1794 Magazine, Cheshire Academy, Fall 2020

FALL 2020

1794 t h e m a ga z i n e o f cheshire academy

LOOKING FORWARD WITH RESILIENCE

1794 FALL 2020

ON THE COVER Congratulations graduates! The cover photo of graduating senior Akilah Goldson ’20 poignantly captures the unique challenges faced and the determination within for all of the Class of 2020. (photo by Highpoint Pictures)

STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Chris Hunn Ken Mason Michael Torelli ADVANCEMENT

Board of Trustees CHAIR Jennifer Freedman P’15

SECRETARY Richard A. Katz, Esq. ’64

VICE CHAIR Murali Venkatramen P’18

TREASURER Simon Fenner

Westport, Connecticut

Chennai, India

Harrison, New York

Amy Brough Nicole Caputo Barbara Davis P’17, ’18, ’20, ’24 Leonardo Hiertz Kathleen Houlihan Barbara Vestergaard P’96, ’02 Peter White ’07

Westport, Connecticut

TRUSTEES William Ampofo ’92

Jared Pinsker ’97

Catherine Bonneau P’04, P’16

Katie Purdy P’19, P’21, P’21

Greg Keith P’11

Armando Simosa P’08

Drew Kevorkian ’93

Mark F. Testa, Ph.D. ’68

Andy Moss P’14, P’15

Elliott Yang ’04

Flower Mound, Texas

Naples, Florida

Charlotte, North Carolina

Miami, Florida

New York, New York

Orange, Connecticut

Southington, Connecticut

Miami, Florida

Chicago, Illinois

Los Angeles, California

Brian Otis ’89

Tolland, Connecticut

TRUSTEE EMERITI

COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? SUGGESTIONS? NEWS?

Michael A. Belfonti ’76

Michael Mauro P’11

Dan Gabel, Jr. ’56

Donald Rosenberg ’67

David G. Jepson ’59

Brett Stuart ’68, P’09, P’09, P’10

Hamden, Connecticut

New York, New York

Glastonbury, Connecticut

Monterey, Massachusetts

Snowmass Village, Colorado

East Hampton, Connecticut

If you have feedback on 1794, contact Ken Mason, Chief Marketing Officer at ken.mason@cheshireacademy.org.

If you have alumni news and photos for 1794, send them to alumni@cheshireacademy.org.

Photos should be submitted in high resolution (300 dpi) for publication.

Admission inquiries may be directed to the Admission Office at admission@cheshireacademy.org or 203-439-7250. © 2020 Cheshire Academy

IN THIS ISSUE

ON CAMPUS 28 Rachel Wright 31 Dr. Aleesha Grier-Rogers ’90 36 Away from CA

ALUMNI 41 Events 42 Michael Bozzuto ’75 44 Harwood Society 45 Class Notes

4 Remote Schooling

How CA continues to flourish amid a global pandemic.

10 Commencement 2020

A modified in-person Commencement program for the graduating Class of 2020.

16 Resilience through Adversity

Taking a look back at some historical challenges Cheshire Academy overcame.

22 Faces of the Pandemic

How five alumni have modified their careers due to COVID-19.

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STRAIGHT FROM BOWDEN HALL

A MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL JULIE ANDERSON

Looking forward. This is the theme of the 2020-2021 school year and beyond. This letter comes to you from Bowden Hall, where I sit looking out onto our beautiful campus, autumn leaves falling, and faculty children jumping into the leaf piles. It is a crisp, clear day, with boarding students sitting outside in CA blue Adirondack chairs and faculty walking campus dogs in the back fields. A basketball scrimmage is going on in the field house while our football team is on the road to New Milford, Connecticut, to play their last of just three games this season. It almost feels like a typical fall day on campus.

Last spring was anything but typical. Faculty shifted from in-person to fully remote teaching while the majority of CA employees began to work from home. With campus closed, it was much too quiet without our students here. The residential faculty who stayed became members of an extended family, grateful for each other’s company. Our 104-acre campus had never been more perfect for cross country running, long walks, tennis matches, and bike rides. Yet, despite the quiet, school never closed. We transitioned swiftly and smoothly to classes taught via Zoom and continued to offer virtual club meetings, athletic team workouts, library and writing center extra help, and special recognition ceremonies for scholars, artists, musicians, and athletes. COVID-19 brought fear and separation to many but, as always with the spirit of the fighting Cats, we joined together to support one another, in the end honoring the Class of 2020 with an in-person summer Commencement ceremony.

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At a special July meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board reaffirmed Cheshire Academy’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. A newly formed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board of Trustees Task Force is beginning the important work of reviewing our curriculum, polices, and procedures as we commit to being an inclusive, welcoming community that celebrates and embraces diversity in all forms. In this

issue of 1794, you will get to know Dr. Aleesha Grier-Rogers ’90, who brings to campus a wealth of experience in diversity and inclusion as well as social and emotional learning. As the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum following the murder of George Floyd, CA, along with our state and national associations, made our public statement in support of BLM and against bias, discrimination, and racial injustice. We are educating global citizens—our leaders of tomorrow—and teaching and learning from one another as we practice civil discourse and find safe spaces to show support for all human rights.

We are educating global citizens—our leaders of tomorrow—and teaching and learning from one another as we practice civil discourse and find safe spaces to show support for all human rights.

My number one priority has been and always will be the safety of our community. It was with safety at the forefront as the leadership team worked collaboratively throughout the summer to create a reopening of school plan that both brought students back to campus and allowed for students to participate remotely from home, whether that be Connecticut, Colorado, Nigeria, Lebanon, or China. It has been incredibly challenging but so gratifying. Once again I hear our students laughing and singing, and see them creating and playing. To be sure it is different—how could it not be? But behind the masks that we all

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I N T H E I R OW N WO R DS .

CO M M E N T S FR O M C A PA R E N T S . wear as part of our community wellness pledge to keep each other safe, I know there are smiles. The gratitude expressed by both our students and families has been remarkably uplifting. We have completed 12 weeks of school with only four positive COVID-19 cases since September. We are creating a collaborative, recorded theater production, as well as preparing for a virtual music concert.

All of our fall athletic teams have had competitive contests this season with the ongoing tradition of senior recognition games. We have done as much as we could do safely, physically distanced, and with the understanding that we all share in the responsibility of taking care of one another and keeping us all safe.

We are incredibly grateful that our tradition of living and learning with students from all over the world has continued, with more than 30 countries represented in our students and faculty. Some classmates were here in person, but many were in other parts of the world. I could not be more proud of our faculty for continuing to support and challenge each student, and for our students remaining committed to being a part of the school community despite being several thousand miles away. The key is community: we are a family and our bond goes well beyond physical proximity, for both our students and families, and our alumni.

The continued support of alumni and parents has helped CA move forward in precarious times. Alumni have offered support and friendship to students and families across the world and have shared their own experiences with remote teaching, technology, and breakthroughs into managing the pandemic. The generosity exhibited during these uncertain times has been uplifting and has helped us to continue to provide the experience our students so deserve.

Share the good word about Cheshire Academy with your friends, family, and colleagues. Keep in touch and know that we are always ready and eager to jump on a Zoom or a telephone call to talk more about our amazing students, families, faculty, and alumni.

Home is where the heart is; may your heart always be here at Cheshire Academy.

Warmly,

Julie M. Anderson P’19, ’23 Head of School

It is so clear that we made the right decision for [our child] to attend Cheshire this fall. I am so impressed with how you are dealing with our current crisis and your communication with parents.

Cheshire Academy has done a fantastic job of rising to the significant challenges presented. The online learning and efforts to maintain community have been successful. … Thank you for your thoughtfulness in all the things you all are doing.

The school has really done an excellent job addressing this situation and you should be commended. Thank you again and for all your continued efforts.

I can attest to all of the remarkable work Cheshire Academy has done to ensure the students continue to have a personalized and rewarding experience during these unprecedented times.

This year at CA was seamless. It’s so important that the students have some level of consistency and normalcy. CA provided that while still maintaining a safe environment. …the school has done a remarkable job. The class times have been helpful and not overwhelming. I feel like this is the closest thing one can get to normal during this crisis. We feel lucky.

The transition back to CA campus has been nothing but smooth. CA has it right. All protocols in place and enforced (gently) … The school should be so proud of the students and how they have conformed to this “new normal”. The staff as well. CA is a model for many other schools, towns and districts. It can be done.

It is always warming to see on the streets of Cheshire a group of kids masked and distanced, and notice they have CA gear on and masks and smile with PRIDE!! That is our amazing community.

Administration and kids, you’ve done well!!

The teachers have done an impressive job adapting to the new model and have struck a perfect balance of rigor and flexibility.

It is so heartfelt to hear the positive inflection in our child’s voice again … excited about being back in school and on the football field after what was a more than challenging senior year. He feels valued by his teachers, coaches, and classmates/teammates and is loving his experience as a PG at CA. The entire experience has been amazing. From moving onto campus, to starting in-person learning and navigating these challenging times, we are so thankful to be a part of the CA community. The entire staff at CA has made what seemed the impossible very possible.

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Remote Schooling

How CA continues to flourish amid a global pandemic

Cheshire Academy’s promise to meet students where they are, and to take them beyond where they imagined possible is evident in all aspects of school life. Whether it is in the traditional classroom setting, outside on campus, in the dorms or the dining commons, or on the athletic fields, CA faculty and staff work to ensure every child’s experience is a positive one, resulting in global thinkers ready to face a 21st-century environment.

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WHEN CA FIRST IDENTIFIED COVID-19 AS A THREAT IN EARLY 2020,

school leadership immediately began to formulate an answer to the question of, “What if this reaches Cheshire?” CA administration formed a committee tasked with developing a Remote Schooling Plan that would keep school going even if campus had to be closed. The plan, available to parents and students, outlined an approach to maintaining instruction, learning, assessment, and feedback using digital and online resources in the event of an extended period of remote schooling.

A decision was made to close campus following spring recess and enact the Remote Schooling Plan. As CA continued the spring 2020 semester remotely, faculty, coaches, advisors, and other members of the school staff creatively delivered new ways to educate, support, and push students to new heights. For the Class of 2020 in particular, an agenda of remote and in-person events and activities was planned to honor and celebrate the seniors and postgraduates. Members of the class were recognized for their academic, artistic, and athletic achievements, as is done each year. And, on July 31, a formal graduation was held for students and their families.

