The Avonian, Fall 2017

FALL 2017

The End of an Era C E L E B R AT IN G the R ETI R EMENT of P E T E R & S U E EVANS

AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL Established 1927 Headmaster Kenneth H. LaRocque

Associate Headmaster John T. Gardner

Editor Morgan C. Cugell

Designer 2k Design www.2kDesign.com

Alumni Notes Alexis Lee

Printer Benchemark Printing, Inc., Schenectady, N.Y.

Contributors Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue. Special thanks to Seshu Badrinath, Jim Detora, Bob Dully, Peter Evans, Sue Evans, Kristen Kerwin, Ken LaRocque, Alexis Lee, Anne Raftery, and Jacqueline Sembor.

The Avonian is published for the alumni, parents, and friends of Avon Old Farms School. It is distributed to approximately 8,000 readers. All rights reserved.

Avon Old Farms School 500 Old Farms Road Avon, CT 06001 www.avonoldfarms.com (860) 404-4100

Admissions (800) 464-2866 admissions@avonoldfarms.com

Alumni We enjoy hearing from you!

Please send us your latest news and notes: Email: abramsonl@avonoldfarms.com Phone: (860) 404-4268 Fax: (860) 404-4631

Email Members of the administration and faculty can be emailed by using the following formula: last name + first initial @ avonoldfarms.com. The directory on the school website also includes email links.

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 EDITOR…

FEATURES

14 The End of an Era: Celebrating the Retirement of Peter and Sue Evans

by Morgan C. Cugell

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46 The Last Word

by Peter Evans

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pillars of the Avon community—will celebrate their retirement and start a new chapter together after close to 50 years of service. Few people rival their dedication to and passion for Avon

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Academic Spotlight: Aerospace Engineering

by Morgan C. Cugell

Old Farms School, and inside this

Featured Artist: TJ Shaw ’18

by Morgan C. Cugell

them luck in all their future endeavors.

11 Athletic Spotlight: Chase Maitland ’18

by Morgan C. Cugell 22 Faculty Focus: Geoff Barlow ’98

by Morgan C. Cugell 26 Student Spotlight: Kevin Huveldt ’18

by Morgan C. Cugell 28 Alumni Spotlight: Chase Donaldson ’68, John Wendler ’68, and Don Pierpont’s Last Graduating Class

by Morgan C. Cugell

issue, we celebrate their legacy and wish We also look ahead to reunion weekend in May, as Geoff Barlow ’98—our faculty focus—plans for his 20th reunion, and Chase Donaldson ’68, John Wendler ’68, and the rest of former Headmaster Don Pierpont’s last graduating class prepare to return to campus for their milestone 50th reunion. They hope to honor and celebrate Don’s memory and his remarkable impact at Avon Old Farms with many of their classmates—and we hope to see many alumni, young and old, for all the

DEPARTMENTS

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This spring, Peter and Sue Evans—

SPOTLIGHTS

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Dear Readers,

pomp and circumstance of reunion

2 Headmaster 4 Village Green 10 Athletics 32 Class Notes 44 Avon on the Move

this May 11–13.

Be sure to catch up with AOF’s many talented student scholars, athletes, and artists over the next few pages, and check in on your old friends in Class Notes. We hope you’ll send us a note or two about what’s going on in your life!

Be on the lookout this February for the Village Green to take a peek inside our

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Cover: Peter and Sue Evans Photo by Seshu Photography

village as we deck the halls.

As always, I welcome your feedback.

Find past issues of the Avonian online at www.avonoldfarms.com/avonian

Are you following us? /AvonOldFarms @AvonOldFarms

Aspirando et perseverando, Morgan C. Cugell, editor cugellm@avonoldfarms.com 860-404-4239

/AvonOldFarmsSchool Search Group: Avon Old Farms School Alumni Association

Cert no. SW-COC-002935

From the Headmaster

by Kenneth H. LaRocque

Greetings,

As we head into the holidays, I am very much in the spirit of the season and most grateful to lead this special school and be part of such a caring community. Though all members of Avon’s school family are united in the quest to accomplish our mission of “cultivating young men of integrity who honor wisdom, justice, inclusion, service, and the pursuit of truth,” we are also inspired by the many traditions that help define our school and the legendary faculty and administrators who live on as icons in Old Farms lore.

Peter and Sue Evans stand out in our history as such icons and have blessed our campus for the past 47 years. They have announced that this will be their final year at school, but we do not doubt that they will continue to be an important part of the fabric of this community for many decades to come. Peter and Sue represent the selfless, other-oriented spirit that permeates and enriches the Avon culture, and they have modeled that

spirit since the fall of 1971, when they first moved onto campus.

Peter Evans has been a leader in several arenas during his long tenure at school. Besides serving for decades as a master teacher of AP United States History, a dormitory parent, and an advisor, Peter coached varsity baseball for 30 years. During this time, his teams won 18 league championships and earned more than 350 victories. Several years ago, he was presented with the prestigious Nadal Award from the Founders League for his outstanding contribution to school boy athletics over the course of his career, and he was inducted into Avon’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

A quotation from one of his players best captures Peter’s influence as a coach: “Coach Evans is a wonderful man who taught me how to respect people and the game, how to work hard to achieve goals, and how to be a better person. He is not only the best coach I have ever had, but he is also one of the

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

— J O H N F. K E N N E DY

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FRO M THE HE A DMA S TE R

best people I have ever met. When I was playing for him, he cared more about me as a person than me as an athlete, and I am truly grateful to have him in my life.”

Peter has also served as Avon’s director of athletics, director of college counseling, assistant headmaster, and director of development and successfully and effectively shouldered all those important roles. As director of development, he transformed the culture of giving at school and led our first major capital campaign in 2000, which fueled the building initiative that transformed, expanded, and modernized Avon’s facilities. With unwavering commitment and impressive energy, he converted the goodwill so many alumni, parents, and friends have for Avon into monetary support. The benefits from that campaign in terms of campus improvements, enhanced programs, financial aid, and faculty support have enriched the Avon experience for generations of students and faculty and will continue to do so for many years. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for leaving his beloved hands-on work with students to contribute to the greater good of Avon Old Farms.

Sue Evans supported Peter’s efforts every step of the way, but she also contributed mightily to our students and school on her own. Besides teaching Spanish full-time for almost a decade, she also tutored numerous boys in Spanish throughout her 47 years on campus. During the years Peter served as director of athletics, Sue organized the first iteration of the current Blue Blazer Ball, which was then called the Athletic Dinner Dance, to raise funds for Avon’s athletic teams. Her initiative laid the groundwork for future versions of this event,

which has developed into our major campus fundraiser of the year. She also was the creative and leading force behind our first Grandparents Day and led that program for several years. Since 1998, Sue has worked in our alumni and development office and most of that time has been the director of institutional research. She is a true professional, team player, and school citizen who shies away from the limelight and quietly contributes in numerous and valuable ways to Avon’s success.

We will miss the Evans family dearly next year but will continue to benefit from their past efforts and will strive to match their loyalty and dedication to Avon Old Farms. Like so many in our school family, Heidi and I are fortunate to be able to call Peter and Sue dear friends, and we wish them all the best that life has to offer as they continue their life journey together.

Please enjoy this issue of the Avonian and warm wishes to all for a happy and healthy holiday season with friends and family!

Aspirando et perseverando!

We’d like to hear from you!

Do you have any special Avon anecdotes?

Memories of your time at the Farm?

Please send in any thoughts on your Avon experience for possible inclusion in future publications.

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Village Green

The Woodwell Leadership Award Max Miller ’19

By Jacqueline Sembor

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leeping under the stars.

Watching the sun come up from a mountain top.

Making friends from around the world and sharing a oncein-a-lifetime experience with them.

That’s what Avon Old Farms junior Max Miller will remember most when he looks back on his Outward Bound trip to Oregon. But the character development that happened along the way will be present every day.

“I am such a fortunate person to have had this experience, thanks to the Woodwell Leadership Award at Avon Old Farms,” said Miller about his five-day journey in the wilderness. “This trip was something that I will always have, and I am very grateful for that.”

Now in its 16th year, the Woodwell Leadership Award is presented to a rising

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junior who demonstrates leadership potential and a desire to give back to the Avon community. Each year, all sophomores are invited to submit an essay explaining why they would like to participate in an Outward Bound wilderness program, what leadership characteristics they possess that will contribute to the program, and what they think they will take away from the trip.

“The men who receive this award often become real leaders in the school,” said Peter Evans, chairman of the committee that reviews all submissions.

“There have been many young men who were chosen as sophomores for this opportunity and later became wardens their senior year.”

This year, the committee selected Miller as the award recipient. He chose to backpacking for a week through the

“This trip was something that I will always have, and I am very grateful for that.”

—Max Miller ’19

wilderness of Mount Jefferson.

“I flew by myself to a small airport in Bend, Ore., where all of the participants in the excursion slowly began to gather,” he explained. “That was the most nerveracking part of the trip. We were all in an area waiting for a van to come pick us up, and no one was talking. I remember that one of my lasts texts before heading out

Village Green

was to a friend saying that if this is what the next 10 days were going to be like, it was going to be really rough.”

But, Miller says that night everyone started to come together.

“We had to—we were going to be relying on each other so we had to make it work,” he continued. “Some people were happy to talk; some were a lot quieter. But I saw the importance in reaching out to the quieter folks. I wanted them to be comfortable. I wanted them to know that they were welcome.

And I knew it was an opportunity for me to step up, as a leader.”

Making others feel safe and welcome isn’t new for Miller. In fact, in his submission essay, Miller wrote about an experience he had in grade school when a classmate reached out to him for help, instead of the more commons topics of captaining sports teams or participating in student council.

“We weren’t close at all—I said hi to him in the hallway, but that was about it,” Miller recalled, the memory clearly

weighing on his words. “But he was in trouble—having suicidal thoughts, wanting it all to end, and he reached out to me. I helped him through it. He’s still here today, which I take as a sign that I was able to help when he needed it.”

Out in the wilderness, Miller again became someone’s safe haven.

“One guy in our group was notably shyer than everyone else, and eventually he opened up to me,” said Miller. “He shared that he had been bullied back home, and he was still trying to learn that not everyone wanted to hurt him.

He was on the trip to see that there were other kinds of people in the world and to learn his own strength.”

Through the whole trip, when the group was on the move, that young man always stayed by Miller’s side.

About the Woodwell Leadership Award In the fall of 2001, Al O’Connor ’75 established the Woodwell Leadership Award in memory of his fellow classmate and friend Richard “Woody” Woodwell ’75, who lost his life in the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. More information on the Woodwell Leadership Award and past recipients is available on the Avon Old Farms School website.

TheThe Avonian Avonian Spring Fall 2010 2017

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Village Green

Brothers Helping Brothers

Making the Alumni Network Work for You

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eing a part of the Avon brotherhood spans a time well beyond your years as a student. We are proud of that bond, and want to help you keep it strong and make it work for you as you set your work and life goals. In the past year, Director of Development Jim Detora has noticed a recurring theme: alumni are interested in hiring alumni and, alumni want to work for alumni!

Not complicated at all, but we had to spend some time doing our homework to see how we could make it happen in the most efficient and meaningful way.

“And so, the idea of the Career Networking Program was hatched as a way to always have a line of

communication open to all Avonians when it comes to job searches and placement,” shared Detora.

The Career Networking program is designed to connect Avon Old Farms alumni who have positions to fill in their organizations and alums who are looking for a professional networking site to make connections and get their résumés to alumni businesses. The school will post submitted positions and résumés on the Career Networking page on the alumni section of the website for 60 days unless otherwise noted.

We hope that by offering this service to our alumni, alumni businesses and alumni job seekers will make beneficial connections.

Please help us get off the ground in strong fashion. You may direct any questions about the Career Networking Program to Alexis Lee at leea@avonoldfarms.com.

Last spring, Avon Old Farms launched the New Student Mentor program as one part of a threepronged approach to strengthen the brotherhood across all classes by creating opportunities for alumni to share their knowledge and experiences with younger Avonians. Avon partnered with the Mentor Collective

(MC), a national online mentoring community, to foster stronger community ties within the Avon brotherhood. The Mentor Collective matches incoming Avon students with trained recent Avon grads (one–seven years).

In the program’s first few months, 36 Avon mentors took on 51 Avon mentees.

A total of 133 engagement hours were formally tracked, with an average session lasting more than 30 minutes.

“Avon Old Farms helped shape me into the person I am today,” shared mentor Nick Tarchis ’14, who mentored two Avon Old Farms freshmen. The faculty at Avon have an amazing relationship with their students, and the alumni are a great support system that I am glad to be a part of. Mentoring definitely brought me back into life with the school compared to the last couple of years.”

Another young mentor, Alex Ball ’10, shared that because Avon gave so much to him in the short time that he attended school, since graduating he has felt compelled to give back, and the mentor program provided that opportunity.

As the New Student Mentor program at Avon continues to grow, we encourage any alumni interested in learning more to submit your name for next year’s program, which will start back up in the spring.

ACADEMIC SPOTLIGHT

Aerospace Engineering

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his fall, a new course has really taken off.

Faculty member Beth McCubbin’s aerospace engineering course is the latest in a slew of new STEM offerings available to students, offering them unique opportunities with exceptional teachers, technology, and facilities.

McCubbin notes that her students run the gamut from first timers exploring their interests to amateur engineers and hopeful pilots getting their first exposure to the components of an airplane.

Recently, students were treated to a presentation by the airport manager at Bradley International Airport, who explained his job, discussed his experience flying as a private licensed pilot, and gave a demonstration using a remote-control airplane. He flew the

airplane and explained about stalls, how flaps work, and the general control of an airplane. Later in the year, students will visit the airport for the chance to do a demo flight lesson with a real flight instructor in a small aircraft.

Engineering courses are housed in the old Forge, inside the school’s Water Tower, original architecture from the founder’s era. The Forge is home to advanced technology for student use, including a 3D printer as well as a new

wind tunnel. Currently, McCubbin’s aerospace engineering students are designing airfoils in computer-aided design software to 3D print and test lift/drag in the tunnel.

Students will also design and build gliders out of balsa wood, use joysticks in the computer lab to learn about navigation through a flight simulator, build and test rockets, and design a robot to act as a space rover on a foreign planet.

The Avonian Fall 2017

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Village Green Patrick Miller ’07, Luke Archambault ’04, and Mike Pereira ’10

Coming Home Again Alumni Return to Work in Admission, Development Offices

In

August, Headmaster LaRocque wrote to the Avon Old Farms Community:“We all know the passion that Avon ignites in our students and the profound impact that it creates on all who live and learn here. We generate a powerful and enduring difference in the boys with whom we work, which promotes their positive future development.

Alumni often describe their Avon experience as transformational, and the fact that we have 19 alumni working as full-time employees at school is testimony to the loyalty that we inspire in our graduates!”

Loyalty, talent, and passion are all characteristics of alumni who have most recently joined the AOF faculty.

We’d like to introduce you to two new members and share some exciting news about another alumn who accepted a new leadership role at Avon this year.

Luke Archambault ’04 knew even as a student that he wanted to remain involved with Avon Old Farms School after he left campus. He worked as an admission ambassador as a junior and senior and kept in touch with the office

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during his time at Gettysburg College.

After graduating, a summer job helping special education students turned into a full-time teaching position when Archambault received his teaching license.

“And that’s what I did for the past nine years—I taught and coached cross country and indoor and outdoor track,” he says. “I loved it and didn’t really have thoughts of changing. Then I got a call from my old JV hockey coach, Jim Detora, and a new opportunity presented itself.”

The Alumni and Development office needed an alumni engagement coordinator—someone who could help reinvigorate the Alumni Ambassador Program, help engage young alumni with the school, and generate some new ideas around class reunions. Archambault was more than happy to take on the challenge, despite just learning that he and his wife were pregnant.

“I am happy to be back on campus— returning to Avon felt like coming home after a long time away,” Archambault says. “This will be a lot different than my teaching career, and I am excited for the year to come.”

When Michael Pereira ’10 graduated from Avon Old Farms, he had a pretty good idea of what path lay ahead: he wanted to continue his hockey career in college at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and hoped to join the professional ranks, which he did.

