Buzzer Fall/Winter 2017

Fall/Winter 2017

C

T HE

BUZZER

APP FACILITATES PROJECT-BASED LEARNING

a rt i n f o c u s

SUNSET WITH PALM TREE (Inspired by contemporary artist Josh Smith) Middle School Boys 60” x 48” Acrylic on Canvas

D

T HE

BUZZER

contents

Fall/Winter 2017 FEATURES

4

Seesaw Facilitates Project-Based Learning

14 2017 Graduation, Matriculation & Prizes

3 From the Head of School 20 Alumni in the News

34 Summer Stipends 44

DEPARTMENTS

22 The Local Buzz 48 Fine and Performing Arts

2017 Book Fair

50 Athletics 55 Alumni Events 60 Class Notes 65 From the Archives

Art in Focus (facing page): Art Department Chair Nik Vlahos explains, “Every year we study a new artist, artists, movement or region as part of our Fall Study. This year we are looking at the Fauves from turn-of-the-century France.

Along with those artists, we are looking at two contemporary painters we believe were influenced by the Fauve painters. This painting with expressive sky was inspired by contemporary artist Josh Smith.�

1

ON THE COVER

Turn to page 4 to learn how third graders began utilizing the Seesaw app last year as part of their focus on projectbased learning. This studentdriven digital portfolio allowed them to document and share their knowledge with teachers, parents and classmates.

John M. Botti, Head of School Melanie S. McMahon, Director of Publications, Buzzer Editor Laura N. Lanigan, Director of Alumni Affairs FALL/WINTER BUZZER CONTRIBUTORS Hallie Cohn, Grade One Teacher Caitlin Coleman, Kindergarten Teacher Margaret Epstein, Grade Four Teacher Nicole Kronfeld, First Grade Associate Jacqueline Pellenberg, Grade Two Teacher Gerald Protheroe, History Department Chair Omar Qureshi, History Teacher Julianne Rowland, Grade One Teacher Katie Smith, Kindergarten Associate Richard Symons, Music Teacher Andrew H. West ’92, Athletic Director

Contributing Photographers: Christine Bramble, Coffee Pond Productions, Rossa Cole, Jeremy Katz ’04, Laura Lanigan, Melanie McMahon, Al Pareira, Sanford Pelz ’71 Design by Misty Wilt Graphic Design LLC BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2016-17

Valda M. Witt, President Stuart J. Ellman, Vice President David E. Glaymon, Vice President David J. Liptak, Vice President Alka K. Singh, Vice President Richard L. N. Weaver ’75, Treasurer Robert D. Ziff, Assistant Treasurer Celeste A. Guth, Secretary Andrew B. Sandberg ’01, President, Alumni Association John M. Botti, Head of School Nazmi Oztanir, President, Parents Association Maria Dell’Oro, Vice President, Parents Association

2

Founded in 1888 as a college preparatory school for boys, The Browning School continues its commitment to the goals of John A. Browning: the pursuit of academic excellence and

BUZZER STAFF

Michael P. Beys ’89 Wendy W. Brooks Paul A. Burke Mark G. Cunha Elizabeth Granville-Smith Stephanie Hessler Philip A. Hofmann Federico Infantino

MISSION STATEMENT

Ling S. Kwok Jeffrey M. Landes ’83 Raul Pineda Andrew M. Snyder Ellen Stafford-Sigg Deborah van Eck Andrew E. Vogel

James S. Chanos, Honorary Trustee Allan Honorary Trustee T HL.EGropper, BUZZ ER

a lifelong love of learning,

the belief in the dignity of the individual, and the development of personal integrity and responsibility to the broader community.

The Browning boy develops amid these values.

The Browning alumnus is a good citizen, sensitive to the needs of others, and respectful of divergent yet informed opinions.

He is, in the best sense of the word, a gentleman.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT The Browning School strives to create a diverse community in which all members are safe, respected and valued.

We believe that in actively promoting a diverse learning environment, we are fostering intellectual, social and emotional growth for all.

Recognizing and pursuing diversity, however, are not enough; we seek to transcend mere tolerance of differences and aspire to a celebration of the varied appearances, abilities, perspectives and values that characterize our community.

The Buzzer is published two times a year by The Browning School. The School may be reached at 212 838 6280. Website: www.browning.edu.

The Browning School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, religion, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other school-directed programs, or employment practices.

from the head of school

To Express, Connect and Understand In fourth grade, I climbed on a bus with

time for only one question”) and detachment (“This is important

trip to Philadelphia. While we saw the

experience equally as remote, superficial and uninspiring as

the rest of my class for the year’s big field Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, our

visit was built around an afternoon at the

city’s Museum of Art. Kids were grouped into teams led by adult chaperones and

tasked with locating and recording dozens of works from the

museum’s collection over the course of a few hours. Of the trip, I recall three principal moments: Our harried teacher denying incessant student requests to run up the museum’s steps, a la “Rocky,” a well-meaning parent chaperone urging our tired

group forward and exhorting “We’re almost done with the list!” and a security guard gently reprimanding my best friend for

trying to touch a centuries-old suit of armor. At day’s end, we

dutifully passed in our records of artworks seen, reloaded the bus, and spent the two-hour drive home debating who would

have won a race up the steps of the museum. There was certainly no talk of El Greco or Manet or Cezanne.

As both an educator and parent, I retrospectively recognize

that carting 28 nine- and 10-year-olds to an art museum is an

atypically ambitious (if not quixotic) field trip idea, and I have

because it will be on the test”), and the result is a student

my fourth grade field trip. In this circumstance, though wellintended, school is not magical; it is perfunctory.

At Browning, however, we are called to make sure that

ideas are not stereotypical museum pieces – that is, artifacts to be observed but necessarily kept at a distance, scripted for efficiency and handled only by experts. We seek

We seek to

where ideas stand not as inert objects

engage as

come alive when creative and caring

the best

of imaginative and excited boys. In

museums do.

to engage as the best museums do,

of collection but rather as articles that teachers place them in the hands

our community, knowledge is not

a curio merely meant for display; it

is a tool – or, better still, a toy – which allows the wielder a new, potentially joyful way to express himself, connect with others and understand his world.

Consider a Lower Schooler who, having found literacy and

certainly come to appreciate that a museum visit can be a lively,

numeracy at school, begins to read aloud every sign he sees or

approaches, greater interactivity, and support their collections

Middle School boy whose learning in science class prompts him

appealing journey. Some institutions encourage hands-on

with engaging “behind the scenes” presentations and tours. And in the presence of an enthusiastic docent or researcher, virtually any museum becomes a place where the spirit of art, science, history and culture emerges from artifacts and sparks the imagination of visitors, whatever their age.

As a nine-year-old in Philadelphia, however, I found none

of this. For me, the museum was a site of obligation (“We’ve got to see the Rembrandt”), haste (“Hurry, there are three floors to go”) and detachment (“Look, but don’t touch”), not energy or

imagination. Though well-intended, my visit was not magical; it was perfunctory.

There is an analogy here, I think, to an unfortunate

tendency in American education, where the best-laid plans for learning can sometimes devolve into the mechanical type of

museum visit. Schools may unwittingly become their own sites

serve as banker when playing Monopoly with his family. Or the

to look at the natural resources and wildlife in Central Park with

fresh eyes. Or the Form IV history student who uses his awareness of 19th century political ideologies to enhance his burgeoning

citizenship, as he both appreciates and questions contemporary American governmental affairs in a deeper way. These are not

boys who are taking an obligatory march through the museum; these are boys who recognize that ideas are not simply artifacts

to be showcased but, rather, opportunities for play, for enriching

both our self-knowledge and our relationship with the people and places around us.

While it has been an exciting and busy autumn for us here

at Browning, every day our talented faculty and staff helped our boys slow down and discover that what is inside the museum may just be more fascinating than the race up its steps.

of obligation (“We need to get through this book”), haste (“I have

John M. Botti

Head of School

3

f e at u r e

Facilitates Project-Based Learning AN APP THAT CONNECTS PARENTS, TEACHERS & STUDENTS

4

T HE

BUZZER

L

ast year,

third grade teachers at

The Browning

School began utilizing an app called Seesaw as part of their

focus on project-based learning.

Seesaw is best described as a

student-driven digital portfolio or journal that allows students to independently document

their knowledge and share what they have learned with their

teachers, parents, classmates and even the world at large.

Browning boys can

incorporate photos, videos, drawings, text notes, links

or PDFs in their portfolios to

illustrate what they know about a particular topic. They upload and organize the material – even importing from a plethora of other apps if they wish.

Their teachers may then browse these portfolios to view the work of the entire

class, as well as the accomplishments of each individual boy. As well, teachers can

choose to create folders to organize work by assessment standards or by subject area project. When parent-teacher conference time rolls around, they can readily discuss specific items in a boy’s portfolio. Of course, long before that, they can flag an item of concern or interest and follow up with the student in more detail.

Third grade teachers Susan Kehoe and Laura Alterman were the first to use

Seesaw here at Browning. Their success encouraged kindergarten teacher Katherine Varughese and Lower and Middle School science teacher Julia Kingsdale, as well as first grade teachers Hallie Cohn and Julianne Rowland and second grade teacher Jacqueline Pellenberg to follow suit this year. Mrs. Kehoe and Ms. Alterman took

time from their busy classroom schedules to answer a series of questions about how they utilize Seesaw on so many levels.

–Melanie McMahon

Fall/Winter 2017

5

APPARENTLY SEESAW PROVIDES A

their portfolios will be seen by them. Seesaw is

MEANS FOR A BOY TO FOLLOW HIS OWN

a great motivator in that sense. And, of course,

PROGRESS AND GROWTH IN A SUBJECT

now they can go home and chat more readily

AREA. EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE IS THAT

about their school day. Since their parents are

HE CAN SHARE ALL OF THAT WITH A MUCH

“in the loop” on what they did in class, not a lot

WIDER AUDIENCE. CAN YOU COMMENT

of explaining is necessary. They can simply start

ON THE BENEFITS OF SHARING? DOES IT

right in and have a conversation in more detail

MOTIVATE THE BOYS TO “DO THEIR BEST?”

with their families.

Oh, yes! The boys really do want to impress

HOW ABOUT THE RESPONSE FROM

their parents, so they work harder on their

PARENTS ON THE BENEFITS OF SEESAW?

assignments, knowing that what they put in

MIGHT THIS BE A MEANS TO OFFSET WHAT MANY OF THEM MAY EXPERIENCE, NAMELY, THAT FREQUENT REPLY OF “NOTHING” WHEN THEY ASK THEIR SON WHAT HE LEARNED ON ANY GIVEN DAY? Definitely! What parent hasn’t had that puzzling reaction when they hear their son has done “nothing?” We’ve found that our parents love Seesaw! They’ve often told us how much they enjoy this new way to connect to our classrooms.

The ability it offers them to experience events in “real time” connects them to their boys in a way they never had before. Updates are immediate and visual.

“I love Seesaw. I like the way it lets me share my day with my parents.”

6

T HE

BUZZER

At Lower School Parent Night in October, we told parents about Seesaw, and by the next morning, they were already signing up to be part of it! Overall, Seesaw has opened up numerous opportunities for conversation at home between parents and their boys.

CAN YOU PROVIDE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF HOW TEACHING AND ASSESSING ARE AIDED BY USING SEESAW IN THE CLASSROOM, PARTICULARLY IN REGARD TO ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNICATION? For us as teachers, Seesaw is like a “live newsletter” that we can share with a broader audience. For instance, if we are on a field trip with the boys, we can take photos and post them so parents can immediately see what we are doing. The same goes for those times when we invite a special guest into our classroom or participate in a special program during Lower School Assemblies. Parents can be “present” at a puppet show designed to help the boys understand more about kids with disabilities.

That evening they may choose, as a family, to chat about inclusion and the ways to interact with someone who is blind or confined to a wheelchair, and so on.

Outside the School on a field trip, teachers can take photos and video of the boys in action, then post to Seesaw so parents can share in the experience with us.

As for the boys, they learn to document their own work, such as finding a solution to a tricky math problem, explaining what a noun and adjective are, or sharing a piece of writing they are particularly proud of. In the past, they might draw something and put it in a paper file folder, which

THIRD GRADE TEACHER SUSAN KEHOE is so enthused about the benefits of Seesaw that she applied for and was accepted to be an “ambassador” for this app. According to the Seesaw website, an ambassador is expected to do the following: • PROVIDE PRODUCT FEEDBACK FROM THE CLASSROOM AND PARTICIPATE IN PRODUCT FEEDBACK SESSIONS • ATTEND TWO ONLINE TRAININGS PER YEAR TO REMAIN A SEESAW EXPERT • HOST TWO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SESSIONS OR CONFERENCE TALKS PER YEAR ABOUT SEESAW • SERVE AS AN EXPERT RESOURCE TO OTHER TEACHERS WITHIN THE SCHOOL • PARTICIPATE IN THE BROADER SEESAW COMMUNITY (#SEESAWCHAT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK GROUP, ETC.) Susan enjoys connecting with other teachers around the country who are using Seesaw. In fact, she especially likes communicating with a Kansas teacher whose classroom is entirely paperless!

