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Letter from Head of School JenniferPrice
Graduation Day for the Class of 2024 was bothcelebratory and historic, as the ceremony marked the 50th anniversary of launchingBB&N graduates who are prepared to be “responsible and open-minded as they engage with theworld around them.” Wewere especially honored to welcome several alumni from the Class of 1974, who were here celebrating their 50th reunion, to the Nicholas Athletic Center to cheer on our graduating seniors. Our lineup of speakers began with Ana Chrysa Maravelias, who did a wonderful job capturingthe spirit of this incredible class. Ana wove an Odyssey metaphor through her speech—a perfect way todescribe the journeys she and her classmates navigatedat our school, both individually and collectively. Outgoing Board Chair Chuck Brizius served as our parent speaker,an honor he richly deserved for the incredible service and leadership he has given to BB&N these past 17 years. Chuck inspired the graduates to embrace the responsibility—and the joy—of giving back to the people and thecommunities around them. And I reflected on how the 131 members of the Class of2024 consistentlyand impressively modeled our core values of inquiry, integrity, belonging, and kindness during their time here among ourBB&N community.
I’d like to share with you here a few excerpted remarks from our speakers.
We’ve reached the end of high school. Regardless of the wonderful and fulfilling ways in which our paths will diverge, I’m sure that we’ll never forget our BB&N guardian angels and crewmates. The Odyssey confirms this instinct of mine. When Odysseus returned home disguised as a beggar, Eurycleia, his former nurse and maid, washed his feet and recognized him by the scar on his knee. She remembered that defining feature of his as we will remember each other’s—the way folks laugh, their gait walking down the halls, the way they fidget with their pencil during a test.
Why will these fabulous little quirks remain with us? Because we’ve connected with one another. Whether our connections formed fourteenyears ago when wewere dripped-out in the latest light-up sneakers or just a few weeks agoon a spontaneous SSP adventure, we’ve become envelopedin loving communities at BB&N. Our bonds are strong. So embark on your new journey knowingthat you’ll always beable to lean on the folks in this room. Embark, also, with confidence. You have the intellect,creativity, and strength you need to succeed. Go crush it!
ANACHRYSAMARAVELIAS’24,SENIORCLASSSPEAKER
When it’s all said and done, people aren’t going to care so much what you did for a living. What they’re going to remember instead is the impact you made on the lives of others. The good news is that you’re already well on the path to being exactly these sorts of citizens of the world. But I encourage you to keep building that muscle as you move on to your next step and beyond.
If a friend is feeling down, be there to pick them up. If you see someone being treated unfairly, speak up. If a cause you care about needs volunteers, be the first in line.
In other words, never stop being the people you’ve already grown to be here at BB&N! And this I can guarantee you from my own experience. There is no greater joy in life than that which comes from giving back. So, make sure you embrace the shared responsibility of being active and engaged citizens of the world around us.
CHUCKBRIZIUSP’19,’21,’24,PARENTSPEAKER
As I gathered stories about this class from teachers on all three campuses, the most common refrain I heard was that this is a group of students who live out our core values each and every day.
Inquiry
Your teachers have described this as a class of curious, engaged, and active learners. The students behind me are known for their delight in taking ideas, turning them upside down, twisting them into a few different shapes, and then seeing what comes out on the other side. When you combine this curiosity with the fact that they are really hard workers who are open to feedback, you realize that you have a quite distinguished group of critical thinkers in front of you….
Integrity
There are a lot of quiet leaders in this class—those who take on responsibility not for the glory of the spotlight,
but because they really believe in their community and want to positively contribute to it. This is a humble group, filled with students who pick up after others when a mess is left behind in the Commons, or who keep a teammate’s spirits high when they’re injured and unable to compete, or who pitch in to make sure that no outlandish promposal idea goes unfulfilled….
Belonging
We strive to foster a community where everyone feels empowered to be their authentic selves. For this class, that goal met with some serious obstacles as their Upper School years began. After all, this is the only class in BB&N history whose freshman year began not in the woods of Bivouac, but instead traveling in a one-way flow of traffic down our hallways—always six feet apart. But to this class’s credit, it didn’t keep them down: they still managed to build strong connections with each other and with their teachers. And they eventually made it up to Camp Marienfeld to experience a short stay during their sophomore year….
Kindness
I think the most beloved of our Core Values—and perhaps the most surprising to outsiders—is Kindness. This class displays that virtue in abundance. Many recent examples could be found in the various Spring Projects that our seniors participated in, such as the jazz trio that performed at senior-living homes, or the student who organized a food drive in her hometown, or the senior who lent a helping hand at The Perkins School for the Blind….
Class of 2024, you are ready to go out and make a difference in the world. As you leave us, please stay true to these values, and always know that we in the BB&N community will be here to support you and cheer for you as you navigate your respective journeys.
JENNIFER PRICE, HEAD OF SCHOOL
I hope every member of our extended BB&N community has found some opportunities to relax and rejuvenate this summer.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy Fall.
Jennifer Price, Head of School
AnaChrysaMaravelias’24
ChuckBriziusP’19,’21,’24
SixthGradeClosing
Gatheringtogetherfortheirlastdayas sixthgraders,theClassof2030celebrated theend oftheir tenure at theLower Schoolatthis year’s closing ceremony. Head ofSchoolDr.Jennifer Pricestarted theeventbyhighlightingtheincredible workstudentsdidthroughouttheyear asshowcasedattheannualCelebration of Learning.She notedthat“thiswasnot surface work—thiswasworkthatpushed youandyourthinking—exactlywhatwe valuehereatBB&N.”
After processing tocollecttheir hardearnedcertificates,studentsgracedthe stageonelasttimewithasongfrom NemoJr. aboutgrowing and exploring newthings,“BigBlueWorld.”Certificates in hand,the 60nowformersixth gradersjoyfullyranthroughatunnelof celebratingteacherstojointheirfamilies onthelawnandconcludetheirtimeatthe LowerSchool. 1
3 6
PICTURED
x 1 x AbigailDonohue’30,MayaHayes’30,andLindseyGao’30 x 2 x AlvinMorton’30,HenrySong’30,TheoCheatham’30, Antony Zhang ’30,RyanMcCullough’30,andKinglandLiu’30 x 3 x CharlieWeigold’30 x 4 x GradeSix musiciansperform atthe closing ceremony. x 5 x BB&N’sClassof2030wavestothecrowd. x 6 x SeanMadan’30celebratesfollowingtheceremony. x 7 x AnaiahFrancois’30receiveshercertificatefromGradeSixteacherBerhaneZerom. x 8 x AlanaJean-Ross’30andLaylaLi’30
MiddleSchoolClosingCeremony
Ledbythetraditionalbagpipingof MiddleSchoolAssistantDirector TonyBreen,BB&N’sClassof2028processedintothefinalstopof theirMiddle SchoolcareerthisJunefortheirMiddleSchoolClosing Ceremony.DirectorMaryDolbearwarmlywelcomedthestudents andattendees,notingthejoyshefelt at being able to haveeveryone gathertogetheronelasttimebeforeaddressingthe studentsdirectly.
“Middle School is a time of trial and errorwhereyou’restuckin theinbetween,”shenoted.“Butyou’vesurvived,you’vedoneit, congratulations!Youmaynotrealizeitnow,butyourcorevaluesand skillshavealreadytakenroot…wearesoproudofyou.”
TheceremonycontinuedwithabeautifulsingingduetofBillyJoel’s “AndSoItGoes”performedby Sabrine Said ’28 and SiranArakelian’29 beforethestudent-chosenfacultyspeaker,mathteacherGusMeans, addressedtheaudience.
Inaspeechbothfunnyandsincere,Meansimpartedtothestudents theimportanceof“learninghowtolive.”Drawingoffofhisown experienceasayoungprofessionaljoiningtheteachingranksyears ago,henotedhow prior to that he had chosen the safe,knownpath inhislife. “I had to learn howtolive…tojumpinwithbothfeetand takechances,”Means said.“If youstartthisnow,andcontinueit throughoutyourlife,you’llhopefullyfindyourself at myoldagewith amyriadofhobbies,passions,andthe feelingoftrulyliving.”
FollowingMeans,studentspeakersKevinGuttierrez’28 andLiya Tilahun’28offered their thoughts to classmates. Guttierrezspoke aboutbeingshyasanewseventhgraderat BB&N,beforethecaring communityatSparksStreetbroughthimoutofhisshell.“When wasthelasttimeyoudid somethingyoudidn’tthinkyoucoulddo, somethingthatseemedimpossible?”Guttierrezaskedhisclassmates. “Twoyearsago,standingupheretodaywouldhaveseemed impossibletome…IfIwasabletoovercomeadversityandsucceed, thenyoucandoittoo.”
