Village Green The
SUMMER 2010
Commencement 2010 THE BLUE BLAZER BALL | REUNION | THE 2010 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD
AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL ESTABLISHED 1927
Headmaster Kenneth H. LaRocque
Provost John T. Gardner
Editor Morgan C. Cugell
Director of Development Peter Evans
Designer 2k Design www.2kDesign.com
Village Green
Photographers
The
SUMMER 2010
Peter Deckers ’90 Jonathan Lester ’63 Spencer Sloan Timothy Stay ’97
Printer Benchemark Printing, Schenectady, NY The Village Green 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
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(800) 464-2866 admissions@avonoldfarms.com
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Alumni We enjoy hearing from you! Please send us your latest news and notes: Email: abramsonl@avonoldfarms.com Phone: (800) 336-8195 Fax: (860) 675-7135
Reunion
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Headmaster
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News and Notes
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Athletics
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The Last Word
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.
contents
from the editor Dear Readers, Welcome back! I hope you each had a wonderful summer and are as excited as I am to get back into the swing of the school year! I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this latest issue of The Village Green, previously only found online. Look inside for some great photos from the Blue Blazer Ball and Reunion, as well as full, timely coverage of this year’s Commencement ceremonies, featuring the art show, awards, matriculation information, and thoughts from the outstanding speaker, Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York. A lot happened on campus over the summer, including a major renovation in the quadrangle, with the restoration of Mrs. Riddle’s original blue stone. It looks beautiful, and I hope you have the chance to check it out. As always, I welcome your feedback! Aspirando et perseverando, Morgan C. Cugell cugellm@avonoldfarms.com 860-404-4239
The Avonian Online Find past issues at www.avonoldfarms.com/avonian
from the
Headmaster
by Kenneth H. LaRocque
I hope that The Village Green helps Greetings.
On May 1st, we hosted our school prom at the Pond
you to understand some of the exciting events we enjoyed
House in Hartford and enjoyed our best turnout ever. In the
on campus over the course of the past few months. From
athletic arena, our varsity lacrosse and baseball teams won
the Blue Blazer Ball, sponsored by the Parents Association,
their league championships. This spring in the arts, we were
to Grandparents Day, to Alumni Weekend, to graduation,
proud of our student-written and -directed production of
this spring was filled with the spirit of tradition that makes
To Protect and Serve, by Graham Nelson ’10.
Avon Old Farms such a unique and special community.
We were equally proud of the creative talent on display
Our students, faculty, administration, parents, and staff
at our Commencement art show. Our students’ work with
joined together several times to host successfully hundreds
pottery, photography, architecture, glass-blowing, woodwork-
of visitors to campus.
ing, painting, and drawing greatly impressed all who stopped
Some of the highlights of the spring term included
by the exhibit. Our Saturday afternoon commencement
honoring four deserving alumni with the “Distinguished
concert was memorable from every perspective and moved
Alumnus” award. Two of these alumni, David Bigelow ’44
the audience to standing ovations on more than one
and Francis Madeira ’34, were honored on the Saturday
occasion. Finally, the Class of 2010 enjoyed spectacular
morning of alumni weekend, while Laurence Gardner ’59
weather for their graduation on Sunday, May 30th, and were
and Gilman Ordway ’44 were honored at graduation.
honored to have former Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York
On May 16th, musicians from Avon Old Farms joined with musicians from the Ethel Walker School, Miss Porter’s
City deliver the Commencement address. The 2009–2010 school year will be a rich chapter in the
School, and the area to present a concert to benefit needy
history of Avon Old Farms School. Our accomplishments
families from Haiti. Students, faculty, families, and friends
were commendable in every area of school life and we were
gathered on the Village Green to enjoy the wonderful music
unwavering in our focus on our mission of building men of
and to show their support for those Haitians left devastated
high character. Thank you for your continuing interest in
by the recent earthquake.
and support of Avon!
News and Notes The 2010 Blue Blazer Ball Parents Dinner and Auction Stephen Lash ’58, Chairman, Christie’s America, served again as auctioneer at the live auction portion of the evening. Stephen is a member of Avon’s Board of Directors. At Christie’s, he helps orchestrate all business activities in North and South America, advises Christie’s most important clients on collecting and selling art, and also plays an important role in guiding Christie’s into new ventures. Since joining Christie’s in 1976, Stephen has been involved in every major auction, including Vincent van Gogh’s “Portrait of Dr. Gachet,” which sold for $82.5 million in 1990 and remains the most expensive Next year’s event will be held on object ever sold at auction. Saturday, April 30, 2011. This annual spring event provides a unique opportunity for the extended Avon Old Farms family to celebrate the traditions and values of this and many AOF exceptional school. This event is also the main focus of all of exclusive items. The silent auction preceded a lovely dinner in the Parents Association’s fund-raising efforts. The proceeds Riddle Refectory, which was followed by an exciting live from the event are contributed to the Student Enrichment auction. Up for bid were several invaluable prizes, including Fund, which enables the Parents Association to continue to two roles and Head Table seating in the 2010–11 Boar’s Head Festival, a bronzed statue of the “Avon Boy,” and a signed guitar support various enhancements to the academic, athletic, and from country superstars Sugarland, featuring Kristian Bush ’88. extra-curricular experiences of the “Men of Avon.”
