The Village GreeSummer 2009 Commencement ’09 Going Solar • Reunion 2009 • Athletic Hall of Fame TheVillage Gree Contents Dear Readers, Features Welcome to the inaugural issue of The 10 Commencement Village Green! We’re excited to bring you a condensed, online-only version of the 16 Alumni Reunion 2009 magazine, featuring coverage of many of Athletic Hall of Fame the events from the busy conclusion of 20 the 2008-09 school year. Keep reading for a look at the spring sports season, commencement, and many of the Departments goings-on around campus. 1 Headmaster Don’t worry – you’ll still find the full- length fall issue in your mailboxes come 2 News & Notes November. In the meantime, please feel free to send in your feedback on this new 6 Athletics project! p30 Enjoy the rest of your summer! A special note about links... You can click any email or website address in this PDF Morgan to activate it. Also, click on the symbols you find [email protected] throughout this PDF to view additional photos or video! 860-404-4239 Find past issues of The Avonian online at: Cover: Commencement 2009. Photo by Spencer Sloan. www.avonoldfarms.com/publications HEADMASTER Kenneth H. LaRocque PROVOST John T. Gardner DIRECTOR OF DEVELO P MENT Peter M. Evans EDITOR Morgan L. Cadwell COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Timothy B. Stay ’97 DESIGNER Timothy B. Stay ’97 PH OTOGRA ph ERS Peter Deckers ’90, Thomas Honan, Jonathan Lester ’63, Spencer Sloan, Timothy Stay ’97 CONTRIBUTORS Thank you to everyone who contributed to this magazine. Special thanks to Liz Abramson, Peter Deckers ’90, Rob Dowling ’91, Peter Evans, Susan Evans, Ken LaRocque, 6 10 16 and Michael Stradley. ALUMNI NOTES We enjoy hearing from you! Please feel free share your latest news & notes with us: email: [email protected] • phone (800) 336-8195 • fax (860) 675-7135 © 2009 Avon Old Farms School. The Village Green is published for the alumni, parents, and friends of Avon Old Farms School. All rights reserved. Produced by the Communications Office, Avon Old Farms School, 500 Old Farms Road, Avon, Connecticut 06001. www.avonoldfarms.com/publications Avon Old Farms School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disabilities, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs. From the Headmaster The Avonian was published in May and Ecuador on a similar service trip. During April, the next issue will be printed in November. Avon was well represented at our regional MS In the meantime, we hope that the The Village Walk and the entire Class of 2009 continued Green will provide the Avon Old Farms School our tradition of participating in a senior family with a timely update on our school and community service day. Finally, our athletic the many campus activities that have transpired teams competed successfully this spring. over the course of the spring. In particular, our golf and baseball teams The spring always bustles at school and accomplished noteworthy success during their the theme of celebration resounds. From the seasons. Blue Blazer Ball, sponsored by the Parents The last week of school was spent Association, to the Junior and Senior Prom, honoring our students for their academic to Alumni Weekend, to Grandparents Day, achievements. On May 24th, following a to Commencement and all of its related moving commencement address by Nelson ceremonies, the spring is packed with special Peltz, member of our Board of Directors and events that attract hundreds of visitors to father of Bradley Peltz ’09 and Darren ’12, campus at an especially beautiful time in Dean Graham ’84, Chairman of our Board the year. This spring offered many unique of Directors,30 p presented diplomas to our moments, such as inducting several individuals graduating seniors. This ceremony was the and an entire team into our athletic hall crown to a most successful year, and reminded of fame, dedicating the Peter Carriuolo those present of the power of this school and of ’77 Lacrosse Field, remembering the many its ability to transform lives. contributions of Robert Fairchild ’60 at a As we look towards the 2009–2010 school special memorial service in our chapel, and year, the possibilities are exciting. Educating sending the Class of 2009 off in grand style, 400 teenage boys is a challenge that requires full of tradition and pomp and circumstance. commitment, focus, and passion. Our faculty is The arts also flourished this spring at already preparing to meet this challenge, and I Avon and featured an impressive production know that some 250 returning students will be of M*A*S*H by our theater department, a joined by another 150 new students, and will