Fall/Winter 2017

7

was a bit more cumbersome. With Seesaw, they can post these accomplishments to their page, which their parents can see; this can easily prompt a conversation that otherwise might not happen.

What’s more, by the end of the school year, each boy’s Seesaw portfolio is essentially a compilation of his entire experience in third grade. A parent may then download it and save it as a permanent record of all that their son has accomplished during his time in our classroom.

We should note that another great benefit of Seesaw is the opportunity it presents to

Another great benefit of Seesaw is the opportunity it presents to connect to other Browning classrooms.

connect to other Browning classrooms. It has encouraged other teachers (music, art and science, for example) who teach our boys to sign up, allowing us to share what happens in our respective classrooms. We can see what the boys are learning about the solar system in science class, for instance. Students can post the projects they do outside our classrooms, continuing to build their portfolios and include a wide range of subject matter. And as teachers, we can share concerns we might have about a student, flagging something and addressing it together before it becomes a bigger issue.

Overall, Seesaw provides us with a complete record of a boy’s progress by storing a vast amount of information that is easily accessible.

8

T HE

BUZZER

What’’s more, by the end of the school year, each boy’s Seesaw portfolio is essentially a compilation of his entire experience in third grade.

Fall/Winter 2017

9

“From Black and White to Living Color” PARENTS PRAISE SEESAW FOR REAL-TIME ENGAGEMENT Parents who signed up for Seesaw when their sons were third graders were pleased to provide feedback on what a positive experience it was for them, their sons and their teachers.

“SEESAW WAS FANTASTIC BECAUSE IT ENABLED US TO

engage with our children in

real time AS THEY COMPLETED PROJECTS OR

“ We loved Seesaw! IT

PROVIDED US WITH A REALTIME OPPORTUNITY TO GET

MADE PRESENTATIONS. HAVING THE ABILITY

A ‘LIVE’ GLIMPSE INTO THE

TO COMMENT ON THEIR WORK, ‘LIKE’ THEIR

BOYS’ INTERACTIONS IN THE

ACTIVITIES, AND SEE THE POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT

CLASSROOM. SEESAW BROUGHT

OF OUR FELLOW PARENTS WAS PRICELESS. IT

TO LIFE,

window in to the day- to- day of the boys’ activities IN THE WAS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD A

in an unvarnished and non-scripted way, THE

BOYS’ ACTIVITIES AND SOCIAL

CLASSROOM, ON FIELD TRIPS AND PARTICIPATING

AND CLASSROOM DYNAMICS,

IN ALL ASPECTS OF SCHOOL LIFE.”

WHICH NO PHOTOGRAPH OR WRITTEN DESCRIPTION COULD POSSIBLY CAPTURE! IN A SENSE,

truly grateful TO MISS ALTERMAN include the parents in the boys’ days. I REALLY LOOKED “I WAS

CLASSROOM WENT FROM BLACK

FOR TAKING THE EXTRA TIME TO

AND WHITE TO LIVING COLOR,

FORWARD TO THOSE POSTINGS! ”

from two dimensional to three- plus dimensional! ” AND

“I THINK SEESAW

“WITH SEESAW, WE KEPT UPDATED ON THEIR

GAVE US MORE

WORK PROGRESS AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN

COMMON GROUND

THEIR SCHOOL LIVES.

WITH THE TEACHERS,

IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE COULD HAVE DETAILED

WHICH MADE FOR

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE SCHOOL DAY AND

A

NOT SOLELY RELY ON WHAT OUR THIRD GRADER

better connection

Seesaw engaged parents

WHEN IT CAME TO

REMEMBERED TO TELL US. IT REALLY ALLOWED FOR

PARENT/ TEACHER

MORE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS AND

CONFERENCES.”

10

WITH SEESAW MRS. KEHOE’S

T HE

BUZZER

sense of our child’s school life.”

a stronger

and what it means to leave a digital footprint.

They learn that if something is “tagged,” then others can read it, too. Using Seesaw creates such awareness and teaches our boys the importance of kindness, respect and a host of other character traits.

DOES A BOY NEED TO SIGN INTO SEESAW WITH A PASSWORD, WHICH OFTEN TAKES AWAY FROM CLASS TIME? ARE THERE SIGN-IN OPTIONS? AS TEACHERS, DO YOU CONTROL WHAT

The boys don’t need a password; they simply

THE BOYS POST, IN CASE SOMETHING

find the Seesaw app on their laptop, then scan

MIGHT BE INAPPROPRIATE? IF SO, DOES

one of the QR codes posted on the wall of our

THIS TAKE A LOT OF EXTRA TIME?

classroom. That’s all there is to it. The boys are so intuitive, and Seesaw is so user-friendly, that

We definitely monitor the boys’ portfolios. In fact, nothing gets permanently posted until we have

it takes very little time at all.

approved it. We control what goes up and what goes

HOW ABOUT THE “SKILLS” FEATURE THAT

down on a boy’s Seesaw “wall” or “page.” We can

SEESAW OFFERS TO TEACHERS; CAN YOU

also turn off the “comments” section. And by using

SPEAK ABOUT THAT?

our smartphones, we can monitor from anywhere, even while commuting to and from Browning!

We can tailor this feature to our curriculum,

Everything is well-protected; the privacy of our

meaning that the boys can show conclusive

students and parents is not at risk.

evidence of a skill they have mastered. So it is

In general, Seesaw is a wonderful

a great tool for teachers in terms of assessment

introduction to digital citizenship for young

and being able to share this information with a

boys. It teaches them 21st century skills in a safe

parent. We might utilize this feature to discuss

environment that is shared with their teachers

their son’s reading skills and the need to work

and parents. They learn about online etiquette

on his fluency, for instance.

Fall/Winter 2017

11

We can share our purpose and why we do things.

12

T HE

BUZZER

Did you know?

TO PREPARE FOR THIS Q&A ABOUT SEESAW AT

HOW ABOUT THE ABILITY TO CREATE A BLOG WITH SEESAW; HOW DOES THAT WORK? Blogging is a terrific feature of this app, as it allows us to connect with others within Browning but also beyond. Our blog connects us to a wider audience in other schools in other states and even other countries. We can share our purpose and why we do things.

DOES SEESAW OFFER TEACHERS MUCH SUPPORT? Yes! I think they are a great company to work with. They are good at what they do and sincerely want us to succeed. Their professional development costs nothing and allows us to learn on our own terms and timeframe.

There are some similar companies out there, but Seesaw offers a polished and professional

Browning, I read a number of interesting articles concerning both the app’s popularity and the men who created it. Carl Sjogreen, co-founder with Adrian Graham of Seesaw, noted in an interview that he “moved around a lot” when he was little, but perhaps of interest to Buzzer readers, he attended an all-boys private school in Cleveland! He said of his alma mater, “[University School] was known for doing what we now call project-based learning, but they were doing this a century ago. The school has always had a focus on making stuff. It’s in the DNA of the place. I liked school, and I formed a lot of really strong relationships with teachers. I felt really lucky that they invested energy into getting to know me…”

Sound familiar?

Mr. Sjogreen and Mr. Graham first met at Google, where they were both product managers.

During the interview mentioned above, Mr. Graham explained, “I went to college at Stanford, excited about studying computer science. But I wanted something beyond CS, so I also pursued an art degree.” One might safely say that project-based learning, a strong rapport with teachers, and STEAM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) – all of which the boys at Browning experience every day – have played an integral role in the success of these two creators. –M.M.

product. It is so sophisticated but incredibly user-friendly at the same time.

Fall/Winter 2017

13

f e at u r e

C E L E B R AT I N G T H E

Class of

F

2017!

orm VI boys, their families and the

director of the books department at The New

entire Browning community gathered

York Times. Ms. Jones studied English and

to celebrate the achievements of the

American literature at Harvard and holds a

Class of 2017 during graduation exercises on

Ph.D. in English and comparative literature

June 14 at Christ Church. Head of School John

from Columbia.

M. Botti, President of the Board of Trustees Valda M. Witt, and Head of Upper School

and recognition were also given to faculty

James E. Reynolds presented diplomas to each

members. The Grytte Yearbook was dedicated

member of the graduating class.

to departing Head of Middle School Chris

Conor P.D. Harkins ’17, president of

14

Dunham. Retiring English teacher Kevin

the Upper School Student Council, offered

Dearinger was honored by the staff of the

parting remarks and best wishes to his

Browning Grytte student newspaper and

fellow graduates. He was pleased to note

also received the Class of 1979 Faculty Award

that members of the senior class reached

in Honor of Clair J. Smith. The Lit, a student

100 percent participation in their class gift

publication, was dedicated to both Art

effort, raising a total of $7,691.13 and setting a

Department Chair Nik Vlahos and departing

record for Form VI fundraising. These funds

art teacher Zachary Davis. The Sabet Award

have been allocated toward the renovation of

was presented to Chair of the Modern

the Cook Room.

Languages Department Megan Ryan.

Mr. Reynolds introduced the guest

T HE

During the graduation exercises, awards

Continuing a beloved tradition established

speaker, Radhika Jones (pictured far left/

by past Headmaster Stephen M. Clement,

bottom row, facing page), appointed editor-

III, Mr. Botti remarked upon the major

in-chief of Vanity Fair in November.

accomplishments of each and every Form VI

She most recently served as editorial

Browning boy.

BUZZER

Fall/Winter 2017

15

2017 matriculation

COLLEGE CHOICES – CLASS OF 2017 Congratulations to the Class of 2017 and the

fine institutions that welcomed them this fall.

George D. Allen – Emory University (GA) Luke E. Barba – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY) J. Alexander Barnard – Vassar College (NY) Micah Bowey – University of Stirling (Scotland) Erik J. Bronfman – Georgetown University (DC) Declan J. Casey – Allegheny College (PA) Felix A. Castillo – Muhlenberg College (PA) August van D. Chapin – Davidson College (NC) Gianni P. Chiovetta – Boston College (MA) Terrell G. Edwards – Stanford University (CA) Jake E. Germano – University of Wisconsin – Madison (WI) Jamil Guzman – Bowdoin College (ME) Conor P.D. Harkins – Hamilton College (NY) Darion Harris – Drew University (NJ) Joshua D. Jordan – Elon University (NC) Michael L. Jozoff – University of Southern California (CA) Alexander I. Kattan – Washington University in St. Louis (MO) Alex López-Velasco – Bowdoin College (ME) Patrick C. Lopez – Gettysburg College (PA) Ryan T. Olson – University of California, Los Angeles (CA) Luke X. Spellman – College of Charleston (SC) Logan M. Stark – Trinity College (CT) Hunter H. Stern – Quinnipiac University (CT) E. Tucker Weiser – Boston University (MA) Alexander J. Young – American University (DC)

16

T HE

BUZZER

2017

awards

ACADEMICS H IGH HONOR ROLL

Given to those boys whose grade point average for the year is at least 3.75.

Form VI Luke E. Barba J. Alexander Barnard Micah Bowey Alexander I. Kattan Form V Norman B. Champ Theodore S. David Benjamin I. Ellman George P. Grimbilas Takayuki M. Ishikawa Daniel S. Kravitz Connor P. Medland, IV Robert H. Nielsen Philip A. Raftopoulos Jackson S. Richter Adrian F. Rodriguez Rohan A. Singh Brogan A. Smith Gabriel A. Soluri Caleb H. Sussman Form IV Lucas A. Coffey Joseph S. Delgado Nicholas M. Hurley Maxwell F. Kelly Maximilian A. Motz Form III Maxwell A. Beem Hugh T. Chapin Ryan T. Eagan Logan T. Flynn William J. Hatfield Alexander F. Kwok Reinhardt N. Landsberg Alexander J. Liptak Stuart Lockwood Keaton A. Ramey Michael Westman

Form II Alexander J. Barr William C. Bousquette, III Griffin C. Davis Fazeel A. Khan Christian E. Kim Robert D. Magnus Harrison M. McGlashan David D. Pham Alexander Raftopoulos Aaron T. Seibert Eric D. Sigg Akshay D. Swani Form I Connor J. Fischetti Andrew R. Hatfield Nathaniel G. Miller Christian M. Odenius William K. Rich Jamie M. Sussman Evan K. Thomas HONOR ROLL

Given to those boys whose grade point average for the year is 3.5-3.74.