The Blue Blazer Ball dinner and silent auction was once again a resounding success, held this year on Saturday, April 24th. The silent auction featured prizes such as a family portrait sitting, Boston Red Sox tickets, an Apple MacBook, a four-night stay at the Walt Disney World resort, reserved graduation-day parking in the Headmaster’s spot,
Mark your calendars!
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Summer 2010 The Village Green
AOF Parents Asso ciation Mission Statement With the concurrence of Avon Old Farms School’s Headmaster and the Avon Old Farms School’s Board of Directors, and in accordance with the School’s philosophy, the mission of the Avon Old Farms Parents Association, as volunteer families and friends, is to raise funds to enhance the academic, athletic, and extra-curricular experiences of the “Men of Avon.”
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News and Notes Hope for Haiti On Sunday, May 16th, Avon Old Farms School held a benefit concert to raise funds to aid in disaster relief in Haiti after the devastating January 2010 earthquake. In collaboration with the music departments of both Miss Porter’s School and the Ethel Walker School, Avon hosted an outdoor concert with performances by Avon groups the Riddlers and the a cappella small group the Sing-ed Beavers, as well as the Ethel Walker Grapes and the Miss Porter’s Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Orchestra. The concert also featured performances from local acts Little Ugly, The Lincoln Young Band, The Ragtags, and the Barefoot
Grandparents Day 2010 Wednesday, April 21st, marked another successful Grandparents Day at Avon Old Farms School. Approximately 200 grandparents joined their grandsons for a lovely day in the Village of Old Farms, highlighted by trips to class, a concert featuring wonderful vocal and instrumental music, and a festive lunch in the field house. The day was capped off with afternoon athletic contests for the guests to enjoy.
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Summer 2010 The Village Green
Lies. Haiti’s Back Porch, a traveling shop selling colorful, authentic Haitian items, was also present to support the cause. More than 300 people attended the benefit, which also included a barbeque cook-out. Proceeds totaling approximately $1,200 will be contributed to Avon’s newest Outreach initiative, Project Haiti, a fundraising venture to adopt and rebuild a school house in Haiti. For more information on how to further support Project Haiti’s efforts, please contact Director of Choral Activities Bryan Zaros at zarosb@avonldfarms.com.
Push-Ups for Pennies
The second annual “Push-Ups for Pennies” fundraiser took place from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 10th, until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 11th. Led by Major John Bourgault ’80 (USMC Retired) and Lee Huguley ’92, the Avon Old Farms School community came together for a fast and furious 24 hours to raise money for a special cause: the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Bourgault and Huguley achieved the unimaginable feat of completing over 14,400 push-ups each in just 24 hours. The fundraiser also saw five teams (freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and faculty), each with up to 24 members, reach the 14,400 push-up milestone—10 push-ups per minute for 24 hours straight. Hundreds of other members of the community supported the endeavor by doing push-ups or pledging donations. Upon completion, the school raised over $12,000 in proceeds, which will benefit the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. A noble cause, the fundraiser supports our wounded Marine Corps veterans. It is especially meaningful for Bourgault, who served 20 years (1984–2004) in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired as a major. He was a CH-53E helicopter pilot and former infantry officer, and later served as deputy director of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. He served overseas four times, including a combat tour in Operation Desert Storm. To learn more about the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, visit www.semperfifund.org.
The Avonian Spring 2010
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Athletics
Athletic Spotlight: Tim Kiene ’10 Baseball standout drafted by MLB’s Washington Nationals By Rob Dowling ’91, Head Coach, varsity baseball
The nine days between May 30th and June 8th and is one of the finalists for the Gatorade were a momentous time for Tim Kiene ’10. He Player of the Year. graduated from Avon Old Farms on May 30th Not surprisingly, Commencement and on June 8th, he was drafted by Major League proved to be an exciting time for Tim and Baseball’s Washington Nationals organization. his family; a head dormitory monitor, strong The 2010 AOF baseball Like many seniors, Tim felt conflicting student, excellent citizen, and elite athlete, team captured both the emotions during the spring. A four-year student Tim was recognized during Commencement Founders League and from South Windsor, Conn., Tim had made for his outstanding contributions to the Colonial League titles. many close friends on campus, and the spring school with the Founder’s Medal, one of the was a time when he was preparing to transition Avon’s highest awards. to the next stage in his life. Tim had committed More excitement was to follow with the to attend school and play baseball for the University of MaryMajor League Baseball draft. Early in the draft, the Boston Red land. However, unlike many seniors, this spring Tim needed to Sox contacted Tim to negotiate a contract to make him an early manage the constant attention of a professional community. round selection, but after much deliberation, Tim declined the With each game and practice, most of which were watched offer, as the Red Sox needed an immediate answer. closely by representatives from various Major League Baseball “I did the toughest thing in the world for a young baseball teams, Tim was inching closer to realizing a lifelong dream. player,” Tim noted. “I said no to my favorite MLB team. I then If selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, held had to sit and wait.” Later in the day, the Washington Nationals June 7–9, Tim would have the opportunity to sign a contract, selected Tim. He was surrounded by his family as he watched delay college, and immediately follow his dream of playing his name come up on the computer as the Nationals’ selection. professional baseball. Tim says he was “happier than I have ever been in my entire life” Despite the pressure, Tim enjoyed a remarkable spring. as he shared the moment with his family. He finished with excellent grades in school and produced one However, while playing professional baseball has been a of the best offensive seasons ever by an Avon baseball player. lifelong dream for Tim, he plans to first honor his commitment Under the scrutiny of professional baseball scouts, Tim led the and enroll at the University of Maryland to continue his baseWinged Beavers to a special season in 2010. He was one of the ball career while working toward a college degree. team captains and led the team in batting average, home runs, In 2013, Tim will again be eligible for the MLB amateur and RBI. The team finished with a 17–2 record and captured draft. He is the fourth player in recent Avon baseball history to both the Founders and Colonial League Championships. Tim be selected in the Major League Baseball draft. was named a baseball All-American at the end of the season,
Congratulations Winged Beavers!
