Alumni COMMENCEMENT SUMMER 2016 in This ISSUE 14 SUMMER 2016

BULLETIN

126th WEEKENDAlumni COMMENCEMENT SUMMER 2016 In this ISSUE 14 SUMMER 2016

34 Alumni Weekend 2016 11 Celebrating the Ties That Bind Photography by Robert Falcetti, Anne Kowalski, and Jim Shannon DEPARTMENTS 3 On Main Hall 25 5 Letters 5 Taft Trivia 42 6 Alumni Spotlight The Impact of Giving 13 In Print How the Campaign for the Second 14 Around the Pond Century Is Changing Taft 26 Sports 32 Annual Fund Report 62 Alumni Notes 106 Milestones 112 From the Archives: 54 Befitting the Place 126th Commencement Remarks by Linda Saarnijoki and William R. MacMullen ’78

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m Taft students visit NYC during the Tribeca Film Festival, where their documentary Fire won top honors in the Tribeca Film Institute’s The America I Am youth film competition. The film was also screened at the Ellis Island Theater during the National Parks Service Centennial Celebration. Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 1 On Main Hall A WORD FROM HEADMASTER WILLY MACMULLEN ’78 SUMMER 2016 Volume 86, Number 4

EDITOR A TALE OF TWO CAMPAIGNS Linda Hedman Beyus

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS For the first 35 years of our history, Horace Taft refused to ask for money to support the school. It Kaitlin Thomas Orfitelli was a matter of principle for him, and we know this because of a critical decision he made in 1927, when he decided to turn what had been his school, technically but never practically a for-profit ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Debra Meyers institution, over to the board of trustees. It had always been his school—privately owned and originally called “Mr. Taft’s School for Boys”—and when he needed to fix a roof or give a scholarship, PHOTOGRAPHY he borrowed money. He then paid it back, and that’s how the school had run for almost 40 years: Robert Falcetti borrow and pay, borrow and pay. So incorporating the school was an incredibly important decision. ALUMNI NOTES ASSISTANT It was about good governance, obviously, but it also allowed the school to do something Taft had Natascha Schwartz never been comfortable doing: raising money. Taft had been explicit over the preceding decades, saying that “We could ask for no contributions for a privately owned school.” It just wasn’t right, ON THE COVER DESIGN An inspiring quote from Horace Good Design, LLC | www.gooddesignusa.com and he was a man of deep integrity. Dutton Taft adorns a window in the And so with this decision to incorporate the school, in 1927 Taft embarked on our first capital Belcher Reading Room. PETER FREW ’75 SEND ALUMNI NEWS TO campaign. The goal of the campaign was for Taft Bulletin | Alumni Office The Taft School 110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795-2100 “…new buildings, more teachers, better equipment, and funds for [faculty] pensions and scholarships. [email protected] The drive for two million dollars which we decided upon was interesting but strenuous. We profited by the experience of Hotchkiss and other schools [?!] and put the drive into the hand of experts…. This involved DEADLINES FOR ALUMNI NOTES much labor…and strenuous speaking trips…that were enjoyable but quite exhausting.” Fall–August 30 | Winter–November 15 | Spring–February 15 | Summer–May 15 “The generosity Taft ONLINE SEND ADDRESS CORRECTIONS TO The campaign changed Taft: among other things, it’s how CPT and Bingham were built. And Cathy Mancini | Alumni Records of thousands of Find a friend or past Bulletin: Taft had it right: if it was labor, and exhausting, it was also enjoyable. How can it not be deeply The Taft School taftalumni.com parents, alumni, and 110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795-2100 satisfying to talk about supporting this great school? And if his goals sound familiar—if taking [email protected] care of this beautiful campus, supporting the faculty, and increasing scholarship ring like an echo friends proved to be Visit us on your phone: taftschool.org/m today—it is because those three goals have been at the heart of our capital campaign that has 860-945-7777 | WWW.TAFTALUMNI.COM extraordinary.” What happened at today’s game? just ended. taftsports.com COMMENTS? TELL US! The board of trustees launched our public campaign, Ever Taft, Even Stronger, in the spring of We’d love to hear what you think about the stories in this Bulletin. 2008, with a June 2016 end date. A few months later, we entered the worst economic downturn Shop online: taftstore.com We may edit your letters for length, clarity and content, but please write. our nation had seen in decades. Yet the generosity of thousands of parents, alumni, and friends Linda Hedman Beyus, editor proved to be extraordinary. Our goal was bold and unprecedented: to raise $175 million, or $150 Taft Bulletin facebook.com/thetaftschool 110 Woodbury Road million in capital and $25 million in annual giving. Behind the campaign were three important Watertown, CT 06795-2100 ideas: first, that Taft has always been committed to becoming better; second, that excellence has a [email protected] twitter.com/taftschool cost; and third, that we needed to ensure our future.

The Taft Bulletin (ISSN 0148-0855) is published quarterly, in February, May, August, and November, As of today, we have exceeded our goal and have raised a total of more than $188 million. instagram.com/taftschool by The Taft School, 110 Woodbury Road, Watertown, CT 06795-2100, Annual giving from more than 8,500 donors raised $35 million to support operations each year; and is distributed free of charge to alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends of the school. All rights reserved. capital gifts from nearly 2,000 donors total nearly $153 million. Much as Taft was changed forever bit.ly/taftlinkedin when Horace Taft incorporated the school and embarked in our first campaign in 1927, this campaign has fundamentally transformed this school. This will not be our last campaign; I hope we never stop trying to get stronger, and I will be happy to make the case until my last day. But what vimeo.com/taftschool alumni, parents, and friends have done is stunning. The campaign has allowed us to invest in this beautiful physical plant: the Moorhead Wing Explore Taft: get the app on iTunes and the dining halls, state-of-the-art classrooms, beautifully upgraded dormitories like Mac and Please recycle this Bulletin or share with a friend. Congdon, with HDT and CPT to follow; athletic facility improvements in tennis, baseball, and

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LETTERS

King Thunder Band among others (too bad he didn’t make it Opera Mutuality [Ed. note: In the spring issue’s Alumni Notes as a drummer). I wish I could say I taught It was wonderful to read the fine profile opening photo, we incorrectly captioned it him everything he knew, but I’d like to of my classmate David Hamilton ’52 in as “1966 guys.” Thanks to the many who think he learned a lick or two from me. We the spring issue of the Bulletin. Even as wrote us, and enjoy some excerpts here.] weren’t great, but we sure had fun. The a schoolboy his knowledge of music was picture brings back wonderful memories. prodigious. My lifelong love of opera had Thanks for putting the picture of my —Chris “Kit” Brown ’64, its beginnings in the conversations he band at the start of the Alumni Notes Taft faculty member and I had at Taft. I continued to learn in the last issue. We were, in fact, King from him for decades, reading his eru- Thunder and the Lightning Bolts, and I We opened our Taft Bulletin to page 48 dite program notes in the Metropolitan was the head Lightning Bolt (to the left of and were surprised and delighted to find Opera programs. My wife and I were for- King Thunder, the late lamented Randy our friend Hugh Caldara ’64 as one of the tunate to have been able to spend some Palamar ’64, almost tone deaf but incred- King Thunder band members. Aren’t they time with him during his final years. ibly charismatic). I did the arrangements all so handsome! Sorry we didn’t know Though clearly ailing, he never stopped for the band and played lead guitar, but them then...bet their music was great! instructing. I will be forever grateful. Randy (the King) was the star. His rous- —Robin and Ted Scheu, —Vic Altshul ’52 ing version of “Splish Splash” brought the parents of Jamie ’04 and Kirsten ’06 house down! We were Class of ’64, not continued on page 12— ’66; from left, standing, are Rick Stein and Hugh Caldara. The young drummer was Jeff Baxter ’66, a lower mid, whom Correction softball; full renovations to critical spaces like Bingham Auditorium, the Tremaine Art Studio, we let in the group because he was such The Pond section of the spring issue included a quote that understated the full body of Laube Auditorium, Pinto Language Lab, Martin Health Center, alumni and business offices, and a good musician. He went on to become work by Taft’s student drama group, Masque and Dagger. Since the 1980s, Masque and numerous faculty homes and apartments. The campus has never looked better, and we continue to Skunk Baxter and play incredible guitar Dagger productions have included shows like The Breakfast Club, Neil Simon’s Jake’s steward it with a deep sense of responsibility. with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, Women, and The Servant of Two Masters. The campaign has meant our commitment to financial aid is even deeper. Already we give more financial aid, as a percentage of budget and endowment, than our peer schools—a larger slice of a smaller pie. We do so because the board and I believe this is how we create the ideal learning community and because many families need our help. And so we were fortunate to receive nearly $30 Taft TRIVIA million specifically supporting financial aid, and we have added 36 new scholarships, ranging from $100,000 to $5 million, so that we can bring more deserving students to Taft. A flash from the past: Anyone? recall where these murals were made? And if you’re one of the artists, let us know! Send your The campaign has affirmed that the faculty is our greatest resource. We have fully funded six guess to the editor ([email protected]). The winner, whose name will be randomly chosen, will win a surprise Taft gift. “This campaign new faculty chairs—in disciplines as varied as environmental stewardship, classics, and physics. Congratulations to Trevor Fearon ’86, who correctly guessed the formal name of the Black Box: the Woodward Theater. has bent the We have added 13 new professional development grants to support faculty travel, study, and arc of destiny of growth. We have invested heavily in faculty housing. If you believe that a world-class faculty is marked by passionate lifelong learners who are perpetually trying to grow in their craft and who this school.” live where they labor, you have to be able to support them. It is not hyperbole to say that this campaign has bent the arc of destiny of this school. Much as Horace Taft thanked the alumni, parents, and friends of the school many years ago, I thank all of you who have supported this great school. The generosity, spirit, and loyalty of the Taft family is inspiring.

[Some of the comments above were offered at an address on Alumni Day.]

Willy MacMullen ’78

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Alumni SPOTLIGHT

c After finishing the filmYouth in Oregon, a “wrap” photo with director Joel David Moore; actor Mary Kay Place; producers Joey Carey, Morgan White, and Stefan Nowicki; actor Billy Crudup; screenwriter Andrew Eisen ’04; and actor Frank Langella.

pursue writing as a career (“circumstances round out the top-billed cast. Filming took a “big, sweet, hulking guy from Ghana.” set me free,” he says). That year Eisen place in New York City as well as upstate The other one is a lighter, 30-minute wrote the first of what would turn out to over the summer in 2015, and less than comedy, a satire of reality TV families. be nearly 40 drafts of the screenplay. a year later, the movie made its debut. The hardest part of being a screen- Actor Frank He sent it out through his Taft and Like the cross-country drive in the writer, he says, is “staying motivated and Langella in a Middlebury networks and, “as often hap- film, the process of getting the movie making sure you’re not only writing every scene from Eisen’s Youth pens with scripts, I would imagine 10 to made has been a long haul, and Eisen day, but writing different things. The sec- in Oregon. 20 percent of the people I sent it to actu- says that while he’s “psyched that Youth ond hardest part is being aware of what PAUL SARKIS ally read it,” Eisen says. “But I got lucky in Oregon got made and very proud of is selling and asking yourself, ‘Is this a that one of the guys, a producer from that,” he questions whether he would “good” idea?’, which is tough because, of Middlebury named Stefan Nowicki, actu- write another movie about a man driv- course, you think it’s a good idea. It’s very ally read it and liked it, even though it ing his father-in-law to be euthanized. challenging to look at it from a broader Finding Youth in Oregon was a very different story at that time.” “It’s clearly where my interest is—tell- industry perspective and ask yourself if After a change in directors—Joel ing these real, heavy stories that I try to it’s an idea that buyers are going to be WHEN ANDREW EISEN’S grandfather as it sounded. I always kind of saw the depicting the raw emotions involved in David Moore, an actor known for his deliver with comedy and lightness,” he into as opposed to just writing whatever turned 100, he started saying, “I wish I humor in it. And the humanity.” dealing with such a weighty subject.” roles in Dodgeball and Avatar, and a native says, and Youth in Oregon certainly has you want and whatever moves you.” lived in Oregon so I could be euthanized.” The story became the basis of Youth in Eisen did not start his professional Oregonion himself, was the final choice— comedic elements. Eisen’s next projects In this case, it worked; the material “He was kind of kidding, kind of Oregon, which premiered at the Tribeca Film career as a screenwriter. After studying four-time Tony Award winner (including in are two television pilots, one of which that moved Eisen clearly also resonated not,” says Eisen, who was head moni- Festival in April, and which Deadline.com creative writing at Middlebury College, 2016) and Oscar nominee Frank Langella examines death in a similar vein. Titled with a prominent cast and one of the tor of his 2004 class at Taft. “It was a describes as “a very touching family Eisen took a corporate job in Westport, joined the cast in early 2015. A stream The Homestretch, it’s inspired by the top film festivals in the world. j heavy, dark thing, but knowing him road-trip dramedy with surprising come- Connecticut. After the economy tanked, he of heavy hitters followed: Christina last year of Eisen’s father’s life and his and his personality, it wasn’t as awful dic moments and superb performances was laid off in 2009 and finally had time to Applegate, Josh Lucas, and Billy Crudup relationship with his home health aide, —Sam Dangremond ’05

