Berwick Today Magazine Winter 2012

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Winter 2012

Curriculum Mapping Teacher Feature: Jennifer Hill 2011 Alumni Weekend: Honoring Alumni from the Class of 1961

Berwick Today is published two times per year, once in the winter and once in the summer, by Berwick Academy.

It is mailed to all alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends of the School.

Creative Director, Layout and Design: Tracey Boucher Copy Editor: Janet Miller Photography: Tracey Boucher Jenni Franco ‘03 Shanlee Linney Ginchereau ’87 Marilena Sanborn The faculty and staff who carry cameras and capture Berwick moments as they happen.

Printing: MPX Changes of address or other communication regarding this periodical should be directed to: Berwick Academy Alumni and Development Office 31 Academy Street South Berwick, Maine 03908 207.384.6303 kvarano@berwickacademy.org For parents of alumni: If this issue of Berwick Today is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, kindly notify the Alumni Office with the correct mailing address.

Please either email Kellie Varano at kvarano@berwickacademy.org or call 207.384.6303 to make changes.

Board of Trustees 2011-2012 Mary Z. Schleyer Claire deTarr Smith Owen R. Stevens, D.V.M. ’48 Joan Trimble

President: Mark Tay Treasurer: Matthew Friel Secretary: Eric Katz ’84 Alex Auty Phil Cavanaugh Lisa Goulemas E.J. Hetz Robert Hoy James Jalbert Chad Kageleiry ‘78 Holly Malloy Peter Martin Lucas Merrow ’81 Susan Noerdlinger Michael Schafer Greg Schneider, Head of School Fred Seigel Malcolm E. Smith, III Karen Walsh Lesli Friel, ex officio Sean Clarke ‘88, ex officio

Trustee Emeriti John Armacost Charles V. Clement, III C. Dennis Fink ‘44 O.P. Jackson, Jr. Joan R. Jarvis Russell W. Jeppesen Kennett “Skip” Kendall, Jr. Michael “Mitch” Ramsey Raymond “Ray” Ramsey Richard “Hap” Ridgway

Alumni Council 2011-2012 President: Sean Clarke ‘88 Vice President: Robert Howie ‘72 Secretary/Treasurer: Sharon Fogarty ‘82 Ruth Brown Boston ‘52 Chuck Clement ‘00 Melissa Gagne ‘03 Elizabeth Knight Henkel ‘59 Stephanie Kendall Jaggars ‘89 Ginger Mathews ‘94 Rebecca Oliver-Palanca ‘01 Karyn Scharf Morin ‘87 Stephanie Robillard ‘89 Kate Ordway Salvati ‘77 Jonathan Sevigney ‘95 Mark Svenson ‘95 Bill Tarmey ‘63 Greg Schneider, Head of School Kathryn Strand, Assistant Director of Development and Annual Giving Jedd Whitlock, Director of Advancement Honorary Council Member: Richard ”Hap” Ridgway

Alumni and Development Office: Jedd Whitlock, Director of Advancement Tracey Boucher, Assistant Director of Communications Kellie Keohan Varano ‘89, Assistant Director of Development, Database Kathryn Strand, Assistant Director of Development

and Annual Giving Jenni Franco ‘03, Development Associate

Berwick Academy 31 Academy Street South Berwick, Maine 03908 www.berwickacademy.org

Table of Contents Welcome

Welcome from Gregory Schneider

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Faculty Profile: Jennifer Hill 4 Curriculum Mapping 6 Pre-Kindergarten Takes Flight 10 Algebra 1/2 12 Forensics 13 New Trustees 14 New Faculty and Staff 16

Athletics

Fall Season Review 20

Arts

Fall Arts Enrichment 23

Trimester Snapshots

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Alumni News

Hilltop Honors 34 Homecoming, Class of 1961 35

A Poem by Anita Schoff Gagne Alumni Awards 37 Alumni Art: Nicholas Isaak ‘63 40 Honoring Berwick’s Civil War Veterans 41 Interview with an Alumna: 44

Jennifer Goulston Zwillenberg ‘96 Class Notes 45 Planned Giving: Anna May Flynn Smith ‘31 52 Members of the senior class light their candles for the annual ceremony held at the Holiday Assembly.

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Message from Head of School Gregory Schneider Dear Berwick Academy Community, One of my major goals for the 2011-2012 academic year has been preparing our community for our ten-year accreditation visit, which will be upon us in the fall of 2012. As always, this opportunity presents an incredible catalyst for school improvement and reflection on our progress. Over the last five years, the Berwick program has been honed in many ways, and I am incredibly proud to have this opportunity to showcase our school to a dozen talented independent school educators from around New England. I believe one of the key engines behind our progress has been our massive curriculum mapping initiative.

As a Pre-Kindergarten through Post-Graduate community, curriculum mapping offers Berwick Academy unique opportunities for programmatic improvement.

Fundamentally, the process is about documenting all that we do in every classroom through the lens of our students.

Heidi Hayes Jacobs, who helped us launch this effort in 2009, always starts her presentations with an empty chair on the stage while picking a name, claiming: “Here sits your student, Mia. She will be attending Berwick Academy for thirteen years. We are going to map the curriculum so that we can all be confident that the scope and sequence of the program makes sense to her. Not to us – but to her.”

The explicit emphasis on the student lens is one of the great strengths of the overall approach. It is one of the few tools that a Head of School can employ to navigate the inherent tension between autonomy and coherence within independent schools.

As most people know and appreciate, one of the great strengths of an independent school is its independence. We are not beholden to state testing, and teachers are afforded far more autonomy in their classrooms than a typical public school teacher. For the most part, this approach has served places like Berwick well – certainly a far better alternative than a group of teachers who are obligated to teach to a test throughout the year. And yet the risk is that an independent school, left wholly to its own devices, becomes a mosaic of silos rather than a collaborative and opportunistic group of

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educators. Do we know what is being taught in the same grade by another discipline? When the research papers are assigned? What concepts might be emphasized in a way that is redundant and boring for our kids? Do we ever ask our students to read the same short story twice during their time on the Hilltop? How many times are they asked to discuss the American Revolution?

A few years ago, we committed to mapping the entire academic program on a dynamic web-based application called Atlas. Thus, the process of curricular documentation and improvement is both continual and evolving. The mapping effort truly does take place at 10,000 feet. We asked teachers to document their work, by units, in the following categories: 1) Essential Questions – what are the big picture “sticky ideas” that we truly want our students to know? 2) Anticipated Knowledge Proficiencies – what pieces of content do we want them to know that will support understanding the essential questions? 3) Anticipated Skill Proficiencies – what do we want our students to be able to do as a result of this unit? 4) Assessment – how will we create a thoughtful mechanism to understand what our students have learned? 5) Strategies – what types of pedagogies and class activities will be used? 6) Technology Integration – how will technology improve the student experience?

7) Resources (uploaded documents, web links, etc.).

Embedded in this article you can see an example of a unit map from the ethics course that I teach our eighth graders once a week. While I do not claim to be the exemplar mapper in this community, I do believe in modeling what it is that we are trying to accomplish.

In fact, transparency is a huge benefit of the mapping endeavor in general. For the first time in the school’s history, any teacher from any division can log in and understand what is being taught in a given classroom.

Imagine how much this helps faculty who are new to the school: curriculum is no longer a person – it is truly a program. Ultimately, when the map is where we would like it to be, we hope to create a public version to be viewed by parents for both understanding and marketing purposes. We would like our maps to become a transparent source of pride – a demonstration of the value inherent in a Berwick Academy experience.

As Head of School, mapping is an unprecedented catalyst for professional development. Now our administrators and I can begin conversations with teachers with phrases like: “Here is what I see in the maps – help me understand the logic between what we are teaching in history in these two grades.” No longer do we need to rely on anecdote or gut instinct when having hard conversations about program; we simply can acknowledge redundancy or gaps without feeling compelled to lay blame. The maps are the launching point for the challenging conversations that need to take place to make the Berwick experience truly exceptional.

I am not so naïve to say that our faculty members have been universally overjoyed that we have taken on such an ambitious initiative. There have probably been a few darts thrown at pictures of me next to the Atlas logo, in fact. Some teachers have jumped in fully, but many rightfully worry about adding one more expectation to their already busy load. Some worry about loss of autonomy and the ability to personalize their classroom experience. However, I believe that most have seen the benefit. Under the leadership of Bill Clapp and our Faculty Academic Committee (FAC), our community has moved through a series of vertical (PK-PG) and horizontal (all disciplines in one grade) exercises of curricular review.

We have searched for gaps and repetitions within the program, and we have begun to ask hard questions about the links between our mission and program.

sorts of conversations - a very legitimate concern given the complexity of responsibilities involved in a teaching position at Berwick. We have added a professional day in April while extending meetings before and after the school year to assist, but I certainly agree that finding more consistent blocks of time for teachers to meet throughout the school year would make us a stronger school.

So while curriculum mapping is far from a panacea to address the challenges inherent in running an exemplary PK-PG program, it does, at a minimum, represent an extraordinary effort from the faculty on behalf of our students and families. This mapping initiative, like so many others we run on this Hilltop, has left me in awe of the efforts of our teachers to provide our students with the very best.

As an alumni or friend of the Academy, I can only imagine that this is not an epiphany for you regarding our teachers. They are the greatest asset we hold as a community. Thank you for taking such an interest in the future of our program, and enjoy this edition of Berwick Today.

Sincerely yours,

Gregory J. Schneider

What has been most inspiring to me as Head of School has been to see faculty members energized to have the reason and forum to have detailed conversations about teaching and learning. These kinds of moments thwart isolation and foster collaboration; faculty no longer feel as if they are alone to fend with their students. Now the problem is that our teachers crave more time to have these

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Faculty Profile:

Jennifer Hill, Middle School Spanish

by Claire Breger-Belsky ‘16 and Timmy Baxter ‘16 Ms. Hill grew up in Andover, New Hampshire. She first went to Spain in high school and immersed herself in the culture and language. That was when she decided to focus on Spanish as her future career. In college, she decided that she wanted to become a teacher and get involved in a school community. Before starting at Berwick Academy, she taught in middle schools and high schools in California; Washington, D.C.; Andover and Tilton, NH; and Spain.

When she was a young adult, Ms. Hill moved to California to immerse herself in a Spanish-speaking community. California offered the cultural diversity which Andover, NH, did not. After teaching on the West Coast, she went to Spain where she pursued her master’s degree while teaching. Ms. Hill has spent about seven years living in Spain throughout her life, and it is where her daughter, Daisy, who is a first grader at BA, was born. She then decided to come back to the U.S.A. because she wanted to raise Daisy in this country. Upon her return to the US, she searched for

a new school where she could teach, and that is when she found Berwick Academy.

Ms. Hill has a very distinctive teaching style that really helps us learn Spanish. She engages with her students in a way that encourages us to pay attention and helps us learn. She is supportive of students who speak out in class and always inspires us to take a chance. She often reminds us that “‘the only bad mistake is the one from which you don’t learn.” Because of this and her desire to help us learn, she is willing to give points on tests and quizzes for corrections. In class, we do a lot of Spanish speaking, which gives us a deeper appreciation and understanding of the language. When learning vocabulary, we often play games or have contests. All of these activities keep us engaged and our classes dynamic.

Ms. Hill is also always willing to help us get ahead, and she works with individual students when they have been absent or need extra help. In the larger class last year, she went at a pace with which everyone could keep up. Her personable teaching style really inspires our Spanish class to take joy in learning a foreign language.

Ms. Hill has many passions outside of teaching Spanish. She lives a healthy lifestyle as a vegan and stands up against animal cruelty. As a teenager, Ms. Hill did gymnastics and played lacrosse, and her love for the sport makes her a great head coach for the Middle School blue Lacrosse team. She is a skilled lacrosse player and coach.

Ms. Hill is always friendly and funny. In class she tells stories, plays games, and teaches in a fun manner. All in all, she is a great teacher, person, and member of the BA community, and it is safe to say that most eighth graders are sad to move on from Ms. Hill’s class when they go to the Upper School. Ms. Hill is an amazing part of the BA community.

Berwick Academy

Receives Musical Gift

by Seth Hurd, US Choral Director

Berwick Academy was given an early Christmas gift this year when the Coutu family generously donated a Steinway concert grand piano to the School.

The gift changes everything in our music department and to our applied music program. This piano is designed for concert programming, and it is exciting to think that our students will have an opportunity to play on a concert grand.

It makes the music department at Berwick Academy stand apart from other schools. Not every private school is blessed to have such professional equipment.

It is thrilling to be able to play this instrument. The purity of its tones, especially the low end, ring with warmth.

The notes speak clearly and fill the theater with rich sound. I have found myself at a loss for words to express my gratitude.

I am humbly thankful that our student experience has been enhanced in a such a meaningful way.

Berwick Academy

Pre-Kindergarten Program

Berwick Academy’s pre-kindergarten program focuses on the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of each child. In a structured, yet creative program students take part in activities that expand their social and cognitive accomplishments.

• A half-day program from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with an extended day option from 12-3 p.m.

• One lead teacher and an assistant • Minimum age four years old by September 1 • Classes in music, library, and physical education • A playground with varied stations for skill development

w w w . b e r w i c k a c a d e m y. o r g /p r e - k i n d e r g a r t e n

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Curriculum Mapping

Striving for Instructional Improvement Through Mapping

by Bill Clapp, Upper School Math Teacher and Curriculum Mapping Coordinator internationally acclaimed curriculum leader. Dr. Jacobs’ work is based on the philosophy of so-called “backward design” developed by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, co-authors of Understanding

by Design. Backwards design begins by defining the end goals of the course, posing the question, “What do we want the students to learn by the completion of the course?” The activities and exercises that follow are based upon a laser focus on these clearly articulated goals.

