HOMECOMING 2014: HUGS & CHEERS FOR ALL GENERATIONS
THE BRUNSWICK TRUST: CAPSTONE ON CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP
FALL SPORTS: THREE CROWNED CHAMPIONS
Winter 2014
Findingthe
Sweet
Spot where TALENT, PASSION, DRIVE
+converge
YOUNG ALUMNI PROVE THAT SUCCESS GROWS FROM ‘KNOWING THYSELF’
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2014–2015
BEHIND THE SCENES at Baker Theater
Sanjeev K. Mehra, P ’10, ’12, ’13, ’20 Chairman Richard Axilrod, P ’14, ’18 James F. Bell, P ’14, ’16, ’17, ’21 W. Robert Berkley Jr. ’91, P ’21, ’23 Nancy M. Better, P ’11, ’13 Michael J. Bingle, P ’20, ’25 Todd L. Boehly, P ’20, ’22, ’24 Mark H. Camel, P ’12, ’18, ’18 Robert F. Carangelo, P ’17, ’21 Frank Carroll, P ’22 B. Cort Delany ’73 Mark F. Dzialga, P ’19 Gregory B. Hartch ’88, P ’19 John R. Harvey ’84 Carlos M. Hernandez, P ’18 Christina C. Kazazes, P ’13, ’19, ’23 David B. MacFarlane, P ’11, ’12, ’16 Anthony E. Mann, P ’17 D. Ian McKinnon, P ’18 Thomas D. O’Malley Jr. ’85, P ’12, ’15, ’21 Suzanne P. Peisch, P ’12, ’14, ’16, ’18 Philip F. P. Pierce, P ’10, ’13, ’18 Stephen R. Pierce, P ’15, ’19 Jean W. Rose, P ’16 David R. Salomon, P ’16 William A. Schneider ’72, P ’12, ’16 Scott M. Stuart, P ’12, ’16 Michael A. Troy, P ’12, ’14 Kerry Tyler, P ’15, ’18 Tyler J. Wolfram, P ’18, ’22
Ex Officio Thomas W. Philip, P ’08, ’10 Headmaster Kathleen Harrington CFO / Business Manager Thomas G. Murray, P ’25, ’27 Executive Director of Development Daniel J. Griffin Director of Institutional Communications Joan Beth Brown, P ’11, ’13, ’15 President, BPA
It isn’t easy — but it’s fun! In the fall, Middle School students staging the musical Shrek Jr. and Upper Schoolers working on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream learned that countless hours of rehearsal and work behind the scenes are essential ingredients for every great production. For more, turn to page 46.
MESSAGE FROM THE
HEADMASTER Our Greatest Challenge: To Be a Force for Good
A
T OPENING Day Assembly a few years ago, I conveyed a few disjointed but
It’s simple, short, and to-the-point, easy to tape above your mirror for a little inspiration:
heartfelt thoughts, three of which I’d like
“Be a Force for Good.”
to share again now.
Think about it. One really can’t do better.
First, even more than I want our boys to
Be a force for good: Help others before you
succeed, I want each and every one of us —
help yourself. Think of others before you think of
students and faculty alike — to appreciate that
yourself. Leave a place better than you found it.
we’re part of something bigger.
Enjoy things in a group, not on your own. Raise,
Brunswick is only as good as any one of us on our worst day. We’re all in this together. We all
don’t lower, the level of discourse. Win as a team, not as an individual. Never compromise your
benefit from the reputation of those who came before us. We owe it to those who will follow to honor what’s special about this place. Brunswick boys stand out. People judge them and, by extension, all of us by how we conduct ourselves. If we’re rude, selfish, entitled, or spoiled, people will assume everyone
honor or encourage others to
“ WE ACTUALLY TEND TO LEARN MORE FROM MISTAKES THAN FROM SUCCESSES. SO, AS IN LIFE, WE WON’T SHIELD OUR BOYS FROM EITHER.”
here is that way. If we’re polite,
compromise theirs. Expect less and thank more. To that end, I concluded by reminding the boys why
In the whole endeavor, we’ll accept many of a
Brunswick School is here:
boy’s mistakes, if we see that he’s willing and able
For well over 100 years, our mission has been to “prepare
tend to learn more from mistakes than from
young men for life.”
successes. So, as in life, we won’t shield our boys
Our boys’ mission is not to
from either.
get the best grades, not to win
As we “prepare young men for life,” our motto
the most games, not to gather
remains Courage, Honor and Truth. So, I’ll close
respectful, and resourceful, they’ll believe those
the most friends or to get into the best college. It
are the standards of the Brunswick community.
is “to prepare for life.”
Second, I urged our boys to look out for each
to learn from them. In all honesty, we actually
Life has ups and downs, good days and
with this hope: May we have the Courage to face all we do with determination, the Honor to respond to
other. We all have our failings and lapses. I asked
bad, advancements and setbacks. If we at
setbacks with persistence and, above all, may we
each boy to help the “other guy” to be the best he
Brunswick are true to our mission, then, just
always be Truthful to ourselves, so that we may
can, knowing, in turn, others will do the same
as in life, our boys’ time here must also have
grow better from the lessons offered by our worst
for him. Together, we can help each other tap, as
ups and downs, good days and bad, advance-
days as well the successes achieved on our best.
Lincoln said, the “better angels of our nature.”
ments and setbacks.
Third, I offered something for our boys to
Our faculty works to support our boys through
think about each morning: I have a saying taped
the entire experience. Guiding our boys to
above my mirror that I read as I get dressed. It
achieve all they can achieve is why we wake up in
offers a good perspective to start each day, not
the morning. It’s why we’re teachers. We love the
just on schoolwork, but on all things.
job and we love these boys.
Thomas W. Philip
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W I N T E R times of
Brunswick School 100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 Tel: 203.625.5800 BrunswickSchool.org
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CONTENTS
Headmaster Thomas W. Philip Executive Director of Development Thomas G. Murray
06
Associate Director of Development Meghan McCarthy 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 Class Notes Editor Libby Edwards ledwards@brunswickschool.org Contributing Writers Yousef Hindy ’15 Mike Kennedy ’99 Katherine Ogden Thomas W. Philip Contributing Photographers CoffeePond Photography Dan Burns Jamie Fessenden Michael Graae Preston Han ‘09 Jeffry Konczal Minush Krasniqi Wayne Lin Joan Marcus Mel Morales Ted Stolar ChiChi Ubiña Design Mary Lester Design marylesterdesign.com Printing Flagship Press, flagshippress.com
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FEATURES 06 A Spirited Sea of Brown & Gold By Katherine Ogden and Mike Kennedy ’ 99 28 Finding the Sweet Spot By Katherine Ogden 40 A Proud Athletic Tradition. United on One Campus By Mike Kennedy ’99
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CONTENTS
48
FLEX TIME 04 ‘Make Sure That It Mattered’ 27 A Prolific Reader: Not a Lady Who Lunched 39 A Matter of Trust 46 ’Wick Students on Stage 53 Counter-Terror Expert: ‘Think About a Career in Public Service’
DEPARTMENTS 01 Message from the Headmaster 48 Beyond the Books – From Zaragoza to Maher Avenue: ’Wick Welcomes Exchange Student – A Visitor from Across the Pond – One Man’s Clutter, Another’s Hidden Treasure – Lower Schoolers Compete for National Checkmate Honors – In Middle School, Mathletes Abound
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– Strictly by the Numbers – ’Wick’s Horizons Continue to Expand – The Merits of Ayn Rand, Game of Thrones: Just Another Day in Advisory
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54 Class Notes 57 In Memoriam 59 Alumni Events
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64 Last Look
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FLEX TIME THE OTHER WES MOORE
‘Make Sure That It Mattered’ By Mike Kennedy ’99
D
YING OF cancer, Colonel Billy G. Murphy stepped forward to give what would be his farewell address to
the student body at Valley Forge Military College in 1996. To this day, then cadet Wes Moore hasn’t forgotten Murphy’s words. “He explained that when it’s time for you to leave here, whether it’s time to leave this school, this job, this neighborhood — or when it’s time to leave this planet — make sure that it mattered that you were ever even here,” Moore recalled.
“The point is not simply a diploma. The point is having a greater and lasting understanding of who it is you’re supposed to fight for — who this degree is going to matter to.” – WES MOORE
In a September visit to the Upper School, Moore — Rhodes Scholar, paratrooper and captain in the U.S. Army, White House Fellow to then Secretary of State Condeleeza Rice, and author of New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller The Other Wes Moore — asked all in his audience to do the same.
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Flex TIME
letters I’ve ever received in my life,” he said. “That turned into dozens of letters and visits. I’ve now known Wes for more than 10 years.” The Other Wes Moore was born out of that relationship, and this Wes Moore — veteran, social activist, writer, and entrepreneur — visited Maher Avenue on Sept. 29 to discuss the story all ’Wick 8th–12th graders read last summer. Moore explained that his book might have been the easiest-ever open-book test: Two guys with the same name. One guy goes one way and the other goes another. According to the author, it’s not that simple. “We wanted the reader to understand that it shouldn’t be that easy to decipher and determine which kid is which. At many junctions and at many points in the story, the Throughout the day, Moore urged all to pay attention, to avoid apathy, and to become involved in a process that’s largely about others.
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
“So much of the focus about your
beginning in December 2000, for
chilling truth is that his story could
level of success is determined by a
Moore to understand fully what
have been mine, and the tragedy is
transcript or a GPA,” Moore said.
is now a focal point of his life’s
that my story could have been his,”
“The argument I hope to make is
philosophy. As Moore prepared to
Moore said.
that, while all that is important,
head off to Oxford for his Rhodes
never forget the real point of why
scholarship, another young
of our schools and communities
you’re here.
man of the same name — also
— people literally one decision
from the same neighborhood in
away from going one direction
diploma,” he said. “The point
Baltimore — was being sought for
or another, people who every day
is having a greater and lasting
the murder of an off-duty police
straddle this line of greatness,” he
understanding of who it is you’re
officer. He was eventually caught,
observed. “The problem is they
supposed to fight for — who this
tried, and convicted.
don’t even know it.”
“The point is not simply a
degree is going to matter to.” It took a decade-long process,
Moore couldn’t stop thinking
“Wes Moores exist in every one
Moore urged all to pay attention,
about this strange coincidence, and
to avoid apathy, and, to a greater
decided to write his jailed name-
extent, to become involved in a
sake a letter.
process that’s largely about others.
A month later, he got a response.
“How you take this education
“It’d be one thing if it was written
and compound on it matters,” he
in crayon or magic marker,” Moore
said. “The beautiful thing about
said. “I guess I would have said ‘I
this school is that these are not just
get it’ and that probably would’ve
academic exercises.
been it. The problem is I never received that kind of letter. “Instead, I received one of the most interesting and articulate
“You’re here because they know what you’ll continue to do — not just while you’re here, but long after you’re gone.”
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A SPIRITED SEA OF
BROWN
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OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
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Brunswick transformed into a spirited sea of Brown and Gold throughout Homecoming 2014, as the largest-ever gathering of alumni, parents, and friends in the School’s history turned 05 out for a tradition-filled weekend. Warm and clear September skies provided the perfect canopy for games, good cheer, and the reunion of Bruins from all generations. CAPTIONS ON FOLLOWING PAGE 03
GOLD
06
07
PREVIOUS SPREAD Jack Wendell ’27 and his father, Jon, represent the best of Homecoming 2014.
01 Fireworks capped off Friday nightʼs festivities. 02 Matt Marvin ’15
07
03 Jeff Marvin P ’15, ’17, ’19, and Chris Day ’81 04 Jack Knight ’15 05 Jay Helmer ’84 and his son, Henry 06 Demetri Day ’78, Michael Gorman ’82, Chris Day ’81, and Peter Gorman ’82 gear up for the day on the links. THIS PAGE
07 O.K., we’re officially stumped! If you can identify this boy, please email Libby Edwards (ledwards@ brunswickschool.org). 08 Jon Harty ’15, Jamie Pollak ’15, and Alex Montinaro ’15 lead their team onto the field.
Soccer beat The Gunnery, 2–1, while football outdid rival The Taft School on Cosby Field, 53–14. 08
Brunswick spirit has never been so high! Record crowds flocked to Brunswick for a weekend of Homecoming celebrations that ventured into every corner of the ’Wick community.
O
and the “9s,” after Saturday’s games, alumni fanned out to gatherings across Greenwich to reminisce and reconnect. Overall, Homecoming 2014 drew the largest gathering of alumni, ever, in the history of the School. But the weekend provided fun for ’Wick community members from every quarter and of every age. A pep rally complete with a roaring bonfire and soaring fireworks set the stage for a Middle School dance on
N THE heels of trium-
who appeared stunned as Headmaster
Friday evening, while on Saturday the
phant festivities in 2013,
Thomas W. Philip awarded him the 2014
annual Bear Fair at Burke Field House
Homecoming 2014
Distinguished Alumni Award for his tire-
drew hundreds of young Bruins for fun
featured a record-breaking
less work on behalf of his alma mater.
and games.
turnout under the brightest sunshine, as
Ryckman was one of the founding
For those who missed all the merri-
’Wick Bruins again swept the weekend
directors of the Brunswick Alumni
ment at Homecoming 2014, please know
with decisive victories.
Association in 2010.
that we missed you.
Alumni kicked off the festivities on
In sports, Bruins dominated play,
We take this early opportunity to
Friday with the annual golf outing at the
winning in football, water polo, and
extend a heartfelt invitation to next
Griffith E. Harris Golf Course.
soccer.
year’s events.
By evening, almost a hundred guests
Playing their first Homecoming games
packed the Upper School Atrium for the
ever in their new natatorium, water polo
5th Annual Alumni Association Party.
swam past Loomis Chaffee, 17-3, and
Among them was Jon Ryckman ’88,
08 | TIMES
In a reunion year for both the “4s”
Suffield Academy, 17–8.
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ALUM NI GO LF O UT I NG
A Day of Friendly, Competitive Banter R
AIN HAS long been synonymous with the Alumni Golf Outing at the Griffith E. Harris Golf Course — even despite a dry, blustery fall day in 2013. This year, with their logic unabashedly clear, event orga-
nizers handed out a Brunswick-logoed umbrella to all participants upon their arrival to the course.
02
And, much to their delight, the strategic ploy worked to a tee, as summer-like conditions prevailed and golfers enjoyed an ideal September stroll on the links. Bermuda shorts, polo shirts, and sunglasses were the uniform of choice. Seventy-three players, including alumni spanning six decades of ’Wick Bruins, took part in the annual kickoff to Homecoming
03
01 Joe Tranfro ’81, P ’14; Phil McDonough ’81, P ’14; Bill Aron ’81, P ’28; and Steve Dym P ’16 enjoy themselves on the green. 02 Tony Calabrese ’97 and Grant Gyesky ’98 celebrate a long drive — quietly and raucously. 03 Academic Dean John Booth and Michael Lindsay ’00 head onto the course.
Weekend. A handful of faculty and staff members rounded out
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02 05
01 A true Bruin dons his Brown & Gold knickers. 02 Glenn Oztemel ’76, Eric Christiansen ’77, Patrick Durkin ’75, and Gary Oztemel ’75
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03 Will McGirr ’01 and Rana Kashyap ’01 04 Jed Becker ’78 and Chris Pavelic ’78 05 Winston Bragg ’92 and Michael Clear ’94 06 Carl Walker ’78 and Jed Becker ʼ78 celebrate a birdie. 06
the foursomes for the shotgun-start, 18-hole scramble.
tally up scorecards, cool off with
echoed across fairways in celebra-
refreshments, and connect with
tion of birdies, eagles, and near
fellow alumni and former teachers.