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was enchanted by the idea of the ‘All so that I could see their pets for their friends each summer, and to get some Creatures Great and Small,’ old-timey annual exams, vaccinations, etc., rather oxygen, both literally and figuratively. veterinarian who comes to people’s than finding a new vet,” Hanson says. “We moved to Colorado because homes and ends up taking care of That started an annual cycle where my husband bought a place in 1990, the whole family, not just the pets! It she would return to North Carolina and we decided our kids needed skiing seemed like a simpler, more practical, each summer and see the same clients to be a major part of their lives,” says friendlier way of practicing medicine.” and pets, who had waited all year for Hanson. “Benji, 7, is a hockey star and Now with a mobile vet practice in her to get back. “It’s an amazing group ski fanatic, and he and his buddies are Telluride, Colorado, and another in of folks,” she says. “Meanwhile, I have known around town as the ‘little rip- Wilmington, North Carolina, Hanson equally loyal clients in Telluride who put pers.’ Liza Jane, 12, is also a big skier, Hanson on a house works part time in both places from up with me being gone and are there big-time student, writer, and is learn- call to one of her beloved “patients.” her trusty truck. September through waiting when I return in the fall.” ing lacrosse. Our oldest, Zella, 14, now May she is in Telluride, then in As for what it’s like to live it two schooling online, plans to attend a hard- Wilmington June through August, places part of each year, Hanson says, core pre-professional ballet program.” spending the summers there with “It’s perfect for my nature and my fam- Hanson admits there are limitations c Mobile vet Alison Green Hanson ’80 in her rig in Telluride, Colorado. her children and near other family. ily. Telluride is a tiny town and the to practicing medicine outside of a clinic “I’m always working around mom- winter’s very long—there’s snow on the or hospital, but says, “I had lots of sup- ing simultaneously,” she says. ground nine months out of the year, and port from vets in the community, who On the Road “We lived in Wilmington full time for snow is not unheard of there in June. welcomed my bringing patients to their 10 years, so I accumulated lots of won- My sun-craving heart is only too eager hospitals if or when needed. I predicted, THIS PARTICULAR DOCTOR HELPS clients are in two states separated by Hanson ’90 decided to start a differ- derful clients there. When we decided and grateful to get back to the ocean the and was correct, that the bonds I would the mostly four-legged creatures among mountain ranges and the Mississippi. ent kind of practice. “Lots of clients to move to Telluride in 2013, many of minute my kids get out of school. My form with pets and their owners would us, and does it from a work base on After working in veterinary clin- had asked me if I would ever consider my Wilmington clients wanted to wait children are equally thrilled to get back be much stronger if I was able to take four wheels—not to mention that her ics for about 10 years, Alison Green making house calls,” she says, “and I for me to return the following summer ‘home’ to Southern culture, family, and care of the pets in their own homes.” j

Media Metamorphosis

JOHN LAVINE ’59 HAS NEVER at Northwestern University. Lavine says. “Nobody has anywhere what’s coming in the future?” Lavine in the media and content busi- taken a journalism course. He’s “Constant number one, there is a tidal near that kind of penetration today.” says. “What prompted audiences to ness, it’s now,” Lavine says. composed all of one Tweet. wave of information ever growing and Chippewa Falls was also home to engage with stories, and what prompted Lavine, who is married with three But when the story is written it is unstoppable, and you need to know the manufacturing plant of Cray Inc., a them to not pay attention to stories?” children and resides in Marin County, about how information is consumed— that it’s there and understand it and supercomputer developer. The advent The academic world recognized that California, is showing no signs of slow- whether it’s in newspaper agate or your audiences,” says Lavine, who served of the computer age was not lost on Lavine was onto something, with the ing down since stepping down as Medill’s 140 Twitter characters—Lavine’s as Medill’s dean from 2006 to 2012. the young newspaperman, who at the University of Minnesota recruiting him to dean. “As my wife, Meryl, says, if you love indelible byline will be on it. Lavine is one of the constants, too. age of 30 was tapped to be a regent of be its inaugural John and Elizabeth Bates what you do, you never go to work.” He is From musty composing rooms to In many respects, the arc of Lavine’s the University of Wisconsin system, Cowles professor of media management the CEO of StrategicMediaGroup.com, multitasking millennials, it is the story career as a journalist, educator, and media the fourth largest in the nation. and economics in 1984. In 1989, Lavine which specializes in multimedia con- of an industry in a constant state of management pioneer follows a similar “It was clear to me that the world founded the Media Management Center tent, social media analytics, and Massive flux. It’s one of paywalls and parachute trajectory as the industry’s evolving busi- was changing and the internet that had at Northwestern, incorporating the dis- Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The journalism, deadlines and digital con- ness model. It harkens back to Wisconsin, started out at the [Department of Defense] ciplines of journalism and the business reach of Lavine’s online seminars, tent. Adapt or become irrelevant. where Lavine was the publisher and editor was going to have a profound impact side of the industry under one umbrella. John Lavine ’59, as CEO of which he pioneered at Northwestern, And Lavine, 75, wouldn’t of a group of four daily and four weekly on everybody,” Lavine says. “I said I was A figure that Lavine often cites is StrategicMediaGroup.com, would make newspapers green with continues to adapt to a fast- have it any other way. newspapers for 25 years. Among them never in the ink on dead tree business.” 1,440, the number of minutes in a day. changing media sector. envy. Nearly 41,000 professionals in You see, for half of his adult life, was the Herald Telegram in Chippewa Falls, Lavine found himself asking more Even more finite, he says, is the time 194 countries have taken advantage of Lavine hasn’t just been a practitio- the hometown of Woody Allen’s character than just the five “Ws” of journalism: and attention span of a media outlet or the burgeoning learning platform. ner of journalism. He’s lived it, most Annie Hall. In the 1960s, 85 percent of who, what, when, where, and why. platform’s audience—about 40 minutes. Even though newspaper readership “I never got a participant from notably as the dean of one the coun- Wisconsinites subscribed to their home- “The question that I have chased from “When in doubt, rely on self-interest,” is declining, Lavine sees opportunities Antarctica. I feel badly about it,” try’s most celebrated institutions: town paper. But gone are those days. 1964 to now is the same question: how Lavine says. “Understand the audi- for growth elsewhere, whether it be Lavine wryly says. Medill School of Journalism, Media, “If you wanted to know that the do you help people be better informed ence’s self-interest is what governs the through social media or online courses. —Neil Vigdor ’95 Integrated Marketing Communications world survived, you read my newspaper,” with whatever means they have now and media’s universe. They’re in charge.” “If there was ever a time to be

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Making Music That Sings How to Brew Two Magazines

At Taft, her need to push creative b Brad Ring ’84, publisher of boundaries found its muse in legend- WineMaker and Brew Your Own magazines, visits a winery. ary art teacher Mark Potter ’48. “He certainly was the greatest influence. He blew my mind wide open,” she says. “I really took to [art] like a fish to water. I didn’t do sports, I did music and art. He took me under his wing, [because] he saw that I had that drive.” Forbes recalls Potter asking her one day if she was an “artist with a capital A.” “I stopped for a minute, then said yes. I could never go down the straight and narrow path, and he gave me permission and the willingness to take the path less traveled—to go down it and never doubt it.” She graduated from Stanford with a degree in English and creative writing, only because the university didn’t offer a degree in songwriting. “I sort of made my own major,” she says with a laugh. m Alex Forbes ’76 (second from right) at a recording session for a song she co-wrote and produced—the theme song for the Nonhuman Rights Project. Its founder Steven Wise, second from After graduation, Forbes tried her left, is the subject of the HBO documentary Unlocking the Cage, about the legal rights of animals, hand as a graphic designer, but she by filmmakers Chris Hegedus, far right, and DA Pennebaker. says the pull of music won out. She has been self-employed as a song- NOT EVERYONE HAS A KEGERATOR my magazines! You really can have a since. The subject matter of both maga- FOR ALEX FORBES ’76, collaboration Denzel Washington’s film Déjà Vu. She’s writer and songwriting coach since she serving draft beer near their desk and great experience making your own zines is a particular passion of his. is the key to creative songwriting. The the author of Write Songs Right Now was 23, and has never looked back. is encouraged to sample the contents wine or beer from your first batch.” “I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to prolific Forbes has written hundreds and leads workshops for the ASCAP “I think the life of a painter is more as part of their job duties. But for Brad Ring says he became interested in marry up my professional skill set in mag- of songs, many of which have hit the Foundation and NYU’s Steinhardt School. solitary, and I’m more collaborative,” Ring ’84, quaffing is all in a day’s work. journalism and publishing while a student azine publishing with my personal 25-year charts—and lit up dance floors—both in Forbes is particularly proud of her she says. “I don’t think you can neces- As publisher of Brew Your Own at Taft, and continued writing for his col- interest of making my own beer and wine. America and overseas. She also coaches work on behalf of animal rights. Her song sarily teach songwriting, but you [can] and WineMaker magazines, Ring has lege newspaper before going to graduate Not too many people get a chance to earn other songwriters on how to make their “Where Will the Giants Roam” is aimed at give feedback. Over the years I’ve got- combined his passion for journalism school for journalism. After a few years a living doing something every day [that] music and lyrics really, well, sing. fighting poaching, and “Meant to Be Free” ten to where I can constructively give with his love of making his own beer as a television reporter, he switched to they really care about as a personal inter- “I highly recommend it,” she says of addresses the rights of animals such as feedback. The great thing about [coach- and wine. And as president and pub- magazines for the job pace and the abil- est,” he says. “While holding down other collaboration. “When I write with other chimpanzees, elephants, and cetaceans. ing] one on one is you can really focus lisher of Battenkill Communications ity to really deeply explore subjects. publishing jobs over the years, I always people, it brings other colors to the work. “Writing animal rights or human like a laser beam on that material.” in Manchester Center, Vermont, Ring “I took a series of publishing jobs brewed my own beer as a fun hobby after They may be strong where I’m weak. You rights theme songs, those are things Forbes said beginning songwriters oversees the production of these maga- to build up enough experience to give work. I care about the subjects I cover. have to have someone to spur you on.” I believe in at the core of my being. tend to imitate other singers and song- zines dedicated to the exploding world this goal of running my own busi- And I believe that not only makes my Forbes’ bread and butter is her abil- Those are a lot more scary [to write writers. She helps them find discover of home winemaking and beer making. ness a better shot. I worked on titles own workday more fun, but results in ity to craft tunes that are both energetic than pop songs],” she says. “I’m and express their own unique voices. “There has never been a better time such as Saveur, Worth, ArtNews, and more authentic publications for readers.” and commercially viable. Her first major changing as a person. My writ- “It’s their willingness to take their to be a beer or wine lover in America. The Garden Design,” Ring says. “I was doing As part of his job, Ring visits beer hit was “Too Turned On” by Alisha, ing is going to change over time.” stands and strike out on their own and… booming diversity and availability of craft some consulting work for a special- festivals and wineries across the coun- then Taylor Dayne’s version of “Don’t Forbes started learning to play reveal it in a work of art—whatever that beer and wine over the last two years is interest publisher in California when try, and he’s embracing the digital Rush Me” hit the top 10 of the pop, guitar while a student at Taft, after work of art is. I think that’s the beauty jaw-dropping,” he says. “All this consumer the opportunity came up to buy his two revolution in publishing as well. adult contemporary, and dance charts. hearing another student playing in a of teaching and the beauty of art itself. interest in beer and wine now means start-up hobby magazines in 1999.” “In the last year, we’ve seen a real She also writes for television, includ- dorm room. She had taken piano les- You’re pushing your own boundaries.” j more equipment options, great ingredi- Ring relocated the two magazines— acceleration moving toward increased ing Nurse Jackie and The Hills, and sons as a child, but her teacher wasn’t ent choices, and plenty of good brewing Brew Your Own and WineMaker—to her song “Melt Away” was featured in the “kind of teacher” that she needed. —Bonnie Blackburn-Penhollow ’84 and winemaking information—like Vermont and has been publishing ever continued on next page—

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—Ring continued from previous page