“Cheshire Academy has done a wonderful job transitioning from learning in the classroom to learning online. They have shown that, in the face of adversity, they are able to still provide their students with the tools to excel in the classroom and beyond.” ~ Riley Norwood ’20

There is no doubt that this pandemic is a unique situation. However, the CA community has faced these times of uncertainty head-on by continuing to be kind, thinking globally, and looking out for one another.

Faculty members adapted to the virtual classroom by modifying their teaching methods. As a result, a new level of creativity was tapped to continue educating CA students. Performing Arts Director and English teacher Jennifer Guarino, for example, used the educational application Flipgrid for her students to share their draft skits. With the footage recorded, Guarino and her class were able to critique the work and help the students to improve. A change in scenery, too, helped students to focus on and learn about other aspects of filming performances.

“In the Black Box Theatre, they would get feedback on their performances, write it down, and work on it. Having the feedback shared in written format and having the videos to re-watch has been helpful to them, and something I will keep when we return to in-person learning.” ~ Jennifer Guarino, performing arts director and English teacher

Other faculty members, including music teacher Nate Trier, adjusted lessons that students would have normally completed in class. Trier de-emphasized the need for students to practice their instruments during class time and, instead, dedicated more time to learning how music is developed.

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Science teacher Caron Quantick located multiple lab simulations to use online. While the experience could not replace in-person labs, it provided students with a wealth of knowledge on various subjects in her course. In addition, students in Quantick’s biology class conducted research on biotechnology before debating live on Zoom. Fellow faculty members served as judges, which allowed students to see teachers who they would often stop and talk to on campus.

Math teacher Nate Gartner utilized a “flipped classroom,” prompting students to watch video lessons during the evening hours, and use their class period to work on problems and raise any questions they may have.

“While I was originally nervous about this method, the response from the students was unbelievably positive.

They loved being able to use our class time to work together and solve problems as if we were all still together.” ~ Nate Gartner, math teacher

Generally speaking, Cheshire Academy faculty members had long-term semester plans and established intentional goals about where they would like their students to be academically at the end of a unit. No one knew exactly how teaching via Zoom would pan out.

Students, too, adjusted to their new way of learning, with all of them proving that they were capable and willing to continue their pursuit of academic growth in a time of remote distancing.

Some, like Krystal Charter ’20, appreciated the change in scheduling. “The most positive aspect for me was the flexibility of the online weekly schedule. It was structured in such a way that I still met with my classes multiple times per week, but also allowed me to have time to schedule meetings with teachers or extracurricular activities.”

Caitlin Rohrbacher ’22, a mid-year transfer at CA, was concerned that the distance would lead to procrastination. Instead, she implemented a daily schedule that ensured all her class demands were met, but still provided herself with some downtime.

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Yiya “Lea” Qi ’22 has also modified her learning methods as a result of the Remote Schooling Plan. For her, videos that she was required to watch for her studies also came with the positive of being able to pause, rewind, reflect, and conduct additional research to fully grasp the subject material.

All areas of the CA experience were impacted by COVID-19. For example, student-athletes eager to showcase their training and talents during the spring sports season were disappointed to find out they would not be playing against rival teams. However, our Athletics Department—including coaches and athletic trainers—remained connected to our students to ensure that they continued to practice, weight train, and prepare for when they would return to the field and court.

“Our son was going to play baseball this spring. There were weekly baseball team meetings where the coaches provided tips on how to stay active and provide workout routines. I think this is where it has hit our son the hardest … but I know he appreciates the effort in trying to bring the team together on a consistent basis.” ~ Joanne Rafferty P’18, ’23

The support for which Cheshire Academy is known continued outside of the virtual classroom as well. There was, and still is, a wealth of resources available to students to maintain a level of normalcy during the spring semester. Each week, the lineup included virtual hangout sessions, remote clubs and activities, meetings (for parents and for students), and digital variations of CA’s academic resources (Center for Writing, library, Math Lab, and advisory). CA’s signature programs, including the Roxbury Academic Support Program, continued to provide support for every student’s academic growth.

“Roxbury remained an invaluable resource for our son to keep him organized.

Especially now that he did not have the ability to have regular meetings with his teachers, the assistance that he received really kept him focused and on track.

For us, Roxbury kept us in the loop so that we knew what was going on with his classes, assignments, and grades. Our son is a full IB student, and the Roxbury office worked with his teachers to ensure that his internal assessments were finished so as to keep him eligible for an IB Diploma.” ~ Lauren and David Biller P’20

The College Counseling Office continued to offer a variety of programs. Counselors worked closely with each class and with individual students and parents to ensure that every graduate was on the path to their best fit college or university.

Counselors remained up to date on important SAT and ACT dates for students, as well as information relevant to the assurance that the Class of 2020 would have a seamless transition to their new schools in the fall.

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College Counseling staff did miss students popping into their offices throughout the day—one of the many conveniences of being on campus—but they had deep, meaningful conversations with students who were in the comfort of their own homes.

“As a senior, College Counseling has been really great in adjusting to school being online. The counselors send emails and texts to check in on what we need in these final stages of our process, and it’s easy to schedule meetings with them when we need them.” ~ Krystal Charter ’20

One new opportunity noted by the College Counseling staff was the ability to connect with colleges from all over the world. They also utilized social media platforms, such as Instagram, to remain connected with the Cheshire Academy community. Associate Director of College Counseling Sarah Lasoff-Hodge said, "Although we haven’t been able to visit campuses, we have attended many more webinars from colleges and, for many, I feel even more connected to the colleges, as they are constantly sharing the information they have about this year and next.”

SUMMER SESSION @ CA Education at Cheshire Academy did not conclude at the end of the academic year. Faculty banded together to continue their connections with their students by offering Summer Session @ CA, an optional summer school program that allowed for students to choose unique class offerings that otherwise were unavailable in the fall and spring semesters, from wherever they were at the time.

Running from June 29 through Aug. 6, courses were conducted as an extension of CA’s remote schooling program.

All students who were enrolled at the time were eligible to register, including new students who would not be starting at CA until the fall. Three-week and six-week courses were offered, with some elective courses providing .5 credit for students.

Similar to the standard academic year, extra help, progress reports and conferences, and learning plans and accommodations were made available to students and families during the summer session.

The program was extremely successful, with many faculty members stepping forward to share their knowledge on a variety of subjects. Courses included, but were not limited to, Science Fiction and Philosophy, Introduction to Athletic Training, Wilderness Survival, Financial Literacy 101, Social Justice, Spanish Bridge Course, Fashion Design Process, CA Summer Stock Theater, Economics, and Summer Math Fun & Fitness.

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THE FALL SEMESTER Cheshire Academy’s campus was reopened to 317 students, with 82 students completing the semester remotely. This semester was like no other, as modifications were made to the academic schedule that allowed for a hybrid approach to in-person and remote learning. Mornings began with remote-only classes, followed by hybrid periods that bring together students both on campus and at their homes. In-person classes closed out the afternoon, followed by afternoon activities.

Academic resources, including the Math Lab, Center for Writing, library, and Roxbury Academic Support Program were available to all students. Athletic programs continued in a modified format, allowing student-athletes to continue to practice and compete against rival schools. College Counseling invited college representatives from around the country to meet virtually with students throughout the months of September and October and, on Oct. 7 and Oct. 14, held virtual college fairs. Following Thanksgiving break, students concluded the fall semester remotely and will return to campus in January.

Leading up to this semester, CA faculty launched into a rewriting of their classes to redesign the student experience with an emphasis on how to uniquely deliver the school’s academic experience, no matter if the audience was remote or in person. Faculty focused on support and personalization as the hallmarks for the making of the academic year.

Rachel Wright, assistant head of school for academic affairs, said, “A lot of thought went into setting up structures in this first part of the year so that, in our classes, we can get to know our students well and be able to personalize their education and their experiences here.”

Thanks to a special gift from Col. Paul Ingram ’44, every classroom was equipped with an extra camera, microphone, and speaker to allow for all students to effectively communicate with one another. Marc Aronson, dean of curriculum and English teacher, said CA has been able to bridge divisions across the globe, allowing for remote students to feel connected to the campus, and for in-person students to feel they are still receiving an international experience.

Students received an immersive, if not deeper, academic experience through their teachers’ redesigned classes. For example, assessments may still require a student to answer four or five questions, each with multiple parts. This semester, however, the student may be asked to explain the answer to one of their questions, implementing an oral part of the examination.

This method gives the student the opportunity to show their understanding in a way that is best for them.

Part of CA’s mission is to be internationally minded and prepare students for college and beyond. A way of meeting those demands is by maximizing student potential, which is accomplished by developing their confidence, character, and critical thinking skills, Aronson said.

“A student is going to do better on a math test, or on an English paper for me, if they feel confident both in their knowledge of the actual subject, but also in their ability to communicate it in different ways," Aronson explained.

“Focusing our curricular choices on ways to get students to feel like they have more facility with this, and are confident in their own voice, has, I think, already started to pay dividends.”

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Commencement

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Members of the Class of 2020, after waiting two months, gathered for their Commencement Exercises on Friday, July 31, before heading off on the next step of their academic journeys.

A total of 56 of the graduates, joined by faculty, staff, family, and invited guests, came together on Cheshire Academy’s Sevigny Field for an in-person commencement ceremony.

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This year, 86 seniors and 14 postgraduate students graduated from Cheshire Academy.

From here, they have gone on to attend colleges and universities around the world, including Amherst College, Dartmouth College, Boston College, New York University, University of Notre Dame, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, St. Lawrence University, Rhode Island School of Design, and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, to name a few.

Julia Gillotti, of Cheshire, was this year’s valedictorian. In her address, Gillotti reflected on the past four years at Cheshire Academy, remembering what she and friends did between classes, as well as community-building exercises in which the entire school community took part. She looked back on the month of March, when she and the rest of the school were told they would not be returning to campus after spring recess and, instead, conclude their final semester remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The challenges she and her class faced, however, will shape them for the future, Gillotti insisted. “As a generation, it’s on our shoulders to prevent this pandemic from worsening. It’s on our shoulders to fight climate change.

It’s on our shoulders to stop racial inequality and patriarchal oppression, among a whole host of other problems. While this may seem daunting, we must remember we are resilient. We are now graduates of Cheshire Academy, an institution that helped us become leaders.”

Senior Masters Karen Smith and Chip Boyd led the Commencement processional into the tented ceremony.

“This pandemic has provided us with not only a wakeup call to issues such as these, but also an opportunity to fight them. We must recognize that each of us has a place and a purpose in this world, and it is up to us to figure out how to restore balance to the imbalanced ways in which we’ve been living for so long.”

