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Volu m e 6 1 , Is su e 2
Ju ne 4 , 2 0 1 2
A Student Publication of the Belmont Hill School
BH teachers retiring after years of dedictation School recognizes the service of Flemming, Gallagher, MacLean, and Morange
Travis Roy inspires the Hill
Joshua Lee Panel Staff
George Holderness Panel Staff
At the end of almost every school year a few teachers leave Belmont Hill, yet it is rare occurance when four prominent, longstanding teachers retire at one time. Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gallagher, Mr. MacLean, and Mr. Morange, who have served a combined total of 119 years on faculty, have all dedicated a large part of their lives towards educating Belmont Hill students. They have taught not only math, Latin, history, and art, but also lessons of life, acting as role models and mentors for generations of Belmont Hill students. While these four teachers will all be missed in the classroom, on the field, and in the studio by the school community, their legacies and impact on the school will be felt in the years and decades to come. Read inside for individual features.☐
Travis Roy, a top-recruit hockey player at Boston University in 1995, collided with boards eleven seconds into his first game, cracking his fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae and paralyzing him below the neck, save for limited movement in his right biceps. Though he hoped for a big breakthrough in neuroscience, Travis refused to shy away from his injury. Instead, he wrote a book about those life-changing 11 seconds and launched the Travis Roy foundation, which is dedicated to helping those with spinal cord injuries and funding neurology research. Roy spoke at Belmont Hill on Monday, May 21, along with Dr. Jeffrey Macklis, a neuroscience researcher and professor. Neurology research has great potential in changing the lives of people with spinal cord injuries, Dr. Macklis explained. So far, there haven’t been any huge advances in treatment, let alone a cure, in the field, but Dr. Macklis stressed that there are many determined scientists at work on the issue. Hopefully, they will be able to transfer their findings in mice to the human body and begin to treat or repair damaged neurons. If science deals with these little steps, he pointed out, the big breakthrough will eventually follow. Roy realizes how significantly a treatment could change his life and the lives of thousands with spinal cord injuries. He currently lives with an attendent, who he appreciates, but longs for some independence. A life-changing treatment can come only through a major advancement in neuroscience, and legions of dedicated researchers are taking the small steps that will eventually add up and change the lives of those with spinal cord injuries.☐
Look Inside Crew takes NE title Page 6
Spring musical wows Page 7
Mr. Gallagher, Mr. Morange, Mr. MacLean, and Mr. Fleming honored for thier service to BH
Gao Laoshi says Jacob Pagano Panel Staff
(Goodbye)
sixteen years experimenting with different teaching methods and finding the ones that ‘turn on the light switch’ of language learning. At the end of this school year, she will be stepping away from formal teaching and begin a new chapter in her life, taking the time to reflect on a wonderful teaching career and think about her dreams for
Walking into Mrs. Gao’s room during a Belmont Hill school day you will see a modern language teacher’s dream; students actively and happily engaging in the target language. Boredom and rote memorization have been eliminated, as all of Mrs. Gao’s Chinese students learn under her philosophies: “If it is learned with a smile, it will stay for a while” and “Make it fun, make it simple.” Developing such an atmosphere in the classroom takes time. Mrs. Gao’s journey in creating a tradition of Chinese language learning at Belmont Hill is truly remarkable; a jocular yet sometimes challenging Gao Laoshi teaching Chinese 3
John Gillooly
the future. Looking to the future, Mrs. Gao is eager to drive across the country with her husband and dog, taking the time to see the national parks. Returning, she hopes to create a Chinese training program for professionals in business, politics, and other walks of life. Remembering her first day on the job, Mrs. Gao says the “kids were fantastic, however they were kids. They often seemed to feel bored. I wanted to allow the students to stop thinking that Chinese was the hardest! I wanted to help them understand the spirit of Chinese.” Mrs. Gao finds the most rewarding part of teaching to be working with the students. In the classroom, Mrs. Gao is far more than a lecturer. Alex Haigh continued on page 2
Dr. Buckley reflects on BHS
Baseball finishes season ISL champs
Matthew Czarnecki Panel Staff In just three years at Belmont Hill, Dr. Buckley has fascinated hundreds of students and teachers alike with her absorbing personality and extraordinary intellect. Her provocative insight and contagious smile have lit up the halls and classrooms of Belmont Hill every day of her tenure here. Known to wake up at four in the morning yet still maintain her energy level through the day, Dr. Buckley’s fuel is not caffeine but rather “pure adrenaline, because I always want to give everything my all. Our job as teachers is to give everything we’ve got.” Dr. Buckley’s philosophic views on learning are inspiring: “I like
Henry Cousins Panel Staff Sweating through onerous tryouts and two-a-days, the group gradually honed its skills, setting its eyes on an ultimate prize. The squad, a perennial powerhouse in the ISL, entered the season with high aims and an abundance of talent. The team was led by head coach Michael Grant and senior captains Dave Cunningham, Sean Gustin, and Jake Levine. The team’s ability was evident from the first game on, as a masterful pitching corps kept