But somewhere in his mind, there was a dream of returning to prep school to coach—an opportunity that realized itself sooner than anyone would have thought.

“It was around May or June of this year that I began to think about ending my professional hockey career because of intensifying problems with my hip and knee,” says Pereira. “And when the call came from my former coach John Gardner that Avon would like to have me, it was my dream job coming to show me that there was a way to stay involved in the great game of hockey even if I could not continue to play.”

Pereira was recently hired as the assistant director of Admissions with the added responsibility of assisting Coach Gardner with the varsity hockey team.

As a young alum, he will leverage his experiences to identify new boys to join the Avon brotherhood and help aspiring athletes find their direction, just as his now-colleagues had once done for him.

“I always thought it would be great to coach at a prep school with such a strong hockey program, but I didn’t think that it would be an attainable goal, especially at such a young age,” he explains. “My experiences as an Avonian, my passion for this school and what it can offer young men, and my time on the ice as a professional make this opportunity one in which I know I will excel.”

As the school year gets into full swing, Pereira is looking forward to welcoming prospective students to campus; recruiting not only good athletes but also great students and people and reconnecting with fellow alums.

In addition to these two new faculty members, of note is an Avonian who has risen through the Admission Office ranks to the position of Dean of Enrollment this fall: Patrick Miller ’07.

As a young boy living in the town of Avon Connecticut, Patrick Miller ’07 grew up knowing Avon Old Farms

School: it was close to his home, and his friend, Blaise Driscoll ’08, lived on the school’s campus where his father, Kevin Driscoll ’72, taught and coached.

When the time came to enroll in high school, Avon offered Miller what he needed: a chance to explore new horizons and, in the process, discover himself.

“At Avon I tried different clubs, sports, and took elective courses I never would have tried in a public school,” shares Miller. “Avon was transformative for me.”

After graduating from Avon in 2007, Miller matriculated to Fordham University where he studied business administration. But, when it was time to start looking for his first career opportunity, there was time to pause.

After learning of an Admission opening from former advisor Kevin Driscoll, “I came to campus and spent the day with Brendon Welker ’91, who was the director at the time,” said

“At Avon I tried different clubs, sports, and took elective courses I never would have tried in a public school. Avon was transformative for me.”

–Patrick Miller ’07 Miller. “By the end of the day, we had pretty much sorted out that I would be the school’s new assistant director of admission.”

In the last five years, Miller has moved through the ranks from assistant to associate director, and then became the director of financial aid. He also spent his afternoons on the football field as a varsity coach. Most recently, Miller was appointed dean of enrollment.

“I share the same vision as my two predecessors as to who we need to bring to Avon to make this place flourish,” he said. “Some boys you can recognize immediately as an Avonian. Some boys you spend an hour with and learn all the things that Avon can offer them to put them on the path to success.”

THE VISITING AUTHOR

Jay Bilas

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ew York Times bestselling author and well-known ESPN basketball analyst Jay Bilas made a special trip to Avon Old Farms on Thursday, September 28, as the featured speaker for the 2017 Visiting Author Program. This summer’s required reading was Bilas’s Toughness, a book that explores the concept of developing strength and grit—both on and off the court.

Bilas’s diverse background has provided him with multiple opportunities to understand toughness. He played college basketball for Coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University, from which he later earned his law degree and became a practicing lawyer. He played professional basketball in Europe for two years and then shifted to coaching—all before becoming a popular analyst for ESPN college basketball coverage.

For a group of high school students, Bilas’s book delivers strong messages of perseverance on a topic to which they can relate: sports. Although Bilas personally focused on basketball, in his book he uses examples from various sports and includes both men’s and women’s teams, making his core messages even stronger.

In a time in which conflict is often in the news— especially focused on the sports arena—Bilas shared his insight with the Men of Avon in a clear, professional, relatable manner. But at the end of the day, Bilas also wanted his audience of students to see their bright future.

“I am 54, and I am making the most of every day, every moment, because I know I’m closer to the finish line than I am to the starting line,” he said. “You all are closer to the starting line and have a lot more life in front of you than I do.

Start making the most of every moment now. Have the same urgency to make things count as I do now. And, don’t take advantage of special: Avon Old Farms—and your time here— are very special.”

The Visiting Author Program, which is generously funded by the Parents of Avon, is in its 17th year.

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FEATURED ARTIS T

TJ Shaw ’18

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J Shaw ’18 didn’t come to Avon Old Farms School with dreams of being a photographer. In fact, he had virtually no exposure to photography beyond his minimal experience with a simple point-and-shoot camera. Yet over the course of his Avon career, through the help of a mentor, an afternoon independent project (AIP) last year, and a summer internship, he has become one of the most talented amateur photographers in the student body. In fact, his work is in such high demand that he frequently shoots events for the school’s Communications Department.

It took some time before TJ settled into his place behind the camera—and he is quick to note that he was standing in his own way, with his preconceived notions of what his life should be like.

“The biggest obstacle I have overcome here is myself,” he states. “I came here looking to be a three-sport varsity athlete, eventually play varsity hockey as an underclassman, and pursue a STEMbased education so I could become a doctor. I spent two years pursuing this vision while totally ignoring my real passions, which are photography, graphic design, and the humanities. Once I accepted what I was good at and what I loved, I was able to find my niche.”

A four-year student from nearby Farmington, TJ learned to skate in Avon’s Jennings Fairchild Rink and admired the beauty of the campus. “When it came time to apply to high schools, Avon was by far my first choice,” he says. And despite his initial belief that he would one day practice medicine, a chance encounter his freshman year led TJ to eventually reevaluate that decision.

“I worked on lighting with Stephen Guglielmo ’15, then the unofficial ’school photographer,’ and he sort of introduced me to the basic practice of photography.

I honed my skills as a sophomore, and when Gugs graduated, he told me I should take over the position.”

The following year, TJ spent the winter doing an AIP with

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“Once I accepted what I was good at and what I loved, I was able to find my niche.”

Communications Director Bob Dully.

TJ says Dully has influenced him tremendously, from his work to his perspective. “He encouraged me to capture more powerful images,” recalls TJ, “and not just look at the action. He taught me how to take more emotional photographs.” TJ also cites Dully as a big help in refining his editing process (“from a couple of days to 45 minutes!”) as well as enhancing his communication skills with his photo subjects.

“TJ’s perseverance for excellence and open mindedness to creative problem solving not only helped him elevate his basic design skill level, it opened a whole new world where he learned nothing is impossible ... you just need to use your brain to create the impossible,” muses Dully.

“In his AIP and internship, TJ learned the difficult lesson of how to process constructive criticism, analyze the input, and use it to re-create an even

better alternate solution,” continues Dully. “That’s a tough thing to do, especially at this age. But he quickly learned that in the real world, these secondary solutions are usually going to be the final product, so one needs to keep a very positive attitude to achieve an amazing outcome.”

The AIP led to a summer internship position in the Communications Department this past summer before the start of his senior year. Having only minor familiarity with the Adobe suite, TJ learned how to use InDesign software and added graphic design to his growing list of marketable skills. Among other work, he was tasked with creating ads for national magazines. He also completed what he refers to as “the big project:” the school calendar.

“I designed the calendar cover to cover, and it features several of my photos,” he explains. “I presented it to Headmaster LaRocque, and I went on press to sign off on it.”

The internship is clearly a highlight of TJ’s Avon career. Although he was employed by the school, “I would have done it for free,” he states. “The experience was invaluable.”

Cristina Pinton, chair of the Visual Arts Department, agrees: “TJ has grown tremendously in confidence and skill over the past two years. His AIP with Bob Dully has transformed him from a timid photographer and soft-spoken boy into a determined, outspoken, passionate sports photographer who can speak his mind with clarity and direction,” she observes. “The other boys have serious

Village Green respect for him and when they see the photographs, posters, and sports images he’s produced they are in awe. It all comes down to many hours of photographing and editing: a sacrifice that one makes for something one loves!”

TJ’s school job is now officially photographer, and the school relies on him to take photos: either they schedule him in advance to shoot a certain event, or he shows up because he wants to, for example, at a varsity soccer game, and then sends the images over afterwards.

He works hard to meet the needs of the Communications Department, the Alumni and Development Office, and the yearbook. If he can’t be somewhere at a specific time, he finds a replacement, but, he says, “I try to make myself available to Communications during my free time.”

Not that TJ has an excess of free time.

Between his busy academic calendar and his school job, he’s also starring as a co-lead of the fall play, and he is co-president of the Photography Club.

He is also the photo editor of the Avon Record. He is a member of the yearbook and literary magazine and the Ju Jitsu Club, as well as varsity golf. And he has one very important goal for this year: “Essentially, I’d like to train and create a legacy of student photographers at the school who will be the backbone of all photography needs.”

With so much on his plate, TJ explains that he has had to learn more skills than just photo and design: “I have to manage my expectation of what I’m going to get done,” he says. “I compartmentalize day by day. Planning for assignments long term is really key for me.”

And while he’s clearly made a name for himself on campus as the man behind the camera—he’s been awarded the Digital Photo Book Award as well as the Advanced Digital Photo Book Award—TJ has no plans to pursue a professional career in photography. He hopes to attend Syracuse University to major in English or history, with the ultimate goal of attending graduate school for communications. “I’ve always said I don’t want to be ’just’ a photographer,” he explains. “I want it to remain my passion, not become my job.”

VISITING ARTIS T

Ty Morin

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his fall, the Visual Arts Department once again welcomed Ty Morin and his truck-turned-walk-in-camera for a presentation to darkroom photography classes.

“It is the ultimate demonstration in the origins of photography and the camera obscura, and how a tiny hole, a completely dark room or space, and the physics of light work to create the environment for photography: writing with light,” notes department chair Cristina Pinton. “The boys literally walk into a camera that has a lens as big as a football, and the whole event has this element of surprise when they see it work and develop a 20- by 24-inch negative in the truck!”

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The Stanley Cup Returns to Avon Old Farms

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his summer, Nick Bonino ’07 returned to campus to once again show off the Stanley Cup—for the second year in a row! He captured two NHL Stanley Cup victories with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and both years, on his day with the Cup, he chose to return to Avon Old Farms, where he played under legendary coach John Gardner and captained a New England Championship hockey team his senior year. Bonino went on to play in college for Boston University, during which he helped lead the team to an NCAA National Championship.

Before joining the Penguins, he also played for the Vancouver

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Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. Most recently, Bonino signed a four-year contract with the Nashville Predators.

The 2017 Championship was the fifth Stanley Cup win for the Penguins. As a member of the cup winner, Bonino got to have the Cup for a day—an NHL custom that plays out year after year. He dedicated this year’s visit to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC); each $10 admission cost to view the Cup and meet Bonino benefited the Center. He visited the CCMC immediately following his Avon appearance.

Chase Maitland ’18

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two-year student from Glastonbury Conn., Chase Maitland ’18 is widely known on campus for two things: his long hair and his athletic prowess.

He’s a standout athlete on both the varsity football and varsity lacrosse teams and was a key member of last year’s Founders League Champion varsity lacrosse squad.

“Being a Winged Beaver athlete is an experience like no other,” notes Chase. “You go to class with your teammates, eat with them, go to practice with them, and then experience life in the dorm together. I love being able to spend every night in the dorm with all my brothers and then wake up and get back to work together.

“With all the time spent together, teams are truly families, and we have the best fans in New England. My goal is to win the New England Championship in both football and lacrosse, and I have confidence both are obtainable.”

Beyond his work on the athletic field, Chase stays busy with a full academic schedule—he’s a Dean’s List student and earned the Advanced Functional Analysis Book Prize—and as a member of the Investment Club and the Big Brother Program. He’s particularly connected to those community service initiatives that offer opportunities to interact with young children. He cites the annual Toys for Tots drive as especially rewarding.

“It’s not hard to find the time out of your day to try and help a cause, especially one for the kids,” he notes. “I’m so grateful that I was able to participate in it.”

Toys for Tots is just one way Chase has been glad to take advantage of what he calls the amazing Avon experience. “I’ve met so many new people, some just like myself, some polar opposites—yet everyday I’m surprised by the quality of young men Avon attracts.”

But it’s not just his peers whom Chase admires. “When I leave Avon, what I’ll remember most is the quality of teachers,” he observes. “The teacher-student relationship is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and it’s one of the many things I’ll miss as I move on to college.”

ROVING REPORTER

Who is a Winged Beaver?

“An athlete that aspires to be his best and perseveres through any challenge put in front of him.”

–geoff barlow ’98, coach, varsity hockey

“A student-athlete who works as hard as he can to achieve his full potential.”

–joe martinez, head coach, varsity soccer

“A Winged Beaver is a good teammate first.”

–brian doyle, dean of students, coach, varsity hockey, varsity baseball

“Someone who will compete with intensity and integrity and, win or lose, will shake his opponent’s hand, thank him for the opportunity to compete, and wish him well with the rest of his season.”

–john bourgault ’80, athletic director head coach, varsity wrestling

“A young man who works hard and aspires to achieve success for his team and his school.”

–john gardner, associate headmaster, head coach, varsity hockey

“I think the meaning of being a Winged Beaver is to work hard in places where light doesn’t shine and become the best while still maintaining a humble and kind nature.”

–xufeng (caesar) dai ’19, captain, varsity cross country

“Being a Winged Beaver is bigger than what meets the eye. It is a tight-knit brotherhood and bond that will last forever. It is a mutual agreement to constantly strive to do your best in order to become good men.”

–jesse walsh ’18, captain, varsity football

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Celebrating the retirement of Peter and Sue Evans

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his spring, Peter Evans will process through the Pope Quadrangle and around the Village Green one last time. He will carry the academic mace, assigned to the senior master—the longest serving member of the faculty—lead the processional of faculty and students, and welcome the Class of 2018 to its graduation ceremony. Bagpipers will play, and students will accept diplomas and awards and sail their caps through the air. Peter will recess with the graduates for the 47th time, into a mass of students, alumni, and parents waiting to celebrate and congratulate and congregate for hugs and well wishes and goodbyes. Then, he will bid farewell–

to friends and colleagues and to the village he has called home for nearly five decades.

Peter and his wife, Sue, spent a lifetime here, raised three children here, and learned they were grandparents here. He impacted the lives of hundreds of young men—students, athletes, or simply friendly faces in the dormitories or on campus—with his knowledge, his charm, his wit, and his quick humor.

Quite simply, Peter and Sue Evans are an Avon institution. They’ve been friends to all and family to many. They taught in Avon classrooms, coached on Avon fields, worked in Avon dormitories, and shared wisdom as advisors, mentors, and role models. They’ve been a part of changes big and small that helped advance the mission of the school and made it what it is today. This year, they will venture off campus and into the next leg of their journey together: retirement. It truly is the end of an era. Avon will miss them dearly. We celebrate their incredible devotion and service to Avon Old Farms School and wish them all the best in the years to come.

And remember, Peter and Sue, there will always be a spot for you at table B1 in Riddle Refectory.

End of an Era Peter and Sue Evans

Sue Evans

Sue grew up in Natick, Mass., Dinner and Auction, volunteering as head for about 10 years, and went to Natick High having worked with and then taken over from the event’s School. While attending the founder, Florence ‘Francesca’ Carriuolo P’77.

University of Massachusetts When her children were older, Sue taught Spanish 1, 2, Amherst, where she majored and 3 Honors off and on in the 1980s and 1990s for nine years. in education and minored in In 1998, Sue left teaching to work full-time in Avon’s Alumni Spanish, she met her future and Development Office. She became an integral part of that husband, Peter, who was office and is currently director of institutional research. After attending Amherst College. a wise board member suggested Avon needed a Grandparents After graduation, they were married and lived in Japan for a Day, Sue took the initiative and got the program off the year, where Sue modeled with an international agency. When ground, running it for a few years. She was also instrumental they returned to the United States, they came to Avon Old in creating both the National Council and the Distinguished Farms. Sue taught kindergarten in the Avon public schools for Alumnus Award. She often attends local alumni receptions and five years, and taught many young boys who would go on to sometimes visits the“third generation”—parents of boys she and become Avon Old Farms Peter knew as students here Who knew that I, a Massachusetts students (and one who who are grandparents again studied Spanish with to current students. girl, would marry a California boy, Mrs. Evans). She then left In the fall of 2015, work in Japan a year, and spend most teaching to care for the Sue scaled back her of my life at a boys’ school?” couple’s three children: responsibilities in the Brittany, Craig, and Ali. Alumni and Development –Sue Evans P’98 Before Brittany was Office, moving to just three born, Sue earned a master’s degree in education at Central days a week. She has enjoyed the extra time to spend with her Connecticut State University. While at home with the children, children and her three grandbabies: Camille (3), Ben (1), she tutored Spanish and took additional graduate courses in and Ava (1). Sue loves traveling, walking, gardening, reading, Spanish, one summer studying in Spain at an international and the beach—most especially at the Cape Cod home program in Salamanca. She also worked on the Avon Parents’ the Evanses built in 1977.