Competitive banter also ran high among participants — all in good fun, of course.
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“It’s fun to catch up with old friends and share a few laughs,” said
“I particularly enjoy the event
Chris Pavelic ’78. “The Brunswick community goes the extra mile to
many tongue-in-cheek moments,”
make sure everyone connects and
Winston Bragg ’92 said. “You feel
has a great time.
back creating new memories with
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
For all, this is the part they love most about the event.
for its jovial atmosphere and the
like you’re actually back in school —
10 | TIMES
gathered on the 19th-hole patio to
As is tradition, Ryder Cup roars
hole-outs throughout the day.
04
After play completed, the group
“It’s just an awesome, can’tmiss day.”
the entire Brunswick community.”
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2/20/15 4:41 PM
CO O KO UT, P E P RALLY, AND B O NFI RE
Sparkles Burst in the Evening Sky
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RUNSWICK Homecoming always features something for everyone, and this
year proved no exception. Festivities on King Street got underway on Friday evening with a cookout and pep rally designed to warm the soul and raise the spirit of Bruins of all ages. Soon after a pair of 3rds soccer wins on the pitch, a bonfire roared to life and drew a crowd on the hillside next to Cosby Field. A short time later, fireworks soared into an early evening sky of the palest blue, proclaiming the start of Homecoming 2014.
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01 Julian Ronda ’15, Lucas Bell ’16, Alex Prout ’15, Branden Davis ’15, and Patrick Adamo ’16 02 Jesse Tswamuno ’16 goes up for the ball as Conner Wakeman ’16 looks on. 03 Students gather in anticipation of the bonfire.
03 For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_season2014
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5 T H A NNUAL ALUM NI ASSO CI AT I O N PART Y
Celebration of Friends, Old & New
H
OMECOMING 2014 served up an especially significant
moment for one of Brunswick’s newest traditions. For the fifth year running, the Annual Alumni Association Party convened in the Upper School Atrium on Maher Avenue. Headmaster Thomas W. Philip welcomed the crowd of almost 100 alumni to the Friday evening party, which has come to serve as Homecoming’s more intimate celebration of friends, old and new. For many who hail from parts near and far, the event is also a chance to see Brunswick in its newest incarnation. The Upper School saw a huge renovation in 2008–2009, with the addition of Baker Theater and the art wing. Throughout the evening, guests are invited to reconnect with old classmates and teachers, as well as trickle through the building and see for themselves the amazing new facilities.
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02
05
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01 Shahryar Oveissi ’98, Paul Gojkovich ’01, former faculty member Ted Stolar, Andy Lorig ’05, Matt Gormly ’07, Clarke Rogers ’88, and Jon Ryckman ’88 02 Justin Weinstein ’99, Josyl Barchue ’00, and Andrew Ferrer ’04 03 Chris Wirth ’97, Corey Dobbs ’08, Zach Dobbs ’06, Kevin Decker ’07, and Fundraiser Jon Cormier
04 2nd-grade teacher Pat Meloni gathers with Ken Ebbitt ’94, Jarrett Shine ’92, and John Harvey ’84. 05 Michael Mazzola Keegan ’94, Jamie Muhlfeld ’94, and Caleb Weiss ’94
06
06 Nishant Gurnani ’09, Daniel O’Neill ’09, and Jamie Biondi ’08
For more photos, visit bwick.org/ tob_winter2015
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2 0 1 4 DI ST I N G UI S H E D A LUM N I AWARD
A Dedicated Guy Who ‘Keeps Everyone Engaged’
A
MILESTONE IN the
a stronger alumni presence at
life of Brunswick
Homecoming and all School events.
School turned into
Last spring, the group was
a milestone in the
instrumental in launching the
life of one of its most dedicated
new Brunswick School Athletics
alumni after the School presented
Hall of Fame.
its 2014 Distinguished Alumni
Ryckman has a unique passion
Award to a very surprised Jon
for connecting alumni from
Ryckman ’88.
every era — not just to each
Homecoming 2014 was also the fifth year of Ryckman’s service to his alma mater as president of the Brunswick Alumni Association. Just as he has each year,
other, but also to the alma mater he clearly loves. “He’s the type of guy who keeps everyone engaged,” said Shine, noting that it was a key moment
Ryckman turned up at the
to recognize Ryckman, who
celebration prepared to honor
stepped down from his role as
a fellow alum with one of the
president in October, passing the
School’s most time-honored
reins to Paul Gojkovich ’01.
distinctions. But this year, School leaders
Ryckman celebrated his 25th
Jon Ryckman ’88 is the proud, humble winner of the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award.
events within weeks. The two reconnected in 2009
“He nicknamed me ‘blur,’” Nichols recalled.
reunion at Homecoming 2013,
after losing touch for well over a
had to employ a bit of a ruse in
and the devoted alum didn’t miss
decade. Despite the long drought,
not because of my blazing speed,”
an effort to surprise the honoree
the opportunity to create some
Ryckman opened his home to his
Nichols said, calling himself
himself. To throw him off,
camaraderie among classes of
old friend when he trekked cross-
“deceptively slow.”
Director of Alumni Affairs Jarrett
different eras.
country one summer by car.
Shine ’92 told Ryckman that he
The celebration turned into a
“That’s how big of a guy he is,”
would be presenting this year’s
joint reunion of the “5s” and the
award to a fellow alum who was
“25s,” with a tailgate barbecue
celebrating his reunion.
courtesy of younger alumni Gray
he was asked — somewhat last
Huffard ’08 and Dixon Mallory ’08.
minute — if he would say a few
The ploy worked. Ryckman was plainly stunned when Geoffrey
“The fact that you get to meet
Nichols ’89 took to the piano
people from all the different
bench and named his lifelong
classes — I love doing that,”
friend the winner of the 2014
Ryckman said.
Award. “I’m humbled,” Ryckman said later. “This wasn’t deserved. “It means a lot to me.” The ’Wick Alumni Association
Nichols, also, found himself
Nichols said. Nichols didn’t hesitate when
president of sales at DeMet’s Candy Company in Stamford.
Years ago, the two played lacrosse, basketball, and football together, and Nichols said the upperclassman took him under his wing after he arrived at Brunswick as a freshman. “He is a dear, old friend of
has thrived under Ryckman,
to Connecticut two years ago
mine,” he said. “I know what
who has worked to improve
and thanks to Ryckman was
Brunswick means to him, so it
alumni networking and to gather
attending Brunswick alumni
was easy to make those remarks.
14 | TIMES
and three children, is senior vice
a Bruin freshman.
network thanks to Ryckman. plant, Nichols moved back
Ryckman, who lives in Greenwich with his wife, Paula,
words about a man he first met as
pulled into the Brunswick A recent California trans-
“It was a term of endearment
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helmet, some green Mardi Gras beads, and the eye black and Bruins jersey he had already donned in support of his favorite team. “It’s fun,” he said. What’s fun? “Everything,” he said. Coming together to make the fun possible were dozens of parents who volunteered to provide sweets for the bake sale and also to cover the Fair in shifts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bakers turned up with some amazing confections, and then marketed it all off with just enough creativity to raise about $1,800 for the Brunswick Parents’ Association. “It was just remarkable what they did,”
B E A R FA I R
A Pose at the Shutter Booth
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said Bear Fair Chair Janine Braun P ’24. HAT’S BETTER than winning at bingo?
“They put in so much time and energy!” Parent volunteers were joined by more
Winning double
than 60 Middle School boys who signed on
bingo, of course!
for jobs big and small — some even donned
And so it was for one ’Wick 4th grader
a certain Bear costume as they cruised the
who saw a double-big win at the Bear Fair
Fair to the delight of the tiniest fairgoers.
bingo table, and then scooped up a Sizzlin’
Kudos go out to all the volunteers —
Cool Water Blaster to mark the moment. “It’s really fun,” said Jayden Vazquez ’24. “Everybody’s here.”
especially to Braun and her co-chair, Katie Johnson P ’22, ’25 — for all their hard work. “It was such a fun day,” Braun said.
Vazquez was one of hundreds of ’Wick youngsters who flocked to Burke Field House for a Brunswick Homecoming mainstay, the annual Bear Fair carnival. It’s a can’t-miss ’Wick tradition geared to the community’s youngest, including students from the Lower and Pre School
For more photos, visit bwick.org/ tob_winter2015
and the children of alumni and faculty. Shrinky Dinks, Scrabble Jr., and glow-in-the-dark Frisbees — there were plenty of prizes to serve as incentives as throngs of youngsters set their minds to flipping chickens, tipping trolls, and whacking moles. New to the Bear Fear this year was a Shutter Booth.
TOP
Brent Brower ’27 shows off his school spirit — and his muscles. RIGHT
Ryder Juneja ’27 and Shepherd McGovern ’27 take part in the fun and games.
Getting ready to strike a pose was ’Wick 3rd grader George Braun. Braun was heading in for a photo shoot, complete with a cool Viking
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ALU MN I S O C C E R G A M E
herself on the sidelines at Edwards Campus once
Perfect 4–4 Tie
B
again cheering on her favorite Bruins. Each Homecoming, the
RUNSWICK MOM
tions enticed Vittoria for more
alumni soccer game invites
Luciana Vittoria
reasons than one.
past players to run deep
had planned to be in Palm Beach until
“When I heard about this event, I changed my plans because I
and have some fun at Caputo Varsity Field.
a can’t-miss alumni soccer game
wanted to see all these kids,” she
at Homecoming 2014 changed
said. “I was ‘Mama V’! I fed all
tion. Dozens of alumni
her itinerary.
these kids!”
took to the field under
With son Edward ’89 back for his 25th, the weekend celebra-
And so, 25 years after her son graduated, “Mama V” found
This time was no excep-
hot September sunshine, in a game that ended in a perfect 4–4 tie. Joining
02
Edward for some spirited play were classmates David Cannon ’89
even 25 years later, these former
and David Thomas ’89,
Bruins were minding their
as well as many others.
manners.
During a break, the men remembered growing up under the
“I’m on my best behavior,” Thomas quipped. Even so, this time around
watchful eye of “Mama
“Mama V” could do nothing
V,” who wielded such
but cheer as she and a passel of
special authority that,
family and friends soaked in the
01 The pre-game photo — 27 strong 02 Mr. “O” hasn’t missed a game in years. 03 Alex Lopez ’04 and Andrew Ferrer ’04 battle for a loose ball. Lopez was the best man in Ferrer’s wedding last summer. 04 Geoffrey Nichols ’89 shows off his dribbling skills. 03
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OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
FO OT B ALL T E AM B RE AKFAST
Words Akin to Rockne Meissner ’21. “It’s very
C
Rockne forever memorialized the last words of an
by big-league athletes, Gregory cited that “what it
emotional for me,” she said.
equally legendary Fighting Irish player who died
means to be a football player these days has taken
“I’m glad I stayed. It gives me a
tragically.
some hits.”
sunshine along the sidelines. She and her husband have 11 grandchildren, including new ’Wick 5th grader Max
ERTAIN SPEECHES have entered
Yet Gregory told the boys that, when it comes
the annals of sports history.
down to it, the outcome of a Homecoming foot-
One came in 1928, when legendary Notre Dame Coach Knute
Win just one for the Gipper, Rockne told his team
chance to see everyone.” In truth, alumni from every
at halftime in a game against Army.
era turned up for the fun. There was Eric Hopp ’94, for
Troubled by the spate of headlines generated
He underscored that at Brunswick, Durkin Dining Hall overlooks Cosby Field for good
And they did.
reason. Lower School boys look out over the
As some see it, Grant Gregory Jr. ’89 gave
gridiron just as they look up to the players who
example, celebrating his 20th
a similar kind of a speech to ’Wick Bruins just
after recently moving back to
hours before their big win over The Taft School at
Greenwich with his family.
Homecoming 2014.
Also turning up to test their
ball game matters little.
Back at Brunswick to celebrate his 25th reunion,
practice and play there. Such respect is part of the privilege of playing football, Gregory said, and with that privilege comes great responsibility.
foot traps were Brunswick
Gregory was one of a handful of former Bruins to
faculty members.
gather at Durkin Dining Hall Saturday morning to
a privilege,” he told the boys. “And the responsi-
break their fast with current players facing one of
bility that comes with that privilege isn’t judged
the biggest games of their careers.
on a scoreboard.
Tim Ostrye, an annual participant, was joined in play by Upper School Modern
For these young Bruins, the pressure was on.
“Being at this school, being on this team — it is
“It gets judged every day in how you treat your
Language Department
teachers, your parents, your friends, and your
Chairman Jamie Gonzalez-
girlfriends,” he said. “It’s how you represent your
Ocaña and Upper School
sport, your school, your family.
visual arts teacher Brian
“I am back for my 25th and I can assure you,
Shepard ’97.
getting that right is going to matter a lot more to
It was Ostrye, assistant
you as men than the outcome from today’s game,”
director of athletics at the
he said.
Lower and Pre School, who
Football sets these Bruins apart, Gregory said.
perhaps summed it up best.
“Whether you like it or not, you are the leaders.
“It was warm, but everyone
You have got to lead. LEFT
Jason Kennedy ’16 and Malik Wilder ’15 smile about the day’s prospects.
had fun.”
Because if the young men privileged enough to be on this team at this school
SENIOR MOMS ON HAND FOR THE BREAKFAST include Hattie Adams, Lili O’Malley, Sonia Jones, Marty Gendell, E.D. Hill, Alison Knight, Susy Rosato, Luisa Cobb, Amy Jurkowitz, Joan Beth Brown, Maryellen Basile, Alicia Johns, Shakira Walston, Mia Wright, and Lise Godvin.
04 WWW.BRUNSWICKSCHOOL .ORG
17 17
“
Being at this school, being on this team — it is a privilege. And the responsibility that comes with that privilege isn’t judged on a scoreboard.
”
can’t get it right, no one can. Football is different,” he said. “You are different.”
Gregory also underscored the importance of the day. Homecoming athletic contests will be remembered for a lifetime, he said, and for that reason, Bruins should work hard to do their best. Indeed, memories will be made. “In 25 years, I can promise you, you will remember what you do today, and what you accomplish this season,” he told the team. “You are going to remember the anxiety that builds in your gut up until the first hit. And, truth be told, you are going to miss that feeling. “You are going to remember things that Coach said or maybe yelled, and you will never forget the feeling of someone who believed in you that much.” Gregory pointed to his own coach, Bob Sampson, also on hand to have breakfast
01
ALUM NI T E NT PA RT Y
Toasting, Nibbling & Catching A Few Rays
with the boys. He remembered how the coach once scolded him about a clean jersey after a game his junior year. “I can remember the exact words he used,” he said. “And I can tell you they still motivate me today — and it has been a long time since I played.” Well known as a motivator, Gregory finally
W
E MIGHT need a bigger tent. So many alumni turned up for the fun at the Alumni Tent Party that guests spilled out onto the lawn, filling the hillside next to
Cosby Field, from one side of the end zone to the other. All in all, hundreds turned up to raise a toast, nibble some hors
offered some simple advice for making
d’oeuvres, and catch some rays as football held back Taft by a
memories at Homecoming 2014.
score of 53–14.
“Do something worth remembering.” And they did.