digital delivery of our content. Print is a real area of growth and success for us pride in making something yourself and still alive and well for us, but more and with beer- and wine-related conferences, the fun of sharing your beer and wine more readers want our information on workshops, trips, and competitions.” with friends and family. Making beer brewing and winemaking in a variety Ring says his job is more than and wine blends plenty of creativity of different digital formats, so we’re just a way to pay the bills. and science, where you get to use both IN Print working hard to deliver our content to “The best part of my job is helping sides of your brain. And of course you hobbyists in ways they want to consume people pursue a passion,” he says. “Our are surrounded by great beer and wine it,” he says. “We’ll also continue adding readers want to improve their craft, and as part of your job. I’m pretty lucky.” j more in-person events related to brew- we help them achieve their goal of making A FRONT PAGE AFFAIR: Moses, Abraham, and Jesus are not only beliefs that coalesced into the Whig party —Bonnie Blackburn Penhollow ’84 ing and winemaking, since that has been better beer and wine. There’s a definite A KITTY WEEKS MYSTERY unlikely to have existed, but bear strong in the 1830s. Sourcebooks composite resemblances to other Near Using Kennedy’s best-known novel, the Radha Vatsal ’91 Eastern religious icons. enigmatic Swallow Barn, Black illustrates —Letters continued from page 5 The author shows how concepts of how the author grappled unsuccessfully New York City, 1915: The Lusitania has just the Hebrew and Christian God, including with race and slavery in this novel, also Thank you so much for the informative (Why is Mr. Jewell wasting all this of the best ever. As a proud graduate of been sunk, and headlines about a shoot- Christ, are an assemblage of ideas that reflecting the fatal indecisiveness of and well-researched article about David class time berating me for wasting the the Class of 1948, I admire so much peo- ing at J.P. Morgan’s mansion and the Great were altered, argued over, and edited— both Kennedy and his party in dealing P. Hamilton ’52 in the spring Bulletin class’s time?) Of course, almost no one ple like them. Such dedication, service, War are splashed across every newspaper. until their canonization. This process, to a with these volatile issues. Black argues written by Christopher S. Browner showed up late more than once. and contribution to so many young peo- Kitty Weeks would love nothing more than large degree, gave Western civilization its this failure caused the political collapse ’12. I’m sure many of my classmates No classroom environment will be ple’s lives. I think of my father’s nearly to report on the news of the day, but she’s consensus view of God. of the Whigs and paved the way for the would convey the same sentiments. perfect for every student in a given class, 25 years at Taft. My congratulations stuck writing about fashion and society Far from being “untrue,” Smoley Civil War. Black has a PhD in history from —Henry Giguere ’52 but Mr. Jewell’s combination of clear to them and the writer of the article. gossip over on the Ladies’ Page—until a explains that the Bible is quite true as it Boston University. expectations, consistent consequences, —Dave Fenton ’48 man is murdered at a high-society picnic connects us to the insights of our ancient Jewell Rules and elimination of distractions worked on her beat. ancestors and a unifying ethic behind many MAGRUDER’S CURIOSITY CABINET When I heard through the grapevine for me. Knowing what to expect in Mr. A Grateful Reader Determined to prove her worth as a jour- of the world’s faiths. Sourcebooks that Mr. Ted Jewell would be retir- Jewell’s class (from the agenda of a typi- In years past, I merely glanced at the nalist, Weeks finds herself plunged into the Smoley is a respected authority on the H.P. Wood ing at the end of the current school cal lesson to the typeface on quizzes and Taft Bulletin, first at the class notes midst of a wartime conspiracy that threat- mystical and esoteric teachings of Western (aka Hilary Poole ’88) year, I was not surprised. In fact, I tests), I felt at ease. I could put my lower for my year and at the two class years ens to derail the United States’ attempt to civilization and the author of several previ- had foreseen this news with 100 per- functions (do you think he’ll keep us in past that, seeking information about remain neutral—and to disrupt her privi- ous books. Set at the turn of the 20th century, Kitty leged life. Vatsal’s novel is the first in a series cent certainty, because Mr. Jewell class this H-block, or will I have time to those whom I knew or remembered. Hayward and her mother are ready to featuring rising journalism star Kitty Weeks. JOHN PENDLETON KENNEDY: himself had informed me of his retire- get a snack?) on autopilot and save my Next I looked over what the ath- experience Coney Island’s new Dreamland Vatsal, who lives in New York City, EARLY AMERICAN NOVELIST, amusement park. But when Kitty’s ment plans more than a year ago. mental energy for figuring out the math. letic teams had accomplished and grew up in Mumbai, India, and came to the WHIG STATESMAN, AND mother vanishes from their hotel, she One could always count on As a high school student, I was never with that, put the magazine aside. United States to attend boarding school, ARDENT NATIONALIST finds herself penniless, alone, and far Mr. Jewell to have a plan. afraid to make noise about rules and Over the years I’ve been exposed later earning a Ph.D. at Duke University. LSU Press from her native England. The last people In that conversation, over lunch systems I thought were arbitrary or to many more alumni publica- Andrew R. Black ’62 she expects to help are the characters at in a Mortara classroom during the stupid. It took Mr. Jewell, that archi- tions, both secondary and college HOW GOD BECAME GOD: Magruder’s Curiosity Cabinet, a museum Taft Summer School session (where tect of reasonable structure, to show level (including my own from Yale). WHAT SCHOLARS ARE REALLY John Pendleton Kennedy (1795–1870) of oddities. From con men to strongmen, I was teaching math and theater), me by example what I am now find- I don’t know if there’s a prize for SAYING ABOUT GOD AND THE BIBLE achieved a multidimensional career as a from flea wranglers to lion tamers, Kitty’s Mr. Jewell half-jokingly presented ing myself reconfirming again and alumni publications, but I’m quite TarcherPerigee successful novelist, historian, and politician. new friends quickly adopt her and vow to his decision as being based partly on again, a few years into a teaching sure the Taft Bulletin would be Richard Smoley ’74 He published widely and represented his help find the missing Mrs. Hayward. But a desire to complete an “even dozen” career of my own: that careful plan- right at the top of the honorees. district in the Maryland legislature before even these unusual inhabitants may not of years of service at Taft. This was a ning, routine, structure, and, yes, I may, as class secretary, be biased, From a historical perspective, the Bible is being elected to Congress several times and be a match for the insidious sickness and man who liked everything nicely in even rules can be not only powerful but the Bulletin has morphed into an provably wrong, this book argues—a point serving as secretary of the Navy. He devoted the panic that begins to spread through its place; he saw the value of order, a tools for productivity and efficiency, all-around high-quality publication, supported by today’s archaeological and much of his life to the American Whig party Coney Island. Poole’s novel sweeps readers carefully designed system, a routine. but sources of comfort themselves. informative, at times provocative, but historical scholarship. Yet this emphatically and campaigned zealously for Henry Clay into a world where nothing is as it seems, Like the mathematical paradigms —Benjamin H. Zucker ’09, professional in all respects. I know does not mean that the Bible isn’t, in some during his multiple runs for president. and where “normal” is the exception to and programming languages he taught former advisee of Mr. Jewell that I’m not alone in saying that I real measure, true, says Smoley. Black argues that literature and politics the rule. This is the first novel by Poole, us, Mr. Jewell’s classes had rigid rules. read it from cover to cover. The edito- He reviews authoritative historical evi- were inseparable for Kennedy, as his writ- the granddaughter of a mad inventor and Show up late to class, and you knew Rusty and Linda rial staff is to be complimented. dence to demonstrate that figures such as ing was infused with the principles and a sideshow magician. j you would be subject to a harangue I thought the cover story on Rusty Well done, and keep it up. that seemed to last several minutes. [Davis] and Linda [Saarnijoki] was one —Pete Greer ’53 If you would like your work added to the Hulbert Taft Library’s Alumni Authors Collection and considered for this column, please send a copy to: Taft Bulletin | The Taft School | 110 Woodbury Road | Watertown, CT 06795-2100

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. As one of the sponsors of the For more information, visit competition, the Statue of Liberty www.taftschool.org/news National Monument played host to both the final screening ofFire and the awards ceremony, where Taft’s student filmmakers took home the top prize, which included $10,000. that allowed the authors to face Loira Limbal, vice president and docu- By adding news footage and interviews POND that challenge with confidence. mentary lab director for Firelight Media. to the original soundtrack, Fire does AroundBY DEBRA MEYERS the “In the past year, the conversation Her work, which fuses arts and activism, that, and does it extremely well.” has changed at Taft,” explained SeArah. often explores themes of social justice Fire aired at two separate screen- “We have had speakers on campus talk- and creating opportunity for young ing venues at the famed Tribeca Film ing about issues surrounding race and women of color. Limbal advised the team Festival in April. All of finalists earned gender. Our community has been learning to consider reshooting some scenes. all-expense paid travel to the festival, more and seeing more. There is momen- “We realized that what we had done with all-access passes to Tribeca events. tum—the walls are breaking down. I originally made sense in a Taft context, “The connections we were able to am more able to fully and confidently but that it was important to move off make were just outstanding,” said SeArah. express everything that I am about.” Catching Fire It is that connection to what is happening in America today—that full expression WHAT STARTED WITH A SPARK, of self in reference to society as a whole— soon turned to Fire. that made “Fire,” the poem, the ideal Inspired by the increased and foundation for the film. Co-sponsored open dialogue taking place on campus by the Tribeca Film Institute and the around race, gender, and social justice Statue of Liberty National Monument in last fall, upper mids Lauren Fadiman celebration of the National Park Service’s and SeArah Smith crafted a power- centennial, The America I Am competition ful spoken-word poem contextualizing invited young filmmakers to submit short those global issues through their own films about their American experience. experiences. They performed “Fire” Using the audio from Lauren and at Taft’s annual Multicultural Arts SeArah’s spoken word performance Celebration. The impact was signifi- as their soundtrack, Eliza, Katie, and cant; their words unforgettable. Felicity shot companion footage around “‘Fire’ contains messages that need to Taft’s campus—footage designed to be heard but that high school students show fear, isolation, and the manifesta- m are not particularly comfortable talking tions of racist and sexist attitudes. Video Arts Teacher Scott Serafine, right, traveled to the Tribeca Film Festival for the premiere of Fire. The film was created by, from left, poets Lauren Fadiman ’17 and SeArah Smith ’17; about,” said Eliza Price ’17, who, along “We all remembered how powerful filmmakers Felicity Petruzzi ’16 and Eliza Price ’17 ; actor Makari Chung ’16; and filmmaker with Katie Ajemian ’16 and Felicity that performance was—how it moved us,” Katie Ajemian ’16. Petruzzi ’16, produced a film of the said Felicity. “We wanted the film to cap- same name built on that performance ture that raw emotion and authenticity campus to better portray a more uni- “Having my name recognized and being piece. The film won top honors—which to put our audience back in that moment. versal experience,” explained Felicity. able to personally connect is incredible. included a $10,000 prize—in the Tribeca Using their original audio as well as video They also had more running time We talked to writers, and publishers Film Institute’s The America I Am youth footage from the performance did that.” for the final cut, which allowed them want to get our work out there.” film competition earlier this year. Video arts teacher Scott Serafine to include more of the original poem, Added Katie, “We were surrounded “Fire is heavily based on our personal received word in February that Fire had and to drop in both personal interviews by producers of PBS documentaries, experiences,” explained Lauren. “For me, made the first cut in the competition: of and clips of actual news footage from famous directors, the executive director it is about coming to terms with privi- the more than 250 films submitted, five the events referenced in the poem. of Tribeca, and they wanted to talk to leges I hold as a young woman, but also were named finalists, Fire among them. “The emphasis in my classes is always us—they wanted to hear about us and coming to terms with privileges I don’t With that honor came the opportunity on storytelling,” said Serafine. “I want about our film. It was just incredible to hold. The challenge was to express that to create a more refined version of the students to tell their own stories, and to have this way in; we were so honored.” j in a way that would be palatable to those film; a $1,000 production award and a use the power of film to tell stories that who have had a different experience.” mentorship with a professional film- make people more aware—more aware To watch the awarding-winning short film Fire, visit Taft’s Vimeo channel The open dialogue on campus, maker were part of the package. The of their surroundings, more aware of at vimeo.com/taftschool SeArah said, created an environment Taft students were paired with mentor what is happening outside of themselves.

Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 15 Around the POND

STEM Takes Root

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) STUDENTS NOT ONLY BROUGHT INSPIRATION AND INNOVATION TO CAMPUS DURING THE SPRING TERM, BUT ALSO HELD A COMPETITIVE EDGE IN LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS.

• Sonny An ’17 and Carter Taft ’16, designed downloadable computer 25 Tafties competed first place, Chemistry Lab games, now available on Taft’s website in this year’s Science • Sonny An ’17 and Ivory Zhu ’17, (taftschool.org/academics/java.aspx). Olympiad, bringing home a number of first place, It’s About Time “We developed the curriculum to top prizes. • Lexi Walker ’16 and Joe Han ’17, be project-based,” said Albon. “The second place, Wind Power students learned the basics of coding • Ton Kosolpatanadurong ’16 through designing smaller games and and Natalie Waldram ’18, simulations throughout the semester. and his impact on science and engineer- with help from Leon Vortmeyer ’16, Lexi second place, Geologic Mapping As a result, they had a solid foundation ing. Students applied time-tested STEM Walker ’16, and Jona Vithoontien ’17. • Bill Lu ’19 and Natalie Waldram ’18, when beginning their final projects.” principles to build modern, functional ver- The honor came with a cash prize, to third place, Electric Vehicle Those projects were on display sions of ancient tools of war, specifically be applied to Taft’s robotics program. • Bill Lu ’19 and Mihir Nayar ’19, during a hands-on course showcase catapults, cross-bows, and trebuchets. third place, Robot Arm in May, where guests sampled the “Our work taught students how to go Math • Lexi Walker ’16 and Louise games built by Taft students. from a problem to a final product,” said Ivory Zhu ’17 qualified for the 2016 Students in Dan Calore’s Gagnon ’18, third place, Fossils “After taking the class many of the Calore. “The final projects saw students United States of America Math Olympiad Intro to Engineering students became interested in con- learning to test then modify differ- (USAMO). Nearly 200,000 students from course applied Technology age-old principles of tinuing to learn about coding,” noted ent aspects of their original designs.” across the U.S. sat for the first-round con- engineering and science Under the tutelage of science teacher Brundage. “It was a great opportunity Engineering skills were also on dis- test, which consisted of 25 multiple choice to construct working, Theresa Albon and math teacher David for them to learn the basics while play during the annual Trinity College questions to be completed in 75 minutes. modern versions of Brundage, Taft students learned computer producing intricate programs.” International Robot Contest. Team Taft Of those students, approximately 6,000 ancient tools of war. game design using Java programming was one of more than 100 teams from were invited to compete in second round, language. The course introduces Java as Engineering around the world to travel to Hartford Ivory among them. The second qualifying a tool for designing and programming Students in Dan Calore’s Intro to for the competition this year, which round featured 15 free-response questions, Science senior Leon Vortmeyer and upper mid graphical and interactive applica- Engineering class spent part of the spring featured a firefighting contest. Robots to be completed within a three-hour win- Taft’s Sonny An ’17 and Daniel Yi ’18 sat Joe Han in the competition. Each placed tions. As their final project, students term learning about Leonardo da Vinci navigated a model home in search of a dow. After two rounds, Ivory was one of for a high-level, competitive physics quali- among the top 13 of the 402 students fire, represented by a burning candle, only 270 high school students to emerge fier in an effort to represent the United from Connecticut and Massachusetts then worked to extinguish it. Along the from the original field of 200,000 with an States at this summer’s International who took the exam. Local competition way, the robots encountered walls, furni- invitation to participate in the USAMO, Physics Olympiad. Sponsored each year coordinators nominated Joe and Leon to ture, animals, and other obstacles. Shasha a two-day mathematics marathon. by the Association of Physics Teachers move on and sit for the national exam. Alvares ’17 and Cauviya Selva ’17 built a “In the last decade, Taft students and the American Institute of Physics, Completing a science trifecta, Sonny robot that was successful in extinguish- have written 12 USAMO contests,” the first qualifying round consists of a was among 25 Taft students to compete ing the candle on four of five attempts. noted math teacher Ted Heavenrich. multiple-choice test assessing knowledge in the Connecticut Science Olympiad. Taft engineers earned accolades “The great, great majority of U.S. high of Newtonian mechanics. Of the thou- The Olympiad is comprised of 23 dif- after the event from the Connecticut schools have administered zero USAMO sands of competitors taking the test, both ferent events incorporating a multitude Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and contests over the last 50 years.” Sonny and Daniel were among only 300 of STEM topics. Some events require Electronics Engineers, who bestowed Team Red Rhinos also posted an U.S. high school students advancing to advance construction or planning, while Outstanding Robot from Connecticut impressive fourth-place finish in The the second round. Sonny was one of 35 others involve on-the-spot skills applica- honors on a robot built and programmed Purple Comet! Math Meet, an online, gold medal winners topping that round. tion. Individual students win medals by Conrad Cassirer ’17 and Alex Kiiru ’16, team mathematics competition attract- Sonny also competed in the local for placing in an event, with cumulative ing thousands of middle and high school Chemistry Olympiad at the University of scores yielding overall team placement b Students, faculty, staff, family, and friends students from more than 40 states and 55 Connecticut. Sponsored by the American at a tournament. Forty-six teams from attended a hands-on computer game countries. In their “small high school” field Chemical Society, the competition is the around the state competed this year, design open house featuring games built of 667 schools, the Rhinos tied for fourth by Taft students. “The end results showed first step in the U.S. National Chemistry with Taft placing seventh overall. A place with 28 correct answers, behind three students’ creativity, problem-solving skills, Olympiad. Led by Taft team captain number of Taft students earned med- and knowledge about coding with Java,” said schools who tied for the top spot by cor- Cauviya Selva ’17, Sonny was joined by als for their work on specific events: teacher Theresa Albon. rectly answering 29 of the 30 questions. j

