Times of Brunswick, Spring 2024

SEVENTH GRADERS’ VIEW: ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION!

BLUENOTES JAM WITH PRESERVATION HALL

’ WICK’S NEWEST ALUMNI: CHEERS FOR 2023 GRADS!

’WickUnited!

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2023–2024

W. Robert Berkley, Jr. ’91 (P ’21, ’23)

Chairman

Kimberley C. Augustine (P ’19, ’25)

Josyl L. Barchue ’00

Raymond J. Bartoszek (P ’27, ’35)

Nisha Kumar Behringer (P ’26, ’28)

Peter P. Bevacqua ’89

Todd L. Boehly (P ’20, ’22, ’24)

Sean D. Carney (P ’17, ’22, ’26)

Christopher L. Collins (P ’30)

R. Willett Cook (P ’30)

Scott A. Dahnke (P ’17, ’19, ’26)

B. Cort Delany ’73 (P ’21, ’21)

Alberto J. Delgado (P ’19, ’21, ’23)

Adam B. Dolder (P ’28, ’30)

Patrick J. Fels (P ’23, ’25)

Colleen M. Ferguson (P ’21, ’24)

Leslie F. Foley (P ’30)

Darby B. Fox (P ’17)

Brandon P. Hall (P ’24, ’25, ’34)

Pamela K. Keller (P ’19, ’22, ’24)

Jennifer A. Klein (P ’22, ’23, ’24)

Angela M. Michalik (P ’19, ’21, ’23, ’28)

Americo C. Nardis (P ’26, ’28)

Timothy P. O’Hara (P ’23, ’25, ’27, ’29)

Keith A. Pagnani ’82 (P ’24)

John S. Pavelski (P ’28, ’31, ’35)

James H. Ritman ’94 (P ’28, 31)

Wendy E. Sacks (P ’20, ’27)

Carrie M. Walsh (P ’28, ’30, ’34)

Thomas B. Wilson (P ’22, ’26)

Ex Officio

Thomas W. Philip (P ’08, ’10) Head of School

K. Patrick Andrén ’93 (P ’24, ’28, ’29) Assistant Head of School; Chief Operating Officer

Richard M. Beattie ’80 Assistant Head of School for Faculty & Academic Programs

Douglas M. Burdett (P ’18, ’22) Assistant Head of School; Director of College Placement

Sarah B. Burdett (P ’18, ’22) Chief Integration Officer; Director of Schoolwide Admission & Enrollment

Daniel J. Griffin

Director of Institutional Communications

Kathleen F. Harrington

Chief Financial Officer & Business Manager

Thomas G. Murray (P ’27, ’31)

Chief Advancement Officer

Scott D. Neff ’99

Director of Finance

Gregory Shenkman ’99 (P ’34)

President, Brunswick Alumni Association

Tricia K. Kapp (P ’22, ’26)

President, Brunswick Parents’ Association

Jeffrey R. Pribyl (P ’31, ’33) Chair, Horizons at Brunswick

& BROWN WHITE

Black-Tie Night on the Town

WHAT A WONDERFUL way to spend a Saturday evening in January! By long tradition, Brunswick School and Greenwich Academy students spiffed up, donned their sharpest formal attire, and gathered at the Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich for a rollicking and memorable sojourn of smiles, dancing, and best-dressed fun. of Brown & White.

HEAD OF SCHOOL

In ‘An Ounce of Prevention,’ Time-Honored Truth

FOR NEARLY THREE CENTURIES , the proverb has had a powerful, broad, and practical resonance — and the initial thought behind it was kindled by fire.

In 18th-century Philadelphia, occasional devastation by fire was common and even expected: A particularly disastrous blaze in 1730, starting on a ship, jumped ashore and ignited an entire wharf and several houses — and little could be done to stop it.

While most simply resigned themselves to the caprice and consumptive ferocity of nature, Benjamin Franklin saw an opportunity.

Appealing to fellow citizens in an anonymous letter to his own newspaper in 1735, Franklin encouraged readers to think about the causes of an inferno, and to steer clear of danger and destruction by exercising caution, care, and strategy.

“An ounce of prevention,” he wrote, “is worth a pound of cure.”

As a result of Franklin’s cajoling, Philadelphia’s Union Fire Company was formed in 1736; in addition to being on-the-ready to extinguish errant blazes, members met monthly to discuss fireprevention strategies. Further, individual homeowners were required to have leather water “buckets” close at hand — just in case.

And the general prudence and wisdom of an “ounce of prevention” took its permanent place in our collective human consciousness.

Today — at a time, perhaps ironically, when so much in our world seems to have turned white-hot, literally and figuratively on or beyond the brink of combustion — it certainly informs everything we do in our ceaseless and evolving quest to safeguard and prepare our boys for the road ahead.

As we ponder and anticipate the spectrum of complex challenges they will inevitably encounter as the 21st century progresses, it is our calling, our professional passion, and really our sacred obligation to devise the most carefully crafted balance of experiences and approaches to strengthen and empower them at every turn.

NO MATTER WHAT THE ENDEAVOR, HOWEVER, OUR ULTIMATE GOAL AND COMMITMENT REMAINS STEADFAST: WE WILL NEVER WAVER IN LOVE AND CARE FOR OUR BOYS AS WE PREPARE THEM FOR LIVES OF COURAGE, HONOR, AND TRUTH.

These “ounces of prevention” were as inspiring as they were effective: As more brigades were formed and additional precautions implemented, the city’s fear of fire was quelled. Philadelphia soon became recognized as the world’s standard setter in fire safety.

In this constant and continuing endeavor, through the global turbulence and triumph of our first 120 years, certain bedrock truths have made themselves clear:

First and foremost, the heart and soul of a Brunswick education must and will always remain rooted deeply in respect for tradition, instilling in our boys the lifelong value and discipline of mastering the fundamentals, and relentlessly attending to the basics — the “ounces of prevention,” if you will — that have, for centuries, built strength, endurance, and the sharpest criticalthinking skills.

In the balance, however, we must and will never stop looking ahead, working always to ensure that our boys are equipped with state-

of-the-art tools and skills to assess, navigate, stay safe, and prosper at a time in which the pervasiveness of technology and social media — at once so beneficial and potentially dangerous as well — risk consuming lives of meaning, happiness, and contribution as voraciously and completely as a fire unfought.

This is no small challenge. To meet it, additional and strategic “ounces of prevention” are essential ingredients in education for the building of character. And so, to ensure our boys grow ever stronger, we have most recently intensified our focus on both health-and-wellness and schoolwide community service — already yielding deliberate and resounding benefits for students, their families, and the community at large.

No matter what the endeavor, however, our ultimate goal and commitment remains steadfast: We will never waver in love and care for our boys as we prepare them for lives of Courage, Honor, and Truth.

That is the fire that burns bright in all of us each and every day — and always will!

Thomas W. Philip

Brunswick School

100 Maher Avenue

Greenwich, CT 06830

Tel: 203.625.5800 BrunswickSchool.org

Head of School

Thomas W. Philip

Chief Advancement Officer

Thomas G. Murray

Director of Development for Major Gifts

Meghan Gould

Director of Institutional Communications

Daniel J. Griffin dgriffin@brunswickschool.org

Associate Directors of Communications

Mike Kennedy ’99 mkennedy@brunswickschool.org

Wayne Lin wlin@brunswickschool.org

Craig Rusnak crusnak@brunswickschool.org

Social Media Manager

Nicholas Grew ngrew@brunswickschool.org

Class Notes Editor

Mike Kennedy ’99 mkennedy@brunswickschool.org

Contributing Writers

Daniel J. Griffin

Mike Kennedy ’99

Katherine Ogden

Thomas W. Philip

Vilas Sogaard-Srikrishnan

Contributing Photographers

Dan Burns

Coffee Pond Photography

Ben DeFlorio

Jamie Fessenden

Andrew Henderson

Jeffry Konczal

Wayne Lin

Riley McCarthy

Rob Rasmussen/P8Photos

Design

Mary Lester Design marylesterdesign.com

Printing Flagship Press, flagshippress.com

Big Win for Fun, Games & Joyful, Heartfelt Reunions By Katherine Ogden &

Class of 2023: Odyssey of Family, Brotherhood & By Katherine Ogden & Togetherness,

DEPARTMENTS

01 Message from the Head of School

62 Beyond the Books

66 Class Notes

72 Last Look

ON THE COVER

This happy album of mile-wide smiles, thoughtful reflections, hallmark occasions, and indelible memories tells a varied and remarkable story. Through it all, a distinctive fabric proves once again the strength and breadth of the ’Wick community’s spirit and good will. No surprise: That shines brightest at times of celebration, large and small. And, really, every day is one to celebrate!

FUN, GAMES REUNIONS

BY KATHERINE OGDEN & MIKE KENNEDY ’99

AN ALUMNI GOLF

OUTING UNDER bright blue skies and October sunshine gave way to a crystal clear Friday evening to kick off Homecoming 2023. Soccer put up a big win on the pitch before a bonfire and sparkling fireworks display capped the night and ushered in a weekend’s worth of fun, friendship, thrilling football, and sweet, happy reunion among classes ending in three and eight.

weekend, and scores of alumni and families again brought out the joy all over King Street as the Brunswick community gathered to celebrate Homecoming 2023.

The traditions continued. For 22 years, the Alumni Golf Outing has served as the unofficial kick-off to Homecoming, and nearly 70 golfers turned up under clear skies and perfect fall weather on Friday to hit the links at GlenArbor Golf Club.

Beautiful conditions continued through Friday evening as the varsity soccer team hosted St. Luke’s under the lights of Robert L. Cosby Field, thrilling revelers with an electrifying 2–1 victory.

Alumni and fans cheered the victory from the sidelines,

Fathers and sons came out in waves to enjoy games at Bear Fair – and to cheer on ’Wick soccer player Patrick O’Donohue ’25 (left) and his teammates during Friday night’s win.

and the evening was capped by a bonfire and spectacular fireworks display that sparkled in the night time sky after the game.

High noon on Saturday brought the rain — and Bear Fair began inside the warm and toasty Burke Field House, bringing hours of lively and active fun and games aimed squarely at ’Wick’s youngest.

A bit later, a spirited band of alumni and faculty took over a corner of Cosby Field amid cold, intermittent drizzle for a hearty effort to continue the tradition that is the Alumni Soccer Game.

By mid-afternoon, fans were heating up the sidelines alongside Cosby Field for the Alumni Tent Party, rooting on the Bruins as they started their game against Suffield Academy.

Brunswick scored on its first three offen sive possessions — adding one more touchdown and a field goal later in the game — prevailing

over the Tigers, 31-18, despite the

By evening, celebrations were in store for reunion classes ending in three and eight, with the Class of 1973 enjoying their 50th with a special dinner at the Lower School.

All in all, Homecoming 2023 was another big win!

Attendees at Homecoming 2023 spanned the generations, from ’Wick's youngest current students cheering on the varsity football team to alumni and teachers under the tent and dressed in their Brunswick colors, including Jimmy Ritman ’94 and legendary second-grade teacher Pat Meloni (below).

Sunshine & Spirited Play!

