the GAM a conversation among mariners
Joining Together Sparking Change
FALMOUTH ACADEMY SPRING 2022
Falmouth Academy
CONTENTS
engaging the challenges of our times
2 Up Front 7 Classroom & Beyond 13 Centerpiece Joining Together: Sparking Change
18 Mariner Stars 20 Alumni News 26 People of FA
Cover: Cheenulka Pocknett performs a highly energetic Men’s Fancy Feather Dance—a contemporary style war dance distinguished by two feather bustles. His performance was part of an educational Indigenous presentation by Cameron Greendeer, Native Youth Community Projects manager for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and member of the HoChunk Nation that wrapped up Joining Together: Sparking Change held at Falmouth Academy on March 26, 2022. Photo by Yaz Aubrey ’25. Below: Tarun by Leyou (Christina) Yang ’22, acrylic on canvas. Yang plans to study art at the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago.
GAM: “A social meeting of whale ships ... with all the sympathies of sailors [and] all the peculiar congenialities arising from a common pursuit.” Falmouth Academy 7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540 508-457-9696 falmouthacademy.org Administration Matthew Green, Head of School Michael Earley, Assistant Head of School Petra Ehrenbrink, Academic Dean Pamela Clapp Hinkle, Director of Development Julie Bradley, Director of Admission and Enrollment Management Carmen DiSanto, Director of Finance and Operations Editorial Staff Amy Galvam, Director of Communications Barbara Campbell, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations David Gallagher, Development Associate, Annual Giving and Operations Photos: Yaz Aubrey ’25, Leah Fasten, Spencer Goldsmith ’22, Anne Jeffrey ’25, Sarah Knowles, Susan Moffat, Brenda Sharp, FA Archives, Design: Julianne Waite Mission Harnessing the power of inspired learning in a world-renowned scientific and vibrant artistic community, Falmouth Academy emboldens each student to take creative and intellectual risks to confidently engage the challenges of our times. Guiding Values We value the beauty of knowledge and the joy of conversation. We value collaboration and generosity of spirit. We value the power of a culture of kindness. We value relationships built on trust, respect, and direct communication. We value the wonder of imagination. We value each student’s pursuit of diverse challenges and opportunities. We value teachers as models of confident, rich adulthood. We value the richness of an educational experience that includes people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and identities.
From the Head of School
Dear Friends, Falmouth Academy has a history of “punching above its weight,” and our inaugural Students for Social and Environmental Justice (SSJ) conference, featured in this issue of the GAM, is a great example of this. More than a year ago, students and faculty involved in our SSJ elective dreamed of bringing students from around the Cape, Islands and Coasts together to tackle two particular “challenges of our times” and then took action to make that dream a reality. The result? An incredible day-long meeting full of ambitious, idealistic young people willing to give up 10 hours on a Saturday to explore a notion as difficult to define, as potentially subjective, and as vitally important as justice. Plato wrote books and books on the topic of justice, and I am not sure he ever figured it out. It may very be that a just society is one in which everyone fulfills their roles, but it kind of depends on the role you are being asked to fill, doesn’t it? John Locke placed a premium on liberty—we can do anything we want if it does not infringe on the rights of others to do anything they want, but how long can that last? People thought John Stuart Mill had it figured out with utilitarianism: an act is just when it produces the most happiness for the most people, but are we ready to live in a society where some people are compelled to endure extreme suffering so that the rest of us can live large? (Maybe we already do.) No, I suppose I have always been a fan of John Rawls and in particular of the argument he lays out in his 1971 book, A Theory of Justice. In considering how to form a just society, Rawls urges us to place ourselves in an “original position,” a time and space where we are charged with designing a society into which we have not yet been born. He further requires us to do so while wearing a “veil of ignorance,” one that precludes us from knowing who or what we might be upon our arrival. In such a setting, Rawls posits, one could not help but create a just society. Were the conditions of my birth favorable, were I born with certain assets, I would probably make allowances for my being able to develop or capitalize on those assets, but were they unfavorable, in the event that I were born with certain deficits or disadvantages, I would want to make sure that the society I was charged with designing had some plan in place so that I was not unduly penalized by an accident of birth. Justice, of course, is very much in the news these days. Each of us thinks that everyone else agrees with our own conception of social justice (which we sometimes refer to as “common sense.”) Worse yet, we sometimes assume that those that don’t are just plain wrong, maybe even mean. Here at Falmouth Academy, we want our students to grapple with justice with an open mind, as well as an open heart. Taken as a whole, the contents of this particular issue in some ways point to our own particular conception of justice. You will read of our middle schoolers spending the day with the folks from Nature’s Classroom. You will read about upper school science students studying the science, and the ethics, of gene editing with our friends from the Marine Biological Laboratory. You will read about our new Mock Trial program, which introduces students to the workings of our legal system. You will read about a recent Alumni Roundtable, in which several talented alumni shared their experience in the field of impact/ESG informed investing. In staging our Students for Social and Environmental Justice Conference, our students were essentially arguing that rising to meet the challenges of these particular times, be they racial injustice, economic inequality, or climate change, far from being the work of a single individual or even a single school, is best achieved by bringing people together, learning from our differences, discovering our similarities, strenuously disagreeing without ever being disagreeable, listening to understand, and perhaps along the way, coming to a shared definition of justice. Eat your heart out, Plato. Thank you all for your support,
Matthew Green Head of School
the GAM
SPRING 2022
1
UP FRONT
Riding the Rapids Their cellphones left behind, the Class of 2022 kicked off their senior year donning a whole new set of PPE—helmets and life jackets—as they rode the whitewater of the Deerfield River. “One of the things we missed most this past year was not being able to take our traditional overnight class trips,” said Scottie Mobley, senior class advisor. “Trips like these promote connection and build trust so that classes learn to work together and respect one another. Since this class missed out on the traditional 11th-grade trip to the Sargent Center in New Hampshire due to Covid-19, they went this year at the beginning of May.”
Nature’s Classroom This fall, FA partnered with Nature's Classroom to offer a customized hands-on outdoor learning experience. Small teams of middle schoolers ventured into Beebe Woods where they spent over an hour constructing civilizations out of found objects—sticks and stones, bark and pine cones— and even declined a break so that they could add the finishing touches to their creations. Together they discovered salamanders, experimented with flint and steel, and played old-timey games, including Red Light, Green Light, all so that they might challenge themselves, enjoy the outdoors, and get to know each other a little better.
Right: Willow Lajoie ’26 2
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Jerusalema Dance Challenge “Jerusalema” is a catchy upbeat tune by South African DJ and record producer Master KG that kicked off an internet dance craze last year and brought hope to the world during COVID. The South African track and Angolan dance steps inspired people from around the globe—from school children to flight attendants— to get up and dance as a sign of solidarity and hope. Taleena Gonneea ’26 thought this was the perfect way to celebrate the start of Black History Month and rallied community members to participate in the dance challenge, FA-style. Nina Garcia, a trained Zumba instructor, donated her time to teach the students the steps, and Matt Kellogg ’26 and Ray Zhang ’26 edited the video, which was screened at All-School Meeting (view on FA’s YouTube page).