Inherspeech,TilahunalsoreminiscedaboutherstartatBB&Nasan eighthgraderthisschoolyear.“Iwasafraidtofeellonely,”sherecalled. “Butourclassisfilledwithnotonlygeniuses,butwithtrulykind people.” Tilahun noted that since that first day,she’sneverfeltalone atBB&Nandexpressedherprideinwhattheclasshadaccomplished. “We’vegrownstrongertogether,pushingnotonlyourselves,buteach othertoseeitthrough.”
x 1 x SabrineSaid’28andSiranArakelian’29 sing aduet. x 2 x BannerstudentsSophieReynolds ’28,SarahBaker’28,XzavierChafin’28,andKate Tregay’28 x 3 x GradeEightspeakerKevinPineda ’28 x 4 x IlsaSchrag’28,ViolaShephard’28,and MarloShah’28 x 5 x MembersoftheClassof 2028receivecongratulationsfollowingtheceremony. x 6 x DeanRiaz’28,CharlieZarrow’28, JulianFoster’28,andBeckhamPereira’28 x 7 x GradeEightspeakerLiyaTilahun’28 x 8 x KalistaKuemmerle’28,GemmaFriend’28, EliBillings’28,Xzavier Chafin ’28,Owen DeSalvo ’28, Middle School history teacher SeanMoyo,MalikShadid’28,AidenAshaye’28, AhmednurJamal’28,MariaDelPilarBowen-Arce ’28,SophieReynolds’28,andCatalinaLongstreet-Lipson’28 1 2 5 7 6
x 1 x Louisa Kirk ’26 smashes a forehand. x 2 x Gaellade Fontaine’27windsup. x 3 x JoshCurhan’25andDiegoAbadie’26 midrace x 4 x MichaelJiang’25poundsabackhand.
x 5 x KevinTsay’25keepstherunnerclose. x 6 x HadleyEarl’24 startstheattack. x 7 x HaleyHicks’25,AdrienTabor’24, JamesFoote ’25,Lucas Lesburg’24,andMaxCrafter’25
x 8 x TiagoFigueiredo’25uncorksashot. x 9 x AnaChrysaMaravelias’24goesbigfromthetee.
x 1 x UpperSchool springorchestraconcert x 2 x UpperSchoolperformanceof Annie x 3 x Beginner-Grade2springconcert
x 4 x UpperSchoolChoraleconcert x 5 x Grade6productionof FindingNemoJr. x 6 x UpperSchooljazzconcert x 7 x KatharineKaplan’25 presents at the Upper School artistreception. x 8 x MiddleSchoolSpringConcert x 9 x UpperSchoolResilientVoicesshowcase x 10 x MiddleSchoolceramicspieces
4 6 7 9 10
MiddleSchoolEmpty Bowls EqualsFull Hearts
NowinhereighthyearoforganizinganEmptyBowls event,MiddleSchoolartteacherSashaBergmann knows howtoigniteBB&N’s fervor foracause, harnesscross-campusenergy,andhostaneventthat annuallyillustrates the community-building power of giving.
Startedin1990byteacher-artistsinMichigan,Empty Bowlsis a globalgrassrootsmovementthatraises moneyforfood-relatedcharitableorganizationsin localcommunities.JoiningBergmann’sseventh-and eighth-gradestudentsandsomefacultyinmaking anddecoratingceramicbowls,adozenUpperSchool students,guidedbyartteacherChristianTonsgard, threwbowlsonthewheelfortheeventaspartoftheir Senior Spring Projects (SSP).Altogether,theymade anastonishing236bowls.“Then,stemmingfromall that goodcollectiveenergy,”Bergmannsays, “wesell thebowls and have abigcommunitydinner.Onehundredpercentoftheproceedsgoestothehungerfightingorganizations.”
This year,BB&N’s efforts willsupportthefood programatY2Y,aHarvardSquarehomelessshelter for youth,ages 18to25,as wellas Community Servingsin JamaicaPlain—where BB&Neighthgradershavepreviouslyvolunteered—initsmissionto providenutritiousmealsforchronicallyandcritically illindividuals and their families.
AnassistantinacoupleofBergmann’sceramics classes during her SSP,MaddieGaynor ’24was touchedbythemiddle-schoolers’willingnesstogive awaytheirceramiccreations.“Theyaresoengagedin communityserviceandawareofpeoplelessfortunate thanthemselves—it’sjustheartwarming.”
Equityeducationismulti-faceted,andengagingwitha localcommunitypartnerwasatremendousopportunity forstudentstoimmersethemselvesinanalternativeway toexperiencetheworld.TheBionicProjectcollaboration opened thestudents’eyes and reallyaddedapersonaltouch totheirlearning.
Grade3students “bringit in” followingagame of amputeesoccer.
This spring’s All-StarDebaters tackledthe toughtopics withaplombandrigor.
EveryseniorclassatBB&Nstrivestoleavetheirmarkoncampus throughtheirscholarlyaccomplishments,prowessinathletics,and radiance on the stage.Meanwhile,familiesare hardatworkleaving amonetarymarkontheschool,andtheClassof2023lefttheirsin theformof$1.5milliontofundvisitinginnovatorsandotherstrategic initiatives.Thefirstguesteducator,facilitator,andauthorLizaTalusan workedwithfacultyandstaffthroughoutthe2023-24schoolyear toteachmembersofthecommunityhowtobeamoreidentityconsciouseducator.
Asapartofherappearancesoncampus,facultyandstaffmembers readherbook, TheIdentityConsciousEducator, intandemwithher teachings.Whileher visits weretargeted towards the community readingofherbook,LizaisnostrangertotheBB&Nfacultyandstaff. As ChiefLearning Officer Jed Lippard notes,“Manymembers ofour adultcommunityhaveattendedconferencesandworkshopswhere Lizahas presented,and her workhas beenintegraltoourcollective effortstomakeourhiringpracticesevenmoreinclusiveandequitable.
Building onexisting ties tothe community,Lippard states that“the goalwas tosupportallBB&Nfacultyand staffinunderstanding the multiplicitiesandcomplexitiesofourownidentitiessothatwecan optimize ourworkwithcolleaguesandstudentswhose identities arebothproximateanddisparatefromourown.”Thisgoaldirectly tiesintothenewlyformedmissionandvaluesattheschoolof inquiry,integrity,belonging,andkindness;lendingtangible effortsto upholdingthoseprinciples.
Afterasuccessfulfirstyearoftheinnovatorprogram,thehopeis thatthegiftfromtheClassof2023will“continuetoenrichtheBB&N communityinimportantandinspiringways.”Whilethisyear’sfocus was adult-facing,nextschoolyear’s visiting innovator is Boston streetartistandcommunityactivistRob“ProBlak”Gibbs,whowill collaborate“directlywithstudentsandteachersoncurriculumdesign and integration,”as wellas offer walking tours ofBostonstreetartto thecommunity.
Gibbs has worked withBB&Nbeforethroughhis workwiththelocal non-profitorganizationArtistsforHumanity,agroupdedicatedto providingasafespaceforteenstogainmentorshipandnourishtheir creativity.Therenownedstreetartistspokeandworkedatthe2023 CommunityDay,andmostrecently,hisorganizationheldajoint galleryopeningattheUpperSchoolwithstudentartists.
LizaTalusanpresents ataprofessional development daythis yearat BB&N
CelebratingtheMagicof Friendshipat 71st Circus
Thethreatofraincouldn’tstopthefestivitiesattheLowerSchoolCircusthisspringasthecommunitygatheredforthe71st annual all schoolevent.Frombouncecastlesandcottoncandytoamagicperformanceandbubbleballcourse,thelatestinstallmentofCircuswas acrowd-pleaser!
Tostarttheevent,studentshadtheopportunitytowanderaround,tryingtheobstaclecourse,bouncecastles,cottoncandy,andeven dunk a 6th-graderin the dunktank.Beginningpromptly at11:30,the stage wasbustlingwithperformancesfromBB&Nstudents.Thisyear, thelineupincluded a violinduet,singingsolos, a keyboardperformance, a dance,and a Taekwondoshowcase.
UpperSchoolOrchestraCelebrates50th School Anniversary ThroughMusicandCommunity
“Knights on three! One,two, three, Knights!” rang out from the drama room just before the BB&N Upper School orchestra took the stage for a specialperformance of “Ode to Joy” and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. While this repertoire may not seem unique, what made this a memorable performance was the addition of 12 guest musicians from the BB&N community, including alumni, staff members, a parent,and a Lower School student.
leanpersonneltimesandsocialdistancingduringthe COVID-19 pandemic,buttheprogramhaspersevered and become astaple ofaBB&Nartseducation.Somuchsothatalumnusoftheprogram ElliotCless’02came back tohisalmamater tospearhead the programafterhispredecessorBrianReasonerretiredin2019.
Dr.Cless spentcountless hoursthisyear working behindthe scenes, arrangingparts,communicatingwithguests,andleadingthevision oftheevent.Asaresult,the12guestsintegratedseamlesslyinto the34-studentensemblewhohadworkedtirelesslysincethefallto bringBeethoven’sacclaimedsymphonytolife.
If the audience’sthunderous applause wasn’tamarkerof the success,seniorsLeoWang’24andGrahamLee’24saiditbest: “Ifyou ever hostanotheralumni concert,we’llbehere.”
AlumnaIlyonWoo ’90
WinsPulitzerPrize
CongratulationstoClassof1990alumnaIlyonWoo whoselatestnovel, MasterSlaveHusbandWife,was awarded a 2024PulitzerPrizeforbiography.Woo’s trueaccountfollowsthestoryofEllenandWilliam Craft,anenslavedcouplewhoundertookanepic escapeacrossthecountryin1848byposingas masterandslaveratherthanashusbandandwife.
Staytunedforthenextissueofthe Bulletin which willfeatureanin-depthpieceonWooandthis incredibleaccomplishment.
IlyonWoo’90andher Pulitzer-winning novel.
Community News
AnnualMiddleSchoolScience
KnightExploresCompelling ResearchTopics
Everyyear,eighth-gradersembarkonalong researchprojectthatculminatesinanightof presentations tothe community.This year many wereinspiredbywhatIlsaSchrag’28describedas “topics thathave abig influenceonour lives.”From the smallpoxvaccine andthe science behindhair toself-driving cars and space colonization,students delvedintoprojectsthataffecttheireverydaylives andcouldaffecttheirlivesinthefuture.
Theseimpressiveposterboardsanddemonstrations didn’tcometofruitionovernight.ThroughoutApril andtheendofMarch,studentshunkereddown in the Library LearningCenter(LLC)duringtheirE blocktocollaboratewiththeirpeersandbuildtheir finalproduct.Students pushed themselves todo theirbestwork,knowingthey’dgettosharetheir findingswiththeirparentsandthewiderBB&N community.