IT COULD not have been a prettier day as 18 foursomes headed out to the links for a Friday scramble to start Homecoming weekend amid the spectacular beauty of GlenArbor Golf Course.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Bedford, N.Y., the Gary Player designed course is renowned worldwide. For a big band of Brunswick alumni, a perfect

ALUMNI GOLF OUTING

of 1999 walked away with bragging rights before all the participants gathered around the firepit near GlenArbor’s famed 19th hole to debrief the day’s milestones and visit with fellow alumni.

“We are so grateful to Morgan Gregory ’92 for sharing the beautiful GlenArbor golf course with Brunswick alumni each year,” said Zach Dobbs ’06, director of alumni relations.

“It was a perfect fall day for golf!”

A full field of alumni hit the links at GlenArbor Golf Club on a perfect fall day, including Golf Outing regulars Per Barre ’01, Sam Kies ’04, John Carr ’01, and Dave Maloney ’01 (below left); Eric Hopp ’94 (left), and Louis Aronne ’06 and Zach Hascoe ’06 (below).

Bruins Open Homecoming with Soccer

HE VARSITY SOCCER

Homecoming by hosting St. Luke’s under the lights of Cosby Field, ultimately extending its win streak to four games with a 2-1 victory.

These teams were evenly matched, both possessing well through the midfield and producing quality chances on goal. The visitors had the best opportunity to get on the board first, with a shot past senior GK Phil Stabinsky going off the left post in the 11th minute. Shortly after, junior striker Patrick O’Donohue had a volley on net that went off the crossbar. First blood came in the 32nd minute. Coming fresh off the bench to give more speed to the Bruins’ attacking line, Luke James took down a clearance over the top and was fouled going toward goal. Will Higgs

SOCCER WRAP-UP

played the ensuing free kick on net, which bounced around and landed on the foot of senior Kieran Raker, who confidently deposited it into the bottom right corner of the cage.

Eight minutes later, Raker laid a ball off to O’Donohue near midfield, who took on a few defenders, found a little bit

of space, and laced a shot into the top right corner of the net from 25 yards out.

Down two at the half, St. Luke’s fought hard to get back in the game. Just five minutes into the second frame, the Storm put a shot on goal that required a big save and deflection from Stabinsky to his

Students looked on in awe from "The Swamp," as (from left to right) Tyler Quake ’24, Phil Stabinsky ’24, and Kieran Raker ’24 helped lead the Bruins to victory.

right. In the ensuing scrum to claim the rebound in the box, a foul was called that resulted in a PK. The visitors converted to make it 2-1.

While that ended up being the last tally of the match, both teams had their chances. Ben Matitia and John Buttafuoco gave a spark to ’Wick’s front

line with strong play down the wings. Stabinsky was tasked with making a few more saves (six total for the match) before the final whistle, the biggest of which coming down with a cross to halt a scoring attempt in the 87th minute.

The home team had complete game performances from its defensive back-four, as Sebi Medina, Charlie Perkins, Ollie Leonard, and Johnny Saunders never came off the pitch. Along with Higgs, junior Theo Perkins and senior Tyler Quake played impactful minutes in the midfield.

FRIDAY NIGHT BONFIRE & FIREWORKS

Night Sky Shimmers in Vibrant Color

SCHOOL SPIRIT burned hot after soccer’s big win. Students gathered down the hill from the endzone for the Pep Rally and Bonfire and then stood in awe as fireworks set the night sky ablaze. The sparkling show put a fitting cap on a truly outstanding opening day, and set the stage for more fun to come.

Alumni Return to Reminisce, Inspire Bruins On Game Day

IT’S A HOMECOMING tradition.

Every autumn, in the hours before football’s big game on Robert L. Cosby field, ’Wick Bruins gather for a team breakfast in the Upper School dining hall. Football moms serve up some hearty and nourishing victuals that serve to power the play that is to come just a few hours hence.

But the Football Breakfast does more than just fuel muscles. Remarks from alumni always deliver some equally important food-for-thought.

This year, that distinct honor went to a trio of alumni who returned to campus from near and far to offer a few life lessons and inspiration for the game to come — and also some recollections from their own days on the gridiron.

Harrison Caponiti ’18, fresh out of Princeton University and older brother to Henry ’22,

Harrison Caponiti ’18 (above left), Francis Carr ’93 (above), and Ryan Faherty ’93 offered inspiring words of encouragement to members of the varsity football team at the annual Football Breakfast, which was served with love by many of the team moms (below).

You are going to remember this for decades.

told the boys that even with the setbacks of injuries and the fact that not every season is a “fairy tale,” time on the field is irreplaceable.

“You are going to be an old man like me one day,” he told them. “People are down on

football. You’ll never regret playing football. Football taught you how to be a man. It taught you how to show up — on time and early.”

Even so, given the enormity of the day, Caponiti said such big “life lessons” can certainly wait.

“It’s game day,” he said. “It’s Homecoming. If you could bottle up this feeling, you could sell it for whatever you want.

“My time in football has run out,” he said. “You have some time on the clock. Remember this time is precious. So go do something extraordinary.”

Also speaking to the boys at the Football Breakfast were Ryan Faherty ’93 and Francis Carr ’93, two of the three captains of the legendary 1992 team that went 10-0 for the

season and won both the FAA and New England titles.

Carr, having flown in from Houston where he and his wife are raising four children, said even though he is a little chagrined to admit, he still thinks about his time playing football.

“I’m 48 years old,” he said. “It’s often playing as a reel in my mind.

“You are going to remember this for decades,” he said.

Faherty, who went on to play college ball at Lafayette, echoed those sentiments.

“What I wouldn’t give to be in those seats with you guys,” Faherty said. “I played for a lot of teams. Remember, it’s not the most talented that comes out on top. It’s the team that plays with each other.”

Kallmeyer ’33 and his dad, Mike (above), were just a few of the loyal Brunswick brethren in attendance at Bear Fair, where hundreds escaped the rain and flooded into Burke Field House to enjoy

turned into a terribly rainy Saturday, with the addition of some wild western rodeo riding that was added to tease this spring’s ’Wick Out West

Just as they do at every Homecoming, ’Wick’s youngest flocked into Burke Field House for the can’t-miss carnival of the fall, an annual tradition that features heaps of fun and games created just for them.

A miniature golf course, a giant inflatable obstacle course complete with a slide: all this

ALUMNI SOCCER A rainy morning couldn’t keep the die-hard soccer players away from taking

Cam

and more was waiting for the throngs of families who showed up to socialize and show some school spirit in the hours before and during the big game on Robert L. Cosby Field. Bingo tables filled in fast, and in short order, youngsters were also lining up for the obstacle course as other families took a pause to try their hands at a giant game of Connect Four.

Serving as co chairs this year were Lauren Harding P ’31, ’32, ’34 and Jane Lambert P ’33. Planning for Bear Fair essentially starts each year in May, and co-chairs typically corral dozens of volunteers who are needed to ensure a successful event, including

parents and a passel of Middle School boys, who turn up perennially to run games for their younger schoolmates.

“I don't know the exact headcount this year, but we had a great support team that made the event run smoothly!” said Lambert.

A special addition this year was a mechanical bull ride, which was brought in to promote this spring’s westernthemed ’Wick Out West benefit.

“It was a big hit with all ages!” said Lambert. “To my knowledge, all the tried and true games were there, as have been in previous years, that are always so popular.

“It was a banner year!”

'Wick Outlasts Suffield on Rainy Homecoming

Saturday

BRUNSWICK SCORED on its first three offensive possessions — adding one more touchdown and a field goal later in the game — to defeat Suffield Academy, 31-18, at Cosby Field on a rainy Homecoming Saturday at Edwards Campus.

The early scoring spree began with a 36-yard TD run by senior Bryce Davis and was followed by two TD passes by senior QB Elijah Cromartie — the first a 35-yard spiral to junior WR Tyler Lloyd and the second a 14-yard strike to junior Jalen Noisette.

The Bruins finished off the Tigers after they had climbed back in the game with two more scores in the second half — a 33-yard connection between Cromartie and Davis, and a 37-yard field goal from

junior Oliver Reynolds.

’Wick’s defense had a stellar first half, led by senior co-cap tain Tommy Pope (eight total tackles, one interception), junior co-captain E.J. Perez (three sacks), and senior George Fugelsang (two fumble recoveries).

School spirit, eye-black, and superior skill was on full display despite the rain in varsity football's Homecoming victory. What a catch by Tyler Lloyd ’25 (right)!

Cosby Jr. Throws Coin to Open Play

PROVING ONCE AGAIN that William Faulkner was right — “the past is never past” — none other than Robert L. Cosby, Jr. ’73 helped to kick off Homecoming football.

Back in town for his 50th Reunion, Cosby was all smiles and full of heartfelt pride as he strode out onto the storied field, named after his father, to toss the coin and start play in a ceremonial tradition.

Cosby is the son of legendary Brunswick coach and teacher Robert L. Cosby Sr., who died in 2004.

COIN TOSS

Robert L. Cosby, Jr.

HOMECOMING

The Bruins finished off the Tigers after they had climbed back in the game with two more scores in the second half — a 33-yard connection between Cromartie and Davis, and a 37-yard field goal from junior Oliver Reynolds.

’Wick’s defense had a stellar first half, led by senior co-captain Tommy Pope (eight total tackles, one interception), junior co-captain E.J. Perez (three sacks), and senior George Fugelsang (two fumble recoveries).

DREAM TEAM

Salute for Legendary 1992 Squad

ALUMNI FROM THE legendary 1992 football squad were honored in the moments before kick-off with a special shout-out and photo on Robert L. Cosby Field. The 1992 Bruins went 10–0 for the season, and won both the FAA and New England titles. The team allowed only 40 points all season, and three members went on to play professionally.

Janne Kouri ’93, Francis Carr ’93, Ryan Faherty ’93, Marques Williams ’93, Jimmy Ritman ’94, John McCormick ’95, and Patrick Andrén ’93 (above) were on hand to represent the undefeated 1992 Brunswick varsity football team.

Exuberant fans in "The Swamp" (far left) joined in the celebration and thrill of a memorable Homecoming win.

ALUMNI TENT PARTY

‘We Love the Spirit!’

WOO HOO! Let the memories and good times roll!

Scores of alumni from around the country turned up for the Alumni Tent Party during the big game on Cosby Field. Classmates and families used the time to reconnect, reminisce, and raise a toast under the enduring banner of Courage, Honor, Truth.

A pizza truck parked nearby provided some tasty pies to help fuel the fun, while inside the tent a buffet of appetizers like guacamole and chips, mozzarella sticks, and wings helped keep the party going.

The camaraderie and comfort provided by the tent

brought more than just alumni together — among those taking shelter from the rain and cheering the plays were Doug and Anita Dowdel of Narragansett, R.I., grandparents to Bruins Hudson ’24 and Charlie Hausmann ’26.

“We absolutely love the spirit of this group of parents and students,” she said. “We never miss anything. We are literally here at every game.”

Peter Hausmann, father to Hudson and Charlie, could also be found nearby

Homecoming events never disappoint.

“It’s a great old school tradition!” he said.

