Times of Brunswick, Spring 2018 by Brunswick School

WINTER BRUINS PREVAIL OVER COLD, HARD CHALLENGES

TUNEFUL & MISCHIEVOUS ‘OLIVER!’ SHOWCASES TALENT OF ALL AGES

BPA BENEFIT: LUMINOUS EVENING OF ‘CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’’

Spring 2018

6 PROFILES

FROM THE CLASS OF ’18

The

Step THE COLLEGE ODYSSEY

YEARS OF PURPOSE

MANY PATHS

ONE GOAL

BOARD OF TRUSTEES BOARD OF 2017–2018 TRUSTEES 2015–2016

Gregory B. Hartch ’88, P ’19 Chairman Kimberly C. Augustine, P ’19, ’24 Gregory B. Hartch ’88, P ’19 Richard A. Axilrod, P ’14, ’19 Chairman Nisha Kumar Behringer, P ’26, ’28 RichardF.A. Axilrod, P ’14, James Bell IV, P ’14, ’16,’19 ’17, ’21 Nisha Kumar Behringer, W. Robert Berkley Jr. ’91,PP’26, ’21, ’28 ’23 James F.M.Bell IV, P P’14, Nancy Better, ’11,’16, ’13 ’17, ’21 W. Robert BerkleyPJr.’20 ’91, P ’21, ’23 Michael J. Bingle, NancyL.M. Better, ’11,’22, ’13 ’24 Todd Boehly, PP ’20, Michael Bingle,P P’19, ’20, Emily W.J.Burns, ’23’25 Todd L.M. Boehly, David Butler,PP’20, ’23 ’22, ’24 Mark H.F.Camel, P ’12,P’18, Robert Carangelo, ’17,’18 ’21 RobertCarroll F. Carangelo, Frank III, P ’22P ’17, ’21 Frank J. Carroll, P ’22P ’19, ’20, ’23 Alberto J. Delgado, Christine J. Chao,P P’19’18 Mark F. Dzialga, Mark F.A.Dzialga, Philip Hadley,PP’19 ’18, ’20 Philip Mackesy A. Hadley, Scott PP ’21’18, ’20 Carlos M. Hernandez, D. Ian McKinnon, P ’18 P ’18 Anthony Mann, PP’17 Robert E.E. Michalik, ’19, ’21, ’23, ’28 D. Ian McKinnon, P ’18 Thomas D. O’Malley Jr. ’85, P ’12, ’15, ’21 Robert E.I.Michalik, Douglas Ostrover,PP’19, ’20’21, ’23, ’28 Thomas D. Jr. ’85, ’12,’18 ’15, ’21 Suzanne P. O’Malley Peisch, P ’12, ’14,P’16, Douglas I.R.Ostrover, Stephen Pierce, P P ’15,’20 ’19 Suzanne Peisch’94, P ’12, ’14, ’31 ’16, ’18 James H. P. Ritman P ’28, Philip F.M. P. Pierce, P ’10, ’13, ’18’27 Andrei G. Saunders, P ’19, Stephen A. R. Troy, Pierce, P ’15, Michael P ’12, ’14’19 Jean W. Kerry A.Rose, Tyler,PP’16 ’15, ’18 David R.Wilson Salomon, P ’16 Thomas P ’22 William A. Schneider Tyler J. Wolfram, P ’18,’72, ’22P ’12, ’16 Scott M. Stuart, P ’12, ’16 Michael A. Troy, P ’12, ’14 Ex Officio Kerry A. W. Thomas Tyler, Philip, P ’15,P ’18 ’08, ’10 Headmaster Tyler J. Wolfram P ’18, ’22 Richard Beattie ’80 Assistant Headmaster for Ex Officio Academic Programs Thomas W. Philip, P ’08, ’10 Kathleen Harrington Headmaster CFO/Business Manager Kathleen Harrington Thomas G. Murray, P ’25, ’27, ’31 CFO/Business Manager Executive Director of Development Thomas Murray, P ’25, ’27 Daniel J. G. Griffin ExecutiveofDirector of Development Director Institutional Communications Paul Gojkovich Daniel J. Griffin III ’01 President, Alumni Association Director ofBrunswick Institutional Communications Sarah Meindl P ’20, ’20 Binney Huffman, President, BPA P ’17, ’21 President, BPA

ON THE COVER Relaxed For everyand Brunswick ready, shortly Upper School before student, the precious began, odyssey ON THECommencement COVER Owen Gerber ’15dressed examines toward and polished the2,983 very members best “next of step” Class —inscribed of the one of the names of the victims most 2015 satisfying toand take rewarding college for the in thegathered 9/11 Memorial intheir Newplaces York City, and experience group’s last — portrait. has’20 always After been the arigging highly Tommy Sandford climbs therequisite individualized tiethe straightening journey and jostling, guided more at each than turn, of whaler Charles W. Morgan, moored even 90Mystic young those men thatstood may straight unexpected, as the by at Seaport, in be Mystic, Conn., aduring official host of camera’s long-experienced shutter snapped faculty the andnew front-line explorations in two, advisors. final formal Forphotograph. more on howFor it all happens, interdisciplinary courses. a deeper see page 18.of the value and benefits of discussion interdisciplinary teaching and learning at Brunswick, please turn to page 6.

Dining, Dancing Dreamin’

FOR ’WICK’S BRIGHTER FUTURE

ORE THAN 600 MEMBERS of the Brunswick community — parents, faculty, and friends — gathered for “California Dreamin’” on May 5. Staged by the Brunswick Parents’ Association, the beach-themed extravaganza miraculously transformed the cavernous Burke Field House into the sunset environs of the Pacific Coast seaside. In a longstanding BPA tradition, all proceeds will be devoted to naming the new Middle School’s main drop-off and pick-up reception and welcoming area on the new campus. For more on the great evening, see pages 16 and 17.

MESSAGE FROM THE

HEADMASTER A List Almost 30 Years in the Making

Boys need thick skins. They have to be able

S I read Adam Cox’s On Purpose Before

▶▶

Twenty, a small book reflecting his study

to accept being poked fun at and to laugh at

of boys and their needs as they develop,

themselves.

I came upon a long list of attributes he

▶▶

assigns to boys based on his research. I began to read his list, which he calls “What I Learned,” and then abruptly stopped, deciding on the spot to produce one of my own. I didn’t want to read further and risk copying any of his

Boys like clear rules and are comforted

when they know those rules are being enforced equitably and consistently. ▶▶

Boys are very sensitive to perceived unfairness

and are usually right when they call it out.

ideas. Still, to the extent that any of my list is

▶▶

similar to his, I give him full and unequivocal

views as long as they believe those beliefs are

credit for the inspiration.

genuinely held.

I offer these observations not as universal truths, but rather as just that — observations — gleaned from close to three decades of educating boys and young men. ▶▶

Boys have great respect for

their parents (often unvoiced), genuine gratitude for all they provide, and respect for what they have achieved. ▶▶

Boys are constantly measuring

themselves against others — friends, heroes, and, most of all, their fathers. ▶▶

Boys dismiss adults who

always tell them what they want to hear and respect those who

▶▶

“AS THEIR TEACHERS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO ALL WE CAN TO FOSTER OUR BOYS’ PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, WHILE ALSO REMAINING KEENLY AWARE OF THEIR WANTS AND NEEDS.”

Boys want to feel the adults around them care

about them and their friends. More often than not, boys will stand up for a

victim against a bully.

▶▶

Boys appreciate being

challenged and hate to fail. ▶▶

Boys will do almost anything

to avoid being embarrassed. ▶▶

Boys fear disappointing their

▶▶

Boys are more likely to make their closest

lifelong friendships at Brunswick than in college or beyond. ▶▶

Boys have great pride in associating with people

and institutions they believe in. Brunswick is one of those institutions. This list could likely go on and on (I actually

parents more than almost

whittled mine down so that it would fit on this

anything else.

page), as boys are infinitely complex and so full

▶▶

Boys need occasional quiet-

time away from friends and family to regroup, refresh, and let their guard down. ▶▶

Boys actually worry, early on,

about what they will do as a career. They are deeply afraid of

of great potential. They have so much to offer the world — and so much to offer our school itself. As their teachers, we will continue to do all we can to foster our boys’ personal growth and development, while also remaining keenly aware of their wants and needs. We owe them at least that much as we pursue our mission of preparing them for life.

leading a life without purpose.

them the truth.

▶▶

Boys want to feel needed and crave being a

valued member of a group or a team.

do them the honor of telling

▶▶

Boys are surprisingly open to other people’s

And, specific to Brunswick: ▶▶

Boys will, more often than not, leave Brunswick

with the belief that at least one teacher, coach, or administrator changed their life.

Thomas W. Philip

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S P R I N G times of

Brunswick School 100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830 Tel: 203.625.5800 BrunswickSchool.org

2 01 8

CONTENTS 56

Headmaster Thomas W. Philip Executive Director of Development Thomas G. Murray 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 Daniel J. Griffin Mike Kennedy ’99 Katherine Ogden Thomas W. Philip Contributing Photographers Michael T. Bello Dan Burns Elizabeth Carney P ’17, ’22, ’26 Ben Chrisman Coffee Pond Photography Ben DeFlorio Jamie Fessenden Andrew Henderson Jeffry Konczal Minush Krasniqi Wayne Lin Micah Mackenzie Chris McClintick/US Squash Caleb Osemobor ’18 Heather Prescott Design Mary Lester Design marylesterdesign.com Printing Flagship Press, flagshippress.com

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OF BRUNSWICK • FALL 2017

FEATURES 06 Cheers, Fears, Melody, Mercy, Intrigue, Inspiration & So Much More 18 The Next Step By Katherine Ogden & Mike Kennedy ’99 45 Winter Sports Wrapup: Courage. Commitment. Perseverance. Determination.

CONTENTS

FLEX TIME 04 Upper Schoolers Pitch In, Lend a Hand During Day of Service

DEPARTMENTS

16 Happy Crowd Revels in Evening of California Dreamin’

42 ‘Beta’ Expeditions Sharpen Target for Success 44 Focus of Scholar’s Talk: Alexander Hamilton

01 Message from the Headmaster 54 Beyond the Books

53 At Once Thoughtful & Welcoming, They’re Starting a New Chapter

– Summer Got His Creative Juices Flowing – Horizons Club Mentors Encourage, Admire Students’ Growth

– Arabic Scholar Bound for Morocco – A Jubilant, Chaotic Mad Dash to the Finish Line – Literary Magazine Garners Three Top Prizes – New ’Wick Student Union Promotes Respectful Debate 58 Class Notes 61 In Memoriam 62 Alumni Events 64 Last Look

Humanity. Empathy. Care & Character.

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FLEX TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY

Upper Schoolers Pitch In, Lend a Hand During Day of Service

AIN DIDN’T stop squads of Upper School students from fanning out across Westchester and Fairfield counties (and to Brunswick’s Outdoor Classroom) — with the largest contingent of boys helping to construct homes for Habitat for Humanity in Yonkers,

N.Y. — to contribute their strength and goodwill to charities and nonprofit organizations of all sorts on Community Service Day: Friday, April 27. All participants returned to King Street for the annual Trivia Bowl, following hard work in the field.

01 Mac Aube ’21 and John Roesser ’21 02 Eddy Glassmeyer ’19 03 Freshmen Erik Anderson, George Hill, and Brian Pope 04 Ned Camel ’19 02 03

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

Flex TIME 05

05 Grayson Shaw ’29 and Tate Robinson ’19 06 Connor Belcastro ’19 and Cole Pierce ’19 07 Sophomores Chris Ramos, Tommy Sandford, Kevin Tu, and Carlos Flores 08 Nick Saah ’18 09 Patrick Kulesh ’18 10 Jack Moore ’21, Joe Levien ’21, Jack Sparks ’20, George Varvel ’20, Cedric Lafleur ’20, Andy Hartong ’20, Nikhil Jaiswal ’20, and Eric Meindl ’20

For more photos, visit bwick.org/ tob_spring2018

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? CHEERS, Fears, MELODY,

Mercy, INTRIGUE,

INSPIRATION s so Much

? Students Throng to Baker Stage, Beckon Audiences to ‘Consider Themselves at Home’ as Tuneful ‘Oliver!’ Unfolds

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

For more photos, visit bwick.org/tob_spring2018

CLOCKWISE FROM THE TOP

Jack Montinaro ’18 as Bill Sikes; Nicky Winegardner ’19 as Mr. Brownlow; Maron Salame ’20 as the Artful Dodger; Jane Watson (GA ’18) as Nancy; and Sean Amill ’18 as Fagin

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Seventh grader Sam O’Hara played the title role of Oliver, the orphan boy who first makes his mark on the world by stepping courageously forward to request a second helping of the odious gruel. A traditional engraving of the unforgettable scene (right), by famed Victorian illustrator James Mahoney, was created for the Household Edition of Dickens’ The Adventures of Oliver Twist, published in 1871.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

MORE. IT’S OLIVER TWIST’S WATCHWORD — the plea of Victorian novelist Charles Dickens’ famously hungry orphan boy as he confronts a careless world and seeks the sustenance and safety every child deserves.

N STAGE AND behind the scenes, the production involved more students than ever before — more Upper Schoolers and more Middle Schoolers — eliciting more smiles, more cheers, and more emotion from appreciative audiences. Anger, terror, lust, avarice, hope, redemption, love. All of those emotions

— and more — brought theatergoers to their feet as the heartwarming drama reached its culmination. Brunswick and Greenwich Academy students united in March to stage a whistling, bustling, sometimes dark and terrifying, but ultimately joyful production of Oliver! — the timeless musical odyssey set in the teeming streets and shadowy back alleys of Victorian England.