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Summer 2010 The Village Green
AOF Lax Captures Founders League Title Coach Flanagan Earns 300th Win The Avon Old Farms School varsity lacrosse team captured the 2010 Founders League Championship with a 12–7 triumph over Loomis Chaffee on May 19th. The title is the first for the Winged Beavers since 1999. The win also marked Head Coach Skip Flanagan’s 300th victory. Flanagan, who recently completed his first season since returning to the school after departing in 1982, coached the Winged Beavers to No. 8 in the national Under Armour high school power lacrosse rankings this year; they finished the season ranked 12th, in addition to a third place finish in the Western New England conference. The two losses on their 13–2 record were to No. 7 Deerfield Academy and No. 6 Salisbury School. Flanagan coached lacrosse at Avon from 1972 to 1982 and then left to serve as Headmaster at the Western Reserve Academy in Ohio. Before he left Avon, he coached one of the best
teams in school history: the 1979 squad that went undefeated and won the New England Division I title. Flanagan finished with four titles during his original 10-year coaching stretch. Of this year’s team’s 39-man roster, 21 young men will go on to play in college, including Connor Mooney ’10 and Josh Dionne ’10, both named All-Americans by Adidas and Under Armour. Flanagan and the Avon Old Farms National Council hosted the return of the alumni lacrosse game on May 22. Along with Coach Flanagan and Steve Dyson ’82, Council members Brian Maitland ’80 and Mike Conroy ’85 were the driving force behind the revival of the game that saw close to 30 former Winged Beaver lax players back on campus. The alumni game this year was dedicated to and played in memory of Doug Derocher ’87, who died of pancreatic cancer in March 2010.
One Team–One Heart–One Love = One Movement By Joe Ehrmann, President, Coach for America
I went to Yeardley Love’s funeral with my 22-year-old son. My son, a college lacrosse player, was friends with Yeardley, her accused murderer, and many of the men and women on the UVA lacrosse teams. Sitting next to him, I could feel and see him trying to process the conflicted emotions surrounding the enormity of this tragedy, compounded by knowing both the victim and the victimizer. The young men sitting around me sobbed and sniffled. At one point in the ceremony I turned to an emotionally distraught young man and asked him if I could give him a hug. I was surprised at the strength and endurance of his hug as he held onto me seeking comfort and, I suspect, affirmation of his emotions and manhood. As he let go he said “thank you” without ever looking at me. Here lies part of the problem and a solution to the epidemic of violence women experience every day in Maryland and America. At an early age, boys are fitted with emotional straightjackets tailored by a restricted code of behavior that falsely defines masculinity. In the context of “stop crying,” “stop those emotions,” and “don’t be a sissy,” we define what it means to “Be a Man!” Adherence to this “boy code” leaves many men dissociated from their feelings and incapable of accessing, naming, sharing, or accepting many of their emotions. When men don’t understand their own emotions it becomes impossible to understand the feelings of another. This creates an “empathy-deficit disorder” that is foundational to America’s epidemic of bullying, dating abuse and gender violence. Boys are taught to be tough, independent, distrusting of other males, and at all cost to avoid anything considered feminine for fear of being associated with women. This leads many men to renounce their common humanity with women so as to experience an emotional disconnect from them. Women often become objects, used to either validate
Joe Ehrmann, Avon’s featured speaker during the 2008–09 Parents Weekend celebration, recently attended the funeral of Yeardley Love, a University of Virginia lacrosse player who was murdered at the hands of her former boyfriend in early May. His thoughts on the tragedy, posted on the Positive Coaching Alliance’s blog, made their way to Headmaster LaRocque, who in turn shared the post with the AOF community. The young men in the audience were moved by Joe’s words, and encouraged to look within themselves—and look out for each other—both on and off the playing field. This is an excerpt from the moving blog post.
masculine insecurity or satisfy physical needs. When the validation and satisfaction ends, or is infused with anger, control or alcohol, gender violence is often the result. Violence against women is often thought of as a women’s issue; but it is a mistake to call men’s violence a women’s issue. Since men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of this violence, this men’s issue calls to question the cultural values that produce men who hurt women. Since Yeardley’s funeral was packed with athletes, coaches, parents of athletes and sports fans, we need to look at the role sports could play in preventing future tragedies. Educating boys and men in prevention programs is critical to reducing all forms of violence. Coaches can and should teach their players to challenge the attitudes and assumptions that dehumanize women. Players need to be taught how to confront abusive peers and how stand up and speak out on behalf of their mothers, sisters, daughters, grandmothers, aunts and female friends. Two weeks after Yeardley’s death I watched the UVA male and female teams take field under the banner of ONE TEAMONE HEART-ONE LOVE. In the name of the world I want my sons and daughters to live in; I can only hope Yeardley Love’s murder sparks ONE MOVEMENT to eradicate gender violence. Each man and every coach must start challenging the social norms that define manhood and hold other men and players accountable for their behavior toward women.
