100- together.” acre farm in Maine with a goat, two sheep, and five dogs. He has 55 WILBRAHAM WILBRAHAM recovered nicely from a stroke he Natalie and Dick Herrick 47 suffered in 2007, perhaps due in celebrated their 50th anniversary Congratulations to Richard on June 6, 2009, by taking a trip to McBride, who was elected to the large part to his therapy, building a five-room porch out of lumber he Alaska and the Yukon, experiencing Watertown High Athletic Hall of “the wonders of our country and Fame. Richard played football, sawed and milled from their own woodlands. Canada.” hockey, and baseball for Watertown before coming to Wilbraham as a WILBRAHAM postgraduate. He went on to Boston 52 WILBRAHAM 56 Ray Walke says, “I lost three Nancy and Doug Blampied live in College, where he was not only the Venice, Florida, at the Golf and regular punter, but also the starting wives, but found my fourth at dance lessons (country two-step) Country Club from October to May signal-caller and a starting safety at the American Legion. I now and summer in Sugar Hill, New on defense. He had a 73-yard punt live in Quincy, Florida, and I am Hampshire, from June to September. for BC against Mississippi, and he still working 25 hours per week Doug says, “I enjoy retirement and Parker & Betty Lou Hodgman at was selected to the Colliers All teaching math and science at local fill my time with golf and sailing.” Homecoming in the fall. American team. colleges. I have evolved into a In October, Bill Danforth walked GREEN engineer. Are there any the Mount Desert Island Marathon 50 WILBRAHAM more out there?” in Maine. He met wonderful new Ron Dean stopped by to visit friends, experienced bone-chilling campus while on his annual visit 54 WILBRAHAM weather (that reminded him of his to New England. Ron is living in Dan Sullivan retired from Windsor New England roots), and felt the Shreveport, Louisiana, and is now Locks High School in 1999, where warmth of a great wood fire shared retired from teaching at Centenary he coached three varsity sports with fellow walkers, runners, and College. He is keeping busy as a for 39 years and taught physical companions. church organist and choir director. education, health, and substance abuse classes. Last fall, Mario Volpe had two It was great to see Carl Shuster at group art shows sponsored by the the New York reception, where he MONSON Colombian Embassy in Berne, told us he was writing a book about 55 “Four Columbian Painters”. One In December 2009 the Historic Henry Hudson. Carl is a member of was in Burgdorf (BE), and one in the Commission of the City of The Explorers Club, along with Fred principality of Lichtenstein. Watts and several other Alumni. Philadelphia officially designated the Parkside District of Philadelphia, Sheldon M. Woolf and his wife and listed it on the Philadelphia 57 WILBRAHAM have been married for 55 years, Register of Historic Places, former Peg and Scott Mitchell are celebrating the milestone last Trustee Jim Brown reports. For having a ball following their 11 November. He says, “We have over 30 years, Jim and his wife grandchildren, ranging in age from the twins who at 17 are off Former Trustee Jim Brown traveled to 82 countries, most Charlotte have been spearheading to college next fall to a 2 year old. and Charlotte at Morrow recently to India. I am active on the restoration of the neighborhood, Scott says, “They keep us busy.” House. Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra which was placed on the National Register as an historic district in the

WMA 26 · Spring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World Class Notes