Form VI George D. Allen Gianni P. Chiovetta Terrell G. Edwards Conor P.D. Harkins Michael L. Jozoff Luke X. Spellman Form V Ekene M. Duruaku Theodore I. Florescu Luke M. Hexner Manuel C. Medina Grant A. Thompson Jack R. Twaronite Patrick B. Yee

Form IV Shazeb Dayani Raymond Diaz Alfonso Laffont Blaise L.W. Lowen Tommy Ramirez Form III Alec L.C. Candidato Giordan A. Escalona Liam Lis Robert A. Michaelson Austin D. Stapleton Sebastian L. Teslic Jonathan M. Ziff Form II John F. Harrison Jacob N. Lassner Kyle T. Liptak Christopher J. Preziotti

F O R M V I AWA R D S

EDWA RD G. COR N ET AWA RD FOR COOPER AT ION A N D PER SEV ER A NC E

Luke E. Barba Jamil Guzman D. AL A N DI LLEN BERG SC HOL A R AT H LET E AWA RD

George D. Allen T H E ELE A NOR A N D H A ROLD P. K U R ZM A N M EMOR I AL AWA RD FOR I M PROV EM EN T

Form I Christian Cheng Nathaniel Cheng Harrison D. Clyde Nicholas B. Dingle Cole H. Glotfelty Kabir J. Kurani Andrew F. Naber Benjamin A. Sullivan Zachary S. Tan Liam Westman

Felix A. Castillo

SC HOL A R S AWA R D

Terrell G. Edwards

Form VI Alexander I. Kattan

K EN N ET H KOMI TO AWA RD FOR E XC ELLENC E

Form II Christian E. Kim David D. Pham

SALEH M . AL M ADH A H EK A H AWA RD

Jake E. Germano Alex López-Velasco C H A RLES W. COOK ’38 H E ADM AST ER’S AWA RD

Alexander I. Kattan

Fall/Winter 2017

17

2016-2017

awards

AT H L E T I C S FA L L AWA R D S

SEV EN T H -EIGH T H GR ADE SOCC ER

VA R SI T Y SOCC ER

Most Valuable Player Harrison M. McGlashan

Most Valuable Players George D. Allen Joshua D. Jordan Most Improved Player Conor P.D. Harkins Sportsmanship Alexander P. Dwyer

Captain’s Award William C. Bousquette, III Most Improved Player Henry T. Smith

VA R SI T Y C ROSS COU N T RY

Golden Boot Award Alexander J. Young

Most Valuable Player Robert A. Michaelson

J U NIOR VA R SI T Y SOCC ER

Most Improved Players Patrick C. Lopez Manuel C. Medina

Most Valuable Player Jesse B. Starr Most Improved Player Zachary T. Brown Defensive Player of the Year Philip A. Raftopoulos Grytte Award Carlton Stephenson

Sportsmanship Sharif S. Nsouli

SEV EN T H -EIGH T H GR ADE C ROSS COU N T RY

Most Valuable Player Carter Rocket Munk Most Improved Players Blake M. Sanford Jonathan Stephenson Sportsmanship Christian E. Kim Eric D. Sigg

WINTER AWA R D S VA R SI T Y SQUASH

Most Valuable Player Akshay A. Singh William Y. Eun Most Improved Player Nicholas M. Hurley

VA R SI T Y BASK ET BALL

Most Valuable Player Alexander J. Liptak Most Improved Player August V. Chapin Coach’s Award Alexander J. Young

J U NIOR VA R SI T Y BASK ET BALL

Most Valuable Player William J. Hatfield Defensive Player of the Year Michael Westman Offensive Player of the Year Alexander J. Wittenberg Most Improved Player Philip A. Raftopoulos Coach’s Award Connor P. Medland, IV

18

T HE

BUZZER

SEV EN T H -EIGH T H GR ADE R ED BASK ET BALL

Most Valuable Player Dylan D. Steck Most Valuable Player: Defense Hercules P. Sotos Most Improved Player J. Basil Hardy Sportsmanship Carter Rocket Monk Coach’s Award William C. Bousquette

SEV EN T H -EIGH T H GR ADE BL AC K BASK ET BALL

Most Valuable Player Joseph R. Fabrizi Most Valuable Player: Defense Fazeel A. Khan Most Improved Player Khai N. Shulman Sportsmanship Gregory Parizhsky Coach’s Award John F. Harrison

SI X T H GR ADE BASK ET BALL

Most Valuable Player: Offense Jakob G. Oliva Most Valuable Player: Defense Eli B. Greenberg Most Improved Player Rohan T. Mehra Sportsmanship Ethan C. Fitzpatrick

F I F T H GR ADE BASK ET BALL

Most Improved Player Julian K. Crawford Sportsmanship Nicolas Schulmeyer Samuel H. Snyder Team Spirit Award Alexander Waugh-Bacchus

SPRING AWA R D S VA R SI T Y BASEBALL

Most Valuable Player Shazeb Dayani Most Improved Player George P. Grimbilas Coach’s Award Patrick C. Lopez

SEV EN T H -EIGH T H GR ADE BASEBALL

Most Valuable Player Fazeel A. Khan Gold Glove William C. Bousquette, III

VA R SI T Y T R AC K

VA R SI T Y T EN NIS

Most Valuable Player: Short Distance Conor P.D. Harkins

Leadership Award George D. Allen

Most Valuable Player: Long Distance Micah Bowey Most Valuable Player Ryan T. Eagan Most Improved Player Alexander F. Naber Sportsmanship Lucas A. Coffey Most Valuable Player: Long Jump Conor P.D. Harkins

Most Improved Players Theodore I. Florescu Michael L. Jozoff Nicolas P. Laffont Sharif S. Nsouli Eighth Player Award Nicholas M. Hurley

VA R SI T Y GOLF

Most Valuable Players Alexander F. Kwok Aidan R. Minnick Most Improved Players Stuart Lockwood William K. Rich

Most Improved Player Alexander Raftopoulos Rookie of the Year Jamie Sussman Cy Young Award Joseph R. Fabrizi Sportsmanship Jacob N. Lassner

Fall/Winter 2017

19

alumni in the news

During the course of the past year, Browning alumni in various professions have been featured in magazine and newspaper articles. We share coverage of three alumni below.

Memory Performance Index in March 2015 to 54 in September 2015. The volume of his hippocampus

– the memory center of the brain – has grown from the fifth percentile before his first treatment to the

28th percentile after his fourth treatment to the 48th

percentile after his eighth treatment. ‘You can’t make a global conclusion based on one patient, but it’s a

huge turning point,’ Duma said with the confidence of someone who probes brains for a living. Duma is

somewhat of a maverick in the medical world, a brain Dr. Christopher Duma ’77; photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG.

CHRISTOPHER DUMA ’77 Keith Sharon’s article in the March 3, 2017, edition

of the Orange County Register featured Christopher Duma ’77 and his work with Alzheimer’s patient Jack Sage. Sharon wrote, “Sage was the first

Alzheimer’s patient anywhere to have his own

liposuctioned cells injected directly into his brain.

He has received eight injections (about two months

apart) since November 2014. Duma quickly offers a

qualifier. It is far too early to tell if what he has done to Sage will indeed change the world. He said Sage and, later, 19 other patients have not been harmed

surgeon who regularly shuns a scalpel for the gamma knife, a futuristic laser for removing brain tumors.

He is known outside the operating room for playing

keyboards in bands that specialize in 1970s-era covers of groups such as Genesis, Yes and Emerson, Lake

and Palmer. Duma realizes he will face opposition

to his stem cell/brain injection therapy. But, as in all

breakthroughs, someone has to be first. ‘I could have

harmed people,’ he said. ‘I took an enormous leap.’ ”

GEOFF FEDER ’92 An article about Geoff Feder ’92 appeared in the July 25, 2017, edition of Edible Hudson Valley

magazine. In this cover feature by Julia Sexton, Mr. Feder was described as “a metalworker,

by the procedure, and that – safety – is the only

criteria in Phase I. Whether the treatment is effective is a question for Phase II, for which Duma is hoping to attract private funding. Also, he wrote a letter

to the national Alzheimer’s Association asking for

$700,000 to continue his work. He was instructed to apply officially later this year. If he gets the grant, the fees for his patients would be waived.”

The article continued, “Early in the process,

Duma is excited by Sage’s results. Sage’s most recent cognition scores have risen from 45 on the 100-point

20

T HE

BUZZER

Geoff Feder ’92 as pictured on the cover of Edible Hudson Valley magazine.

blacksmith and former culinary student,” but the focus was on his skills as a knifemaker. Sexton

wrote, “Feder’s path unfolded with some mystery.

After graduating from Kenyon College with a BFA in sculpture, Feder operated out of his studio in

Brooklyn. He pursued his education in metalwork

and blacksmithing while assisting in the studios of established artists – Lee Tribe, JJ Veronis and Petah Coyne. Feder, who had just proposed to his future

wife, figured he should have a backup plan in case his art didn’t pay. He enrolled in cooking school,

which is the point when the Charlie Palmer Group

One of Devin Yalkin’s photographs, as featured in The New York Times this spring.

table for the public landing outside Metrazur,

DEVIN YALKIN ’00

Central Station. Feder made Palmer his larceny-

Leland in the April 2, 2017, print edition and March 31,

contacted him. The group needed an ‘unstealable’ Palmer’s restaurant on the east balcony of Grand

Devin Yalkin ’00 was featured in an article by John

proof table. ‘It weighed 400 pounds. It took three of

2017, online edition of The New York Times. Leland

us to bring it in.’ ”

Sexton continued, “This led to more work

with Charlie Palmer, who hired Feder when he learned that he was pursuing a culinary career.

Feder then bounced around the Charlie Palmer

Group – project manager, metal fabricator, bartender – before eventually returning to sculpture. You

can find Feder sculptures in Jackson, Wyoming, and in and around the Hudson Valley. He was

reasonably successful in sculpture terms, but Feder was also formulating a plan. Feder believed that

he could unite his disparate talents by becoming a

bladesmith. He began forging knives in the spaces

between his sculpture commissions. [Today] Feder’s knives are so craveable that he could easily settle on

a single blade design, filework pattern and G10 color combination, then have a factory crank out duplicate knives. This will never happen, because Feder needs

wrote, “The photographer Devin Yalkin says he wants people to hear his images, as if they have the ability

to capture the low-fi, temporal hum of city life – here now, gone in an instant, leaving only a grainy black-

and-white memory as evidence. Or put another way: Mr. Yalkin’s images represent the hum in his head as he vaporizes the scene in front of his camera. If you look for solid facts in these pictures, you are

likely to come up empty. Summer beaches dress up

like desolate frozen tundras; a leg disappears under a billowing coat; a set of teeth appears to break for

freedom. Matter itself is immaterial. Whatever haunts

the images is out of the frame, and what’s in the frame is too diffuse or evanescent to build on. A flash bulb

pops, the world reveals itself for a second, and what is left is the impression of the image on its way to

darkness. The images here are the residue that lingers.”

Leland added, “During the editing process,

to keep evolving. [As he said,] ‘I’m a sculptor. The

Mr. Yalkin, 35, said he discovered a ‘sort of dystopian

I’m doing, I’m hanging it up.’ ”

language, he said, gave some permanence to moments

day that I sit in a chair and let other people do what

language spoken between the photographs.’ That

that are by nature impermanent. ‘I’m trying to visually secure these ephemeral encounters moments before

they disappear,’ he wrote in an email. ‘For me this is what gives them their dreamlike aesthetic.’ ”

Fall/Winter 2017

21

the local buzz

BROWNING BOARD WELCOMES THREE NEW TRUSTEES This past July, three new Trustees

joined Browning’s Board, including Mark Cunha, Maria Dell’Oro and Andrew Vogel.

Mr. Cunha was a partner for many

years at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where he is presently of counsel.

In his more than 30 years with the firm, he has appeared in trial and appellate courts and boardrooms

throughout the country, particularly

Ms. Dell’Oro, who was elected

industries. He serves on a number of

Association in July, previously worked

of Education Networks of America, a

in the areas of securities, internal

vice president of Browning’s Parents

liability, products liability and complex

as an executive director at Goldman

investigations, antitrust, professional commercial litigation.

Mr. Cunha served as board chair

of Legal Services NYC and as chair of

Sachs and as a financial analyst at Morgan Stanley.

She received a B.S. in finance and

private company boards and is chairman provider of managed communications

services to K-12 schools throughout the United States.

Prior to joining ZMC in 2003, Mr. Vogel

the executive committee of the New

marketing from Boston College.

worked at Ripplewood Holdings, a

serves on the New York State Permanent

Nicolas Schmidt, have two sons

investments in the media, consumer and

was a trustee and chair of the Legal

Maximiliano ’26.

York City Bar Association. He presently Commission on Access to Justice and Committee of the Lycée Français de

Ms. Dell’Oro and her husband,

at Browning, Federico ’23 and Mr. Vogel is a managing

New York from 1998 to 2010.

partner at Zelnick Media Capital

Cornell University and a J.D. from Stan-

for originating, structuring and

Mr. Cunha received a B.A. from

ford Law School. He and his wife Kirsten have a son at Browning, Teddy ’28.

22

New Trustees were elected to the Board; (L to R): Andrew Vogel, Maria Dell’Oro and Mark Cunha.

T HE

BUZZER

(ZMC) where he is responsible

monitoring investments in the media, entertainment and communications

private equity firm, where he focused on industrial sectors.

Mr. Vogel earned a B.A. from Wesleyan

University, where he currently serves on the President’s Council, as well as an

M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

He and his wife Véronique have a son at

Browning, Alexander ’28, and a daughter, Sophie ’26, at The Chapin School.

