BULLETIN Summer 2022 A FORCE FOR CHANGE Robin McGraw ‘70 brings the first aquaponics lab to New England + ALUMNI IN THE SPORTS WORLD
An early morning crew practice on Wononpakook Lake in Lakeville, CT
Photo by Asher Lefkoff ‘24
An early morning crew practice on Wononpakook Lake in Lakeville, CT Photo by Asher Lefkoff ‘24
Spring/Summer 2015 / Reflection / SUMMER 2022 OUR MISSION Rooted in an inspiring natural setting, Berkshire School instills the highest standards of character and citizenship and a commitment to academic, artistic, and athletic excellence. Our community fosters diversity, a dedication to environmental stewardship, and an enduring love for learning. Lara McLanahan ’86, P’16,’16,’19 CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES Pieter M. Mulder P’22,’26 HEAD OF SCHOOL Andrew Bogardus P’23,’24 DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT Carol Visnapuu DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING Bulletin Editor: Megan Tady FREELANCE EDITOR Class Notes Editor: Jen Nichols ‘87, P’19 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS Class Notes Coordinator: Sue Delmolino Ives P’15 Design: Hammill Design Printing: Qualprint Principal Photography: Berkshire School Archives, Gregory Cherin Photography, Highpoint Pictures, and Communications and Marketing Class Notes: classnotes@berkshireschool.org All other alumni matters: CommunicationsPublishedalumni@berkshireschool.orgbyBerkshireSchool’sandMarketingOfficeandAdvancementOfficeforalumni,parents,andfriendsoftheSchool. Go Green! To receive an electronic issue only, let us know at alumni@berkshireschool.org. Departments 2 Seen Around 4 Campus News 28 Bears at Play 82 Class Notes 98 In Memoriam 105 From the Archives Berkshire School admits students of any race, color, religious affiliation, national and ethnic origin and qualified handicapped students to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students. We do not discriminate in violation of any law or statute in the administration of our educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs. 40 On the Cover: Robin McGraw ’70 was the driving force behind the first aquaponics lab at a correctional facility in the Northeast. Read more on page 36. Photo by Gregory Cherin Photography 36 7236Features60First Harvest Robin McGraw ’70 40 Game On Alumni forging their own paths in the sports world 60 Celebrating the Class of 2022 Marking the School’s 115th Commencement 72 Reunion Weekend A supersized event, celebrating the Classes of ’0s,’1s,’2s,’5s,’6s and ’7s
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1. The Class of 2025 went to Catamount Mountain Resort for their Third Form Retreat, where they connected with each other, had some fun, and reflected on the start of the school year.
2. The Winter Dance Concert featured Broadway jazz, hip hop, and ballet numbers, with a rousing finale set to “The Greatest Show.”
4. Bears braved very cold temps for the joyous return of a full-scale Winter Carnival in January.
5. The community kicked off the Year of the Tiger with a fireworks display on January 31, Lunar New Year’s Eve, and a celebration led by the Asian Affinity Group.
3. The universal sign for Mountain Day lives on.
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SEEN AROUND 54
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As board chair from 2017 to 2019, Perkins placed important emphasis on the personal connections between trustees and faculty.
A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
—Hans Carstensen ’66
After serving on Berkshire School’s Board of Trustees for 18 years, Gilman “Chip” C. Perkins ’73, P’14,’14 is stepping down from the board. The Fall Board of Trustees’ Dinner celebrated his tenure, with trustees sharing memories of Perkins and applauding his achievements. Head of School Pieter Mulder P’22 also announced the Perkins Family Faculty Fund, an since 2003. Serving on the Compensation, Nominating & Governance, Endowment, and Finance Committees, he co-chaired the Strategic Plan Committee that gave rise to Berkshire’s 2016 Strategic Plan.
Former Board Chair Alice Ehrenclou Cole ’76 commented on Perkins’ “commitment to Berkshire before he even became a board member. He was deeply involved on the Advisory Board, assisting in the development of future board members and promoting the school. When serving on committees he was always fully engaged and went above and beyond normal participation. Over the last 20 years he has done an exemplary job serving on various committees for the board while running a very demanding company and juggling a busy family life.”
endowed fund named in Perkins’ honor. “It is my great privilege to say that we have named an endowment in honor of you and your family, the Perkins Family Faculty Fund,” Mulder said. “It’s really a humbling, thrilling moment for me to honor you with that named endowment in support of our teachers.”
Proud father of Sam ’14, Lucia ’14, and Clark, Perkins has been a trustee “Hisleadershipthoughtfuland steadfast commitment to building a brighter future for Berkshire School has been both successful and inspiring.”
Farewell to Board Chair Gilman C. Perkins ’73, P’14,’14
Former Chair, Board of Trustees
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Perkins’ service to Berkshire is reflected in his long-standing generosity as well. A loyal Annual Fund donor, Perkins also was instrumental in establishing the Hans Carstensen Aviation Endowment and was a member of the League of Bears, the group responsible for bringing the bear sculpture to campus in tribute to legendary faculty member Arthur C. Chase. As a member of the Godman Society, Perkins has helped ensure the future of the School itself.
The Berkshire community extends a heartfelt thank you to two Board of Trustees members who stepped down from their posts: Jane Kreke P’12,’13,’15,’21 and Pauline Jenkins.
Godman Society Co-Chair and former Board Chair Hans Carstensen ’66 recalled, “Spanning many different roles and even more years, Perkins’ service to Berkshire has known few boundaries. His thoughtful leadership and steadfast commitment to building a brighter future for Berkshire School has been both successful and inspiring.”
Kreke and her husband, Dr. Henning Kreke, are loyal donors to Berkshire’s Annual Fund and have given generously in support of the International Students Program Endowment, among other initiatives.
Jenkins has served on the board since 2015. She was a member of the Admission & Marketing, Advancement, and Finance Committees, adding a unique voice informed by both her professional experience in insurance marketing and distribution and her engagement on multiple volunteer boards. Jenkins is also a loyal Annual Fund donor and has given generously in support of financial aid and the Hans Carstensen ’66 Scholarship
At the board dinner, Board Chair Lara Schefler McLanahan ’86, P’16,’16,’19 reminded attendees how Perkins got his nickname—“a chip off the old block”— and then she presented a slideshow documenting his time at the School starting with his arrival in 1969, which was curated by her classmate and School Archivist Bebe Clark Bullock ’86, P’14,’17,’21. “You are so loved here,” McLanahan said. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for Berkshire School. Thank you for being an incredible mentor to me, an incredible friend, an incredible father, and a role model.” McLanahan presented Perkins with a departing gift: a Grateful Dead Tour tee shirt, in honor of the school trip he arranged to the concert in 1972. A Thank You to Two Departing Board Members
Fund.Jane KrekePaulineP’12,’13,’15,’21Jenkins
Proud parent of Katharina ’12, Karolin ’13, Christopher ’15, and Katie ’21, Kreke has served on the board since 2012. During her tenure, she served on the Admission & Marketing and Advancement Committees and chaired the School Life Committee from 2017 to 2020. Above and beyond her board service, Kreke served as a member of the Parents’ Committee and Hail Berkshire Campaign Committee. She also graciously organized and co-hosted the Dallas Reception with the Robertson/McGee family multiple times to engage the Berkshire community in Dallas, Tex.
Lauren Walsh P’23 currently serves on the board of the Greenwich YWCA and the Greenwich Emergency Medical Service and is active with The Red Cross of the Greater New York metro region. Her parents, Peter JD Allatt, Jr. and Nancy Condon Allatt, created the Allatt-Walsh Foundation, where Walsh has been serving as a director and trustee. She lives in Greenwich, Conn., with her daughter, Spencer ’23. While Spencer has decided to complete her high school education closer to home, Walsh is excited to remain engaged with and connected to Berkshire.
New Director of Admission Director of Admission Allison Letourneau ’07 brings over a decade of experience leading boarding school admission offices, most recently as the director of enrollment management at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, NH. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada, Letourneau earned her B.A. and M.A. from the University of New Hampshire, where she was a member of the women’s cross country and track and field teams, a Division I career that culminated in setting five school records and securing a qualifying spot at the 2012 Canadian Olympic Trials. Currently pursuing a Master of Education in Independent School Leadership from Columbia University, Letourneau and her wife, former Berkshire faculty member Kim Cooper, will live on campus.
Courtney Chiang Dorman ’88, P’23,’23 earned a B.A. in sociology from Gettysburg College. She began her career in communications, first with Edelman Worldwide in Washington, DC, and then as principal and director of marketing communications with Roberson Stephens, an investment bank headquartered in San Francisco. Her next 17 years were spent with law firm Wilson Sonsini in Palo Alto initially as the firm’s CMO but later as the global COO.
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James D. (Jamie) Feeley ’92, P’25 is the founder and president of Cottage + Castle, a multi-faceted property development and construction firm on Nantucket. The company is best known for its high-end residential homes, but is also active in marine and commercial construction. After Berkshire, Feeley obtained a B.A. from Boston College. He is a licensed construction supervisor and real estate broker in Massachusetts, and a private pilot. A dedicated community volunteer, Feeley has served as a member of Nantucket’s Coastal Management Workgroup, as a trustee of the Children’s House Montessori School of Nantucket, and currently sits on the Range Development Committee of the Nantucket Shooting Park. He has not been shy about taking on
Dorman is currently a partner and chief business officer with Brunswick Group, a global advisory firm. Dorman, her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Dorman, and their three children, Conner, Andrew ’23, and Kate ’23, live in Piedmont, California.
NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS some of Nantucket’s most challenging issues—intensifying erosion and a dire lack of affordable housing—and is proud of his work with Holidays for Heroes and the time he spends with wounded warriors. Feeley lives on Nantucket with his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Feeley, and their two daughters, Olivia ’25 and Lilah. Matthew J. Kopel ’09 attended New York University, earning a B.A. in history and political science. He then earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 2016. During law school, he founded Waltz, a building access and security management startup. Waltz was acquired by WeWork in July 2019. After leaving WeWork in 2020, Kopel co-founded SwiftConnect, a real estate technology startup building the infrastructure for hybrid and flexible work. He lives in Rumson, NJ.
Thanks to the tremendous generosity of Dr. Henry “Hank” Bard ’41, who remembered Berkshire in his estate planning, the School announced three new faculty chairs this fall. Dr. Bard wished to commemorate the teachers who impacted his Berkshire experience, his university and medical school accomplishments, and his remarkable career in medicine.
Two of these chairs celebrate Berkshire faculty legends Albert Keep ’24 and Frank W. Beattie, Jr., while the third celebrates Dr. Bard’s passion for U.S. history. Congratulations to Heidi Woodworth, the Albert Keep Class of 1924 Endowed Chair in History; Clive Davis, the Frank W. Beattie, Jr. Endowed Chair in Music; and Nancy Lyon, the Henry H. Bard, Jr. Class of 1941 Endowed Chair in History. Congratulations also to Tasia Wu, the new recipient of the C. Twiggs Myers Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence, and to Kevan Bowler, the new holder of the Leon & Mabel Weil Chair in History. With 34 years of service to Berkshire, Anita Loose-Brown became the new Senior Faculty Member this fall.
Head of School Pieter Mulder (far left) and Senior Faculty Member Anita Loose-Brown (far right) with the newly named faculty chair holders: Heidi Woodworth, Clive Davis, Tasia Wu, Nancy Lyon, and Kevan Bowler
NEWLY ENDOWED FACULTY CHAIRS NAMED
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Sabin Family Cross Country Course in Honor of C. Twiggs Myers Hon. ’57 Berkshire recognized the tremendous generosity of the Sabin family in naming Berkshire’s cross country course the Sabin Family Cross Country Course in honor of C. Twiggs Myers Hon. ’57. Sabin’s gift also establishes a fully endowed scholarship for a student each year who embodies the highest standards of character and with an interest in either cross country or environmental science. “I’m deeply grateful to Andy and his family for recognizing Twiggs’s remarkable place in our school’s history by naming the course in his honor,” Mulder said.
RECOGNIZING BERKSHIRE’S LEGENDS
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Dedicating spaces to faculty and staff
During the first weekend in October, Berkshire dedicated campus spaces to faculty and staff members who have served the school in powerful and lasting ways: Skip Bowman, Mandy Morgan, Twiggs Myers Hon. ’57, and Jan and Dana Shaw Hon. ’79. The Berkshire community—family, friends, trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and students—gathered for each ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Head of School Pieter Mulder P’22 delivered remarks, followed by remarks from other faculty members.
Above: Ella Sabin ‘24, Matthew Cortes ‘17, and Andy Sabin P’13,’17, Below:GP’21,’22,’24Berkshire’s Cross Country team joins the Sabin Family Cross Country Course Dedication
Former faculty members Mandy Morgan and Chris Coenen with their sons, Peter Coenen ‘04 and James Coenen ‘10, Head of School Pieter Mulder, and Board of Trustees Chair Lara McLanahan ’86,P’16,’16,’19
Director of Athletics Dan Driscoll presented Bowman with a framed jersey with the #43 representing his years of service to the School.
The Shaw Family Paddle Tennis Courts
The donor remarked, “The Shaw Family Paddle Tennis Courts, honoring Jan and Dana Shaw Hon. ’79, are a tribute to the unseen impact that sways and still holds flux in my life.”
The School honored Mandy Morgan P’04,’10’s historic 47 years at Berkshire by adding her name to the Math and Science Center alongside her former faculty colleagues, Rick Bellas and the late Tom Dixon. The building now formally dons the title: MorganBellas-Dixon Math and Science Center. “Mandy’s impact in the lives of her students, their parents, and in the lives of all of her former colleagues is truly one-of-a-kind,” Mulder said in his remarks.
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The Berkshire community commemorated the Shaws with the naming of new paddle tennis courts thanks to the generosity of an anonymous alumnus donor who wanted to celebrate Jan and Dana’s many contributions to Berkshire.
Berkshire officially named the Skip Bowman Equipment Room in honor of all that Skip Bowman has given to Berkshire over his remarkable 43 years. “As I’m fortunate to travel the country and world visiting with alumni and parents across all eras of Berkshire … there is one name that always emerges whenever I ask if alums would like me to take a hello back to Berkshire for them: ‘How’s Skip? Can you please tell him that I said hello?’” Mulder shared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Morgan-Bellas-Dixon Math and Science Center
Former faculty members Jan and Dana Shaw Hon. ’79 with daughter, Laura Shaw McGinley ‘80, and her husband, Brian McGinley, Head of School Pieter Mulder, and Board of Trustees Chair Lara McLanahan ’86,P’16,’16,’19
Skip Bowman Equipment Room
Dr. John Hyland, chair of the AllSchool Read Committee, welcomed Phoebe Smith ’22 to the stage to officially introduce Lockhart to the students, faculty, and staff, as well as the viewers watching the livestream. “Introducing E. Lockhart gave me the responsibility of establishing the vibe of the All-School Read event,” Smith shared. During Lockhart’s presentation, she joked with the audience, moved furniture around, and sipped a can of seltzer, all in a successful effort to make students feel at ease. She shared four stories related to the plot of her book, all of which were connected to Lockhart’s personal philosophy or childhood. As she discussed coming of age in a commune, her grandparent’s house on Martha’s Vineyard, and her mother’s collection of old fairy tales, Lockhart provided a contextual understanding of herself as a writer and person.
DeVon Thompson ’22, Samantha LITTLE KINDER
BE A
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An evening with All-School Read Author E. Lockhart
By Phoebe Mulder ’22, contributor to “The Green and Gray”
On a Thursday evening in September, the Berkshire School community filed into Allen Theater for a moderated discussion with E. Lockhart, the author of Berkshire’s 2021–22 All-School Read book, “We Were Liars.” The suspenseful young adult novel thoughtfully examines consequences, privilege, and the power and pitfalls of family.
Lockhart ended the evening with a reminder to all: be a little kinder than you have to—a reference from “We Were Liars” and advice which falls in line with much of what was discussed in her presentation and the student-led panel. berkshireschool.org/ASR
The evening concluded with book signings and a meet-andgreet with the author.
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Emotion in art was a common theme of the evening. Lockhart shared that she finds literary inspiration in the intersection between two conflicting emotions. When she draws upon feelings of anger and love at the same time, for example, she can create some of her best work. Other themes of the night included privilege and wealth. The main character, Cadence, is an heiress to a large fortune and the first-born daughter of a prominent, wealthy East Coast family. Cadence’s reckoning with her place in both the world and her family encourages the reader to reflect on white privilege and class privilege.
Bernstein ’22, and Phoebe Mulder ’22 joined Smith and Lockhart on stage to talk about her writing process and details from the text. The student moderators worked with Dr. Hyland in the weeks leading up to Lockhart’s arrival to solidify their understanding of “We Were Liars” and craft engaging questions. The student moderators also asked questions that were not pre-planned. “The author claimed that for art to be good the creator must have emotional inspiration,” Thompson said. “I asked the author if writing something that stemmed from negative emotional inspiration is hard. Her response was simple: ‘Yes. But, those hard emotions are what makes the art pure!’”
FRESH, CURRENT, AND ALIVE Q&A with English teacher Tess Hardcastle ’06
What brought you back to teach at Berkshire? The pandemic prompted my husband and I to reflect on what’s important to us and what we value. We wanted to be a part of an organization that reflects our personal values. We saw a lot of alignment with Berkshire. I like the balance between the rigor of what we expect from our students with a sense of fun and joy. I like Berkshire’s willingness to take risks and try new things, whether it’s pedagogically or programmatically, like Pro Vita. That type of direction as an institution was really appealing to me. How would you describe your teaching style? I like students to drive the conversation in class and make meaning from what we’re learning. I see myself as providing the framework for whatever we’re talking about and engaging them, whether it’s with some reflection or a hands-on activity. There’s a lot of movement in my class. I like to have kids up and moving and talking to each other. What’s one of your favorite lessons or topics to teach? I like any lesson that’s interactive and has students thinking about things from a different lens. As an example, I have students imagine two characters from different books talking to each other. The students’ conversation draws from their knowledge and understanding of the characters. Another example: I share the personality questionnaire from “Vanity Fair,” and I have my students answer that from the perspective of a character to get a deeper insight into that character’s motivations.
What are your favorite books to teach? I like teaching contemporary fiction. Sometimes students think literature is passe, it’s old, it’s dusty. In the junior class I taught the book “There There” by Tommy Orange. Last year I taught “The Glass Hotel” by Emily St. John Mandel, which is about a Ponzi scheme. And I think it’s really great for students to see the techniques of literature, but in something that feels fresh, current, and alive. And I still love teaching some of the older stuff, like “Macbeth.” Getting more voices into the curriculum is important, and that’s definitely been an intentional focus of mine.
When English teacher Tess Hardcastle returned to Berkshire to teach in the fall of 2021, she brought a love of contemporary literature and diverse voices, teaching books that are “fresh, current, and alive.” And at the same time, Hardcastle also chooses the classics, like “Macbeth,” guiding her students to develop a keen sense of discernment in whatever they’re reading. Prior to Berkshire, Hardcastle held posts at Kent School, Northfield Mount Hermon School, and Athens Academy in Athens, GA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Kenyon College and master’s degree in English from Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English. Along with teaching sophomores and juniors, Hardcastle coaches field hockey and girls lacrosse, serves as an advisor, and lives in Allen dorm with her husband, Tony, who teaches at Salisbury School. Next fall, she’ll lead the English department as the incoming chair.
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“I like students to drive the conversation in class and make meaning from what we’re learning.”
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—Tess Hardcastle ’06
What are you hoping to instill in your students? Literature, and the skills that you practice in English class, can help students develop a sense of discernment—an ability to not just read a book, but read the world and interpret what’s going on and make sense of the patterns in their own lives. Coupled with that is a sense of having their own voices and being able to advocate for themselves. We read “The Color Purple,” and I had students write a letter defending the book, addressing the school district in California where it was proposed to be banned (in 1985). They had to incorporate evidence both from the book and from their own experience. It showed them that there’s a practical side to writing. It’s not just writing essays all the time. They’re learning how to communicate. Knowing how to write is really important. What are your goals for the department as the incoming chair? A big goal of ours as we move closer to “normal” after the pandemic is restoring a sense of being a community as a department and working as a cohesive unit. It’s been a long time of Zoom meetings and social distancing, and I think that sense of community was lost in schools. It’s nice to be back in the space together having that crosstalk with colleagues.
What is a good day for you in the classroom? It’s when I recognize something new about a book or lesson that I’ve taught half a dozen times before, and the students have gotten me there. For example, I’m teaching “The Great Gatsby,” and a student said something like, “If you actually look on page 74, Jordan Baker is saying this,” and I had never noticed that. That’s a good day because it means that they’ve been doing the work of noticing and observing, and then I’ve had the novelty of seeing something new that I hadn’t seen before.
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PRO VITA IN FULL SWING 57 OfferedClasses 1 CelebrationGlobal 2 PerformancesMusic 10 TeachersStudent The Arabic World & Culture Music & History of the Grateful Dead Songwriting Paddle Tennis
Students often discover interests they didn’t know existed, and sometimes the week can lead to an internship with a guest speaker or the pursuit of a future career path. For Anselmi, however, the result—and the gratification—is much more immediate. “It’s when students tell me they got more out of Pro Vita than they ever anticipated.”
Pro Vita was back in full swing this year, encompassing its usual week’s worth of new and different classes, evening events, and special programming, including the Telluride Mountainfilm festival. Pro Vita Director Donald Anselmi said the program is nothing short of an “authentic, shared experience that pushes all of us to reexamine ourselves.”
This introduction to meditation/ mindfulness, sports psychology, exercise, sleep, and nutrition helped students realize their potential in sports, school, and beyond.