to look at every single person as a learning opportunity,” she said, “There really is not anyone, whether it is the person sitting next to you on the plane or the guy who is putting gas in your car that you cannot learn from and humble yourself to what they do.” While Dr. Buckley’s AP Government class was modeled after courses she taught at Stanford and Middlebury, the challenge of teaching an eighth grade course for the first time thrilled her: “Seeing Second Formers understand health care reform at such a high level was extraordinarily rewarding,” she said. Other memorable contributions of Dr. Buckley’s include running a mock GOP primary continued on page 2
Belmont Hill unbeaten pressive abilities behind against its first four ISL the plate, meanwhile, opponents. Though an struck the thought of arm injury barred Levine base-stealing from the from taking the field for mind of nearly every the opening weeks of the opposing runner. season, he showed charRebounding acteristic poise at the from a tough loss plate with a leadoff home to then-undefeatrun against RL. In the ed Milton, the first several games, Gus- team scored tin gave a speedy close to the final innings with his blistering fastball, a continued on page 6 pattern which continued without fail over 15-4 the course of the season. ISL Champions Never allowing a run against ISL opponents, he proved a veritable trademark of the team’s success. Cunningham’s imSören Hansen strikes out Rivers
Bill Mahoney
C ommencement Issue
Pa g e 2
Th e Pan el
Mr. Gallagher: a “magister” in Latin and in life By Ian Meyer Panel Staff Mr. Gallagher would have preferred this space to be used to expand the tributes of his fellow departing colleagues. Sentiments such as these are why the Panel staff feels so great a need to use it to thank him. On Friday, May 25, students, faculty, and staff stood to applaud the man who could be called Belmont Hill’s oldest student. While most students will only spend six years at Belmont Hill, Mr. Gallagher retires with the ability to thank the school for 43 years of continued education. A teacher who taught, in the words of one student “as much about life as about Latin... and a good deal about baseball, too,” Mr. Gallagher has been a beloved alumnus, teacher, coach, and mentor for 38 years of Belmont Hill students and colleagues. Albeit no stranger to the spotlight, Mr. Gallagher has always preferred a quiet exit from the scene, beginning with his days as an athlete at the school. “If I were fortunate enough to score a goal on the opposing team,” he reminisced, “I would quickly fish the puck out of the net, hand it to the official, thank my goalie at the other end, skate as hard as I could back to center ice before anyone else, and thank the other players for being worthy opponents.” Such a response to athletic success is typical of Mr. Gallagher, known to have sprinted the bases even after a home-run, or shaking hands with the offensive linemen after scoring a touchdown. His response to the countless thanks and immeasurable praise from the school community is no different. Insisting that letting him depart quietly would be the most respectful, and joking that he would rather have left in a “surprise departure,” breathing his last words before his class or dropping dead while hitting fungoes on the diamond, Mr. Gallagher explains that he has been “thanked enough... nay, too much.” When the school tried to convince him that “an institutional thank you” was necessary, he replied “I should be thanking the institution for continuing to educate me. I’m still learning... and I’m thanked every day I come here.” For someone who first
Mr. Gallagher celebrates his 38 years at Belmont Hill with students from First to Sixth Form (above). Mr. Gallagher teaches Junior Lewis Bill Mahoney and Drew Morrissey how to master Latin 1 (left).
set foot on campus in the fall of 1961, that amounts to a great deal of thanks, indeed. Having been guided by “family, faith, and my teachers” from an early age, Mr. Gallagher spent five years at the Hill, filled with more athletic and academic successes than anyone could ever get him to admit. Throughout his entire career at Belmont Hill, Mr. Gallagher wore a St. Christopher medallion inscribed, “I am third,” meaning that God is first, others second, and the self is a humble third. Perhaps it is this medallion that al-
ways compelled Mr. Gallagher to signal to his own goalie or lineman or now compels him to deflect any thanks for his career. Before his senior year at Belmont Hill began, Mr. Gallagher had been offered an athletic scholarship to Boston College, his father’s alma mater. Later in the year, however, after Mr. Gallagher sent in an application to Harvard at the request of his Latin teacher, Mr. Jenney, he decided to forgo the scholarship and enroll at Harvard, where he would be a student and athlete for four years. In his senior year at Harvard, Mr. Gallagher almost accepted a job offer from then Head of School Mr. Hamilton to teach at Belmont Hill, but instead pursued a degree from Harvard Law School at his father’s behest, only to accept a similar offer four years later from Head of School Mr. Aloian.
To an observer, Mr. Gallagher’s career may be best explained by an ingrained “desire to be great.” In Mr. Gallagher’s words, “No one bats 1.000. I can only hope to come close to giving back what this school has given me over the years.” No single article could possibly quantify Mr. Gallagher’s 38 years of service on the faculty, but rather the impressions and lessons left to his students that begin to qualify his legacy. To any of Mr. Gallagher’s former Latin scholars, the framed Roosevelt quote is inseparably tied to the first of the three words Mr. Gallagher first taught him. Studium, Fidelitas, Providentia, (zeal, loyalty, and foresight) appear on the school seal, and Mr. Gallagher’s 51 years of study have proved a paragon of these three words characteristic of the Belmont Hill man. It is with studium that he will quietly sprint back to a new center ice to hand over a 38-yearold puck, with fidelitas that he praises his colleagues over himself, and with providentia that he will have enlightened nearly two score years of Belmont Hill students.☐
Dr. Buckley reflects on Gao Laoshi says goodbye to BHS time at Belmont Hill