18 | TIMES
They gathered in groups big and small, relaxing on the lawn as they reminisced about old times, shared hopes for the future, and
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02
01 Vinton Vickers ’84 and Drew Turnbull ’85 02 The Class of ’84 was out in full force for the Alumni Tent Party. 03 David Cannon ’89, former faculty member Ted Stolar, and Michael Krasnow ’08 04 David Neff ’94, Laura Hill (GA ’95), Adam Johnson ’84 05 John Flack ’94 and Reed Carroll ’94
03
04
caught up on the latest news from
former Brunswick graphic design
classmates and their families.
teacher Ted Stolar.
Turnout was especially huge for the Class of 1984. For this large group, the hillside
Stolar, retired after 38 years of teaching at Brunswick, was happy to provide the memento as he recon-
proved a perfect place to pose for
nected with former students he had
a picture as dozens of classmates
not seen in years.
crammed in close to be photographed by another special guest,
05
Joe Elverdin ’84 organized the reunion for his classmates, flying in
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01
02
04
“
03
01 Michael Kenny P ’09, ’11, ’18 and Kevin Royal ’09 02 Tim Riemer ’99 and Tom Toepke ’99 03 FRONT Dave Cannon ’89 and Michael Butler ’89. BACK Geoffrey Nichols ’89, Duncan Boothby ’89, Joey Donahue ’89, Dave Thomas ’89, Jimmy Young ’89, and Grant Gregory ’89 04 Jamie Muhlfeld ’94 and Ty Bailey ’94
from his home in Buenos Aires to
exception, these alums were quick
join in the merriment.
to note the prank did no damage to
For classmate Tim Mitchell ’84, it was the first time he had
In fact, class members took
returned to campus since his 5th
turns gushing about the chance to
reunion in 1989.
return to their alma mater and to
Thirty years out of Brunswick, many alums chuckled as they relived
reconnect at Homecoming 2014. “We don’t see each other all the
a midnight prank that saw them
time. But when we do, it’s like
dismantle an old Volkswagen Bug
no time has passed,” said Nick
and then weld it back together
Kiratsous ’84.
inside a classroom at Maher Avenue. It was a moment that was discovered by a sleepy headmaster,
20 | TIMES
their beloved school.
We don’t see each other all the time. But when we do, it’s like no time has passed.
”
“We act like this stuff happened yesterday,” added Vinton Vickers ’84. “It’s always great,” said Scott
and later had steep consequences
Sneath ’84. “Nobody else listens to
for the young Bruins. Without
our boring stories!”
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05 06
08
07
“We were the greatest class
His wife, Judy, echoed the good
ever to come through the school!”
cheer. “They certainly are shining
gushed Ed Silvi ’84, who served as
bright today,” she exclaimed.
co-captain of the wrestling team along with Adam Johnson ’84. Also in the mix was a handful
It was a sentiment repeated by ’Wick parents John and Cecilia Farrell. The two also found them-
of past Brunswick parents who
selves back at Brunswick, in this
turned up to touch base, not just
case to help son James ’89 celebrate
with their own children, but also
his 25th.
with the friends who once traipsed
All around, it was a happy
through their homes on the way to
reunion — one that mom Cecilia
adulthood.
said has rarely been duplicated.
Among them were Judy and Dan
09
“James doesn’t have friends
Donahue, whose sons, Joe ’89 and
from college the way he does from
Dan ’84, were both celebrating
Brunswick.”
milestone reunions of 25 and 30 years, respectively. The family was thrilled to cheer on all of the athletes testing their
10
mettle on Robert L. Cosby Field.
05 Tommy Hoyos ’08
“We have friends on both teams,
06 Michael Clear ’94 and Daniel Lush ’94
but are cheering for Brunswick,”
07 Derek Van Vliet ’87, James Bragg ’87, and Jim Lewis ’87
said the elder Donahue, who, sadly,
08 Vinton Vickers ’84 and Joe Donahue ’89
passed away only a few weeks later. “We knew them all as young boys, and now they are fine young men.”
For more photos, visit bwick.org/ tob_winter2015
09 Margot and Jim Butler P ’87, ’89 10 Chuck Mosher ’78 and Chris Mulshine P ’21
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G A M E DAY W R A P - UP
Bruins Pull Off Three-Peat
I
T WAS a Homecoming threepeat for varsity Bruins. For the third consecutive year, Brunswick teams
swept the weekend’s slate of athletic contests — much to the delight of the record crowd of alumni, parents, students, and friends on hand for the sun-filled festivities. The ’Wick soccer team began the day’s action by squaring off against The Gunnery on Caputo Field. The Highlanders got on the board first in the game’s opening minutes,
ABOVE Jaydin Knight ’17 looks for a hole in the Taft defense.
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OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
but Brunswick responded and carried the play from that point forward, notching two goals on the way to a 2–1 victory. Jack Stephenson ’16 and Matt Wysocki ’15 scored for the Bruins, while Head Coach Power Fraser ’74 credited the strong performances of seniors Marshall Dickson and Anders Ashforth as keys to the “W.” Fans could then move indoors — for the first time in Homecoming history — to watch the ’Wick water polo team compete in the School’s new natatorium. Head Coach Eric Tillman’s squad put on a show for all in attendance,
01
defeating Loomis, 17–3, and Suffield,
01 Jared McCloskey ’16, Anders Ashforth ’15, and Jack Stephenson ’16 celebrate a Bruins’ goal.
17–8, to remain unbeaten in New England league play. Pat Stefanou ’16 had the red-hot hand with 13 goals
02 Senior co-captain Marshall Dickson
on the afternoon. By the time the football team took
03 Pat Stefanou ’16 tallied 13 (yes, 13) goals on the day.
to Robert L. Cosby Field, Edwards Campus was a sea of Brown & Gold,
For more photos, visit bwick. org/tob_winter2015
as supporters of all ages packed the bleachers, the sidelines, and the Alumni Tent in anticipation of
02
03
’Wick’s gridiron clash against Taft. The Bruins played inspired football on both sides of the line of scrimmage, using an explosive second-half offensive surge to secure the league win — and the Homecoming three-peat. Senior co-captain Malik Wilder led the way with two receiving touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, two passes defended, and a boatload of tackles. Fellow seniors Austin Meacham and Andrew Basile supplied the pressure on Taft’s QB throughout the afternoon, as did senior co-captain Matt Gendell, who found his way into the Rhinos’ backfield on a number of occasions. Final score: ’Wick 53, Taft 14.
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23 23
CLASS OF ’84, LEFT TO RIGHT
Andrew Balson, Nick Kiratsous, David Ball, Hoyt Ludington, Mike McCarthy, Joe Elverdin, Brad Browne, John Harvey, Ed Silvi, Dan Donahue, Paul Steed, Jay Helmer, Steve Cook, Tim Mitchell, Vinton Vickers, Steve Wolanske, and Richard Baker
CL ASS OF 1984 30 t h RE UNION
CL ASS O F 1959 55 t h RE UNION
CL ASS O F 1954 6 0 t h RE UNION
C L ASS OF 19 9 4 20 t h R EUNION
RE UNI O N WRAP -UP
Alums Fan Out Across Town
CL ASS OF 1964 50 t h RE UNION
T
RIUMPHANT FESTIVITIES at King Street were just the beginning for classes celebrating reunions.
CLASS OF ’94, FRONT Reed Carroll, Ken Ebbitt, and Mike Clear MIDDLE Scott McDonald, Eric Hopp, John Flack, Stephen Ball, Ray Burke, and Dan Lush BACK Eric Unis, Brendan Cooper, Rory Callagy, Brian Vaughan, Eric Ferraris, Ty Bailey, David Neff, Peter Kavounas, Brett Stephens, and Mike Mahoney
Revelries on Cosby Field were followed by
joyful reunions that lasted well into the evening, as alumni
CLASS OF ’59 Gale Hartch, Dimitri Bulazel, Tom Hartch, Vicky Bulazel, and Jim Benerofe CLASS OF ’54 Jerry Stewart, Tom Lovejoy, Dick Jenner, and Bart Bolton CLASS OF ’64FRONT Corinne Babson, John Babson, and Dona Garnett; BACK Rafe Pomerance and Alex Garnett
fanned out to watering holes across Greenwich to cement new friendships and renew old ones. The Class of 1984 held court for quite some time at MacDuffs, while 1989 gathered in droves at the J House. The Class of 1999 met up at the Sundown Saloon while 2004 and 2009 held a joint reunion at McShane’s in Port Chester, N.Y.
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CL ASS O F 1 9 89 25 t h R E U NI O N
‘ Brunswick is a way of life’ P
ERHAPS THE greatest
when all of Brunswick basically
testament to the
occupied a single building on
strength of the Class
Maher Avenue.
of 1989 was the
Today, the Brunswick Middle
number of faculty who — 25 years
School, Lower School, and a near-
after these boys left Brunswick —
full complement of athletic facilities
turned up to visit with their former
occupy 104 acres at Edwards
students at Reunion.
Campus on King Street.
A few hours after football’s big win on Cosby Field, classmates from ’89 gathered for some extra fun at the J House. They were joined by spouses, loved ones, and an impressive array of faculty who hark back to a time
TOP ’89 classmates Grant Gregory, David Cannon, Shep Murray, and James Farrell INSET Jim and Merilyn Stephens
Only the Upper School remains on Maher Avenue. Like many alumni, Pete Kashatus ’89 toured the bucolic campus with his kids — Ainsley, 7, and Ellis, 5 — earlier in the day. That evening, he and his class-
For more photos, visit bwick.org/ tob_winter2015
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02
01
01 Grant Gregory and faculty member John Pendergast chat about the old days. 02 Every corner of the J House was packed with ’Wick alumni. 03 Eric Lee and Chris Lynch
“
Graduating from Brunswick is just the beginning. mates had the chance to visit with faculty and digest how things have changed. Huddled in one enclave in a very crowded room, for example, was Pat Meloni, in her 39th year as a 2nd-grade teacher. Squeezed in next to the bar was Jim
”
“I know every one of these guys,” Stolar said. “Being here is like being with my extended family. It’s too much fun! Everyone has a story.” History teacher John Pendergast and his wife also enjoyed the night. “I was touched to be invited,” he said.
fall in Bethany, Conn., to be at Reunion. “It’s great to see everyone again,” he said. Neal Kavanagh admitted to being a little sentimental about the evening. “We were so fortunate to grow up in Greenwich,” he said. “To come back, 25 years later — a lot of these guys I haven’t seen since high school. “I often think about the faculty,” he said. “Solid-to-the-core people.” Shep Murray, father to Tucker ’21 and Cooper ’19, welcomed his classmates back to Brunswick and remarked on what
Stephens, a Brunswick math teacher
“There’s something very memorable
Homecoming 2014 and a crowded 25th
for 30 years, who was catching up with
about this class.”
Reunion clearly show.
colleague Bruce Kimball, music teacher from 1985 to 2005. “These were some wonderful, wonderful kids,” Stephens said. In another corner was Ted Stolar, now retired after 38 years of teaching.
26 | TIMES
03
Alumni came from near and far for the chance to reconnect and renew. “We have a great network in this class,”
“Graduating from Brunswick is just the beginning,” Murray said. “Brunswick is a way of life.”
noted James Farrell. Travis Branch took time out from a new advertising studio he launched in the
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
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FLEX TIME BESS’S BOOK CLUB
A Prolific Reader: Not a Lady Who Lunched By Mike Kennedy ’99
B
ESS HUBBARD, a
“Bess wasn’t a lady who
Brunswick parent and long-
lunched,” Rees said. “She was a
time assistant to Headmaster
person of books and would have so
Thomas W. Philip, shared
enjoyed a day exactly like this one.”
her love of reading with all who knew her. She was always in the middle of
Two of Bess’s children, Libby Hubbard Stegger and George Hubbard Jr. ’99, and her husband,
a new book, always in discussion
George Hubbard Sr., also spoke —
with friends about an engaging
as did Tom Philip.
storyline or a compelling character. It was a fitting tribute, then, to honor Bess — who died after a
“The room was filled with so many people who loved Bess,” said Connie DeVico, who spent 14
courageous battle with cancer in June 2013 — in the spirit of her lifelong passion. More than 100 people, including Bess’s family and closest friends,
01
gathered in September for “Bess’s Book Club,” a luncheon held at Manursing Island Club in Rye, N.Y., to benefit the Bess Hubbard Memorial Scholarship Fund. The program featured a
02
presentation by John Thompson, author of the Junior Library
years and countless hours working
Guild Selection Disappearance at
alongside her dear friend at
Hangman’s Bluff.
Brunswick.
Nancy Rees P ’02, a close friend
“Everyone present meant
of Bess’s, said it was the natural
something different to Bess, as she
thing to have the event coalesce
meant so much to all of us. She was
around Bess’s affection for reading.
truly an inspirational woman.”
03
“An Inspirational Woman” The Bess Hubbard Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 2013 in memory of Bess Hubbard, honors a woman of integrity, purpose, and determination. Income from the Fund provides tuition assistance to deserving sons of Brunswick faculty and staff.
01 Bess lit up every room with her vibrant smile. 02 Libby Hubbard Stegger, George Hubbard Sr. and George Hubbard Jr. ’99 all spoke at the luncheon. 03 Author John Thompson used Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, one of Bess’s favorite books, as a launching pad to talk about Bess and reading and a love of words.
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
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Three young alumni have found that it pays to pursue their passions, that loving their work is an absolutely essential ingredient in both their professional success and personal satisfaction.
finding For some, the professional path forward is clear from the get-go. Take Chris Ghaffari ’08. Barely out of toddlerhood, Ghaffari made a circus out of his family living room in Riverside, Conn. Mom made a tent striped in red and white; young Ghaffari cast himself as the ringmaster, with his brother as the strongman. By 5th grade, Ghaffari was wrestling with Shakespeare in a G-rated Much Ado About Nothing. High school brought him to Brunswick, where he warmed his pipes in Pippin under the direction of Brunswick’s new theater teacher, Seth Potter. It’s a path that has led this onetime Bruin directly to “Go,” as it were. With Princeton behind him, he’s now in his second year at Yale School of Drama, honing the craft he loves in the shadow of some of the greats. Paul Newman, Henry Winkler, Stacy Keach, Meryl Streep, and Chris Noth are among the many who have passed through the school — all on their way to prolific careers in theater, film, television, and beyond.
28 | TIMES
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
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FAR LEFT Chris Ghaffari ’08 (top), Nick Simmons ’07 (middle), and Phil Piro ’07 (bottom) — each pictured here as a Brunswick senior — are making their alma mater proud in the professional world.
the
Sweet
Spot
Where Talent, Passion, + Drive Converge BY K AT H E R I N E O G D E N
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Call it “the sweet spot,” the place where talent and a special kind of “try” unite and intertwine to make for a satisfying and purpose-driven life. It’s in this “sweet spot” that we find the greatest oppor-
Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior Amy
tunity for success and personal satisfaction during the
Wrzesniewski and Barry Schwartz, Dorwin Cartwright
course of our careers.
Professor of Social Theory and Social Action at
At Brunswick, that kind of “try” is obvious every-
Swarthmore College and famous veteran of TED talks.
where. Beyond campus, it also manifests itself clearly in
Together with colleagues, the two social scientists
a trio of certain young graduates who are embarking on
recently published a paper in the Proceedings of the
careers beyond the beaten path to Wall Street.