OnecompellingprojectspearheadedbyAiden Ashaye’28and Kevin Pineda’28investigated what color blindness is and howitaffects humans.When askedwhytheychosethisspecifictopic,both AidenandKevincitedwearingglassesasthemain inspiration,astheyhave“difficultyperceivingwhat otherpeoplenaturallycan.”Attheirbooth,they encouragedvisitorstotaketheircolorblindnesstest andshowedofftheglassestheyinventedthatcan showapersonhowared/greenandblue/yellow color-blindpersonseestheworld.
AnotherpresentationbyLiyaTilahun’28and JulianFoster’28focusedonhairgrowthinstraight versuscurlyhair.Sparkedbytheircultureand identity,Juliannotedthathewas“curiousabout whytherearedifferenthairtypes.”Liyanotedthat itwas surprising thatdifferenttypes ofhair follicles influence the growthof the strandsof hair,thus creatingthewiderangeofstylesfoundinhumans.
Launchingaresearchprojectcanbedaunting butwiththeproperguidanceandhardwork,the eighth-graderscompletedanothermassivestepon their BB&Njourney.
PICTURED
x 1 x JulianFoster’28andLiyaTilahun’28
x 2 x VivianCain-Weingram’28andIlsaSchrag’28
x 3 x AhmednurJamal’28andXzavierChafin’28
x 4 x MiriamFulop’28 1 3 2 4
ReigningStateChampsPlace
SecondinGBH-TV’sHigh School QuizShow
InBB&N’strademark huddle,acerebral scrum offocus, all fourpairsofeyes werelockedonHighSchool Quiz Show (HSQS) hostJoeHansonasheasked which college the fictionalJay Gatsby droppedoutof.Even beforeHanson finished,thestudents leaned closer together,theirurgent whisperserupting. AaronRai ’24wasquickeston the buzzer.
Intheend, though, thisrematchofthe2023 HSQS semifinal,anotchon BB&N’smarchtowardchampionship victory, wentthistimetoLexington, 425–350,in a nail-biting game that hingedon justa fewquestions.In a fieldof17 Massachusettsschools, BB&N hadbeatenSt. John’s, Worcester’s SouthHigh, and—inarematchoflastyear’sfinal—Mansfieldtogettothe championship roundforthesecondstraightyear. BradfordKimball and HenryKirk,veterans oflast year’s trophy-winningteam,werejoinedthis year byfellow seniorsAnaChrysa MaraveliasandAaronRai, analternatelastyear.
“Thisyear,we were allclosefriends before westarted,”says Bradford.“As seniors,toshowthecommunitythatwe’veallbeenapartofforsolongwhat itmeanstous—toplayfortheblueandgoldonelasttime—wasreallyspecial.”
iswithinyou;youjust need toharness itand buzz—because youknow it.’ Thosefriendship bondswill staywithme.”
Teamwork wasonceagainahallmark ofBB&N’ssuccess, accordingtoSam Crihfield, EnglishteacherandTriviaClub andQuiz Bowl Teamco-advisoralongwithmathteacher Chip Rollinson. “Youcouldseethemconferringall the time—they dideverything as a unit—and I thinkthatcarried usto thefinalagain,” he says.In fact,a couple of Lexington’s players, hesays, “cameup tousafterthefinal andsaid, ‘We learned a lotabouthowto play by watching what you guys didlastyear.’That was a pretty cool compliment.The BB&N team hasleftabitofalegacyintheQuiz Show, andthat makes meveryproud.”
others,on committees including Peaceful Uses of OuterSpace,the WorldHealth Organization, andthe PermanentForum on IndigenousIssues.Four students receivedawardsfortheirindividual committeeworkoverthecourseofthe four days: LeaFreiin von Hilgers’25won BestDelegate,andSofiaEgan’26,Matthias Paulson ’26,andSalar Sekhavat’26earned Honorable Delegaterecognition.
Theprevailingsentiment,though,was thatparticipationalonewasrewarding toeveryone.MUNClubSeniorPresident Lucy Greenup’24said,“Withmany diverse
SincearrivingatBB&Nin2019,Christinahasbecomeesteemed by allwhoknowherfor her dedication,kindness,andambitious visionfortheMiddleSchoollibraryprogram.Shehaspioneered innovativewaystoengagestudentsbeyondtheclassroomby orchestratingeventswithvisitingspeakersin variousdisciplines. Hercollaborativeeffortsspreadacrossallgradesanddepartments.
One colleaguedescribes,“Fromorganizing clubs and Drop EverythingandReadattheMiddleSchool,toadvising7thgraders, tobeingonseeminglyeverycommitteeatBB&N,tosupportingher colleaguesintheclassroom,Christinadoesitall.”
JennGatti,UpperSchoolScienceTeacher,hasbeennamedas thefourthrecipientoftheHonestasFutureLeaderInstructorship. NamedforafundamentalpartofBB&N’smotto—Honor—The Honestas Future LeaderInstructorship recognizes faculty members whohavedemonstratedexceptionalleadershipbothinandoutof theclassroomthroughmentoringrelationshipswiththeirstudents. She joins previousHonestas InstructorshiprecipientsMeenaKaur, RachelRiemer,and JoshWalker.
Sincejoiningthe BB&Ncommunity in 2014,Jenn hasexemplified excellenceasaneducator,mentor,andcolleague.Shecultivatesan environmentwherestudentsthriveinbiologyandaregenuinely excited abouttheirlearning—herdynamic teaching style fuels a passionforSTEMinherclassroomeveryday.Inaddition,Jenn caresdeeplyaboutaccommodatingdiverselearningstylesin herclassroomsandlabs,customizingherinstructionbasedon students’needs.
Outsidetheclassroom,Jennhasplayedaninspirationalrolefor manystudents throughherwork advising GAINS (Girls Advancing in STEM).Sheempowers girls topursue their interestsin STEMrelatedfieldsinwhichwomenaretraditionallyunderrepresented, andtakesgreatprideinopeningdoorstoinvaluableopportunities forherstudents.
Asastrong advocate for her adviseesand students,Jenn’s nononsense,can-dosensibilityencourageshighschoolerstopush themselves tothenextlevel.“Her approachtoher workisfullof life,” a colleaguenotes.“Sheplays a meaningfulroleinthelivesof herstudentsandcolleagues,andshetreatseveryoneintheUpper Schoolwiththeutmostrespect.”
Jenn’s willingness to take on new challenges, her open-mindedness, and herall-in engagement with the life of the school is omnipresent. She co-chaired the subcommittee for the “Commitment to Community Engagement” Standard during the school’s NEASC re-accreditation process in 2022. And despite her proclamation as being “not an outdoorsy person,” she eagerly volunteers to serve as a Bivouac Guide, which deepens her connection with students as a member of the Grade 9 Advising Team.
BB&NWelcomesNew Trustees
BRONWENCARROLLP’28,’31,’35
Bronwen is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at Boston Medical Center, and an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Emergency Medicine at BU School of Medicine.After attending Harvard College, she received her MD from UMass Medical School. Bronwen currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Horizons for Homeless Children. She and her husband reside in Boston with their children,Henry ’28, Harper’31, Holland ’35,and Hyacinth.
DEVESHGANDHIP’25,’27
Devesh iscurrently the Founder & President of SilverArc Capital, a healthcare-focused hedge fund. Devesh received an MD from Yale University School of Medicine, an MBA in Healthcare Management from University of Pennsylvania,and an undergraduate degree from Princeton University. Devesh is on the Board of Directors at the Codman Academy Charter School, and chairs the Governance Committee and serves on the boardof a non-profit called Indian FamilyNetwork. Devesh and his wife reside in Newton with their children, Diya ’27 and Jayan ’25.
JOELINDACOICHY JOHNSON’07
Joelinda works in leadership and management capability building at McKinsey& Company. Joelinda chaired the BB&N Alumni Council andserved on the Board of Trustees 2021-2023. In addition to being analum, Joelinda’s experience with BB&N includesserving as an UpperSchool faculty member, an Admission officer, an Advancementstaff member, and in numerous volunteer capacities. Joelinda attended Bowdoin College and lives in Milton withher husband, Kyle.
MARLENE REYNOLDSP’28, ’28
Marlene is the current Treasurer for the Middle School Parents’Association. She has held numerous positions within the Parents’ Associationincluding Vice Presidentof the Lower School PA, Co-Head of LS Community Service Day, and ClassParent. She served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of Hill House, a non-profit community center in Boston. From 1999-2017, Marlene was Managing Director and CFO of Bain CapitalPublic Equity (formerly BrooksideCapital). She received a B.A. in Economics from Scripps College and an MBA from Boston University. Marlene and her husband live inBoston with their twins, Sophie ’28 andJack ’28.
GILLIENTODDP’20,’25,’25
Gillien is a Lecturer at Harvard Law School and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she teaches negotiation and managing difficult conversations. In her private practice, she is an executive coach to senior leaders and works with leadership teams on effective collaboration and conflict resolution. Gillien served asthe President of BB&N Parents’ Association from 2022-2023. In addition,she has served asMiddle School Vice President and a grade rep among many other volunteer positions. Gillien and her husband live inCambridge with their children, Chloe ’25, Charlie ’25, and Will ’20.
STEVEWISE’04,P’36,’37
Steve is a Managing Partnerat Audubon Capital Partners. Steve started at BB&N in sixth grade and received a B.A. from Tufts University and an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. He has previously served as a Class Agent and comes from a long line of family members who have attendedBB&N.SteveandhiswifeliveinBostonwiththeirchildren,Miles ’36, Olivia ’37, and Maddie.
Katie hasmore than 15 years of experience working in the healthcare quality and performance improvementspace at Mass General Hospital, UVAMedical Center, and Mass General Brigham. She has served on the Board of Trustees for various community organizations includingBeacon Hill Nursery School and Hill House. At BB&N, Katie has held numerous volunteer positions most recently as All School VP for the Parents’ Association. Katie and her husband live in Boston with their children, Ryan ’30 and Davis ’28.
