The Virtual Circle Classes and Community Online

MiddlesexSpring 2020

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 i From the Head of School

Building a Strong Community

Like the rest of the country—and much of plan to fundamentally improve issues of the world—Middlesex is working through diversity, equity, and inclusion at the School. significant challenges, whether caused by a The Middlesex Alumni Association is like- new, insidious virus or a centuries-old, estab- wise committed to increasing the diversity lished system of racism and injustice. At the on its board and will look to involve more same time that we are creating plans for safely Black and Brown alumni in all its activities opening school in the fall, we are examining and initiatives. Through the launching of a and addressing the ways that our curriculum Black Alumni Affinity Group, MxAA will and culture must change in order to become facilitate establishing ties to current students’ a truly inclusive community that actively affinity groups, like MX Fam. There is much works against racism. to be done, and this is a start. In this issue of the Bulletin, you may read Over the past few months, I have seen about how Middlesex has been focusing on what the Middlesex community is capable the issues of privilege, systemic racism, and of when the need for change is urgent and human rights through our all-school programs paramount. As soon as it became apparent and with the wisdom and guidance of guest that we would have to shift to distance speakers like educator and filmmaker André learning for the spring semester, everyone Robert Lee and Veline Mojarro of SHIFT, an worked together, with an invigorating spirit organization dedicated to matters of diversity, of camaraderie and goodwill, to carry out a Middlesex equity, and inclusion. Going forward, a substantive online program for our students. Spring 2020 number of initiatives are already underway With this same commitment and concern—

Head of School to ensure that we continue with these illumi- and with the collaborative input and support David J. Beare nating events and move to incorporate their of faculty and staff, students and alumni, Director of Development Heather Parker teachings into daily life at Middlesex. In administrators and trustees—I know we Director of Advancement addition to faculty and staff taking part in can make Middlesex better with respect George Noble Editor summer reading and discussion groups cen- to diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. Maria Lindberg tered on nine anti-racist texts, each academic We are all necessary to the vitality of Design department is engaged in a full curricular this place and the effort to become the school NonprofitDesign.com Photography review to identify and address areas where community we want to be. We will move Joel Haskell, Robert D. Perachio, we are falling short in reflecting the diversity forward together, and we must—there will Tony Rinaldo, Risley Sports Photography of our students and the multicultural nature be no better illustration of the concept of

Letters to the Editor Letters to the of the region, country, and world. “known and needed” than in this work editor are welcome and may be edited for clarity and space. Please send your Concurrently, the Middlesex Board in the months and years ahead. letters to Editor, Middlesex Bulletin, of Trustees is forming a special Committee 1400 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742, or e-mail [email protected]. on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion that will Alumni News We welcome news from work closely with administrators, faculty, alumni, parents, and friends of Middle- sex School. Please send your news and students, and alumni towards a strategic labeled photographs to Alumni News, Middlesex School, 1400 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742, or e-mail alumni@ mxschool.edu. Address Corrections Please notify us of your change of address. Write to Middlesex School, 1400 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742 or e-mail alumni@ mxschool.edu. Parents of Alumni If this magazine is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please advise us of his or her new address. Thank you! Contents

Mission Statement Features

18 The Course of True Scholarship Middlesex School is an independent, non-denominational, residential, In his talk given at the Fall Academic Awards college-preparatory school that, for Assembly, English teacher Stephen Koelz over 100 years, has been committed described his surprising path to the subject to excellence in the intellectual, he loves sharing with Middlesex students. ethical, creative, and physical development of young people. We honor 22 The Virtual Circle: Classes the ideal, articulated by our founding and Community Online Head Master, of “finding the promise” COVID-19 may have changed the way a spring in every student, and we work semester at Middlesex would typically unfold, together in an atmosphere of mutual but it didn’t keep students from learning, trust and shared responsibility to connecting, and creating productively online. help students bring their talents to fruition as knowledgeable, capable, responsible, and moral citizens of the world. As a community, we respect the individual interests, Departments strengths, and needs of each student. We also value the rich diversity of belief and experience each of 2 Life 360 us brings to the School. Ambassador Power Advises; Examining Personal Privilege; Addressing Systemic Racism; She Kills We expect that each student will Monsters; Student Research Results; Spectrum bring his or her best efforts to the Dialogues; Meaningful Montages; Verna Stedman shared endeavor of learning and Retires; Attending to Health Care Globally that the School, through its faculty, will engage and encourage each 10 Middlesex People student’s growth, happiness, Hiroshi Ishibashi ’66 Opens the Artizon; and well-being. We aspire for all Awilda Rivera ’02 Promotes Wellness; Mark Middlesex students to develop Horton ’67 Moves to Maine Supreme Judicial personal integrity, intellectual Court; Concord’s Jay Keyes ’53 Named Honored vitality and discipline, and respect Citizen; Laura Darby McNally ’80 Provides for themselves and for others. First Team Athletic Training; John Finbury ’70 We expect each student to engage energetically and cooperatively in Earns Grammy Nomination the life of the School, and we seek to inspire in all students the desire 14 Team Highlights to seek understanding of them- Football Claims the Mark Conroy Bowl; selves and the larger world, Cross-Country Takes Top Two Spots in New both now and in their futures. England; New England Championships for Boys’ and Girls’ Squash; Wrestlers Reach the Nationals On the Cover The Circle after sunrise. 27 Alumni Notes and News Photo by Joel Haskell. Class Notes; In Memoriam

48 Back Story MX Fam: My Voice, My Power

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 1 360° Life on the Circle

In 2003, Ambassador Power won a Pulit- zer Prize for her first book, “A Problem from Hell”: America and the Age of Genocide. Her most recent, bestselling book, The Education of an Idealist: A Memoir, was the focus of this visit to campus—a place she has become increasingly familiar with over the last decade. “I married into Middlesex,” Ambassador Power laughed, adding that she and her children continually hear about the School from her husband, Trustee Cass Sunstein ’72.

Yes, You Can Before reading a passage from her memoir, Ambassador Power explained that she felt compelled to write honestly about her own vulnerabilities in order to “meet young people where they are.” As she related, “I know from my teaching that young people often wonder, ‘How am I going to make a difference at all?’ People want to make their mark. They care, but they feel small. I have felt Reflecting on her experiences small in every one of those incarnations. rather than delivering a formal An Idealist’s Advice The point is getting past that feeling.” lecture, Ambassador Power To that end, she mentioned a favorite addressed questions first from She has been a journalist, a human rights adage: “Never compare your insides with Assistant Dean of Students Kathy Smithwick Swain ’08 (on left) activist, a presidential advisor, and a top someone else’s outsides.” She recounted her and then from students. diplomat. Yet, in an all-school Assembly on experience of trying to find the Oval Office March 3, 2020, former Ambassador Saman- for her first meeting there. Not wanting to tha Power was primarily a mentor as she look like a rookie, she was relieved to find spoke candidly about how she had “stumbled” a map on Google. A year later, she learned into different careers, also sharing some of that five colleagues had done the exact the pragmatic approaches she has found same thing; they were all lost that day. useful in facing formidable problems. Global-sized challenges are familiar Realizing Human Rights territory for Ambassador Power. From 2009 The selection Ambassador Power read aloud, to 2013, she served on the National Security from the chapter titled “Tank Man,” high- Council as special assistant to President lighted the first time that she “reacted as Obama and senior director for multilateral though current events had something to affairs and human rights. Then, from 2013 to do with me”—a response inspired by seeing 2017, she served as the 28th U.S. permanent unedited coverage of the Chinese government’s representative to the United Nations and as crackdown in 1989 on student protesters a member of the president’s cabinet. Today, in Tiananman Square. In retrospect, this she is the Anna Lindh Professor of the Prac- marked a turning point for her, shifting tice of Global Leadership and Public Policy her attention from sports to history and, at Harvard Kennedy School and the William eventually, to human rights and law school. D. Zabel ’61 Professor of Practice in Human With enthusiasm, warmth, and humor, Rights at Harvard Law School. Ambassador Power comprehensively answered

2 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 questions initially posed by Assistant Dean of Students Unpacking Privilege Kathy Smithwick Swain ’08 and then by students. From illustrating how dignity can be a geopolitical force—like the Tiananmen protester facing down a Chinese tank—to detailing her own struggles with anxiety, she covered many topics and offered helpful insights to students.

Shrink the Change “Sometimes the things I care equally deeply about are in conflict with each other,” she noted when acknowledging that human rights and eco- In the Danoff Recital Hall, Amalia Mesa Gustin (standing, at left) helped students and faculty identify nomic concerns can be elements of privilege in their own lives during the second half of the morning program. at odds. “You have to think about all the tools you have The focus of this year’s Diversity Symposium neighborhoods, ideals of beauty, and disparities to balance multiple objec- dovetailed with the community’s ongoing in pay and compensation. Gender, Ms. Mojarro tives.” One approach she consideration of privilege: what it means noted, also intersects with race in affecting finds effective is to “shrink exactly and how it influences people’s lives. privilege, as society still has narrowly defined the change,” to find a smaller On February 29, 2020, Middlesex welcomed expectations of what is considered “masculine” part of a problem that can three guests to campus—Veline Mojarro, or “feminine” behavior. She outlined steps be tackled, potentially influ- Taylor Mason, and Amalia Mesa Gustin— that everyone could take to “shift the culture encing the larger issue. all of whom are colleagues at SHIFT, an of complacency” that allows racism and “There is a temptation organization dedicated to matters of diversity, inequity to continue. By working first on to fight many battles at once,” equity, and inclusion. Their program called self-awareness and self-education”—under- Ambassador Power reflected. on students to pinpoint where privilege is standing oneself while also learning about “Don’t be shy about digging manifested in daily life and to think about others—she said that people can better deep into one thing.” While how it affects them personally. work toward creating open and supportive her post-college experience To start, Ms. Mojarro asked for examples environments rooted in respect and trust. in Bosnia was “very narrow,” of systems of institutional power, and several Next, students and faculty headed to she learned a great deal about were suggested: schools, financial institutions, three campus locations, where a SHIFT rep- big issues and ideas, about governments, courts, healthcare, and media. resentative led a class that helped participants journalism and humanitar- Privilege, she specified, is a person’s access learn about their own privilege—not to be ian aid. “When you go deep to such systemic power as compared to others. embarrassed by it but to recognize that every- into something, you’re not “Everyone has privilege,” she stressed. “A big one has varying degrees of it. With everyone wasting time that could be part of it is not knowing that you have it.” reassembled after their class, Ms. Mojarro spent on something else,” Asked to look at privilege through the reiterated the importance of starting with she counseled. “You’re add- lens of race and white supremacy, students self-examination, which will then impact ing to your toolbox.” M and faculty thought of many ways in which the larger community. “Think about concrete an imbalance of access and power is appar- ways that you can change what you say and ent, including in the racial composition of what you do every day,” she said. M

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 3 360° Life on the Circle

he served as a producer. Exploring how the next American generation might confront racism, the film follows 12 teenagers who volunteered to spend one year talking about racism and privilege during workshops and through conversations with family and friends. Their candor, struggle, and growth are both moving and inspirational, highlight- ing the need for people to talk about and try to disrupt structural racism. Before showing the documentary, Mr. Lee shared his hope that viewers would “think about how we can move past repre- sentation and think about some actionable things we can do” to nullify systemic racism and make opportunities for success equitable. As difficult as discussions of racism may be, he encouraged everyone to “stay with it— intellectually, emotionally, and physically” throughout the day’s activities, which also included having students play the American Dream board game with their classmates. Best described as a combination of The Game “I don’t need you to be gentle,” of Life® and Chutes and Ladders®, the game said André Robert Lee at the start The Reality of assigned students to specific characters of of the day’s program. “If you don’t agree with something, please say Systemic Racism different races, genders, and socioeconomic so. This is our chance to work classes to help them “spend some time in together.” Collaborating as a community, Middlesex someone else’s shoes” as they explored how students and faculty observed the official bias, stereotypes, discrimination, and systemic Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 20 inequity can stymie a person’s pursuit of the by focusing on a problem of social justice that “American Dream.” Dr. King spent his life combating: systemic Following the film and game—and racism. Guest speaker André Robert Lee during small-group meetings with their joined the School for the day’s program, faculty advisors—students had time to share helping to clarify and answer questions about impressions and ask plenty of questions that systemic racism—its continuing prevalence reflected their engagement with and concern and influence in America today. about a challenging, deeply engrained issue. A documentary filmmaker and teacher For some, the day’s program was a revelation, of filmmaking at Germantown Friends while others found it a validation of their School, Mr. Lee is also an adjunct professor own experiences. of writing at the University of Pennsylvania’s “It’s better than it used to be,” Mr. Lee Wharton Business School. He wrote, directed, said of equality in America, “and it has a long and produced the autobiographical docu- way to go. Spending time with you all today mentary, The Prep School Negro, which was makes me more hopeful.” Remembering Dr. screened at Middlesex in 2011. During this King’s moral imperative to act with love in second visit to campus, Mr. Lee shared a the fight for social justice, Mr. Lee concluded, more recent and similarly powerful docu- “Accepting Dr. King’s message means I really mentary—I’m Not Racist…Am I?—on which do think we’re going to get there.” M