“What do I want my students to know by the end of my class?” “What do I hope they will be able to do with the content?” “How will I assess that the students have learned these skills?” “What did the students learn last year, and what do I need to prepare them for next year?” These key questions are at the heart of curriculum mapping, a process undertaken by the School three years ago with the goal of improving instruction by developing a more cohesive curriculum.

The mapping process is both daunting and rewarding as it provides a focus for teachers to ponder why and how they teach the way they do. The process has led to valuable conversations which ask teachers not only to consider these questions deeply but to document the answers in an electronic format that can be shared.

The maps are the data that give evidence of the classroom experience.

BA took its first steps into curriculum mapping with a workshop by Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs, an

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Dr. Jacobs developed the framework for the computer-based Atlas program that Berwick teachers use to document their maps. The School has since dedicated allschool workshop days as well as divisional and departmental time to working on maps. Since its inception, teachers have met in both vertical PK-12 groups and in horizontal grade-level groupings.

The mapping process not only helps focus teachers on pedagogy and methodology, but it also has a powerful collaborative component. This has been one of the most appreciated aspects of the initiative. As Upper School history teacher Brad Fletcher observed, “The mapping has given us a vehicle to talk about the curriculum.” As our mission states, we are three divisions within one school.

Brad commented that the meeting time creates a chance to bring the divisions together. Teachers want to talk about teaching and learning; they care deeply about this work, and mapping has fostered this opportunity.

Alice Lynch ‘88, a Lower School Kindergarten teacher, described the mapping meetings as producing truly rich conversations triggered by looking at the maps horizontally, across grade levels. Alice, along with Middle School English teacher Mary Anker, has overseen the PK12 Language Arts/English department. Some of the first

questions that came to light in their meetings included: “Is our English curriculum driven by what colleges want?”

“Are we placing too much emphasis on literature, and is this having a detrimental impact in other areas of the English curriculum?”

writing and grammar intertwined?” As a result of these meetings, one teacher is designing a writing rubric that she will implement this year. A few teachers are pondering whether separate grades should be given for a student’s grammar use and the content of the assignment.

As the conversations moved forward, it became clear that teachers are immensely proud of the breadth of skills and concepts covered in the English department from Kindergarten through grade twelve. The teaching was determined to be purposeful and well sequenced.

The English department felt that any repetition of skills inherent in the maps is intentional, creating a natural spiral of skill development throughout the divisions.

A map is broken into seven different fields: essential questions, student knowledge proficiencies, student skills proficiencies, assessments, strategies, technology, and resources. A map is not a daily lesson plan but a threeto-seven-week perspective that is linked together under one or two unifying themes. One of the most powerful aspects of the maps is the essential question. A teacher needs to identify two or three major learning goals for a unit, which are then posed in the form of an essential question. This unifying question links all the other fields, which should be viewed through this lens.

Another major focus of the English department was how students learn to write throughout the curriculum.

In the Lower School, teachers wondered, “At what grade should a child be held accountable for certain skills (i.e. spaces between words, capitalization)? Future Lower School conversations will add clarity to questions such as these.

The English curriculum maps are proving to be immensely valuable to new teachers in the Lower School; they serve as a guiding hand and a starting point to conversations with colleagues during the first critical year of teaching a new grade. One particular question that sparked cross-divisional discussion was, “How are

The student knowledge field represents the content that a student should know by the end of the unit, and student skills are what he or she should be able to perform. Assessments connect to the skills and knowledge since they are the method for determining to what extent students have understood the material and absorbed the skills. The technology and resource fields identify what is being used to implement the strategies and help the students achieve the knowledge and skills. A map is a dynamic process, tying together the myriad of classroom activities.

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BA teachers have found that maps can enhance the student experience by helping to structure the teaching.

The use of time in a classroom is often a balancing act between exploring more topics and developing a deep understanding. According to Lower School Director Joel Hawes, a map “helps with the timetable of the unit; it is like a financial budget of the time and helps to make use of class time purposeful and helps teachers stay on target throughout the unit.” The Lower School science classroom has these essential questions (left sidebar) posted on the wall.

Essential Questions: Lower School Science First Grade: What will I find when I explore nature all around me?

What does “nature is everywhere” mean?

Second Grade: What will I find when I explore nature in the water?

How are freshwater and saltwater systems different?

Third Grade: What will I find when I explore nature in the forest?

How can I study and record campus trees?

Fourth Grade: What will I find when I explore nature in the air?

What animals fly and what makes them able to fly?

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Academic courses are not the only programs being mapped at BA. The Athletics Department maps major learning goals for their programs in each of the divisions.

Lower School physical education teacher Marilena Sanborn has utilized these techniques for many years.

The mapping process has allowed other Lower School teachers to be more cognizant of her course intentions, including such goals as coordination and collaborative play. Other members of the community can see how these skills and content progress from Lower School to Middle School physical education program maps. The library and technology courses are also being mapped. These courses benefit greatly from the mapping work as faculty strive to integrate courses and build upon the other grade-level courses.

During the 2010-2011 school year, the second year of the mapping process, teachers within the same discipline identified gaps and repetitions. When social studies/history teachers began to identify the major learning goals for each course, it quickly became evident that non-western European content was lacking in the curriculum. “The mapping conversations gave us the catalyst to make the change,” said Brad Fletcher. To address this gap, the Upper School grade nine history course this year has changed from a western civilizations course to a world history course. This fall, students explored the development of the Chinese culture and moved into India; currently they are studying the Middle East.

Berwick teachers also examined their subject area curricula for possible repetitions and found both good repetitions and bad ones. It seems obvious that covering the same English book for two or three years is wasteful, but one of the goals of student learning is to build upon previous knowledge and skills so that understanding is continually stretched. This type of scaffolding requires some aspect of repetition. Through the maps, the faculty were able to articulate where the repetitions were wasteful and where they were powerful and then make appropriate changes. This work continues with the mathematics department using maps to identify how algebraic concepts are developed.

One Unit of Bill Clapp’s Ninth Grade Algebra 1 Map

Last year teachers focused on identifying gaps and repetitions from a vertical perspective within academic subjects, while this year the work was done in gradelevel horizontal groups. The grade-level learning goals have revealed a startling consistency. Common themes such as creative thinking and problem-solving have been mentioned by both the Kindergarten and grade twelve teachers. Teachers in grades five and nine both stated effective communication skills as important learning goals. After articulating the learning goals, the next step is to examine the maps for evidence that goals are being met.

The five-year curriculum mapping plan includes future uses of the maps to increase the variety and effectiveness of assessments. Part of the power of the mapping software is being able to examine specific fields across multiple grade levels. This analysis facilitates professional development and curricular improvement.

As the faculty moves forward with this endeavor, the evolving maps will serve as the primary tool for many professional development conversations to create a more powerful curriculum. As a learning community of teachers who strive to provide the most dynamic education, teachers will continue to examine the curriculum maps horizontally and vertically. They will look for additional intrinsic and rewarding ways that students can link information between classes and across years of study. Reviewing the maps as a community provides the opportunity for internal professional growth that will ultimately enrich each student’s Berwick experience.

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Pre-Kindergarten

by Joel Hawes, Lower School Director and Kelly Sullivan, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Takes Flight

With family invitations

proudly on display, the Pre-Kindergarten class eagerly marched with their butterflies to Fogg Field on a warm September afternoon. Upon their release, the monarchs hesitated and then flew to nearby shrubs and trees and then on to increasingly greater heights and distances. On each step of the parade route leading to this highly anticipated butterfly release, our Pre-Kindergarten students, too, began an impressive journey into the new school year. By celebrating the arrival of their classroom monarchs, the children simultaneously highlighted their own Berwick Academy arrival as a group with a strong sense of purpose in current and future adventures.

After an important and lengthy planning process, the current half-day Pre-Kindergarten class has taken flight! Directed by lead teacher Kelly Sullivan and assistant teacher Meaghan Foster, the class of ten students meets daily from 8:00 to 11:30 in a creatively designed Lower School classroom.

Besides a variety of in-class endeavors, the students also participate in three unified arts subjects across campus: library, music and physical education.

Morning routines begin with the students signing in and responding to a question of the day. The children have the opportunity for open exploration as their classmates arrive and as they settle into the exciting experiences ahead. Children and teachers then join together for a morning meeting, which typically involves greeting each other, reviewing the previously answered question of the day, and sharing ideas and thoughts leading to the morning’s events. Next, students engage in a series of literacy and math activities, followed by a well deserved snack break. Project work, unified arts classes, and outside play round out the morning prior to the time, once again, to say good-bye’s in anticipation of the next day’s exciting routines.

The Pre-Kindergarten class typically undertakes a long-term study that lasts throughout the year. In the opening example, besides watching the butterflies

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develop, creating their own “release party” invitations, and participating in the butterfly parade, the students also created many representations of butterflies through mediums such as paint, clay, and drawings. The children had many class discussions about their ideas of the different stages of a butterfly and their journey to Mexico.

The project also served to steer the students’ creativity in related activities during independent explorations.

The curriculum in Pre-Kindergarten is propelled by children’s interests, ideas, encounters, and discoveries as they explore a particular area of inquiry. Each year, investigations and projects differ because each child and family brings new ideas and experiences to school. These interests drive the curriculum in unique directions while classroom teachers interweave age-appropriate skills into daily learning encounters. Projects can be short or longterm, evolving as children generate new questions and new problems to solve. Learning is a “whole experience,” not separated by subject areas and time. In Pre-Kindergarten, the teachers work together to formulate hypotheses about the possible directions of a project and materials that might enhance it. Ultimately, the goal is to challenge children by posing thought-provoking, open-ended questions and experiences, engaging in discussions in which children

generate multiple perspectives, and helping children to make connections using problem solving and creative thinking skills.

Meaningful experiences that evolve through children’s inquiries ultimately support our students in developing both a sense of autonomy and community, in discovering talents and abilities, and in appreciating the process of becoming thoroughly invested in a meaningful project. There is much that emerges throughout the morning that can be enhanced through cognitive, social and physical approaches as creative, captivating, and rich learning opportunities develop.

As an example, the topic of ocean creatures has captivated the children’s interest and imagination. Many of the children often visit the local aquariums, museums, and waters that surround our community. The children have brought this interest into their project work since the first day of school. It is a common occurrence for the children to have frequent dialogues about different sea creatures of interest. In response, the teachers have provided the children with books for research, and the students have begun to create their own books, drawings, and stories about sea creatures.

The class has discussed different types of sea creatures, developed literacy games that incorporate sea creatures, and have used their imaginations to delve deeper into unanswered ocean questions. This passion for learning will take the class in many different directions as they continue to develop further questions and theories about the sea.

who took over for Mrs. Foster during her November-December maternity leave.

Kelly Sullivan is wellpositioned to lead our new Pre-Kindergarten program based on her past experiences, which included starting and teaching an Early Childhood program at the Advent School in Boston.

Meanwhile, Meaghan Foster’s graduate work with The Teaching Institute (a Berwick Academy and University of New England Master’s degree collaborative) and her well-rounded support work with the Lower School have provided an important springboard into her Pre-Kindergarten teaching role. While we have been pleased with the morning Pre-Kindergarten routines, we are very excited to announce our plans to make next year’s daily schedule mirror the Kindergarten through Fourth grade program with an option to extend the Pre-Kindergartener’s day with a 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. schedule (with the 2:10 Wednesday early release timing).

The Pre-Kindergarten program has become and will continue to be an important entry point into a Lower School and Berwick Academy educational journey.

Besides creating an engaging classroom experience, the teachers write a daily journal, which is sent home electronically to the Pre-Kindergarten families. The journal highlights the morning’s events and often includes student quotes and thoughts, highlighting, once again, the importance of listening to and following the children in their creative learning journeys.

Kelly Sullivan and Meaghan Foster have developed a strong team-teaching bond in this inaugural Pre-Kindergarten school year. Likewise, the Lower School greatly appreciates the inspired work of Tammy Myers,

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Algebra 1/2

by Sally Needell, Middle School Math and Science

How often has a math teacher

heard the phrase, “When would I ever use this?”

In fact, we use our math skills each day whether we are judging where to be on the soccer field for the next play or deciding how many treats we can afford at the BA Book Fair bake sale. Using authentic lessons in the classroom makes math class engaging and relevant for Middle School students.

In Algebra ½ this year, students have been putting their skills to the test. Algebra ½ is a course designed to help eighth graders with the transitions from pre-Algebra to Algebra I. We started the year with a lesson on proportions.

The lesson’s objective was to determine the size of something one cannot reach, namely the circular window over the front door of the Clement Middle School. Digital cameras and meter sticks were the tools for solving this problem. Next came determining what size banner would help block the sun shining into the Great Room through this same window. The students chose to block the light with a 9-foot by 6-foot banner that would celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Middle School.

The next decisions to be made involved determining the sizes of the letters and numbers and where they would be placed. An exercise in coordinate graphing followed as spacing and placements were measured. The banner now hangs from the Great Room rafters.

When the Middle School celebrated their fall spirit week, students were asked to be in charge of organizing all of the Middle School students into a “B” and an “A” on Fogg Field. Students had to decide how to divide the students by grade, how to make sure the students were distributed evenly across the letters, and how to determine the average distances occupied by students standing in lines. They also learned how to be human posts. The distance-measuring wheel was the tool of choice this time.

The letters were a success for the Middle School and the Algebra ½ class.

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Other projects have followed. One has involved learning how a fashion designer uses math in his or her work through the website Get the Math. Students adjusted the design of a blouse to reduce the costs of the materials and labor and allow for the correct profit percentage and retail price. Another project involved managing a bank account and a stock portfolio where students invested in the stocks of their choosing and then were given daily “challenges.” These required students to apply their knowledge of decimals, negative numbers, and simple and compound interest to such transactions as mortgage payments and stock sales.