Curling
The Sky’s the Limit: Building Custom Drones Andrew Shen ’23 and Corinne Rywalt
Students studied drone components, how to install each part, and how to build a drone that could actually fly.
For Life Tools Cal Osterberger ’22 and George Stetson
7 TeachersAlumni 6 TeachersCurrentParent
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Pro Vita Director Donald Anselmi Cigar Box Guitars Susie Norris ’79Baking
STUDENT-LED CLASSES Write One Song Leo Yang ’22 and A.J. Kohlhepp Students learned the basic elements of contemporary country, folk, and rock songs before they wrote and performed their own original songs. Indian Culture At Your Fingertips Sanjna Srinivasan ’22 and John Palmer Indian culture served as the basis for exploration of the arts, history, and mythology as students made traditional Indian paintings and textiles and learned basic Hindi greetings.
In 2021, MoBears raised $13,181, more than doubling their total from 2020 and surpassing their goal of $10,335. The annual campaign seeks to raise funds and awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. each60MOVEMBERmenlosetheirlivestosuicidehour, every hour across the world. Men die on average 5 years earlier than women, for reasons that are largely preventable. Did you know? MoBears and their supporters have raised over $67,000 for men’s health since 2011. Thank you to Donald Anselmi for spearheading this cause and for inspiring so many students to get involved through his energy and example!
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NEW
DIFFERENCELEARNING ALLIANCE
As an eighth grader, Connor Flanagan ’22 struggled to read for more than a couple of minutes at a time, challenged by what doctors eventually diagnosed as dyslexia. Fast forward five years, Flanagan has found his comfort zone in the classroom at Berkshire, and he’s stepping up to help others find theirs. Flanagan used his senior speech to launch the Learning Difference Alliance, a new club he hopes will break the stigma. “My goal is to encourage advocacy, and strike down stigma and stereotypes,” Flanagan said. And while he wants to reach students with learning differences, he’s also hoping to build alliances with students without them. “Berkshire is a place where ideas are embraced and people want to be supportive.”
Connor Flanagan ’22 founded the Learning Difference Alliance, a new club on campus CLUB:
AFFINITY GROUPS GROW “Being part of the Asian affinity group has allowed me to find a family at Berkshire. Older members often act as sources of support for new members who are from different grades and parts of the world, empowering them as they find their place here.”
—Sanjna Srinivasan ’22
Student leaders from the Black Student Union, the LGBTQIA+ affinity group, the Asian affinity group, the Latin American Student Association, and the White Anti-Racist group welcomed new members this fall in the spirit of creating Berkshire’s strongest, most inclusive community. These Affinity Groups bring together people who have a common identifier involving race, gender, religion, family structure, sexuality, etc., and are for students who identify as a member of that group. They are spaces where people can be their authentic selves so that everyone has a sense of belonging.
Christian Kim ’22 was one of 32,000 students from across the country to earn academic honors from the College Board’s National Recognition Programs. Kim was recognized for his academic promise, demonstrated by his outstanding performance on the PSAT.
Leaders of the Black Student Union, the LGBTQIA+ affinity group, the Asian affinity group, the Latin American Student Association, and the White Anti-Racist group
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Academic Recognition for Christian Kim ’22
DEINewsALUMNI COUNCIL VISITS BERKSHIRE
—Rob Jacobs ’04, DEI Alumni Council Chair diversity-inclusionberkshireschool.org/
The 26-person council was formed in the fall of 2020. Members are assigned to six different working groups, each responsible for examining and supporting a vital element of the Berkshire experience: academics, admission, afternoon programs, alumni engagement and advancement, student life, and faculty/staff support.
“The Council is uniquely positioned because we’re not students, we’re not employed [by the School], and we can share our perspective based on our experience having gone to this school but also our experience in life beyond the school.”
At an outdoor all-school meeting on the steps of Berkshire Hall, DEI Alumni Council Chair Rob Jacobs ’04 and his fellow council members shared stories of their time at Berkshire and what inspired them to serve their alma mater.
With the goal of ensuring that every student and adult on campus feels safe, included, respected, and valued, this work has never been more essential as Berkshire strives to prepare students to be leaders and advocates for change in their own communities.
By Kevin Soja In May, the DEI Alumni Council held its first on-campus visit where alumni had the opportunity to engage with students, faculty, and staff throughout the day’s events.
Front row, from left: David Chiang ’05, Martha Hagerty Kirkpatrick ’11, Marianne Ho Barnum ’78 Back row: Head of School Pieter Mulder, Rob Jacobs ’04, Shawn Ingram ’85, Angela Meredith-Jones ’87, John Harris ’82
“The Council is uniquely positioned because we’re not students, we’re not employed [by the School], and we can share our perspective based on our experience having gone to this school, but also our experience in life beyond the school,” shared Jacobs in a radio interview with Michkael McKenzie ’25. “With that, we’re able to understand what student life is like so that we can focus our work and help make Berkshire a more inclusive place.”
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—Dalisa Espinosa ’10 “As the C.E.O. of WKU, Inc., my lifestyle company, I have traveled the world building schools, churches, homes, and hospitals. My relationships abroad have taught me that we have more things in common than we do differences.”
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berkshireschool.org/WBSL
—David Chiang ’05 “As I connected with faculty, staff, and students, I developed a new perspective on life at Berkshire. One of the highlights was seeing how invested the BIPOC students were in promoting change to make Berkshire a more inclusive community.”
—Shawn Ingram ’85 “Berkshire is a remarkable community to which I’ll always be indebted and, like anything worth rooting for, should strive for continual improvement.”
“The Power Hour” Hosts Rob Jacobs ’04 Each week, WBSL 91.7 FM radio host Michkael McKenzie ’25 interviews Berkshire faculty and staff members to cover campus happenings for his show “The Power Hour.” “I have always said the only way to really get to know someone is to have a conversation with them,” McKenzie said. “My interviews are conversations with a twist. I like getting to know the person while I am getting the facts.”
—John Harris ’82 “I believe our priorities are to center and uplift marginalized voices while ensuring no voices are excluded from the conversation.”
—Martha Hagerty Kirkpatrick ’11
DEI Alumni Council members share their thoughts on the visit, below: “I was glad to see that the Berkshire community was still as warm and welcoming as always. I cannot wait to re-connect with the community and help make it a more inclusive space.”
Last spring, McKenzie, a member of Berkshire’s Black Student Union (BSU), invited DEI Alumni Council Chair Rob Jacobs ’04 to join him for a chat on “The Power Hour.” Over the course of their conversation, Jacobs explained the Council’s role in making connections with students, fellow alumni, and the campus community. “What’s most important in keeping the Council alive and keeping student groups like the BSU alive, is to come up with tactical items that we can execute, that aren’t big, lofty goals that will take years to implement,” Jacobs said. “Diversity in itself is a lofty ambition, but starting small and getting a few wins will help keep these groups energized.”
CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
“A group like LASA is critical to creating a safe space for students to share their stories and build strength and pride,” Mollerus said. “LASA offers a way for identifying students to amplify their voices within the community.”
The Latin American Student Association (LASA) helped Berkshire celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a presentation honoring the cultures of those who identify as Hispanic, Latino/a, and Latinx. Members of LASA paraded the flags of their respective countries into Allen Theater to the sounds of “La Gozadera’’ (a Spanish term meaning “a good time” or “party”), and then students from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Panama, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and Mexico presented information about their countries’ cultures and traditions.
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Clara Mollerus ’22, one of the three LASA co-leaders with Geraldine Visoso Bravo ’22 and Eli Araujo ’22,
Members of the Latin American Student Association helped Berkshire celebrate Hispanic Heritage month in October. explained the inspiration behind their presentation: “Our goal for the presentation was to counter stereotypes and provide accurate information. Hispanic/Latinx culture is rich and so much more than American representation shows.”
“LASA offers a way for thetheirstudentsidentifyingtoamplifyvoiceswithincommunity.”
—Clara Mollerus ’22
The sense of unity came across from the 20+ students who proudly stood on stage to share their countries’ histories, favorite foods, national treasures, famous citizens, and more.
Autumn Coard ’22 and Chelsea Coard ’23 of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, Tiana Moran ’24 of the Blackfeet Nation, Eli Araujo ’22 of the Mohawk Nation, and Berkshire science teacher Patrick Donovan helped to lead the celebration.
21Summer 2022 Campus News
In October, the School community gathered to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day that celebrates Native peoples and cultures and acknowledges the legacy of colonialism while honoring the histories and contributions of contemporary Native peoples.
“Our goal was to set a precedent about land recognition and share a brief history of Native erasure,” Coard said. “We felt it important to demonstrate the strength and resilience of our Indigenous community members to help make them seen.”
The group shared Berkshire’s Land Acknowledgement statement and encouraged community members to wear orange on the first official Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day of remembrance for the lost Indigenous children and survivors of residential schools across North America. “It is my hope that raising awareness causes people to ponder the past and to take action to support Indigenous issues,” Araujo said. “Support and acknowledgement that every child matters are key to moving towards reconciliation and healing for all of us.”
From left: Autumn Coard ’22, Tiana Moran ’24, Chelsea Coard ’23, and Mr. Donovan led the celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Not pictured: Eli Araujo ’22
RECOGNIZING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY
In honor of Black History Month, the Black Student Union (BSU) came together to celebrate Black Joy by sharing with the community the depth and breadth of identities and experiences in the Black Diaspora.
HISTORYBLACK MONTH Right:
The BSU opened the meeting by singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as “The Black National Anthem,” a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. And afterward, students shared original poetry, music, and dance with the community. Uwa Igbinedion ’23 Below: Members of the BSU singing “The Black National Anthem”
22 Berkshire Bulletin Campus News
Honoring Dr. King
Below: Writer and speaker, Feminista Jones
What is the black race,/Homogeneously compromised,/To one face, /a good one,/That knows where to let the crops lay,/Cops lay down a -,/Shocked I uh-,/Heart stops,/we pray on a -,/detain,/Delay,/ fires just ga-,/Shouts of disdain/problems,/Ain’t problems until it’s a white thang,/Think about it,/ It took unemployment of the main,/Now we can get the same?/Where was I?/crops lay,/Cops lay downa-/ Cause maybay,/there were some kilos,/And maybay/ An excuse for bullet holes,/A kneehold,/Just a-ne/ pe-ople/Peep holes,/That preach whole,/Remember the percentages at the steep,/its evident,/Most dont reach the/stee-ple,/Halfway,/ We,/Be-Lay,/ Down,/ From/Grayssss,/Stuck,/In the same,/Playssss,/Like I t-o-o,/Am,/Langst,/From past,/And I’ll awaken some ears with hot gasssss,/C woah,/CO,/I know,/This ain’t meant to be told so,/I meet you halfway,/I mean,/What we say,/Insane,/It seems,/Buckle our lips to chains,/ To dream,/pictured up,/In a white frame,/Believe I,/ Altered myself in a white frame,/We’s people though,/ No need to peep holes/That preach whole/Just bullet holes/A knee hold,/A negro./Let my words sear. Zantia Anderson ’23
By Will Onubogu ’22
23Summer 2022 Campus News
Left: Will Onubogu ’22
“To compromise and to be compromise”
On January 17, the Berkshire community came together to remember, honor, and learn about the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with a full day of programming around the theme, “Real People, Not Good People, Equity and Justice are Habits of Mind, not Hashtags.”
Writer and speaker Feminista Jones led the community in exploring the changing contexts in the struggle for equity and freedom with her talk, “Where is the Dream of Martin Now?” She said, “We, as a nation, must undergo a radical revolution of values. We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a personoriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”
24 Berkshire Bulletin Campus News SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS Art students had an exceptionally successful showing in the 2022 Regional Scholastic Art Awards. The Bears received a record number of citations, with a total of 11 Gold Keys, 10 Silver Keys, and 13 Honorable Mentions. Special recognition goes to Midori Fitzgerald ’22 and Angella Ma ’24, who each received three awards, and Fiona Dong ’23, who was honored with an amazing 11 awards for her photography, including 6 Gold Keys. Ben Cabot ’22, Gold Key Emile Miller ’24, Silver Key Catherine Yan ’24, Silver Key
25Summer 2022 Campus News Will Hansen ’23, Gold KeyAngella Ma ’24, Gold Key Midori Fitzgerald ’22, Silver Key
PIANO RECITAL Zeynep Lal Kara ‘23 performs for school community
On Friday, January 14, Zeynep Lal Kara ’23 treated the community to a recital in the Berkshire Hall Atrium featuring works by Mozart, Bach, Chopin, and Piazzolla. Born in Antalya, Turkey, Kara started playing piano when she was four years old. She succeeded in the entrance exams of the Mediterranean University State Conservatory Piano Department at age seven, and has been performing in piano competitions, solo recitals, and benefit concerts since, most recently earning Honorable Mention in her age category in the Adana Rhapsody International Piano Competition.
26 Berkshire Bulletin Campus News
The Berkshire Theater and Music Departments presented their first live musical done with no restrictions since 2020, the bubbly, pink powerhouse of a show, “Legally Blonde.” “[The main character] Elle Woods sends the message that you can do and be everything all at once: The whole package includes your mind, body, soul, and sass. Style and substance are not mutually exclusive. And pink is power!” said Theater Director Jesse Howard. With this uplifting message, a nearly 30-person cast and crew, and a live, 10-piece band, it was a riotously fun return to form of the annual Winter Musical with a story that’s as relevant as it is entertaining.
Live Musical Theater Returns with “Legally Blonde”
Campus News 27Summer 2022 Winter Concert The annual Winter Concert featured the Jazz Ensemble, Digital Music, Chamber Music Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, Greensleeves, Ursa Minor, and the Community Orchestra.
28 Berkshire Bulletin Bears at Play
GOOOAAL!
Jack Harrison ’15 celebrates after scoring the winning goal in injury time in Leeds United’s season finale, a 2–1 victory over Brentford on May 22. Harrison’s goal, his 16th in 71 career games for Leeds, secured the team’s position in the Premier League next season. by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
29Summer 2022 Bears at Play
Photo
Chioma Okafor ’22, left, will play at UConn this fall while teammate Vivian Akyirem ’22 will suit up for Northeastern.
Vivian Akyirem ’22 and Chioma Okafor ’22 each earned a spot on the All-NEPSAC Class B team, while teammate Danni Watson ’22 was named an honorable mention selection.
HIGHLIGHTS
ATHLETICBulletin
Bears at Play 30 Berkshire
STRONG FINISH Coach Mark Gillon’s girls varsity soccer team outscored opponents 55–22 and finished the regular season 11–4–1, earning the No. 2 seed in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class B playoffs. Berkshire defeated Middlesex School 5–2 at home in the opening round, before falling to Pingree School 3–1 in the semifinals.
Emmanuel Nda ’22 was named to the All-NEPSAC Boys Track and Field team for his performance in the 100m race.
FIRST PLACE Teammates Chioma Okafor ’22 and Emmanuel Nda ’22 both earned New England titles at the NEPSTA Division II Track & Field Championships held at The Governor’s Academy in May. Okafor finished first in two individual events, the women’s long jump and triple jump, leading the Bears (girls) to a thirdplace overall finish. Nda crossed the finish line in just under 11 seconds to capture the men’s 100-meter dash title, which secured a fourth-place finish overall for the boys team.
31Summer 2022 Bears at Play
BESTENGLAND’SNEW
Charlotte Turner ’22 led the girls alpine ski team to a NEPSAC Class A championship in February by winning both the slalom and giant slalom races at Shawnee Peak in Maine. Aggie Ryan ’23 and Caroline Kerner ’22, who helped the Bears capture the overall team title as well, were also instrumental in leading Berkshire to another Brigham Ski League girls’ championship. Charlotte Turner ’22, center, is joined by teammates Aggie Ryan ’23, left, and Caroline Kerner ’22 on race day.
Check out Berkshire’s All-NEPSAC winners at berkshireschool.org/allnepsac
ALL-NEPSAC Volleyball player Autumn Coard ’22 earned All-NEPSAC Class B honors. A four-year member of the varsity team, Coard was twice named the team’s Most Valuable Player (Adrian E. Bradbury Award).
A NEW LEADER FOR THE BEARS
Tony Amolo ’13 takes the reigns of Berkshire’s boys varsity soccer program. Get the latest on Twitter @BerkshireBears Stay connected with all the action! Teams, schedule, scores, and more berkshireschool.org/athletics
The Nigerian-born Amolo served as assistant coach under Bour since 2017 and together the pair won a New England Class A title in 2018.
In addition to his coaching duties, Amolo is a member of Berkshire’s science faculty and serves as a dorm parent and advisor. A former allconference soccer player at Kenyon College, he’s taking his first head coaching job in stride. “I never imagined that this would be my path,” Amolo said.
32 Berkshire Bulletin Bears at COACHINGPlay
MILESTONE Varsity basketball coach Jeff Depelteau earned his 200th-career victory in February with a 63–54 win over Suffield Academy. Suffield is Depelteau’s alma mater and where he held his first head coaching position. The Bears finished the regular season 10–9 (8–6 vs. Class A opponents) and earned the No. 8 seed in the NEPSAC Class A tournament, where they fell to eventual champion Hotchkiss 74–55.
Last year, Berkshire missed the playoffs after finishing the season around the .500 mark and the team hasn’t won a playoff game in four years. Amolo, though, is looking forward to a fresh start this fall. “We have a good group of new student-athletes who are excited to be a part of the program and a good group returning,” Amolo said. “I am excited to work with the team, and we will have a better perspective of the season in September.”
Tony Amolo was named head coach of the Bears after Charlie Bour, who led the team for the past five seasons, announced his plans to leave Berkshire in the spring.
Once the season begins, Amolo’s goals include improving communication amongst his team and helping players understand what motivates them to be at their best, every day. “There is no substitute for hard work. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. We are privileged to play soccer under the Mountain and be part of something bigger than us. We owe it to ourselves, our families, and the community to give our best every time we represent the school,” he said.
berkshireschool.org/awards
RISING STARS
“I was watching [the draft] at home. It was just me and my dad,” Thompson said. “I heard my name and it was a pretty surreal feeling.”
In February, Kiro Manoharan ’22 captured her second New England squash title by winning the girls Class C championship held at Berkshire’s Soffer Athletic Center. Manoharan finished her career as a Bear undefeated, having dominated the competition as the team’s No. 1 player. This fall, Manoharan will compete for Columbia University’s squash program.
Clayt Gengras ’23 and Jessica Lomo ’23 were recognized as the top Fifth Form student athletes at Berkshire this past spring. Lomo, a member of the soccer, basketball, and track and field teams, earned the Jeannette A. Shaw Trophy for being an “outstanding leader and teammate.” Gengras was chosen as the Frank Beattie Trophy winner for being a “tireless worker” in football, squash, and lacrosse. The awards are given out each year to a male and female student who best exemplify proficiency and sportsmanship in interscholastic athletics.
Photo courtesy of Brandon Anderson
CHAMPIONTWO-TIME
“We are excited and thrilled for Aidan, although we are not surprised. His competitive drive and high athletic IQ combined with his natural ability not only contributed greatly to our program but will continue along his path at Denver and in the pros. We look forward to watching his future success.”
33Summer 2022 Bears at Play
BEARS IN THE NEWS
—Dan Driscoll, Head Coach Boys Varsity Ice Hockey
Drafted to NHL Aidan Thompson ‘20 was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks as the 90th pick of the third round of July’s NHL Draft. Thompson spent the past two years with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars, leading the team in points this season with 24 goals and a team-record 58 assists. Thompson attended Chicago’s development camp upon being drafted but will play this fall for the University of Denver, winners of the 2022 NCAA Div. I Men’s Ice Hockey championship. Thompson said having his name called in the NHL Draft was “a dream come true.”
34 Berkshire Bulletin Bears at Play
BEARS IN THE NEWS
Katie Hargrave ’18 and Cat Appleyard ’20 celebrate winning a national title at Middlebury. Photo courtesy of Randy Appleyard Holley Riva ’19 finished the ice hockey season with 11 goals and 11 assists for Elmira College while guiding the team to a 25–4–1 overall record. The Soaring Eagles earned a fourth-place finish in the NCAA Div. III women’s ice hockey championship. Ethan Scott ’21 played linebacker and defensive back for the 9–0 Williams College football team. The Ephs earned a Little Three title and a NESCAC Championship last fall. Briggs Gammill ’20 scored his first collegiate goal with Yale University on Dec. 29 and finished the season with three goals and six assists. Peter Silvester ’21 Photo courtesy of Connecticut College Mo Omar ’18 Photo courtesy of HFX Wanderers Matt Sedgwick ’18 and Billy Zegras ’18 met up on the ice during a game of club hockey between UCLA and LMU.
Connecticut College goalkeeper Peter Silvester ’21 stopped two penalty kicks in overtime to help the Camels defeat Amherst College in the NCAA Div. III National Championship game on Dec. 4. The victory sealed the team’s most successful season in history, which included a NESCAC title. Mo Omar ’18 was drafted by the Colorado Rapids in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft and is currently playing for the HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League. As a senior captain at Notre Dame, Omar led the Fighting Irish to the team’s first ever ACC Championship in 2021.
Rayshawn Boswell ’19 rushed for 934 yards and 14 touchdowns (led league) and added 272 receiving yards and three touchdown catches for Hobart College, which finished the season 9–2 and won the 2021 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Asa S. Bushnell Bowl.