CHRISTINADELLORUSSO FACULTYTRUSTEE
Christinawill serve on theBB&N Board of Trustees during 2024-2025to fulfill the term vacated by Amy Selinger. Christina has taught at BB&N for 18 years. She spent ten years teaching Beginnersand Kindergarten before moving to 4th grade, and now teaches 5th grade. She has previously served on the RealEstate and Finance Committees of the Board.
Kathy Newell
From thefirst meetings with Head of ScholPeter Gunness and Athletic Director Jack Etter in the spring of 1983, it would have been hard to imagine the depth and richness of Kathy Newell’s career at BB&N: 41 years, four Heads of School, six Athletic Directors, 120 + teams coached, 10 championships, numerous roles from coaching to teachingto advising, and three dogs who loved being part of the community. Obvious to all41 years later—while fulfilling her own dream career, Kathy inspired and supported the dreams of thousands of BB&N students.
Prior to my coming to BB&N, which exactly coincided with my coming to the U.S., I knew the English word “pitch” as a soccer field. Never having even seen a softball, I hada lot to learn. Coaching with Kathy, I had to focus on the players, the drills, the game,and the field—not a “pitch” buta “diamond”—the softball diamond. What I didn’t fully realize at the time: Iwas working with a diamond ofa person.
Reflecting on her career at BB&N, Ican see clearly how the clarity,strength, sparkle, and value of a diamond serve as a metaphor for the essential gifts Kathy gave to BB&N.
First base – Clarity
From the start, Kathy had vision. As a pioneer, she led in the creation, development, and implementation of the girls hockey program. She imagined the possible, planned carefully, and clearly articulated her goals to convince AD Jack Etter that it was time for the future, creating a mini revolution in the athletic world. A tour de force!Or in other words—1996 alumnus Ed Bourget’s to be exact—she became the “Godmother of BB&N hockey.”
Former AD Rick Foresteire ’86 creditsKathy with turning BB&N girls hockey into “a prep school powerhouse” but recalls from when hewas a student that the beginning of girlshockey did indeed require a vision. He explains: “Most of the girls did not have equipment so they asked boys who played if they could use our old equipment…I will always remember the first practice…most of the girls wore full hockey equipment with figure skates.”
Kathy also sees the possible in people. Alumna Amanda Ward ’95 shares that: “Once she learnedwho I was as an athlete and figured out my skillset, she made sure to find ways to accentuate it. She nicknamed me ‘Wheels’ because I was fast around the bases. EVERYTIME I got on base, I knew she was going to be giving me the steal sign. We were ISL champs one year, and somehow, I got league MVP status because sheput me in positions to excel.”
Kathy’svision for thepossible— in a schedule, in a program, in
a student, in a friend—inspires. Her essential clarity went beyond the rink and the field, a truthevident to all who know her.
Second base: Strength
Kathy’sstrength made BB&N stronger. When she does something, she commitswholeheartedly.Whether working with first graders at summer camp, coaching a varsity team, or solving a scheduling nightmare, she engageswith the same skillful, responsible, organized, and supportive approach. When facing an obstacle…a cranky parent, an unreasonable ref, pouring rain, or a rink on fire…she persists. And, although a fierce competitor, shealways keeps things in perspective. As hercolleague GregPugh puts it: “She has an old-school drive towin, but not at all costs, andwinning is not everything. Funand sportsmanship are guiding principles.” She values hard work. However, while being demanding of her athletes, she has a keen sense and respect for what she thinks they can do.
Alumna Alexis Egan ’93 writes: “I think Kathy paired an ‘old-school’ love of winning with a ‘new-school’ way of supporting her student-athletes long before it was en vogue. She really pushed us to succeed, but she fully supported us in the journey. There were times in high school that Kathy expected more from me than I thought I could give as a student, as a player, and as a captain. But then she showed me how to find that extra time, effort, patience, and perseverance. I think that’s how she got the absolute best out of her players.”
Kathy’spassion and perseverance reflect her essentialinner strength.
Third base: Sparkle
Not only does Kathy sparkle with positive energy— sometimes downright “goofy”—she also shines with a deep sense of optimism for everyone. Her contagious enthusiasm and energy radiate to all those around her. Varsity Hockey captainMeghan Britt ’24 describes how Kathy’s “laughand smile always welcomed me onto the BB&N campus.”
Kathy cares about the athletes and believes in them, providing them with the opportunity to shine themselves. With never a dull moment, she made practices both learning and fun, creating a myriad of drills, sometimes on the spot. She was extremely sensitive to the individual needs of her players.
The twoformer playerswho loved her fun and “goofy”side are also grateful for her deep faith in people. As Nan Gorton ’92 tells it from her and Libby Zug Moore ’93’s perspective: “Kathy had an open door, always. And,sometimes unfortunately for her,we would shareinformation that she as a coach might not have liked to know. Instead of ahuge lectureor comment, orcall home (!), Kathy looked atus, took a deep breath, held that breath at the top, got a quirky smile, let out a smalllaugh and thenlet out the full breath
while quickly changingthe subject. This was her teaching moment,and we got thelesson. This is how she remained a person we could trust with everything, good, bad, happy, sad. Nothing was off limits, and high school girls need that.”
Kathy’splayers responded to her big heart and to her essential sparkle. Quitesimply, they love her.
Home plate: Value
Kathy brings it home with her values. Sportsmanship, kindness, integrity, loyalty, and excellence are not just words for her. they form hercore.
Former AD Joe Gill calls her “a womanof character,”going on to say that she “has always carried herself with dignity, humility, and honor while caring intensely for the needs of the students she served…Kathy has set a standard as a colleague.” And faculty/coach Beth McNamara echoes this value of generosity, explaining that when Kathy stopped coaching softball, sheremained “our #1 fan.”
What is also remarkable is that Kathy does not need an audience. Former Assistant AD Tish Biggar captures the out-of-the spotlight Kathy saying, “She does things for others in a quiet way, and I don’t think being thanked ever crosses her mind.”
Former staff member Christina (Redmond) Myers ’01 shares her experience. “I would not have a BB&N diploma if it were not for Kathy Newell. Anybody with a pulse on campus in the late ’90s knew that I was struggling academically. Kathy never gave up on me. I will never forget her sitting with me in the locker room and mapping out plans of how I was going to tackle my academics, sending me home without practicing to get some rest when she knew I needed a break, and always listening when I was questioning my place at BB&N.”
In her own words, Kathy’s memories from her career are “the fun I have had while working at BB&N.” She goes on to quote the saying “you’ll never work a day in your life if you love what you’re doing.” Of course, those who know her will always hold Kathy as a treasured inspiration from their BB&N years, but there is more to come. She plans to write her memoir. “So be on the lookout for my book: Dogs Have Ears.”
BillHritz
LowerSchoolLegend
ByBevMalone,facultyemerita
“Howdoyousaygood-bye to a legend?” This was said aboutBill Hritz byhisfriendandcolleague ChristinaDello Russo. The wordlegendcomesfromtheMiddleEnglish meaning—thestoryof thelifeofaSaint.BillwouldnotconsiderhimselfaSaint,buthedoeshaveasignificantstoryin thelifeoftheBuckinghamBrowne&NicholsLowerSchool.Itallbeganin1985whenhewas acceptedinto the BB&N/LesleyGraduateProgram.Hewasanoutstandinginternthatyearand consequentlywashiredasthesecond-grade teacher thefollowingyear.LyndaDugas,another colleague,remembershearingpianomusiccomingfromthatsecond-gradeclassroomandseeing Bill,“playing withoutsheetmusic,hishandsdancingupanddownthekeyboard.” Billalways startedhisstudent’sdayoffwithsingingandlaughter,andhisChickenDancewas ahighlight for parentsonBackToSchoolNight.Yes,Billisanaccomplishedpianist,butinmyestimation, he is also a trueRenaissance Man. Hislove ofandskillat learning allowedhimeasyentryintoamyriad offields—SocialStudies,Language,Arts,andMath.ThistookplacemainlyinhisFourth-Grade homeroomduringhisfirst28(of35)yearsatBB&N.
Many of those 28 years current Lower School Librarian Lynda Dugas was his grade partner. I remember how hard they worked to replace an outdated Viking curriculum with an outstanding Immigration Unit. She recalls, “We read age-appropriate materials, gathered books for our classroom libraries, and focusing on primary sources, visited local historical sites like the North End and The Lowell Mill museum.” They then developed a walking tour of Boston’s Chinatown. I am sure students remember being “processed” at the imaginary Ellis Island and eating with 40 other students at China Pearl. This unit created a personal connection between students and parents and discussions about family history and the impact of prejudice. In fact, prejudice and equity work was, and is, so very important to Bill. He was a leader among the faculty establishing an anti-homophobia task force long before the current Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work became important to the entire institution. He took a risk and was supported by his colleagues. In turn, he fostered a safe space for all his students to share their thoughts and ideas. As Lukas Kauth ’17 said, “Throughout my time at BB&N and later in college, I had many fantastic teachers. Bill was far and away one of the best. From starting each morning by singing along to his piano, to our memorable field trips in the North End and Chinatown, Bill made learning exciting and every day at school feel special. I am grateful to have had him as my teacher and I know generations of other lucky students, whose class photos lined the wall in his 4H classroom, feel the same.”
fondly remembers his pumpkin math, coordinate point pictures, tessellations, and how he was able to weave children’s names into real life experiences.
Whether it was Social Studies, Language, Arts, or Math, I would often marvel at how Bill was able to synthesize the lesson into significant parts, allowing children to grasp the underlying essence of the lesson. He knew what would be the most difficult parts of a concept and he would slowly scaffold the lesson so children ended up thinking the learning was easy. And, he did this with a charismatic appeal. He would guide and interact with his students with warmth and humor. Children developed a trust and rapport with him that culminated into respect. He was always sensitive to each students’ strengths and weaknesses while also maintaining consistent standards of behavior and work habits. I would often see Bill with one student sitting on the bench outside his classroom. This was where Bill would shine—in his calm and thoughtful manner he would guide the student into better social behavior without ever ridiculing or embarrassing them.