The Alumni Tent Party is always the place to be and where you could find (among others) the following Brunswick loyalists: Reg Pierce ’68 (far left), faculty member Erin Withstandley and Nadji Ngbokoli ’20 (above); and Justin Weinstein ’99, Jarrett McGovern ’99, Sam Kies ’04, Conor Flynn ’99, and the legendary Mr. Tim Ostrye (below).

ALUMNI REUNIONS

Three R’s: Reunite, Renew & Reminisce

WHETHER FIVE YEARS out of Brunswick or 50, reunion classes from every generation returned to Greenwich during Homecoming Weekend and made plain the staying power of a Brunswick education. Alumni from the Classes of 63, 73, 83, 93, 03, 13, and 18 all came together at watering holes and private homes throughout town — some even gathered in the Lower School dining hall!

CLASS OF 1963

Schoolmates from the Class of 1963 attending their 60th Reunion included John Crawford, Eric Feldman, John Way, and David Tufts.

CLASS OF 2018

‘An Overwhelming Sense of Happiness’

MANY, MANY MEMBERS of the Class of 2018 turned up in the pouring rain for the Alumni Tent Party alongside the big game on Cosby Field.

Fresh out of Washington University in St. Louis, Daniel Osemobor ’18 said about 50 of his ’Wick and GA classmates returned for their fifth. Many gathered at the Ginger Man on Friday evening, and a similar crowd could be found the next day on the sidelines

The fact that so many people across the generations turned up is indicative of the Brunswick community and the kinds of people it attracts.

to watch the Bruins earn a thrilling win against St. Luke’s.

Osemobor celebrated along with friends and his twin brother Caleb ’18 and twin sister Elisha GA ’18 — Caleb is a 2022 Georgetown University graduate, and Elisha is a 2022 Bowdoin College graduate. Also spotted in the vicinity were Jack Montinaro ’18 and Walker Williams ’18.

“The rain is not stopping anyone!” exclaimed Williams, warm and dry and catching up with friends under the tent.

“I’m just happy to be back.”

Daniel Osemobor said Homecoming brought “an overwhelming sense of happiness” to him, his siblings, and his classmates. The cohort had much to muse about as they shared updates on budding careers, compared notes on a college experience cleaved by

world events, and celebrated memories as they rekindled connections.

“It’s really fun to learn what people have been up to,” Osemobor said. “Seeing everyone there, it was a breath of fresh air.”

Also among the crowd was Muna Nwana ’18, a 2022 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Nwana was one of a handful of alumni from across the generations to tour the new Middle School earlier in the day. He was delighted to discover a hallway photo of himself playing basketball, and he stopped to capture the image for a keepsake.

Osemobor helped organize the reunion along with co-head Brennan Troy ’18, and he pointed to the entire Brunswick community for the extra special energy it brought to a weekend that was a little less than perfect in terms of weather.

“Brunswick is the kind of place people will bring their own energy and life to,” he said. “The fact that so many people across the generations turned up is indicative of the Brunswick community and the kinds of people it attracts.”

CLASS OF 2018

As always, there was a big (and potentially rowdy!) crew on hand for the 5th Reunion, this year celebrating the Class of 2018 and including (among others) Michael Reilly, Charlie Burdett, and Walker Williams (above); faculty member Bob Benjamin and Lachlan Rosato (top right); and Timmy Kenny and Wilson Stephenson (above left).

CLASS OF 1973 50TH REUNION

‘A Lot of Memories,’ Different Buildings, But ‘Traditions the Same’

WHILE ALUMNI from the fifth were savoring their own reunion, men from an entirely different generation were also rekindling friendships, enjoying camaraderie, and musing on the influence of historic events from their own eras at Brunswick.

Fifty years out of high school, many members of the Class of 1973 could be found reveling in the joyful vibe along the side

’73, now head of computer science at Lehigh University.

Korth recounted the beginning of the tech revolution at Brunswick. He said he was a sophomore when an anonymous donor gave $10,000 to Brunswick to buy its first computer.

The machine, a Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-8/e, had a whopping eight kilobytes of memory.

“To start it up,” he said, “you turned a key.”

Korth said Brunswick gave him and his classmates, including Mark Brahaney, John Dolph, Dave Plants, and Ray Henderson, wonderful opportunities to tinker with the newfangled machine.

“We learned a ton,” he said. “We learned how to learn. We had to figure out what the questions were.

“It was a really neat experience.”

Another classmate, Hal Rodriguez ’73, was one of a handful of alumni to take in

OF 1973

Charlottesville, Va., toured the building along with his wife, Jackie. The pair took special notice of a photo of Power Fraser that hangs

CLASS OF 2013 Jamie Knox and C.J. Murphy gathered with classmates and Greenwich Academy graduates from the Class of 2013 for their 10th Reunion.

after Rodriguez. Today, he serves as assistant director of athletics at the Middle School.

“He has not changed!” Rodriquez exclaimed. “He

“There are certainly a lot of memories,” he said. “There are different structures, but the traditions are the same.”

In all, about 12 members of the Class of 1973 returned for reunion during Homecoming. Alumni and spouses gathered

heartfelt 50th Reunion dinner, at which they enjoyed a special slide show celebrating each

wonderful job,” Korth said. “I can’t thank the

CLASS

Madison Ford (far left) and Hank Korth (above) were two of the many members of the Class of

CLASS OF 1993

‘It Feels Like Home’

HOMECOMING BROUGHT

about 35 members of the Class of 1993 back to Brunswick for an especially joyful reunion weekend among cherished friends. Many found the friendship easy to rekindle even after 30 years.

Class members gathered at the Ginger Man in Greenwich on Friday evening to kick off the fun, and they also came together at Greenwich Country Club for more celebration after the football game on Saturday.

Among those taking in the vibe on the sidelines of the Saturday football game was Janne Kouri ’93. Homecoming found him under the tent enjoying heartfelt camaraderie and cheering on the Bruins.

“The Brunswick community and the friends I made — it feels like home,” Kouri said. “They have been very supportive of me since my

Many turned up at Greenwich Country Club for paddle and in celebration of the Class of 1993’s 30th Reunion, including Steve

for securing the venue!

CLASS OF 1993

Tusa (above) and Janne Kouri (left). Special thanks to Tom Lewis

injury, and not just me but my non-profit.”

A spinal cord injury left Kouri paralyzed from the neck down in 2006. In 2008 he founded Next Step, an international rehabilitation non-profit that works to help people living with paralysis recover and regain mobility.

The Ginger Man was the perfect venue for a host of Brunswick young men who were in town to celebrate their 20th Reunion.

Kouri said his deep connections with Brunswick draw him back to Greenwich most every year.

“We had a blast,” he said. “We had a great turnout. Some classmates I’ve not seen in 30 years, and others I’m very close with.

“The most incredible thing is how close a lot of us are,” he said. “How we have stayed together. Nobody really changed! They are still the same as they were in high school.”

CLASS OF 1983

Alec Dawson, Bruce Murdock, and Bill Baxter joined classmates for a celebration of their 40th Reunion at J House in Greenwich.

CLASS OF 2003

Winston Mock and Jason Agudelo lead their classmates into the ceremony after all pre-festivity traditions were complete – including James Shannon (top right) donning his brown, gold, and white graduation tie and C.J. Hyde (lower right) hugging a faculty member at the Senior-Faculty Handshake.

ODYSSEY OF COMMENCEMENT 2023

FAMILY, BROTHERHOOD EXCELLENCE

Under Bright Blue, Breezy Skies, Class of 2023 Sets Sail

WWINDBLOWN SUNSHINE and deep

blue skies set the stage for a cool and exhilarating Commencement 2023 — many, many hundreds of family members and friends flocked to a breezy outdoor ceremony on King Street to salute 107 young men entering the honored ranks of Brunswick’s newest alumni.

BY KATHERINE OGDEN & MIKE KENNEDY ’99

THEY WATCHED HIM GROW UP. They helped celebrate his christening, witnessed his first communion, helped shepherd him to his confirmation — not to mention all the many mileposts in between — and they would not, by any means, miss one of the biggest milestones of them all: his Brunswick graduation.

Headed to Colgate University, David Chavarria ’23 was awarded his brown and white diploma on May 17, and among the enormous crowd of well-wishers were his godparents, Luz and Hector Castro. Originally from Lima, Peru, the two have lived close by the Chavarrias in Stamford, Conn., for 30 years.

“His parents invited us for today,” said Hector. “I’m happy. The weather is fine. It’s a celebration.”

That fine feeling was shared widely — including by David’s godmother, Luz, and every one of the 15 or so family members and

friends who trekked to Edwards Campus to help celebrate.

“I feel happiness,” said Luz. “I’m proud of him. He has a dream. He wants to finish college.

“We saw him grow up,” she said.

Overall, cool and windy conditions prevailed as Brunswick graduated 107 students in the Class of 2023 in its 121th Commencement exercises — under dazzling May sunshine and a spectacular blue sky.

The celebration brought scores of family members and friends

Brunswick graduated 107 students in the Class of 2023 in its 121th Commencement exercises.

Far left: David Chavarria accepts his diploma from Head of School Tom Philip, while Riley Gilsenan (left) is all smiles and Patrick Mullen (below) shakes the hand of the Robert L. Cosby Statue upon entering the ceremony.

out into the sunshine on Robert L. Cosby Field — all of them on hand to witness a milestone in the lives of the young men they have known since boyhood.

Afterwards, revelers spilled into a lively reception on the lawn in front of the Sampson Athletic Center, gathering for photographs and whole-hearted celebration.

Enjoying the moment, for example, were twin brothers Robert and Christian Michalik, of Rye, N.Y., and Riverside, fathers of grad-

That’s a lot of Michaliks! Brothers and fellow Bruins, a sister, and parents were all on hand to celebrate cousins Luke (top) and Peter, both of whom are now attending Yale University.

uates and cousins Luke and Peter, who are both heading to Yale.

The fathers both took note of what an honor and privilege it was to watch their sons grow into young men at Brunswick and offered appreciation for all the opportunities the graduates have enjoyed.

is bound for the University of Pennsylvania.

“I loved watching Luke compete,” said Robert Michalik. “I’m going to miss going to these games.”

Many members of the Yorke family were also on hand for the celebration — all of them in honor of graduate Benjamin Yorke, who

Grandfather Mel Yorke, of Wantagh, N.Y., was there, happy and enthusiastic to witness another of his nine grandchildren move from childhood to early adulthood.

“We are here for Benjamin Yorke, who’s brilliant, by the way,” said the

Tomas Delgado (left) took his place on the bleachers for the Class of 2023 Photo, as spectators began to gather on Cosby Field, including faculty member Toni Raissis (below) and her husband, Scott, parents of graduate Scott Raissis.

The celebration brought scores of family members and friends out into the sunshine on Robert L. Cosby Field.

proud grandfather. “He’s also an exceptionally good-looking young man and a genius!”

“He’s the love of my life,” exclaimed brother Johnny Yorke ’15.

“He’s the smartest man I know. He’s the best person I know.”

Grandmother Suzanne Daigle, of Stowe, Vt., was one of five family members on hand to celebrate

graduate Evan Daigle before he heads into the next chapter of his life at the University of Vermont.

“We just can’t believe he’s graduating from high school,” she said.

“He’s our youngest grandchild. It’s hard to believe.”