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I have known Peter and Sue for 42 years and have worked with Peter directly in the Alumni and Development Office for the past decade or so. Several qualities come to mind when I think about Peter and his legacy at Avon. One is that he is the ‘ultimate team player,’ always filling in where he is needed most, along with his willingness to sacrifice for the good of the school. The other quality is integrity. The integrity that I am referring to is his ability to tell it like it is according to his own set of impeccable

moral values and principles, without ever compromising those values.

Sue has been the ultimate spouse for an Avon Old Farms administrator, willing and able to go it alone and raise their children while her husband took on the tasks of college counselor, athletic director, and director of alumni and development during a critical period of growth for the school. Sue, in her own right, has been an effective teacher, tutor, and researcher in the Alumni and Development Office.”

—Henry Coons ’71, P’07, Director of the Annual Fund

I know that Peter and Sue have spent a good part of their lives contributing to make Avon a better school. They have always been ‘team players.’ When I was starting out at Avon, I looked to Peter as a model of what a good boarding school faculty member should be and tried to follow his example.”

—John Gardner, Associate Headmaster

Peter Evans

Peter was born in Syracuse, N.Y. He spent his early years in Illinois, north athletics, and president of the Western New England Prep Schools of Chicago, and Athletic Association, dean of students, assistant headmaster, then moved with director of college counseling, and director of development (1997– his family to Santa Barbara, Calif. where he graduated from San Marcos High School in 1965. Heading east, he attended Amherst 2012). During his early teaching years, he earned a master’s in liberal studies from Wesleyan University and focused his teaching College, where he majored in American studies and played efforts at Avon in United basketball and baseball. After States history, generally the graduating from Amherst in Avon Old Farms does what it says Advanced Placement course.

1969, he married Sue in 1970, it does. Put simply, Avon makes a Currently, Peter is a dean, and received a commission as working in the Alumni and difference in the lives of boys becoming a naval officer in Pensacola, Development Office, and Fla. He then spent two years in good men. It has been my privilege over continues to be very involved military service, primarily as the years to contribute to that process.” in ensuring that Avon receives an intelligence officer at Atsugi substantive capital support.

Naval Air Station in Japan.

–Peter Evans P’98 Peter enjoys the world After completing his of sport—especially Boston teams—and has coached youth military service in 1971, Peter began his career at Avon Old Farms basketball and baseball teams over the summers in Avon and on School, where he has been ever since. At Avon, over a 45-plus-year Cape Cod. He loves seeing alumni, playing the guitar, enjoying period, he taught English and history; coached (he was with varsity the beaches on the Cape, reading, and walking with Sue. baseball for 30 years); served as a dormitory head, director of

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ife has a way of charting an unpredictable course. After graduation from college followed by a stint as a naval officer during the Vietnam era, I came to Avon Old Farms with my wife, Sue, in the fall of 1971—figuring we would be here for one or two years. That was 47 years ago.

Avon has been a wonderful place and way to spend a life.

Personally, I have had the opportunity to experience change without moving. I taught English for a few years and history for nearly three decades. I coached basketball for a number of years and baseball for 30. I loved doing these things. Over time, I took on various administrative responsibilities, including overseeing the athletic program, the College Counseling Office, and finally the Alumni and Development Office. These roles presented unique challenges, forcing me to grow in different ways. While embracing a 24-7 boarding school life, I must say, in retrospect, that I cannot imagine a better place to bring up a family with Sue than Avon Old Farms. That is because of the people here.

Positive role models in every direction.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. That is the definition of any great team in pursuit of a goal. For me, what has made Avon special is working alongside so many talented and dedicated people with a shared mission: helping boys become good men, helping them become their best selves. Gandhi once said: “If

you want to find yourself, lose yourself in the service of others,” He was right. The psychic or emotional income one can derive from becoming part of something bigger than yourself, and, in so doing, making a difference in the lives of others, is incredibly rewarding.

It is hard for me to imagine any school evolving more impressively than Avon has during my time here.

When I look at the new programs (e.g., robotics and engineering); when I see the Riddlers sing at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and next June on D-Day at Normandy; when I observe so many of our athletic teams soar; when I see the numerous community service initiatives underway (Toys for Tots, Relay For Life, Push-Ups for Patriots, Special Olympics, etc.—the list is endless); when I watch the brotherhood flourish; when I witness the impact of new facilities (the Ordway Science and Technology Center, the Brown Student Center, the athletic complex and the Field House, and the Beatson Performing Arts Center)—it is all so very inspiring. Being part of a brilliantly led institution that is positively and steadfastly “on the move” is a gift.

As I look back, I spent my first 30 years with an internal focus, working directly with students. I absolutely loved that interaction: in the classroom, on the basketball court or baseball field, in the dormitory, or at table B1 in the refectory. In more recent years, I have interacted externally with alumni from all over the country and world, who frequently tell me that the Avon experience was pivotal and sometimes transformative in their lives. Their stories are often riveting. I knew many if not most of these alumni as teenagers at Avon. Those connections, between past and present, between them and me, are powerful and further reinforce a decision to spend a life in this work at Avon Old Farms.

commitment to our students, our mission, or our values.

Their selfless commitment to our school is inspiring, and all Avonians owe them a debt of gratitude for their longstanding and dedicated service. Peter and Sue are very special people who will be sorely missed in the future.”

Peter and Sue Evans have enriched our community for almost five decades, and their contributions to Avon Old Farms have been invaluable in the success we have enjoyed since the 1970s.

Despite having spent the past two decades focusing on our alumni and our development efforts, they have never wavered in their

—Ken LaRocque P’01, ’10, Headmaster 20

Spring Fall 2017 2015 The The Avonian Avonian

Peter Evans and his wife Sue arrived at Avon Old Farms School for the 1971-1972 school year and he immediately made a positive impact on the school as a coach, advisor, and history teacher. I was lucky enough to do a postgraduate year during this tumultuous time. We were living through the turmoil of the Vietnam War, rampant drug use, and political upheaval. Through this

stormy period in United States history, we were lucky to have some fine men as our role models at Avon Old Farms. Peter Evans was the perfect example of a man who lived his life with a strong moral compass and the ability to sacrifice his time and effort into making sure that all of us adolescent and impressionable young men always had a port in the storm, and a man who we could look to for guidance and confidentiality. Through his tireless devotion and uncanny ability to reach out to all of the boys, Peter became a magician at making them strive for excellence in all of their endeavors in and out of the classroom. A master teacher, exceptional baseball coach, and an outstanding athlete in his own right, it was not unusual to find the former Amherst College star on

the basketball court in a pickup game totally dominating the best players in the school.

I believe that Peter has never asked for much from the school and it was through this personal ability to love and to serve that he quickly moved into the most important roles in making us a great school. His many responsibilities have included athletic director, admissions associate, college counselor, assistant headmaster, and director of development. Many of the new buildings, enhanced endowment, and upgrades to the school can be attributed to Peter’s unique talent of asking for gifts through the relationships he has built with alumni and parents.

Quite honestly, I have not met many men with the integrity of Peter Evans.

I have never heard him say a bad word about a colleague or show any envy or jealousy towards a member of the school.

He is always the first to congratulate, praise, or have a kind word and a pat on the back for a job well done. Peter has always believed that this higher calling required a passionate commitment to the wellbeing of young men, an incredible capacity for hard work, and long hours with the prospect of inconspicuous returns. He is humble with an unflinching belief that one is, in the final tally, making a real contribution to the making of decent men and to the public good. Peter personifies all of the qualities that we equate as being a great schoolman and he will always be a legendary figure in the history of Avon Old Farms School.”

—Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Dean The Avonian Spring 2015

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ho knew that I, a Massachusetts girl, would marry a California boy, work in Japan a year, and spend most of my life at a boys’ school?

I was from the era of “You follow your husband and make your life around his.” That’s what I had done, after our honeymoon, going with Peter, a LT. JG in the Navy, to Atsugi, Japan. Upon return to the States, through his Tabor Academy connection

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with George Trautman, Peter landed his first civilian job at Avon Old Farms and immersed himself in the work and culture. Having a degree in education, I looked for work in public school, never dreaming then I might someday work at Old Farms, because, after all, it was a boys’ school and there was only one female teacher: art teacher Gail Laferrierre. In public school for about five years, teaching kindergarten, I taught many boys I met again as Old Farms students, some of whom I later taught Spanish or advised at Avon. In 1976, our first baby, Brittany, was born. By this time, I had earned a master’s degree in education. We moved from the Gate House across from the chapel to the quad, where Peter ran Pelican, a freshman dorm then. When Spanish teacher Juan Comella had a heart attack at the beginning of a school year, George Trautman asked me to fill in until Juan returned in December (I was then certified to teach Spanish). Within a year, George asked Peter if he would take over

End of an Era Peter and Sue Evans

for the retiring athletic director. At the time, the job went with the house on faculty row. We were in that home 35 years; our second child, son Craig was born in 1978. I tutored boys at Avon, while home with the kids, and took graduate degree courses in Spanish, starting a second master’s. I volunteered to run the Athletic Dinner Dance and Auction fundraiser at Avon, the precursor of the current Blue Blazer Ball, while Peter was the athletic director.

Craig was in his last year of nursery school when George asked me to teach again. I liked it and stayed, off and on, around our children’s growing up. Alison was born in 1988, so I was home again for a few years, teaching again when she was in school until 1998. By 1997, Peter had another one of his many opportunities.

This last, director of alumni and development, really did change our lives because only one of us was free to spend the summer at our Cape Cod home. After Peter learned at a CASE conference that he needed to hire somebody else, he asked me if I would do it, saying, “You know the people; it will be easier for you.” It was a huge change but one I have enjoyed. We were on the same team again: both working through the summer. A very small office, in the beginning, and everybody pretty much did everything. Peter started the office using Raiser’s Edge for our computers, we went to conferences, and we talked to people in other development offices and professional organizations. We started new projects, such as e-news, and kept learning. We planned events, started the tradition of Grandparents Day, and helped launch the National Council and the Distinguished Alumnus Award. We stuffed envelopes, we made calls, and it all evolved over the years. Now we see families we have known for three generations, and get to see

After all these years,ladies and gentlemen, finally Peter and Sue Evans are roasted! Yes! Well, my roast is obviously full of care, love, and extreme respect. I came from a very humble home in Puerto Rico from an orphan mom and a father that bred roosters for fighting on our island and to sell in Latin countries.

The Evans family poured their enormous hearts toward me and showed me a beautiful life in the Northeast. They both were very consistent, profound, and most of all wise. I enjoyed babysitting for them—they gave me a chance to each Saturday evening. By the way, great sandwiches at home! Mr. Evans

wonderful alumni and board members.

I appreciate the beauty of Avon daily. We have been surrounded by good people who care about each other and most especially the boys. It is truly a wonderful community.

We have watched generations of boys become men. Not an easy process, but it has been a joy being a small part of that process as well as helping to make the physical plant of Avon what it is today. We are very lucky to have worked with two amazing headmasters and known such great families and board members. Since they were boys, we have known many of the current pillars of the school—some of whom we taught—so we know we are leaving Avon in great hands.

My worst moment as a teacher at Avon turned into one of my best: one of my students said privately after class, “Sra. Evans, I don’t like Spanish, so I don’t think I like you either!”

Years later at reunion, he said,“Sra. Evans, you were right. I had asked you back then, ‘Why do I have to study Spanish?’” You answered, “You don’t know where your life will take you.” He continued, “I met a beautiful girl who spoke Spanish, and if it hadn’t been for your class I wouldn’t have been able to talk to her or marry her, or have the great son we have now. So thank you.” Now I get his family pictures through Facebook and am glad my life took me to Avon.

We are excited to start the next chapter at places we adore, our home on Cape Cod and our condo on the Gulf in Florida, and to have more time to travel and to see our precious grandchildren. But we are eternally grateful for having spent our lives at Avon, which will always be in our hearts.

always challenged me in every aspect at Avon, and Mrs. Evans always sent me to my roots at home because of her ability to speak fluent Spanish. Well, my dears, God bless you and your lovely kids and grandkids. I love you so much, familia!”

—Juan Nieves ’83

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It would be hard to communicate my deep regard for Peter and Sue Evans and their service at AOF into a few sentences, a paragraph, or any other amount of words. Peter changed my life. He altered the trajectory of my educational and athletic achievements. And while he wasn’t the first person to take an interest in my skills as a baseball player, he was the first to take the actual time to mold me. He was the first to explain how athletics and academics worked together. How delayed gratification could lead to greater rewards. He contacted coaches with expertise in pitching and then drove (!) me to the sessions. He mandated that I deliver in the classroom as well as on the field and then vociferously advocated on my behalf to

college admissions counselors. Without Peter Evans, my life doesn’t work out the same way.

Outside of my parents, nobody ever provided me such dedication, commitment and guidance. And remarkably, as I learned from many other Avonians, he did it for everyone, no matter their goals or aspirations. I’d be remiss to not mention Peter’s wife, Sue, and their children; my interactions with all of them were as fond as they were with Mr. Evans. I’m sure Peter would say that without their support, his commitment to the school could not be as all-consuming. And for that we are all thankful. Good luck to you both on retirement; you certainly deserve a break! Your legacy lives on in all of us who you impacted so deeply.”

—Graeme Brown ’96 24

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Peter Evans and I have worked together for almost 50 years. I have found him to be unbelievable and to be the best ‘second man’ this school has ever had, and Avon is all the better for it. Peter is the most positive thinker I have ever met. And Sue has a mind like a steel trap. Sue remembers everything regarding people, names, and their love of the school. It has been an honor to work with them.”

—George Trautman ’98H, P’75, ’81, ’82, GP’03, Former Headmaster

I remember Peter Evans sharing with me what I have come to call the Peter Evans school of teaching: ‘Tell them what they need to know, and test them on it.’ So simple, and such helpful guidance to a new teacher. I also had Peter as a teacher at AOF. He taught American history. Peter was dynamic, charismatic, humorous, energetic, and well-prepared every day. We had to work hard to keep up!”

—Peter Rice ’76, P’15

Britt and I met Peter and Susie here at Avon in the fall of 1973. We became very close friends from the beginning.

Over the years, that friendship deepened, so much so that they were kind enough to ask us to serve as their son’s Godparents.

We know them to be the ‘best of the best’ in what they have offered and given to so many throughout their time here at Old Farms. A school community such as Avon is made all the better for the loyalty, good will, concern, devotion, energy, and effort provided by very special individuals. Peter and Sue have provided that and more for decades! Their legacy within the confines of the school’s history is remarkable and we are honored to have had them in our lives.”

—Skip Flanagan GP’16, ’19, Dean

Quietly and with grace, Sue and Peter typify all the good that Avon represents. Never arrogant but always confident, never boastful but always with a smile, they have acted, for many, like the aunt and uncle able to offer the comfort, direction, discipline, and life lessons that come from a deep-seated love for their students. Many teachers at Avon deserve our gratitude for creating an environment that has benefited us all. Sue and Peter helped define it.”

—Joe Giannamore ’84 The Avonian Spring 2015

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End of an Era Peter and Sue Evans

I first met Peter when I arrived as a student in the fall of 1989. He was my teacher in Advanced Placement United States History. He was an amazing educator— bright, funny, and like all good teachers, passionate. His class stimulated an interest in history, and helped me to become a more accomplished student. He nurtured an interest in ideas, writing, and critical thinking. I became a history major in college because of Peter Evans. When I reflect on my experience here as a student, Peter Evans looms large. In fact, when I considered a career in teaching after college, it was Peter Evans who was my motivation and mentor. I admired his love of life and found him to be a source of inspiration about the quality of life that was available to a teacher at a private school. When I came out of college, I had a few opportunities. I decided

to come to Avon because of the respect that I had for Peter personally, and because of the lifestyle that he enjoyed professionally.