Jonathan Sperling is sharing his knowledge of the Pakistan- 63 WILBRAHAM 72 Afghanistan region with the Harry Whitin retired in June after David Blanchard is in the process Academy in several ways. Read 44 years, including two college of buying a condo at PGA National more about Jon on page 3. internships, with the Worcester in Palm Beach, Florida, to be closer Telegram and Gazette. He spent to great golf. 58 WILBRAHAM the last 16 years as editor. His first Robert Henderson has moved grandchild was due in March. 75 back from Hawaii to the mainland, Melissa Bragdon Emery reports specifically Berkeley, California, 65 WILBRAHAM on her three children: Taylor to care for aging parents. He’s still Peary Stafford of Warren, graduated from Gordon College in sailing and flying and says it was Connecticut, is a member of the 2008, Emeline Starts grad school great to see classmates at Reunion board of trustees of the Steep in June at UNE in Pennsylvania, – Aloha. Rock Association and is proud to and Chelsea graduates from Tilton have helped establish a butterfly School in May. Former Trustee Jon Sperling speaking at the WILBRAHAM garden at the 450-acre Macricostas 59 Preserve in Washington, Western Massachusetts Congratulations to Lee Pinney on Connecticut. 78 World Affairs Council. his induction into the Connecticut Cynthia R. St. George is celebrating Lacrosse Hall of Fame. See more Andrew Veitch reports, “All three the engagement of her son Nick on page 7. stepchildren had their first babies to his Turkish girlfriend. Jules will within six months of each other graduate from Skidmore College 60 WILBRAHAM this past year”. He’d enjoy hearing in May 2010, then no more school Lewis Birmingham is now fully from anyone in the Class of ’65, loans. She’s currently living in the retired from teaching at Delaware especially Ted Thaxter. Finger Lakes region of New York. Community College. His first grandson, Henry James Perrin, was 66 MONSON 81 born in July 2008. Lewis has two Ronald Barend has enjoyed Beth Sharpe-Byrne is a single granddaughters, ages 13 and 17. traveling to Alaska, Yellowstone, mom with two daughters ages Tucson, and Italy in the past few 13 and 15 who are both very years. active with sports and their social 61 MONSON lives. She says, “I live in Natick, William Archer would love to hear Massachusetts, and sell residential from former classmates. His e-mail MONSON real estate for William Raveis Real address is [email protected]. 70 Dr. David Kelley was glad to see Estate out of their Wellesley office. Trustee Mark Shenkman connected the 1966 football team made the Over the last year I have been with Korn Dabbaransi ’60W while Hall of Fame. “It was the best of reunited with several classmates in Bangkok last winter. times at Monson Academy during through Facebook and have their spectacular run. ’Coach’ Phil enjoyed catching up with them Cardone was my father for four after 20-something years. I was 63 MONSON years.” recently in New York City and Former Trustee Cary Brick was Trustee Mark Shenkman and was able to hook up with Maura elected Fire Commissioner for the Korn Dabbaransi in Bangkok. WILBRAHAM Griffin, class of 1982, who lives Town of Clayton, New York, Fire 71 Donald Holway is retired from in Chelsea. It was just wonderful. I District in December. Retired as a the Florida Fish and Wildlife loved my time at W&M and to this senior member of the staff of the Commission - Divison of Law day my best friends are some of the U.S. House of Representatives, Enforcement. He and his wife Sally people that I met there.” Cary lives in the 1000 Islands are living in Punta Gorda, Florida. resort village of Clayton on the During the summer, Don operates Kaoru Tominaga White sent us St. Lawrence River in Northern a charter fishing business on Cape this update, “I am still teaching at New York where he is active in Cod. Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan. community affairs. He chairs the Being an advisor of a high school Clayton Heritage Alliance and A freshly minted grandfather, volunteer group, KISS (Kansai the annual Great New York Food Dr. Jeffrey Miller spent much of International School Service), and Wine Festival. He is a board his career on the faculty at the Summer School Coordinator, Get the word out! Send your member of the Clayton Local Medical College of Virginia where and now a dorm parent, my life news for the fall Academy World Development Corporation and he discovered and sequenced two is busier than ever. My husband, magazine to the Alumni Office, the Jefferson County Chamber of genes involved in allergic reactions. Bill, continues to teach at Japanese 423 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA Commerce and is the membership For the past 18 years, he has universities. Our daughter, Ai, is in 01095 or to [email protected] by chair of Squadron 821 of the operated a private medical practice her third year at Waseda University August 1, 2010. Join the Alumni Sons of the American Legion. As in Litchfield County, Connecticut. in Tokyo. Our son, Kentaro, is online community and post news a retired Clayton Judge, he also Jeff raises Labrador retrievers and a senior at Canadian Academy. anytime. performs weddings throughout plays cello in two ensembles. New York State. The AcAdeMy World · S pring 2010 · WMA 27 Class Notes

I have reconnected with Bonnie Bentley Serino writes David Dropkin is working at Silver many WMA alumni through from Scottsdale, Arizona, where Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Facebook this past year, she’s living with her husband and Connecticut, as the director of and am enjoying the new daughter, “I’m off-ramping while hospitality services. friendship we have. I hope I raise our daughter so for now I all’s well on the other side of work part time doing employee 95 the world.” communications for a non-profit Congratulations to Leah and Chris association. When I visit my family Sparks on the arrival of Ruby Cielle in western Massachusetts, I always on March 20. Ruby was 9 lbs. 5 oz. 83 stop by the WMA campus and and 21 inches at birth. Ruby joins Bill and Olga Lane are still make a pilgrimage to my stone. older brother Keenan and older sister living in Moscow, Russia, The campus improvements look Kuyler. and expecting their second amazing!” child in April. Their daughter