continued from page 1 daily discussions, and their willthis past fall and her reorgani- ingness to take risks in the classzation of a more experiential room. She believes that when a based US history curriculum. student says, “thank you” Initially lured into the field after a class, “it makes putting all of political science because of her that time and effort into every day appreciation for so worth it.” Dr. history and pasis leavI always want to give every- Buckley sion for teaching, ing the school Dr. Buckley states, thing my all. Our jobs as because her “Politics is almost teachers is to give everything husband is curlike fishing; it is a rently traveling we’ve got great ice breaker…I a lot more than love to talk to other expected, and people about politics because you she wants to be able to spend more can find out so much about who time at home with her two boys. they are, where they come from, “Part of who I am is that I and why they see the world in a cer- have to always give 100% to evtain way.” She treasures the Ameri- erything, and I didn’t want tocan West, and this ties into her love drop the ball at Belmont Hill or for politics. She says, “at Yosemite, at home,” she said, before addyou can almost hear the voices of ing, “but I would come back Muir and Roosevelt as you look in a heartbeat!” It has been an out at El Capitan. When you look honor for Belmont Hill to have at the same thing that Lewis and her as a teacher, and, when inClark did, you are forever changed.” quired, she remarked that she She loves Belmont Hill would “absolutely” return to the boys because of their high en- school during next fall’s elections ergy level, their engagement in to speak as a guest lecturer. ☐
continued from page 1 “The moment I enter my classroom in the morning and see all those young faces looking at me, I am ready to be called upon as a counselor, comedian, friend, coach, judge, party planner, police officer, tour guide, decorator, psychic, cook, substitute parent, or ‘General Gao’ as my students often call me when we visit China.” Mrs. Gao strives to eliminate the stress from learning. “Those pop quizzes give stress. The result in the long run of speaking or learning or enjoying is much better than a mere quiz, the material of which you lose the next day.” Mrs. Gao truly wants her students to learn Chinese and to have a blast along the way. “I don’t want to waste anybody’s time. I tell this to all my students. When you sign up for this course you have the choice to leave, and by doing so, I consistently find different ways to
teach them in a way that works. I have learned to keep things fun, challenging, and meaningful.” Mrs. Gao’s reach as a teacher extends far beyond the traditional role of lecturing or giving help at X-Block. “Gao Laoshi teaches her students to keep a positive outlook on life, no matter what the circumstance. She is all about creating a positive energy beyond the classroom,” reflects one of her former students. Her reach is reflected in how many students continue to pursue Chinese after graduation from Belmont Hill. “Fiftypercent of kids who graduate are placed in a thirdlevel class in college, and many kids go to and live in China. Bobby Alexander and Joe Cookson will both be going to China. Devan Corrigan has been working in NY, teaching Joshua Lee
Chinese at Collegiate. China plays such an important role in economics and politics, and in the future, teaching students Chinese—and its meaning in the world—allows us all to better understand the other side of the globe.” The character that Mrs. Gao has imbued in her students is perhaps her greatest legacy. Beyond being the instrumental figure in developing the Chinese program at Belmont Hill — in having the vision to reach out to students in a truly connecting way — Mrs. Gao has developed an atmosphere of camaraderie and excitement, of learning and laughing. Embarking on a different path, Mrs. Gao will find a new way to express the abounding energy that has touched so many, and in doing so, she will receive the gift of gratitude all her students wish to give her. “I am honored to be able to work in a community of such open dedication and support. I am grateful to all my colleagues and students, alumni and parents and friends. Because of Belmont Hill and the people in it, I am a better person today.”☐
Jun e 4, 2012
C ommencement Issue
A student reflection on Mr. Fleming Math teacher, football coach, role-model, mentor By Henry Ogilby Panel Staff “Run it again!” The sun was setting just past the line of trees that marks the beginning of the habitat and the end of Belmont Hill’s campus and Mr. Fleming was there on the sideline, clasped hands holding his all powerful, mysterious, and marginally legible clipboard to his stomach. There was mild irritation on his face. The football team and just run a sloppy play and Mr. Flemming was ready to keep them running it again and again until it was done perfectly. Mr. Fleming is a man of many talents. One of his many skills is a unique ability to “change gears” during the day. From the early morning until 3:05, he patiently guides students through their academic work. However, as soon as the bells ring, Mr. Fleming is back at his home on the sideline of the football field. In his time at Belmont Hill, Coach Fleming has helped to develop generations of football teams, and has compiled the best record of any ISL school. Mr. Fleming’s work in the classroom, teaching Algebra and Geometry, complements his efforts on the athletic field and in the rink. He can be the man to drive an athlete to success on a Geometry exam, as he can be the man to help him understand the duties he has to the team while on the athletic field. In addition, he takes ample time in the class-
Mr. Fleming at home on the field
Bill Mahoney
room and on the field to stress a first, then school, then football” set of values that he believes are in the fall season truly expresses important in the young men who what he believes in. Mr. Fleming graduate from Belmont Hill. is a dedicated family man, but These core values make his passion and love for his blood Mr. Fleming the man that he is. family extends and overflows His victories into the Belon the field and His mantra “Family first, then mont Hill rink are many, community. school, then football” in the fall In the words and one could spend hours season aptly shows his priorities of the vendiscussing his erable Mr. successes, the skill of his teams, Gallagher, be he classmate, or the achievements of his many teammate or family member, students. However, Mr. Flem- Mr. Fleming truly loves what he ing’s incredible statistical influ- does. Mr. Fleming has said that ence on Belmont Hill athletics he “tries to treat my players and and academics is not his most my students like my sons. I hold important contribution to the them to the same standards.” school. His mantra of “Family He holds fast to this belief and