Ben Yorke and Anthony Fischetti ( far left) share a special moment after the ceremony, as Riley Redahan and Johnny Riehl (above) enter sporting some styling sunglasses, and Jackson Fels ( far right) embraces a faculty member.

SENIOR AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

Honors for Achievement, Kindness

BRUNSWICK TEACHERS recognized 12 students at Commencement for high achievement not just in academics, athletics, and community service, but also for extraordinary character — conferring nine Awards of Distinction and three Faculty Citations on graduates of the Class of 2023.

Robert L. Cosby Award winner Nikolas Sulkowski was honored for embodying the highest character goals of the school. Paul Withstandley cited Sulkowski for his “trademark kindness” and his “defining humility.”

“Here, where unimpeachable character is the loftiest goal, the high watermark for that is Mr. Robert Cosby — a man whose selfless service, kindness, and cheerful disposition were (and are) daily reminders of what the best among us can be,” Withstandley said.

“Each year, we recognize a young man whose example to the rest of us closely embodies the hallmark characteristics of Mr. Cosby and whose mere presence here makes us all better.

“This year’s recipient likely has no idea he will be honored, for his humility is defining,” Withstandley said. “With his trademark kindness toward literally everyone, he is doubtless waiting now to congratulate the winner with sincerity and cheer.”

Campbell Officer earned a faculty citation for embodying the core tenets Courage, Honor, Truth; Upper School Dean of Student Life

Jonathan Kaptcianos described Officer as an “old soul living his youth to its fullest — he can roll with the hardship and joys of class, while being intelligent and fullhearted at the same time.”

Here’s the full list of award winners.

Valedictorian

Ryan W. Kulsakdinun

Kulukundis Cup

Benjamin H. Sheppard

Community Service Award

Gonzalo A. Jurado

BPA Prize

Jason Agudelo

Jenkins Athletic Award

Tomas J. Delgado

Thomas A. Altman Prize

Frank R. Williams III

Robert L. Cosby Award

Nikolas A. Sulkowski

A. MacDonald Caputo Award

Jesse D. Schutzman

Faculty Citations

Michael F. Del Toro

Tomas Jasson

Campbell E. Officer

Head of School’s Trophy

Hunter J. Spiess

Clockwise from top to bottom: graduate Gonzalo Jurado and Amy Kerekes; Paul Withstandley and graduate Nikolas Sulkowski; Kulukundis Cup winner Ben Sheppard; and Tom Philip and graduate Hunter Spiess.

Jackson Wolfram and Eric Lonnegran bump fists, as Collin Eschricht, William Ewald, Sloan Farmer, and Jackson Fels appreciate every moment of the program, including the Invocation given by Rev. Thomas L. Nins.

‘Life’s

Great Adventure’

THE REV. Thomas L Nins provided the invocation, pausing the gathering for a moment of prayer and celebration.

“Today we join together to celebrate and give thanks for every student here,” Nins said. “We give thanks that each and every one of these young men is unique, brimming with potential.

“We thank God for leading them in their learning, keeping them safe as they study, and for watching over them always,” he continued. “We pray that they may all feel proud this day, and enjoy sharing their achievements with family and friends.

“May today be a memory that burns bright within them as they embark on life’s great adventure,” he said.

Nins offered special gratitude for places like Brunswick, including all the people who come together every day to make the school what it is.

“We thank you for leadership, vision, strength,” he said. “We thank you for our Head. We thank you for the Board. We thank you for faculty and staff.”

WELCOME

‘Our

Most Honored Group’

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Thomas W. Philip introduced the proceedings, offering heartfelt thanks to parents and faculty whose “love and care” have brought these students to this moment.

“I want to thank our most honored group today — which is obviously our graduates,” Philip said.

“Make no mistake, sitting on these stages to my left and

Head of School Tom Philip addresses the graduates; Matteo Santulin stands for the National Anthem, and the (gigantic) group of lifers – students attending Brunswick since Pre-Kindergarten – pose for a traditional photo.

right marks a significant achievement.

“Getting here is not easy, and they’ve all done it. They’ve worked hard, they’ve endured occasional setbacks and disappointments, they’ve experienced successes and triumphs, and they’ve

represented themselves, their school, and their families well.”

Philip paid special tribute to the many families whose time at Brunswick has come to an end with the graduations of their youngest sons, as well as to the 30 graduates

who are members of the Carmichael Society — “lifers” who attended Brunswick from the very beginning, in Pre-K, all the way through senior year.

“Boys, we will miss you more than you know,” he said. “We will wait in

eagerness for you to visit us as alumni so that we can hear how things are going, and so we can take measure of the young man we once knew so, so well.”

CLASS SPEAKER

‘The

Beauty of a Place Like Brunswick’

VALEDICTORIAN

Ryan W. Kulsakdinun

introduced Ivy Speaker Samuel B. Case, who used his time at the podium to expound on a line from Hamlet: “By indirections, find directions out.”

Case said that, though he never had any serious run-ins within the disciplinary arena, smaller infractions such as not studying for a test, a bad grade, fooling around in class, or even a detention

offered him some of the biggest learning moments.

“For instance, I now know that having 14 guys rock a bus side to side is dangerous,” he told his classmates.

“I’ve been far from a perfect student,” he said.

SENIOR BREAKFAST

Cold-Brew Coffee Brewers Animate Senior Breakfast

ADUO OF cold-brew coffee creators

gave seniors an extra-special, nitro-infused jumpstart — the founders of RISE Brewing Company returned to Maher Avenue in the days before Commencement to join fellow alums Ian ’93 and Shep Murray ’89 at the annual rite of spring that is the Senior Breakfast.

Justin Weinstein ’99, Jarrett McGovern ’99, and Grant Gyesky ’98, friends since their days at Brunswick and founders of RISE Brewing Company, were featured in Times of Brunswick in 2017 for their budding venture into brewing coffee in a keg — and the idea to infuse nitrogen to create a smooth and creamy finish, almost like a latte but with no cream, sugar or extra calories!

RISE Brewing is now famous worldwide for providing “good energy for good people to do good things.”

Two of the founders, Weinstein and McGovern, spoke to seniors about RISE and its successful ascent in the competitive beverage industry. They were joined by the Murray brothers, founders of the world famous vineyard vines and regulars at the Senior Breakfast each spring.

Shep Murray is father to Cooper ’19 and Tucker ’21; the elder Murray brothers were out of Brunswick for 10 years before they made the decision to pursue their passion and launch vineyard vines.

It being breakfast, boys had a chance to sample some java before hearing remarks.

“They very much focused on the community that is Brunswick, and the importance of remaining engaged,” said Zach Dobbs, director of alumni relations. “You never know where a simple friendship will take you.”

Senior Breakfast speakers Shep Murray ’89, Justin Weinstein ’99, Jarrett McGovern ’99, and Ian Murray ’93 gave Gonzalo Jurado, Taylor Primack, and Nicholas Tchkotoua reason for good cheer.

Ryan W. Kulsakdinun

“Allowing myself some leeway to mess up and do stupid things has helped me discover ways to better navigate success.

“Not everyone can make game-changing plays on a daily basis, and by looking back at mistakes with a healthy mix of understanding and reflection, they can become good learning experiences.”

Case said his experience during the fall of senior year may end up having the biggest impact on his life.

A meeting with the class dean, as well as some encour-

agement from his mom, served as a needed wake-up call.

“Just showing up, regardless of how the day went, became something, albeit small, that I could feel proud of.

“While it may not be the most tear-jerking story ever or display resolve in the face of catastrophe, I’m really grateful for what I learned from my own mistakes,” he said.

Case said Buddhism and the Eightfold Path

also helped change the script. “I’ve learned to embrace the cycle of life, no matter what my head tells me.

“This process has elevated my Zen so much that, if required, I’ve made it clear I’d be willing to take over for

Ivy Speaker Sam Case (left) received a round of hearty applause from his classmates, including (far right) Nic Wright, Jackson Wolfram, Trip Williams, Nick Weiss, and William Walker, as Nick Burns (below) later received his diploma and a hug from Tom Philip.

While it may not be the most tear-jerking story ever or display resolve in the face of catastrophe, I’m really grateful for what I learned from my own mistakes.

the Dalai Lama should he need a break,” he joked.

“For now, though, I guess I’ll just be happy graduating from high school and going off to college,” he said, thinking ahead just a few months to the beginning of his freshman year at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Case concluded his speech by saying how happy he was to see “all 107 of us” in the sunshine on Cosby Field.

“No matter what we do with our lives, we are always going to be

connected to our time at Brunswick and moments like these,” he said.

“We can look back at the successes we’ve had as a class and feel proud, but for me, I think I’m glad I’ll be able to look back at all those mistakes.

“The beauty of a place like Brunswick is that we will be able to learn and come out of those mistakes for the better.

“Through all the ups and downs, you’ve all had some impact on me and it really is bittersweet that it’s all coming to an end today.”

NEW DESTINATIONS

The Road to College

Jason Agudelo Colby College

Miles Spencer Barakett Harvard University

Andrew Robert Berkley

Georgetown University

Harry Nicholas Bonomo Villanova University

Welles McConnell Brooks Duke University

Ruffin Hager Bryant University of Wisconsin

Nicholas Everett Burns Colby College

William Francis Butler University of Notre Dame

James Wellington Cabot Jr. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nikolas Cadoret Lehigh University

Samuel Breger Case University of California, Santa Barbara

David George Chavarria Colgate University

Nicholas Gene Citarella Georgetown University

Christian Casey Close University of Michigan

William Joseph Coale

Georgetown University

David James Cook University of Virginia

John Player Crosby III SUNY Albany

Evan David Daigle University of Vermont

Edward Wilcox Danforth Jr. University of Wisconsin

Michael Francisco Del Toro Columbia University

Tomas James Delgado Duke University

Henry Krimm Devaney Georgetown University

Andrew Peter Donovan University of Notre Dame

William Sturtevant Erdmann University of Virginia

Collin Henry Eschricht Junior Hockey

William Bragg Ewald IV

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sloan Scott Farmer

Junior Hockey

Jackson Raben Fels

Duke University

Boston Quinn Flannery University of North Carolina

Holden Fletcher Fraser New York University, Tisch

Eli Jonathan Friedman Yale University

Riley Michael Gilsenan Hamilton College

Andrew James Greenspan University of Notre Dame

Santos Sebastian Gunningham Villanova University

Leo Silver Hoffman University of Pennsylvania

Richard Brendan Holahan

Junior Hockey

Daniel Sizhuo Hu University of North Carolina

Conrad O'Neil Hyde Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

William B. Janis College of the Holy Cross

Tomas Jasson University of Pennsylvania

Gonzalo Alonso Jurado

Southern Methodist University

Parakram Singh Karnik

Georgetown University

John W.M. Karst Colorado College

Andrew Nicholas Kiratsous Syracuse University

Dylan James Kirsch University of Vermont

William Alexander Klein University of Pennsylvania

Ryan Wang Kulsakdinun Yale University

Christian Michael Larkin Villanova University

Kai Landry Le Harvard University

Eric Lind Lonnegren University of Wisconsin

William Andrew MacGillivray Southern Methodist University

Luke Givens Maruszewski Boston College

Luke Robert Michalik

Yale University

Peter Walter Michalik

Yale University

From top to bottom: Nikolas Sulkowski; Chuck, Evelyn, and Riley Redahan; and Senior Dean Paul Withstandley working his magic before the Class of 2023 Photo.

