Boarding Era Newsletter 2020

Vol. 2 | Issue 2 | 2020

Boarding Era Newsletter The Official Newsletter of Berwick Academy’s Alumni Office

Dear Berwick Alumni, In late September we sat down to a Saturday morning breakfast at Head of School Jim Hamilton’s house with members of the class of 1969, who were on campus to celebrate their 50th reunion. This breakfast served as a quiet opportunity to get together before the bustle of Blue and White Homecoming began. The meal, however, was anything but quiet. It was hard to imagine that the stories that were shared happened over 50 years ago. The details were remembered, or perhaps embellished, impeccably. It was as if they had happened just a day before. The banter and sharing grew loud and laughter lifted from the table in a way that can only be reminiscent of meals shared by our Boarding Era alumni many years ago in the basement of Burleigh Davidson.

I am delighted to share with you our second Boarding Era Newsletter. I hope that it will reconnect you with this wonderful school and remind you how transformational of a place it can be. Berwick is as strong as ever and I invite you to come back for a visit or make time to see us as we travel the country visiting our alumni. As always please reach out to me with questions and ideas. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Amy Smucker Assistant Head of School for External Affairs asmucker@berwickacademy.org 207-384-6304

What’s Inside: • Celebrating at Blue & White Homecoming • Alumni Loyalty Awardee, Larry Martineau ‘64 • Dinners at the Hayes House • The Bill & Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund • Activities • From the Archives • Upcoming Events • Come Cheer on the Bulldogs • Reconnecting with Alumni

Celebrating Blue & White Homecoming Campus is alive during Blue & White Homecoming when we welcome and celebrate our beloved alumni while you reconnect with one another and reminisce about the Hilltop.

Alumni Loyalty Awardee, Larry Martineau ‘64 The Alumni Loyalty Award is given to an alumnus/a who has demonstrated true and deep dedication to engaging and staying connected with the school and classmates.

At the annual Hilltop Luncheon we honored Larry Martineau ‘64 for his continued enthusiasm and support of the Berwick community. His ongoing connection to the school and his fellow alumni is a lifelong bond that continues to grow.

Dinners at Hayes House A note from TJ Hamilton ‘20, eldest son of the Head of School: “I always look forward to the nights when the dorm boys come over for dinner. I’ve gotten to know some of them really well over the last year and a half and I consider them good friends. I went to boarding school in Rhode Island for freshman and sophomore years so I appreciate that having a family dinner at someone’s house can be really important when you are away from home. I love being that “someone’s house” for my friends. I think it’s really cool that while I live in southern Maine, I get to go to school with kids from Boston and from as far away as England. The dining hall staff always prepares a great meal for us, but I keep telling my Dad that he should make dinner for everyone, he’s an amazing chef.

We are planning a hot wing eating contest for next time the boys come over which should be a lot of fun.”

The Bill and Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund Providing access to a high-quality independent school experience can be life changing for students. Supporting middle- and low-income families is a challenge for almost any independent school, where resources are often less abundant than need. The Bill and Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund was established to help meet that need.

For three years, alumnus Dick Shafner ‘65, and his wife, Jan Eustis, have taken on a leadership role in helping to support Berwick Academy’s partnership with Whittier Falls (an entity of the Dover N.H. Housing Authority).

Last year, Dick and Jan put forward a $25,000 match to establish The Bill and Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund. This generous match encouraged nearly $30,000 in giving from alumni, parents, and friends. Support like Dick and Jan’s – and the many donors who contributed to secure the match – is helping to create life changing experiences for these students. Academically the classroom provides a safe place for the students to take risks and challenge themselves with the school’s thoughtful teaching and advising. Several of the students supported by this Fund are active in our dance program where they are able to express themselves creatively and truly shine on stage. Support to The Bill and Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund is making all of this, and so much more, possible.

Encouraged by the incredible response, we are excited to announce that Dick and Jan have pledged a new match for funds raised, dollar for dollar up to $25,000, to continue the growth of The Bill and Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund.

If you would like to make a contribution to this fund, or to learn more, please contact: Stephanie Caswell, Director of Leadership Giving & Philanthropy, at 207-384-6396 or scaswell@berwickacademy.org.

Activities

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The Hancock House, our residential facility, remains busy. Between their studies, extracurricular clubs and sports, the boarders still make sure to spend time together exploring the Seacoast. Here we share some of their favorite activities this year.

• Trying not to be scared at Destination Haunt (#1) • Competing in Varsity Athletics (#2 – Declan ‘20 and #5 – Mason ‘21) • Volunteering at the Pumpkin Man Triathalon (#3) • Snow Tubing in Amesbury (#4) • Working on Lighting Design for the Musical (#6 – Garrett ‘23) • Riding Go Karts in Seabrook (#7) • Breaking out of the Escape Room in Portsmouth • Hosting an Upper School Coffeehouse • Enjoying hibachi dinner • Bowling • Going to the movies • Constructing cutting boards in a woodworking class at the Makerspace in Portsmouth • Cooking classes with the Director of Food Services

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“My experience at Berwick has been more than what I expected. From welcoming friends to kind teachers, Berwick has become my home. I am able to play competitive sports for three seasons while being able to participate in fun and inclusive clubs.

My favorite part about Berwick is the Hancock House, which has become my home away. The bonds that I have built with members of the program will last forever. I am thankful that the Hancock House exists because it has been a huge part of my Berwick experience.“ Liliano Rosa ‘22

From the Archives The archives at Berwick is full of preserved photos, artwork, and documents so that we can look back and remember our rich history. Here we share with you some of the boarding era memories.

Johana Sedswich, Linda Tremblay, Johanna Narrow 1960s

1972-1973

Phil Wallar, Henry Suknowsky 1960s

November 1962

Brad Shaw, John O’Neil, Dick Shafner, Dick Manning

1953

Bonfire Before Football Game 1964

Neal Griswold

Mr. and Mrs. Silas Langlois 1964-1965

Recognize yourself or some of your fellow classmates?

Contact us at alumni@berwickacademy.org and share the story behind the photograph!

Upcoming Events

Cheer on the Bulldogs

Berwick Academy’s Alumni & Friends Luncheon Hosted by Dick Shafner ‘65 & Jan Eustis Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 12 p.m.

505 15th Avenue South, Naples, Florida RSVP to Kristina Powell at 207-384-6309 or kpowell@berwickacademy.org

Let’s Go Berwick!

The Berwick Bulldogs play all over New England. Check out our athletics schedule to catch a basketball or hockey game, or swim meet near you.

Blue & White Homecoming Weekend Saturday, September 26 More details will be available soon!

We would love to have our faithful alumni in the crowd! www.berwickacademy.org/athletics

Reconnecting with Alumni Life changes and through moves and marriages, Berwick has lost track of some of our treasured alumni over the years. We’d love to reconnect with our lost alumni to keep them up to date on the Hilltop (through the Berwick Today magazine, reunion information, and other alumni publications) and to help alumni friends find each other. Will you help us find alumni?

Please reach out to: alumni@berwickacademy.org.

Thank you for helping us welcome alumni back to the Hilltop!