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‘CONSIDER

YOURSELF

O F U S !’ E ON

In a vast and surging odyssey, Brunswick and GA students came together to stage a classic and character-filled musical that lures and captivates, thrills and terrifies, as it wends its way from cradle to coffin through the treacherous streets and social strata of Victorian England.

HE PRODUCTION was first

final curtain falls — including

mounted in London in 1960 and

the plaintive “Where Is Love?”

crossed the pond to Broadway in

and infectiously cheerful and insidiously

1962. Transformed into an Academy

reassuring “Consider Yourself ” — the

Award-winning movie musical in

musical is based on Charles Dickens’

1968, it garnered the Oscar for Best Picture

second novel, Oliver Twist; or, the Parish

almost exactly 50 years to the weekend

Boy’s Progress.

before ’Wick and GA students mounted their own expansive and roiling revival. With an infectious score that invariably leaves audiences humming long after the

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

One scholar has called the work,

of AFTER THE PREVIEW in front the entire Upper School, School President Hayden Hoover ’18, who ng played the lecherous and connivi Mr. Bumble, stepped forward and

gave credit where it was due. “Our secret weapon is up at the rMiddle School,” Hoover said, refe e ring to the younger boys who mad the such a strong commitment to production.

Played by Alexis Wolfram (GA ’18) and Matt Restieri ’18, Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry, a mercenary, husband-wife duo of undertakers who buy and enslave Oliver to further their own obsequious devices, gleefully and morbidly sing and dance as they contemplate their ultimate and unending windfall in “It’s Your Funeral.”

melodrama. The orphan-hero at the center

initially published in serial chapters from

of all the action hungrily and courageously

1837 to 1839, “a patchwork of genres” —

steps forward in the workhouse’s dungeon-

including social commentary, satire, and

like dining room to ask for more gruel — a

SONG

& DANCE

EVEN

BEHIND THE

SCENES

THE SCORE of Oliver! is so infectiously tuneful that it spreads merriment where

Potter smiled. “It was a telling and beautiful moment,” he y observed. “The company was trul

silence and professionalism usually prevail. The Brunswick produc-

an extended Brunswick family. , Everyone was made to feel special ” to ‘consider yourself one of us!’

tion was no exception. “I loved the opening of Act II,” Potter said, recalling the tipsy bravado of the drinking song in

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT

Hayden Hoover ’18 as Mr. Bumble; l ’23; Campbell Officer ’23; Johnny Rieh ’20), (GA e Shor Lily ’24), (GA y Lahe Cash Tyler ’25); (GA z tane Mon and Ruby Wilson ’22; and Christian Larkin ’23

which the entire company joins. “‘Oom-Pah-Pah, Oom-Pah-Pah [That’s How It Goes]’ was absolutely wonderful! On stage, the

thin, whitish, watery breakfast porridge

its most vulnerable and least powerful —

— as the picaresque and romantically

and the musical certainly doesn’t shy away

sentimental tale begins.

from the wretched and sordid underpin-

With a tentative, trembling and now-

nings of Dickens’ original work.

actors sang and danced. “Backstage, the technicians did the same.”

famous request — “Please, sir, I want some

In fact, the music makes it all pain-

more.” — Oliver makes his debut as the first

fully clear and memorable: A tale replete

boy protagonist of an acclaimed English-

with baleful songs of child slavery (“Boy

language novel. Dickens uses the orphan’s

for Sale”), the most brutal and bloody

Potter, who has directed a different winter

bleak circumstances to propel an adventure

domestic violence (“As Long as He Needs

musical for each of the last 12 years, was

that offers a cynical and unsparing view of

Me”), and vagabond thievery (“You’ve Got

particularly intrigued by the possibilities

how a “civilized” Victorian society cared for

to Pick a Pocket or Two”).

and lessons of Oliver! — and not simply

Upper School Theater teacher Seth

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CHEERS SALUTED

COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE ,

MIDDLE SCHOOLERS RAISED the bar for everyone involved, Potter observed. At a time when seniors are prone to project their lives toward what comes next, Oliver! prompted them to recognize the importance of looking back. “When Sam O’Hara ’23, our wonderful Oliver, would rehearse his signature song — ‘Where Is Love?’ — upperclassmen would linger in the house and poke

Sam O’Hara ’23

their heads from backstage to hear him sing,” Potter recalled. “Their cheers were more than recognition,” he said. “They seemed like a celebration. It wasn’t just a feeling of nostalgia, but more of an appreciation of the potential of every stage of our collective Brunswick experience.”

because the work is a theatrical show-

ening world.” That’s what initially

case for such a large cast of boys and

piqued Potter’s interest.

young men.

The allure of telling the musical tale

“From the edges of society, away from the power centers, come the downtrodden characters who point us all in the direction of hope,” Potter observed. “Charles Dickens created a lost, abandoned boy who has the ability to hope, to see potential in a challenging and fright-

Mr. Bumble (Hayden Hoover ’18) and Widow Corney (Emma Osman GA ’18) share the “most memorable stage kiss of the past 10 years.”

of Oliver Twist clearly resonated with students at Brunswick and Greenwich Academy as well: The production attracted more than 100 students — the greatest number in Brunswick history — including a new, previously untapped contingent of eager and talented Middle Schoolers.

HE LEADER of an outsized troupe of amateur players, Potter embraced the challenge and possibility of weaving their personalities and characters

together into a vibrant and thorny musical tapestry of life in Victorian England. “I knew the show would work with a large cast when I saw the quality of leadership among our upperclassmen,” he observed. “The seniors led by putting themselves on the line — and our Middle Schoolers and underclassmen were encouraged rather than intimidated. It was truly a company working toward a common goal.”

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

Technical Director Matthew KirbySmith created a timeless set and bold lighting design, occasionally casting the ensemble in a confining, dark and ominous, aquarium-like spectrum of neon hues. Here, the company directs its attention to the conniving Fagin (played by Sean Amill ’18), with his arm wrapped around the scaffolding, as he encourages and entices his army of orphan boys to prove their worth and earn their keep in a life of crime.

To make an impact on such a large scale, Potter and the company deliber-

and awkward small craft on the water.” And, in each of their figurative craft,

ately parsed the work and focused on

students joyfully and confidently took

the “small,” constructing the production

the helm. “The more engaged the actors

from as many vignettes as possible.

are, the more enjoyable the play,” he

“This show wasn’t a cruise ship,”

said. “The audience should be able

Potter observed. “If anything, it was a

to connect to anyone on stage and be

fleet made up of every type of elegant

carried along. So, even the movement

Ensemble member John DeLucia ’18 was attired in one of the scores of Victorianperiod costumes created for the production under the supervision of Costume Designer Lauren Josef.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

from scene to scene was choreographed, as it involved the entire company.”

OR POTTER, as for Dickens, the

building blocks of great storytelling reside in the strength and depth of the portrayal of individual characters. “Everyone in

the cast had to experience the full range of emotions,” Potter said. “Students’ introduction to the material was made easy by their desire to jump into the Dickensian world. It’s fun to play someone the opposite of who you are all day.” Some characters evolved gradually, and others in a flash. “We took months developing Fagin,” Potter recalled, citing the memorably nimble, lithe, and nuanced performance of Sean Amill ’18. “But our Bumble came into his own with just one kiss — and the next rehearsal came forward with the most memorable stage kiss of the past 10 years. “The key is finding a way for each actor to feel at home with his character. I assume that [MIT-bound] Jack Montinaro ’18 tapped into his Math Team experience to bring out the evil in Bill Sikes,” he joked. For Potter, and the students, too, “The journey was as exciting and rewarding as the final product,” he said. “When I love a show, it stays with

A true band of brothers — and sisters — after months of rehearsal, the outsized company embraced each other shoulder-to-shoulder, facing the spotlights and a cheering audience for a final bow. This year’s production involved more Upper and Middle Schoolers than ever before. Cast member Hayden Hoover ’18, who played Mr. Bumble, admiringly called the cast’s Middle School contingent “our secret weapon.”

me,” he concluded. Months after the set has been struck and the stage has gone dark and silent, Oliver! lingers in his imagination. The show has made itself at home in the hearts and minds of the Brunswick community as well. “Even today,” he said, “I walk the halls and hear tunes whistled and sung by students and faculty members who weren’t in the play. It’s wonderful! “This show works its magic by finding a way into our collective consciousness.” Who could ask for anything more?

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FLEX TIME B PA B I E N N I A L S P R I N G B E N E F I T

01 Andy Amill P ’14, ’18 and Pam Keller P ’19, ’22, ’24

02 Raj and Ridhita Gupta P ’26

Happy Crowd Revels in Evening of California Dreamin’

03 Maggie and Will Cook P ’30 and Larkin Nash P ’26, ’28 04 Luisa Cobb P ’12, ’15, ’18

For more photos, visit bwick.org/ tob_spring2018 04

HE SURF was up. The palm

down the boardwalk of auction

trees were in full bloom. And

items up for bid.

there was no lifeguard on duty. Hundreds in the Brunswick

one lucky winner and a guest will

Dreamin’, beach-themed extrav-

visit the set of the hit Showtime

aganza at the Brunswick Parents’

drama, meet the cast and crew,

Association Spring Benefit and

watch filming, and play a part as a

Auction on May 5 — with all

featured extra in Season 4.

proceeds going to naming the new

Kudos go out to co-chairs Janine

Middle School’s main drop-off and

Braun P ’24 and Meg Russell P ’18,

pick-up reception and welcoming

’20 for fine-tuning every last detail

area on the new campus.

of the biennial event and for gath-

The BPA is thrilled to be able to

ering all hands on deck in the form

name a prominent public space that

of volunteers and committee chairs.

will proclaim to visitors and the

“We had an incredible team

community-at-large: “This is now

of volunteers, without whom we

our part of our whole campus. This is

could not have pulled the evening

Brunswick. This is home,” outgoing

together,” they said.

’20 noted. Partygoers hit the dance floor,

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

scenes Billions experience, where

community gathered for a California

BPA President Sarah Meindl P ’20,

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Top billing went to a behind-the-

“We had so much fun working together to create this event — and think people really appreciated the

relaxed and put their feet up around

casual ‘Cali’ vibe and came ready

a makeshift fire pit, and walked

to party!”

Flex TIME

05 07

05 Meg Russell P ’18, ’20; Sarah Meindl P ’20, ’20; and Janine Braun P ’24

06 09

06 Mara and Chris Shore P ’18 07 Frank Ingarra P ’26 and Kim VanCamp P ’14, ’19 08 Surf’s up! 08

09 Megan and Graham Officer P ’23, ’26 10 Brooks Borcherding P ’21 11 Mike Kenny P ’09, ’11, ’18 11

12 Hollie Franke P ’30, Maria Avila P ’30, and Lee White P ’30 13 Randi and Lonny Henry P ’20

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The

Step

WITH SIGHTS SET SHARPLY on each student’s

best fit and most satisfying and rewarding college experience, Brunswick’s Upper School faculty and staff unite every year in guiding a collaborative and highly specific set of nearly 100 individual journeys. Together, they bring the depth and breadth of their perspective and care to one of the most important goals in every student’s life — to make the very best next step. 18 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

AN EXTENDED & DYNAMIC ODYSSEY OF CARE, REFLECTION & COLLABORATION B Y KAT H E R I N E O G D E N AND MIKE KENNEDY ’99

FROM THE CLASS OF 2018

GREAT YOUNG MEN GREAT DESTINATIONS

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T HE N E X T S T EP AN EVOLVING CHALLENGE

›

HE NATION’S ELITE COLLEGES

a nd universities have always sought truly exceptional young men and women — those especially fit to thrive and prosper during long, contributory, and transformative careers. Now, as they look ahead, higher-education leaders note warily how much of today’s work will fall prey to technology as the immediate future unfolds.

A S TU DY IN 2013 BY OXFO RD

University, called “The Future of Employment,” predicts that fully half of American jobs may be supplanted by technology and robotics during the next two decades. And, as Bloomberg reported last year in “Robots Are Coming for These Wall Street Jobs,” no profession is exempt. It’s increasingly clear: Workers who take root and flourish in the professional marketplace of the

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

future — and those likely to lead the most satisfying personal lives — will be those with highly cultivated attributes and true flexibilities that will always remain far beyond the simulative capacities of technology. Consequently, higher education has become increasingly strategic as its leaders ponder, begin to define, and place premium value on what distinguishes the “merely” intelligent, diligent, and high-achieving student from the one who brings to

work and life the acumen and qualities computers and robots will never have. Their answers surely resonate:

Humanity. Empathy. Care & Character. As one university president noted earlier this year: “I haven’t seen a computer that weeps.” Brunswick strongly agrees. Now, as colleges become even more selective, they’re homing in on strategies that have been the core focus of a Brunswick education for 116 years — paying special attention to strength of character, openness to others, kindness, and collaboration. These tenets underpin the daily life of every Brunswick boy from the very start — from his early days learning multi-

plications tables and taking recess in Pre and Lower School all the way up to and through the days he spends considering and analyzing the characters he encounters in Upper School English. And they also inform and fortify some of the most consequential decisions in his young life — decisions that begin to take shape as he rises into Upper School and come very strongly to bear on his and his family’s working and planning for the very best “next step.” Large and small, those decisions comprise each student’s individual journey. What transpires on that journey through Upper School, and how, leads every Brunswick student to a destination — a “next step” — he can truly call his own.

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T HE N E X T S T EP A DYNAMIC ODYSSEY

›

The results speak for themselves.

