Boarding Era Newsletter
Vol. 3 | Issue 3 | 2021
The Official Newsletter of Berwick Academy’s Alumni Office
Dear Boarding Era Alumni, I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and that 2021 is off to a good start. We missed welcoming you, our alumni, to campus this fall for Blue & White Homecoming. While we have not had visitors on campus, we have felt the incredible support of our alumni community through this unique and unprecedented time. I have been in awe of the strength of our students and faculty during this past year. While Berwick has evolved through the years, the steadfast strength of Berwick’s community thrives. The resiliency and continued laughter and joy of our students is truly an inspiration. Our boarding students returned to campus this fall excited to be reunited in person. While some of their routines have changed this year, the students have supported each other as they navigate being away from home. They are actively engaged in School life in diverse and impactful ways. From the classrooms, to school clubs, the playing fields, and in the theater, this group of students make Berwick a stronger school. It is a pleasure to share with you our third annual Boarding Era Newsletter. We hope that it serves as an opportunity to reconnect to Berwick. We think of you often and are excited to connect with you very soon. All the best, Amy Smucker Assistant Head of School for External Affairs asmucker@berwickacademy.org 207-384-6304
What to Read Inside: • Florida Gathering • The Bill & Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund • Meet the Boarding Students • Featured Student: Neil Mendez • Boarding Life During a Pandemic • From the Archives • News & Events • Reconnecting with Alumni
Florida Gathering We’d like to thank Dick Shaftner ‘65 and Jan Eustis for hosting yet another wonderful luncheon at their home in Naples, Florida, in early March of 2020. Head of School, Jim Hamilton, and Assistant Head of School for External Affairs, Amy Smucker, enjoyed an afternoon spent with 12 alumni and community members, hearing their Berwick stories, and shared visions of the future of the School.
The Bill & Kathryn Matthews Memorial Fund This Year’s Donors
UPDATE ON THE FUND
Mr. & Mrs. Aubrey E. Bout
In 2016, through a partnership with Whittier Falls, an entity of the Dover, New Hampshire Housing Authority, Berwick created the Dover Community Scholar program. The program admits a resident of Whittier Falls into the fourth grade each academic year. Berwick’s needbased financial aid program covers our four current student scholars’ tuition and will follow them, and all future recipients, through graduation. Boarding era alumnus, Dick Shafner ’65, and his wife, Janet Eustis, recognize the importance of need-based financial aid and the positive impact an independent school education can have on a young person.
Mr. & Mrs. Allen Cohen Dr. Dennis Fink ‘44 Mr. Peter F. Garrell ‘66 Mr. James E. Harvey ‘63 Mr. Peter V. N. Henderson ‘65 Mr. Larry B. Littlefield ‘65 Mr. Lawrence A. Martineau, Jr. ‘64 & Mrs. Karen L. Martineau Mr. & Mrs. William R. Matthews, Jr. Mr. Michael J. McGinley Mr. Glenn W. Michael ‘65 Mr. David L. Morton Mr. Robert S. Perkin ‘65 Mr. Douglas M. Porter ‘68 Ms. Pamela S. Putnam Dr. & Mrs. David L. Rich Mr. Dennis A. Roberge ‘68 Mr. & Mrs. Philip S. Schirmer Dick Shafner ‘65 & Jan Eustis Mr. William L. Shaw ‘64 Mr. John N. Umlauf ‘65
In 2018, Dick and Jan pledged a $25,000 match for funds raised, dollar for dollar, to establish an endowed fund to support the Dover Community Scholars. The match was successful and inspired Dick and Jan to offer a second match in 2019, which was again met thanks to the generous support by many alumni from the boarding era. As of the School’s fiscal year end on June 30, 2020, the fund’s value was approximately $95,000. The fund was named in honor of Bill and Kathryn Matthews. Bill Matthews Sr. came to Berwick in 1963 and served the School in a variety of teaching and administrative roles during his 16-year tenure. If you would like to make a contribution to this fund or to learn more, please contact: Stephanie Caswell, Director of Leadership Giving & Philanthropy 207-384-6396 scaswell@berwickacademy.org
Meet the Boarding Students
What is your favorite thing about living in the dorm? As a seven day boarding student, my favorite thing about living in the dorm is connecting with my dorm mates during our free time, like before dinner or after study hall. We usually make the best of this time by competing in video games, working out together, freestyling (rapping), and just hanging out and blasting music on the speaker. What is your role in the dorm? We all pitch in to collectively keep the House clean. Our day-to-day dorm duties include washing dishes, cleaning the common area, and cleaning our rooms. Since COVID we also make sure to wipe down all tables and doorknobs to keep the House safe. What activities are you involved in on campus?