4 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 She Kills Monsters November 15-16, 2019

Written by Qui Nguyen Directed by Tom Kane Technical Design & Direction by Ryan DuBray Costume Design by Kim Brown Photography by Robert D. Perachio

Two sisters—one living, one dead— meet again and join forces in the fantasy game world of Dungeons & Dragons. There, in an imaginary quest designed by her late sibling Tilly, surviving elder sister Agnes comes to understand and appreciate the reality of Tilly’s life, a secret struggle previously unknown to her—and a reminder of how little family members really know each other sometimes. Poignant, funny, and exciting, She Kills Monsters brought drama, comedy, and action-packed adven- ture to the Kaye Theatre, along with plenty of impressive technical effects and an eclectic soundtrack befitting the play’s setting in the 1990s. M

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 5 360° Life on the Circle

them to solve a fourth problem together, for collaboration was a signature element of the HCSSiM curriculum. “What we do in school is only the beginning of what you can do with math,” Susan says she realized. “If I could show others that this might be interesting, or not as hard as they thought, that’s what I wanted to share—and make it fun and interactive.” During a December lunch, Allyson Lu ’20 described “The Effects of Inhibitory Neu- ron Gap Junctions on the Onset of Interictal Periods,” the project she explored through Boston University’s Research in Science and Engineering Program. Interested in learning about computational biology, Allyson applied that approach to graphing neural patterns and deducing why epileptic seizures lapse. Shreya Jain ’21 spoke in January about “Data Science and Machine Learning,” which she learned more about in “Medlytics,” a course at MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Insti- First Proof: Susan Shin ’21 (center) led the way for the Sharing Summer tute. Having finished AP Computer Science STEM Symposium series with last spring, Shreya enjoyed learning about her November presentation Research the field’s applications to medicine through on Catalan numbers. (Photo The STEM Symposium completing projects such as a Genome-Wide by Michael Harrington) Association Study to identify genes that are With a renewed love for numbers after significantly correlated with Type 2 diabetes. attending Hampshire College’s Summer By February, the usual meeting room Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM), Susan was packed as Nina Gong ’21 addressed the Shin ’21 returned to Middlesex last fall, eager subject of “Bacteriocins,” which she studied to share her enthusiasm with fellow students. during a Research Intensive Summer Program Meanwhile, math teacher Michael Harrington at UMass Amherst. Finding a new venue was thinking about a way for this exact kind soon became unnecessary, however, as Mid- of connection to happen—a forum in which dlesex shifted to online learning after March students could reflect on their experiences break. In April, Brian Choi ’21 posted his and give presentations to share their video lecture—“Distress Audio Signal Source knowledge with the community. Location Algorithm for a Single Disaster What resulted was this year’s STEM Response Drone with Directional Micro- Symposium, a series of presentations given phones”—on the School’s internal website. by students who have engaged in programs Complex as each presentation may be, or projects that have furthered their inquiry Brian’s message to viewers was clear and en- in science, technology, engineering, and/or couraging, mirroring Susan’s original goals. mathematics (STEM). Susan delivered the “All these projects start really small,” Brian inaugural talk, “Catalan Numbers,” to inter- noted, adding that his began with a simple ested students and faculty during dinner last Google search. “As long as you maintain a November. After introducing the concept and sense of curiosity in your learning, it’s easy working through three sample problems, she to come up with these topics that you’re in- divided her audience into groups and asked terested in and want to learn more about.” M

6 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 360° Life on the Circle

Spectrum Inspiring Installations Dialogues

Initiated five years ago by Pascale Musto, director of On sizable screens on the walls across from multicultural and community the School’s Ishibashi Gallery, two mesmeriz- development at Middlesex, the ing videos began running in January. Each Spectrum Dialogues annually explore issues of diversity, a montage of images and sound—movement, equity, and inclusion. These music, and language—the two films were optional talks and performances sometimes jarring, sometimes beautifully typically follow dinner discus- synchronized. Whether clashing or in concert, sions with the guest speakers, who have come from a variety they evoked a range of emotions, thoughts, of careers, from law and politics and questions about African American to the arts and athletics. culture and experience.

While the COVID-19 pandemic Stimulating Conversation prevented April’s visitor, musician and educator Aisha Fukushima, The exhibition—And When They Danced from coming to campus, the Seeing Didn’t Help Them Keep Time—preceded community was fortunate to the arrival of its creator, Logan Dandridge, a hear from filmmaker Logan visual artist and educator who spent two days Dandridge (see story at right) just before March break and on campus as the second speaker in this year’s the School’s transition to Spectrum Dialogues series, which is dedicated distance learning. to issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition to meeting with students and faculty Previously, in November, the first Spectrum Dialogue guest in smaller, optional gatherings on February of the year was Yosimar Reyes, 21, 2020, Mr. Dandridge addressed the school a nationally acclaimed poet who community during Saturday morning’s travels the United States reading Assembly. “My work is amorphous,” Logan Dandridge said his poetry, speaking, raising of films he shared with a smaller audience in the awareness, and advocating for A graduate of the University of Virginia Fortmiller Studio Theatre on February 21. “There immigrant rights and the LGBTQ with an M.F.A. from the University of Oxford’s are more than 20 iterations of the work I showed community. In an engaging Ruskin School of Art, Mr. Dandridge is an tonight. That’s how I tend to work.” talk entitled, “We Have Never assistant professor of film and digital art at Needed Documents to Thrive,” Mr. Reyes often injected humor DePauw University. In his evening pre- amorphous—what I’m inspired by dictates into the stories of his own sentation, he showed two of his films and where it goes.” He may begin with a theme childhood experiences as an described the creative process behind them, in mind and search for images—from historic undocumented immigrant. primarily letting students’ questions guide events, dance performances, basketball games, “Immigration doesn’t have to be a sad, tense story,” he his talk. Producing multi-channel video or church services, for example—or he may reflected. “It could be just installations, like the one exhibited at Middle- let music lead the way. “I’m very interested in a conversation.” M sex, is his preferred approach. “I like how how the sound moves the work,” he reflected. different images are juxtaposed against each His films, he added, are also “amor- other as the two channels run,” he said. phous,” as he is continually swapping out images, creating different iterations of each Sound and Vision video. Given these many variations, audiences To create his montages, Mr. Dandridge will likely come away with fresh perspectives explained, “I do a lot of browsing, a lot of and responses to his art—every time they listening and looking. My process is pretty experience his work. M

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 7 360° Life on the Circle

As head of LB for 18 years, Assistant Cheers to 36 Years Head for Faculty and Academic Affairs Karlyn Verna Steadman Retires McNall found that Monday morning “coffee talk” with Verna helped her keep up on all From the first day she joined Middlesex’s the dorm news. “She was on the front lines housekeeping crew in 1983 until her last day of the ‘students are known and needed’ idea of work in 2019, Verna Steadman knew what at Middlesex,” Karlyn affirms. “Verna was she loved about Middlesex. “The students an important support for kids.” are what made me happy,” she says. “The Because her decision to retire came over kids were very open and very caring.” the summer, a “Cheers to 36 Years” party was The same can be said of Verna, who held on October 29, so that students, faculty, consistently went the extra mile in making and staff could wish Verna well in person. sure that the people and places she was One benefit of her new schedule was already responsible for were in the best possible For 25 of her 36 years at apparent to her: “Being able to get up later in Middlesex, Verna Steadman not shape. “Verna’s first year was my first year the morning!” she crowed. “Before, I’d have only took care of two dorms— in Hallowell House,” recalls Math Depart- to get up at 4:30 a.m. Now, I get up later and getting to know all of the students ment Head Kelly Marchand. “She knew enjoy my coffee.” Meanwhile, her son Trevor and faculty families living there— everyone’s names—and she still does. At a —who joined Verna in working for Middle- but she also kept the Chapel in school like this, it’s vital that kids have people perfect order. sex 16 years ago—has helped to maintain who really listen to them. She would always her ties to the School. lend a sympathetic ear, and she kept the place She should be pleased to know that immaculate—everything sparkled. She really her years of dedication and thoughtfulness took care of them in every way.” are remembered fondly by decades of When Assistant Dean of Students Kathy alumni. “Verna was one of my favorite Smithwick Swain ’08 returned to campus as people on campus,” reflects Steph Graham a faculty member, she was also amazed to ’08. “She was always there for a sweet con- find that Verna could recite the names of versation or to ask about my classes. Verna everyone who had lived on her floor in is a true Middlesex staple, and I’m sure LeBaron Briggs House. “She took the time she’ll be sorely missed. I thank her for the to get to know what we participated in and comfort and caring she gave me while I how we were doing,” Kathy says. “She’s a very was there.” M intuitive person; Verna would know when I was sad or down. And she gave the best hugs, right when you needed them.”

8 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 The Right to Health

In lieu of the annual “All-School Read” assignment, Middlesex students were asked this year to think about the “ethics of opportunity”—to consider the kinds of advantages that some people enjoy while others lack access to them. Guest speakers in September shed light on the opportunities of education and finances, showing how having access to both can make the difference between poverty and security in people’s lives. On October 22, 2019, the community focused on the issue of medical care during an evening presentation by Emily Dally, the director of impact at Partners In Health (PIH). Founded in 1987, PIH is a Boston- based nonprofit health care organization that “believes everyone deserves access to health care, wherever you live and whether you are rich or poor,” as Ms. Dally affirmed. “PIH is delivering health care around the world,” she continued. “Our work is really about social justice.” While PIH began its work in Haiti, the public health at Yale University and to assist In describing her career in public organization is now operating in 10 countries, community health organizations in Haiti health as one way to help make the world a better place, Emily entering only at the invitation of a country’s and Senegal before joining PIH in 2012. Dally inspired many students, ministry of health. “Many countries lack In her current position, Ms. Dally tries to who stayed to ask questions adequate resources to deliver care to their measure the work of PIH, gathering data to long after her talk concluded. people in need,” Ms. Dally explained. “PIH show the progress and changes being made. helps them build up the resources to change “Health care is a way to start fighting this.” Collaborating with existing clinics, for equity,” Ms. Dally said. Although students hospitals, and other people and systems, might think that they can only get involved PIH trains health workers not only to by being doctors or nurses, she stressed that provide care but also to address conditions many different professionals are needed to that affect health, such as nutrition and make an impact, including researchers, activists, education. “We practice social medicine educators, advocates, and fundraisers. to heal the whole person, not just their With their astute questions, Middlesex diseases,” Ms. Dally stated. students wanted to know how health problems Of her own career, Ms. Dally said that and solutions differed from place to place, she did not think about public health until how PIH is funded, and what “fighting dogma” she was a Cornell undergraduate and began looks like in action. “It was once acceptable to to wonder, “What do I want the world I say that it wasn’t possible or worthwhile to live in to look like?” Her desire to make fight HIV in Haiti,” Ms. Dally replied. “PIH a difference led her to earn a master’s in is showing what is possible.” M

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 9 Middlesex People

Opening the Artizon

With all new facilities, the Artizon Museum will continue to build on the achievements and heritage of its predeces- sor while it evolves and serves as a museum that will shape the future. Its galleries, now doubled in size, will have a new focus on creativity through the ages, showing ancient and contemporary works—as well as the modern Western and Japanese art for which the Bridgestone Museum was best known. The inaugural exhibition, Artscape: The State of our Collection, included 206 works from the Ishibashi Foundation’s hold- ings by artists including Ingres, Cézanne, Modigliani, Kandinsky, Giacometti, Rothko, Kusama, and Zao Wou-Ki. Thirty-one acqui- sitions appeared for the first time, among them paintings by Berthe Morisot and Mary Hiroshi Ishibashi ’66 toured the When Hiroshi Ishibashi ’66 decided a Cassatt, and a 1972 posthumous bronze Artizon’s inaugural exhibit with few years ago to fund a new art gallery for cast of Umberto Boccioni’s 1913 sculpture his wife Mayari and daughter Unique Forms of Continuity in Space. Erika in January. Middlesex, he already knew a thing or two about such an undertaking. Since 2012, he has been managing the process of planning A Master of Design and renovating the former Bridgestone Known for his skills in soccer, singing, and Museum of Art, which was founded in Tokyo photography in his student days at Middlesex, by his grandfather, renowned industrialist Hiroshi went on to study industrial design and art collector Shojiro Ishibashi. After four at the Art Center College of Design in Los years of construction, the project is at last Angeles before joining his family’s business, the complete, and the renamed Artizon Museum Bridgestone Tire Company. In recognition of opened to the public on January 18, 2020. his successful career in industrial design and his passionate support of the arts, he received A Legacy of Art the School’s Henry Cabot Lodge (1920) From early on in his career as an art collec- Distinguished Alumni Award in 2016. tor, Hiroshi’s grandfather wanted to make a To his many accomplishments, Hiroshi cultural contribution to society, consequently now adds still another. The 23-story Museum creating both the Bridgestone Museum of Tower Kyobashi—which he developed and Art and the Ishibashi Museum of Art (now that houses the Artizon on the first six floors— the Kurume City Art Museum). In 1956, he has won the Council on Tall Buildings and established the Ishibashi Foundation to carry Urban Habitat’s award as the Best Tall Build- on his aspirations, and it has guided museum ing 100–199 Meters for 2020. Though tech- activities while maintaining a collection nically “retired” from business, Hiroshi of approximately 2800 works of art. Today, foresees that managing these entities “will Hiroshi serves as president of the founda- keep me busy for a few more years,” as he tion’s board of directors. reported in a recent note to classmates. M