Firstandforemost, Billwasa valuable colleague.He fosteredcareful thoughtinothers in a waythatwas mutuallyenjoyable.
Bill truly was a gifted master teacher and as the Director of the Teacher Training Institute, I placed many interns into Bill’s classroom. He served as an outstanding “cooperating teacher” in the BB&N/Lesley program. He brought the same care and dedication to mentoring future teachers as he did his younger students. It was such a pleasure to walk into his classroom and watch him interacting with both younger and older students.
Bill is also an excellent writer and reader of literature. I always looked forward to his Charlotte’s Web unit. The book is a classic by E.B. White allowing for deep thought into friendship and emotional/social development. Nina Revis Barresi, former Reading Specialist at the Lower School, remarked on Bill’s “emotional deliverance of the last pages.” His reading also brought tears to my eyes, and I often had to leave the classroom.
In his last seven years at the Lower School, Bill served as the math specialist for grades one and two. His hands-on lessons produced clear thinkers and early mathematicians. Beth Thiemann, former math specialist,
First and foremost, Bill was a valuable colleague. He fostered careful thought in others in a way that was mutually enjoyable. He was always a sensitive listener and showed deep respect for the ideas of others. With his engaging wit and friendly demeanor, he set people at ease. So, maybe Bill is a sort of Saint within his legend. But how does one say good-bye? As Christina Dello Russo said, “Luckily, you don’t. Bill’s legacy will live on, in the curriculums he created, the initiatives that he started, in the teachers that he mentored. And most of all, it resides in the generations of students lucky enough to have had him to support and guide them. You have impacted the lives of so many. Thank You, Bill.
Knownand reveredforheracuity,incisivecommentary, and quickwit,AltheaCranston retiresafter35years of teaching both English and Latin at BB&N’sUpperSchool.Over theyears,sheandherstudentssailedwithCaesar’stroopsfrom Gaulto Brittania;they meanderedDublin’sstreetswith inwardlytangled Joyceancharacters,andnavigatedwith OdysseusandhiscrewbetweenScyllaandCharybdis.Dauntlessandpurposeful,Althealed herchargeswith clear-eyed vision,inspiring expectations,andawarmheart.
Her students knew they were in extremely capable hands, which didn’t always make her achievements with them any less wondrous. One of ten boys in Althea’s iconic AP English 11: Irish Literature class, Adam Murray ’24 says with a laugh, “The way she was able to control all of us was unbelievable. But she made everything so interesting that we all were really into the content. Everybody loved Dubliners.”
Aanika Mohta ’25 was in Althea’s Latin classes for the past three years with the same cohort of students.“They aren’t
necessarily the people I’d be friends with outside of class, but because of Ms. Cranston, we’ve all come together as a group, and I’m excitedto be with them next year, as well.” Pinpointing the quintessential Cranston humor that many students note, Aanika says, “there were lots of funny moments that helped us bond.”
Take, forinstance, the time a few years ago,soon after Althea had taught her junior English studentsto use the comma of direct address, often needed in writing the Profile. Aboy walked into class and said to Althea,
“What’s up, dawg?”
Althea replied, “Did you just call me ‘dawg’?” The boy didn’t skip a beat. “What’s up comma dawg?”
It takes a rare ability to foster a classroomenvironment that is both lighthearted and top-shelf scholarly—“the right amount offun and challenging,” as Daryl McLean ’03 puts it. The recipient of the 2005 Teacher Excellence Award, Althea herself always sought to enjoy the classroom and to develop her expertise with new ventures.
One of the most gratifying of these, Ancient Mediterranean Studies—which ran for aboutten years after she and five colleagues developed it in 1996—was a ground-breaking, project-based, semester-long program interweaving English (The Odyssey, Gilgamesh), Ancient History, and Art. Involving several MFA visits, the program challenged ninth-grade students to build skills, be creative, and make complex connections among the courses. “I liked what it brought out in the kids,” Althea says. “It grew them up.”
Admiring Althea’s “quiet and constant brilliance,” Rachel Hirsch ’93—former English student, current friend, and dean of faculty and historyteacher at The Cambridge School ofWeston—also appreciated Althea’s feedback on her written work. “You came away feeling seen and encouraged even while she was helping you seeyour challenges, areas for growth, and even mistakes,” she says. “She helped us all to valueour intellectual growth more than any innate ‘knowing,’ and in this way, she has been an invaluable model for me in my career as a teacher and a guide forhow I want to interact with others.”
Likewise,Eren Orbey ’14 continues to be guided by Althea’s teaching.“I still hear hervoice when I reread my work today forbig-picture improvements and line-level tweaks,” he says. “The most recent essay I published in The New Yorker opens with an anecdote about a piece of writing I worked onin her class for the Family Legend assignment, during our unit on Homer’s Odyssey. There’s a clear through line fromwriting I did then, with her, to writing I’m still working on now.”
Just as significantly, Eren remembers that throughout his threeyears as Althea’sadvisee, her doorwas always open. “But, more important,she’d let you close the door. Cumulatively, I’m sure I spent hours in her classroom talking—and venting, and ranting, which prompted her to coin the neologism ‘vanting’ in one of my quarterly comments,” he says.
“It’s just easy to talk with her,” says Adam,who also enjoyed
Althea ashis Senior SpringProject (SSP) mentor this past spring. “I knew her as a great teacher, but I’m grateful to have grown even closer withher this spring and have had that timeto just talk.”
As both Althea’s student and advisee, Daryl appreciated that “shealways encouragedme to reach beyond my selfdefined limits, to grow as astudent and a person,” he says. “Her quiet-voiced but passionate confidence inme helped me so much back then.”
Beyond most students’ awareness, Althea’s efforts below deck and in the rigging of the Upper School have provided significant institutional ballast and direction. Her involvement over the decades reads like the Faculty Handbook’s index: for a long while, she ran a mentoring program for first-year teachers and more recently worked with second-year teachers; she directed the Community Service program, notched three tours of duty with the Faculty Concerns Committee, and served variously on other committees: Educational Policy, Academic Review, Disciplinary, Cum Laude, and more. Perhaps most consequentially, as English Department head for seven years, Althea was a staunch proponent and champion of department goals and programs, a resolute supporter of her colleagues.
“She didn’t just hire me; she invested in my development as a teacherand colleague,” says English teacher Alda Farlow. “When I first arrived, she gave me a masterclass on The Odyssey—opened the file for me! I know I was supremely lucky to get to mine the treasure trove.” Thesame was true when Aldaset out to teach Ellison’s complex masterpiece, InvisibleMan, which Althea had previously taught for years as a senior winter course and as an SSP seminar—one iterationof which paired it with the TV series The Wire. “She clipped articles, slipped posters and postcards into my mailbox, suggested enrichment courses, andalways answered my questions,” Alda says. “She will remain someone I’ll always try to emulate in the classroom and beyond. With high expectations—and also lots of love—she made her students better writers, thinkers, and humans.”
Latin teacher Walter Young notes, “The entireenterprise of teaching Classics involves sharing a subject you love with someone else so that they may love it, too; joy is magnified when it is shared, and whata privilege to share that joy with Althea.”
Clearly, Althea’s students,too, felt her love of learning and teaching—a lightening of gravity’s pull that allowed them to sense what was possible,reach for loftiergoals, set sail for far-off horizons. We salute her, as she departs, with abundant gratitude.
Walk into Chris Dwyer’s seventh grade music class. He’s standing at the front near the white board, or maybe he’s at the back leaning over the upright piano. “Why does Waldo wear stripes?” he asks. The buzz of seventh graders, a range of responses—he waits for a beat and says, “Because he doesn’t want to be spotted.” The room groans in unison, and the lesson begins.
For twenty years, music classes in the seventh grade have explored,written, composed, played, and sungmusic under Chris’ guidance, and Chamber Groups have beenplaying under hisdirection for an additional three years. This is more thana generation of BB&N Middle Schoolers. His humor in the classroom is exceeded by his talent at the piano, where he has quietlyexcelled. He has played for the communitya number of timesthroughout the years, sharing his musicianship, passion for, and love of music. In addition, his musical talents extend to arranging the music that most of his groups play. Hammer dulcimer? Sure. Teaching pianists to play marimba? Yes. Add an acoustic guitar?Absolutely. Not traditional instrumentsin a Chamber group, but Chris
welcomed those students anyway, and made it work. The subtle brilliance of blending disparate sounds into a cohesive whole, playing apiece originally written for somethingelse completely is an art form in itself; and Chris quietly did just thatover and over again, for a generation.
Upper School Music teacher Elliot Cless ’02 adds, “Chris has been a thoughtful and generous colleague, always reaching out to compare notes on chamber music students, music pedagogy, online music teaching methods during the pandemic, and to finally collaborate on ‘retirement tour’ performances of the Brahms Violin Sonata inG Major at the Upper School and Middle School this spring. Middle schoolers have been so fortunateto study music from such an intelligent, inviting,and coolheaded teacher who is also a brilliant pianist, exemplifying poiseand refined artistry.”
We’ll miss the jokes, the NY Times crosswords sitting on his desk, the discussions of good food andfabulous meals, but most of all, I’ll miss the music. Thanks, Chris, for sharing your love with us.
Excerpts from Tribute by Seventh-Grader Siran Arakelian’27
I’m here to say a few wordsabout Mr. Dwyer, who’s been teaching here for 25 years.Everyone here hastaken his music class or played in one of his ensembles, and so we all know about his wonderful sense of humor and patience while teaching.
As a member of this year’s seventh grade chamber ensemble, I know that it takes a good teacher and a great human being to take a bunch of rambunctious kids and teach them the beauty of music and working together. Mr. Dwyer has put up with our “bickering banter” and rowdy personalities foran entire year, and to be honest, we might have been the last straw to his decision to retire.