The Birds is not “for the birds” Disillusioned with life in Athens, Euelpides, played by Sarah Plotkin ’22, and Pisthetaerus, played by Ethan Pratt ’22, persuade the world’s birds to reclaim their divinity ahead of the Olympians by creating a new city in the sky, Cuckoo-Land. Aristophanes’ play, which debuted in ancient Greece in 414 BCE and was later adapted by Walter Kerr, was interpreted by a cast and crew of students from every grade. Actors delivered a whimsical performance full of amusing dialogue, in carefully designed costumes, with blocking that kept everyone healthy for the first live student production since 2020.
the GAM
SPRING 2022
3
UP FRONT
International Ensemble This newly formed ensemble electrified the Hermann Theater as the final act of the Midwinter Concert. Their encore performance of Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5” by Kelly (Junke) Lin ’24 on violin, Joseph Legutko ’26 on viola, Sophia Legutko ’23 on cello, accompanied by bandleader Alzamora (Pengyue) Quan ’22 on piano, was met with impassioned applause and a standing ovation. Later in the spring, the group delighted auction-goers at Cirque des Rêves, Falmouth Academy’s benefit auction, and plan to perform at Falmouth’s Arts Alive in mid-June.
Global Seal of Biliteracy On Tuesday, February 1st, Academic Dean Dr. Petra Ehrenbrink congratulated Spencer Goldsmith ’22 for qualifying for the Global Seal of Biliteracy, an international credential that conveys proficiency in two or more languages. Goldsmith demonstrated working fluency in English and German. The Seal enables prospective employers and programs to easily validate a student’s language skills and provides recognition. Falmouth Academy now offers the Global Seal of Biliteracy.
4
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Anything But A Backpack The student body was more than ready for the return of Spirit Week and jumped into the friendly competition with verve, showcasing imaginative costumes on Digit Day and Scrabble Day, cleverly choreographing and performing for Dec-aSenior and Artistic Expression, and giving their all on the field in the Egg Toss and Triathlon. However, it was a new addition to the slate of activities that created a buzz: Anything But A Backpack. Students carried their belongings to school and from class to class in—yes, you guessed it—anything but a backpack. Novel transport vessels included a shopping cart, a fertilizer spreader, a lobster pot, a baby carriage, a guitar case, a sibling, and even the proverbial kitchen sink.
Left to right: Wyatt Thornton ’26, Abigail Lott ’22, and Oona Carroll ’24
NASA Touches Down at Falmouth Academy Falmouth Academy’s Women in Science (FA WiSE) landed an out-of-this-world speaker when NASA Astronaut Loral O’Hara joined them virtually for their April meeting. O’Hara discussed her career trajectory from an engineer working at WHOI as part of the Alvin submersible team to her current work as a NASA astronaut. She delighted students with stories about a range of topics including astronaut training, the comfortability of modern spacesuits, books and movies that inspired her, and even touched on what happens to space trash when it hits Earth's atmosphere. Students listened with rapt attention, and eagerly asked O’Hara a host of thoughtful questions. It was obvious that there was more than one aspiring astronaut in the audience. the GAM
SPRING 2022
5
UP FRONT Science and Engineering Fair The 34th Falmouth Academy Science and Engineering Fair was held in person on February 17, 2022. The event was divided into a middle school and upper school event to foster social distancing. After nearly six months of preparation, 167 projects were presented to over 100 professional scientists, engineers, physicians, researchers, and other experts— including 12 Falmouth Academy alumni. Sixty-five prizes, scholarships, and honorable mentions were awarded, with top prizes going to Sofia Metri ’22, Emily Lazarus ’24, and Ben Gulmann ’23. Ten upper-school projects advanced to the Region V Science and Engineering Fair, which was held remotely on March 5, 2022 and six students were awarded prizes: Gus McGuire ’24 (first place), Julietta Marzot ’25 (second place), Evan Freedman ’24 (third place), Ben Gulmann ’23 (third place), Sophia Venetis ’22 (third place), and Emily Lazarus ’24 (honorable mention). Seven students presented virtually at the Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair on May 5 and 6, 2022, and three were awarded prizes: Gus McGuire ’24 (third place), Emily Lazarus ’24 (third place), and Ben Gulmann ’23 (honorable mention).
Right: Sophia Venetis ’22
Le Grand Concours This March, French students at Falmouth Academy participated in the Grand Concours, the National French Exam, for the very first time. 42,000 students sat for the exam nationwide and just over 9,000 received awards at the Bronze level or above. French teachers Emily Turner and Christine Carter presented awards at All School Meeting on May 4, 2022. Tarun Gonneea ’22, Luke Okoshi-Michel ’26, Fletcher Parsons ’26, and Sara Cook ’26 were presented certificats d’honneur. Elise Casso ’26 and Taleena Gonneea ’26 received Bronze. Faye McGuire ’26, Emma Bena ’26, Maverick Pil ’26, Fanoula Venetis ’26, Ezra Ackerman ’26, Anne Jeffrey ’25, and Zach Crampton ’22 were awarded Silver; and David Aubrey ’26, Josh McGuire ’26, and Yaz Aubrey ’25 were awarded Gold. Félicitations, students!
6
the GAM
SPRING 2022
CLASSROOM & BEYOND
Above: Ben Gulmann ’23 and Roberto Marzot ’23
CRISPR Gene Editing at the MBL Eight Falmouth Academy students participated in the Marine Biological Laboratory’s CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing of Aquatic and Marine Organisms course, an immersive four-day residential hands-on research and learning experience that's part of the lab’s High School Discovery program. Falmouth Academy’s own Dr. Alison Ament was involved in the initial planning of the program, which was launched in 2019 with the goal of making high-level science available to high school students. MBL Director and University of Chicago professor Dr. Nipam Patel and MBL manager of Marine Research Services and Secondary Education Scott Bennett taught the course. Students worked in Patel’s lab with his research team, learned microscopy techniques, manipulated zebrafish genes using cutting-edge CRISPR technology, and participated in roundtables on CRISPR, embryology, bioethics, and careers in science. They also visited the MBL’s Rare Books Library, toured research labs, and visited the MBL’s Marine Resources Center, which houses everything from coral and anemones to horseshoe crabs, cephalopods, fish, and sharks. “I really loved visiting the Center and seeing the axolotls, which are nearly extinct,” said Roberto Marzot ’23. Axolotls are a species of salamander native to Mexico, and MBL
has over fifty in different tanks. Researchers are studying their astonishing regenerative capabilities. CRISPR is an acronym for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats.” In simpler terms, CRISPR refers to short repeating sequences of DNA that can be recognized by a guide RNA molecule and cut by an enzyme such as Cas9. This cutting allows researchers to disable a gene (called a “knockout”) and to insert gene sequences in new places in a DNA sequence/ chromosome. There is great potential for treating genetic diseases and disorders with CRISPR by disabling a defective gene or inserting a corrected copy of a gene. It is already being used in experimental trials to treat sickle-cell anemia. CRISPR’s potential as a gene-editing tool was first observed and described by a researcher working for a yogurt company in France in 2007. Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier were subsequently awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery and pioneering work with the CRISPR/Cas9 “genetic scissors.” In 10th-grade biology, Falmouth Academy students learn how to micropipette and genetically transform bacteria using restriction enzymes. They also learn the basics of genetics the GAM
SPRING 2022
7
CLASSROOM & BEYOND
and microscopy and discuss the ethics surrounding genetic engineering including the use of CRISPR. “For many students, this is an intriguing and timely subject,” said Falmouth Academy Biology Teacher Sharon Kreamer, who organized and chaperoned the experience. Students self-selected to attend and some scholarship money was made available thanks to a generous donor. During the MBL course, students edited developmental genes in zebrafish embryos using a CRISPR/Cas9 construct. Through this process, they also learned about embryogenesis and organ formation, and their connection to understanding human health and birth defects. They were able to see the results of the editing using modern methods in microscopy and the 3D imaging software, Fiji. “Injecting the embryos was difficult at first,” said Michael Zitomer ’22, “but rewarding when done correctly.” Kreamer noted that although there was a learning curve with the new technology, Falmouth Academy students were enthusiastic and capable due to a strong conceptual and practical foundation. “You could see the learning in real-time,” said Kreamer. “As their teacher, it was about witnessing the wonder and excitement of scientific discovery and endeavor in my students.”
