SUMMER 2015

Commencement 2015 THE BLUE BLAZER BALL • AVON IN THE COMMUNITY • REUNION 2015 AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL ESTABLISHED 1927 HEADMASTER Kenneth H. LaRocque ASSOCIATE HEADMASTER John T. Gardner EDITOR Morgan C. Cugell DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Glenn Sieber DESIGNER 2k Design www.2kDesign.com ALUMNI NOTES Lizabeth Abramson PHOTOGRAPHERS The Seshu Badrinath Michael Dembicer Stephen Guglielmo ’15 PRINTER Village Green Benchemark Printing, Inc., Schenectady, NY CONTRIBUTORS Thanks to everyone who contributed to this magazine. Special thanks to Anne Black, Kim Crocker, Sue Evans, contents and Brendon Welker ’91. The Village Green is published for the alumni, parents, and friends of Avon Old Farms School. It is distributed to approximately 8,000 readers. All rights reserved.

AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL 1 500 Old Farms Road Headmaster Avon, CT 06001 www.avonoldfarms.com (860) 404-4100 ADMISSION (800) 464-2866 2 [email protected] 2 14 News and ALUMNI We enjoy hearing from you! Notes Please send us your latest news and notes: The Blue Blazer Ball Commencement Email: [email protected] Phone: (800) 336-8195 Fax: (860) 404-4631 6 EMAIL Athletics Members of the administration and faculty can be emailed by using the following formula: last name + first initial @avonoldfarms.com. The directory on the school website also includes email links. 28 Avon Old Farms School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and The Last activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Word It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disabilities, or sexual orientation in the administration of its 20 26 educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Reunion The Athletic Hall of Fame

Dear Readers,

Welcome back! This issue of The Village Green offers a look back at last spring even The as we now prepare for the coming school year. The Blue Blazer Ball, Reunion, Avonian Commencement, and more provided a fitting, celebratory conclusion to what was a Online successful, memorable 2014–2015 school year, and I hope that you will enjoy the words and images that follow. Find past issues of It was my pleasure to fill in as editor for this issue as Morgan Cugell was on The Avonian online at maternity leave—congratulations to her and her husband, Brian Cugell, on the birth of www.avonoldfarms. their baby girl, Maren Grace Cugell, born April 29, 2015! com/avonian As always, your feedback is welcomed.

Aspirando et perseverando,

from editor the Graham Callaghan ’95 [email protected] Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter 860-404-4299 Cover photo: The 82nd Commencement Exercises. www.facebook.com @avonoldfarms Photo by Michael Dembicer. /avonoldfarms from the Headmaster by Kenneth H. LaRocque

Greetings. I hope that this issue of The Village Green helps bring to against cancer. And, on May 6th , we hosted Grandparents life some of the exciting events we enjoyed on campus over Day on campus and enjoyed a record turnout. the course of the past few months. From our Push-ups In the sporting arena, our athletes excelled again this for Patriots program, to the Blue Blazer Ball, to the Relay spring. The varsity baseball team once again won its league for Life, to Grandparents Day, to Alumni Weekend, to championship, as did our varsity lacrosse team, finishing its Commencement, this spring was filled with the spirit of season as the top ranked team in Western New England. tradition that makes Avon Old Farms such a unique and In the arts, we were proud of our actors who put on an special community. Our students, faculty, administration, impressive production of Shakespeare’s Othello early in May. parents, and staff joined together numerous times to host On Commencement weekend, we were equally proud of successfully hundreds of visitors to campus. the creative talent on display at our art show in the Tiernan Among the highlights of the spring term included the Room. Our students’ work with pottery, photography, election of Marty Cole as the Chairman of our Board of architecture, woodworking, painting, and drawing greatly Directors at the spring Board of Directors meeting, and impressed all who stopped by the exhibit. On Saturday inducting Perry Bromwell ’82, Chris Higgins ’01, Jonathan afternoon of that weekend, our Commencement Concert Quick ’05, as well as the tennis team from 2003, the hockey was memorable from every perspective, and moved the team from 2004, and the hockey team from 2005 into our audience to standing ovations on more than one occasion. Athletic Hall of Fame during Alumni Weekend. On April On the picture perfect Sunday morning of May 24th, 25th, the Parents of Avon hosted the annual Blue Blazer on our Village Green, the Honorable Richard J. Leon, Ball, which raised a record amount of money to benefit our United States District Judge for the District of Columbia, Student Enrichment Fund. From Saturday morning, April delivered our Commencement Address to the Class of 2015 11th and continuing for 24 hours, Major John Bourgault and their guests. The festive graduation ceremonies were ’80, Rob Whitty ’87, and Jim Detora led a host of students an appropriate ending to an extremely successful year at and other faculty and staff in our Push-ups For Patriots Avon Old Farms. The 2014-15 school year will read as a rich initiative, and we raised over $21,000 for the Semper Fi chapter in our School’s history and one in which we never Fund to support wounded US Marines and their families. wavered from our mission of building men of character. On May 1st our school community joined with The Ethel Thank you for your continuing interest in and support Walker School and Miss Porter’s School to host our Relay of Avon Old Farms! for Life event, and raised over $40,000 to help in the fight

Do you know a possible future Avonian? Please tell him and his family about our fall Open Houses on October 13 and November 3. RSVP information can be found on our website: www.avonoldfarms.com

The Village Green Summer 2015 1 News and Notes

The Blue Blazer Ball Celebrating AOF Students and Spring

he 2015 Blue Blazer Ball was a lively and successful evening, artfully crafted by the Parents of Avon, and led by Co-Presidents Bruce MacMillian P’14, P’15 and Tammy Papadopoulos P’10, P’12 & P’15. TFor the second year, the event showcased the school’s commitment to sustainability and conservation efforts. “A Taste of New England: A Farm-to-Table Feast” boasted seasonal flavors from local growers and food artisans; wine and beer tasting in the Commons Room; a formal dinner in Riddle Refectory; and door prize giveaways. The always-exciting live auction once again provided guests with plenty of opportunities to support Avon, and by the end of the evening, more than $140,000 had been raised for the Student Enrichment Fund.