Although Mr. Dwyer educatedus on how to identify a triad and all about the circle of eighths, the most importantthing he taught us is far from music. He taught us to always enjoy everything while it lasts,to take the timetoputinthebesteffortwecouldgive.Toappreciate the smallmoments of success, and little steps towards the big victory.
Throughout the course of music class, we also learned a lot about him. Mr. Dwyer likes to play tennis, has two cats, and “would rather eat glass than listen to Taylor Swift.”
Mr. Dwyer, have fun in retirement, and pleasedon’t forget tovisit. Thank you!
AmySelinger ALegacy of Putting StudentsFirst
ByJuliaKobus’05,Co-Director ofCollegeCounseling
I first met Amy Selinger 20 years ago at the start of my senior year at BB&N. This was 2004, and Amy had just joined the community as Associate Director ofCollege Counseling. I was nervous at the prospect of working with someone new. Running through my head were a jumble of questions—Would sheunderstand me? Would we be able to build a relationship? Would she advocate for me? But I quickly learned that my fears were unfounded. From the moment I first met Amy in her office, scrunchie in her hair and a relaxed smile onher face, I recognized that she was someone who I could trust.
I came to learn that Amy would listen deeply to each of her students and help clarify their goals and values. Former College Counseling colleague Katie Gayman said it well when she spoke of Amy’s invaluable work with students: “At her core, Amy’s mission is to help her students tapinto their inner voiceand honor it enough to share it with the outside world. Watching her create space for students, often during the most vulnerable time of their lives, and empower them to own their identity is like watching a master at work.” Amy has inspired hundredsof
students over her two decades working at BB&N. She is a communityleader, giver of sage wisdom, and fearless advocate for DEIG, student voice and faculty support.
Students rave about Amy’s mentorship and guidance. Amy’s advisee Hannah Bernstein ’24 recalled, “Ms. Selinger is always there for her students and can make your day better with her warm and kind nature. She is the epitome of a mentor, supporter, and friend.” And Cailey Larouco ’24 shared, “Ms. Selinger has been my rock at BB&N. I truly don’t know what I would’ve done without her.”
The consummate colleague and cheerleader for adult development, Amy has also inspired educators to see our work as a worthy profession. “Inclusive, progressive, and open-minded are words that come to mind when I think of Amy,” Gayman added “She has invited educators from an array of backgrounds into the work of college counseling and mentored countless new colleagues. In this work, Amy always returns to her role asateacher.”AstheFacultyRepresentativetotheBB&N Board of Trustees, Amy has been a tireless advocate for faculty compensation, improved family leave policies, and strategic planning for the long-term sustainability of BB&N.
And yet, her focus has remained centered on the student. Doug Neuman, longtime School Counselor, emphasizes: “Amy has always put the student front and center. The college process can often bring with it tension, anxiety, or conflicting interests within a family. She manages these dynamics with grace and professionalism from start to finish.”
Amy’s contributions to BB&N would be incomplete without talking about her role as leader of the College Counseling Office. Fred Coyne, SeniorAssociate Director of College Counseling, noted, “Amy has been more than a colleague; she has been a beacon of leadership, mentorship,and friendship. Her unwavering commitment to student-centered college counseling, and her passion for our profession has not only shaped countless lives, but has also inspired those around her.”
Amy’s fearless leadership, warmth, and passion for supporting students will be greatly missed. Her decades of contributions to BB&N have made it a better place. My incoming Co-Director, Sharonda Dailey Thompson, and I have enormous shoes to fill when it comes to a student-centered, balanced, and thoughtful college counseling process. Personally, I am thankful that I’ve had this wonderful role model in my life for 20 years who has helped me to become the educator that I want to be. I know dozens of students and colleagues alike who feel the same.
BerhaneZerom ALegacy of Learning
ByLeilaHuff,GradeSixTeacher
AftersixteenyearsintheBrickBuilding,Mr.Berhane Zerom,fondlyknownasMr.Ztocolleaguesand studentsalike, willbe exploringnewadventures beyondhisclassroomwalls.Hisformersixth graders vividlyrememberthewarmthandhumorofhis classroom,andmanyoddclockshangingonthewalls. Theclocks, strange and nonsensical at first glance, eachhadastory,anequation,ora“trick”toreadthe timecorrectly.Thoseluckyenoughtohavehimasa mathteacher,enthusiastsenrolledin hisafter-school Mathletesprogram,or studentswhocame tohim duringtheirfreetimeforextrahelp,wouldcometo knowthestoryoftheclocks.
This past May, more than twenty Lifers returned to the Lower School campus to relive their elementary school memories. After walking
past the basketball courts, and spinning precariously on the SuperNova, Bradford Kimball ’24 turned to Henry Kirk ’24 and said, “I want to go check out 6Z. I want to see the clocks.”
The clocks, however, were just a tool for Mr. Z to connect with BB&N community members and visitors alike. Whether he was welcoming prospective students on a tour, juggling a soccer ball with kids at recess, or helping his students understand the importance of showing the process of your math thinking on a test, Mr. Z made you feel seen. Colleagues will fondly remember Berhane’s warm smile, sense of humor, and remarkable relationships with his students that kept them coming back to visit long after their time in his class.
Nnema Epee-Bounya ’24 recently reconnected with Mr. Z at the Round Square Conference in Tanzania and Kenya after being in his homeroom in sixth grade. “We were on safari, and I was in his car group, which everyone wanted to be in. I was wowed by his passion and interest in everything we were seeing, which made me more appreciative of all the beauty.”
Another former student of Mr. Z’s, Sébastien Ridoré ’15, reflected, “When I think of BB&N, I think of Mr. Z. That was the size of the impression he left on me and other students.”
Parents were aware of Mr. Z’s impact on their children as well. “Mr. Z is one of the most devoted teachers I have ever known,” says Towne Williams P’25, 27, 30, 32. “He has the magical ability to motivate students while making learning fun, and he has had a profound impact on each of my children during their time at the Lower School. His warmth, sense of humor, and genuine care for his students will be dearly missed.”
Throughout his time at BB&N, he has interacted with almost 1,000 sixth-graders and countless more students on campus with whom he formed bonds within his Black Affinity group from its origins to today. During his tenure, Mr. Z walked through the doors of the Brick Building with a warm smile, an unparalleled work ethic, and an ability to blendhumorandcuriosityintohislessons,not unlike the clocks that hung on his walls.
Fouryearsago, students ofthe Class of 2024 weredancinginlivingroomsand playinginorchestrasviaZoomastheCOVID-19pandemicforcedtheirfirstyear atBB&Nonline.Theirhighschoolcareersstartedinunprecedentedtimes,but theirfinaldaywasastriumphantasthesestudentswereresilientoverthepast fouryears.
Afteramusicalinterludeof“OdetoJoy”bygraduatingmembersoftheorchestra, aparentofthegraduatingclasstook the stagetodeliveraspeechtostudents, asistraditionattheschool.BoardofTrusteesChairmanandthree-timeBB&N parent ChuckBriziusP ’19, ’21,’24 hadthehonor ofspeakingto marktheclose ofa20-yearerawhere his family had a daily connection with BB&N. Brizius referencedtheexitofJürgenKloppfromLiverpool FootballClubandhistenure attheclub.Forthepeopleat80Gerry’sLandingRoadandbeyond,“thetrue essenceofcommunityistherealizationthatinordertoachieveasharedgoal, everyonemustfirstunderstandthatresponsibilityisshared.”LikeKlopp,insteadof emphasizing wins and losses—or in this case tests and grades—thepurposeoflife isn’tquantitative,it’squalitative.AsBriziusimparted,“whenallissaidanddone, peoplearen’tgoingtocaresomuchwhatyoudidforaliving. Whatthey’regoing torememberinsteadistheimpactyoumadeonthelivesofothers.”
Followingarelaxinginterludeof“Desafinado”performedbytheseniorjazzband, HeadofSchoolDr. JenniferPricesharedstories fromthisclass’14yearsatthe school,celebratingagroupofstudentswho“remaineduKnightedthrough times ofbothtriumphandtragedy.”ThoughBB&Nofficialvaluesdidn’tchangeuntil lastyear,unknowingly,thesestudentsembodiedthemthroughouttheirtimeon campus.
Dr.Pricegottoknowthesestudentswelloverhertenurehere,andit’sclearthat theylovethis school and the people init.EvenasstudentsattheLowerSchool, BeginnersteacherDanaBentleynoticedthat“thesewerekidswholovedschool, whofeltthatschoolwastheirplace,theirkingdom.”Thereisaninnatekindnessin thesestudents,andtheClassof2024consistently“foundawaytocarveoutroom foralargeanddiverserangeofpersonalitiesandidentities.”
Toroundoutthemusicalperformances, senior members of theacappellagroup TheKnightingalesevokedfeelingsofnostalgiawithanarrangementof“Forever Young.”Afterconferringthediplomasandonelast“GoKnights!”fromDr.Price, theClassof2024triumphantlyprocessed by their cheering supporters, capping offastoriedcareeratBB&N.
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x 1 x CatlynMara’24andWillBernstein’24toastflowersatthestartofthe ceremony. x 2 x Emma Osagie ’24 is all smiles. x 3 x Recentgraduatesmaketheirway outsidefollowingtheceremony. x 4 x EnricaParmigiani‘24performsatGraduation. x 5 x NikkiMinsky’24receivesherdiplomafromDr.Price. x 6 x LeoWang’24 andGrahamLee‘24celebrate. x 7 x Thenewly-mintedgraduatestosstheircaps. x 8 x CassieWang’24commemoratesherjourneywithagiantthrowbackphoto. x 9 x BrianBrennan’24,HenryMachnik’24, HenryRome’24,TylerBlum’24, MaxVanTassell’24,andJackKelley’24 x 10 x Classof2024memberscelebrateinstyle.