Nina was two in November. 97 The Morgans and their children. 88 Bruce Mutch and his wife Kelly On December 28, 2009, Scott Faulkner is working for moved to Calgary, Alberta, in August classmates Sean Morgan and Marie Venture Captive Management. His 2009. He is enjoying his work Christo Wilsker were married on St children, Molly and Abby, are five as Director of Admissions at the John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with and three. Strathcona Tweedsmuir School. their four children participating. Also attending, and acting as Classmates Woody Shaw and 93 Hammad Graham attended the witnesses, were classmates Lisa Matt Bachtold has been the director New York City reception. Woody, Brown and Tina Pettito, who both of the Upton Library for six years. live on St. John. Sean says, “It was who spends much of his time the best time of our lives!” With managing his father’s extensive music Sean and Marie, from left, Jackson 94 collection, is considering going Morgan 9, Alec Morgan, 7, Gavin Jean Pierre Peinado visited campus to graduate school for a master’s Wilsker 12, and Gabriella Wilsker with Matt Risley ’96 in the early in business management. Choral 15. winter and caught us up on his life director Carol Daggs plans to include since leaving the Acacdemy. “After Woody’s father’s composition “Blues Chrissie Pilch, founder of Grow My WMA, I went to Penn State for for Wood” in the instrumental Company, presented an Advanced four semesters, then I came back segment of the spring concert on Joe and Laura Leverault LinkedIn training session at Online to Venezuela and double majored April 22. Impact 2010 held at Springfield in mechanical and production Technical Community College for engineering. Then I went to Spain for local business leaders and other 01 a 6-month intensive master’s course Frank Antonacci was a nominee this social media experts. on project management with the year for The Railbird Recognition company I have been with for three Awards, presented in co-operation 84 and a half years, Duro Felguera, with the United States Trotting Lauren Ahearn Sullivan has spent Spain. I have just completed an Association. the past 15 years in either the film Executive MBA with another Spanish or music industry. She says, “My school and I am so very tired of Marcelo Müller was back for last gig was running a production studying, but most probably I will Homecoming in the fall. company here in Houston. Tons of go back to school again next year. Ruby Cielle Sparks fun, but lots of late nights. I have Right now, I am in charge of QA/ 03 a daughter, Madison, who will QC, Document Control and also Ian McEwan writes, “I have been be 21 on 3.17 (best day to have a hold the Resident Engineer position. keeping my eye on the happenings birthday!), a daughter Quinn (the Additionally I have already filled on campus but have not taken the actress) who is 13, and a 7-year-old positions in Contracts and Purchases, time to write an update. I got married son John McGuire. I know, three Corporate Image and others. They on July 11 to Stasia Dziubek. We are at totally different stages! CRAZY! I have been giving me a bit of every working in Burlington, Vermont. I have an awesome husband who is scene so I get global knowledge and currently work in Trade Compliance a petroleum engineer.” I am still learning tons. I got married for General Dynamics Armament to Eliana, my girlfriend of nine and Technical Products, Inc. My 87 years and the love of my life, back brother Trevor ’05 is living in Boston Laura Nepomuceno Leverault in 2005. No kids yet, just Pollux, and working for 745 Studios as a reports her husband Joe had his our beautiful boxer dog. Eliana is interactive video game developer.” Change of Command and is now a psychologist and specializes in Pfc. Mark Mizell graduated in early in charge of 163, The Evil Eyes. human resources.” J.P. Peinado, center, with Matt February from U.S. Marine boot and Mary Risley. camp at the San Diego Recruit Depot.

WMA 28 · S pring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World Class Notes