2 Summer 2015 The Village Green AOF PARENTS ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT With the concurrence of Avon Old Farms School’s Headmaster and the Avon Old Farms School’s Board of Directors, and in accordance with the School’s philosophy, the mission of the Avon Old Farms Parents Association is to promote camaraderie and a sense of community among its families and friends and enhance the academic, athletic, and extra-curricular experiences of the Men of Avon.

The Village Green Summer 2015 3 News and AVON IN THE Notes COMMUNITY

Prior to the remembrance lap, Vincent Caputo ’16 and AJ Caputo ’17 spoke to the memory of their Relay forLife mother. Always a solemn and touching part of the evening, the silent lap that followed was lit by luminaries lining the Village Green. On Saturday, May 2nd and The Luminary Ceremony appropriately honored the Sunday, May 3rd, Avon hosted memories of those who had lost their fight to cancer, but yet another successful Relay for the evening, too, was a celebration of those who have won Life with The Ethel Walker their fights against the disease, those who are courageously School and Miss Porter’s School. fighting the disease today, and the strong hope for a cure. The three Farmington Valley The collaborative efforts of Avon Old Farms, schools joined forces to raise , and Miss Porter’s School made money, awareness, and support for a meaningful event in the spirit of support and for the American Cancer generosity and hope. Society and cancer research. All told, 283 participants formed 35 separate teams and raised over $40,000. Inflatable slides and bounce houses and a dunk tank were among the early-evening entertainment set up on the Village Green as the event got underway under clear, cool skies. Spirits were high as teams gathered and organized. Christian Di Antonio ’15, head of Avon Outreach and lead event coordinator on the Avon side, welcomed everyone and offered some opening remarks of gratitude. From that point forward, the teams walked laps, one representative from each team walking at all times to signify the ongoing search for a cure for cancer.

4 Summer 2015 The Village Green Push-ups forPatriots

In an attempt to “keep it interesting” Major John Bourgault ’80 came up with a new twist for the seventh annual Push-Ups for Patriots event. Last year the goal was to do 20,000 push-ups in 24 hours by doing approximately 12 push-ups a minute. This year, Major Bourgault added a running component and moved the event to the Field House so participants could jog a length of the basketball court between sets of push-ups. The math came out to 15,000 push-ups and 50 miles in the 24-hour period. Joining Major Bourgault for the duration were Rob Whitty ’87 and Jim Detora. Students, faculty, and friends participated throughout the night. The event raised over $21,000 this year for the Semper Fi Fund, bringing the total to over $100,000 in donations to this charity in the seven years of the event.

Spring Play This April, the Avon Old School, Farms Theatre Company including Luke Othello produced Shakespeare’s O’Connor ’16 Othello in the storied Adams Theater. The play was directed (Cassio), Holden by Gayle Robinson and Bradford Carpenter P’15, who Worth ’16 were assisted for the season by Ben Custer ’10 and (Roderigo) and professional actor and director Erik Bloomquist. The show Andrew Waltzer benefitted hugely from the generous donation of the (Brabantio/ Rothschild family, which allowed the school to hire Mr. Gratiano). All the Bloomquist. Erik’s experience, vision, and creativity not actors gave only made Othello one of Avon’s finest productions in energetic, recent memory, it also contributed greatly to the students’ impassioned development as actors and for that the theater department performances wishes to give the Rothschild family a huge thank you. highlighted by a The cast was led by Charlie Carpenter ’15 (Iago) and minimalist set and atmospheric sound design that Ben Griffith ’16 (Othello) who put in a tremendous allowed their performances to shine. amount of work to learn two of Shakespeare’s toughest Avon’s actors proved once again that with a dedicated, parts over only four weeks. Supporting them were a host intelligent cast, Shakespeare’s words still have the power to of talented young actors from Avon and Miss Porter’s move an audience over four hundred years later.

The Village Green Summer 2015 5 News and Notes

Spring Art Trip

On Thursday, April 16th, the devastating earthquake that hit Eastern Japan in 2011. Boston a group of 42 visual art Many of the boys wandered around other parts of the students visited Boston museum, briefly visiting rooms dedicated to Picasso, Da and the for a day of arts awareness Vinci, 18th-Century Romanticism, and more. and participation. In the After a lunch break at Symphony Hall, the boys then Arts morning, they visited headed to a non-profit organization called Artists For the Museum of Fine Arts Humanity, where founders Rob Gibbs—aka Problak—and and discussed hot questions surrounding modern and Jason Talbot spoke about the necessity for a safe, creative conceptual art, such as, “What IS this? Anybody can space for young folks, and their success at creating a draw that,” and “Why is it in a museum?” The group self-sustaining business for teen artists. Since 1991, Artists saw works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Japanese For Humanity has empowered and employed Boston teens printmaker Katsushika Hokusai, and a collaborative in an intensive program of arts, creativity, and enterprise. exhibit with film/photography and sculpture inspired by AFH partners youth with professional artists and designers