Like video games, math has specific rules of play.

As a person learns the rules, he or she is more successful at the games. When seeking more challenging games, the rules change, and there is more to remember and apply. In an upcoming activity, we’ll be testing our gaming skills as well, to see how coordinate graphing and linear equations are used in designing computer games.

Another way to involve these math students in real-world experiences will be to give them authentic data.

Climate data collected throughout New England over the past 100 years will be the basis for our study of

linear equations as we explore graphing, trend lines, and rates of change. Students will be able to determine how their climate is changing.

Middle School together, and it was a fun and exciting process; “...and it even had math while we showed school spirit.”

Unanticipated side-effects of the Algebra ½ lessons have been the bonds built among the students, their sense of purpose, and the realization that they have the skills to be successful mathematicians and contributors to the BA Middle School community. When asked about the banner project, students shared the following comments: “...it was more fun than just sitting at our desks.

We got to have fun and learn how to use math in everyday life at the same time.” “The banner used math in a seeable sense, it is an awesome final product, and it was fun and creative.” Other students shared their thoughts about the Middle School “B”and “A.” “It was my favorite because we worked together as a class;” “...it brought the whole

Back to the question at the beginning of this article.

Let’s see…if I earned one cent the first time I answered the question and doubled the amount each successive time, would I be better off than I would be earning one dollar each time? If students see the connections between what they are learning in math class and their world, maybe I won’t be asked the question, and it won’t make any difference whether I earn that penny or dollar.

Forensics

by Gray Cornwell, Upper School Science

This fall, BA students may have observed numerous crime scenes being staged on

campus and wondered what was going on. In actuality, these crimes were part of an elective course in forensics offered by Gray Cornwell. Mr. Cornwell had attended a weeklong course over the summer and was prepared to teach his students the basics of forensic science. The students in this class learned how to gather and interpret evidence. The focus of the class was hands-on activities, including observation skills, crime scene investigation and evidence collection, hair and fiber analysis, fingerprints, blood and blood spatter, drug identification and toxicology, handwriting analysis, forgery and counterfeiting, forensic anthropology, ballistics and forensic entomology.

Clips from a variety of media were used to showcase specific topics. While the emphasis was on lab work, students wrote lab reports and had regular assessments on the material. Students developed their reasoning skills while compiling and processing evidence.

They established motive, opportunity, and ability in order to identify suspects.

The hands-on approach to the course enabled students to learn how to do the lab work that they have seen on TV. The work was always interesting but not always pleasant. A pig’s liver was stored in an outdoor

shed where insect larvae were gathered at various stages of development. Visitors to campus may have noticed an unpleasant odor in the vicinity of the turf field. Though there were many unpleasant tasks associated with this class, the students took it all in stride.

Fall 2011 was the first time this class was offered at BA. More students signed up than could be accommodated.

It was a highly successful addition to the electives offered to upperclassmen. As the seasons changed, the campus crime wave subsided. Students should remain on alert for future suspicious events.

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New Trustees Welcoming New Trustees to The Board Lisa M. Goulemas

Married since 1980 to Edwin David Hetz, a venture capitalist, they have four children: Edwin, a 2010 graduate of Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, CA; Victoria, a junior at Wellesley College; Henry, a graduating senior at Middlesex School in Concord, MA; and William, a sixth grader at Berwick Academy.

Lisa M. Goulemas is currently Chief Operating Officer of the Fixed Income group within Fidelity Asset Management, the investment arm of Fidelity Investments. In her role, she oversees the investment operations for over $700 billion in bond and money market assets.

She started with Fidelity in 1993 after two years at Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc. Lisa currently serves on the Finance Committee at BA.

After leaving the workforce to raise their children,

EJ volunteered as a crisis line peer counselor for La Casa de

Originally a native of las Madres, a shelter for battered women and their children; Pennsylvania, Lisa got a taste of independent schools she served on various fund raising committees for the San when she transferred to Blair Academy in Blairstown, NJ, Francisco Ballet Auxiliary since 1989; and she has chaired for her senior year. She was drawn to New England by the numerous committees for the parent association fund raisers University of New Hampshire and graduated with a degree in the 15 years her sons attended Cathedral School for Boys in Political Science and International Affairs. After living in San Francisco. in Boston’s North End, Charlestown, and Georgetown, MA, for nearly twenty years, she returned to the Seacoast

In addition, EJ served for several years on the Board area in June 2009 with her husband, Jason Goulemas, and of Trustees for two schools: Katherine Delmar Burke School, daughter Caty (class of 2019). They live in Cape Neddick, an independent K-8 girls school in San Francisco; as well as ME. on the founding board of The Bay School of San Francisco, an independent high school. Most recently, she served as York County volunteer coordinator for the U. S. House lizabeth etz of Representatives campaign for Dean Scontras, focusing her energies largely on special events and fund raising. In EJ was born in New York City, raised in Arizona, and spent addition to her role on the Board, EJ is a most of the past 30 years residing in San Francisco member of the Development Committee (occasionally interrupted by stints in Boston, New at Berwick Academy.

York City, and Los Angeles). After finding and

E

“EJ” H

renovating her home in Kennebunkport, ME, she happily returned to live here full-time in 2009.

Upon receiving a B.S. in 1980 from Arizona State University, EJ worked for several years in public relations for Ingalls, Quinn & Johnson in Boston; Daniel J. Edelman in San Francisco; and for Diener, Hauser, Bates in Los Angeles. She focused first on corporate and consumer account work before moving into product placement for film and television.

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Chad Kageleiry ‘78 Chad began his relationship with Berwick Academy as a high school sophomore, graduating with the class of 1978. He went on to attend Norwich University, where he graduated with a BS in Business Administration in 1983.

Soon after graduating, Chad returned

to his roots in Dover and began a career in commercial real estate, brokering property. This has evolved into property acquisition, investment, and land development. He currently owns and operates Summit Land Development in Dover, which focuses on build-to-suit office space and industrial building renovations, primarily in the Southern New Hampshire region.

Chad currently serves on the Buildings and Grounds Committee at BA. He was formerly a member of the Alumni Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Strafford Rivers Conservancy. He lives in Dover with his wife, Sheila, and their two children, Thea and James. Both children are students in the Lower School at BA. Chad enjoys many activities, including golfing, skiing, and offshore fishing.

Sean Clarke ‘88, ex-officio Sean has a long history of support for BA. Since 1997, he has served on the Alumni Council, the Planned Giving Committee, the Alumni Fundraising Committee, and the Development Committee. He is currently the Alumni Council President. In addition to his volunteer work with BA, Sean is active with several local nonprofit organizations in his spare time.

Sean was a three-season athlete at BA, playing soccer, ice hockey, and lacrosse, and continues to skate at the alumni Winter Reception every year. He received an undergraduate degree in political science in 1992 as well as his MBA in 2001 from the University of New Hampshire. For the past 15 years, Sean has been a financial advisor with Baldwin & Clarke Advisory Services in Bedford, NH.

Sean’s two siblings, Peter ’97 and Catie ’89, also attended BA. He and his wife, Kara, live in Rye, NH.

Berwick Store

The Multi-Drink offers 2 different functional ways to drink out of with a twist-off closure or pop-out straw.

BPA free. $15.00 Tie-Dye is back! 100% preshrunk cotton.

Youth sizes. $18.00

In stock by popular demand!

Made in the USA from Vineyard Vines. A high quality piece and beautiful finished look... it’s a must-have!

Fabrics: Tote canvas trimmed with 100% imported silk with our custom BA bulldog print! $65.00. Ties also available in the same blue silk or try it in pink! $60.00

!

rs e l l e s t s e B

Plush bulldog mascot custom made for Berwick Academy! Approximately 7.5”x4.75”. Ages 3 and up. $18.00

!

New Item

Champion 12 oz. reverse weave hooded and crew sweatshirts in oxford gray. $50.00

4.5”x7” oval poly clear background “Euro” decal. Adhesive is on the back of the decal. (Note: The light blue color in the image represents the CLEAR background.) $4.50

s!

New Item 11.5”x3” rect-

angle poly white background bumper sticker. Adhesive is on the back of the decal. $4.00

Adult and Youth Sizes!

Go to www.berwickacademy.org and click on Berwick Store from the Community drop-down or visit the physical store in the Lower School

15

New Faculty and Staff

Welcome Julie Alexander, Middle School Spanish Teacher: After serving as a sabbatical replacement in the Upper School from December 2001 to June 2002, Julie returned to Berwick Academy this fall to teach sixth grade Spanish in the Middle School. She has a B.A. in Spanish from the University of New Hampshire. Since 2002, Julie has been teaching in various independent and public schools in the greater Boston area as well as participating in postgraduate educational programs in South America.

Kathryn Auger-Campbell, Director of Admission and Financial Aid: Kate has worked in various other educational institutions including Wilbraham & Monson Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy, and St. Anselm College since graduating from Southern New Hampshire University. She lives in the Portsmouth area with her husband and is thrilled to be back in the seacoast full-time.

Megan Blakemore, Middle School Librarian: Megan worked for the past four years at the Westbrook High School Library in Westbrook, ME. She is a graduate of Columbia University, and is currently enrolled in a Master’s of Education program in literacy at the University of Maine with a concentration in writing and the teaching of writing.

Meaghan Foster, Assistant PreKindergarten Teacher: After working this past year as the Lower School After-Care Coordinator, Meaghan returned this fall as the Assistant Teacher in the new PreKindergarten program and continued as the Lower School After-Care Coordinator.

Meaghan’s involvement with Berwick Academy extends back many years and includes Lower and Middle School substitute teaching. She successfully completed Berwick Academy’s Teaching Institute in the spring of 2010.

Meaghan is a graduate of the University of New England where she received her degree in teaching methodologies.

Travis Derr, Assistant Athletic Director: Travis joined us after teaching and coaching for the past two years at Oyster

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River High School. Soccer is clearly a passion for this Connecticut native. Travis played starting goalkeeper during his four years at Bowdoin College. He has held both high school and college level coaching positions as well as numerous soccer certifications. Travis, his wife, and baby daughter live in South Berwick, ME. Rebecca Enright, Substitute Athletic Trainer: Becky is a recent graduate of University of New England and spent the 2009-10 year as an intern in the Athletic Department. Becky lives in York Beach, ME. Kimberlea Francouer, Lower School Literacy and Math Specialist: After recently graduating from Berwick Academy’s Teaching Institute, Kim returned to teach literacy and math in the Lower School. She is passionate about all subjects, but particularly fond of math.

Kim completed her undergraduate studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She and her family live in Strafford, NH. David Hamilton, Facilities: David joined the Facilities Department at the beginning of last summer. Since then he has been busy helping to keep the campus beautiful.

David comes to us from Wallingford Fence, where he held a seasonal position. When he is not working, he enjoys coaching baseball. David lives in Acton, ME. Linsday Hanson, Student Billing/ Accounting Associate: Lindsay joined the Business Office in August after working for the past five years at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. She is a graduate of St. Michael’s College, where she majored in psychology. When Lindsay is not working, she enjoys running, skiing, and yoga. Lindsay and her husband live in Portsmouth, NH. Jennifer Hedges, First Grade Teacher: Over the past four years, Jenn has been working as a Lower School Literacy Teacher. She returned to assume her new role as the Lower School’s first grade teacher. Jenn’s commitment to education spans a decade and includes ongoing work toward a Doctorate in Education at Boston University.

Laura Anne Jaquays, Fifth Grade Art Teacher: Over the past year Laura has created a strong link between the Berwick Academy community and York Hospital, specifically working on the Art H.O.P.E. Project with numerous Middle and Upper School students. This fall she returned to campus as a member of the Fine Arts Department to teach art to the youngest members of our Middle School, the fifth grade students. Laura sees herself as both an educator and a creative healer, dedicating her life to teaching the healing power of art.

Kimberly Kryder, Middle and Upper School Counselor: Kim joined the Support Services Staff in the position of Middle and Upper School counselor.

Kim most recently worked as a school counselor at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, AZ. Kim has a master’s degree in school counseling from George Washington University. She, her husband, and young daughter live in Eliot, ME. Robin Martin, Benefits and Accounts Payable Associate: Robin joined the Berwick Academy Business Office in December 2010 and took no time at all to get up to speed. She is a graduate of Colby College and is presently working toward her M.B.A. She, her husband, and two sons live in Berwick, ME. Jeffrey Minihan, Facilities: Another new face in the Facilities Department is Jeffrey Minihan. After six years of working in northern Maine, Jeff and his family have relocated to the area. When not working, Jeff enjoys spending time with his two young children.

responsibilities include field hockey, basketball and softball. Tammy has her B.S. degree from Wheelock College where she majored in human development.

Sarah Ross, Academic Support Coordinator (Grades 5-12): Over the past three years Sarah worked at Thayer Academy providing support services to Middle School students. Sarah received her master’s degree in reading and writing from the University of MassachusettsAmherst in May 2007. She lives in York Harbor, ME. Marc Small, Middle School Science Teacher: Marc joined the Middle School this fall to teach sixth and seventh grade science. He comes to us from Salt Lake City, UT, where he taught at the McGillis School for four years. Marc is an undergraduate of Colby College and has his master’s degree from Harvard University.

He, his wife, and two young children have relocated to Portsmouth, NH. Kelly Sullivan, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher: After six years as an Early Childhood Education Teacher at the Advent School in Boston, Kelly joined the Lower School as the new Pre-Kindergarten teacher. She has extensive experience in the innovative early childhood program inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. She received her master’s degree from the University of Colorado. Kelly lives in Newton, NH. David Yung, Facilities: David comes to us after working for two years at the Unico Cleaning Company. He describes himself as a “hard worker” and “funny.” David and his family live in Lebanon, ME.