10 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 Awilda Rivera ’02: A Supreme Appointment On Community and Wellness

Beginning on January 13, 2020, Mark Horton ’67 had been planning to retire Middlesex’s first “Wellness Week” from the bench in the next year or two— was held, with both scheduled meetings and optional activities until last January, when he was nominated addressing fundamental ele- by Governor Janet Mills to the Maine Supreme ments of good health: hydration Judicial Court. After being approved by the and nutrition, exercise and legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on involvement, relaxation and sleep. Judiciary and confirmed by the Maine Senate, he was sworn in as an associate justice on Capping off the program on February 5, 2020. January 18, Awilda Rivera ’02 A graduate of Harvard and the George- spoke to the School during town University Law Center, Mark brings morning Assembly about the influential role of community. more than 40 years of legal experience to his A life coach and author of new post. For about 20 years, he practiced Success Math: A Millennial’s law with a firm in Portland, Maine, focusing Qualitative Approach, Awilda on commercial litigation and trials. In 1999, emphasized the need for students to seek self-aware- Governor Angus King appointed him to the ness—to understand their own Maine District Court, and in 2007, Governor thoughts and emotions—and John Baldacci appointed him to the Maine to develop authentic, meaning- Superior Court, to which he was reappointed ful relationships in their lives. “Middlesex is a community with in 2014. lots of resources, both facilities Mark’s judicial assignments have included and people,” she reminded them. proceedings in the Maine Business and Con- In her own student days, when sumer Docket and the Portland Adult Drug difficulties arose, she learned that she could always depend Treatment Court. He has served as chair of on the faculty and her friends both the Family Law Advisory Commission for support. and the Judicial Branch’s Domestic Violence Advisory Committee. Mark is the co-author “We need each other,” Awilda stressed, concluding, “I know of Maine Civil Remedies, a legal text, and Do When he gave the Bigelow Lecture in 2006, Mark that each of you is capable of Your Divorce Right, a guide to family court Horton ’67 hoped to “kindle a spark” in some of his being intentional about taking for people without lawyers. He has also taught listeners that might make them consider pursuing work in public service at some point in their lives. care of yourself, and taking care the remedies course at the University of Maine’s of yourself gives you the ability School of Law. And as Middlesex’s Bigelow to take care of others. Remem- ber that.” M Lecturer in 2006, Mark spoke about the ful- in their dockets, curtailing nearly all trials fillment he finds in public service. “I have the and other proceedings, and limiting access sense at the end of each day that what I did to courthouses. The activities that continue mattered,” he said. involve urgent family cases and criminal Today, he reports, “My six new colleagues cases in which the defendant is incarcerated. and I, in addition to deciding appeals, are “We’ve made emergency changes to our court responsible for setting policy for the entire rules to enable pretty much all activity to be state court system.” In response to the COVID- conducted remotely,” Mark adds. “So, I am 19 pandemic, they enacted sweeping changes busier than ever—but in a good cause.” M

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 11 Middlesex People

Concord’s 2020 Honored Citizen Jonathan Keyes ’53

Natural Resources Commission’s Trails Committee. Most recently, he chaired the Tax Fairness Committee (2016–2019). Jay has also been a devoted and active supporter of five Concord institutions: the Concord Museum, the Old Manse, the Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial Association, the Fenn School, and the Land Conservation Trust. His service to and support of the Concord Museum has spanned five decades and entailed both committee and capital campaign work. From 1983 to 1991, Jay was the chair of the Old Manse Committee and helped establish the Friends of the Old Manse. Since 2000, he has served on the Board of the Emerson Memorial Association, which oversees the operations and maintenance of the Emerson House and events at Harvard University. And from 1970 to 1976, Keeping up with Middlesex With a long record of faithful service to his Jay served as a Fenn Trustee, joining its friends, Jay Keyes ’53 (center) hometown and its institutions, Jonathan “Jay” board of visitors from 2002 to 2006. is a regular at Alumni Weekend events like this reunion breakfast Keyes ’53 has deservedly been named Con- held in the Terry Room. cord’s 2020 Honored Citizen, the town’s high- Sustained Stewardship est volunteer honor that has been annually This year, Jay began his 29th year as a trustee awarded since 1963. of the Concord Land Conservation Trust, Apart from his time in college and years for which he served as secretary for 26 years. of active military duty, Jay has lived in Con- He has been involved in every aspect of the cord his entire life. After graduating from the Land Trust’s efforts to preserve the woods Fenn School, he came to Middlesex, as did and fields of the community to help preserve his father Henry (1923) and his brother Concord’s look and feel as a traditional New David ’60. Jay then went on to Harvard and, England town. In 2002, he gave a 13-acre following his service in the Navy, he returned woodlot to the Land Trust to support the to Concord. He and his late wife Judy raised preservation efforts of the Spencer Brook their three children in the home that has Valley. been in the Keyes family for 158 years. Beyond Concord, Jay has also served Mass Eye and Ear, Community Builders, Committed Service and The Trustees of Reservations, playing Since 1961, Jay has been a member of the a critical role in the passage of the Rivers Pro- Independent Battery. In 1972, he began serv- tection Act in 1996. In the spirit of Middle- ing on town committees, first on the Future sex’s Fides, Veritas, Labor, he has also fulfilled School Sites Committee and the Deferred Concord’s motto—Quam Firma Res Concordia Tax Plan Study Committee, and then on the (How Strong Is Harmony)—clearly meriting Local Option Income Tax Committee and the the title of Honored Citizen. M

12 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 The Best of Care All That (Latin) Jazz Three years ago, the efforts Another Grammy Nomination for John Finbury ’70 of longtime Trainer Laura Darby McNally ’80 and Assis- tant Trainer Tory Sowizral were officially recognized with Middlesex viewers of the Grammy Awards a National Athletic Trainers’ telecast on January 26, 2020, might not have Association Safe Sports School First Team Award, which been aware of an alumni connection to this applauds secondary schools year’s event: John Finbury ’70 was in atten- that provide safe environments dance to see if his work—Sorte!—might bring for student-athletes. In March— him the gilded gramophone for the Best National Athletic Training Month—Middlesex’s training Latin Jazz Album. staff was again awarded the same honor, confirming the A Love Supreme excellent care that athletes A lifelong musician, John is likely remembered receive on campus. by classmates and friends as a drummer at The requirements for achieving Middlesex. In college, he studied piano and Safe Sports School status are music composition at the Longy School of stringent. Programs must create Music and Boston University. Before heading a positive athletic care adminis- trative system, promote safe to law school at Northeastern, John wrote and and appropriate practice and recorded music for Portraits from the 2 competition facilities, and have O’Clock Lounge, a 1979 WGBH documentary; a plan for the selection, fit func- meanwhile, the R&B and pop songs he was tion, and proper maintenance writing in the early 1980s were bought much of athletic equipment. Schools A pre-Grammy dinner on January 28 celebrated John must provide a permanent, later by Fervor Records in 2014. Finbury’s second nomination. From left to right are: appropriately equipped area Alongside his career as an attorney, Host Coleman Hoyt ’70, Vernon Woodworth ’70, the to evaluate and treat injured music has remained a passion for John, who nominee (holding an image of himself as a Middlesex athletes and develop injury and discovered a love of Brazilian music years ago junior), and Russell Abbott ’70. illness prevention strategies. Having emergency action plans and has been playing and composing Latin and facilitating counseling jazz ever since. In 2016, he was nominated And the Grammy Goes to . . . when needed are also required. for a Latin Grammy for the song, “A Chama The competition in the category was formi- Verde,” which came from his album dable, including jazz legends like Wynton Proof of Middlesex’s commitment was further demonstrated Imáginario. Marsalis. If he wanted to, John could honestly this spring: Even when the cam- Sorte! – a Portuguese word for luck— say that it was “an honor just to be nominated,” pus was closed because of the is his third album and combines jazz with the given that Chick Corea won the award. pandemic, Darby and Tory con- rhythms of Brazilian bossa nova and samba. With undiminished enthusiasm, he has tinued to hold virtual training room hours, supporting athletes Argentine producer Emilio Miler assembled already moved on to his fourth album, appro- needing advice or follow-up world-class musicians for the project, includ- priately named Quatro, which premiered care. M ing female vocalist Thalma de Freitas, who on May 20.Though he wrote and recorded wrote the Portuguese lyrics for all the songs it before the pandemic, John describes this on the album. collaboration as “a musical meeting place,” one that strives to bridge the distance between people and convey the certainty that we are better together. M

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 13 Team Highlights For more sports news visit https://athletics.mxschool.edu

Cross-Country Field Hockey Four seniors—Alene Fernandes, Co-captains Gabby Walsh A four-year starter, Co-captain and Nina Douge, and Maya Sidhu—ended their Middlesex Dahlia Galante ’20 looked to cross-country careers on a high note when their team captured break the ball out of the defensive second in the New England Championships (after finishing end and start the attack in an early third in the ISL the previous weekend). Notably, Gabby was game with Exeter. Her efforts this named both All-League and All-New England for the fourth season were recognized with an time in her cross-country career, becoming the third All-League Honorable Mention. Middlesex girl to accomplish this feat.

Volleyball All-League and All-New England Captain-elect Sophia Poplyk ’21 (on right) and All-League Co-captain Mayu Lee ’20 (#16) cover Co-captain Kiley Boys’ Soccer Briand ’20 (an All-League Honorable The boys earned an impressive 11-5-2 record, Mention) as she terminates a kill in an capped with a 7-2 win against rival St. George’s. early match with Newton Country Day. Girls’ Soccer Co-captain Anyolo Makatiani ’20 (above) Taking third in the ISL, the team ended Daisy Boynton ’20 (#13) makes a play on the ball tallied 16 goals and 4 assists and was named its season with the quarterfinals of the while Captain Carly Tilson ’20 (#23) offers support. All-League and First-Team All-State—as were NEPSAC Class B Championships, where The girls finished the season with a convincing two talented teammates, Alfonso De Vito ’21 Middlesex faced the King School, the 2-0 victory over rival St. George’s. and Kwabena Kwakwa ’21. #1 seed and eventual champions.

14 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 In the Zone

Middlesex had much to celebrate in the fall of 2019: Volleyball reached the quarterfinals of post-season play; cross-country teams excelled at the New England Championships; and football capped a winning season with the Mark Conroy Bowl.

Mission Accomplished: Varsity football may have started the 2019 season slowly with a tie and a loss, but after that, the team never looked back. Going 5-1 over the remaining six games on the schedule, Middlesex was rewarded with post-season play—and won the Mark Conroy Bowl.

Football Champions Dominating Division II Middlesex’s football program After capturing third place at the ISL Champion- entered its fifth NEPSAC post- ships on November 1, the girls’ varsity cross- season game on November 16, country team faced off against 17 other schools 2019, playing in the Mark Conroy from Division II on November 9. In the second Bowl, hosted by Canterbury year of competing in this new, more competitive School in Connecticut. division, the girls were led by Co-captain Gabby While Canterbury claimed Walsh ’20, whose eighth-place finish earned her an early 6-0 lead, Middlesex All-New England status for the fourth time. Josie soon scored on a run by tailback Silk ’22 and Annabelle Rogers ’22 finished 23rd Colin Cunningham ’20 followed and 24th, while Meena Menon ’21 came in 28th, by a PAT kick by Liam Connor followed by Co-captain Nina Douge ’20 (31st), ’22. As the defensive unit shut Jillian Robertson’21 (34th), and Alene Fernandes down the Canterbury offense, ’20 (35th). Their combined efforts secured second Middlesex increased its lead to place for Middlesex, a successful performance 14-6 just before halftime on a that was then matched by the girls’ JV. 12-yard pass from quarterback Heading into the season’s final races with Cole Cleary ’20 to tight end Sah- an impressive 15-0 record, the boys’ varsity fin- nai Swain-Price ’21. Canterbury ished second behind Roxbury Latin at the ISLs. closed in by scoring on a tipped Determined to avenge that loss, Middlesex swept pass interception, but Middle- aside the two-time defending champions to claim sex’s defense stopped the PAT its first Division II title. Co-captain Justin O’Toole rush attempt to maintain a 14-12 ’20 and Caleb Gartner ’21 took second and third, lead. Then, midway through followed by Cooper Austen ’22 (7th), Mac Hadden the fourth quarter, Cole Cleary ’21 (10th) and David Latham ’21 (12th) to seal the Division II Champions: In only the second year of launched a beautiful 32-yard victory. Thrilling performances in the JV race competing in this higher division, both the varsity strike to wide receiver Cole Nye resulted in Middlesex seizing the top six spots, and JV boys’ cross-country squads captured ’20 in the end zone. Liam’s kick led by Caleb Krueger ’21 in first place. first place at the New England Championships gave Middlesex the lead and, With both teams returning most of their on November 9, 2019. Right on the heels of their ultimately, the win, with a fastest runners for the 2020 season, next fall opponents, the girls’ varsity and JV teams also final score of 21-12. promises to be equally exciting. finished strong, coming in second that day.