Katie Hargrave ’18 and Cat Appleyard ’20 led Middlebury College to a 27–0 record and the Women’s Ice Hockey NCAA Div. III National Championship with a 3–2 OT defeat of Gustavus Adolphus on March 19. As a senior, Hargrave scored nine goals and recorded 19 assists, while Appleyard finished with 13 goals and 12 assists as a sophomore, ranking both players among the team’s top scorers.
Rayshawn Boswell ’19 Photo courtesy of Hobart College Micah Morris ’19 earned All-Ivy Honorable Mention honors after starting all 10 games for the University of Pennsylvania last fall. He finished the season with 35 tackles.
Teammates at Berkshire, the pair have stayed close since leaving for college. Photo courtesy of Shahira Sedgwick
Bowdoin’s season included a 14-game winning streak before the team fell 20–14 in the NCAA quarterfinals to defending champion RIT. Byrne, who earned a spot on the All-NESCAC Second Team this season, scored three goals in the game. “All the credit goes to my teammates and coaches, who are constantly pushing me to be a better player and teammate,” Byrne said. “These individual awards truly are team awards, as I couldn’t have done it without the amazing players surrounding me on the field every day.”
35Summer 2022 Bears at Play
Tess Haskel ‘20 coxed the University of Vermont Women’s 8 to a fourth place finish at the 2022 American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championships in Tennessee in May.
“Will had a breakout season this year for us,” said Head Coach Bill Mason. “From the moment we started practicing in the fall, you could tell Will would immediately impact our offense. He also established himself as one of the best dodging and shooting attackmen in the country. Will’s ability to draw the focus of our opponent’s defense also opened up the scoring chances of his teammates and allowed for our team offense to have incredible success.”
Photo courtesy of Brian Beard
Rookie of the Year Will Byrne ’20 earned the NESCAC Men’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Year award this spring while leading Bowdoin College to the team’s most successful season ever. The Polar Bears finished 18–3 behind Byrne’s 68 goals and 101 points, which both rank second all-time at the school. Byrne, a sophomore, missed out on the 2021 season due to the pandemic but made his impact felt from the get-go this season.
Lexi Fortune ‘18 earned All-Second Team honors from the New England Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Association (NEWISA). In her senior season at Babson College, Fortune started in 13 of 16 matches, and helped the Beavers finish the season with a 0.63 goals against average–3rd best all-time.
Cooper Tuckerman ‘18 competed in the 2021 U.S. Olympic Rowing Trials, finishing in fourth place in the lightweight double. He then represented the U.S. at the 2021 World Rowing U23 Championships in Racˇice, Czech Republic, finishing in sixth place in the lightweight four. Kevin Rooney ’12 played in a career best 61 games for the New York Rangers this year. Rooney finished the regular season with six goals and six assists and saw his first playoff action as an NHL player. Matthew Fisher ’21 batted .298 and knocked in 27 RBIs for Catholic University this past spring. Fisher threw out a dozen runners from behind the plate for the Cardinals, who won a program record 34 games and made its first NCAA Div. III World Series appearance. Prior to competing for Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Kendall Coyne Schofield ’11 released her memoir, “As Fast As Her: Dream Big, Break Barriers, Achieve Success.” Coyne Schofield captained the U.S. to a silver medal. In addition, she continues to push for a professional women’s ice hockey league.
equity-women-hockeycoyne-schofield-fighting-gender-nbcsports.com/video/kendall-
Best of all, this recirculating aquaculture system and aquaponics growing facility— which is organic, sustainable, and carbon neutral—was providing inmates with hands-on educational experience before they re-enter society. But six years ago, this space didn’t exist. Six years ago, it was a pipe dream— one that McGraw was determined to make a reality.
By Megan Tady | Photos by Gregory Cherin Photography
36 Berkshire Bulletin Alumni Spotlight On a Tuesday morning in midApril, Deputy Sheriff Captain Robin McGraw ’70 strolled through the light-filled Aquaponics Lab adjacent to the Berkshire County Jail and House of Corrections in Pittsfield, Mass. He paused to chat with two inmates working in the facility, asking them how many heads of lettuce they had harvested. Already that morning, a volunteer with the United Way had stopped by to pick up several boxes of the produce. McGraw then joined Jason Turner, a corrections officer who manages the lab, to inspect several large grow tanks, each holding nearly 300 live tilapia (a white fish). Everything was as it should be: lettuce seedlings were sprouting in their hydroponic containers, flooded with water twice a day to promote germination. Over 4,000 heads of lettuce were floating on rafts in a 14-inch deep pool of water, nearing the end of their growing cycle. The tilapia, getting larger by the day, were providing nutrients to the lettuce through their waste, and would soon be donated to local restaurants.
FIRST HARVEST Robin McGraw ’70 was the driving force behind the first aquaponics lab at a correctional facility in the Northeast.
Top: Raised beds for organic vegetables; Right: Heads of lettuce float on rafts in a pool of fish-waste water as they grow.
37Summer 2022 Alumni Spotlight
Bottom: Corrections officer Jason Turner inspects a grow tank containing tilapia. First of its kind Long before McGraw became an expert in aquaponics, Jack Quinn, superintendent of the Berkshire County Jail and House of Corrections (former head football coach and now assistant football coach at Berkshire), had a fateful plane ride. He sat next to a man named Sam Fleming, who is the executive director of the nonprofit 100 Gardens based in Charlotte, N.C. As the two talked, Fleming described his educational aquaponics programs, and Quinn wondered if an aquaponics lab could provide work experience for high-risk, high-need inmates at the House of Corrections. Because of the nature of their crimes, such inmates cannot get work experience outside of the facility grounds. Quinn returned home, tapping McGraw to learn more. McGraw flew to Charlotte to meet with Fleming, and he was equally inspired. “I came back convinced that this would work for us,” McGraw said. “It would give our inmates a STEM or STEAM education, provide the jail with fresh produce, and give back to our Now,community.”McGraw,who partnered with Sam Fleming, just needed to build the thing. And build it, he did. As the president of the nonprofit Berkshire Education and Corrections Services (BECS), he raised nearly $650,000 from the community (no state funds were involved) to install a 60-by-72-foot greenhouse. It’s the first aquaponics growing lab at a correctional facility in the Northeast. Since its inception, the aquaponics lab has donated over 170,000 heads of lettuce to the local community and to the food vulnerable. The COVID-19 pandemic slowed the number of inmates who could work in the facility because of social distancing. Two inmates are currently involved in the program, with plans to increase that number soon. No stopping McGraw Turner said that when he first heard McGraw’s idea to grow lettuce fertilized by fish waste, he thought it sounded like “science fiction.” “Until you learn about aquaponics, it doesn’t seem viable,” Turner said. “But slowly and surely, [McGraw] built the greenhouse, he got the system up and running, and he did what he said he was going to do. And once he did, he didn’t stop there.” Outside of the facility, McGraw has added 35 raised beds for additional organic vegetables, 40 blueberry bushes, 35 fruit trees, a perennial bed, and two bee hives. Many of the raised beds are
38 Berkshire Bulletin Alumni Spotlight assigned to local nonprofits who use them for educational purposes for the populations they serve. McGraw dubbed the outside space “Q Gardens” as a homage to Jack Quinn. “The first harvest felt incredible,” McGraw said. “A lot of people didn’t think I was going to get there. It was sheer willpower—it’s just the nature of who I am. I’m like that guy pushing the boulder up the hill. I kept pushing it up the hill until I got it to where I wanted it to be. And now it’s been very successful.”
“Everything has an educational aspect to it,” McGraw said. “For instance, when we’re raising fish, we’re trying to get the maximum amount of nutrients out of them in order to grow our vegetables. If I don’t feed them enough, they won’t produce enough waste. Then I wouldn’t have a high enough nitrogen level in my water. But I also don’t want to overdo it, because then I’ll have too much nitrogen.”
—Jason Turner Fish Tank Floating Bed Water Bed Bacteria Roots Plants How It Works Aquaponics is a sustainable method of farming that uses both aquaculture— raising edible fish—and hydroponics— growing vegetables in nutrient-rich water rather than soil. As the fish grow, they expel waste into their tanks, which is a natural fertilizer for the lettuce. This water is filtered into the pool where heads of lettuce grow on floating rafts. The water is then recirculated back into the fish tanks. The fish, when large enough, are sold to local restaurants for consumption.
This year, students in Berkshire’s Pro Vita class “No Process Here: The
Williams College. McGraw also envisions weekend classes for the general public.
And now McGraw is developing curriculum and inviting local schools to also use the facility for STEM and STEAM education. Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield High School, and Taconic High School are planning to use the facility, as well as “Until you learn about aquaponics, it doesn’t seem viable. But slowly and surely, [McGraw] built the greenhouse, he got the system up and running, and he did what he said he was going to do. And once he did, he didn’t stop there.”
Giving back McGraw has devoted his life to community service. Deeply dedicated to Berkshire School—he even painted his house green—McGraw taught and coached at the School for several years, and he’s still involved with the varsity soccer team. In 2020, he was awarded Berkshire’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Then he went to medical school to become a paramedic, working as a SWAT medic and a tactical paramedic. He also served as a captain at the Egremont fire department, and he is a member of the sheriff department’s opioid task force. “I grew up in a family of four boys, and it was expected that we were to give back,” McGraw said. “For over 15 years, I was involved up to my elbows. Now, my family’s Donald McGraw Foundation has allowed me to be more involved philanthropically.”McGrawhasbeen honored with numerous awards and recognitions for his philanthropy and service. In 2016, he was inducted into the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Hall of Fame for “funding the mission.” That same year, he was recognized as Berkshire South’s Annual Gala Honoree. He was also featured in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s newsletter, “IMPACT,” for continuing his family’s longtime support of head and neck cancer research—a cancer which McGraw himself is a survivor. And in 2019, the Hillcrest Education Foundation named McGraw as its “Irish Person of the Year.” He was also awarded the C. Bernard and Irene Shea Community Service Award for his leadership and commitment to Fairview Hospital-Berkshire Health Systems in theRecently,Berkshires.the McGraw Foundation established the McGraw Chair in Head and Neck Oncology at DanaFarber, as well as the Emergency Services Chair at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where McGraw sits on the emergency services committee.
Alumni Spotlight
His latest project at the Aquaponics Lab and Q Gardens combines his philanthropic and fundraising prowess with his up-to-his-elbows work ethic.
The results are visible in the lettuce and basil and blueberries, but they’re also visible in the officers and inmates working in the facility.
McGraw inspects lettuce seedlings sprouting in hydroponic containers.
Turner himself has experienced a major life change. An 18-year-veteran at the House of Corrections, he spent 16 of those years working inside the jail. “As the days, weeks, months, and years went by, I never felt a sense of accomplishment,” he said. “Getting to work out here for this inmate work program, there’s tangible progress. I feel like I can point to something and say, ‘I did that.’ The inmates who work out here also get that same sense of accomplishment. When they come out here, they can breathe a little bit easier.”
McGraw, too, says the program has already been impactful. “Inmates can look at this lettuce and say, ‘Not only is this a beautiful product, but it’s going to feed my brethren in the jail, as well as the correction officers. I’m really proud of that. I grew that. And this one over here is going to a homeless shelter, and I’m going to be able to help them.’ It’s a very cathartic thing.”
39Summer 2022
Local World of Farm to Fork” visited the Aquaponics Lab. The class, taught by Third Form Dean Chris Perkins and History Department Chair Heidi Woodworth, was offered to help students better understand the food ecosystem of Berkshire County. During their time at the Lab, McGraw gave students a tour of the facility and explained the aquaponics system. Woodworth said the experience prompted students to think about how their individual efforts can create change. “This project from start to finish has made such a tremendous impact on the community, whether teaching skills to the incarcerated, to providing healthy, nutrient-rich food to the community within the jail and beyond, to building an ecosystem that is supporting efforts to diminish its carbon footprint,” Woodworth said. “This experience taught our students about the ways that they can give to and participate in the community.”
Now that the program is off and running, McGraw is fielding phone calls from other correctional facilities in Massachusetts and around the country who want to build something similar. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “Through hard work and trial and error, we’ve created a model that offers STEAM education and job training on a silver platter. I’m really proud of this work, and I’m excited to introduce it to other people.”
To learn more about the Aquaponics Lab, please contact Robin McGraw at berkshire.blackrock@gmail.com.
40 Berkshire Bulletin
The whistle blew, but the game's not over for the Berkshire Bears who've gone on to have successful careers in the vast world of sports. While some alums have turned pro, competing at the highest level, others are using their talents and passions to coach players, train athletes, analyze TV sports viewership, or plan the biggest sporting events of the year. These are no benchwarmers; each alum is using grit, determination, and resilience to forge their own path.
41Summer 2022
GAME ON
mantrasthreeAlenaconditioningandcoachLuciani’09’sguiding
Photographs by Jodianne (http://jodiannebeckford.com)Beckford
When Alena Luciani worked as a strength and conditioning coach at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, student athletes asked her to design workout programs they could use in off seasons and post graduation. The demand got her gears turning: could she start her own strength and conditioning coaching business? She wasn’t sure she was ready to take the entrepreneurial leap. But in 2018, her father died, and in her grief, Luciani found herself thinking, “Life’s too short not to go for this.” She founded Training 2XL, a performance coaching service based in Toronto, and, she says, “I haven’t looked back.”
Now, Luciani offers group training sessions to clients—many of whom are former varsity athletes—coaches clients via Zoom who are scattered across North America, and runs Strength
WORDS TO TRAIN BY
42 Berkshire Bulletin
By Megan Tady mentoring and educational workshops for fellow strength coaches, personal trainers, and movement practitioners. Her social media game is strong—she has over 8,000 followers on Instagram, where she posts videos and images of herself demonstrating proper exercise techniques. “I like to work with people who recognize the importance of moving well and eating well,” she says. “I can relate to the athletes who are coming off the final games of their careers, and I want to create a team-like environment where they still have supportive people around them. The mental health component is also very important to me, so I offer a safe and inclusiveLucianispace.”follows three mantras that apply to training and to life: One: Do the simple things. Do them well, do them often. “Strength training really isn’t that flashy. A squat is a squat. You don’t need to be balanced on a stability ball. It’s a foundational movement, it’s a multijoint movement, and it’s going to get you strong. So let’s keep it simple. Doing things well encompasses form,
performanceweightliftingCertified&withconditioningCertifiedfromdistinctionrecreationofReceivedkinesiologyEarnedUniversityLaurier(WLU)aB.A.inatWLUamasterssportsscienceandwithaincoachingOhioUniversityasastrengthandspecialisttheNationalStrengthConditioningAssociationasaUSAsportcoach
Photo courtesy of Alena Luciani
43Summer 2022 technique, and safety. There’s no point in doing something if you’re not going to do it to the best of your abilities. And doing things often is about consistency. Everyone is looking for that magic step when it comes to fitness, but it’s just about being consistent.”
www.training2xl.com
PERSONAL STATS Played varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse at AwardedBerkshirethe 2009 Herger Trophy at Berkshire Played varsity basketball at Wilfrid
Reinforced at Berkshire Luciani already knew she wanted to study kinesiology in college, and a Pro Vita course at Berkshire on the same topic confirmed she was on the right path. “I took that course and was like, ‘This is exactly what I want to be doing,’” she recalls. “It was so beneficial to learn skills outside of the classroom.” Clay Splawn was Luciani’s varsity basketball coach, and she says “the impact he made on myself and all of my teammates went far beyond basketball. He wanted the athlete to be successful, the student to be successful, and the human to be successful. That’s the kind of impact I strive to have—and it’s also the impact my dad had. A lot of what I do is very much in honor of what my dad taught me, and what was also reinforced at Berkshire.”
Two: Quality over quantity. “The quality of the exercises is more important than how many exercises you’re doing in your workout, just like the quality of your friendships is more important than the number of friends that you have.”
Luciani’s T2XL Protein Bombs 2 tbsp maple syrup 1.5 tbsp peanut butter 1/4 tsp vanilla extract [mix these until combined] 1 scoop chocolate protein 2 tbsp almond flour 1 tsp flax seeds Pinch of cinnamon and sea salt [add to mixture and mix well, roll into balls, and place in freezer]
Three: Everything is context dependent. “There isn’t just one best way to strength train. It depends—it depends on so many different factors that relate to people’s bodies and experience. I take pride in knowing what I don’t know and understanding that there are different perspectives and there are different ways to see things.”
Optional: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles, etc.
An Independent Streak Shiels looks back on her time at Berkshire with fondness, saying that her experience helped cement her independence. “My time at Berkshire was extremely special,” she said.
“Berkshire School taught me so many valuable lessons about living life, finding my academic strengths, and setting my personal goals.”
Photo by Giana Terranova Photography
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www.truenorthstables.com
By Megan Tady
TROPHY CASE Shiels is a highly decorated equestrian rider. Team and individual gold medal winner, 2004 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships 2016 World Champion, Hunter Rider Midwest Region
45Summer 2022
Caitlyn Shiels ’01 is a champion equestrian rider who helps other riders excel, too.
Shiels opened True North in 2018 after many years working for and alongside others, including four years as an assistant trainer for Greg Franklin of Canterbury Farm in Hampshire, Ill. True North is a full-service hunter/ jumper training and sales program with bases in Illinois and Florida. “I’ve worked with horses all of my life, and I was ready to use my expertise to start my own business,” she said. Shiels herself instructs her clients. “I’m a really competitive person, and I love working with riders who are equally competitive,” she says. “I want
The first time Caitlyn Shiels rode a horse, she was eight years old, and she was immediately hooked. Raised in Sheffield, Mass., she quickly took to the equestrian sport, competing in hunter/ jumper horse shows. In her teen years, she studied under a master trainer, finishing in the top ten of each of the major American equitation finals. She turned professional after winning team and individual gold medals at the 2004 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. “This was one of my proudest moments,” she said. Decades later, Shiels is still racking up the medals. The only difference is, she’s the master trainer now. As founder of True North Stables, she’s helping other riders excel in the sport and compete at the highest levels.
IN THE SADDLE to help them achieve their goals.” “Caitlyn has helped me get used to riding a young horse and to know what I should and shouldn’t be doing,” said rider Jennifer Betts in a testimonial on the True North website. “Caitlyn’s really good at working with young horses. She doesn’t get flustered with them, and she’s very patient and understanding.”Thesportrequires immense focus, with riders exuding both calm and fearlessness. “When you’re working with horses, anything can happen,” she says. Shiels knows this from experience. In September of 2020, she fell from her horse and broke her hip. The injury required surgery. Recovering from the injury was challenging, but also transformative, which Shiels discussed in a blog post for “The Chronicle of the Horse.” She wrote, “This injury has hit me harder than others because it involved so many of the muscles I use to ride. I’ve had to recognize that if I don’t take enough time to heal properly, it could impact my ability to sustain a long career as a professional rider.” Shiels is back in the saddle, leading True North Stables’s riders and horses to achieve great things.
Developing hunterforin2021ChampionshipsInternationalincludingHunterUSHJATop-tenChallengeWCHRFourth-placeRiderwinner,DevelopingProatCapitalChallengefinisherinnumerousInternationalDerbyevents,theUSHJAHunterDerbyinKentuckyThird-placefinishtheNorthCentralRegionUSHJAinternationalderbyrider
Taylor Wilcock is a big football fan. She grew up watching the sport with her family, all passionate supporters of the game. In college, Wilcock decided she wanted to work in the sports world after graduation.
THEGROWINGGAME
Taylor Lynch Wilcock ’12 puts the power of numbers to work for the NFL. By Lucia Mulder
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Now, six years into a career in the National Football League (NFL), she’s living out that dream and sharing her advice for breaking into the industry. A business major at Franklin & Marshall in Lancaster, Penn., Wilcock began her career with a position in the sales and marketing department for the San Diego Chargers. In 2017 she relocated with the franchise when they moved back to Los Angeles.
Once in L.A., Wilcock transitioned to the NFL proper, aka “the League,” and moved her way up from an entry-level research position to her current role, research manager. She analyzes viewership data from the Nielsen Company, the information, data, and market measurement giant. “We study the ratings, put the data into pretty dashboards, and from that create a plan for business development, sales, and marketing,” she said. “Our overall goal is to optimize ratings and to try to grow the game for years to come.”
Wilcock’s first year with the San Diego Chargers in 2016 would be the franchise’s last year before moving to Los Angeles.
HOW THEBREAKTOINTOBIZ Talk to as many people as you can. Do your research. Use your aroundmoreYouonceDon’topportunities.*internshipLookthedifferentLearnonnetworksalumniLinkedIn.abouttherolesinindustry.forprogramstopnetworkingyougetthejob.canalwayslearnfromthepeopleyou!** 47Summer 2022 Wilcock had a bird’s-eye view of Peyton NFLawardingManningthe2022MVP. Photos
Wilcock and her husband, Bray Wilcock ’12, at the 2022 NFL Honors awards show in Los Angeles. courtesy of Taylor Wilcock
** Wilcock has been a research manager in Disney’s Media & Entertainment Distribution department since May 2022. Such are the unexpected benefits of building a solid networking circle! While the numbers provide a snapshot of information within a window of time, it’s up to researchers like Wilcock to look at the bigger picture and interpret the story they tell. In determining viewership for any given franchise or how the NFL Network is performing in general, Wilcock has to weigh all the factors. “What’s the competitive landscape? Are there playoffs happening? Was there a weather event? Or maybe there’s a situation like in 2020 and 2021, where because of COVID, the NBA, NHL, and MLB were all playing in the same timeframe,” said Wilcock. “You really have to figure out what’s the story and what’s the important takeaway from the data.” Before analyzing market trends and pouring over data, Wilcock used her ability to connect with people to land her first job with the Chargers. It took persistent email messaging, multiple rounds of interviews (not all successful), and the sheer power of will to get her foot in the door. And once hired, she had to work hard and learn fast in order to stay there. “I didn’t have a straight data analytics background,” Wilcock said, “so I just had to pick that up in real time.” “It’s an extremely hard industry to break into if you don’t have any connections,” she said, speaking from experience. “I think the main skill I learned at Berkshire was prioritizing relationships: connecting with your teachers and just connecting with people, which has come in handy. My 18-year-old self would be completely freaking out right now, because I’ve been working for the NFL for the past six years.”