#1 in international business by campaign. Sarah is the president of 04 The Financial Times. A true global the Clark campus Republicans, and Congratulations to Pat Phelan on school, Thunderbird has campuses Liliana is on the executive board as his marriage to Maggie Reddington in Glendale, Arizona; Beijing, the events programming chair. on January 10, 2009, in Chatham, China; Geneva, Switzerland; Massachusetts. Monterrey, Mexico; and Moscow, 08 Russia. Lauren Brodeur received the University of Hartford Soccer 05 Victoria Duke spent the summer Jessica Bramucci and Carolyn Excellence Citizenship Award, serving as a Fuller-American Weeks are working hard to gather presented annually to one Cancer Society Junior Research the Class of 2005 for their 5th male and one female who have Fellow under the guidance of Karen Reunion in June. demonstrated active participation Dunphy PhD, a researcher at the in community service projects Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute Meghan Robbins is a senior at the either on campus or in the in Springfield, Massachusetts. University of Colorado, Boulder. community. Lauren joined the Victoria is currently obtaining her While at Smith College, she took SAAC last fall and was instrumental Associate Head of School Brian Easler degree in psychology at Assumption a geology course and fell in love in developing and managing the and Marcelo Müller. College in Worcester. As a 2009 with the subject. After a summer Howie Sportsmanship Academy in Fuller Fellow, she received a grant in Boulder, she loved the area so October. much she decided to stay. UC from the American Cancer Society’s Boulder is a top school for geology, New England Division to study Josh Bronner had a great and she is now entertaining offers what causes breast cancer and what sophomore year playing soccer for from graduate schools. Meg’s goal influences breast cancer resistance. the University of New Hampshire is to get a master’s in geology, This winter, Victoria attended a Wildcats. He was named to the specializing in structures, work in performance of “Kiss Me, Kate” in conference All-Rookie team. the field for a couple of years, earn which her brother Jason ’11 had a Congratulations to Rosalyn Chesky, her Ph.D., and eventually teach in role. crowned Grand Colleen of the college. Caitlin Flynn has completed an Holyoke 2010 St. Patrick’s Day internship with Ernst and Young Parade on Saturday, Pfc. Mark Mizell USMC. 06 and was one of the chosen few February 20. Victoria D’Amato was named to to receive a job offer. She will be the Fitchburg State Deans List for working in their Boston office when Ashley Costanzo spent part of her the fall semester. She has been she completes her master’s degree. summer studying graphic design named captain of the Women’s at the Rhode Island School of Lacrosse team. Design. She ended the summer 07 with a one-woman show entitled Yannick Destouches, a senior Michelle Majkut has been accepted to American University’s summer “First Impressions”. WMA faculty at Shepherd University in members Rose Power, Robin Boyer, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, has internship program in Washington D.C. and Erika Whipple attended the been accepted into the master’s opening program at the Thunderbird School Sarah Richard and Liliana Galesi ‘08 of Global Management, ranked worked on the Scott Brown election

Victoria Duke at Morrow House. NECROLOGY John S. Swenson Sr. ‘50M Former Faculty & Staff William D. Strohmeier ‘32M John J. Whalen ‘50M Joseph H. Buchholz Grand Colleen Rosalyn Curran David W. Hammarstrom ‘35M Richard E. Smith ‘51W G. C. Goodband was a biology Chesky. Matthew J. Ryan Jr. ‘39M Elmer V. Truesdale Jr. ‘51W teacher in 1970-1971, see Passages. Edward C. Coughlin ‘41M Howard F. King Jr. ‘54W Clarence L. Martin Dr. Arthur H. Peck ‘41W John J. Orr II ‘55W Dorothy Mason worked in the Perry A. Thompson ‘41W Craig E. McEwan ‘56M Business Office from 1973-1988. Lt. Wallace H. Neumann ‘42M George F. Sarrouf ‘56W Florence J. Shaw, former faculty wife Kern M. Bowyer ‘47W Carl M. Lindberg ‘57W and alumni parent, see Passages. Stephen G. Cohen ‘60M Chandler W. Newell ‘47W Most of the obituaries we receive Herbert E. Norman ‘47W Stephen F. Owen ‘62W John Holland ‘65W come through our clipping service. William W. Sparks ‘47M If you know of a friend or classmate Edward C. Charbonneau ‘48W Wayne R. Macomber ‘65M Bruce W. Tower ‘67M who has passed away, please notify John D. Glass ‘48W the Alumni Office. As space allows, William H. Nolet Jr. ‘48W Debra Richardson O’Brien ‘82 Brian K. Skala ‘83 we publish remembrances at the John J. Nixon ‘49M families’ request. Whitney C. Stiles ‘50W Jerome J. Skypeck ‘83 The AcAdeMy World · S pring 2010 · WMA 29 Class Notes

WHere Are tHey NOW? Former librarian Anne Reider says English, coached cycling, and was Former faculty member Melissa hello to the students and faculty a dorm parent in Smith Hall in the Donohue, who was the founding from her time working here in late ’70s and early ’80s. In talking director of the Center for the 1960s. She has very fond about the work she and her husband Entrepreneurial & Global Studies memories of working at WMA. are doing, she said, “Our major from 2003-2007, has rejoined She has enjoyed reading about project has been a 10-year push the WMA faculty as Director of everyone in The Academy World to map caves on the Big Island in Strategic Initiatives, overseeing all magazine. She keeps in touch with Hawaii. We were lucky to get in on areas in which the Academy seeks former faculty member Arthur Kelly this project, and we get to spend a competitive advantage. Melissa is and former faculty spouse Mildred 3-4 weeks a year there. Our main finishing work on her dissertation Leaning. Ann lives in Kennebunk, project cave is now 28 miles of focused on women’s financial Maine. passage, and we are still working on literacy which will complete her Emily Mobley Davis and her finding more. It is the second longest doctoral degree in education from husband Mike at the New York Emily Mobley Davis got in touch known lava tube in the world. We the University of Massachusetts, reception. over the winter and attended have also helped form a land trust Amherst. the New York reception with there and have helped to buy and her husband Mike. Emily taught protect about 100 acres of land.”