N AUGUST, when the 99 newly minted alumni of Brunswick’s Class of 2018 take their next, big step — a step most have been pondering and perhaps worrying about since Upper School began — they’ll matriculate at a truly enviable roster of colleges and universities. At least 17 will join the ranks of Ivy League institutions. More than 40 of their peers will begin studies at MIT, University of Virginia, Boston College, Duke, Washington University of St. Louis, Williams, Georgetown, Middlebury, University of Richmond, Southern Methodist University, University of Southern California, and Wake Forest. In all, class members will start their lives’ next

on the roster of imminent departures are, well, among

the summit of the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher

the very best.

Education College Rankings for 2018. For most, the intricate and sometimes perilous paths

And of course, sometimes, plans change.

collaborative direction of Brunswick’s faculty and, in

preparing for and clearing the hurdles of the home

way he sees himself.

leading to this new moment of great possibility have been filled with long and tiring days and years of hard work and competitive play. They’ve also come with more than their fair share of discovery and surprise — all under the constant and

stretch, its College Placement Office staff. It’s the educational equivalent of Grand Central

22 | TIMES

mind, the destinations clicking and tumbling into place

chapters at nearly 50 institutions — all at or near

HAT’S WHAT happened to Matt Restieri ’18, who’s heading to Northwestern. Matt credits Director of College Placement Doug Burdett and Theater Teacher Seth Potter for their influence throughout Upper School,

particularly for the way they helped him change the As an underclassman, he saw his path to college on the lacrosse field as a recruited athlete — but

Terminal: A precious, breathtaking, and cacophonous

he’s evolved into a serious student who has decided

hub of purpose, direction, and occasional chaos — and,

to pursue a different direction. “It was all about the

for those who look up and keep an open and inquisitive

passion they brought to their classrooms,” Matt said.

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

ABOVE Students are encouraged to experience Brunswick life — to learn simple things like how to walk the path to GA and to converse with one another — before worrying about the college process. RIGHT Matt Restieri ’18 has found a passion for science under the guidance of teacher Dana Montanez — and will continue his pursuit at Northwestern University this fall. BELOW Matt helped lead Brunswick to a near-perfect lacrosse season as a starting defenseman for the Bruins.

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T HE N E X T S T EP A DYNAMIC ODYSSEY

›

“It was really the way they taught and the energy they brought.” Matt said the shift in thinking they prompted and encouraged lent itself to new ideas about his future, and he turned the experience into a successful college essay. Ironically, it’s not English or theater that Matt finds himself drawn to on the eve of his college experience. It’s science. His essay described two summer experiences in the sciences, one on an OCEARCH research boat off Montauk with ’Wick science teacher Dana Montanez. Montanez and a group of students spent a week on the water doing research on great white sharks. Matt helped tag the first-ever juvenile great white shark. The second experience was a six-week summer internship at Columbia University, where he did clinical research on lymphoma. “I got to do some real lab work on real cancer cells,” Matt said. “My college essay was about coming out of my shell from lacrosse into this world of science that I’m pursuing.” Matt’s story is just one. But it speaks clearly to the intimate nature of both a student’s experience with the faculty and visits to the College Placement Office, tucked in a little niche in the Math Wing of the Upper School. Assistant Headmaster and Director of College Placement Doug Burdett, who came to Brunswick in 1990 to teach English and a few years later agreed to shoulder the dual role, isn’t one to flaunt Brunswick’s success. Instead, he’d prefer to focus on the office environment that he and his colleagues — Associate Directors Brian Shepard ’97 and Cullen McMahon, along with Assistant Megan McDermott — have worked hard to create. It’s one of comfort and convenience, accessibility and admittance (no pun intended). Impromptu sit-downs and questions are welcomed. Group powwows and one-on-one discussions carry on throughout the day or after school hours.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

CLOCKWISE FROM THE TOP

Doug Burdett, Cullen McMahon, Brian Shepard ’97, and Megan McDermott

“

corridor, ensures that everything

We don’t think kids should be coming into ninth grade thinking about college all the time.

(applications, transcripts, SAT/ACT

– DOUG BURDETT

knock and pop their heads in. Shepard ’97, an alumnus and a visual arts teacher, and McMahon, also a member of the English Department, have taken Burdett’s lead after coming on board — and have quickly proven their worth to students under their watch and care. McDermott, who has the biggest office and friendliest smile on the

scores — you name it) ultimately

“

If the door happens to be closed for a meeting, students aren’t afraid to

heads to the correct destination. It’s a true team — one in which three

into ninth grade thinking about college

members bring years of direct, front-line

all the time,” said Burdett, explaining that

experience with students as academic

freshmen and sophomores can find it

advisors and faculty members to the chal-

“onerous, overwhelming, and distracting”

lenge of helping them to make the best

to even consider the magnitude of the

strategic choices for the road ahead.

next step.

The formal college-planning doesn’t begin until more than halfway through Upper School, giving younger boys the chance to remain focused on what matters most. It’s a choice made deliberately and by design. First, students need (quite literally)

OLLEGE NIGHT, in January of junior year, serves as the kickoff for the swift-moving process ahead. The evening is a close, familiar, and exciting

affair, featuring no outside speakers and including an hour-long presenta-

to learn how to navigate the path to

tion centered on what to expect as boys

Greenwich Academy, how to find their

plan for their first move into life beyond

way to the science wing, or how to catch

Brunswick.

the bus to King Street for practice. More substantially, they need to learn

It’s a poignant moment — a “rite of passage,” in a way — for all who sit

how to learn, how to explore and deter-

somewhat anxiously in Baker Theater

mine their interests, and how to become

and consider their futures away from the

young men of sound and solid character.

comforts of home (and the familiarity of

They don’t need to know exactly where the College Office is just yet — or

Maher Avenue). Dorm rooms, roommates, lecture

when early-decision applications to Yale

halls, meal plans, and quarter-operated

or Harvard are due four years down the

laundry machines await.

road. Some of the earliest advice from Brunswick, in fact, might be summed up with these words:

Lifelong friends and familiar teachers will soon go their separate ways or remain behind. “In many ways, the college process

Be patient. Experience high school.

seems daunting to students as well as

“We don’t think kids should be coming

parents,” Burdett said. “Invariably, at

A Strategic Process

HEN IT COMES to college admissions, a little bit of strategy can go a long way. It’s common knowledge that many colleges and universities fill large portions of their freshmen classes through early-decision and early-action applications. In some cases, fully half of the class of incoming students is admitted early, a fact that makes these kinds of applications a prudent goal for many. Conventional wisdom says that the pool of applications is smaller and the admit rate is higher, making an offer of admission more likely. “It’s strategically wise,” Burdett said. “If we prep the boys properly, this is a very reasonable thing to do.” These early applications are typically due in November — and Brunswick college advisors have these deadlines clearly in mind when school starts in September. Advisors meet with seniors weekly, as a group, to remind them of deadlines. “ED and EA get the kids moving,” Burdett said. “Boys need deadlines.” Decision notifications are often issued in mid-December. Disappointing results mean only the boys are more fully prepared for the next round of admission deadlines, which come up fast in January. Another arena for strategy is standardized testing. Beyond test preparation, new initiatives have seen some schools go test-optional, leaving the decision to submit scores to the discretion of students and their families. As Burdett notes, standardized testing still matters at most colleges, so the decision on whether to submit good (but not perfect) scores has come to be a tricky one. In some ways, the test-optional movement has made the college application process only more complex.

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T HE N E X T S T EP A DYNAMIC ODYSSEY

›

Doug Burdett gets to know students in the College Office and in the classroom, where he teaches a section of sophomore English each year.

some point in the process, there’s an unavoidable element of selection that can be either rewarding or potentially disappointing. “In other ways, the process may be looked on as the first opportunity in their son’s life when he’s in a position to make significant decisions not only about how he’ll spend his next four years, but also about the direction of his life. “The process promises to be one of introspection and maturation.” After College Night, it all takes shape quickly, beginning with an individual meeting between each boy and his assigned college advisor, during which an initial list of schools is generated. The list, unsurprisingly, is usually quite large and requires further clarification of preferences (geography, size, etc.) on the student’s part. “We try hard to minimize the significance of the ‘name’ colleges at this point

T R E ND

The Art Portfolio

N SPITE OF all the emphasis on the skills of STEM — science, technology, engineering, and math — one trend in college application is in the entirely different discipline of art. Today, more and more colleges are creating room online for students to submit an Art Portfolio to supplement traditional application materials.

26 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

The reason, according to Burdett, is many colleges and universities have spent years investing in exceptional arts faculty and facilities, and so they need and seek talented students to complete the complement. Whatever the cause, many students with an interest in art find a portfolio to be an invaluable tool to round out their college application. But Shepard and the other college counselors advise caution: Bold strategy that isn’t backed by genuine interest could backfire in college admissions. “We want students to be led by their own passion,” Shepard said. “We obviously don’t want

them to take art solely because it’s going to help them get into college.” At Brunswick, substantial numbers of students do take advantage of AP art offerings and other opportunities in the discipline. According to one estimate, fully one-third of the 2018 senior class submitted an arts supplement with their college application. “Colleges have told us on too many occasions to count that they’re impressed with what we produce artistically,” Burdett said.

Wesley Peisch’s portfolio earned a score of 6 (out of 5) from the AP College Board and is now distinguished as the sample portfolio on the AP website. See page 28 for more details. To see Wesley’s portfolio, visit bwick.org/tob_spring2018

in the process — and advise that students

of that level of comfort and convenience

consider schools of every type,” Burdett

established between student and advisor.

explained.

And parents are not to be left in the dark as deadlines arrive and the inev-

FTER CAREFUL research and

itable dangers of procrastination rear

more discussion, students begin

their ugly heads.

to set up spring and summer

“Even though we want each boy to

college visits — and (ideally)

take care of his own fate, we encourage

return to Brunswick in the

parental involvement in the process and

fall of their senior year with a clearer sense of where they wish to apply and

with our office,” Burdett said. “We ask parents to monitor their son’s

whom they will ask to write teacher

progress, to be aware of deadlines, and to

recommendations.

let us know immediately if they see any signs of worry. There’s simply no replacement for frequent and honest communication among everyone involved.” For Burdett, Shepard, and McMahon, their work doesn’t end until every student has made a decision, late in the spring of senior year — and sometimes beyond. “When we say we’re going to be with them every step of the way, we really mean it,” Shepard said. “We’re all committed to a successful outcome for each and every boy in the class.” And as ’Wick graduates

Cullen McMahon often has to fight through crowds of students, who habitually lounge in the space outside the College Office, on his way to his desk.

walk out the (open) door, rising senior boys walk in — as the cycle begins anew each spring. “The cyclical nature of it all

It’s then time for application and essay

provides invaluable perspective from year

writing — a period when the College

to year, as well as a deep appreciation for

Office encourages boys to use its advice as

these boys,” Burdett said.

they need or want it. They most often do, as a direct result

“It makes you look forward to doing it all over again.”

The many ways it all happens are better shown than told. So, we turned to six young men — all newly minted graduates of the Class of 2018 — for six different views on six different journeys.

A N OTHER TREN D

More & More Applications

UST A FEW short years ago, population forecasters loudly announced that the trend in college applications had reached its peak. Right around the year 2015, demographics seemed to show that college admission was at its most competitive, and applications would henceforth start to drop. By that same token, getting accepted to college would become easier — there just weren’t going to be as many young people around, they said, to apply to college. Not so. This year, colleges across the nation have reported sharp increases in the number of applications. Bates College, for example, saw a 45 percent increase in the number of applications, from 5,316 students a year ago to 7,688 prospective students this year. It’s been a similar story at many of the nation’s colleges and universities. Whatever the reason — the ubiquity of the Common Application, the demands of the job market, or interest from international students — the number of people applying to colleges continues to rise. “We were told we hit (the top of) the bubble,” Burdett said. “We’re astounded every year — it’s relentlessly going up. “Everybody knows our colleges and universities are still the best in the world,” Burdett said, also noting the unique draw of higher education, especially the liberal arts. “Even kids who think they know what they want can benefit from trying other concepts. It’s the freedom to try.”

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T HE N E X T S T EP WESTWARD BOUND

› Stanford University › Stanford, Calif.

WESLEY PEISCH ’18

Foundation of Humility, Towering Curiosity

E’S ORIGINAL, IMAGINATIVE,

College, Drew ’14 to Williams College, and

and inventive — on a worldly

Chris ’16 to Stanford University.

level. As a junior, in Andrew

ering (and visiting) a number of schools.

Hall’s AP Studio Art 3-D

moments in the house,” Wesley said. “It’s

Design, Wesley Peisch earned

clearly the central point of senior year,

parents in Menlo Park, Calif., since he

a perfect score on his port-

and everything seems to ramp up. You’re

was a boy, and he’s also been a three-time

folio from the College Board,

concerned about your grades, your applica-

participant in a speech-and-debate summer

tions, and, of course, the end results.

program at the Stanford National Forensic

becoming one of only four students across the globe to garner such praise.

“So, I’ve probably been thinking about it

He’s been visiting his maternal grand-

Institute. He loves everything the University

Stilts served as the concentrated center-

longer than most of my classmates because

has to offer — from the sheer beauty of the

piece of his work, supporting his architectural

of my brothers, which could be a good thing

campus, to the weather, to the academic and

structures as they towered above the ground

or a bad thing. But I also became conscious

social opportunities, to his family’s famil-

and soared up into the air — many taking the

of what schools are out there and which

iarity with the area.

shape of New York City skyscrapers.

ones I was most interested in.”