When I was a student here, Peter was also my baseball coach and college advisor. He was a great coach. Similar to his skills as a teacher, he was knowledgeable about subject and an effective instructor on skills. More importantly, he was a great motivator. He was what people in the business call a “transformational” 26

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coach as opposed to a “transactional” one. He was there for the players; we were not there for him. It was about us. He cared about our development as people way more than he did our development as players. Winning, to him, was not nearly as important as the educational value of athletics. He was honest, but positive; his nurturing style got us to see our potential rather than emphasizing and condemning our weaknesses. Under Peter’s leadership, a young person can believe in himself and believe that, with hard work, proper instruction, and determined dedication, almost anything is possible. That tone made baseball really fun for my teammates and me.

As a college counselor, Peter got me to feel confident and comfortable in the process; that we were in control. We worked together to have choices, and I was happy that I did in the end. I know that Peter called those schools and coaches and made those opportunities available to me. Without him advocating for me, I am certain that I would not have had so many attractive options.

Next, I was proud to call Peter a colleague in 1995 when I joined the faculty. We started coaching baseball together in 1996-97, and he wanted a new field. He had a meeting with George Trautman and asked if we could get one. Our old field did not have a cutout infield and was incompatible with the strength of the program. George said, “sure, but you need to raise the money!” Peter never backed down from a challenge that would be in service to the school, so he agreed. I made a few calls and met with some people, but Peter did all of the heavy lifting for us to get a brand new baseball field. Carpenter Field was his vision and he was successful at raising all of the money for the field’s construction. It is one of the most beautiful fields in New England, and is the foundation of the success that the program has enjoyed since 1998.

George was so impressed with Peter’s ability to raise significant money in such a short period of time that he put Peter in development. I know it was hard for Peter to leave the student side of school, where he was so enormously successful, but Peter has always been a “school first” and loyal guy. He accepted the position, and soon asked me to join him.

For the next nine years I worked with him in development, and was so impressed with his efforts in that important area of school life.

He raised tens of millions of dollars in service to the school. He understood the value of relationships, and for Peter, the relationships were real. He had spent his professional life in service to the students and the school; alumni and parents could see in their interactions with him that he was not raising money for himself, but rather to change the life of the school and the students. People know it and responded positively to his invitation for them to join in the advancement of the school.

Finally, in recent years, one of the things that stands out to me is that he and Sue literally gave up their house for me and my family. As a school, we are grappling with our housing policy and how we can accommodate the growing needs of families. One of the issues we are facing is what to do with

senior members of our faculty who no longer have families living at home. A few years ago, Peter and Sue’s children were young adults and no longer living at home; I had two young children, and after 15 years in a dorm, we were outgrowing the duplex home we were assigned. Peter checked with Ken and others, and pushed to switch residences with us. I did not ask and the school did not force him; Pete and Sue offered. They downsized so that we could have some more space as our children got older. What a team player! He did this with a smile and even helped us move!

I cannot think of a better role model, school person, or human being than Peter Evans. Sue and Peter have changed the lives of so many people; I am proud to be included on that list. They have worked tirelessly and selflessly in service to the community.’’

term, and I knew he would be the right one to implement it. All I did was present my concept to Peter—he then did everything else. He took it really seriously. He understood the idea, and he figured it all out. I can’t imagine how it could have been done any better. It's been a huge success and I'm very proud of how Peter and the school have implemented the concept I asked him to run with.”

When I wanted to set up the Woodwell Leadership Award, I went to Peter Evans. I knew him when I was a student— he was my basketball coach and history teacher—and got to know him as an adult when I was on Avon’s board. Peter was clearly ‘the guy’—he’s ‘Mr. Avon’ and one of the few people I've met in my life who everyone likes.

I wanted the award to go well in the long

—Rob Dowling ’91, P’21, Provost

—Allan O’Connor ’75 The The Avonian Avonian Spring Fall 2015 2017

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Faculty Focus

Geoff Barlow ’98

By Morgan C. Cugell

F

ew members of the Avon Old Farms School faculty, staff, or administration are as “born and raised” at AOF as Geoff Barlow ’98.

Growing up in Canton, Conn., Geoff was first introduced to the school as a four-year-old, as a young hockey player learning to skate and play in Jennings Fairchild Rink.

Geoff’s hockey skills progressed as he grew up, but the public high school in Canton did not offer a program. After narrowing his search to Avon, Kent, and Westminster, he did overnight visits and made the choice. “I knew Avon was the

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place for me,” he recalls. “There was a sense of community here that just did not exist at the other schools.”

Geoff quickly became entrenched in the Avon way of life and took advantage of much of what the school had to offer.

“I cannot imagine a more positive experience,” he says. He played varsity soccer and varsity hockey, was president of Social Activities and the Food Club, and belonged to the Spirit Club and the Polar Bear Club. He was a three-year monitor, and the head monitor in Jamerson Dormitory his senior year.

After spending five years as a student at Avon, Geoff

Geoff Barlow ’98 and Brendon Welker ’91

“We connect with boys because our program is designed to let the faculty do just that. Having institutions in place such as morning meeting and sit-down meals brings us together, which is important. Many schools have moved away from the triple threat model of faculty, but that is where the connections between the students and the faculty are strengthened.”

enrolled at Hobart College, where he majored in economics and minored in environmental studies. He was a four-year member of the varsity hockey team, served on the studentathlete advisory council, and was the only student on the college’s committee on athletics.

And then, he says, he came home.

“During the spring of my senior year, I started to feel some pressure from my parents about getting a job and had no idea what I was interested in doing. I figured I would teach at Avon for a couple of years while I figured that out. I contacted the school and quickly learned that the teaching positions for the following year had been filled and that there were no openings. Two weeks later, I received a call that the school unexpectedly had an opening in the Admission Office. I applied for the position and came back to campus to meet with Terry Cutler, Brendon Welker, and Ken LaRocque.

“Within a week I was offered and accepted the position,” Geoff continues. “They were kind enough to give me about two weeks off between college graduation and starting the job.

After really enjoying my first year, I decided I would stay as long as I kept enjoying the work.

“And here I am, starting my 16th year,” he states.

Geoff has worn many hats during the course of his time at Avon. After beginning his career in the Admission Office,

“I knew Avon was the place for me.

There was a sense of community here that just did not exist at the other schools.”

spending 12 years there and ultimately ending up as senior associate director of admission and director of financial aid, he now serves the school as director of athletics. He is also an advisor, a varsity hockey coach, and head of a duty crew. In the past, he worked in the dorms and even taught geology for a short time. He earned his master’s of arts and liberal studies, with a focus in social sciences, from Wesleyan University.

“I was excited for some new challenges as director of athletics,” he notes of the recent transition out of admission. “I see our sports program as a very important part of what we offer our students, and know that for many it is their favorite part

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of the day. Each day different challenges present themselves.

Sometimes it is within our school, and other times it is with other schools. I am also continually looking to improve our program, whether it is small changes behind the scenes or ways we can better serve the needs of our students.”

It’s clear that his many varied and important roles have given Geoff an interesting perspective on the work that Avon does for its students—one he believes in wholeheartedly, having experienced it as a student and as an employee.

“Our community and being a school for boys make Avon unique from other schools,” he explains. “I see connections being formed now that are similar to what I was able to experience during my time as a student. And the sense of community stretches across our student body, staff, and faculty, making Avon a very special place.

“We connect with boys because our program is designed to let the faculty do just that,” he continues. “Having institutions in place such as morning meeting and sit-down meals brings us together, which is important. Many schools have moved away from the triple threat model of faculty, but that is where the connections between the students and the faculty are strengthened.”

Geoff can also attest to the school’s progression with not one but two different headmasters. As a member of George Trautman’s last class as headmaster in 1998, Geoff returned to campus to work under new headmaster Ken LaRocque. “While I

have been at Avon under two different headmasters, it has been two completely different situations between being a student and a member of the faculty,” he notes. “George is an incredible person and had a positive impact on the lives of thousands of boys during his tenure. As an alumnus, I am very happy with the direction the school has moved in since Ken became headmaster.

He has maintained the core of the school, and it will certainly be recognizable by any alumni who return to campus. At the same time, the school has progressed under his leadership to remain relevant in the ever-changing times.”

Geoff also notes the exceptional opportunity he has been afforded as several influential teachers and role models from his days as a student have become his colleagues and friends. “I have been lucky to have a number of people to call mentors at Avon,” he says. “Brian Doyle has played a huge role in my life, from the time I was 13. He was my hockey coach freshman year and my advisor for two years as a student and is someone I still turn to when I need some guidance. John Gardner has also been very influential. He taught me algebra 2, coached me in hockey, and now continues to support me professionally. Brendon Welker ’91 immediately took me under his wing when I was hired and really taught me how to work in this environment and be a professional. The best part is all three are now great friends of mine outside the professional environment.”

And the relationships don’t stop there. Last summer, Geoff married Jesse Crouch—also a product of private school education, both as a student and a teacher—and in attendance at their Portland, Maine, wedding were close to 25 people from AOF: friends and faculty members from both his time as a student as well as some of his friends and colleagues over the last 15 years.

Geoff and Jesse met briefly several years ago but never really connected until they each attended the 2014 International Boys School Coalition conference in Nashville, and a mutual admission acquaintance—Cliff Paige, head of the Upper School at Fairfield Country Day, where Jesse worked at the time—set them up at a dueling piano bar. The rest, as they say, is history. Jesse now works at another local private school, Kingswood Oxford,

“My father races a Triumph Spitfire on tracks around the northeast, such as Lime Rock Park in Connecticut and Watkins Glen in New York. Though the car is older than I am, together [my dad and I] have upgraded nearly the entire car with modern racing parts. I love the time it allows us to spend together.”

in nearby West Hartford, teaching English as she pursues her master’s degree.

Though their work, family, and friends keep Geoff and Jesse quite busy, when he does have a chance to get off campus, you can almost always find Geoff at the racetrack—or working on a car. “My father races a Triumph Spitfire on tracks around the northeast, such as Lime Rock Park in Connecticut and Watkins Glen in New York,” he explains. “Though the car is older than I am, together [my dad and I] have upgraded nearly the entire car with modern racing parts. I love the time it allows us to spend together.” Geoff and his dad built a racecar shop together, on his parents’ property in Canton, and working there is one of his favorite places to be.

“We do everything from building the engines to making custom suspension pieces. I really enjoy fabricating various parts and the engineering that is involved,” he notes. “It is great to have a hobby that allows me to get away from campus from time to time and spend time with my father. Aside from spending time with Jesse, there may be no other place I’d rather be.”

Except, of course, somewhere perhaps at Avon Old Farms School: “I have spent 20 years at Avon—five as a student and 15 as a faculty member, so it is just over half my life,” Geoff states.

“It is my home.”

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Student Spotlight

Kevin Huveldt ’18

By Morgan C. Cugell

K

evin Huveldt ’18 is this year’s Warden—and so much more. A four-year student from Connecticut, Kevin began his boarding school experience in Eagle but has spent the last three years in Diogenes, where he serves as head monitor this year. He is editor in chief of the Avon Record, president of Student Activities, president of the Big Brother program, a four-year member of the Riddlers, and a member of the varsity football and varsity lacrosse teams. He’s also a member of the Model UN, the Red Cross Club, the Investment Club, and Avon Outreach. Last year, he received the coveted Yale Book Prize. Given his impressive transcript, it’s easy to see why Kevin was chosen as an admission ambassador, working one-on-one with prospective students and their families.

Kevin claims that attending enrichment is crucial to his success in effectively balancing schoolwork with all his responsibilities. “I do on occasion have a few late nights, but

“I definitely struggled at first, but through the support of my idea from the faculty and my effort to see change in the school, I was able to serve not only myself but my brothers who had the same problem as me.”

a lot of those nights are cut out because of my attendance at enrichment hour, where I try to complete that class’s homework before study hall,” he explains. And he’s even put his hard work and perseverance to the test to ensure that enrichment stays such a powerful tool for the students: Kevin was the driving

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force behind a school-wide change that was introduced last year, when evening enrichment hours were swapped to help solve a scheduling problem: instead of all humanities courses meeting on the same two nights each week, and all STEM courses meeting on the other two nights, they were interspersed to allow students to maximize their enrichment time in both disciplines.

“I struggled academically sophomore year in math and science, and because those classes had the same enrichment days, I couldn’t get the help I needed. I sent out a school-wide survey and found that a majority of kids felt the same way I did, so I went through all the necessary protocol with the academic deans and administration to try to change the enrichment schedule.

“I definitely struggled at first,” he continues, “but through the support of my idea from the faculty and my effort to see change in the school, I was able to serve not only myself but my brothers who had the same problem as me.”

That attitude is reflective of the mentality Kevin brings to all aspects of his life at school. His demanding schedule leaves little time for self-indulgence—but he’s OK with it, especially given the responsibility associated with serving as the student body president. “So far, being the Warden has been harder than I originally thought it would be,” he observes. “The first two weeks were overwhelming and I felt a lot of pressure, but now I feel like I have settled into my ‘groove,’ and being Warden is just a part of life that I have adopted. I love being Warden; it is not a burden at all, although at times it can be very challenging.

“Being Warden is a 24-hour a day commitment,” notes Kevin. “I need to lead by example in everything I do, and I am very proud of that.”

Unsurprising, given that he claims he’s been wanting to be Warden since he set foot on campus as a freshman and saw Chris Davis ’15, Warden that year, introduce himself to the school. “That moment, I knew that in four years I wanted to be the Warden, and I wanted to lead my brothers the best that I can. I think this overall craving to lead the school stems from my love for my brothers, and I want to be a large part of that brotherhood and make everyone else’s life easier and more enjoyable during their time here at school.”

Kevin cites two other moments as particularly memorable over the last few years. The first took place during a thirds

“I remember scoring a bar-down goal to take the lead in the game. Celebrating with my teammates in front of all the parents against such a big rival was truly once in a lifetime. When I heard my name called, all I can remember is smiling from ear to ear and just being overwhelmingly happy. That is something I will never forget, because I knew I put a lot of hours into trying to become Warden, and it was an out-of-body experience to see my dreams come true.”

soccer game against Westminster on Parents Weekend. “I remember scoring a bar-down goal to take the lead in the game,” he recalls. “Celebrating with my teammates in front of all the parents against such a big rival was truly once in a lifetime.” He also notes the moment he sat waiting on stage to learn if he’d been elected Warden: “When I heard my name called, all I can remember is smiling from ear to ear and just being overwhelmingly happy. That is something I will never forget, because I knew I put a lot of hours into trying to become Warden, and it was an out-of-body experience to see my dreams come true.”

Both memories are testament to what Kevin says is one of the most powerful messages he’s received as a part of his education here: “Avon has taught me that nothing is impossible, and that effort and hard work do truly pay off in the long run.”

Kevin is quick to note that much of his success is due at least in part to his relationship with faculty member Rob Whitty ’87. “I had him as a teacher freshman year in geometry, and I have gone to him with everything I need help with since then,” he says. “He is someone I aspire to be like when I’m older in the way that he is very disciplined and composed no matter when I see him. He always treats everyone with respect, and I am lucky to have had him as a mentor for four years.”

Although where he will land next year remains to be determined, Kevin is sure of one thing: “I want to go to a college or university that can help shape me into the man I want to become without telling me which direction I should go,” he explains. “I’m looking for support similar to Avon, so I can find my own way and be happy with where I am in five years, when I enter the ‘real world’ after college.”

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Alumni Spotlight

Chase Donaldson ’68, John Wendler ’68, and Donald Pierpont’s Last Class

By Morgan C. Cugell

T

his spring, Chase Donaldson ’68, John Wendler ’68, and many of their classmates will return to the Avon Old Farms School campus to celebrate their 50th Reunion, a milestone event in and of itself. They’ll also be there to reminisce about former headmaster and Avon legacy Donald Pierpont. The Class of 1968 was Pierpont’s last graduating class before he passed away.