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Every new beginning comes from Model UN some other beginning’s end. “ —Seneca Precalculus and developed most of the a couple problems he had missed decades j Mathematics material used in the classroom. He has earlier. That got Ted” thinking: ‘This math teacher taught everything from Algebra and stuff is pretty fun.’ So he started tutor- Ted Jewell Accelerated Precalculus to AP Calculus ing and teaching, picking up a master’s in AB/C, with only one focus: student success. computer science from Yale on the way.” Changing “If there was an award given to the Which he put to good use at Taft: in the Equation teacher who gave the most extra help, it addition to traditional math courses, might go to Don,” said MacMullen. “He Jewell created and taught introductory and TED JEWELL AND just won’t let students fail. He sets a really intermediate computer science courses, DON PADGETT RETIRE high bar and then says, ‘You can reach as well as AP Computer Science at Taft. it, it won’t be easy, and I’ll help you.’” Said MacMullen, “When he interviewed TED JEWELL AND DON PADGETT Padgett has also been a highly success- at Taft, I knew he was a man of rare and have held court in Taft’s mathemat- ful and respected cross-country and track fascinating intellect. Ted’s passion for prob- ics classrooms for more than a decade. coach: he’s worked with some record- lem solving and for trying to figure out how Both retired at the end of the academic setting runners and relay teams, and each student’s brain works is inspiring.” j year, leaving legacies of service, intel- loyalty to him runs deep in his athletes. lect, passion, and compassion. Ted Jewell came to Taft in 2004 In his 14 years at Taft, Padgett was a after a long and impressive career as math teacher, Admissions Committee mem- an attorney. Noted MacMullen, “When LAUREN FADIMAN ’17 WAS NAMED Fadiman represented Taft as Planned competition for his work represent- ber, curriculum designer, and coach. From Ted left the law, a lot of Taft students Best Delegate at the Cornell Model Parenthood on the Non-Governmental ing Taft as Japan on the United 2007 to 2009, he held the Littlejohn Family and teachers were really fortunate.” United Nations Conference (CMUNC), Organization (NGO) Forum. Lauren Nations Security Council (UNSC) 2030 Chair for commitment to the whole student. Jewell graduated with a degree held on the Cornell University campus. wrote a dynamic position paper titled Crisis Committee, while seniors Leon “They don’t make math teachers much in mathematics from Harvard, then The annual event attracts more than “Reasserting the Goals of Planned Vortmeyer and Johnny Morgart earned better than Don,” said Headmaster Willy earned his law degree at the University 650 students from around the world. Parenthood in the 2016 Elections.” She Honorable Mentions representing MacMullen ’78. “His ability to challenge and of North Carolina. He and spent most “I am most elated at Taft when I see also wrote compelling press releases and Denmark on the Social, Cultural, and stretch all kinds of students—from BC cal- of his career practicing law in Florida. students shine as intellectual scholars directives influencing the “Road to 2016: Humanitarian Committee, and repre- culus to lower level algebra—is legendary.” “He came into teaching almost by acci- and leaders,” said Taft’s dean of Global Democrats and Republicans Committees senting Russian President Vladimir Putin A brilliant classroom teacher, with a dent,” shared MacMullen. “He found an old j Mathematics and Diversity Education, Jamella Lee, at Cornell Model UN.” on the Brazil, Russia, India, China and tough, no-nonsense approach, Padgett undergraduate math exam he had taken teacher who brought her Honors Model UN class Tawanda Mulalu ’16 was named South Africa Alliance, respectively. j was the course head for Accelerated at Harvard, and almost on a lark he solved Don Padgett to New York for the competition. Outstanding Delegate during the

Amherst College Denison University Lehigh University (2) Stockholm School of Economics University of Pennsylvania (5) College Matriculation Babson College (3) Dickinson College Marist College (2) Stonehill College (3) University of Redlands Bates College (2) Duke University (2) Massachusetts Institute of Technology Texas Christian University (2) University of Richmond (4) AGAIN THIS YEAR, MORE TAFTIES Bennington College Elon University (2) McGill University Trinity College (3) University of Southern California Bentley University Emory University Middlebury College (2) Tufts University University of St. Andrews (4) WILL HEAD TO GEORGETOWN Boston College (2) Endicott College Misr International University Union College (5) University of Vermont THAN TO ANY OTHER COLLEGE Boston University (4) Fordham University Muhlenberg College University of Arizona University of Virginia (4) OR UNIVERSITY, WITH EIGHT Bowdoin College Furman University New York University (6) University of California, Berkeley (2) University of Wisconsin, Madison MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2016 Brown University (2) George Washington University (3) Northeastern University University of California, Santa Barbara Villanova University Bucknell University (2) Georgetown University (8) Occidental College (4) University of Chicago (2) Wake Forest University (2) OPTING TO BECOME HOYAS. HERE Carnegie Mellon University Georgia Institute of Technology (2) Pennsylvania State University University of Colorado at Boulder Washington University in St. Louis IS A COMPLETE LIST OF COLLEGE Colby College (2) Hamilton College, NY (4) Princeton University University of Denver Wesleyan University (4) CHOICES FOR THE CLASS OF 2016: Colgate University (3) Hampshire College Purdue University University of Edinburgh Western University (3) College of the Holy Cross Harvard University Rice University University of Maryland, College Park Yale University (2) Colorado College (2) Hobart and William Smith Colleges Southern Methodist University (4) University of Massachusetts, Amherst Columbia University Johns Hopkins University St. John’s College University of Miami Connecticut College (3) Kent State University St. Lawrence University (3) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Cornell University Kenyon College St. Olaf College University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [Note: Schools without a number have one Taft Dartmouth College (4) Lafayette College (2) Stanford University University of North Carolina at Wilmington (2) graduate attending.]

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Taft Theater Honored

Artistic Director Award winner Carey Cannata ’16. Cannata was also nominated for Best Student Leaders Take on Global Issues Standout Performance in an Ensemble Play for his work in THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF GLOBAL leaders and scholars, participating in genuine concern. The projects include The Laramie Project. Leadership Institute (GLI) scholars team-building and diversity leader- a public presentation to school and completed the unique and highly com- ship workshops, and completing a community leaders. The first class of petitive two-year program this spring. summer service experience. Students graduates explored topics ranging from Designed to elevate thinking around also traveled to the United Nations to ecology and sustainability, to special global issues, the program’s mission is witness global leadership in action. education, understanding problems in to develop a generation of global lead- “This year’s UN visit was quite the Middle East, and homelessness. ers with a genuine concern for world extraordinary,” explained Jamella Lee, “Selena Soto was our last and most problems, multiple perspectives on dean of Global and Diversity Education powerful presenter,” said Lee. “Her global issues, and the skills to contribute at Taft. “We attended a session of mother had been homeless during her toward the resolution of those problems. the World Conference on Indigenous youth, and Selena shared her story.” Each fall, 20 second-year high school Peoples. Our students were on the floor Soto, an artist, designed and sold a students are selected for the GLI scholar of the UN with the delegates. It was a T-shirt; all profits from the sales were program—10 from Taft, and 10 from tremendous opportunity for them.” donated to a local homeless shelter. Best Featured Actress Kaedi Dalley ’18 in Hairspray. public high schools in Waterbury. GLI At the end of the two-year program, “The students saw this culmination scholars spend the next two years build- GLI Scholars complete a culminating of two years of skill development and ing leadership knowledge and skills project investigating a local, national, scholarly endeavor as a graduation—as by attending monthly talks by global or global problem for which they have a an advancement to a new level of lead- TAFT STUDENTS TOOK HOME TOP ership and responsibility,” said Lee. honors in several major categories dur- “The program has inspired them to ing the 2016 Halo Awards. Sponsored take stronger leadership and advo- by Waterbury’s Seven Angels Theatre, cacy roles in their community.” j the Halo Awards celebrate the best in Connecticut high school theater. . As a component of his culminating project, More than 40 awards were presented GLI scholar Zygi Jievaltas ’17 organized a to nominees from 64 schools. town-wide cleanup day. Let’s Do It! Watertown was a Let’s Do It! World (LDIW) Kaedi Dalley ’18 was named Best affiliate event. Since 2008, nearly 14 million Featured Actress in a Musical for her people in 112 countries around the world portrayal of Motormouth Maybelle in have participated in Let’s Do It! World Hairspray. Producer Maggie Luddy ’16 cleanup projects. Under Zygi’s leadership and Taft’s production of coordination, Let’s Do It! Watertown worked and director Emily Axelberg ’16 accepted The Laramie Project at a number of sites around town, including the Fearless Award for their produc- was named the Deland Field and Steele Brook Common. tion of The Laramie Project, while Carey winner of the 2016 Fearless Award. Cannata ’16 took home the Artistic Director prize, a special recognition award given by Seven Angels Theatre. “A number of teachers and judges production team. “The nominations Taft performers earned a total of nine at the event commented on how many themselves are a reflection of how hard nominations overall, including two for m GLI scholar Shasha Alvares ’17 talks with Waterbury Mayor and Taft parent Neil O’Leary nominations Taft received,” said music everyone in the program has worked. The Best Featured Actress in a Musical, two about her culminating project on immigration. “I have always been interested in the topic of immigration into America, because all of my family members are recent immigrants,” teacher TJ Thompson, who accompanied nominations represent the excellence for Best Standout Performance in an explained Shasha. “My project focused on undocumented immigration into the United States, Taft students to the awards ceremony and of our collective effort, and recognize Ensemble Play, and Best Performance by and explored the concept of undocumented immigrants as social and economic assets to the is an integral member of Taft’s theater everyone involved in each of our shows.” a Cast in an Ensemble Production. j United States.”

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A Life of Service

DONNA HENRY CRYER ’88 ELECTED TO BOARD OF TRUSTEES

including Rock the Vote, led by the League advocacy organizations, and emerging of Women Voters. She ultimately enrolled technology firms on patient engagement MEMBERS OF TAFT’S DANCE ENSEMBLE in the then-experimental interdisciplinary in health information technology, drug and spring term dance class students joined in performance m Alumni Trustee legal curriculum section at the Georgetown discovery, and clinical decision making. and celebration at the annual Spring Dance Showcase. Donna Henry Cryer ’88 University Law Center, where she served Cryer has been appointed to the Pan on one of the law journals, produced semi- American Health Organization/World VOTES CAST, TAFT ALUMNI HAVE nal work on protecting children on the Health Organization Technical Expert spoken: Donna Henry Cryer will internet through the Institute for Public Panel on Viral Hepatitis; to the U.S. serve her alma mater as the newest Representation (later recognized by the Government Accountability Office’s Health member of the Board of Trustees. U.S. Department of Justice), and served as Information Policy Committee as the Cryer came to Taft in 1983 as a lower- president of the Student Bar Association. patient and consumer representative; to mid day student. From dancing on the And then life changed: Cryer needed a the federal advisory body to the National Bingham stage and singing in the chorus, liver transplant. A previously diagnosed Coordinator for Health Information to acting in the Black Box Theater and autoimmune condition triggered both Technology; and is serving her second, playing varsity softball, Cryer quickly hit the transplant and Cryer’s passion. She five-year term with the U.S. Food and her stride both in and out of the classroom. has since embraced the Taft motto by Drug Administration. She also serves on But it is that life in the classroom—and channeling her personal experience as the executive committee of the Forum for the many English classes she took with her an IBD and liver transplant patient into Collaborative HIV Research; the boards of advisor and coach Steve Schieffelin—to professional advocacy as founder, presi- directors of the Society for Participatory which Cryer credits finding her voice; a dent, and chief executive officer of the Medicine and the Personalized Medicine voice that laid the groundwork for her Global Liver Institute, the innovation Coalition; and as a member of Stakeholder future career as a lawyer and advocate. and collaboration platform for the liver Advisory Group to the National Institutes After a successful academic career and community. She became the first patient of Health Learning Health Systems a degree in government from Harvard/ to lead the American Liver Foundation Research Collaboratory, to name a few. Radcliffe, Cryer hopped into the political in its 36-year history, serving as chair Cryer lives in Washington, with arena, working on several successful cam- and chief executive officer. She also led her husband, Dr. Dennis Cryer, and paigns, and a move to Washington, D.C., CryerHealth, a health care consulting their two Yorkies, Charlotte and seemed inevitable. There Cryer worked firm providing strategic counsel to top Victoria. She also adores her three on a number of voting rights initiatives, biopharmaceutical companies, patient fabulous children by marriage. j

All American Boys

2016 SUMMER READING SELECTION

EACH SUMMER, TAFT STUDENTS teens—one black, one white—dealing and faculty read a common, all-school with the repercussions of a single vio- literature selection chosen by the Summer lent act that leaves their school, their Reading Committee. The shared expe- community, and ultimately the coun- rience builds community and fosters try bitterly divided by racial tension. discussion at the beginning of the aca- Authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan demic year. This year the committee has Kiely—who wrote the book in tandem, chosen All American Boys, a 2016 Coretta telling the story through the alternating Scott King Author Honor book, and perspectives of the two main charac- recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Award ters—will visit Taft on October 4 to for Outstanding Children’s Literature. more deeply explore the book and its All American Boys is the story of two themes with Taft students and faculty. j Around the POND c STUDENTS, FACULTY, staff, family, alumni, and friends gathered on campus in May for the Third Annual Taft ZBK 2K, a run/walk to remember Zoë B. Klimley, a beloved member of the Class of 2015, and to raise money for the Zoë B. Klimley Scholarship Fund.