He included his “10-best” in

Wesley expressed his interest in applying early to Mr. Burdett — also his

the voluntary Arts Supplement he

10th-grade English teacher — and they

submitted to Stanford University

decided it appeared to be the perfect fit.

last fall, as part of his early-decision

They worked together to meet the

application. Those in Cardinal Country

application deadlines, submit the Arts

unanimously agreed: Wesley rises high

Supplement, and refine his essay. He

above the rest, both as an artist and as a

also submitted a Research Supplement,

young man.

a simulation of the New York City

He received his acceptance letter (online, of course) in December.

subway system. And then they did all you can do — hope for the best.

Wesley — also a member of the

“You can never know what to expect

Cum Laude Society, a Peer Leader, a

— and you can’t think of yourself as any

two-sport captain in cross country and

more special or qualified than any other

track, and a leader on the Debate Team

applicant,” Wesley said. “I’m lucky to go

and Model United Nations Club — is the last

to such a great place.”

in a long line of Peisch brothers to attend Brunswick. He developed a realistic impression of the college process by watching his three older siblings work their way through it — with Will ’12 going off to Dartmouth

28 | TIMES

“There were definitely some stressful

And, for Wesley, Stanford ultimately climbed to the top of his list after consid-

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

Wesley Peisch ’18 excels in academic, artistic, and athletic arenas at Brunswick — also leaving his mark on the greater community as the president of the Pacific House Club, which serves dinners to homeless men in Lower Fairfield County.

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Sean Redahan ’18 has worn so many theatrical hats during his days as an actor, taking the stage in a host of Brunswick and GA productions, including David Ives’ Time Flies and a musical adaptation of The Secret Garden.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

T HE N E X T S T EP A BRIGHTER STAGE

› University of Connecticut › Storrs, Conn.

SEAN REDAHAN ’18

‘Things Take Shape Organically’

T WAS LIKE a scene from American Idol.

dean of the program) or fallen face-first to

Sean Redahan walked through the

the floor. As it turns out — and as they say

double doors into a small studio, where three people sat before him. They looked important, all-knowing, official. Brief introductions were made.

in the industry — he’d broken a leg. Sean received his acceptance letter in February. Sean found his passion for acting as a

Pleasantries were exchanged. Then,

student in Josh Duennebier’s seventh-

momentary quiet ensued before Sean was

grade English class — tasked either to

given the floor to do as he wished.

write an essay or perform a monologue

He performed a monologue from Penelope by Enda Walsh and a comedic soliloquy

as a culminating exercise in the study of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.

from Romeo and Juliet — and then sang

He chose the monologue, for the

“Corner of the Sky,” from the Broadway

simple (yet so obvious) reason that it

musical Pippin.

would require the shortest amount of

Perhaps ironically, the song — projected into the blackness of a darkened theater — is the title character’s passionate musical farewell to the phantom faculty of a medieval

time to prepare — Middle School-aged logic at its finest. Only, Sean nailed his impression of Marc Antony — Duennebier calling it

university. Akin to Pippin himself, Sean

the best monologue he’d ever heard

wasn’t in Hollywood auditioning for the hit

and encouraging Sean to explore his

television series. He was, instead, on campus

artistic side in the theater.

at University of Connecticut, auditioning for a coveted spot in the school’s BFA program in acting. Sean didn’t just have to apply to college. He had to audition, too. “It was probably the most nerve-wracking

That suggestion took root. Now, five years later, Sean has a

your own feelings, your own urges.” He, too, is grateful to the College Office

lengthy list of stage credits (at Brunswick,

(and to his advisor and neighbor

Greenwich Academy, and Shakespeare on

Mr. Burdett) for pushing him down a path

the Sound) to his name to prove it.

of self-discovery — which, for Sean of

He also has a deeper and more profound

course, is grounded in acting. “Acting is not

experience of my life,” Sean said. “You can

understanding about how to find your way

make-believe, but rather a mirror image of

prepare to the point where you feel like

to college.

life itself,” he wrote in his college essay.

you’re ready, but it always feels a little

“It’s reassuring to know that you can feel

“Each role helps me overcome my own

lost or confused at one point — with little to

emotional demons of self-doubt and intro-

no idea what you’ll eventually do or where

version, and provides an incredible new

mance and feeling a little down about himself

you’ll end up — but then see things take

insight on the positives and negatives of the

— unsure whether he’d made a memorable

shape organically,” he said.

world around me — and on how I wish to

different when the lights go on.” Sean left Storrs second-guessing his perfor-

impression on his critics (who included the

“It really comes down to you — to following

live in it.”

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T HE N E X T S T EP FOCUS ON THE JOURNEY

› Washington University in St. Louis › St. Louis, Mo.

DANIEL OSEMOBOR ’18

Upfront, Honest & On the Move

ILM CONNECTS HIM to people. To

journey, not the desti-

moments. And that’s what life is all

nation” mentality into

about for Daniel Osemobor, whether

the college process at

he’s behind the camera or not.

Brunswick — and he’ll

Daniel is so passionate about

land steadfastly on his

cinematography, in fact, that

feet at Washington

he wrote his college essay about

University in St. Louis

it — scrapping his original (yet not really original, in hindsight) idea to write about

this fall. Like many, Daniel

being a minority in a predominantly white

had initial dreams

high school. Here’s how he concluded:

of the Ivy League

“The beauty of film is being able to take

— University of

an ephemeral moment and make it eternal,”

Pennsylvania, specifi-

Daniel wrote. “A picture may be worth a

cally, after attending his cousin’s graduation

thousand words, but a video is worth ten

there as a sophomore — but three infamous

acceptance letter. He credits Mr. McMahon

thousand.”

letters (S-A-T) caused him to look in other

— “the new guy in the office” — for opening

directions.

his eyes to the landscape and being available

As for life in general, Daniel savors the sweet milestones, of course — an “A” on a test, a lifeguarding certification, or a high-

around the clock to answer questions and to

With the help of Mr. McMahon, his

critique his essay.

college advisor, and Google (yes, Google),

small instances and interactions in between

Daniel zeroed in on Wash. U. because of its

provide him with the real icing on the cake.

highly regarded pre-med program. He has visions of one day becoming a doctor. He applied early decision without

“No matter where you end up, you’re going to have all the opportunities in the world,” Daniel said. “You just need to be honest and upfront with yourself throughout

two summer lifeguarding jobs and his

the process — and realize your personal

triplet brother’s and sister’s conflicting

strengths and weaknesses.”

him to travel. Again, Daniel was not deterred. He simply rolled with the punches. “You can do so much research these days — there’s YouTube, Niche, U.S. News & World Report — that you can educate yourself to reach a

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

But it’s likely his levelheaded mindset that served him best along the way.

ever having visited the campus — his

schedules making it too difficult for

32 | TIMES

In December, Daniel received his

No sweat off his back.

school diploma, as examples — but the

He took that same “it’s all about the

point of comfort with a place,” he said.

Daniel and his brother, Caleb ’18, and his sister, Elisha (GA ’18), will go their separate ways in August — but they’re all embracing the chance to be on their own. For Daniel, it’s glass half-full on the family front, too — surprise, surprise. “It’ll be nice to be apart from one another, at least for a month or two at a time.”

Daniel Osemobor ’18 has been the man behind the video camera for years — whether filming the action just offstage at the Greenwich Town Party or on the sidelines of a Brunswick football game.

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On stage with his guitar, in Mehra Natatorium as captain of the swim team, or as part of the Brunswick Student Union, Caleb Osemobor ’18 strikes a chord with audiences of all kinds.

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OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

T HE N E X T S T EP NEW LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

› Georgetown University › Washington, D.C.

CALEB OSEMOBOR ’18

Taking Risks, Exploring, Growing Stronger Will ’17, last October and liked what he saw of the school. “I took a tour, socialized, and talked to a lot of students,” Caleb said. “I got a great sense of the culture on campus and could see myself fitting into it well.” Size (“big enough, but not too small”) and location (“near a city, not in the middle of nowhere”) matched up perfectly for him, too. Caleb applied (non-binding) early-action

and was accepted in December. He plans to study in the school’s undergraduate business NCE A YEAR, Caleb Osemobor

performer. but as a person, too,” Caleb says.

takes the stage on Cabaret Night,

“The risks I take enable me to take others

guitar in hand, to perform for a

that I may have initially avoided. They give

Mr. McMahon as his college advisor and

live audience. It’s always a surreal

me the confidence to step up and lead in

raved about his accessibility and honesty.

experience for him.

many other activities inside and outside of

“My heart starts to pound in my chest,” he says. “My palms get

school.” And he’s done just that. During his senior year, Caleb served as

program, with a minor in Chinese. Like his brother, Daniel, Caleb had

“He’s not one to underestimate,” Caleb joked. And, as for the full scope of the process,

sweaty and I can’t bear to look at the audi-

president of Diversity in Action, a member

Caleb believes Brunswick has it down to

ence. I have never felt more uncomfortable

of the Arch Street Teen Board, and captain

a tee. “It all seems very well run,” he said.

in my life.”

of the swim team — just to name a few of his

“They do their best not to stress you out —

extracurricular commitments.

and they’re willing to be straight-up with

Quickly, though, Caleb undergoes a transformation — morphing from a shaky-handed young man into a jamming musician.

Swimming — a sport he dived into for the first time as a freshman — helped draw

you about your potential options.” It’s Brunswick as a whole, though, to

He imagines himself as John Mayer with

Caleb’s attention to Georgetown University,

which Caleb gives most of the credit for such

his famed Fender Strat, bending the high-E

as he watched a handful of teammates head

a strong matriculation list.

string as far as he can.

off to Hoya-land after their Brunswick

For Caleb, these experiences echo far beyond the sounds of music. “Moments like these help me not just as a

careers (either as swimmers or everyday college kids). He visited the Powers brothers, Jack ’17 and

“The School pushes you to get involved and try new things,” he said. “Ultimately, that makes you into the most attractive candidate you can be.”

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T HE N E X T S T EP SERVICE TO OUR NATION

› Bucknell University › Lewisburg, Pa.

ETHAN HYNES ’18

‘Sense of Necessity & Obligation’

THAN HYNES HAD just settled

applied early-decision to the ROTC

in for a long, seemingly endless

program at Bucknell.

stretch of open road ahead, his

He earned a full scholarship.

dad at the wheel, when he saw a

Ethan can offer a unique perspec-

sign for Bucknell University. The

tive on the college process, as he

school was just a few miles off

joined the ’Wick community from

Route 80 — perhaps worth a quick

public school in 11th grade.

pit stop on the way home from a baseball

“The difference is truly unbeliev-

recruiting trip to Oberlin College, in Ohio.

able,” he said. “To see all the hours

They could swing through campus, say hello to a close friend, and get back on the

Mr. Burdett, Mr. Shepard, and Mr. McMahon Bucknell is home to the Bison Battalion,

highway. It wouldn’t take more than an hour

an elite officer-training program and one of

or two. “Why not? We’re here,” they thought.

the best small-school ROTC programs in the

“Let’s go for it.” You must sense what

eastern United States.

happened next — when they rounded the corner, pulled into town, and saw the school for the first time. Yes, Ethan fell head-over-heels in love.

to Brunswick.” Ethan, himself, recalls a number of Friday afternoons sitting in “Shep’s” office as he

Since he was a child, Ethan has had visions of one day serving his country. It wasn’t just make-believe and playing

worked on his essays and application — many other fellow seniors right there with him, each receiving the same amount of

“war” for him, however. It was real. He would

attention and feedback. “Their level of care

(It’s OK, he’s man enough to admit it). “I

sit, entranced, as his older cousin held court

and dedication is unfaltering,” he said.

knew right away that it was the place for me,”

on holidays and told stories about his service

Ethan said. “The atmosphere on campus, the

in the Army as a helicopter gunner on a

to ROTC — which comes with an eight-year

students I spoke to, the opportunities the

Blackhawk.

service commitment (four years of active

school offered, and the proximity to home

In high school, he began having serious,

Ethan also found reassurance with regard

duty and four years in the inactive reserves)

— it had everything I wanted. There was no

one-on-one conversations with his dad —

— in discussions with faculty members Bob

doubt in my mind.”

who regrets never having served — about

Benjamin and Pete Adams, both of whom

the idea. The talks only fortified his resolve.

have military experience on the front lines.

He forgot to mention one critical detail.

“I don’t want to be 80 years old, sitting on a recliner, and wishing I had acted on my instincts,” Ethan said. “To fight for what

trading in his catcher’s equipment for earlymorning workouts and training exercises. “ROTC will give me that sense of necessity

rights we have — I feel like

and obligation to keep me on track and help

to my country to do that.” And so, Ethan

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

All told, Ethan is confident he’s making the right choice — even if that means

we believe in, to fight for the I owe it to myself and

36 | TIMES

put in is reason enough to send your son

me reach my best potential,” Ethan said. “I don’t want to be just another kid in a college crowd — I get lost in crowds.”

Before helping to backstop Brunswick to an FAA title on the baseball field as the starting catcher, Ethan Hynes ’18 earned an Army ROTC scholarship to Bucknell University.

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Christian LeSueur ’18 embodies the true student-athlete, excelling in the classroom and on the field (or on the ice, in his case). An honors student, he helped lead Brunswick to a NEPSAC championship last winter as the team’s co-captain.

38 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

T HE N E X T S T EP ICE TIME AT THE IVY LEVEL

› Dartmouth College › Hanover, N.H.