The Village Green Summer 2010
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77th
Commencement exercises 2010
Aspirando
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Summer 2010 The Village Green
et Perseverando!
The Village Green Summer 2010
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77th
Commencement exercises
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Summer 2010 The Village Green
college matriculation
2010
William F. Allred The University of North Carolina Thomas N. Arnell University of Utah Alexander S. Ball St. Lawrence University Jackson L. Bartell Hobart and William Smith Colleges Connor A. Brackett University of Hartford Riggs T. Brackett University of Connecticut Cael S. Brockmeyer California State University Matthew Kenneth Brown Miami University-Ohio Paul J. Cadenhead Hobart and William Smith Colleges Javier Carabias College for International Studies (Spain) Jorge Carabias College for International Studies (Spain) Woo Soo Choe Northwestern University Jee Woong Choi University of Illinois Chu On Julian Chung Bucknell University Blake S. Clinton Bentley University Andrew J. Cooper Saint Anselm College Matthew R. Coz (ESU) Escuela Argentina Modelo (Argentina); Trinity University Patrick M. Creahan Lafayette College Jingzhe Cui University of Illinois Andrew N. Cummings Alternate Year Benjamin B. Custer Middlebury College Michael J. Debello Alternate Year Maxwell C. Devers Lafayette College Joshua A. Dionne Duke University Mamadou D. Diouf University of Connecticut Francis J. Donino Columbia University Patrick Brennan Emmer Bryant University Isaiah J. Farrow University of Connecticut Dónal M. Flaherty St. John’s University Johan D. Frankenberger Salve Regina University Cody R. Fullinwider University of Mississippi Gregory W. Giamalis College of the Holy Cross Austin K. Goetjen Drew University Patrick J. Gorham High Point University
You’ve received a world class education here. You’re very fortunate. Now that you’re graduating, lots of challenges lie ahead, and you have a foundation that very few others have. And because of that, you have a responsibility to produce great things. Not just ordinary things, but great things. And you have an obligation to be leaders. Ryan R. Grant Wheaton College Patrick D. Hampton Johns Hopkins University Taft M. Havron University of South Carolina Brendan R. Helberg Sacred Heart University Evan M. Hershy Northeastern University Jeffrey T. Hodgkinson Lake Forest College Chad M. Hollenshade Salve Regina University Rylan A. Homscheid Tulane University Jung Hoon Hong Babson College Yao-Te Huang Suffolk University Jordan A. Ide Southern Virginia University George D. Iverson (ESU) Dollar Academy (Scotland); Colby College William W. Kampfman College of the Holy Cross Foster T. Kelly University of Mary Washington Timothy P. Kiene University of Maryland Do Yeon Kim New York University Taeik Kim New York University Brian E. Kincade University of San Diego Tae Wan Kwon Babson College Matthew E. LaBarge Northeastern University Joseph N. Lang Roanoke College Benjamin B. LaRocque (ESU) Culford School (England); Harvard University Hakeem A. Lecky Syracuse University Michael A. Lee Elizabethtown College Marcel D. Levesque Elon University Alexander J. Levy Loyola University/Maryland Kevin Lin Boston University David N. Ludwig University of Miami Patrick J. MacGregor Boston University Sean O. Martz Marietta College Sam R. Marvin St. Lawrence University Nicholas T. Masotta Alternate Year
Matthew J. McGuire State University of New York–Binghamton Jeyvi Miavivululu University of Rhode Island Alexander J. Miller Fairfield University Patrick R. Miller Northwestern University Connor J. Mooney University of Massachusetts Daniel W. Morgan University of Denver Jorge Muller University of San Diego Graham P. Nelson Connecticut College Jonas R. Nissley Loyola University/Maryland Edwin P. Palm Stevens Institute of Technology Demetrios J. Papadopoulos Northeastern University Michael Pereira University of Massachusetts Ivars Plaudis-Lasmanis Stockholm School of Economics Eugene K. Price Belmont University Kyle W. Quick Alternate Year Jacob M. Redfearn Auburn University Michael C. Reed Providence College Nathan J. Riley Virginia Polytechnic Institute Latif J. Rivers Wagner College William D. Rosichan University of Puget Sound Jonathan S. Rubinfeld University of Connecticut John E. Runkel Loyola University/Maryland Maxwell A. Rusch Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Daniel A. Sanstrom Clemson University David S. Silva (ESU) St. Edward’s Oxford (England); Georgetown University Curtis A. Sjodin Dickinson College David V. Smith III Hampden-Sydney College Hayden C. Smith Providence College
Quinn M. Smith Boston College Michael A. Solomon Bentley University Gihoon Song Carnegie Mellon University Anthony N. Springer University of Hartford Comie J. Stallmeyer University of Miami Maxwell B. Stetson Oxford College (England) Jonathan A. Story University of North Carolina Charles F. Sumner University of San Diego Connor P. Supple Villanova University Minkyo M. Sur Syracuse University Peter Sweeney Wheaton College Bryan W. Tatelman State University of New York–Stony Brook Craig P. Tepper Wake Forest University Henry J. Tesar Gettysburg College Kevin D. Thomas Tufts University Kevin J. Tiefenwerth Boston College Alexander J. Tynell Babson College Julio H. Velutini-Boulton Northeastern University Jak-Laurent Wawrzyniak Leeds University (England) Benjamin T. Williams New York University Patrick C. Wilson University of Connecticut Christopher P. Winer University of the South Jack M. Winkler University of Richmond Nathan Witkowski Bentley University Max C. Wopperer Hobart and William Smith Colleges Lincoln C. Young Hobart and William Smith Colleges Aaron W. Zamojski Central Connecticut State University
No matter how gifted you are, no matter how smart you are, and no matter how wealthy you become, your life is still going to have tremendous challenges and tremendous crises. What I urge on you is to be an optimist. Train yourself to think about the problem but then, immediately, think about the solution.