National Academy of Sciences detailing their analysis
These men are uniquely motivated to do difficult work — driven to do work others might eschew, inspired to tackle challenges with no guarantee of success. For Ghaffari, the way forward has been pretty clear
of cadets’ motivation for entering the United States Military Academy at West Point. Their work compared and contrasted the value of both “internal” and “instrumental” factors as motivators
from the beginning: He’s loved the theater since he was
for success. For example: A research scientist’s desire
a small child.
to use his knowledge and skills to cure cancer demon-
For others, like ’07 classmates Phil Piro and Nick
strates strong internal motivation to achieve a result
Simmons, the journey has been a bit more circuitous.
directly related to his work. Conversely, his pursuit of
In June 2012, Simmons left his job on the biggest
the same goal with an eye toward fame, wealth, and a
trading floor in the world. Interested in education
Nobel Prize is evidence of “instrumental” motivation,
reform, ten days later he walked into a classroom of 20
because the rewards are really “byproducts,” not directly
3rd graders in a Harlem summer school.
related to the work or goal.
And then there’s Piro, whose departure from
Through their study of more than 11,300 cadets, the
Deutsche Bank last summer was chronicled in a Wall
scientists found that military students with internal
Street Journal article detailing the flight of young talent
motives alone consistently outperformed their peers over
from Wall Street banks.
the long haul, not only in achieving “internal” goals, but
Piro left banking to launch Captains Neck & Co., a boutique beverage company in Southampton, N.Y.
also in reaping “instrumental” rewards. “Remarkably, cadets with strong internal and strong instrumental
A caveat.
motives for attending West Point performed worse
This isn’t a story that pits the joys of “alternative”
on every measure than did those with strong internal
careers over the “tried and true.” Nor is it one about
motives but weak instrumental ones. “Instrumental
splitting off from the herd. And it’s certainly not along
motives are not always an asset and can actually be
the lines of the whimsical You Can’t Take It With You.
counterproductive to success,” the scientists wrote.
Characters in that play may indeed “try” new pursuits,
The research seems to point to a paradox for
but do so in the absence of the talent, determination,
Brunswick in its pursuit of the best practices in
and focus to excel.
education, especially as the School focuses intently on
Instead, this is a story about three young men motivated to pursue work they love and driven to dig
developing character and leadership skills. The paradox: We hope to have a hand in shaping
into the gritty details of their passion, whether it be
successful men of strong character, but we must do
business, education, or art.
so in ways that respect instrumental motivators as we
Different though their career paths may be, the men share a distinct and definitive “internal” motivation — one described in a recent op-ed column in The New York Times entitled “The Secret of Effective Motivation.” The
work for essential development of core, internal drive. The scientists made some observations relevant to those interested in education. “Our study suggests that efforts should be made to
piece details two kinds of motivations that people use
structure activities so that instrumental consequences
to move through life. Ironically, in this case, the authors
do not become motives,” they wrote. “Helping people
argue, two motives are not necessarily better than one.
focus on the meaning and impact of their work, rather
The authors include Yale School of Management
than on, say, the financial returns it will bring, may be
30 | TIMES
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
Nick Simmons ’07 7th-grade Math Teacher Success Academy Harlem West
the best way to improve not only the quality of their work but also — counterintuitive though it may seem — their financial success.” One doesn’t have to look far to find this kind of motivation among our three Brunswick alums.
T
Take Nick Simmons, the teacher. For the young Simmons, a
summer internship at UBS led to a permanent job on the company’s world-famous trading floor in Stamford, and he was on his way. Or so he thought. “Parts of it were interesting, and I worked with some really smart people,” he said. “(But) as a fulltime job, it wasn’t what I wanted to do. “I have a long career ahead; I want to spend my time on something I’m passionate about.” Simmons said the seeds for his big move were planted at Brunswick long ago, in a government class taught by John Booth, in a U.S. History class taught by John VanAtta, and even on the wrestling mat with Tim Ostrye. A movie, Waiting for Superman, nudged him further. With his own experience at Brunswick as a backdrop, it became clear to Simmons that failures in public education are among the most dangerous threats to the nation. “I think of it as a civil rights issue,” he said. Yet it was not to Washington, D.C., and long policy debates where
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| 31
Simmons was headed. Instead,
a 7th-grade math teacher who had
be compared to regular city schools
it was straight into a classroom.
departed suddenly.
in part because they don’t fully
Simmons wanted to come to terms
He got the call on a Sunday,
with the education that’s taking
and walked into his classroom the
place now, in real classrooms. He
following morning.
wanted personally to offer help, to
Simmons credits Brunswick for
include the same range of learners.
Simmons believes having children’s futures in his own hands is one of his greatest challenges.
In the article, Simmons refuted naysayers by noting that, last year,
Academy, we believe internal
13 percent of Success Academy
assessments and the results from
have immediate impact. He has, as
preparing him for such an intense,
students were special-needs,
state exams are essential feedback
the scientists would characterize,
high-stakes moment — and the
and 56 percent of those students
for how well we do our job in the
strong internal motivation.
many that would follow.
passed the New York State
classroom.
And so it was that ten days after
“Brunswick does a good job
Mathematics Test. By comparison,
“Students and teachers embrace
leaving UBS, Simmons entered
preparing kids for moments like
he wrote, an average of 7 percent
academic rigor and take pride
a classroom of 20 3rd graders in
that,” Simmons said. “The resil-
of the district’s special-needs
in having some of the top math
summer school at Success Academy
ience comes into play.”
students passed the test.
scores in the city, in many cases
Harlem West, a public charter
Learning to teach, he said,
Success Academy fared well
school. He chose a New York City
requires a steep learning curve, and
overall on that test. Last year, 89
charter school because there would
“a short memory.”
percent of Simmons’ 7th graders
be no delay in entering the class-
Here’s what he has learned so
outperforming the city’s giftedand-talented program.” Simmons attributes student
passed, with more than half scoring
success to a special kind of confi-
room; state certification wasn’t
far: “Leave the failures of yesterday
at the highest level. In 6th grade,
dence and optimism, generously
required. The transition was quick,
behind,” he said. “You put your
83 percent passed, Simmons wrote,
sprinkled with intrinsic motivation.
but he freely admits it did nothing
head down and do whatever it
compared to only 29 percent
for his nerves.
takes to get the job done.”
citywide.
“It was terrifying,” he recalled.
Simmons recently wrote an
“Many teachers and parents — as
“There’s an excellent reason why Success Academy scholars do extraordinarily well on state exams:
By fall, Simmons was hired as
opinion piece for The Wall Street
well as New York City’s chancellor
We believe they can,” Simmons
an assistant teacher in the Middle
Journal, defending the success of
and mayor — have said there is
wrote. “We believe all children
School. A month later, he was
his students against critics who
too much emphasis on testing,”
can succeed, no matter what their
claim public charter schools can’t
Simmons wrote. “But at Success
socioeconomic circumstances.”
called into service to take over for
32 | TIMES
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
P
Phil Piro ’07 Co-owner Captains Neck & Co.
Phil Piro ’07 has a similar story. And, like Simmons’, it offers some insight into what it means to search for “the sweet spot.” The two grew up together,
attending Greenwich Country Day School and then Brunswick before heading off to Yale. Both landed in banking after their undergraduate work; Piro worked as an analyst at Deutsche Bank for two years before realizing his heart simply lay elsewhere. Last June, Piro made a big decision, just as his childhood friend had done months before. He left the bank and jumped into the start-up world, launching an artisanal beverage company out of his family summer home in Southampton, N.Y. A Middle East Studies major at Yale, Piro admits he entered a world he knows little about. But that’s the point, he says. He wants to learn. Like his classmate, he is internally motivated. “I didn’t know a single thing about business,” he said. “If it ends up failing, I’ll have good real-world experience. “I wanted to learn about business
website details how the name serves as a constant reminder of
on the ground,” he said. “To teach
the friends and memories of child-
myself some marketing, teach
hood summers at the beach.
myself some sales.” A Twitter profile reflects the
The company offers soda in two flavors, both as whimsical as a
spirit and motivation behind the
light breeze on a beach in August:
brand:
Grape & ginger, citrus mint. So
“A brother, sister, and college
far, response has been great — the
roommate making it fun and easy
company is in 45 stores all across
to be healthy. We make deli-
Long Island.
cious, low-cal, all-natural craft beverages.” The new endeavor, Captains
Piro has demonstrated he isn’t afraid of hard work. He came
Now, he calls his work trying to
great way to test himself, to learn
get Captains Neck & Co. off the
how to think through businesses
ground “stressful,” even “brutal.”
using numbers.
through Brunswick, made his way
It’s worth it, he says.
Neck & Co., was named after the
to Yale, and moved right into a
In his heart of hearts, Piro has
street on which Piro and his sister
field famous for its long hours and
always been interested in business,
grew up in Southampton; their
stressful days.
and he sees his new company as a
“A lot of it comes from people wanting more responsibility,” he said. “I like building things.”
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Such a big shift in focus begs a question: What have these young men discovered since shifting gears, as it were?
A
And now comes Chris Ghaffari ’08, the actor and director honing his craft at Yale. Though the details of these mens’ lives are
clearly different, all three share an undercurrent that has helped direct their careers: A
It’s a plain fact: Big career changes aren’t without risk.
special, internal motivation to pursue work
Simmons, in particular, noted his former comfortable
they love, to spend their lives doing what they,
lifestyle among friends from Brunswick and from college,
themselves, find meaningful.
most of them in finance. “It was obviously a big risk,” Simmons said. “I secondguessed myself.” Remarkably, however, both Simmons and Piro point to a new sense of “ownership” of their lives and careers that now motivates their work. In particular, they point to a new set of skills that only results from a person taking responsibility for his own time. The real emphasis of the day, said Piro, becomes learning. “Even though you may have anxiety stepping off the trajectory,” Piro said, “there’s a huge premium on education. “When I set out to do this, I knew I would make all the mistakes,” he said. “I’ve made a lot of them. “I learn something new every day.”
All three knew each other at Brunswick. Ghaffari was a year behind Simmons and Piro; he played football with Simmons, and served on student government for a year with Piro. Unlike his schoolmates, however, Ghaffari has seen his own way forward since about the time he could walk. The circus first stirred his imagination. Days playing pretend under a homemade tent count as his earliest performances. From there, family nurtured early notions. The Ghaffaris grew to five when baby sister Lisa was born, and together they made regular trips into the city to take in some of the finest theater in the world.
Both men cite the hard work inherent in their new
Shakespeare came in 5th grade, with a
endeavors. Simmons says he works “15 times harder” in
performance of Much Ado About Nothing at
the classroom, but he notes that he does so only because
Greenwich Country Day School.
he wants to. “Once you find the thing you’re passionate about,
Ghaffari was cast as Benedict, an obstinate bachelor who blusters about all the reasons
when you ‘own’ the task rather than getting it delegated,”
why he won’t fall in love — but gets tricked
Simmons said, “only then do you have ‘ownership’ of
into it, anyway.
your day. “Looking back, it was a no-brainer.” New skills Simmons has sharpened in the classroom include creativity, time management, how to delegate, how to be a leader, and how to speak publicly. “No one is giving you set tasks,” he said. “You have to make all the decisions on how to get there. It’s really
Delivering the monologue, Ghaffari made his first connection with an audience. It hooked him. “To share something beautiful with an audience — it’s a feeling you can’t really put into words,” he said. High school at Brunswick brought the
challenging, particularly with children’s futures in your
tutelage of Seth Potter. Plays included The
hands.”
Sound of Music, Kiss Me Kate, and Pippin,
Simmons considers himself a higher-quality employee, now and in the future, because he has passion for his work and because of the skills he has acquired as he forced himself to “figure it out.”
where he took the stage alongside a bevy of classmates. Early passion aside, the decision to pursue a career in the theater did not come until
“That’s what surprised me,” he said, adding: “You are
later. He was a junior at Princeton before he
only going to be at your best when you are working your
finally set naysayers aside and committed to
hardest. You are only going to be thinking your best when
a life in the arts — a decision that came after
you feel like you belong.
his first taste of directing. The play was This
“I wasn’t getting the best out of myself,” he said.
34 | TIMES
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
Is Our Youth, written by Kenneth Lonergan
Chris Ghaffari ’08 Student, Actor, Director Yale School of Drama
and recently staged on Broadway. Ghaffari first came across the piece as a sophomore in Potter’s acting class. He revisited it in 2010, when he directed a small cast of 20-somethings in the play about 20-somethings in the early 1980s making their way into adulthood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The production had a five-night run at Princeton’s student-run Theatre Intime. “It was manageable,” he said. “It was a great first experience with directing. I really fell in love with directing,” he said. “I found something in me that needed to give it the best shot I could.”
“ To share something beautiful with an audience — it’s a feeling you can’t really put into words.” C H R I S G H A F FA R I ’ 0 8
There were plenty of doubters. “People tried to talk me out of it,” he said. “They harped on how hard the profession is. They warned: ‘Get out while you can.’”
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From Baker Theater to Shakespeare in the Park
Ghaffari had a reply to the naysayers, many of them already in
the piece focuses on the aftermath
the business.
of a school shooting. Ghaffari played
“You do this with your life. You love
a working-class father on the night
it.” And so it was that he signed on to
before he tries to send his Middle
what could be considered a kind of
School daughter back to school.
boot camp for actors. At Yale, he is in class every day from
In December, he tested his chops in the comedic sphere when he had the
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., training his body
chance to play Bottom, the quintes-
and mind to be the tools he needs
sential Shakespearean clown from A
them to be to present the range of
Midsummer Night’s Dream.
human experience to an audience.
The solo performance served as
Classes include speech, voice, move-
a culmination of sorts in his second
ment, singing, stage combat, clown,
year of study at Yale, and it went well.
Shakespeare, dance, text analysis, and
It was a moment that, for Ghaffari,
set design.
has become part of continuum of
Afternoons are for rehearsals,
work that began on the stage in 5th
which often start at 3 p.m. and extend
grade — he continues to be capti-
far into the night.
vated by work that seeks to get to the
“It’s a new show almost every week,”
roots of the comedic world.
he said. “Between The Cabaret, the
It’s something Ghaffari deliciously
School of Drama, Yale Rep, there is
describes as the “the delightful hilarity
something new all the time.”
of the clown, which is bound up in
It’s a schedule and a discipline that requires the body of an athlete, and
failure.” “That’s when we love him most,” he
Ghaffari finds that his Brunswick
said. “It’s fascinating. ‘Clown’ work
athletic career is paying unexpected
is so tied to the relationship with
dividends.
the audience, which is always in the
“I am incredibly grateful for my athletic background at Brunswick,” he said. “A sense of space and coordination — these are needed to learn dance and movement techniques. It’s all sort of a compound value. “The actor is the athlete of the
moment and something you can’t plan for.” Opportunities have extended beyond New Haven. Last summer, Ghaffari had the chance to spar with John Lithgow in a Public Theater production of
imagination,” Ghaffari said. “The
King Lear at the Delacorte Theater
more you can do with your body, the
in Central Park. “He’s such a class
more compelling the story is, the
act,” Ghaffari said of the famous lead.
In 2008, Ghaffari played the lead in the Seth Potter-directed Kiss Me Kate.
more compelling the spectacle is.”
“He came at the role with no ego. He
Ghaffari starred in Baker Theater as Orpheus from Metamorphosis — also in 2008.
fascinating opportunities.
Last summer, Ghaffari landed a role in the ensemble for the New York Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park staging of King Lear.
Yale, Ghaffari has already been cast
along with two of his classmates from
in four shows, including a notable
Yale. He credits famous Yale stage
production of a new play called This
combat teacher Rick Sordelet for
Flat Earth.
helping get him the audition.
TOP TO BOTTOM
Hard work has already led to some Midway through his second year at
A studio project written by award-winning, second-year play-
36 | TIMES
writing student Lindsey Ferrentino,
knew every actor in the company by name the first day.” Ghaffari was cast in the ensemble
Many Yale drama teachers are also professionals in the business, and
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
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Sordelet is no exception. He helped create the swordfights for King Lear, and his work was featured in a Wall Street Journal article by
At Brunswick, on the frontlines of elementary and secondary education, the faculty’s challenge of encouraging every student to find his passion and appealing to his sense of internal motivation informs every activity — in the classroom and on the playing field as well.