Marti Mulhern, Lower School Literacy: Marti comes to us from the Horne Street School in Dover where she worked as a literacy tutor for the past three years.

Marti received her Master’s of Education in reading at the University of New Hampshire in 2004. She and her family live in Durham, NH. Tammy Myers, Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Department: Tammy joined the Athletic Department to take on the role of part-time Administrative Assistant and coach. Tammy’s coaching

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C o mm u n i t y B e n e f i t

What: When:

Where:

Berwick Academy Community Benefit Saturday, April 28, 2012 The Red Barn at Outlook Farm, South Berwick, Maine

We hope to see you at this fun and festive event that celebrates the students, the staff, and all that is Berwick Academy. Funds raised at this event provide enrichment and social opportunities for our children, materials and equipment that heighten the teachers’ curricula, and much needed support for the enhancement, restoration, and beautification of our historic campus.

There are many ways you can support the Community Benefit: sponsorships, donations, purchasing a ticket, bidding, and volunteering to name a few. Be sure to log on to our online auction website, www.biddingforgood. com/bpccommuitybenefit, to bid on items that will only be available online from March 26 to April 14, 2012. Our live event on April 28 will feature the live auction, Fund-A-Need, Heads and Tails, food, drink, friends, and more surprises! We look forward to seeing you there.

Lesli Friel, President BPC m.friel@comcast.net

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Save the

Date!

2011 Fund-A-Need The 2011 Community Benefit, held last April, raised over $85,000 for the Fund-A-Need project. Last year’s project was created to honor Pat McManus, long time employee of Berwick Academy who retired from her position as Director of Buildings and Grounds in 2011. The Pat McManus Campus Preservation and Enhancement Fund was created with the dollars raised, allowing us to fund a portion of the Fogg Memorial restoration that was undertaken this past summer. Pat’s dedication to our school is evident in so many ways, and the appreciation for Pat was exemplified in the generosity of our donors.

A huge thank you to all those who supported this project.

Upper School Musical: Damn Yankees Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25 BPC Community Benefit Saturday, April 28 Grandparent’s Day Friday, May 4 Dance Performance Friday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 5 at 3 p.m.

Spring Concerts May 15, 22, and 23 at 7 p.m.

Senior Arts Night Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m.

Woofstock Friday, June 1 at 4 p.m.

Commencement Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m.

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Athletics Update Fall Sports: Season Review

by Rob Quinn, Athletic Director

Boys Varsity Golf Coach John Downey

The Berwick Varsity Golf team earned the EIL championship for the third year in a row!

Team members include the following: Seniors Mike Keefe, Captain Nick Saulnier, Ben Siegel, Nate Winters; Juniors Max Linemayr, Jon Malloy, Alex Grammenos; Sophomores Cam Clair and Brian Horner; and Freshmen Lukas Linemayr and Brennan Santaniello.

For the regular season the team earned the title of league champions with an overall record of 13-1, losing that match in a tie breaker by two strokes. We hosted the EIL tournament at our home course, The Ledges.

We enjoyed a magnificent November day of challenging golf and the usual competitive camaraderie. But when the dust settled, Berwick had won the event, standing tall and alone above the second-place team, Portsmouth Abbey, by 13 strokes. Max won the first flight with a score of 79. Nick won the third flight with an 83, and Lukas took the sixth flight with an 81. Jon Malloy won the longest drive competition.

League MVP and Team MVP: Max Linemayr ‘13 All-League Team: Nick Saulnier ’12, Jon Malloy ‘13 League Honorable Mention: Ben Siegel ‘12, Brennan Santaniello ‘15 Coach’s Award: Mike Keefe ‘12

Girls Varsity Soccer Coach Travis Derr

The team got off to a slow start during the regular season with some tough losses on the road with trouble finishing. The team battled through the season and showed immense improvement and dedication. They finished strong without a loss in their last six regular season games. While returning a large number of young players for next year, there are some

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big shoes to be filled with our six departing seniors. We have fond memories of our road win against Portsmouth Abbey with a huge point blank save from Eliza Hazen ‘13 and an amazing cross from Emily Borkowski ‘15 to Brooke Downey ‘15. We played great, tying LCA mid-season at home. Even our loss to Beaver Country Day in the EIL tournament was a great game against one of the strongest offenses in the league. The season as a whole was a huge success. The team qualified for the EIL tournament for the first time since 2008, tied rival Pingree for the first time in over seven years at home and on the road, and lost to the first and second place teams in the league by only one goal.

Team MVP: Lyndsay Brattan ‘12 Coach’s Award: Caroline Seekins ‘12 All-League: Lyndsay Brattan ‘12 League Honorable Mention: Gabby Martin ‘12

Boys Varsity Soccer Coaches Patrick Connolly and Chris Mansfield

The team went through some growing pains this fall. After graduating nearly half of the team, not to mention their making 60

of the team’s 70 goals in 2010, the new squad was tasked with assimilating newer and younger players into the program, and this did not come without its challenges. After a promising start that saw our team winning most of its early games, a combination of injuries to key players and needing to move players into spots that didn’t play to their strengths saw the team begin to struggle to score goals and steadily drop in the EIL standings. Leading much of our offense were the strong positional play of Grahm McGlinchey ‘12 and the tireless efforts of Blake Downey ‘13. Our defending and goalkeeping remained an area of strength throughout the season, led by captains Parker Woolley ‘12, John Reinhardt ‘12, and Joe Reid ‘12, as well as the goaltending duo of Taylor Scanlon ‘12 and Erik Wisniewski ‘14. In spite of their nearly league-leading goals against average, our parsimonious scoring at the other end of the field left little room for error, and in the end, the team had to accept a fifth-place finish. The coaches and players, however, are quite confident that a healthy team next fall, one that will boast 11 returning players, many of whom started several games, will contribute to a strongly improved 2012 campaign.

All-League Team: Parker Woolley ‘12 and John Reinhardt ‘12 Team MVP: John Reinhardt ‘12 Coach’s Award: Blake Downey ‘13 League Honorable Mention: Joe Reid ‘12

season and capped it off with an eighth place, all-league finish at the EIL Championship race.

We were lucky to have Jake Horne join as a new junior; his intensive training for swimming translated to a great first season with Berwick.

Juniors Ben Muthig, Peter Whelan, and Benn Clapp have clearly matured as runners, and their training was particularly productive, leading to steadily improving results.

Their leadership set a standard that kept everyone focused and motivated. Sophomores Will Platt and Lucas Kaplan jumped into their second seasons. Lucas has emerged as runner who can’t be ignored in the EIL. The freshmen pack of five proved to be a tightly knit gang who took pride in pushing one another in training and shaving time off their race finishes.

Julian Felvinci made a statement at the New England Championships by winning the JV race. Aidan Cookson came within 17 seconds of cracking the 20-minute mark at the EIL Championship race and ran in the varsity group at the Division IV New England Championships. In our best race of the season, Berwick placed fifth out of eight teams at the EIL Championship Race. Without exception, it was everyone’s fastest race of the year. One week later the team earned seventh place out of 19 schools at the NEPSTA Division IV Championship race. This spirited group of runners had a great season.

Team MVP: Ryan McGuigan ‘12 Coach’s Award: Benn Clapp ‘13

Boys Varsity Cross Country Coach Jon Davie

This year’s team put together a very productive season. Our overall season record of 3-5 does not reflect the significant and steady progress that was achieved, and no one had any reason to be disappointed with the season’s accomplishments.

The runners stuck to a grueling training regime and earned the benefits. Four seniors closed out their careers. For Matt Graichen, it was a oneseason career; we will always wonder what might have been if he had started running as a freshman.

Nathan Richard completed his second season and discovered that maybe he is a runner, after all. Win Hahn and Ryan McGuigan enjoyed the entire fouryear cross-country adventure. Ryan had his best

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Girls Varsity Cross Country Coaches Raegan Russell and Amy Trueworthy

Running a cross country race well involves some basic strategy. It involves training one’s body to know and, if not enjoy, at least tolerate a fast pace over longer distances, across varied terrains, and in moments of physical and mental stress. To run a cross country race well, a runner must accelerate and gain momentum. She should run her second mile faster than the first, the third faster than that, and still have fuel for a glorious kick at the finish. Our season reflects this steady increase in momentum. Although we finished eighth in the EIL Championship Race at Franklin Park, we held a more respectable record of five wins and four losses in the competitive EIL season. But at the end of the season, our team pulled it together and harnessed this momentum to take fourth at the NEPSTA Championship Race, where we competed against 13 New England schools at Hebron Academy.

Coach’s Award: Ellie Penati ‘12 Team MVP: Emily Duchene ‘15 All-League and All-New England: Emily Duchene ‘15

Tracey Boucher was cautiously optimistic about the team.

Knowing this was their first year facing the best players in the league, the possibility of having a winning season was slim, although attainable. After opening the season with a scrimmage and securing their first victory, the girls were excited to bring on the regular season and their league opponents. The girls played hard for every single game and ended their regular season with six wins, seven losses, and one tie—an impressive record for any team, but an even more impressive record for a team playing their first varsity schedule. Going into the EIL tournament, the girls were seeded sixth out of 10 teams in the league and second in the B bracket. They won their first game of the tournament, and although they did not clinch the B bracket championship, the team was thrilled with their overall performance for their inaugural season. The team was comprised of several veteran players and a handful of new players, rounding out a squad of 14 dedicated athletes.

Team MVP: Shannon Farrell ‘12 Coach’s Award: Kristen Jones ‘15 All-League: Shannon Farrell ’12 and Anna Wright ‘13 All-League Honorable Mention: Sarah Brodeur ‘13

Girls Varsity Field Hockey Coaches Tracey Boucher and Tammy Myers

Fall 2011 was a memorable season for the field hockey team as they became a varsity squad after two years as a start-up JV team. Going into the season, head coach

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Arts Update Arts Enrichment Fall 2011 by Deloris White, Director of Fine Arts David Coffin, Music King’s Court

from

the

Musician David Coffin returned this fall for his annual visit to our grade four music classes as they began their study of the recorder. Each year David demonstrates a variety of instruments during his lively presentation, engaging students in history, music, and humor. His approach is interactive and filled with surprises.

David’s website describes this program and his presentation as follows: “His entertaining presentation covers the history of the recorder from the primitive ocarina and the newly discovered Paleolithic bone-flute, through medieval gemshorns, to the refined recorders of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. With his complete set of beautifully crafted instruments, David demonstrates period examples of music written for each particular instrument. He illustrates with humor and vitality the evolution of the Early Winds. How have some evolved into modern instruments? Which continue to be used in their historic forms? Which are now extinct?”

To learn more about David Coffin and this presentation, visit davidcoffin.com and explore the variety of interactive programs on this site.

Dance Residency

The Visual and Performing Arts Department and the Upper School had the pleasure of hosting up and coming modern dance artists SpunkandCOmpany for a late October performance and workshop series. Rooted in work that is at once humorous and dramatic, accessible yet contemplative, the choreography attempts to both delight and puzzle its viewer. A blend of traditional and contemporary dance techniques, the vocabulary of SpunkandCOmpany is athletic, theatrical, and provocative. Often magnifying social issues and human relationships, the company works beyond pure formalist intention to achieve the art of contemporary storytelling.

The performance offered to the Upper School students included a debut of the piece “Hester,” a twisted tale about the dark side of female relationships set in motion. Often abstract in nature, the presented material engaged the audience with compellingly classical lines framed by a sophisticated sense of form and space.

Once in the studio for movement workshops, the artists of SpunkandCO challenged Middle and Upper School dancers with innovative and vibrant choreographic repertory. With great enthusiasm, the forty plus students delved into the creative process with the professional artists, learning exciting combinations while also exploring elements of composition with the group. The workshop and performance with SpunkandCO fosters BA’s commitment to creative expression while stretching students through active engagement in the realm of performance arts. It was a delight to have the company on the hilltop, sharing their perspective of process, creation, and production. For more information, please visit spunkandcodance.com.

Music Share

Approximately three times per year students from the Lower and Middle Schools are invited to share music they are learning in their private music studios or music they simply love. These performance opportunities are coordinated by Choral Director Maria Isaak and performed during a regularly scheduled morning assembly. Maria facilitates these performances by putting together the program, helping students prepare as needed, accompanying students, and working to ensure a varied program for the students to share.

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The Middle School Music Share was on December 16. It included performances of voice, violin, poetry, guitar, and piano.

Silent Flight

Thirty-five students representing all three divisions created art in response to the Call for Entries for the 2012 International Aviation Art Contest sponsored by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FIA). Working at home or in special classes after school, these artists worked in a variety of media to create their hot air balloons, gliders, hang gliders, and sky divers according to the specific guidelines for entry. The work was on exhibit in the Jackson Library Gallery for the month of December. Following the exhibit, the works were submitted to state competition. If an artist is selected to receive an award at the state level, his or her work will be forwarded to national competition, followed by international competition if the work also received recognition at the national level.

North Shore Field Trip

After a wonderful choral concert presentation Tuesday, December 14, students in the Middle School Grade 5-6 Choir headed south to see their own fellow choral member Bryan Marden in North Shore Music Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol. The performance uplifted the students in several ways. Most had never seen a surround theater.

The backdrop, a silhouette of 18th-century London, was really the Round Drop. There was no backstage, so all actors came from under the stage through trap doors and moving sidewalk apparatus. The orchestra pit was divided physically into three sections. The conductor and the lower string section were housed above the stage. Brass and winds were below the stage, and harp and violins were above the stage opposite the conductor.

The lighting crew and pyrotechnics crew worked above on catwalks. The make-up and costumes were high level.