treats his players with respect, but has no qualms with calling out players. Should one arrive late to a Monday afternoon film session, he should prepare for a father son chewing-out session. This year was marked by a series of lasts for many of this year’s class of retiring faculty. Mr. Fleming’s last career football game was a difficult bowl game, against Suffield Academy at the Williston Northampton School. It was his very last chance for a championship, and unfortunately the team fell just short to Suffield again. However, in the face of a bitter loss, Mr. Fleming could reflect on the positives of the season, particularly the Belmont Hill versus BB&N mud-bowl that will be a cherished memory for all involved. In the face of immense adversity, at an emotional low for the whole team, Mr. Fleming steeled himself, and gave one last talk to his team, repeating the virtues of team over individual and same set of morals that he had been teaching that group of boys for years. This year was a final chapter in the careers of many teachers at Belmont Hill, who will now move on to other areas in their lives. All will be missed, and all have left a legacy at Belmont Hill that is unique. Mr. Fleming’s legacy will be his help shaping thousands of Belmont Hill boys not only to be better students and athletes, but into better people. ☐
Mr. MacLean retiring after 24 years By Mack Clair Panel Staff When Mr. MacLean moved to Boston from Baltimore and began working at Belmont Hill 24 years ago, he didn’t know a single soul in the state of Massachusetts. He arrived at Belmont Hill as a one-year hire (or, as Mr. MacLean himself put it, “a forty-one year old intern,”) with no guarantee that he would have a job the next year. Little did he know then how much of an impact he would have on this school in the years to come. John MacLean has been a teacher at Belmont Hill for 24 years. During this time, he has had an impact on the lives of countless students and colleagues. Mr. MacLean has fostered their love of both history and theater through his passion and devotion to the school. He has been a wonderful coworker and friend to those faculty members with whom he has Bill Mahoney become acquainted over the years, and the Mr. MacLean has taught at Belmont Hill for 24 years bonds which he has forged with members of political views were not an impediment. include theater, music, history, and track), the Belmont Hill faculty and staff will remain Mr. MacLean says that such rela- Mr. MacLean has truly been a remarkable with him, even after he has left the school. tionships will be some of the most impor- part of the Belmont Hill community. He has He recalls fondly the time when, dur- tant things that he takes with him from his directed dozens of Belmont Hill theatrical ing the first few weeks of the school year, an time at Belmont Hill: “I will remember the productions, taught innumerable students energetic Mr. Kirby persuaded him to help people the most… I feel that, here at Belmont the intricacies of the French Revolution, coach the weight events on the track team: Hill, it’s all about family, whether on the fac- written original songs and even preformed “I told him, ‘I don’t really have any experi- ulty or in the theater. Belmont Hill is a place them for the school, and coached the javence doing this.’ Mr. Kirby said, ‘I’m sure where colleagues will go out of their way to elin and other weight events in track. Even you can figure it out.’ And that’s when I first help each other.” He enjoys the feeling of ac- though he leaves the school, his legacy will met my ‘evil twin.’ And you can quote me complishment when a theater production live on in so many ways after his deparon that—we’re so similar in so many ways comes together without a hitch just as much ture. Thank you, Mr. MacLean, for everyexcept in matters political.” Even though as he does when the faculty flawlessly fin- thing that you have done for this school, its the two have opposing ideologies, the re- ishes another year of teaching their students. faculty, its students, and its community. ☐ lationship that they shared was such that A man of many diverse interests (which
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Mr. Bynum leaves after years of service to community By Cole Durbin Panel Staff Next fall, both the halls of Morse and the athletic fields will be missing an important, upstanding, and energetic member of our community. Mr. Bynum, after his fifth year at Belmont Hill, will teach at Roxbury Latin next fall, joining the English department while facilitating a range of special projects at the school. After coaching football for the Denver Broncos, the University of Wyoming, and the University of Washington, and teaching English and coaching at The Governor’s Academy, Mr. Bynum joined the Belmont Hill faculty in 2007. He recalls, “I was excited about the new position of Director of Community and Diversity because it was a great way to advance an important aspect of the School’s mission. The role allowed me to get to know most members of the community, and it created the space for me to help the boys, families, and alumni realize the promise of Belmont Hill.” Along with this role, he taught English classes and coached fifth football and varsity track. Among the student body, he has two reputations: one, for being a deep thinker and an intellectual, and two, for being exceedingly fit and athletic. Mr. Kaplan, co-coach of fifth football, likes to challenge the latter: he regularly invites Mr. Bynum to arm wrestling contests on the woodshop benches. When I asked Mr. Bynum what he thought his legacy is at