MIDDLESEMIDDLESEXX springspring 2020 15 Team Highlights For more sports news visit https://athletics.mxschool.edu

Alpine Skiing Co-captain Jack Colwell ’20 earned All-League status this season, along with teammate Carter McCray ’21, who will lead the team as a captain next winter. Boys’ Basketball Girls’ Basketball A four-year starter—and the team’s leading In a season that saw Middlesex defeat scorer each year—Tri-captain Tyler Gelormini ’20 Governor’s Academy 63-45 in the concluded his Middlesex career as an All-League home opener, NEPSAC All-Star Hannah selection and the School’s third all-time leading Barron ’22 earned an All-League scorer, finishing with 1210 points (including Honorable Mention, along with 199 three-point field goals—also a record). The Captain-elect Sophia Poplyk ’21. team’s 16-9 record this season placed Middlesex in the top half of the league for the first time since 2014.

Captain-elect Basha Waxman ’21 led the way for Middlesex in the giant slalom at the NEPSAC Class A Championships, held at Sunday River on February 12.

Girls’ Hockey Tracking the puck in a December shutout against Proctor Academy, All-League Goalie Daisy Boynton ’20 Boys’ Hockey Kyle Heath ’21 joined the rush and capped her last Middlesex season helped Middlesex to a 5-4 OT win with a shutout against St. George’s. against Brooks last winter. The team’s She will play for Harvard next year. leading overall scorer, he was named All-League and will be a varsity co-captain next year.

16 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 A Winter of Great Returns

For two Middlesex programs, the efforts of athletes in their individual matches led to top rankings for the wrestling team and New England Championships for both boys’ and girls’ squash.

Building on this year’s Squash Crowned New England Champions strong season, Gavin Concluding a strong 9-7 season under the leadership of Cassidy ’21 will captain Co-captains Walker Massey ’20 and David Hitzrot ’20, the the varsity next year boys’ varsity squash team headed to Westminster School with teammate Brian on February 29 for the Class C New England Champion- Choi ’21. ship. Seeded third, Middlesex won the quarterfinal match 5-2 against Suffield and then faced Brooks in the semifinal —an incredibly close competition that was ultimately decided by a five-game thriller won by Walker. The final round against Choate Rosemary Hall ended with a convincing 6-1 victory, bringing the NEISA trophy home to Middlesex. That same weekend, the girls’ varsity competed at Berkshire School and also secured the New England Championship, with each teammate contributing to the Co-captain Averill victory. Clem Campbell ’23 beat Exeter’s #1, finishing Emery ’20 had a great fourth among the #1s, while Captain Averill Emery ’20 senior season, includ- upset Exeter’s #2 in the semifinals. Natalie McCall ’21 ing 3-0 wins against finished fourth among the #3s, and Amelia Stevens ’21 opponents from Brooks, took second among the #4s. Dahlia Galante ’20 clinched Tabor, and Exeter the championship by beating Berkshire’s #5, while Marissa leading up to the Fadely ’22 won the #6 draw without losing a single game. Class C New England Finally, Zoe Beede ’21 won two tough matches to make it Championships, where to the finals of the seven draw, where she fell just short she finished second against Exeter. Had Middlesex won just one fewer match, in her division. Her the title would have gone to another team, making this a performance earned particularly exciting achievement. her an ISL All-League Honorable Mention at Wrestling Rising the season’s close. With six girls wrestling this winter—a new record— Middlesex climbed to second place out of 37 teams at the annual Girls’ Wrestling Invitational on January 26. The fantastic performances that day included Love Daley ’22 taking first place, while Megan Ding ’21, Jenny Phan ’22, Amy Li ’22, and Juliet Alford ’23 each placed third. The girls matched that in February with a second-place finish at the New England Independent School Wrestling Championships, where Love and Megan finished second, with Amy taking third and Jenny placing sixth. On the boys’ side, Nick DeBruin ’22 and Axel Romell ’21 placed second at the Graves-Kelsey Tournament, earning All-League Honorable Mentions. Axel and Kevin Ma ’22 then competed at the New England Championships, where Kevin made it to the semifinals and finished sixth. Kevin, Love, Megan, Amy, and Jenny all qualified for the Nationals at Lehigh University, and though they did not medal there, they continued to develop the skills to take Middlesex Proudly representing Middlesex at the New England Independent School Wrestling wrestling to new heights. Championships in Hartford, CT, were (from left to right) Kevin Ma ’22, Amy Li ’22, Jenny Phan ’22, Megan Ding ’21, Love Daley ’22, and Axel Romell ’21.

MIDDLESEMIDDLESEXX springspring 2020 17 The Course of True Scholarship

by Stephen Koelz

Twice a year, at the beginning of each Academic Awards Assembly at Middlesex, a member of the faculty speaks to the school community, sharing a memorable experience or journey as a scholar and teacher. Last September’s Assembly featured the following address by Stephen Koelz, who joined the Middlesex English Department in 2015.

t is an honor to give this talk, and I look when I was interviewing for this job, I got to take forward to it each semester because it offers over Mr. Hirsch’s AP English class and work with his us a chance to step back and take the long juniors for 40 minutes on a novel called The Scarlet view for a moment. I usually get to sit and Letter. I remember sitting at the head of his table listen to one of my colleagues tell us how and listening to Jack Lyne ’16 and DJ Williams ’16 Ishe came to love classics or foreign languages or art and Elizabeth Telford ’16 and thinking to myself, history. And so many of these stories have stayed “I would love to work with these kids every day.” with me. I distinctly remember the first one I heard, They were smart. They had energy. They knew how given in the Wood Theatre by Dr. Erickson with a set to talk to each other, how to listen, and how to of props. He brought drinking glasses and an assort- make meaning out of a text in front of them. ment of clear liquids, which he mixed together in a And I got the chance—not just to teach those chemistry lesson turned magic show. I remember three, but to teach so many of you as well in classes Señor Fagundo recounting his childhood in Spain that are every bit as dynamic and perceptive and and showing us the gorgeous shoes he wore as a motivated as that first one, and I feel immensely young boy. I remember Alex Banay asking us all if privileged to work in this school. We all know that we would like to turn into trees, just as Daphne did boarding school is demanding. The hours are long— when she wanted to escape from Apollo. I remember I admit that I spend an unhealthy amount of time Ruth teaching us about William Blake and the poem counting blue-sheet errors—but I also know that “Jerusalem” that we sing in chapel every week, and I get to talk about books for a living, and I hope Dr. Barber’s meditations on Ecclesiates, and Mr. to never lose sight of this basic fact. Harrington’s stories about one of his favorite teachers Why do we devote ourselves to academic work? in college, and, of course, Mr. Whitlock’s tribute to What motivates us? Why do we stay up late annotating his father. I wish we had more occasions like this The Iliad or poring over problem sets, or rewriting one, when we celebrate the life of the mind and a paragraph for the third time, trying to get the asser- reflect on how we came to be here and why we’ve tions before the evidence? Why do you take hundreds devoted ourselves to this work. of AP tests each spring? Probably about half of the Clearly this is an impressive community, even people in this room could finish a “clear and effective when the bowls aren’t on display. You were immedi- sentences” passage in under seven minutes, and I ately impressive to me. The first day I visited campus, find that fact both strange and wonderful.

18 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 We’re here for many reasons, of course. Some are external and social. If you do well in I like working in a community like this one, school, you gain respect—the respect of your where we encourage and challenge each other, teachers and peers, and perhaps the approval of your parents. If your grades are very high, you where we publicly celebrate academic success even get your name engraved on a silver bowl, on days like today, and where we read the and that beautiful thing will sit in a handsome names of the most improved and cheer case for all of the library patrons to admire. I like working in a community like this one, where each other on. we encourage and challenge each other, where we publicly celebrate academic success on days like today, and where we read the names of the most improved and cheer each other on. All of this support from friends and mentors helps us build habits that make for better lives. Prior to joining the Why do we do academic work? Middlesex faculty, Education will give you access. You will go to Stephen Koelz served prestigious colleges; you will earn degrees that as an adjunct assistant prepare you for meaningful and fulfilling jobs professor of English at Providence College and, hopefully, a life of financial security. All of for four years. A summa these things are important, and maybe they are cum laude graduate of motivation enough. And still, we all know that Washington University, there are other motives that can be harder to see he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in English but ultimately just as important. So, I want to tell at Brown University. you a story about why I do academic work, why I teach English, and what I get out of it. It’s a story from when I was 15 and a sophomore in high school. I don’t remember many particular moments from my English class that year with Patricia Longhauser, but there are two days that stay with me. The first is a day when I got back an essay with a grade on it. I’m pretty sure the essay was about the play Antigone by Sophocles, and I’m certain that I spent very little time writing it. In fact, putting very little effort into English classes was some-thing of a tradition in my house, a skill I learned from my older brother. My brother Brian was really my first— and maybe my most important—teacher. (If you have siblings, especially younger ones, know that you are an important teacher as well, whether you want to be or not.) Before I was even old enough to go to school, Brian decided it would be fun to try to teach me to solve math problems. He set up one of those little chalkboard easels in the basement playroom at our house, and he taught me to add and subtract and multiply. Brian is three years older than me, and when we

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 19 were kids, it was abundantly clear that he knew the puzzled look on my mother’s face when she pretty much everything worth knowing; so, I was was cleaning out my brother’s closet years later and an attentive student, and pretty soon I could do the realized that we had three perfectly good copies math. When I got to the first grade and my teachers of the same novel. found me to be a precocious little mathematician, I So, what grade did I get on my Antigone paper started to see what he had actually given me. And in Ms. Longhauser’s class? It was a C-minus. Did I because I was a pretty shy kid and happy to win the despair? I did not. After all, my parents were often approval of adults, I didn’t bother to tell them that relieved when my brother managed to eke out a D average in English, so I figured that I still had a few points to give. And my grades in math, where the I glanced at Ms. Longhauser and explained to my grades were objective and actually made sense, friend, with the wisdom that only very special sophomore remained high. But I must have needed to prove to myself that day that I didn’t care about this grade boys possess, precisely why I had earned such a low because I remember showing the paper to a friend grade: “She just doesn’t like me.” sitting next to me and saying, “It’s fine.” And then I glanced at Ms. Longhauser and explained to my friend, with the wisdom that only very special my big brother had already taught me everything sophomore boys possess, precisely why I had that they wanted me to know about math for the earned such a low grade: “She just doesn’t like me.” next two years. Sometimes we get advantages and But there’s another day I remember from we use them, maybe for a long time, without Ms. Longhauser’s sophomore English class. It was acknowledgement. I was always a pretty good math toward the end of the year, and we were reading A student, in no small part, I’m sure, because I had a Midsummer Night’s Dream. I don’t remember being head start, and I had all the confidence in the world particularly excited about the play because I hadn’t when it came to working with numbers. really bought into the class at all, and, of course, But in English, my brother’s aspirations were I had decided that the teacher didn’t like me, so more modest. It would be more accurate to say I mostly just tolerated our class meetings. that he had no aspirations in English at all. Certainly But something strange happened to me when he didn’t teach me to read. During his senior spring, I heard Ms. Longhauser read one of the speeches my parents were not sure that he would graduate at the end of the play. I think that her usual practice because in order to graduate, he had to pass English. was to give out parts to students and have them Basically, he didn’t like to read—or, at least until he read the play aloud; but, for some reason, she was got to college, he thought he didn’t like to read— reading this one speech, and while I was listening and he certainly didn’t make a habit of completing to her with no particular expectation, it suddenly the nightly reading assignments that his English became perfectly clear to me why she had to be an teachers had given him in middle and high school. English teacher in the first place. She had a com- In fact, he once told my mother that he had simply mand of the language of the play that the rest of lost his copy of a novel he was supposed to be read- us could only aspire to, and when she read the ing for class, and therefore, it would be impossible words, they had texture and weight. The lines made to do his homework. My dear, long-suffering a kind of music, and you could feel which parts mother was, of course, sympathetic to the plight were exciting, and which parts were serious, and of her firstborn child, so she made another trip to which parts were kind of somber, just by listening the bookstore—we didn’t have Amazon Prime— to the music that the words were making when and purchased a second copy of The Good Earth Ms. Longhauser read them. And I had no intention by Pearl S. Buck. of liking this play or liking this teacher—because, By the end of the week, miraculously, that sec- of course, she didn’t like me—and yet, her relation- ond copy had disappeared as well. Did my mother ship to the language of that play was spellbinding. despair? She did not, and in the end, my brother’s I think the play had cast a spell over her, and now guile was no match for her patience. She brought she was using these words to cast a spell over the home a third copy of the book, and he did not pre- whole room, or maybe just over me. So, I guess tend to lose this one. I don’t know if he ever actually what I’m saying is that I’m really here against read The Good Earth, but I distinctly remember my will: I was bewitched by my sophomore