6 Summer 2015 The Village Green Grandparents Grandparents Day 2015 was a Day tremendous success with about 260 grandparents and “important others” in attendance. With tulips still in bloom and cherry blossoms just emerging, spring had finally arrived at Avon Old Farms School, and the campus was spectacularly beautiful. Coffee and danish were served in the Riddle Refectory as grandparents arrived. At 9:00 a.m. grandsons and grandparents began the trek from class to class, attending three in all. Next, a concert and poetry recitation was held in the Brown Auditorium following the Headmaster’s greeting and remarks from Grandparents Chairmen Bill and Mary Walker. A hastily assembled Sing-ed Beaver group (several of the group were unable to attend due to AP exams that morning) performed their acapella magic to the delight of all. Next, Steven Thibault ’16 recited “Scars to the New Boyfriend” by Rudy Francisco followed by Andrew Liptrot ’18 who recited “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson as the jazz band quietly assembled on stage to treat the audience to their set. to design, create, and sell art products. To conclude the program for the day, grandparents and After a tour of the space, including a digital their grandsons enjoyed a delicious lunch in the Field House. photography studio, darkroom, woodshop, screen Those who were able stay on into the afternoon printing set-up, and expansive painting studio, and then had the option to have an in-depth tour of an outdoor demonstration of proper manipulation campus conducted by Peter Evans, a 44-year veteran of artist spray paint, students tried their hands faculty member who has worn many hats in his years at spray painting on mini canvas pieces using here—history teacher, Director of Athletics, Varsity stencils and other experimental techniques, with baseball coach, Dean and Director of Development. His the help of talented AFH mentors. knowledge of the campus and its architecture, combined At the end of the day, the boys had some with his tremendous sense of humor, make his tours time to explore Boston on their own, and made extremely entertaining and educational. the trek back to Avon campus satisfied, and The lacrosse, baseball, tennis, and golf teams at all artistically and happily drained from the day. levels had contests that beautiful warm spring afternoon. Our athletes performed spectacularly across the board winning eight of our 11 matches.

The Village Green Summer 2015 7 Athletics

Season Highlights Spring Sports Wrap-up Banner Seasons for Baseball and Lacrosse

von finished the year with an impressive John Witkowski, Hayden Manning, and Michael Gianci spring sports season, compiling a 78% were among the best in the league, while underclassmen winning percentage. The baseball team Garrett Stonehouse ’16 and Stephen Thibault ’16 anchored (20-2) and the lacrosse team (15-2) an infield that made not only the routine plays, but also Aenjoyed particular success this spring, each capturing league the spectacular. A thrilling victory at Choate behind gutsy championships outright. pitching by Matt Gill ’16 and Ryan Worthington ’16, and Of the 2015 baseball team, Coach Dowling remarks, clutch extra-inning, back-to-back doubles by Ben Johnston ’15 “The team possessed excellent chemistry and was led by an and Dan Paul ’16 secured the Colonial League title late in extraordinarily strong group of seniors. This bunch was not the season. The 2015 campaign will be one to remember. only a collection of very talented individual players, but also The lacrosse team was able to deliver on lofty pre-season played the game with a focused determination as a team.” praise that included a national ranking and consequently The dominant season featured a 13-0 start, and the team’s had Avon as the team to beat before the season even began. only two losses came by one run each. The 2015 squad Coach Stern offered this perspective on the resulting was truly a complete team, featuring a powerful offense led challenges that the team faced, “Just about every team that by seniors Chris Davis (.366 BA), Derek Kasperzyk (.385 we played went into the game thinking it was the Super BA), and Matt Millea (.421 BA, team-leader in HR’s). The Bowl, so we had to come, day in and day out, focused and pitching staff and defense were playing our best ball.” Incredible no less impressive. Senior individual talent and dedicated team pitchers Andrew Gnazzo, effort carried the day and enabled the

8 Summer 2015 The Village Green stickmen to earn key victory after key victory, many in final- minute fashion. An overtime win at home over Salisbury and a 13-9 win over Deerfield on the road helped Avon secure the Western New England Championship to go along with the Championship, which it earned after an undefeated record in the league. At season’s end, USA Today ranked Avon number one in New England. Graduates will head off to Virginia (2), Georgetown (2), Syracuse (2), Michigan, West Point, Air Force, Lafayette, Dickinson, Bryant, Vermont, Amherst (2), Wesleyan, Bates, Virginia Tech, Elon, High Point, and C.W. Post. Head Coach Skip Flanagan stated, “This particular group of young men brought with them a certain combination of joy, respect, and intensity to the season. That they were able to surpass lofty expectations was especially rewarding for all concerned. I began coaching in 1968 and have been blessed to have been a part of some memorable teams. The 2015 group stands alone.” The tennis team battled to an 8-8 mark as five of its eight players sustained a sidelining injury at some point during the spring. Tamas Takata ’15 earned Most Valuable Player honors on the season, leading a team that Coach Coons described as “fun-loving and spirited.”

The Village Green Summer 2015 9 Athletics

Season Highlights

10 Summer 2015 The Village Green New England Champions! he Avon Old Farms swim team “Resilient” is the word that comes to mind when traveled to Canterbury School on Coach Biggart thinks of the 2015 track team. Every March 7 for the 2015 NEPSAC single member of the team recorded a personal best in Division III Championship and took at least one event this season, a detail worth recognition. Tfirst out of ten competing boys teams. There were Although the team finished a disappointing 8th in the several highlights, including a first-place finish 200 Founders League Championship—an event held at Avon Freestyle Relay (Ian Reilly ’16, Kurt Linke ’16, Mike and attended by more than 1000 spectators—and 11th Dietrick ’15 , and Christian DiAntonio ’15) with in the NEPSAC Championship, its hard work cannot a time of 1:36.32. Senior Captain Trevor Kratz be ignored. Three-year letter-winner and team captain placed 3rd in the 200 freestyle (1:51.28) and 3rd Christian Di Antonio ’15 proved to be a singular leader in the 500 freestyle (5:01.24). In the 50 freestyle, for the squad. Senior Captain Christian DiAntonio was third After a spring break trip to Jupiter, FL, the golf (23.94) and Junior Ian Reilly was 7th (24.58). team persevered through the cold and snow of the Sophomore Burke Magnus also had an impressive early spring, and ultimately finished the outing, with major time drops in the 200 freestyle season with a 16 and 8 record. The team placed second (2:06.61) and 500 freestyle (5:45.73), placing 10th in Avon’s own Coppola Cup, sixth out of nine in the and 8th, respectively. Founders League, and seventh of twenty-three in the Avon garnered an impressive 308 points, followed New England tournament. At season’s end, Ben Sisokin by Moses Brown (288) and Canterbury (287). This ’15 was awarded the Frank Nocerino Leadership Award victory is a testament to the hard work that the for the instrumental role he played on the team. swimmers put in all year. Congratulations to all!