TAFT MUSICIANS traveled to Prague, Czech Republic, during spring break, where they absorbed history and culture between performances.

HORACE DUTTON TAFT Alumni Medal honoree Andy Taylor ’72 brought the Maru-a-Pula School Marimba Band to Taft for a memorable Morning Meeting performance. Taylor is the principal of the Maru-a-Pula School in Botswana.

TAFTIES MOUNTED THE ACCLAIMED 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for this year’s spring musical.

b LIDIA GUTU ’16 was one of 15 Taft ON THE EVE OF THE students who spent spring break teaching conclusion of their Taft careers, English in the Dominican Republic. Led by Taft seniors came together as a Science Teacher Laura Monti ’89, Director of group for one last day of service. Multicultural Recruitment Tamara Sinclair ’05, Students lent a hand at Brass and Academic Dean Jeremy Clifford, Taft stu- City Harvest, Waldingfield Farm, dents designed English language lesson plans Truelove Farms, the Children’s to meet the educational objectives prescribed Community School, Flanders in a curriculum built by their host organiza- Nature Center, the Carrington tion, Outreach 360. “We taught English to School, Camp Mataucha, and grade-school students from kindergarten White Memorial. through sixth grade,” explained Monti. “We all developed quick friendships with the students we worked with. When many of the students approached us during recess and asked us our names and ages in English, which was something we had been working on with them, we all felt like we had accomplished something in our four days of tutoring.”

Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 25 Spring SPORTS

For more on the spring season, please visit www.taftsports.com Spring Sports WRAP-UP BY STEVE PALMER / Photography by Robert Falcetti

Portia Wang ’18 tees off on the 7th hole at the Watertown Golf Club on April 29. Wang was a co-low medalist during the Founders League Championship, shooting a 42 and helping Taft win the league.

Boys’ Golf 12–3 scores from Captain Mani Capece ’16, England tournament, competing against FOUNDERS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS Joel Rheaume ’16, Grant Sweeny ’16, 25 schools and over 100 individual golf- Hunter Ramee ’17, Charles Donaldson ers. Portia Wang ’18 was low medalist The team’s Founders League ’17, Chris Gaeta ’18, and Rex Riefler ’19. with a 75, becoming Taft’s fourth indi- Championship and 2nd-place finish at vidual New England Champion. Close Newport Country Club in the Phillips behind her was Jimena Villarreal ’17, who Andover Invitational were two highlights. Girls’ Golf 19–1 finished in 9th place with an 84. Other The Founders League Championship FOUNDERS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS, highlights included an early season win came in record-setting fashion with Drew NEW ENGLAND RUNNERS-UP over New England champ Greenwich Powell ’17 posting a 6 under par 65 to Academy, and the joint golf outing with pace Taft to an 11-shot victory over rivals Taft won the Founders League the boys’ team in the Wilcox Tournament Loomis and Westminster. Drew’s scoring Tournament for the third year in a row, to raise money to send a child of domestic average for the season (74.5) established this time by two strokes over Loomis. violence to summer camp. Key players all a new mark for Taft golfers. At Newport, Their 19–1 record adds to the impres- season were captain Hannah Wilczynski the team set a new team record of 310 sive overall record of 143 wins, 12 losses ’16, newcomer Olivia Wivestad ’19, cap- Team captain, four- strokes, with all fours golfers posting and 4 ties since the team began. The tain-elect Grace Dreher ’18, and Founders year varsity, and No. 1 scores in the 70s. Throughout the season Rhinos then came in a close second (only League All-Stars Marisa Mission ’17 player Courtland Boyle ’16, who also won the the team received great efforts and low six strokes) in the Pippy O’Connor New and captain-elect Avery Andreski ’17. SNETL Alban Barker Sportsmanship Award. Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 27 Spring SPORTS Spring SPORTS

Boys’ Lacrosse 15–3 a middle class scoring record with 64 Elle Carroll ’16, Caley Bogolawski ’16, (3–0) in their only matchup. Keeler hit .333 FOUNDERS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS points, and two-time captain and defen- and Megan Schoenholtz ’16. A strong for the season, and Tomasco hit the team’s seman Brandon Salvatore ’16 finished group of returning players, including only home run (a two-run shot) at Loomis In winning the Founders League and with 18 points and was named All- captain-elects Eliza Denious ’17 and Nina on the last day of the season and was tying the school record for wins in a Western New England for a third time. Garfinkel ’17, will lead the team next year. named Taft’s valedictorian four days later season, the Rhinos defeated some very at graduation. The team’s top two pitchers, strong teams, including exciting home Kevin Mulhearn ’17 and Eric Holzman ’17, wins against Lawrenceville (13–4) and Girls’ Lacrosse 7–9 Boys’ Tennis 17–3 are both Division I prospects and will be Trinity-Pawling (14–11). Taft finished SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND tri-captains next year along with infielder the season ranked No. 19 in the USA The Rhinos were a high-energy team that TENNIS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS; Nick Cutler ’17, who started at either sec- Today National High School Poll. This pulled together with great team chem- NEW ENGLAND RUNNERS-UP ond base or shortstop all season and will powerful offensive team established a istry despite losing stellar goalie Becky serve as the school’s co-head monitor next school record for goals in a season with Dutton ’16 part way through the season. This year’s team came within a volley or year. Zane Segalas ’18 and Dylan Kim ’19 287 and held opponents to 126 goals; Key wins included an 11–10 overtime two of a perfect season. With the deepest were also starters for the entire season Under Armour All-American Michael victory against Sacred Heart, and strong lineup in decades, Taft’s bottom of the and have bright futures in the program. Kraus ’16 set the new single-season performances against Northfield Mount ladder provided the foundation for every goals record with 57, and his 86 points Hermon (8–6) and Berkshire (8–6). win, and the traditionally strong doubles overall are third most in school history. Taft also played very well in close losses dominated all but two teams. After wins Kyle Salvatore ’17 finished with 39 goals to Choate (8–10) and Andover (7–10). over perennial powerhouses Andover, and 18 assists and was named Western Leading the team throughout the season Deerfield, Hotchkiss, Choate, and New England Midfielder of the year and were captains Eliza Dunham ’16, Brooke Brunswick, the team won the Southern Majewski ’16, and Dutton, as well as New England Tennis League Tournament an All-American. Captain Matt Davies 2016 SPRING ATHLETIC seniors Ellie Smith ’16, Emma Howie ’16, for the third straight year, and dominated ’16 scored 42 goals, Jack Collins ’18 set AWARD WINNERS Exeter (5–0) in the quarterfinals of the

New England Championships. In a highly Softball Award anticipated rematch vs. Andover in the Daria V. Acosta-Rua ’16 semifinals, Taft took the critical doubles Madeline R. Leidt ’16 Former top-ranked professional tennis player Chris Evert point, and lost only the No. 1 singles to visited Taft in April to work with the girls’ tennis teams Crew Award land in the finals vs. Kingswood. Alas, in talking about skill development, stamina, and playing under Michael R. Molder ’16 a repeat of an earlier season loss (3–4), pressure, while putting them through their paces with a series Katherine M. Tewksbury ’16 of drills. Evert is the aunt of Tatum Shane ’18. ANNE KOWALSKI Kingswood bested Taft in doubles, and Wandelt Lacrosse Award Taft’s singles wins at No. 6 (Peter Oh ’17), Eliza K. Dunham ’16 No. 5 (Dylan Powell ’18), and No. 4 (Aaron Pezzullo ’17) were not enough. For the Odden Lacrosse Award Brandon M. Salvatore ’16 second consecutive year, the crown barely eluded the Rhinos. With co-captain-elect George D. Gould Tennis Award Ogden Timpson ’17, Peter Horne ’18, and Eugenie R. Greeff ’17 Jacques Pellet ’17 returning at the top of win over Berkshire (8–1) and had close ’18, Taft went on to defeat Loomis, Miss losses to strong teams from Deerfield Porter’s, Kent, and Hopkins to finish a Alrick H. Man, Jr. Award the ladder, the team will aim for the New Courtland J. Boyle ’16 England title next spring. The only senior (3–6) and Hotchkiss (4–5). Captain and challenging season at 6 wins and 6 losses. on the team, captain and No. 1 singles George Gould Award winner Eugenie Galeski Golf Award player, Courtland Boyle ’16, was honored Greeff ’17 was great at No. 1 singles all Manuel V. Capece ’16

with the League Sportsmanship Award. season, and Founders League award win- Baseball 6–12 Seymour Willis Beardsley Track ner Bella Horstmann ’16 provided a solid Award No. 2. Unfortunately, the team then lost A group of enthusiastic seniors led the team Robert A. Dettmann ’16 Horstmann and newcomer Regan Brewer to a 5–9 Colonial League record—Miah Stephanie J. Houghton ’16 Girls’ Tennis 6–6 Jevaughn C. Sinclair ’16 ’19 and never quite regained the full Vargas ’16, Cashen Keeler ’16, Evan Lehner The Rhinos certainly had the talent and lineup and power of this crew. Thanks ’16, Ryan Parcells ’16, Carter Taft ’16, and Stone Baseball Award dedication to make a run for the league to the strong play of Greeff, Founders Brian Tomasco ’16. Only Vargas, the team Jeremiah P. Vargas ’16 League award winner Lanting Lu ’16, captain, had extensive playing experience on title this spring. Despite losing Fran Girls’ Golf Award Hough ’18 to illness before the competi- Sydney Trevenen ’17, Lily Turner ’18, last year’s team. Nevertheless, the team beat Hannah K. Wilczynski ’16 Kyle Salvatore ’17 tions began, Taft started strong with a Macy Toppan ’18, and Minna Holleck Hotchkiss twice (14–4; 2–0) and Deerfield makes his way past a Salisbury defender in a game on May 11. Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 29 Spring SPORTS Spring SPORTS

last meet, Marcus Alleyne ’17 (200m, League meet. Led by captain Makari Boys’ Crew 52–26 2nd); Andrew Farrier ’17 and Chris Chung ’16, for the first time in recent Adamsons ’17 (javelin, 3rd, 4th); Michael memory the girls defeated perennial In their dual-meet races and regattas, Taft’s Wasserstein ’17 and Robert Dettmann ’16 track power Loomis Chaffee in a meet four varsity boats compiled an overall (800m, 5th, 6th); Ludwig Swanstrom ’16 that went all the way down to the final record of 52 wins versus 26 losses. The 1st (discus, 6th); Salytchev and William Bailey 4x400m relay. The quartet of Taylor varsity lineup of Ben Olsen ’17, Thomas ’16 (4x100m, 1st); and Matteo Mangiardi Jacobs ’18, Mary Alice Ewing ’18, Haley Muller ’18, Jay Lavallée ’17, captain Evan ’17 and Calvin Palmer ’18 (4x400m, Barr ’18, and Sojung Kim ’17 won that Miller ’16, and Shelby Hetherington ’16 3rd) also contributed to the scoring. race and later went on to break the (cox) won the du Pont Cup Regatta, mak- school record in the event at the New ing it the third time in five years that Taft England meet. Also at that champion- has won this award. This same boat also Girls’ Track 8–3 ship, Jacobs (800m, 3rd), Ewing (400m, won the Smith Cup, only the second time 6th), Jada Newkirk ’17 (200m, 4th), in 22 years that Taft has done so. All four With only four seniors and a bright and Tise Ben–Eka ’17 (javelin, 6th) all varsity boats qualified for the New England future, the girls’ track team competed scored points. Kayla Robinson ’19 was championship regatta; all four finished with the best in New England, and a versatile addition to the team, scoring either 2nd or 3rd in the morning heats and often came out the victor, finishing the points in the 4x100m, long jump, shot then competed in the afternoon finals. spring a 4th–place finish in the Founders put, and high jump at the league meet. At the end of the day, Taft finished 6th in the team points trophy— its best showing in the 25-year history of the program.