20 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 English teacher, and the spell has yet to be broken. I don’t think I ever wrote a decent paper for Ms. Longhauser’s class. And, of course, that’s because writing a decent paper requires practice and effort and patience and resilience, and I hadn’t Lord, what fools these mortals practiced very much, and I certainly hadn’t strug- be: Teenage gled in any productive way yet. At the end of the Stephen Koelz year, we had to fill out teacher evaluations, and I preferred his said some things that I don’t remember and are math classes to English until probably better forgotten, but then I added at the one fateful end of the evaluation a note of gratitude. I said reading of that it was clear how much she loved Shakespeare’s Shakespeare language and that her enthusiasm was contagious. by his teacher, Ms. Longhauser. I remember feeling weird just writing those words, as if I didn’t recognize the person who felt that way and wasn’t sure I wanted to confess to the change. I think a small part of me was beginning to intuit just how much I owed to her. After that I had fantastic teachers in English during my junior and senior years, and I found myself so rapt by the material that I forgot to care whether my teachers liked me or not. Writing essays continued to be a slow and grueling process, but I did get better. And more importantly, I started to like the challenge. English became my favorite sub- And I was having such a good time at the end of ject, not because I was especially good at it. In fact, my four years that I decided, insanely, to go imme- I was often intimidated by peers who were better diately into graduate school, where you get to read readers and better thinkers. They could look at a all day and think as hard as you can and then wake text and see more than I could see. Their essays up and do it all over again for six or seven years. were more nuanced and more confidently argued. That’s basically how I spent my twenties, and I’m They could spit out answers to questions in class so glad that I did. that I needed much more time to ponder. Some- times I wanted to throw a fit after working for hours on an essay and still feeling that I couldn’t My wish for you all at the beginning of this semester get at the meaning of a poem. is that your work be satisfying to you, even when you But I went on to major in English in college, struggle, that your days feel rich with possibility. and the teaching just kept getting better. I still felt like I was behind many of my peers, but I started to realize that there is a kind of secret compensation for a kid who doesn’t have all the answers, that in My wish for you all at the beginning of this fact not knowing can be a gift as well. I went through semester is that your work be satisfying to you, school with a beginner’s mind; all the ideas were even when you struggle, that your days feel rich new to me, and I would walk through the quad with possibility. Know that your teachers care after class, convinced that my brain was on fire. deeply about your growth, even—and especially— More than anything in the world, I wanted some when your grades are low, and you keep failing to day to talk like my professors because it was clear put assertions before your evidence. And if you from their talking not only that they had read a lot have the attitude that I did as a 15-year-old boy, of books but that reading books makes the world so and you are convinced that one of your teachers is much bigger and more fascinating. I took English a witch, I hope that she turns out to be a real one and intellectual history and anthropology and and that she casts a spell, and that she makes you philosophy and Taoism; and at night, I took courses fall in love with something you never expected on ragtime and jazz music and creative writing. to like, be it music, or math, or Shakespeare. M

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 21 The Virtual Circle Classes and Community Online

Photo by Tim Malieckal ’93

t’s 9:30 a.m. on a Wednesday morning in April, about travel plans for the late January semester break, and Amy Gleason is covering exponential functions but continuing after that to discuss how a looming with her Algebra II class, using compounding inter- pandemic might affect organized school trips and est as a practical example to illustrate the concept. students’ journeys home as March vacation approached. AsI she fills her projected iPad screen with variables and Regularly sharing updates from multiple medical equations, checking for questions all the while, it seems sources with the group, Meg recalls, “We thought we like a typical day in a Middlesex math class—except would meet weekly, but then we needed to meet every for the fact that she is teaching from her Concord home. other day—and then every day. It was hard to keep Her 11 students, meanwhile, are following along in five up with the pace of information.” different states and two time zones, continuing with the In light of these conversations, Assistant Head course’s curriculum despite the campus being closed for Faculty and Academic Affairs Karlyn McNall asked because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Joe in February, “If we had to go online with teaching, what would we need?” Attuned to that question, he Early Attention was soon ready with options that capitalized on a That Middlesex was ready to begin this kind of dis- conference call feature included with the School’s tance learning on March 30—only one week after the phone system, RingCentral. While students were end of spring vacation—is thanks to comprehensive, still on campus, he asked Karlyn and three faculty collaborative planning by administrators and faculty, members to test that tool, RingCentral Meetings, whose minds had turned to problem solving months during their classes—for live interactions between earlier. Back in late December, when Chief Technology teachers and students would be the best way to Officer Joe Alford first heard about increasing illness maintain Middlesex’s academic experience online. in China, he remembers thinking, “What would we “It actually went pretty well, so we knew the technol- do if we had a significant population out of school? ogy worked before March break,” says Karlyn. At the How would we serve this population?” same time, they determined that teachers could use Within weeks, Cruz Health Center Director Meg familiar class management software, Moodle and McLaughlin began meeting with Head of School David Google Classroom, to organize their course materials Beare and other colleagues, initially to troubleshoot and assignments.

22 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 Putting Pieces in Place As Joe worked with his Technology Center team to ensure that Middlesex had enough bandwidth and RingCentral Meetings accounts to run multiple classes online, Karlyn—along with Director of Studies Michael Schaeberle and other faculty—hammered out numerous details during their spring break. They created a weekly synchronous schedule, one that would allow students in different time zones to attend morning classes in person; developed a code of conduct and a grading system; and helped teachers find online books and resources to minimize the need for texts at home. (When online versions did not exist, the Deans’ Office mailed books to about 130 students; similarly, the Tech Center assisted those needing laptops, software, and WiFi hotspots.) Though the pandemic had been declared a National Emergency on March 13, it was still With her laptop and iPad at the ready, Desiree Sheff led her Brain and Behavior hoped that school could resume on campus class from a corner of her Bryant-Paine apartment. sometime that spring. In the meantime, David Beare affirms, “We wanted the online experience to be identifiably Middlesex. All of the School’s core values are embedded in every aspect, em- phasizing community, integrity, and fairness, and making sure the quality of the academic experience is as good as it can be in an online forum.” This thoughtful, extensive preparation cul- minated with a week of remotely held training for faculty, ensuring they had whatever technology they would need and showing them how to use all the features of RingCentral Meetings to run their classes, including how to record sessions for absent students. “Our faculty was fearless in embracing it—we were all learning together,” confirms Academic Technology Specialist Chuck McDonald, who has continued to offer tech support through ongoing seminars, virtual learning websites, and open office hours. Social Sciences Division Head Cal Hitzrot taught his history classes in the comfort “This is Entirely Possible” of his Eliot Hall classroom. In a letter to families on March 27, David described the School’s plans to conduct classes faculty to familiar and accustomed patterns of remotely through April 5. “The Middlesex of scholarship, community engagement, and the the mind, body, and heart will need to live in mutual relationships of care, accountability, and hundreds of different locations in the coming creativity that characterize great learning envi- weeks,” he wrote. “This is entirely possible. In a ronments. For this, we do not need a building.” profound way, Middlesex is us. Getting started Appropriately, the first day of classes was on Middlesex online will return students and launched with advisor meetings, a fundamental

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 23 support kids when they are working outside of class and minimize their screen time?” This demanding effort has made her deeply grateful to her colleagues. “The amount of energy going out into the ether is just amazing,” Karlyn stresses. “I think teachers are working really hard, and the amount of love you see for their students is extraordinary.” Not surprisingly, teachers have approached this time as an opportunity for ingenuity. “It’s a hands-on experience that’s all about learning to navigate difficult situations,” Visual Arts De- partment Head Stacey McCarthy says. “We just learned about color theory with found materials. We’ve seen everything from a carrot to a nectarine to a brother’s LEGO® piece to a sister’s barrette! We are still learning about analogous colors— just not with paint.” In Danielle Potwin’s AP 3D Studio class, she adds, students without clay at home are instead making origami sculpture. Science Department Head Kerry Magee designed a whole new unit on health and the human body for her students, since she had already finished covering Advanced Placement Biology’s prescribed content. “We have talked about immune, respiratory, and circulatory systems with regard to COVID-19 and connected it to stories in the news and to research articles,” Kerry details. “They were really interested in Anya Singh ’20 shared a connection that happens weekly throughout the it and wanted to know what all of this means.” photo of her intricate plaque year. While commiserating with advisees about Faculty have made the most of the technology in progress at home. the situation, teachers also guided them in finding at their disposal, too, as Computer Science Depart- ways to move forward. “It’s important to process ment Head Ashok Pillai explains. “One feature what you’ve lost and talk about it—to recognize in RingCentral is called ‘breakout rooms,’ which it’s sad and disappointing,” reflects Dean of puts students into ‘rooms’ where they can only Students Dan Sheff. “I also think that people see and share screens with each other. Once we have to then try to adapt and rebuild. I recom- discovered it, we brainstormed how we could mend that kids come up with a hobby. It’s a great use it.” Steven Whitt has found this effective time to learn a musical instrument! I’ve recom- for his Chemistry sections after students have mended to all my advisees that they take up viewed experiment simulations online. “It’s cooking, and I’ve even fed them a few recipes.” like having a lab partner and affords them the opportunity to talk with another student Adapting and Innovating one-on-one,” he says. For the faculty, holding classes online has In English classes, where group discussions required rethinking course content and teaching are still most productive, Department Head methods. Preparing for class is “about four times Jecca Hutcheson has been pleased with Google as long,” Karlyn attests, as she considers how to Classroom, where teachers can share assignments present U.S. History through a computer screen. with one another and students can all annotate “How am I going to make this point?” she elabo- a text together. “I think we may use these online rates. “Am I going to draw something, or send platforms where we can collaborate electronically them something ahead of time? How do I more,” Jecca predicts.

24 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 Gaining Perspective and ethical education; remarks by a senior; Having seen these developments, David believes, and Hymn 110 at the end. “I think it’s remarkable “This actually is expanding the range and depth how they pulled that together, given how quickly of our pedagogical approaches. I think it’s going things changed,” says School Vice President to be good for our teaching. That’s not to say we’re Phoebe Lu ’20, who delivered her chapel from going to replace in-person classes with online Shanghai. “People are still being so honest, which classes, but it’s gotten a number of us more com- I think is scarier to do through a screen.” fortable with using the technological tools that can enhance learning when used well.” Fitness and Team Spirit Missing that “in-person” part of teaching The athletic life of the School has a home on is probably the most difficult aspect for educa- MX Remote, too. To wrap up the previous tors. “I’m so used to adapting based on what season, the department created a Winter Athletic I see in the classroom,” allows Amy Gleason. Awards video that featured all the captains Like many colleagues, she does more “cold call- reviewing their team highlights. In addition ing” on students to assess their comprehension. to connecting with the virtual training room, “It’s been challenging,” she says, “but I think students can link to workout routines posted by the administration has done an amazing job Trainer Laura Darby McNally ’80—or to a live trying to keep the community connected.” workout on Tuesday afternoon with Strength Recreating Middlesex’s dynamic academic and Conditioning Coach Bret Manning. experience remotely has clearly been an enor- Beyond MX Remote, all teams have an mous undertaking, deliberately planned and official meeting every Monday after classes, carried out. What could be done for all the other with practices and activities throughout the important parts of the program, from athletics week. “A mix of synchronous and asynchronous to extracurricular activities to favorite school options was presented to the coaches, who de- traditions? “That’s where the idea of a community cided what worked best for their program,” says schoolhouse—or MX Remote—was born,” Athletic Director Ken Risley. “Darby took the David says. lead on this with the SportsYou app; she has workouts and challenges there for girls’ crew.” Cultivating Community Another solution, as Varsity Tennis Coach Launched on the first day of classes, the internal Rob Munro has found, is to maintain a Google website called “MX Remote” has become another Classroom page, where Captain Sidney Smith key part of the School’s online operations. Here, ’20 has posted videos and team challenges each class day begins with a short video message with the racket and ball. from David, who had been connecting with “We want students to stay active and get students outside Ware Hall after breakfast all all the healthy benefits of working out,” Ken year. “I enjoy doing the morning greeting,” he emphasizes. “To see them lose the joy of com- says. “It’s not in person, but we get to go around petition but still value the relationships and the campus and show kids the places they love.” community says so much about who they are. On MX Remote, the community can find What you give is often more important than announcements and reminders; invitations to what you get, and what students are giving meetings and mindfulness sessions; links to the now will define them as people.” library, tech support, health center, and counsel- With their teammates and teachers, in ing offices; publications like The Anvilnewspa - dorm trivia contests and club gatherings held per and The Iris literary and art magazine; music via RingCentral Meetings, Middlesex students playlists, performances, and collaborations; and, are indeed demonstrating the kind of people in late May, a spectacular online exhibit of works they are. As Jecca observes, “I think it’s a testa- by students in Advanced Placement Studio Art. ment to the strength of our community how The much-loved Chapel Program has also much the kids have been willing to play along, been replicated here, complete with several min- to engage, to keep pursuing their intellectual utes of mindfulness led by Doug Worthen ’96; growth and connections with other people. reflections by Rebecca Smedley, director of spiritual They haven’t disengaged.”