8
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Gene editing has great potential, but as Sophia Venetis ’22 noted, there are many things to consider, especially before involving human subjects, including consent, safety, access, and feasibility. “Understanding bioethical implications is essential when pushing boundaries in biotechnology and biomedical research,” said Venetis, “something that I hope to do in my future.” This program expanded the students’ understanding of science as team-based and collaborative, which gave them a broader picture of what a career in science or research could look like, said Kreamer. “They don’t have to be computer technologists or mathematicians to pursue science.” Zitomer, who plans to study psychology and biochemistry in college, said the program exceeded his expectations, referring to it as a highlight of his high school career. Participating students included: Sophia Venetis ’22, Michael Zitomer ’22, Ben Gulmann ’23, Daisy Kinsley Hancock ’23, Roberto Marzot ’23, Charlotte Ray ’23, Mateo Vazquez ’23, and Sean Yin ’23
Below (left to right): Tianxiang (Sean) Yin ’23, Mike Zitomer ’22, Roberto Marzot ’23, Charlotte Ray ’23, Mateo Vazquez ’23, and Scott Bennett, Manager, Marine Research Services & Secondary Education
Toward a Better Climate Future In mid-October, Liz Beardsley P’27 emailed Science Department Chair Liz Klein to let her know that she would be attending the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, as part of her work with the U.S. Green Building Council. She was interested in the work Falmouth Academy was doing on climate change education and offered to connect students with the U.S. delegation. Together Beardsley and Klein decided to extend an invitation to Falmouth Academy students to compose a letter to the delegation expressing their concerns about climate change. “I wanted this to be open to the entire school community rather than just students participating in the Changing Earth 9th-grade course,” said Klein. Klein announced the opportunity at All School Meeting, and Adele Francis ’24, Clara Athearn ’24, Benjamin Angell ’24, Amelia Russell-Schaffer ’26, and Eva Muldoon ’25 volunteered to take the lead in composing the letter. They strongly advocated for an urgent response to the climate crisis. “This problem that my generation will likely inherit is so much bigger than the economy, single countries, or even humans,” said Angell. “It is a problem that affects everyone and everything.” Klein and English teacher Monica Hough helped the students draft the statement, which read:
Students from Falmouth Academy, a small independent high school on Cape Cod, are worried about climate change. They view the situation as a crisis, and their desire to work toward a better climate future is evident in their daily actions. While they can make changes in their lives and the lives of their families, they are counting on world leaders like you to stand up and take significant action to combat global climate change. Talk is just that: talk. We need action. Their future depends on you and those you will be working with at COP26. Below appear statements that they have written in response to this situation; we have also collected student signatures. We hope that when you read their words, you will commit to the positive changes they deserve. Sincerely, The Falmouth Academy Community
The final draft was presented to the whole school so that students and teachers could add their signatures. Beardsley delivered the letter containing more than 100 signatures to a representative of U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry.
Top: Benjamin Angell ’24 and Liz Klein Center: Tasha Sudofsky ’22, and Penelope Thornton ’27 Bottom: Liz Klein signs the letter written to the COP26 U.S. delegation the GAM
SPRING 2022
9
CLASSROOM AND BEYOND
Judge Matt Green Presides at Mock Trial In the fall, high school students in Matt Green’s newly offered Mock Trial elective enacted The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Taylor Edsel, a trial used by the State Bar as a case study for law students. “Mock Trial is experiential education at its finest,” said Green. He went on to explain that each year, the Pennsylvania Bar Association designs a case based on actual events, and over the course of three months, participating teams study its intricacies in preparation for a series of trials at which they could be assigned either the role of plaintiff or defendant. Green decided to use a scaled-down version of this to shape his own elective, and the students prepared for two mock trials over the course of this year. Students were coached on the mechanics of a trial in the fall, and then carefully read the brief before adopting roles and serving as attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense, witnesses, and jurors. The “trial” took place in Morse Hall with Mr. Green posing as the judge with various members of the community, teachers and students alike, volunteering to fill out the jury. In Pennsylvania v. Edsel, the defendant was accused of arson in the first degree. Prosecutors presented evidence of a history of arson going back to childhood and the defense made a plea for leniency, citing parental abandonment and neglect. They attempted to show that arson was some kind of misappropriated coping mechanism, but failed to convince the jury. “I enjoyed being a member of the defense team even though the evidence clearly pointed to the defendant's guilt,” said Ben Giumetti ’23. “We were forced to think more in-depth, and look 10
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Clockwise from top left: Ben Giumetti ’23, Mateo Vazquez ’23, and Matt Green
for holes in the prosecution's case and for possible explanations for shady events.” Mateo Vazquez ’23, who played opposing counsel for the prosecution, was impressed with how seriously his classmates prepared for their roles. He said, “We all really got into the case materials.” In the spring, students turned their attention to the fictitious Kalmia University, where Harper Marmalard was on trial for first-degree murder stemming from his involvement in a hazing incident that led to the untimely death of Zeta Iota Pi pledge, Mandy Pepperidge.
M-U-N is more than just F-U-N This year brought not only a new venue but a new moderator to Falmouth Academy’s Model UN. Matt Barnes, history teacher and advisor to FA’s Students for Social Justice, took over from retired history teacher, Don Swanbeck. Determined to have an in-person experience, the team had to scramble in mid-January to find an alternative when their planned destination, Dartmouth College's DartMUN, opted to go virtual. Within a week, the team was registered for a one-day conference in early April held at Worcester State University, which would still give them a small taste of college life (a favorite perk from the traditional three-day Dartmouth College experience) and provide a solid introduction to Model UN. They had to pivot quickly as the new conference came with a whole new set of priorities and topics. Some say that Model UN can be learned during a conference, but Barnes did not want to rely on a baptism-by-fire approach, figuring that the more they put into it, the more they’d get out of it. The team met after-school and powered through lunches to prepare position papers, draft opening speeches, and research their assigned topics and countries. Since most had not been to a conference before due in part to the hiatus imposed by the pandemic, Barnes helped his students understand what a simulation entailed as well as brush up on their public speaking and diplomacy skills so that they could compete with confidence. “Students will move on from Model UN to pursue other interests, but what they learn—negotiating, public speaking, and problem solving—are life skills that will benefit them wherever they are,” said Barnes. The Falmouth Academy contingency represented Algeria, Rwanda, Haiti, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Working solo or in pairs, they researched
and presented on one of the following two topics, Inequalities Heightened by Covid-19 and Prevention of Animal Trafficking and Assuring Conservation. Juggling basketball and assistant directing the middle school play, Adele Francis ’24 attended as many prep sessions as possible. She teamed up with classmate Benjamin Angell ’24 and together they played to their strengths with Adele public speaking and Angell doing most of the writing, while both researched inequalities exacerbated by Covid-19. They took a novel and modern approach to finding a solution. Garnering inspiration from kickstarter-type funding platforms, they proposed for agencies and government organizations to pitch their ideas for a slice of the £14.5 billion U.K. foreign aid budget, thus crowdsourcing the solutions to people closer to the problem. Their ingenuity and diligence paid off. Ben Angell ’24 and Adele Francis ’24 brought home Best Negotiator Awards and teammates, Mateo Vazquez ’23 and Roberto Marzot ’23, part of the United States delegation, fetched Best Position Paper Awards. When reflecting back on the conference Francis had this to say, “Being taken seriously in such an adult setting, while making decisions to solve real-world problems was empowering and energizing.” She enthusiastically volunteered that she plans to participate again next year.