Ryan Thomas Miele Brown University

Winston Rider Mock Berklee College of Music

William Urban Monahan Villanova University

James Cornelius Moore University of Mississippi

Patrick Conor Mullen Bucknell University

Jack Alexander Neal Villanova University

William Raymond Ocken Hamilton College

Campbell Edwards Officer University of Notre Dame

Samuel Thomas O'Hara University of Virginia

Christian Neville Ohlemeyer Southern Methodist University

Magnus Bausch O'Reilly Georgetown University

Douglas Harry Otton Wake Forest University

Omeed Aiden Pooya Post-Graduate Year

Taylor Boecker Primack Arizona State University

Scott Anthony Raissis Bucknell University

Alden Drawbridge Reals University of California, Los Angeles

Riley John Redahan Quinnipiac University

Adriel Jose Resendiz University of Connecticut

Charles Laslie Reynolds Southern Methodist University

John Edward Riehl University of Notre Dame

Malik Anthony Samms Middlebury College

Theodore Gerald Sandler Cornell University

Matteo Giuseppe Santulin Boston College

Jurgis Mykolas Schmedlen University of Chicago

Jesse Dylan Schutzman Yale University

Greer Hill Sconzo Arizona State University

Samuel Bligh Sealy University of Colorado, Boulder

James Michael Shannon Quinnipiac University

Benjamin Henry Sheppard Dartmouth College

Cameron Reza Pahlavi Shipman Skidmore College

Jonathan C. Sigurdsson New York University

Frederick Vanneck Smith University of North Carolina

Vilas August Sogaard-Srikrishnan Harvard University

Henry Foster Sorbaro Dartmouth College

Hunter John Spiess Princeton University

Charles Asher Stemerman Yale University

Andrew Gordon Stickel Yale University

Samuel Chandran Subramaniam Columbia University

Nikolas Alexander Sulkowski Yale University

Nicolas Thomas Charles Tchkotoua Babson College

Wyatt Menemsha Triestman Undecided

Robert Andrew Ulmer Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jayden Gabriel Vazquez Bowdoin College

Enzo Vera University of Southern California

George William Walker Boston College

Miles Andrew Walker Ohio State University

William Byrne Walker Boston College

Nicholas Topkis Weiss University of Pennsylvania

Frank Richard Williams III Southern Methodist University

Jackson Charles Wolfram Brown University

Nicholas Richard Wright Wake Forest University

Hunter Tyler Wu

Columbia University

Benjamin Yorke University of Pennsylvania

Mason Michael Zea Middlebury College

SPEAKER

Advice

to Grads: ‘Reassess, Reboot, Attack Again’

HEAD OF School Philip introduced keynote speaker Kevin A. Plank — founder, executive chairman, and brand chief of Under Armour.

Plank told boys to “bet on themselves” and, most especially, to cultivate passion and resilience.

He recounted his own, imperfect high-school

years, including the moment at the end of sophomore year when the headmaster of Georgetown Prep told his mom he would not be welcome to return for junior year.

“If you had told me 31 years ago, after graduating from a different high school, St. John’s College High School, I would someday be giving a commencement speech, I’m not sure I would believe you,” he said. “I wasn’t exactly a model student, but I did have a lot of passion.

“When it comes to resilience, you are going to need it,” Plank told the boys.

“We have a saying at Under Armour: Scars are cool. You are going to fail from time to time, boys. Learn from it.”

Plank went on to graduate

We have a saying at Under Armour: Scars are cool. You are going to fail from time to time, boys. Learn from it.

Kevin Plank – founder, executive chairman, and brand chief of Under Armour – served as keynote speaker, as Trip Williams, Christian Ohlemeyer, Sam Sealy, Will Monahan, and Teddy Danforth joined hands for a celebratory photo.

Revelers Dance & Float ’Round the Big Apple

THE CELEBRATED Manhattan skyline set the stage for Prom 2023 — soon-to-be graduates and their dates embarked on a round-the-island sashay aboard the Spirit of New York on the eve of Commencement, soaking in sights like Lady Liberty, One World Trade Center, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

In fact, it was a New York City party with a decidedly “Vegas” twist — revelers enjoyed a “Casino Royale” inspired theme that had them try their luck at craps, blackjack and roulette games — though without the highs and lows of real dollars and cents, of course!

The inspired theme made for a memorable evening on deck and on the dance floor for all the partygoers before they disembarked at Pier 81 and headed home for a little shuteye before their big day.

from the University of Maryland, where he played football and first came to think about how it might be possible to solve the problem of “sweat-soaked cotton t-shirts.”

He founded Under Armour at the age of 24 and told the graduates that it was the friendships he made in college and high school that helped build Under Armour into the $5.6 billion juggernaut it is today.

“UA exists not because of the product idea I had but because of the network I built — the friends I had, the brotherhood that you have here at Brunswick,” he said.

Plank recounted some counsel he once received from retired Admiral Eric Olson, the first Navy SEAL to reach that rank, who would tell his troops before deployment that they would encounter moments in their work when “the map and the terrain will differ.”

“In those moments,” Olson would advise, “I suggest you go with the terrain.”

“So simply said,” Plank explained, “it’s our responsibility to not get fixated on what the map says. Your lives will be filled with ups and downs, plenty of trophies, and plenty of scars — those scars are cool.

“Make sure you maintain that perspective of agility that life requires,” he said. “When that map and that terrain differ, rely on your training — the sharpening of your minds that you’ve allowed here at Brunswick, the network of relationships you now have to lean into.

“Don’t be afraid to reassess, to reboot, and attack again,” he said. “You’ve got this. You have all the tools to win. So go win. Protect. This. House.”

SENIOR PROM

ONE GRADUATE’S PERSPECTIVE

‘Things Have Changed’

By Vilas SogaardSrikrishnan ’23

WHEN I walked into the Brunswick lunchroom for the first time after graduating, halfway through a post-grad seminar and looking for a free meal, things were the same as they had always been. Tables were filled and underclassmen excited by the idea of summer vacation kept the space loud and bois terous in the way that any school cafeteria should be. At some point while we recent graduates ate, though, the lunchroom became alight with applause. Some of the juniors were making their promposals, grinning and laughing as they posed for pictures with their prospec tive dates.

I remember one sign in particular — it said, “Don’t be chicken…come to prom with me?”

Graduates reveled in all the memorable moments – including while aboard the cruise ship at Prom 2023 and lighting up gentlemanly cigars with diplomas in hand.

Vilas Sogaard-Srikrishnan

SENIOR AWARDS DAY

‘Keep Fighting, Keep Pushing, Never Give Up!’

MANY BRUNSWICK

seniors were honored with distinguished awards at a ceremony in Dann Gymnasium on Monday, May 15.

Upper School math teacher

Giovanni Hutchinson served as the keynote speaker, as chosen by the Class of 2023.

Hutchinson, a native of Jamaica and graduate of Wesleyan University, began his tenure at Brunswick in 2018 — and has had the privilege of watching members of the graduating class grow and achieve so much during their years together in the classroom and advisory.

“Some of you have excelled in theater, bringing to life characters and stories that have inspired and entertained us. Some of you have found your voice in art, expressing your vision and creativity

through codes and colors,” Hutchinson said.

“And still, some of you have pushed yourself to new heights in athletics, building strength and resilience through hard work and determination. And, of course, all of you have achieved great things in academics, mastering complex concepts and skills that will serve you well in college and life in general.”

He offered the soon-to-be graduates — who would receive their diplomas in just a few days — many pieces of advice as they set to embark on the next chapters of their lives.

“Embrace humility as a way of life, and you will find that it will open doors for you that you may have never imagined possible.

“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Even if you fail, you will learn valuable lessons that will help you in the future.

“Remember, you are resilient. Life can be tough, but you have proven time and time again that you are tough, too. You have faced adversity and come out stronger on the other side. Keep fighting, keep pushing, and never give up.”

From top to bottom: Faculty Speaker Giovanni Hutchinson; Cum Laude recipients James Cabot, Jackson Fels, Johnny Riehl, Nikolas Sulkowski, Magnus O’Reilly, and Hunter Wu with Kristine Brennan; Visual Arts Award winner C.J. Hyde; Athletic Award winners Patrick Mullen, Wylie Ocken, Luke Michalik, Tomas Delgado, and Malik Samms; and R. Scott Tucker Senior Essay Prize Winner Kai Le with Dr. Brian Freeman.

Cum Laude Certificates*

James W. Cabot Jr.

Jackson R. Fels

Magnus B. O’Reilly

John E. Riehl

Nikolas A. Sulkowski

Hunter T. Wu

Theater Award

Holden F. Fraser

Simpson Choral Award

Tomas J. Delgado

Randolph Band Award

Michael F. Del Toro

Visual Arts Award

Conrad O. Hyde

Everett Prize for English

Vilas A. Sorgaard-Srikrishnan

R. Scott Tucker

Senior Essay Prize

Kai L. Le

Bouffier Foreign Language Prize

Magnus B. O’Reilly

Senior Classics Award

William B. Ewald IV

John Van Atta History Prize

Jackson R. Fels

Stephen A. Duennebier

Social Sciences Award

Tomas Jasson

Thomas A. Shields

Mathematics Award

William B. Ewald IV

AAPT Science Award

Benjamin H. Sheppard

Alan M. Turing Prize for Computer Science

Ryan W. Kulsakdinun

Gus Conrades ’86 Varsity Athletic Awards

Tomas J. Delgado

Luke R. Michalik

Patrick C. Mullen

William R. Ocken

Riley J. Redahan

Malik A. Samms

Robert G. Sampson Prize

Patrick C. Mullen

*Cum Laude members joined earlier inductees and classmates Michael F. Del Toro, William B. Ewald IV, Tomas Jasson, Parakram S. Karnik, Ryan W. Kulsakdinun, Kai L. Le, Alden D. Reals, Theodore G. Sandler, Benjamin H. Sheppard, Vilas A. SorgaardSrikrishnan, and Hunter J. Spiess.

FACULTY HANDSHAKE

‘A Great Way to End It’

ACH YEAR, Handshake serves a moment just before Commencement when soon-to-be gradu ates pay tribute to their Brunswick teachers and coaches who have helped shepherd them to this moment.

Adriel Resendiz (top) and Campbell Officer share emotional exchanges with members of the faculty.

The Faculty Handshake never fails to produce smiles and hearty moments of recognition.

It’s an occasion that gives the entire graduating class the chance to greet, thank, and say goodbye to teachers — from Pre School through Upper School — who trained, coached, tutored, inspired, cajoled, and encouraged them throughout their time at Brunswick.

From big bear hugs to

quiet, heartfelt acknowledgements, the Faculty Handshake never fails to produce smiles and hearty moments of recognition — and even a few tears.

Among the students soaking in a last moment with his teachers was Jesse Schutzman, a Brunswick football captain who led the Bruins to a NEPSAC

championship and is now playing for Yale. Schutzman took the time to offer a cheerful greeting to one of his coaches, Sean Stanley.