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LiferParty
Classof2024graduates who spent their entireacademiccareeratBB&Ngatheredonelasttime ontheLowerSchoolcampusthisspringtovisittheplacewhereitallstarted.Thechairsand playgroundmayhavebeenabitsmallerthantheLifersrecalled,butthememorieswerelarger thanever.
THECLASSOF1933ATHLETICAWARD wasestablishedbythe Classof1933andisawardedtothebestall-around athletes in the graduatingclass,faithfulinpractice,skillfulinplayand,winningor losing,truetothehighestidealsofgoodsportsmanship.
THEPAUL M. JACOBSPRIZE wasestablishedbyMrs.EmilieK.Jacobs tohonorthememoryofher late husband,a formerChairmanof the BoardofTrusteesatBuckingham.Theawardisgivento thatmember ofGrade10whohasshownoutstandingskillindebating.
THE JOHN H. WALTERSSCIENCEPRIZE isnamedinmemoryof JohnH.(Doc)Walters,whotaughtsciencefrom1949through1989, andrecognizesastudentwhohasdemonstratedsustainedenthusiasmandeffortinphysicalscience.
THEGEORGEDEPTULARUSSIANPRIZE is presented inhonorofBB&N’sRussianprogram,foundedin1956, andisgiventoastudentwhohasdemonstratedexcellent academicperformance in theRussianlanguageand a continuouspassionforRussiaanditspeople.
x 1 x MaddieGaynor’24andMannyCarvalho’24receiveThePatricia H.BiggarPrizefromDirectorofAthleticsChuckRichard.
x 2 x MadelineSong’24 andAlexandraKluzak’24receivetheGeorge HenryBrowneEnglishPrizefromEnglishteacherArielDuddy.
x 3 x HarryDavisGaylord Prize winners AlejandroAraujo’24and JasmineA.Xing’24withUpperSchoolMathTeacherMeenaKaur
x 4 x JamesArthurReevesLatinPrizewinnerGrahamLee’24with FrenchTeacherJamesSennette.
PRIZESAWARDED
THEMARINAKEEGAN’08SUMMERFELLOWSHIP was establishedinthespringof2012byfamily,alumni,faculty,and friendstohonorthememoryofMarinaKeegan,Classof2008.In multiplearenas,Marinastoodoutasakind,intelligent,invested youngwomanknownforherquickwitandirrepressibleenergy. Thisfellowshipisawarded annually to one or moreBB&N studentspursuingprojectsfocusing oneitherartisticpursuitsor activistcausesthatreflectMarina’sspirit,talents,andideals.
Withastrongcombinationofenthusiasm,vision,anddetermination,thisseniorhasledbyexampleinmyriadways.Hehas eitherservedasclasspresidentorbeenastudentcouncilmemberthroughout high school; he has led on the squash and tennis courts;hehasconstantlypushedhimselfandothersinthejazz band;hehas impressivelyrepresentedBB&Natdebatemeets throughoutNewEngland,andinternationally;healsofoundedand thenledBB&N’sfirsttriviateamtoincredible successes, including a statecampionship.
BradfordDanbyKimball’24
This student is a shining exampleofmaturity,drive,anddedication. Shehasmasterfullybalancedacademicexcellencewithsignificant communityinvolvement, allwhileshowinggenuinewarmth andcompassion.Herleadershiphastrulystoodoutthroughher initiativetocreateanaffinityspaceforLatinxstudents,andthrough her continued work with Steppingstone, creatingandsupporting scholarsandtheirfamiliestonavigatelanguagebarriers.Her dedicationalsoextendsfarbeyondtheclassroomandintoher communityatlarge.
EmbodyingBB&N’svaluesofKindnessandBelonging,thisstudent hasfoundapassionforcreatinginclusiveand impactful waysto engagehiscommunity.Heco-createdtheKnightConnectprogram to provide a moreinclusiveandequitablesystemtoaccess resourcesbeyondBB&N’scampus,whilealsofindingtimeto volunteeratMassachusettsGeneralHospitalandanearbygroup home.Hetrulyembraceda nonsibi mentalityandhasmadea positivedifference.
Thisstudentisextremelyhardworkingandthoughtfulintheclassroom,onthe field,onthedebate team,andasa peercounselor. Heis multi-talented,andnothingcanstop himwhenhe setsoutto achievehisgoals.He has been a dedicated, humble, and talented collaboratorandteamplayerwhosesupportforhisfellowstudentsis typifiedbyhiscare and leadership throughouthistimehereatBB&N. DavidCharlesDriscoll’24
With a magic-potion mix of infectiouscuriosity,hardwork, kindness,andhumility,thisleaderinspiresherclassmates.Beyond theclassroom,shehasservedthegreatercommunityasskillful editor-in-chiefof TheVanguard andbydedicatingherprodigious talentsto the Community Engagement Leadership Boardand StudentCouncil.
Throughawiderangeofinterestsandaccomplishmentsacrossthe academicdisciplinesandlife outsidethe classroom,thissenior shows determination, insightfulness, and a thirstto takeonchallenges,allwhilemaintainingadrysenseofhumor.WhetherskillfullyleadingtheCrossCountryteam,deliveringastellarpresentation onThomasJefferson’scontroversialthinkingandactionsonslavery andrace,orcollaboratingwithpeersontheyearbook,sheisa resolutecontributorandpositiveforceinourschoolcommunity.
SylviaFelicityBrennan’24
4
PICTURED
x 1 x MarinaKeegan’08SummerFellowshiprecipientsCarlChen’26,DibaDemir’25,AlexiaGerogiannis’25,andOliviaLee’25 alongsideUpperSchoolEnglishTeacherBethMcNamaraandDirectorofCollegeCounselingAmySelinger x 2 x DirectorofGlobal EducationKarinaBaum withRoundSquareKing ConstantineMedalrecipientsAlexandraAdams’24andNnemaEpee-Bounya’24 x 3 x ValentinaRamirez’24 andBradfordKimball’24receiveTheBarrettHoytAwardfromGrade 9 Dean and Science TeacherDavid Strodel’78. x 4 x EdlawitZewde’24andKevinJonathanWinschel’24receivethe AnnetteJohnsonPrizefromUpperSchoolAssistant DirectorKatrinaFullerandDavidScrivner,UpperSchoolEnglishandGrade10Dean. 2 3
PRIZESAWARDED
Thisstudenthasexhibitedcourageinfacingandspeaking aboutherowndifficultiesandmaintainingacaringheartin helpingothers.Admiredandvaluedforhercandor,humor, grace,andkindness, shehas contributedagreatdeal tothe communityasaPeerCounselor,inclassesandone-to-one interactions,andasoneoftheleaders of the CommunityEngagementLeadershipBoard.
NatalieGraceGersen’24
THEDAVIDR.POKROSSPRIZE wasestablishedby the Pokross childrenandgrandchildrentohonortheirfatherandgrandfather,aformertrustee atBuckingham Browne&Nichols.Itis awardedtothestudentwhosecommitmentto peopleinneed bestembodiestheidealsexpressedintheServiceLearningProgramoftheUpperSchool.
Thisstudentisaleaderinthetruestsenseoftheword;hebuilds communitythroughhisinclusivity,understanding,andintegrity. Whethercaptainingvarsitysoccer,representingtheseniorclassas president,orsimplygreeting otherstudents in the hallwayswitha
Thisstudentembodiesthespiritofinclusivitywithinour community.Withsteadfastconviction,headvocatesfortherights anddignityofothers,providingareliablesourceofsupport, advice,andguidancetoallwhileconsistentlyworking to amplify marginalizedvoices.Hisdedicationtostandingupfortheirbeliefs andforfostering an environmentofcompassionandunderstandingmakeshimaninvaluablememberofourcommunity..
Thisgraduatingseniorisaleaderwhoisdedicatedtoserviceand demonstrateshumblenessineveryinteraction.He ishighlyrespected byhisclassmatesandmembersofthefacultyalike,whetherheissailingontheCharles,managing TheVanguard,orseamlesslypracticing hisFrenchbilingualskills.Hisadeptnessatunitingvariousconstituents andoverallpresencewillleave a lasting legacy at BB&N.
DariusArjunSinha ’24
1
2
PICTURED
x 1 x UniversityofWisconsinPrizewinnersJude-MichelPoisson’24andEmmanuela Osagie ’24 (middle) with faculty members Maria GracielaAlcidandMichaelChapman
x 2 x HeadofSchoolDr.JenniferPricewithHead’sPrizewinnersDariusSinha’24and AnaChrysaMaravelias’24
History Teacher
SteeleSternberg receives the Teacher ExcellenceAwardfrom Leo Wang’24and Richelle Chang’24.
CUM LAUDE SOCIETY
AlexandraFrancesAdams’24
WilliamJayBernstein’24
ThomasDaltonBrizius’24
GenevaRoseBurkitt’24
RichelleTashaChang’24
AvaChristineElliot’24
NnemaEpee-Bounya’24
LucyCarolynGreenup’24
MikaylaHiggins’24
AndreZiangJiang’24
BradfordDanbyKimball’24
Henry Stephen Kirk’24
AlexandraMataKluzak’24
GrahamWonLee’24
AnastasiaChrysoulaMaravelias’24
ShaneLopezMcCauley’24
JuanDiegoMedinaArroyave’24
NicoleRebekkahMinsky’24
AlejandroMoroAraujo’24
EnricaParmigiani’24
Macy Rhie ’24
DariusArjunSinha’24
MadelinePatriciaSunaeSong’24
AudraWilmaRajSoni’24
Jasmine A.Xing’24
IsabellaYouyouZhu’24
KatelynZhu’24
MAX CONINE EXERCISESIN ENGINEERING
SENIORSPRINGPROJECT
Seniors Embrace NewExperiences withSpringProjects
Each springfollowing March break, BB&N seniorsreturn to campusfor Senior SpringProject,asemesterlongopportunitytotaketheclasses theyneverhadachancetotake, embark onanindependentstudy,or performmeaningfulwork through internshipsand communityservice.
