around LA Scholarship Fundraiser a Huge Success The 2011 Parents’ Association viewers on a journey from spring gala, Behind the Scenes early 19th-century LA through at LA, was a spectacular night the present. Just before the for the entire Lawrence live auction portion of the Academy community and night began, a five-minute netted nearly $200,000. It video was shown, featuring was the most successful interviews with students, scholarship fundraiser in the teachers, parents, and alumni, history of Lawrence Academy all speaking about the myriad and drew 300 parents, alumni, activities that take place trustees, past parents, and behind the scenes at LA. friends of LA. The video, six months in the making and graciously A huge thank you and donated by one of our par- congratulations to our entire ents, ended with a message parent community and Celebrity Auctioneer Billy Costa, KISS 108 from Tim Armstrong ’89 particularly to our outstanding asking everyone in the co-chairs, Debbie Barnes audience to enjoy the evening and support LA. You can watch (Eric ’13) and Deb Sarkis (Zach ’11). Debbie and Deb began the video at http://lacademy.smugmug.com/LAPictures working on this event in June 2010, with the intention of 2011-2012/videos. creating a truly magical night to showcase what goes on “behind the scenes” at Lawrence Academy. Their intention became real- When celebrity auctioneer Billy Costa from KISS 108 and ity as the gala included fantastic entertainment, excellent food, NECN’s TV Diner took the stage for the live auction, the energy and a fabulous array of auction items. in the room skyrocketed and the bidding began in earnest. The Stone Athletic Center was magically transformed into a A heartfelt thank you to all of the generous donors and to dinner theatre. The evening began with a silent auction and everyone who came together to make Behind the Scenes at LA continued with a magnificent dinner created by LA’s own dining such a success. One parent remarked, “It says a lot about our services manager, Kurt Cassidy, LA’s executive chef, Phil Kuns, community when we come together and show our love and and the entire talented dining staff. support for our school and our students.” On display in the silent auction area were a number of pieces of Planning is already underway for the 2012 fundraiser. If you student artwork, and during dinner, guests were entertained by would like to be involved, please contact Hellie Swartwood the LA jazz ensemble and the a cappella group, SLACS. Also at 978-448-1577 or [email protected]. during dinner, a slide show called “Through the Years” took Nicole Kelly (Kevin ‘12, Madeleine ‘14), Peg Bernhardt Henry Sarkis (Zack ‘11), Dana and Tracy Stocks (Bryce ‘11) Trustee Greta Donahue P ‘98 and Peter Nordberg (Chris ‘13), and Amy Bullard Davies (Annabelle ‘14) ACADEMY JOURNAL / FALL 2011 7 around LA Carey Cort (Vail ‘12, Caroline ‘14) and Musical entertainment provided by students Sue Barron ‘85 (Thomas ‘14) and Sarah Deb Sarkis (Zack ‘11) and Dave Casanave, grandparent Ms. Mary Churchill Cornelius Griffith ‘14 and Jake Riggert ‘13 Newton (Chase ‘14) director of communications Student volunteers Nikki Crowe ‘13, Hannah Pat Lawrence (Izzy ‘10, Lee and Robert Jones (Katie ‘13, Charlotte ‘14), Debbie Barnes (Eric ‘13) Trustee Bruce MacNeil ‘70 Cunningham ‘13, and Holly Moniz ‘13 Jimmy ‘13) and Peg Bernhardt (Chris ‘13) LA Parent Association Co-Chairs Free the Children Eric Barnes Steve Barnes A penchant for volunteerism apparantly runs in the Barnes family, as Eric ’13, son of Steve and auction co-chair Debbie, spent part of this past summer in the Maasai Mara of Kenya with an organization out of Canada called Free the It is a pleasure to introduce our new chair, Mitzi Garcia Children. Through their “youth-driven” approach, young Weil (Jenny ’12), and co-chair, Karen Riggert (Jake ’13), volunteers have constructed more than 90 schools, of the 2011–2012 Parents’ Association. Both Mitzi and providing an education to over 5,500 children each day. Karen are familiar faces around campus and have been The organization also runs health, nutrition, water, and heavily involved with the PA, including being actively sanitation programs in 10 communities in Kenya, all in an involved in the spring Parents’ Association auction. They effort to break the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term have been successful in recruiting a full complement of community development. parents to the PA executive board and welcome the entire Eric was involved in building a school alongside Maasai parent community to the PA meetings held each month. warriors, planting trees, assisting the teacher in the Lawrence Academy relies heavily on the voluntary work of elementary-level classroom, and playing soccer with the our parents, and