Of course, we were there to hear the professional level singers. They certainly did not disappoint. Our students noted their combined acting and singing, eye contact, facial expression, strong diction, perfect posture, and all the great results these things bring to performers. Every child who attended was gratified to have been there. Bryan Marden stepped out with us afterward, and we were able to congratulate him! It was a wonderful day and fed our students much inspiration for their future performance endeavors.

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Virtual Residency

Band Director Stephanie Sanders recently selected Composer Alex Shapiro’s electroacoustic band piece, PAPER CUT for one of Berwick’s bands to perform during the spring concert season. Inspired by the particular piece and the composer’s work, Ms. Sanders contacted this Pacific Coast artist to learn more about her music and to discuss possibilities. Ms. Shapiro is composing music for all levels, but in particular, music for young bands using technology within the piece. This e-mail conversation has resulted in an exciting virtual residency that will take place electronically via Skype sessions between students on the East Coast and Alex Shapiro on the Pacific Coast. This Washington state composer is very excited to participate in a virtual residency with Berwick’s band students. Ms. Sanders stated, “This will be a fabulous experience for our students to get to work with the composer of a piece they are performing.”

PAPER CUT incorporates winds, percussion, synthesized backing track, live electronic instruments and DAW software connected to keyboard controllers and wind controllers along with the Kaossilators and WaveDrum synthesizer. The performance will also include the use of organic materials for sound in the form of paper from the recycling bins around campus along with a potential multimedia element that will be determined.

There may even be an additional surprise to look forward to on performance night. Band students will definitely be exploring new ground while presenting the audience with new experiences during their performance of PAPER CUT in the spring. The presentation of this piece, along with the growing e-Music program at Berwick, exposes the belief that traditional ensembles like bands and nontraditional music technology can co-exist and need to co-exist if traditional ensembles are to survive in music education of the 21st century. To learn more about Alex Shapiro, please visit her site http://www.alexshapiro.org/ ASBio.html.

Trimester Snapshots

Senior Class Convocation September 9, 2011

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Community Circles and Tenth Day Assembly September 19, 2011

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Pre-Kindergarten Butterfly Release

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Performances for the Arts: Faculty Variety Show October 14, 2011

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Halloween Parade October 29, 2011

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Upper School Play: A Midsummer Night’s Dream November 11 and 12, 2011

Egeus (Will Platt ’14, left), prefers Demetrius (Liam Bristol, ’14, center) to Lysander (Breandan Haley ’13, right), as a suitor for his daughter Hermia.

Helena (Carly Gill ’14, left) listens as Lysander (Breandan Haley ’14, center) and Hermia (Abby Scanlon ’12, right) reveal their plans to elope.

Titania, the Fairy Queen, (Skyler Gailing ’14) in a quiet moment with Oberon, King of the Fairies (Henry Young ’12).

Puck (Jane Merrow ’13, left) and Moth (Abigail Fitzpatrick ’14) await the arrival of Oberon.

Demetrius (Liam Bristol ’14) scorns the affections of Helena (Carly Gill ’13).

Snout (Stephanie Storey ’15), Snug (Henry Henkel ’15) and Starveling (Ian MacFarlane ’14) prepare to perform for Duke Theseus.

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Bottom (Matt Butcher ’14, center) transformed with a donkey’s head, finds himself surrounded by the Fairy Queen and her subjects, from left: Cobweb (Karaline Berger ’13), Peaseblossom (Juliet Moore ’15), Moth (Abigail Fitzpatrick ’14), Titania (Skyler Gailing ’14), and Mustardseed (Madison Keefe ’13).

Puck (Jane Merrow ’13) contemplates how to sort out the muddled romances of Lysander, Hermia, Demetrius, and Helena.

Bottom (Matt Butcher ’14) performs as Pyramus for Duke Theseus and Queen Hippolyta.

The fairy court, clockwise from left: Cobweb (Karaline Berger ’13), Hollyhock (Jillian Clark ’15), Mustardseed (Madison Keefe ’13), Peaseblossom (Juliet Moore ’15), Larkspur (Mary DePascale, ‘12), and Moth (Abigail Fitzpatrick ’14).

Flute (Joe Borg ’12) as Thisbe, discovers Bottom (Matt Butcher ’14) as Pyramus is dead, while Snout (Stephanie Storey ’15) looks on.

Puck (Jane Merrow ’13) sweeps away the last traces of fairy mischief as A Midsummer Night’s Dream comes to an end.

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Middle School Musical: Honk Jr.!

November 18 & 19, 2011

Will Hebert, as Drake, wonders when his wife, Ida, will return, so he can get a reprieve from taking care of the ducklings.

Emma Sattler (Henrietta), Katherine Reid (Maureen), and Barrett Jackson (Jaybird’s Cameraman) are amused by Drake’s antics during the show’s opening number, “A Poultry Tale.”

Amber Williams, as The Cat, interrupts the festivities to remind the other barnyard animals who the real boss is on the farm.

Katherine Reid (Maureen) and Jess Hebert (Ida) welcome Ida’s new ducklings into the world.

The newly-born ducklings gather around their mother, Ida (Jess Hebert).

Page Waldo, as Ugly, is caught in mid-honk, while showing the audience and the barnyard animals why she’s just a bit different than the other ducklings.

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The four ducklings (Livia Ginchereau, Olivia Pomeroy, Kenzie Kennie, and Vickie Dzbynski) remind Ugly (Page Waldo) how different he is from them.

Jaybird, the TV news reporter, played by Sahana Heiderscheidt, interviews a distraught Ida (Jess Hebert), after Ugly has gone missing.

Some of the geese (from left to right, Juliet Clark, Katherine Reid, and Matt Marino-Babcock) prepare to take off on their “Wild Goose Chase” to look for Ida, so they can tell her that Ugly is still alive and well.

Page Waldo, as Ugly, and Sarah Khan, as The Frog, agree that someone out there will love Ugly “Warts and All.”

The magical transformation from ugly duckling to handsome swan has taken place, much to Page Waldo’s amazement.

The swan Penny (Shannon Haley) and her father (Nicholas Noerdlinger) look on in awe.

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Alumni News

Alumni Weekend 2011

Hilltop Honors On September 24, 2011, on the occasion of the 50th reunion of the Class of 1961, BA had a unique opportunity to reconnect with a special group of alumni. During Alumni Weekend, the Academy welcomed back a group of students from the Class of ’61 who left BA prior to graduation when the town of South Berwick ended its tuition agreement with the Academy.

Since its inception, BA has always been a private school, run by a Board of Trustees, separate from town or state officials. Like many schools in Maine at the time, BA accepted students from neighboring towns which paid the tuition. This arrangement still exists today for many so-called “town academies.”

In the early 1950s, BA trustees felt the Academy was straying from its mission as a college preparatory school. Meanwhile, town officials were advocating for a more vocational curriculum. A middle ground could not be reached, and in 1955, the town and the Academy announced their decision to end their agreement. The town would build a new high school. The Academy would accept boarding students and day students from the area, but the tuition would be paid by the students’ families, not the town. Tuition at the time was about $750 per student.

This decision was especially painful for the members of the BA Class of ’61, who spent their senior year at the newly built South Berwick High. They still felt BA was their school as it had been for their families for generations.

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Thanks to a small group of passionate alumni, led by Anita Schoff Gagne, BA was able to reunite these students with their beloved alma mater. On the third floor of Fogg Memorial, Head of School Greg Schneider and President of the Board of Trustees Mark Tay presented Berwick Academy diplomas to a dozen of the displaced students. In keeping with tradition, the bell in the tower rang out as each of the names was read.

Congratulations graduates and welcome home!

Note: If you are member of the BA Class of 1961 who left after your junior year to attend South Berwick High, and you would like a Berwick Academy diploma, please contact Kathryn Strand in the Alumni Office at 207-384-6307 or kstrand@berwickacademy.org.

Pictured left: Joseph Scanlon ’56 receives his BA diploma 55 years after leaving BA one year prior to his graduation in order to join the US Navy.

Homecoming: Class of ‘61

A poem by Anita Schoff Gagne ‘61

I started school when I was six in the year of ’48.

I rode a big old yellow bus and thought that this was great!

It drove me off to Central School, the ride seemed long to me.

I sat myself upon the seat and found it hard to see.

This little girl was on her own at school to find her way.

She lined up where the teacher was, not sure she’d want to stay.

She’d start the day with roll call, then allegiance to the flag.

And when she got new crayons things just didn’t seem so bad.

I made new friends as time went on, looked forward to each day.

I worked so hard to learn new things‘twas there I learned to pray.

The playground, full of swings and fields, I rode the big seesaw.

Sometimes I chose the big white chalk, on the pavement I would draw.

Now jumping rope and playing ball had taken up my time, ‘twas back to work as we all flocked to form our quiet line.

The years went by at grammar school, I’d soon be on my way to walk the walk my siblings did, “God bless our old B.A.” With pride I strolled the hallways and found my way about.

This was my school the next four years, so confident, no doubt!

A freshman, then a sophomore, a junior came so fast.

Little did I realize this year would be my last.

‘Twas then B.A. went private with my final year at stake.

This news was simply awful and left many hearts to break.

Our class was hurt and saddened when we found we couldn’t stay.

This school said no to students whose families couldn’t pay.

A new school was the option, its name and colors, too.

So hard to make these choices when I’d always worn the blue.

“South Berwick High” as it turned out, its colors green and white.

No matter what my feelings were, I couldn’t win this fight.

The best was made of my last year as a senior, I walked tall. and accomplished my objective despite the broken wall.

Upon my graduation twenty-one all formed the pack Who knew this school would change its name?

Four times to be exact.

A junior high was founded, much later, middle school.

Now “Great Works” is the current name to teach the Golden Rule.

For 50 years we’ll celebrate with classmates I once shared.

Thanks Kathryn, Jedd and faculty, you listened and you cared.

You said, “We have a school that’s yours it has a golden dome.

B.A.’s your alma mater.

You’re finally back at home.”

Your friend and fellow classmate, Anita Schoff Gagne ‘61

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Hilltop Honors Program

Welcome



Gregory J. Schneider Head of School

Celebrating the Restoration of Fogg Memorial and a tribute to Anna May Flynn Smith ’31



Gregory J. Schneider Head of School

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Alumni Awards Presentation

Gregory Michael ’65 Rebecca Oliver-Palanca ’01, Loyalty to Berwick Academy Lillian Glidden Wong ’01, Young Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement

From the Class of 1961 Linda Merrill Bolduc Barbara Campbell Bradley Judy Brown Deranda Mills Ellsmore Anita Schoff Gagne Janet Robertshaw Lagarde Bob Merrill Beatrice Glynn Miller Neal Rowe Ralph Seavey David Snow Sharon Horr Stuart



Veteran Diploma Presentation

Gregory J. Schneider Head of School Mark Tay Board of Trustees President

Joseph Patrick Scanlon ‘56



Alumni Diploma Presentation

Gregory J. Schneider Head of School

Mark Tay Board of Trustees President

2011 Alumni Weekend Attendees

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Theresa Parent Gagnon, 1934 Tom Keelty, 1943 Albert Roberge, 1944 Joyce Pray Borkowski, 1946 Kathy Hussey Keelty, 1946 Owen Stevens, 1948 Barbara Lord Smith, 1951 Ruth Brown Boston, 1952 Joe Scanlon, 1956 Bob Gagne, 1957 Elizabeth Knight Henkel, 1959 Frank Angelopoulos, 1961 Bob Bogardus, 1961 Linda Merrill Bolduc, 1961 Barbara Campbell Bradley, 1961 Judy Brown, 1961 Bob Curtis, 1961 Priscilla Perry DeRochment (former faculty) Deranda Mills Ellsmore, 1961 Linda Corson Forbes, 1961 Anita Schoff Gagne, 1961 Janet Robertshaw Lagarde, 1961

Giles Lauren, 1961 Bob Merrill, 1961 Beatrice Glynn Miller, 1961 Kim Reynolds, 1961 Neal Rowe, 1961 Ralph Seavey, 1961 David Snow, 1961 Sharon Horr Stuart, 1961 Robert Wilson, 1961 Bob Acheson, 1963 David Pratt, 1963 Bill Tarmey, 1963 Peter Arakelian, 1965 Greg Michael, 1965 Rob Perkin, 1965 Art Sanderson, 1968 Patty Glancy Trimble, 1974 Brigit Ordway, 1975 Jody Dodd, 1976 Jeff Fontaine, 1976 Chris Glancy, 1976 Anthony Gratta, 1976

Corey Jacques, 1976 John O’Grady, 1976 John Spinney, 1976 Kate Ordway Salvati, 1977 Shanlee Linney Ginchereau, 1987 Karyn Scharf Morin, 1987 Sean Clarke, 1988 Mary Goldthwaite-Gagne, 2001 Kim Gordon, 2001 Natalee Ohayon Martin, 2001 Rebecca Oliver-Palanca, 2001 Lily Pearmain, 2001 Tristan Quinn-Thibodeau, 2001 Michelle Savard, 2001 Betsy Sheridan, 2001 Dan Vorosmarty, 2001 Lillian Glidden Wong, 2001 Melissa Gagne, 2003 Ben Peirce, 2006 Grant Ridgway, 2006

Alumni Day Awards Rebecca Oliver-Palanca ‘01 Loyalty to Berwick Academy

In his 1908 book The Philosophy of Loyalty, Josiah Royce presented his definition of the concept of loyalty. According to Royce, loyalty is considered a virtue, indeed a primary virtue. Loyalty to a cause unites others to that cause, binding them together in their service. Loyalty is freely given, not coerced. It is actively engaged upon, not passively expressed merely as a strong feeling about something. It is not merely a casual interest but a wholehearted commitment to a cause.