Miles Barakett (left) and Miles Walker (below) pose for family photos after the ceremony.

“He really means a lot to me,” Schutzman said. “I am enjoying this event. This place has done so much for me.”

Likewise for graduate Sam Sealy, who called the moment “bittersweet” — sad that his experience at Brunswick was coming to an end, but happy for

a bright future that was beginning at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

“These last four years, these teachers have helped me so much,” Sealy said. “It’s great to see them all.”

Graduate Santos Gunningham likewise relished the renewed connections.

Top to bottom: Boston Flannery, Evan Daigle, and Jonathan Sigurdsson are all smiles with family and friends.

“It’s super enjoyable,” he said. “I love the teachers here. I love this school so much.”

In many cases, the Faculty Handshake offered

a chance to reunite with a teacher not seen since elementary school.

Graduate George Walker, who began at ’Wick in 2010 as a kindergartner, cited the Handshake as an especially

happy moments with family and friends after the ceremony.

poignant zenith of his time at King Street and Maher Avenue. “It’s a great way to end it,” he said. And “lifer” James Cabot, a student at Brunswick since Pre-Kindergarten, noted the enthusiasm on display throughout the field

Clockwise from top: Jayden Vasquez, Wyatt Triestman, and Tomas Jasson enjoy

house, and remarked on how many teachers from his past he recognized and remembered.

“It’s wonderful how many of the faculty are still here and still know me,” he said.

Clockwise from top: Graduates (and cousins!) Trip Williams and Collin Eschricht; Jurgis Schmedlen, Jack Neal, and William Janis; Caputo Award winner Jesse Schutzman; Holden Fraser and family.

CLOSING CEREMONIES

Wonderful Year ‘Any Way You Can Measure It’

THE BRUNSWICK

community gathered in Dann Gymnasium on Tuesday, June 6, for Closing Ceremonies — an annual spring event to conclude the school year and honor students and faculty for outstanding accomplishments in the classroom, on the athletic fields, and throughout the community.

Head of School Thomas W. Philip noted that it was a great year for Brunswick in “any way you can measure it.”

“The individual and collective successes that have been achieved — the academic achievements, the artistic presentations, the athletic victories, the lessons learned

Timothy Daly, who died in December 2022, was awarded the Sheila Pultz Service to Brunswick Award.

from experiences both joyous as well as challenging — all together serve to make this a year to remember.”

Philip encouraged boys to take a moment to consider all the people who made the year special for them — teachers, advisors, coaches, administrative staff, and the maintenance and kitchen staffs.

And he also thanked the boys for their efforts.

“Thank you all for your hard work this year, for your support of each other, for your involvements beyond the classroom, and for your sportsmanship on the playing field,” Philip said.

“It is a pleasure and an honor to be among you each day.”

The event concluded with the “Moving-Up” Ceremony, as eighth-grade students were welcomed to the Upper School and juniors rose to become the senior class.

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS

Eleanor G. Lindberg Award

Christian Dias

Virginia I. Peterson Award

William Tortorella

Sarah B. Burdett Award

Bernard Sickles

Kulukundis Cup

Christopher Pedlow

Geis Cup

Luke Perriello

Williamson Trophy

Aidan Williams

Middle School faculty members presented awards to a handful of distinguished students and citizens of Brunswick.

UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS

Cum Laude

Gabriel Lopez

Robert MacNaughton

Andrew Tu

William A. Durkin III ’72

Alumni Award

Jake Greene

Ike Dolphan ’22 Award

Carlo Tucci

Princeton Alumni Award

Subir Garg

Columbia Book Award

Charles Tortorella

Oaklawn Award

William Newman

Randolph Prize

Thomas Rockman

Williams Book Award

Gabriel Lopez

Yale Alumni Award

Casey Quinson

Harvard Book Prize

Andrew Tu

Brown Book Award

Thomas Whidden

Chinese Award

James O’Connor

French Award

Ethan Yoo

Italian Award

Bennett Klein

Spanish Award

Spencer Segura

Classics Award

Andrew Rodriguez

Kenneth Merritt

Mathematics Award

Vikram Sarkar

Fairfield Biology Prize

Gabriel Lopez

Rensselaer Award

Robert MacNaughton

Computer Science Award

Patrick Duncan

Grade Nine Service

Award

Townsend Bancroft

Grade Ten Service Award

Oliver Velasco

School

awarded prizes to many deserving recipients at Closing Ceremonies.

Grade Eleven Service Award

Jack Morningstar

Grade Nine Varsity

Athletic Plaques

Jake Greene

Carlo Tucci

John F. Otto Faculty Award

Anthony Fischetti

Sheila Pultz Service to Brunswick Award

Timothy Daly (1972-2022)

Upper

faculty members

A True ‘Team’

TOGETHERNESS. ENDURANCE. EAGERNESS. TRIUMPH. CHAMPIONSHIP.

you may need to kern first character of head to align

Sportsmanship & Class in No Small Supply

BY MIKE KENNEDY ’99

place on opener if story has a picture gallery. See Wayne’s spreadsheet.

N THE FALL “FIELDS” OF PLAY — the pitch, the gridiron, the trail, and the pool — the Bruins competed valiantly with their opponents throughout the season, representing their school with the very best of athletic

Caption En space after number

Caption

The soccer squad continued to prove its mettle in the ultra-competitive WNEPSSA, while committing to a teamfirst culture based on hard work and

Football Bruins united to overcome the challenge of inexperience, ultimately fighting to secure another winning campaign on the gridiron.

Trystan Sarcone ’18

THE VARSITY EIGHT

Alec Esmond ’17, Alex Wada ’17, Will Marvin ’17, Matthew Jacobson ’18, Jack Mozingo ’18, Scott Gibbons ’19, Austin Sammons ’18, David Sorbaro ’18, and Tate Huffman ’17

Cross-country runners, impressively, smashed school and league records on their way to recapturing the FAA Championship, despite a small (and banged-up) roster.

And, after taking its talents to an international event in Spain for the first time ever, the water polo squad celebrated its season in style with a ninth-straight NEPSAC title.

Altogether, the Bruins — who represented themselves with sportsmanship and class in victory and in defeat — combined to kick off the ’Wick athletic year in fantastic fashion.

Patrick Duncan ’24, Armaan Lakhani ’27, Alex Mastellone ’26, Nathan Lee ’26, Teddy Hojlo ’27, Arjun Kolluri ’27, Joshua Greene ’27 For more photos of Bruin Sports,

TylerQuake’24

Peter Saunders ’27

FOOTBALL Greatness Falls Just Beyond Reach

THE ODDS appeared stacked against the Brunswick football team in 2023.

A season ago, the Bruins nearly ran the table at 9–1 and earned a victory against Choate in the premier New England bowl championship game. But the program also waved goodbye to 27 seniors and many valuable contributors at last spring’s graduation.

And so, Head Coach Wayne McGillicuddy and his staff knew this year’s Bruins would be inexperienced and raw at a number of key positions.

In fact, by the time all was said and done, ’Wick played nine different wide receivers and tight ends, none of whom

had previously lined up for a snap of varsity football in their young careers. Eight others took the field at defensive back throughout the course of the campaign.

The Bruins, though, competed mightily with the top teams in the Northeast Prep Football Conference, ultimately finishing with a 5–4 record and losing three games by one score or less — two in the final minutes.

Gridiron battles against Cheshire Academy, Deerfield, and Avon Old Farms all came down to the waning seconds but didn’t go the Bruins’ way.

“Our league is hands down the most competitive league in all of New England,” McGillicuddy said. “You essentially have to be perfect week in and week out. Our 5–4 record could’ve easily been 8–1 or 1–8.”

In the end, the Bruins did put up wins against Salisbury, Suffield, Andover, TrinityPawling, and Williston to secure a very respectable (and above .500) season.

Rising seniors Matty Augustine, E. J. Perez, and Tyler Georgs will lead Brunswick onto Robert L. Cosby Field as captains next fall.

E.J. Perez ’25, Jadon LaFontant ’24, Matthew Augustine ’25, Hudson Hausmann ’24, Tommy Pope ’24

Bryce Davis ’24

Ethan Long ’25

Tyler Lloyd ’25

SOCCER Strong, Selfless Culture, Character to the Core

FINISHING WITH an overall record of 9–9–1 in the highly competitive WNEPSSA league, the Bruins walked away from the varsity soccer season with their heads held high and with a clear sense of pride in their performance.

Not only did the entire roster contribute to the squad’s success, the Bruins gave everything they had through the final match of the season.

In his seventh year as head coach, Danny Simpson continues to inspire his athletes to play with confidence, to outwork their opponents, and to understand the importance of putting the team before the individual.

Simpson and his assistant coaches, Jon Kaptcianos and Chris Forester, along with co-captains Tyler Quake and Ollie Leonard, focused on building a strong and selfless culture, with commitment and character at its core.

Without a doubt, the toughest part of the season is the opening two weeks — and despite showing flashes of quality, heart, and desire in its matches against powerhouses Taft, Loomis, and Deerfield, the team emerged with a record of 2–5 (with wins against King and Greens Farms).

A hard-fought 1-0 win at Masters in early October jump

started a four-game winning streak, as the Bruins dominated visiting Kent, 8–0, in a downpour during the Coaches vs. Cancer benefit and followed that up with a decisive 5–2 win over Trinity Pawling.

As is the case every year, Homecoming Weekend set the stage for the boys to compete in front of the entire school community. They did not disappoint, securing a 2–1 win over St. Luke’s

in advance of the annual bonfire and fireworks display.

The next stretch of the fall saw tough losses to GCDS, Salisbury, Millbrook, and Berkshire, but a 4–2 win over Hopkins on Senior Night and a thrilling 3–3 draw at Frederick Gunn kept the Bruins’ hopes alive to finish the season at the five-hundred mark.

And they pulled it off.

For the first time in Simpson’s tenure on the ’Wick sidelines, the team secured dominant wins over Hotchkiss and Westminster — a testament to the boys’ commitment to the program and the standard set by the captains (and encouraged by the coaches) throughout the entire season.

Of special individual note, senior Kieran Raker scored 20 goals and earned first team NEPSSA and all-state honors.

Looking ahead, the Bruins are excited about the development of this younger squad in preparation for the upcoming seasons.

“To our group of seven graduating seniors, you will be thoroughly missed,” Simpson said.

“Thank you for your leadership, positivity, and high standard of excellence, shown both on and off the pitch.

“Players will follow in your footsteps and our program is better having had you as key members of it these past few years.”

Luke James ’24

Kieran Raker ’24

Ollie Leonard ’25

WATER POLO Champions at Home, Historic Duels Abroad

IT WAS truly poetry in motion.

The Brunswick water polo team played together as a cohesive unit, shared the ball, and developed a chemistry that resulted in another highly

successful season at Mehra Natatorium and beyond — culminated by the program’s ninth consecutive NEPSAC Championship.

Led by senior co-captains J. P. Lavin and Ryan Ohl, along with fellow classmates Thomas Ewald and Andrew Tu, the Bruins made history as the first Brunswick water polo team to play internationally in Sabadell, Spain, at the inaugural Next Generation Cup.

