S E N I O R B R E A K FA S T
Hugh Jessiman ’02 played professional hockey for 10 years in the United States, Croatia (KHL), and Austria — and made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers in 2010.
Inspiration To ‘Pay It Forward’
F
another piece of valuable advice. “Treat everyone you meet with respect, regardless of their walk of life,” he quoted from Lee’s
ORMER PROFESSIONAL hockey
True North at JPMorgan Chase: 14 Steps to
player Hugh Jessiman ’02 traded punches with Guillaume Desbiens on two occasions during a season in the American
Hockey League — getting the better of his rugged counterpart the first time and taking it somewhat on the chin in the second. Both eased up on their dukes at the end of their TKO as a sign of respect for the adversary. Two months later, they were teammates — and have since become good friends in and away from the game of hockey. On hand as the keynote speaker at the Senior Breakfast, Jessiman segued this story into one of the messages he wished to leave
Success in Life and Work. “Treat them all with his soon-to-be fellow ’Wick alumni. “Life has a funny way of bringing you together, even if you’ve gone to battle against each other,” the Dartmouth College graduate
the same, from the biggest to the smallest. And when you have the opportunity, give someone who needs help a lending hand.” Jessiman urged graduating class members
said. “Relationships matter — not just with
to follow Lee’s lead as they headed out into
the people you’re close to but with everyone.
the world beyond Brunswick — without
Learn how to build and maintain them.”
forgetting about all of the good character and
It’s a lesson he learned from his first
lessons they learned while on Maher Avenue.
hockey coach, Jimmy Lee — the late father of Jessiman’s best friend, Jamie ’02. Jessiman, who has retired from profes-
“You may not be able to pay it back financially in the next few years, but you can pay it forward by supporting younger alumni and
sional hockey and entered the business
being responsive to those looking for advice
world in the insurance field, cited Lee for
and guidance.”
An Emotional Stand for Giving Back
S
ENIOR BREAKFAST stalwarts
surprise guest — legendary ’Wick football
Shep ’89 and Ian Murray ’93, on campus
coach Bob Sampson.
to speak to seniors for the 17th straight year, brought along a special surprise
guest to the gathering at the Upper School — lifelong friend and fellow ’Wick alumnus Janne Kouri ’93. In 2006, Kouri was living the dream — with a mover-and-shaker job at a digital media company and a beautiful and adoring girlfriend — in a beachside home in Hermosa
“He showed up unannounced in the dead of winter,” Kouri explained to the Class of 2017. “He spent the entire day with me. “If that doesn’t tell you what an amazing place Brunswick is and what amazing people teach and coach here, nothing will. “I wouldn’t be here today without the love and support from this community.” Kouri and his wife, Susan, launched
Beach, Calif., when he dove through a wave
NextStep Fitness in 2008 — an internationally
and rammed headfirst into a sandbar.
recognized nonprofit that makes life-changing
He was instantly paralyzed, his life flipped upside down after being told he’d never walk
rehab and fitness accessible and affordable to individuals living with paralysis.
Shep ’89 and Ian Murray ’93, along with Janne Kouri ’93 at the Senior Breakfast, left the Class of 2017 with many thoughtful and real-life lessons to live by.
again. Kouri spent two months in an Intensive
He has since defied all odds, walking with
Care Unit — “coding” and nearly dying twice —
the assistance of a walker and standing on his
before finding hope for recovery at the Frazier
own. He spoke emotionally to the graduates,
Rehabilitation Institute in Louisville, Ky.
encouraging them not to wait until adversity
punched in the gut before you give back,” he
strikes before helping others.
said. “Help make a difference in this world one
While there, the former Brunswick and Georgetown football star had a visit from a
“Don’t wait to get knocked down or
way or another.”
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