Chase and John are just two members of this class who hope to honor Pierpont’s life, legacy, and many contributions to Avon Old Farms. Most of all, they wish to pay it forward to future generations of Avonians, to ensure that young men have the same remarkable and transformative experiences they did.

John Wendler ’68 John Wendler attended Avon thanks to a scholarship provided by the J. Aron Charitable Foundation, which also funded his four years at Bowdoin College. “I couldn’t have attended either institution without their assistance,” he recalls. “Avon was the most influential experience in my development, outside of my parents and family, and key to whatever success I’ve achieved after Avon.”

John came to Avon from Rhode Island after spending a year in public school. A competitive swimmer, he found Avon through a teammate, Brian Foster ’68. “The difference between the high school I went to for one year and Avon was like night and day for me and in a good way,” John observes.

“During my year of public high school, school and home were separate. I wasn’t involved in school activities outside of being on the swimming team and rarely saw my schoolmates or my teachers outside of classes. Avon is the exact opposite. As a boarder, school and home were one in the same. Avon was total immersion. If I wasn’t in classes, I was playing sports, then in some kind of club activities or presiding over the Court—I was President Judge my senior year—then dinner with all my

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schoolmates followed by study hall. My Avon experience was transformative.

“That’s the ‘Avon Experience,’ which to me is the total immersion into an environment that develops boys into young men, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially,” John continues.

“The environment I’m referring to is the village of Avon Old Farms. A village, almost by definition, connotes a sense of intimacy, community, camaraderie, and connection—it’s a nurturing place.

When you drive up to Avon for the first time, that’s what you see: a village that’s unlike any other school. As a result of living in a community of 400 other boys—and I do believe that an all-boys school provides a better developmental environment than a co-ed school—and having faculty members and their families live on campus, there’s an intimacy that exists between students and between students and faculty that is powerful.”

Although the Avon education was clearly of paramount importance to John, he notes that he didn’t become involved as an alumnus until a series of significant events very recently. “I returned for my 40th Reunion, and that was only the second time I’d been back since graduating, the first time being in 1976,” he explains. “So, it had been over 30 years since I’d been on campus, and I was amazed by the progress the school had made

“As a result of living in a community of 400 other boys—and I do believe that an all-boys school provides a better developmental environment that a co-ed school— and having faculty members and their families live on campus, there’s an intimacy that exists between students and between students and faculty that is powerful.”

—John Wendler ’68

during that time. I felt very proud to be an Avonian! Then, as I was closing in on retirement and developing an estate plan, I reflected on my life as well as the people and organizations that were the most influential in my development and made the greatest contribution to whatever success I’ve achieved. Avon was at the top of the list.

“I was able to attend Avon and have the opportunity to benefit from the Avon experience because of a full scholarship from the J. Aron Charitable Foundation—and it changed my life,” he continues. “I wanted to offer that same opportunity to

a deserving boy by establishing in my will the John D. Wendler ’68 Scholarship.

“And then finally, I was asked to join the National Council in 2016, and I’m now more heavily involved in Avon’s affairs, helping to chart the future direction of the school.

My responsibilities on the Council also bring me to Avon’s campus twice a year.

“At the end of the day, I graduated from Avon with more confidence, focus, commitment, drive, and aspiration as a result of the Avon experience.”

“Chase and I thought the best way we could memorialize our 50th Reunion and honor Don Pierpont would be to establish a scholarship in perpetuity in his name from our class. For now, and until Chase and I run it by our classmates for their input and hopefully approval, we’re calling it the Class of ’68 Don Pierpont Scholarship Fund, and every year, we’d like there to be at least one Don Pierpont Scholar at Avon who’s attending because of our fund.”

—John Wendler ’68 Chase Donaldson ’68 and John Wendler ’68

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Alumni Spotlight

Although John hasn’t remained in close contact with many of his classmates, he is optimistic that will change and hopes many will return for their reunion this spring. “My goal for our reunion is simply to get as many classmates back to Avon as possible,” he says. “Those who haven’t been back recently or at all will be stunned, and I’m sure impressed, by the progress the school has made since we graduated.

I’ll be interested to find out from my classmates what paths they all took after graduating and what they’re doing today.”

John also hopes that his work with the National Council will help increase alumni engagement and encourage more alumni to stay connected. “The National Council is in the process of overhauling our class agent system, and I believe the new system will significantly increase alumni connection with one another and with Avon and lead to much greater alumni engagement with the school.”

Above all, John thinks one of the strongest ties that bind the Class of 1968 is the experience with Don Pierpont, and he hopes they can come together to honor his legacy this spring.

“He was such a force at Avon that it’s likely he touched or influenced just about everyone in our class in some way,” recalls John. “Mr. Pierpont was not a large man, but he was a man who

was almost larger than life. He was very articulate, charismatic, and distinguished. He was a commanding presence. He always seemed to be wearing a three-piece suit with black tie shoes, and I remember the way he walked: determined, with what seemed to be a slight limp.”

In fact, John was likely one of the last people, if not the last person, to speak with Pierpont on the day he died. In the fall of 1968, John had just started as a freshman at Bowdoin College. “Mr. Pierpont called me at Bowdoin to see how I was doing,” he remembers.

“Imagine that—here I had graduated and he calls me to tell me he was thinking about me and wanted to see how I was doing! He was attending some kind of meeting or conference in Boston. The morning session had ended, and he had some free time so he called me.

We talked for a while, and then one of the last things he said was that he wasn’t feeling well and was going to go lie down and rest before the afternoon session. I found out later that he died that day.

“Chase and I thought the best way we could memorialize our 50th Reunion and honor Don Pierpont would be to establish a scholarship in perpetuity in his name from our class,” John notes. “For now, and until Chase and I run it by our classmates for their input and hopefully approval, we’re calling it the Class of ’68 Don Pierpont Scholarship Fund, and every year, we’d like there to be at least one Don Pierpont Scholar at Avon who’s attending because of our fund.”

“Pierps was a very caring headmaster and loved his boys. His door was always open for any student, at any time of day or night. He was always there for us. His humor, smile, and openness disarmed students; that allowed them to open up to Pierps with anxieties, problems, or concerns while at Avon.

He used to start every address with ‘Gentlemen’ when speaking to the student body, and his favorite way of dealing with a student crisis was to take students in his ‘Batmobile,’ as we called it, to HoJo’s [Howard Johnson’s] in Avon for an ice cream, to help soothe all personal issues a student might have been having at the time.”

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After Avon, John attended Bowdoin College and then earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School. For the next 38 years, he pursued a career in consumer marketing, working at companies such as General Mills, PepsiCo, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Saks, Inc., and finally Tractor Supply Company. He retired in 2014 as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. He now lives just outside of Nashville, on a horse farm with Debie, his wife of nearly 30 years. They have two horses— down from close to 30 at one point—and six dogs and also feed the deer, the fish in their fishpond, and the birds on their property. John and Debie have two kids and three grandkids.

Chase Donaldson ’68 When Chase Donaldson ’68 arrived at Avon Old Farms School as a freshman from New York City, it was at the orders of his parents, who felt he needed to get out of the city—and his friend group at the time—and into a setting with more personalized instruction.

He had spent a year in Colombia with family as a young teen and arrived speaking fluent Spanish. Chase had his interview with Don Pierpont: “I was scared to death!” he recalls. Yet he quickly found his place and made the most of his Avon experience. Now, he looks back on the people and place he claim helped him become who he is today.

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Alumni Spotlight

Because of his Spanish fluency, Chase developed a close relationship with Jorge Consuegra ’51, P’77, ’80, GP’11, ’14, who was his Spanish teacher all four years at Avon. Chase still keeps in touch with Jorge and his wife, Miriam, through their son Andy Consuegra ’80, P’14 and was honored to be invited by Andy to Jorge’s 83rd birthday party in Miami last January. “I also enjoyed the sciences with Bill Kron and Bruce Billings P’85,” he continues. “Bruce was my lacrosse coach and helped me get a college lacrosse scholarship!”

Chase notes that he was also profoundly influenced by Sid Clark: “We continued to keep in touch with Sid, and when we lived in Connecticut for a few years, we would have a tradition of going on Easter picnics with Sid, even when it was about 20

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degrees and snowing one time!”

And of course, there was Donald Pierpont: “Pierps.”

“Pierps was a very caring headmaster and loved his boys,” observes Chase. “His door was always open for any student at any time of day or night. He was always there for us. His humor, smile, and openness disarmed students; that allowed them to open up to Pierps with anxieties, problems, or concerns while at Avon. He used to start every address with ‘Gentlemen’ when speaking to the student body, and his favorite way of dealing with a student crisis was to take students in his ‘Batmobile,’ as we called it, to HoJo’s [Howard Johnson’s] in Avon for an ice cream, to help soothe all personal issues a student might have been having at the time.

“Pierps was also very trusting,” Chase continues. “I might

“Pierps was also very trusting. I might add too trusting, sometimes, as he would loan out his car for the day, usually Sunday afternoon when we were allowed off campus. I would use it to go see my then-girlfriend and now wife Judy Lockwood—so Pierps is partly to blame for my marriage!”

—Chase Donaldson ’68

add too trusting, sometimes, as he would loan out his car for the day, usually Sunday afternoon when we were allowed off campus.

I would use it to go see my then-girlfriend and now wife, Judy Lockwood, so Pierps is partly to blame for my marriage!”

Pierpont, Clark, Consuegra, Kron, and Billings are only a few of the people who helped solidify Chase’s experience and help usher him into the next phases of his life, something, he notes, that wasn’t all that unique at Avon, but instead the norm. “Avon bonded many of us for life. All my teachers—nd Pierps—took an interest in me, and all the students I recall, and helped guide me along through my formative years at Avon. The whole Avon process taught me about leadership, teamwork, camaraderie, and how to study, thanks to all my teachers’ help and guidance. As a result, I became a dorm monitor in Diogenes and a head dorm monitor in Eagle, was on the Student Council and, after college, was a naval officer for more than 24 years!”

“We hope to honor Now a National Council Pierps’s memory by member and an integral part establishing a student of the planning process for scholarship fund his upcoming 50th Reunion in his name for the Class this spring, Chase reflects of 68—his last graduating that he has stayed involved class at Avon.” for myriad reasons. “Avon is a Chase attended Franklin unique place—no other school & Marshall College, is like it—in architecture, graduating in 1972 with a history, or purpose,” he states.

BA, and earned an “I made close friendships MBA in marketing and with my classmates, and the finance from the University reunions definitely helped of Santa Clara. He spent keep us connected. It was 1972–1979 as a naval flight —John Wendler ’68 a one-on-one personal officer on active duty and education, and the faculty then served in the Naval Air took a strong interest in all Reserves from 1980 until the students, helping guide 1998 when he retired as a them to manhood. commander. He held marketing management positions with “My goal for the class reunion is to try and get as many classmates various liquor and confection companies until 1998 and then back to campus for our 50th Reunion and to rekindle and renew as founded Chase International, Inc., where he remains today. The many friendships as possible,” he continues. “Also, for many of the company distributes confections, spirits, and wines to the travel classmates who haven’t been back in a long time, for them to see the retail industry and Caribbean markets. He and Judy have been incredible progress the school has made in education, sports, and married for 47 years and currently reside in Hampton, N.H., facilities, to ultimately feel very proud that we went to AOF. and Raymond, Maine.

“I was able to attend Avon and have the opportunity to benefit from the Avon experience because of a full scholarship from the J. Aron Charitable Foundation—and it changed my life. I wanted to offer that same opportunity to a deserving boy by establishing in my will the John D. Wendler ’68 Scholarship.”

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At the Celebration of Life service for Thomas Purnell ’68, fellow Avonians sang “Men of Avon.”

Pictured from left to right: George Madeira ’68, Chase Donaldson ’68, Cookie Boyd ’67, George Purnell ’68, Rob Scott ’68, and Jim Brainard ’64.

Gilman Ordway ’44 and Tim Trautman ’75, P’03.

Please send us your personal notes!

Class Notes can be submitted to Alexis Lee at LeeA@avonoldfarms.com.

The deadlines for Class Notes submission are spring issue: March 1, 2018, fall issue: September 1, 2018.

Mercedes Consuegra, Andy Consuegra ’80, P’14, Phyllis Mendell Donovan, Alice Mendell, and Seth Mendell ’52 enjoyed a meal together at the Tin City waterfront shops and eateries in Naples, FL.

Class Notes 42

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58

RUSSELL HUNTER, Head Class Agent

SETH F. MENDELL, Head Class Agent

100 Sarah 15B, Simsbury, CT, 06070

230 Tellidora Ct., Fort Myers, FL 33908-1618 sethalicemendell@gmail.com

AUSTIN CHAMBERS, Co-Head Class Agent 17 Flanders Rd., Stonington, CT 06378-2109 Hilltop12@aol.com

44 TIM TRAUTMAN ’75 visited GILMAN W. ORDWAY at his home in Jackson Hole, WY in May.

The portrait in the background is of Gilman when he was 9.

54 DOUGLAS H. MACPHERSON, Class Agent

5405 Dranes Tavern Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030-4603 dhmacpherson@verizon.net

55

50 HARVEY RUBIN, Head Class Agent

102 Barbour Cir., Newport News, VA 23606-2201 harvo2516@verizon.net

51 CARL A. CANDELS, Co-Head Class Agent

6 Mountain View Ave., Avon, CT 06001 WARREN FORD, Co-Head Class Agent

115 Center St., Wolcott, CT 06716, jodir@aol.com

EDWARD J. HAWIE, Co-Head Class Agent 138 Hampton Point Dr., St. Simons Island, GA 31522-5426 ehawie@bellsouth.net

STEPHEN HOLT, Co-Head Class Agent 75 Bridge St., Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944 stephenholt@comcast.net

59 Charles W. Davis, Co-Head Class Agent 6905 West 99th St., Overland Park, KS 66212 cwdavis@waretec.com DOUGLAS B. MARSHALL, Co-Head Class Agent

2 Berkshire Rd., Bloomfield, CT 06002 douglas.marshall@raveis.com

CLEON M. SHUTT JR., Co-Head Class Agent 511 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117 chipsamerica@hotmail.com

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56

PO Box 218, South Orleans, MA 02662-0218 rclumberclan@aol.com

CHARLES R. SCAGLIONE, Head Class Agent

3328 Eagle Nest Point, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 scag3328@gmail.com

RICHARD L. WILLIAMS, Head Class Agent

61 GEORGE F. HENSCHEL JR., Head Class Agent

101 Seminary Rd., Bedford, NY 10506 gfhjr@aol.com

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Fall 2017 The Avonian

Jim Kenney, mayor of Philadelphia, and Perry Benson ’65, board member of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, at the NFL draft on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, April 28, 2017.

Jon Salony ’64, and his wife, Meg, along the Ligurian coast of nor thwest Italy.

Robert Leith ’63 (pictured) after visiting Avon headed to Nantucket to visit David Billings ’66. The photo was taken during the visit.

Jack Stokvis ’63 holds the trophy from Union College’s 2014 Division 1 hockey championship.

Shout out to fellow alum Griff Martin ’13, who was on the team.

62 ALAN D. ROZINSKY, Head Class Agent

national parks During an odyssey to seven western wife Evelyn, and five cities, Jack Stokvis ’63 and his g ’63 near nber Gree Jake g visitin time erful had a wond is now Jack life. and Avon t abou g Napa, CA, reminiscin May and he is coordinating his 55th Avon reunion next the Class of 1963. planning several exclusive events for

13620-B Via Flora, Delray Beach, FL 33484 alroz@lycos.com

63 JACK R. STOKVIS, Head Class Agent 25 Pine St., Haworth, N.J. 07641-1926 smarts@galaxy.net ROBERT H. LEITH JR. visited campus in August,

his first time back at Avon since graduating in 1963. He said, “There is simply no campus that compares with Avon’s. My years at Avon had a more profound influence on my life than the many colleges and universities I attended. My father and two of my uncles attended Avon as well. All four of us were honored to be awarded the Order of Old Farms award.”