Left: Abby Neubert ’22 and Fiona Gully ’24 Top right: (back row) Ben Gulmann ’23, Spencer Goldsmith ’22, Ben Giumetti ’23, Ned Heywood ’23, Zach Crampton ’22, Roberto Marzot ’23, Mateo Vazquez ’23, (middle row) Benjamin Angell ’24, Fiona Gully ’24, Tasha Sudofsky ’22, Tianxing (Luke) Xiang ’23, Declan Lane ’25, (front row) Adele Francis ’23 and Abby Neubert ’22 Bottom right: (left to right) Ben Gulmann ’23, Tianxing (Luke) Xiang ’23, and Declan Lane ’25
the GAM
SPRING 2022
11
CLASSROOM AND BEYOND Nature, News, Twin Pandemics, and a Writer’s Life Falmouth Academy’s 2021–22 Community Series, sponsored in part by the Woods Hole Foundation, returned in person on November 2, 2021 with Cape Cod Naturalist Robert Finch, acclaimed author and NPR radio host of “A Cape Cod Notebook,” who delighted a packed house with charming anecdotes and more serious reflections on what he’s observed about life on the shoreline of Cape Cod over the last fifty years. February ushered in not one but two events: the first a behind the scenes look at CAI, the Cape’s local NPR station, with Executive Producer and Host of “The Point” and Managing Director of Editorial Mindy Todd, Managing Editor for News Steve Junker, and Production Director and Host Dan Tritle. At the end of the month, Deputy Executive Director Dr. Kathryn Hall of the Boston Public Health Commission engaged the audience in a look at the strained alchemy between twin pandemics, health inequity and Covid-19. She presented as part of the Wood Hole Black History Month Series. The series wrapped up in early April with an entertaining interview with NY Times Bestselling-Author Jean Hanff Korelitz conducted by English Teacher Monica Hough. The two women chatted like old friends about the writing process, Korelitz’s prolific career, and her latest book, The Latecomer, which was published on May 31, 2022. Recordings of the events are available on the Falmouth Academy website on the Community page.
Top: Dr. Kathryn Hall addresses health inequities and Covid-19 Bottom: Monica Hough interviews Jean Hanff Korelitz
12
the GAM
SPRING 2022
CENTERPIECE
STUDENTS FOR SOCIAL & E N V I R O N M E N TA L J U S T I C E
JOINING TOGETHER: SPARKING CHANGE “There is power in bringing the community together,” said senior Mia Galvam, co-founding member of Falmouth Academy’s Students for Social Justice (SSJ). This was the reason she gave for why this group wanted to take on the herculean task of hosting a regional social and environmental justice conference for youth from all over SE Massachusetts. “We wanted to foster excitement, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the issues in order to motivate young people to get involved in their home communities,” Galvam explained. And, on March 26, 2022, they did just that as they launched SSJ’s inaugural conference.
the GAM
SPRING 2022
13
CENTERPIECE
The conference theme, Joining Together: Sparking Change, reflected a desire to bring students and educators together to share, learn, and inspire one another to create positive contributions to social and climate justice efforts, said Carol DiFalco, Falmouth Academy’s school counselor and DEI coordinator. Content areas were identified that would resonate with students—from the curious to the committed—and then area experts were sought who could bring the content to life in energizing ways. The community response was overwhelmingly positive and the list of facilitators included educators, scientists, selectpersons, small business owners, journalists, DEI coordinators, museum curators, and more. “By approaching these issues in several different ways, we hoped to attract as many types of students as possible,” said Galvam. “We worked hard to create opportunities where students could choose to enter the conversation in ways that felt comfortable to them, whether through activism, wellness, journalism, policy, or politics, around issues such as race, gender equality, or climate change.” Falmouth Academy recently completed a strategic planning initiative designed to chart the course of the school over the next three to five years. In addition to operationalizing its commitment to social justice, the plan states that the school will make a meaningful difference through initiatives that integrate sustainability, and that speak to the unique challenges of an increasingly uncertain and unstable climate. Student leader Tarun Gonneea ’22 noted the impact of this instability on his generation when he explained one reason why he wanted to be part of this 14
the GAM
SPRING 2022
conference. “What we are going into is unprecedented, and we have to, unfortunately, mature a little faster, and take responsibility a little sooner.” He went on to explain that social and environmental justice issues are demonstrably linked in that the effects of climate change impact minority populations and black and brown communities at a disproportionate rate. “It would be inauthentic not to discuss them together under the broad umbrella of social justice,” he said. DiFalco noted the importance of having Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) representation when choosing facilitators and workshop topics, “One of the responsibilities of doing this work is to elevate voices of disproportionately impacted populations, who can amplify those voices at this event.” The day-long event was at capacity with 140 students from 14 schools, and over 40 facilitators and volunteers, who traveled by car, bus, and boat to attend. It kicked off with a keynote address by storyteller Derrick Lugo (pictured next page, top left) who charmed the audience with anecdotes about life on the Appalachian Trail. A self-described New York City urbanite who never hiked or camped a day in his life, Lugo set off with minimal planning for the six-month trek from Georgia to Maine. Despite not knowing how to pitch a tent or filter water, Lugo, christened with the trail name Mr. Fabulous, completed the 2,200-mile hike. His story, which he chronicles in his book, The Unlikely Thru-Hiker, wasn’t just about blind determination or dumb luck. It was about trying something new, maybe even a bit scary, and not being afraid to fail—believing in oneself and the goodness
of others, cherishing the beauty of nature and the fragility of life, and understanding that even in the most remote places, we are never truly alone. Uplifted by Lugo’s words, conference-goers then went their separate ways. Students attended three 45-minute sessions of their choosing while teachers and chaperones engaged in conversations and presentations tailored to them, such as a discussion on the experiences of gender-queer students facilitated by Yaz Aubrey and Lila Journalist, ninth graders at Falmouth Academy. Midday, there was a catered lunch and a special performance by The ZYG808, a Grammy-nominated music-making soul poet who sang and rapped until the students got up to groove with him, turning Morse Hall into a dance hall. The day came to a close with a celebratory plenary session featuring members of the Ho-Chunk and Wampanoag Nations led by Cameron Greendeer, Native Youth Community Projects manager for the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and member of the Ho-Chunk Nation. The tribal members performed several kinds of ceremonial dances wearing traditional regalia while Greendeer generously explained the significance and sacredness of each. When asked what she hoped students would have gotten out of the conference, DiFalco said, “It was our hope that students would leave rejuvenated and ready to work— with some extra tools in their pockets, a greater knowledge of community resources, and support from a network of student and adult collaborators committed to this work.” the GAM