Amy Gamerman last summer. “Death is easy,” she wrote, “but for a good eye-gouge, Broadway
That challenge is especially rele-
stimulating environment that
directors call Rick Sordelet.”
vant today, according to Brunswick
fosters critical thinking, that helps
ment has always been key to
Faculty Institute Co-Director
kids to develop important, neces-
Brunswick’s approach — even,
Brendan Gilsenan.
sary life skills, and that facilitates
and perhaps especially, in the
a consciousness for what it takes
earliest grades.
In all, there were 24 performances in the four-week run of King Lear; Ghaffari would ride in
“Kids in this day and age are
That kind of encourage-
on his bike each day to warm up
beginning to ask, ‘Why? — Why am
to be a good person in this world
for the show along with his Yale
I reading this? Why am I learning
— a person of character, as we like
School 2nd-grade teacher Pat
classmates.
this information? What’s the
to say.
Meloni has viewed it as the core of
It was an experience of community, a sweet spot in the life of a
point?’” he said. As students demand greater
“As far as helping to unlock an
“There’s something absolutely special in each boy,” she said. “My
relevancy and engagement, faculty
follow their passions, that comes
field he loves.
must respond with strategies of
with putting kids in a position to
foresight, blending tradition and
experiment with different areas
innovation.
of interest and to take intellec-
“We got to experience it of performing in the park every night.”
“We have a responsibility to create a healthy, intellectually
her work.
‘internal motivation’ to find and
man just beginning a career in a
together,” he said. “The ritual
For nearly 40 years, Lower
tual risks with those areas of interest.”
As co-director of The Brunswick Faculty Institute, Brendan Gilsenan is charged with helping kids find their true passion for learning.
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Around 2nd-grade teacher Pat Meloni’s classroom table, every boy is encouraged to develop self-confidence and a love of learning.
of what Gilsenan calls “the confi-
Without question, that impact can be seen in alumni who strive
Read All About It!
“We, as parents, teachers, advi-
to find and cultivate their own
“The Secret of Effective
sors, and coaches, must put them
professional “sweet spots,” who
Motivation,” published July 6 in
in a position to feel comfortable
demonstrate courage as they seek
the Sunday Review section of
job is to find that and to encourage
and confident about themselves,
to nail down careers that connect
The New York Times, argues that
him to make it shine.”
their abilities, and the importance
to their own passions.
internal motives — focusing on
Since 1976, she has dedi-
dence factor” is essential.
of following an area of interest
Simmons, the banker-turned-
the meaning and impact of one’s
cated herself to observing and
that excites them.” For Meloni, the
teacher, may have summed it up
work, for example — are most
responding to the special qual-
charge is simple and direct.
best. Attending Brunswick, he said,
conducive to lifelong success.
was an “unbelievable opportunity,”
http://nyti.ms/1qG0jiO
ities that distinguish 2nd-grade
“From the start, every one of
boys from all others. The count
my boys must know he is loved
and one that continues to influence
of students she has taught now
and cared about,” she says. “That’s
his life every day.
numbers just shy of 600.
essential. I tell them, ‘Every day,
“And they’re all different,” she insists. “Every boy is different and special in some way. Every day,
“I honestly can still hear the
you have to be as special as you
voices of (wrestling coach) Tim
can be.’”
Ostrye or my advisor, Tom Philip,”
Brunswick’s encouragement of
he said. “They inspire me to give that
I have a chance to discover what
and concentration on character
that is.”
has an unquestionable impact on
back, to offer some of that amazing
students’ performance not only
education to others,” he said.
Not surprisingly, what’s “absolutely special” about every boy is
in School, but also in college and
rooted in his character; cultivation
beyond.
38 | TIMES
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FLEX TIME FOCUS ON CHARACTER & LEADERSHIP
A Matter of Trust By Mike Kennedy ’99
B
RUNSWICK HAS long
Signer, Middle School Head Sarah
committees in each school division.
committed to character-
Burdett, Assistant Headmaster
A handful will attend the Gardner
based education through
Rick Beattie, and Director of
Carney Leadership Institute
the tenets of Courage,
Counseling Leslie Anderson,
in Fountain Valley, Colo., this
Headmaster Tom Philip announced
summer. All will take Coursera’s
that Brunswick is ready to imple-
online class, “Teaching Character
embracing the moral, physical,
ment a new whole-school initiative.
and Creating Positive Classrooms,”
and intellectual growth of each
“As I look at what this all prom-
before school opens in September.
Honor, Truth. Its focus on “the whole boy” and
and every student has come to
ises for our future, I can’t tell you
define a Brunswick education,
how excited I am about it,” Philip
really good about it,” the head-
leaving an indelible mark on
told faculty and staff in January.
master concluded, “because it
generations of graduates. And yet,
“For so long, Courage, Honor,
“As a school, we should all feel
shows how much character and
Truth has been the focus of
leadership mean to us. It will have
Brunswick. These programs will
a significant impact on each one
cement the School’s mission in
of our boys.”
place — now and long after all of us are gone.” Philip expressly stated that Brunswick is not changing direction in any way. “Brunswick is known now as a school celebrated for character,” he said. “We are going to continue on this same course. “There are things we’ve always Kate Duennebier Brunswick Trust Coordinator
been doing that we’ll keep doing. There are things we’re adding that are in line with that, and there will
as life and work in the 21st century
be a larger structure around it all
bring complex and unprecedented
that will support us and our boys as
challenges, Brunswick has always
we focus on character and leader-
been dedicated to ensuring its
ship education.”
program remains fresh and relevant in every area. As a result, in 2010, the School’s
Middle School English teacher Kate Duennebier will spearhead leadership of the hallmark program
five-year strategic plan mandated
— aptly named The Brunswick
an examination and subsequent
Trust: Enduring Excellence
strengthening of Brunswick’s
in Character and Leadership
multitude of character and leader-
Education.
ship initiatives, large and small. Planning for and work on that
It will center on eight areas of involvement, including role
project have been underway
modeling, curricular initiatives,
for some time. And now, after
personal experiences, diversity, and
extensive research and preparation
student and faculty assessments.
alongside Pre School Head Gina Hurd, Lower School Head Katie
As detailed plans are rolled out, faculty will be solicited to form
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AATHLETICPROUD TRADITION.
UNITED
CAMPUS.
ON ONE
ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo oooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo oooooooooo oooooooooo oooooooooo oooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo oooooooooo oooooooooo oooooooooo oooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooo
40 | TIMES
Last fall, for the first time, Brunswick sports enthusiasts could cheer for all four Bruin teams while taking a walking tour of the Edwards Campus. BY MIKE KENNEDY ’99
T
HEY COULD gather in the bleachers of Robert L. Cosby Field to watch the football team’s highflying offense blow by opponents on the way to a New England Bowl Championship.
They could then amble uphill to the sidelines of
Caputo Varsity Field to see the resilient soccer team go toe-to-toe with the stiffest of competition — and end its season in style. From there, it would be on to the outskirts of campus to support ’Wick cross country runners, who raced by all 21 teams on their schedule to finish the year undefeated.
For more photos of Bruin Sports, visit bwick.org/ tob_winter2015
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
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FALL SPORTS
WRAPUP
FAR LEFT The football team poses for the traditional championship photo. LEFT Chris Keller ʼ15 leads the pack of New England competitors. MIDDLE Aidan Schubert ’16 anchored the ’Wick defense from the goalkeeper position. BOTTOM Senior captains Julian Ronda, Alex Prout, and Matt Marvin show off the hardware.
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And finally, although it was
treated to many highlight-reel goals,
a beautiful fall, they could
game-winning touchdowns, and
step indoors and check out the
triumphant victories.
new natatorium — and the
But, most important, they saw
even-more-impressive, Liquid Four
teams united in the spirit of Brown
title-winning water polo squad.
& Gold, all playing for each other
Even if they passed up the walking tour, Bruin fans — students, faculty,
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and their School’s proud athletic tradition.
alumni, and parents alike — were
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WATER POLO
LEFT Players and coaches celebrate the Liquid Four win. MIDDLE Pat Stefanou ʼ16 was the team’s dominant offensive force all season long. BOTTOM Charlie Pang ʼ17 made a number of clutch saves on the way to the title.
Banner Raised to the Rafters: Liquid Four Champs As the Brunswick water polo team reconvened for its fifth season in August — with all the hype
And ready, indeed, they were —
surrounding the new natatorium on
sweeping through league competition
the Edwards Campus — Head Coach
and finishing the regular season
Eric Tillman saw a look of determina-
unbeaten in NEPSAC play.
tion in his players’ eyes.
Highlights included a double-header
from parents, faculty, and students, ’Wick dispatched Suffield, 17–6, in the
triumph against Andover and Exeter,
semi-final round to set up a decisive
collective game up to a new level
and wins over perennial water polo foes
game against Deerfield for the tourna-
— and to erase the stinging disappoint-
Choate, Lawrenceville, and Deerfield.
ment title.
They were motivated to take their
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“When the boys showed up for the first practice, I knew they were ready.”
ment of losing in the New England Liquid Four semi-final match in 2013. In addition, they were motivated to make sure the buzz on campus focused on them — even more than on their beautiful, state-of-the-art facility. “Last year, we found ourselves
At Homecoming 2014, the Bruins
In a back-and-forth contest —
gave a packed home crowd reason to
during which neither team could
cheer — cruising to victories versus
establish control — Brunswick rode
Loomis and Suffield.
a sensational six-goal effort from Pat
Tillman, though, pointed to a pair of
goaltending of Charlie Pang ’17 to a 7–6
ally recognized Greenwich High School
Brunswick history-making win.
looking down at our feet, wondering
as keys to his team’s readiness for the
what had happened to our season,”
Liquid Four.
Tillman said. “But that sour taste stuck
Stefanou ’16 and the outstanding
losses to cross-town rival and nation-
Seniors Alex Prout and Matt Marvin joined Stefanou and Pang on the
“We had to take our game up a notch
All-Tournament team.
with us and inspired us to work even
to stay in the water with the High
harder in preparation for 2014.
School,” Tillman said. “We scrapped
ends of the pool, the first-place trophy
and fought, but most
was headed north,” Tillman said. “The
important, we learned
boys played a complete game and
how to become a better
deserve to feel a definite sense of pride
team in those defeats.”
and accomplishment.”
And the Bruins, in
“Without a full team effort at both
Now, with their goal of raising a
fact, would have to be
banner to the rafters fulfilled, the
at their best when their
Bruins will seek a repeat performance
opponents — with every
in 2015.
intention of knocking
Stefanou, a three-time All-New
off the host school and
England selection — along with Jack
number one seed —
Muccia ’16 and Lucas Bell ’16 — will
arrived at King Street
lead the way as the team captains.
for the Liquid Four. Spurred on by loud and energetic support
42 | TIMES
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FALL SPORTS
WRAPUP
Billy O’Malley ’15
FOOTBALL Matt Gendell ’15
Family Atmosphere Leads to Bowl Win
or lose out on a shot at redemption. “We didn’t waver from our goal,” Shine said. “But we knew that to achieve it, we had to see it and then believe it would happen.” The Bruins bounced back with a statement victory against Taft at Homecoming and followed it
A season ago — with a 28–6 lead
they needed. “The boys came
up with convincing “W’s” over
against Andover in the Jack Etter
through the doors on Day 1 eager
Hotchkiss and Trinity-Pawling in
Bowl — the Brunswick football
to make up for what happened last
weeks three and four, respectively.
team seemed primed to win
year,” Head Coach Jarrett Shine ’92
But the real momentum-swinger
the School’s first New England
said. “They were determined to get
came against Salisbury — in the
Championship since 2005.
back to that same spot — and, this
form of a trick play appropriately
time, walk off as champions.”
dubbed “cuckoo.” Standing on
But it was not to be. Andover scored 29 unanswered
It wouldn’t be an easy task for
their own 48-yard line and trailing
points and left the Bruins stunned
the Bruins, though, as they began
21–20 in the game’s final minute,
after a 35–28 defeat. It was an
the season with a gridiron clash on
the Bruins needed a miracle.
experience all returning players
the road against league-rival and
in 2014 — including 20 seniors —
traditional power Avon Old Farms.
remembered as they stepped onto
’Wick fell to the Winged Beavers,
And, after a reverse flea-flicker throwback screen (“cuckoo” is the right word, after all) to WR
the field for the first team practice
49–34, leaving the team staring an
Malik Walker, they got one — as
in August.
almost insurmountable task in the
the senior co-captain took it to the
face: Win all its remaining games
house behind a sea of Brown &
And it was all the motivation
PRO BOWLERS The Erickson League — comprised of Avon Old Farms, Brunswick, Hotchkiss, Kent, Salisbury, Taft, and Trinity-Pawling — honored the following Bruins with post-season accolades. D EFEN S IV E P L AYER O F THE YEA R:
Austin Meacham ’15 A L L-CO N FEREN CE:
Matt Gendell ’15 Defensive Lineman Alex Katchadurian ’16 Offensive Lineman Austin Meacham ’15 Linebacker Billy O’Malley ’15 Quarterback Malik Wilder ’15 Wide Receiver
Gold blockers for the game-winning Austin Meacham ’15
touchdown. Fans at Robert L. Cosby
atmosphere on and off the field,
Field erupted in celebration.
which distinguished us from our
From then on, Brunswick rolled on its quest to secure a New
built something special within this
England bowl bid, routing both
program, quieted the naysayers,
Kent and Deerfield to finish the
and made those who believed in
regular season with a record of 6–1.
them very proud.
Fittingly, in the Wayne Sanborn NEPSAC Bowl Championship
“They deserve to go out on top.” Newly elected captains John Fox
game, it was the senior class
’17, Alex Katchadurian ’16, Alex
leading the way to the 46–20
Russell ’16, and Pat Adamo ’16 will
title-winning victory against
have a fine example to follow in
Governor’s Academy (Byfield,
2015 as they look to achieve similar
Mass.). “This class created a family
success.
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competition,” Shine said. “They
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SOCCER
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Some had to adjust to the rigors
post-season. Co-captain Sal Lopez
built over the course of nearly three
of playing key minutes for the first
’16 scored on a shot from midfield
months of hard work, desire, and
time, while others were thrust into
only four seconds into the game,
persistence,” Kaptcianos said. “It
new positions and game-action,
and fellow co-captain Marshall
was such a satisfying way to end
also for the first time. A few were
Dickson ’15 netted the first goal of
the season.”
new to soccer altogether.
his three-year varsity career to lead
“It was a unique challenge for
the Bruins to a 3–2 win.
Captains Aidan Schubert ’16 and Lopez, a two-time WNESPSA
players and coaches to start with
“That win under the lights,
the basics while competing in a
in front of a lively crowd, was a
all-star, will lead a “more-veteran” squad — including 13 seniors —
Losing Season Ends on a High
league with established soccer
reflection of the team that was
onto the field in 2015.