64 W. B. HARWOOD III, Head Class Agent

24 Overhill Ave., New Britain, CT 06053 wbhtcc@aol.com JON R. SALONY and his wife, Meg, hiked

through the Cinque Terre, along the Ligurian coast of northwest Italy in June. Earlier, Jon met

with STEVE WENDLER ’70, sharing mutual experiences as President Judge. Jon continues as a real estate finance consultant and was recently appointed co-chair of the Urban Land Institute– New York education committee.

65 PERRY BENSON, Head Class Agent

2135 Naudain St., Philadelphia, PA 19146-1218 pb2@jacobswyper.com

66 MICHAEL D. BARKER, Head Class Agent

40 Bay Hill Dr., Bloomfield, CT 06002-2376 barkermike@aol.com

67 JAMES W. CORRIGAN, Co-Head Class Agent 826 Gould Hill Rd., Contoocook, NH 03229 jwc915@gmail.com

Chase Donaldson ’68, Cookie Boyd ’67, George Purnell ’68, George Madeira ’68, and Rob Scott ’68 gathered after the Celebration of Life service for dinner.

68 GEORGE L. PURNELL, Head Class Agent 4822 Brighton Lakes Blvd.

Boynton Beach, FL 33436 glpluvssports@gmail.com CHASE F. DONALDSON attended the Celebration of Life and funeral in August for classmate THOMAS PURNELL ’68 in Ligonier, PA. GEORGE L. PURNELL attended a memorial service for his brother THOMAS INGRAM PURNELL ’68 on August 29th, 2017. Tom passed away in Charlotte, NC on July 23rd, 2017 from complications of Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The service was held at St. Michael’s of the Valley in Rector, PA, just outside of Ligonier, PA where Tom was raised. The following Avonians attended the service: COOKE BOYD ’67, GEORGE MADIERA ’68, CHASE DONALDSON ’68, ROB SCOTT ’'68, JIM BRAINARD ’64 , and

WILLIAM F. ROBERTS, Co-Head Class Agent

GEORGE SEIFFERT ’62 . At the reception, the

786 Brownsville Rd., Sinking Spring, PA 19608 wfroberts@fast.net

Avonians sang Men of Avon. Some personal stories and memories were shared, including a “life story”

The Avonian Fall 2017

41

Class Notes

Greg Demaio ’77 with his wife, Libby, and daughter Lauren holding the Vail Lacrosse Shootout 2017 Zenmasters champion trophy.

his lacrosse Greg Demaio ’77 with se Shootout. ros Lac l Vai team at the

Bob Applegate ’75, Linda Woodwell ’75W, P’08, Richard Woodwell Jr. ’08, John Van Sant ’75, Jason Beeble ’75, David Jack ’75, Jamie Osborne ’75, and Dan Gallup ’75 in Nantucket, MA.

Jamie Osborne ’75 presenting at a TEDx event in April 2017

from his triplet brother and best friend, George ’68. Tom loved Avon a great deal and contributed money for a scholarship to a worthy student. He played soccer, which he co-captained in 1967, baseball, tennis, and wrestling, and lobbied for the ’67 soccer team (8-1-1) to be inducted into Avon’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

Tom is survived by his wife, Dottie, brothers Pete, Puck, David, George, and sister Meg and six nieces and nephews.

69 DAVID F. COLEMAN, Class Agent

35 Adelaide Ave., Barrington, RI 02806 dfc@colemanrealtors.com DAVID F. COLEMAN told Avon his sons, CHRISTOPHER D. COLEMAN ’01 and KYLE COLEMAN ’03, are both living in Barrington, RI.

Dave is excited to have his sons and grandchildren nearby. In July 2016, his real estate business, which his grandfather started in 1929, merged with Sotheby’s Real Estate. Dave says that frees him from some of the paperwork and gives him more time for family.

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HARRIS H. BUCKLIN III, Head Class Agent

GEORGE J. GIANNONI, Co-Head Class Agent

3004 Margaret Jones Ln., Williamsburg, VA 23185 hbucklin3@aol.com

6 Twilight Dr., Granby, CT 06035-1212 ggiannoni@cox.net

71

EDWARD P. MOLLOY, Co-Head Class Agent 6 Winhart Dr., Granby, CT 06035 e.molloy@cox.net

JOSEPH C. VECCHIARINO III, Head Class Agent PO Box 2103, Westport, CT 06880 drvvv@sbcglobal.net LARRY HAMMERMAN embarked on a new venture in 2015, representing “outstanding pen manufacturers.” He says the pens are superb writing instruments and are manufactured in the United States. His company, Style of Write, plans to launch a new website featuring the pens soon.

72 KEVIN J. DRISCOLL, Class Agent

500 Old Farms Rd., Avon, CT 06001 driscollk@avonoldfarms.com

73 CHRISTOPHER L. ATKINS, Head Class Agent PO Box 706, Hilldale, NY 12529-0706 catkins702@gmail.com JAMES L. BUSH wrote, “I was saddened to read of classmates JIM FLEDER’S ’73 early death. He was a gentle soul. Never heard him say a cross word.”

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Fall 2017 The Avonian

SCOTT B. MACDONALD’S mother, Anita MacDonald, passed away on June 1, 2017. Scott shared the following: “She was 89 years old and lived a great life. It was a peaceful affair, and my son, ALISTAIR ’11, and I were there by her. It was a deeply personal and spiritual moment, a crack in time between what is now and what is beyond. Before she passed, Alistair and I drove through Avon Old Farms, both of us with our own memories of the school. For me, the campus, its rich history, and the intricate tapestry of lives that the school wove were a point of refuge, an important safe harbor in an otherwise choppy time of life. There is something calming about the refectory, the Quad, and the grounds in general.

While we were there as students, it was hard to grasp the fully supportive nature of the place and the impact it was to have on the rest of our lives, especially at times of acute stress. On June 17, we buried my mother, and in attendance were

haw ’77, Tucker Brads t ’78, ar Neil MacTagg a ’77 gr Jorge Consue h in r lunc meet fo NY. Queens,

Ricardo Mendez ’77 and Dean Petow ’77 got together in Connecticut this August for a day of fun on the water.

Tom Byr ne ’77 with his daughter Ke the wedding lsey at of his neph ew Nick Mal ’00, who go inosky t mar ried at Villa d’Este Cernobbio, in Italy, last su mmer.

Tom Byrne ’77 with Nick Malinosky ’00 at Nick’s wedding in Cernobbio, Italy.

fellow Avonians—STEVEN WALTON ’76, who presided as chaplain for the service; PATRICK HURLEY ’74; STEVE LEWIS ’73; and, of course, my son, ALISTAIR ’11. Avon Old Farms was well represented. We also received messages of condolences from the Conseugra clan (Jorge senior was a great swim coach!). I just want people to know the value of the school at times of stress. It is a unique and wonderful place and means a lot to me and meant a lot to my mother, father and still does to my son and me. Long may Avon Old Farms continue to influence the development of young men.”

75 TOM BYRNE, Head Class Agent

31 Helena Rd., Avon, CT 06001-3433 tbyrne@thomasbyrne.com DAVID M. JACK is an accomplished children’s author. He is working on publishing his third book, Lila’s Dream, which will come out around Christmas 2017. He also hopes to publish a fourth book, Everybody Needs a Beast, in 2018. If you buy his books through Amazon or Bookbaby, 10 percent of the proceeds go to John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL, where he volunteers with his wife, Tammy.

JAMES H. OSBORNE had the opportunity to be one of 10 presenters at a TEDx event hosted by Bellevue College, just outside Seattle, on April 4, 2017. He updated us with the following: “The topic of choosing your own path was accompanied by a short video clip, shown on the screen above me. The presentation will be available on the TED site before the end of May. The central theme was about making big choices, and once made, using a process of visualization and mindfulness to construct your own internal movie of what accomplishing that choice looks like. Getting back up on skis again and skiing top to bottom at Blackcomb Mountain in BC, Canada, was an internal movie 10 years in the making. It leveraged everything I ever learned about aspiring and persevering at Avon. Doing it with two-thirds of my body suffering from paralysis and other residual deficits could offer hope to others facing not just spinal cord injury but any life infirmity.”

Jamie’s first book, Will Your Way Back, published in February 2017, chronicles his recovery from a bike accident and learning to live as a quadriplegic.

76 ALEXANDER N. WORLEY, Head Class Agent

20 Shore Grove Rd., Clinton, CT 06413 alexworley@sbcglobal.net

77 JORGE E. CONSUEGRA, Head Class Agent Andrews Rd., Greenwich, CT 06830 jorgeeconsuegra@yahoo.com JORGE E. CONSUEGRA met for lunch with TUCKER BRADSHAW ’77, and NEIL MACTAGGART ’78 in Queens, NY, in August 2017. Neil was visiting New York City with his 9-year-old son, Jackson, who was playing in the Little Mo Tennis Tournament at the Westside Tennis Club. Before lunch Jorge and Tucker met Neil courtside to watch Jackson compete in the tournament semifinals.

GREGORY L. DEMAIO is still an active lacrosse

player for the Mr. Boh lacrosse club team from Maryland. His team went 4-0 in the 60 division Vail Lacrosse Shootout (Zenmasters) and captured first place. He said, “The first game was a nail biter, 14–13 over the defending champs, but after that we pretty much dominated and look forward to our next tournament in Lake Placid.”

78 JOHN M. GARVEY, Head Class Agent

389 Haines Ave., Long Beach, CA 90814 jmgarvey@garvspace.com

The Avonian Fall 2017

43

Class Notes

Garvin Brown ’87 visited the campus over the summer. It was his son Ryan’s first visit to the campus and Garvin’s first time back in more than 20 years. Peter and Sue Evans gave them a tour.

Dan Harrop ’88 and Ken LaRocque hike the Great Wall of China.

Shawn Atkinson ’88 with his daugher and James Boone ’88 with his son at the National Brine Lacrosse Tournament in Richmond, VA.

pus on 2 visited cam time John Ruan ’9 st fir e 17, for th August 10, 20 ed left to ur ct Pi n. tio ua since his grad Alison, and wife, right: John’s e, ren, Catherin his three child l. ai ig Johnny, and Ab Richard English ’81 was back on campus over the summer to help create a 360-degree virtual walk-through campus tour.

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ANTHONY M. GRAY, Co-Head Class Agent

GREGORY T. FISH, Head Class Agent

6212 Wagner Ln., Bethesda, MD 20816 tgray@tonygray.net

32 Castlewood Rd., Simsbury, CT 06089 gtf324@yahoo.com

STEPHEN R. GORMAN, Class Agent 13 Smith Ln., Burlington, CT 06013-1201 srg_2966@hotmail.com

SCOTT B. LINKE, Co-Head Class Agent

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WILLIAM E. ESCHERT, Co-Head Class Agent

HAROLD R. BEACHAM JR., Class Agent 6 Pleasant St., Dover, MA 02030 hal.beacham44@comcast.net

116 Eleven Levels Rd., Ridgefield, CT 06877-3011 scott_linke@ml.com

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24 Westland Rd., Avon, CT 06001-3197 billeschert@comcast.net

THOMAS E. DAVEY, Head Class Agent 6806 Joyce Way, Dallas, TX 75225-2718 thomas.davey@lighting.ge.com

RICHARD C. GREGORY, Co-Head Class Agent

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SAMUEL C. BOOKBINDER, Head Class Agent

JOHN GORDON, Head Class Agent

213 Midland Ave., Wayne, PA 19087 samuel.bookbinder@wfadvisors.com

246 Nacoochee Dr. N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30305 falconatlfan@gmail.com

COURTNEY L. TRAUTMAN received the Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society Award. The award is given to the top 11 percent of Coldwell Banker Sales Associates worldwide.

Congratulations!

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Fall 2017 The Avonian

30 Walnut Farms Dr., Farmington, CT 06032 rick@rcgregory.com

SAM L. RUBENSTEIN, Head Class Agent 1148 Apollo Gardens St., Henderson, NV 89052 richmondsr@aol.com

88 SHAWN E. ATKINSON, Co-Head Class Agent 428 Ridgewood Ave., Glen Ridge, NJ 07028 shawnatki@gmail.com PETER REED, Co-Head Class Agent 91 Butternut Ln., Southport, CT 06890 pdreed18@gmail.com SHAWN E. ATKINSON cheered on his daughter Siena at the National Brine Lacrosse tournament in Richmond, VA. While at the event, they bumped into JAMES C. BOONE III ’88, who was there watching his son Carter play in the boy’s division.

Matthew Higgins ’94 with his daughter Amaya.

Mike Horn ish ’95 an d his family visited Avo nO Farms in A ugust to se ld e Avonian N ick the Stanle Bonino ’07 and y Cup.

John Zappone ’82 enjoyed a visit with Brian Conroy ’82 in London.

Patrick Hickey ’95 and wife Melissa welcomed their first child, Patrick J. Hickey Jr., on April 14, 2017.

Nic Paleologos ’94 and family April 2017.

Fish Michael family d n a ’95 on. a c on va ti

Kelvin Roldan ’96 (pictured) and his family met up with Peter Evans (pictured) and Skip Flanagan in Hartford’s Elizabeth Park, where the roses were in full bloom.

89 ROBERT WILEMAN, Head Class Agent

7425 N.E. 97th Terr.

Oklahoma City, OK 73151-9121 rmw@wilemanagency.com

90 PETER J. DECKERS, Head Class Agent 500 Old Farms Rd., Avon, CT 06001 deckersp@avonoldfarms.com

91 MICHAEL M. MULLIN, Head Class Agent

8 Nickerson Ln., Darien, CT 06820

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Sue and Peter Evans for lunch in Florida, from their home in Des Moines, IA. John is president and COO of Ruan Inc. in Des Moines. Over the summer, John took his family to the campus for the first time. They had a tour of school with Peter and Sue Evans, including the new center for robotics and engineering and the Volk Computer Lab, all new buildings since John graduated.

93 TRAVIS MERRITT, Class Agent

DAMIEN J. EGAN, Head Class Agent

121 Rumson Rd., Little Silver, NJ 07739 merritttravis@yahoo.com

52 Brookview Ct., Groton, CT 06340-5528 degan2@hotmail.com

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JOHN RUAN IV sent us a note: “Summer is

going fast. The kids are keeping us busy with their swimming and golf. And now the girls are learning to play the piano. Abigail’s song book includes “Ode to Joy.” Can’t wait to teach them the words… “strike the drumhead, fly the banner / youth leaps forward like a wave.…” Last winter, John and wife Alison met

GRAHAM C. FULLER, Co-Head Class Agent

2937 Morris Rd., Ardmore, PA 19003-1832 grahamcraigfuller@gmail.com

MATTHEW W. HIGGINS relocated with his wife and daughter, Amaya, from San Francisco, CA, to Sonoma, CA. Some might know it better as wine country. Both he and his wife started new jobs.

95 ANTHONY D. SILVESTRO, Head Class Agent 4 Haskell Rd., Andover, MA 01810 tony_silvestro@administaff.com

PAUL M. GOZZO, Co-Head Class Agent

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1 Country Farm Cross Rd. Stratham, NH 03885-2536 11pgoz@gmail.com

MARK A. CARUSO, Head Class Agent 124 Westminster Rd., Chatham, NJ 07928-1364 mcaruso@gmail.com

The Avonian Fall 2017

45

Class Notes

Nicholas Malinosky ’00 and wife, Katherine Tolman.

Kevin Ludwig ’99 and wife, Kerry Oelkers.

Jeff Carter ’99 with his family in the summer of 2017.

It was a Class of 1999 reunion at the wedding of JR Rakolta ’99. Adam LaVorgna ’99, Matt Hamilton ’99, JR Rakolta ’99, Jaxon Reilly ’99, and Matt Kowalchick ’99.

Craig Chester ’01 married Amy Levine in Chevy Chase, MD, in July 2017.

Luke Archambault ’04 and his wife, Lindsay, (right) with newborn son Lincoln in the Stanley Cup. Also pictured are Luke’s family, who joined in on the fun when fellow alum Nick Bonino ’07 (far left) visited the campus in August.

Brock Doran ’97 wit h wife, Paige, and their two sons , Davis and Blair, are “living the drea m” in Raleigh, NC.