* The NFL offers a competitive Junior Rotational Program for college grads.
By Michael Hayes
Spencer Cookson has always been drawn to the water. As a youngster growing up in Ashley Falls, Mass., his parent’s property backed up to the Housatonic River, a waterway known for its winding beauty and prized for its abundance of fish. Cookson, 26, learned to fish the river from his father, Gary, who took his son on daily canoe trips to catch largemouth bass and northern pike. Today, Cookson cruises the river in a sleek 20foot Crestliner bass boat with a 200-horsepower Mercury outboard. A Minn Kota trolling motor mounted to the front of the boat allows Cookson to easily guide the vessel precisely to where the fish live, often tucked under the cover of a sunken tree along the river bank. And he’s often not alone. He opened Berkshire Bass in 2019, a multispecies guide service, taking both new and experienced clients out on the water to enjoy the sport of fishing. “If you told me this is what I would be doing five years ago, I would’ve thought you’d be joking. This is a beautiful deal,” he said. Always a capable angler, Cookson admits that he knew very little about the business side of the fishing industry when he started the company. Prior to its launch, Cookson had guided a few dozen fishing trips and had sold some T-shirts and hats with his new company’s logo on them through his Instagram page. Then, in July 2020, just as the pandemic extended into summer, Cookson had an idea to go bigger. He opened a brick-and-mortar bait and tackle shop on Main Street in Sheffield.
Spencer Cookson ’15 elevates the sport of fishing in the Berkshires.
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HOOKED
The retail side of the business, which consists of selling fishing lures, rods and reels, fishing line, and live bait, grew quickly, and it had even greater potential, Cookson soon discovered. He began working the phones to distributors willing to provide the fishing tackle he needed to fill his store and website. At the same time, he enlisted the help of friends and other fishermen to grow the guiding side of the business. By the end of his first full summer in business, Cookson had doubled his number of guided fishing trips, and the store was selling out of tackle as quickly as he could stock the shelves.
—Spencer
“We did about $7,000 in sales that first day,” Cookson recalls. “I couldn’t believe it.”
www.berkshirebassin.com
Growing up, Cookson also loved playing hockey and baseball. He played both sports at Berkshire and continued playing collegiately at Curry College, where he earned a degree in communications. Yet, even with his school days and playing days behind him, Cookson has found that he’s still learning, only now the subject is fishing. “I learn every day,” he said. “You’ve just got to be like a bass, pretty much. The only way you think like them is you interact with them all the time, and know what they do on certain days, and where they go.”
“It’s an endless chase. That’s why you have to absolutely love it.” Cookson ’15
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Top Baits Berkshire Bass offers hundreds of fishing lures through its store and website. Among Cookson’s top picks for catching largemouth and smallmouth bass are the (top to bottom) River2Sea’s Loon Whopper Plopper, Best Coast Flippin’ Delight/Battle Jig, and Z-Man Finesse TRD Ned Rig. Berkshire Bass also offers other fishing tackle, apparel, and guided trips.
“We’re not a regular mom-and-pop tackle shop,” Cookson said, whose highend lures and specialty baits have made Berkshire Bass a destination for serious anglers. While the store is open seven days a week and serves as the hub of business, Cookson has discovered that his best opportunity to grow the business is through the company’s website. “When we come in in the morning, there are usually four or five orders, every day. Colorado, New York, Maryland. All over the country,” he said. In addition, Berkshire Bass caters to the local fishing community. The store is one of only a few places an angler can go to pick up live bait (minnows) in the winter months, and last year Cookson began spending more time on the ice himself as an ice fishing guide. And when he’s not busy fishing or selling lures at the store, Cookson is usually on the road selling his products and promoting the business at fishing shows throughout the region. “It’s an endless chase,” he said. “That’s why you have to absolutely love it.”
By Carol Visnapuu
Tufts in Las Vegas for the Formula 1 press conference announcing their third U.S. Grand Prix city, Las Vegas, happening in November 2023.
LANEFASTINLIFETHE
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In March 2022, cheer squads, mascots, and fans returned to Madison Square Garden in New York City for the first time since the pandemic began to watch the BIG EAST Men’s Basketball Tournament. Working behind the scenes to ensure the success of this event and fill the 20,000-plus-seat arena with tried-n-true fans was public relations professional Abigail “Abby” Tufts.
“The BIG EAST Men’s Tournament coming back in full swing to Madison Square Garden after a twoyear shutdown and enjoying live entertainment again meant a lot to New York City and live events as a whole,” Tufts shared. Sports and competition have always been a part of Tufts’ life. Born and raised in New York City, she is the daughter of Bob Tufts, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher with the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants in the ’80s, and both her grandfathers were competitive runners. Her mother was a competitive dancer who studied ballet under one of the most influential 20th-century choreographers, George Balanchine. “I grew up around a lot of athleticism and the love of competition,” Tufts said.
Abigail Tufts ’08 finds her passion on the agency side of sports entertainment.and
Photo courtesy of Abby Tufts
No, you can’t get everybody free tickets! It’s a very people-driven job; more than any other skill, communication is the most important one you use every day. Writing will always be an essential skill— in PR or any other industry! Be prepared to work a lot of late nights, weekends, and holidays; it’s not your typical nine-to-five job. It’s encouraged early in your career to take time off to rest and recharge because you can’t do your job well when your glass is half empty. Companies are now listening and paying more attention to the mental health of their employees— take advantage of this shift in corporate culture. Network, network, and network! Be sure to maintain and nourish these relationships that you’re building. In due time, your network and the ability to connect with people will be one of the strongest assets in your career.
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Connect with Abigail Tufts on LinkedIn
Tufts earned a B.A. in American studies at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Penn. After working for multiple MLB teams and in sports broadcasting, Tufts discovered the agency side of sports, and she didn’t look back. She works for DKC in New York City, one of the top 10 independent PR agencies in the U.S., serving as a senior account supervisor in the sports department, which also includes entertainment, technology, business, and media. She oversees public relations efforts and brand positioning strategies for a multitude of clients, including the BIG EAST Conference, Manchester City Football Club, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, SMAC (Michael Strahan’s sports & entertainment brand), “Sports Illustrated,” and “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit” to name a few. “I’m really passionate about building and protecting brands while telling compelling stories for my clients,” she says. Most recently, Tufts is leading the U.S. media operations for one of her newest clients, Formula 1 (F1), the highest international level of single-seat and open-wheel professional motor racing competition. “Since the pandemic, this sport has vastly grown in popularity with the help of Netflix’s docuseries, ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive,’” Tufts shared. The show gives viewers an exclusive behindthe-scenes look at the drivers and races of the Formula 1 World Championship. “We are always thinking about media outlets and writers who can maintain this moment for them and tell stories on drivers, the teams, the CEO and executive team, and the events that will continue to hook new fans to the sport,” Tufts said. In March 2022, Tufts coordinated F1’s in-person press conference announcing their third U.S. Grand Prix city, Las Vegas, happening in November 2023. The course will be 3.8 miles in length with three main straightaways and 14 corners, and with top speeds reaching approximately 212 MPH racing on the iconic Las Vegas Strip. Simultaneously, Tufts was gearing up for the Miami Grand Prix, held on May 8th on ESPN. For Tufts, there is no such thing as a typical day. She is in the fast lane working on multiple projects at the same time while adapting to last-minute changes and solving problems on the fly. From event planning, collaborating on creative projects, building relationships with the media, writing and pitching ideas, and networking, she is truly invested in her work. “For me, being able to tell amazing stories with some fantastic journalists and media outlets, and being able to create those relationships with different voices is really fulfilling,” Tufts shared. Laying the Groundwork Berkshire School laid the groundwork for who Tufts was going to become beyond North Undermountain Road. “Berkshire really did take a chance on me by accepting me as a student. And, I’ll always be grateful,” Tufts shared. “It’s a place that allowed me to try new things out of my comfort zone and gave me the skills to think creatively and critically … it really did shape how I view the world.”
When it came time to choose a career path, Tufts wanted to work in sports, but she didn’t want to pursue the typical avenues like being an athlete, a general manager, an on-air commentator, or working in ticket sales. “The industry has advanced a lot in the last decade with the growth of technology, social media, analytics, esports (electronic sports), and betting,” Tufts shared.
52 Berkshire Bulletin “[A team] can get more out of you than you could ever get by —Kenzieyourself.”Lancaster’15
53Summer 2022 FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME A coaches roundtable discussion about hockey and life By Lucia Mulder Lancaster, seen here coaching the Connecticut College squad, will bring her talents to Taft School in the fall. Coach Kenzie Lancaster ’15 remembers a quote that hung above the hockey locker room door at Berkshire: “The character you build is yours forever.” The message resonated with her at the time and also struck a chord with playersunsurprisingly,timediscussedtheythatColbertBears-turned-women’s-hockey-coachesfellowWhitney’10andJamieSmith’12.Allthreeagreebuildingcharacterisattheheartofwhatdoascoaches.OverZoom,thealumstheircareerpathsandreflectedontheirasathletes.Theyhavealotincommon,includingdeeprespectfortheirandanenduringloveofthegame.
WHAT WERE YOUR GOALS AS A YOUNG PLAYER AND DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A COACH?
WHITNEY COLBERT: When I was growing up, in the women’s game, Division I and Division III were all one. The ’98 Olympics [the debut of women’s hockey in Nagano, Japan], was probably the moment when all of us were like, “Yeah, this is why.” At that time, your goal was really to go play in the Olympics because there were people who were playing at that level at 16 years old.
Whitney Colbert ’10 Hamline University, Head Coach USA Hockey Scout Trinity College, B.A. in sociology, Northeastern2014University, M.A. in sports leadership, 2017 Hometown: Ithaca, NY Jamie Smith ’12 Brewster Academy, Head Coach Union College, B.S. in psychology, 2016 Female Sport Coach of The Year in the Lakes Region, 2020 Hometown: Stamford, CT Kenzie Lancaster ’15 Taft School, Head Coach, Fall Connecticut2022 College, Assistant QuinnipiacCoachCollege, B.S. in psychology, 2019 Mandi Schwartz Student-Athlete of the Year, 2019 Hometown: Waxhaw, NC was working with young players, and continuing to develop players, not only as athletes, but as people. I wanted to get into coaching knowing that I could connect with the younger generation and keep young female athletes in sports.
KENZIE LANCASTER: I was focused on going to the Olympics pretty much until my senior year of college, so I wasn’t thinking about coaching early on. But my mom, who was a DI lacrosse player at James Madison, had coached me in lacrosse, and my brother coached me in hockey. So, I always had it in the back of my mind. Then I helped out with the [Connecticut] Polar Bears and NHT [National Hockey Training], getting my toes wet in the summers in college, and I enjoyed it.
WHAT DO YOU EMPHASIZE MOST IN YOUR OWN PROGRAMS?
STAT SHEET
COLBERT: Because it was my first year with this team, it was an opportunity to live out my coaching values every single day. Whether in a conversation, a team meeting, or a pregame speech, I wanted to make sure my players always knew that they were cared for. If I can get to know our players well, then I’m going to be able to get the most out of them. Berkshire taught me so much about how to treat and connect with people. That’s been a really important life skill that I’ve brought with me, certainly to Trinity, and it continues to enhance every professional situation I’ve been in.
COLBERT: I’d always known that I wanted to work in sports in some capacity. I interned with Cornell’s men’s hockey program, and then I looked into sports management, but it came back to: what was my passion? And my passion Kenzie Lancaster ’15
JAMIE SMITH: Yes, I actually knew when I was a freshman at Berkshire that I wanted to be a head coach one day! I really loved the boarding school atmosphere, and obviously I still love it enough to want to continue to work at a boarding school. I want to give back what boarding schools have given to me.
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55Summer 2022 Jamie Smith ’12 SMITH: I was going to say the same thing! In my first meeting with the team, I tell them, “Girls, we’re all about respect. Yes, hold each other accountable, and I’ll hold you accountable.” It’s all about that character development and having that mutual respect between coaches and players. “It’s all about that —Jamieandbetweenmutualanddevelopmentcharacterhavingthatrespectcoachesplayers.”Smith’12 Photos courtesy of Whitney Colbert, Kenzie Lancaster, and Jamie Smith
COLBERT: Not taking feedback personally, but reminding yourself that you’re getting feedback because the coaches care about you and because they want what’s best for you.
“I—Whitneysports.”athletesyoungandgenerationtheconnectthatknowingcoachingtowantedgetintoIcouldwithyoungerkeepfemaleinColbert’10
LANCASTER: I was just telling my team the other day about pushing the limits and just how beautiful a team can be because they can get more out of you than you could ever get by yourself. If you’re doing sprints by yourself versus doing them next to your teammates, you’re going to go a little bit harder to beat them.
SMITH: Accountability and caring for your teammates. If someone’s upset in the locker room, it’s “What’s going on? Let’s get through this. Breathe. Go splash some water on your face.”
LANCASTER: I’m doing a sports psych degree right now, so I would teach myself what I’m learning: Try to free myself up more, play more, try to get in the optimal performance zone and just enjoy it, because it really is the greatest game in the world.
COLBERT: I would have told myself to try coaching at any capacity, even if it’s for one week in the summer or just one practice. The things you’ll learn from that perspective help highlight the game and develop your hockey IQ.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU LEARNED AS A PLAYER THAT’S HELPFUL TO YOU NOW AS A COACH?
Whitney Colbert ’10
Interested in a coaching career? All three alums encourage reaching out to coaches to learn more, enthusiastically offering to connect with fellow Bears. They echoed each other, adding, “Berkshire’s done so much for us that anything we can do to give back would be a pleasure.” Email alumni@ berkshireschool.org to get in touch.
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AS A COACH NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE TOLD YOURSELF AS A PLAYER?
SMITH: I’d tell myself three things: First, really watch hockey (and not just go to Rangers games)! When I watched film of myself in college, I was able to slow the game down mentally and that made such a difference. Two: Do the extra stuff, especially stick handling. I just wanted to skate and be fast! Three: stop taking yourself so seriously. Instead of getting so caught up in a loss, dwell on it for 10 minutes, then move on.
“We had some good hockey players on our team,” recalls the former Berkshire captain Veronesi, who went on to play four more years of hockey at Connecticut College. “But I could always hold it over their heads that I scored that one.”
Geordie Connell, host of the podcast
“It’s kind of funny how it just started from literally being at the [school club] fair, the first day at Berkshire, seeing WBSL and my dad being like, ‘DJ Geordie,’” Connell shares. “It’s been fun.” Before catching up on Berkshire with Connell, Veronesi shared more about his career path, describing his job as “watching hockey for a living.” “We’re known for the two-mile destination that’s the Las Vegas strip, but there’s so much more. The fans here have been incredible, and it’s been a real treat to be a small part of what we do here,” he said.
GUESTASBEARAA
Geordie Connell ’09 Bullpen Michael Hayes
KeithinterviewsVeronesi ’10 on The
Connell, a Lehigh University graduate who now works at a software company in the Philadelphia area, worked briefly for ESPN Radio after college but has never given up on his dream of being a sports broadcaster. In 2017, he launched the podcast, and with the help of some friends, including fellow Berkshire alums Greg Piatelli ’09 and Jake Goldberg ’10, he has recorded over 300 episodes.
Connell and Veronesi were classmates at Berkshire, and during the podcast they fondly recalled Wiffle ball games in Buck Valley set against the backdrop of Berkshire Hall’s chain link construction fence. They also reminisced about Veronesi scoring the first-ever ice hockey goal in what was then the brand-new Jackman L. Stewart Athletic Center.
The Bullpen Cart, has covered a lot of sports over the past five years. In May, he hosted a particularly special episode, interviewing fellow Bear Keith Veronesi, the director of scouting operations for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.
Cart podcast. By
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Tune in for the full interview www.berkshireschool.org/podcast.at:
Listeners regularly tune in as Connell covers his beloved Philadelphia professional sports teams, gives playoff predictions, and recounts sporting events like the Daytona 500. Connell points out that his passion for talking about sports got its start at Berkshire, where he played deejay on the School’s radio station, WBSL 91.7FM.
Photo courtesy of Geordie Connell
By Megan Tady
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FROM PLAYER TO
Q&A
Photo by @tonyvisionss
Kristalyn Baisden is the assistant athletic director at the Watkinson School in Hartford, Conn., where she also serves as head coach of the girls varsity basketball team. Baisden herself was a powerhouse of a player, competing for St. Joe’s Division I basketball team, where she was named to the Philadelphia Big 5 Women’s Basketball Honor Roll in 2017 and earned the Team Defensive Player of the Year Award her senior year. She also earned her MBA with a concentration in Leadership from Eastern University. At Berkshire, she was a varsity student-athlete, playing basketball for coach Wil Smith, whom she said deeply impacted her game and her approach to coaching. with Assistant Athletic Director Kristalyn Baisden ’15
What drew you to coaching? I knew that I wanted to stay around the game once I finished playing. I had worked several camps in the past and teaching the game was something that I realized I had a passion for. The impact I had on players at these camps, instilling confidence and belief in one’s self, definitely impacted my decision to coach. How did you find the transition from player to coach? It’s an entirely different perspective. As a player, you trust your coach and/or teammates to put you in the best position. You are given a role that you strive to execute to the best of your abilities. As a coach, you take on the responsibility of the entire team. You decide what plays to run, how to run practice, and where certain players will be the most successful. What’s your coaching style? My coaching style is defensive minded and team oriented. I’ve always taken pride as a defender during my playing days and I try to emphasize the importance while coaching. Defense can spark offense and heighten team spirit, as it takes a team effort to be successful. I’ve been coached by some amazing coaches in AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), high school, and college. I feel that I take pieces of their various styles and incorporate them into my coaching style. What do you expect from your athletes, and what can they count on you for? One thing I learned as a player is to control the controllables, and I expect the same from my team. There are three things that you can always control: effort, energy, and attitude. You can’t control the ref missing a call or your teammate missing a layup. You can always impact the game in a positive way, even if you aren’t scoring. My team can always count on me and my coaching staff to prepare them for success on and off of the basketball court. What was it like to play for Wil Smith at Berkshire? How did he impact you? Coach Smith prioritized building a positive team culture. We all felt safe. While he represents a sense of peace and compassion, he was also able to spark a high level of competitiveness in everyone. We all started to realize that we were lucky to be able to play basketball and be in the position that we were in. His commitment to helping others has impacted me, and I strive to embody his kind efforts and support within my coaching.
59Summer 2022
Photo courtesy of Kristalyn Baisden
“You—Kristalynscoring.”youway,agameimpactalwayscantheinpositiveevenifaren’tBaisden’15
COACH
How does your experience as an elite player help you as a coach? My experience as a player and competing at a high level has equipped me with a great understanding of the game. You learn to understand which sets work against specific defenses. Most importantly, I understand that all players are individuals with different personalities and communication is key. As an elite player, I saw firsthand how important communication would be if I became a coach.
What lasting impact do you hope to have on the players who come through your program? I hope my lasting impact to my players is that I instilled confidence, selflessness, and intangibles in them that they can use as they move forward to college and beyond. Basketball teaches us many lessons that can be applied to life. I hope my impact can be as strong as Coach Smith’s, as his life lessons remain with me to this day.
On Friday, May 27, Berkshire celebrated its 114 members of the Class of 2022 at Commencement. Held in a full Jackman L. Stewart Athletic Center, the ceremony marked the School’s 115th graduation. DeVon Thompson ’22, winner of the Weil Family Prize for Public Speaking, shared remarks on behalf of the students, while Steve Kaczmarek ’85, founder of Borealis Fat Bikes, delivered the Commencement address.
“There are two messages I want to leave you with today: don’t fight the system, be the system’s change agent, and realize that doing whatever we want is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. These systems that we live in are full of people, people we must come to understand and to work in coalition with to create the world we imagine for ourselves and our children.”
—DeVon Thompson ’22
20 22COMMENCEMENT
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SteveAddressCommencementByKaczmarek’85, founder of Borealis Fat Bikes Kaczmarek warms up the crowd with a swagspontaneousgiveaway!
The response came a few days later. It was written well and with sincerity, but nevertheless, it notified me that due to age and an extreme number of demands for his time, my request was denied. The response also included a suggestion that I should purchase his book “The Meaning of Life.” Not exactly what I was seeking, but in some crazy way, it closes a chapter in my mind. I pursued something, but the result was different
It wasn’t by luck that we found Berkshire, but rather a family friend introduced us to the School. Little did I understand that Berkshire was starting to become a part of my DNA even before I stepped foot on this beautifulBerkshirecampus.wasthe single most transformative time in my life. It defined and continues to define who I am today and who I aspire to be. For me, it’s the sense of belonging and purpose. It’s the high standard I try to live up to. What you may not know is how well prepared all of you are for life because of the education and experiences you had while attending Berkshire. You will most likely find your transition to college easy, it will be simple, with few if any complications, and it will be an unemotional event for you as well as your parents. You see, you already made a huge transition when you started at Berkshire. I thought about my transition to college and how uneventful it was. It made me think about Berkshire’s motto: Pro Vita Non Pro Schola Discimus, “Learning—not just for school but for life.” The “For Life” concept takes on a whole new meaning as you get older. Initially, you may be asking: Did I pick the correct college?