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 25 They can feel it all over: The last period of the day on Friday was the perfect time to put on Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke” and have a “block party” in Marcus Rabb’s Music Foundations class.

A Resilient Class and mailed out 45 plaques, fielding questions While the loss of a normal spring on campus from seniors during her weekly class. affects everyone, it has been keenly felt by Final college decisions had to be made as this year’s seniors, whose schedule of much- well, without the benefit of revisit days. Dean anticipated events was upended by COVID-19. of College Counseling Matt DeGreeff was They have missed several milestones— inspired to e-mail the three most recent classes their prom, final St. George’s Day, one last of alumni to ask if anyone would be willing musical—not to mention each other. serve as a resource for seniors—and 102 of “The letter conveying the news that we them agreed. “It was great to be able to tap needed to go online for the rest of the year into their experience and enthusiasm for was a really difficult one to write,” David Middlesex,” Matt says. Concurrently, the admits. Offering encouragement to the office has proceeded with starting juniors seniors, he subsequently wrote to them: on their college searches, tailoring existing materials for virtual campus visits and online “The fundamental value of a Middlesex interviews. The annual cycle begins again. education is precisely that: the process you have thrown yourself into these Returning to the Circle past years. The books you have read, the Special care packages, a graduation video, athletic moments you have created with and a RingCentral after-party were in store your teammates and coaches, the art that for the seniors on Memorial Day, along with has arisen from some place inside you— the promise of a future on-campus ceremony. let them speak to you now. You have “We’re making the best of a difficult situation developed significant discipline over the and moving on, which seems pretty authenti- course of your time here, and it is that cally Middlesex,” David reflects. “I have been discipline that can liberate you into a so impressed with the roll-up-your-sleeves deeper world of ideas, experience, and attitude of everybody.” sensibilities.” As everyone waits to gather on the In turn, the seniors have endeavored to make Circle again, he would like students in all the best of things, continuing to address their grades, especially the seniors, to remember commitments—often in ways untested by this: “Middlesex didn’t stop this year at Middlesex classes before them. Take their spring break, in part because we’ve had plaques, for example, many of which still this online experience, which reemphasizes needed attention. Darby e-mailed an image for everybody what we love about this place: of each plaque to its owner and asked if they the relationships found in classrooms, on wanted it varnished as-is or—using tools teams, and in so many other ways here. available online—if they wanted to finish We’re still here—and we’re not going carving at home. Ultimately, she packaged anywhere!” M

26 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 In Memoriam

Edwin M. Ward ’45 George C. Dempsey ’45 Clinton A. Mauk II ’45

The Reverend Edwin George Christopher Dempsey Clinton Alvah Mauk died on Michael Ward passed died on April 11, 2018. October 16, 2019, in Hospice of away peacefully in his Born on July 9, 1926, to Gerald Northwest Ohio. home on Hilton Head and Maude Dempsey, George Clint was born on July 18, 1927, Island, SC, on October entered Middlesex’s fifth class to Alice and Stanley Mauk and in 1940 and, in 1944, went on to grew up in Rossford’s Eagle Point 29, 2019. attend Palm Beach High School Colony in Ohio. He attended The son of Virginia and Bolles Academy in Florida. Maumee Valley Country Day Michael and Varney He later attended the University School before joining Middlesex’s Stuart Ward, Ed was of Florida and Texas A&M Uni- second class in 1943. After gradua- born on October 13, 1927, versity. In 1945, George served tion, Clint enlisted in the Navy in World War II as an ambulance and became a seaman first class; in Richmond, VA, and driver with the American Field following his service, he earned a was raised in Atlanta, GA. Service (Burma Unit 60). Return- degree in English from Dartmouth He entered the fifth class at Middlesex in 1940 and, after ing to Palm Beach after the war, College in 1950. Clint then spent graduating, served in the U.S. Army. Ed then earned his he took up the life of a rancher time in the Pacific Northwest and cattleman on property in and the South to prepare him for A.B. in history at Emory University and received his Okeechobee County until the a career in lumber; he became M. Div. in 1955 from Virginia Theological Seminary. After early 1960s, when he turned to president of the business that his his ordination as an Episcopal priest, he served for four tomato-growing, hay-farming, grandfather had founded in the years as the vicar of three missions in rural Alabama. and owning a feedlot. George late 19th century. The quintessential schoolmaster, Ed served as a will perhaps be best remembered After the lumber company for his tenure as the manager closed in 1967, Clint was recruited teacher, coach, and chaplain at St. Mark’s School in South- of Doherty’s, a famous watering to the First National Bank of borough, MA, before becoming headmaster of Salisbury hole, and then as the owner of Toledo. As a vice president, he School in Salisbury, CT, for 16 years. Ed returned to the his eponymous restaurant in oversaw branch and internal South in 1981 as headmaster of St. Stephen’s School in the Slat House. operations and helped introduce Alexandria, VA, before finishing his career as president of An avid sports fan who fol- ATMs to the bank. He was chair- lowed professional, college, and man of the United Way’s loaned Flint Hill School, which he founded in 1990 in Oakton, VA. even high school sports, George executive program in 1980 and On retiring to Hilton Head in 1992, Ed served as pastoral also enjoyed polo, serving as the was president in 1982 of the Down- associate at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for eight years match announcer at several polo town Toledo Community Trust and remained an involved parishioner thereafter. clubs. He was an usher for many Board. He closed his career as Ed devoted his life to serving the people he loved, years at St. Edward Catholic Church the Toledo Symphony’s Director and was also a member of its of Development. the Church he cherished, and the young men he taught, finance council. His generosity, Clint was a former president counseled, and mentored. In 2005, he was honored with humor, and companionship are of Historic Perrysburg and the Middlesex’s Henry Cabot Lodge (1920) Distinguished greatly missed by his family Rotary Club of Toledo, as well as Alumni Award. and friends. a founder of the Black Swamp Predeceased by his beloved wife and steadfast part- George was predeceased by Conservancy. His book, Historical his grandson, George Dempsey Tales of Toledo, grew out of pithy ner of 61 years, Allein White Ward, Ed is survived by his III, and his first wife, Virginia sketches about northwest Ohio’s son, Edwin Michael Ward, Jr.; his daughter, Juliet Ward Gates Atterbury. He is survived by past that he delivered at club Flood; and three grandchildren. His late brothers, V. Stuart his four children, George, Michael, meetings. Clint was also a trustee Ward, Jr. ’43 and James S. Ward ’47, and his late nephew, Patrick and Susan; eight grand- of the 577 Foundation in Perrys- Samuel S. Ward ’80, were also Middlesex alumni. children; his sister, Joan McCarthy; burg and was an organic gardener. his former wife, Diane Glocker With his wife Pat, he enjoyed bird Dempsey; and numerous great- watching and fly fishing as they grandchildren, nieces and nephews. traveled the world. His late uncle, Justin H. Dempsey Predeceased by Pat, who (1919), was a Middlesex graduate. passed away on March 8, 2019, Clint is survived by their sons, Jeffrey and John; their daughters, Betsey Harris and Caroline Walsh; and six grandchildren.

42 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 his one true love, Jacqueline W. Lincoln Boyden ’49 Henry S. Brainard, Jr. ’48 Goodspeed. Leaving Boston and his affiliations to various groups Henry Sprague Brainard, Jr. was challenging because he missed Walter Lincoln Boyden passed away peacefully in Cary, all his friends back East. A cheva- passed away peacefully NC, on December 20, 2016. lier in the Confrérie des Chevaliers at home on November 11, Born on January 4, 1931, in du Tastevin, George enjoyed tast- 2019. Cleveland, OH, Hank joined the ing wines and was also an avid Linc, as he was known, fourth class after winning one of reader. He loved skiing at Waterville Middlesex’s National Prize Schol- Valley and spending summers was born in Boston, MA, arships in 1944. On receiving his with his family in Lenox, MA. on February 19, 1932, diploma, he earned an A.B. in In addition to Jacqueline, the son of the late Ruth economics at Yale University and George is survived by three Trafford and W. Lincoln served in the U.S. Army for two daughters, Bettina Buehler, Boyden, Jr. A Middlesex years. Hank then began working Maryann Postans, and Shoshanah for IBM, moving multiple times Gordon; two grandchildren; his Prize Scholar, he joined before settling in Cincinnati, OH, cousin, Ellen Lewis; and his long- the fifth class in 1944 with his wife Ann and their chil- time business partner, Bette Allen. and, on graduating, went on to Harvard College, where dren. He retired after 32 years he rowed on the varsity crew for two years and received with the company but worked independently as a consultant John L. McDill ’51 his A.B. in 1953. Linc served two years in the U.S. Navy for several more years. In 1997, before earning his L.L.B. at Harvard Law School. the Brainards moved to Florida, The School recently learned of At Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston, Linc practiced what where Hank and Ann continued the death of John Lee McDill, he called “people law” (trusts and estates). After retiring, to serve as devoted hospice who died on November 20, 1998. he continued legal work as a volunteer at Cambridge and volunteers. The son of Julia Lee and John Predeceased by his wife Ann H. McDill, John was born on Jan- Somerville Legal Services. Linc was a Middlesex Trustee in 2004, Hank is survived by uary 30, 1933. He transferred from for 24 years (1962–82; 1984–88), serving as treasurer for their four children, David, Doug, Woodstock High School in Ver- ten years. He was also a trustee for Mount Auburn Hospital Ann, and Mary; and four grand- mont to Middlesex’s fourth class and the Longy School of Music, as well as a corporator children. in 1947. An excellent student, John for Cambridge Savings Bank. In addition to enjoying tennis was not able to return to school in January 1949 due to a chronic and solving puzzles, Linc loved music, whether playing George V. B. Buehler ’51 illness. On recovering a year later, piano with a jazz combo, singing in choruses, or composing he enrolled at the Woodstock musicals for the Tavern Club. Devoted to his family, he George Van Buskirk Buehler died Country School near his home. will be remembered as a loving husband, dedicated on April 20, 2020, at Maravilla After graduation, John worked father, and proud grandfather. Senior Living Community in as a page in the New York Public Scottsdale, AZ, after a steady Library for a year before traveling Married to Nancy Cummings from 1960 until her decline due to Parkinson’s disease. around Europe the next year. death in 1995, Linc married Edith Bennett in 1997. In addi- Born on August 16, 1933, Further details about John’s life tion to Edith, he is survived by his daughter, Ruth B. Gow; George was the son of Dr. George could not be found prior to pub- his son Geoffrey; three stepchildren, Stephen, Christopher, V. and Florence King Buehler. He lication. It is not known if he had and Sarah Page; six grandchildren; his siblings, Candace joined the fourth class at Middle- any surviving family members. sex from the Fenn School and, E. Boyden and Perry T. Boyden ’57; and many cousins, after graduating, earned an A.B. nieces, nephews, and friends. Linc’s Middlesex relatives in American government at Har- Wiley Dinsmore ’52 also include his nephews, Joshua L. Boyden ’89 and Perry vard College. From 1955 to 1958, T. Boyden, Jr. ’83; his niece, Rachel Boyden Noyes ’86; George served in the U.S. Army. Wiley Dinsmore passed away and his grandniece, Parker I. Boyden ’23. He then worked for the Marlboro at The Christ Hospital in Cincin- Investment Corporation as senior nati, OH, on October 7, 2019, vice president in charge of resi- surrounded by loved ones. dential development before start- He was born on August 8, ing his own prominent real estate 1934, to Campbell and Margaret business in Brookline, MA. George Wiley Dinsmore. In 1948, Wiley worked on rent control for many joined the fourth class at Middle- years before moving to Cave sex, having previously attended Creek, AZ, later in life to be with Walnut Hills High School in