The Village Green Summer 2015 11 Athletics

The Boys of Summer pro ball you’re pretty much all on your own. You’re going from hotel to hotel AOF Alumni in and city to city having to look after ’08 yourself and make sure your mind Professional Baseball and body are ready to compete on the field. Living at AOF and being away from home gave me a head start on he Houston Astros are this without a doubt.” Cael got a taste currently on top of Major of the big leagues this spring when he League Baseball’s American competed with the Chicago Cubs in a League West Division, and big league spring training game. TGeorge Springer ’08 is a central figure on Neil Kozikowski ’13 continues the team, playing a fearless right-field and to make his mark in the Pittsburgh providing powerful offense at the top of Pirates organization as a hard-throwing their batting order. Springer is a sterling Christopher Madera ’11 right-handed pitcher. Taken in the example of one of the few who has aspired 8th round by the Pirates in the 2013 and persevered through the grueling ranks MLB draft, Neil opted to begin his of professional baseball to make it in the professional career instead of going to big leagues. A four-year student at Avon Virginia Commonwealth University. Old Farms, Springer still does some of his He adjusted to the life of being a off-season training at the school’s facilities. professional ballplayer quickly after Five other Avonians are currently trying to incurring a $50 fine for being minutes follow in his footsteps. late to a practice. Always known for Cael Brockmeyer ’10 was selected by his dedication to his training, Neil the Chicago Cubs in the 16th round of placed particular emphasis on being the 2013 MLB draft after a successful unfailingly prepared and punctual from career at the University of California- Michael Gibbons ’11 that point forward. Bakersfield. In his four years at Avon, Though undrafted, Michael Cael made his mark in the baseball Gibbons ’11 signed a free agent program as a catcher—a big catcher, contract with the New York Mets standing at 6’5” as a senior. Cael in 2014, deciding to begin his moved over to first-base at UC-B taking professional career instead of returning advantage of the opportunity to make for his senior year at Wheaton College the position change and earn playing where he had developed into a force time immediately as a freshman. As a on their pitching staff. Currently, professional, Cael cites the lengthy bus Gibbons is pitching for the Mets rides to and from games as one of the single-A team in Brooklyn, and he biggest challenges, but credits his time comments about the daily discipline at Avon for helping him develop a sense Joe Donino ’10 that has characterized the early part of self-sufficiency and mental toughness of his professional career. “A lot of in order to stay prepared to perform. “In people picture professional baseball

12 Summer 2015 The Village Green Cael Brockmeyer ’10

players living lavishly, but it’s actually far from that, especially in the early stages of pro ball. What helps me get through this grind is focusing on my plan and taking it day by day.” Also signing as an undrafted free agent was Joe Donino ’10, who inked a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks during the summer of 2014 following a successful season pitching for Rockland in the independent CanAm league. He played his college baseball at Columbia University. As Joe begins his professional baseball career, he interestingly notes that his time at Avon has helped prepare him for the professional baseball environment because, “the diverse times where I could have given up on the game, but the backgrounds of Avonians are very similar to what you see game has shown me that persevering through the bad times in professional baseball. There are players from all over leads to greater happiness in the end.” the country as well as Latin America and even overseas. At Following this year’s Major League Baseball Amateur Avon I became acclimated with this type of environment, Player Draft, Christopher Madera ’11 signed a contract and it has helped me to be a better teammate in pro ball.” with the . A standout outfielder at Avon, His path to the minor leagues has been discouraging at Madera used his speed and power to compile a statistically times. After college and before signing with Arizona, Joe staggering post-graduate year before heading to Georgia attended multiple free agent camps. He comments, “The Perimeter College. Madera was previously drafted by the emotional ups and downs that baseball has given me have Chicago Cubs in 2013, but decided not to sign a contract made me a much stronger individual. Learning to deal with at that time. Instead, his professional career will begin this the inevitable failure in this game has better prepared me summer in the Boston Red Sox farm system. for life in general. It’s interesting to look back on the many Here’s to aspiring and persevering! Play ball!

The Village Green Summer 2015 13 A New Voyage K Commencement 2015 k 82nd Commencement Exercises 2015

want to congratulate the seniors and their parents for… the successful completion of what teachers, psychologists, and parents all agree is the toughest transition in a young man’s life: the transition from adolescenceI to adulthood. Frankly, I can’t imagine a more nurturing and supportive place to navigate that voyage…” remarked the Honorable Richard J. Leon, United States District Judge for the District Columbia, as he began his Commencement address to the graduating class of 2015. The day began like so many before it, with the impending graduates waiting eagerly among their classmates in the Quadrangle, excited to hear the drums and bagpipes begin their familiar procession around the Village Green. Friends and family greeted them with smiles and applause as the ceremonial walk advanced, and everyone found their seats. Choral “Today is the time in your life to Director Bryan get into the habit of doing the right Zaros and some of Avon’s finest singers then practiced one of the school’s youngest traditions: a medley of hymns thing, especially in those situations from each branch of the military sung as a Memorial Day when it will somehow cost you to do so.” salute to those who have served the country. Next came the Commencement address by Judge Honorable Richard J. Leon United States District Judge Leon, who has ruled on important topics such as for the District of Columbia, Guantanamo Bay and the NSA’s collection of metadata. Commencement Speaker He began by boiling his speech down to a single word: Courage. “Now let me be clear up front,” he added,

The Village Green Summer 2015 15 82nd Commencement Exercises 2015

“I’m not talking about physical courage…no, I’m talking After the Judge’s powerful speech, Headmaster Ken about moral courage: the courage to do the right thing, LaRocque handed out some of Avon’s most prestigious the courage to do the ethical thing, the courage to do the awards, including the Founder’s Medal and the Order legally required thing when doing so is likely going to of Old Farms. This year’s Cashion Faculty Award went cost you in some significant way.” He concluded by to student favorite, Art Mehos, a history teacher who advising the graduates that acting with moral courage excels at forming powerful bonds with students outside is a practice best begun immediately, saying, “Today is the classroom as well as inside. The ceremony concluded the time in your life to get into the habit of doing the with Associate Headmaster John Gardner presenting the right thing, especially in those situations when it will diplomas, and Avon’s youngest alums recessing through somehow cost you to do so.” Alumni Gate and on to their next adventure.