CHRISTIAN LESUEUR ’18

A Future Overflowing with Possibilities

HEN HE REACHED

England college town,” he says. “And when

claim that recruited athletes don’t experience

the summit of Mount

you talk to or meet alumni, you hear the

the college process,” Christian said. “You just

Kilimanjaro a few years ago,

loyalty in their voices. It reminds me of

have an advanced timeline — as the visits

Christian LeSueur dropped

Brunswick in that way.”

come earlier and you need to figure out

down to the dirt and did pushups — an image that forever captures his energy,

enthusiasm, and endurance. After trekking his way to the bottom of the

Christian took Dartmouth up on its offer to join the Class of 2022.

where your interests lie a bit sooner than the everyday applicant.” And you still need to

Christian is not alone.

hold up your end of the bargain in and out of

Many of his ’Wick classmates will head

the classroom.

off to colleges and universities in the fall to

Christian, of course, knew the outcome of

mountain, he spent eight days volunteering

play collegiate athletics, recruited by a host

his application far in advance — but again, he

at an orphanage for young girls in Tanzania.

of Division I and Division III programs often

warns those in his shoes not to be fooled.

They were spellbound by his natural

“It takes a little of the pressure off, but

charisma and his genuine care. Back here at

the stress simply comes earlier in the

home, too, he aims high — and for the sake

process — wondering which schools will

of others — in everything he does.

express interest and questioning if you’re

He’s a school prefect, team captain, and

going to be good enough for them,” he said.

peer leader. He’s a regular participant in Big

And, as he observed in his college essay,

Brother and Middle School Connections.

he’ll continue to place superior value on

He’s a true ambassador for Brunswick —

perseverance and hard work as he heads

always promoting service and school over

to Hanover, N.H., in the fall.

self, always playing for the name on the front

“At 17,” he wrote at the time, “I

and not the back. And he’ll do the same next

know virtually nothing

year at Dartmouth, where he’ll lace up the

about my future. I

skates for the Big Green’s hockey team after a

have a multitude

standout career on the ice at Hartong Rink. He “committed” (the chosen verb in this form of dialogue) to the Ivy League institution

of highs and lows long before their day of graduation. Christian understands that things

that await me, roads that have yet to be

in November of his junior year at Brunswick

work a bit differently for the college

— after visiting the campus, meeting with

“commit.” (He didn’t even know

whom I have yet to

the coaching staff, and getting a sense of the

the results of his SATs on the day

meet.

academic and social environment.

he accepted Dartmouth’s offer,

Everything about the place fit the bill for

for example.) But he won’t

Christian — even beyond the mutual interest

go as far as to say that the

between hockey player and program.

process is nonexistent.

“I like the quaint, suburban feel of a New

“It’d be unfair to

discovered, and people

“However, I will always be able to appreciate the steps that I have taken on my way to my next destination.”

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| 39

T HE N E X T S T EP YOUNG ALUMNI LOOK BACK

BRIAN KETCHABAW ’16

will enter his junior year at Middlebury College in the fall.

Maximum strength grow + thrıve TO

OR THREE YOUNG Brunswick alumni, the next step has turned out to be the very best step. As they look back on their Upper School experience — and specifically on the college process as it evolved for each of them — they all cite the tremendous impact of the day in, day out care and continuing guidance they received from faculty and advisors alike.

40 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

STEPHEN OHLEMEYER ’16, who just finished his sophomore year at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, boils it down to the real-life connections forged on Maher Avenue and King Street. “The close relationships I had with teachers at Brunswick took a lot of the stress out of a process that is inherently stressful,” he said. “I can’t imagine many other high schools where the faculty knows exactly which schools will best serve a student’s interests. In my case, they knew where I’d be happy long before I did.” And, today, he couldn’t be happier. “SMU is able to combine some aspects of city

STEPHEN OHLEMEYER ’16

sets to start his junior year at Southern Methodist University in the fall.

and country in a way that I don’t think a lot of other schools really can,” Stephen said. “There are people from all over the country — the South, California, everywhere. Staying closer to home, I don’t think I would’ve been able to get the same experience.” Stephen is studying in SMU’s business school, playing club hockey, and serving as the vice president of his fraternity. DAVID YACOBUCCI ’16, a rising junior at University of Pennsylvania, shares a similar view. “The college process at ’Wick was extremely helpful in finding the right fit for me,” David said. “As I worked closely with Mr. Burdett, he got to know me well enough to be able to get a sense of what I wanted and what my expectations were. That level of trust made my decision-making process that much easier.” David is enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences at Penn — and studies “Science, Technology, and Society,” which explores the relationships between scientific knowledge, technological innovations, technological systems, and society, both past and present. He also earned Academic All-Ivy League

as a member of the squash team. Everything about Penn has been a win-win for David — on and off the court. “I mesh really well with my teammates,

DAVID YACOBUCCI ’16

will begin his junior year at the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

which is important, considering that I see them every day,” David said. “I also like

“I came to Brunswick for only two years — my junior year and senior year — and I could tell almost immediately how knowledgeable and caring the college advising team is,” Brian said. “Compared to my public high school,

being in a city that’s easily accessible and

which did next to nothing for individual

neither too close, nor too far, from home.

students in terms of navigating the college

“Finally, being someone who wasn’t

process, Brunswick’s team always had its

entirely sure what he wanted to study

doors open and was readily willing to talk

coming into college, Penn offers unique

me through the process, weighing the

majors that have allowed me to find some-

pros and cons when it came down to two schools (Middlebury and Babson College) for me.” Brian is studying economics and playing hockey at Middlebury. And, after two years in Vermont, he knows he made the right choice. “I wanted a small school with strong

thing that interests me — and that might

academics and a diverse mix of people, who

have been harder to find somewhere else.”

had many different interests. I didn’t want to be at a school with simply one type of

And BRIAN KETCHABAW ’16, who attends Middlebury College, knew from the get-go

person,” he said. “Middlebury is that place. It’s checked all

that he was in good hands after transferring

the boxes. I’ve had an amazing experience

to ’Wick as an 11th grader.

so far.”

WWW.BRUNSWICKSCHOOL .ORG

| 41

FLEX TIME BRUNSWICK’S NEW VERMONT CAMPUS

‘Beta’ Expeditions Sharpen Target for Success

O QUESTION: Everything’s

students were introduced to ’Wick

on track for a great start.

alumnus Charlie Castine ’12, who

In late February, modeling

the experience planned for all

03 04

01 Sophomores Matty Goodman, Henry Dale, and Jojo McCurdy make a few new friends. 02 Dante White ’20 prepares to build a shelter. 03 The boys get ready to depart from Stamford train station. 04 Nadji Ngbokoli ’20 keeps up on his English reading.

42 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

now works full-time at the property. During the six-day trek, students

sophomores in 2018–2019, a brave

participated in a spectrum

band of seven 10th graders and most

of outside-the-box activities,

members of Science Teacher Chris

including work and frontline

Forester’s advisory, boarded Amtrak’s

experience in applied genetics, data

Vermonter in Stamford and ventured

analytics, and agribusiness at the

north to the new campus.

nearby Ayers Brooks Goat Dairy.

They were led by Forester,

At the farm, atop a whiteboard

Vermont Program Director Danny

charting milk production, a sign

Dychkowski, and seniors Harry

proclaimed: “Money can’t buy you

Rogers ’18 and Christian Ruf ’18,

happiness, but it can buy you goats

both veterans of last year’s wilder-

— which is pretty much the same

ness expedition to Camp Dudley, in

thing.”

upstate New York. In Vermont, the intrepid group was greeted at Randolph station

“It was a good reminder that we weren’t in Fairfield County,” Hastings observed.

by Dean of Student Life Tucker

Other new and “chill” expe-

Hastings, deliberately just a few

riences included a night hike,

steps ahead of everyone else. On site,

solo construction of bunk-bed

Flex TIME

05 The future senior leaders prepare for a night hike. 06 The first inaugural snowshoe race, featuring juniors Jose Riera, Harry Barringer, and Christian Barnard.

frames, and early-morning yoga, concluding with a relaxing return

will participate in advisory groups. As he works to refine plans for a

trip on Amtrak and transfer to

transformative student experience

Metro North’s Stamford local to

in the near term, Dychkowski sees

Greenwich.

a host of untapped, long-term

Then, in April, a group of 20

opportunities in ’Wick’s new and

juniors, all selected to become

vast natural resource as well —

Brunswick Trust Leaders (BTL)

including, literally, a stand of

as seniors, spent two days at the

nearly 1,000 maple trees.

site preparing to help guide and mentor younger students through the program next year. “This is a great new leadership opportunity for seniors,” Hastings explained. The nascent BTL crew

“There may be maple syrup in our future,” he smiled. But, for the moment, the steaming and buttery pancakes must wait. “Today, our one-and-only priority

is separate from Prefects and Peer

is to make sure the boys benefit as

Leaders, though naturally sharing

much as possible from their time in

some of the same members.

Vermont next year,” he said.

At least two senior leaders will

08 09

07 Junior Tommy Kimberlin shows off his axe-wielding skills. 08 A group exercise in tree felling. 09 While on a night hike, the boys attempt to make brownies. Let’s just say it was a failed attempt.

“We want to make a great first

accompany each of the nine sepa-

impression — and we want to guar-

rate expeditions now planned for

antee the experience has a lasting

2018–2019, in which sophomores

impression as well.”

For more photos, visit bwick.org/ tob_spring2018

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| 43

FLEX TIME LOUISE LEHRMAN VISITING SENIOR FELLOW

Focus of Scholar’s Talk: Alexander Hamilton

N THE LIFE of our nation’s

on the islands of Nevis and St. Croix in the British West Indies, where he became an illegitimate

Brunswick welcomed the

orphan at the age of 11 and was

financial founding father,

award-winning biographer,

forced to take his first job as an

Alexander Hamilton, early

journalist, and senior editor

accounting clerk.

experience made a defining

at National Review to Baker

difference, according to historian Richard Brookhiser.

He recounted Hamilton’s

Theater in April.

courageous military career in the

Brookhiser — the 2008

Richard Brookhiser

Revolutionary War after arriving in America — and his restorative and profitable work as the first Secretary of the Treasury, under

winner of the National Medal of the Humanities,

President Washington. Brookhiser, too, told the story

and a 2011 recipient of a

of Hamilton’s extramarital affair

Guggenheim Fellowship

with a married woman, Maria

— was this year’s Louise

Reynolds, and his hateful rival-

Lehrman Visiting Senior

ries with Thomas Jefferson and

Fellow.

Aaron Burr.

The Fellowship, estab-

It was Burr, of course, who

lished in 2013 by a gift from

fatally wounded Hamilton in a

the Lehrman Institute,

duel at dawn on July 11, 1804, in

engages experts in American

Weehawken, New Jersey.

History to visit Brunswick,

Brookhiser, the author a

instilling in students a

number of books and biog-

greater understanding of the

raphies about American

rights, privileges, and duties

historical figures, including

of American citizenship.

George Washington, James

The author of Alexander

Madison, and Abraham Lincoln,

Hamilton, American rooted

has, himself, visited the site of

his Lehrman lecture in

the Hamilton-Burr duel.

a careful chronicle of his

“When you look to the

subject’s origins, accom-

east, you see all of Manhattan,

plishments, and failures.

from the Battery all the way

Brookhiser detailed Hamilton’s upbringing

up through Midtown and to Riverside Church, the Manhattan mountain range of skyscrapers and apartment buildings,” Brookhiser said. “I knew that if Hamilton had seen that now, he would say, ‘This is why I came here, this is what I worked to build. Use it.’”

44 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

WINTER SPORTS WRAPUP

COURAGE. COMMITMENT. PERSEVERANCE. DETERMINATION. ’Wick’s Varsity Bruins Prevail Over Winter’s Cold, Hard Challenges BY M I K E K E N N E DY ’ 9 9

HE DEAD of winter proved no match for the Bruins. ’Wick varsity teams would not be slowed or knocked down by the elements — the seemingly never-ending wind and grind of the long season — as they committed themselves to reaching their potential and to overcoming the challenges standing in their way. They were willing to do what it takes — to put in the hours of work and preparation necessary to achieve success against the very best of competition. And, most often, they prevailed. Championships were won in hockey, squash, and wrestling — while national and New England inroads were made in swimming. Fencers and skiers continued to improve, as did the basketball team, under the guidance of a young, up-andcoming new head coach. All played their part in furthering the proud tradition of Brunswick athletics during an exceptional winter season.

Will Holey ’18

For more photos of Bruin Sports, visit bwick.org/ tob_spring2018

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| 45

WINTER SPORTS WRAPUP

SQUASH

Flawless Odyssey, Dominating Result

HE BEST description: A

well-oiled machine. Year after year, the

Brunswick squash team

Senior captains Will Holey, Max Finkelstein, and Patrick Feeley

The final match was tied at two before ’Wick pulled away for the 5–2 win. At the New England Class A

fires fast on all cylinders. The

Championship, the Bruins put a

Bruins step on the court deter-

stamp on their undefeated season

mined to burnish the legacy of

(12–0 in head-to-head matches)

their storied program. They work

by compiling 113 of a possible

tirelessly to achieve an unrivaled

119 points in the three-day team

standard of excellence. And they

event.

compete with integrity, poise, and dignity.

Sophomores Nick Spizzirri (No. 4), Brian Leonard (No. 5),

Nobody can stop them.

Dana Santry (No. 6), and Pierce

The end results are staggering

Henderson (No. 7) joined Feeley

— but not in any way surprising

(No. 3) as individual champions

or accidental.

— while Finkelstein (No. 1) and

It was much (much) more of the same this winter, as ’Wick

Holey (No. 2) each finished third in his bracket.

built on a winning tradition that

Longtime head coach

began three decades ago — and

Jim Stephens praised his

did so without dropping a single

team for their efforts and

match.

accomplishments.

Led by senior captains Patrick

“This is certainly one of

Feeley, Max Finkelstein, and Will

the best performances by any

Holey — bound to play colle-

Brunswick team, and maybe the

giate squash at Yale University,

most dominating result the New

Dartmouth College, and

England tournament has ever

University of Virginia, respec-

seen,” Stephens said.

tively — the Bruins captured

“This was really a fun, special

their third HEAD U.S. High

group to coach. They displayed

School National Championship

great sportsmanship all season —

with a dramatic victory against

they did it the right way.”