Elena Aniel-Quiroga

Amy Anselmo

Caroline Axelrod

Kate Bancroft

Stacey Duchak

Joseph Fallica

Noelle Kennedy-White

Kevin Perry

Omar Qureshi

Kristin Rodgers

Jonathan Stoler

Lydon Vonnegut

BROWNING WELCOMES NEW FACULTY AND STAFF Along with our new Trustees, we are pleased to introduce some new faces seen around The Browning School this year, as follows: Lower, Middle and Upper School Spanish

teacher Elena Aniel-Quiroga earned an M.A.

from the Universidad de Salamanca and a B.A.

of Education, and a B.S. from Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service.

Lower and Middle School science teacher

from Universidad de Pais Vasco.

Kevin Perry earned an M.D. from State University

two master’s degrees at Boston College, Lynch

from New York University, and a B.S. from City

School counselor Amy Anselmo completed

School of Education, and earned a B.A. from Providence College.

Caroline Axelrod in the Office for

Institutional Advancement earned a B.A.

from Barnard College, Columbia University.

Art teacher Kate Bancroft earned an M.F.A.

from The Slade School of Fine Art, UCL, and a

B.F.A. from Boston University College of Fine Arts.

Second grade associate teacher Stacey Duchak

earned a master’s degree from Hunter College

Graduate School and a B.A. from Boston College.

Middle and Upper School science teacher

Joseph Fallica received an M.Ed from Empire

of New York Downstate Medical Center, an M.A. College of the City University of New York.

Middle and Upper School history teacher

Omar Qureshi holds an M.A. from University of Chicago, and a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College.

Admission evaluator Kristin Rodgers

received an M.A. from University of Southern Maine and a B.S. from Bryant University.

Physical education and health instructor

Jonathan Stoler received an M.A. from

Manhattanville College and a B.S. from Arizona State University.

Middle and Upper School English teacher

State College and a B.A. from Hofstra University.

Lydon Vonnegut earned an M.A. from

earned an M.A. from Relay Graduate School

Wesleyan University.

Noelle Kennedy-White, third grade associate,

the University of Michigan and a B.A. from

Fall/Winter 2017

23

BROWNING WINS HIGH HONOR AWARD FOR FACILITY RENOVATIONS The Browning School has won the 2017 High

Honor Award in the Institutional Category from

the American Institute for Architects WestchesterHudson Valley, according to Peter Gisolfi

Associates, the architectural firm responsible for the renovations of the School over the course of

five years. At the completion of this project, three distinct buildings had essentially become one.

Retired Headmaster Stephen M. Clement, III

(pictured far right), who was dedicated to the project from start to finish, proudly accepted the award for Browning at an October ceremony.

During the course of the renovations, the

School’s lobby was reconfigured, the Kurani

Gym (formerly Lower Gym) and play deck were

renovated, a new dining hall, library and reading

terrace were created, and virtually every classroom

was reconfigured in such a way as to be appropriate for each grade level. A new and intricate staircase,

renderings, as well as the presentation illustrating

brightened the entire school facility.

Furthermore, they found that the lighting,

as well as clear story skylights, centralized and In its critique, the jury noted, “This project

is a very complex puzzle successfully solved. A

challenge well met.” The judges appreciated the

24

T HE

BUZZER

the many layers and components of the project. understated materials, skylights and new open

stairwell all contributed to making the spaces “more unified, bright and understandable.”

CLASS OF 2015 CLASSICS STUDY FUND SUPPORTS RECENT GRADUATE In honor of their sons’ graduation

Field School in Italy this past summer.

conservators, illustrators and

commemorate this achievement, the

Department Chair/Latin teacher,

training in all aspects of fieldwork,

from Browning in 2015 and to

families of Form VI established The Class of 2015 Classics Study Fund.

The class raised $45,000 for this

academic fund to enhance the study

In writing to John Young, Classics

Gianni thanked Browning for “giving me the opportunity to have this wonderful experience.”

Poggio Civitate offers one of

of Latin and Greek at Browning and

the best archaeological training

opportunities.

to its website, the school “provides

support extracurricular educational Thanks to this fund, Gianni

Preston Chiovetta ’17 (pictured), now

a freshman at Boston College, studied at the Poggio Civitate Archaeological

programs in the world. According

students and archaeology enthusiasts the opportunity to excavate at the site under the direction of a staff of professional archaeologists,

photographers. Participants receive including excavation and data

collection, archaeological survey

and drawing, objects conservation, illustration, photography and

cataloging. Most participants arrive with no field work experience, and

by the end of the season, each comes away with a foundation in Etruscan archaeology and field methods, as

well as a rich appreciation for Italy and rural Italian culture.”

2017 COMMON BOOK: A FIRST-HAND TALE OF APARTHEID The Common Book committee members chose Trevor Noah’s

“Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood” as

Browning’s 2017 all-school summer read. Mr. Noah is a South African television-radio host and comedian best known as the host of “The Daily Show.” In its review of Mr. Noah’s

book, The New York Times wrote, “By turns alarming, sad and funny, his book provides a harrowing look, through the prism of Mr. Noah’s family, at life in South Africa

under apartheid and the country’s lurching entry into a postapartheid era in the 1990s.”

Fall/Winter 2017

25

LOWER SCHOOL BOYS SPONSOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS Lower School Community Service Coordinator and Kindergarten teacher

Caitlin Coleman thanked

all those who contributed to the Hurricane Harvey and

Irma Relief efforts this fall.

The Browning community raised $2,121.19 to benefit

affected schools through Donors Choose, which

benefiting victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto

for their students and dedicates a particular

Habitat for Humanity, which will help rebuild

allows teachers to request much-needed supplies portion of their site to Harvey and Irma relief.

All donations went directly to affected schools in

Texas, Louisiana and Florida. Ms. Coleman noted, “As a community, we felt that the idea of schools helping other schools was a place to start.”

She also extended her appreciation to those

who generously supported a second fundraiser

Rico. That three-day event raised $1,235 for

homes lost in this disaster. “As news of each storm’s destruction was often intimidating or confusing to our boys – particularly the

youngest ones – we wanted to help all Browning students understand that when difficult times

arise, people can always do something to help,” Ms. Coleman said.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT CHAIR HONORED BY ACADEMY FOR TEACHERS Head of School John Botti was pleased to announce that Science Department Chair Emilie Wolf was

nominated and selected to attend The Academy for Teachers Master Class, “The Changing Arctic,” led

by Stephanie Pfirman, professor of Environmental Science, at Barnard College this past October. This selection is a distinct and well-deserved honor, as

only 18 educators were accepted to the Master Class.

Participants become Fellows of The Academy

for Teachers, joining a growing number of the

city’s strongest educators. Master Classes are a rare

opportunity for public and private school teachers to

26

learn from an icon and from each other.

T HE

BUZZER

NEW SERIES SHOWCASES FACULTY EXPERTISE IN DEPTH “From Theory to Practice” offers Browning faculty the

opportunity to articulate both their practical experience, as well as their philosophical orientation as it relates to their craft. An affirmation of their beliefs, this

online series showcases the expertise of the School’s teachers and allows for deeper conversation about the intellectual underpinnings of the academic

program at Browning. As Head of School John Botti explains, “This monthly series allows those who

steward in our classrooms to share the ‘why’ of our

purpose behind the ‘what’ of our practice.”

Mary Bosworth, Middle and Upper School history

and philosophy teacher, offered the first installment.

Follow these monthly online reports on the Browning

website at www.browning.edu/from-theory-to-practice.

TO SEA WHAT THEY COULD SEE The annual Grade Five overnight trip to Mystic, Conn., in Septem-

ber began with a self-guided tour

of Mystic Seaport. Head of Middle School Sam Keany, who accompanied the boys, offers this report:

Along with teachers Dan Ragsdale and Kris Pischel, the boys stepped out of the bus in glorious weather.

They saw a wide range of original

ocean vessels, including the renovation of the Mayflower II, a replica of the original Puritan vessel. Mystic Aquarium was the second stop. In small groups, the boys were en-

tranced with sociable beluga whales, cautious to stroke stingless sting-

trip to the local cineplex to enjoy the movie “Ninjago.”

On Friday morning the boys

rays, and entertained by dexterous

enjoyed a tour of the exhibits at the

very full first day concluded with a

Museum, where they viewed the life

sea lions in their afternoon show. A

impressive Mashantucket Pequot

of colonial era Native Americans at close quarters. The boys remarked thoughtfully throughout the tour,

taking in details of tools, practices and social structures that inform

their curriculum in immediate ways.

Fall/Winter 2017

27

PUPPETS WITH DISABILITIES ENLIGHTEN LOWER SCHOOL BOYS In October the third and fourth grade boys attended a

Lower School assembly geared to their grade levels, with a special presentation by the puppets and puppeteers from NYC Kids Project. This entertaining and enlightening puppet show aimed to educate the boys on various disabilities they may encounter in other children,

including Down Syndrome, ADD, blindness, cerebral

palsy, and so on. The two teaching artists-puppeteers

encouraged audience participation and discussion about

inclusion, allowing for many questions from the boys. One of the puppets, Renaldo, told what it is like to be blind and walk with a cane under the direction of a mobility coach,

and how he has a special watch that opens up and allows him to tell time by feeling the hands, just like reading

Braille. He also plays basketball, explaining that there is a

buzzer on the hoop and a bell inside the ball he plays with.

Perhaps the most interesting segment involved

Renaldo’s conversation with fellow puppet Mark, who has

cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair he calls his “cruiser.”

The two spoke about Mark’s upcoming camping trip with

a friend. Happily, by the end of the show, the two friends cleared the air and acknowledged that blindness would

not deter Renaldo from enjoying a camping trip – complete with s’mores – after all!

The day after the assembly, the boys in Kindergarten,

his family and all the fun they have telling ghost stories,

first and second grades were visited by these same

that doesn’t happen. The scenario prompted the Browning

each of these three grade levels.

etc. Renaldo is hoping he will be invited to come along, but

28

boys to relate instances of when they, too, felt left out by

T HE

BUZZER

puppeteers who gave presentations specifically geared to

SOCCER TEAM “THINKS PINK” AND JOINS THE CAUSE For the third consecutive year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), the varsity soccer team

donned pink jerseys to promote public consciousness of this disease. Read about the team’s season in the Athletics section of this Buzzer.

FIRST GRADERS VISIT HISTORIC WORKING FARM In October first grade boys spent a day at

Queens County Farm, a 47-acre working

farm dating back to

1697, complete with

farmhouse, greenhouse, windmill, barns and a shop where fruits and

vegetables are sold. This

historic site and working farm, which attracted

17th century European

settlers, offered the boys

a first-hand look at how food is grown, as well as the

radishes, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes and various

may have only heard or read about.

day was taking a hayride and picking out their

chance to see and even feed many of the animals they The farm boasts a wonderland of produce and

flowers, including many of the foods served in

Browning’s dining hall, such as quinoa, lettuce,

herbs. One of the boys’ favorite activities that

own pumpkins. Back at school, the boys put their pumpkins to good use as they studied units of measurement in math class.

Fall/Winter 2017

29

ANNUAL TOUR EXPANDS KNOWLEDGE OF COLLEGE “TYPES” In September, 53 Forms V and VI boys, along with

and listened attentively to the tour guides. They

day College Trip. By journey’s end, the objective had

of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., where they had

four proctors, embarked on the School’s annual threebeen met: each boy’s vision of what types of colleges exist was greatly expanded. The leader of the group,

a tour and dinner.

Day Two took the group to the spiffy Bryant

College Guidance Counselor Sanford Pelz ’71, said,

University campus in Bristol, R.I., where the boys toured

glimpse of something rural, something urban; a

vice president of enrollment, and had lunch in Bryant’s

“This uniquely Browning trip offers every boy a

private liberal arts college; a medium-sized liberal

arts college; a small business focused university; an

Ivy League university; and a large, state university.”

Head of Upper School James Reynolds, who joined the boys on the trip, provided the following report:

Our coach bus headed for Fairfield University,

the first of three Day One destinations and the first

of eight colleges or universities to which the journey

the campus, took in an info session with the school’s

spacious, airy dining hall. The next stop of the day was

Brown University, beautifully situated atop Providence’s College Hill. The boys were happy to see Browning

alumnus Liam Kerwin ’16 (pictured with me, above)

who greeted the group before they entered a hall for

an information session followed by a tour. The group

finished the day at Wheaton College in Norton, Mass.

The last day of the trip began at Clark University

would take them. Assisting Mr. Pelz and me in

in Worcester. The boys toured the compact campus in

and Information Technology Support Specialist and

session, and then headed for the final campus of this

proctoring duties were history teacher Omar Qureshi JV basketball coach Sankara Iwelu.