Left to right, top to bottom: Mason Alderson ‘21, Liliano Rosa ‘22, Neil Mendez ‘22, Quinton Morse ‘22, Josh Felton ‘23, Garrett Lincoln ‘22, Brock James ‘22.
Featured Student NEIL MENDEZ Grade: 11 GPA: 92.35 Hometown: Boston Sports: Soccer, Basketball Awards and Accolades: Department Award for History, Vernacular Poetry Contest Winner, JV Basketball Captain, and MVP.
I have done some work for the School’s Community Service Outreach Club and I am on the Varsity Basketball team. Clubs don’t meet as often because of COVID, which can be challenging. Neil shines in the English classroom with his curiosity and an innate sense of ethics. He listens to and then promotes the work of his peers: for Neil, these skills come naturally, but it is not without significant risk and courage that Neil builds community. He is an outstanding student leader. - Jen Onken, English Teacher Neil’s work ethic has been quite impressive, to say the least! He works with focus and determination to develop a comprehensive understanding of the material. He approaches each assignment with an innate curiosity and a desire to learn more. His attitude and effort are inspiring, and his classmates have benefited from them as well. - Christine Bessette, Science Teacher
Boarding Life During a Pandemic While dorm life looks a little different in this unique year, dorm “parents” Sarah Feldman and Emily Quirk continue the boarding program’s traditions and routines at Hancock House in stride. The community’s weeknight family dinner has been a priority. During the warmer months, dinner was enjoyed outdoors around a fire pit in the backyard. When the colder weather arrived, dinner was moved indoors. Plexiglass was installed on the dining room table to accommodate social distancing while bringing the House together each night.
Weeknight family dinners
To keep the Hancock House community safe, boarding students, and the entire Berwick population, have adopted a daily health screening routine. Before heading to School, each student fills out a healthcheck waiver to ensure it is safe to attend School in person. The dorm community continues to explore the Seacoast on weekends. Favorite outings include paintball, go-karting, mini-golf, and batting cages. On campus the group can be found playing basketball in the gymnasium or working out in the weight room. Ms. Feldman anticipates skiing and tubing during the winter months.
Go-karting, always a house favorite
Self care day; manicures and pedicures for everyone
Haunted house with friends
Dress Up Day
Paintball, one of their favorite weekend activities
Hancock House Morning Checklist: • Gather all materials for the school day • Proper 2-ply mask to be worn throughout the day • Temperature check before leaving the dorm • Lunch order submitted • Walk to campus together Decorating the tree
From the Archives The Berwick archives are filled with photos, artwork, and historical documents preserving the School’s rich history. Here we share with you some of the boarding era memories.
Lakes Region Champs 1971-1972
Duncan Jenks 1964
Football Team 1970 -1971 Lakes Region Champions, New England Prep School Champions – Steve Cronin (22), Glenn Larrabee (75), Edward Greeley (83), Francis Chiampa (86)
Ice Rink Boards in Truck 1960s
Hockey Rink Early 1970s
Fogg Memorial Ice Rink 2021
Rob Perkin, Jonathan Bagg 1965
The Kingsmen in Concert 1965 Doug Porter, Brian Longo, Brad Herman, Gary Smith, Jermone Silverman, Jay Stinson, William Horgan
Flanders House 1972 Left panel: Mrs. O’Donnell, Right panel: Lee Dyer, Betsy Coogan, Jane Parker, Carol Forss
Talent Show 1963-1964 Jay Stinton, Bob Davis
Winter Carnival Weekend 1968 Mark Sirotkin, Dick Stocker 1963
John Umlauf, Stephan Bracci, Eric Warner, George Goodwin 1965
Recognize yourself or some of your fellow classmates? Contact Sam Harding at sharding@berwickacademy.org or 207.384.6309 and share the story behind the photograph!
News & Events Stay up to date on upcoming Berwick news and virtual events, including Jim Hamilton’s recent State of The School presentation where he highlights the School’s next Strategic Plan: http://bit.ly/banewsandevents
Ice Hockey 1961
Reconnecting with Alumni We are always working to make sure we have updated contact information for all of our alumni. If you are interested in helping the Advancement Office reconnect with alumni we have lost touch with, please let us know. We are eager to keep all alumni up-to-date on the latest from the Hilltop and appreciate your help. Please contact Sam Harding at sharding@berwickacademy.org or 207-384-6309 to learn more.