Belmont Hill, he replied that he does not think he has one, rather his goals were to “help all the boys become more mindful of themselves and how they connect with the world, to champion the values of multiculturalism and diversity in the school community, and to create dynamic intellectual atmospheres for them.” Along with coaching with him, Mr. Kaplan has served with him on the Multicultural Alumni Partnership committee. He says, “He has an amazing mind for the game and has taught all of us, coaches and students, great lessons with his experience and love of the sport. He is the same in the classroom. Ever get him going on Jack Kerouac? You’ll spend hours talking about living in Idaho, fly-fishing, football and all sorts of philosophy! He loves literature and the human spirit.” He continues: “He’s a perpetual student, so he’s used to asking questions. He is one of the most positive, hard-working and thoughtful people you could ever meet.” Whether leading projects, in the classroom, or on the fields, Mr. Bynum will surely be missed next year. Belmont Hill thanks Mr. Bynum for all he has contributed to our school and out community, and we look forward to his future accomplishments at Roxbury Latin and beyond. In the words of Mr. Kaplan: “I won’t say goodbye to him, I’ll say see you soon!” ☐
Prize Day
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Th e Pan el
Pri ze w i nner s 20 1 2 B Flats Music Awards Instrumental Music Prize Ensemble Award
Ryan G. Baxter-King, Maxwell T. Bell, Eliot G. Greene, Alexander M. Swan Ryan G. Baxter, King, Tucker B. Gordon Ryan G. Baxter-King, Christopher H. Bean, Tucker B. Gordon, James F. Kelleher, Jacob L.C. Levine, Kyle T. Wheeler
Woodbury Public Speaking Prize-Fall
David M. Cunningham
Woodbury Public Speaking Prize-Spring
Kevin Chen
Middle School Public Speaking Prize
Evan C. Chaletzsky, Maxwell D. Khadduri, Alexander P. Santangelo
Mock Trial Award
Ryan G. Baxter-King
Middle School Drama Award-Acting
Thomas J. Daley, Dean J. Demetri, Sebastian Themelis
Middle School Drama Award-Technical
Jake E. DeCaprio, Varun Shah
Hayden Gaylord Coon Drama Prize - Acting
Matthew H. Hayes, Mudit Tandon, MarkAngelo Thurner
Hayden Gaylord Coon Drama Prize - Technical
James G. Lenox, Robert Y. Sayegh
Prospector Prize
Brian M. Tanabe
The Bell Award
Michael E. O’Neill, Jake E. DeCaprio
Cohen Computer Prize
Robert Y. Sayegh
Hampers Lyceum Award
Nicholas B. von Turkovich Christopher D. McAvinn, James F. Kelleher, Jr.,
Edward M. Burt Community Service Award
Joshua O.M. Aiwerioghene, Nicholas B. Curtin, Harry J. Kraft, Charles M. Durbin, Joseph K. McNamara, Zachary A. Kelly
Warburg Community Service Award
Joshua O.M. Aiwerioghene
Warburg Community Service Award
Christopher D. McAvinn
Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award
Daniel P. Csaplar
Newell Howes Morton Award
Harry J. Kraft Jeremy R. Connor, Tucker B. Gordon, Joseph D. Iacovella, Christopher D. McAvinn,
Red and Blue Key Society
Richard D. Mummolo, Troy A. Saulnier, Alexander M. Swan, John D. Ablon, Mackenzie M. Clair, Patrick J. Connolly, Matthew J. Czarnecki, Sean P. Fahey, Zachary M. Farkas, Robert J. Grant, Richard C. Jarvis, Carl J. Reid, Jack L. Tomasi Edner J. Cayemite, John M. W. Cresap, Sebastian C. King,
Darren D. Gallup Three Sport Athlete Award
Christopher D. McAvinn, Michael J. Minahan, Conor T. Murphy, Robert C Perdoni, Brendan J. Treanor, Joseph L. Troderman, Kyle W. Wheeler
Thomas Photography Prize
Samuel D. Arthur
Thomas Photography Prize
Camilo Toro
Jared Waterbury Scudder Latin Prize
Henry C. Cousins Andrew M. Raftery, Cameron J. Scari, Matthew C. Glynn,
National Latin Examination Prize
George C. Holderness, Raymond W. Hunt, Brian M. Tanabe, Cole I. K. Nagahama, Matthew M. Reppucci
Maureen O’Donnell Book Prize
Mackenzie M. Clair, Henry C. Cousins, Ian P. Meyer, Andrew M. Raftery, Grant R. Steiger, Cameron J. Scari
Prize Day
Jun e 4, 2012
Pa g e 5
Pri ze w i nner s 2 0 1 2 ACL Book Prize
James G. Dirks
Henry S. Robinson English Prize
Joseph L. Troderman
Brown Book Award
Edward B.C. Columbia
Global Citizenship Award
Eric D. Truog
Global Citizenship Award
Ryan G. Baxter-King
Downes History Prize
Eric D. Truog
Monaco American History Prize
Zachary A. Kelly
Rensselaer Mathematics & Science Medal
David Y. Luo
Maxwell Mathematics Prize
Brian N. Bowser
Maxwell Mathematics Prize
Sean R. Connors
Thomas G. Walters Mathematics Achievement Prize Mathematical Association (AMC) of America Award Mathematical Association (AMC) of America Award
Joseph L. Troderman
Ian P. Meyer
Nicholas C. Brown
N.E. Mathematics League Award (NEML)
Duncan C. Wheeler
Spanish Prize
Joseph M. Farrell
French Prize
Eric Kim
Raymund A. Kathe Prize
Eric D. Truog
Physics Prize
Daniel E. Anderson
Frederick C. Richardson Chemistry Prize
Henry C. Cousins
Clifford Goodband Biology Prize
Alexander E. Haigh
The Paul J. Zofnass ‘65 Environmental Award
Joseph L. Troderman, Alexander W. Potter Alexander B.K. Afeyan, Michael S. Armstrong, Mathias G. Asheber, Jake E. DeCaprio, Armand J. DiFillipo, Sreehaas Diguarthi, Patrick M. Forde, Connor F. Ghazaleh,
Middle School Award of Merit
Raymond W. Hunt, Austin J. Masel, Joseph H. Melanson, Jack C. Neely, Christian C. O’Neill, Michael E. O’Neill, James O. Onyeukwu, McAlister J. Perry, Peter S. Tamasi, William J. Weiter
Gregg Citizenship Award
Daniel J. Griffin
Helena Weister Funk Award
Charles M. Durbin, Alexander P. Santangelo
Yale Book Award
Yonas Dinkneh
Williams College Book Prize
Edward B.C. Columbia, Nicholas P. Favaloro, Ian P. Meyer
Harvard Club of Boston Book Prize
Henry C. Cousins
Willey Sextant Prize for Creative Writing
Joseph L. Troderman
Panel Carving Prize
Daniel E. Anderson
Belmont Hill Sp orts
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Th e Pan el
Crew captures NE title Captains’ Corner: Lacrosse Team looks forward to Henley