This evening we are honoring Rebecca Oliver-Palanca because she embodies loyalty in her relationship with Berwick Academy. In the ten years since her graduation from BA, she has stayed connected to her alma mater. Rebecca has made a donation to the annual fund every year since 2001, putting her in a distinctive group of alumni. Her support has not been limited to financial donations, however; she gives of her time as well. Last year Rebecca was elected to BA’s Alumni Council, where she has proven to be a reliable and tireless contributor. She serves on the Alumni Weekend Committee and has taken the lead in helping to organize events and to rally her class for their reunion.

We wish Rebecca well as she pursues a career in nursing and patient advocacy. The health care community and the people it serves are fortunate to have such a passionate and dedicated member. We are delighted to present the Alumni Loyalty Award to Rebecca Oliver-Palanca.

Lillian Glidden Wong ‘01

Young Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement Lillian Wong’s achievements would be impressive for someone twice her age. After graduating first in her class at BA, she attended Dartmouth, where she studied Arabic, worked at a homeless shelter, and tutored young children.

In her junior year at Dartmouth, she worked in D.C. for the National Foundation of Women Legislators, establishing their international branch. After graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth, Lillian studied law at UCLA, where she focused on Education Law and actively participated in an Education Advocacy Clinic. After law school, Ms. Wong worked as a corporate litigator in a Boston-based law firm until she left to pursue her dream of advocating for children’s education rights. She established her own firm, which is dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children with disabilities. Lillian now spends her working hours representing parents who are advocating for their children’s rights to an education.

Lillian is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Special Needs Advocacy Network, The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, and the Massachusetts Advocates for Children’s Coalition to Defend Special Education. We are honored and delighted to present the Young Alumni Award for Distinguished Achievement to Lillian Glidden Wong.

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Alumni Weekend Photo Album Greg and Amy Schneider with Kim Reynolds ‘61

From the Class of ’61, Anita Schoff Gagne, Bob Curtis, Judy Brown, and Bob Gagne ‘57

Sharon Horr Stuart ‘61, daughter of Cecil R. Horr ‘37 and Minnie Blaisdell Horr ‘41, receives her diploma at the Hilltop Honors ceremony.

Members of the Class of ’61 after receiving their BA diplomas 50 years after graduation.

Chris Glancy ’76, celebrating his 35th reunion.

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Alumni Council President Sean Clarke ’88 welcomes alumni to the banquet.

Theresa Parent Gagnon ’34, representing the most senior class at the banquet, has a laugh with Albert Roberge ’44.

Class of 1961 celebrating their 50th reunion.

Kathleen Hussey Keelty ’46, Tom Keelty ’43, and Albert Roberge ’44 Joyce Borkowski ’46 gives a hug to Jacquline Heffren, former South Berwick public school teacher.

Class of 2001 celebrating their 10th reunion.

From the Class of 2001, Natalee Ohyan Martin with daughter Abigail, Rebecca Oliver-Palanca, and Kim Gordon

From the Class of ’61, Deranda Mills Ellsmore, Judy Brown, Beatrice Glynn Miller, Linda Merrill Bolduc, and Anita Schoff Gagne

(l to r) John O’Grady ’77, with guest Gisele Giordano, Kate Ordway Salvati ‘77, and Jeff Fontaine ’76.

Faculty Jim Sullivan and Patricia Glancy ‘74

Relaxing on the BD porch with (l to r) Rob Perkin ’65, Director of Advancement Jedd Whitlock, Bob Acheson ’63, and Peter Arakelian ’65.

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Alumni Art: Nicholas Isaak ‘63 The life and work of artist and BA alumnus

Nicholas Isaak (1944 - 2011) was honored at an exhibit in the Jackson Library Gallery during the month of September.

Guests of the exhibit included Nicholas’ daughter-in-law, BA music teacher Maria Isaak; her son, BA seventh grader Benjamin Isaak, as well as several members of Nicholas’ class of 1963.

Born in Manchester, NH, Nicholas resided in Westmoreland and then Keene, NH, since the late 1970s.

He began painting while a student at Berwick Academy, encouraged by his art teacher Elyot Henderson. He went on from BA to receive a BFA (1967) and an MFA (1969) from the Boston University School of Visual Arts. He later studied with the artist Walter Tandy Murch, who was a mentor to him.

Nicholas’ quiet, atmospheric still lifes and landscapes are part of the permanent collections of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond; Western Illinois University; Boston University; and the Historical Society of Cheshire County, Keene, as well as numerous corporate and private collections. His works have been shown in exhibitions at the Maxwell Davidson Gallery and the Babcock Galleries in New York; the Gallery of Contemporary Art, Winston Salem, NC; the Dartmouth College Museum and Galleries; the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts; the New England College Art Gallery, Henniker; and the Thorne-Sagendorph Gallery, Keene, among others.

Nicholas was a recipient of the Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Foundation Award from the Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in New York, and of numerous other awards and prizes. In 1998 his painting “Juniper Bushes” was selected to be published in the book The Artist and the American Landscape

by John Driscoll and Arnold Skolnick.

Nicholas taught at Norfolk (Virginia) State College (1969-1972); he was an assistant professor of art at the School of Visual Arts at Boston University (1972-78) and chair of the art department at Keene State College (1978-79). In 1979 he

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left teaching to pursue conservation work full time while continuing with his personal work.

As a painting conservator, he was in demand by the Northeast’s foremost institutions, galleries, appraisers, and private collectors of art, for his exceptional craftsmanship, superior judgment, attention to detail, and honesty. He was the conservator of the NH State House Art Collection and restored artwork for the SaintGaudens’ National Historic Site; NH State Library; NH Historical Society; the National Historic Trust in Lowell, MA; the Rochester, NH Opera House; Babcock Gallery in New York City; St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH; and the Fitchburg (MA) Museum, among others.

Alumni Weekend 2012 Mark your calendars for September 21-23, 2012! ALUMNI WEEKEND has something for everyone!

Boarding Era Alumni:

Special events are planned just for you, plus many opportunities to join today’s students on the athletic fields, in the classroom, and for musical performances.

Alumni celebrating “milestone” reunions: Classes ending in “2” and “7” have many reasons to celebrate, but alums from all classes are welcome. Reunite with classmates and former teachers for parties on and off campus. Let us know if your class would like to plan something special, and we will help make it happen.

Alumni with young children: Our “Dog Days” family fair and barbeque are just a few of the activities for alums and their families on Alumni Weekend.

To plan your special weekend, contact Kathryn Strand in the Alumni Office at 207-384-6307 or kstrand@berwickacademy.org.

Alumni Regional Gatherings Alumni regional gatherings are really catching on. About 150 alums attended events last year in Portsmouth, Boston, New York City, and Manchester. Join us this year and see for yourself how much fun these events can be.

We will be in touch with more details through email, mail, BA’s website, and Facebook.

• • • •

Portsmouth, NH: Wednesday, February 15 at The Music Hall Loft on Congress Street Boston, MA: Wednesday, March 28 at The Met, Back Bay New York, NY: Wednesday, April 25, location TBA Manchester, NH: Portland Seadogs vs. Manchester Fisher Cats on Wednesday, May 23

Honoring Berwick’s Civil War Veterans

by Rachel Saliba, BA Archivist

During the time of the As the year marking the 150th Civil War, Berwick Academy anniversary of the start of the consisted of a single wooden Civil War comes to a close, I building that we refer to as the am hoping that the Berwick “Third Academy Building” or Community can assist me in the “1853 Building” as it was honoring the memory of the built in 1853. It contained a big Berwick Academy Alumni school room that was divided Civil War Veterans. Through by sliding doors to separate the first-hand accounts written by girls and boys sections for most students during the War and of their lessons. Once a week, the gift of a memorial window Berwick Academy 1853-1894 all of the students went into the honoring the alumni who Hall on the second floor and served, it is clear that the Civil had “Speaking.” It was during War had a grave impact on this time that students were required to deliver speeches the School, but our list of Civil War Alumni Veterans is and presentations.

During the war, according to alumnus woefully incomplete.

Eugene Locke, Class of 1864, “. . . war pieces were the

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usual ones delivered. ‘Barbara Frietche,’ ‘The Dauntless Varunna,’ ‘All Quiet on the Potomac Tonight,’ and others similar, were most frequent . . .” (Berwick Scholar, May 1891).

Aside from some financial hardship, it appears from the records that Berwick continued to thrive during the Civil War and was impacted most when news of alumni fighting in the war came back to campus. Nationally acclaimed author and BA alumna Sarah Orne Jewett wrote about her memory of being a student during the Civil War in the school newspaper:

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Another alumna, Annie Stackpole Baer, Class of 1868, wrote of the same memory of the day the Civil War ended in a memoir she wrote for the 100th Anniversary of Berwick Academy in 1891. Mr. Stockin was the Preceptor (Head of School) at the time: During 1865, the war news from Washington was often cheering.

One day after school, when the morning papers had brought glad tidings, Mr. Stockin lead the scholars over to Salmon Falls, and we formed round a liberty pole – standing near where the new road runs to the station.

With hats off, we listened to some patriotic remarks from our teacher, sang America, gave three rousing cheers for Old Glory, and then walked home filled with patriotism. (Annie Stackpole Baer Manuscript, 1891: BA Archives 2008.0048).

. . . the war made many changes Sarah Orne Jewett, BA Class of 1865, wrote in the village and even in the about her memory of being a student at Berwick school. I used to have great Academy in an article entitled “My School inspirations of patriotism which Days” in the school newspaper in 1887. were neither deep nor sincere until long afterward when I had grown older and understood what the war really meant. Sometime an elder scholar who had been at school a year or two earlier would appear on the playground in his new uniform and

Many years following the end of the Civil War, startle me into a sudden consciousness of Southern Sarah Orne Jewett commissioned artist and friend Sarah battle-fields. We made great heroes of these young Wyman Whitman to create a memorial window in honor men; soon it came about that there were soldiers’ of the alumni who fought in the Civil War. In a letter to funerals in the village churches and we were the BA Board of Trustees regarding her gift, Ms. Jewett dismissed to take our places in the crowded pews. wrote: More or less youthful patriotism worked itself off at the Wednesday declamation and rehearsal hour, To the Gentlemen of the Board and once or twice at the Exhibition of Trustees, we had dialogues, in one of which the loyal and seceding states I ask you to kindly accept for the had a placid altercation and the Academy a memorial window Southerners spoke their little with the inscription: “To the pieces and covered their heads memory of many soldiers and with black veils. It did not seem sailors, pupils of this school who in the least droll to me then, but I fought for their country.” cannot help smiling over it now as I write. At last there came a spring I take great pleasure in giving day when word was brought to us it, for every reason and chiefly that Richmond had fallen and Mr. because I wish to remind the Stockin dismissed his flock and we young people, who will be all followed the drum two by two coming and going, of the loyalty down into the village as proudly of their predecessors. I have as if we were Grant’s army itself. consulted Mr. Fogg and Mr. (Jewett, “My School Days,” The Clough and they have approved Berwick Scholar, October 1887).” my plan in connection with their own. I have ordered the window from the artist, who has the interior decoration in charge.

Annie Stackpole Baer, Class of 1868

Believe me Yours most respectfully, Sarah O. Jewett”

(Berwick Academy Board of Trustee Minutes, copy, April 26, 1894, p. 347).

Jewett quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “Sacrifice.”

Today, history teacher Amory Mansfield uses the window for a class discussion at the beginning of each new school year. She has her students figure out the date of the window and asks them to determine which war the window commemorates. She also has the students decode the images of the dove, ribbon, wreath, spear, and trident and talk about the meaning of the poem and why people go to war. Finally, in Amory’s words, she uses the window to “. . . talk about how it works as a memorial for the BA students who were veterans. I like them to think about the verbal and visual messages that are there. I want them to really see and appreciate it.”

In that spirit, I have started the following incomplete list of alumni we know who fought in the Civil War. Please assist me with completing this list by notifying me of the names of anyone you know who attended BA for at least a year and also fought in the Civil War. You can reach me by email at rsaliba@ berwickacademy.org, phone at 207-384-6330, or mail at BA Archives, 31 Academy Street, South Berwick, ME 03908.

Berwick Academy Civil War Veterans Joseph B. Goodwin, enrolled at BA in 1849 John Gray, enrolled at BA in 1847 Edwin Hatch, class of 1861 *Joseph Hayes, enrolled at BA in 1844 Frank Martin, enrolled at BA in 1861 George McIntire, enrolled at BA in 1853 Augustus Nason, enrolled at BA in 1829 George Peirce, enrolled at BA in 1852 Edward Raynes, enrolled at BA in 1848 Charles H. Wadleigh, enrolled at BA in 1862 Henry Wentworth, enrolled at BA in 1848

* Pictured left: Our highest ranked alumnus, Joseph Hayes, was promoted to Brevet MajorGeneral in the Union Army.

Sarah Orne Jewett’s Memorial Window hangs in Ms. Mansfield’s classroom in Fogg Memorial Hall. The inscription reads: TO THE MEMORY OF MANY SOLDIERS AND SAILORS PUPILS OF THIS SCHOOL WHO FOUGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY THOUGH LOVE REPINE AND REASON CHAFE THERE COMES A VOICE WITOUT REPLY TIS MAN’S PERDITION TO BE SAFE WHEN FOR THE TRUTH HE OUGHT TO DIE

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Teach for America Interview with an Alumna:

You have been involved with Teach For America since you graduated from college.

Teachers in this program work in underresourced urban and rural public schools.

What appeals to you about it? Urban schools have always been where my heart is. The students are fun and energetic. In addition, there is a great need for teachers in these communities. They are school districts that historically have trouble attracting or retaining teachers.