Tamas Takata ’15, this year’s Scholar of and am curious about nature and Distinction, felt the all-boys advantage myself.” first-hand. He notes, “The all-boys Tamas faced his many atmosphere has become the reason responsibilities head-on, claiming, why I love Avon. The welcoming “I find it much easier to focus in and indescribably kind community pressure situations. Learning to has transformed me from a shy, balance many activities can spark aimless student into a confident and quality thought, and it forces me intellectually curious man of Avon.” to work diligently. The ability to His sterling record at the school prioritize has been one of Avon’s shows just how true this is. Tamas was greatest gifts to me.” a head day student monitor, a two-year The wisdom of Tamas’s words varsity tennis captain, editor-in-chief reveals other qualities that drive his of the Avon Record and a three-year success: an unusually acute sense Riddler as well as the top student in his of self for such a young man and a class…”shy” and “aimless” are not the Tamas Takata ’15 powerful drive for self-improvement. first words that come to mind. The Scholar of Distinction These attributes will give Tamas Yet even this litany of leadership a tremendous advantage in life, only scratches the surface of Tamas’s whatever he decides to pursue. growth and involvement at Avon. While the school helped It is hard to imagine a young man more deserving of him grow outwardly, he has also grown inwardly over his the title, “Man of Avon.” He challenges himself constantly time here. He confesses, “Before I came to Avon, I was to do more and do better, and in the rare occasions that he the typical math-science guy. All I enjoyed about school stumbles, he perseveres until he reaches his goals. “I truly was calculating, but my English and history teachers have just hope to succeed while pursuing my passions,” he says. ignited my interest for the humanities. I now think purely, Here at Avon, we have no doubt that he will.

16 Summer 2015 The Village Green college matriculation

Henry Tunnicliffe Allen, Elon University Curtis Michael Joseph, University of New Haven David Solomon Alpert, Lafayette College Hongrae Kang, Indiana University Justin Hanserd Anarella, The University Derek Connor Kasperzyk, of Alabama Christopher John Kincade, Elon University Alexander Arango, Lynchburg College Andrew King, Miami University, Oxford Brendan Ashe, Boston College Cameron Klein, University of Vermont Edward Alexander Barnes, University Northrup Rand Knox, Elon University of Pittsburgh Jacob Harrison Korus, Lafayette College Garrett Wesley Barry, Endicott College Trevor Kratz, Franklin and Marshall College Brant Bernard Battiston, High Point Jason Alan Leeds, Elon University University Patrick H Leone, Wesleyan University Tyson Theodore George Bomberry, Dylan Richard Lightbourn, Syracuse University The George Washington University Benjamin Brigham, Elon University Austin Burke Liptrot, Northeastern University Ian Colin Donnelly Browchuk, Christopher Lockwood, Connecticut College Loyola University Yeshaya Jadon Lomax, University of Dahnique Lee Brown-Jones, Bates College Massachusetts, Lowell Christopher Robert Buenaventura, Alexander Lusins, University of New Haven Virginia Tech Jack Macnee, Hobart and William William Hugh Burke, High Point University Smith Colleges Michael David Camilleri, Sacred Heart Hayden Manning, University of Hartford University Yusuf Mansoor, The George Charles John Carpenter, Bard College Washington University Rexford Carr, Wake Forest University Marc Andrew Marlotte, Boston College Jiuhua Chen, Washington University in St. Louis Kade McCoy, Lewis & Clark College Kehan Chen, Bentley University Devin Patrick McKenna, Clarkson University Christopher Clark, University of California, Kevin Harpin McLaughlin, College of Los Angeles the Holy Cross Samuel Corman, Robert University of Missouri Mohammed Meraay, Salve Regina University Andrew Cross, Endicott College McKinley Merrill, Georgetown University Matous Cvikl, Lake Forest College Matthew Christopher Millea, Marist College Matthew Cyr, Roger Clarkson University Corey Peter Morgan, Skidmore College William Christopher Davis, Princeton University Jack Nedorostek, College of the Holy Cross Anthony M. DeBlasio, University of Denver Brent Noseworthy, University of Michigan Christian Edward Di Antonio, Boston University Daniel O’Brien, United States Military Jonathan Di Perna, University of Connecticut Academy Preparatory School Leo Vincent Diana, Trinity College Brandon Dennis O’Connor, Michael Paul Dietrick, University of Richmond University of Oklahoma Theo Dol, University of Virginia Jalen Ollie, Fordham University Terence Durrant, Skidmore College Wesley A. Orred, University of New Hampshire Nickolas Economos, University of Delaware Alexander Papadopoulos, Wake Forest University John Eden, Hobart and William Smith Colleges Charles Spenser Pfeifer, The George Ahmad Faraj, University of Connecticut Washington University Jason Patrick Filipe, Hobart and William Jonathan Tyler Plourde, University Smith Colleges of Connecticut William Findlay, Hobart and William McClain Raith, Salve Regina University Smith Colleges Charles Tucker Ralbovsky, New York University Luke Finneran, Bryant University Matthew Acotie Rice, Guilford College Connor J. Foley, University of New Hampshire John Rick, Baylor University David Forsberg, Loyola University, Maryland Colin Ridley, Taylor University of Maine Stanley Foster, Saint Michael’s College Collin Rissolo, Amherst College Michael Anthony Gianci, University of Tyler Robinson, Gettysburg College Massachusetts, Boston Jacob Rochford, Tufts University Cole Taylor Gibson, Catawba College Robert Plumb Root, Wake Forest University Tucker Gillman, Georgetown University Nathan Rosemond, Bryant University Andrew Jae Gnazzo, Princeton University Matthew George Ruhlig, Long Island University Fredrick Green, Sterling Dickinson College Patrick John Ryan, Wesleyan University Timothy Joseph Grey, State University William St John Sanford, St. Lawrence of New York at Albany University Brandon Grover, Bentley University Xiangmin Shen, Northwestern University Stephen Robert Guglielmo, Benjamin Sisokin, Queen’s University Old Dominion University Chandler B. Spearman, College of Charleston Matthew Devon Hahn, United States Jiwoo Suh, New York University Air Force Academy Edmund Tamas Takata, Tufts University Michael Herring, University of Virginia MacKenzie Tasha, Salve Regina University Donald Horne, High Point University Nathaniel Nicholas Usich, Dickinson College Khayri Hudeen, Assumption College Tianjun Wang, Bentley University Karim Tarek Hussein, University of Pennsylvania Tucker Neureuter Weppner, Canisius College Kevin Hutchings, Syracuse University John Witkowski, Boston College Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, State University Adrian Wowk, Johns Hopkins University of New York at Albany Andrei Zaorski, Trinity College Justin Starr Imperatore, Amherst College Zhijie Zheng, Boston College Brandon Inwood, Stetson University Tong Zhi, Babson College Austin Jadovich, University of Vermont Benjamin Johnston, Rollins College