Belmont Hill first boat rows to NE championship By Henry Ogilby Panel Staff Approximately one year ago, sixteen members of the Belmont Hill school endured one of the toughest days of their lives. In the midst of what many other schools would call a “rebuilding year”, the varsity crew team had worked for another New England title run with unbelievable focus, determination, and toughness. In the finals of the New England Championship, the team came up just short with a heartbreaking loss in the first boat, and a broken steering cable in the third boat. For the following 365 days, the next 16 members of the top four varsity boats pushed themselves to and beyond their physical, mental, and emotional limits with one goal in mind: returning the NEIRA 4s trophy back to Belmont Hill. What came out of this singular goal was one of the greatest seasons in the history of Belmont Hill Crew. The top four boats went 56-1 in regular sea-
Golf finishes season undefeated By Alex Santangelo Panel Staff The Belmont Hill golf team capped off a fantastic undefeated season (22-0-2) with the ISL title, earning the Walworth Trophy. Although this young squad lacked experience, they made up for it in talent and hard work. “Consistent play from the entire team is what brought this incredible team to winning the Walworth Trophy”, says Ms. Whitney. She says that she cannot remember in the past ten years going undefeated. It is a terrific feat accounting for the fact that they play an extremely long season with 24 matches. Major wins this season were against Thayer, defending champion of the ISL, Governor’s, and St. Sebastians. All very tough teams, but with outstanding play from all players, they overcame the much favored opposition. Recently, in the Kingman Tournament, which is for the top five teams in the ISL, Belmont Hill finished in third place. For awards, Patrick Burpee won the Coach’s Award, Riley Whitham and Andrew Lynch won the Inspirational Golfer Award, and Jack Kinlan was awarded the Henry B Sawyer Award for sportsmanship. Other notable accomplishments were by Trip Hostetter and Andrew Lynch who won ISL All-League. Next season is something to look forward to with the entire team remaining together. John Lazor and Joe Lynch will look to continue making big impacts on the bottom of the ladder and the now juniors will look to lead the squad to another ISL title.☐
Courtesy of Henry Ogilby
son racing, with the third boat losing one very close race to a Groton crew in extremely poor weather conditions. At the NEIRA championships, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th boats all finished with a gold medal, and the 3rd boat lost an extremely close race to Choate’s 3rd boat; however, they beat Groton’s 3rd boat by 15 seconds and won a silver medal. By virtue of these incredible results, Belmont Hill took back the title as NEIRA 4s champions. When the season began, the coaches immediately recognized the potential that this group had, and early on in the season stressed rowing in 8s in the hopes that Belmont Hill could make a trip to Henley this summer. In 8s scrimmaging, Belmont Hill’s combined 1st and 2nd boats have beaten Exeter, BC High, and Andover, the current NEIRA 8s champions. With the Henley trip in late June planned, and a possible run at the youth National Championship earlier this June, the Belmont Hill crew season is far from over.☐
cause not only were they very vocal on the By John Sutherland field, but they set the tone every day at pracPanel Staff tice. Both Greg and Brian worked harder The varsity lacrosse team wrapped than anyone else on the field and their work up another successful season. On some ethic was contagious throughout the team.” days the team looked very strong, and they Alongside senior Brendan Treanor, enjoyed some big wins against strong op- who will be playing for Tufts next year, they ponents Phillips Andover and Roxbury formed a strong defensive backbone that Latin and a close played consistently game against a throughout the stacked Goverseason. According nor’s Academy to Bowser, “we have team. Despite a a young team this rough stretch of year, and it looks games against very promising for very competitive next year. With a opponents, the very strong freshteam finished man and sophostrong with a demore class, and a cisive 13-2 vicsolid junior class, tory over a solid the team should Brooks team. fare very well.” Captains This was a Greg Loukas and special season for Brian Bowser the two captains emphasized how and the rest of the proud they were seniors as it was of the team for their final one at practicing and Belmont Hill, and playing hard they both have throughout the fond memories of Angus Smith entire season, playing lacrosse even after some Captains Greg Loukas and Brian Bowser here. “It’s always a of the difficult games. “Even after tough strong knit team, and there are no barrilosses, we stayed positive and we were able ers between grades,” said Loukas, who was to bounce back and practice hard without echoed by Bowser: “We’re all really good letting the loss get to us,” said Bowser, who friends and that just makes games and will continue his lacrosse career next year practices so much more enjoyable.” Being a at Bowdoin. “Being a good captain requires captain gives them a lot of pride as it does keeping kids motivated and excited about for all Belmont Hill captains. They both playing lacrosse everyday. As a represen- emphasized this: “It makes you proud to tative of the team, you have to be a good have been chosen by your fellow teammates example at everything you do,” explained to lead your team. From the handshake Loukas. Their importance to the team was with the opponents’ captains to leading echoed by sophomore Max Gustafson: “Bri- the stretches you feel a sense of honor. ”☐ an and Greg both were great captains be-