RUDOLPH GIULIANI
Former mayor of New York City
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Commencement exercises 2010
art
honors, awards and prizes
show
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THE ORDER OF OLD FARMS
THE FOUNDER’S MEDAL
Matthew R. Coz Woo Soo Choe Benjamin B. Custer Patrick D. Hampton Benjamin B. LaRocque Patrick R. Miller Connor J. Mooney David S. Silva Anthony N. Springer Benjamin T. Williams
Cael S. Brockmeyer Community Service, Town Government Woo Soo Choe Academic Excellence Jingzhe Cui Academic Excellence Francis J. Donino Academic Excellence Gregory W. Giamalis Community Service George D. Iverson Academic Excellence Timothy P. Kiene Community Service, Town Government Brian E. Kincade Community Service, Town Government Matthew E. LaBarge Academic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government Kevin Lin Community Service, Town Government Matthew J. McGuire Academic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government
CUM LAUDE SOCIETY Andreas Biekert Woo Soo Choe Jingzhe Cui Benjamin B. Custer Francis J. Donino Patrick D. Hampton George D. Iverson Matthew E. LaBarge Benjamin B. LaRocque Matthew J. McGuire Gihoon Song Christopher P. Winer
Summer 2010 The Village Green
Graham P. Nelson Community Service Jonas R. Nissley Community Service Nathan J. Riley Community Service, Town Government John E. Runkel Community Service, Town Government Daniel A. Sanstrom Community Service, Town Government Hayden C. Smith Academic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government Gihoon Song Academic Excellence, Community Service Connor P. Supple Community Service Christopher P. Winer Academic Excellence, Community Service, Town Government Jack M. Winkler Community Service, Town Government Lincoln C. Young Community Service
THE F. REED ESTABROOK, JR. ’36 AWARD Matthew R. Coz, Benjamin B. LaRocque
THE LOUISE B. ADAMS AWARD Connor P. Doyle
THE PETER A. ARON ’65 AWARD FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE Kevin Lin
THE GEORGE A. MURRAY CUP Top Senior Athlete Joshua A. Dionne, Connor J. Mooney
THE JENNINGS CUP Top Junior Athlete Connor P. Doyle, John O. Galloway
SCHOLAR OF DISTINCTION Benjamin B. LaRocque
The total Avon experience is one that forces you to grow. It exposes you to remarkable teachers and classmates, it makes you challenge your assumptions, it encourages you to live by a set of values. And it inspires you to be a good man. Our challenge in the future is to have the courage to live by the values we have embraced here; to never give into the chaos or the darkness, and to make a difference in our world. The Class of 2010 moves on GRADE PRIZES FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE 9th Grade Samuel H. Sims
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING IMPROVEMENT IN THE ACADEMIC AREA
Andreas Biekert
11th Grade Andreas Biekert
MIDDLEBURY BOOK AWARD
12th Grade Benjamin B. LaRocque
Jingwei Fan
AWARD FOR EARNEST AND PERSISTENT EFFORT IN THE ACADEMIC AREA
Gerard D. Hampton
9th Grade Duncan M. Cooke
THE KENNETH A. FANNING FACULTY AWARD Brian E. Cugell
Gayle N. Robinson
TRINITY BOOK AWARD
THE STUDENT COUNCIL SPIRIT AWARD
Joseph C. Cusano
John E. Runkel
HAMILTON BOOK AWARD
THE STUDENT COUNCIL AWARD
Matthew J. Detora
Brian P. Doyle
11th Grade Terry Gilmore Jr.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA BOOK AWARD
12th Grade Chad M. Hollenshade
Phonkrit Saejia
our mark on this school. campus as alumni of Avon and as brothers, forever united by our
THE CASHION FACULTY AWARD
DARTMOUTH BOOK AWARD
tomorrow…but we have made Tomorrow we will leave this
Mark A. Naclerio
CORNELL BOOK AWARD Dominick O. Andre
YALE BOOK AWARD
Lincoln C. Young
10th Grade Wei-An Chen
10th Grade Myles C. Riley
HARVARD BOOK AWARD
experiences here at the Farm. BENJAMIN LaROCQUE ’10
Scholar of Distinction
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Alumni
reu2 0n1 0ion Alumni Weekend was held May 14–16 this year, with a great turnout. The weekend was highlighted by several gatherings, both on and off campus, including an alumni golf outing, a Headmaster’s Dinner for alumni of the classes from 1935 to 1960, and the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Award to both David Bigelow ’44 and Francis Madeira ’34. Fishing at Beaver Pond early Saturday morning was followed by the perennial favorite pancake breakfast at the Nimrod Cabin. The lively alumni parade, student athletic contests, instrumental concert, and Reunion banquet dinner in Riddle Refectory rounded out the weekend.