After 10 games, it would have been
especially the seniors, worked hard
easy — almost expected, really —
and maintained a positive attitude
for the Brunswick soccer team to
throughout the process.”
traditions,” Kaptcianos said. “But each member of the team,
give up on its season. The Bruins
The highlight of that process,
sat with a record of 1–9 and had
indeed, came on a very cold Senior
been eliminated from WNESPSA
Night against Westminster, a team
playoff contention.
needing a victory to qualify for the
Pack it in and get ready for next season, many young athletes might have said. But the Bruins didn’t quit: They were determined to keep playing. And, in the final third of the season, they played their best soccer of the year. “Everything started to click after a strong week of practice in mid-October,” Assistant Coach Jon Kaptcianos said. “Strikers were making the right runs and cuts, midfielders were connecting passes, and our defenders and goalkeeper were working as a single unit. “To close out the season 2–2–1, with wins against Hopkins and Westminster, is indicative of the
ABOVE Marshall Dickson ’15 goes up for a header while Anders Ashforth ’15 and Grant Quackenbush ’16 look on. LEFT Sal Lopez ’16 puts a strike on the ball.
success we had this year — with multi-sport athletes developing into talented and intelligent soccer players.” In fact, when practice began in August, the Bruins were forced to build from the ground up, with a roster full of inexperience on many different levels.
44 | TIMES
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CROSS COUNTRY
FALL SPORTS
WRAPUP
Andrew Israel ’16
Parker Stitzer ’15
oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo oooooooooooo
Chris Peisch ’16
Will Berczuk ’15
Quiet Determination and an FAA Double The Brunswick cross country team
ably the most decorated season in
broke with tradition in 2014.
the history of the program.
Rather than concluding pre-race
In addition to the FAA double
team huddles with a loud cheer in
— the first since 2009 — the team
the school’s name, the group simply
captured the Wilton Invitational
whispered the words in unison:
and placed third at the Canterbury
“1–2–3, ’Wick.” And, after compiling a 21–0 dual
Invitational. season race. According to Polikoff,
a talented Hopkins team looming
meet record — along with FAA
lined the success by dominating
however, depth and experience —
on next year’s schedule, the
regular and post-season champion-
FAA competition on his way to
not one Bruin runner himself
challenges will prove large for the
ships — it looks like the new team
winning the league title. The Wake
— were most critical to the team’s
Bruins in 2015.
ritual may last well into the future.
Forest-bound senior also placed
memorable year.
“In a sense, it was a reflection of
Individually, Berczuk head-
14th at the New England’s, leading
“We had a lineup of veterans who
Newly-elected captains Chris Peisch ’16 and Andrew Israel ’16,
the group’s quiet determination,”
his team to a 9th-place finish and
all knew what it took to overcome
an All-FAA selection, will be tasked
Head Coach Steve Polikoff said.
earning All-New England honors
the challenges that come with the
with getting their team ready.
“It became our signature.” Led by
in the process.
wear and tear of a cross country
varsity mainstays and captains Will
Stitzer, too, was honored with
season,” he said. “All 22 teammates
Berczuk ’15, Cooper Robinson ’15,
All-FAA recognition — for the
contributed to each one of our
and Parker Stitzer ’15, the Bruin
fourth consecutive year, no less
accomplishments.”
runners put together what is argu-
— by taking third in the post-
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With few runners returning and
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FLEX TIME ’ W I C K S T U D E N T S O N S TAG E
UP P E R SCHO O L T HE AT E R The Glorious Complications of Love
A
T BAKER Theater in
plot, focusing on the trials and
November, Upper
experiences of two sets of lovers
School students took
in a magical forest; the jealous
on the universal theme
world of the Fairy King and
of love and all of its glorious
Queen; and a group of itinerant
complications — lust, confusion,
amateurs attempting to stage
disappointment, and marriage —
a production of “Pyramus and
in their staging of Shakespeare’s
Thisbe” for the wedding of the
A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Duke of Athens.
The spirited cast of 22 actors
46 | TIMES
By the end, sold-out crowds
and actresses carried the audi-
rose to their feet to applaud the
ence through a multilayered
fine dramatic efforts of all.
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Flex TIME
MID D L E S CH O O L T H E AT E R A Journey to a Faraway Kingdom, Full of Twists and Turns
M
IDDLE SCHOOL boys took the audience on a journey to a faraway kingdom in their presentation of
DreamWorks’ Shrek Jr. — a show full of twists and turns, witty dialogue, and engaging musical numbers. Along the way, all were introduced to a green ogre, a wisecracking donkey, a short terror who is dying to be crowned king, a feisty princess, and, of course, a fearless dragon that guards the tower of the princess. A gang of displaced fairytale misfits rounded out the cast of this entertaining, laughter-inducing show — with a happy ending to boot.
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
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BEYOND THE BOOKS
NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY EVENTS
From Zaragoza to Maher Avenue: ’Wick Welcomes Exchange Student
J
ORGE TERREU ’16 could have
him for speaking only Spanish,
landed at any one of the 85
English, and French, as well as “a
independent ASSIST member
little” Chinese, before he got here).
schools in the United States.
He has also impressed in graphic
The nonprofit, international
design.
educational and cultural exchange
Before sitting down with him
organization identifies, places, and
in January, we eavesdropped as
supports outstanding international
he toasted a bagel and engaged in
students on one-year scholarships
three to four conversations with
at leading American independent
students in passing
secondary schools.
— one about an
The Blake School in
imminent lab report,
Minneapolis, Minn.; St. Mark’s
another about the
School of Texas in Dallas; Nichols
upcoming hockey
School in Buffalo, N.Y.; as far west
game.
as New Mexico at Albuquerque
Terreu credits the
Academy — the distinguished list
Jaiswals (his host-
goes on and includes schools all
family), as well as
across the country.
’Wick students and
But the Zaragoza, Spain, native found his way to Connecticut — to
teachers, for welcoming him and making his transition an easy one.
Greenwich to be exact — after
“I was a little nervous coming
emerging from a pool of 1,650
here — to a completely different
applicants as one of 161 ASSIST
culture and environment,”
Scholars. “My older sister had a
he said. “But I feel very
friend who was accepted into the
lucky that everyone,
program a few years ago, and she
especially the Jaiswals, has
encouraged me to apply,” Terreu
been so good to me.”
said. “I am now very happy I did.” Brunswick, admittedly, feels the same way.
As for reminders of home? Terreu keeps a soccer
From the moment Terreu
ball in his bedroom and
arrived, the 16-year-old has
dribbles carefully while
immersed himself in campus life —
snow falls outside his
taking a full slate of classes, playing
window — keen to retain
on the varsity soccer team, and
his skills before returning
joining the German Club (forgive
to Spain in June.
48 | TIMES
Jorge Terreu ’16 wears many hats at ’Wick: Student, athlete, linguist, graphic designer, and friend.
A Visitor from Across the Pond Liam Payne, a student from Oakham School in the United Kingdom, spent three weeks among ’Wick students last fall — hosted by Alex Tucker ’17. By all accounts, Liam enjoyed his experience — especially on the American football field.
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BEYOND the BOOKS
One Man’s Clutter, Another’s Hidden Treasure AS HE LOOKED FOR SOMETHING around the house, Jamie MacFarlane ’16 kept coming across old electronic devices: A rarely used iPod Classic here, a cracked iPhone 4 there, and a handful of seemingly archaic Blackberrys. Once the newest gadgets — all indispensable around the clock — they were now collecting dust in tucked-away drawers, out of sight and out of mind. MacFarlane, though, didn’t simply leave them for someone else to find (brothers Will ’12 or Sammy ’11, for instance) as most in his shoes would have done. He had a better idea. “There’s no reason for these devices to become obsolete clutter,” he said. “I knew there had to be value.” MacFarlane, a student in the Upper School’s newly established Science Research Seminar, theorized that the precious metals inside the devices could be reused in another product down the line. And, he thought, some could even have functional value to a potential next owner. “If only one person could be connected to the next or even to a recycling plant,” MacFarlane said, “the positive environmental impact through reuse could be huge. “I set out to develop that connection.”
Third graders Thomas Ewald, Luke Homan, and Robert Ulmer play the game for the strategy — and the fun.
After months of planning and creating a website, MacFarlane launched SellPhoneHut.com, to buy used and retired cell phones, iPods, and tablets. The website makes selling electronics quick and easy. After just a small series of clicks to describe the device’s specifications, with guidance all along the way, SellPhoneHut.com offers a quote on the spot. Today, an iPhone 4s with 16 GB of storage on the AT&T network and normal wear and tear is worth $64 at SellPhoneHut.com. An iPhone 5 of the same specifications is worth $189. Even if the devices are too old to have market value, and as a result MacFarlane can’t pay for them, he’ll gladly accept them and make sure they’re recycled responsibly. “This endeavor unites my passions for business and the environment and pays consumers to be environmentally conscious without even having to leave their homes. “That’s a win-win for all of us.”
Lower Schoolers Compete for National Checkmate Honors
S
OON AFTER his mom
members played seven games
taught him how to play
of chess during an intense
chess, 3rd grader Luke
three-day period — and they
Homan realized it was like a
earned incredible success.
big battle between two king-
The 1st-grade team —
doms — “May the best man
composed of Neel Behringer,
win,” if you will.
Henry Graham, Carl Homan,
“I love figuring out the strategy to win and learning
and Mark Homan — finished in 8th place.
new openings in the course
Third graders Thomas
of a game,” the ’Wick Lower
Ewald, Luke Homan, and
School student said.
Robert Ulmer teamed up to
“Playing with a team is also a lot of fun,” Homan added. He and eight other Bruins did so in December, taking
secure a 6th-place finish for Brunswick, the School’s bestever result in the competition. Fourth grader William Ewald
their chess games on the road
also participated and took
to compete in the U.S. Chess
home an individual trophy for
Federation National Scholastic
his 14th-place standing.
Chess Championships in Orlando, Fla. At the event, attended by
Lucas Korn, a 5th grader, became ill during the weekend and had to withdraw.
more than 1,200 children from across the country, ’Wick team
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BEYOND the BOOKS
Middle Schoolers Kevin Tu ’20 and Christian Hartch ’19 scored highest among their classmates on the American Math Competitions 8 Test.
In Middle School, Mathletes Abound
T
EN MIDDLE School students participated in the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series at Fairfield University in February ( just after this issue went to press).
MATHCOUNTS, a coaching and competition program, brings to
math achievement the same enthusiasm and prestige now enjoyed by athletics. Representing Brunswick were 8th graders William Frauen, Christian Hartch, and Alex Trauber; 7th graders Logan Darrin, Harry Kilberg, Jamie Meindl, Kevin Tu, and Nick Wolanske; and 6th graders Cameron Evans and Ryan Winston.
Strictly by the Numbers
Middle School Math Coordinator Kevin Landesman thinks
At the third match of the six-match Fairfield County season,
the group has the potential to be Brunswick’s strongest team in
the Upper School math team placed second among 23 public
recent memory.
and private schools, with a score of 81 points. Jack Turchetta
“We are excited to be sending 10 boys to competition this year
’15 was the only student in the county with a perfect score.
for the first time, especially having the opportunity to send younger boys,” Landesman said. “This enables 6th and 7th graders to gain valuable experience that should make them stronger 8th graders down the road.”
50 | TIMES
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Keshav Raghavan ʼ17, Emmet Coyle ʼ15, Jack Turchetta ʼ15, Peter Ciporin ʼ15, Taylor Huffman ʼ17, Andrew Rogozinski ʼ17, and Mathematics Chair Michael Allwood
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
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BEYOND the BOOKS
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
’Wick’s Horizons Continue to Expand
A
FTER A successful
programs included for parents are
tionship with Horizons students
inaugural summer of
CPR training, a nutrition workshop,
and parents between September
Horizons at Brunswick,
and a skills session conducted by
and June,” Barnum said. “We hope
the program has built on its positive
child and adolescent family thera-
they’ll want to come back each
momentum by hosting six Saturday
pist Darby Fox P ’16.
summer — all the way through
sessions, open to all students who
“The goal is to maintain a rela-
Upper Schoolers Nicky Henkel ’18 (top) and Clayton Adams ’15 volunteered their reading and technological skills to the Saturday program.
their 8th-grade years.”
attended in 2014. Each Saturday session has an academic component for students, a workshop geared toward parental education, and a family-education segment bringing students and parents together. “The Saturday program has worked quite well,” said Marianne Ho Barnum, Executive Director of Horizons at Brunswick. “Parents and students are continuing their education and connecting with each other in the school setting.” Many Brunswick 9th and 10th graders have also participated, serving as mentors and volunteering to read to the Horizons students as part of the “Real Men Read” component of the program. “It is a great feeling to help the kids and to know that I’m having a small impact on their lives,” Ned Camel ’18 said. “They are all intent on learning.” Among the many valuable
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BEYOND the BOOKS
The Merits of Ayn Rand, Game of Thrones: Just Another Day in Advisory By Yousef Hindy ’15
A
FTER I grab a quick breakfast from
my fellow advisees once said, so
the dining hall, I begin the short
anyone is welcome to pop in and join
walk to Mr. Beattie’s office and
a conversation. Several “unofficial
contemplate what the topic of conversation
members,” in fact, make frequent
will be in advisory that day.
stops when they have a minute — or
While it can often be difficult for teenagers
an entire block — to spare.
to be motivated for anything — let alone
Passing through the cafeteria each
school — early in the morning, I can tell you
morning, though, I realize that the
that my fellow advisees and I genuinely look
Beattie advisory experience is not
forward to homeroom.
an anomaly at ’Wick. I catch sight of
As I take my seat, I am surrounded by
Hindy ’15 will attend Stanford University this fall.
some of the most distinguished members of my class: Varsity captains and athletes, the school president, exceptional actors, peer
spirited conversations, all populated with diversely passionate and talented students who love to share their enthu-
leaders, and an EMT, to name a few. There exists such a mutual respect among
other advisories, all in the midst of
siasm for their interests. drop by on my way to class — just to take a
If you ask any boy in the senior class
the eight of us — and Mr. Beattie himself
break from the day or chat with whoever is
which advisory is the best, he will surely say
— that we become engaged in all sorts of
lounging around.
that it’s his own.
discussions. For example, on one occasion
“All roads lead to Beattie,” as one of
He’s probably right.
we debated the merits of Ayn Rand and Immanuel Kant; and on another day, we ogled over the previous night’s Game of Thrones episode. In a sense, advisory is akin to a breakfast table at which I can learn something new and interesting every single day. The conversations are not always intellectual — to the delight of all — yet they are unfailingly engaging. Sometimes, I will even find myself rushing to first period because I’m so caught up in the discourse that I almost forget to go to class. Not only do I take advantage of my advisory in the structured homeroom and “flex” times, but I also
52 | TIMES
Assistant Headmaster for Academics Rick Beattie ’80 is surrounded by his vaunted senior advisory group (left to right): Yousef Hindy, Tucker Brown, Alex Prout, James Granruth, Grant Pierce, Matt Marvin, Clay Berger, and Grant MacFaddin.
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
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FLEX TIME CLASS OF 2005 SPEAKER SERIES
of ISIS,” Benjamin added. “So far, the threat is nothing like 9/11. But
months before the 9/11 attacks,
because of the public debate and
Benjamin co-authored an op-ed
all kinds of crazy suggestions, we
column in The New York Times,
have a very worked-up populace in
entitled “The New Face of
the U.S.
Terrorism.”
“I fear we’re creating a sense
Laden do not want a place at the
ground,” he said. “But we should
table; they want to shatter the
remember what happened the last
table,” he wrote. “They are not
time we invaded Iraq and the ulti-
constrained by secular political
mate cost — in American casualties
concerns. Their objective is not to
and dollars — of that war.”
influence, but to kill, and in large
Instead, Benjamin underscored
By Mike Kennedy ’99
T
“Terrorists allied with Mr. bin
that we have to put troops on the
the billion-dollar investments the
Counterterror Expert: ‘Think About a Career in Public Service’
In January 2000, more than 18
numbers.” And, in a September 2002 article
U.S. has made in its intelligence
entitled “Saddam Hussein and Al
and counterterrorism capabilities,
Qaeda Are Not Allies,” Benjamin
and asserted his confidence in
wrote, “The last war against
those advancements.