PATH:OWNYOURCREATE
Should I take a gap year? Should I break up with my boy/girlfriend or should we try to make the long-distance relationship work? Then life gets a little harder: What about marriage? What about kids? Is my career heading in the right direction or should I make a change? Ultimately, will I beDecisionshappy? will become harder and the potential consequences even greater. This is where many people get stuck, and I’m going to give you some advice. We all know Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” I’m going to skip down to the last famous section: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. For years I thought this was the best poem ever. I thought it defined me. Because I was the one that did things differently, looked at the world with a different lens, and was able to pivot quickly as the world threw new challenges and opportunities in front of me. You see, I was a seeker, always looking for the meaning of life. When I started telling people I wrote to the Dalai Lama last month, very few were surprised. My request was simple. I wanted to meet with His Holiness personally to explore how to make sense of the loss of my father and my brother who died in a tragic car accident 20 years ago. Today, I still struggle with why this happened to me.
My story actually begins a few years before I arrived at Berkshire. My father had died suddenly, and my world was instantly turned upside down. My safety net was gone. My stability was gone. My mom and I were arguing all the time and something needed to change immediately.
A
—Steve Kaczmarek ’85 EXPLORE
63Summer 2022 than anticipated. After reading the book, my main takeaway was: “The ultimate source of happiness is a mental feeling of joy and not a wealth of material goods.”
This is why I think Frost got it all wrong! The road less traveled implies someone has already been there. Someone has already cleared it for you, made sure it was safe. At least a few people have been down that road before you. I am confident you will find yourself in situations as you go through your life where you will think you are all alone. I am here to tell you that you are wrong! My advice to you: Get off the road, create your own path, and choose whichever direction you feel like going. You only have one life. Make sure it’s a good one. It’s going to be exciting, fun, scary, and potentially dangerous. If you succeed, maybe someone will travel the road behind you, which is undoubtedly less traveled, since you were the first one on the road. In life, you have the option to pivot and change directions, which gets harder as you get older. If you are looking for it, you will have many opportunities in your life. Each of these options are filled with risk, but also the potential for reward. You may have to go down the road quite a while until you figure it out. But hopefully, you will be happy along the way! This leads me to a risk I took 20 years ago. I had this amazing idea for a new product. It was perfect, totally ingenious, and truly the one-in-alifetime idea that was going to make me a multimillionaire. I thought about it for years and then finally asked my wife if I could spend the money to start the company. She granted me permission to pursue my dream. Okay, you are all wondering what this product is: it’s the one and only ski tie! It’s the shape of a downhill ski, great graphics and yes, you can all see the curved bottom of the tie simulating your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. Believe it or not, 10 years ago I took another huge risk and started a bike company. What’s crazy is I’m not even a bike guy! While I wouldn’t recommend starting a company that you know absolutely nothing about, it was a risk, and through extreme determination, a great group of employees, and some luck, we made it work. Today I am a bike guy, and when people ask me if I would do it all over again, I immediately respond, “Yes!” I have learned so much in the process: managing people, learning new technology, developing new marketing strategies, and figuring out how to simply endure the pain until you can turn it all around. The opportunities I have been provided as a result of starting this company are incredible and never would have happened if I hadn’t taken the risk. And yes, today it is a successful company, which I am proud to be a part of. And I’m happy!
What about Berkshire, you ask? I have given to Berkshire every year since I graduated. The impact Berkshire made on me at an incredibly difficult time in my life will never be forgotten. How do you quantify this? I’m pretty sure the Advancement Office is going to give me a call after this speech and help me quantify this! So tell your classmates how special they are to you, keep in touch with Berkshire, and come back to the reunions. This is your home. Your family will always be here, and it’s always a safe place. It should always be that special place you can visit in your mind when life throws a curveball. perfectly an actual downhill ski. I immediately purchased skitie.com and set up a website, which in 2004 was a really big deal. I ordered 1,000 ties to start and just waited for the money to come rolling in. I figured Rossignol, K2, Dynastar, Olin, and the other major ski brands would instantly be ordering faster than I could produce. Needless to say, I didn’t become a multimillionaire as a result. I still have about 900 of these ties in my garage and give them out for birthdays and holidays to anyone who doesn’t already have one. Here’s what I think about it today: I lost $10,000. But I pursued my dream and made it happen. I learned that skiers don’t wear ties; they wear turtlenecks at the awards ceremonies. Who knew? I smile when I tell the story, and I don’t want the phrase “I wish I had done that!” to be in my vocabulary.” To quote Mark Twain: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.” So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in “So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Discover.”Dream.
3. Self Care (A Must!): Find what brings you peace, stay close to it, and add it to your daily routine. Johnson closed with these final words, “Maintain grace under pressure, know right from wrong, and have courage. When you walk into the room, believe you belong, look people in the eyes, and give them a firm handshake. Your name is your brand, and how you make people feel is your business card. The work starts now, Class of 2022. This is a toast to your journey.”
1. Fall in Love With the Work: Work on getting better each and every day.
Klay Johnson ’10, a former faculty member, was selected as this year’s keynote speaker. Well known and deeply respected and admired by the Class of 2022, he began his remarks by congratulating the class and celebrating their journey as Bears. “You are the CEO of your journey, the most important job you will ever have. Take that responsibility with honor,” Johnson said. Then he shared three ideas that helped guide his own personal journey.
64 Berkshire Bulletin
On Tuesday, May 24, the seniors and faculty came together on the steps of Berkshire Hall for a reception followed by a special celebratory dinner in Benson Commons.
—Klay Johnson ’10
“You are the CEO of your journey, the most important job you will ever have. Take that responsibility with honor.”
2. Keep Working; Big Bodies: Show up as the teammate you want; when you understand the game, you don’t panic; and keep working.
2 0 2 2 COMMENCEMENT A THETRADITION:SENIORDINNER
65Summer 2022 DREAM
66 Berkshire Bulletin 2 0 2 2 COMMENCEMENT 1 432
67Summer 2022 1. Looking back on the Class of 2022 at their Third Form Retreat at Camp Sloane. 2. Cookie Day! In a recent new tradition, each spring the College Counseling Office invites seniors for cookies and conversations about the remaining steps in the admission process. 3. For Prom, Bears enjoyed a beautiful evening with dinner and dancing in the Soffer Athletic Center. 4. Seniors embarked on a day of aerial adventures (from ziplining to climbing epic ropes courses) at Ramblewild, tucked away in the Berkshires. 5. After Prize Night, there was dessert and dancing to everyone’s favorite local band, The New York Players. 6. On a festive Friday night of Spring Family Weekend, the Class of 2022 gathered for a special dinner in Benson Commons with their families. SEEN AROUND SENIOR 5 6
CHENG-CHIA (TASIA) WU: The Aliis Non Sibi Award. Selected by members of the graduating class, the recipient of this award follows the motto “for others, not themselves.” It recognizes a member of the faculty who, through a love of teaching and abiding commitment to enriching the lives of students, embodies the ideals and spirit of an engaged and treasured member of both the faculty and, equally important, the Berkshire community.
AMANDA C. MILLER of New Canaan, Connecticut: The Anna S. Barrasch Prize, awarded for unselfish interest in people and loyalty to Berkshire.
WILLIAM O. ONUBOGU of West Orange, New Jersey: The Robert A. Powers Award, which recognizes a sixth former who has demonstrated personal growth, loyalty to the school, and dependability of performance which has distinguished their career at Berkshire.
SAMANTHA L.S. BERNSTEIN of Hollywood, Florida: The Princeton Cup, the top sixth-form academic prize awarded for diligence in studies and success in cocurricular activities.
ACHIEVE
CHIOMA OKAFOR of Blantyre, Malawi: The Herger Trophy, awarded to the sixth-form female student who has best exemplified proficiency and sportsmanship in interscholastic athletics.
DEVON C. THOMPSON of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts: The Berkshire Cup, the highest distinction Berkshire confers on one of its graduating seniors. It is given each year to the student who is considered by the faculty to have made the greatest contribution to the success of the school year.
ELIJOSE ARAUJO of Massena, New York: The Head of School Prize, awarded to the student whose particular contribution to Berkshire has distinguished the school year in a special way and whose leadership led others and influenced many.
SANJNA SRINIVASAN of Udhailiyah, Saudi Arabia: The Peter Lance Anderson Award, decided by the membership of the Cum Laude Society and given to the student who best exemplifies the qualities of personal excellence, integrity, and academic scholarship.
PRIZESSIXTHMAJORFORM
NUWEIRA E. AHMED of Newark, New Jersey: The Calvin Fentress Citizenship Award, given for exemplary personal performance, loyalty to Berkshire, and outstanding citizenship in the school community.
STUART C. EGAN of San Francisco, California: The Morris Trophy, awarded to the sixth-form male student who has best exemplified proficiency and sportsmanship in interscholastic athletics.
68 Berkshire Bulletin 2 0 2 2 COMMENCEMENT
Olivia Mirabito Cornell University Clara Mollerus Cornell University
Landon Rush Clarkson University
Jake Simonds Western New England University
Alice Fisher Georgetown University
Abby Vernali University of Virginia Geraldine Visoso Bravo Drew University
Alex Justh Wesleyan University Ada Kennedy University of Vermont Caroline Kerner Syracuse University Christian Kim University of Southern California
Ben Boren Middlebury College
Bennett Braden University of Denver Kurby Brown Denison University Alex Byrne Bowdoin College Ben Cabot St. Lawrence University
Eli Araujo University of Rochester
Brayton Howard University of Virginia
Caroline Reilly Dartmouth College
Logan Soffer University of Miami
Luke Trevisani Bucknell University
Sierra Posey University of Denver Madison Rabb Amherst College
Henry White Bucknell University
Charlie Randall Amherst College
Danil Colin University of Massachusetts, Amherst Emme Coughlin College of Charleston Anthony Dadio Gettysburg College
Natasha Fertig Cornell University
Leo Yang University of Southern California
Lillie Simpson College of Charleston Will Sinclair Junior Hockey
Phoebe Smith Hamilton College
Silas Van Vranken University of Denver
Reed Tarleton Wake Forest University
Anna Schoorlemmer Villanova University
Jesse Bernstein Syracuse University Josh Bernstein Tufts University Samantha Bernstein Tufts University
Cal Osterberger Junior Hockey
Pratt Stetson Junior Hockey
Landon Pickett George Washington University
Midori Fitzgerald Mount Holyoke College Connor Flanagan Colgate University Ethan Fowler Chapman University
Riley Trippe University of Denver
Will O’Callaghan University of Miami Chioma Okafor University of Connecticut Connor O’Keefe University of Colorado Boulder
Theo Stiffler University of Minnesota
Danni Watson Howard University
Finn Sposato Bucknell University
Anna Barbieri Southern Methodist University
James Scullin University of Virginia
Maggie Shen Georgetown University
Frank O’Keefe Trinity College
Nick Donaldson Junior Hockey Dewie Egan Trinity College Maury Escalona St. Lawrence University
Sally Anderson Denison University
Will Esposito University of Notre Dame Emma Ferer Southern Methodist University
Charlie Gosk Northeastern University Jayson Green Clark University Ashlyn Ham Clarkson University Maya Hampton VanSant University of Richmond
Elle Herrington University of Kentucky Emma Herrington Elon University
Thai An Rosario Trinity College
ONWARDSEEWHEREMEMBERSOFTHECLASSOF2022AREHEADEDTHISFALL.
David Oladeji University of Pennsylvania
Sanjna Srinivasan Drexel University
Pryor Sullivan University of Virginia
Amanda Miller Colby College
Peter Tcheleshev Babson College
Isabel Thomas Duke University
Charlotte Turner Colby College
Scott Soh New York University
Lal Çelikbilek Northeastern University Alex Church Southern Methodist University Autumn Coard Villanova University
Anthony Xin University of Urbana-ChampaignIllinois,
Jamie McDonnell Lafayette College
Hugh Bonnette Villanova University
Nuweira Ahmed Northeastern University Wakaba Aihara University of California, San Diego
Vivian Akyirem Northeastern University
Suzie Canetto College of Charleston Reid Capello Connecticut College
Liv Angioletti Trinity College
Will Goldthwaite Northeastern University
Graham Hynes Pitzer College
DeVon Thompson Columbia University
Sydney Allen Boston College
Will Onubogu Bowdoin College
Gabe Rich Emerson College
Jackson Howell Junior Hockey
Addie Loughery University of Miami
Kane Morgan Bard College Athi Msiza Gettysburg College Phoebe Mulder Barnard College Ella Murphy James Madison University Emmanuel Nda Bentley University James Nemeth University of Richmond Minh Nguyên Fordham University
Topher Sharp Southern Methodist University
Boden Gammill Trinity College
Sam Haskel Dartmouth College
Sam Hill The University of Alabama Abby Hornung College of the Holy Cross
Ellie LaCasse Colorado College Tristan Land Santa Clara University
Kiro Manoharan Columbia University
Joey Belenardo University of South Carolina, Columbia Carter Bernstein University of Colorado Boulder
69Summer 2022
SWETHA KODALI ’13 | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY M.D.-Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers University, with thesis work focused on identifying novel therapies for tuberculosis
THROUGH
Building Berkshire’s Endowment for Scholarship Aid and Annual Fund for Financial Aid is essential to the School’s brightest future. All students, whether or not they receive financial aid, are enriched by the breadth and depth of perspectives within our community that are reflective of the world beyond Berkshire. For the benefit of all students, it’s vital that we make the School’s commitment to financial aid sustainable. To support a Berkshire experience today, contact Director of Advancement Andrew Bogardus at abogardus@berkshireschool.org or call 413-229-1237.
CHANGING
I formed relationships that were for life. The friends I made are still my best friends today, and I still turn to many of the lessons I learned from my teachers and coaches. I also developed an appreciation for nature and science that led me to study biology and strive to integrate sustainability into biomedical research.”
CHRIS BUONOMO ’08 | B.A. COLBY COLLEGE, M.U.P. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Urban planner focused on active transportation and mobility
I felt challenged in the classroom and on the field and rink, and I learned how to balance the rigors of such busy days. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, I always knew that I had someone—a friend, a dorm parent, my advisor—who would be willing to help me out. I’ve carried those lessons with me to college and my job, and it’s made me a better colleague and teammate.” A LIFE A BERKSHIRE
“AtBulletinBerkshire,
70 Berkshire
EXPERIENCE
“Attending Berkshire was an incredible opportunity that prepared me well for my time in college and beyond.
THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL AID IN 2021–2022 $5.4M FinancialBudgetAid $46,000 Average Award 107 Number Recipientsof 25% of Student Body Receiving Financial Aid $150,000 Support Beyond Tuition (books, trips, transportation, etc.)
71Summer 2022 www.berkshireschool.org/reunionweekendJUNE9–11,2023WELCOMING BACK ’3s AND ’8 s! Mark your calendar!
72 Berkshire Bulletin
This spring, Berkshire hosted an in-person reunion for the first time since 2019. We welcomed a record-setting 450 alumni and guests to campus for a Supersized Reunion Weekend on June 10–12, 2022. Alumni from across the generations traveled from 36 states and as far away as New Zealand to return home under the Mountain. It was an unforgettable three days filled with reminiscing, reconnection, and rediscovering Berkshire. For more Reunion Weekend photos, visit berkshireschool.smugmug.
2022REUNION
Celebrating the Classes of ’0s, ’1s, ’2s, ’5s, ’6s, and ‘7s A Reunion to Remember!
73Summer 2022
74 Berkshire Bulletin 2022REUNION LineUpWeekendThe Activities for everyone! 50-Year Club Luncheon kicked off Reunion Weekend. John Hull ’51 and Dana de Windt ’66 caught up in Benson Commons. Bernay Fine Art & Wine Reception in Great Barrington was hosted by owners and siblings Lou Friedman ’80 and Paula Friedman ’82. Eliza McKenna ’16, Amani Bethea ’16, Kenny Coard ’85, Catherine Saunders ’81, and Dre Horton ’01 with Paula enjoyed wine surrounded by beautiful art. New England Clambake Former faculty John Callahan with his wife, Kathi; Allison Herrington ’82; and Simon Walling ’82 with his wife, Elizabeth, cracked shells at the clambake.
Golf Outing at the Wyantenuck Country Club Jack Scarafoni ’17, Ben Dixon ’17, and Devon Powers ’16 hit the links with Athletic Director Dan Driscoll.
75Summer 2022 Paint and Sip Alums captured the beauty of campus on canvas.
Scavenger Hunt Finding Berkshire’s Roots Erik Herman ’85 with his wife, Franzi, and their three children, Haleigh (8), Harper (6), and Harleau (4), discovered buried secrets as they explored every corner of campus.
Music and Dancing under the Tent with New York band, The Bushwhackers
Dr. Jack Bacon ’72 Distinguished Alumni Award
Barely 20 years after he graduated from Berkshire, internationally recognized NASA scientist, futurist, and technological historian Dr. Jack Bacon ’72 would come to be known among peers in his field as the next Carl Sagan. And while his trajectory may, on paper, appear linear, he is the first to caution against such thinking. “We should expect a curve,” he once remarked in a lecture overseas. “That’s the game of being a futurist. Look at the things that get us off the trends we’re used to.” It is precisely his ability to identify and consider the unconventional that has led to Dr. Bacon’s success. Currently, the safety lead for NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office within the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science Division at the Johnson Space Center, Dr. Bacon has made contributions to the International Space Station (ISS) that are, in NASA’s words, “astronomical.” In a 32-year career with the ISS, he has been a leading figure in the collaborative work of space agencies and programs around the globe. In fact, as U.S. Technical Integration Lead during the construction and 1998 launch of Zarya—the first ISS module—his work, which bridged all U.S. and Russian technologies and standards, led to the very creation of the International Space Station. In the years that followed, he worked on cutting-edge technologies such as thermonuclear fusion and virtual reality, as well as projects like EarlyComm, drag reduction, and fittingly, the ISS’s end-of-life planning. For 16 years, he was a perennial near runner-up in the astronaut selection process. Early on in his career, he also pioneered the deployment
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On Saturday, June 11, Head of School Pieter Mulder P’22,’26 awarded Dr. Jack Bacon ’72 with Berkshire’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor that the School confers on one of its graduates, and Rob Jacobs ’04 with the Kellogg Volunteer of the Year Award.
ExcellenceAwarding
“Jack is one of the very few people I have known who can say that he knew exactly what he wanted to be when he got older, and damn if he didn’t show everybody and become that ‘rocket scientist,’” wrote Glenn Partridge ’72, congratulating his friend and classmate on the award. In a similar fashion, Carole Maghery King ’72, who said that, “he has been the definition of a lifelong friend,” added, “There are so many accomplishments on Jack Bacon’s resume that it seems nearly impossible they are the work of just one person.”
Jack Bacon’s resume that it seems nearly impossible they are the work of just one person.”
A distinguished lecturer emeritus of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Dr. Bacon is the recipient of the U.S. Government’s Exceptional Achievement Medal; the Johnson Space Center’s highest recognition, the Certificate of Commendation; and NASA’s coveted Silver Snoopy Award, among many other honors and awards. The author of three books and numerous technical papers, he was the head of two Engineers Without Borders projects in Rwanda and There are so accomplishmentsmanyon
77Summer 2022 of several artificial intelligence systems at the famed Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. “Jack’s career has touched on technologies that literally changed the world,” Mulder said. At Berkshire, Dr. Bacon was a devoted varsity baseball team manager, cross-country runner, thespian, and Cum Laude Society inductee, completing a senior year independent study on plasma engines, a space-propulsion principle. He went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in 1976, followed by M.S. (mechanical and aerospace engineering) and Ph.D. (fluid mechanics) degrees in 1978 and 1984, respectively, from the University of Rochester, where he worked on laser-fusion power reactors, fusion propulsion systems, and microgravity fluid surfaces.
—Carole Maghery King ’72 Kenya, and is a sought-after international speaker on the topic of technology and its impact on society. Throughout his stellar career, Dr. Bacon has remained close to the Berkshire community. He returned to campus in the fall of 2019 for a panel marking 50 years of coeducation at the School. In a 2014 presentation to students on campus, he credited several Berkshire educators and coaches, including Twiggs Myers, Tom Dixon, and Tom and Susan Young, for their encouragement and mentorship. “I still remember their character as much as what I learned from them,” he said. “If you see that I have great joy in what I do, it is because of that lesson that I learned at Berkshire: it is about life.”
As part of Dr. Bacon’s remarks, he announced that he and his wife, Kathleen, will give 2% of their entire estate to Berkshire School, establishing a scholarship for an entering freshman female student in the name of Tom and Sue Young. The scholarship will “honor the nine pioneer women that made this place what it is today and honor the Youngs, who made me who I am today,” he said. Dr. Bacon closed with a quote from one of his favorite movies, “Mr. Holland’s Opus”: “Look around you. There’s not a life in this room that you have not touched, and each one of us is the better for it. We are your symphony, Mr. Holland. We are the melodies and the notes of your opus. And we are the music of your life.”
Dr. Jack Bacon ’72 with former faculty, Susan and Tom Young continued on next page
“Rob leads with grace, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose, bringing all of these different voices to ensure our strongest sense of community at Berkshire,” Mulder said.
A member of Berkshire’s cross country, basketball, and track & field teams, in 2015 Jacobs was an instrumental recruiter and organizer—not to mention player—at the inaugural Troy R. Robinson ’85 Alumni Basketball Game, where he earned the MVP award.
2022REUNION
“Rob has always gone above and beyond the call of duty—in friendship, in support, in the little things that make those around him feel like an important part of his journey through life,” remarked classmate Faye Klein ’04, noting that the honor should come as no surprise. “Rob is an unbeatable contribution to any organization and his devotion to Berkshire is hard to top.”