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reunion 2011 | May 20 –22 ALL ARE WELCOME! MILESTONE CLASSES: 1961 (50th), 1966, 1971, 1976, CLUSTER (1980-1981-1982), 1986 (25th), 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006. Avon Old Farms School has approved the National Council’s recommendation to establish CLUSTER REUNIONS along and the following FOUR PRINCIPALS relating to future alumni reunions: • All alumni and their families are cordially welcome to attend any and all alumni reunion weekends • All alumni from the last 50 years or more, all 5-year milestone classes, and all cluster classes will receive invitations for their Reunions. All other classes will be notified by e-mail, Avon Old Farms School E-news, and The Avonian • We will pay particular attention to the 25th (Silver) and 50th (Gold) reunion classes as important milestone reunions and opportunities to advance the mission of Avon Old Farms School • For more information, please visit the Avon Old Farms School website at www.avonoldfarms.com or contact Director of Planned Giving Henry Coons ’71 at coonsh@avonoldfarms.com or (860) 404-4226
C LUS T ER S FOR R EU N IONS 2011 – 2021 2011 (1980 – 1981 – 1982) 2012 (1966 – 1967 – 1968) (1991 – 1992 – 1993) 2013 (1977 – 1978 – 1979) (1997 – 1998 – 1999) 2014 (1983 – 1984 – 1985) 2015 (1969 – 1970 – 1971) (1994 – 1995 – 1996) 2016 (1980 – 1981 – 1982) (2000 – 2001 – 2002) 2017 (1986 – 1987 – 1988) 2018 (1972 – 1973 – 1974) (1997 – 1998 – 1999) 2019 (1983 – 1984 – 1985) (2003 – 2004 – 2005) 2020 (1989 – 1990 – 1991) 2021 (1975 – 1976 – 1977) (2000 – 2001 – 2002)
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Alumni
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’50s
’70 and ’71
’60
’75
’60s
’80
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Alumni from the ’50s: Carl Candels ’51, Rolf Olson ’59, Jonathan Dugan ’55, Matt Betley ’59, Don Rosenfeld ’55, and Don Monaco ’55. From the Class of 1960, back for their 50th Reunion: John Aird, Sandy Alves, Brad Lewis, Dick Williams, Jamie Wardrop, Peter Van Winkle, Mike Miller, Tom “Flash” Gordon, Frank Costello, and Bob Bogino. Back from the ’60s: Knick Curtis ’63, Alan Rozinsky ’62, Perry Benson ’65, George Arthur ’65, Keating Pepper ’65, Randy Eddy ’65, and Matt Gates ’65. Returning to campus for Reunion from the Class of ’70 and ’71 were: Tim Beeble ’71, Patrick Outwin ’70, John Burr ’70, Harris Bucklin ’70, Rick Sperandeo ’70, Mike Holden ’70, and Henry Coons ’71. The Class of 1975: Richard Thompson, Randy Becker, David Jack, Lew Smith, Tim Trautman, Mike Cercone, Jason Beeble, and Tom Byrne.
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The Class of 1980 celebrated their 30th Reunion. Front row: Loring Hinds, Peter LaReau, Tom Davey, Jeff Golfman, Brian Maitland, and Mark Doherty. Back row: Jim Carpenter, Ken Blanchard, John Harker, Phil Pratt, Henry White, and Peter Hamilton. PAGE 17
Returning to campus for their 25th Reunion were many members of the Class of 1985. Front row: Steve Anderson, Trace Alford, John Costello, Paul Duwan, Mike Conroy, Stuart Baker, David Hartley, and John Farnham. Back row: Drew Graham, John Kettlewell, Ray Loewy, Sam Rubenstein, Rusty Preston, Greg Ivanov, Tim Orr, Bill Young, Jed Usich, and Doug Grosset. The Class of 2000 returned for their 10th Reunion: Mike Sorvillo, Steve Malinowski, Matt Biscaldi, Josh Zimmering, Mick Mounsey, Nick Malinosky, Nate Cardoza, Tom Villecco, Ryan Breakey, Strat Dennis, and Mike O’Neill.
’05
The Class of 2005. Front row: Tom Carroll, John Benoit, Rob Tesar, Brian Warner, Joey Sides, Taylor Wuennemann, Patrick Irwin, Dan Righi, Eric McGrath, David Rothschild, and Coursen Schneider. Back row: Jackson Howard, JP Clifford, Rob Rosenhaus, Chris Davis, Jarrad Seiden, Adam Beeble, Adrew “Mook” Lawrence, Sam Orr, Dane Lemeris, Eric Quinlan, and Bryan Sweeney.