The tournament brought together emerging water polo talents from across Europe, creating one of the most highlevel U19 club competitions ever held. During three action-packed days, nearly 50 thrilling matches were played, featuring the best youth water polo teams from

water polo powerhouses Serbia, Hungary, Italy, and Spain.

Brunswick proudly stood as the sole representative from the United States, and the Bruins embraced the honor of representing not only their school, but also their country — ultimately distinguishing themselves mightily by finishing fifth.

Following their return from Europe, the team showcased its prowess by securing victories on the road at the Beast of the East in Reading, Pa., and at Greenwich High School’s Cardinal Tournament — a feat accomplished for the fifth consecutive year.

The team’s freshmen and sophomores — the backbone of the program’s future — dominated the action against NEPSAC

competition, helping the Bruins to a flawless 10–0 league record and their ninth regional title in a row.

Kudos go to Ohl, who was named NEPSAC Player of the Year and will continue his career at Stanford University, as well as Callum Walker ’26 and Peter Saunders ’27, who were recognized as All-NEPSAC players. Additional accolades are due to Neveh Yechiely ’26, J.R. Lindberg ’26, and Callum Holl ’27 for receiving All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention honors.

Next year’s captain will be rising senior Jack Scafidi.

Ryan Ohl ’24

J.P. Lavin ’24

Andrew Tu ’24

Thomas Ewald ’24

CROSS COUNTRY

Comeback

Story, Incredible Finale

THE 2023 edition of the Brunswick cross country team brought the program back to glory.

Wick amassed a record of 18–3, won the FAA Championship, and claimed seventh place at the New England Championship (tying the school’s best-ever finish).

But as Head Coach Steve Polikoff noted, the story of this year’s Bruins is defined as much by what happened before the season as during it. The prospect of having the fastest top two runners of any team in FAA history was lost when a summertraining fracture sidelined senior co-captain Luke Dougherty for three months.

’Wick responded to the challenge.

Despite an inauspicious start, opening league competition with only five healthy runners and losing a tiebreaker to finish third in the season’s first race, the team recovered in the next race to finish second and close the gap on first-place Hopkins.

“Training was going well enough that we predicted not only victory in the third league

stop there, as Lee would break or set no less than four course records during the season on his way to earning recognition as All-League, All-New England, and All-American.

Close on his heels were the accomplishments of freshman Teddy Hojlo, who ended his inaugural campaign as the second-fastest freshman in school history, with a personal best of 16:25. Hojlo earned second in each of the team’s races en route to All-League and All-New England honors.

The team captains had their influence, too. Dougherty returned to the lineup just in time to produce an All-League performance, and while his presence may have been missed during most of the season, the anticipation of his return served as obvious motivation.

Senior co-captain Patrick Duncan’s remarkable four-year ascent culminated in earning All-League and the acknowledgement that no ’Wick runner has ever improved his 5K time by more during a career.

Freshman Armaan Lakhani closed the scoring by earning FAA Second Team and unofficial recognition as the league’s most improved runner.

“To call the few remaining players on this team a supporting cast is to do them a disservice,” Polikoff concluded. “No Brunswick cross-country team has done more with less.

“The extent to which this group pushed, believed, and achieved is a credit to their chemistry and the bonds they forged.”

Lee and Alex Mastellone ’26 will lead the team into uncharted territory next fall, as expectations will be supremely high in 2024.

Patrick Duncan ’24

Coach Polikoff, Alex Mastellone ’26, Patrick Duncan ’24, Teddy Hojlo ’27, Arjun Kolluri ’27, Luke Dougherty ’24

Armaan Lakhani ’27, Joshua Greene ’27

Nathan Lee ’26

Coach Jackson

Nathan Lee ’26

BEYOND

THE BOOKS

‘Whooping & Howling’ in the Shadow of the Moon

IT WAS A FINE WEATHER DAY with a clear, cloudless sky — the perfect kind of a day to chase a moon shadow — and the 76 Middle School boys at

the moon was set to slide in and obscure 99.3 percent of the sun — and, as any eclipse chaser knows, that’s not enough.

Totality is a singular experience of wonder, and so boys boarded buses and traveled up the road a bit, arriving at Jay Peak Resort, five miles from the Canadian border, at around 10 a.m.

An indoor water park, complete with a 50-foot free-fall tube and an indoor surfing platform, provided more than enough activity for the

“bite” out of the sun — at about 2:14 p.m.

For the next hour or so, boys watched as the moon slowly and then very suddenly blotted out the sun — they gasped in wonder as the orb finally seemed to slide into place and block the sun entirely, plunging the mountain into darkness for almost four minutes and revealing a spec-

tacular, white-hot, glowing corona.

At that moment, students and teachers said, the mountain spontaneously erupted with the sounds of star-struck revelers. “It took a lot of people by surprise!” said Declan Hart-Syed ’29.

“I heard howling! It got really cold!” “It didn’t look real!” exclaimed his classmate Nick Warden ’29.

“You have to see it in person,” said Bradey Sherman ’29. “It’s really amazing.”

After planning for years, Brunswick staffer and photographer Wayne Lin captured the eclipse’s perfect totality (left) while on the road with his family in Plattsburgh, N.Y., 48 miles west of Brunswick’s encampment at Jay Peak

that I forgot my coat on the bus.

“The shadows were very cool,” he said. “We kept looking down as our shadows became crisper and, eventually, lighter. We could see Jupiter and Venus, and because of our altitude, we could see the valleys on both sides in daylight, as totality passed through and arrived at each.”

Jay Crosby, seventh grade dean, said students were joined by 11 faculty members and eight juniors on the trip. He summed up totality this way: “There was cheering, whooping, and celebrating,” he said. “The weather was incredible. Not a cloud in the sky, low to mid-60s.

Vermont Campus Director Danny Dychkowski said he has been planning for the 2024 Eclipse since he and Rob Follansbee took a group of students to Chile in 2019 and witnessed totality there.

“We’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” he said.

“We started talking about it two years ago. We knew this was coming.

“At totality, it felt very cold, possibly into the 30s. It was cold enough to shiver and be annoyed

“It worked,” he said. “There was pure joy on the kids’ faces. There’s nothing in my mind that can prepare you for that moment.

“It’s the closest you can ever get to standing on another planet.”

PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ

Joyful, Jazzy Musical Moment:

‘So Much Happiness

& Good Music’

MUSICIANS WITH the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Preservation Hall Brass Band marched with the Brunswick Blue Notes in a first-ever, ramblin’ New Orleans-style parade down Greenwich Avenue in advance of last year’s Greenwich Town Party. The parade ended up at Havemeyer Field for a mouthwatering food truck party and a

free, rockin’ community concert.

The festivities capped a season of special music enrichment courtesy of Preservation Hall, which visited and worked with both the Blue Notes and the Honors Music Improv groups earlier in the spring.

Their motive was twofold — to educate students on the music of New Orleans and to teach some of the important repertoire that has helped shape the history of jazz and popular music.

The visits were a collaborative initiative of The Preservation Hall Foundation, which seeks to increase awareness of New Orleans jazz heritage.

Brunswick’s Blue Notes were invited by The Foundation and the Greenwich Town Party to participate in the parade and marched alongside members of the Preservation Hall Jazz and Brass Band as well as students and

Upper School music students worked alongside and learned from members of The Preservation Hall Foundation last spring, culminating in performances at the Greenwich Town Party in May 2023.

band directors from Greenwich High School.

“It was a beautiful day filled with so much happiness and good music,” said Shane Kirsch, Upper School instrumental music teacher. “I was even lucky enough to be called onstage to jam with The Pres Hall Brass Band at Havemeyer Park, where the parade finished and where The Pres Hall Brass Band gave a free concert to the community.”

The Brunswick Honors Music Improv Band was also selected to perform on the Greenwich Town Stage the following weekend for the Town Party. A few of the

members of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band joined students on stage and “added an immense presence to our set with horns and percussion,” said Kirsch.

“It was certainly a week that will go down in the books as one of the greatest musical moments for Brunswick,” he said.

CLASSNOTES

COMPILED BY MIKE KENNEDY ’99

TOP LEFT: Mrs. Hurd shared her love of education with so many Brunswick boys during her 44 years at the school – here she is with a second grader in 1991.

TOP RIGHT: Mrs. Hurd was always a mainstay in the Pre and Lower Schools since starting at Brunswick in 1980 –here she is as a third-grade teacher in 1984.

BOTTOM LEFT: Will you accept this rose? Pre School boys presented Mrs. Hurd with roses at the conclusion of her tenure as Head of Pre School in 2023.

‘Courage, Honor, Truth — and Mrs. Hurd!’

BRUNSWICK SCHOOL is most certainly grounded in its principles of Courage, Honor, Truth.

But if we envision this foundation as the bedrock from which it all begins — as the building blocks for the strength, success, and beauty that follows — we might consider adding Gina Hurd to that list.

“Mrs. Hurd,” as she is known to the multitudes of ’Wick’s youngest who have passed through her care, is retiring in 2024 after an incredible 44 years of service to Brunswick — 18 of them as Head of Pre School.

From her roles as a homeroom teacher, Director of the Associate Teacher Program, Dean of Admission, and her long service as Head of Pre School, Mrs. Hurd has been the grounding force leading so many toward their paths to success, said Katie Signer, Head of Lower School and a longtime colleague.

“She has witnessed the change and growth of Brunswick over decades, she has taught and nurtured literally generations of families, and she is and will always remain an integral pillar of the school,” Signer said.

“If we look to where it all begins, there it is: Courage, Honor, Truth — and Mrs. Hurd! Her

legacy lives on in so many, but there is no doubt — we will miss her so!”

Head of School Tom Philip likewise described Mrs. Hurd as a mainstay of the Brunswick community over the decades. “Gina is a pillar of our community — her breadth and depth of experience and commitment to the school is unmatched,” he said. “She, perhaps more than any other, has witnessed and helped foster the incredible growth and evolution of our school over the course of her 44-year tenure.

“We will miss her and will always be grateful for her contributions and love of our school and our boys.”

1952

Peter Bell, who lives in West Palm Beach, Fla., checked in with a question for his classmates: “Is anyone left from the Class of 1952? The last classmate I saw was Gene Singer We were headed to grad school — Gene to Princeton, me to Harvard.”

See photo 01.

1959

Stan Hill sent us the following update from Albany, N.Y.: “I’m so blessed! My wife of more than 44 years, Alexandra, and I are semiretired and enjoy the privacy of our home, the last on a dead-end street with a 270-degree view of forest and stream. Our daughter and one of our four grandchildren are only a mile away; one son is an American Airlines captain and our second is a tax and investment attorney in Zurich. I’ve enjoyed my own career as a tax and investment attorney for over 57 years. Hobbies have included membership in the Baker Street Irregulars, competitive foil fencing and skeet shooting, and chess. As a member of a 12-step program for many years, I’m so fortunate to practice ‘spiritual’ tools to achieve long-term sobriety. We have survived the usual kinds of health challenges in the last few years: As George Burns once remarked, ‘It’s good to be here; at my age, it’s good to be anywhere.’ I recently reread

our yearbook and it triggered my fond memories of the fun times I enjoyed at Brunswick. God love you all!”