SPRING 2022
15
CENTERPIECE Workshops Bias and Blindspots in Journalism: A Crash Course Calli Remillard, Journalist, Falmouth Enterprise
Cape Verde's Response to Climate Change Barbara Burgo, Cape Verdean Museum
Climate Solutions A-Z: What You Can Do! Britta Santamauro, Librarian, Falmouth Academy
Declare Yourself: A Poetry Workshop
Marney Rathbun ’12, English Teacher, Falmouth Academy
Economic and Ethical Implications of The United States‘ Practices with Globally Displaced Populations Luke Xiang '23, Student, Falmouth Academy Carol DiFalco, DEI Coordinator and School Counselor, Falmouth Academy
Whose Memory is it Anyway? The Roles of Monuments and Statues in Racial Bias Rae Nishi, Ph.D., Senior Research and Education Scholar
Public Policy to Spark Change
Megan English Braga, Falmouth Selectboard Onjalé Scott Price, Falmouth Selectboard Amy Galvam, Communications Director, Falmouth Academy Jacquelyn Hartman, JEDI consultant (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion)
For Whom is Shakespeare Designed? Steve Rowland, Documentary Producer Amiti Bey, Co-Director of “Time Out of Joint”
Share Your Story
Derick Lugo, Author, Keynote Speaker
What's Cooking? Using Sunlight to Prepare Food Petra Ehrenbrink, Academic Dean, Falmouth Academy
Unite People and Ignite Change with the Power of an Image! Susan Moffat, Photography teacher, Falmouth Academy
THRIVE & CIGSYA
Tara Vargas Wallace, Amplify Cape Cod and Thrive Scott Fitzmaurice, Cape & Islands Gay & Straight Youth Alliance
Videography and Social Justice
Talia Landry, Communications Coordinator, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe
What is Cultural Justice? Paula Peters, SmokeSygnals
Windows & Mirrors: Navigating Diversity and Representation in Contemporary Publishing for Children and Teens Sara Hines, Eight Cousins Bookstore
Global Mobilization Game: Mobilizing Economies to Create a Sustainable and Just World Greg Watson, Schumacher Center for a New Economics
Zumba
Lillian Lomba, Certified Zumba Instructor 16
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Social Justice Leadership Team Daniela Carvajal ’24, Mia Galvam ’22, Tarun Gonneea ’22, Abigail Neubert ’22, Thalia O’Neil ’24, Sarah Thieler ’22, Sabrina Vazquez ’24 Faculty Advisors Matt Barnes, Carol DiFalco, Liz Klein SSJ Members David Aubrey ’26, Yaz Aubrey ’25, Lili Connors ’24, Evan Freedman ’24, Charlotte Galvam ’27, Taleena Gonneea ’26, Bianca Greco ’23, Fiona Gully ’24, Sophie Holmes ’27, Lila Journalist ’25, Declan Lane ’25, Noah Manning ’24, Natalie Packard ’24, Robert Ronan ’26, Lexi Todd-Weinstein ’27, and Tianxing (Luke) Xiang ’23
the GAM
SPRING 2022
17
MARINER STARS
Cape & Islands League Fall and Winter All-Stars Congratulations to Mariner athletes on successful fall and winter seasons that included Cody Feldott ’22 being named MVP and playing in the Eastern Massachusetts Soccer All-Star Game; Boys Varsity Soccer qualifying for the state tournament for the first time ever, and winning their first round game to make it to the round of 16; Boys Middle School Soccer winning the Cape Cod Super Six Championship; Cross Country runner Elise Casso ’26 competing at states where she ran a personal best; and the following students who were recognized as League All-Stars.
CROSS COUNTRY Elise Casso ’26
League All-Star
Tarun Gonneea ’22
League All-Star
Soren Peterson ’22
League All-Star
Bianca Greco ’23
Honorable Mention
Tarun Gonneea ’22
Individual Sportsmanship
Bianca Greco ’23
Individual Sportsmanship
VARSITY SOCCER Cody Feldott ’22
League All-Star, MVP
Roberto Marzot ’23
League All-Star
Julietta Marzot ’25
League All-Star
Signe Gierhart ’22
Honorable Mention
Will McCabe ’22
Honorable Mention
Piper Augat ’22
Individual Sportsmanship
Jack Butler ’22
Individual Sportsmanship
VARSITY BASKETBALL
18
Piper Augat ’22
League All-Star
Cody Feldott ’22
League All-Star
Nate Holmes ’24
League All-Star
Lily Connors ’24
Honorable Mention
Kailei Hoehlein ’22
Honorable Mention
Drew Reeves ’24
Honorable Mention
Jack DiFalco-Wheeler ’22
Individual Sportsmanship
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Hannah Brazil ’22 Swoops the Hawk Hannah Brazil ’22 started playing field hockey at the age of eight—first as a field player and then later as a goalkeeper. In 8th grade, Hannah was the backup goalie for Sandwich High School’s Girls Varsity. In 2018, she was invited to Martin Drijver’s Elite Goalie Camp in Amsterdam. Last fall, she signed with Roger Williams University, NCAA Division III. Congratulations, Hannah!
Connor Mercer ’23 Takes Aim
Clockwise from left: Nate Holmes ’24, and Piper Augat ’22, Julietta Marzot ’25, Elise Casso ’26, Tarun Gonneea ’22, Soren Peterson ’22 Cody Feldott ’22,
Connor Mercer ’23 is in his ninth year of archery and is a member of Ace Archers “Team Aces” in Foxboro, MA. He had a stellar indoor season placing first in each of his indoor competitions and clinching a first place in the Junior Compound Division for Massachusetts and New Hampshire, qualifying him for Nationals. His interest in archery served him well as he set his sights on another target and brought home a fourth place in the Falmouth Academy Science and Engineering Fair for his project, “Comparing Grid Fins to Planar Fins on Archery Arrows.” This summer, with his Level 1 Archery Instructor Certification in hand, Connor will be teaching archery at FA SUMMER.
the GAM
SPRING 2022
19
ALUMNI NEWS 1980s Congratulations to Lisa (Schneider) Freudenheim ’86, J.D., who was named Dean of New England Law Boston, where she has served as Professor of Law, Director of Academic Excellence, and other positions since 2010. In addition, she founded Legal Writing Consultants to market her specialty—legal analysis, predictive and persuasive legal writing and research skills. Lisa has also taught at Boston College Law School and Suffolk University.
Congratulations to Anthony and Karissa (Soby) Giovannini ’08 on the birth of their son Lincoln Joseph, born in September. (And, congratulations to uncle Josh Soby ’08 too!) Karissa said, “Creating this little life is one of our greatest accomplishments, and we love getting to know him.”
2010s 2012 classmates Allisa Dalpe, Ph.D., and Marney Rathbun connected at Falmouth Academy on Alumni Networking Day. Allisa was a comoderator of the Engineering table. She works at WHOI as a research engineer in the Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering Department. Marney taught 11th grade English during the 2021–22 school year at Falmouth Academy.
1990s Seth Ament ’99, Ph.D., Associate Professor at University of Maryland School of Medicine, co-authored 3 of the 17 papers in the October 2021 issue of the scientific journal Nature. The issue focuses on the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network, which aims to identify and catalog the diverse cell types found in mammalian brains. The papers present a comprehensive cell census and atlas of the mammalian primary motor cortex, a region of the brain responsible for movement. The atlas defines the molecular, anatomical, and physiological identities of specific cell types, while also revealing where they reside in the motor cortex tissue. Seth leads a research group within the Department of Psychiatry and Institute for Genome Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. His group researches genetic and genomic mechanisms of brain function and brain disorders.