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Alumni The 2010 Distinguished Alumnus Award The mission of the Distinguished Alumnus Program is to recognize a deserving alumnus who has achieved distinction in his professional career, humanitarian endeavors, or other areas of his life. This award honors an individual who has embraced the core values emphasized at Avon Old Farms. By celebrating the accomplishments of the recipient, Avon Old Farms nourishes the strong sense of pride within our school community and acknowledges the inherent value in recognizing excellence among our alumni. The inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award was Pete Seeger ’36, who was honored in 2008 for his contributions to music as an accomplished singer and songwriter, and as a political activist and environmentalist. This year, four Avonians were honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award during ceremonies held during Alumni Weekend and Commencement. David C. Bigelow ’44, Francis K. Madeira ’34, Dr. Laurence B. Gardner ’59, and Gilman W. Ordway ’44 have each made a substantive impact upon their professions or communities, and Avon is proud to recognize their outstanding and varied achievements. 18
Summer 2010 The Village Green
Francis Madeira ’34 Francis Madeira was born in 1917 and graduated from AOF in 1934. The driving passion in his life for 93 years has been music, thus his nickname—the Maestro. The Maestro showed quite a talent for music at a young age and began pursuing formal piano lessons starting at age 6. He spent three years at Avon Old Farms in the early 1930s and stated “Avon was my rescuer. It was a place where differences were not only tolerated, but encouraged.” He remembers spending many hours practicing on the Steinway in the Refectory, and acting in school plays in which students, faculty and faculty wives participated. These plays were directed by his English teacher and mentor, Harold Lewis Cook. Following graduation, the Maestro matriculated to Juilliard, where he won a three-year fellowship to study piano under Olga Stokowski. He continued his education at Juilliard for another three years in the graduate program in Orchestral Conducting, working under Albert Stoessel. In 1943, upon finishing his final fellowship at Julliard, the Maestro joined the music faculty at Brown University. In addition to teaching, he was working and planning to form a philharmonic orchestra. Despite tremendous obstacles, Francis realized his dream of creating the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra; its inaugural performance was in November of 1945. For the next 33 years, Francis Madeira conducted this orchestra and guided its evolution. He is proud to have presented to the people of Rhode Island much of the world’s great music, including several operas, excerpts from Wagner’s “Ring” cycle and five Mahler symphonies. By the time he retired as conductor of the orchestra in 1978, he had expanded
the programming of the orchestra to include children’s concerts, high school concerts, and pop concerts. During his 33-year reign as the conductor of the RI Philharmonic, Francis was a guest conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, the Salzburg Mozarteum, and of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
David Bigelow ’44 David Bigelow spent four years at Avon Old Farms—he was a scholarship student and was a leader on campus. He served for four terms on Student Council and was the Warden of the School as a senior in 1944. He was an athlete and competed in football, hockey, and baseball. David was active in Nimrod Club, was an honors student, and was awarded the Order of Old Farms, Avon’s highest award. His yearbook stated that David had great “energy and capacity for doing things well.” Following graduation, David matriculated to Yale University, where his studies were interrupted by World War II, and military service. While in the service, David studied Japanese at the University of Pennsylvania. At the end of the war, David returned to Yale and finished his degree before entering the family business: the Bigelow Tea Company, which has risen under David’s leadership. The Bigelow Tea Company began literally as a home-grown initiative: David’s parents first produced Constant Comment
tea in the living room of their New York City home. Bigelow Tea has since grown into the second largest tea company in the country, only slightly smaller than Lipton tea, and it exports tea internationally to many countries. The Bigelow Tea Company is a case study in effective entrepreneurship and family-run businesses, and has been widely recognized in the business community as a model of excellence. Among the awards bestowed upon the company is the Ernst & Young Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Award “for over 50 years of professionalism and community service,” and the University of Connecticut’s award for “Family Business of the Year” in the large business category. The Bigelow Tea Company was also recognized as one of the outstanding companies in the MassMutual National Family Business of the Year, again, in the category of large business. This award honors a family-owned business for “success; multi-generational family involvement, innovation and contribution to community.”
Gilman Ordway ’44 Gilman Ordway graduated from Avon Old Farms in 1944 having spent five years at the School. He was thoroughly involved in the life of the School, and participated in the Nimrod Club, the yearbook, the school newspaper, the debate club, the court system, and in soccer and tennis. Upon graduating from Avon Old Farms,
Gilman matriculated to Yale University, where he majored in history. Following his graduation from Yale and a brief career as a teacher at the Montclair Country Day School, Gilman attended the University of Colorado Law School. His travel to the West began a life long love affair with that part of the country and ignited in him a commitment to protecting our natural resources and open spaces. Gilman has been a strong supporter of such organizations as the World Wildlife Fund, the Woods Hole Research Center, the Nature Conservancy, the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, the Sierra Club, and Yale’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, where he serves on the leadership council. Over his life, Gilman has also embraced Avon Old Farms, and has provided enthusiastic support for our campus and program development. For example, the Ordways bolstered our strategic building plan several years ago by providing the lead gift for our science and technology center, and they have provided endowments in support of our environmental science and music programs. An ardent collector of letters, Gil has donated to Avon letters written by famous scientists and United States presidents, which are displayed in the Ordway Science and Technology Center and in the hallway of the Jamerson Building. Gilman and his wife, Marge, live just outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and have long been forward-thinking advocates for environmental causes. For his work on behalf of Avon, Gilman has previously received the Alumni Order of Old Farms and the Adams Medal. He is the proud grandfather of three Avonians: Gilman Callsen ’04, Tyler Callsen and Sean Martz ’10. Gilman’s daughter Kitty Ordway is currently serving on Avon’s Board of Directors.