Salutatorian Dante Strollo, also of Cheshire, noted that following the day’s events, he and his peers would officially become CA alumni. He said some may forever remain connected to the school, while others will move on, not visiting campus again for several years. However, CA will always remain a part of them.

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Valedictorian Julia Gillotti

“We must recognize that each of us has a place and a purpose in this world,

and it is up to us to figure out how to

restore balance to the imbalanced ways

in which we’ve been living for so long.” ~ Julia Gillotti

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Head of School Julie Anderson

“Regardless of where life takes us, we must remember that Cheshire will always welcome us as it did when we first arrived,” Strollo said. “We will forever have a place in this beautiful community. While we may have different opinions, cultures, creeds, and make different life choices, we will always be one in spirit.”

Class President Russell Tevie, of Ghana, quipped that concluding his final semester made him appreciate how exciting his life was as a boarding student. He missed everything, from walking to Gideon Welles Dining Commons and getting hyped up for a soccer game, to gathering with friends in the Community Forum and running to class in order to avoid being marked tardy.

Salutatorian Dante Strollo

“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life and be the best version of yourself,” he said. “During these times, it has also become more clear to me that the world does need more Cheshire Academy graduates. I think we can all agree the world is getting scarier every day, but let’s bring light to areas where darkness reigns.”

Head of School Julie Anderson looked back upon the senior privileges that many members of the class were hoping to enjoy, as well as a prom, senior art shows and music performances, and a senior day. When campus closed, however, those privileges were never realized for this group, resulting in a disappointing senior spring for which they

Class President Russell Tevie

were not responsible. She urged them to be responsible, to make change, to mend the environment, to honestly confront race relations, and to recognize and respond to social injustices.

“You have the power to spark change in ways that demonstrate your understanding—a far more sophisticated understanding brought about by having to face disappointment early,” Anderson said. “At Cheshire Academy, you have learned the value of being global citizens, capable of critical thinking and strategic problem solving. And this is where I have hope: in you.”

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W H E R E TH E Y A R E H E A DE D NE X T!

CO LLEG E M AT R I CU L AT I O N FO R T H E C L A SS O F 2020 Amherst College

Muhlenberg College

Assumption College

New York University (5)

Belmont University

Northeastern University (4)

Bentley University

Pellissippi State Community College

Boston College (2)

Quinnipiac University (3)

Boston University (3)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2)

Canisius College

Rhode Island School of Design

Carnegie Mellon University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Catholic University of America (2)

Rutgers University-Newark

Central Connecticut State University (2)

Sacred Heart University (3)

Claremont McKenna College

Saint Michael’s College

Colgate University

Salve Regina University (2)

Dartmouth College

Santa Clara University

Drew University

Southern Methodist University (2)

Earlham College

Springfield College

Emerson College (2)

St. Lawrence University

Fairfield University

St. John’s University

George Washington University

Stonehill College

Hamilton College

SUNY at Purchase College

Hofstra University

Syracuse University

Louisiana State University

Temple University

Marist College (2)

The American Musical and Dramatic Academy

Monmouth University Mount Saint Mary College

The New School

1971 softball

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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of Tampa Trinity College Tufts University University of California, San Diego (4) University of Chicago University of Connecticut (3) University of Hartford University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Massachusetts, Amherst University of Miami University of New Hampshire University of New Haven (2) University of Notre Dame Vassar College Washington & Jefferson College Washington University in St. Louis Wesleyan University (2) Williams College Wofford College (#) INDICATES WHERE 2 OR MORE WILL ATTEND

To say the Class of 2020 was sold short their final semester on campus, in person, would be an understatement. However, Cheshire Academy did its best to honor the school’s newest alumni, including day-tripping throughout the state of Connecticut to visit graduates, surprising them with CA swag, balloons, and lawn signs congratulating them on their accomplishments.

Commencement 2020 — Major Awards VALEDICTORIAN Julia Gillotti SALUTATORIAN Dante Strollo

SENIOR ACADEMIC AWARDS

SENIOR HONORS AWARDS

The Karen J. Smith Scholarship Award for Scholastic Improvement

The Bevan Loree Dupré Award

Asa Beyah

The Morris Sweetkind Senior English Prize

Julia Gillotti

William A. Hassell Senior Lab Science Prize

Zehao “Leon” Jiang

James P. Loder Foreign Language Award

Yeran “Lisa” Lu

Jerome J. Sullivan Senior Mathematics Prize

Zehao “Leon” Jiang

The Ann J. Moriarty Social Science Prize

Emma Klinge

The Senior Performing Arts Prize in Music

Nathan Biller

The Ralph Morgan Griffiths Award

Julia Williamson

The Jeffrey Thomas Marshall Scholarship Award

Riley Norwood

The Frederick Vollrath Richmond Award

Lawrence “Sammy” Hendon-Dahl The Costin Cup

Zexuan “Evan” Li The John J. White ’38 Leadership Award

Xiangyu “Simon” Yan The Sheridan Plaque

Michael Giove

Trevor Hampson

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Resilience through Adversity Sometimes situations arise that are simply out of one’s control. However, it’s how one person, or an organization, responds that makes all the difference.

Throughout its 226-year history, Cheshire Academy has grappled with its fair share of challenges to overcome. From wars and disease to economic depressions, natural disasters, and political strife, CA has faced these issues head on, with a continuous focus on providing a world-class education for its students despite, and sometimes in response to, changing conditions and the needs of the CA and greater communities.

Today, during the time of a worldwide pandemic, national unrest, immeasurable stress, and uncertainty, we are looking back at a few—large and small— milestones of significance in Cheshire Academy history to remember that this institution has navigated, and will continue to do so, with determination and resiliency.

A LASTING IMPACT Cheshire Academy faculty and staff, and their families, oftentimes have a long-term influence not only on the students who walk these footpaths, but also the residents in surrounding communities. Whether it’s through volunteering, serving on public or private organizations, or just offering a lending hand at a moment’s notice, the CA community is comprised of good stewards. The same could be said for employees here from 100 years ago.

In the 1920s, the United States was in full swing in the Roaring Twenties, which succeeded World War I and established the country as a worldwide leader. Economic and industrial growth was apparent across the country, as was new music, appliances and household products, and the opportunity for women to vote, among other significant milestones.

In the book “I Remember: Cheshire in the Twentieth Century,” townspeople submitted personal memoirs in 1994 reflecting on their time in town. Some residents, like Madeline Faeth Erskine,

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recalled ways that she and her friends tried to keep busy in Cheshire back in the 1920s, when the town was still quite rural. One such way was to the credit of Cheshire Academy staff.

In her memoir, Erskine wrote, “Emma Allen, the wife of Barney Allen who taught Latin at the Roxbury School (now Cheshire Academy), tried to provide some cultural stimulation. She got together a group of about 10 girls, freshmen and sophomores in high school, to foster an interest in music. She called it the ’B Natural Music Club.’ We talked about opera, symphonies, Wagner, Beethoven, and gained an appreciation for music.”

Erskine continued, “Those dear Allens, when I went to the University of Munich for my junior year abroad from Mt. Holyoke, they came and visited me.”

In the 1950s, Cheshire youngster Cae Bengtson was a fifth-grade student at the Park Street School behind Cheshire Academy. As part of her growing up, she attended Mrs. Chubb’s Dancing School, led by Faye Farmer Chubb, former faculty member and “hostess” of the school.

“We had two lessons a week in what is now the building on the north end of the Watch Factory. In addition to teaching us the waltz and the foxtrot, Mrs. Chubb taught us etiquette. I still remember her lessons on the proper way to make introductions, when to wear gloves, and how it is proper for a woman to stand when an older woman enters the room.”

PUTTING OUT FLAMES The Cheshire Fire Department was founded just over 100 years ago in 1912 and is now a mainstay and beacon of pride for Cheshire residents.

In “Our Town,” a book written by Marion Moore Coleman that covers significant happenings of Cheshire from 1780 to 1980, Coleman reflected on a fire at the Watch Factory Shoppes back in 1919. George Thorpe, the fire chief at the time, wrote to CA staff member Joseph Harriman seeking reimbursement for the Department’s quick response, adding “if it had not been for them (the firefighters) the building would have been burned down besides endangering surrounding property from sparks.”

Harriman provided Thorpe’s letter to then-Headmaster Walter Ferris, who had a different recollection of how the fire was extinguished. In his response, Ferris wrote that Academy boys were the ones who tackled the flames.

“The actual work of putting out the fire was done by our

“The actual work of putting out the fire was done by our boys and not by the department... A brigade of our boys from the White House, in pajamas and bathing suits, acted under the direction of Mr. Thorpe, and did a very good job indeed.”

Horton Hall fire of 1941.

boys and not by the department. Mr. Thorpe and his cohorts had been spending the evening at a Grange meeting, and were dressed in Sunday blacks and naturally did not wish to handle chemicals. A brigade of our boys from the White House, in pajamas and bathing suits, acted under the direction of Mr. Thorpe, and did a very good job indeed.”

The students were not the only ones who responded to calls for help.

During the night of Feb. 10, 1952, faculty members Edwin Chubb and Mr. Greene responded to the fire at The Waverly Inn, less than a mile away from campus. “Mr. Chubb stayed with the disaster all night long and part of the morning. At one point he was up on the roof, playing the hose on the lower part of the building, when the crowd began yelling, ’Get off the roof ! Come down, quick!’ He barely made it when the entire roof caved in.”

THE FIRE AT HORTON HALL On the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 8, 1941—shortly before students were set to return from Christmas break—a fire broke out in the original Horton Hall that ultimately destroyed the facility. It was reported that the fire started shortly after 7 p.m. that evening but was not discovered until two hours later by a passing motorist. Total damages were estimated at $200,000—a significant amount at that time. (Adjusted for inflation, $200,000 in 1941 is equal to $3,645,021.28 in 2020.)

The original Horton Hall housed a dining room and kitchen, housekeeper’s quarters, rooms for a married master and single masters, 12 medium-sized classrooms including laboratory facilities, accommodations for 42 students, administration offices, and other spaces. It was a wellused building by most, if not all, people at CA. In a report dated Jan. 24, 1941, from former Headmaster Arthur Sheriff to Dr. John Skilton, Sheriff reported that, while the building itself was a

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total loss, CA staff were able to save records within the building and other invaluable assets, including the portraits of former headmasters and a painting presented to the school by Steve Etnier.

The Cheshire community rallied in support of CA following the fire.