00 MICHAEL J. O’NEILL, Co-Head Class Agent ANDREW M. KUNISCH, Co-Head Class Agent

97 TIMOTHY B. STAY, Co-Head Class Agent

2024 Upland Way #205, Philadelphia, PA 19131 timothystay@gmail.com KYLE R. YOUNGQUIST, Co-Head Class Agent

1r4 Wychview Dr., Westfield, NJ 07090-1821 bigkyleyoungquist@gmail.com

98 GEOFFREY R. BARLOW, Co-Head Class Agent

500 Old Farms Rd., Avon, CT 06001 barlowg@avonoldfarms.com J. A. CORRIGAN, Co-Head Class Agent

78 West 85th St., Apt. 5B, New York, NY 10024 jamesandrewcorrigan@gmail.com

99 DAVID R. GRYBOSKI, Co-Head Class Agent

01 South Bay Blvd, Suite B-3 PO Box 732, Anna Maria, FL 34216-0732 dgryboski@tampabay.rr.com

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Fall 2017 The Avonian

1431 33rd St. NW, Apt. 2 Washington, DC 20007-2851 kunisch23@yahoo.com STEPHEN A. ZAPPONE, Co-Head Class Agent 71 Hartwell Rd., West Hartford, CT 06117-1912 zappones@yahoo.com JEFFREY B. CARTER is the CEO and founder of Grand Coast Capital. He was recently quoted on the success of his growing business when the company moved to a larger office space in Boston, MA. “In three short years, Grand Coast Capital has grown from a one-person operation to a thriving real estate financial services provider with nearly 20 employees and expectations for continued strategic growth.”

KEVIN A. LUDWIG married Kerry Oelkers on June 10, 2017. They spent their honeymoon in Hawaii and Japan.

JOHN RAKOLTA III married Jennifer Knight on November 5, 2016 at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

2 Saltaire Dr., Old Lyme, CT 06371 michaeloneill27@yahoo.com DAN SEIDEN, Co-Head Class Agent 76 Crabapple Ln., Asheville, NC 28804 seidend@gmail.com NICHOLAS P. MALINOSKY married

Katherine Tolman this summer at the Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy.

01 CHRISTOPHER D. COLEMAN,

Co-Head Class Agent 210 Foote St., Barrington, RI 02806-2943 christopherdcoleman@gmail.com NICHOLAS H. LAROCQUE, Co-Head Class Agent

77 N. Almaden Ave., Apt. 419 San Jose, CA 95110-2779 larocque.nicholas@gmail.com CHRISTOPHER D. COLEMAN moved back to Rhode Island this past year after 10 years in Washington, DC. He loved his time in DC and the great alumni network it provided, but RI came calling as his family grew. He welcomed his second

Christopher D. Coleman ’01 and his wife, Megan, pose with their daughter, Barrett (2), and newborn son, William Henry Coleman IV.

Oliver Lowery, 8 lbs and 21 inches, was born April 16, 2017, to Dustin Lowery ’01 and his wife, their second son.

Luke Archambault ’04 and Graham Klehr-Keyes ’04 celebrated Graham’s engagement last spring.

The brotherhood was represented strongly at Nick Malinosky’s wedding. Pictured from left to right: Mike Sorvillo ’00, Nate Cardoza ’00, Nick Malinosky ’00, KC Tenukas ’00, Fielding McElroy ’01, Matt Biscaldi ’00.

Morgan Barrieau ’04 and his wife Danielle, in Prague, Czech Republic, April 2017.

John Ducci ’05 with newborn daughter Chloe Anne.

Rob Olson ’04 completed his first Ironman on July 23, 2017, at Lake Placid, NY, in a little over 14 hours.

Congratulations!

son, William Henry Coleman IV, on June 23, 2017, and is enjoying being back in the Ocean State. His dad, DAVID COLEMAN ’69, and brother, KYLE COLEMAN ’03, live in Barrington and have been great babysitters. He currently works as a financial advisor at UBS on the South Shore in Boston and enjoys working closely with clients, learning about their priorities and concerns and delivering advice for financial success. He looks forward to reconnecting with guys in Boston and Rhode Island and extends the invite to reach out if you are in the area!

02 WILLIAM N. PALMER, Head Class Agent

4736 Terr. St., Kansas City, MO 64112 wnpalmer@gmail.com

03 JAMES TANG, Head Class Agent 300 East 84th St. Apt. 2A., New York, NY 10028 jamesttang@gmail.com KYLE COLEMAN, after an enjoyable nine years in

Boulder, CO, is back in his hometown, Barrington, RI. Kyle and his wife are expecting their first child.

04 MATTHEW H. MORAN, Head Class Agent 1605 Sansom St. #206, Philadelphia, PA 19103 matthew.h.moran@gmail.com LUKE R. ARCHAMBAULT and his wife, Lindsay, welcomed their first son, Lincoln William, on July 13. Luke returned to Avon Old Farms this summer to begin work as an alumni engagement coordinator.

MORGAN T. BARRIEAU and his wife, Danielle,

spent a significant amount of time in Europe this year, where Morgan represents clients with numerous aircraft acquisitions. He is the principal at the Barrieau Group, a private aviation consulting and aircraft sales firm based in Boston. He works with clients all over the world, and last year traveled to more than 10 different countries. Morgan believes that when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.

ROBERT S. OLSON recently completed Ironman

Lake Placid. The 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike route, and 26.2-mile run took him just over 14 hours. He said, “I try to do something challenging every year or two, and this year I decided to try triathlons. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience

and will most likely do another Ironman down the road. Next year’s challenge is still undecided.”

While training, he primarily used the CrossFit program. He is the owner of CrossFit Simsbury.

05 DANE G. LEMERIS, Head Class Agent

795 Columbus Avenue Apt 7D New York, NY 10025, dlemeris@gmail.com JOHN W. DUCCI and his wife, Amy, announce the

birth of their daughter Chloe Anne on July 7, 2017.

Big brother, Cody (2), welcomed her home.

The Avonian Fall 2017

47

Class Notes

Paul Severni ’07, Michael Rubin ’07, Patrick Miller ’07, Matt Giamalis ’07, Greg Giamalis ’10, Michael Giamalis ’16, Blaise Driscoll ’08, Rob Whitty ’87, P’16 and Kevin Driscoll ’72 , P’08.

Ben Kimmerle ’06 and wife Isabella Biedenharn, his best man and brother Sam Kimmerle ’09, and members of the wedding party.

Scotty Lee ’08 returned to Avon in September and visited with many faculty members.

Matt Giamalis ’07 and Georgia Anas were mar ried in Bethesda, MD on July 1, 2017.

06 KEVIN T. DRISCOLL, Co-Head Class Agent

700 1st St., Apt 6Q, Hoboken, NJ 07030 kevin.t.driscoll@gmail.com JOSHUA P. PAVANO, Co-Head Class Agent

60 Forest Hills Dr., Farmington, CT 06032-3017 jpavano@gmail.com BENJAMIN J. KIMMERLE married Isabella

Biedenharn on September 16, 2017, in Cincinnati, OH. The wedding was held at the Transept, a beautifully renovated former church, now an event space in the Over-the-Rhine section of the city.

07

MATTHEW N. GIAMALIS sent an update. He

said, “After Avon Old Farms, I matriculated to Hamilton College where I majored in economics and was a member of the varsity football team.

After graduating in 2011, I became a CFA charterholder and began a career with GE Capital underwriting leveraged buyouts in the health care and technology sectors. I currently am an assistant vice president working for Capital One (in the business unit purchased from GE Capital), and will attend the Wharton School MBA Program for Executives while I continue my career in underwriting.”

08 WILL HENDRICKS, Co-Head Class Agent

12345 ne 45TH Ave., Portland, OR 97213-1215 willheatonhendricks@gmail.com KEVIN SISTI, Co-Head Class Agent

CASEY R. COONS, Co-Head Class Agent

7 Bradford Rd., Watertown, MA 02472 caseycoons4@gmail.com TYLER C. HADDAD, Co-Head Class Agent

81 Brookside Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106-2319 tyler.c.haddad@gmail.com

48

Chris Wieland ’08 holds his newborn son, Brooks Jeter Wieland.

Fall 2017 The Avonian

64 Pinnacle Rd., Farmington, CT 06030 kevin@oldlimeproductions.com SCOTT LEE started Gooroo, a company that

provides high quality tutors at affordable prices.

Gooroo is an app available on Android, iOS, and the web that allows students to instantly find and book sessions with tutors. The company has partnered with the New York Department of Education to

Richard Woodwell ’08 graduated in May from Boston University with a masters of law in tax law.

instruct middle school students in the Bronx and with senior centers to teach a range of classes. For each tutoring session, Gooroo donates a book to children in Africa as another way to give back.

CHRISTOPHER R. WIELAND and his wife, Laurie, welcomed a future Winged Beaver, Brooks Jeter Wieland, into the world on May 15, 2017.

They can’t wait for his first trip to “the Farm.”

09 JOHN (BEN) BEATH, Head Class Agent

1152 Rue laVille Walk, St. Louis, MO 63141 beathj@gmail.com

10 MATTHEW R. COZ, Head Class Agent

172 Webster St., Boston, MA 02128 PATRICK D. HAMPTON, who works at John

Hopkins University, received a promotion in June.

He is now the associate director of development, annual giving. Congrats!

Guobiao Li ’13 at his graduation from Northwestern last spring.

Arden Coleman ’16 with his 4x400 teammates, James Mulliken, Jimmy Martinez, and Alex Nichols, at Middlebury College.

A group of Avonians got together for a visit with our Director of International Enrollment, Suzanne Buenaventura, during her last visit to Asia in July 2017. Front, left to right: Joyce Poon P'14, Michael Mak P’14, William Lau P’13, Shirley Lau P’13, Joey Wong P’13, ’14, and Lvary Wong P’13, ’14. Back, left to right: Jonas Mak ’14, Julian Mak, Lincoln Lau ’13, James Wong ’13, and Marco Wong ’14.

Connor Kelly ’14 holds the 2017 NCAA DI Men’s Lacrosse Championship trophy.

Kyle Foster ’11, Coach Skip Flanagan, and Edwin Foster ’11

Peter Moeckel ’16 , Jacques de Saint Phall ’16, and Clarke Re ttaliata ’16 gathered e on Long Island to participate in the Br uce Hunt Moeckel Memo rial August 2. Proceeds Golf Tour nament on from the event be nefit the Middlesex Hosp ital, the Middlesex County Medical Associatio n, and the Br uce Hu nt Moeckel Foundatio n.

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15

OLIVER K. ROTHMANN, Head Class Agent

WILSON P. MEYER, Head Class Agent

WILLIAM C. DAVIS, Co-Head Class Agent

500 Old Farms Rd., Avon, CT 06001 rothmanno@avonoldfarms.com

106A Galt Ct., Columbus, GA 31905 wilsonpmeyer@gmail.com

11 Parker Road, Avon, CT 06001, cdavis7@me.com

EDWIN A. FOSTER and brother KYLE J.

GUOBIAO LI graduated from Northwestern

FOSTER graduated from Ohio Wesleyan and now

last spring and is now bound for a master’s program in computing science at the University of Pennsylvania. He hopes to become a data scientist.

live in the Boston area. They still enjoy lacrosse and in late April drove to Ohio Wesleyan to take in the conference finals. Avon was their stop along the way, where they reconnected with Coach Flanagan and explain a new app they created, called Covey.

12 JOHN D. SHAMBURGER, Head Class Agent 4345 Brookview Dr., Atlanta, GA 30339 shamburgerd@gmail.com SAMUEL J. FEIBEL began a 27-month course of

service in the Peace Corps February 6, 2017. He is stationed in Madagascar, where he is working in agriculture. It was an honor for him to be accepted into the program; only 13 percent of those who applied were chosen. He will work closely with an NGO that works with orphans. The volunteers spend the first three months learning to speak Malagasy and their specific skill set, in Sam’s case agriculture, while living with a host family.

14 MICKOY R. NICHOL, Co-Head Class Agent

174 Upper County Rd., Apt. # 2-3 Dennisport, MA 02639 mnichol@bates.edu RYAN D. PHILLIPS, Co-Head Class Agent

621 Allen Ct. NW, Atlanta, GA 30327-3511 ryanphillips@utexas.edu CONNOR M. KELLY helped his college team, the Maryland Terrapins, to victory in the most important win the team has had in more than four decades, with a goal in the 2017 NCAA DI Men’s Lacrosse Championship game.

CHRISTIAN E. DIANTONIO, Co-Head Class Agent

520 Dingleton Hill Rd., Cornish, NH 03745-4521 diantoniochristian@gmail.com

16 MATTHEW HORTON, Co-Head Class Agent

41 Ironwood Road, Guilford, CT 06437 mhorton@wesleyan.edu ALESSIO MARCOGLIESE, Co-Head Class Agent

590 Kindersley, Mount-Royal, CANADA, H3R 1S4 alessio.marcogliese@gmail.com ARDEN D. COLEMAN attends Middlebury College. In the spring, his 4x400-meter relay team finished with a time of 3:11:95, the fastest time recorded this season at the Division III level.

The time also shattered the previous school record—3:16.47—set in 2005.

17 KEVIN A. SIEBER, Head Class Agent 7 Whitman Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070

The Avonian Fall 2017

49

Faculty Notes

Mme Matthews during her visit to Quebec City.

On July 29, 2017, Geoffrey Barlow ’98 marrie d Jesse Crouch in Portland, ME, aboard the Bay Mist ferry. It was a beautiful event with strong support from the Avon community. Cheer s to Geoff and Jesse!

Jack and Ruthanne Sanford were married on August 11, 2017, in the chapel on campus. They both worked at the TASIS England, one of the top American international boarding schools in the UK before Dr. Sanford joined Avon last fall.

Kate McSpadden, Samantha Jensen, the d Cristina Pinton at Diana Malchoff, an ore, MD. ltim Ba in ce ren IBSC Confe

Audrey Cecile Martinez is the youngest addition to the Avon community.

ner at Dr. Katie Thor n from the tio ua ad gr her rtford.

Ha of University

Peter Evans, Avon’s longest-serving full-time faculty member, celebrated his 70th birthday on Cape Cod in August, celebrating with four other friends who also turned 70 this year and 150 of their closest friends and family members.

Over the summer four faculty members, Samantha Jensen, Kate McSpadden, Diana Malchoff, and Cristina Pinton, attended the International Boy’s Schools Coalition (IBSC) Conference in Baltimore, MD. In attendance at the event were more than 600 boys’ educators from 120 schools across 12 countries spanning five continents. At this yearly event, which Avon is fortunate to attend, experts in the field share ideas, strategies, and best practices on how to engage and reach boys as their teachers guide them on the journey to manhood.

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Fall 2017 The Avonian

Faculty member Joe Martinez and his wife, Anna, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Audrey Cecile Martinez, on June 29, 2017. She weighed in at 7lbs., 11oz. Baby Audrey attended her first Avon soccer game recently, and if she could talk, she might have said, “These guys are pretty good!”

Mme Matthews said “French teachers are born lucky; we get to travel to fabulous places like Québec City and take in the view of Chateau Frontenac! I did a week-long language program at the Collège Mérici, right next to the Plains of Abraham. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the Quebecois, their history and culture. I have a student from Quebec this year, and my experience has been a plus in connecting with him.”

Dr. Katie Thorner is a Spanish teacher and director of student/social activities at AOF. She has worked full-time at the school for the last seven years. In May 2017, Katie earned her doctoral degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of Hartford. She spent the last four years completing the doctoral coursework and writing her dissertation Better Mentoring, Better Teaching: Quality Teacher-Mentor Programs at Independent Secondary Private Schools. In it, she examines newly hired novice and newly hired veteran teachers’ experiences of their participation in a teacher-mentor program. She developed a model that best exemplifies her results, LAMB: Leadership in Action: Modeling and Balance. She met her goal of graduating by May 2017, ten years after her undergraduate graduation from Syracuse University in 2007.

Chase Maitland ’18 with his father, Brian Maitland ’80

“Avon is the school that I love and think of so highly. It provided me with great opportunities and friendships—upper classmen to look up to and faculty who were mentors to me. As a member of the Riddle Society, my gift is added to the many others that will create a bright future for all Avonians. My commitment, and giving to Avon in every way, is my way of appreciating and preserving the experience I had here, which has been as full and impactful for my son, Chase, who graduates this spring.”