After an information session and tour at Fairfield,

the group headed for New London, Conn., where

they would have lunch, an info session and tour at

Connecticut College, a beautiful private, liberal arts institution. As was typical, the boys divided into

homeroom groups with a single proctor tagging along

30

finished Day One on the hilly campus of the College

T HE

BUZZER

the heart of downtown Worcester after an information year’s tour, the University of Connecticut, where many Browning travelers were surprised by the

feeling of small-campus intimacy created at this

school of 19,000 undergraduates. The boys had their final institutional meal during lunch in a UConn

dining hall before attending an info session followed by a tour.

Fall/Winter 2017

31

CHESS PROGRAM A HALLMARK OF BROWNING During the first portion of the new school year, 15 Browning boys

competed in a chess tournament in

five rating divisions. Results included two sixth grade brothers taking home individual second and third place

trophies in the Open section, while

two fourth graders won first place in

the K-8 U700 and U400 rating groups.

Later in the fall, the boys showed

their Browning “grytte” during a

chess tournament at Hunter, where

one of our first graders went 4-0 for

first place and, in a

higher division, a Browning third

grader also swept

FALL RUN FUNDRAISER

4-0 for first place.

Nineteen Lower School boys participated in the Ronald

McDonald House Fun Run, which raises funds to help house

families battling cancer. The boys braved chilly temperatures in Central Park on a Saturday morning to compete in short races with others in their age group.

“CARVING OUT” TIME FOR HALLOWEEN FUN October ended with a

grand finale at Browning, as Lower School boys paraded around the

block in their Halloween

costumes, with a number of teachers and staff

members joining the fun.

Head of School John Botti led the way dressed as

Prof. Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter book series.

32

T HE

BUZZER

BROWNING COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO DISCUSS EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TOPICS A celebration of Browning’s

through relevant assemblies,

Diversity Conference, and the Dalton

place during International Night in

organizations outside of Browning.

Staff Diversity Committee was also

multicultural community took

November, followed by a presentation later that month by Dr. Ali Michael, co-founder and director of the Race Institute for K-12 Educators and

author of “Raising Race Questions:

Whiteness, Inquiry and Education.”

Throughout the fall, the School’s

constituents engaged in a variety of other conversations on the topic of

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Faculty and staff actively participated

dedicated school events and student Upper School students participate in Diversity Awareness Initiative

for Students (DAIS) meetings with

other independent school students in the city and also attend the

NYSAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC).

Beyond the walls of Browning,

faculty attend the NAIS People

of Color Conference, the NYSAIS

Diversity Conference. A Faculty/

established to help develop, implement and support EDI initiatives under the leadership of the School’s director of

equity and diversity, Dr. Betty Noel. Dr.

Noel notes that the Diversity Committee also helps facilitate faculty discussions and student groups.

In addition, The Browning School

hosts speakers and discussion groups for its alumni on the topic of EDI.

in professional development

and engaged in regular monthly

discussions surrounding EDI topics.

From September through December,

faculty and parents participated in five

different on-site workshops, while boys regularly participated in such student

organizations as the Multicultural Club, Think Tank, Gay Straight Alliance

(GSA), Gender Studies/Feminism Club and Asian Hangout, an Asian student affinity group.

Students are also exposed to

EDI as part of their curriculum

Fall/Winter 2017

33

summer stipends

EACH YEAR THE PARENTS ASSOCIATION AWARDS stipends to faculty members who apply for specific projects, such as summer travel, research or study. Read on to learn how their experiences benefit the Browning boys they teach.

Master Class in Pedagogy and Vocal Technique There are myriad factors that

contribute to an impressive chorus

sound, perhaps none as important as

the mechanics of physically producing sound! This summer, with the help of the Parents Association, I was able to Richard Symon

take advantage of one of New York’s greatest treasures – the Metropolitan

Opera – and those coaches and voice teachers caught in its gravitational pull.

One such luminary is Arthur Levy, teacher to many

stars of The Met, international opera houses, and

Broadway, including Yonghoon Lee and Audra McDonald.

I have known Arthur since my time spent completing my

master’s degree at Mannes College. He invited me to meet with him twice a week over the summer to work on my

New York’s greatest treasures – the Metropolitan Opera.

own vocal technique and to discuss opera history. These

Arthur worked into my voice, with an aim to create a

next door to Carnegie Hall, and across the road from

that I now do at the beginning of each rehearsal, to help

squeeze in an emergency lesson with one of his superstars,

By doing this, the chorus is able to produce a richer, more

sessions took place in his vocal studio, which is located

warmer, fuller sound. There are specific vocal warm-ups

Carnegie Deli; that is to say, on the occasion that he had to

the chaps find a “lower centre of gravity” for their voice.

I wasn’t left wanting for ways to while away the time!

effortless sound in performance.

well as supreme vocal technique. The way he responded

informed how I go about shaping lines and phrases to help

day was inspiring. For every problem he had an insight,

Arthur gave me a greater appreciation of how one achieves

solution, and his support and kindness are mirrored in the

teachers who are caring and insightful. This is who I want

Returning to Browning this fall, I have endeavored

for their generous support of my lifelong love of learning.

Arthur’s instruction was a master class in pedagogy, as

34

I was able to take advantage of one of

Our conversations about Bel Canto technique have also

to how my voice and body were working on any given

take the chorus and our audiences on a musical journey.

for every insight he had multiple ways of achieving the

a lifelong love of learning: it begins with passionate

love he has for the operatic art form.

to be for our chaps. I must thank the Parents Association

to translate to our chorus chaps the vocal technique that

By Richard Symons, Middle and Upper School Music Teacher

T HE

BUZZER

Helping Boys Respond to Tragedy This summer I was fortunate enough to travel to Prague, Czech Republic, to attend an educators’ seminar at the Jewish Museum, thanks to the

support of the Parents Association.

The program focused on how we as Julianne Rowland

educators can better help children

understand tragedies and navigate

their emotions in response to traumatic historical events.

One of my favorites was the story of Golem, a mythical creature created by the town rabbi to defend the ghetto from anti-Semitic attacks.

The workshop highlighted a project called “Art in

Extreme Situations.” The objective of the project was to

enable students to express their emotions of fear, anger and sadness through art and to transform negative experiences

into positive feelings. It was remarkable to see real artwork that these children produced, and it was equally difficult to imagine what they had experienced at such a young

age. During the seminar we also explored and discussed

how Jewish fairy tales and legends can help communicate

traumatic events in history to children. One of my favorites was the story of Golem, a mythical creature created by the town rabbi to defend the ghetto from anti-Semitic

attacks. Golem was a symbol of protection to the children

of Prague during a time when their safety and lives were at constant risk.

I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity

to see these historical artifacts and to learn more about the tragedy of the Holocaust. This experience has no

doubt helped me to support and guide our youngest

Browning boys through emotionally challenging past and future events.

By Julianne Rowland, First Grade Teacher

Fall/Winter 2017

35

A Closer Look at Long Island’s Culper Spy Ring Through the generosity of the Parents Association, I now have a wealth of

substantial evidence to show the boys this year as we study our unit on the

Revolutionary War and Long Island’s

Culper Spy Ring. I learned much about Margaret Epstein

the operations of the spy ring this

summer as I toured Long Island, visiting

various monuments and locations where General George

Washington’s spies convened during the war. At the time,

Gen. Washington was commander of the Continental Army.

The spy ring worked as follows: Robert Townsend

moved around New York City, gathering information on

British troop movements and ships. Townsend then passed on this information to Austin Roe, who owned a tavern

in Setauket. Roe, who was in the city ostensibly to gather

supplies, would leave a message at Abraham Woodhull’s farm in Setauket, often by a tree.

One of my favorite spots was the Setauket house of

Anna Smith Strong, Abraham Woodhull’s neighbor. She

favorite locations during my visit included the

said to be haunted by the

spirit of a young girl named Annette Williamson, who

was murdered in the dining room after she was accused

would hang out her laundry to indicate where Woodhull

Nathan Hale

Next on the spy ring, Brewster took information across the

Oyster Bay.

Tallmadge, leader of the ring. Tallmadge then passed the

book about a young girl who aided her father in gathering

across Connecticut and back into New Jersey, where Gen.

New York City. The fourth grade boys will visit the tavern

should meet Caleb Brewster to exchange coded messages.

Long Island Sound on his whaleboat route to Benjamin

information on to Gen. Washington by carrying it by land Washington had his headquarters. The circle from New

York to New Jersey was then complete, with information transferred in a circuitous but safer route than by merely traveling up from New York to New Jersey, where the British were likely to intervene.

On my tour, I also visited the Country House

Restaurant, circa 1710, originally a town meeting place and stagecoach stop. Gen. Washington’s spies held

meetings here during the Revolutionary War, and it is

36

One of my other

T HE

BUZZER

monument in

of being a British spy. I plan

on introducing that anecdote when we read “Phoebe the

Spy” by Judith Berry Griffin, a

information for Gen. Washington at the Fraunces Tavern in this year, as it still stands on the corner of Broad and Pearl Streets and operates as a restaurant.

Some of my other favorite locations during my visit

included the Nathan Hale monument in Oyster Bay, as we

study Hale in great detail during later portions of our unit; the arsenal where farmers used to hide weaponry under

bales of hay and farming equipment in case of an attack; and the Brewster House where Caleb Brewster lived.

By Margaret Epstein, Fourth Grade Teacher

A Multisensory Approach to Reading

Nicole Kronfeld

Caitlin Coleman

Katie Smith

This summer, we attended the Institute of Multisensory Education’s Comprehensive Training in the Orton-

from our training was Orton Gillingham’s multisensory

Gillingham is a methodology intended for students with

teachers on how to use sight, hearing, touch and movement

Gillingham approach to reading instruction. Ortondyslexia as remediation; however, the multisensory

component of the program is extremely beneficial to all

approach to teaching reading. This method instructs

to help students connect language with letters and words.

We have already begun using aspects of the Orton-

children in a general education setting.

Gillingham approach within our classrooms, and it has

things Orton-Gillingham. During that time, we planned

received, thanks to the Parents Association!

We spent five days in Secaucus, N.J., immersed in all

and taught numerous lessons focused on different aspects of literacy instruction. The most important takeaway

been rewarding to implement all of the great resources we

By Caitlin Coleman, Kindergarten Teacher; Nicole Kronfeld, First Grade Associate; Katie Smith, Kindergarten Associate

Learning Strategies to Support Reading Comprehension & Metacognition This past July, I used my summer

stipend to attend the Research Based Reading Comprehension Strategies two-day workshop at Teachers

College at Columbia University. The Hallie Cohn

While the strategies differ from one another in logistical ways, they primarily focus on the three main stages of reading: the before,

workshop focused on five different

the during and the after.

including Collaborative Strategic

stages of reading: the before, the during and the after.

reading comprehension strategies,

Reading; Reciprocal Teaching; Text Structure; TWA (think before, while and after you read); and QAR

(question-answer relationship). Each of these approaches can used by teachers to support reading comprehension

It was interesting to learn about so many different

strategies that can achieve much of the same end-goal for students.

I am eager to apply these strategies in my own

and metacognition.

classroom during literacy instruction and thank the

logistical ways, they primarily focus on the three main

By Hallie Cohn, First Grade Teacher

While the strategies differ from one another in

Parents Association for funding my experience!

Fall/Winter 2017

37

Enriching the Lower School Assembly Program I thank the Parents Association for

their assemblies. I gathered lots of helpful information

stipend to plan the Lower School

and presenters.

generously offering me a summer assemblies for the 2017-18 school

come to Browning for this school year. At assemblies this

schools throughout New York City

storyteller, take part in an interactive fire and ice science

to learn about how they approach

My goal was to overhaul our assembly program in order to make our shared community time engaging and enriching for the Lower School boys.

38

T HE

BUZZER

Luckily I was able to book many of these speakers to

year. I spent a lot of time this summer speaking with other independent Jackie Pellenberg

and received many recommendations for programs

year, the boys can expect to hear tales from a professional program, meet therapy animals, and hear from members

of the FDNY, among others. [This fall they learned from a veteran the proper way to fold the flag, pictured below.]

My goal was to overhaul our assembly program in

order to make our shared community time engaging and enriching for the Lower School boys, and I thank the Parents Association for helping me to achieve that!

By Jackie Pellenberg, Second Grade Teacher

Athens: The Mother of Western Democracy The most striking discovery of any visit to Athens is that the visitor is literally

walking on history! That was the first

impression I had when I visited Athens this summer – with the help of the

Parents Association – in the first weeks Gerald Protheroe

of August, as the temperature all over southern Europe rose to an alarming

40 degrees Celsius. Athens is the metropolis of ancient civilizations: Classical Greece, the Roman Empire, the

Byzantine and Ottoman Empires and their remains were apparent everywhere.

The centerpiece of Athens is, of course, the Acropolis

and its remarkable buildings: the Propylaea, the Erectheum, the Temple of Athena Nike and its crown jewel, the

Parthenon. I decided to visit the Acropolis at 8 a.m. on an

August morning, before the throngs of tourists emanating from enormous buses and cruise ships in the harbor at

Piraeus and the oppressive heat of the Athenian day made the task one that might have taxed Hercules himself.