memorable commencement concert by our create a student body who will embrace the rich music department, and a wonderful visual arts legacy of this school proudly. show on graduation weekend. Community service continued to play an important role at Aspirando et Perseverando! school as well. In March, while several of our athletic teams headed to Florida, one group of Avon students headed to Mississippi and another to Philadelphia to work for Habitat Kenneth H. LaRocque For Humanity, and a third group traveled to Headmaster Summer 2009 1 News & Notes Grandparents Day 2009 A spring rain threatened the morning of exceptional, steadfast support of Avon Old Grandparents Day 2009, but it did not Farms School. John and Margaret Wise, dampen the spirits of many distinguished grandparents of Tully Hannan ’09, also guests as their grandsons brought them to earned the Adams Medal for their service classes, a concert featuring wonderful vocal and generous support of the school as they and instrumental music, and a festive lunch concluded a three-year term as Chairmen of in the field house. As the day progressed, the Grandparent Leadership Committee. the skies continued to brighten and the sun The medal was named to pay tribute to warmed those who headed down to watch Paul and Louise Adams whose two sons and The 2009 Blue Blazer Ball the games on the playing fields. grandson attended Avon. Both were long- The annual Parents’ Dinner and The Louise and Paul Adams Medal was time members of the Board of Directors Auction event was held on Saturday, awarded to Petro Kulynych – grandfather of and Louise continues to serve Avon as an April 25, 2009. Sponsored by the Adam Cline ’93, Luke Cline ’95, and Alex Honorary Director. The Adams Theater is Parents’ Association, the evening was Story ’10 – who was given the medal for his also named in their honor. A coordinated by co-chairs Lori Solomon P’08, ’10 and Faith Margison P’09, who were supported by many dedicated The Junior & Senior Prom parent volunteers. A silent auction was May 2, 2009 marked the Avon Old Farms buses provided by Premier Limousine, held in the field house, followed by a School prom, held once again at the Pond professional photos by Motophoto, and a delicious dinner in the Riddle Refectory House Café at Elizabeth Park in nearby full dinner featuring the students’ choice and a live auction. Hartford. Christine Walder organized of filet mignon, lemon chicken, or ricotta Attendees were once again inspired the event, attended by 73 couples, with stuffed gnocchi. A smoothie bar and to raise their bids by the eloquent assistance from Chairman of the Prom fondue fountain enhanced the meal, and Stephen Lash ’58, Chairman of Committee Michael Mangan ’09. Highlights Connecticut disc jockey “Mark the Shark” Christie’s Auction House and current from the night included transportation provided the musical entertainment. A AOF Board member. This year’s to and from the Café in white coach auction also featured a special offering of a selection of wine from the late Robert Fairchild ’60, who sadly passed away in February. A proud and loyal alumnus, Bob served on the Board for many years. Bottles of wine from the vineyard he owned in France attracted much attention, as did several bottles of special maple syrup harvested from the school’s grounds by Edward Reller and his son Tom ’09. The evening’s bidding ended with a flurry of paddle bids to support the Outreach Scholarship Fund. The School would like to extend its sincere appreciation to all parents, Board members, alumni, and friends of the School who contributed generously to make this event so successful and enjoyable. A PH OTOS , from top right: Tully Hannan ’09 is joined by grandparents John and Margaret Wise, on Grandparents Day, 2009; attendees of the Junior and Senior Prom gather in front of the Beatson Performing Arts Center for a group photo; guests 2 The Village Gree enjoy the live auction in the Refectory during the spring Parents Dinner and Auction in April. News & Notes M*A*S*H Performances Bring Laughs Old Farms Theater Company Presents One-Act Play, Humors Campus The Old Farms Theater Company receives had a large cast. I feel very blessed that so high marks for their spirited rendition many young men have been faithful to the of the one-act play M*A*S*H, as written theater program here at Avon Old Farms. by Tim Kelly from the book of the same Working with a veteran cast is a luxury most title by Richard Hooker. Twelve Avonians directors only dream of. The girls from were joined by 11 Miss Porter’s School Miss Porter’s have also been a joy to work students to stage the play, which was with this season.