2000s Kristin (Jochems) Montville ’05, has served in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 13 years, 8 of which have been in the Air Force Reserve. She was recently selected for a 3-year Active Duty tour at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. She will pursue her second Masters degree, her first being a Masters of Arts in Strategic Intelligence Studies from American Military University. In 2022–2023, she will earn an accelerated Masters through the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in Leadership and Counseling and will follow that with a 2-year tour as an Air Officer Commanding at USAFA. In her role at USAFA, she will be in command of approximately 100 cadets and responsible for guiding them as they develop as "Leaders of Character" on their path toward commissioning into the Air Force. 20
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Congratulations to Jane Earley ’18, who helped her Middlebury lax team win its 8th national title. Jane set season records for Middlebury in points and goals and was named National Tournament MVP, in addition to First Team NESCAC and Player of the Year, and First Team All American. Way to go, Jane! Jillian Igoe ’18 graduated Magna cum Laude from College of the Atlantic and is now working at Associates of Cape Cod as a laboratory technician. Earlier this year she interned as an undergraduate researcher at the Marine Biological Laboratory. The scientist she is working with, Loretta Roberson, was Jillian’s own FA Science Fair mentor. Coincidentally, a current FA student, sophomore Evan Freedman, worked on his project in the same lab. Jillian’s research interests lie in bridging multiple disciplines to assess the interconnectedness between marine environments, cultures, policies, and the histories of coastal communities.
2020s Congratulations to Isabelle Santamauro ’20 on being awarded the Ellert-Brauner Essay award from UMASS. A double major in Biology and German in the UMASS Honors College, Izzy won the award based on an essay she wrote in German.
FA Alumni Named Tops in Their Fields It’s no secret that the professional world thinks highly of Falmouth Academy alumni, and it’s always rewarding to see our former students celebrated for their work. Within one month, three of our alumni were recognized as tops in their fields. Congratulations to Tim Wadman ’09 (Boyle | Shaughnessy Law) and KC Hopkinson ’02 (Curran Antonelli, LLP) for earning a spot on the top lawyers lists in Boston (Boston Magazine) and Tampa (Tampa Magazine), respectively. KC was also named a Woman of the Year in 2021 by Orlando Style Magazine. Give a big shout out to Caroline Cotto ’10 on being named one of Forbes’ “2022 30 Under 30” in the Food and Drink category. Congratulations also to Michaela LeBlanc Weber ’03, who was nominated for the 2022 EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa) Symposium’s Rising Star award, and has made the shortlist, as of this writing. The award recognizes inspiring women making waves in the industry and beyond. Michaela is a Senior Vice President, Enterprise Partners at WorldPay in London, where she works in e-commerce.
Alumni Roundtable Speaker Series Debuts The new Alumni Roundtable Speakers Series launched virtually in April with a timely discussion on impact investing and sustainability featuring Megan Starr ’06, managing director and global head of impact at the Carlyle Group (also a Falmouth Academy trustee and chair of the investment committee) and Nathan Twichell ’02, executive director of the Sun Valley Institute for Resilience. The event was moderated by Steven Heslinga ’04, first vice president and investment officer of The Heslinga & Tate Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Megan set the stage with a little background on impact investing. In the 80s, investors started being interested in socially responsible investing, where they made decisions to not invest in certain types of industry such as weapons or hydrocarbons. This negative-screening approach was haphazard and tended to underperform. In the last decade, investors shifted to holistically assessing a company based on its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) record to ascertain risk. For example, companies that don’t have oil spills will likely have less financial risk, thus potentially outperforming overtime. She said, “The more efficiencies and less waste a company has, the more attractive it is.” Megan explained that ESG is how a business operates (how it manages people, energy consumption, etc) and impact is the environmental or social good it does. “The interesting thing is where profitability and impact converge. It’s narrow now, but more entrepreneurs are showing up, trying to solve things like inequality and climate change.” Want to learn more? The recording can be viewed at vimeo.com/704559482 and read about Nathan Twichell’s work on page 23.
the GAM
SPRING 2022
21
ALUMNI NEWS
Alumni Networking Day Fifteen alumni returned in December to speak with juniors and seniors about college and careers. Director of College Counseling Ruth Slocum led a panel discussion on college life and then alumni led roundtables on business, science, and engineering. Thank you to the following for participating: Tony Bowen ’05, Allisa Dalpe ’12, Lukas Fenske ’20, Liadan Gallagher ’20, Paul Heslinga ’07, Steve Heslinga ’04, Jillian Igoe ’18, Emma Keeler ’19, Lucca MacDonald ’21, Chloe LaPierre ’20, Saniya Rajagopal ’21, Chloe Starr ’04, Ellie Thomas ’21, Zephy Thompson ’20, and Ryan Waite ’21.
New President and Slate of Alumni Council Members Congratulations to Sam Amazeen ’07 who was elected President of the Alumni Council. He is the third president serving since the group was formed in 2011. Joining Sam are Vice President Kristin (Jochems) Montville ’05, Secretary Lily Patterson ’14, and members David Aronson ’96, Emily Birdwhistell ’98, Carlo Bocconcelli ’14, Tony Bowen ’05, Chris Buccino ’02, Lindsay Child ’11, Becca Cox ’18, Abigail (Hollander) Donovan ’12, Steven Heslinga ’04, Yuki Honjo ’90, Luke Johns ’14, Mary Kate Jones ’17, Keegan Krick ’12, Graham Littlehale ’13, Isabelle Stewart ’18, Lyon Van Voorhis ’11, and Tim Wadman ’09. If you are interested in joining the Alumni Council and helping to guide Alumni programming in outreach, fundraising, and DEI, contact Barbara Campbell, bcampbell@falmouthacademy.org.
22
the GAM
SPRING 2022
ALUMNI IN THE NEWS Ellis Barrera ’16, a research assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital, was co-author of an article for the JAMA Network, “The Medical Implications of Banning Transgender Youth from Sport Participation,” on December 6, 2021. A Boston Globe piece showcased Kendall Currence ’18 on January 18, 2022 in an article titled “A Courageous Leader for Northeastern Women’s Basketball.” Oliver ’04 and Sam ’06 Moore, directors of Moore Brothers Company were featured on January 18, 2022 in SCUTTLEBUTT Sailing News in an article, “From Nearly Flying to Fully Flying,” which talks about their latest venture— working with Regent Craft Inc. to build sea gliders that float and fly.
CORRECTION | In describing Saramaria (Berrgren) Allenby’s job as Director of Whole Life Learning at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Falmouth in the last issue of The GAM, we incorrectly said that she promotes the role of faith in treating addiction. The 1983 grad told us, “I teach spirituality and spiritual practices to help people in their lives. I choose to share the concepts of hope, loving kindness, forgiveness, compassion, grief, etc.”