we are grateful for their dedication and children. He carried 50-gallon water jugs on his head up commitment to the success and well-being of the school from the river with the “Mamas,” which is a daily chore and the LA community. the women perform. ACADEMY JOURNAL / FALL 2011 8 Grandparents’and Special Friends’ Day Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day was held on Wednesday, April 27, 2011. It was a tremendous success, with over 100 grandparents in attendance. The day included a continental breakfast; welcome by Scott Wiggins, head of school, and Rob Moore, assistant head of school; a student singing performance; Potted Gerber Daisy the traditional gift given to each grandparent attendance of two classes with grandchildren; family photos; a luncheon; and on-campus athletic contests. Hernan and Rosario Julio with Gabe Bishop ‘12Emily Denault ‘12 and Derr Luke Olsen ‘12 and Joyce Olsen Becca Gilbert ‘12 and Paula Gilbert Jeanne Scofidio and Calli Scofidio ‘14 Carpenter Adelaide Guarracino and Lydia Guarracino John and Pat Atkins with Grace Legan ‘14 Judi Cerel, Ben Cerel ‘13, and Betty Brudnick Richard and Carol Wysopal with Renee with Nick Guarracino ‘14 Wysopal ‘12 Lorig Purutyan ‘13 and Tina Bilazarian Laura Greenwood ‘11 and Dorothy Simpson and Brooke Josh Fyffe ‘13 and Anna Cohen Bard Salmon and Jaci Gordon ‘12 Irene Lantry Simpson ‘11 Dick and Carol Rosenberg with Sara Dick and Anna Mullins with Meghan Killian ‘11 John and Paula Hartnett, and Andrew Cerretani ‘11 Jack and Katherine Tyson with Juli Tyson ‘13 Rosenberg ‘14 ACADEMY JOURNAL / FALL 2011 9 around LA Cum Laude 2011 George Aelion ’70 2011 Greater Good Award On April 26, Head of School Scott Wiggins stood on the stage of the George Aelion, the 2011 alumni recipient of Richardson-Mees Performing Arts Center to open the annual Cum Lawrence Academy’s Greater Good Award, Laude celebrations, welcoming LA students, faculty, and staff, as well has served in the United Nations’ World Food as the families of those about to be recognized for their achievements. Programme since 1992. After working on The ceremony would acknowledge academic excellence and development operations, including efforts in individual achievement, as well as introduce this spring’s Greater Kosovo, India, and southern Africa, he now Good Award recipient. focuses on his role as a senior donor relations officer at WFP headquarters in Rome. The community first offered a standing ovation as Mr. Wiggins recognized Joe Sheppard, who retires this year after 46 years of service to the school as “college counselor, French teacher, musician, Winterim family. The award “recognizes LA citizens who use their education for professional director—boarding school teacher extraordinaire.” the greater good of humanity and to make the world a better place.” Assistant Head of School Rob Moore explained the tenets of the Cum Some of the previous recipients have been recognized for helping Laude Society, which recognizes academic excellence combined with landmine victims in Cambodia, working with the mentally admirable character, and expressed the hope that inductees “will challenged, starting an Amnesty International chapter at Lawrence accept the honorary membership in this society as a responsibility Academy, and dedicating their careers to homelessness prevention. to make some contribution to the ongoing search for greater Last fall, Matt Bosselait ’11 was the student recipient, selected for understanding in the world in which we live.” New members were his numerous efforts to assist his community both in his hometown called to the stage to be applauded by the community and welcomed of Bolton as an Eagle Scout and at school, where he is known for his by the following current members, who were onstage to receive them: generosity in assisting others as an accomplished student of seniors Emily Fox, Dan Giovacchini, Kelly Banker, Anna Banker, Eric technical theatre. Leung, Laura Greenwood, Stephanie Regan, Jamie Newsome, Nick On this occasion, Cum Laude Society member Daniel Giovacchini ’11 Yavorsky, and Rebecca Bostick. presented the Greater Good Award to George Aelion ’70 for his Book prizes were then presented by Director of Studies Chris Ellsasser, dedicated pursuit of ending world hunger. Providing a short recognizing individuals for excellence in a variety of areas of academic biography of the recipient, Dan said George was born in Paris and, and artistic endeavor. at the age of eight, moved into Butler House across the street from Lawrence Academy, virtually growing up with LA as part of his life Mr. Moore explained that the Greater Good Award, given to a from that time forward. During his years at the school, he was an graduate of Lawrence Academy on Cum Laude Day each spring and honor student