Haverford School at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.

46 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

Patrick Feeley ’18

All bets would say they’ll do it the right way again next season.

The team traveled to Europe during Winter Break to train and see the sights. Here they are in Barcelona.

Jose Riera ’19

ALPINE SKIING

All-State Slaloms Under Starry Night Skies

RUNSWICK ALPINE skiers

in Connecticut Interscholastic

took inspiration from

Ski League (CISL) races.

Olympians in Pyeongchang

And they did quite well.

this winter as they strapped

Led by co-captains Ethan

Southington.

N.H., the Bruins concluded the

All three earned All-State

year with an eighth-place finish,

honors for their performances.

highlighted by a silver medal in

Earlier in the season, the trio

the slalom portion of the event.

on their boots and took to the

Hynes ’18 and Ian Murray ’19,

did its best Olympic impression

slopes.

along with Jose Riera ’19, ’Wick

and swept the podium against

fourth season of interscholastic

The Bruins, of course, were

As ’Wick looks ahead to its

finished 10th (out of 34 schools)

speedy competitors from Darien,

racing next winter, the team has

competing for the Brown & Gold

at the Connecticut State Open

New Canaan, Fairfield, and

high hopes.

of Brunswick — not for the Stars

— with Hynes placing second,

Wilton high schools.

& Stripes of the USA, not with

Riera fourth, and Murray sixth in

an entire nation’s hopes on their

the field of 127 racers at Mount

And, at the 2018

Murray and Riera, as well as varsity lettermen Harry Dahl ’21

NEPSAC Class B Alpine

and Ryan Heinzerling ’20, will

backs — but they felt a similar

Ski Championships, held at

lead the way from the starting

pride in representing their school

Gunstock Mountain in Guilford,

gates.

Ethan Hynes ’18

Ian Murray ’19

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| 47

WINTER SPORTS WRAPUP

BASKETBALL

After the Rebound, A Post-Holiday Battle Back

EW HEAD coach Steve

Taft, Millbrook, Choate, Trinity-

Juricek, who took over

Pawling, and Tabor.

Khari Wilson ’20

The Bruins would notch another victory in

the Brunswick basketball

It didn’t quite go as hoped.

that playoff contest, this

program after more than a

Almost before Juricek — and

time a thrilling 66–63

decade of experience at the AAU

assistant coaches Zach Dobbs ’06

overtime win, which gave

level, knew he’d be faced with a

and Shawn Harris — could blink,

them a lasting memory of

significant challenge in his first

the Bruins broke for Winter

the season — one that ended

year manning the sideline for the

Break with a dismal 1–7 record.

in the semifinal round against

Bruins.

But give credit to the players

The young and inexperienced

and coaches: All returned in

the ultimate champions from Hamden Hall.

team (which lost six seniors to

January and committed to

graduation a year ago) stared a

getting better — committed to

seeing big minutes for the Bruins

daunting, road-heavy schedule

leaving the gym as better players

this year, the team and coaches

in the eye as it began game-

and a better team than when they

are optimistic about what the

play in late November after two

walked in earlier that day.

future holds for the program.

weeks of practice — taking to the court against the likes of

Their positive attitude and work ethic paid off. The Bruins began to hit their

With many young players

Will Prout ’19, Jack Molloy ’20, and Kevonne Wilder ’20 have been

stride with back-to-back wins

elected the captains

to start the new year against

for next winter.

Hopkins and Storm King — and they mixed in another FAA win versus the Hilltoppers and one versus Rye Country Day School to steady the ship. The real highlights of the season, though, came in the final week, when ’Wick knocked off Greens Farms Academy at Dann Gymnasium on Senior Night to secure a spot in the FAA Tournament on the road at King.

Harrison Caponiti ’18 Jack Molloy ’20

48 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

Caleb Osemobor ’18

SWIMMING

Team Distinguished By Togetherness

The Bruins took third at the New England Championship meet at Exeter.

HE BRUNSWICK swim team

at the Interscholastic Eastern

believe it, they had accom-

dared to dream big during

Championships; and to land a

plished it all.

the 2017–2018 season.

spot on the podium at the New

They set a number of

England’s.

The young program hurled itself into the status of

“The team celebrates together, picks each other up when down, and swims for each other,” Montgomery

lofty goals as practice began in

From an individual stand-

“independent school elite”

said. “Swimming is and can be

the pool at Mehra Natatorium:

point, too, the Bruins wished

by defeating Exeter and

a very individualistic sport, but

to beat perennial powers

to lay claim to All-American

Suffield in dual meets and

our team is a team — maybe

Exeter and Suffield for the first

qualifiers in multiple events.

placing sixth at the Eastern

even a family (a very loud,

By season’s end, if you can

Championships — ahead of

emotional family at times).

time; to finish in the top-six

traditionally strong teams from The 200 Freestyle Relay team of Marcus Hodgson ’20, Christian Farricker ’19, Thacher Scannell ’18, and Keegan Drew ’19 swam to gold at New England’s.

“Throughout the season, I

Germantown Academy, The Hill

watched boys get out of the pool

School, Georgetown Prep, and

after a successful or disap-

Mercersburg Academy.

pointing swim and immediately

The Bruins placed third at

go cheer for our next swim.

New England’s (where they

Their frequent selflessness was

earned their first-ever gold in a

an unbelievable sight. I am so

relay event), just out of reach of

proud of the determination and

a silver medal, and had a total

resiliency of this group of boys.”

of five All-American qualifiers in five different events. Eleven team records were shattered. Head coach Aaron Montgomery summed up the year as a “beautiful thing.”

The team will continue to reach for new heights as it looks ahead to next winter — perhaps even setting loftier goals that appear just out of reach to inspire further motivation. After all, why stop now?

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WINTER SPORTS WRAPUP

HOCKEY

Near Slip-Away Explodes Into Overtime Triumph

The Bruins celebrate their first-ever New England Championship.

HE GAME appeared to

be slipping away. Thayer Academy had erased a two-goal deficit and

carried all the momentum into overtime, hemming Brunswick in its defensive zone for minutes at a time and peppering ’Wick goaltender Dan Dachille with pucks from all angles. Senior defenseman and

Ryan Carmichael ’18

co-captain Ryan Carmichael could hardly feel his legs. Fellow classmate Jack Forrest

Brunswick 4, Thayer 3. In

Stephenson — earned his

ership is what brought it home

was feeling the emotional pain of

overtime. Gloves, sticks, and

rightful place in the celebratory

on Sunday,” VanBelle said. “I am

a costly third-period penalty that

helmets flew into the air. Players,

frenzy and pile-up after the

so happy for those guys. What a

led to the tying goal.

coaches, and fans jumped for joy.

overtime winner, all having filled

way for them to go out by ending

significant roles throughout

their Brunswick careers with a

their stints as Bruins.

championship.

All signs from above pointed

The Bruins had won their

toward a Tigers’ victory. The

first-ever NEPSAC Division

hockey gods, though, don’t

I Large School Tournament

always follow the script.

hockey championship — a feat

special recognition, as the

years of hard work and dedi-

only possible because of the

five-year varsity veteran and

cation by both the players and

tion, Carmichael took the puck

efforts of all 24 players on the

two-year captain graduates as

coaches, and would not have

end-to-end from behind his own

roster, as well as those of so

the all-time leading scorer (159

been possible without so many

net, weaving through the neutral

many others who had once laced

points) in the Division I era of

who wore the ’Wick uniform in

zone and across the offensive blue

up the skates for the Brown &

’Wick hockey — his final tally

the past. They’re all deserving

line, ultimately sprawling to the ice

Gold and helped lay the foun-

in the championship game

of a piece of this championship.

before wristing a low shot toward

dation for a strong tradition of

reminiscent of so many others

They believed in Brunswick

the Thayer cage (see above photo).

hockey at Hartong Rink.

(of the “wow-factor” variety) in

hockey and took it a step farther

his career.

with each and every year.”

In a seeming act of despera-

Forrest followed up the play and

Along with Carmichael and

LeSueur, perhaps, deserves

slammed home the rebound to

Forrest, each senior on this

earn the sweet taste of redemption

year’s team — Nick Boardman,

his 13th year behind the bench,

talented core of youth and expe-

— and to set off a wild celebration

Patrick Burkinshaw, Tim

may have summed it up best.

rience — will look to do the same

on the ice at St. Anselm College in

Carter, Brendan Gregoire,

Manchester, N.H.

Christian LeSueur, and Wilson

50 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

Head coach Ron VanBelle, in

“It’s a culmination of so many

“The senior leadership is what got us there and the senior lead-

Next year’s team — led by a

when the puck drops at Hartong Rink in November.

FENCING

On the Strip, Toughness, Attitude & Bright Future

Jack Hall ’19

ESILIENCE AND sports-

foil, respectively. Their

medal in the Connecticut

looked with anticipatory

manship were on full

performances

State High School

eyes toward next winter,

display for the Brunswick

would be a sign of

Championship), Jack

as both Evans and Lin will

fencing team during the

only good things to

2017–18 season — one that

come (and more and more wins)

resulted in two wins and two

for the dynamic duo as the year

losses on the strip.

progressed.

The Bruins showed their fair

Seasoned veteran David

Hall, Nicholas MoulleBerteaux, and Ryan Seller.

return. Evans finished his season

’Wick would split its final

undefeated in the foil, subse-

two bouts — one a hard-fought

quently earning a third-place

victory against a game opponent

finish among U-17 Cadet Foil

share of toughness and attitude,

Schroeder ’18 and freshman

from Masters School, and the

fencers at the National Junior

too, throughout the winter —

Oliver McGovern fought valiantly,

second, once again, a narrow

Olympics. Lin also put the stamp

which, according to first-year

but came up just short in the foil,

defeat to competitors from

on an undefeated season at saber

coach Joseph Helpern, will

while the epee fencers also lost

Greenwich High School.

— and then swept Junior Men’s

undoubtedly yield dividends in

close battles, ultimately leading to

the form of future success, as well

a season-opening defeat.

as in the continued growth of the program. In the team’s first match against

Junior Tallon Hodge and

Saber Gold, Cadet Gold, and

freshman Andres Cevallos

Y14 Silver in a Regional Junior

deserve kudos for fighting to

Cadet Circuit tournament. He

handily defeated Rye Country

the finish and showing marked

would go on to earn a bronze and

Day School, 21–6, receiving solid

improvement in their matches.

a fifth-place medal at the North

The Bruins bounced back and

Greenwich High School, eighth

contributions from senior team

grader John Lin and freshman

captain Max Larsen and fellow

ership, character, and wisdom

Cameron Evans kicked off

classmate Ben Pasteelnick —

of Larsen, Schroeder, and

competitors leading the charge,

outstanding seasons by going

and juniors George Burke (who

Pasteelnick when reflecting upon

the future surely looks bright for

undefeated (3–0) in the saber and

went on to win a fifth-place

the season as a whole — but also

Brunswick fencing.

John Lin ’22

Helpern singled out the lead-

American Cup. With these two top-notch

Cameron Evans ’21

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WINTER SPORTS WRAPUP

John DeLucia ’18

WRESTLING Lachlan Rosato ’18

Unparalleled Magnitude of Achievement

T’S NO secret. The Brunswick

magnitude — and they swept

wrestling team has lived and

their dual-meet schedule with 15

breathed a long history of

wins against zero losses.

success because of an atti-

They won their 21st consec-

tude — one deeply rooted in

utive FAA title to make it 34

hard work, determination, and

out of the last 35 — and they

sacrifice.

captured additional tournaments at Tabor Academy and Hopkins,

result at the New England

their veteran coaches — Ostrye,

as well as the Town Crown

Championship, taking second

Benjamin, Martin, and Minsky

versus Greenwich High

place in the 44-team field,

— and they thrive on a “next-

School in a dominating

just 17 points behind

man-up,” “no guts-no glory”

performance.

They follow the example set by

mentality. It’s what allows them to

the winners from

’Wick earned

Belmont Hill School. Freshman Chris Perry (113 lbs.) and senior co-captain Lachlan Rosato (220 lbs.) became the team’s first individual champions since 2007.

its best-ever

And, at the National Prep

continue to up the ante each and

Wrestling Championship, where

every year on the mats, just as

the Bruins sent a school-best

they did again this past winter.

eight wrestlers and Perry earned

The list of individual and

All-American status, the team

team accomplishments

distinguished itself from its 130

starts and seems never

competitors by winning the

to end.

Officials’ Sportsmanship Award.

The Bruins won their

Credit should go to senior

fifth-straight WNEISWA

captains John DeLucia, Jack

title to become the only

Ocken, and Rosato for leading

school to achieve a

the team throughout this monu-

streak of that

mental season and furthering the legacy of the Brunswick wrestling program. Rising seniors Harry Fett and Tim Saunders ’19

Tim Saunders will take up those same responsibilities as captains next season.

52 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

FLEX TIME DECADES OF GRACE, CARE & SUPPORT

For Margee, Brunswick has been a second home. “Being a member of this community has been an incredible gift and

become successful readers, also working to pilot a comprehensive phonics program and design curriculum.

an amazing chapter in my life,” she

“Margaret has touched the lives

said. “Nothing will ever replace the

of so many Brunswick boys,” Lower

sense of belonging I’ve felt while

School Head Katie Signer said.

being part of this school.”