Track rebounds to win NEs By Jon Goodman Panel Staff The Belmont Hill track and field team had their sights set on winning their 10th consecutive ISTA championship. Unfortunately, they fell short this year. Throughout the season, the team had to fight through such obstacles as injuries, disqualifications, and bad performances, all of which added to the difficulty of winning the coveted ISTA trophy. The track team ended up taking fourth place at the league championships. A week later, the track team reBill Mahoney bounded by winning the New England Robert Perdoni throwing the shot NEPSTA Championship, its seventh in the past ten years. Coach Kirby said of the Hill career. At the ISTA championship comeback, “this was the most exciting he won the shot put for the third time in turn-around that I have witnessed.” Bel- his career but more importantly broke mont Hill edged out second-place Berk- the record he has been chasing for years. shire School by a score of 91-75. Winning He threw the 12-pound shot 52’3”. Conthe New England championship is very gratulations to both of these athletes in impressive and this would not be possible their remarkable accomplishments and to without the hard work of every athlete. the track team for successfully defending In addition, two athletes this year their New England c h a m p i o n broke school records. Mike Minihan ship title.☐ broke the 400-meter record and Robert Perdoni broke the shot put record. In 2004, Basile Beatty set the 400-meter record when he ran a time of 50.97 seconds. Earlier in the season, Minihan broke Beatty’s record with a time of 50.1 seconds. He soon broke his own record with a time of 49.4 seconds. Ryan Paganetti, set the record for the shot put in 2010 with a distance of 49’7”. Perdoni broke this record in his second to last meet in his Belmont
Baseball wins ISLs
continued from page 1 victories over St. Mark’s and rivals St. Sebastian’s before falling to defending ISL champions Lawrence Academy and a surprisingly strong St. Mark’s squad. From then on, nonetheless, the Belmont Hill players found a new fuel and drive to win, earning victories in their next six league games, as well as a shot at the ISL crown. On May 25, the battle-hardened team squared off against well-coached BB&N in their final outing together. The game offered more than simply a league title, for it was to be the last played on Belmont Hill’s diamond, which will be entirely replaced for the 2013 season. The game began as a tight duel, with neither team scoring a run in the first inning. In the bottom of the second inning, however, senior Dan Csaplar broke the tense standoff wide open with a three-run blast to left field. The Belmont Hill squad never looked back, quickly scoring eight more runs. As Sean Gustin whizzed the final strike into Cunningham’s glove, the white-uniformed players stormed out onto the field, now able, after countless hours of study, preparation, and sweaty practice, to call themselves “ISL Champions.”☐
Belmont Hill Arts
Jun e 4, 2012
Pa g e 7
Belmont Hill and Dana Hall’s “Legally Blonde” was a hit By Arman Ashrafi Panel Staff On Friday May 18th and Saturday the 19 , several Belmont Hill boys performed in the spring musical “Legally Blonde” at the Dana Hall School. Based on the famous 2001 Comedy film, the musical relates the story of a sorority girl Elle Brooks (played by Maddie Naylor) from UCLA who, expecting her boyfriend Warner (Mark Thurner) to propose, is heartbroken when he leaves her to attend Harvard Law School. Elle, majoring in fashion merchandising, follows her love and applies to and is accepted into Harvard Law. There, her classmates disapprove of her naivete and she soon realizes that Warner is engaged to Vivienne (Victoria Robichaud), a fellow classmate at Harvard. Elle then forms a strong relationship with local manicurist Paulette (Sydney Gelb) and fellow student Cailin Edgar Cailin Edgar Emmett (Keelan Smithers) and begins to Co-stars Robert Sayegh (Callahan) and Keelan Smithers (Emmett); Co-stars Mark Thuner (Warner) and Maddie Naylor (Elle Brooks) excel in school. Her teacher, Professor Callahan (Robert Sayegh), seemingly ap- supporting roles. These boys complementproving of her performance, appoints her ed the lead roles with skill, poise and charto an internship where she and four others, acter and further enhanced the production, including Emmett and Warner, take on a becoming central figures in the plot. On case. The defendant, the singing side, Mark a fitness instruc- [The auditorium] was like a real Thurner’s fabulous solo tor Brooke (Emma broadway atmosphere. People in the song “Serious” Milford), had been and Keelan Smithers’s accused of murder- would scream as soon as a new “Legally Blonde” both ing her husband actor came onstage. It was electric. received thunderous apand had been unplause from the audience. Amazing! willingly to comply The Bardwell Auwith Professor Callahan in the case. But, ditorium, as Keelan described it, “was like Elle shortly realized that Brooke was a fel- a real broadway atmosphere. People would low sorority member and thus was able to scream as soon as a new actor came ondevelop a strong relationship with the cli- stage. It was electric. Amazing!” The actors ent. Elle then uncovers a breakthrough were able to feed off the audience’s vibes in the case and, impressed by her perfor- and responded with thrilling, impressive mance, Callahan sexually confronts her. performances on all fronts. In the beginCailin Edgar Thinking that her success was due solely ning of the musical, Jacob and Colin led The cast joins in a final sing-a-long to conclude a magnificent showing for sexual reasons, Elle decides to leave. the guys’ parts in the great song “What You But her friends persuade her to stay, and Want” one large, exciting score in the first their great singing skills with their near- ulty members Mr. Patterson and Ms. de after Brooke dismisses Callahan from her act. From there on, others sang in barrage perfect representations of their character. Kenessey in their work in the musical. defense, she and Emmett succeed in prov- of scores, including Zareh in “The Harvard Of course, the musical would not On both nights, a crowd of Belmont Hill ing Brooke’s innocence. The musical ends Variations”, where the Law students intro- have been as successful as it was with- students filled the auditorium’s seats to with the triumph of Elle and her new boy- duce themselves to Elle. Robert Sayegh out the hard work of Director Elizabeth support their classmates and friends friend Emmett as well as Paulette’s nup- sang wonderfully in arguably the most fa- Fenstermaker and Musical Director in the musical. “Legally Blonde” was a tial with the new UPS guy (Matt Hayes). mous song of the musical, “Blood in the David Coleman. Together, they led the fantastic production with notable perJuniors Zareh Deirmendjian, Colin Water”. Overall, all the Belmont Hill boys young and talented group of actors and formances by all actors and actresses, Sargis, Matt Hayes and sophomore Jacob performed spectacularly in both shows actresses to two magnificent shows. The truly a gem and one not to forget.☐ Kotlier played a wide array of important, Friday and Saturday night, combining same holds true for Belmont Hill Facth