Students and faculty who resided in Horton Hall were housed in private homes near campus, and the classrooms that were lost were replaced at the local Episcopal and Methodist churches, and the Town Hall. Despite the major setback, Sheriff wrote that classes were able to resume “with only a slight delay.”

“In all the turmoil we have found much comfort in the friendship and sympathy of our neighbor schools, our alumni, and our friends generally, and we have been particularly impressed with the loyalty of the town, for it indicates that those who have had the best opportunity to observe it closely. Impressive also has been the excellent spirit of the students and all staff members. What has happened has given us convincing evidence, if we ever needed convincing, that a school, like any other vital institution, is spiritual in its essence … In such reassurances as these we find once again that misfortune has its compensations.”

Support for the Cheshire “What has happened has Academy community came given us convincing evidence, from all around town. In “I if we ever needed convincing, Remember: Cheshire in the that a school, like any other Twentieth Century,” CA vital institution, is spiritual alumnus Melville Bennett in its essence … In such recalled providing support reassurances as these we find for students who resided in once again that misfortune Horton. In his story, Bennett has its compensations.” wrote, “When they came back to school, the boys were boarded out in various homes around town. They had four students and a master at my wife Dorothy’s home in the Methodist parsonage and we had four boys and a master in our house.

We boarded students for five years.”

A B-25 bomber was parked on CA’s front lawn in 1947, after some school students—veteran World War II pilots—flew the aircraft in to New Haven and had it brought to campus.

EDUCATING RETURNING SOLDIERS It wasn’t until Dec. 7, 1941, when the United States entered World War II. As a result, men and women from across the country were called to serve, including then-Cheshire Academy students and recent alumni. Servicemen and women from the states continued to fight for another four years, and some longer, following Germany’s and Japan’s surrender in May 1945.

JUST IN Before publishing this issue of 1794 Magazine, a wonderful and tremendous discovery was made by College Counseling Associate Cindi Ruggeri in the basement of Bowden Hall. Ruggeri located countless documents that highlight the transition CA went through from the late 1800s through the 1950s—decades thought to have been lost due to the historic Horton Hall fire of 1941.

More to come as we dust off these findings!

The Hartford Courant newspaper piece covering the G.I. Reunion held in the fall of 1991.

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When men returned from overseas, some did not have a high school diploma and, despite being of the right age, could not continue at their chosen colleges and universities. With its long history of brave men and women who have served our countries in times of need (including Medal of Honor recipient and former Headmaster Eri Woodbury, Colonel Joseph Della-Corte, and Lieutenant James Elliman), former Headmaster Arthur Sheriff recognized the need and took action by opening Cheshire Academy to returning veterans, welcoming them to finish their high school education using the G.I. Bill.

In 1947, Cheshire Academy drew much attention when a real B-25 bomber was parked on its front lawn. Some of the school’s students, veteran pilots, had flown the aircraft into New Haven, loaded it onto a truck, and brought it onto campus.

The new Horton Hall, referred to as “The Barracks,” was built from funds provided by the government to be used specifically as housing for the returning soldiers. The veterans were in classes for almost half the day, and

almost every day. Some completed their academic requirements within a few weeks, while others were enrolled at CA for a couple of years.

Sheriff ’s accelerated program for veterans lasted until the early 1950s and was quite successful in helping many young men return to academia on the right foot. The program was again celebrated in 1991, when the school’s first G.I. Reunion was held. It was reported in the fall 1991 issue of the alumni magazine that one dozen alumni attended the May 10 event. There, many shared stories of the war, but the focus of most conversations returned to Cheshire Academy, its faculty, and Sheriff.

Colin Poitras, staff writer for The Hartford Courant, was one of the reporters who covered the event. In his article, he wrote, “While many public schools were reluctant to let the war-hardened young men back into classes, Arthur Sheriff, then the academy’s headmaster, set up a special accelerated program to help them … The G.I.s attended classes six days a week, 10 hours a day under Sheriff ’s program. Because the needs of the men were all different, some stayed for just a few weeks while others stayed for several years.”

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AN ATTACK ON THE NATION Ask anyone where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, and you’ll receive a vivid story recounting the mid-morning hours. Whether they were at work, home, school, or somewhere else, almost everyone can recount in descriptive detail the moment they heard—or saw—the terrorist attack on the United States.

When the two planes flew into the World Trade Center buildings, Americans across the country were left in disbelief. It’s been recognized as one of the most lethal terrorist attacks in U.S. history, ultimately taking the lives of approximately 3,000 people.

The entire country joined together for years to come, with everyone having a sense of pride and camaraderie with their neighbors, friends, and other community members. Cheshire Academy was no different, with one such recounted event being an 11-page dedication in the winter 2002 issue of Horizons, the school’s literary magazine. In there, students and faculty at the time reflected on Sept. 11, with many writing poems and stories on how the event impacted them, and others submitting

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photographs, linoleum prints, “Still awake tonight from fear and drawings of the U.S. flag / I wonder if God is near/ (including being draped over the entrance of the J.J. White To provent more suffering — What now, a war? / Science and Technology Center), of New York City, My soul cannot take any the Statue of Liberty, first more. responders, and other images. ~from a poem by Lauren The issue brought the entire Lombardi CA community together to share in something that will forever remain an impact in their lives.

In his poem, former faculty member Jay Dorion wrote in part, “i want to rewind to the peace of daybreak on the morning of September 11/i want to forget/i want to go back to the way things were/i want to listen to the radio without hearing the words bin Laden, Taliban, and Afghanistan/i want innocent Muslims to feel safe in this country again/i want all Americans to feel safe in this country again/i want to see the proud

New York skyline again/i want the vanished souls from New York and Washington to sit at dinner tables with their families again.”

Similarly, Lauren Lombardi ’03 asked in her poem if another attack would take place, but reflected on the strength of the U.S. “We stand united against our foe/To the limits the soldiers will go/To kill the virus that plagues/Our land./We must lend our neighbor a helping/Hand.”

LUMINARIA Since 2007, Cheshire Academy has participated in the annual Cheshire’s Lights of Hope event, a program that started in 2005 as a neighborhood fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, but took on a much larger meaning just two years later. In July 2007, Jennifer Hawke-Petit, former nurse and co-director of the Richmond Health Center, was murdered along with her two daughters, Hayley and Michaela, in a home invasion.

In response, the Lights of Hope event became a townwide program, bringing the community together to illuminate the darkness.

Luminaries, white sandwich bags filled with sand and a single candle, lined Cheshire Academy’s footpaths and buildings in November of that year. Half a year later in June 2008, the Republican-American newspaper covered Cheshire Academy’s Commencement Exercises. It

was there when Noah Leonowich ’08 reflected on his initiative to bring the fundraiser to the CA campus. The article read, “With Leonowich as student captain, the academy was able to spell out the word ‘hope’ in one of its fields using 2,000 luminarias.”

The article continued, “‘Mrs. Petit was the school nurse here,’ Leonowich said. ‘I just thought it would be nice if our school did something really big for that.’”

Noah Leonowich ’08 reflected on his initiative to bring the fundraiser to the CA campus. “With Leonowich as student captain, the academy was able to spell out the word ’hope’ in one of its fields using 2,000 luminarias.”

That nice gesture continues to this day, with CA students spelling out words of support and hope along Slaughter and Sevigny fields, and lining the campus with luminaries, including in front of residence halls, Bowden Hall, and other facilities. In addition to illuminating campus, the entire CA community volunteers its time aiding the Lights of Hope nonprofit organization by raising money, and assembling thousands of luminaries, preparing them for Cheshire families to light in their own neighborhoods.

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FACES OF THE PANDEMIC When COVID-19 reached the United States,

the virus had already run rampant throughout other countries around the world.

In response, many businesses and school districts transitioned from in-person to remote work and learning, and many facilities closed to the public.

Some of the U.S. workforce was able to transition their workloads to home, turning kitchens, spare bedrooms, and basements into offices, practicing social distancing, and continuing to meet their responsibilities. Many others—more than 20 million—

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lost their jobs when their place of employment closed temporarily or permanently due to federal or state regulations, or a lack of business due to the pandemic.

And then there was, and still is, a third group comprised of selfless individuals who, for countless reasons, go to their place of work and do their jobs—risking their health and safety to ensure the general public, whether a consumer or patient, is provided what they needed. Nurses and other medical professionals now don personal protective equipment (PPE), retail staff wear face masks and practice proper hygiene, and the general

public remains socially distant, more likely to communicate via a teleconference than face-to-face.

The alumni profiled are just a few who have continued to work to help those in need during this pandemic. And while they all tell different stories from their locations around the country, they all have a similar message: heed the call for physical distancing, face masks, sanitation, and sheltering in place. No one is alone in this fight against COVID, but they say there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and a solution to this global problem.

Kyla Giannelli ’01 At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Kyla Giannelli ’01 was focused first and foremost on her family’s safety, followed by finding out any way possible that she could help others.

Giannelli, a board-certified physician assistant, works for a private cardiology group that rounds at Hartford Hospital. When COVID-19 began to spread, she and her coworkers continued to see their patients and manage their cardiac conditions, as many of the patients are considered high risk for complications of the virus. “We utilized telemedicine when we could and decreased the foot traffic coming into our office. We had all staff that were able to work remotely do so.”

Similarly, Hartford Hospital stopped allowing visitors onto the campus and increased screening protocols.

While at the hospital one day, Giannelli reflected that the visit did not feel the same.

“I remember walking into the hospital and texting my husband that it felt eerie,” she said. “There were very few people in the hospital and little interaction with each other unless it was necessary. We were sanitizing everything—keyboards, ourselves, our cars—as we didn’t know the transmission risks of bringing this home to our families.”

Giannelli was also able to shift away from cardiology and apply her skill set to Air Visits, a New Jerseybased medical center that provides patients the ability to video conference with their doctors. With an active license in New Jersey, Giannelli was able to offer her services by conducting screenings, ordering testing, and seeing patients virtually. Part of the goal was to keep patients out of overburdened emergency rooms and urgent care clinics in the area.

But the general public were not the only people being seen. “We also saw a lot of medical providers who had contracted COVID-19 at work. The work was very rewarding, but also felt very scary as these were our peers in the workforce getting sick, and I knew Connecticut’s numbers were growing daily.”

At home, Giannelli’s family found the silver lining of quarantine. With two young children and her husband, Giannelli was initially frustrated having to miss out on family events and vacations, but realized that they were creating something memorable. With demanding jobs that require work on weekends and nights, they were able to slow down and spend time together.