Nate Twichell ’02
Making a Case for Sustainable Business On any given day, Nate Twichell ’02 could be visiting cows at a local dairy farm to discuss raw milk production or roaming alfalfa fields to promote regenerative agriculture in the hope of turning those acres into produce-growing fields. The next day he could be measuring the carbon footprint of transporting meat from Hailey, Idaho, to a production plant across the country and back again to sell at local markets. A former science teacher and school administrator, Nate is Executive Director at Sun Valley Institute for Resilience (SVIR), which guides impact investors on how to help communities be sustainable into the future by enacting change and growing understanding in the areas of food, water, and energy. He loves his job. Nate works with investors, local farmers, and owners who are interested in sustainably growing their business. SVIR gives low or no-interest loans rather than grants. “If you help the recipients build their business acumen and grow in a smart, measured way, loans are the way to go. Loans actually require accountability, which makes the business more resilient and sustainable for the long run as opposed to just receiving a grant,” said Nate. “We feel impact investing is a more sustainable way to build our businesses in the long run.” The question Nate faces every day is: What is it we need to do here in our valley and our region to make us more sustainable and resilient? “It’s a case of think globally but act hyper-locally. We hope to be a long-term model that people can look at in other places.” He said, “I love to think about the data aspects of what we’re doing and also watch businesses work through the riddle of how to use the capital to create a solution.” With the dairy farm, for example, Nate has to consider what kind of criteria they need to lower impact. He thinks about quantifying methane output, the carbon footprint required to bring products to market, and the ultimate amount of food this farm will produce for the local food system. An aspect of his job that Nate really likes is being able to take these “onthe-ground” stories and share them with donors and impact investors. “It’s really easy to have a conversation with a donor when you believe in what you’re doing.” Nate’s work has terroir, or a sense of place. Generally, it is a term used to describe the essence of wine or food, with notes of the climate or soil condition of a particular region. It’s also a feeling or sense of the reason you do the work. This sense of place informs his work. Nate said he and his family love living in Hailey. “Eliza and I came for a winter when we graduated from college, and, after a brief return to New England, never left. We have been here for almost 15 years.” SVIR serves Blaine County residents, but the area of impact is the ecosystem and businesses that support that. This gives them the flexibility to move into all of Southern Idaho. “This local model of impact investing is special. If you can focus on something that’s really local and show how you can mobilize capital locally, you can have a really profound impact on a specific region. Then if we knit that together throughout the country, throughout the world, that’s another model of thinking small to big to have an impact.”
Nathan Twichell ’02 Deputy Director Sun Valley Institute for Resilience
“There’s a ton of my FA education that still serves me well to this day! I took Rhetoric and Persuasion as a senior and the skills I learned in that class to really make your words come off the page is something I use to this day. I do a lot of foundational grant writing now, and I also do a fair amount of public speaking. There’s a comfort of being in front of a group that my Falmouth Academy education really helped me with. That’s the key. Falmouth Academy brings education into the real world so that kids can excel in college and be prepared for life. A lot of your formative ability to think happens in middle and high school. I think that’s something that Falmouth Academy does really well. It did really well for me. That’s what I want for my kids, for them to have an education that endures for a lifetime.”
the GAM
SPRING 2022
23
ALUMNI NEWS
Jerry Humphrey ’79
A Lifelong Dream Becomes a Quest to Ease Cancer
When Jerry Humphrey ’79 met his then-girlfriend Kim he knew he was all in, especially when she started to experience blinding headaches, which turned out to be caused by a glioma tumor in her brain. Spending much of their newly married life at Mass General, Jerry knew he wanted to give back for the great care Kim received from staff. An avid motorcycle rider, Jerry had always wanted to take a long road trip, so he decided to ride cross country to raise funds for the Mass General Brain Cancer Research Center. His goal was to raise $5,000 to support research into easing side effects from cancer treatments. Starting from his home in New Hampshire on September 5, Jerry made his way to Chicago where he picked up the beginning of the historic Route 66, a trail that would take him 2,400 miles to Santa Monica, CA. Along the way, he learned a thing or two about himself, made many new friends, got a bee sting, and visited some interesting sights (“a collection of psychedelic Cadillacs half-buried in a cornfield, anyone?”). After riding through a wet Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania (“a verdant wonder”), Jerry made it to Cleveland and stopped in to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where he picked up a guitar and jammed to “Sympathy for the Devil” with a couple of guys. On September 10 in Chicago, he started at the beginning of Route 66. About midway to Oklahoma City, he picked up a nail in one of his tires and had it repaired at Skunkwerx in Nixa, MO— and he wasn’t charged a thing! “Brad from Skunkwerx was a good dude,” said Jerry. “If this country is made up of people like this, then we have nothing to worry about. Folks have been really supportive and kind during my trip, and that has really blown me away.” On September 14, Jerry set out for Tucumcari, NM, about 400 miles away. He said Route 66 was definitely not a superhighway. “But when I did have to go on interstate roads, I felt like a jet ski in a shipping lane.” By September 17, Jerry first reached Needles, CA, where it was 109 degrees, and after 3,400 dusty and exciting miles altogether, he finally arrived at his destination. Route 66 was established in the mid-1920s and runs from Chicago through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona to California. It was a well-traveled route, especially for Midwesterners trying to escape the American Dust Bowl in the 1930s. Jerry shipped his bike and flew home after his adventure, having surpassed his goal by raising nearly $6,000. Kim is doing fine, though mindful of the twice-yearly scans she must undergo. Jerry said that along the way he met so many kind and supportive
24
the GAM
SPRING 2022
people who, after hearing his story, shared their own experiences of a loved one who had fought or lost to cancer. He said, “I knew this wasn’t going to be easy. I’ve never gone on a road trip like this before. But it is nothing compared to the journey folks with brain cancer take. It may not be much compared to what they’ve all been through, but doing it makes me feel less powerless.”
Kendall Currence ’18
A Portrait of Courage
Falmouth Academy alumna and Northeastern senior guard and team captain Kendall Currence ’18 was named the 2022 Pat Summitt Most Courageous award winner by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. This annual award honors a player, coach, official, or administrator of amateur basketball who demonstrates extraordinary courage. Kendall is the first member of the Colonial Athletic Association to receive this award, which was conferred on Friday, April 1 in Minneapolis during the Women’s Final Four. She also received the Most Inspirational Award from her teammates. Known for her skill, sportsmanship, and leadership on the court, Kendall is this year’s top scorer for the Huskies with an average of 16 points per game and a career-high of 31 points on January 28. While at Falmouth Academy, Kendall netted 2,310 points making her the state's ninth all-time leading scorer. She was honored with this award not just for her athletic achievement but for her strength of character, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Kendall was born with a congenital condition requiring numerous surgeries for a cleft lip and palate and related cardiac anomalies. She underwent dozens of surgeries throughout childhood and high school. Any one of these conditions might deter a less determined person from pursuing a competitive basketball career, but not Kendall. Despite undergoing a botched jaw surgery at the beginning of her senior year of high school, which left her in constant pain, Kendall became the first player on the Cape to score over 2,000 career points. Kendall is eligible to play one more year of college ball due to an eligibility allowance made by the NCAA in light of the pandemic. She graduated this spring with a psychology degree and will play in her fifth year of eligibility for Temple University while pursuing a master’s degree. She has great respect for her coach, Bridgette Mitchell, who is equally fond of Kendall. Mitchell describes her as a woman of character who has overcome great adversity, and who will continue to change the world. After college, Kendall hopes to continue playing basketball on the professional level.