The Village Green Summer 2015 17 82nd Commencement Exercises 2015

THE ORDER OF OLD FARMS Andrew J. Gnazzo Karim T. Hussein Chandler B. Spearman Brendan E. Ashe Jaewook Kwak Community Service Academic Excellence, Community Charles J. Carpenter Kevin H. McLaughlin Yeshaya J. Lomax Service, Rexford Carr Alexander Papadopoulos Town Government, Community Town Government Jiuhua Chen Jonathan T. Plourde Service THE F. REED ESTABROOK, William C. Davis Matthew G. Ruhlig Kade C. McCoy Christian E. Di Antonio Xiangmin Shen Town Government, Community JR. ’36 AWARD prizes Michael P. Dietrick Chandler B. Spearman Service William C. Davis Terence A. Durrant II Edmund T. Takata Devin P. McKenna THE LOUISE B. ADAMS AWARD Stephen R. Guglielmo Tong Zhi Community Service and Derek C. Kasperzyk Yusuf Mansoor Kevin H. McLaughlin Andrew J. Waltzer Young Jun Song Academic Excellence Yusuf Mansoor THE PETER A. ARON ’65 AWARD Jack F. Nedorostek Brandon D. O’Connor THE FOUNDER’S MEDAL FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE Robert P. Root Community Service Christian E. Di Antonio Matthew G. Ruhlig David S. Alpert Alexander Papadopoulos Academic Excellence Academic Excellence, Community Edmund T. Takata THE GEORGE A. MURRAY CUP Samuel R. Corman Service Tong Zhi Michael Herring Community Service Jonathan T. Plourde CUM LAUDE SOCIETY Matous Cvikl honors, awards Academic Excellence THE JENNINGS CUP David S. Alpert Town Government Colin T. Ridley Stephen Thibault Brendan E. Ashe Jason P. Filipe Town Government, Community Rexford Carr Community Service Service CHRISTOPHER R. HETHERINGTON Jiuhua Chen Andrew J. Gnazzo Jacob Rochford ‘91 CUP FOR EXCELLENCE IN Academic Excellence William C. Davis Community Service ATHLETICS-GRADE NINE Brandon W. Grover Christian E. Di Antonio Patrick J. Ryan Dylan M. Nastri Michael P. Dietrick Town Government Town Government Xiangmin Shen Academic Excellence

18 Summer 2015 The Village Green CHRISTOPHER R. HIGGINS ’02 AWARD FOR EARNEST AND PERSISTENT HAMILTON BOOK AWARD THE ADAM ’93 AND CUP FOR EXCELLENCE IN EFFORT IN THE ACADEMIC AREA Xavier M. Vega LUKE ’95 CLINE AWARD ATHLETICS-GRADE TEN 9th Grade Gibson L. Preston ’16, Andrei J. Zaorski ’15 YALE BOOK AWARD Ryan G. Lanchbury Wyatt W. Reller 10th Grade Stephen Thibault THE TIM STRAUS ’75 AWARD RECOGNITION AWARD FOR THREE William B. Krag III Collin Rissolo HARVARD BOOK AWARD SEASON VARSITY ATHLETES 11th Grade Joonseok Park THE RICHARD WOODWELL ’75 AWARD Matous Cvikl, Christian E. Di Antonio, Jacob J. Whitty Kevin A. Sieber Michael P. Dietrick, Fredrick S. Green, 12th Grade THE MARK FRENCH ’93 AWARD FOR Matthew D. Hahn, Trevor G. Kratz, Austin Kade C. McCoy ENTREPRENEURIAL INITIATIVE EDWARD SOMERVILLE VOSS AWARD B. Liptrot, Kevin H. McLaughlin, Jack F. Robert P. Root Austin E. Jadovich Nedorostek, Robert P. Root, Matthew G. Ruhlig, AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING IMPROVEMENT IN THE ACADEMIC AREA Chandler B. Spearman, Adrian M. Wowk. THE KENNETH A. FANNING GREGG RICHARD LINBURG ‘87 AWARD Matthew R. Cyr SCHOLAR OF DISTINCTION FACULTY AWARD Dylan R. Lightbourn CORNELL BOOK AWARD Kathleen Barzun Edmund T. Takata PAUL KARL SCHILLER ‘78 AWARD Michael J. Giamalis GRADE PRIZES FOR ACADEMIC THE CASHION FACULTY AWARD Matthew G. Ruhlig TRINITY BOOK AWARD Arthur Mehos EXCELLENCE SIDNEY C. CLARK Jordan C. Abate 9th Grade THE STUDENT COUNCIL SPIRIT AWARD POSTGRADUATE AWARD Andrew C. Liptrot Matthew D. Hahn Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks 10th Grade DARTMOUTH BOOK AWARD Andrew J. Waltzer Carson B. Drew THE STUDENT COUNCIL AWARD THE NATIONAL COUNCIL AWARD 11th Grade UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA BOOK Stephen Kraft Samuel R. Corman Young Jun Song Ran Tao 12th Grade David S. Alpert