Iraq was a catalytic event for the
“This is a threat we can manage
Islamists who formed Al Qaeda.
without getting back on the ground
We should not be complacent
HE WORLD is full of truly
National Security Council from
in Iraq and Syria,” he said. “We’re a
and believe that the next one will
scary things.
1994 to 1999, as a member of
really powerful country, and we can
be different, or that the jihadist
President Clinton’s staff.
deal with a lot of the problems.”
violence cannot grow worse.”
At a fall Upper School assembly, Senior Dean
The Harvard graduate and
He should know.
Decades of willfully facing down
Paul Withstandley reminded
Marshall Scholar at Oxford visited
the terrorist maelstrom have
listeners of just a few: Data
with the Upper School commu-
toughened Benjamin to an endless
breaches, infectious-disease
nity as part of the Class of 2005
outbreaks, natural disasters,
Speaker Series — an endowed gift
biological weapons, terrorist plots,
from parents of the Class of 2005
and acts of terror. Most of us prefer
to bring renowned and informative
not to think about them — not
speakers to the Brunswick campus.
to imagine them, not to plan for
“I heartily endorse your school
them, not to confront the natural
saying — ‘With All Thy Getting,
fear of them, he said.
Get Understanding’ — and hope
But someone needs to man the
that after today, you’ll be interested
watchtower, to prompt top-level
in following up on some of these
discussions about terror threats, to
international issues and doing
develop strategies to defeat terror-
something about them,” Benjamin
ists abroad, and to help ensure the
said. He spotlighted the three main
United States’ national security.
drivers for foreign-policy makers
During the last two decades, a
in Washington today: The rise of
prominent figure in this charge has
China, the crisis in the Ukraine,
been Daniel Benjamin, Ambassador-
and the ascent of the non-state
at-Large and Coordinator for
actor ISIS.
Counterterrorism at the U.S. State Department from 2009 to 2012. Benjamin also served on the
“The fourth real challenge is here at home, because of the way we have talked about the problem
“... we should remember what happened the last time we invaded Iraq and the ultimate cost — in American casualties and dollars — of that war.” – Daniel Benjamin, Ambassador-at-Large
challenge. “When you deal with it every day,” he said, matter-of-factly, “you deal with it every day. I confess it just becomes the field you play on. “I’m kept awake by the dumb mistakes we make more than I am by the bad things that can happen.” Benjamin is currently the Norman E. McCulloch Jr. Director of the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College. “To help the American people maintain their security and to improve how we do in the world is incredibly rewarding,” Benjamin told Upper School students. “I hope you’ll think about a career in public service.”
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CLASSNOTES C O M P I L E D B Y L I B B Y E D WA R D S
1969 Robert Selkowitz is the proud grandfather of Avery Elizabeth Waskiewicz, born October 16 to Robert’s daughter Bhakta and Matthew Waskiewicz. See photo 01. Robert also reports that he received phone calls wishing him a happy 63rd birthday from classmates Jim Pinto, Bill Coleman, and Tim Johnson. He is also in touch with Marty Green.
1975 Rick Ford is currently writing a book about his experiences as the forgotten mascot for the New York Yankees. He was encouraged to take on the story after the overwhelming response from a Wall Street Journal article, “Yankees’ Long Forgotten Mascot,” which provided information about this unwritten piece of Yankee history.
1977 Dave Jenkins reports that he and his brother Bob have started a new business in Arizona. VETSBuilt Contracting LLC is a Service-Disabled VeteranOwned Small Business, whose mission is to put veterans with various skills (painting, plumbing,
A PHOTOGR APHIC MEMORY
FROM THE ARCHIVES In this archival photo, two generations of Brunswick boys walk the path between the Maple and Maher Avenue campuses as part of the Big Brother Program, a storied school tradition dating back to 1984. We’d appreciate your help in identifying these finely dressed young men. But more than that, we’d love to hear a story or two about your experiences in the program. Any fond memories or lifelong friendships formed? Please call or email Libby Edwards (ledwards@ brunswickschool.org: 203-625-5864) to share.
54 | TIMES
HOMECOMING SOIREE: 1990S STYLE We received a number of replies to our inquiry about the archival photo published on page 66 of the Fall 2014 issue. The photo, taken at Everett Field in the early ’90s, reminds us of many pictured in the Homecoming feature of this issue — with the sweaters, fall foliage, nametags, and plastic cups (of course!). Bill Ryckman ’87, Nat Barnum ’82, Peter Corroon ’82, Bob Rice ’82, and 2nd-grade teacher Pat Meloni were espe-
STANDING Michael Fiore ’85, David Holmgren ’82, Chris Corroon ’82, Mark Perdoncin ’82, Nat Barnum ’82, Bob Rice ’82, Michael Sullivan ’82, and David Bailey ’82 KNEELING Peter Corroon ’82, Bill Morin ’82, Rich Edmunds ’82, and David Frankel ’82
cially helpful in identifying those pictured — all but one from the Class of 1982.
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CLASSNOTES
plastering, carpentry, etc.) to work on residential and commercial projects. Adam Manacher and his son, Daniel, rode 145 miles together from their home in Cambridge to their house in Sandisfield in the Berkshire Hills. The ride took more than a day and a half and raised money for facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy. Adam’s
01
02
03
wife, Carol, has a 50 percent chance of inheriting FSHD. Adam and his son have already planned an encore ride in 2015. See photo 02. Michael McNabb, living in Taipei, welcomed home his eldest daughter, Morgan, at Christmas from her freshman year at Penn. Her sister, Lauren, is a junior. Michael is involved in four to five start-ups, mostly based in Shanghai, where he commutes four days a week from Taipei.
04
05
1993 Peter Rand and his wife, Rachel, welcomed a baby girl, Delaney Matil, on October 11, weighing 6 lbs. 15 oz. She joins her older brother, Patrick. See photo 03.
1997 Steve Clark married Lindsay Brower on Saturday,
06
07
December 13, at Raphael Vineyards in Peconic, 01 Robert Selkowitz ’69 is the proud grandfather of Avery Elizabeth Waskiewicz, born October 16.
N.Y. Fellow classmates Jason Ienner and Iain Sievwright, along with Bob Nielson ’98, were in attendance. See photo 04.
02 Adam Manacher ’77 and his son, Daniel, rode 145 miles across Massachusetts last July.
1998
03 Peter Rand ’93 and his wife, Rachel, welcomed Delaney Matil on October 11.
Win Smith married Nina-Michelle “Shell” Roberts at his family’s farm in Litchfield Hills, Conn., on
08
September 27. Win’s brother, Cameron ’03, and Glenn DeSimone ’98 were co-best men; and Bandar Shawwaf ’98 and Grant DeSimone ’01 were groomsmen. See photo 05.
Berkeley, and now administers the teaching program at Slide Ranch. Robbie is president of Faraday, a start-up identifying customer-acquisition prospects
1999
See photo 07.
Steve Vasaka married Silvana Perelli (GA ’98)
Matt Heineman’s documentary film, Cartel Land,
in front of a big crowd of ’Wick and GA friends
premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. The
on June 14 in Tarrytown, N.Y. Jamie Kearns ’98
film is a classic western set in the 21st century,
was a co-best man and Tommy Egan ’98 was a
pitting vigilantes on both sides of the border
groomsman. See photo 06.
against the vicious Mexican drug cartels.
2001
J. J. Oshins and his wife, Kate, welcomed their
Robbie Adler wed Emily Ruth Cohen at Slide Ranch
in environmental and home-improvement areas.
second son, Parker Jay, on August 15. He joins his brother, Harrison. See photo 08.
in Muir Beach, Calif., on September 6. Ruthie grew
Elliot Rauh married Britt Olsen-Ecker in Baltimore,
up in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif., attended UC
Md., on September 27.
04 Newly married Steve Clark ’97 is surrounded by Bob Nielsen ’98, Iain Sievwright ’97, and Jason Ienner ’97. 05 Win Smith ’98 married Nina-Michelle “Shell” Roberts at his family’s farm in Litchfield Hills, Conn., on September 27. 06 Many ’Wick and GA alumni/ae celebrated the wedding of Silvana Perelli (GA ’98) and Steve Vasaka ’99 on June 14 (from left): Nicole Zannino Iraci, Joseph Iraci ’99, Dave Maloney ’01, Liz Pizzuti, Elysia Bevan Pearce, Janet Carter Benedetti, Amanda Bates, Nina Kahm, Jamie Kearns ’98, Grant Gyseky ’98, the newlyweds, Kristin Santora Lamendola, Tommy Egan ’98, Lee Oxman ’99, Jarrett McGovern ’99, Graham Gyesky ’00, Scott Neff ’99, Josyl Barchue ’00, Jenifer Parker, Andrew Rosato ’97, Jerry Carnegie ’99, Mandela Jones ’00, John Egan ’95, Matt Nielsen ’00. Not pictured: Scott Sill ’00. 07 Robbie Adler ’01 wed Emily Ruth Cohen in Muir Beach, Calif., on September 6. 08 J. J. Oshins ’01 and his wife, Kate, welcomed Parker Jay on August 15. He joins his brother, Harrison.
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2002 Sam Epstein married Liz Manley in Montana at the Ranch at Rock Creek on August 30. Alumni in attendance included classmates Jamie Coffin, David Gerkin, Hugh Jessiman, and Matt MacDonald, as well as Eric Epstein ’06, Andrew Jessiman ’04, and Charlie Wiggins ’04. Liz’s sister, Margaret, is a senior at GA. See photo 09.
09
10
11
Pat Spellane and his wife, Katherine, welcomed a baby girl, Druscilla “Dru” Hatfield, on December 6, weighing 8 lbs. 4 oz. See photo 10. Riley Stuebe and his wife, Sarah, welcomed a baby boy, Sean Kilroy, on August 30, weighing 8 lbs. 14 oz. See photo 11.
2003
12
13
Chris Allwin and Carolyn Bella Kim were married at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City on December 6. On September 27, Gregg Bell married Kate Dunlop at The Sankaty Head Golf Club on Nantucket. Many Brunswick and GA alums were in attendance. See photo 12. Andries de Villiers and his wife, Juliana, welcomed a baby boy, Andries Petrus, on June 5, weighing 6 lbs. 11 oz. See photo 13.
2004 Rob Dudley and his fiancée, Tricia Starr, will be married this June in Aspen, Colo. Sam Kies will be Rob’s best man. Geordie Kaytes married Janna Koretz at the Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham, Mass., on September 27. See photo 14.
2007
14
09 Sam Epstein ’02 married Liz Manley in Montana at the Ranch at Rock Creek on August 30. 10 Pat Spellane ’02 and his wife, Katherine, welcomed Druscilla “Dru” Hatfield on December 6. 11 Riley Stuebe ’02 and his wife,
Sarah, welcomed Sean Kilroy on August 30. 12 Many ’Wick alumni were on
Nantucket to celebrate the wedding of Gregg Bell ’03 and Kate Dunlop (from left): Deakin Bell ’99, Calvin
16
15
Morphy ’03, Jack McFarlane ’03, Steve Perlis ’03, J.P. Shand ’03, the newlyweds, Cameron Bell ’06, Greg Marx ’03, Andy Herb ’00, Rhys Williams ’03, Brett Bonnist ’03, and Kyle Moran ’03. 13 Andries de Villiers ’03 and his wife, Juliana, welcomed Andries Petrus on June 5. 14 Geordie Kaytes ’04 married Janna Koretz at the Robert Treat Paine Estate in Waltham, Mass., on September 27.
15 Varsity soccer alumni reunited as the “Kingfishers” soccer team at Chelsea Piers, N.Y.: Erik Spangenberg ’07, Andrew Laird ’08, Ron Ongaro ’07, Karl Hantho ’08, Eric Clauson ’07, and John Eric Oberbeck ’08. Not pictured: Dan Morrisroe ’08 and Zach Prager ’08. 16 Brian Shepard ’97 and his wife, Denise, welcomed Lucia Cowles on December 11.
Joining John Eric are Andrew Laird, Karl Hantho,
FACULTY NOTES
Dan Morrisroe, and Zach Prager from ’08, along
Brian Shepard ’97 and his wife, Denise, welcomed
with Eric Clauson and Ron Ongaro from ’07. See
their second daughter, Lucia Cowles, on December
photo 15.
11, weighing 9 lbs. 7 oz. She joins her sister, Isla, who
goalkeeper in an outdoor league in Nashville.
2011
is 2. See photo 16.
2008
Mac Morse has joined together with friends at
John Eric Oberbeck rallied several of his former
music-sharing website featuring their own musical
’Wick Varsity Soccer teammates to join both an
tastes, promoting lesser-known artists, and serving
indoor league at Chelsea Piers and an outdoor
as a platform for the latest cultural news.
Eric Clauson and Ron Ongaro continue their ’Wick varsity soccer tradition by playing in two leagues in New York City. Erik Spangenberg, home for a visit from Nashville, served as guest goalie for a playoff game in late August. Erik continues on the pitch as
56 | TIMES
league called “Urban Soccer” in New York City.
Trinity College to start Mugatunes.com, an online
Nick Salazar and his wife, Susie, welcomed a baby boy on September 22.
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CLASSNOTES
IN MEMORIAM J. Vincent Camuto P ’07, ’12, ’22, 78, died Wednesday, January 21, at his home in Greenwich, surrounded by his family. Member of Brunswick’s Board of Trustees (1996–99), parent, and benefactor, the designer is best known for co-founding Nine West Group in 1978. He served as its creative director for two decades and was named CEO in 1993. Nine West was sold in 1999 to Jones Apparel Group. Vince founded the Camuto Group, which owns his namesake footwear line, in 2001. The company also licensed products for Tory Burch, BCBG, and others. Born and raised in New York City, Vince lost his father when he was two. He enjoyed spending time in the Hamptons and collecting French Impressionist art. He and his wife rebuilt Villa Maria, a 20,000-square-foot former convent in Water Mill, N.Y., over a five-year period. The home was featured in Architectural Digest in 2013. He was also an avid supporter of charities, including St. Jude’s Hospital, the Leukemia Society
all-boys camp on the shores of Moose Pond, in Bridgton, Maine, to which Peter had returned every year since he was 7. At Camp Winona, Peter spent eight summers as a camper and then the following four summers as a counselor. He became a member of the Winona family, finding a knack for leading younger boys through many of the same traditions and adventures he had enjoyed there growing up. An athlete as well, he was a varsity oarsman on the highly competitive St. Andrew’s School rowing team, having learned to row at Brunswick, where he attended 2nd through 9th grade. More recently, Peter had coached younger rowers in town. While at UVa, he pursued an American Studies major, had been writing fiction, and was also a member of The Whethermen, an Improv group. The third-youngest in a family of four, Peter was born in Manhattan. His family moved to Connecticut when he was 7. He leaves his parents, Mary Beth and Walter D’Agostino, and
• If photos have been taken by a professional photographer, submit hi-resolution files obtained from the photographer. Low-res files from photographers’ websites don’t reproduce well.
He is also survived by his grandparents, aunts,
• Save files as JPG.
uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends.
Christopher W. Hunter ’01 died suddenly in San
Andrea, John ’07, Christopher ’12, and Philip ’22.