“There were no sporting events or social obligations to fill our calendar. We continue that same focus now. We see only a small number of family and friends in our ’quaranteam’ and we focus on quality time, not running from event to event,” Giannelli said.

"The work was very rewarding, but also felt very scary as these were our peers in the workforce getting sick, and I knew Connecticut’s numbers were growing daily.”

And the quarantine also served as a learning experience for Giannelli’s children. With elderly neighbors, the Giannelli family would offer to pick up goods for them from the local grocery store, while Giannelli’s sister would drop off cleaning supplies for people who were unable to get them on their own. “The children learned to slow down and be an active part in our community.”

Community is something Giannelli took away from her time at Cheshire Academy, understanding that everyone needs to pitch in when help is needed. “My role was very small compared to (hospital staff, nurses, and doctors), but I am grateful that I had the flexibility in my license to transition to that role when it was needed. I think we can all find a way to contribute to the greater good and continue to support each other through this.”

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Daniel Wayne ’07

When it comes to COVID-19, it’s clear that people can test positive, with or without symptoms, and spread the disease to other people. But what about animals? Can our four-legged companions contract the coronavirus as well?

When the pandemic first unfolded, one of the many concerns was just that. And, according to Daniel Wayne ’07, a veterinarian with Bethany Veterinarian Hospital, dogs and cats can contract the disease, although not as easily as people.

“It is very uncommon for this to happen. The animal would need to be in close proximity to a person who tested positive. Their symptoms are respiratory (coughing, sneezing, lethargy). There is no evidence to suggest that animals shed viral particles, meaning they are not infectious to people, even if they themselves are positive.”

There are rewarding and stressful times working as a veterinarian, even without a pandemic, Wayne admits. Perks include meeting puppies and kittens, and finding solutions to combat various allergies, whereas stressors include emergency foreign body surgeries to remove something an animal should not have eaten.

But when COVID-19 came to the United States and the general public self-quarantined, BVH and other veterinarians around the state remained open, albeit with modified protocols. In the beginning, BVH maintained its standard operating hours, but only accepted problem visits. Annual checkups were on hold.

“We started—and have continued—to practice curbside care, meaning a staff member will meet the client outside and bring the patient into our building,” explained Wayne. As the veterinarian, Wayne discusses the patient’s concerns with the client by phone. Appointments were previously scheduled at 20-minute intervals, but have now been increased to 30 minutes to accommodate for proper sterilization and the extra time appointments take to complete. As with most everywhere

“We started—and have continued— to practice curbside care, meaning a staff member will meet the client outside and bring the patient into our building.”

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else, masks were required to be worn and the importance of handwashing was reiterated early on.

Understaffed during a regular year, many practices were also fielding an increased number of calls from families who, with more free time on their hands, had welcomed a new pet into their homes. As such, BVH and other facilities have an increased clientele list, and have spent more time on the phone discussing and troubleshooting problems from afar.

Wayne always had a natural affinity toward the sciences, having grown up with his father, who was a practicing pediatrician. After CA, Wayne attended Gettysburg College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He then worked for a veterinarian in Derby, Connecticut, before attending Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, finishing by clinical rotation at Purdue University. He’s been practicing at BVH for four years.

Wayne credits Cheshire Academy with helping him foster independence, conflict resolution and management skills, and overcoming challenges.

“Going to such a diverse school and building relationships and friendships with peers in other countries and backgrounds allowed for early development of long distance communicating. Relationships and human interaction are a necessity for dealing with stress and isolation.

Early on, CA instilled techniques to make this physical isolation we have all had to observe a little more manageable.”

Hannah Stepas ’08 "...it made everything worth it to know that we were making a difference for families, and to know that we could tell them that their dad wasn’t alone, we were with him the entire time, and he was not frantic or afraid.

He was comfortable.”

One of the more challenging parts of providing care to patients is communicating with individuals who are severely sick. It is difficult to be there for someone in normal circumstances, and only increasingly more complicated during a global pandemic.

For Hannah Stepas ’08, a registered nurse at South Shore Hospital whose unit was turned into a COVID-19 floor earlier in the year, the focus has always been on how to best help each person. She and the rest of her team were prepared when the change took place; leadership was strong, and everyone had a high level of morale. While only a few patients were admitted to the hospital at first, the rooms on Stepas’ floor quickly began to fill up.

“Coming to work meant it was no longer just going in for your job,” Stepas reflected. “I was going into a dangerous environment … it takes 10 minutes to gear up. You have to be in a negative-pressure room—it’s really difficult for patients.”

Following her review of reports from night nurses, Stepas completes head-to-toe assessments of her patients. She immediately listens to each patient’s lungs, as many have terrible respiratory issues due to the virus. If they still struggled to breathe, they initially would be intubated and sent to the intensive care unit, although medical practices have changed as more research on COVID-19 has been released.

Mental health continues to be a major struggle for those in isolation, and for healthcare workers, Stepas said. People battling with addiction have relapsed, compromising their immune systems and putting themselves at greater risk. Psychiatrists and therapists have been made available for all the hospital workers in COVID-19 units so they could decompress.

Stepas said that there have been a couple major traumas in her unit. “I’ve had to be with patients who were dying, and their family couldn’t be with them.” Stepas lost her father when she was 25 years old, and she’s often put herself in the shoes of her patients’ families. “The idea that somebody else, not me, would have been with him when he was dying, is preposterous to me.”

Although an emotionally taxing part of her job, Stepas said many of the families have been supportive of her efforts. They follow up with her and thank her for being with their loved one. The gratitude initially came as a shock to her.

“It meant everything. It made everything worth it,” she said, her voice breaking. “It was just so not the reaction that I was expecting, so maybe that’s part of it, but it made everything worth it to know that we were making a difference for families, and to know that we could tell them that their dad wasn’t alone, we were with him the entire time, and he was not frantic or afraid. He was comfortable.”

In September, South Shore Hospital celebrated four days with zero COVID-19 patients on their campus.

That celebration was short lived, however, as a handful of positive patients came in shortly thereafter, and Stepas expected that more would follow. With the strong set of principles and code of ethics acquired during her time at CA, Stepas will continue to operate with integrity and help those in need.

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Cal Smith ’09 Ever since graduating from CA, Cal Smith ’09 has been volunteering or working as an EMT, including through college and while working as a real estate agent. He later graduated from Northeastern University’s accelerated nursing program. Today, he is a first lieutenant with the United States Air Force, working as an RN and nurse manager at the David Grant USAF Medical Center in Fairfield, California.

Smith’s workflow changed in the beginning of 2020, when he and countless other nurses were pulled to work in the triage tent on the U.S. Air Force base.

“We would see from 50 to 200 people within hours, testing nonstop in your PPE. That was Monday through Friday, from 0800-1700 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).”

Smith would work two days in the tent and three days in the emergency department (ED) office, calling patients to provide results, and answering the telecommunication hotline. “I had to do the COVID hotline of the entire base. There were nonstop calls coming in about current symptoms, so you really had to triage and see if they had to come to the ED.” Facing individuals who may be COVID-19 positive was not intimidating for Smith, who graduated from nursing school during the Ebola outbreak (20142016). However, there have been scares on the base.

“I think the only time that we got scared was when we found a hole in one of our PPEs. Then we had to quarantine for 14 days. That never happened to me, but that happened to other nurses.”

And in early fall, an individual entered the emergency room not wearing a mask. “They had COVID, so most of the ED had to get tested and quarantined. Dealing with those things is interesting—everyone has to just make sure that everyone is protected, and to just assume that everyone has COVID at this point.”

As nurse manager, Smith has tapped into his leadership skills he first acquired at Cheshire Academy, where he was captain of sports teams and president of his class. These are skills he has carried with him to

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“I had to do the COVID hotline of the entire base. There were nonstop calls coming in about current symptoms, so you really had to triage and see if they had to come to the ED.” the military sector, leading troops, ensuring everyone is treated fairly and is safe.

But in California, Smith isn’t just battling COVID-19.

In August, California wildfires spread to Vacaville, the city immediately to the north of Fairfield, where Smith lives. The fire burned one quarter of the town, forcing the base and hospital to evacuate on Aug. 19.

“Most of our hospitals all evacuated for the first time and three or four weeks prior, half of our nurses were deployed to southern California … we weren’t just fighting COVID, we were dealing with the fires (and) the smoke inhalation injuries.”

Kelly Herdman ’10 In March, Kelly Herdman ’10 was told she and fellow nurses at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) would be moving from their clinic to an inpatient COVID-19 unit to assist in the fight against the pandemic.

workers with signs posted all through the city. Upon completion of a 12-hour shift, there would be people surrounding the hospital applauding healthcare workers, which was inspiring.”

“One week later, I found myself walking into a MGH COVID-19 unit with full protective equipment not knowing what to expect,” Herdman reflected. “I was on this unit for eight weeks while our clinic was working at minimum capacity.”

Herdman’s passion for health sciences originated in her Anatomy and Physiology class at CA. “The small class sizes allowed me to form close relationships with my teachers and prepared me for college coursework.

Cheshire Academy helped me prepare for the unprecedented global pandemic we currently face.”

With a sense of nervousness and excitement, Herdman was ready to help out in any way that she could. Many of the nurses with whom she worked had never cared for adult patients, so it was an adjustment for everyone. “Still wearing scrubs, we were required to wear a N-95 mask, goggles, face shield, gloves, and gown upon entry to every room.”

After graduating from CA, Herdman received her bachelor’s in nursing from Fairfield University. She later worked on the kidney and liver transplant floor at Yale-New Haven Hospital before accepting a position as a pediatric transplant nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital. From there, Herdman was hired as a living donor transplant coordinator at MGH.

Herdman worked in the COVID unit for eight weeks before returning to her transplant clinic, where she currently works as a transplant coordinator. Working in the COVID unit was a major adjustment, but the staff on the floor grew together as a team. Their program continues to grow, with many patients provided the option to virtually meet with their providers from the comfort of their own homes.

“My passion has been in the field of organ transplant,” Herdman said. “I quickly grew to love working with this patient population and have been humbled by my patients’ stories and experiences. Previously taking care of sick patients who require a lifesaving organ transplant, I now facilitate the evaluation of living kidney donors who want to help save the life of someone else.”

And the general Boston community was extremely supportive of the work that Herdman and others were doing. “Every shift, we were sent food from restaurants throughout the city of Boston with kind messages encouraging us to make it through each shift. The city really showed their support for healthcare

Herdman is already planning to further her education due to her experiences of working in the COVID unit. Starting in November, she began graduate school at Simmons University to become a family nurse practitioner.