(Left to right)GrahamLee,Aaron Rai,Leo Wang, HenryKirk(inallgreenbecausehedidn’thavean all-whiteoutfit)
ANACHRYSAMARAVELIAS
SHARINGJAZZ WITH THECOMMUNITY
(Left to right in the backrow)Hannah Bernstein,LouieVaradi,LucasLesburg, andLiamDeighton;(middlewith saxophone)ChrysaMaravelias; (frontandcenter)WillBernstein
Advancing Our Mission
TheheartofaBB&Neducation liesinitsrobustprograms, dedicatedteaching andcoachingstaff, collaborative community efforts,anda historysteeped in traditions andexperiential learning—allmade possiblebythe generouscontributions ofourdonors.
Thank you to the 1,463 members of the community who made a gift to The BB&N Fund in the 2023- 2024 school year. Every gift, no matter thesize,directlysupports BB&N’s greatest assets: exceptional students, faculty, and staff; academic excellenceandinnovation; and a diverse, caring community.
TheClassof2024FinancialAidFundwill augment theschool’sfinancialaidendowmentwhich servestomakeBB&Naccessibletofamilieswith diverseeconomicbackgrounds.Arobustfinancial aidprogramiscriticaltoBB&N’smissionand allowsustoreflectthevitalityandvarietyofour surrounding communities. The Class of 2024 FinancialAidFundwillforeverhaveanimpacton theschool’s abilityto sustainour commitment toa socioeconomicallydiversecommunity.
ThankyoutotheparentsoftheClassof2024! Youhavemadeanindelibleimpactthrough yourgenerosity. And a special thank youtothe membersof the Senior Parents’GiftCommittee whosecommitmentandhardworkonbehalfof thiseffortwassimplyremarkable.
CelebratingRetiring andFormerTrustees, Volunteers, and Grandfriends
Springwasabusy time foreventson all threecampusesnotonlyforstudents andfaculty,butalsoforgrandparents, grandfriends,andthosewhohave volunteeredtimeservingtheBB&N community.
InlateApril,ourannualGrandfriends Days wereheld onallcampuses and gave thesespecialfriendsachancetogeta glimpseoftheBB&Nexperiencethrough theeyesoftheirgrandchildren,other students,faculty,andadministrators.In May,celebratoryreceptionswereheld forparentsandalumnivolunteerswho haveservedtheschoolinvariousroles this year.And following theclosing Board ofTrusteesmeeting,wewelcomedback formertrusteestogetupdatesonthe schooltoday,honor retiring trustees,and celebratenewrecipientsofFutureLeader Instructorships(seearticleonpage19).
FollowingSanFrancisco,alumni intheLosAngelesareaenjoyed aspecialeveningatthehome of EdMurphy ’85.The warm atmospheresetthestagefor aneveningfilledwith conversationandfriendship.
BB&NINBOSTON
May14,2024
ThisMay,alumniintheBostonareajoinedtogetherattheCentralWharfCo ownedbyalumMikeGlynn’83.Withalumniinclassesfrom1964to2019 inattendance,itwas a nightfilledwithnever-endingconversations,new introductions,andeven some BB&Ntrivia.
BB&NINPHILADELPHIA
April9,2024
After a five-yearhiatus,BB&Nreturned toPhiladelphia.Alumnicame together atabreweryoutsidethecityand spentaneveningreminiscingthrough yearbooks and learning moreabout theschooltodayfromHeadofSchool Dr.JenniferPrice.
JimmyBerylson’00 hostedHeadofSchool Dr. JenniferPrice, membersoftheSeniorLeadership team, alumni, students, and familiesfordinnerattheMillwallFootballClub,followingourGirls’crewteamracesintheWomens’HenleyRegattaonSaturday, June22,2024.
EVENTSRECAP SPECIALSECTION
KATHYNEWELLRETIREMENT
May4,2024
KathyNewellthrewoutthefirstpitchatthe varsitysoftballgametocommemorateher retirementafter41yearsofservicetoBB&N as a coachandadministrator.Alumnifrom 1989-2018returned tocampus tocelebrate Kathy.CurrentVarsitySoftballCoachPaige KemezispresentedKathywithanaward afterthegame.
50THREUNION HIGHLIGHTS
On June 6-7,BB&Nwelcomed The Class of1974backtocampustocelebrate their50thReunion.Theprogram featuredadinnerandreceptionatthe Upper SchoolThursday evening,and aboatcruiseontheCharlesRiverand handingoutcommemorativepinstothe graduatingclassof2024atgraduation onFriday.
Overthetwo-dayevent,classmembers laughed andreminisced on thelast50 yearslookingatyearbooks,photosfrom their 25th reunion,and paid tributeto their classmatesthey have lost.
Thankyoutothe35Classof1974 alumniwhoattendedandtoallof thosewhogenerouslymadeagiftto BB&Ntocommemorate this milestone, raisingmore than $33,000forthis year’s BB&NFund.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNIAWARDS
BB&NHONORSADMIRABLEALUMNI
March5-6,2024
PhotosbyShawn Read
OnMarch5,formerKnights,theirfamilies,friends,andfacultyemeritigatheredto honorthisyear’s DistinguishedAlumniAward recipientsatadinner and reception heldin the UpperSchoolCommunity Room.Duringthe reception we unveiledthe DistinguishedAlumniAwardPlaquehonoringourpastandcurrentrecipients.
Thefollowing dayduring anUpper SchoolAssembly,theaward winners had an opportunitytosharewithstudentswhatitwasabouttheirBB&Nexperiencethat helpedshapewhotheyaretoday.
ThisyeartheAlumniAwardsCommitteeselectedStuartCable’71toreceivethe BB&NMedaland BillRodriguez’81theDistinguished Alumni Award.LizzyKidder ’06was presented withtheYoung Alumni Award and Des Potier ’99withtheLewis BryantAward.
Cable,atrusted legaland business advisor toanumber oftheworld’s most innovativetechnologyandlifesciencescompanies,sharedthathewasovercome withmemories offormer administrators JackEtter ’49and Craig Stonestreet’49as he walkedintotheNACgym.Herecalledsufferingaterribleaccidentin9thgradeand howtheBB&Nfacultyrallied behind him.“Theyarranged for myteachers tocome visitmeeverydayinthehospitalandbringmemylessonplansandmyhomework,” hesaid.
LizzyKidderspokeabouthowtheeducationshereceivedhelpedherasshefounded LadderHealth,atechnology-enabledearlyinterventionserviceforparentsofbabies and toddlers.“Even20years later I creditBB&Nwithcriticalthinking skills,the ability andknowledge of whatquestionstoaskin ambiguoussituations,andinstilling theconfidenceinmethatIcandohardthings,includingstartingmyowncompany,” shesaid.
WilliamA.Fregosi,78,of Stone Quarry Drivediedpeacefully June 5,2024atRiverwoods in Durham,NH.Born June 23,1945in Queens,NY,he wasthe son of RobertC.and Margaret(Townsend)Fregosi.HeissurvivedbyhisdaughtersStephaniaFregosi’92and SophiaFregosi’94.
MarkLindbergP’01,’05,’15,Faculty Emeritus,sharesreflectionsabouthistime working withBillformorethan20years:
“BillFregosi(‘Will’inhislater-in-lifemarriagetoFritz)wasthebridgebetweentheglories oftheSerriesyearsandthefirst17yearsofmytenurewithBB&Ntheatre.Asingleparent devoted tohis twodaughters,Billjuggled his morningcommitmenttotheMIT theatre program,afternoonsteachingstudentsonandbackstageintheBradfordAuditorium, freelance theatre work,40-minutecommute backtothe home in the wildsof Roslindale, dinnerandhomeworksupervision forthe girls,and,perhaps,alittle stencilingof the diningroomwallpaperorcreatingapieceofstainedglass.Andanactormoreof Tannhauser or Turandotbeforebed.And thentherewerethenights and weekends of productionweeksatMITandBB&N.Hiseagernesstosharehisartisticgiftsinspired scores and scores ofstudents and his executionofhis theatricaldesignscombined with hispatientteachingof skillsin carpentry,painting,lighting,sound,andorganization madeBillamodelofwhataneducator/artistcouldbe.
“TheBradfordAuditoriumwasnotaneasyplacetomakeorexperiencetheater:nowing space,animpossibletolightdownstagecenter,mail-slotsightlines,andthehardest ofhard woodenseats.And,yes,behind closed doors Billand I occasionallyproffered muffledcomplaints beforeBillembraced thechallenges and cameupwithingenious solutions:theSweeneyToddbarberchairwithaleverthatturneditintoaslide,the victimshurtlingdownandoffstageintothesafetyofthearmsofstagehandsandapair ofmattressesinchesbeyondsightlines;thescrimlightingrevealingthehanged“witches'' of Crucible turningon theirropesatthe backof Proctor’scell;the miniature carousel litbyasinglespotonabarestageslowlystartingtoturnastheorchestrabeginsthe R&HCarouselWaltz;theoperaboxesslidingdowntotheedgeofthestageevolving intoEvita’sbalconyastheopeningverseof‘Don’tCryforMe,Argentina’roseoverthe audience’s audiblegasps.BB&Ntheatergoers leftashowignorantofthechallenges heand his students had faced,instead amazed bywhattheyhad seenBilland those studentscreate.
Kids loved working withBill.Iloved working withBill.Itreasureour years together.”
“His eagerness toshare his artistic gifts inspired scoresandscores of students...combined withhispatience teaching...madeBill amodel of what an educator/artistcould be...”
FriendsofBB&N
Maurice(Moe)Torti May13,2024
Husbandof NancyMorseTorti’60
ElizabethB.Rawlins February3,2024
FormerFaculty(Buckingham1954-1962)
William(Bill)FregosiP’92,’94 June5,2024
Fatherof StephaniaFregosi’92 and SophiaFregosi’94 andFormer Faculty(BB&N1976-1998)