Diego, Calif., on November 5, at the age of 31. A resident of Scarsdale for the first 15 years of his life,
Peter Cuskley D’Agostino ’13, 20, died suddenly
he was born to Roberto J. “Bert” Hunter and Donna
on Thursday, November 20, in Charlottesville, Va.
L. Webster. After attending the Greenacres Elementary and
Virginia, Peter graduated in 2013 from St. Andrew’s
Scarsdale Middle schools, Christopher attended
School in Middletown, Del., where he was
Brunswick before graduating from the Hotchkiss
student body president. Upon graduation from
School. During his years at Amherst College,
St. Andrew’s, he earned the William H. Cameron
from which he graduated with a double major
Award for outstanding service to the school — the
in psychology and sociology, he was a National
highest honor conferred by St. Andrew’s.
Science Foundation Fellow (Duke University Medical Center). Upon graduation from Amherst,
ourselves accountable to the people around us,”
Christopher earned a two-year fellowship in
he said, addressing the gathering for St. Andrew’s
psychology at San Diego State University.
2013 Commencement. “Our end of the bargain
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leaves his wife, Louise, and five children, Robert,
“At St. Andrew’s, we work hard and we hold
We love pictures, and we like you to look good. Here are tips for providing digital photos that will look fantastic in print:
sisters Alexandra, Jane, and Polly, all of Greenwich.
of America, and Ronald McDonald House. Vince
A second-year student at the University of
DIGITAL PHOTOS
During the last several years, Christopher
• Identify everyone, left to right, and provide a caption. • Email photos as attachments to Libby Edwards at ledwards@brunswickschool. org. If you’d rather send a traditional print (made from a negative), we love that, too. But please send them on glossy paper. Matte prints and prints from digital photos do not scan well. We can’t reproduce photos from photocopies, magazines or newsprint. Mail prints to: Libby Edwards Brunswick School Development/Alumni Office 100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830
in these relationships means working beyond
became a California Basic Educational Skills
exhaustion and creating the types of intangible
Test-certified substitute teacher for the San Diego
achievements that will ultimately reflect lives well
Unified School District and was an assistant
is survived by his brother, Alexander; his sister,
lived.” Peter was a serious and highly talented
teacher in various San Diego schools.
Dana; his grandmothers, Christine Webster and
scholar in several disciplines, including English
Combining his passion for fitness with his love of
Francesca Ferguson; his great-aunts, Judith Hunter,
education, Christopher designed several phys-
Vera Waddell, Valentina and Dina Castelli; his
Friends recalled Peter for his “immediately
ical activity routines including a “Morning Run”
great-uncle, Lawrence Waddell; his aunts, Joyce
impressive intelligence,” his “spot-on imperson-
program for elementary school children. Known
Woodford, Maria Northington and Gretel Webster;
ations,” and particularly for his “ever-present
for his kindness and compassion for his students,
his uncles, Harry Webster, M.D., Dennis Webster,
ability to appreciate life in the face of adversity.”
Chris focused his work on disadvantaged children
William Woodford; and many cousins and friends.
literature, the classics, and creative writing.
Known especially for his humor and wit, he was a loyal and caring friend and mentor to so many. They included those at Camp Winona, an
and those at risk as a result of abuse, neglect, or behavioral issues. In addition to his mother and father, Christopher
James Baker Stuart ’03, 29, died Saturday, December 13, in Phoenix, Ariz.
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CLASSNOTES
ALUMNI SNAPSHOT
Tiny Focus, Global Impact
Luke Lorentzen’s ’11 work has taken him on fishing trips with the natives of Santa Cruz del Islote and to film festivals throughout the U.S.
By Mike Kennedy ’99
L
UKE LORENTZEN ’11 began
making short films — many docu-
“This region’s lucrative fishing, which encouraged such overde-
menting his skateboarding exploits
velopment, has dwindled in recent
— when he was a Brunswick Middle
years, and the island’s subsistence
School student.
has become increasingly uncertain,”
As an 8th grader, in fact, his film Can’t Stop won the Jury Prize
Lorentzen writes on his website. “The peaceful way of life can no
at ’Wick’s 3rd Annual Fundance
longer continue with ease, due to
Foreign Film Festival. In the Upper
environmental changes, resource
School, he teamed up with class-
management, and the increasing
mate Michael Marx to spearhead
demands of globalization.”
Brunswick TV. Fast forward to 2015:
Lorentzen’s inspiration to visit
The Stanford University senior is
the island came after meeting a
still making films, and now garnering
Colombian graduate student at
national recognition for his work.
Stanford in the winter of 2012.
Lorentzen’s short documentary
“ I hope my films encourage a sense of empathy and understanding between communities that might not otherwise interact or communicate.”
“My friend Santiago had been
he said. “I hope it causes viewers to think about even just a tiny part of their life in a different and more all-embracing way.” Lorentzen, who is majoring in Film Studies and minoring in American Studies and Art History, admits that Santa Cruz del Islote has reached a bigger audience than he ever expected. The film has earned its fair share of awards as well: Special Jury Mention at the Camden
Santa Cruz del Islote follows the
to Santa Cruz del Islote to paint
experiences of a fisherman and a
houses as part of a service project,”
nine-year-old boy on the three-
Lorentzen said. “He showed me
to travel there and document his
Gate Award at the San Francisco
acre island of Santa Cruz del Islote,
a photograph of the island and
findings.
International Film Festival, and the
located 50 miles off the coast of
encouraged me to go there.”
Cartagena, Colombia. With approx-
With funds raised through
International Film Festival, Cinema Eye Honors Shorts List, the Golden
During the summer of 2013, he lived on the island for two months,
President’s Award at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.
imately 600 inhabitants, the island
Kickstarter, Lorentzen set out on a
immersing himself in the day-to-day
is one of the world’s most densely
mission to learn as much as he could
life of the tight-knit community
feature-length documentary about
populated.
about the island — and ultimately
— spending time on the water along-
the variety of barbershops and hair
side fishermen and with children in
salons throughout New York City.
the town’s schoolhouse. Of course, he always kept his
Up next for Lorentzen is a
“The barbershop is often at the center of the neighborhood,” he
video equipment in tow. The result
said. “You can argue that the haircut
is a documentary that captures a
is the ultimate unifier. Everyone on
different way of life — and one from
earth has to get one.”
which much can be learned. “I hope my films encourage a sense of empathy and under-
Lorentzen plans to complete work on the film this May. To view a trailer of Santa Cruz
standing between communities
del Islote or to read more about
that might not otherwise interact or
Lorentzen’s work, visit his website:
communicate,” Lorentzen said.
www.lukelorentzen.com
“This project attempts to shape a relationship between the audience and the Colombian protagonists,”
58 | TIMES
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ALUMNI EVENTS WINTER 2014-2015
SEPTEMBER 11TH MEMORIAL BENEFIT CONCERT
Special Evening for a Great Cause P
ETE HEIMBOLD ’94 and his band, Dispatch, the Ian
Murray ’93 Band, and Caroline Jones — whose brother, Jack, is a ’Wick senior this year — headlined a concert on December 7 at Garcia’s Bar at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester, N.Y., to benefit the September 11th Memorial in Greenwich. In total, the event raised $75,000. Jimmy Ritman ’94 — along with Chris Gugelmann ’94 and Demi Wasilko Ferraris, wife of Eric Ferraris ’94 — have worked tirelessly on the front lines in an effort to raise money and awareness toward completion of the memorial, which will honor the memory of the 32 people with ties to Greenwich who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Thanks to the many Brunswick folk for supporting such a meaningful cause.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Dispatch bandmate Pete Heimbold ’94; Greenwich Academy ’09 graduate Caroline Jones; Ian Murray ’93; Jimmy Ritman ’94 and United States Senator Richard Blumenthal auction off a guitar signed by all of the performers.
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
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CLASSNOTES
Alumni Events
Alumni Events
CLASSNOTES
FRONT ROW Lou Aronne ’06, Dan Hubbard ’05, Connor Fitzpatrick ’09, Zach Zannino ’05, Chris Day ’81, Darren Do, Demetri Day ’78, and Drew Tunney ’08 BACK ROW John Kunschner, Dave Maloney ’01, T.J. Opladen ’01, Alex Glazer ’05, Christian Oberbeck ’07, John Eric Oberbeck ’08, John Harvey ’06, Danny Maloney ’04, Mark Engebretson ’76, Tucker Daugherty ’08, Nick Trepp ’10, and Steve Tusa ’93
ALUMNI SKATE AND SQUASH
Laced-Up Skates & Premium Points
A
S IS Brunswick tradition, Sampson
Points were at a premium for current
Athletic Center was jam-packed with
Bruins, as alumni in attendance represented
alumni athletes the Saturday following
the collegiate uniforms of Penn, Stanford,
Thanksgiving — all geared up to take the ice
Williams, Middlebury, and Wesleyan.
or the court for some spirited competition. At Hartong Rink, more than 20 pucksters
After play concluded in each venue, squash and hockey players came together
laced up their skates for the up and back,
to enjoy a few cold beverages and relive old
down-to-the-wire tilt — featuring fine offen-
Brunswick memories.
sive play and minimal back checking. Rather than date some of the participants, let’s just say there were a handful of wooden sticks — and even a KOHO — wielded by the alumni. And, at Stephens Squash Center, nine alumni returned to the courts for some high-quality matches with current ’Wick varsity team members.
60 | TIMES
OF BRUNSWICK • WINTER 2015
BELOW Alex Baldock ’13 and Harrison Croll ’12 were among nine alumni to return for a fun day of squash.
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
Alumni Events
CLASSNOTES
ALUMNI CAREER NETWORKING
‘Sharing Experiences and Advice’ T
HE BRUNSWICK Alumni Association, together with Greenwich
Academy, sponsored the 3rd Annual Alumni Career Networking
Forum in New York City on October 16. More than 50 ’Wick alumni, spanning the class years of 1972 to 2013, gathered for the event — held at Simpson, Thacher, and Bartlett LLP. Ben Carpenter — author of The Bigs and former Co-CEO of Greenwich Capital — gave the keynote address, offering advice to
01
young professionals on how to find success in the business world. Attendees then broke into small groups to discuss specific professional industries and career paths. “It was really nice to have both Brunswick and GA alums from different decades around the table sharing their experiences and advice,” said Eric Hopp ’94, who led a financial discussion. Nick Trepp ’10, new to the ranks of employ02
ment this year, added, “I enjoyed meeting and listening to older alumni who are expe-
04
rienced professionals in all sorts of industries. I learned something from every comment, question, and response.”
01 Author Ben Carpenter was the event’s keynote speaker. 02 The event united alumni/ae from Brunswick and Greenwich Academy. 03 David Darst ’00, Jarrett Shine ’92, and Michael Gorman ’82 enjoy the camaraderie of the event. 03
04 Eric Hopp ’94 led a breakout discussion in finance.
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
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CLASSNOTES
Alumni Events
01
06
ALUMNI HOLIDAY GATHERING
Three Cheers for a Growing Tradition!
A
02
LUMNI, FACULTY, and staff alike — more
than 160 people with ties to
03
Brunswick — convened for the 5th Annual Alumni Holiday Gathering at the University Club in New York City on December 9. The event, sponsored jointly with Greenwich Academy, grows in popularity each year, bringing alumni of many generations together for an evening of good cheer and festive celebration.
05
Here’s to an encore performance next December!
04
62 | TIMES
01 Andrew Ferrer ʼ04, Alex Lopez ʼ04, and Colin Kelly ʼ04
04 Brett Loscalzo ʼ04, Alexandra Erdman (GA ʼ04), and Will Reeve ʼ10
02 Bill Morin ’82 and Matt Fahey ʼ81
05 Rana Kashyap ʼ01, Clare Whipple (GA ʼ01), and John Duffy ʼ01
03 Ron Ongaro ʼ07, Billy Chapman ʼ09, Nick Philip ʼ08, Zach Dobbs ʼ06, and MacKenzie Judson ʼ07
06 More than 160 alumni attended this year’s party.
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Alumni Events
CLASSNOTES
11
10
12
13
07
07 Joe Bruno ʼ87, Jen Wintrich (GA ʼ87), and Bill Ryckman ʼ87
14
08 George Hopley ʼ81, Matt Fahey ʼ81, Bill Aron ʼ81, P ʼ28, and Chris Day ʼ81 09 Will Browne ʼ07, Gray Huffard ʼ08, Catherine Lowden (GA ʼ07), and Phil Piro ʼ07 10 Dixon Mallory ʼ05 and Sam Stein ʼ05 11 Academic Dean John Booth, Ben Ross ʼ99, and Scott Neff ʼ99 08
09
12 Michael Bacon ʼ75 and Brian McKenna ʼ75
15
13 Sam Philip ʼ10, James Sinclair ʼ10, Will Lowden ʼ10, Chris Simonson ʼ10, and Mike DeSalvo ʼ10 14 Peter Finan ʼ05, Jarrett Shine ʼ92, Gray Huffard ʼ08, and Harry Mallory ʼ05 15 Nishant Gurnani ʼ09, Tim OʼLeary ʼ09, and Ian Johnson ʼ09
For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_winter2015
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LAST LOOK BY MIKE KENNEDY ’99
A Story Beyond the Visual Photo by Jeffrey Konczal
O
NCE CLASSMATES at Greenwich Country Day School, Matt Gendell ’15 and Hunter Frantz played on the same
football teams throughout their days as Tigers. The two lifelong friends even shared a weekend venture to the University of Florida to watch Tim Tebow in action. But for the last four years, they’ve pretended they don’t know each other when stepping onto the gridiron — Gendell now a Bruin, Frantz a Rhino. “On the field, it’s all business,” Gendell, a senior lineman and co-captain said. “We both want to win so badly and get those all-important bragging rights for the following summer.” And, fittingly, after ’Wick’s victory against Taft at Homecoming 2014, Gendell and Frantz stood on the sidelines of Cosby Field as equals — their four-year rivalry coming to an end with two wins and a New England Championship apiece. As they renewed their friendship following the game, photographer Jeffrey Konczal was drawn to the identical posture of the supposed opponents, seeing it as sportsmanship at its best. “I can only hope to capture the visual and emotional elements of a situation to tell a story,” Konczal said. “Sometimes I don’t really know what I have until after the fact.” Clearly, in this case, Konczal had something special — a moment two great friends will now be able to look back on with a smile. “This photograph could have been lost in outtakes,” Konczal said. “But to hear the story of Matt and Hunter gives it a new life — a real story beyond the visual.”
64 | TIMES
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T O G E T H E R, W E M A K E T H E
BRUNSWICK DIFFERENCE Your Gift Makes A Big Difference! Please make your gift to the 2014-2015 ’Wick Annual Fund today. The sooner you do, the more direct impact you’ll have on enhancing our School’s programs this year and in years to come.
Support the 2014-2015 ’Wick Annual Fund. Online: Make your gift online at BrunswickSchool.org/give Mail: Return the enclosed Annual Fund giving envelope Parents: Contact Krista Bruce, Annual Fund Director, at 203.625.5864 or email her at kbruce@brunswickschool.org Alumni: Contact Jarrett Shine ’92, Director of Alumni Relations, at 800.546.9425, or email him at jshine@brunswickschool.org
In advance, thank you! We’re always grateful for your support.
100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 Address Change Requested
MARK YOUR CALENDARS Spring Fashion Show.. .............. Thursday, April 23 Winged Foot Golf Outing................ Monday, May 4 For more events and updates, please visit BrunswickSchool.org.
ATTENTION ALUMNI PARENTS Please notify us of your son’s current address at 800.546.9425 or Alumni@BrunswickSchool.org.
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