An American tourist complained to me about the cost

of his visit: 20 Euros to enter the Acropolis and 50 Euros for a guide to explain its treasures and significance. For a brief moment, I thought about setting myself up in

business and bringing the whole richness of The Browning School’s Form III unit on Greece to the table. But such a

notion quickly dissipated to be replaced by wonderment as I gazed at the Parthenon, the great font of Western

Athens is the metropolis of ancient civilizations: Classical Greece, the Roman

Civilization, shimmering in the morning heat. In 480 BC

Empire, the Byzantine and Ottoman

later restored to its existing glory by Pericles during the

everywhere.

the Persian King Xerxes destroyed the Acropolis. It was

Empires and their remains were apparent

Fall/Winter 2017

39

The last time I had been in Athens was in 1973 under the military dictatorship of the Colonels. The Greek people had been warm and inviting then, despite the fear and authoritarianism which surrounded them.

They were warm and inviting now. great golden age of Athenian culture and philosophy when Socrates, Plato, Phidias, Aeschylus, Sophocles and others

shaped so much of Athenian and later Western cultural life.

Early every morning, a detachment of Greek soldiers raises the flag of Hellas over the Acropolis. It was a privilege to witness the ceremony.

The last decade had been a great trial for Greece, its

people and its government. But I did not witness firsthand any hard evidence of the impact of the Great Recession,

40

T HE

BUZZER

which has racked Greece since 2007. The last time I had

been in Athens was in 1973 under the military dictatorship of the Colonels. The Greek people had been warm and

inviting then, despite the fear and authoritarianism which

surrounded them. They were warm and inviting now. And

I was somewhat reassured and relieved to find this. Athens has an enormous potential for tourism with its tremendous benefits for the Greek economy. I visited the Greek and

Roman agoras or ancient marketplaces, which surround

the Acropolis. The Greek agora was particularly striking.

The scale of the ruins was enormous. This was where

Greek democracy had emerged in the later sixth century to

eventually be extended by an enormous Roman city, which reached the zenith of its construction under the emperor

Hadrian. There were real archeological gems in the Greek agora, most notably the Temple of Hephaestion, the

Odeon of Agrippa and the Monument of the Eponymous

hubris humiliated by its defeat in the great Peloponnesian War. Wearily in the morning heat, I ascended the hill of Pnyx, where the first ecclesia or democratic assembly

met in the fifth century B.C. In 480 B.C. Themistocles had

argued passionately here that Athenians should abandon Heroes. It was easy to imagine St. Paul preaching in the agora and entreating Athenians to give up their pagan

gods, as The Book of Acts reports, and embrace the new God of Christianity. The Roman agora, lying adjacent to

the Greek agora, contained the Roman Forum, the Tower of the Winds and the Gate of Athena Archegetis with its inscription to its benefactors, Julius Caesar and the first

their great city to the Persian forces and flee to the island of Salamis. They voted to do so in a momentous display of the power of democracy. Many historians have seen

the ensuing naval battle of Salamis as a struggle for the

survival of liberty against despotism. This was the view of the father of history, Herodotus, in his great work on the Persian War. But why should all this matter to us?

The study of ancient Greek civilization is a central

Roman emperor Augustus. My hotel lay close to the great

feature of the Browning history curriculum in Grades

Temple of Zeus Olympia, which had finally been

practiced slavery and excluded women from the vote. But

Arch of Hadrian looking out on the even more astonishing completed by Hadrian 700 years after the Greek tyrant

Pisistratus began it. I started to gain a greater appreciation of Hadrian. This man really knew how to build walls and

cities, and he built them everywhere – from Newcastle on Tyne in Northern England, to North Africa!

On a hot Sunday morning, I ventured about the hill

of Filopappos to the West of the Acropolis. I found the

prison of Socrates, a cave dug deep into the wall of the hill where the celebrated philosopher was forced to poison himself. He was a convenient scapegoat for Athenian

I found the prison of Socrates, a cave dug deep into the wall of the hill where the celebrated philosopher was forced to poison himself.

Six and Form III. The Athenian polis was not perfect; it

in the ancient world, it was only in Greece that democratic forms of government emerged. The 21st century thus far

has seen a crisis of democracy in the West and elsewhere and democratic governments under greater strain and

danger of collapse than I have witnessed in my lifetime.

Furthermore, a recent publication has emphasized the dangers of the “Thucydides trap” in bringing about a

war between the United States and China in the same

way that Athens and Sparta were at war at the end of the

fifth century B.C. Never has the history of ancient Greece

seemed so relevant to the schools of the great democracies, and yet in many places in the United States and other

countries, it has been shunted inexplicably aside. I would like to give fulsome thanks to the Parents Association of

The Browning School for its generosity in supporting my visit to Athens, which enabled me to reacquaint myself

with the remarkable heritage and history of one the great capital cities of Europe and the world.

By Gerald Protheroe, History Department Chair

Fall/Winter 2017

41

Closer Examination of Western U.S. History The summer stipend from the Parents

the collective wisdom of a dedicated group of public

country and back to attend a week-

and the southwest, and to critically reexamine some

the costs of my drive across the

long Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. history teacher training institute at Omar Qureshi

The summer course allowed me to learn from

Association allowed me to subsidize

the University of San Diego. Being

somewhat new to teaching American

history, not only was I keen to update my knowledge

of the AP curriculum, which has gone through major revisions in the last couple of years, but I was also

interested in spending time with and learning from expert practitioners for their insights.

and private school teachers from all over California of my own methods and practices. While quite

familiar with the two coasts and the “old” south,

I’d felt over the past few years that I should take a

road trip and spend some time in the western part of the country, which is unfamiliar to me. So much of

American history has taken place there, and current scholarship is again focusing to correct some of the distortion caused by too exclusive a focus on the Atlantic world.

I was able to visit some of the major national parks, including the Grand Canyon – by far the highlight of my trip – Yosemite and Yellowstone.

42

T HE

BUZZER

I was able to visit some of the major national parks,

including the Grand Canyon – by far the highlight of

my trip – Yosemite and Yellowstone. I also spent some

time in California, Colorado, Wyoming, Salt Lake City, South Dakota and Nebraska, which included visits to

Indian reservations such as Pine Ridge. My most moving experience occurred during a visit to Manzanar War

Relocation Center in California, one of the major camps where Japanese-Americans were interned during the

Second World War. Despite having driven 11,000 miles in six weeks, I was happy to return to New York City reenergized and inspired, eager to tackle American

My most moving experience occurred during

By Omar Qureshi, U.S. History Teacher

in California, one of the major camps where

history from a perspective deepened by my travels.

a visit to Manzanar War Relocation Center Japanese-Americans were interned during the Second World War.

Fall/Winter 2017

43

f e at u r e

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON...

IN THE PAGES OF GREAT BOOKS!

A

lways an annual favorite of the Browning community, this year’s Book Fair – orchestrated by the Parents Association and Head

Librarian Sarah Murphy – occurred just days before Halloween

and offered families the option to dress in costume as they browsed

and bought books together on Family Day. As part of the fun, attendees shared

the thrill of meeting local authors along with participating in games and arts and crafts activities. The boys enjoyed another treat the next day, as they shopped with their classmates and teachers.

THE

Great Gatsby

44

T HE

BUZZER

Fall/Winter 2017

45

46

T HE

BUZZER

Fall/Winter 2017

47

fine and p e r f o r m i n g a rt s

MIDDLE SCHOOLERS POUR HEART & SOUL INTO PLAY “As You Like It,” the annual Middle

significant work not only of this year

Ms. Murphy noted, “I was thrilled to

directed by Head Librarian Sarah

experiences, pouring heart and soul

the camp. They led master classes and

School Shakespeare production, was Murphy and performed in November by 25 actors, including students from

into their time on stage.”

The cast returned early to Browning

The Brearley School. Adding to the

before the official start of classes in

Upper School boys whose musical

annual Shakespeare Camp.

success of the production were some talent enhanced the overall staging.

Head of Middle School Sam

Keany said, “The younger boys

carried their lines and entrances,

sang with gusto and broadcast arrival of the next generation. The senior

seasoned cast members showed the

FOCUS ON FAUVISM As we headed to press, Art

Department Chair Nik Vlahos

reported that this year the boys

are studying “the Fauve painters

and their descendants” from turnof-the-century France, including

contemporary painters influenced by this particular movement.

The art students’ work is

a traditional and vital part

of Browning’s Holiday Party

invitation and décor. Check out Art in Focus on the inside front cover of this Buzzer to appreciate the

colorful results of the boys’ efforts!

48

but of the growing confidence of past

T HE

BUZZER

bring in several visiting artists during

workshops in directing, scene work, vocal warm ups, improv and stage combat.”

In addition to partaking in this

September to participate in the second

master class, the cast attended a

Ms. Murphy and fellow librarian

at the Classic Stage Company. Featuring

Adam Giordano worked with the

boys, as well as the girls from Brearley, for four days of theatre games and activities. The time spent together helped prepare them for this fall production, with great results.

professional version of “As You Like It” Ellen Burstyn as Jacques, along with an

accomplished ensemble of actors, singers and musicians, the production provided 100 minutes of great Shakespearean

humor, drama and romance, according to Ms. Murphy.

CONFERENCE FEATURES UKULELES IN THE CLASSROOM Music Department Chair/Lower School

Music Specialist Lucy Warner attended the

American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA) Conference in Fort Worth, Texas this fall.

She explained, “This annual convention

offers a rich variety of workshops, headed by experts in the field of music educa-

tion, to teachers from all across the U.S. In preparation for introducing ukuleles as a new addition to the Lower School music curriculum, I attended workshops featuring this four-stringed

instrument. It was a thrill to attend a ses-

sion led by renowned music educator, researcher and

ukulele presenter Lorelei Batislaong, pictured with me here.”

MUSIC SURVEY STUDENTS ATTEND MET OPERA PERFORMANCE In November the boys in Richard Symons’ Music Survey class

attended the final dress rehearsal for the Met Opera’s production of

Massenet’s “Thaïs.” The Met’s website

summarized the premise of the opera, which takes place in Alexandria

and the Thebaid desert in Egypt,

fourth century C.E., as follows: “At a Cenobite settlement, Athanaël, a

monk, returns from Alexandria with news that the city is in a state of sin.

The people are besotted by Thaïs, a

courtesan and actress, whose performances are causing a

created by the immense beauty of the

in his youth, he fell under her spell. Now he considers her

‘meditation’ featuring the solo violin

sensation. Athanaël admits to his fellow monks that once, behavior an affront to God and is determined to convert her to a Christian life. Palémon reminds him that it is

music. A particular highlight was the during Act II.

The boys, who sat captivated

against his vows to interfere with the secular world, but

by the performance with time

Alexandria to save her soul.”

the good fortune to meet a

after dreaming of Thaïs, Athanaël defiantly returns to Mr. Symons reports on the boys’ reaction and

follow-up discussion: “This particular piece offered class members the opportunity to explore masculine culture

against the recent backdrop of myriad sexual allegations

in the news media. The plot revolves around the premise that the male lead cannot control his actions, afflicted

by lust and desire – a premise that we, as male audience members, rejected. The boys were able to discuss the

viability of an art form that perpetuates such regressive ideas, while grappling with the cognitive dissonance

seeming to speed by, even had member of the Metropolitan Opera Chorus who offered

insights into his job. Later I

was excited to field so many questions from them about the operatic art form

and industry, as well as gratified that this

experience had stoked their curiosity!”

Fall/Winter 2017

49

at h l e t i c s

2017 Fall Wrap-up

Andrew H. West ’92

Although the wins at the varsity

will undoubtedly provide a much-needed boost to the

and junior varsity level were hard to

other teams, starting as early as next year. The varsity

come by this season, I was pleased

cross country team enjoyed a strong season, finishing first

with the “grytte” and determination

at a handful of meets and third at the championships. The

the boys showed. They stuck with it

7-8 Grade cross country team also consistently improved

and were playing much better as the

throughout the season and will fuel the varsity program

season came to a close. The 7-8 Grade

next year. Go, Panthers!

Panthers played extremely well from start to finish and

– Director of Athletics Andrew H. West ’92

VARSITY SOCCER After losing 12 seniors from last year,

it hard to compete against bigger

of our co-captains sustained an injury

to their task despite suffering some

experience and leadership. After one before the season started, George

Grimbilas ’18 stepped up as the other

co-captain and did a wonderful job of organizing the squad.

50

On the pitch the players found

the team struggled due to lack of

T HE

BUZZER

and stronger opponents, sticking

poor results. Our overall record was 2-8, and although we showed some

improvements in the latter part of the season, the players now realize they

must work hard on their techniques and combination plays with their

teammates. We look forward to new players joining the team so that we

can continue to rebuild the program.

–Coach David Watson and Coach Jonathan Stoler

JUNIOR VARSITY SOCCER The junior varsity soccer team had a rebuilding year, with only five

returning players from the 2016 squad. The Panthers played in some competitive contests, but they were unable to earn a victory and finished the season with an 0-8 record.