Girls’ Crew 52–25

The team enjoyed one of its best seasons Jill Pappas ’16, from in several years thanks to the excellent Toronto, gets a leadership of captains Kate Tewksbury ’16 hit during a game against Kent on and Emily Drakeley ’17, along with the May 11. incredible work ethic of the entire squad. This was the largest Taft crew team to date, with four varsity boats and three lower boats, a total of 34 athletes. The Softball 12–3 Leidt ’16 led the team in runs scored and Boys’ Track 7–5 girls swept early races against Lyme/Old WESTERN NEW ENGLAND RBIs, and Acosta-Rua led the team in Lyme, Southfield, and Pomfret, as well as SEMIFINALISTS hits and had a 7–0 record on the mound. Taft enjoyed another great season and big individual wins over Deerfield, Choate, Western New England All-Stars were continued its domination of the sprint and Groton. As a result, the top four Taft won 12 games including wins over Rasmussen, who led the team in batting events, winning the 4x100m relay, boats were 22–11 in head-to-head com- strong teams from Loomis Chaffee, average and was second in hits and runs, 100m, and 200m at the Founders League parisons after the first three races of the Northfield Mount Hermon, and previ- and Mary Collette ’17, who batted .487 championships and the New England season. The first boat went on to win the ously unbeaten Ethel Walker, outscoring and was a force behind the plate. Other championships. Co-captain Jevaughn petite finals at the competitive Founders its opponents 171–46. The team bat- noteworthy performers were Kalvaitis, Sinclair ’16 was named Outstanding Day Regatta, and the second boat, made ting average of .435 was based on seven who led the team in strikeouts and Performer of the New England meet, entirely of middlers, finished 2nd in the starters who hit over .400, including innings and batted .489; Jillian Pappas coming very close to setting meet records petites. At the du Pont Cup, Taft finished tri-captain Daria Acosta-Rua ’16 and ’16, who batted .444; and newcomer in winning the 100m and 200m for the 3rd out of six teams and won back the Anna Rasmussen ’17, who hit over .500. Sidney Molnar ’18, who hit .422. The second straight year. He has had a hand Alumnae Cup over Gunnery and Berkshire That offensive production combined team will miss the leadership of Acosta- in rewriting the Taft record book, this the following week. The final results at the with strong pitching from Acosta-Rua Rua, Leidt, Pappas, and tri-captain year adding the 200m record (21.82) that New Englands were mixed, with the fourth and Alli Kalvaitis ’18 led Taft to secure Cecilia Sousa ’16. With captains-elect dated to 1925. Sinclair and co–captain boat placing a phenomenal 5th overall in a spot in the New England tournament. Collette, Rasmussen, and Morgan Sperry Alexander Salytchev ’16 led a talented the Grand Finals. It was a fantastic season Taft traveled to Williston-Northampton and a number of other returners, the crew of seniors and underclassmen to Jayden Thompson ’19 with immense growth among all athletes. School and lost 1–0 in a classic game team looks poised to take another run fourth–place finishes at the Founders prepares to release With the loss of only three seniors, the between great teams. Tri-captain Madie at the championship next season. League meet and New Englands. In that his throw during team looks promising for next year. j the shot-put event during a track and field contest in April. 30 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 31 Annual Fund 2015–16

The Class of ’91, led by Pete Bowden, in addition to winning the Spencer Award, Class Agent broke the records for 25th Reunion giving Awards and participation—raising $93,265 from It takes The Class of ’66 57% of the class. The Class of ’06, led by Snyder Award celebrated a terrific Su Yeone Jeon, and the Class of ’11, led Largest amount contributed by a reunion class consistent, 50th Reunion and by Nick Auer and Sara Guernsey, broke Class of 1966: $356,507 the school records for highest participa- Gift Committee Chairs: What does contributed a record- McKim Symington and Chip Cinnamond deep, and breaking $356,507 to the tion in the 10th and 5th Reunion years, Annual Fund (as well as respectively, while the Class of ’14, led by Chairman of the Board broad support an additional $134,700 John MacMullen and Rosey Oppenheim, Award in capital campaign won the competition between Taft’s Highest percent participation from a class it take from our youngest four classes for highest par- 50 years or less out commitments). The Gift ticipation. In June, our newest alumni Class of 1966: 67% great Taft Committee, chaired by Gift Committee Chairs: McKim Symington and in the Class of ’16, led by Maggie Luddy McKim Symington and Chip Cinnamond community. Chip Cinnamond, and and Teddy Zoellner, officially broke the to be Taft school record when an outstanding 97% their many generous McCabe Award of the class committed to making their Largest Annual Fund amount contributed ? peers were rewarded for four-year pledge to the Annual Fund! by a non-reunion class he school is thrilled to announce that the Stuart Serenbetz P’03, ’06, ’09, Chairs of the their efforts by winning Class of 1964: $133,280 2015–16 Annual Fund raised a record Former Parents’ Fund; and Joanie Dayton both the Snyder Award Head Class Agent: Carl Wies T$5,063,593—our first time exceeding $5 mil- and the late Bob Dayton ’60, Chairs of the and the Chairman of Class of 1920 Award lion in annual giving—including a record $2,265,510 Grandparents’ Fund. Needless to say, at the Board Award. Highlights of Greatest increase in Annual Fund dollars from 43% of alumni. Imagine the impact we could the heart of this remarkable success are the 2015–16 from a non-reunion class have if a majority of alumni were to make gifts! The many generous donors from every corner of Class of 1958: Increase of $79,628 Parents’ Fund had another terrific year, too, rais- the Taft community who know what it takes Head Class Agent: Charlie Yonkers The Classes of 1996 to 2015, at both Taft and Hotchkiss, competed ing $1,854,794 from 93% of current parents. to be Taft. They continue to proudly set an November 9–13, 2015, to achieve the highest alumni participation Romano Award On behalf of the entire Taft community, we must example for others to follow, and for that we in the Annual Fund. Taft had beaten Hotchkiss in the previous Greatest increase in participation from a express our sincere gratitude to all of our wonderful are deeply grateful. three young alumni participation challenges, but fell short in this non-reunion class less than 50 years out volunteers for helping to make these achievements Class of 1994: 24% from 19% competition by just one donor! The final score was Hotchkiss at m Head Class Agents: Annual Fund Chair possible: Class Agents; the Parents’ Committee; 18.64% and Taft at 18.62%. The loss notwithstanding, Taft’s young Dylan Simonds ’89 Andy Bernard and Chauncey Upson Dylan Simonds ’89, Annual Fund Chair; Sawnie and alumni should be very proud of all they accomplished in five days, Jim McGee P’14, ’16, Parents’ Fund Chairs; Jean and Thank You ! and they deserve our thanks for their effort and generosity. Young Alumni Dollars Award Largest Annual Fund amount contributed from a class 10 years or less out Class of 2006: $6,715 Head Class Agent: Su Yeone Jeon e are happy to conclude our third and final Parents’ Committee 2015–16 Young Alumni year as chairs of the Parents’ Committee Participation Award Wwith 93% of current parents joining to Sawnie and Jim McGee, Chairs Janet and Jonathan Conner Youngbum Kwon and Misook Yoon Staley and Carter Sednaoui Highest participation from a class raise an impressive $1,854,794 for the Taft Parents’ Beth and Roger Ailes Mary and Michael Darling Betty and Francis Lam ’77 Lisa and Harry Segalas 10 years or less out Fund! Thank you to all the participating parents who Hilary and David Allen Becky and Michael Elrad Beaumont and Ben Lett Anne and Joe Sheehan Class of 2006: 46% Sarah and Jeff Andreski Chinyere Emole Winnie and Barry Ma Laurie and Scott Sommer enabled us to continue our 24-year streak of parent Head Class Agent: Su Yeone Jeon Michelle Andrews Hiram and Molly McCann Ewald ’82 Cindy and Jim Meeker ’69 Ryder and Brooke participation in the Parents’ Fund of 90% or greater. Bridget Baratta Alicia and Bill Ewing Ronald Milardo Sheppard Stahl ’84 Spencer Award Special thanks go out to all the Parents’ Committee Pam and Scott Bowman Stefanie and Paul Feidelson ’85 Gigi and Averell Mortimer Denise and John Trevenen Megan and Courtland Boyle Icy and Scott Frantz Eileen and Michael Nelson Lydia and Ted Verheggen Largest number of gifts from classmates members. Not only do they volunteer their time on Rhys and Amanda Sue and Bill Groner Liza and John Nugent Karen and Ray Winicki who have not given in the last five years behalf of this important effort, they had another year Shepard Brooks ’91 Debbie and Paul Guiney Tom Olsen and Mary Boosalis William Woodworth ’79 and Class of 1991: 17 new donors Joe and Mary Pat Greeff Cabrera Shelly and Bill Himmelrich ’82 Bridget and Doyle Queally Lisa Zonino ’79 Head Class Agent: Pete Bowden of 100% participation. Finally, we want to introduce you to Marietta Lee Constance and Michael Carroll Ann and Lee Hobson Elizabeth and Robert Russell Lin Xu and Stanley Xu m Sawnie and Laurent and Wendy Stephen ’85 and Laura Black Holt ’85 Sara and Robert Savage Jenn and Joe Yamin ’85 Awards determined by gifts and pledges raised and Jeff Keeler who will chair this wonderful Jim McGee P’14, 16 Weaver Chaix ’79 Liz and Keith Howie Mark and Jane Alison and Scott Zoellner ’83 as of June 30, 2016. committee next year. Leslie and Kevin Coleman Jeff Keeler and Marietta Lee Isaacs Schoenholtz ’83 Wishing you all an enjoyable fall.

32 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 33 Celebrating the Celebrating the Ties T hat BindPhotography by Robert Falcetti, Anne Kowalski, and Jim Shannon Alumni Weekend 2016

The third week of May brought more than 600 alumni and friends with their families back to Taft’s lush and beautiful campus.

Throughout the weekend, smiling faces of alumni and children were everywhere—enthusiasm filled the air as Tafties reunited, sharing stories of their lives both then and now.

And again, excitement was in the air before the bagpipers led the march of classes in the Alumni Parade to an address given by Headmaster Willy MacMullen ’78 in Centennial Quad, welcoming the newest members of the Old Guard, the Class of ’66, who celebrated their milestone 50th Reunion.

Athletic fields were buzzing with generations of alumni and their families for sports contests, and others enjoyed an organ concert in Woodward Chapel. At sunset, alumni and guests streamed into a festive tent for Dinner at the Headmaster’s.

More vignettes: Alumni Golf attracted players for friendly matches; some went to Back to Class sessions to learn from a few Taft faculty members; and the always poignant Service of Remembrance recalled those alumni who had passed away, followed by an elegant Old Guard Dinner.

These are only a few glimpses into Taft’s perennial reunion festivities that help nurture the ties that bind. 1 5

1. Headmaster Willy MacMullen ’78 greets some of his former students during the alumni games.

2. Jen Petrelli ’91, at left, 2 7 and Jennifer Rhudy Cowenhoven ’91, second 3 from right, with her parents, 2001 classmates spend Charlie and Janet Rhudy, 5. an evening at the Heritage’s before the Alumni Parade. Timber Room.

Finding photos from the 3. An evening to remember at past at the 1986 class dinner at 6. Dinner at the Headmaster’s. the Heritage Hotel. Josh Fleischmann ’86, Faculty member Ginger 7. 4. Patience Smith Bloom ’86, O’Shea with several of her and Edward Travers ’86 enjoy returning volleyball players. their 30th Reunion dinner at the Heritage Hotel. 8 4 8. 1986 alums Charlene English Fitzgibbon, Phoebe Sylvester Kaylor, Martha Bodner Heim, and Kristy McCullough Dassatti during the alumni games.

9. Face painting fun for children of returning alumni.

10. Alums enjoy a morning of golf at the Watertown Golf Club. 9 Alumni Weekend 2016 10 36 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 37 7. Rusty Davis chats with Tony Guernsey ’66 on Alumni Day.

8. Andy Taylor ’72, with his 1 7 parents and brother, at the Old Guard Dinner, where he was awarded the Horace Dutton Taft Alumni Medal.

9. Faculty member John Piacenza reunites with a few former students for Dinner at the Headmaster’s.

10. Fun on the dance floor for the young classes reunion bash at the Heritage Hotel. 2 3 8

1. A Back to Class session for alumni with English teacher Linda Saarnijoki.

2. Taft’s friendly rhino meets new friends at their own level.

3. Classmates Harry Grand, Emily Israel Pluhar, and Roo Reath at the 1996 dinner 4 at John’s Café. 9

4. Chad Thomas ’06 with Lauren Dugard at the Heritage Hotel reunion party.

5. Emily Getnick Cooper ’96 with husband Aaron and their children.

6. Classes of all years join in the Saturday Alumni Parade. 5 Alumni Weekend

6 2016 10

38 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 39 1

1. 2006 classmates Laura McLaughlin Jennings, Emily Andrysick, and Sophie Quinton pay a visit to Abe Lincoln in CPT’s lobby. 5 6 2. Bill Sargent ’56, Russ Ingersoll ’56 with wife Pat and Roger Hartley ’57 after enjoying 2 the Old Guard Luncheon.

3. The Class of ’76 marches in the Alumni Parade during their 40th Reunion weekend.

4. Young alums have a selfie moment at the Reunion Bash Saturday night at the Heritage Hotel. 7 3

5. Steve Lopez ’66 has fun looking at the 50th Reunion photo collages from his Taft years.

6. At the Class of ’71 dinner at Diorio Restaurant, Ted Wetherill, Rich Watkins, and Lou Frank.

7. A large group of alums played in the coed Alumni 4 Soccer game on Saturday. 8. Elegance at the Old Guard Dinner in the Laube Dining Room.