Following Berkshire, Jacobs earned combined BS/ MS degrees in accounting at Daemen University, where he played basketball. A licensed CPA, he has built his career at high-growth venture and private-equitybacked technology companies, and he currently serves as vice president of Finance at TripleLift, an advertising technology firm. He is also pursuing an MBA from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Business.
Rob Jacobs ’04 Kellogg Volunteer of the Year Unwavering in his support of Berkshire as both a student and alumnus, Rob Jacobs has twice served as a Reunion Committee member for his class (2013–2014 and 2018–2019). Since May 2021, he also has chaired the School’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Alumni Council to help make the School a more inclusive community.
“From the first day I met Rob as a freshman to the first day he stepped on campus as a postgraduate, his love and passion for Berkshire has been evident,” said Kenny Coard ’85, P’22,’23 former faculty member, current trustee, and last year’s Kellogg Volunteer of the Year. “He epitomizes everything that is Berkshire—he is selfless, sincere, thoughtful, and genuine, and makes everyone he encounters feel special. I am so proud of the man he has become and can’t think of a person more deserving of this award.”
—Head of School Pieter Mulder Head of School Pieter Mulder introduced Rob Jacobs ’04, who beamed in with a special video message.
78 Berkshire Bulletin
In addition to his service efforts at the school, from 2019 to 2021, he served as co-chair of the CFO Leadership Council’s NYC Chapter and has served as a tax preparer for NYC Cares, helping to support underserved communities.
Although Jacobs was not able to attend Reunion Weekend, he beamed in with a special video message. He best described his school experience as jumping from lily pads on a pond. “To me, lily pads represent the support I’ve received when I was unsure where to go or how to move forward in life. Life has never been a straight shot across the pond.” Jacobs continued, “If it weren’t for the people who took the time to help me get to my next lily pad, I would not be the man that I am today.” He closed his remarks with a quote from John Lennon: “A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” Rob leads with grace, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose, bringing all of these different voices to ensure our strongest sense of community at Berkshire.”
79Summer 2022 ’71 ’72 On Saturday evening, reunion classes welcomed and applauded the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 as they paraded into Benson Commons to celebrate their 50th-reunion milestone with classmates and friends. After dinner, alumni gathered for dessert and dancing under the tent on Stewart theWelcomePitch.to50thClub’70 The 50th parade, a Reunion Robintradition,WeekendwasledbyMcGraw’70
In Honor
The Class of 1957 Faculty Chair was established by members of the class on the occasion of their 65th reunion to pay tribute to C. Twiggs Myers Hon. ’57, their honorary classmate and legendary Berkshire teacher and coach. Languages Department Chair Jesús Ibáñez is the inaugural recipient of the 1957 Faculty Chair.
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Faculty members Sylvia Gappa and Dr. George Stetson were this year’s recipients of The Class of 1957 Faculty Award, in recognition of teaching excellence (in a veteran and newer faculty member respectively).
Berkshire’s Archivist Bebe Clark Bullock ’86, with the help of Angela Lange Meredith-Jones ‘87 and Lara Schefler McLanahan ‘86, curated a collection of artwork from the School archives and the alums’ family members for an art exhibit in their memory over Reunion ClassmatesWeekend.shared moving remembrances about each of the artists recalling how they inspired them with their creative, quirky, and loving personalities. For photos from the Class of 1986 Reunion Weekend gathering, www.berkshireschool.smugmug.com.visit
Front row: Sylvia Gappa, Page Henrion, Penny Hudnut Hon. ’57 Middle row: John Delamater ’57, Kay Shields, Marja Delamater Back row: Walt Henrion ’57, Lois Monahan Hon.’57, Jesús Ibáñez, Stephen Schoenfeld, Bruce Shields ’57, and Head of School Pieter Mulder and Lucia Mulder
The Classes of 1957 and 1986 celebrated their milestone reunions by honoring classmates who made an indelible impact on their classes and at Berkshire.
Chuck Beyer Andrew Flamm
2022REUNION
John Maheras Jim Noyes
Faculty Chair Established by Class of 1957
The Class of 1986 Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Arts celebrates four fallen classmates On Saturday evening, members from the Class of 1986 gathered for cocktails at The Warren Family Gallery to remember their fallen classmates, Chuck Beyer, Andrew “Flamm” Flamm, John “JP” Maheras, and Jim Noyes, all of whom were talented artists during their time at Berkshire. To honor their legacy, the class established The Class of 1986 Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Arts, an endowment that provides annual financial aid assistance for a Berkshire student with a proven interest in the arts.
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Tom Wolf ’44C and John Schofield ’44C at their 75th reunion
1956 Daniel C. M. crabsail@icloud.comCrabbe Dan Crabbe writes: “Joe Cole tells me that he just retired along with his wife, Malou, and will be spending his retirement between Escondido, CA, and Valréas, France.”
1948 75 th George Church jayneme3@gmail.comIII Jon Miller writes: “To all alumni: I have been writing a memoir covering my years at Berkshire and in particular, the events that caused me to go there in the first Tad Woodhull ’52 at Piper Aircraft Factory in Vero Beach, FL Berkshire Class of 1956 BECOME A CLASS AGENT! Please email alumni@berkshireschool.org
1953 70 th John G. jcluett34@gmail.comCluett Herb Roskind writes: “The Class of 1953 is planning our 70th Reunion. There were only 35 graduates back then, much smaller. We’re missing a few, and some are unable to travel. There is a group looking forward to being together again, seeing the new, and enjoying the old. The Mountain, campus, and memories are important. Many have done amazing things. Some, like me, changed careers. I went from chemical business to teaching global trade and supply chain at Arizona State University.”
1949 Robert W. Doyle, robertwdoylesr@gmail.comSr.
Tom Wolf writes: “My classmate, John Schofield, died on March 10, 2022. He attended Berkshire for five years and was the next-to-the-last of ‘Del’s’ (Headmaster deWindt’s) 11 boys. I am now the last! John and I roomed together at Berkshire and at Princeton. John was my best man when I married Bobbie in 2010. Our friendship lasted 81 years and during the last 20, we spoke to each other at least every two weeks.” place, along with my interpretation of what I thought the final results were of my going there, whether positive or negative. These experiences of course are something that every alumnus goes through, however brief their stay, and however mundane or eventful those experiences might be. Though some of the material is quite sensitive, I am still interested in publishing it, and any alumni (former students) or current students who might be interested in seeing it can contact me at millerjon9@ gmail.com or 301-946-8276.”
1951 John B. Hull III (413) 528-1528 1952 Tad Woodhull writes: “Piper Aircraft gave me a great 88th birthday present—took me with an IP for a two-hour refresher in a new 181 and got me current after 13 years out of the cockpit. Feels good to be back at it.”
1955 Lewis E. ttwichell@thacher.orgFredericklewcchd@gmail.comSadlerC.Twichell
82 Berkshire Bulletin Class1944CNotes
NotesClass
1966 Harlan J. Swift, timswifty@gmail.comJr. Dana de Windt writes: “Life leads us all in special directions, from schooling to working to raising a family. As my grandfather was once headmaster of Berkshire, it seems important to stand up and be strong for others. Twentyfive percent of my life has been tied up
83Summer 2022 Class Notes
1958 65 th Benjamin J. benrosin@aol.comRosin 1960 Joseph D. Bodak, steve@spnormanco.comStephenjdbodakjr@hotmail.comJr.P.Norman
antique home and deep into clearing out a barn and attic full of too many treasures from our lives around the world—all the while grieving Ukraine’s tragic struggle and the frightening shadows of a crumbling world order and a deeply polarized nation.”
1957 Thomas B. Anderson walthenrion@gmail.comWaltertom.anderson@sonoma.eduIIIS.Henrion Walt Henrion writes: “The countdown for our 65th Reunion is on. Actually, by the time you read this, it will be ancient history. Our class has been a trailblazer for many reasons: the first 55th reunion class, the first 60th reunion class, and now the first 65th reunion class. Additionally, we are the first class with a $700K endowment that annually recognizes two faculty members, and we just announced a new endowment at our 65th Reunion, The Class of 1957 Faculty Chair, in memory of C. Twiggs Myers Hon. ’57. Not bad for 39 graduates, most of whom love Berkshire.” Mac Odell writes: “Marcia and I finally abandoned the Washington, DC, ‘swamp’ and our cute home in Georgetown to move back to our historic 18th-century colonial in South Hampton, NH, which we bought in 2001—expecting to live there until retirement. But our international work took us across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Philippines, Egypt, Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, and beyond requiring a temporary base in DC that turned into 14 years. Now, when we should be enjoying a leisurely retirement, we are instead busy resurrecting a neglected
Mac Odell ’57 with his wife, Marcia, in New Hampshire’s winter Jamie Murray ’62 and Al Popkess ’62 on the Indian River just west of the Windsor Club and north of Vero Beach, FL Bruce Berman ’64
1961 Peter R. pkellogg@iatre.comKellogg 1962 Andrew S. aberkman@cpny.comBerkman
Rich Bradley writes: “Still active and enjoying a busy life serving as the executive director of two community development business associations in the Washington, DC, region having previously spent 20 years leading the Downtown DC Improvement District along with my wife, Ellen, and also teaching at Georgetown. In late spring, we annually abandon DC to relocate to a second home on the Maine coast in Camden.”
1963 60 th Peter V. K. pvkp2@msn.comParsons 1964 Bruce Berman writes: “Good health permits me to keep practicing law full time. I still manage to get out my now 1,700-page legal treatise, ‘Berman’s Florida Civil Procedure,’ (published annually), with the 2022 edition about to be issued. I have always appreciated the extraordinary English education I received at Berkshire, with the unique Tom Chaffee, both in the classroom and as faculty advisor to the school newspaper. It has served me incredibly well over a lifetime of professional work. Other academic memories abound, in calculus (with the memorable ‘Speedo’), which provided the segue into Williams College, and French (with the memorable ‘Bird,’ whose voice I still hear in my ear). Thanks to Berkshire for all that it did to provide such a formidable and invaluable foundation for a lifetime.”
John Hill writes: “Graduation in 1968 seemed such a long way away! Retired and living a leisurely life. Hope everyone is well!”
Chris Blair writes: “I noticed a multipage spread on Robin McGraw ’70 in the regional Berkshire Trade and Commerce newspaper. It recounts his Bob Mustard ’67 traveling again George Ripley writes: “I was remembering what it was about Berkshire that caught my attention after seeing schools from St Paul’s to Andover to Choate. Aside from the wild beauty of the Mountain, I think what captured my interest was the sense of authenticity at Berkshire. It has a downto-earth quality. Fifty plus years later, I continue to work at the grassroots level in trying to help create a better world. The green fringed flag I’m holding in the photo is the Grassroots Flag of Social Justice, the flagpole symbolizing that which we stand for, a George Ripley ’67 with the Grassroots Flag of Social Justice through strong ’69’s son, Kane ’22, is the fourth player from left in the back row. Team photo courtesy of Jim Haskel ’86
democracySteveMorgan
Steve Morgan writes: “I just got back from being in Florida with the Berkshire baseball team. My son, Kane ’22, is a pitcher. Chris Bell and Stiles Peet (Steve Peet ’69’s brother) came to a game to watch him play. Kane will pitch for Bard College beginning next year.”
work on developing an aquaponic food facility that serves to redirect and retrain local correction facility inmates. A challenging project in simple times that was tested during the time of the virus. Hats off to Rob.”
1967 F. Woodson Hancock woods1949@gmail.comIII
Steve Foose writes: “Fifty-five years since graduation; life has been an amazing journey (still is). I’ve been trying to retire. I’m 25–33% there! I now spend the winters sailing in the Bahamas, then back to the Berkshires, where I live just up the road from Berkshire School.” Bob Mustard writes: “I’m finally retired and have six grandchildren. I was Super Senior Champ at Eastward Ho! Country Club.”
1969 Kent S. Clow ksc3@msn.comIII
Robin McGraw writes: “Jen Nichols ’87 and I were both awarded the Player-of-the-Game trophies at this year’s Alumni Hockey game for our relentless commitment to the success of Berkshire’s longest-running alumni game. This was my 39th game and it’s time to hang them up ... we shall see ... world that works for everyone. I urge friends to recognize the important communication role of flags and not to be afraid or ashamed to wave the flag of your choice with passion. As I push this symbolism out into the national marketplace my plan is that 80% of the proceeds will go to groups supporting electoral reform.” 1968 55 th L. Keith lkreed.mt@gmail.comReed
1970 Robert L. W. blackrockfarm@hotmail.comMcGraw
84 Berkshire Bulletin Class Notes in the ordeal I am sharing with you. As most don’t have backbones, if you choose and take your time www.mswhistleblower.com.”...
1971 Kevin J. kevin.bruemmer@gmail.comBruemmer
Once again, Green defeated Gray.”
85Summer 2022 Class Notes
Chet Van Vleck ’71 on a day hike to a typical New Zealand podocarp forest
Rex Morgan writes: “I retired from Bristol Myers Squibb in March. Now I’m looking forward to spending more time with my adorable grandson, Dean, playing golf, riding my bike, working on a biography about my father’s incredible life, and taking naps on the couch in the afternoon! Excited about gathering the troops next year for our 50th reunion!”
Brad Parker writes: “After a delay caused by COVID, my wife and I were able to sell our business in late 2021. We will be traveling for much of 2022 to catch up with friends and family and then move to Sedona, AZ, for our retirement. Yippee!”
BERKSHIRE’SSUPPORT
Kevin Bruemmer writes: “Our reunion team of John Shaker, Bill Cushman, Tom Stinson, Charlie Murdock, and Chet Van Vleck worked diligently to have the highest reunion participation from the Class of ’71 ever. A real grassroots effort. We generated lots of excitement before the reunion, and this was the key to a good turnout. The more people we signed up, the easier it was to get even more. Also, a great thing that we shared our 50th with others from ’70 and ’72.”
ANNUAL FUND! Every gift supports a Berkshire experience.
Ken Gordon writes: “Going back a couple of years … Viacom/CBS handed me what I considered early retirement. On the upside, it has provided me time to work on a project about my greatgreat-great-grandfather who went on to become the 11th Commander of the USS Constitution. With my 30 years’ experience as a news videographer, ability to research a story, and the gear to get it on camera, I am currently in production of a documentary on the life and times of Jacob Jones 1766–1850. As I move on with the relatively straightforward and somewhat ‘affordable’ documentary, and with the help of a Kickstarter campaign, I hope to present this to producers to turn it into a dramatic, reenacted, serialized documentary.”
1972 John Y. G. Walker jwalker2353@gmail.comIII
Chris Groves writes: “I recently met up with Rob Bowers ’74 at Mt. Sunapee, NH, for a morning of skiing. We had a blast, and Rob still skis wicked fast!”
Jen Nichols ’87 and Robin McGraw ’70 at the Berkshire Alumni Hockey game
1973 50 th Rex S. Morgan, jerryweil.tennis@gmail.comLeonmichele.robins@gmail.comMichelerexsmorgan@gmail.comJr.RobinsJ.Weil,Jr.
Rob Bowers ’74 and Chris Groves ’73 at Mt. Sunapee, NH Rex Morgan ’73 with grandson, Dean Morgan
Jim Cropsey ’75 Joe Fusco writes: “Thank you, Chris Geer, for writing the reunion emails and letters to our class and to Beth Mayer Chris Geer ’75 at the Oakland Coliseum in California Frank Potash writes: “I’m happy to announce that after 15+ years with Robert A. M. Stern Architects, I’m joining the great resignation and retiring. Also, Alan and I are looking forward to
86 Berkshire Bulletin Class Notes
Jeff Peck writes: “I have been living in Grosse Pointe, MI, for the last 24 years, after three years in New Orleans, LA, six years in Boston, MA, three years in Hartford, CT, and almost seven years in New York working. Still working but trying to retire. However, with a son in his senior year at University of South Carolina, and then probably law school, it may be a while. I also have a daughter who lives in Washington, DC, and works for the American Chemical Council. All the best to all of my classmates. I hope to make next year’s 50th reunion; where has the time gone?” 1974 Louise A. luluinsf2005@yahoo.comClement
Carlisle for her encouragement. We are proud to be 1975’ers. I was so heartened to hear from Barbara Ho and Lee Hartmann: they both reported being with classmates Liza Benson and Betsy Batchelar Klesse to celebrate the lives of their dear friends Annie McNiven and Chuck DelGrande. Barbara gives her regards to classmates and writes from her new home in New Hampshire to tell of family and travel. California visits from Cindy and Ward Doonan, Linda and Nat Bruning, and Patrick Healy have kept me busy and blessed. Frank Kirschner and Wayne Andrews are always great about texting to say hi. It’s even good to connect virtually, as I often hear from Frank Potash, Pete Marechal, Pam Walker, and Jonathan Leet that way.”
Scott Nathan ’74 and family. From left to right: Samantha (daughter), Ally (daughter-in-law), Aaron (son), Audrey (wife), Scott, Rafa, Shoshana (daughterin-law), Adam (son) Chris Petersen ’74 and Karen Parker ’74 in Carmel, CA, where Karen lives. They’re still best buddies after all these years.
Chris Geer writes: “I’d love to come back and teach a little ‘sports marketing’ and the art of sports rights negotiating, but I’m an old timer and now it’s all social media. Regardless, the outfield wall signage at the Oakland Coliseum back in 1992 was only the second such outfield wall signage in Major League Baseball and the very first in the American League. I negotiated and created this ‘crazy’ (at that time) concept over cocktails during Spring Training with Oakland Athletics senior management.”
Scott Nathan writes: “After Berkshire I attended Lake Forest College for a year, then Syracuse University and finally law school in Boston, MA. I married my wife of 41 years shortly before law school. We moved to Tucson, AZ, for two years for judicial clerkships and moved back to the Boston area where we raised our family. Two of our children are married and we have a grandson, which is the greatest. I’ve been practicing law for all of these years, focusing on startups and climate change, and have been involved with voter protection for almost two decades. Recently I had the great fortune to reconnect with Robin MacAusland ’76 and Alison Gerold Dale ’75, and I look forward to seeing them and others soon.”
1975 Jim Cropsey writes: “After several years applying, I won a fair chase, public land, A3 guided Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) hunt in the remote Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico. We slept in tents in December, scouting for this elusive introduced species (there are more Aoudad in the USA than Morocco) that have overpopulated the region and are hunted almost year round. It was cold enough some nights to freeze our water bottles. My one opportunity was at 468 yards! Good thing I was in Winter Outing and president of the Rifle Club at Berkshire. The trophy scored 145 0/8, which earned a 2021 Platinum Award from Grand Slam Club Ovis. Aoudad are a bit toothsome. However, tenderizing and authentic Moroccan recipes make it palatable.”
1976 Stephen H. shasse01@gmail.comHassett 1977 Richard M. rmcgivern@msn.comMcGivern
1978 45 th Birney B. bbboehland@gmail.comBoehland 1979 Robert D. bthomas@wwsg.comThomas
87Summer 2022 Class Notes becoming grandfathers this summer. That said, I’m looking forward to seeing my fellow geezers at Berkshire events!”
Jay Rolston writes: “Hilary Famolare ’78 and I have been operating Bordertown Farm CBD for the past five years. Bordertown Farm is a 100-acre, organic Jay Rolston ’77 and Hilary Famolare ’78 standing in their field. Rob Lansford writes: “The sports betting industry is booming, and I got in with my app, The Sports Caddy. I know most Bears alumni are sports fans, so give The Sports Caddy a try between friends and family. It’s a blast!” Tony Settel writes: “Hello to my fellow classmates of ’79. Still working as a high school guidance counselor in Burlington, VT. I have a picture of Twiggs Myers Hon. ’57 on my office wall serving as a reminder of how to best serve students, except maybe not some of his choice comments to us as we congregated outside his apartment door in Buck before lights out. Nice to live here in the Green Mountains, so reminiscent of the Sunil Rajan ’80 and Lisa Rotella Peter Jennings ’78 organized an unofficial gathering in Palm Beach, FL, with other Berkshire alums. Several classes were in attendance. A small golf outing the next day. David Gefke ’79 writes: “Great to see everyone, and let’s not wait another 40 years!”
Andy Giddings writes: “I’m now working as the Med Safely Officer for the UNR School of Medicine in Reno, NV.”
Corrine Kelley Wagner writes: “Hello from sunny Sarasota, FL! I moved here seven years ago to be close to my children, who live in Tampa. I sell real estate for Coldwell Banker and had the pleasure of selling Mindy Brooks Belter ’72 and her husband Jim a beautiful villa in Sarasota. I miss the beautiful Berkshire mountains and hope to visit this summer!”
Corrine Kelley Wagner ’75 lovin’ the Florida life!
Berkshires. Hope everyone is well and looking forward to post-COVID times.”
Kevin Melloy writes: “I’m excited to share that I’m now a Vermont resident, licensed realtor in Vermont and Delaware, and artist gallery owner in Puerto Rico.”
Sunil Rajan writes: “I’m getting married to Lisa Rotella in October! Got engaged on December 22, 2021, in Quebec, Canada. Honeymoon will be in Positano, Italy. Between us, we will have six cherished children and we will be the modern Brady Bunch. Our children include Nikhil, Olivia, Maya, Ava, Quentin and the most cherished of all, Rohan. We hope to see everyone in the coming years of alumni reunions. Cheers to everyone.” hemp farm in Brattleboro, VT, owned by Hilary and her sister. Hilary and I will be planting our first acre of organic, recreational cannabis plants this spring to add to our line of CBD products. Check out our website at www. bordertownfarmvt.com.”