The Village Green Summer 2015 19 Alumni

Reunion 2015

20 Summer 2015 The Village Green n Friday, May 19th, In the afternoon, Winged Avon welcomed back Beavers took to the lacrosse and over 200 alumni and baseball fields, first to play and then nearly 400 guests for to watch as Avon’s varsity teams aO beautiful Reunion Weekend. claimed victory in both sports, Festivities began at midday with with the lacrosse team clinching the traditional alumni golf outing a Founders League and Western under a blue Farmington Valley New England Championship in sky. As the afternoon progressed, the process. With these athletic Avonians old and young streamed back to campus triumphs concluded, alumni came back up the hill for from all over the world, reuniting with handshakes, a reception in the Student Center and class pictures hugs, and recollections of times past. As evening fell, on the iconic Village Green. the Old Guard (the classes of ’32-’65 and ’70) enjoyed The weekend culminated with the Reunion dinner with the Headmaster while the classes of ’74, Banquet Dinner, as Avonians poured into Riddle ’75, and ’76 assembled at the Forge and classes from Refectory, remembering the meals of years ago while every fifth year between ’80 and ’10 held gatherings enjoying a delicious dinner provided by Jim Kirschner off-campus to catch up with long-missed friends. and his team. After a few words from Mr. LaRocque, Saturday morning broke with fishing and pancakes and the recognition of outstanding contributions to at Beaver Pond for the early risers and Nimrod the school by a few of the attendees, the night was enthusiasts. Later in the morning, alums assembled in complete. On Sunday morning, the refectory filled the Chapel for a touching Memorial Service, followed once more for the perennial favorite Reunion Brunch by the rousing Alumni Parade. Students lined the walk before alumni bid their farewells. It was an inspiring as alums marched from Diogenes Dormitory to the weekend, full of rekindled friendships that prove Beatson Performing Arts Center, where the school then brotherhood withstands the tests of time and distance honored some of its distinguished graduates with the for the men of Avon. Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The Village Green Summer 2015 21 Alumni

Reunion 2015

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Reunion 2015 Dinner at the Forge

CLASS OF ’50 ’50’s

’50’s

24 Summer 2015 The Village Green CLASS OF ’65— 50th Reunion

CLASS OF ’65

’70s

The Village Green Summer 2015 25 Alumni

Reunion 2015 CLASS OF ’70

’74, ’75, ’76

CLASS OF’75

26 Summer 2015 The Village Green ’80’s

’90’s

CLASS OF 2010

The Village Green Summer 2015 27 Alumni

Reunion 2015

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The Athletic Reunion Hall of Fame 2015

n Saturday, May 16th, Avon Old Farms proudly inducted three teams and three individuals into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. The ceremony began by honoring Othe 2003 varsity tennis team. Peter Evans recalled fondly how, “just like [going to] morning meeting, [the team] just made it!” While at school, the team secured an impressive 14-1 record. According to Head Coach Hank Coons, this was Avon’s “best tennis team in school history.” The team captured the Founders League title, but lost in the finals

of the New England Championship, and they are the first was next to be honored. Perry is perhaps Avon’s most tennis team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. talented basketball player to date. After spending a year Next, John Gardner came to the podium to at Manhattan College, where he was MAAC Rookie of recognize the 2004 and 2005 varsity hockey teams. Both the Year, Perry was an All-Ivy selection at the University of teams, comprised mostly of the same players, achieved Pennsylvania for three straight years. He culminated his extraordinary success, winning the Christmas Classic, career by leading Penn to the 1987 Ivy League title and Founders League, and New England Championship while earning the conference’s Player of the Year honor. Perry was accruing records of 27-1 and 25-2 respectively. A brief video inducted into Penn’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. After of the moment the ’04 team won the New England played Penn, Perry played professional basketball in Europe for a to great applause from the audience, and Mr. Gardner time and more recently has served as an assistant coach at went on to suggest that the ’05 team may well be the best Penn. On Perry’s time at Avon, Peter Evans suggested, “you in New England prep school history, noting that in three thought about pursuing a different winter sport when you playoff games they allowed only one goal against. played [basketball] against him.” Perry was emotional in his With all the teams recognized, Perry Bromwell ’82 acceptance, stressing how thankful he is for all the people

30 Summer 2015 The Village Green who made it possible for him to attend Avon and put him on the path that has given him such success. Next up was Christopher Higgins ’00. Chris was a three-sport varsity athlete and difference-maker at Avon in soccer, hockey, and track. He was an impact player on Avon’s 2000 New England Championship hockey team. After Avon, he exploded onto the scene at Yale, earning ECAC Player of the Year honors as a sophomore. Chris went on to become a first-round draft pick of the Montreal Canadiens, where he became a co-captain; he subsequently played for the Rangers, Flames, and Panthers, and is now with the . While he could not attend the ceremony in person (having recently welcomed a new child to the world), he sent a video from Vancouver to express his gratitude and love for the school. Chris’s father, Captain Robert Higgins, accepted the award on his son’s behalf and gave an inspirational speech about Chris’s early experiences at Avon and how he overcame his small size with passion and hard work. Finally, Jonathan Quick ’05 was inducted. Jonathan aforementioned legendary Avon varsity hockey teams of has already enjoyed many astounding achievements ’04 and ’05, he is also a two-time Olympian. He starred in in his early athletic career thus far: in the goal for the goal for each of two Championships with the L.A. Kings—the only titles in franchise history—and earned the as MVP of the in 2012 (it is worth noting that with Quick and Brian Leetch ’86, two of the four American born players to ever win this coveted award graduated from Avon). Jonathan was brief in his acceptance speech. Carrying his child in one arm, he thanked his family, coaches, teachers, and teammates for all they have done for him. With the inductees honored, Ken LaRocque then recognized John Gardner for his 40 years serving as “more than just a hockey coach” with a beautiful AOF driver to help his golf game, and with that, another chapter in Avon Old Farms’ storied athletic history concluded. Congratulations to all of the extraordinary inductees!