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 43 In Memoriam

Cincinnati. After graduating, he portrayed Kent Wallace, the host imprint. In 1996, he was a founder fishing and skiing with his sons. earned a degree in government at of several Frontline spoofs. Bill of the children’s imprint DK Ink, Dick was predeceased by his Harvard College in 1956 and then also appeared in feature films, and, in 1999, he joined Simon & parents; his stepfather, James spent time in the military, reach- playing a TV anchorman in Dog Schuster as editorial director of S. Brown; his brothers, Thomas ing the rank of first lieutenant in Day Afternoon, an actor in The Richard Jackson Books, an imprint C. Spriggs ’40 and John E. the U.S. Army. Following his ser- Front, and Matthew Broderick’s of Atheneum Books for Young Spriggs ’43; and his first wife, vice, Wiley went to Harvard Law father in War Games, among Readers. Dick’s authors have won Ann Spriggs, from whom he was School and graduated in 1961, other roles. On stage, he appeared 16 Newbery Medals or Newbery divorced. He is survived by his joining the Ohio Bar Association in many shows, including A Man Honors, five Caldecott Medals loving wife, Elizabeth Sparkman; that same year. He spent the last for All Seasons, Cactus Flower, or Honors, and numerous other his two sons, Jared and Matthew; 20 years of his career at Dinsmore and Play it Again, Sam. awards. When diagnosed with five grandchildren; and one & Shohl and retired in 1999. His wife, Muppet puppeteer multiple myeloma, Dick turned great-grandchild. Wiley was deeply involved in Eren Ozker, died in 1993. to writing, completing 12 chil- the community throughout his dren’s picture books, including career and gave his time to several In Plain Sight. Jared D. Stout ’53 professional organizations as Richard W. Jackson ’53 In addition to Nancy, his wife well as clubs. Always a devoted of 57 years, Dick is survived by Jared David Stout passed away husband, he was a loving father to Richard Webber Jackson died of their son Adam; their daughter, peacefully on January 14, 2018, his children and enjoyed reading, multiple myeloma on October 2, Elizabeth Albert; two sisters, from bladder cancer. traveling, gardening, and cooking. 2019, at the Blakehurst Retirement Linda Roeckelein and Sibley The son of David and Dorothy Preceded in death by his par- Community in Towson, MD. Classen; and two grandchildren. McClintock Stout, Jed was born ents, his daughter Rebecca, his Born in Detroit on September on December 4, 1936, on a ranch first wife Sheila, and his second 22, 1935, and raised in Grosse near Tucson, AZ. Following his wife Elizabeth, Wiley is survived Pointe Farms, MI, Dick was the Richard T. Spriggs ’53 parents’ divorce, he was raised by by his son, T. John Dinsmore ’75; son of Richard Webber Jackson, his mother and his Aunt Martha three grandchildren; three great- Sr. and Margaret Keena Jackson The Honorable Richard Tuttle and Uncle Frank Gledhill in Con- grandchildren, and his brother, Gillis. From Detroit University Spriggs died on October 21, 2019. necticut. In 1947, Jed entered Mid- Frank F. Dinsmore II ’55. School, he entered the third class Born on March 29, 1935, in dlesex’s sixth class from The at Middlesex in 1950 and, on grad- Rome, NY, Dick was the third son Junior School in West Hartford, uating, earned a degree in drama of Ernest L. and Margery C. CT. After graduating, he served William R. Bogert III ’53 at Yale University. Dick then spent Spriggs. He joined the fourth class in the U.S. Air Force for four years two years in the Army, training as in 1949 after winning one of Mid- before completing a B.A. in gov- William Russell Bogert III died a machine-gunner before being dlesex’s National Prize Scholarships ernment at Bowdoin College in in New York City on January 12, assigned to work as a speechwriter and decided to return home in 1961. That same year, Jed married 2020. for his commanding officer. After 1952, graduating from Rome Free Allison Lee Adams in Exeter, NH, The son of William R. and leaving the military, he tried a Academy. In 1958, Dick earned and they raised two sons together. Frances Bogert, Bill was born on career in theatre and co-produced a B.A. in English literature from Following his family’s journal- January 24, 1936. After winning an off-Broadway play that ran Colgate University, and in 1961, ism roots, Jed spent the first decade one of Middlesex’s National Prize six weeks. Changing direction, he received an LL.B. from Cornell of his career working for several Scholarships, he transferred from he earned an M.A. at New York Law School. He served in the wire services and newspapers, and The Lawrence School on Long University’s Graduate Institute Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. was an award-winning reporter Island to the fourth class, where of Book Publishing and began Moving to Denver, CO, Dick for The Washington Post. In the his abilities on the stage were working at Doubleday Books. enjoyed a 50-year career at the early 1970s, he left journalism to quickly recognized. On receiving In 1968, Dick co-founded bench and bar, primarily as an join The Police Foundation, a his Middlesex diploma, Bill went Bradbury Press with Robert assistant U.S. attorney and chief criminal justice think tank funded on to earn a B.A. in English at Verrone. They published the work deputy district attorney. Appointed by the Ford Foundation, to study Yale University and soon began of many new authors, including to the Denver District Court on the national psyche of the late his long career as an actor. Paula Fox, Arnold Lobel, Avi, August 8, 1988, he retired from the ’60s. Jed later joined the police Bill appeared on dozens of TV Judy Blume, and Cynthia Rylant, bench on June 1, 1999. Dick then force in Fairfax County, VA, as shows, including The Mary Tyler as well as illustrator Rosemary returned to the Department of the department’s research and Moore Show, M*A*S*H, Barney Wells. Colleagues said that Dick Justice, retiring in 2002. There- planning director. He became Miller, Hill Street Blues, and was open to new ideas and broad- after, he served as a senior district chief of police in Rockville, MD, Gilmore Girls. He was best known ened the field of children’s litera- judge until June 2005. in 1979 and finished his career for his semi-regular role as Brandon ture in the 1970s and 1980s. A lifelong cynic and chronic by serving as the chief of police Brindle on the TV series Small Two years after Mr. Verrone’s nonjoiner, Dick enjoyed music, in Friendswood, TX, from 1989 Wonder from 1985 to 1989. More death in 1984, Dick joined Orchard martinis, and his principal pas- to 2001. recently, on Chapelle’s Show, he Books, where he had his own sion: fly fishing. He also enjoyed

44 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 In retirement, the Stouts College. He went on to volunteer history at Wesleyan University. starring in many movies, shows, moved to Colorado to be close to and serve on the Blythedale Chil- Pete began his coaching career and commercials. When he wasn’t family. Jed spent many weekends dren’s Hospital Board and Mt. in 1962 at Salisbury School in acting, he was a commercial real cheering on the soccer sidelines, Pleasant-Blythedale School Dis- Salisbury, CT, where he also estate agent. Peter was also an reading, and playing his guitar. He trict Board. After his father’s death taught history. He then returned avid golfer and loved to travel. He will be remembered for his smile, due to Alzheimer’s, Andy became to Dartmouth to coach the fresh- enjoyed spending time with fam- his expressive bushy eyebrows, very involved in the Lower Hud- men heavyweight crew from ily, especially his grandchildren. his wicked sense of humor, and son Valley Alzheimer’s Association 1966 until 1969. From 1969 to Peter was predeceased by his his love for family and friends— Board, also leading a caregivers’ 1996, Pete was a central figure in loving wife Carolyn in 2000. He including the four-legged variety. support group. Andy loved his the MIT Crew Program; he also is survived by his three children, Jed was preceded in death by many years refereeing boys’ high coached at the U.S. National Team Laura, Peter, and Brian; five Allison, his wife of 53 years; his school lacrosse and was inducted level, serving as an assistant coach grandchildren; and his sister, elder son Michael; his parents; into the Hudson Valley Lacrosse in the late 1970s. Pete’s 1975 MIT Susan Sincero. and his beloved aunt and uncle. Hall of Fame. He also volunteered second varsity heavyweight eight He is survived by his son Chris- in the Emergency Room at White won its event at the Intercollegiate topher; four grandchildren; two Plains Hospital and at the Rowing Association regatta, and Gerald D. French ’60 half-sisters, Debbie and Christie; Armonk Art Show. his varsity heavyweight eight and many friends. Starting out as a camper in earned a silver medal in its event; The School recently learned of 1948, Andy enjoyed a long asso- both performances still stand as the death of Gerald Dean French, ciation with Keewaydin Camp, the best-ever IRA finishes for who passed away in 2016. Edward F. Weeks ’53 ultimately leading many of its MIT heavyweight eights. The son of Charlotte and summer wilderness trips as an Pete was honored at the Lindol R. French, M.D., Gerald Edward Francis Weeks passed adult and serving on its board Museum of Science on October was born on November 21, 1941. away on November 20, 2019. of directors. Along with his wife 19, 1996, at a well-deserved MIT Having previously attended Lick- Ted was born to Frederica Jane, he loved to travel. An avid retirement party. He completed Wilmerding School in San Fran- Watriss and Edward A. Weeks on runner, Andy completed 11 mara- his career serving as a volunteer cisco, CA, he entered the third April 11, 1935. Having previously thons, including Boston and coach for several years at the U.S. class at Middlesex in 1957 and attended Dexter School, Ted New York. Military Academy in West Point, transferred to the Cambridge joined the fifth class at Middlesex At the time of his death, he NY. Pete was also an avid follower School of Weston in 1959. Gerald in 1948 and transferred to Proctor was survived by Jane, his loving of politics, a lifelong fan of New went on to earn an A.B. at Har- Academy in 1950. wife of 57 years; his mother England teams, and an enthusiast vard College, as well as a master’s Further information about (who subsequently died at age of British Invasion music. degree in early childhood education Ted’s life could not be obtained 102 in March 2018); his daughters, In addition to his wife Mar- at San Francisco State University prior to publication. It is not Debbie Molfetta and Cathy jorie, Pete was predeceased by and a master’s in counseling known if he had any surviving Aanonsen; his son Peter; and his sons, David and Matthew. psychology at the Institute of family members. eight grandchildren. He leaves his sons, Richard and Transpersonal Psychology. Timothy; four grandchildren; A certified trauma specialist, and his nieces and nephews. he taught and lectured in venues William M. Cahn III ’55 Peter A. Holland ’56 from Norway to Italy in Europe; in the U.K., Israel, Egypt, South William Morris “Andy” Cahn III Peter Anderson Holland died at Peter Hockmeyer ’57 Africa, Australia, Japan, Brazil, passed away on January 9, 2017. his home at the Southgate Retire- and Argentina; and in the U.S., Andy was born on January 23, ment Community in Shrewsbury, Peter Hockmeyer passed away from Alaska to Puerto Rico to 1937, in New York City and attended MA, on September 9, 2019. peacefully after a short illness on Oklahoma City, where he was Middlesex for two years before Born in Boston on February September 5, 2016, at Fellowship among the first Operation Green transferring to the Hackley School. 27, 1937, Pete was raised in nearby Village in Basking Ridge, NJ. Cross faculty, training local thera- He graduated from Bucknell Weston. In 1952, he entered the Peter was born in New York pists following the 1995 bombing University with a degree in fourth class at Middlesex, where City and soon moved to Basking there. He also counseled private economics and worked on Wall he first began rowing. After grad- Ridge, where he spent most of his clients and was the lead author Street for 14 years. After earning uating, he earned an A.B. in his- life. He joined Middlesex’s fifth of the book, Traumatic Incident a master’s in education at Man- tory at Dartmouth College and, class from the Hackley School Reduction (TIR), published by hattanville College, he taught on completing the ROTC pro- in 1952 and enlisted in the U.S. CRC Press in 1999. eighth grade history at Bronxville gram, served in the U.S. Army Marine Corps in 1957, serving for Gerald is survived by his Schools for 26 years. On retiring during the Cuban missile crisis. two years before attending Babson daughter Rosamond, his son from teaching, Andy worked with Pete married Marjorie Lynn in College. Peter married Carolyn Lindol, and his brother Perrin. the Holocaust and Human Rights February 1961, and, as their family Hoffman in 1965 and began a long Education Center at Manhattanville grew, he completed an M.A. in career as a stuntman and actor,