1980 Kimberley C. sveronesi@cox.netStevenuticaeyedoc@icloud.comRalphkcfuchs33@verizon.netFuchsJ.LambertoP.Veronesi
David Weiner writes: “Hard to believe I’ve lived in Los Angeles, CA, for over three decades now. Keeping busy with my family and making long-form documentaries. ‘In Search of Tomorrow,’ my doc on ’80s Sci-Fi cinema, came out in the spring (with a ‘pandemic premiere’ in Hollywood), and now I’m hard at work on the third and final installment of ‘In Search of Darkness,’ all about ’80s horror movies. Keep an eye out for that one to arrive around 1981 Annie Godfrey sasroyale@yahoo.comSueclyne@optonline.netClyneAnnStanton
Wendy Wyckoff writes: My family and I are still enjoying living in Boulder, CO, after 37 years. I frequently see Steve Kaczmarek, who lives in Colorado Springs, and Allegra Chappell, who lives in Carbondale. Colorado is still beautiful, and we all enjoy skiing, biking, and playing in the mountains. Give me a call if you are planning a trip out, XOXOX.” 1986 Rhonda M. erikzimmerman46@gmail.comErikazh@me.comAnnlara.mclanahan@berkshireschool.orgLaratclifford11@gmail.comAnthonyrblewis81411@gmail.comBentley-LewisS.CliffordScheflerMcLanahanC.Zimmerli-HaskelC.Zimmerman
Bears’TheDen
1983 40 th Karen Schnurr karensecrist6@gmail.comSecrist
•••
Steve Sanders ’84
1985 Lionel A. mtbwachter@gmail.comMarylionel_shaw@yahoo.comShawBrosnahanWachter
Tom Boehland writes: “Greetings from the Lone Star State! Hope everyone is doing well and getting back to normal after two years of masks! Kim and I moved to Dallas almost three years ago when our first grandson (Troyer Stephenson) was born. I’m commuting every other week between Dallas and Minneapolis. Love being a grandparent! Troyer is my little buddy and has shown an early interest in cars and racing. Our son and daughter-in-law (in Minneapolis) had a little girl on April 3. She’s turning into quite the little personality. They grow so fast! Since our 40th reunion was scrapped, I hope to be back for the 45th. Stay positive, test negative!” Max Maxwell writes: “I hope the alum classes are well. I enjoyed seeing many of you in June—what a crazy couple of years it’s been! I continue to develop software, mostly focused on building analytics these days. I was just able to hire my old boss to work for me. We’ve been friends for over 30 years, and I worked for him for 18. Now he’s coming to work for me. LOL, this should be fun! I also have developed a small golf addiction. Although I still pretty much suck, I do enjoy it.”
Eric Blumencranz writes: “My life is great as the saying goes; we are only as happy as our least happy child ... well all mine are in a happy post-COVID place. My oldest is living his best life in Newport Beach, CA, my youngest is finishing his freshman year at Syracuse, and my middle son is running for a seat in the NY State Assembly representing the 15th District here on Long Island, NY. My significant other has identical twin girls who are celebrating their 9th birthdays, TikToking around our house. Missing all my old Berkshire friends but keeping up with a bunch of you on social media.” 1984 Debra druckerdeb@yahoo.comDrucker Steve Sanders writes: “I was recently named senior appellate counsel at the For campus news, events, and more! Stay connected at berkshireschool.org/bearsden.
1982 Anthony P.
gaylesaks@gmail.comGaylelaxcoachgeorge@gmail.comGeorgejay@bhsusa.comJayrose@spiderwebstudio.comRosemaryjamesdemmert@gmail.comJames(802)Andrewdoubleany1@gmail.comAddisonChampagne540-0717E.DemmertG.FitzgeraldK.OverbyeL.RiosecoIIIS.Saks
88 Berkshire Bulletin Class Notes U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. In addition to my appellate docket, I now oversee my office’s responses to habeas petitions.”
JUNE 202320239–11
Brian Luts writes: “I had the pleasure of teaching a Pro Vita class on campus this winter. What a great experience. To see how much the school has grown and changed since I was a student there is incredible. I really enjoyed it. I’m also very excited to say that my daughter will become a Bear in the fall. So proud of her. I know she will have a great time at Berkshire!”
1987 Janna Klyver ameredithjones@gmail.comAngelajannacord@aol.comCordLangeMeredith-Jones
Dee McGaffey Schwein writes: “Chad and I hit our 17th anniversary this year, and our second during a pandemic! We plan to take an extended trip overseas, but exactly where and when remains ’3s & ’8s!
Christie Dufault writes: “After more than 25 years in the west, I moved east with my spouse, Jordan. We are living in New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Looking forward to seeing more of my East Coast classmates and the Berkshire community at large.”
1990 Natalie Bradley natdillon28@gmail.comNataliekatecoughlin1@gmail.comKatharineninabclarke@gmail.comClarkeCutlerCoughlinDillon
David Weiner ’86 (center) talks at the “In Search of Tomorrow” premiere Q&A in Hollywood. Thomas Maddock ’87, retired Lt. Col, USAF and former Bowling Green State University hockey player, hit the ice at the Las Vegas Golden Knights practice facility in March 2022.
1988 35 th Anne E. jdwattjr@gmail.comJamesglaccume@gmail.comGlaccumD.Watt,Jr.
89Summer 2022 Class Notes Halloween. Hoping to make my way back to Berkshire soon!”
WELCOMING BACK
1989 Andrew D. andrewdrexelallen@gmail.comAllen
amorphous for now. In the meantime, I have been doing design and marketing for the Writers Drinking Coffee (WDC) podcast (writersdrinkingcoffee.com).
WDC started as conversations in the Bean Scene in Sunnyvale (Hi Kenny!), and has grown to include guests from across genres, including Charles Stross, David Drake, Katherine Kerr, and Carrie Vaughn, to name a few. Our hosts: authors Chaz Brenchley and Jeannie Warner, and poet John Schmidt, talk about writing, editing, and the whole creative process.”
Brian Luts ’90 with daughter, Bailey ’26 Dee McGaffey Schwein ’90 and Chad on their way to Hawaii in 2020.
Be Singer writes: “I finished the 2,193.1 mile through-hike of the Appalachian Trail—14 states in all, Georgia to Maine. Not only does this walking path pass through the woods behind Berkshire School, it is a trail Berkshire students have helped maintain first in 1921. In 1923, Seaver Buck had Sir G. Mallory speak to the school about his first attempt at Mt. Everest, revealing the value of places on exploration. The history of the area on which Berkshire School sits reveals a long connection with hiking, utilizing the land, and living in conjunction, not opposition, with the environment.”
Nik and Julie Rubinstein Bronder ’97 at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Spanish Basque Country, 2019 Mimi Ramos writes: “Keira McKenna Holbrough ’92 and I were best friends throughout our time at Berkshire. We kept in touch here and there but hadn’t seen one another for at least seven or eight years. A few weeks before the academic year started, I found a message from Keira saying that Jack would be at Berkshire with Finn, and beyond that, they would both be playing football! To our extreme excitement, our sons became fast friends and we got to take this photo together after their first home Friday Night lights at Berkshire. Keira McKenna Holbrough ’92, Jack Holbrough ’25, Finn Harney ’25, and Mimi Ramos ’91 after the first home game
Cody Morgan writes: “It always feels like home when I visit the Berkshire website and see the familiar landscapes and buildings. I thought it might be time to share the exciting things I am up to. I have settled into a place where I can continue to explore and enjoy the outdoors, just as I did on the Mountain. My longtime girlfriend and I own an adventure business, LOOP SXS Adventures. We offer trail advice, rent GPS mapping devices, as well as UTVs and Jeeps for exploring in Kanab, UT. We are very happy and love to share these amazing areas with our clients. Maybe we will see some of you guys out here.” game. Words can’t describe what it meant to me to be back under the Mountain with my best friend from high school, watching our sons play football together on Berkshire’s magical campus!”
1997 Kristina Thaute kthaute@yahoo.comMiller
1993 30 th Hilary Ivey tenley@mac.comTenleyhilary@schoolsuitessoftware.comMuellerE.Reed
90 Berkshire Bulletin Class1991Notes
1992 Abram W. Duryee bduryee@hotmail.comIII
John K. jfretz@outlook.comFretz
Julie Rubinstein Bronder writes: “Hi everyone, very sad to miss my first reunion weekend since we graduated in 1997. My husband and I, along with our dog, have relocated to Barcelona, Spain! I left my job of 14 years as a digital media producer forCody Morgan ’91 at his office Be Singer ’92 writes: “The end of one adventure begins another.”
1995 Bradley P. colgate1399@gmail.comHunt 1996 Katie C. sjtsanders@gmail.comSethdylan.mattes.nyc@gmail.comDylanjuleslemire@gmail.comJuleskatiecking@yahoo.comKingA.LemireB.MattesJ.T.Sanders
2000 Matthew D. sarahscheinman@hotmail.comSarahboynton_matt@yahoo.comBoyntonScheinmanHulsey
Class Notes 91Summer 2022
Alex Rosso writes: “In 2004, I graduated from Hobart William Smith College magna cum laude and in 2009, I graduated from George Washington University Law School. I’m currently a partner at Nixon & Peabody Law Firm in Boston, MA.” the Big Ten Network, and we’re looking forward to traveling Europe.”
up!” Michael
Brenda
Brenda Lang writes: “Hey Everyone! I am still living in northern Minnesota, and I work for Arctic Cat in the Quality Department. In the warmer months, I keep busy with gardening and chickens, hunting in the fall, and when it’s snowing and 30 degrees below, I jump on my snowmobile. I am an active member of my local Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and do volunteer work with them. I recently rode to the Northwest Angle on an annual snowmobile trip. I was able to enjoy a Zoom call with Shirley Susilo and Darcy Smith just a few weeks ago. You can find me on Facebook if you want to catch Gutenplan ’99 at his mindreading show at Six Flags Magic Mountain Lang
phenomenal wife, Yasmin, my partner, Miguel, and I had a fabulous dinner in Los Angeles, CA—long overdue! Don B and his wife are really amazing, and his daughter is following in his footsteps— in all the right ways! I have been having a blast performing my mind-reading show at Six Flags Magic Mountain during the Halloween season.”
’97 enjoying the Northwest Angle 1998 Lauren Levin mlaurenlareau@gmail.comMalindalauren98@aol.comBudzL.Lareau 1999 Michael D. gscovillempp@gmail.comGeorgemichaelgutenplan@aol.comGutenplanS.ScovilleIII Michael Gutenplan writes: “Greetings! Alex Cutler, AKA Don B, his Download the app today! www.berkshireschoolconnect.com GET CONNECTED Try out Berkshire’s online networking platform: Berkshire School Connect • Personalized feed of alumni updates: stay up-to-date with contacts • Full Berkshire directory: Re-engage with alumni, parents, and students • Mentorship program: Network and give/receive professional advice • Job board: Post openings and find job leads • Events: Stay in-the-know about gatherings across the country
92 Berkshire Bulletin Class2001Notes Shannon M. pkearneyjr@gmail.comPeterflynnshannonm@gmail.comFlynnA.Kearney,Jr. of the Year! I’m excited to continue teaching, especially science, and creating more lifelong learners. I always think of Berkshire’s motto for all my lessons, and my students really appreciate that connection to their lives!” Banjum in New York City. I helped open the restaurant with some fellow alumni of The Modern during the pandemic. Trying to survive during these weird times, but still having fun. Let me know if you are in New York and want to visit!” 2006 Courtney J. steve.piatelli@gmail.comStephencourtney.j.kollmer@pwc.comKollmerW.Piatelli Josh Lee writes: “I’ve accepted a position as a developer advocate at IBM.” 2007 Casey A. letourneau.allison@gmail.comAllisoncasey.larkins@gmail.comLarkinsA.Letourneau 2008 15 th Christopher J. abigail.tufts@gmail.comAbigailmaryelizabethpace@gmail.comMaryeginzie@gmail.comEricacjbuonomo@gmail.comBuonomoGinsbergMurphyE.PaceI.Tufts 2009 Kelly Wallace mollyrubins1024@gmail.comMollygpiatelli@gmail.comGregorykellyjwallace5@gmail.comAbbottT.PiatelliRyanRubins Adam Morley ’01, in his old Berkshire jersey, at the annual Great Wall Pond Hockey tourney 2002 Jaclyn Brander matthew.sposito@gmail.comMatthewjbrander@gmail.comMarshallP.Sposito Matt Sposito writes: “Sally, Benni, and I were lucky enough to take a family trip to Saint Barthélemy the first week of February this year as a break from the cold. It was a last-minute family trip before Sally returned to work. It was Benni’s first international trip, and she loved every second of it.” 2003 20 th Robert Morgan robertmralph@gmail.comRalph Libbie Alexander Haller writes: “I’m finishing up year 12 of teaching science and am honored to have been named the NYS Middle School Science Teacher 2004 Faye Abrams kskraigstrong@gmail.comKraigwcstern1@gmail.comWilliamfayevklein@gmail.comKleinC.SternD.Strong Carter Stern writes: “Congratulations to Levi Wade and his wife, Katie Frisina, on the birth of their daughter, Ainsley Emerson Wade, on February 23, 2022, in Boston, MA.” 2005 Matthew G. matthew.g.crowson@gmail.comCrowson David Chiang writes: “I am the general manager at a restaurant called Joomak Libbie Alexander Haller ’03 named NYS Middle School Science Teacher of the YearSUBMIT A CLASS NOTE! Share your news at www.berkshireschool.org/classnote. Hello!
Matt Sposito ’02 and his wife, Sally, welcomed Benedetta “Benni” Rose Sposito into the world on October 19 at NewYorkPresbyterian Alexandra Cohen Hospital for Women and Newborns in Manhattan. The three of them are enjoying a leisurely lunch in Saint Barthélemy.
Kayla Arsenie Fitzgerald ’08 and her husband, Garrett, welcomed Rory Philip Fitzgerald on November 29. Fitzgerald writes, “He’s been such a joy! Sending lots of love to everyone under the Mountain!”
George Haydock ’09 and his wife, Kylie, welcomed their son, George G. Haydock IV, on October 29, 2021. In 15 years, they hope to see the “third” George Haydock at Berkshire. Stéphanie Quintin ’11 and David TessierRaymond are thrilled to present their future Bear, Raphaëlle Raymond. She was born on May 29, 2021. Raphaëlle loves playing with her books and her grandparent’s dollhouse, and eating raspberries.
Remington “Remy” Daniel Frid was born on November 20 in Denver, CO, to Libby Murfey ’02 and Simon Frid. Pictured here with their dog, Kobe, on a hike in Golden, CO, where they live.
2011 Caitlin Jarvis ‘99 and John Bakevich welcomed Julian Matthew Clarke Bakevich on March 24, 2021. 1999
93Summer 2022 Class Notes
Births & Adoptions
Aria Jane Levenson, daughter of Whitney Mackay Levenson ’09 and Lucas Levenson, was born six weeks early on December 27 at 9:11 am. Weighing 5.11 pounds and measuring 21 inches, they expect her to be a tall one, as her dad is 6’8”.
20092008
2011 Kim Scala Taillefer ’11 and her husband, Sean Taillefer ’12, welcomed a son, Calvin Griffin Taillefer, on January 27, 2022.
2002 2002 2009
Max Le ’12’s husband, Evan Brown, J.D., during a peaceful moment in the midst of moving with their two bunnies, Maxwell and Shiloh.
Liz Butler ’13 was nominated for Most Promising Emerging Performer Award at the New Zealand Fringe Festival, as well as the Tour Ready Award for her musical show, “Spitz & Crumple.”
Alli Toffolon writes: “I launched my namesake label, Alli Blair New York, in 2021 after seeing a void in the luxury market for a truly sustainable, vibrant Alli Toffolon ’14’s Alli Blair New York Summer 2022 Collection
94 Berkshire Bulletin Class2010Notes Charles B. H. shenyuan1991@gmail.comYuanalexbroselli@gmail.comAlexandratyler.reighley@gmail.comTylersenelson913@gmail.comShannonkelsey.markiewicz@gmail.comKelseylandrycb@gmail.comChristopherwrhearty@gmail.comWilliamcbrey11@gmail.comBreyR.HeartyB.LandryA.MarkiewiczE.NelsonJ.ReighleyColbertRoselliShen 2011 Arthur M. jckrueger19@gmail.comJohnmaggiefiertz@gmail.comMargaretacopstein@gmail.comCopsteinA.FiertzC.Krueger 2012 Samuel C. samuelcmaher@gmail.comMaher Max Le writes: “Go Bears and Gophers! I graduated from pharmacy school in Minnesota last May, got married in June, and started my company on Thanksgiving 2021. We aim to connect real patients and licensed pharmacists from all over the country while focusing on cancer patients and caregivers during our first year. You can read more about us at www.impactpharm.us, or email me at ph.cn.le@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with more Bears!” 2013 10 th Wesley J. hattiewaldron@gmail.comHarrietwlickus@icloud.comLickusF.Waldron brand. Alli Blair New York empowers women to live a fabulous and ethical lifestyle with clothing that puts a smile on their face. Our products are 100% made in Italy from the most innovative organic and recycled Italian fabrics, all made from natural fibers like organic silk, recycled denim, and an innovative upcycled silk. They are leading the sustainable transition by creating a 360-degree sustainable experience from product to packaging to shipping to end-of-life.”
2014 Jacob A. emilymhubbard1@gmail.comEmilyjakegrant302@gmail.comGrantM.Hubbard
2015 Andrej P. chelsea1101@gmail.comChelseamackenzie.lancaster13@gmail.comMackenziegraysonkeith203@gmail.comGraysonhannahzhonan@gmail.comHannaherazo.jeffrey@gmail.comJeffreyandrebogdanovics@gmail.comBogdanovicsA.ErazoZ.HonanG.KeithL.LancasterA.Leeds
miavantine97@gmail.comKarinannemijn@vantwout.netAnnelane@mayher.comLanenatalieharrington17@gmail.comNataliepeteydb@gmail.comBahrC.HarringtonW.MayherM.van‘tWoutM.Vantine
2016 Peter D.
Alyssa Cass writes: “I recently released the song ‘All or Nothing’ which I wrote, sang, and produced, as well as directed and edited the music video. I continue to work on music in my studio in Los Angeles, CA.”
2007 On November 20, 2021, daughter of current Director of Facilities Tim Fulco ’78, and his wife, Darlene, a member of the Undermountain Childcare team, celebrated the marriage of their daughter, Tara ’07, to Justin Fulone at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church and Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee, MA. Their other daughter, Meredith ’10, was the maid of honor. From left to right: Meredith Fulco ’10, Darlene Fulco, Justin Fulone, Tara Fulco ’07, and Tim Fulco ’78 with their dogs Bogey and Nikki Stephen Bell ’12 and Lucy Fowlkes ’12 got married in Harbor Island, Bahamas, on November 13.
Lucy Ewert ’16 celebrated her 25th in NYC with fellow Bears Jesse Lee ’16, Tatum Boyle ’16, Tanner Boyle ’17, Liam Bullock ’17, Jake McLanahan ’16, Georgia McLanahan ’16, Mikey Peterson ’17, Rawson Clough ’17, Jeremy Cuvelier ’18, Jade Shatkin ’17, and Charlie Boyle ’17. Photo courtesy of Lara Schefler McLanahan ’86
Engagements & Weddings
“All or Nothing” by Alyssa Cass ’15
2012
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96 Berkshire Bulletin Class2017Notes Andrea L. julielkokot@gmail.comJulianabenwdixon@mac.comBenjaminmaggiecurran99@gmail.comMargaretcass.and@northeastern.eduCassP.CurranW.DixonL.Kokot Nick Botticelli writes: “I graduated in May 2021 from the University of Notre Dame with a master’s of science in management. In June, I started working at KPMG in Boston, MA. I’m excited to be back home in Boston.” 2018 5 th Charlotte B. isabellewmaher@gmail.comIsabellecharlottebchilds@gmail.comChildsW.Maher Lexi Fortune writes: “It was so nice to reconnect with Stephen Richey ’17 when I was in Nashville, TN, for spring break. He was born and raised in the city and gave me the full Nashville tour! The best part was that he decided to come back to Boston with me for the second part of spring break so I could show him my city! Having graduated from Babson College in the spring, I can easily say that my time there was extremely worthwhile, inspiring, and life-changing. I will forever be a Bear and a Beaver, and I’m truly so lucky to have had the opportunity to attend two incredible schools. Berkshire and Babson will always have a special place in my heart.” 2019 Gohta aichenyao07@gmail.comAichenees4@williams.eduEliasjayschoudel@gmail.comJamesenut8089@uni.sydney.edu.auElizabethdmalarney4@gmail.comDanielledakomolafe8@gmail.comDanielgohta.aihara@gmail.comAiharaA.O.AkomolafeR.MalarneyB.NuttingH.SchoudelE.SienkiewiczYao 2020 Katherine R. jtw7ct@virginia.eduJamesaschelle1@tulane.eduAmeliaemmanuelroldan22@gmail.comEmmanuelnate.mcshane@richmond.eduNathangiangle1605@gmail.comGiangashantibruce@gmail.comAshantikaiello@colgate.eduAielloS.BruceH.LeJ.McShaneF.Roldan-LezcanoC.SchelleT.Welch 2021 Henry R. sophiarpasquale@gmail.comSophiahngnam25@gmail.comNamgillianmaher66@gmail.comGillianahayes5541@gmail.comAbigailjwf203@gmail.comJohnreidcurran2@gmail.comReidangelaansah@gmail.comAngelahenry.alpaugh@richmond.eduAlpaughB.AnsahC.CurranW.FioreR.HayesM.MaherH.NguyenR.Pasquale 2022 EliJose devont922@gmail.comDeVonlittlerabb981@gmail.comMadisonjnemeth240@gmail.comJamesacmiller80@gmail.comAmandachristian.d.kim@gmail.comChristianalice.m.fisher@icloud.comAlicetishfertig@icloud.comNatashaacbyrne08@gmail.comAlexanderelijose.araujo04@gmail.comAraujoC.ByrneG.FertigFisherD.KimC.MillerE.NemethH.RabbC.Thompson Left: Lexi Fortune ’18 and Stephen Richey ’17 at Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar in Nashville, TN; Right: Lexi Fortune ‘18 in a professional headshot featuring her trusty Berkshire class ring.