—Brian Maitland ’80

For more information about planned gifts for Avon Old Farms School, please contact Robin Delnicki, Associate Director of Development, at 860-404-4156 or at delnickir@avonoldfarms.com.

Avon Move on the

Boston

Boston College Club, hosted by Brian and Kelly McKernan P’17 April 4, 2017 Jonathan Crocker P’11, Kimberley Crocker P’11, Mary Barros P’11, and David Barros P’11

Kurt Weisenburger ’13, Steven Cannell ’13, Tada Jalinskas ’13, Alexander Demeropoulus ’13, Peter McGinley ’13, Jordan Blackington ’13, Alexander Kral ’14, Robert Higgins ’13, and John Van Allen ’13

Brendan Mahoney ’05, Donald McCarthy ’05, and Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08

Jamie Bush ’73 and Tim Trautman ’75, P’03

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Fall 2017 The Avonian

Elizabeth Morrocco and Brandon Morrocco ’01

Blake Clinton ’10, Laura Villegas, and Mike Solomon ’10

Philadelphia Hosted by Wade McDevitt ’82, Director May 15, 2017

Peter Evans P’98, Daniel Cappello ’01, Stephen Driscoll ’06, and Andrew Valentine ’05

Headmaster Ken LaRocque P’01, ’10 and Daniel Cappello ’01

Daniel Harrop ’88, Houie Baker ’76, Daniel Cappello ’01, Peter Evans P’98, Andrew Valentine ’05, Stephen Driscoll ’06, Mike Finnegan ’04, Coley Bookbinder ’81, Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Wendy McDevitt, Wade McDevitt ’82, Larry O’Byrne ’92, Jesse Rappaport ’92, Headmaster Ken LaRocque P’01, ’10, Jay Simpson ’81, and Jim Detora P’12

Larry O’Byrne ’92, Jesse Rappaport ’92, and Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08

Nicole Finnegan, Mike Finnegan ’04, Jim Detora P’12

Wade McDevitt ’82, Wendy McDevitt, and Headmaster Ken LaRocque P’01, ’10

Daniel Cappello ’01, Andrew Valentine ’05, Stephen Driscoll ’06, and Houie Baker ’76

Eileen Bookbinder, Coley Bookbinder ’81, Headmaster Ken LaRocque P’01, ’10, Jay Simpson ’81 The Avonian Fall 2017

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New York City

The Yale Club, hosted by Tim Jones and Annie Cardelús P’05 October 5, 2017

Eric Meyers ’08 and Ben Lyons ’06

Front row: Tim Trautman ’75, P’03, Tom Carroll ’05, Connor Doyle ’12, John McAuliffe ’95, Chris Moeller ’94, Jim Detora P’12, Jamie Tang ’03, Brad Stewart ’99, Justin Pool ’04, Peter Evans P’98, Jeremy Radtke P’21, Henry Coons ’71, P’03, Luke Archambault ’04. Second row: Andrew Corrigan ’98, Mike Lech ’88, Mike Flynn ’11, Alex Miller ’10, Brad Glennon ’11, Steve Heller ’09, Jason Torey ’09, Ian Lindahl ’12, Bronson Kelly ’11, Ben Charette’13, Jamie Lindemuth ’82, Jeremy Campbell ’12 [hidden], Santiago Böhmer ’12, John Van Allen ’13, Ken LaRocque P’01, ’10, Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08. Third Row: Blaise Driscoll ’08 [hidden], Flint Reilly ’05, Ryan Messinger ’16, Carty Caruso ’14, Brien Biondi ’81, Charles O’Brien ’12, Donal Flaherty ’10, TJ Sponzo ’04, Justin Niemeier ’11. Fourth row: Strat Dennis ’00, Ben Lyons ’06, Doug Beyer ’08, Tim Brechbuehler ’09, Kieran Morris ’11, Ray Wiacek ’11

Patty Intrator P’20, Michael Intrator P’20, Todd Henrich P’21, Cynthia Flanagan P’19, ’20, and Neil Flanagan P’19, ’20

Meg Galea, Jon Salony ’64, and Henry Coons ’71, P’07

Jamie Tang ’03 and Kevin Driscoll ’71, P’08

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Fall 2010 The Avonian

Ben Charette ’13, Jim Detora P’12, Ray Wiacek ’11, Justin Niemeier ’11

Alex Miller ’10 and Bob Clark P’15

Andrew Corrigan ’98, Kara Lech, and Mike Lech ’88

John Van Allen ’13, Ian Lindahl ’12, Jason Torey ’09, and Tom Carroll ’05

Allison Pool, Justin Pool ’04, Luke Archambault ’04, and TJ Sponzo ’04

Sue Evans P’98, Todd Marr ’99, Tim Trautman ’75, P’03 John Harker ’80

Jeremy Campbell ’12, Ken LaRocque P’01,’10, and John Van Allen ’13

Jason Torey ’09 and Donal Flaherty ’10

Peter Chelala ’94, Jim Detora P’12, Chris Moeller ’94, and John McAuliffe ’95

Ryan Messinger ’16, Carty Caruso ’14, and Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08

Director Stratford Dennis ’00 and Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08

Flint Reilly ’05, Peter Evans P’98, and Ian Lindahl ’12

Jason Torey ’09 and Doug Beyer ’08

Tim Brechbuehler ’09, Lauren DiBonifazio, Steve Heller ’09, and Shaun Levine

Flint Reilly ’05, Connor Doyle ’12, Kevin Driscoll ’72, P’08, Jamie Tang ’03, and T.J. Sponzo ’04

Todd Marr ’99, Sue Evans P’98, and John Harker ’80

Santiago Böhmer ’12, Peter Evans P’98, and Carolina D’Arbelles-Valle The Avonian Fall 2010

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The school has learned of the deaths of the following alumni: FRANCIS K.C. MADEIRA ’34 RICHARD W. CLARK ’43 ERWIN W. WESTPHAL ’43 BEVERLEY RANDOLPH WELLFORD ’46 WILLIAM G. WYSONG ’47 JAMES P. WYSONG ’48 ARNOLD C. ROTHSTEIN ’49 KENNETH G. DIKE ’51 DOUGLAS MERRIFIELD ’53 PHILIP ROTONDO ’53 RICHARD M. HETZLER ’55 EDGAR P. D. HUMANN ’56 JOHN E. RUDDY ’58 MARK J. HAWLEY '61 JOHN P. LYNCH ’61 VICTOR V. VIERING ’61 RICHARD D. HOLMES ’63 BARTON G. BARRETT ’65 S. JOHN BLUMENTHAL ’66 MICHAEL L. STRAUS ’66 MARK C. CHRISTINE ’68 ROAN A. MCCLURE ’68 JOHN M. PATTERSON ’68 THOMAS I. PURNELL ’68 JAMES J. FLEDER ’73 JOHN D. CASTALDI ’74 EDWARD F. SAXBY, JR. ’74 WILLIAM J. ANGEL ’75 RICHARD J. NURGE ’79 IAN R. JAMES ’85 ERIK K. KNAUS ’88 FACULTY MEMBER JAMES B. KAELHERT

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Fall 2010 The Avonian

Asheville, NC Country Club of Asheville, hosted by Dan Seiden ’00, September 28, 2017

Dean Peter Evans P’98 with Avonians gathered at the Asheville Country Club.

Peter Evans P’98, Dan Seiden ’00, Christon Gill ’11, Jim Detora P’12

Stella Seiden, and Dan Seiden ’00, John Cuckler ’97

Jim Detora P’12, Christon Gill ’11, Stella Seiden, Brooke Seiden, and Dan Seiden ’00, John Cuckler ’97, Doug Parker ’66, John Rhyne ’14, Jay Maya ’70, Ryan Colatrella ’09, Sophia Greulich, Brendan Julian ’00, Erich Cluxton ’61, Amy Longcrier, Linda Cluxton, Peter Evans P’98.

The Avonian Fall 2010

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The Last Word

By Peter Evans

The following Chapel Talk was delivered

by Peter Evans several years ago.

G

ood morning. I have been here at Avon for a long time, pushing a half century—almost a career. I’m what you call a “seasoned veteran” here, which is a euphemism for the old guy, at least one of them, in case it’s not readily apparent from my sun-bleached hair and multi-colored mustache. Quite honestly, I remember when the idea of simply being a 40-plus-year-old was an appalling concept. Don’t worry, as time goes on, and you follow the inevitable course, you will get used to the advance of age and it’s OK; you won’t want to go back, or at least your mind will mercifully convince you of such. With well over four decades of experience spent here, I’ve got a thick file full of chapel talks I’ve given over the years. I’m quite sure I could give one of the old ones again, and the vast majority here would not know the difference. A couple of faculty might remember something vaguely familiar but then dismiss it. Some might be wondering right now.

It is hard to conceive when you are 14, 16, or 18 that older people with life experience under their belts actually know things. In fact, you might say, in a relative sense, that older people could actually be, dare I say, wise. You might discover when you get into your 20s that your parents have somehow remarkably become smarter than they were. “Why didn’t they tell me all this stuff when I was a teenager?” I hate to say it, but they probably did—but you weren’t always tuned in. Truth be told, as you move into your 20s and beyond, you will become smarter as you come to the realization that your parents were smart all along. I was the same way as you. The logic is simple. The most penetrating lessons in life are learned through experience, and older people—your parents—thanks to more time on the planet, have chalked up an abundance of encounters on the experience front.

What are the most important things I’ve learned in all of my many years at Avon? Giving it some thought, I have arrived at three and they are all tied into one theme: gaining control of your life. The first is the importance of embracing change.

You simply cannot avoid it. Alvin Toffler asserted in Future Shock, a book I read back in the 1970s, “Change is the process by which the future invades our lives.” When I was 17, living comfortably in Santa Barbara, Calif., I made the astonishing decision to go to college in Massachusetts—having never even been to New England. The first four months at Amherst College, I would lie awake at night and repeat, as in a chant, “What was I thinking? What was I thinking?” I fought the change, and I was miserable. Eventually, by midyear, I began to embrace my new opportunity, and before too long, I loved the school and even became a Red Sox fan—only to be miserable again until 2004. Red Sox fans know what I am talking about here. When I graduated from college four years later during the Vietnam era, certain to be drafted, I signed up for Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School. Even though my first orders upon commission were not Southeast Asia but Japan, I was very hesitant and anxious. I was engaged to my wife, Sue, and my tour overseas was to be a three-year stint. Well, we got married and it was wonderful, both the trip and especially the marriage.

During my time at Avon, I have experienced many changes along the way, often seasoned initially by considerable insecurity and doubt. I taught English for a few years, and history for nearly 30; I was an athletic director, a basketball coach and baseball coach for three decades; a college counselor, dean of students, and assistant headmaster. I have focused my efforts on the Alumni and Development Office for the past 20 years.

I did not seek all of these changes. Some just happened, and I

Be a positive thinker. Be a glass half-full guy rather than a glass half-empty guy.

Live a life of “can do” rather than “can’t do.” It’s as simple as that.

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was not always certain about the future. But I learned that you have to embrace change to succeed and to grow. The irony is, you really have to get out of your comfort zone to grow, which is not always, if ever, easy. It’s a human instinct: most of us would rather remain in the reliable comfort of our emotional lawn chairs. Many of you out there right now are confronting change in one form or another: a new course, a new sport, a new coach, a new teacher, a new roommate, a new school. Some of you are homesick, which is a barrier to embracing change. Fight this and defeat it and you will win—an amazing world of opportunity will open up for you. Embrace change.

The second lesson I’d like to impart is that when things go wrong, you have choices. I must admit I have to hit briefly my chapel talk file for this one. Some years ago in this chapel, I highlighted Stephen Covey’s popular self-help book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The one morsel of wisdom that struck me in that book, and I return to it from time to time, is this: “Between stimulus—what happens to us—and response— how we respond to what happens to us—there is a space—and in that space—there is a choice.” In other words, you get cut from whatever team you diligently trained for all last summer, or you get dumped by that special girl. How do you respond? There are a variety of choices, some better than others, and some perhaps life-changing. All through life you will have those choices.

Make them thoughtfully and intentionally. A story to illustrate: a few summers ago, I had the opportunity to get together with Juan Nieves ’83 at a cookout after a Sunday game. Juan was the pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox at that time. A little history: Juan arrived on this campus as a 15-year-old student in the fall of 1980. He came from a very modest family in Puerto Rico and had never been to New England. Talk about change! Over a three-year period, Juan made the most of his opportunity at Avon. He captained three teams: cross country, basketball, and baseball. Through earnest and persistent effort, Juan became an honor roll student. He was selected to be a head dorm monitor, and he received the Order of Old Farms, our highest recognition, at graduation. Juan was an amazing baseball player: an outstanding hitter and fielder and a brilliant left-handed pitcher, the best I ever saw in any prep school in my 30 years of coaching varsity baseball here. In his senior year, Juan was sought by more than 100 universities.

He was also scouted heavily and sought by nearly 20 major league baseball teams. After his graduation in 1983, Juan signed in early June with the Milwaukee Brewers and received the highest MLB signing bonus of any player in the country that year. Later that month, in his first professional pitching appearance, he threw a no-hitter in Beloit, Wis. Two years later, he was honored as the most valuable pitcher in Triple A

baseball, and the following year, 1986, Juan, at age 21, found himself in the starting rotation for the Milwaukee Brewers.

In 1987, he threw the only no-hitter in Brewer history, the second-youngest pitcher to perform such a feat in major league baseball history, while going 14-8 that year on a very average Milwaukee team. What a trajectory! His dominance growing, Juan was well on his way to becoming one of the best pitchers in professional baseball. And then something happened during the 1988 season. He began to experience discomfort in his left shoulder. It did not get better. Two surgeries later, a lifelong dream exploded, and Juan’s pitching career was over at the age of 24. Now what? There is that space we were talking about: between stimulus and response. There are choices. He could become an angry person and allow himself to be consumed by self-pity. Or he could intentionally embark upon a new adventure. Juan chose to pursue the latter course and decided to become a coach in professional baseball. He knew he loved the game, so he worked hard to be the best coach he could be.

It was a long road. He was with the Yankees—their minor-league teams—in the 90s and, in the process, received two World Series rings. Then to the White Sox organization, first in their minorleague system and then with Chicago’s big club for five years, where he helped develop Chris Sales before being selected as the Boston Red Sox pitching coach year in 2013. What a year to be Boston’s pitching coach! As a Red Sox fan, quite honestly, 2013 was better than their previous championships in 2004 and 2007 because they really weren’t that good in 2013.

Without question, Juan made an important contribution to that outcome and in the process received his third World Series ring. Juan is currently the pitching coach for the Miami Marlins, aspiring and persevering once again. Perhaps he’ll be a major-league manager someday. We’ll see. Adversity happens in life. It cannot be avoided. How will you deal with it? You are empowered with choices. You are in control. Now be in control.

The third lesson is really a corollary to the second. And it’s not really a lesson but rather an attitude. Be a positive thinker.

Be a glass half-full guy rather than a glass half-empty guy. Live a life of “can do” rather than “can’t do.” It’s as simple as that.

There it is. My 47 years of wisdom boiled down into a few fundamental, dare I boldly suggest, “truths.” Embrace change with energy. Make thoughtful choices, especially in the face of adversity. And while you are aspiring and persevering, be a positive thinker. Live in the moment, and enjoy what you have.

In doing these things, you will secure control of your life. And, by the way, don’t think that you’ll always be in control. In other words, this is not, as they say, a destination but a journey. You’ll lose your way—we all do—but you’ll know how to find yourself and your way back. Good luck.

The Avonian Fall 2017

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Avon Old Farms Congratulates George Springer ’08 “Every kid who has ever played the game dreams of playing in the World Series. George is living his dream—he has had a special season and amazing World Series—he has earned the attention and affection of the baseball world not only because of his athletic talent, but also because of the way he plays the game. He brings a joy to the game and his team that is on display. It’s contagious, inspiring, and irresistible.”

—Coach Rob Dowling ’91

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Fall 2017 The Avonian

2017 WORLD SERIES MVP

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The Stanley Cup Returns