“Every shift, we were sent food from restaurants throughout the city of Boston with kind messages encouraging us to make it through each shift. The city really showed their support for healthcare workers with signs posted all through the city."

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ON CAMPUS

Rachel Wright Leading the Academic Office Earlier this year, Rachel Wright—a 10-year employee with Cheshire Academy—was appointed the new assistant head of school for academic affairs. In her new role, Wright is leading the Academic Office and moving Cheshire Academy’s vision forward, serving as an integral part in the life of CA by working closely with faculty and promising both a rigorous and appropriately challenging academic experience for the student body.

Wright’s husband, Nathan Wright, is a boarding school and IB Diploma Programme alumnus and works as CA’s director of institutional research and strategic initiatives. Together, they have three children between the ages of 1 and 7.

Outside of CA, Wright is pursuing a Doctorate of Education degree in leadership and learning in organizations through Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. Wright is an avid reader and enjoys home renovation projects. During the pandemic, the Wright family refinished an addition on their home, transforming the space into a library. They also planted several new gardens.

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Wright is also a longtime choral singer and a fan of musical theater. Growing up, she participated in summer music camp and AP Music Theory in high school and, while at Cornell University, she was a member of the women’s chorus group.

More recently, she’s performed with the West Hartford Women’s Chorale and was lead singer of the faculty band, CABoom.

We recently spoke with Wright to have her introduce herself to the greater CA community, and to hear about her experiences and plans in her new capacity.

Provide a brief background on your professional career and involvement at Cheshire Academy.

After graduating from Cornell University, I started my career as a math teacher in Philadelphia with the organization Teach for America and went on to earn a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Pennsylvania. Even then I was a student of leadership and committed to exploring how teachers, as leaders, can improve the enterprise of education in this country.

From there I went on to South Florida, where I taught math at a grade 6–12 independent school and ran three math tutoring centers outside of those hours, serving students and families from public and private schools across three counties. I learned firsthand through those experiences the value of investing families in the process of education, and of starting the learning process with listening to a student’s needs and expectations.

Most recently, I have been at Cheshire Academy for 10 years, having started as a house head in Motter Hall and a math teacher. I served as the Math Department chair for five years, during which my colleagues and I successfully renewed the computer science curriculum and designed an integrated math curriculum to replace the traditional sequence taught at most U.S. high schools. Over the past two years, it has been a privilege to serve in the academic administration first as a dean of teaching and learning and now as the assistant head of school for academic affairs.

What excites you most about being named the assistant head of school for academic affairs?

I am equally excited about two things. The first is to support my colleagues. It has been a privilege to work over these past 10 years with so many dedicated teachers who care so deeply about helping students make the most of their high school experience at Cheshire Academy.

The teachers here are like no other. In my new role, I aim to smooth the path and build the ladder for my colleagues so that they are enabled to make a unique Cheshire Academy experience—a personalized, supportive, rigorous educational experience—come alive for students every day, and grow in their work each year.

I believe that we have an obligation as educators to prepare our students to thrive in a future we cannot even imagine. I look forward to continuing to advance a curriculum that engages, inspires, and energizes our students to shape the future.

The second is to advance the academic program so that Cheshire Academy students can continue to be uniquely prepared for the needs of their generation. I believe that we have an obligation as educators to prepare our students to thrive in a future we cannot even imagine. I look forward to continuing to advance a curriculum that engages, inspires, and energizes our students to shape the future.

You’re now leading the Academic Office. What is your vision for the 2020-2021 academic year?

For 2020-2021, my singular goal is to help students maximize their potential by creating and sustaining the opportunities that they need to learn and to thrive. Even as we work to maintain the health and wellness standards that keep our community safe, I remain equally committed to supporting each individual student’s growth and progress. No two students’ paths to college or future career choices should look quite the same.

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ON CAMPUS

My vision for this year is that each student is supported. Each student is understood. Each student continues to build the internal drive to make the most of the opportunities that surround them and has an awareness of their own interests, passions, and strengths. Each student finds their voice and their footing to move forward.

Students are living in a historic time and maturing and developing into young adults even as they respond to the new parameters that define their lives. My hope is that Cheshire Academy will play a key role in shaping our students’ abilities to both reflect on and grow from these experiences and to stay committed to their personal goals.

What do you think sets Cheshire Academy apart from other independent schools?

What sets Cheshire Academy apart is our holistic definition of achievement and our relentless, even obsessive, care for our students that sets them up on individualized paths to success. Cheshire Academy is not a sink-or-swim environment. A lot of schools offer rigor without support or prioritize support without offering rigor. As an IB World School, Cheshire Academy offers internationally recognized academic rigor and unparalleled personal attention and support that affords all students the ability to be successful. The faculty at Cheshire Academy look for ways to make the experience here better, more successful, and more impactful for each student in their care.

Students graduate from Cheshire Academy with a singular ability to make the most of the opportunities that college presents. They visit their professors during office hours. They find summer internships after freshman year. They aim for double majors, shine as studentathletes, TA with professors as undergraduates, learn how to speak with a voice, and follow their internal drive. Cheshire Academy students learn to rise to their own potential, because that is enabled and expected in all their years at CA.

In a similar vein, what do you hope to improve upon in your new position? What challenges do you, or the school, face?

In the long term, I hope to help students break down the walls and silos that exist in their minds between subjects in school, and between school and real life. There are skills— iteration, experimentation, collaboration, communication, entrepreneurialism—that we teach in every subject, and which will serve students well as they enter college and careers in an innovation economy. I hope to play a part in helping students see that what we teach them in high school is preparing them to make connections that we have not yet imagined through project-based learning, interdisciplinary thinking, and authentic, embedded problem solving. For students who are so often focused on getting into college, it can be a challenge to think about what is truly needed to be prepared for college, and their lives beyond college, when they graduate. My hope is to help students see the long-term, lasting implications and importance of the confidence, character, and critical thinking skills that they are developing at Cheshire Academy.

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My vision for this year is that each student is supported. Each student is understood. Each student continues to build the internal drive to make the most of the opportunities that surround them and has an awareness of their own interests, passions, and strengths. Each student finds their voice and their footing to move forward.

Dr. Aleesha Grier-Rogers ’90 at the Helm to Expand DEI Initiatives

Throughout its 226-year history, Cheshire Academy has always been a campus that welcomes and supports diversity.

In the Gideon Welles Dining Commons, flags of the nations from which our students come hang proudly on the wall, reminding everyone that their classmates, dorm mates, friends, and peers all come from different backgrounds, upbringings, opinions, feelings, and visions.

But welcoming international students to the Cheshire Academy campus is only the first step. With a nation at unrest in response to the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, and grassroots campaigns bringing racial injustice to the forefront, it is CA’s responsibility to always strive to do more to ensure everyone is heard, respected, appreciated, and responded to.

We recently met with Dr. Aleesha Grier-Rogers ’90, CA’s director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, to hear how CA is responding to these national issues and ensuring that every student is guaranteed a voice on campus. the magazine of cheshire academy

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ON CAMPUS

Provide a brief background on your professional career and individual involvement at Cheshire Academy.

I’m a member of the Cheshire Academy Class of 1990, and currently work at CA as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion. I joined CA in 2019 as the diversity, equity, and inclusion coordinator, which was the inaugural year for the position. This year, along with my title change, I became part of the senior leadership team. Embedding DEI within the leadership team gives us the opportunity to look at all the school initiatives, big and small, through the DEI lens.

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist. I earned both a master’s and doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford-Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology. I also hold a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. I completed my predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships at Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. Since 2009, I’ve served as an assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine’s Division of Addictions. Since 2008, I’ve taught in the Psychology Department at Southern Connecticut State University. I’m currently at CA three days a week, and when I’m not on campus, I continue to provide clinical services.

Why did you choose to attend CA? And why have you decided to return?

I moved to Cheshire in the middle of sixth grade. Prior to that, I had always attended Catholic school. By high school, I was looking to return to that type of smaller classroom environment.

I happened to be on the CA website looking for info about alumni weekend when I saw the DEI position posted. I guess it was perfect timing since, at that time, I was looking for a change after nearly 10 years of managing behavioral health clinics. Returning to CA to do DEI work seemed like a great opportunity for someone like me, with years of experience in leadership roles, along with a specialization in providing mental health treatment to underserved populations, training clinicians in multicultural competency, and teaching about bias based on gender and other intersecting identities. So, I met with Head of School Julie Anderson, heard her ideas for the role, and decided to return to my alma mater and bring to life DEI initiatives she had in mind.

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Briefly describe your role as the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at CA. My role as the director of DEI involves developing and implementing diversity initiatives and programming, assisting the leadership team in creating a strategic vision for DEI, and collaborating with various stakeholders to address the impact of DEI issues on all aspects of campus. For example, so far this year I collaborated with Community Life and the Academic Office around the development of an action plan to promote civil discourse. I’ve been working with senior leadership and Community Life to design and implement a Bias Incident Reporting protocol. I have been working with senior leadership, the Board of Trustees, and members of the faculty to establish a DEI taskforce that will address the key DEI issues facing CA. Also, I am working with the Theater Department around their development of a production aimed at promoting social justice. I am also the faculty advisor to the Black Student Union and the Student Equity Team. This year the BSU is taking the lead to plan our annual MLK Day celebration.

The other half of my job relates to my role as a psychologist.

I’ve been working with the Academic Office to begin our implementation of Social Emotional Learning (SEL). I am also a member of the Health Team, and I collaborate with the Counseling Department regularly.

Cheshire Academy is called home by students from 19 states and 31 countries, resulting in a truly diverse community full of different perspectives, opinions, and viewpoints. As director of DEI, how do you ensure that all their voices are not only heard, but appreciated?

While Cheshire Academy is very diverse, I do think that hearing all those voices is something we have to be very intentional about. Having affinity groups is critical to meeting that goal, and our current offerings include the Black Student Union, Diversity Club, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and Coleman Group. This year, even with COVID and a large portion of our student body being remote, I’m happy to say that our affinity groups are stronger and more vocal than ever. I’m excited to launch the Student Equity Team this year, which will focus on developing student leadership

around diversity, equity, and inclusion. Student Equity Team members will learn to advocate for and support students who have experienced bias, racism, and discrimination. Our affinity leaders have already been very active on campus this year, having coordinated a recent Black Lives Matter rally on campus, and BSU has begun planning our annual MLK Day celebration. CA is very proud to be sending a delegation of student leaders to the Student Diversity Leadership Conference, which is part of the annual People of Color Conference hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

This year has resulted in countless societal discussions, conversations, and protests related to equity. How do you plan to continue this conversation at Cheshire Academy this year, and in future years?