2022
Former faculty Fran Hunt, with her son, Brad Hunt ‘95 (far right) and Frank Potash ‘75 and his partner Alan Krantzler
97Summer 2022
Join the Berkshire community for the
Peralta is currently associate professor of classics at Princeton University, where he completed his undergraduate degree and was the salutatorian for his graduating class. Professor Peralta will visit campus in January 2023, and his story will provide the Berkshire community with an opportunity to engage with one of its core values: Inclusion.
Former faculty Rick Bellas, with Shawn Ingram ‘85 and Angela Meredith-Jones ‘87, P’25,’25 For more photos from Reunion Weekend 2022, www.berkshireschool.smugmug.com.visit
Former Faculty Bart Elsbach writes: “Fairground Community Redevelopment Project, the non-profit organization which oversees the Great Barrington Fairgrounds property, has partnered with World Farmers and BRIDGE (Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups through Education) to provide refugee and other immigrant and underserved people in the area with agricultural opportunities. We hope Berkshire School can participate in mutually beneficial ways with this exciting new Alumniventure.”reconnected with former faculty at Reunion Weekend 2022.
To learn more, visit: berkshireschool.org/ASR. All-School REAd
Dan-el Padilla Peralta’s “Undocumented: A Dominican Boy’s Odyssey from a Homeless Shelter to the Ivy League,” is a coming-of-age memoir about an ambitious and resilient young person who embodies the American dream. This compelling story about family ties, the power of belonging, and the promises proffered in the hallowed halls of elite education captures the imagination, enlightens the mind, and moves the heart.
Tom Dixon was a consummate educator. He arrived under the Mountain in 1961 to teach math and science and quickly gained momentum—not unlike a roller skate traversing an inclined plane, one of the signature tests in his physics classroom. Over the ensuing six decades, he emerged—in the words of Head of School Pieter Mulder—“a veritable lion among those who have shaped Berkshire’s history and future.”
During his “official” tenure, Dixon wore many hats: he served as a teacher, department chair, dean of students, coach, founder of Berkshire’s radio station, senior master, and the School’s first technology director; he educated over 3,000 high school students during a storied career in academia spanning 45 years. All the while, he modeled passion, patience, and perseverance.
The Dixons’ generosity ran deep. In 1983, they established the Cum Laude Society Fund, in memory of their former student and close friend, P.L. Anderson ’65, while The Thomas H. and Cynthia W. Dixon Fund for Performing and Fine Arts supports visiting musicians, actors, lecturers, and artists. Dixon served two terms on the board of trustees and, in 2008, was honored as the Kellogg Volunteer of the Year for his longtime service and dedication to the School. His legendary influence on generations of students was cemented in 2012 with the Bellas/Dixon Math and Science Center, a fitting tribute to Dixon’s unconditional commitment to continuing education in math and science. In keeping with the tradition of celebrating Berkshire’s faculty greats, in September 2021, the School rededicated the building as Morgan-Bellas-Dixon in honor of Mandy Morgan’s remarkable 47 years of service—news her ever-gracious colleague was delighted to hear.
98 Berkshire Bulletin In Memoriam
OBSERVATIONS ON A STELLAR CAREER Remembering Tom Dixon
The Class of 1968, who named Dixon an honorary classmate on the occasion of their 50th reunion in 2018, thanked him for “your early attempts to make us smarter, and also for your ongoing steadfastness, dedication, and friendship.”Dixonpassed away on July 30, 2021. He is survived by two stepbrothers, Arthur and Delafield Kribben, and 15 grand nephews and nieces. In a final thoughtful gesture, he requested that all memorial gifts in his name be directed to Berkshire School.
By Hannah Van Sickle In 1978, following his marriage to former faculty member Cynthia White, Dixon took a brief hiatus from Berkshire. Upon their return in 1980, he became director of development, and she led the School’s music department. Together, they operated Dixon Antiques from their home in Sheffield, cultivating what was a shared passion during their 33 years of marriage. A lifelong learner himself, Dixon ultimately took to astronomy. He taught an elective for 14 years and—inspired by the possibilities presented by computer automation and new electronic cameras—Tom and Cynthia made their gift of the Dixon Observatory during the Berkshire 2000 campaign. The iconic structure overlooking Stewart Pitch remains a highlight of campus life to this day, and Dixon House graces East Campus across the road.
99Summer 2022 In Memoriam
Cynthia and Tom Dixon stargazing
—Davis Anderson ’68 “[Tom] never patted himself on the back. He’d be there, and very involved, but in the background. He moved quietly and did very good things.”
—Keith Reed ’68 “It’s amazing to think that I knew Tom for well over 50 years. To the extent I know anything about centrifugal and centripetal forces, it’s because of Tom. After my leaving Berkshire as a student, Tom became a friend—always supportive with kind words, laughter, and a twinkle in his eyes.”
—Dr. Jack Bacon ’72
—Ben Dixon ’17, Tom’s nephew “I knew when I was six I wanted to be a rocket scientist, and I chose Berkshire because of its outstanding math and science program. Tom encouraged, and signed off on, my independent project to study fusion engines, which is what propelled me through all my graduate work. I remember his gentle, wonderful nature as a teacher; Tom always had the right answer, and I never saw him get angry. He’s just one of my heroes, one of the great guys.”
“I was immensely fortunate to know Mr. Dixon. He cared deeply for my academic growth, and my decision to continue learning astronomy and pursue a Ph.D. in the field was significantly influenced by my time at Berkshire, my projects with the Dixon Observatory, and Mr. Dixon’s continued guidance and mentorship.”
—Sam Cabot ’13
“Tom Dixon was a passionate educator. He loved sharing his knowledge of physics and his own passion for learning with his students. He tried other things in his career, even stepping in as dean of students for a year, but he always ended up back in the classroom. His loud, booming voice could be heard all over the science wing of Berkshire Hall, especially when his students were having trouble grasping a difficult topic. After he retired, he stayed in touch with other science teachers, sharing interesting articles he had found in science journals—he was a teacher to the end. Tom never believed one had to stop learning when formal schooling was over. He was the epitome of a lifelong learner and a lifelong teacher.”
—Mandy Morgan, former faculty
“Tom was so calm and measured about everything; he was just one of the nicest guys. There were certain teachers [we] trusted just absolutely implicitly, and he was one of those.”
— K.C. Clow ’69 “Tom had a caring passion for learning and a caring passion for the ones he taught. While he and Cynthia did not have children of their own, Tom cared for the Berkshire students as if they were his own—which is why he hated the spring, when ‘his kids’ graduated and moved on.”
100 Berkshire Bulletin
Ed Hunt left an indelible mark on the classmates, students, colleagues, and friends he encountered over nearly five decades spent under the Mountain. He arrived at Berkshire in 1958 from Cohasset, Mass., and—in just three years—became an eight-letter varsity athlete in hockey, baseball, and football (serving as co-captain of the 1961 team). Hunt was an active singer and community-minded student who, upon graduation, received the Fentress Citizenship Award—evidence of the caring nature and quiet confidence for which so many remember him. Upon his graduation from Tufts University in 1965, Hunt returned to Sheffield, where he joined the faculty and remained until his retirement in 2006. Over the ensuing decades, Hunt was central to School life. Despite wearing many hats over the course of his tenure, Hunt’s favorite place was the classroom; there, he actively applied his thirst for knowledge (and all things history), inspiring generations of students in the process. As his responsibilities expanded—to ultimately include dorm head, assistant class advisor, department chairman, form dean, alumni director, and athletic director—Hunt was adamant that he keep one foot firmly in the classroom. “One thing was constant, my love of the classroom,” Hunt wrote in his 50th reunion yearbook entry in 2011. Six years prior, emerging from Berkshire Hall on his last day of teaching, then Senior Master Hunt was greeted by applause from the full faculty who, along with students and staff, created the traditional gauntlet. “On hand,” the Bulletin recounted that year, “was his biggest fan and his wife of thirty-one years, Fran Hunt, former assistant to the dean of students.” The couple was married at St. James Episcopal Church in June 1974. Hunt’s impact on Berkshire athletics was equally legendary. While teaching was his vocation, athletics were his avocation—a sentiment Hunt shared widely while donning the cap of coach for countless sports teams and athletic director for 13 years. He was particularly proud to have been part of three undefeated football seasons with the Bears, one as head coach and two as an assistant. A peer coach wrote the following in a note after a meet versus former faculty Bill Gulotta’s cross country team: “Although Berkshire did not win this race on the scoreboard, they went home winners in our book ... I can only hope that our athletes will follow Berkshire’s leadership as positive role models for sportsmanship and theirHeadschool.”ofSchool Pieter Mulder acknowledged there are few who, like the Hunts, have made such an extraordinary impact on so many A tribute to Ed Hunt ’61 and his legacy beneath Black Rock
By Hannah Van Sickle
In MemoriamETCHED IN STONE
“He always had time for everybody. It was such a pleasure to witness Ed’s 40-plus-year career at Berkshire in many leadership positions.”
101Summer 2022 In Memoriam in our community. “Ed Hunt indeed epitomized the faculty who are at the heart of every student’s experience under the Mountain—and his presence will live on in the memories of his students, classmates, colleagues, and friends,” he said in a message to the community upon Hunt’s passing in April, a loss felt by many.
—Peter Kellogg ’61
“I’ve known Ed Hunt since he arrived on campus our sophomore year in the fall of 1958,” said Trustee Emeritus Peter Kellogg ’61. “He always had time for everybody. It was such a pleasure to witness Ed’s 40-plus-year career at Berkshire in many leadership positions.”
Across the decades, Hunt remained ever-present in the Berkshire community—no matter the arena. He was equally at home playing on Coach Stewart’s alumni squad in a game versus the varsity hockey team as he was documenting the School’s history leading to the Centennial in 2007; he served on his class Reunion Committee and was a loyal donor to Berkshire’s Annual Fund. In a 1991 Reunion Weekend address, former Headmaster Tom Lord commended Hunt (recipient of the 1988 Kellogg Vacation Grant) and colleagues Twiggs Myers Hon. ’57 and Tom Dixon Hon. ’68 for their enduring tenures at Berkshire, remarking that they “make Berkshire School what it is.” In recognition of this unwavering commitment to his alma mater, Hunt was named Berkshire’s 2006 Distinguished Alumnus. This celebrated professional career was surpassed only by Hunt’s dedication to his family. A devoted husband and loving father, he lived to enjoy moments with his family—which grew over the past six years to include a trio of grandchildren.Uponhisretirement, Hunt continued to mold the lives of those around him by modeling integrity, loyalty, and passion. His dedication to helping others lived on through his work at the Mason Library in Great Barrington, where he was a favorite among his peers and a fixture among patrons—always willing to offer a friendly smile or helping hand. Hunt’s library post satiated his thirst for knowledge, not unlike his time spent teaching at Berkshire, and served as a vehicle for sharing his love of reading withAmongothers.his other hobbies, Hunt sang passionately with his church choir at Christ Church Episcopal in Sheffield and with The Housatonics, a local barbershop group, where he was a strong and enthusiastic baritone. Hunt was an avid golfer (recording two holes-in-one in his lifetime!) and a longtime member at Wyantenuck Country Club in Great Barrington. Despite 15 years living with Parkinson’s disease, which slowed his pace, Hunt never complained. Instead, he continued to play his many parts to the fullest, no matter the stage. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Fran, and his sons, Brad ’95 (Lauren) and Tom ’97 (Julie); grandchildren Lincoln Kellogg, Eveline Harper, and Andrew Phillips; brother John Phillips Hunt; niece Allison Hunt; sister-in-law Anne Andrews; and brotherin-law John Tryon and family.
February 17, 2022 1954 Edwin G. Klinck January 10, 2022 1958 Richard P. Stringer January 26, 2022 1961 William L. Duschatko June 14, 2022 1968 David B. Anderly February 12, 2022 1972 Stephen W. Gitt March 1, 2022 1979 Peter K. Gersky April 21, 2022 Faculty James K. Ervin March 1, 2022 Edward H. Hunt ’61 April 26, 2022
The following year, Hawley was honored with the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognized Wendy as well for her dedication and graciousness. In 2006, Hawley’s classmates established the Class of 1956 50th Reunion Scholarship Fund— awarded to a student whose family may suffer sudden financial hardship during the school year—in his honor.
“Hawley and Wendy Rogers answered the call,” Davis Andersen ’68, former Chair of the Board of Trustees and trustee emeritus, said. “From their happy and warm retirement in Florida, they came to Sheffield just as the one o’clock sunsets and howling winds of winter were right around the corner; there was no complaining and always a smile.
Hawley loved Berkshire, and he and Wendy were here for the School at a sad and tragic time of need.”
A note to our readers: The list of names for the In Memoriam section is reported from January 1 through June 15, 2022. If we have missed a name, please accept our apologies and email us at alumni@berkshireschool.org.
1944C John H. Schofield March 10, 2022 1950 Leonard G. Swartz
In addition to his wife of 60 years, Rogers is survived by children John “Randy” Rogers, Dr. Laura Rogers Towne, Paul Rogers, and five grandchildren.
Hawley Rogers ’56
To view the obituaries for those listed below, please go to www.berkshireschool.org/inmemoriam.
The Berkshire School community extends its sincere condolences to the families of the following alumni and friends of the School. send obituaries or remembrances of classmates or family members, please email alumni@berkshireschool.org.
Hugh Knowlton, Jr. April 4, 2022 2009–2016Trustee John E. Toffolon, Jr. April 26, 2022 In Memoriam
Former Head of School • August 20, 2021
Hawley Rogers ’56, devoted alumnus and lifelong friend to Berkshire, was a consummate team player—a trait best evidenced by his stepping up to shepherd the community through a period of uncertainty following the sudden death of Larry Piatelli in 2003.
102 Berkshire Bulletin In Memoriam
We Remember...
Following his brief tenure, when asked how he hoped the Berkshire community would remember him, Rogers responded: “That I acted with integrity and with Berkshire’s best interests at heart, and helped establish stability at a hard time.”
“Hawley faced a behemoth of a disease with the same qualities that made him a great educator: courage, hope, and grace,” Dan Goodyear, Sr. ’56 said of his friend. “What better role model could any of us have than one who embodies what he believes.”
To
Trustee 1989–2022Emeritus
Former Trustee Tom Dixon and former Interim Head of School Hawley Rogers were listed in the In Memoriam of the Winter 2022 issue of the Berkshire Bulletin Class Notes Edition.
Former Board Chair Chip Perkins ’73 echoed these sentiments: “I will miss John’s combination of wit, dedication to the School, and excellent advice on many of the challenges that our board has faced.” Toffolon brought a commanding and jovial presence to his service on the Board of Trustees. During his tenure, from 2009 to 2016, he chaired the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee and served on the Finance Committee; he also participated in the Hail Berkshire Campaign Committee.
A staunch supporter of education, Toffolon’s generosity ran deep. At Fordham University Gabelli School of Business, from which he graduated with a B.S. in finance and an MBA, he served as both trustee and trustee fellow; Toffolon was also co-founder of the Fordham Basketball New Era Fund and a major supporter of the University’s student scholarships and men’s and women’s basketball. A welcome reminder of this giving spirit remains under the Mountain as evidenced by The Toffolon Family Bridge—spanning Glen Brook between de Windt and Buck Valley—given by John and his wife, Joan, in honor of their daughters Ashley ’11 and Alli ’14.
John E. Toffolon, Jr. Past Trustee • April 26, 2022 John E. Toffolon, Jr., former Berkshire trustee and father to a pair of graduates, contributed selflessly to the world around him—no matter the arena. Details of an extraordinary career in investment banking, service as a volunteer and philanthropist, and ardent love for and dedication to his family rank among his many accomplishments. Toffolon died on April 26 following a courageous battle with cancer. As noted by Head of School Pieter Mulder in his remarks to trustees, “I remember John best for his irascible nature, love of a good joke, and his belief in the power of Berkshire for his daughters’ many successes here and as young professionals.”
Hugh Knowlton, Jr. Trustee Emeritus • April 4, 2022
Hugh Knowlton, Jr.—trustee emeritus, past parent and grandparent, and dedicated friend to the School—was generous beyond measure with his time and talents. Over the years, he was instrumental in both securing and providing significant philanthropic support for Berkshire. Knowlton gave a decade of service on the Board of Trustees, culminating in 1989, and drove annual giving to a record high in the early ’80s—serving as chair in back-to-back successful Annual Funds—which he credited to “renewed class agent concern and a tremendous response from the parents.” He chaired a capital campaign that brought in $1.3 million for faculty salaries, led the Board Nominating Committee, and served as a member of the Endowment and Executive Committees. A loyal Annual Fund donor himself, Knowlton made additional generous contributions to Berkshire that endure to this day. He established The Guest Speakers Fund Endowment which, for four decades, has enabled the School to welcome visitors to campus to engage and inspire students. His gift toward the restoration of Chevalier Senior Lodge, named in fond memory of his daughter Stephanie Y. Chevalier ’77, reinvigorated a long treasured, tech-free classroom space on campus upon its rededication in 2018. Knowlton died on April 4 at the age of 99. He is survived by his children: Shelley, Hugh Gilbert ’69, and Emily Hunsicker; stepchildren Frank Black and Sally Wacht; eight grandchildren, including John Knowlton ’99 and Madeline Hunsicker ’11; and 12 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty Simpson Knowlton, and four stepchildren.
103Summer 2022 In Memoriam
In this constantly changing world, we know everyone is carefully considering which deserving organizations to support. We would be honored to discuss the many ways you can support Berkshire’s future with a tax-saving legacy gift.
—Joe Seigle ’01
SUPPORT BERKSHIRE’S FUTURE.
104 BerkshireLEAVEBulletin
“While I attended another boarding school, I grew up at Berkshire. I arrived as a 23-year-old and spent my 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s with my Berkshire family of teachers, students, and staff. When I look back at how lucky I was to be a part of this great school, it was an easy decision to make a legacy gift to Berkshire. I will forever cherish my time under the Mountain and take great joy in knowing that I will be giving back to Berkshire.”
PAY IT FORWARD.
If you’d like to explore planned gifts that will benefit you, your family, and Berkshire, please contact Director of Planned Giving and Major Gifts Bill Bullock at (413) 229-1368 or wbullock@berkshireschool.org.
“The three years I spent under the Mountain continue to pay dividends 20-plus years after graduating. The concept of including Berkshire in my estate plan goes part and parcel with our motto: Pro Vita Non Pro Schola Discimus. The investment one makes in Berkshire can provide for the current school year or capital project, and it can also provide for future years, projects, and people, ensuring that the experience Berkshire has given us will be given to those who succeed us under the Mountain.”
Learn more at berkshireschool.planningyourlegacy.org.
A LEGACY.
—Rick Bellas Rick Bellas was a Berkshire faculty member from 1974 to 2005 and is a member of the John F. Godman Society, Berkshire’s planned giving society.
Joe Seigle is a proud member of the John F. Godman Society, Berkshire’s planned giving society. He graduated in 2001 and was all-school president his senior year.
Covering All the Bases Seaver and Anne Allen Buck led by example on and off the field, court, and rink.
In Berkshire’s earliest years, Seaver and Anne Allen Buck participated in sports alongside the community. Mr. Buck often took students hiking or skiing, pointing out that, “one had to take the proper care of one’s body to be a tower of strength.” In fact, when the hockey team found themselves shy one goaltender, Mr. Buck stepped between the pipes in the School’s first intramural hockey game in 1911.
Above Left: Smith College tennis champion Anne Allen, mid-serve on her home court in 1895. One of the few early photographs that exist of Mrs. Buck, this picture encapsulates her audacity and strength: she graduated from Smith when very few women attended college and even fewer excelled at athletics. Photo courtesy of Smith College Athletic Department
Above Right: Baseball, along with hockey and football, was one of three varsity sports offered at the School’s founding. When teams were short on numbers, Mr. Buck stepped up to the plate to fill in.
Though tennis was not offered until 1921, in the School’s early years Mrs. Buck, who was Smith College’s reigning tennis champion in the mid-1890s, often challenged members of the all-male faculty to matches.
From the Archives
Both Mr. and Mrs. Buck embraced the pioneering philosophy that physical education should be included in the curriculum. Their early forays alongside students and faculty helped begin a long, rich tradition of sportsmanship and character development through team sports and outdoor activities.
245 North Undermountain Road Sheffield, Massachusetts 01257-9672 Address Service Requested For Parents of Alumni: If this magazine is addressed to a son or daughter who no longer lives at home, kindly call us with the correct address: 413-229-1225 Fiona Dong ’23 earned an unprecedented three National Scholastic Art Awards for her photography, including this photo, “Innocence,” a National Gold Key-winner. Student work is judged by its “originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.” See a selection of Berkshire’s 2022 Regional Scholastic Art Award winners on page 24.