BASEBALL BATS Bring home a piece of WMA Available as part of The Global EcoLearn Project® Are you and your spouse both graduates of Wilbraham & Monson Academy? We’re planning a section of Class Notes in the fall Academy World magazine devoted to you.

The bats are made from the highest quality maple, Please send photos of your wedding from the first harvest of WMA trees in 2009 and are and/or your family FSC certified. Maple bats are strong and durable. and bring us up to Each bat is individually hand turned, assuring date on what you’re doing. maximum attention to each bat…there are no wobbles in these bats! If you have other connections to the Each bat has the WMA Titans logo. Academy - parents, siblings, cousins - Bats can be personalized for an additional fee. let us know that, too, by including The regulation size bats are available for $60.00 names, and the junior size bats for $40. relationships, and (Shipping by UPS is an additional $10 -$17.00) class years if you Customization (two lines) is available for $5.00. know them. Samples and order sheets will be available at the CEGS presentation and the Campus Store at Reunion Weekend Deadline: 2010! August 1, 2010 Contact Rita Carey at [email protected] or 413.596,9114.

WMA 30 · S pring 2010 · The AcAdeMy World boArd of TruSTeeS pArenTS’ ASSociATion officerS Scott B. Jacobs ’75 Deborah G. Joffray Chair President

Mark R. Shenkman ’61M Kristin Kirwan Vice Chair Vice President The AcAdeMy World MAgAzine · Spring 2010 Mahsa Khanbabai ’89 Jeanine Little publiShed for The AluMni, pArenTS, And friendS of WilbrAhAM & MonSon AcAdeMy Secretary Vice President Steven D. Spence ’76 Ann Lee ediTor Please direct your comments and Treasurer Treasurer Rita D. Carey letters to: Rita Carey, Editor Wilbraham & Monson Academy Lisa Jalbert AdViSory boArd Bruce E. Buxton 423 Main Street Brian Easler David J. Callahan Secretary Robin Farrington Cook Wilbraham, MA 01095 Michael J. Flynn Sarah Wakelin Rodney LaBrecque Phone: 413.596.9114 Krista Hanson Director, Annual Giving Don Nicholson ’79 Fax: 413.596.4108 Hyun Chong Kim ’77 James E. LaCrosse ’50W Parents’ Association Liaison E-mail: [email protected] conTribuTing WriTerS Steven P. Marcus Staff writers of The Atlas Visit our Web site at: Kent W. Pecoy Join the wMa Christina Cronin www.WMA.us Donald J. Stuart ’73 Charlie D’Avanzo Lenita McCallum Whitherspoon online CoMMunity! Don Nicholson ’79 John A. Wright Wilbraham & Monson Academy Have you changed your e-mail deSign does not discriminate on the basis address? E-mail alumni@WMA. TruSTeeS eMeriTi Jan Reynolds Design of race, religion, national origin, us with your current contact disability, sex, sexual orientation, Eric W. Anderson prinTing information and receive the or age. Richard S. Fuld ’64W monthly Alumni eNews. Bassette Printing William A. Griffin ’68W Wilbraham & Monson Academy is Visit our Web site phoTogrAphy Alan N. Hall Paul Bloomfield assigned to the National Register of William E. James ’64W www.WMA.us. Rita Carey Historic Places. Nitya Pibulsonggram ’58W Robin Farrington Cook Frederic A. Rothery John Risley The area named the Academy heAd of School eMeriTuS Matthew Risley ’96 Historic District consists of thirty David Ryan buildings, twenty-four of which Richard C. Malley Dave Silver Jan Reynolds Ziter belong to the school. Various contributing photographers

Be a Part of the heritage CourtyarD

During the years that the Heritage Courtyard has been situated on The Hill, Alumni have taken the opportunity to mark their legacy at the Academy through the purchase of a granite bench, granite paver, garden plaque, or courtyard brick. This is a wonderful opportunity to commemorate your time at the Academy or to honor someone important in your life here. Heritage Courtyard Donations For further information, contact Chris Cronin $15,000 Granite Bench at 413.596.9189 or [email protected]. 5,000 Granite Paver 5,000 Garden Plaque 1,000 Courtyard Brick

The AcAdeMy World · S pring 2010 · WMA 31