CA is committed to DEI, and as such we have several initiatives aimed at continuing the conversations that started this Spring around social justice. This year we have established a Board DEI Task Force that consists of me, Head of School Julie Anderson P’19, ’23, Board members William Ampofo ’92, Drew Kevorkian ’93, Brian Otis ’98, Mark Testa ’68, and Board Chair Jennifer Freedman P’15. One of the goals of the Student Equity Team is to bridge the gap between the student body and this Board DEI Task Force. In addition to our robust student affinity groups, this year we have spoken to several alumni and will launch a Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) alumni affinity group.

While Cheshire Academy is very diverse, I do think that hearing all those voices is something we have to be very intentional about. Having affinity groups is critical to meeting that goal, and our current offerings include the Black Student Union, Diversity Club, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and Coleman Group."

What role does CA play, or what is CA’s responsibility to its students, regarding DEI? What, if anything, should schools like ours be doing?

When it comes to DEI, all schools are responsible for identifying and addressing barriers to individual student success, as well as helping to create a campus climate where students feel comfortable to embrace and express their identities without bias or discrimination. With the #BlackAt______ movement, CA—and many schools like it— has had to look at how students feel we have failed to meet those goals and/or provide students with an opportunity to report and discuss their experiences. CA is working to ensure that, going forward, we have a bias incident reporting protocol in place, everyone is aware of my office and other supports available on campus to discuss DEI concerns, and that we provide students with opportunities to engage in courageous conversations and listening sessions.

In a year, two years, five years, as you look back on your time at CA, what do you hope you see in terms of the impact and difference you made? How things may have changed?

When I think of my employment here, I believe my first year served as a time to gain a better understanding of the culture at CA and the DEI issues that need to be addressed. This year I’m focused on collaborating with the various stakeholders in the CA community to establish DEI initiatives and change the campus climate, particularly as it pertains to discussing the issues that are important to our students. I would like to see CA become a school where: (1) we have an awareness of the diversity of identities represented on campus (race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, and other identities) and in the world around us, (2) awareness of how our various identities shape our differing individual perspectives of the world, (3) members of our community feel safe to be their authentic selves and express their opinions, and (4) we are not afraid to engage in civil discourse.

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ON CAMPUS

2020 CONVOCATION

The Class of 2021 kicked off the academic year differently than in years past, with a modified Convocation Ceremony held on the Armando Simosa ’08 Athletic Field and Track. Students walked in a procession led by Senior Masters Karen Smith and Chip Boyd from Kevin D. Slaughter Field to the turf field before hearing remarks from Head of School Julie Anderson P’19, ’23, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs Rachel Wright, and classmates Ben Goth ’21, Yuning “Nicole” Hao ’21, Jenna Purslow ’21, and Jonathan Velasquez ’21. Topics included remote learning, racial injustice, and changes to ensure a safe fall 2020 semester in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Our actions in this world have a domino effect. If we change and decrease racism in our world, then the next generation will follow … so let’s make the change now.”

- Jonathan Velasquez ’21 See photos, video, and full remarks at CheshireAcademy.org/convocation

CLEANUP AT THE MENUNKETESUCK RIVER A group of students comprised of Honoka Tsuchida ’22, Amelia Williams ’22, and Yelyzaveta “Liza” Tkachenko ’22, volunteered on Sept. 26 as part of the Save the Sound initiative organized by the Connecticut Fund for the Environment. While cleaning a .5-acre section of the Menunketesuck River in Westbrook, Connecticut, the group filled two large garbage bags with cigarettes butts, plastic, bottles, shoes, a baseball, metal pipe, and other random trash.

GET YOUR CLUB ON! An in-person Club Fair was hosted on Sept. 16 on Slaughter Field as a way for students to learn what clubs and organizations they would like to be part of for the fall semester. Tables were stationed around the field, with advisors representing clubs such as Model United Nations, The Eco Leaders, DECA, Diversity Club, Art History Club, and even The Video Game Club and The Candy Club. Students learning remotely this semester received the list of available clubs via email, and were able to join Zoom sessions on Sept. 18 to speak with faculty advisors and student leaders on their clubs of interest.

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KICKING OFF THE ACADEMIC YEAR Students returned to campus in August to a plethora of activities and events, including a friendly icebreaker game of Jenga for the Class of 2024 to get to know one another. Modifications were also made to campus grounds to ensure proper physical distancing, including the installation of Adirondack chairs properly spaced on Slaughter Field as a place to eat and converse.

COLLEGE REP VISITS The College Counseling Office virtually hosted over 130 representatives from colleges and universities throughout the months of September and October to speak with sophomores, juniors, seniors, and postgraduates at CA, allowing the students to learn more about their schools of choice and find out more about where they intend to head after graduating. Representatives visited from Boston University, Colgate University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York University, SUNY at Purchase College, and many others.

COVID-19 ARTWORK Students in art teacher Karleen Kubat’s painting class were asked to complete self-portaits in a way that communicated their emotional response to the coronavirus pandemic. When asked to explain her work to Kubat, Madison Ballentine ’23 reflected on her feeling of being confined and distanced from everyone. In Kubat’s drawing class, students were asked to draw a view from the window of the room they were most confined to due to the pandemic.

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A W AY F R O M C A — S U M M E R S P O T L I G H T While summer is oftentimes

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considered a period of rest and relaxation from the

academic year, countless

Cheshire Academy students

were busy giving back to the

community, honing their skills

and talents, and satisfying their competitive spirits.

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Included in the list of students were (1) Thomas Craley ’21, who spent his summer working as a wildland firefighter in the state of Oregon after driving cross country with his father; (2) Jenna Purslow ’21, who used Rizzolo-Larson Venture Grant funds to attend an online course on foreign and domestic terrorism, and public safety through the Summer Research Academy at the University of California, Santa Barbara; (3) Julia Shatalov ’21 (#332 in photo), who fundraised online in support of the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program; (4) Kiley Cristman ’21 and Cassie

Parmelee ’21, who successfully competed their way to the 2020 AVP Volleyball East Coast Tournament held Nov. 27-29; (5) Ruth Berganross ’21, Elena Parkerson ’21, Julia Shatalov ’21, and Luke Parkerson ’22, who responded to the lack of local summer camps by creating their own at the Parkerson family’s home; and (6) Amelia Lanni ’23, who sought to improve upon her new passion for the drums, picked up after taking CA’s Music Skills and Performance class, taught by music teacher Nathan Trier.

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ATHLETICS

Fall Sports Recap

A modified fall sports season proved to be successful for Cheshire Academy’s student-athletes and community at large, as teams from all six fall sports were able to compete head-to-head with rival schools.

Going into the fall semester, Cheshire Academy knew it would be difficult to proceed with a regular athletics program. On Aug. 5, prior to the start of the academic year, CA implemented a set of protocols that included no formal preseason, a reduced number of games per week, and a limited game schedule. Weekly conversations were held between Associate Head of School David Dykeman, Director of the Health Center Debra Bond, and Director of Athletics Ed Banach to determine whether games would be played, and where they would take place.

Strong relationships with other independent schools also contributed to weekly decisions.

By the Thanksgiving break, varsity football, varsity boys’ and girls’ soccer, varsity field hockey, varsity girls’ volleyball, and coed cross country all had their opportunity to shine. Many of CA’s teams have played a limited number of schools to keep student-athletes and school communities safe.

In the time of COVID-19, faculty and staff have worked to ensure that all risks of contracting the disease are mitigated before teams even arrive at game sites. Football players, for example, were tested for the coronavirus 72 hours prior to their games. Families and CA

staff worked closely in partnership to make sure the testing was done, off campus, without interrupting class schedules. Players also were provided face shields for their helmets to further reduce risks. Anyone on the sidelines—including the limited number of spectators, coaches, and other staff—was required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Laundry was done after each game, and equipment, such as balls, cones, and sticks, were disinfected.

Other changes have included seven-on-seven field hockey games, outdoor volleyball matches, and checking the players’ temperatures before the games. CA’s own protocols, as well as those of the NCAA for high-risk sports, were used to keep everyone safe.

Through flexibility and determination, the athletics program achieved several important goals this fall; most importantly, offering the opportunity for the students to take part in the integral Afternoon Program at CA. Students were able to participate in something that they train and look forward to every semester, practices and strength and conditioning sessions were held, and the opportunity for studentathletes to showcase their talents was made available.

Boys’ Soccer: Kavin Kathir ’22 Field Hockey: co-captains Sarah Greenberg ’21, Sofia Pfannenbecker ’21, and Meghan Mikulski ’21

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Girls’ Soccer: Reese Purdy ’21

Volleyball (l-r): seniors Helena Garcia ’21, Kiley Cristman ’21, Cassie Parmelee ’21, and Caroline Fishbein ’21

Football: Ali Barkley ’21

MORGAN MANZ NAMED CA’S HEAD COACH OF VARSITY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL AND VARSITY GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL TEAMS

Cheshire Academy welcomed Morgan Manz, a 2017 graduate of Quinnipiac University (Hamden, Connecticut), as the newest head coach of Varsity Girls’ Basketball and Varsity Girls’ Volleyball teams.

Manz is also serving as a member of the science department faculty.

Coed Cross Country: co-captains Lixuanyi Pan ’21, Logan Shvartsman ’21, Julia Shatalov ’21

Manz graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science Studies degree, with a minor in psychology. She later received a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.

In her senior year, Manz helped Quinnipiac reach the Sweet 16.

During the Bobcats’ game against Miami, Manz hit her career high by landing six three-point shots. Two years prior during her sophomore year, QU won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament for the first time since joining the conference. She also went out to Stanford for the NCAA tournament, and played against the University of Oklahoma.

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ALUMNI

ALUMNI ATHLETICS UPDATE In June, former University of South Alabama basketball star Josh Ajayi ’15 signed with French professional basketball team Hermine Nantes Basket.

Elijah Pemberton ’16 was invited to participate in the NBA G-League pre-draft evaluation process, which includes a virtual evaluation through both shooting drills and an NBA Pro Day 45-minute open workout. Pemberton recently finished his college basketball career at Hofstra University.

Tarik Black ’17, a former All-American for the Cats and wide receiver for the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns football team, was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Top 250 watch list. Black had eight catches for 188 yards and a touchdown through the first six games for the Longhorns.