Walter Slack, who lives in Bonita Springs, Fla., sent us a current photo. See photo 02.

1964

William Ballou, an editor at Wall Street Research, still commutes from his home in Greenwich to the office in Vancouver, British Columbia, where his company publishes research reports for public companies. See photo 03.

1969

Kevin McCauley and his son have worked for the past four years to plan and permit their own RV Resort on 150 acres in Hillsboro, N.H. They have built 35 full-service extra-large sites on their land and plan on opening in May 2024 to the general public. They wish to extend a warm welcome to any of the Brunswick family who has an interest in exploring RVing or camping in their beautiful state and on their awesome property. All are welcome!

See photo 04.

1971

George Thompson passed along the news of his father’s death:

Richard (Dick) Thompson ’48 , Class of 1948, passed away at the age of 94, on September 18, 2023, in Annapolis, Maryland, surrounded by his family. Dick taught U.S. and Latin American history in Middle School and coached varsity tennis at Brunswick, and he also later served as director of admissions

01 Peter Bell ’52 and his lovely better half!

02 Walter Slack ’59

03 William Ballou ’64

04 Kevin McCauley ’69

05 George ’71 and Dick Thompson ’48

under Norm Pedersen. Following his graduation from Brunswick, Dick attended Trinity College in Hartford before matriculating and graduating from the University of Alabama in 1953, where he majored in economics and political science and lettered in varsity tennis.

See photo 05.

1975

Keith Day, who lives in Wyndmoor, Pa., sent in the following muse: “When Times of Brunswick arrives, I almost always turn to the class notes. Our class has fascinated me since we met, and I relish reading about their endeavors. I was greatly surprised that for the first time in 49 years there was nothing. There is a principle in physics as well as humanity: Nature abhors a vacuum. Therefore, this is my initial missive to the class notes since graduation. Before I begin, the reason for not writing is that I consider myself to be the most uninteresting person in the world (think opposite of the Dos Equis series of commercials of the most interesting man in the world) — charismatically challenged am I.

“In the most recent issue, an alumnus wrote insightfully that our class was approaching or had already arrived at the precipice of an inflection point in our lives. We are eligible for Medicare. However, ‘retirement’ seems an inappropriate term. The handful of classmates I have spoken to are transitioning to something new. Perhaps, 67 is the new 47. Cue Rod Stewart’s ‘Forever Young’: Always evolving and never the same.

“In August 2023 and again in January, I briefly caught up with Peter Bleiberg ’74

“Cynthia, my wife, retired from the development office at The Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania at the end of June. She is contemplating her next step, which will likely involve her passion of underwater archaeology. In early September, we visited an underwater site in Greece. Cynthia is working with the Philadelphia Sports Youth Collaborative to initiate sports programs and improve facilities at inner city schools and parks with a mission to improve the quality of life and direction for vulnerable youths.

“Our daughter, Allison, earned a master’s degree in environmental science and policy from Columbia University. She is a senior associate at ICF Consulting in Washington, D.C., spearheading greenhouse emissions accounting and remediation. She singularly holds me responsible for climate change. I gave her a cap and water bottle transposing her company name in its font as ‘CFI Care.’ She has yet to wear the cap to her work.

“Our son Rob is completing a degree in virtual reality and robotics at Ringling College of Design. He represented his school and

06 Peter Callahan ’77 and his family

07 John Stratton ’79

08 Check out Scott Friedheim’s ’83 new book!

presented at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. He is far better at networking than I ever was. He is pursuing leads at Microsoft and Roblox for positions to start his career. Rob plans to pursue an MBA and will apply to Tuck in a few years.

“Our son Alexander completed his final semester at Colgate University. He took a semester off during COVID — looking forward to his launch.

“As for me, I plan to keep working. Over the years, I have developed relationships with clients, colleagues, vendors, and professionals. It has been fun and new opportunities excite me.

“I have lived in Philadelphia since 1989 and plan to continue to do so. If you are in the area, let’s grab a cheesesteak.

“That is it for now. Gene Cummiskey would rightly grade this missive as ‘needs improvement’ and inquire, ‘What do you mean?’”

1977

Peter Callahan opened his first eventspace restaurant in New York City and created a line of whimsical “tableware” for home. He reports: “I have a tabletop line of new ways to present food and beverages that will initially

be unique to my NYC dining experience and then will be available to the public retail: This with my son, Hart, and his wife, Kristen, here with their kids and my daughter, Juliet, relocated here from Los Angeles, makes for best time ever.” See photo 06.

1979

After 10 years, John Stratton earned his third-degree black belt. He still competes internationally and declares, “Never give up!” See photo 07.

1983

Scott Friedheim reports: “So, I’ve been putting pen to paper for the last three years. My purpose is to share what I learned by stepping on life’s edge, not thinking I’d be coming back, and the revelation in that moment of what I wished I knew before leaving this existence. In collaboration with my team at Forbes Books, Code of Conduct: Tales of the Roller Coaster of Life was published in January. It’s a personal view that speaks to the importance of defining how each of us wants to live — as opposed to just defining goals and destinations — particularly given our new world of filtered influencers. See photo 08.

1989

Pete Bevacqua returned in Summer 2023 to his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, as the incoming director of athletics. For the past five years, he was at NBCU as the chairman of NBC Sports. Bevacqua serves on Brunswick’s Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Tiffany, have three children, Samantha (16), Arthur (13), and Jake (10). See photo 09

1990

Justin Lowe is pleased to announce the release of his debut novel, The Independent , published by Inspire Bytes Omni Media and 25&Y. It has received only five-star reviews on Amazon, with Justin’s favorite likening it to the 1960 Pulitzer Prize winning novel Advise and Consent , by Allen Drury. The publishers have already committed to the sequel. Martina Faulkner (GA ’90) is the owner of Inspire Bytes Omni Media. Justin reports: “I’m so very grateful for her belief in my work as well as for David Blankley, my classmate and teammate at Brunswick, for connecting Martina with me.”

2006

Tim Belden and Kristin Malyak were married on October 14, 2023, at the Glass House in Cambridge, Mass. They met through their love of running at the Heartbreak Running Club. Tim works for State Street Global Services, and they reside in Boston’s South End. See photo 10.

2012

David Fitzpatrick has been promoted to vice president of business development at Saks Fifth Avenue and oversees international expansion.

2014

Rohan Das and his wife, Jing, welcomed their first bundle of joy, Riaan Chen-Das, on December 4, 2023, in Boston. The young family lives in Needham, Mass. See photo 11.

2017

Since leaving Brunswick, Rhett Ullmann has graduated from Southern Methodist University in both Film & Media Arts and Advertising. He has launched his own full-service agency, Ullmann Miami, where he offers branding, business development, and licensing services, and currently works with clients and partners such as United Masters. Prior to Ullmann Miami, Rhett led the marketing division of his mother’s agency, MELT. Rhett has moved to Cancun, Mexico, and is taking advantage of the sailing on the Caribbean Sea — Rhett was a starting crew for Brunswick’s varsity sailing team for the entirety of his athletic career — and the vastly developing entertainment and hospitality industries in the Riviera Maya. See photo 12.

2018

Tim Carter and Ethan Hynes recently graduated from U.S. Army Ranger School, one of the Army’s toughest. They are both commis-

09 Pete Bevacqua ’89 and his family

10 Tim Belden ’06 and his bride, Kristin

11 Riaan Chen-Das, the son of Rohan Das ’14

12 Rhett Ullmann ’17

13 Tim Carter ’18 14 Ethan Hynes ’18

sioned officers, lieutenants, who won four-year, full-tuition ROTC scholarships. Tim is an artillery officer with the 82nd Airborne Division in North Carolina.

Ethan is an infantry officer, was a general’s aide in Poland, and just returned to the United States to be a platoon leader. See photos 13 and 14.

ALUMNI HOLIDAY GATHERING

Hugs, Smiles & Cheer for the Season

IT’S ALWAYS a highlight of the ’Wick holiday season.

Brunswick and Greenwich Academy graduates convened once again at the Yale Club in New York City for the annual Alumni Holiday Gathering — a coordinate effort of the two schools — on Wednesday, December 13.

This year’s gathering moved up to the club’s festively decorated rooftop, where all gathered enjoyed holiday cheer, laughter, smiles, hugs, and stunning views of the Midtown skyline.

When the wonderful evening came to a close, alumni headed out into the night with a holiday gift — and a sparkling host of cheerful memories to savor as the season continued.

01 Peter Carlson, Jr. ’76, Randy Bryan ’68

02 Caleb Osemobor ’18, Tate Huffman ’17, Jack Kulesh ’17, Matt Podlesak ’13

03 Wes Koorbusch ’11 and his wife, Guilia Caterini (GA ’11)

04 Erin and Paul Withstandley and Lexi Tramantano (GA ’19)

05 Andrew Ferrer ’04, Gina Doria (GA ’07), Alex Lopez ’04

06 Kevin Tu ’20

07 Oivind Lorentzen ’09, Sam Haig ’09, Turner Smith ’09

Rockin’ Stopover in the Lone Star State

AUSTIN SURE has become the place to be!

In January, a small, happy group of ’Wick and GA alumni made their way to Sixth Street in the heart of the Lone Star State’s capital for a night of just-plain-old

enjoyment and reconnection at Parlor & Yard.

Alumni were treated to cheer and a distinguishing piece of ’Wick headgear — all glad for the chance to reconnect beyond Greenwich, deep in the heart of Texas!

For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_spring2024

02 Sam Payton ’05, Philip Carter ’03

03 Tom Dunleavy ’15

04 Peter Wise ’17

01 Angus Binney ’17, Tore Steen ’87, Max Metalios ’17, Johnny Schlank ’17, Tom Dunleavy ’15, Tom Murray (P ’27, ’31), Sam Payton ’05, Angus Fraser ’16

LAST LOOK

BY KATHERINE OGDEN

Spontaneous ‘Wave’ Churns with Emotion

PEBBLES TOSSED INTO STILL WATERS send ripples in every direction — waves fan out in perfect circles, forever altering the fabric of space and time.

Seniors on the cusp of graduation are a little like those pebbles, poised as they are to step into their own growing circles as they, too, venture in new directions.

And so it was at precisely 2:55 p.m. on Commencement Day, with only five minutes left before the celebration began and the Class of 2023 marched from the lobby of Burke Field House onto Cosby Field for the last time as Brunswick students.

raised their arms, initiating a “wave” and cheer that traveled through the assemblage in a groundswell of emotion and sound that ended some 120 feet away, with two of their classmates at the fore.

Seniors on the cusp of graduation are a little like those pebbles, poised as they are to step into their own growing circles as they, too, venture in new directions.

In a moment of anticipation and nervous excitement, two seniors near the end of the line spontaneously

“Surfing” that wave and capturing the moment in his own keepsake video clip was none other than Senior Class Dean Paul Withstandley.

Camera in hand, Brunswick staffer Wayne Lin happened to be just a few feet behind.

His photo became part of a resonant “wave” of its own, now passed on to readers and carrying the bittersweet moment of both ending and beginning, indelibly, into the future.

Photo by Wayne Lin

Venmo @Brunswick-School By email or telephone

Krista Bruce Annual Fund Director

203.242.1225

kbruce@brunswickschool.org