The Browning team’s youth and inexperience playing together

were tough to overcome in a short soccer season, especially when stacked against experienced and highly skilled opponents in the NYCAL conference. Improvements were made by each player

throughout the season, and the boys’ understanding of how to play with better alignment and cohesion also increased as the season progressed. The team members were consistently positive and

supportive of one another, and their effort was never in question.

Co-captains Raymond Diaz ’19 and Tommy Ramirez ’19 both did a commendable job.

–Coach Richard Symons and Coach Lauck Blake

Fall/Winter 2017

51

7-8 GRADE SOCCER The seventh and eighth grade soccer team

experienced a successful season. From day one of

soccer camp until our last game, the members grew both as individuals and as a team, finishing the

season with a 6-4-1 record. Ours was arguably one of the most balanced teams in the league, with a

formidable defense and goals scored by a variety of

players. Overall, it was a great season. The boys were extremely committed, and we were pleased with the way they competed each and every day.

–Coach Gerald Protheroe and Coach Michael Cohn

52

T HE

BUZZER

VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY Browning’s varsity cross country team

first in a competitive field. His

past two years, we enjoyed positive

Cross Country Championship at Van

race, but all embodied the best of what

to the hard work and dedication of all

took a solid third place at the NYCAL Cortlandt Park. Once again Ryan

Eagan ’20, the league’s best runner

this season, was at his finest, finishing

teammates finished further back in the Browning boys bring to our athletic

contests: sportsmanship, engagement and, as always, “grytte.” These

individual results; this season, thanks

our runners, a promising and cohesive team was born.

–Coach Dominique Bernard

MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY The team had a great season, full of improvements. Boys came to

practice each day enthusiastic and ready to work hard, alternating between endurance and speed training. Their diligence paid off, as demonstrated by their time improvements over the course of the season.

The team was led by Andrew Naber ’22, who consistently

placed in the top 10. He had some setbacks later in the season

but showed tremendous potential as a runner. Khai Shulman ’22, Jamie Sussman ’22 and Kevin Twomey ’23 all finished the season with PRs, improving their times by two minutes. Unfortunately,

Jonathan Stephenson ’22 and Greg Parizhsky ’22 suffered seasonending injuries and were unable to participate in the majority of

the meets. With hard work and discipline, the Middle School boys will be great additions to the varsity program.

–Coach Meghan McDermott

Fall/Winter 2017

53

YOUR SUPPORT IMPACTS EVERY HOUR of the DAY These photos showcase the power of philanthropy in

action. There are 165 days in the school year, each filled

with remarkable opportunities like those pictured here, all made possible by the Annual Fund.

Make your impact with a gift today.

How to Give

M ATC H I NG GI F T S

TO GI V E ON LI N E V I SI T:

instructions to initiate the match. We will complete the process to multiply

browning.edu/giving

If your employer has a matching gift program, please follow your employer’s your support.

OR M A I L YOU R GI F T TO:

STO C K GI F T S

Office of Institutional Advancement

browning.edu/stock or contact John Campbell at 212.249.6879 or

The Browning School 52 East 62nd Street

New York, New York 10065

For instructions on how to donate stock, please visit: jcampbell@browning.edu

CON TAC T I N FOR M AT ION

Soo Mi Thompson, Director of Annual Giving at 212.838.6280 ext. 1600 or sthompson@browning.edu

54

T HE

BUZZER

Thank You for Your Generous Support!

alumni events

Top row (L to R): Allanby Singleton-Green ’83, Harrison Messer ’12, Chris Brandt ’09, Chris Jennings ’99, Ishma Best ’04, Andy Madden ’96, Juan Reyes ’86 and Jeremy Katz ’04. Front row (L to R): Steve Schott ’72, Godfrey Bloch ’63, Stevie Rachmuth ’10, Andy Sandberg ’01, John Moran ’97, Richard Helgason ’82, Bill Reed ’85 and Joe Metzger ’02.

FALL ALUMNI COUNCIL MEETINGS The Alumni Council reconvened after

Alumni Council again reached 100

the 2017-18 school year on Monday,

year in a row.

summer break for its first meeting of September 18. As is tradition, the

percent participation for the eighth On October 23, the Alumni

meeting began with a special guest,

Council held its second meeting of the

School’s faculty, administration

chair, was the special guest. Ms. Wolf

typically someone from within the or Board of Trustees. Betty Noel,

director of equity and diversity and

Upper School science teacher, joined the group as special guest to speak

about the recent and upcoming equity and diversity initiatives at Browning.

The meeting also included an in-

depth review of alumni participation in the 2016-17 Annual Fund; a record number of alumni donated and the

year. Emilie Wolf, science department spoke about sustainability efforts

at Browning including Biodiversity Day, the Green Team, hydration

stations and Trayless Tuesdays and Thursdays. Further, the Council

voted on amendments to the Alumni Association Bylaws, and committee

reports were held. The next Alumni

Council meeting is Tuesday, January 16.

Fall/Winter 2017

55

T

2017 CLASS OF 2000 DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES he Alumni Association featured a CFO Panel at this year’s Class of 2000 Distinguished Speaker Series on October 25. The three panelists, all current parents, included Peregrine Broadbent P ’29 (CFO

of Jefferies), David Granville-Smith P ’21, ’25 (CFO and COO of A+E Networks) and Jane Nielsen P ’18 (CFO of Ralph Lauren).

The evening began with an alumni donor roundtable

in the Wilson Room, where an informal half-hour was spent discussing a variety of topics with the three CFOs. The

many challenges that each one faces within their respective industries, particularly in light of the digital world and the

L to R: Peregrine Broadbent, Jane Nielsen, David Granville-Smith and Alumni Association President Andy Sandberg ’01, who introduced the panelists at the roundtable.

current political climate, were touched on.

The panelists and alumni donors were then joined by

more alumni, as well as current and past parents, in the Kurani Gym for the panel presentation. Head of School

John Botti introduced each CFO and then turned things

over to Mr. Granville-Smith, who acted as moderator. The three panelists spoke about their backgrounds and how

they ended up in their current roles. Mentors, education experiences, and the balance between professional and

Alumni donors gathered in the Wilson Room for a roundtable with the CFOs prior to the panel presentation.

personal lives were also discussed. Questions from the

audience highlighted some of the ways in which the CFOs

manage corporate culture, operations in different countries and company strategy. Following the panel and audience Q&A, a reception was held for all guests in the lobby.

The Alumni Association extends its sincerest gratitude

to Mr. Broadbent, Mr. Granville-Smith and Ms. Nielsen for

giving so much time and effort to make this evening possible for our community.

56

T HE

BUZZER

L to R: Jane Nielsen, David Granville-Smith and Andy Sandberg ’01.

Head of School John Botti introduced the panelists.

David Granville-Smith is CFO and COO of A+E Networks.

L to R: David Granville-Smith, Jane Nielsen and Peregrine Broadbent.

Jane Nielsen is CFO of Ralph Lauren.

Peregrine Broadbent is CFO of Jefferies.

L to R: Jeremy Katz ’04, Joseph Suquet ’04, Garrett Bowden ’69 and Benjamin Melting ’00.

L to R: Tom Barr, Justin Karr ’00 and Bryan Boisi ’00.

Kenton Kilmer ’07.

Elizabeth Granville-Smith and Tom Herman ’64.

Fall/Winter 2017

57

Following the panel, a reception was held in the lobby for all guests.

L to R: John Botti, Benjamin Melting ’00, David Granville-Smith, Jane Nielsen, Peregrine Broadbent, Andy Sandberg ’01, Bryan Boisi ’00 and Justin Karr ’00.

Director of Institutional Advancement Jim Simon (left) and Peregrine Broadbent.

58

T HE

BUZZER

L to R: Jane Nielsen, Sofia Milonas and Amelia Raftopoulos.

Eric Stephenson (left) and Tom Herman ’64.

UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS

ALUMNI BASKETBALL GAME Wednesday, December 20, 5:30 p.m.

L to R: Cheryl Chiovetta, Elisa Strohfeldt, Mathias Strohfeldt and CeCe Coffin.

YOUNG ALUMNI AND PAST PARENT RECEPTION Thursday, January 11, 6:00 p.m.

ALUMNI COUNCIL MEETING Tuesday, January 16, 6:00 p.m.

BROWNING-MARYMOUNT REUNION Friday, January 19, 6:00 p.m.

(The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Marymount School) ALUMNI COUNCIL NOTE-A-THON Monday, February 12, 6:00 p.m.

David Granville-Smith and Elizabeth Granville-Smith.

Peregrine Broadbent and Hayley Broadbent.

BROWNING-MARYMOUNT FAMILY SKATING PARTY

Monday, February 26, 6:00 p.m. (Central Park) ALUMNI COUNCIL MEETING Monday, April 9, 6:00 p.m.

ALUMNI REUNION Friday, April 13, all day

Classes ending in “3” and “8” are celebrating milestone L to R: Stevie Rachmuth ’10, Anik Akhund ’10 and Chris Brandt ’09.

reunions! Stay tuned for more details including a diversity panel for current students and alumni.

FORM VI BREAKFAST (by invitation only)

Wednesday, April 18, 8:00 a.m. (The New York Athletic Club) ANNUAL MEETING OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Monday, May 21, 6:00 p.m.

All events held at Browning except where noted in italics above.

Martin Bennett (left) and Wen Li.

Evan Blumenthal ’13 (left) and Harrison Messer ’12.

Fall/Winter 2017

59

class notes

TO SHARE NEWS with the Browning community, please contact Laura N. Lanigan, director of alumni affairs, at llanigan@browning.edu Laura N. Lanigan

or 212-838-6280 Ext. 1920.

50s

Peter R. Decker ’52 has a new historical novel out, “The Go-Backer.”

60s

Thomas N. Oliphant ’63

is co-author of a new book

titled “The Road to Camelot: Inside JFK’s Five-Year

Campaign,” released in May. The Boston Globe called it a “gripping, authoritative

campaign history” as well as a “splendid new book about John F. Kennedy’s quest for

the presidency in 1960.” Mr.

Oliphant is the 1999 recipient of Browning’s Charles W. Cook ’38 Alumnus Achievement Award.

Linton Wells, II ’63

submitted the following

news in June: “Linda and I are continuing with our

model of one-third of our time volunteering and giving back, one-third

family, one-third business.

Volunteering is focused

on teaching and building

global opportunities through

60

T HE

BUZZER

community resilience. Four

in May: “Just returned from

Taylor. It is available on the

four, three, two and one).

trip. Went to Australia,

excerpts can be found on

grandkids live nearby (ages Most of business is in Asia with Japan on cyber preps

for 2020 Olympics and with Singapore on Smart Cities.

Best to Browning family and especially to classmates.”

R. Thomas Herman ’64

and his wife Marilyn Lytle

live in New York from June through early winter and then La Jolla, Calif., from

mid-January through May, where he teaches at the

University of San Diego. In

the fall, Mr. Herman taught a seminar at Yale, where

his invited guests included Browning alumni Howard

Dean ’66, Andy Sandberg ’01 and Jim Chanos, former

president of Browning’s

a four-month bucket-list

New Zealand, Tasmania,

Fiji, Tahiti, Bora Bora and

Hawaii. Trip of a lifetime.

to hear of the recent death of

news: “Nancy and I were in NYC the first week of August; the first time in

almost seven years. Seemed strange to have all the

commotion with respect to the quiet desert life here in

Tucson. Did come to the old

school to look around, but it was Friday and no one was

there. Had a good time seeing Nancy’s and my families and getting to see the old haunts again. Peace to you all.”

Michael Cook ’67

reunion – had a great time! I

is three times as much work

as I ever imagined – and ten

times as much fun.” He also continues to write for The

Wall Street Journal’s wealth management section.

George E. Brown, III ’66

sent in the following news

Lawrence L. Scott ’68

submitted the following

you.” In October, Mr. Brown

taught at Yale since 1996.

news, he wrote: “Teaching

from fellow classmates!”

submitted the following news

submitted the following news

In October, along with this

YouTube. Would love to hear

Peace and blessings to all of

Board of Trustees and a past parent. Mr. Herman has

Navona Records label, and

in October: “I was very sorry

Hunter ‘Lee’ Adamo ’68. Lee

was a great friend and like so

many of us, the years allowed us to drift apart. We did try to get together on several

occasions but we were both

always so busy. My wife and I retired in 2005 and spend

our time between our homes in Reston, Va. and on Siesta

Key, an island just outside of

Sarasota, Fla. I would hate to think the only time we stop

to remember is as each of us passes away.”

for the 75th though. My book

70s

of the Mind,’ continues to

submitted the following

in May: “Went to the 50th

hope more people show up

of poetry, ‘The Rise and Fall

Jeffrey H. Sado ’76

sell like hot cakes. Last year

news in September: “My

I went to the Czech Republic and hired the Moravian

Symphony Orchestra to

record Three Century Suite by my grandfather Deems

son, Emanuel ‘Manny’ Sado is in his freshman year at

College of Central Florida

studying communications and media and pitching

Clendenen Watkins ’77

Technologies, the leader in high-index advanced

is the producer and bassist

materials for displays, solid

for the EZ Soul Band. He

state lighting and optical

submitted the following

components. In June,

news in October: “The

Pixelligent was named the

EZ Soul Band started

2017 Manufacturer of the

performing at various

Year in the small/midsize

locations, most notably

company category by Frost

Sylvia’s Restaurant and The Ralph Gardner ’71 (left) and Rob Searle ’71 ran into each other over the summer in Northeast Harbor, Maine.

for the baseball team.