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 45 In Memoriam

Karl W. Medley, Sr.; and a host He is survived by his parents; William H. Sweney III ’67 Herbert N. Graves ’71 of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, his son, William Crane-Morris; cousins, friends, and students. his sister, Tracy Morris, her hus- William Homer Sweney III died The Reverend Herbert Nathaniel band, and their two children; on April 22, 2020, from COVID- Graves died on August 21, 2019. and his former wife, Amy 19-related complications. He was born to the late Oscar Pablo Rivera, Jr. ’73 Nickerson Crane. Bill was born on November 30, and Carrie Graves on October 27, 1948, in Saint Paul, MN. When he 1952, in Philadelphia, PA. A strong Pablo Rivera, Jr. passed away was 14, his parents divorced, and student, Herbie joined the fourth peacefully on March 13, 2020, Madigan Y. Drummond ’14 when his mother remarried, he class at Middlesex in 1967. On at his home in Springfield, MA. moved with her and his four graduating, he attended Tufts Born on January 20, 1954, Madigan Yanda Drummond siblings to Concord, MA. Bill’s University. in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, Pablo passed away on November 12, stepfather, wildlife photographer Herbie was an avid reader, relocated to Holyoke, MA, via 2019, in Calais, France. and naturalist Dick Borden, left historian, trivia buff, and gifted Brooklyn, NY, with his family. The daughter of David Drum- an indelible impression on young musician. An accomplished gui- He worked hard as a student and mond and Thembekile Mazibuko, Bill; a love of the wilderness and tarist, he provided music for such came to Middlesex in 1969, enter- Madigan was born on May 7, 1996, filmmaking became central to notables as Harold Melvin & The ing the fourth class. After gradu- and joined the freshman class at Bill’s own identity, as did storytell- Blue Notes and B.B. King, among ation, Pablo joined the U.S. Air Middlesex in 2010. A dedicated ing. In 1963, Bill entered the fourth others. In 1978, Herbie made the Force, where he served honorably. writer, artist, and activist, she class at Middlesex, where he made most pivotal decision of his life, He then worked as a computer contributed to The Anvil and led one of his earliest films, Middlesex and his love of music transformed technician and network adminis- the Literary Discussion Club; School Today, a 17-minute memento into a love of the word of God. trator for many years before retir- explored a range of media in for the class of 1967 that showcases He graduated from Deliverance ing from Solutions by Computer the art studios and founded the his burgeoning skills. Following Evangelistic Bible Institute in in 2004. He will be dearly missed, Anime Club; studied violin and graduation, Bill earned a degree Philadelphia and also attended as he touched everyone’s heart in sang in the Small Chorus and in biology at Williams College. Temple Student Life Center and some special way. MXolydians; supported the tech- After college, Bill got a job in Dropsie University. Pablo was predeceased by his nical crew and performed on Atlanta working for media mogul While studying at Camden mother, Marta Travieso; his father, stage; and served as a diversity Ted Turner. There, he produced Bible Institute, Herbie met the Pablo Alvarez Rivera; his brother officer and head of the Gay/ an Emmy and Peabody Award- love of his life, Elizabeth Marcia Angel; and his son, Emanuel. Straight Alliance. winning series, Portrait of Amer- Robinson. They married on He is survived by his son, Pablo After receiving her Middlesex ica, which consisted of 55 one- October 10, 1981, and raised Rivera III; his spouse, Elizabeth D. diploma with credit, Madigan hour documentaries about every their son Matthew together. Jimenez; four grandchildren; three went on to major in comparative state and territory in the United Dividing his time between the brothers, Carlos Gonzalez, Pedro literature at Smith College, spend- States, with each part hosted and public library and U.S. Postal Ser- Rivera, and Orlando Santos; and ing time living and working in narrated by Hal Holbrook. As he vice, Herbie worked faithfully his sister Hilda Rivera. Paris and developing an interest was moving on to start his own until his health prevented him in library science. On graduating, production company, Bill was asked from further service. Upon his she received The Josephine Ott by Turner to produce Alaska: Story graduation from Grace Bible J. Andrew Morris ’83 Prize, given to a student who has at the Top of the World, which Institute (Voorhees) in 1986, he participated in the Smith Program went on to earn an Emmy. became a licensed and ordained John Andrew Morris died on Abroad in Paris for her commit- Later, while working for Sky minister, heading up the Evange- October 4, 2019, after suffering ment to the French language and West Airlines in Santa Barbara, lism and Street Evangelism minis- a massive hemorrhagic stroke. European civilization. Madigan CA, Bill jumped at the chance tries. In 1996, he was appointed Andy was born on May 20, then worked in the Brookline to transfer to the Jackson Hole the dean of Grace Bible Institute. 1965, the son of Charles and Public Library and for the Con- Airport, and he truly found home Throughout his lengthy illness, he Betty Morris. From Ramsey High sulate General of France in Boston in the spectacular landscape of never complained and continued School in Ramsey, NJ, he trans- before moving back to France, Wyoming. A “gentle giant,” he to uphold the office faithfully for ferred into Middlesex’s third drawn by her love of French and loved traveling the world, sharing approximately 23 years. class in 1980. After receiving his Russian culture. his culinary creations with friends, Herbie is survived by his diploma, he earned his under- In addition to her parents, and spending time with his family. beloved wife Marcia; his son graduate degree at Duke Univer- Madigan is survived by her Bill leaves behind three chil- Matthew; his siblings, Sheila sity. Andy then embarked on an brother Ian and by many Middle- dren, Wills, Sarah and Sam; his Dawkins, Brenda Flowers, Oscar award-winning career in public sex friends and mentors. grandson Charlie; his brothers, Graves, Michael Graves, James relations, co-founding Morris + Michael Sweney ’71 and John E. Graves, Darlena Graves, Patricia King in 2001. In 2013, he opened Sweney ’75; and his sisters, Patricia Franklin, Victoria Miller, Alisa Code Morris, representing tech- Sweney du Pont and Beatrice Stallings, Jessie Graves, Karen nology firms, media brands, “Sandy” Knox-Johnston. Crawley, Annette Saunders, and and start-ups.

46 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 Peter A. Brooke Charles B. Houghtlin Ann Leason

A member of the Middlesex Retired Middlesex staff member Former Middlesex Trustee faculty from 1972 to 1980, the Rev- Ann Leason passed away peace- Peter A. Brooke died on erend Dr. Charles B. Houghtlin fully at Emerson Hospital in April 1, 2020. died on March 14, 2020. Concord, MA, on April 16, 2020. Peter was born Tod was born to Jane Saunders Ann was born on September on October 6, 1929, in and Robert Germain Houghtlin 17, 1928, in Providence, RI, to in St. Louis, MO, on October 7, Anna and James Forbes. Married Worcester, MA, and was 1941. He spent his childhood in to Edwin Leason in 1950, she a graduate of Phillips Evanston, IL, graduating from eventually settled in Norwood, Exeter Academy, Harvard Evanston Township High School. MA, and raised two children. College, and Harvard’s Tod earned his undergraduate In 1991, Ann moved in with Graduate School of degree from Amherst College in her daughter and her family in 1963 and his master’s in divinity Concord, MA, and began almost Business Administration. from Yale University in 1968. For 30 years of very active involve- After more than a decade several summers, he was a trail ment in the Concord community. spearheading venture investing at the First National Bank counselor for the Adirondack At Middlesex, Ann worked as a of Boston, Bessemer Securities, and Tucker, Anthony Trail Improvement Society in St. receptionist—happily dispensing Huberts, NY, where he developed candy while handling calls and & R.L. Day, he founded the private equity firm of TA his deep appreciation for spend- deliveries for 20 years—and Associates in 1968. ing time outdoors, his skills as a especially enjoyed singing with As Peter’s vision broadened beyond the U.S., he spun caring leader, and many lifelong the chorus in the annual Holiday Advent International Corporation out of TA in 1984 with an friendships. Concert. She was also a fixture eye toward creating an international investment platform. In 1972, Tod joined the Mid- in the choir at her church, Trinity dlesex faculty, teaching English Episcopal. Ann loved music and With his leadership, Advent grew to become one of the and coaching for eight years. Hav- the joy of being with people; in world’s largest and most global private equity firms, with ing become an ordained minister return, the communities she teams operating across 12 countries on four continents. in the United Church of Christ embraced—both at Middlesex In 1996, Peter retired as CEO of Advent but remained in 1976, he moved to New York and in town—loved her for her chairman until December 2015. He was also a co-founder City in 1980 and became a teacher warmth, humor, energy, and and chaplain at the Collegiate optimism. of Brooke Private Equity Associates and continued to School, where he remained until Predeceased by her son serve as an advisor there. his retirement in 2007. Tod then David and her former husband, Peter served on the boards of numerous corporations moved to his beloved home in Ann leaves behind her daughter and institutions, including Cambridge Technology Man- New Lebanon, NY. He became Sherry; two grandchildren; and agement Limited UK, Excello Corporation, New England an adjunct professor of American two great-grandsons. history at Berkshire Community Business Service Inc., Unitrode Corporation, and Wang College for a number of years and Laboratories Co. Inc. A life trustee and chairman of the also served as an occasional min- Board of Trustees of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, he ister at the Canaan Congrega- was formerly an overseer of Harvard University, as well as tional Church in New York. a trustee of Colgate University, the Eisenhower Exchange Tod enjoyed music, history, travel, languages, anything Scan- Fellowship, and the WGBH Educational Foundation. His dinavian, and anything of interest support of Middlesex extended long past his trustee tenure to those he loved. His extraordinary (1976-1986); most recently, Peter joined John and his kindness, exceptional memory, other sons in endowing the Brooke Chair in Ethics and expansive intelligence, and sense Spirituality at the School. of humor will be greatly missed. Tod is survived by his wife, Predeceased by his beloved wife Anne in 2017, Peter Helen Burton; three daughters, is survived by their sons, Samuel R. Brooke ’76, Peter W. Vannesa Houghtlin, Jessica Bur- Brooke ’79, and Middlesex Trustee John F. Brooke ’81; ton, and Christine Cottrell; two and eight grandchildren, including Hadley S. Brooke ’12. sons, James Houghtlin and Allen Burton; 13 grandchildren; his brother David; and many dear friends, former colleagues, and students.

MIDDLESEX spring 2020 47 MX Fam: My Voice, My Power

For the month of February, they filled the suggested the group’s collective power, but largest wall of the School’s Ishibashi Gallery: Andrew was also insistent that each subject’s stunning portraits taken by Andrew Harris personal identity must not be subsumed by ’21, who created them for his impressive their relationship to the group. exhibition titled MX Fam: My Voice, My The portraits were therefore accompanied Power. An emerging photographer, Andrew by a video projection, which highlighted has already had his work receive national one individual at a time, along with a brief recognition, as he was among the winners of biography written by the subject, granting the New York Times’ 2019 high school photog- them “agency to express themselves, their raphy contest, “Show Us Your Generation.” experiences, their cultures, and their identities.” Award-winning photographer The “personality portraits,” as Andrew With each successive visit to the gallery (and Andrew Harris '21 included calls them, captured all of the members of the quality of the exhibition certainly inspired a self-portrait in his February exhibition. MX Fam, the School’s affinity group for cur- multiple visits), viewers would “meet” differ- rent students and faculty who identify as ent people through the video, mirroring the Black and/or Latinx. The images celebrated gradual process of getting to know the indi- each subject’s talents and personality, while vidual personalities that compose the larger also encouraging the viewer to question why group—and challenging any assumptions these individuals’ stories are so frequently about a monolithic, group identity. marginalized. Andrew hoped that the por- Remarkably, Andrew took all 59 portraits traits would “clearly display the variety of within only four weeks as a project for Black experiences, cultures, and identities that History Month. “I am very determined,” he make up the silent minority of Middlesex.” recently wrote. “When I am doing something The exhibition also explored the tension for others, no matter how impossible it may inherent in any consideration of the relation- seem, I do it. I give it my all.” If “seeing is ship between the group and the individual. believing,” as the proverb goes, anything is Installed in a grid, the assembled photographs possible given Andrew’s talent and tenacity. M

48 MIDDLESEX spring 2020 Charitable Gifts Through Your IRA Current legislation allows individuals age 70½ and older to donate up to $100,000 from their IRAs to Middlesex tax-free. This provision allows donors to transfer money from their IRAs directly to Middlesex, without having to recognize the transfer as taxable income. Donors should consult their tax advisors about specific situations. Please note that under the CARES Act, required minimum distributions are waived in 2020.

Who qualifies? What are the tax implications? Individuals who are at least age 70½ at the a. federal: You do not recognize the transfer as income, provided it goes time of the contribution. directly from the IRA provider to charity; you are not eligible for an income tax charitable deduction. How much can I roll over? b. state: Each state has different laws, so check with your own advisors. Up to $100,000 for each year. Some states have a state income tax and will include this transfer as income. Within those states, some will allow a charitable deduction and others From what accounts can I make charitable will not. Other states base their state income tax on the federal income rollovers? or federal tax paid. Still other states will have no income tax at all. Transfers must come from IRAs directly to charity. If you have retirement assets in a 401(k), Can a rollover qualify as my minimum required distribution? 403(b), etc., you must first roll those assets into Yes, once individuals reach age 70½, they are required to take minimum an IRA, and then make the transfer from the distributions from their retirement plans each year, according to a federal IRA directly to a charity. formula. IRA rollovers to charity count toward your minimum required distribution. Please note that under the CARES Act, required minimum Can I use the transfers to fund life-income distributions are waived in 2020. gifts like charitable remainder trusts or charitable gift annuities? I’m over age 70½—should I consider an IRA charitable rollover? No, these are not eligible. Yes, especially if: a. You do not itemize deductions but make charitable gifts, OR Can I make a transfer to my donor-advised b. You are subject to the limitation on itemized deductions, OR fund or supporting organization? c. You are required to take a distribution from your IRA that No, these are not eligible. you just don’t need, OR d. Your charitable gifts already equal 50% of your adjusted gross income.

For more information, please visit our website at mxschool.planmygift.org or contact George Noble or Heather Parker in the Alumni Office by calling 978-369-5110, or e-mailing [email protected] or [email protected]. Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID 1400 Lowell Road Concord, MA 01742 P.O.Box 9122 Permit No. 116 Concord, Massachusetts 01742-9122 www.mxschool.edu

The 2020 Winter Dance Concert ended with the company piece, "Roses and Lemons," choreographed by Middlesex Dance Coach Gabrielle Orcha. The February 28 performance showcased the talents of 26 dancers, several of whom also choreographed their own pieces.