What influenced your decision to become a teacher?

During my junior year at Brandeis, I volunteered for G-Row Boston, a rowing club for middle school girls.

That’s when I became interested in the public school system.

How did TFA prepare you for your first teaching assignment? I spent five weeks at their institute in Houston before reporting to Booker T. Washington Middle School in Baltimore.

What have been the greatest challenges working in urban schools? There are many challenges in city schools, especially in poorly functioning schools. In some schools I have worked in, we would run out of paper every April.

Teachers were not allowed to use the copiers, so we often had to submit our materials days in advance, which was very difficult as beginning teachers. But I have also seen schools thrive when they can capitalize on the strength of a community and its local leaders.

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Jennifer Goulston Zwillenberg ‘96

How about successes?

There are many. One former student went on to City College High School in Baltimore—a very prestigious school—where he joined the choir and performed internationally. Now he is a senior at Gettysburg College and just applied for the TFA.

How did your BA experience influence who you are as a teacher? Certainly the academics were wonderful, but what had the greatest impact on me at BA were the relationships.

I can still remember sitting on the stairs talking with Mr. Fletcher.

What I learned at BA and what has been reinforced by my teaching experience so far is that relationships are central to teaching. Once I learned the strengths of the community, the families, and the individual students, I felt like I knew how to be a good teacher.

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about a career as a teacher? Teaching is hard, but it’s a good hard. Being a beginning teacher is especially rough. Sometimes I look back and wonder, “What was I thinking?” I would advise a new teacher to get to know your students, especially through their writing. Trust in their strengths and you can go anywhere.

Jen is currently earning her doctorate in Reading, Writing, and Literacy at the University of Pennsylvania and working part time as a literacy consultant, mostly in Baltimore schools. She and her husband, Jeffrey, live in Baltimore and are expecting their first child in May. For more information about Teach For America, go to www. teachforamerica.org.

Alumni Class Notes 1945 Stanley Rines: Spending more and more time in Zephyrhills, FL. The winters just seem to get colder. I am enjoying pretty good health except for hips and shoulders and a few other joints.

1946 Joyce Pray Borkowski: Our class of BA 1946 happily celebrated our 65th reunion year at the September 24, 2011 dinner with wonderful memories and still enjoying our golden years. It was part of the Alumni Weekend celebration. Myself and classmate Kathy Hussey Keelty attended, representing those unable to be present, and were presented with lovely BA blankets by Kathryn Strand of the Alumni Office, who organized the fabulous Alumni Weekend.

Several classmates responded to the request for notes. Byron Marshall phoned me in late August from Crystal River, FL, and hopes to travel to South Berwick some summer. His wife, Cristie, is a school counselor, their youngest son is enrolled at a central Florida college, and their older son is a Florida master detective. We had a nice chat and it was good to hear from him. Barbara Nolan, living in lovely Center Harbor, NH, often gets to South Berwick on daytime drives when I occasionally see her. She phoned to say she regretted not being able to be with us for the evening but doesn’t do night driving now. She is well after some setbacks and is still the goodnatured and interesting Barb who recalls and asks for other class members. If we have a daytime summer event, she’s interested. Wonderfully interesting letters arrived from Tom Gordon in Welcome, MD, and Shirley Durgin Nelson in Lakeland, FL. I’ll copy and forward the letters for all to read and enjoy. At the time of the reunion, Pauline Roberge Gordon was living in Welcome, MD, but sadly she has since passed away after a long period of ill health. We send our sincerest condolences to Tom and the family. Shirley and husband Ted, who began years ago as a town manager in Vermont, moved to accept new positions in interesting locations during the ensuing years. Shirley took great advantage of many interesting educational opportunities, and they eventually settled in Florida, where they retired and moved to a condo in Lakeland. Pat Gilley Linscott phoned just shortly before the reunion date to give regrets that due to a conflict with a pre-planned family function, she would be unable to get to BA for the reunion. Summer seems to offer a better opportunity for possible get-togethers for many of

us. We missed all who couldn’t be there and thoroughly enjoyed the news of those who took the time to share.

Please continue to keep in touch and send items for the Berwick Today.

On a note for those who remember my aunt Laura Chick Lawry, who was our third grade teacher, she is now 102+ years old and lives at a care facility in Warner, NH. She has dementia from a stroke.

Our 65th reunion was a special achievement, and a lot of us are still “up and about.” May 2012 be a great year for you and yours.

1956 Dick Pittroff: Class of 1956 had a reunion luncheon at the Oarweed Restaurant in Ogunquit in September. We had about 15 attend, including classmates and spouses, on that rainy afternoon, but comradeship and spirits were not dampened. After nearly 11 years on the road, Lucy and I purchased a new home in Robson Ranch, Denton, Texas. We sold all of our furniture in 1999 and 2000, so furnishing the house has been a real interesting process.

We still use boxes for a few tables, but the planner, Lucy, has a scheme to pay our taxes and finish the house by the end of 2012. We hope to continue our travels in 2012 with a trip to the West Coast to see classmates, family, and friends.

1962 Anne Richter Heaton: All is well. I have three granddaughters and am still helping husband, Dr. Heaton, run the mental health practice, Baltimore Counseling Center. Both daughters now work for us too. Plus I still paint.

Bill Bullock: Since I was last on the Hilltop, back at the time of the first Boarding Era Reunion (which was a blast!), and meeting the then brand new headmaster, Greg Schneider (I think it was in June of 2007), I have committed matrimony and gotten myself married to a wonderful woman about two and a half years ago. No small feat as I’d been living single for the previous thirty years. Pam is still trying to sort out my “stuff” that I’d acquired during that long interval. Pam was born in Marion, NC, but has spent most of her life here in Florence, SC. She’s an elementary school teacher and just completed her master’s in education with honors

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from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, last spring. She’s Southern Baptist, and I’m Anglican Catholic-what the old Episcopal church left behind when it embraced a bunch of ”innovations” and abandoned the canons of the faith back in 1977. We have a good time discussing our churches.

Baptists actually make very good Anglicans. I serve as Senior (Priest’s) Warden and Licensed Lay Reader in the Anglican Church of Our Saviour here in Florence. Also, I’m the Speaker of the House of the Laity and a member of the Council of Advice in the Diocese of the South and serve as a judge in the Consistory Court of the Original Province of the Anglican Catholic Church.

I’m still working, albeit part-time, at the local Fox television entertainment affiliate, WFXB, Fox 43 TV, based in Myrtle Beach. I’m a “sales assistant” (aka: secretary) in the Florence sales office.

Pam and I have just returned from spending Thanksgiving with my parents in Juno Beach, FL. They’re both 91 now, still active, and I’m still their “kid” at 68, and they don’t mind “advising” me what to do. They do welcome Pam as their new daughter-in-law, which is great. They seem to think she can do something with me.

Between us we have three children; I have a married son, living in Charleston, SC, and she has a married daughter (a teacher, too) and a son, both here in Florence. My son has two daughters, aged eight and five, and a new son, born in September this year. Pam’s daughter has a son, born a couple of weeks before we got married. So we have four wonderful grandchildren.

An interesting sidebar: My granddaughters go to the First Baptist School in Charleston, SC. This church is the first Baptist church established in South Carolina, back in 1683, by a congregation that moved here from Kittery, ME, right in (or out of) Berwick’s backyard.

1963 Tributes to Jon Doane (pictured right) from his classmates “Home is the sailor, home from the sea....”

- David Pratt God Save the Good Captain and our loyal friend and classmate. Jon had one of the most sincere hearts I have ever encountered, and he will be sorely missed by me and many others. We used to go out on rowboat excursions at sea off Southport and held our annual “Beef and Beer” dinners

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ashore. I never could get him to write up his many adventures in the Military Sealift Command as captain of their ships, my one real regret with Jon. The story of his towing a nuclear submarine to Panama is priceless!

Jon’s face is another I will always remember even though I was only at Berwick one year. I know he was a very fine guy. It suddenly seems too many of my old classmates from five different schools have departed too soon. Or, I’m much older and luckier than I thought...

- John Sakoian

The class of BA ‘63 has lost another member who made us who we are. It’s amazing that, after we matured, Doane developed into a great guy. It could be that Doane changed less than any of us. How late, but fortunately not too late to have let him know, we matured. Unfortunately, there will be too many toasts at our 50th reunion, but they will all be heartfelt, and we will be toasting the gradual passage of the class of ‘63 as well. I wonder if any of the widows would want to attend. I will be surrounded by the Pacific Ocean when Jon’s funeral takes place, enjoying motorcycle riding with son John, Jr. on Maui. At 7:00 on Monday morning Hawaii time, the sun will be rising in the East, the sky will be picturesque with clouds, the breeze will be gentle, the waters will be beautiful, and Jon Doane’s remains will be carried on that last voyage. One more is gone...Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm has bound the restless wave, welcome Jon Doane.

Smooth sailing, classmate! - John Loughlin

Jon Doane’s funeral was held at Simmons & Harrington Funeral Home in Boothbay, ME, at 1:00 p.m.

(1300), Monday, August 8, 2011. It was attended by approximately 60 to 70 people. I never knew both Jon and Nelda had such extended friends and families. I was able to talk for a while with Jon’s older sister, Rachel, whom I had not seen since we both attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) a few centuries ago. She has been an architect on the payroll of the US Army Corps of Engineers for the past 20-odd years. A reverend presided mostly, after which many of us got up to share our particular memories of Jon. I spoke of our mutual friendships at Berwick Academy since 1959 with Jon and Roy Snell, the three of us fancying ourselves as “independent thinkers” and perhaps not unduly popular. I also mentioned that Jon’s early experiences of seamanship seemed to imbue him with a special maturity in just knowing how many ways a body can get killed in boats if careless. While not with the “in-crowd,” Jon was ahead of us in that.

I finished off with reciting Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Requiem,” which he wrote for

his own grave in Tahiti -- the one which starts off with, “Under the wide and starry sky,” and ends with, “Home is the sailor, home from the sea; and the hunter home from the hill.” I wanted to add, “Goodbye, Jon -- dammit!” But was unable to get it out. Probably just as well.

Two naval officers, one of them a Wave, gave the final military honors of the slow salute and the flag-folding, presenting the flag finally to Nellie. It was appropriately impressive. Goodbye Jon, ...Fair Winds and Smooth Sailing! - Bob Acheson Bob Acheson: Busy working on my house and fricasseed finances and some letters to the editor (trying to save the nation) in these “difficult and dangerous times” as well as trying to get back to the Al Kerr portrait, which has been sidelined while I work on this year’s Christmas painting for my annual card! Not much newer than that.

The Kerr portrait is in its middle color stages, which is a good sign, believe me! Now if the draughtsmanship will hold through the added layers of paint. I regret that it has taken this long and apologize to all who eagerly await the final result. Your patience is appreciated. My best to all friends and Berwick alumni everywhere and especially the Classes of 1963 and 64. You are all finer people than you know!

Bill Tarmey: Enjoying retirement. Doing volunteer work as well as crossing a few items off the “honey-do” list. The golf clubs are hibernating for the winter, but I still manage to do a little flying. Life is good!

1966 Albert Winn: Art-wise, things have been pretty good. I had a solo show in Philadelphia at the Open Lens Gallery, was in a group show at the Center for Photography at Woodstock, NY, and was a guest artist at the Center for Jewish Studies at SUNY Albany. I’ll have some work published in 2012, “Portfolio 5,” through the Center for Fine Art Photography in Ft. Collins, CO.

1970 Stan Tosello: Celebrated his 25-year wedding anniversary in July. He also returned to Citibank Latin America Banking Group staff located in Miami, FL, as the Group Risk Head for the affluent and high net worth customer segments. His son Paul is attending the University of Washington in Seattle as a freshman, and his son Nicholas is in sixth grade in Boca Raton, FL. All is well. He has

fond memories of Berwick Academy and hopes to visit there sometime soon with the family.

1972 Rob Howie: Happy 2012 to all my classmates! It’s hard to believe that this year marks the 40th anniversary of our graduation from the Hilltop! Big plans are afoot, and you’ll want to save the dates, September 21-23, for our official reunion weekend. It’s a big year for me as my wife and I are expecting our first grandchild!

(Family photo left.) What’s up with you and yours? Please email me at rlhowiejr@gmail.com.

1982 Sharon Fogarty: I am living in Cambridge, MA, and still working in strategic sourcing as Director of Travel Services for Thomson Reuters. I had a once-in- a-lifetime experience when I traveled with my mom in December to Curacao, and we were able to swim with dolphins! I am hoping to see many of my classmates from ‘82 at Alumni Weekend this year as I can’t believe that it has been 30 (gulp!) years!

1989 Chris Ericson: Lord Stanley’s Cup paid a visit to The Lake Placid Pub & Brewery last summer, and I had the chance to pour my own Ubu Ale into it and drink a whole beer out of the trophy. During the CanadiensBruins playoff series, the Bruins were in Lake Placid during the long break, and many came to the pub to eat, drink, and chill out. It was fun hanging out with them. When the Bruins went on to win the Cup, the trainer for the Bruins, Don DelNegro, (who was my hockey trainer at Williams prior to his Bruins gig), brought it to Lake Placid on his day with the Cup. We had it at the Pub for an hour or so and took about 200 pictures. It was a very cool, surreal experience, to say the least.

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Stephanie Kendall Jaggars: Hi Class of 1989!

I hope you are well. The Jaggars crew had a super summer and fall with lots of beaching, biking, playing, hikes, and more.