The Village Green Summer 2015 31 TheLast Word The following chapel talk was delivered by Bryan Zaros

am always pull at his heart and soul, fascinated by and thus inspire the laws the fact that all “Singing is a more potent that govern the people. intelligent life Throughout centuries, formsI on this planet sing. instrument than any other, because soldiers have found From elephants to birds, rhythm and harmony find their inspiration in the songs they from whales to frogs, from sang as they walked onwards humans to crickets, we all way into the inward places of to great battles. Yes, they sing in one way or another. the soul, on which they mightily were often afraid, but in In fact, even nature itself unison with their brothers, seems to sing. From the fasten, imparting grace, and their songs transformed sound of rushing waves, to making the soul of him who is their fears into strength, and the crashes of lightning; from this strength came a from the sound of wind rightly educated graceful, or of him determined will to defeat whistling through winter who is ill-educated ungraceful.” their foes. As soldiers would branches to the sound of sing in the company of their spring rains; all of creation –Socrates brothers, they would realize fills the world with song. a new identity, an identity But beyond the singing, much larger than their beyond the noise, there is something deeply revealing. individual selves. Their song would propel and inspire There seems to be an almost universal desire amongst all them to sacrifice all, and as fear melted away, they would living things to make some type of song. This is natural for begin to understand that the country they fought for, its us humans, and has been a part of the human experience virtues and its values, were much more significant than since the beginning of recorded history. The ancient themselves. Hebrews, in fact, would gather together sharing in spiritual For brief moments in time, there have been occasions hymns and psalms, recounting the many mighty deeds of when wars and battles ceased due to the sharing of a song. their forefathers. Their singing would unify them; and, The Christmas truce was a series of widespread unofficial during the great diaspora, when the Hebrews lost their ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around beloved homeland, it was in their singing that they found a the Christmas of 1914, during World War I. Throughout renewed purpose and identity. the week leading up to Christmas, parties of German and There are accounts from ancient Egypt and Greece, British soldiers began to exchange seasonal greetings and and even Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates often remark on the Christmas carols between their trenches; on occasion, power of song. Socrates writes: “Singing is a more potent the tension was reduced to the point that individuals instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony would walk across enemy lines to talk to their foes bearing find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which gifts. On Christmas Eve, many soldiers from both sides they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul independently ventured into “No man’s land,” where they of him who is rightly educated graceful, or of him who is mingled, and sang together “Silent Night.” It was recorded ill-educated ungraceful.” Plato remarks that if he were given by local farmers that the singing could be heard for miles, the choice of being a king or a singer, he would choose to as the northern winds carried the soldiers’ voices down be a singer. For he says, the singer has a greater power than the front. And, as groups of frightened soldiers huddled the king; a singer can conjure up a king’s emotions, and in their trenches, they, too, heard the music, dropped

32 Summer 2015 TheThe VillageVillage GreenGreen their weapons, and joined in singing. And so, for one self. As I add my voice to yours, we create a harmony of brief Christmas night, a true miracle occurred: enemies sound that is greater than the sum of its parts; and, if we became friends. Through the act of sharing in one song, allow ourselves the opportunity to be vulnerable, like in these men became vulnerable to their inner selves, to their the events of that Christmas Eve, our collective song can be deep emotions, and realized the common humanity they life transforming. shared. These soldiers could no longer continue to wage Today, like many days before and many days to come, war on men they now understood and respected. For in we are here in the Chapel. There have been many who the sharing of “Silent Night,” they realized they shared have been through these same doors and sung these the same hopes and dreams; and, for that moment, song same hymns. But there is nothing ordinary about it; we imparted upon them the grace to see the sacred humanity are part of a living history. Your grandfathers and your in their enemy. Sadly, this miracle was quickly forgotten as fathers may have shared in song here, and many of your the great ambitions of generals and politicians dismissed sons and grandsons are sure to do the same. This chapel the event and pushed these newly enlightened soldiers to is truly a spot where the songs of generations are united. fulfill war’s objectives. Though this miracle was temporary, Let us not take for granted, therefore, this sacred time here lies a great testament of the power of song. You see, we have together; let us not take for granted the songs we the act of singing can be transformative, and in this case, create together. Let us, this morning, be man enough to be these soldiers found in song the strength to let go of their vulnerable, and to open our hearts to one another. For we differences and to embrace one another as brothers. The sing not just for ourselves but for the good of one another truce is seen as a symbolic moment of peace and humanity and, ultimately, for the good of the world. By this act our amidst one of the most violent events of modern history. human community grows stronger together. So be not And this great but brief triumph of humanity was all afraid to pick up your hymnal and sing out. Throw off all brought about through the sharing of one simple song. laziness and wake up to the reality of a living world around At times, it is not easy to sing; our lives are sometimes you. We are all here together, as one living community; filled with hurt, grief, and pain. Yet, in the midst of such a family united by time and place; we learn and grow impossible obstacles, our songs can resurrect us. They collectively. This morning and every morning hereafter, let can be a remedy, like a soothing balm on a deep wound. us give of our hearts, our souls, and our very voices so that Sharing in song together can open our souls to a greater songs we sing will renew us with purpose and draw us ever reality; it pushes us to move beyond the boundaries of the closer to one another.

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82nd Commencement Exercises 2015