9. Tyler Miller ’91 and wife Katie, front, and Jon Chen ’91 and his wife, Lei Nelson, back, attend Dinner at the Headmaster’s. 8 9 Alumni Weekend For more photographs from the weekend, including reunion class photos, visit http://www.taftphotos.com/ 2016 Alumni-Weekend-2016

40 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 41 Edited by Kaitlin Thomas Orfitelli Photography by The IMPACT of Giving Robert Falcetti

In simple terms, the goal of the Ever Taft, Even Stronger campaign was to sustain excellence in the future—to invest in and support Taft’s faculty, students, campus, programs, and endowment. That goal was met—and exceeded— with a final total of $188 million raised, $13 million above the campaign’s $175 million goal. “Thank you to everyone who participated,” said Headmaster Willy MacMullen ’78, “to the thousands of donors and volunteers who have supported Taft and made this such a successful campaign. Your belief in Taft is evident and your support of the school is already having a significant impact.” Like all Taft faculty members, Laura Monti ’89 wears many hats. From teaching, to overseeing a dorm, to serving as an advisor and mentor and leading school service trips abroad, there isn’t much that Monti hasn’t done in service of Taft and its students. She spends the bulk of her days in the biology classrooms in Wu, surrounded by beakers, petri dishes, microscopes, and models of cells—the textbook example of what a science classroom should look like. Monti adds a little extra sparkle to the room, though, with her well-known laugh and red hair. Last year, she dressed as Supporting Taft’s Faculty everyone’s favorite cartoon science teacher—Ms. Frizzle—for Halloween. Teachers are, and have always been, the single most important resource In addition to being just downright fun at Taft. Every graduate can tell a story about a Taft teacher who made a (she even leads a casual knitting circle difference in his or her life. Taft teachers are tasked with opening minds for Taft students in her home from time to and challenging students inside and outside the traditional classroom. time), Monti is a fierce scientist, advising For faculty, “going home” means sit-down dinner, dorm duty, extra students on independent projects on help, and advisee meetings. Taft teachers are never really off duty. topics such as the effects of genetic Being able to offer faculty a comprehensive package of salary, benefits, inbreeding in fruit flies and methods professional growth, and housing is necessary to allow Taft to be competitive for making plants bioluminescent. with peer schools and to attract and retain the best teachers. Ensuring that those Besides her regular teaching, advising, teachers also have the tools and support to meet the ever-increasing expectations and dorm duties, Monti takes the Non in delivering an unparalleled education of the whole student is critical. ut sibi motto to the next level. Each Gifts from the campaign are already helping to attract, retain, and grow a summer, she and her husband, Academic diverse, talented, and passionate faculty who are committed to the education of the Dean Jeremy Clifford, administer a whole student. Relative to peer schools, Taft has greatly improved compensation free, four-week enrichment program of faculty over the past decade, and has made a deliberate commitment to for academically talented students improving faculty housing and quality of life for teachers. Gifts from the campaign from the Waterbury area in conjunction have already impacted professional growth opportunities for faculty, including with the local Police Activity League. the addition of six new faculty chairs and 13 new professional education grants that allow faculty to further their education and hone their teaching skills. Monti is also in charge of Taft’s informal “lending library,” a basement library of odds and ends (everything from bed risers and shower caddies to textbooks) that any student can borrow from. And for several years, Monti and Clifford have led Taft students on a service trip to the Dominican Republic to help elementary-school students in the impoverished country learn English. Monti, who currently holds the Parish Family Chair, is just one example of a faculty member who has given so much of herself to make Taft a better place and Taft students better people.

44 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 The first time he visited Taft, Fernando Fernandez ’14 decided the school would be a great fit for him. “I was right,” he says now, “and I am so grateful for the opportunity to attend Taft. The school gave me both structure and freedom to grow.” And grow he did. Fernandez—who came to Taft from the Bronx as a scholarship student—excelled in Taft’s classrooms, on the fields, and on the stage. He served as a tour guide, played football and track, cofounded the Latin dance club, sang with Collegium Musicum and Gospel Choir, and led charity efforts to support orphanages in the Dominican Republic, where he had Impact on Taft Students spent summers with family as a child. The school’s commitment to financial aid, while always strong, has grown He was the first recipient of Taft’s considerably thanks to the generosity of campaign donors. Frederick H. Wandelt III ’66 Scholarship, At the beginning of the campaign, the group of students applying to Taft which was created by Ferdie’s family was large and competitive. The campus was diverse, with students from and friends to honor his four decades of 21 countries and 33 states, from a full range of socioeconomic classes, and leadership at Taft. Since being established representing a spectrum of races, ethnicities, and religions. But the school still in 2013, the fund has already benefited five faced a great challenge. As tuitions have risen and increasing numbers of families Taft students, including Fernandez. need financial aid, how can Taft admit the best and the brightest, have the Fernandez is now a student in the ideal diverse student body, and compete with peer schools? Taft has historically prestigious Huntsman Program at the committed more of its resources to financial aid than at peer schools with larger University of Pennsylvania, where he is endowments. Put simply, the school’s commitment to financial aid has meant majoring in marketing and minoring that every year we give a larger slice of a smaller pie. Each year we must turn away in Latin American and Latino Studies. highly qualified students because we do not have enough scholarship dollars. Fernandez has participated in Penn men’s Since the campaign’s inception, Taft has added 36 endowed scholarships and rugby; the International Affairs Association has grown the diversity of the student body. This year, students hailed from competing in Model UN and the Special 47 countries, making Taft one of the most diverse secondary schools in the Events Board; and 180 Degrees Consulting world. Thanks to the campaign, the school will add in excess of $55 million to as an international consultant to nonprofits the endowment in support of financial aid. With this renewed commitment to financial aid, Taft can now better attract and NGOs. He also represents the Grupo and enroll an even more diverse and talented student body, enriching the lives Quisqueyano, the Dominican group on Penn’s of all Taft students. campus, and is part of the university’s dance trouped Onda Latina. Fernandez works at the Penn Law Legal Clinic where he serves as a student clerk and translator to Spanish- speaking clients. As for possible future career choices, Fernandez is keeping his options open, but is interested in working at the United Nations or studying business law. Fernandez is just one of the hundreds of Taft students who receive financial aid each year. This year, 38 percent of students are receiving some form of financial aid.

PHOTO: SCOTT H. SPITZER

Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 47 Stewarding Taft’s Campus

Taft is a stunning place to live, teach, and learn with one of the most beautiful secondary school campuses in the nation. A combination of new Bingham Auditorium has been home and historic buildings, the campus has been constructed, brick by brick, to some of the most important moments by the collective generosity of generations. Many of our buildings are in the life of Mr. Taft’s School. Generations historic, and we have an obligation to care for them. For these reasons, the of students have met each week in campaign raised more than $31 million in support of Taft’s facilities. the auditorium for Morning Meeting— Gifts from the campaign have already helped sustain, steward, and improve formerly called Vespers—and for special this historic campus in ways that encourage the best teaching in and out of presentations and assemblies, where the classroom. The acquisition and renovation of historic properties such they have heard new voices and been as Woodward Chapel have added beauty and functionality to the campus, as introduced to new ideas. Students have have the renovations of some of Taft’s oldest spaces, including the Martin rehearsed, performed, listened to, and Health Center, Congdon House, CPT, HDT, and Bingham Auditorium. spoken before their peers in Bingham. And Thanks to generous support from campaign donors, the school has completed or is currently undertaking significant renovations of the they have met there in times of loss, as they following important spaces where students and faculty live and learn: did on December 7, 1941—the day Pearl Harbor was bombed—and immediately JJ Moorhead Wing, including new dining rooms and academic spaces following the terrorist attacks on September JJ McIntosh House 11, 2001. In many ways, Bingham Auditorium JJ Congdon House is a sacred space for the Taft community. JJ Laube Auditorium Thanks to campaign donors, Bingham JJ Bingham Auditorium has been renovated in preparation for JJ History Classrooms the next 125 years of Taft students. Last JJ Pinto Language Lab summer, the auditorium’s wood paneling JJ HDT was cleaned, treated, and refinished, giving JJ Health Center the space a lighter, softer feel. Damaged JJ Baseball/Softball fields wood sections and decorative pieces were JJ Tennis Courts and Donaldson Pavilion repaired and the walls painted. Bingham’s JJ Library Archives historic light fixtures were refurbished JJ Telling Study and the blackout panels on the windows JJ Wu Biology/Botany Classroom and equipment were removed, allowing natural light JJ Former Alumni and Development Office (now faculty apartments) into the auditorium for the first time in many years. LED lighting was installed, And Taft has been able to purchase facilities that will help support and as were remotely controlled window grow the school, including: treatments. The balcony has a new brass railing, and a soundboard was built into JJ Baldwin School the rear of the auditorium’s lower level. JJ Woodward Chapel JJ 25 The Green (Alumni and Development Office) JJ 39 The Green (Business Office) JJ Morris House (faculty residence) JJ Hillman House (faculty residence) JJ Keyless door locks/security system

Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 49 Growing Taft’s Programs

Taft has extraordinary and continually evolving academic and extracurricular programs, particularly in areas such as global studies, environmental stewardship, and community service. The campaign has impacted these programs, helping to raise funds and grow programs that prepare students in and out of the classroom to develop the skills that will prepare them to be thoughtful and informed citizens and leaders in the 21st century. Among Taft’s signature programs is The Center for Global Leadership and Service and its partnership with the city of Waterbury. At the core of the Center’s mission is the conviction that in order to become global leaders and thoughtful citizens after graduation, our students require rehearsal now. Campaign donations are already helping support travel experiences that build understanding of global issues; talks by visiting artists, writers, scientists, and renowned figures from a variety of fields; and other curricular and extracurricular experiences that allow students to gain a thoroughly international perspective. Similarly, the school’s commitment to service and service learning has never been more vibrant or robust than it is today, thanks, in part, to support from campaign donors. From local efforts that include the schoolwide Community Service Day and thriving year-round partnerships with nonprofits and public schools across the greater Waterbury area, to summer travel grants, and service trips around the world, students are learning about service and global connections through real world experience. In addition to this commitment to global leadership and community service education, Taft has introduced new courses in environmental science and partnerships with groups like The New York Botanical Garden. Today there are Students benefit from a number of schoolwide efforts to lower our carbon footprint, to construct LEED-certified growing academic programs, among them buildings, and to reduce overall fuel consumption. Again, these partnerships (clockwise, from far left): an expanded and initiatives have been strengthened by the generosity of campaign donors. STEM curriculum; special programs in environmental science, including an aquaculture lab; internships with The New York Botanical Garden; and a global leadership program that melds leadership training with service learning and travel opportunities, such as to New York’s United Nations headquarters.

50 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 Goal: $175 million

Total amount raised: $188 million

Commitment to Taft’s Legacy

One of the most powerful and telling results of the campaign is that it has engaged so many people—more than any of Taft’s past campaigns. This increased engagement is evident not just in the dollars raised or in the number of donors, but also in the growth of planned giving through the school’s Legacy Society. In fall of 2010, there were 93 living members of the Horace Dutton Taft Legacy Society. Today, the Legacy Society numbers 229 living members. In all, both living and deceased, 522 intentions have been or will be realized. Bequests and other planned gifts are critical in supporting the school’s endowment and ensuring the future of Taft. The Annual Fund, which was part of this comprehensive campaign for Taft, has also exceeded its goals at every stage, allowing the school to meet the gap between the operating costs and tuition revenue. Annual Fund dollars help both reduce Taft’s dependence on tuition and limit how much we draw from the endowment. This allows us to offer our students a superior education while keeping tuition costs lower than many of our peer schools. Taft has always been a disciplined and efficient institution, especially relative to its peer schools. The school provides an excellent education, offers significant financial aid, generously supports faculty and staff, and stewards its campus prudently—all of this with an endowment half the size of that of peer schools. The campaign’s support of endowment will help sustain Taft’s excellence and bolster our security for the future. Thank you to all who gave and volunteered their time for this campaign. Your generosity has been transformative for Taft. j

Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 53 126th COMMENCEMENT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT FALCETTI

m Faculty member Linda Saarnijoki with Headmaster Willy MacMullen ’78 before giving her Commencement address. Saarnijoki and Rusty Davis both retired from Taft after many decades of serving at the school. Memories in Full Color LINDA SAARNIJOKI SPEAKER

I AM VERY AWARE OF their song “Bookends.” I think Paul Simon song in my high school years was the honor of speaking today. Thank must have written it for adolescent girls “Kodachrome,” a song perhaps famil- you. A friend wished me luck in giving to use as a quotation at graduation: iar to parents in the audience. It has my “commencement address.” Oh dear, the memorable lines we all gleefully I thought, that formal? An “address”? Time it was sang along with: “When I think back No, not that. Not my style. Instead, this And what a time it was, it was on all the crap I learned in high school, admittedly one-sided conversation is A time of innocence it’s a wonder I can think at all.” Oh we a series of musings.… My theme is our A time of confidences thought we were so cool! And so anti- mutual graduations—mine and yours…. establishment in those days. Rather Of course, my last graduation Long ago it must be ironic I would be quoting [and sing- speech was 45 years ago, June 1971, I have a photograph ing] it now, isn’t it? And we had no idea when I graduated from high school….I Preserve your memories what we had really learned anyway. began with a quotation. Lots of great They’re all that’s left you. But I digress. For those of you who speeches start that way, my reasoning don’t know, Kodachrome film for cam- went. Mine came from a hit song of the A bit cheesy, perhaps? But it makes you eras was a revelation once upon a time: time….Don’t all good speakers quote think, right? Although wait: memo- it gave us pictures not in blacks and song lyrics, my reasoning continued? ries are all that’s left us? Really?! whites and greys, but in vivid color…. So I quoted Simon and Garfunkel, Another popular Simon and Garfunkel Here I am at graduation 45 years later,

Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 55 126th COMMENCEMENT

“Today, I want to challenge us to look beyond the fact that we are losing high school and the many memories that accompany it, and to realize that even when we graduate college, our trajectory of growing, learning, and maturing will still have only just begun.”