Dr. Laurence Gardner ’59 Laurence “Lanny” Gardner spent four years at Avon Old Farms, graduating in 1959. He was a strong leader in his class as editor of his yearbook, the chief judge within the school court system, a member of the Cum Laude Society, and winner of the Order of Old Farms. Upon graduation, Lanny first matriculated to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he received his undergraduate degree, and then to the Harvard University Medical School, from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude. After spending a two-year residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Lanny served for three years as the chief medical resident at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. He then spent two years as a major in the United States Army Medical Corps in Tacoma, Washington, as the chief of Nephrology Service. In 1974, Dr. Gardner joined the faculty of the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. For the past 36 years, he has been a force within the Miami medical community and throughout our country. He has served in numerous capacities at the University of Miami, including chairman of the Department of Medicine, and the director of Clinical Services. He currently serves as executive dean for Education and Policy in which he leads 14 special medical divisions, some 250 faculty, 150 residents, and 100 teaching fellows. Throughout his career, Dr. Gardner has focused his attention on the importance of the general internist, and has written numerous articles and books on this subject and on the development of health policy for the United States. Despite his numerous administrative duties, Dr. Gardner has always insisted on continuing his classroom teaching and does so to this day. The Village Green Summer 2010
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Last
The
Word
To the Underclassmen… I have the distinct privilege of having the last chapel talk of the year. When asked if I wanted to be the speaker, I jumped at the opportunity. WOW! I get to summarize the year and give the last hoorah for my fellow peers and myself from the Class of ’10. But the more I thought about it, the more I questioned whether I was well-suited for the task at hand. What gives me the authority to address the student body? On what basis could I possibly stand here and preach to all of you? What might I conceivably have to add to the Avon community? Well I had to think… and think. And I realized that the best I could contribute would be a summation of some of the values I had acquired from this school. Opportunity. As a freshman I was passionate about computers. I quickly learned that Mr. Deckers was head of the student computer department and was particularly busy at the beginning of the year making sure the school wouldn’t be rampant with 400 new viruses. Realizing an opportunity to not be a lunch waiter, I began talking to Mr. Deckers. Within a couple days I had landed the coveted
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Summer 2010 The Village Green
The Last Chapel Talk Isaiah Farrow ’10 job of printer boy. I was responsible for stocking each dorm with printer paper, and, on those very rare days, replacing the ink cartridges. As far as freshman jobs go, this is probably as good as it gets. Opportunity is here. It’s everywhere. If you search for it long enough, you can find an opportunity to do anything in this world. The great thing about Avon is that you don’t have to search very far. Try out for a sport you’ve never done before; write an article for the newspaper; volunteer at the soup kitchen. And after (or before) you’ve done all of these, try something outside your own definition of normal. Join the anime club; offer to walk Mr. Playe’s dog; help the maintenance crew plant tulips along the walkway by the Refectory. Your only limitation is your imagination. And if you are unwilling to explore the boundaries of what you might consider fun or interesting, then you are going to miss out on tremendous opportunity not only here, but in life. Appreciation. Find a quiet place away from the dorm and take a seat. This can be on the benches overlooking Avon Mountain, in the middle of the Oak Grove, or down by Beaver Pond; any place where you can take a breath away from the confines of your obligations. Think about all the things in this life that matter to you. Try to reflect on all in life you are blessed with that you might not usually consider or think about, like running water or the assurance of tomorrow’s meal. We are lucky to be able to pursue a top-notch education at this school. Every once in a while, step back and appreciate what you have; what all of us here have. Appreciate what other people do for, and around, you each and every day. Maybe it’s a teacher who has mentored
you in your years, or the maintenance staff member who always vacuumed your room and never asked for a thankyou. Maybe it’s a person you have never met that’s fighting for someone else’s freedom in a far-off land, or the underpaid, overworked employee right across the counter serving you your fries. Appreciate this school and how amazing it is to actually be an Avonian. Camaraderie. This is a school for boys. Many of us initially complain about this before, or during, our first few weeks in the dorm. But as we grow, and as we learn, we begin to appreciate what this male companionship does for us. We can engage each other in an honest way that does not hinder our honesty or masculinity. Find a group of friends that makes you question how you lived before you met them. I found my group. Perhaps you’ve heard of us. You’ve definitely seen us. The Chicken Club represents everything that Avon means to me. Where else but Avon might a brotherhood be formed one night after study hall following a dance party over a chicken club sandwich? This school is precious. Cherish it, take care of it, and take care of each other. When all is said and done, our brothers are all we have. If you can sit and appreciate all this world has to offer, you will be that much better for it. If you can take advantage of what you’re passionate about, or maybe even try something new, I assure you that you won’t regret it, because even if it’s something you end up hating, you will be all the wiser and more experienced for it. And never be afraid to put yourself out there, making your contributions accessible to anyone who wants them. Who knows, at the end of the day you might just have a chicken club of your own.
S tudent artwork from the 2 010 C ommencement A rt S how
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COVER PHOTO: Commencement 2010. Photo by Sencer Sloan.
AOF Lax: 2010 Founders League Champions!