My twin daughters, Reese and Kendall, just turned seven and they are really enjoying first grade. My son, Wilson, is two and fully enjoys “mommy school” as he calls our days together waiting patiently for his big sisters to come home. Our doggies, Pemi (14) and Bridger (3), are wonderful furry companions and join us on all our adventures. We have been skiing quite a bit and even have little Wilson out on the slopes. He is a natural and a complete social butterfly on the slopes! Should be a great ski winter with the family. I was able to catch up with Nikki Chaikin Shklyarevsky, Jara Chaikin MacDermott ‘93, Heather Fera Pepper, Catie Clarke Coolidge and their families over the summer. They are all very busy with their families but enjoying every moment. It is great to get our kids together to play. I hope I will be able to catch up with more 89ers over the winter. Best wishes!

1993 Danielle Peters Spicer: It has been a few years since I have commented, but life has been busy. This past year is no exception. On February 15, 2011, my husband and I welcomed our third child, Jasmine, into the world. Her older brothers love being “big brothers” to her. It has been a whirlwind adjusting to working full time at AMEC in Westford, MA, and raising three kids, but it keeps life exciting.

1994 Ginger Mathews: I’m writing this update from a wealth management conference in Orlando. Not sure how I ended up here after studying art history, but I guess that handling the marketing for our company makes the connection to all of the art classes that I took while at BA and the MBA program that I finished last summer. Still enjoying life on the seacoast of NH and staying connected with other alums near and far. Wishing everyone well!

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1997 Sarah Parkinson Gibbons’ son Tyler was born on May 4, 2011 (pictured right).

2000 Chuck Clement: My wife, Enid, and I were married September 4, 2011, in Boston. Many of our closest BA friends were in attendance. We enjoyed our honeymoon in Italy and are settling back in to our home in Portsmouth, NH.

2001 Lillian Glidden Wong: Nolan James Wong (pictured left) was born November 1, 2011, to Mom Lillian (Glidden) Wong ‘01, Dad James Wong, and big brother Quinn Wong (age 2).

2002 Meghan Clement Anderson: My husband, Josh, and I welcomed our son, Max Joshua Anderson (pictured right), on February 18, 2011. I have stayed busy doing marketing and graphic design from home and taking care of Max! This past summer I was in Melissa Ridgway’s wedding in Wyoming, which was a blast!

2009 Sara Fechner: Hello all! I will be starting my junior year at UNH in the fall. I am majoring in nutritional sciences and absolutely loving it. I have been participating in research and will be starting my honors thesis later this year. I am also the co-leader of a peer mentoring program through the University’s Health Services. I spent the month of July studying the Mediterranean diet in Italy in a program for my major. We traveled the first week to Venice, the Alps, and Parma. I lived in a city called Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region and also traveled to Rome, Naples, and the island of Capri. We had many experiential outings, including pasta making, a wine tasting, and seeing how Parma Ham and Parmesan cheese are made. When I’m not abroad, I have been spending my time volunteering as a nutrition educator at a home for girls in Dover, NH, and spending time with friends and family. I hope that everyone from the Class of 2009 is doing well!

2011 Trestan Matel: Going to school out here in Ithaca has proven itself worth all the work put in back at Berwick. All the time spent filtering schools and meeting with advisors and faculty helped me find the perfect environment for me to thrive in, and I am loving it! No shortage of soccer or guitar! Currently I am working in the television/radio department, learning about the media industry and filming quite a bit. At the same time, I am able to stay in touch with my class. My friend Elizabeth Hopkins, now at Skidmore, and I got an album out on iTunes!

Elizabeth and I wrote all of the songs on this album during our Berwick years and recorded the album with Chip Harding as part of our senior project this past spring. We named our group “dear Roseena,” (Roseena was the six-year-old Irish daughter of the tour guides from Mr. Connolly’s Ireland trip last March, who absolutely stole my heart) and since we’re primarily an acoustic singer/songwriter duo, we decided to title our album “Coffeestains & Picture Frames” to try to capture such a feel. We endured the copyright process for a couple months. Once that was finished, iTunes was our goal, and it has finally become a reality.

Elizabeth and Trestan opening the Summer of 2011 Hot Summer Nights Concert Series.

Author! Author!

Betsy Cornwell ‘06 is Published

Betsy Cornwell’s first love was poetry. As a sophomore at BA, she was awarded the Jane Sutton Andres Poetry Prize.

Soon Betsy became inspired and encouraged in her prose writing by teachers Janet Miller, Moira McKinnon ‘88, Dana Clinton, and Raegan Russell. She began to take her writing more seriously and to think of herself as a writer.

Now Betsy can not only think of herself as a writer, but she can legitimately call herself a writer. She recently signed a two-book deal with Clarion/Houghton-MifflinHarcourt. Her first novel will be coming out in spring 2013.

Betsy wrote her debut novel while an undergraduate at Smith College. TIDES is a young adult fantasy about eighteen-year-old Noah, who moves to New Hampshire’s remote Isles of Shoals for a marine biology internship, where he learns of his grandmother’s romance with a selkie woman, falls for the selkie’s daughter, and must work with her to rescue her siblings from his mentor’s cruel experiments.

Betsy’s inspiration for TIDES came from a summer she spent working for the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company out of Portsmouth Harbor, a job she actually found through Berwick Academy. She worked

as a historical narrator and tour guide aboard the Thomas Laighton, a modern steamship replica, during the summer of 2008.

Her second book is scheduled to be published in spring 2014. Mechanica, the second book of this two-book deal, is a steampunk retelling of Cinderella for middle school students. In Mechanica, Cinderella is a mechanic and inventor, and she builds her own mechanical horse and carriage to get to the ball. Mechanica will be Betsy’s MFA thesis project at the University of Notre Dame, where she is a second-year MFA student in creative writing and a gender studies graduate minor.

After her graduation this spring, Betsy plans to move to Ireland to work on another young adult fantasy novel, the sequel to TIDES. Her blog is available at http://betsycornwell.com.

Two of Betsy’s stories are available to read online: “Autopsy” (published October 2011, http://zahirtales.com/ autopsy.html) and “Shapes” (published November 2009, http://ficklemuses.com/ fiction/2009-11-29.html ).

Betsy also used to write a weekly column for Teen Ink Magazine that can be viewed at http://www.teenink.com/ Weekly.

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Ryan McCann ’09 Receives Rare Honor It is probably no wonder that Ryan McCann, an outstanding studentathlete at BA, has distinguished himself once again. Ryan has been selected by Trinity College as its 2011-12 Presidential Fellow, an honor granted annually to only 75 college students nationwide.

Ryan was chosen for the Fellows Program due to his strong academic credentials, a demonstrated interest in the institutions of the presidency and Congress, and a desire to make public service a part of his careers.

As a Presidential Fellow, Ryan will participate in a yearlong study of the US presidency, the public policymaking process, and the Chief Executive’s relations with Congress, foreign countries, the news media, and the American public. The goal of the program is to develop a new generation of national leaders committed to public service.

At Trinity, Ryan keeps busy. He is a Resident Assistant, the President and Co-Founder of Trinity College Entrepreneurs Association, an Honor Council member, and he is the Student Government Association’s Class of 2014 President. As in his days at BA, Ryan is still swimming and is a member of Trinity’s swimming and diving team.

Ryan has been interested in politics from an early age when his parents would take him into the voting booths. It was at BA that Ryan became aware of political systems, especially in Peter Lassey’s American politics class. “It was eyeopening,” says Ryan. “I also have to give ample credit to Brad Fletcher for setting me on my path for a true love of politics. He truly was a guiding force at Berwick for me.

Not only was he a terrific role model and mentor, but he also helped to stoke the fire of my passion for history.”

The Fellows Program includes two trips to policy workshops in Washington, D.C., where Ryan and other Fellows will discuss national issues with scholars of American government and international affairs, senior government officials, and leaders from the fields of business, the news media, public policy, and the military.

The centerpiece of the Fellowship Program is the student’s original research paper on the presidency or Congress. The topic of Ryan’s paper will compare the environmental policies of Theodore Roosevelt with those of George W. Bush to highlight how the Republican Party has drifted from their early environmental roots.

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Alumni of the Fellows Program are Capitol Hill and White House staffers, awardwinning journalists, CEOs of corporations and non-profit organizations, senior military leaders, and university presidents and deans. George Stephanopoulos, former White House Communications Director in the Clinton Administration and currently the chief political correspondent for ABC News, is an alumnus of the Fellows Program.

Congratulations, Ryan, and best of luck!

In Memoriam November 18, 2011 Elinor Roberts Sundstrom ‘33

July 7, 2011 Sandra Austin Bonwitt ‘57

October 24, 2011 Pauline Emily Roberge Gordon ‘46

August 17, 2011 Sarah Frances Linden Carroll Watson ‘58

July 17, 2011 Warren Hasty Carroll ‘49 January 2, 2011 Gary Goodwin ‘50 August 17, 2011 Melvin E. Hasty ‘51 November 19, 2011 Ambrose Penney, Jr. ‘54

Connect with Berwick Academy!

July 1, 2011 June Anne Pinkham Vincent ‘59 August 2, 2011 Jonathan Henry Doane ‘63 September 7, 2011 Duncan Lowman Jenks ‘64

Class of 1962!

It’s your 50th reunion!

September 21-23, 2012 www.facebook.com/berwickacademy Find school news, alumni event information, photos, and more!

Become a fan and stay connected.

Your 50th reunion is a milestone event that should not be missed.

BA welcomes all alums from the Class of 1962—whether you graduated from BA or transferred from BA to South Berwick High.

We still consider you to be part of the BA community and encourage you to come back to campus to celebrate 50 years since graduation.

Please contact Kathryn Strand in the Alumni Office to get a copy of your class list, or to help out with the planning. kstrand@berwickacademy.org or 207-384-6307

Attention Class of ’62 Boarding Students: The 2012 Alumni Weekend is also a Boarding Era Reunion, so you can reunite with bunkmates from all classes.

Former Trustee Paul R. Beswick (20032009) www.linkedin.com July 15, 2010 Get connected!

Join BA’s Linkedin group and Former Staff benefit from our online professional network of Richard (Dick) Wilson alumni, (Business current and past parents, faculty, and Office~2005staff. Go to Linkedin.com and search for Berwick Academy under Groups to get started.

For questions or suggestions contact: Tracey Boucher at tracey.boucher@berwickacademy.org

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Planned Giving Fulfilling her philanthropic dreams: Anna May Flynn Smith ‘31

A

legacy

that

cherishes

and

preserves history A faithful alumna for nearly 80 years, May, as she was known by her classmates, served as her class agent and made donations to the Annual Fund. Her last Class Note read in part, “The years are passing too swiftly! I’m very grateful for all my blessings!”

For all those decades since her graduation in 1931, May kept BA in her heart. In a final act of philanthropy and foresightedness, May bequeathed $900,000 to her high school alma mater to be used at the discretion of the Academy.

Her gift was not only incredibly generous, but timely as well. At about the same time BA received May’s gift, a structural analysis of Fogg Memorial revealed the need for an extensive renovation project.

Fogg Memorial is more than just a building on our campus; it embodies the long and rich history of this Academy. It is a building to be cherished and preserved.

May’s bequest makes it possible to honor that history and preserve Fogg for the centuries of students to come.

What will your legacy be?

Even in today’s economy, you can create a powerful legacy for Berwick Academy through an immediate or deferred gift annuity and receive the following: • Immediate income tax deduction • Capital gains tax savings on donated appreciated assets • Fixed rate of return, guaranteeing secure income

for life now or in the future.

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In addition to annuities, there are a variety of ways to increase your giving while maximizing your tax savings. To find the right one for you, contact Kathryn Strand, Assistant Director of Development at 207-3846307 or kstrand@berwickacademy.org.

Your planned gift can secure the future for the next generation of BA students engaging in a program of academic challenge, creative expression and performance, innovative technology, ethical sportsmanship, wellness, and a commitment to the common good.

Fogg Memorial summer 2011 renovation project funded predominately by a bequest from Anna May Flynn Smith ’31.

Gifts Anyone Can Afford • From Your Will or Trust • From a Retirement Plan • Stock and Appreciated Assets • Life Insurance • Real Estate • Personal Property For more information about planned giving opportunities, please contact Kathryn Strand at Berwick Academy 207-384-6307 or kstrand@berwickacademy.org.

Chadborne-Thompson Society Members Anonymous James Cook ‘63 and Paula Cook Bradley M. Damon ‘63 Marie A. Donahue ‘37 Aurora Dube ‘25 Preston N. Eames ’65 C. Dennis Fink ‘44 Nancy B. Fort Adolph Geyer ‘31 Russell Grant ‘45 and Marty Grant Doris Dixon Griffith ‘39 Seth A. Hurd ‘90 Alberta Morrill Johnson ’28 Kennett and Patricia Kendall Mary Jacobs Kennedy 1908

Perley D. Monroe ‘48 Olive Purrington Moulton ‘22 Victor Perreault ‘33 and

Helen Hasty Perreault Nancy Pindrus ‘69 Richard and Susan Ridgway Anna May Flynn Smith ‘31 William R. Spaulding Owen Stevens ‘48 and

Margaret Stevens Ella Estelle Geyer Stonebraker ‘29 Mark H. Tay Roger Thompson ‘25 and

Theresa Thompson 53

Berwick Academy 31 Academy Street South Berwick, ME 03908 www.berwickacademy.org

Alumni Hockey Games - December 22, 2011 Dozens of male and female hockey alums gathered at the Dover rinks on December 22, 2011, to face off at the annual alumni hockey event. The women formed a team with Lee Tsairis ‘10 in goal and played the BA girls varsity squad. It was a thrilling match up right until the end, when the varsity team edged out the alumnae by one goal. The men had enough players for two teams, so they battled it out among themselves. Players and alumni friends gathered at RiRa in Portsmouth following the game for refreshments. It was a great event and we are already looking forward to next year!

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