“She is known for her patience, warmth, sense of humor, and calm

Not far across the green, as well as on the Maple Avenue Campus, Margee Melton P ’99

At Once Thoughtful & Welcoming, They’re Starting a New Chapter

RUNSWICK BID a very

community through her grace and

fond farewell to two long-

care,” Middle School Head Sarah

standing members of the

Burdett said.

community at the conclu-

humor extend beyond just the

Margee Melton P ’99 and Margaret

Admission Office, however. Always

Clark began their retirements.

willing to help her colleagues in any ear, Margee has been a friend to

the Middle School admission team

all in the Middle School and to the

since taking her position in 2000,

entire Brunswick family.

Caputo Middle School. “Margee’s warmth and gener-

Margaret, too, will miss her time

member of the Pre and Lower

at ’Wick. “It has been a pleasure

Schools since 2002, when she

to work alongside such dedicated

began her duties as the School’s

and generous colleagues,” she

reading specialist.

said. “The caliber of their teaching

She’s been instrumental in giving students the tools they need to

and unwavering professionalism inspired me everyday.”

Margaret Clark

way, even just to lend a thoughtful

and thoroughly professional face of

the same year the doors opened to

we will certainly miss her.”

“Her kindness, support, and

sion of the school year, as both

Margee has been the welcoming

Margaret Clark has been a valued

demeanor. She is loved by all and

“As Margee retires, so too will the Middle School leave the Edwards Campus and move

osity are evident at each stage of

across the street. How fitting

the admission process, and our

that she has guided us so beauti-

new families have been introduced

fully through our 18 years in this

to Brunswick’s strong sense of

building.”

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| 53

BEYOND THE BOOKS

NEWS AND NOTEWORTHY EVENTS

Summer Got His Creative Juices Flowing

N THE SUMMER of his sophomore year, Tate Robinson ’19 could have been chilling on

the beach or taking Driver’s Ed classes. Instead, he wrote and composed the score for an original musical. Robinson showcased four of the songs from Chameleon at this spring’s theater festival, where he was joined in the production by seniors John DeLucia, Henry Ellison, Sean Redahan, Aimee Booth, Jane Watson, and Alexis Wolfram. “The basic story is about two brothers, Jason and Connor, who are born in an impoverished mining town and try to

Tate Robinson ’19 wrote, composed, and played piano in his original musical, which also starred Jane Watson (GA ’18) and John DeLucia ’18 (ABOVE MIDDLE) and Henry Ellison ’18 (RIGHT).

54 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

“The main theme is about personal responsibility despite the great obstacles that both of them face.” Chameleon will be performed from

escape it by becoming musicians in New

start to finish July 14 and 15 at the

York City,” Robinson explained.

Emelin Theater in Mamaroneck, N.Y.,

“Throughout the show, there is conflict over their shared love interest, Janel, as well as confrontation with their father and a mysterious man in white.

staged by an independent theater company. Brunswick theatergoers can see it in its entirety next spring.

BEYOND the BOOKS

Horizons Club Mentors Encourage, Admire Students’ Growth

ENIORS Charlie Russell and

The novice was doing laps (comfort-

Cam Dalton, co-presidents

ably) by day’s end, thanks to the

of the Horizons at Brunswick

expert.

Club, see defining moments of

the program everywhere they look. At the Mehra Natatorium in April,

In classrooms during the summer or on select Saturdays during the school year, Dalton bears witness to boys

Russell spotted fellow classmate

improving their reading skills, as well as

and stud swimmer Thacher Scannell

their educational habits and attitudes.

teaching a young boy how to swim

He acts as a mentor or a role model —

using a kickboard — smiles smeared

and the Horizons boys follow his lead.

across both of their faces.

Seniors Cam Dalton (left) and Charlie Russell watched the progress of Horizons students in the pool, on the field, and in the classroom.

Both Russell and Dalton are grateful for their experiences. “I’m so glad to have been a part of the Horizons program for the past four years and to have seen growth in these boys,” Russell said. “They take strides academically and in their character.” “I’ll miss these boys,” Dalton added. “The program really does change their

Arabic Scholar Bound for Morocco

UNIOR KOBY OFORI was awarded a scholarship from the Arabic Honor Society under the auspices

lives — giving them a place to learn and

of Qatar International Foundation — enabling him to

putting a structure in place so that

attend a study-abroad program in Morocco this summer.

they don’t fall behind in school. I’m lucky to have been part of it.”

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| 55

BEYOND the BOOKS

A JUBILANT, CHAOTIC

MAD DASH TO THE FINISH LINE

PRING FINALLY came out

The Lower School Bruins

from behind the clouds and

kicked things off with a rousing

cold to deliver a beautiful

rendition of the National Anthem;

day for ’Wick, Walk, Run on

Mr. O. gave a pep talk and loos-

April 28. Nearly 200 runners

ened up everyone’s muscles with a

took to the 1.6-mile course

“pre-game” stretch; and emcee Mr.

on Edwards Campus — just

Coupe sent all off from the starting

the perfect distance for a challenging and fast-paced

line in a chaotic mad dash (well, at least the youngest participants).

Literary Magazine Garners

Three Top Prizes

Cosby Field, too, played host to a

run or a nice-

parade of activity before and after

and-easy jog or

the annual school tradition — with

top honors across the landscape of scholastic

trot to the finish

students of all ages teaming up for

journalism — earning a Gold Medal Certificate

soccer games or jumping for joy on

from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association;

line.

the bouncy castles. Co-chairs Vivian Dean P ’28 and Kristin Lamendola P ’30 deserve special recognition for all that goes into the planning process of such a large-scale event. “The Brunswick spirit was alive and well all morning,” they said. “It was so much fun to see our friends and families enjoying each other and the beautiful King Street campus. And the highlight had to be all the red, happy faces crossing the finish line!”

56 | TIMES

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT

Luke Velasco ’27 and Connor Finn ’28; the runners sprinted out of the starting gate; Charlie Carroll ’29; and Grayson Shaw ’29

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

The Oracle, ’Wick’s literary magazine, secured

the “Highest Award” from the National Council of Teachers of English; and the Pacemaker Award from the National Scholastic Press Association.

BEYOND the BOOKS

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT David Sorbaro ’18,

Tim Carter ’18, Diego Jasson ’18 and Jack Ocken ’18

side included fellow classmates

one-minute summary — and a

Jack Ocken, Caleb Osemobor,

10-minute Q&A followed.

and Wesley Peisch. Seniors Diego

New ’Wick Student Union Promotes Respectful Debate

“What is important to realize

Jasson and Christian LeSueur

is that each participant has been

served as moderators.

assigned his role,” Headmaster

“Today’s debate is meant to show that, in spite of disagreements on

Thomas W. Philip said. “Their statements do not necessarily

certain hot-button issues, there is

reflect their own personal views

still a way to have civil discourse

or opinions.”

without berating the opposing side

Philip expressed the hope that

for its position,” LeSueur explained

future debates by the Brunswick

THEY AGREED TO DISAGREE —

the mass shooting at Marjory

to the audience of Upper School

Student Union will be presented

and to do so with mutual respect.

Stoneman Douglas High School in

students and faculty.

annually. “You’ve listened and can

Brunswick held its first meeting

of the Student Union at the Upper

Parkland, Fla., on February 14, in

“The goal is to allow students

now decide for yourself where you

the opportunity to witness what

lie on the issue at hand,” moder-

The school shooting sparked

respectful discourse looks like,

ator Diego Jasson concluded.

the student-led March for Our

even when there may be philo-

“But most important, whether

and civil discourse on campus while

Lives in Washington, D.C., and

sophical differences present.”

inside or outside of the classroom,

debating the issue of gun control.

800 similar marches across the

Both sides presented three

School on Thursday, March 29, as students promoted free speech

More specifically, students

which 17 were murdered.

never be afraid to express your

globe the previous week — making

arguments supporting their case,

voice, to be confident in your

debated whether or not the

Brunswick’s first meeting of

each of which was followed by

convictions, and to express opin-

production, distribution, and resale

its Student Union all the more

the opposing side’s response. The

ions true to your values.

of the AR-15 should be banned — a

poignant and relevant.

side making the initial argument

“We hope that you can take

then had one final opportunity to

this experience and what you’ve

respond.

learned here today beyond

topic remaining at the forefront

The anti-ban side included

of American political and societal

seniors Tim Carter, Gordon Kamer,

discussion in the weeks after

and David Sorbaro; the pro-ban

Each side concluded with a

Brunswick.”

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| 57

CLASSNOTES C O M P I L E D B Y L I B B Y E D WA R D S

Pierce Ritman, Second Grade

Finn Ritman, Pre-K

Jimmy Ritman’s first grade yearbook photo from 1983

Pride & Gratitude Inspire Alum’s Gift

S A first-grader at Brunswick, in

He’s now a proud alumnus and

1982, Jimmy Ritman ’94 idolized

trustee of the School — and an even

the older Bruins he watched play varsity football and basketball for the Brown & Gold. He participated in the age-old

prouder father. Pierce is in second grade, while Finn ’31 is in Pre-K at ’Wick. “Nothing can match the pride I have

more of his Brunswick brethren. “The best testament to my Brunswick experience is that my closest friends, my groomsmen (seven out of eight, in fact), and the godfathers to my children are all

Lower School wrestling tournament

watching my sons shake hands with

under the ever-trained eye of his gym

Upper School students as they walk in

teacher, Tim Ostrye.

through the doors of Brunswick each

support of the Brunswick commu-

morning,” Ritman said.

nity is really a natural next step

And, most important, he began to understand the meaning of the School’s

“And, as I do, nothing can match

Brunswick brothers,” he said. And so, Ritman’s planned gift in

for him — a constant and abiding

motto — Courage, Honor, Truth — with

the pride I have listening to them

expression of his appreciation and

the genuine care and support of his

talk about their Brunswick experi-

gratitude.

teachers, coaches, and mentors.

ences and hearing them talk about

“Outside of my family, Brunswick

what Courage, Honor, Truth means

has been the most influential aspect

to them.

of my life,” he said.

Ritman ultimately climbed the educational ranks into the Upper School, where he set the example for

“To hear how the School instills

younger Brunswick boys to follow as

those same values in the students

students on their journeys to become

a hard-working student, committed

today bonds us all.”

young men of character is a great way

athlete, and dedicated Big Brother, graduating in 1994.

58 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

It’s a bond Ritman shares intimately with his sons — and so many

“To help current and future

to give back to a place that has meant so much to me.”

GEORGE E. CARMICHAEL SOCIETY Established in 1995 to honor Brunswick’s founder and first headmaster, The George E. Carmichael Society recognizes those members of the Brunswick community who have planned contributions to the School through bequests and/or deferred gifts. Such gifts might include a bequest and/or charitable income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts, or gifts of life insurance. For more information, call or write to Ross Smith (203-625-5864; rsmith@ brunswickschool.org).

CLASSNOTES

1993

2004

John Monsif and his wife, Shannon,

Rob Dudley and his wife, Tricia,

welcomed a baby boy, Graham

had a baby boy, Reed Hamilton, on

Michael, on February 16.

March 1. See photo 04.

See photo 01.

1999 Thomas Toepke and his wife, Sarah, are now a family of four, following

Jordan Sanders and his wife, Daisy, happily announced the birth of their son, Jack Irving, on February 27. See photo 05.

on May 8. His brother, Oliver, is

2006

excited to have a partner-in-crime.

Jamie Millard and his wife, Krista,

See photo 02.

had their first child, Emory Elizabeth,

the birth of their second son, Simon,

2001 Paul Gojkovich and his wife,

on February 1. See photo 06. 05

2007

Lauren, are the proud parents of

Greg Wyman and his wife, Samantha,

their second daughter, Karolina

welcomed a baby girl, Sadie Jean, on

Deysher, born on April 21.

April 22. The family of three now lives

See photo 03.

in Boston. See photo 07.

01 Graham Monsif, the son of John Monsif ’93, looks ready to be a Bruin. 02 Simon Toepke, the son of Thomas Toepke ’99, sleeps peacefully in his earliest days. 03 The Gojkovich Family — Paul ’01, big sister Alexa, wife Lauren, and new baby Karolina. 04 Reed Dudley, the son of Rob Dudley ’04, stays warm during the cold spring season.

05 Jack Sanders, the son of Jordan Sanders ’04, is wide-eyed and alert for the camera. 06 A smiley and pretty-in-pink Emory Millard, the daughter of Jamie Millard ’06.

07 Sadie Jean Wyman, the daughter of

Greg Wyman ’07, rests comfortably in her first days of life. 06

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| 59

CLASSNOTES

08 Peter Hanson ’08 and Addie Garland are surrounded by a beautiful wedding party, including fellow alumni Russell Zimmerman ’08, Nick Pinto ’08, Jeff Long ’01, Jack Barrett ’08, Clay Blackiston ’08, Torey Agovino ’08, Peter Weinberg ’08, Alex Kaskel ’08, a nd Ryan Potocki ’08, as well as Kaylie Hanson (GA ’06).

10 Benjamin Dychkowski, the son of Upper School teacher Danny Dychkowski, is out for the count during a midday nap.

09 Arielle Boardman, the daughter of Middle School teacher Taryn Petrelli Boardman (GA ’05), is as cute as a bunny.

13 Aidan Solano, the son of Business Office Controller Allison Solano, looks snug in hat and blanket.

11 Margaret Helpern made a new father out of Upper School teacher Joseph Helpern. 12 Margaret Salazar, the daughter of Upper School teacher Nick Salazar, will not be disturbed by the camera.

12 13

2008

Maggie, welcomed a baby boy,

Peter Hanson tied the knot with

See photo 10.

Benjamin Daniel, on March 29.

Addie Garland at Lowndes Grove in

THE

Strength OF Our Community

Charleston, S.C., on September 16, in

Upper School science teacher

front of a large contingent of alumni.