Last year, he and his team

made it to the Florida State HS Championships in Ft. Myers, finishing third.

I’m staying busy writing,

producing documentaries and feature films, while

also selling real estate and fine art. Hope all’s well with Browning friends and family.”

& Sullivan.

Shrine World Music Venue in Harlem, where their

impressive style and unique

versions of throwback cover

tunes were highly praised as their popularity grew. Now with their previous success

secured, the group is starting

over so to speak with a brand new show and a renewed

Lawrence Ostema ’82 and his daughter Catherine visited Browning in October. The Ostemas live in Charlotte, N.C.

general law division and the safety law division.

Craig R. Bandes ’87

is CEO of Pixelligent

Ali Theodore ’88 P ’24, P ’27

attended a Lower School assembly in October to

speak to the boys about his

work as a music writer and producer. He specifically

focused on one of his recent

projects, the Disney musical

sense of purpose performing classic R&B, funk, jazz and

Motown music. The EZ Soul Band is a top notch choice for entertainment, within

their musical dance machine where their audiences get

transported back in time.”

80s

On September 25, Juan D.

L to R: Katherine Reyes, Catherine Reyes, Juan Reyes II, Juan Reyes ’86, Elaine Chao, Jane Reyes, Meaghan Reyes, Marianne Reyes and Katherine Reyes.

Reyes, III ’86 was sworn Christopher Duma ’77 as featured in the OC Register in March 2017.

Christopher Duma ’77

is a brain surgeon based in Newport Beach, Calif. In

March, he was featured in

the Orange County Register for his work in treating

Alzheimer’s patients. Please see the Alumnus in the

News section of this issue for more details.

in by Secretary Elaine Chao as chief counsel

of the Federal Railroad

Administration, an agency

within the U.S. Department

of Transportation. In his role as chief counsel, Mr. Reyes

is assisting the United States in upgrading its passenger

and freight rail systems. He is managing a legal department

of 50 attorneys and providing executive direction to the

L to R: Juan Reyes ’86, Andy Madden ’96, Nicolas Sitinas ’86 and Tom Farnham ’86 at the Chainsmokers concert in Forest Hills in June.

Fall/Winter 2017

61

include: “The judges found that [Mr.] Dovere’s March 21, 2016, coverage of the

historic press conference of President Barack Obama

and Cuban President Raul Castro demonstrated the importance of having

reporters on the ground. His Ali Theodore ’88 presenting to the Lower School at Browning in October.

movie “Zombies,” which

stop by! Geoff@federknives.

Collaboration was the theme

In The News section of this

will be released in 2018.

of his presentation, and the boys had a chance to work

com” Please see the Alumni issue for more details.

Eric E. Grant, Jr. ’92

together to create music.

submitted the following

90s

great to reconnect with friend

news in October: “It’s been

stories of our lives as kids

growing up in NYC. Megan

is a wonderful woman; I have

you’re in the neighborhood,

62

T HE

BUZZER

Peter R. Cohen ’99

news in October: “Sara,

Charlotte Emily Cohen on

September 4, weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces. We were

most pleased to welcome her.

All the best to our friends in panther land.”

was featured in The New

are ever in the San Francisco

York Times in April, in an

Bay area, please say hello!”

In April, Edward-Isaac

outstanding White House

bigger shop in Peekskill! If

humor was appreciated.”

Photographer Devin Yalkin ’00

issue of Edible Hudson

and we just moved into a

wry take in a year when

them now that they live so

Dovere ’98 received the

designing and making knives

appreciated the journalist’s

close. If any of my classmates

her in his life. I look forward to

company Feder Knives,

an incredible experience

and finance in 2016, and

00s

and Manoli is lucky to have

Valley magazine. It’s been

your material. Judges also

that comes from knowing

spending a lot more time with

enjoying getting to know her

made the cover of the fall

from NYU Stern with a

Alexandra and I welcomed

has been hearing some great

crazy year, my custom knife

the context and insight

conference wrapped – offered

just moved to San Francisco

time together and my family

to us in September: “After a

Peter Cohen ’99 and his daughter Charlotte, born in September.

submitted the following

‘Manoli’ Sakellarios ’92 who

have been able to spend some

Geoffrey W. Feder ’92 wrote

posted 90 minutes after the

and classmate Emmanuel

with his new wife Megan. We

Geoff Feder ’92 as featured on the cover of Edible Hudson Valley magazine. Photo credit: Damon Jacoby.

up-close narrative – the final

Merriman Smith Award for coverage under deadline.

The Award was presented to him by Bob Woodward

article titled “The Blink of

an Eye,” a full-page spread

just recently took the CFO

role at an early stage growth company called Tagpop

(www.tagpop.com). Tagpop is an online thrift store with a green heart. We have

redirected more than 225,000 pounds of second-hand

clothes from landfills to happy customers this year alone.”

Jonas F. Borra ’03

submitted the following news in October: “I have taken

on the creative role at the

Dream Hotel on West 16th

Street, working with the TAO group to set programming

and entertainment within the

property’s venues. Personally, I’m still golfing competitively and working on music. Hope

to see everyone by the Dream!”

Ivan Asen ’04 wrote

accompanied by five of

to us in August: “I wrote,

Please see the Alumni In The

half-hour comedy spec pilot –

Mr. Yalkin’s photographs.

News section of this issue for more details.

Nicholas P. Cohen ’02

during the 2017 White

submitted the following

Dinner. Award details

completed my MBA

House Correspondents’

concentration in accounting

news in October: “I

directed and produced a

Chicken Salad. It is available on YouTube. Just search for

‘Chicken Salad Ivan Asen.’”

Rafael A. Kuhn ’04 wrote

to us in June: “I’m still at

Deutsche Bank after 10 years

and now a director focused

Georgetown University’s

capital markets. Fun fact:

His concentration will be in

on aviation and private debt

School of Foreign Service.

my hospitality business

global business and finance,

ShareGurl is entering its 5th

and he hopes to work at the

year; we are a hospitality

intersection of global business

company focused on nightly

and international affairs.

Kip Langton ’08’s

and seasonal accommodation in the Fire Island Pines

Sam Morril ’05 is a comedian based in New York City. Photo credit: Getty Images.

community, as well as an

event production company with the ability

to execute anything from small cocktail parties to

large-scale brand activations aimed at getting national

Members of the Class of 2004 got together at Dorrian’s in NYC in July (L to R): Jeremy Katz ’04, Joey Suquet ’04, Scott Uffner ’04, Bryan McGurk ’04, Luc Vareilles ’04, Ishma Best ’04 and Michael Eisenstein ’04.

brands exposure to the

New York from Atlanta.

closed on a Series A round

Both serve on the Board of Mr. Suquet has joined the

any resource myself or my

senior vice president of

with former CIA, FBI,

company full-time as the business development and strategy.

Ross C. Thompson ’04

is co-founder and managing director of Classified

Worldwide Consulting,

which delivers specialized intelligence, security,

analytical and training

solutions to corporations, organizations and

individuals operating in

frontier and global markets.

In October, he wrote to us: “I would like to extend

company (which is stocked

is available on Amazon. All

book sale profits support the Freedom Golf Association, which brings the game of golf back into the lives of

disabled veterans and others who are physically disabled.

M. Anas Uddin ’08 is

but I believe the momentum

dean’s scholar.

Michigan Law School as a

Vadukul ’07 received the

10s

Mychal Judge Heart of New

jazz musician based in New

will carry the Knicks into next Ross Thompson ’04 flying into Puerto Rico to deliver satellite phones and cash to corporate clients in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

published in October and

attending the University of

from my soon-to-be hit show

of funding into HMG

book “Pat. Pend.” was

Page Six in June, “I don’t

want to make any guarantees,

He and Nicolas R. Perkin ’89

Directors for HMG, and

sports show called “People

Sam told the New York Post’s

recently moved back to

millennials and Generation Z.

launched a new late-night

Stuff)” on MSG Network.

Joseph M. Suquet ’04

media business focused on

Samuel E. Morril ’05

Talking Sports* (*and Other

LGBT community.”

Media, a multi-platform

In July, comedian

literary pictographic fiction

year’s playoffs.”

In June, Alexander M.

New York Press Club’s Rev.

Joshua M. Burgess ’10 is a

York award.

York. In October, he played the saxophone at a Lower

School assembly, and spoke

DEA, Special Operations

to the boys about his love for

and others) to the boys

jazz and what inspired him to

and faculty at Browning. If

pursue music.

any of our knowledge or

experiences can be helpful with students looking to

pursue careers or degrees in international affairs,

intelligence studies and or

any curriculums in history or current affairs, please do not hesitate to reach out.” On a

Alex Vadukul ’07, photographed by his father Max Vadukul.

Philip Devereux-

personal note, Mr. Thompson

Demetriad ’08 started his

baby boy in February.

in Washington, D.C., at

and his wife are expecting a

master’s degree in the fall

Josh Burgess ’10 at Browning in October.

Fall/Winter 2017

63

IN MEMORIAM H. Lee Adamo ’68

Edward K. Flynn ’75

Mauro Henriquez P ’04

Danny McAloon, former faculty Herbert Merns ’87 Frank Quigley ’38

John A. Scowcroft P ’12

Peter H. Strife, II P ’85, ’88 Arthur Mensah ’15 (far right) at Browning’s sports camp at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac.

The Multicultural Club hosted its senior dinner in May, where alumni Awen Abaatu ’16 and Anthony Carrasco ’16 also joined the group. L to R: Jamil Guzman ’17, Alex Lopez-Velasco ’17, Terrell Edwards ’17, Anthony Carrasco ’16 and Awen Abaatu ’16 (holding Ms. Noel’s baby Andrew).

L to R: Rohina Lulla, Head of Lower School and Assistant Head of School Laurie Gruhn, Iman Lulla ’17 and Rajiv Lulla.

James R. Brisotti ’12 is

stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, on one of the US naval ships.

In May, Henry H.

Newberry ’12 started working as a property assistant at SL

Green, a New York real estate investment trust.

Christopher M. Pelz ’12

submitted the following news in October: “After

completing a master’s degree in carbon management,

I have moved to London

Oliver J. Shawn ’12

and will begin a voluntary

wrote to us in October: “This

West London Environment

a position to work for

internship with South Network, a charity

organization that specializes in energy audits and the

promotion of sustainable

living within the southwest region of London.”

64

Liam Kerwin’16 and Jim Reynolds at Brown.

T HE

BUZZER

L to R: Gianni Chiovetta ’17, George Grimbilas ’18 and Christopher Russo ’15 at Boston College in October.

past summer, I accepted

Browning’s sports camp

August with his parents,

an education and travel

a junior at Dartmouth

attended Browning from

company, Education First, in Cambridge, Mass., and am officially living in Boston!”

Arthur F.K. Mensah ’15

coached soccer during

in August. Arthur is

College. He also spent

time working at a school in Liberia over the summer.

Iman R. Lulla ’17

visited Browning in

Rohina and Rajiv. Iman

kindergarten through third grade before his family

relocated to Paris for his

father’s job. He is a freshman at Princeton University.

from the archives

As this edition of the Buzzer headed to press, the Browning community had recently enjoyed the 30th Annual Thanksgiving Assembly at Christ Church.

Readings and musical performances by the boys are tradition. In perusing the School’s photo archives, we found the November 23, 1945, edition of The Browning School News Letter [sic] featuring a heartfelt Thanksgiving message from Lyman B. Tobin, a teacher for more than 30 years and Headmaster from 1948 to 1952. Mr. Tobin served at the time of his writing as Alumni Secretary; an excerpt follows:

F

T HE

BUZZER

T H E BROW N I NG SC HO OL 52 East 62nd Street New York, New York 10065

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID AUGUSTA, ME PERMIT NO. 121

TO UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS Please call the Advancement Office at 212 838 6280 x1150.

AN ANNUAL THEATRICAL TRADITION CONTINUES “As You Like It,” the annual Middle School Shakespeare

Episcopal School, noted that this annual production was

performed on two evenings in November by 25 actors,

on the Tuesday night before Thanksgiving. He remarked on

production directed by Head Librarian Sarah Murphy, was including students from The Brearley School. Former Assistant Headmaster/Head of Middle School/Director of College

A

Guidance William Moseley, now current head at St. Margaret’s

T HE

BUZZER

originally intended for the entire community and presented the powerful “camaraderie, collaboration and cooperation” created by this theatrical effort each year henceforth. (Go behind the scenes and read more on page 48.)