Photos from Northeastern Athletics and the FA Archives
the GAM
SPRING 2022
25
PEOPLE OF FA
Spring is a natural time for leave-taking in independent schools and this year we say a fond farewell to departing faculty, the Class of 2022, beloved friends, and colleagues. Departing Faculty Julie Bradley Julie's leadership as the Director of Admission and Enrollment Management has been visionary since she joined the community in 2017. Coming from the boarding school world, Julie brought with her a wealth of knowledge in student recruitment, marketing, and strategic planning. Poised and professional, Julie has a way of making both coworkers and prospective families feel at ease when around her thanks to her characteristic warmth and good nature. During Julie's five-year tenure at Falmouth Academy, she has shepherded over 400 families through the application process and enrolled over 250 new students into the school. It was under Julie's leadership that the school opened for the 2020–21 school year with 224 students, an enrollment high since 2007–08. Julie was also the leading force behind the school's transition to Blackbaud. Having an online database and application has improved our marketing and outreach efforts. Every day when students, parents, and faculty log into MyFA, we have Julie to thank. I am so fortunate to have worked, collaborated, and learned from a leader in the field of independent school admissions. —Sarah Knowles, Associate Director of Admission and Enrollment Management Carol DiFalco Carol has been a tremendous asset to the institution, creating programs that will live on here in perpetuity. She has been a steady, thoughtful, and dogged leader in helping us improve as a school in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, social justice, and social-emotional learning. She leaves the school a stronger, more professional place thanks to her work. But I think she would be the first to say that the most important work she has done here has been in helping hundreds of individual young people navigate their way through school and adolescence in general. She has offered support, encouragement, solace, and motivation to so many young people here, it is impossible to quantify the good she has done. —Mike Earley, Assistant Head of School 26
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Emily Turner Emily is enthusiastic and energetic, always coming up with a new way to engage her students and to promote their success. She is an active member of the community—in the classroom, on the field, and as part of the many extracurricular events at Falmouth Academy. Her students, parents, and colleagues speak about her with admiration and positivity. I am pleased and privileged to call her my colleague and friend, and I wish her future success and happiness. —Christine Carter, French Teacher Andy Hamilton Dr. Hamilton adeptly and enthusiastically taught 8th grade history, moderated the debate club elective, and served as a skilled and attentive advisor and boys basketball coach. In all of these roles, he brought content mastery, professionalism, and guidance to our middle schoolers. From his delivery of pocket US Constitutions with individual messages for all 57 8th graders, to the arrangement of a Constitutional Law professor as a guest lecturer, Dr. Hamilton tirelessly looked for ways to make American history and civics relevant and personal. He is an exceedingly thoughtful and conscientious educator who had a positive impact on the life of our school from his first day in September. We are truly grateful for his time with us. —Ben Parsons, Middle School Coordinator Marney Rathbun ’12 How wonderful and fortunate it has been to have an alumna return to our community to share their love for the written word with the students in our Junior class! Marney’s passion, enthusiasm, and energy inspired students to dig deeper into poetry, mine phrases and stanzas for deeper meaning, and value the pure pleasure of reading. Marney adeptly engaged and guided students through challenging works of literature, equipping them to connect the complex themes of diverse human experiences with their own lives. It was so enjoyable to sit in on Marney’s classes where the input of each student in lively discussion was valued and encouraged. It has been such a pleasure to work with Marney this year. —Sharon Kreamer, Science Teacher
Henry Stevens When Henry joined the FA faculty ten years ago, he was fresh out of college and filled with enthusiasm, energy, and a willingness to tackle any and every new challenge. During his time as the Big Man on Campus, he taught every level of math from 7th grade to Pre-Calculus, coached both lacrosse and basketball, took on the role of Athletic Director, and fully embraced his position as an advisor and mentor for many of his students. Henry could often be seen (he is obviously hard to miss) working one-on-one with students in the library, in Morse Hall, or in the class as he cared deeply about the success of each of his students. Henry will be missed because of his passion for his students, his dedication to being an excellent classroom teacher, and his unending supply of puns, one-liners, and clever play on words. —Doug Jones, Math Department Chair Bronwen Prosser ’99 Bronwen has successfully produced the middle school play for years with aplomb. This year she also taught the Drama I and II electives. Seemingly effortlessly and with a big dose of good humor, Bronwen inspired her students to give that little bit extra to take their work together to the next level. They learned so much from her expertise as a seasoned playwright and together they wrote and produced original works. Break a leg, Bronwen as you pursue new opportunities! —George Scharr, Arts Department Chair Steve Gregory Steve has taken the Middle School Rock Band from a fledgling group of adolescents to a rock 'em, sock 'em ensemble tackling a wide range of rock and roll favorites and standards. Inclusive and fun-loving, Steve’s joy and talent inspired his students to jam in pursuit excellence of expression, together and as solo musicians. There will always be a concert seat waiting for you at Falmouth Academy. We wish you luck in your continued musical ventures.
In Memoriam for Harold Chapdelaine For a decade of spring seasons between 2004 and 2013, our contingent of Vineyard students were not the only members of our community to make the commute from the island to FA and back home each day. FA’s girls’ head lacrosse coach, Harold Chapdelaine, made the daily crossing too. Around 2:30 each afternoon, Coach Chapdelaine, or “Chappy” as his players called him, would come striding up from the Palmer lot with a backpack and a lax stick. As the boss, he took time off each afternoon from his construction business to indulge his passions for the game of girls’ lax and for working with kids. Harold prized education, and this was his chance to be a teacher; one could always see that he loved it. He had learned girls lacrosse to share his daughters’ interest in the sport. His oldest, Elise, went on to play collegiately at the U.S. Naval Academy, and both Elise ’02 and Michele ’03 played at FA. Coach Chapdelaine led strong teams year after year, and a generation of FA female athletes learned how to compete successfully with class and grace. With Harold Chapdelaine’s passing on April 9th, FA lost one of its most stalwart friends and supporters. No Vineyard admissions event was complete without an appearance by Harold who always found time to stop by to sing the school’s praises to prospective families. He loved FA and the kids loved him. This community owes him a debt of gratitude, and we will miss him. —Rob Wells, History Department Chair
—George Scharr, Arts Department Chair
the GAM
SPRING 2022
27
Celebrating Our Seniors
28
Class of 2022 Goes to College
Class of 2022 College Matriculations
Many factors contribute to the final decision of where a student will go to college, such as location, finances, career choice, and family responsibilities. It is a puzzle as unique as the individual. Due to test-optional policies and other pandemic-related changes, the Class of 2022 faced a fiercely competitive admissions process this year, as noted in several of the acceptance letters sent from various colleges. Director of College Counseling Ruth Slocum said, “This year’s seniors did very well in the face of huge increases in applications at top colleges and were admitted to many terrific colleges and universities. I am proud of the way they stayed focused and maintained a wonderful sense of community and balance throughout the process.” As of May 1st, the final pieces of the puzzle slid into place as acceptance decisions were made. Wherever these students go in life, they do so in part thanks to the community of teachers, mentors, coaches, administrators, and family members who embolden them to take creative and intellectual risks to confidently engage in whatever challenges they face.
Babson College Berklee College of Music Bryant University Clark University **Emerson College Macalester College Mount Holyoke College New York University **Northeastern University, School of Engineering *****Providence College **Roger Williams University School of the Arts Institute of Chicago Seton Hall University Smith College Tufts University, School of Engineering
the GAM
SPRING 2022
Union College University of Arkansas University of Connecticut **University of Delaware University of Mary Washington ***University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Commonwealth Honors College) University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Isenberg School of Business ***University of Massachusetts, Boston University of Miami University of Pittsburgh Vassar College *denotes number of students attending
Clockwise from above: 7th Grade - Watershed Day; 8th Grade - Mount Monadnock hike; 11th Grade - Class photo; 12th Grade - College Sweatshirt Day; 12th Grade - Peer Reference Day; and 9th Grade - The Farm School
the GAM
SPRING 2022
29
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Brockton, MA Permit #601
Falmouth Academy engaging the challenges of our times
7 Highfield Drive Falmouth, MA 02540 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Printed on recycled paper, containing 10% post-consumer waste, that was harvested from responsibly managed forests. Printed with soy based inks.
Falmouth Academy’s 2022 Summer Benefit Concert presents
Grammy Award Winner
Paul Winter and
Pianist Henrique Eisenmann
In Celebration of the Earth August 28, 2022 | 7 pm Simon Center for the Arts For more information, visit: bit.ly/FA-concert2022