The rain does not dampen music on a Tuesday afternoon
The Upper School Rock Band playing Boston’s “Peace of Mind” By Kevin Chen Panel Staff With a dazzling array of talented musicians, ranging from ASN (Danny Fischer and Kevin Chen) to Ryan Baxter King, the chapel was filled with music
Alex Haigh
during last week’s drizzling Tuesday afternoon. Tucker Gordon and Keelan Smithers conjured this idea and initially planned for it to be held outdoors, in a cookout/concert layout. However, due to the rain, the performances were moved inside; desipte this setback, many faculty and students
still came to listen and give their support. The Upper School Rock Band, with Mudit Tandon in the lead, gave an energetic rendition of “Peace of Mind” by Boston. Danny Fischer and Kevin Chen then sang “Collide” by Howie Day. Next on stage were Brian Bowser and Alex Swan, who gave a powerful and heartfelt interpretation of “3AM” by Matchbox 20, followed by a catchy original, “Take a Walk”. Mudit and Danny came to stage once again, this time accompanied by Edward Columbia on the microphone and Aaron Reid on the bass. With Fischer on the drums for the first time, the group performed “Snow (Hey Oh)” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Nick Favoloro followed with a medley of “Starships”, “Call Me Maybe”, “Levels”, “Vamos ala Playa”, and “Wild One”, which spurred the crowd to a high level of excitement. He then sang “Love Soon” by John Mayer, which was then followed by senior Ryan Baxter King. Next up was the song “What I Got”, as performed by Bowser, Chris Bean and Wu Lao Shi, who enchanted the audience with his mastery of the guitar. To conclude the harmonious concert, Tucker and Keelan performed “Outside Villanova” by Eric Hutchinson.
This concert was a great chance for a few musicians of the school community to demonstrate their talents and brighten up a rainy day with easing music. In turn, the audience was comprised of many smiling faces and heads nodding to the beat. It was truly a great sight to see peers support each other in an area of Belmont Hill that is becoming more and more recognized in the past several years. Hopefully, this musical spirit can continue in years to come a s Tu c k e r leaves and a n e w class of talented musicians leave their mark in the school. ☐ Nick Favaloro, “Love Soon”
Alex Haigh
Pa g e 8
Th e Pan el
Senior Destinations as of May 23, 2012
Joshua Aiwerioghene Devin Albert David Alexander Daniel Anderson Samuel Arthur Ryan Baxter-King Christopher Bean Maxwell Bell Pranay Bose Brian Bowser Stephan Brennan Andrew Burgard Jeffrey Cameron Nicholas Cary E. J. Cayemite Charles Collins Jeremy Connor Sean Connors John Cresap Daniel Csaplar David Cunningham James Dirks Joseph Farrell Charles Fisher Terrance Goguen Tucker Gordon Eric Green Eliot Greene Sean Gustin Sören Hanson John Hayes Gregory Ho Adam Hunter Joseph Iocovella Spencer Jeffrey James Kelleher Albert Kiladjian
University of Pennsylvania Interim Year Columbia University Middlebury College Colby College Haverford College Washington University in St. Louis Syracuse University Brown University Bowdoin College Connecticut College Claremont McKenna College Elon University Trinity College The George Washington University Tulane University Providence College US Military Academy at West Point Dartmouth College Colby College Amherst College Vanderbilt University Northwestern University Colby College Middlebury College Peabody Institute-Johns Hopkins University Harvard College Brown University College of the Holy Cross Colby College Vanderbilt University Colby College Colorado College Villanova University Colby College Harvard College Trinity College
Sebastian King Daniel Kraft Jacob Levine Andrew Linn Gregory Loukas Adam Maleh Robert Martignetti Christopher McAvinn George McLaughlin Joseph McNamara Michael Minahan Richard Mummolo Parker Mundt Conor Murphy Eric Oberg Jeffrey Ott Diego Paris Matthew Penta Robert Perdoni Alexander Potter Liam Quinn Andrew Raftery Noah Roberts Troy Saulnier Cameron Scari Thomas Sommers John Strakosch Alexander Swan Camilo Toro Brendan Treanor Joseph Troderman Eric Truog Nicholas von Turkovich Joshua Voto Kyle Wheeler James Whelan
Elon University University of Pennsylvania Brown University Bowdoin College University of San Diego Princeton University Boston College Boston College Boston College College of the Holy Cross Georgetown University Northwestern University Bowdoin College Harvard College Dartmouth College Harvard College Columbia University Interim Year Amherst College Middlebury College University of Pennsylvania Harvard College Washington University in St. Louis St. Anselm College University of Pennsylvania Amherst College Boston College College of the Holy Cross University of Pennsylvania Tufts University Stanford University Yale University Duke University Tufts University Dartmouth College Trinity College
...and a last word of thanks As you make your way around campus, please notice the beautiful plantings that were created by Mrs Dee Smithers, Mrs Laurie Plumb, Dr Bonnie Blanchfield, and Mrs Leslee Greene. In the pouring rain they took out the old and planted the new flowers and greenery in pots and flower beds by the driveways, school sign, Memorial Garden, outside of Bolles House, JAC, Chapel, Admissions, Communications, etc. Doesn’t it look great? (I wonder if the gardeners have dried out yet form the rain?) If you get the chance, please join me in thanking them. We indeed do owe a debt of gratitude to these women and the others who have
done this work now for years, both the volunteer labor and maintenance staff. So here is a shout out from The Panel staff to those unsung heroes of beautification. We are all able to enjoy this season in part because you quietly make this place look great.☐