—CAROLINE ELLIOTT ’16 HEAD MONITOR

m Head monitors Mani c Faculty member Phillip Koshi Capece ’16 and Caroline with Johanna Valdez, who Elliott ’16 carry the class received Taft’s William and Lee stone to its placement in Abramowitz Award for Teaching the Centennial wall. Excellence at Commencement. m Nick Burnham ’16, who received the George H. Morgan Award for his contributions to singing organizations at Taft.

still talking about photographs. I have yet been invented. Reading students’ Day, surveying the fields below filled a circle of light, skates in hand, cheeks been at Taft for 40 years. Ten times—10 handwritten papers, or trying to. No with red and blue teams in glorious red with cold and fierce skating, smil- times—longer than any of you. I remem- Google docs. None of you students battle, the many roofs of the school ing a greeting to me, and then running “Today we will shift from the physical Taft to ber telling my sister, in 1976, when she knows what that life was like really— like a small village, and an army of red past and up the steps into HDT, hop- observed that I would likely be here for these are not your memories. I share charging from field to field, the distant ing not to be late for study hall. the Taft that is more abstract. The physical the rest of my life, that no, of course these for the sake of your parents and bleat of their horns clear over the hills. Memories. Kodachrome, Taft is…this very campus, in all its glory, not, no one stays at her first job more grandparents. Yes, I’m that old. Here’s one from today: standing with full-color photos. than a couple of years. Well, um, yeah. But here are other pictures, my colleagues on the sidewalk under And the last photograph I want to with students going about their daily routine. It has indeed taken me a heck of more vibrant for you seniors: Centennial arch, watching you seniors share comes from a moment earlier this Abstract Taft is the realm we enter today as a long time to graduate. What would Here’s a particularly happy walk between us, catching the eye of an spring. After a meeting one evening, as I soon as our name is called. We are now living that be, 36 PG years? So we are both Kodachrome image: Super Sunday. advisee or a student, wondering what life walked out of the back of Voge toward the graduating today, in a way. Perhaps Every bright color of paint imagin- will hold for them, thinking about what parking lot by the softball field, I looked success stories, legends of the Taft community my longevity means I have 10 times able spread over every face and every they had been when they came to school around at the softly lit buildings beside that validate why this place is so great.” as many photographs in the album blade of grass, blue and yellow and red here and how much older [they are] now. and behind me, and at the fields spread of my memory as you do….Here are swirling in a deafening mess of colors My favorite: On a winter night, small out in front of me, their imperfections —MANI CAPECE ’16 just a few of the many photos: and smiles and shouts and pie crust flakes gently drifting down through lost in the twilight. I felt a profound sense HEAD MONITOR Cranking out copies on a mimeograph and new friends made on this first the light from the windows of the of belonging, of knowing, of being an machine or sitting at a typewriter, typ- weekend of the year, every year. main building, I’m walking by the pond essential part of a familiar, vibrant, and ing my class comments on triplicate Standing by the rock up there on the toward the library for duty. A young comfortable place. A confident sense that paper because Xerox copiers had not hill on a brilliant November Hotchkiss student comes off the dark pond into I had had some influence on what Taft is.

Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 57 126th Tawanda Mulalu ’16 with classmate Kanin Nandabhiwat c COMMENCEMENT

“It is the evening of the senior dance at the headmaster’s house near campus….At a high point in the football field…you gaze at the distant light of the school windows at night and you breathe in and then sigh. It is both the beginning and the end of the world, you think as you breathe in another breath and then sigh another sigh. It is dark, it is wonderful, it is spring.”

—TAWANDA MULALU ’16 CLASS SPEAKER

b Two classmates celebrate their sons’ graduations: from left, Joseph Dillard ’84 with son Aaron ’16, and Tennant Maxey ’16 with his father, Jack ’84.

m Abokor Ismael ’16, from Hargeisa, Somalia, m A proud Kevin Perez ’16 with his parents, with his mother and father and brothers. Domingo Perez and Mirna Alvarez.

Some of my feelings I know had to that unusual for me to cry over something And I suspect you feel those emotions Right now, you do own it, and with I am starting a new life as “not a will take before the new and strange will do with the beauty of this place at any like a book or a movie…but I try hard to too. And get surprised by them at odd a stronger hold than anyone else here teacher.” But as what? New place, new again become the familiar and the owned. time of day but especially on this spring control that emotion in class.…That day and very inconvenient times. You must today. You are the oldest. The seniors. The activities, new calendar. After almost 60 We are not really, fully beginning evening, some with the success of the we had been talking about a man, Ryder, love a great deal of what you have encoun- Class of 2016. And this is your graduation years on an academic calendar, September again, though, because we are different meeting where I had just been among who suffers overpowering grief over the tered in this place—maybe it’s the place day. But when you leave this afternoon, will have a whole new meaning!…new, people than we were when we walked good people—students and teach- loss of his wife, a terrible grief borne of itself, maybe it is your friends, maybe you give up that special ownership that new, new. And you will be beginning a through these doors one September one ers—talking and deciding together, and and equal to the passion of his love for it’s a teacher or two, maybe it’s playing your age and daily presence here bestows; new school life....What will we be doing? or two or three or 40 years ago. I am some feeling surely had to do with this her. It struck that deep chord of both the piano or soccer or sitting around in you give it up to those who will stay What will our new lives be like?… Aren’t not beginning completely over because remarkable, reflective time in my life passion and grief I feel as I think of Taft the dorm....My love is contained in those behind or who will come next September you eager, almost unbearably curious to I have learned so much between then when I am about to begin over again…. and of leaving, especially this spring. “photos” I showed you a few minutes ago. or the many Septembers after that. know? Excited by possibility and opportu- and now: I am no longer that young Here are two thoughts about begin- And so I got choked up and the students Sadly, though, you are about to lose all The statement “I’m sad to leave” nity? And probably wondering how long it woman. I know now that I had much to ning again, as we are all about to do, and looked down at their books and sat very of the tangibleness, all of the constant cannot begin to describe the emo- about this pause before the next stage: quietly….I was as surprised as they were presence and life of this place, all the tions you feel in your heart or that I “We are not really, fully beginning again, the moment is full of a most invigo- by the suddenness and depth of my sor- realness of being at Taft. And so am I. feel after 40 years.…We will always be though, because we are different people than we rating curiosity and anticipation, but row. But of course it wasn’t sorrow for Yes, I hope, we will come back to visit, connected to “our school,” but it will also full of a kind of profound grief. [the book’s character]. It was for myself. or we will meet Taft friends wherever we never again be daily in our conscious- were when we walked through these doors one Here’s the grief. A couple of weeks ago, We are decidedly not talking about can, but we will never again be here with ness as it is now, at this moment. September one or two or three or 40 years ago.” to the great discomfort of my English death here today, I know, but still a loss the right and privilege to walk its halls Okay, so that was the sad part. class, I started crying as we were talking of a daily presence, a parting, a change, and into its classrooms and dorms and Now for the excitement of begin- —LINDA SAARNIJOKI about a story we had been reading. It’s not a graduation. onto its fields as if we owned the place. ning again. But not really again. FACULTY

Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 59 126th COMMENCEMENT

“We are just a mass of people taking, WILLIAM R. borrowing, bartering each other’s MACMULLEN ’78 personalities until we all become an HEADMASTER awesome, ever-shifting kaleidoscope of all the people we have met, and the IN A LETTER JUST and frighteningly balkanized, it’s about this time of year in 1905, clear we need a generation like this personalities are never lost, only replicated Horace Taft wrote to his dear friend class. As a school, we have tried and added on as we grow and change.” and headmaster Sherman Thacher very hard, and with planning and describing the senior class. Given purpose, with trial and triumph, —KAYLA KIM ’16 what he said, I am glad none of in every venue and at all hours, to CLASS SPEAKER the graduates are alive today. He help shape graduates with these b Kayla Kim ’16 receives the Aurelian wrote, “Our Senior Class was a qualities. This class is not perfect Award, along with the John T. Reardon Prize and Sherman Cawley Award. very weak, [a] milk and water set, and they are still growing, but we with no influence, and I am glad to need them in our universities, and get them started on their college I hope they will head to their many course.” I don’t know exactly what campuses and shape a discourse “milk and water set” means, but I’m there that sounds like ours here. pretty sure it isn’t good, and he does And in four years, I hope they will not sound sorry to see them go. become global citizens and leaders His comment about this “milk and bring the civility, intelligence, and water” class, of course, got me and generosity they showed here, thinking of the Class of 2016, as and which I see in public so rarely. did a question from an alumnus We need them. They did not I spoke with last weekend, a man create the problems they have inher- who had graduated decades ago, ited, but they will surely wrestle and who, after talking in bleak and with them.

m Faculty members Corey and Jennifer Chandler with daughter sad tones about the challenges our We can argue whether it is fair Robin ’16 and Lidia Gutu ’16, front, with Maggie McNeill ’16, nation and globe face, asked me a that you seniors should provide daughter of faculty member Andrew McNeill, back. simple question: “Given the problems the answer to the question the we see, do the students here make alumnus asked me about whether learn then—about every aspect of life, finding what you need. You have figured how to do this, and we can do it...whatever “The elevating aspect of work at Taft,” you a pessimist or an optimist?” I was optimistic or not. Certainly from working with adolescents to work- out how to do six hours of homework it is that’s next. But also know that you he said, “is to do it well and to do it for We might ask if it is right for you did not ask to be burdened ing among professional colleagues to in a two-hour study hall... You have fig- must take the initiative to make the most others.” My little bit of advice: take what us to even ask our children to be by our dreams of a better future, learning to be a mother and a wife and ured out how to speak your ideas with of whatever it is that good luck or bad luck you are given and make it better, always. responsible for how we view the to be freighted with our fears, to a friend. I grew because I had nurtur- respect and to listen to others. You have will hand you next. Be assured that you I started this speech a long time world: it seems a reversal of some drag the luggage of our regrets. But ing and support and someone to tell me figured out how to have friends and how are powerful and smart and creative and ago—about 13 minutes and 45 years ago. kind, some unfair burdening, a perhaps we have only left with you occasionally that I had made a mistake to be a friend. You have figured out how talented and honorable and that you can I have the most beautiful Kodachrome shameless abdication. But perhaps what we knew you could carry. or that I was—gasp—wrong. And I grew to talk to your teachers and peers and make and even remake your world. Please photos to take with me when I leave in a it has always been thus, where So seniors: thank you for what because I had the help of this community get their help. You have learned how to take the initiative to add, to change, to few weeks, and I know you have photos one generation asks the next to you have done for the school, the at Taft and because I have a wonder- be a leader either behind the scenes or grow something that you know will make too. You will carry them through all that provide its foundations of faith. faculty, your parents, and me. ful friend and mentor who is also my in front of the crowd. More important, a difference. Don’t wait for someone to tell comes next and next and next, through And you can guess my answer: Thank you for deepening our husband. I feel confident and talented you have learned the value of and how you what to do. Don’t wait for permission. all that you will do for yourself and for I am profoundly, irreversibly, wells of optimism and for gift- and accomplished and resourceful. to create and support a community. Certainly don’t wait for someone else to do others. They will sit in your heart forever. and fervently optimistic. ing us some measure of faith. And you should, too. And more important than all of it. Don’t wait for someone to come up with Be well. Make your own happiness. I’ll always remember [the Class Now it took me 40 years to graduate, that, of most importance, you have a better idea. There are no better ideas Do it well and do it for others. j of 2016] in this way: resilient after but I know you are much quicker to learn. learned about honor and integ- than yours. You are the best person for setback, eager to follow passions, You got into Taft, after all. And now you rity and caring for others and who it. You. So do it—for yourself and for the To read the complete remarks from caring for others, drawn to ethical are graduating. You have learned how you are as your own best self. others who will benefit. On the windows Commencement, see a list of award dilemmas, and able to bridge divides. much you don’t know, but more impor- We are not really beginning again, you of the Belcher Reading Room behind me recipients, or find a link to photos When we look out on a world that visit http://bit.ly/1TXJpsq. tant, you have learned to be resourceful in and I. We know how this goes. We know are Mr. Taft’s words etched on the glass: is at once intensely interconnected

60 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 FROM THE never too young Archives pay it forward by giving back

Archives before

Archives after

As a young alumnus, there are Befitting the Place many ways, regardless of one’s Perhaps in the deepest recesses of your memory you recall a space beneath the library, resources, to leave a legacy gift down the hall from Laube Auditorium, a large, dimly-lit vault filled with 126 years that can help support Taft for of Taft School history. Perhaps you remember it from when faculty members Leslie help pave future generations. Manning and later Anne Romano presided there, in that unfinished basement space, a relic from 1969. A personal note: To learn more about naming the school Well, the Leslie D. Manning Archives—a trove of school-related documents, In June, I left Connecticut for the in your retirement plans, life insurance photographs, music, films, publications, and memorabilia—has had a bright new the path ahead… coast of Maine. During my 14 years at policies, or mutual funds please home for the past few years, thanks to the generosity of John R. Welchli ’46 and Taft, one of my favorite tasks was the contact Director of Planned Giving Robert D. Welchli ’49. During the summer of 2013, the vault was renovated and pleasure of sharing the history of the Paul Parvis at 860-945-7751 outfitted with new lighting, storage racks, and rolling compact shelving. The archivist, school with you. I have really enjoyed or [email protected]. students, and faculty now enjoy a spacious, comfortable, and well-lit place for working your feedback and integrating your and doing research in the Archives. stories in to the Archives. Many thanks www.taftschool. for help keeping Taft’s history alive! —Alison Gilchrist, The Leslie D. Manning Archives, Taft School planyourlegacy.org

112 Taft Bulletin / SUMMER 2016 NONPROFIT ORG bulletin U.S. POSTAGE PAID The Taft School BURLINGTON VT 110 Woodbury Road PERMIT # 101 Watertown, CT 06795-2100 860-945-7777 www.taftalumni.com

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Our campaign has met success, thanks to all of you.

Goal: $175 million

Total amount raised: $188 million

Read more about the campaign on page 42.