Joe Helpern and his wife, Dena,

The newlyweds are soon moving to

welcomed their first child, Margaret

Los Angeles. See photo 08.

Rochelle, on May 5. See photo 11.

FACULTY NOTES

Upper School Latin teacher Nick Salazar and his wife, Susie, are

In our big, united community “Thank You” to faculty, we’re so

Middle School English teacher Taryn

the proud parents of a baby girl,

grateful to the 370 alumni, parents, former parents, grandparents,

Boardman and her husband, Adam,

Margaret, born on March 2.

faculty, and staff who all joined in expressing their appreciation by

announced the birth of their first

See photo 12.

WE DID IT, AND THEN SOME! making a gift through “The Strength of Our Community.” Your generosity made it possible to raise $223,842 in just one

child, Arielle Cecilia, on March 11. Allison Solano, controller in the

day, supplemented by a matching gift of $75,000 from a very

business office, and her husband,

benevolent alumnus — a big tribute.

Upper School science teacher

Paul, welcomed a baby boy, Aidan

Once again, thank you!

Danny Dychkowski and his wife,

Antonio, on May 3. See photo 13.

See photo 09.

60 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

CLASSNOTES

Tracy Walker McFarlan ’41,

IN MEMORIAM Tracy Walker McFarlan ’41, who had been Brunswick’s oldest living alumnus, died peacefully at Givens Health Center on November 29, 2017. Born on January 7, 1923, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Tracy and his brother Edward were raised by their parents, Edward McFarlan and Marjorie Walker McFarlan, in Greenwich. It was here that he developed his love for the outdoors, skating on local ponds, exploring the woods, and playing sports with friends and family. Brunswick, where he was a student from K-12, was the “centerpiece of his life.” Brunswick influenced Ultrasound and Edy-current.

his sense of stability in the

As retirement

world. He loved athletics

Not one to fritter time, he dove into projects, such as building model planes and boats, doing

and made friends for life,

approached, Tracy took

genealogical research, and avidly studying the

and, he would say, “They

photography classes and

gyrations of the stock market. He loved people

taught me the importance of

trained to be a photogra-

and everyone enjoyed being with him.

connecting with others and

pher. In 1978, at age 55, he

of not giving up even when I

moved to Asheville, N.C.,

friend to many, some would say, “He was a char-

wanted to quit.”

with Kay and began his

acter who lit up any room with his humor and his

“working retirement.”

kind, generous, and loving personality.”

In 1941, he entered Williams College and joined the Psi

He built a darkroom in his basement and devel-

Sustained by his love for family and a treasured

He is survived by his wife, Sara Grubbs

Upsilon fraternity with his older brother, Ted.

oped a clientele of businesses. He also devoted

McWhorter, and three children: Susan McFarlan

Two years in, he joined the U.S. Army Reserve

considerable time to serving others in his commu-

and husband, James P. Rooney; John McFarlan and

and served from 1942 until 1946. In 1945, he was

nity and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity,

wife, Jan McFarlan; and Lynn McFarlan-Randall

assigned to a weather facility in China and helped

Meals on Wheels, and the local homeless shelter.

and husband, Christopher Randall. He is also

to forecast weather for the invasion of Japan.

Kay and Tracy moved into Givens in 2005, where

survived by five grandchildren: Katherine and

Kay spent her last two years. She died in February

Theodore Rooney, Rebecca and Emma Randall,

10, 1949, at St. Bartholomew Chapel in New York

2007. Loving companions for 58 years, they built a

and Tracy McFarlan.

City. They raised three children — Susan, John, and

full, adventuresome life together.

Tracy married Katharine Pomery Oakes on June

Lynn. Beginning their family life in Paoli, Pa., Kay

In November 2010, Tracy married Sara Grubbs

Gaynor Kelley, a member of the Brunswick Board

and Tracy moved from Weston, Conn., to Glencoe,

McWhorter in Asheville’s Trinity Episcopal Church.

of Trustees from 1988 to 1994, died peacefully,

Ill., in 1961.

Captivated by her sense of humor, Tracy shared

surrounded by loved ones, on December 20, 2017,

with Sara a deep bond, sparked by laughter,

at his home in Chicago, Ill.

Taking good advantage of living in the Midwest, Tracy took his family canoeing in the Boundary

conversation, the company of many friends, and

Waters, skiing in the Rockies, and hiking/camping

family gatherings.

Gaynor was born in New Canaan, Conn., where he spent his childhood with his parents, four

Tracy’s friends and family will remember him as a

older brothers, and one younger sister. He loved

Tracy attended night school for five years on the

devoted family man with a lion’s spirit that never gave

Connecticut and would remain there for over six

GI Bill, earning a mechanical engineering certificate.

up. He was deeply committed to living out Brunswick

decades to raise all five of his children in New

School’s motto of “Courage, Honor, and Truth.”

Canaan and nearby Ridgefield.

in national parks through the country.

He then worked at Sperry Products, a company pioneering the use of ultrasound to non-destruc-

A natural leader and conversationalist with a

Gaynor did not just live the American Dream: He

tively detect defects in metal objects, such as

charming sense of humor, Tracy led hikes for the

created it with his unprecedented work ethic and

railroad tracks and jet engines. After 12 years with

Carolina Mountain Club, delivered speeches for

drive. Gaynor began his career at the age of 19 with

Sperry, he joined Magnaflux in Chicago, another

Asheville’s Pen and Plate Club, engaged in a lively

the Perkin Elmer Corporation in Norwalk, Conn.,

leader in the field of nondestructive testing. He

conversation at any meal, and played bridge and

eventually retiring 45 years later, after serving as

worked there for 18 years as a product manager for

golf with friends.

the company’s CEO.

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| 61

CLASSNOTES

Gaynor Kelley

He holds patents, awards, and distinctions that only a select few have ever achieved in their professional careers and had a hand in developing Nobel Prize-winning products that translated

BRUNSWICK CAREER CENTER

the tiniest molecules in the human body (PCR),

REAL ESTATE ALUMS CREATE NEW ’WICK NETWORK

managed the Cold War (KH-9 Hexagon), and explored the largest chasms of space (Hubble Space Telescope). Gaynor’s proudest accomplishment was his family. There is no question that he was the best husband, father, uncle, brother, and in-law one could find: During the height of his very busy

HE B RUNSWICK Real Estate

Realty, a major shopping center REIT (real

Alumni Association (BREAA) hosted

estate investment trust) — served as the

27 Brunswick alumni in the real estate

meeting’s keynote speaker.

career, Gaynor never missed the opportunity

field, as well as friends from Greenwich

to take his boys camping, attend a Little League

Academy and a few

ping and e-commerce

game, stand rink side for squirt hockey, and hold

invited guests, at its

statistics, while revealing

the reins of his daughter’s mount at a horse show.

quarterly breakfast

Kimco’s strategy to

series, on Thursday,

adjust to changing

April 5.

consumer shopping

Gaynor’s last and favorite job was being grandpa: He was also the best storybook reader, ice-cream scooper, and cheerleader one could

Flynn dispelled myths about retail shop-

The BREAA has

habits and lifestyles. He

find. He was a true patriarch and will be so

grown from an informal

also provided insight

very missed.

group of 15 to almost

into managing the

100 members in just a

many aspects of a large

Gaynor is predeceased by his parents, James and Mable Kelley, and his brothers and sister, David,

few months. In addition

Roger, Jerry, and Virginia Kelley. Gaynor loved his

to networking, the site

wife, Diane (Curio) Kelley, like no other, moving

and affinity groups

her back to Chicago, Ill., upon his retirement in

such as the BREAA

1996 — a promise he made to her more than 30

create terrific opportunities for mentoring

with industry panelists on a variety of

years earlier.

current students and recent graduates

topics, with events held in Greenwich or

investigating internship and job choices.

Manhattan. A golf tournament is also in

Gaynor was so very proud of his five children, Guy (Linda) Kelley, Russ (Jill) Kelley, Ted (Peg)

enterprise. Connor Flynn ’99 and James Sinclair ’10

Gregg Delany ’81 organized the event,

Kelley, Ron (Shauna) Kelley ’94, and Victoria

alongside Paige Montinaro, Director of the

(Andrew) Hodson. He is also survived by his grand-

Brunswick Career Center.

Looking ahead, the BREAA will host quarterly breakfasts

the works. Job opportunities and internships are already being posted on the Brunswick

children, Ryan Kelley, Mike Kelley, Erin Kelley,

“The Career Center has allowed

Anna Kelley, Christopher Kelley, June Hodson,

Brunswick alumni an opportunity to

the BREAA group to learn about markets,

Josephine Hodson, Charlie Hodson, and Penny

connect like never before,” Delany noted.

locations, and deal structures across

Hodson, his great grandson, James Kelley, and many, many adoring in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

62 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

Connor Flynn ’99 — CEO of Kimco

Connect, and alumni are connecting via

the country.

CLASSNOTES

ABOVE Eighth graders Caleb Boateng, Victor Park, Patrick Keller, Tad Carney, Warren Klein and David Beeson LEFT Gray Huffard ’08 and Caleb on Orientation Day BELOW Caleb accepts his championship trophy.

off the squash court — with Gray

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Alum’s Volunteer Connection Changes Middle Schooler’s Life

LUMNUS GRAY Huffard ’08

had a special rooting interest in

the Brunswick Middle School squash

trek from the Bronx to Brunswick as

of Ghanaian immigrants, to his high

an excuse,” Gray said. “It’s simply

school alma mater.

a step he needs to take in order

The rest is history — or history in the making — as Caleb arrived at Brunswick as a sixth grader in 2015.

to maximize the opportunity and potential he has at Brunswick. “He’s such a special kid. He has

He’ll soon complete his three-

never shied away from meeting a

year Middle School experience

new person, sticking his hand out,

grader and Middle School squash

and head to the Upper School in

and looking someone in the eyes.

player Caleb Boateng.

September.

He’s a true teammate in everything

Gray and Caleb met in the fall of

Caleb’s transition, for one, will

team’s run to the national champion-

2013 at CitySquash, a not-for-profit,

certainly make for a slightly shorter

ship in January.

after-school enrichment program

commute to start his day.

And it went beyond the pride

“Caleb has never used the long

ultimately introducing Caleb, the son

at Fordham University — Gray a

For now, Caleb is up at 5 a.m.

he does.” Caleb has continued at CitySquash and is well on his way to becoming a great mentor in his own right —

he developed in the program as a

mentor and Caleb a participant in

to catch a bus to the Fordham

following the lead of his fellow Bruin,

player during his days as a Brunswick

the organization that helps moti-

train station, where he boards a

whom he calls the “greatest person

student — or his lasting relation-

vated and talented young people

Metro North train to Greenwich.

he has ever received in life.”

ship with longtime head coach Jim

from economically disadvantaged

Two more busses — one to Maher

Stephens.

households fulfill their academic,

Avenue and the next to King Street

things in my life. He is always right

athletic, and personal potential.

— take him to his final destination

there next to me, cheering me on in

on Edwards Campus.

all that I do,” Caleb said.

It went straight to the Bronx, New York, the home of ’Wick eighth

The two struck up a bond on and

“Gray has helped me with so many

WWW.BRUNSWICKSCHOOL .ORG

| 63

LAST LOOK BY MIKE KENNEDY ’99

Final Moment, Iconic Expression Photograph by Jeffry Konczal

EADMASTER AND SOON-TO-BE GRADUATE

No stranger to the nooks and crannies of the Brunswick

draw near for the ultimate handshake — a culmi-

landscape, photographer Jeffry Konczal scurried around

nating and magnetic gesture of congratulations

the platform — unseen and unheard — working to capture

and gratitude expressed in the final moment of

these symbolically transitional moments.

an Upper Schooler’s Brunswick career. Sometimes, not surprisingly, the exchange evolves into a full-on embrace or bear hug. Then, no matter what, as it must, it quickly

ends. After a posed photograph, the alumnus walks ahead with his diploma — this year making way for the next distinguished young man in the roster of 99 members of the Class of 2018. Some smile. Some salute the cheering crowd.

After six years of viewing the scene

“At Brunswick, the handshake starts a student on his journey, and it also marks the end. It’s an iconic expression of everyone’s time at the school.”

Some shed a tear. Each is moving on, journeying off this stage, away from Brunswick, into a new phase of his young life. It’s time for the next step.

64 | TIMES

OF BRUNSWICK • SPRING 2018

through his camera lens, he understands and appreciates the true meaning of a handshake. “I deliberately chose this angle to isolate the student and the headmaster,” Konczal said. “I didn’t want to see the crowd or anyone else. “At Brunswick, the handshake starts a student on his journey, and it also marks the end. It’s an iconic expression of every-

one’s time at the school.” Somewhere, indeed, Mr. Robert L. Cosby must be smiling.

MOVING

Ahead!

’ W I C K 2 0 1 7-2 0 1 8 A N N UA L F U N D

Give yourself a smile as bright as theirs! It’s true: Studies show that giving not only increases happiness, but also lowers blood pressure and To make your stress. (Really!) The Annual Fund gift Online sooner you make your gift, well, the BrunswickSchool.org/give email or telephone bigger everyone’s smile will become. By Krista Bruce Annual Fund Director And, once again, thank you! 203.625.5864

kbruce@brunswickschool.org

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 3931 Stamford, CT

100 Maher Avenue Greenwich, CT 06830

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Annual Meeting & Dinner...................... September 13

Homecoming 2018............................... October 12 & 13 For more events and updates, please visit BrunswickSchool.org.

ATTENTION ALUMNI PARENTS Please notify us of your sonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current address at 800.546.9425 or Alumni@BrunswickSchool.org.