Brandon Sebastian ’17 and CJ Lewis ’17 have had a phenomenal year on the Boston College Eagles football team. During the Oct. 31 game against topranked Clemson University, Sebastian (defensive back) returned a fumble for a 99-yard touchdown, while Lewis (wide receiver) narrowly caught the ball for a touchdown followed by a successful 40-yard field goal fake to secure a first down.

Richard Kelly ’17 transferred to Boston College after having a standout career on Quinnipiac University’s basketball team.

CJ Holmes ’17 is a defensive back at Kent State, having transferred from Penn State.

Samuel Vretman ’17 (offensive line, Rutgers University) started at right guard in the season-opening win against Michigan State.

Mia Leko ’18 (pictured at top) has been making waves as part of Dartmouth College’s Women’s Swimming and Diving team, including her win in the 200-meter freestyle (1:52.95) and 200-meter fly (2:06.97) versus Bates College, and being named the recipient for the second year in a row of the team’s Karl B. Michael Award in honor of the school’s longtime head coach.

Joshua Jobe ’18 (pictured at right) (University of Alabama) is making his name known on the football field as a starting defensive back, registering 20 tackles and one sack so far in the season. Jobe is projected in some mock drafts to get as high as the first round in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Tanner Davis ’19 (safety) and Cletus Mathurin ’19 (defensive line) were both active in the University of Massachusetts’ Minutemen football game against Georgia Southern, with Davis having three tackles and Mathurin having one.

Jordan Funk ’19 (defensive line) and Andre Carter II ’19 (linebacker) have earned playing time at Army West Point.

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VIRTUALLY CONNECTING WITH ALUMNI While we’ve had to remain physically distant, the Advancement Office has found ways to keep alumni, parents, and friends socially connected to one another and Cheshire Academy. Four virtual events—two Town Hall meetings, a pub trivia night, and a basketball alumni reunion—provided an opportunity to have fun and learn how CA is meeting the challenges of the pandemic while fulfilling its mission of providing a student-centered education for our students. Last spring, “CA in a Box” delivered fun gift items and sweets with campus imagery and photos to many who have missed the opportunity to visit Cheshire in recent months.

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ALUMNI ON SOCIAL MEDIA The CA community took to various forms of social media this summer to honor the many successes of our alumni, hear their stories, and to spend time together virtually. The first CA Peloton ride (1) was held, as were themed weekdays, such as Foodie Friday, where alumni such as Gavin Citron ’86 (2), Jai Farswani ’07 (3), Tess Arntsen ’05 (4), and Joel Kim ’93 (5) participated.

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ALUMNI

Managing a Business to Serve the Community Michael Bozzuto ’75 is a firm believer that everyone should take every opportunity they can to make their break, whether it’s in their professional or personal life. Once there, however, it’s entirely up to that person to make a positive impact on their local and greater communities.

I think it’s quite an accomplishment to see people get involved and make a difference in their lives...“We often say … ’it’s just one of those things you have to experience to understand it.’”

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This belief has led Bozzuto, chairman, president, and CEO of wholesale distribution company Bozzuto’s Inc., to ensure that his 1,800 distribution employees and 1,200 retail staff are well taken care of. Having learned from other distributors with whom he works, including in Wuhan and other parts of China, Bozzuto and his company were ready when COVID-19 came to the United States earlier this year. Bozzuto said his company was “very fortunate” to glean information on how other countries addressed the pandemic, and saw early on the importance of implementing the use of face masks and face shields.

Approximately 500 trucks unload product each day at Bozzuto’s, and another 400 trucks ship out to stores as far north as Maine, as south as Maryland, and as west as Ohio. However, the trucks are no longer filled with as many different items; in fact, one of the problems Bozzuto’s continues to face is a lack of supply, including hand sanitizer and holiday-themed products.

Bozzuto’s tries to spread what they receive evenly to its customers while continuing to maintain relationships with manufacturers to ensure they are getting their fair share of products.

Despite the pandemic, Bozzuto’s boasts a 99 percent service level. With a shortage of goods, maintaining that level of service can be a challenge, especially when a customer requires specific products in a moment’s notice, according to Bozzuto.

Bozzuto also makes sure his employees are heard during this pandemic.

“Be concerned about your employees. Listen to them. See what’s going on. It’s uncharted territory for the most part, and you try to make the best choices you can and be respectful of everyone. I think the same values you live with every day are the ones that will carry through most of your decision-making processes.”

Bozzuto’s Inc. is not the only piece of Bozzuto’s life that has been impacted by the coronavirus. The Hometown Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization established by Bozzuto in 2002, has had to make some modifications due to physical distancing and other requirements compared to years past. However, donations have not been affected. In fact, this year, The Hometown Foundation raised $2.5 million through its annual Dream Ride Experience, the culminating fundraiser held annually—this year from Aug. 21-23. In total, the Foundation has raised more than $15 million in support of the Foundation’s five pillars: Animal Welfare, Emergency Response Personnel, Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or In Need, Major Illness, and the Military.

The Foundation’s logo is a helping hand and, as Bozzuto explained, the organization is assisting in all facets of life. “We look at ourselves as the center of the community. We look at our stores as community centers.

Basically, you handle those things, then you are the community.”

At the Dream Ride Experience, held at the Farmington Polo Club, Bozzuto is able to see Special Olympics athletes, Dream Riders, sponsors, and others gather from around the world. This year marked the Ride’s 20th anniversary, and both in-person and virtual experiences were offered for everyone.

“I think it’s quite an accomplishment to see people get involved and make a difference in their lives,” reflected Bozzuto. “We often say … ‘it’s just one of those things you have to experience to understand it.’”

Bozzuto credited his five years at Cheshire Academy for the way he treats others today. An integral member of the Key Club—a leadership and service-focused group—during his time at CA, Bozzuto believes that the faculty, staff, and classmates made a tremendous impact on who he is now. “I always say that there’s the books, and then there’s the social life and everything else—the people side of it, the relationships. I think the books will carry you so far, but it’s everything else that makes a difference in who you are. I thought Cheshire and the faculty there did an outstanding job in understanding and taking personalized attention in the students. That was probably the key thing that I saw that made a difference.”

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The Harwood Society for Planned Giving

Louis D. Pietig II, Grateful for a Second Chance, Makes a Tax-Wise Gift to Cheshire Louis D. Pietig II ’04 is grateful that Cheshire Academy gave him a “second chance” at high school, and he says the education he received helped him in college and in launching a successful career as a financial advisor. Now, at the ripe old age of 34, he is giving back through a life insurance policy that will provide him an income-tax deduction each year.

In addition to giving the life insurance policy and its significant one-time tax deduction, Louis is making charitable contributions each year to cover the policy premium—an extremely tax-wise strategy.

“I spoke with Senior Director of Leadership and Planned Giving Barbara Davis P’17, ’18, ’20, ’24 and Chief Advancement Officer Amy Brough about my gift and what vehicle made the most sense for me,” Pietig said. “I don’t have an overabundance of IRA assets to roll over, and this gives me, at 34 and in good health, a chance to leverage my financial contribution to a significant gift over my lifetime.”

Louis said that he came to Cheshire after making some bad decisions at a previous school.

From left: Sheppard, Thea, Lincoln, and Louis D. Pietig II.

“Cheshire was there for me when I needed additional structure and a warm community with a fresh start,” he said.

Louis served as a proctor, played lacrosse and football, and helped with alumni fundraising. He went on to college at the University of Connecticut and has been a financial advisor for six years. His wife Thea graduated from the University of Delaware and works in advertising. They live in Weston, Connecticut, and have two children. Louis recently accepted a post as alumni captain for Fairfield County.

“Cheshire Academy is a top-notch educational opportunity, and I wouldn’t be where I am without it,” Louis says. “I hope to leave Cheshire in a better spot than where it was when it found and helped me. I hope the school never stops taking chances on applicants who deserve a second chance.”

Anyone at least 70½ years old can follow Louis’s lead, taking advantage of a simple way to benefit Cheshire Academy

and receive tax benefits in return. You can give up to $100,000 annually to charity from an IRA, serving as part or all of a qualified distribution, and avoid income taxes on the money contributed.

Advantages of an IRA Rollover Charitable Gift: • Your gift will be put to use today.

• The amount transferred directly from your IRA is not included in your total income, so you don’t have to itemize the IRA transfer on your tax return.

Thus, even non-itemizers can benefit from this gift arrangement.

• An IRA Charitable Rollover Gift can satisfy all or part of your minimum distribution requirement for the year.

• Best of all, you will see the impact of your philanthropy during your lifetime.

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For more information, please contact: Barbara Davis P’17, ’18, ’20, ’24 Senior Director of Leadership and Planned Giving Cheshire Academy 10 Main Street Cheshire, Connecticut 06410 Barbara.davis@cheshireacademy.org 203-439-7228

class notes

1950s

John Cunningham ’51 is a survivor of COVID-19, living in California and dealing with statewide fires.

Bill Mitchell ’54 had the best round of golf this year on his 84th birthday, where he shot his age.

Gerald “Jerry” Rothstein ’55 felt bad the

2020 class reunion was cancelled. He was looking forward to returning to campus for his 65th reunion.

He says, “I am retired now, and spend most of my days boating, or just sitting around. Because of the coronavirus lockdown, things to do are very limited. My health is good, and my children and grandchildren are all well. During the summer months I help new boaters with navigation, safety, and the proper piloting of their boat. Wish there was more to say, but 2020 has slowed me, and I supposed many others, down. Look forward to the 2021 reunion.”

Jacob Pohn ’59 recently looked back at his time at CA, stating he had a great four years.

1960s

1940s

’42

“Searching for Amylu Danzer,” the memoir written

by John Rosenthal ’60 about a friend who committed suicide in 1965, will be published in March 2021 by the Waywiser Press of Great Britain.

’60

John Long ’42 says, “I am now 97 years old. Following my

service in World War II and graduation from Duke, my wife and I raised five children while I worked in the insurance field. After my retirement and my first wife’s death, my second wife and I were able to enjoy almost 25 years of traveling and timeshare exchanges. We are now living in a senior independent living community and although we have a few limitations I feel very lucky to have had such a good life.”

N E W S? U PDAT E S? M A R R I AG E? B I R T H?

Submit your news and photos to: alumni@cheshireacadamy.org

Stephen Soreff ’60 released his book, “Life’s Dueling Dualities: A Grandfather’s Legacy of Wisdom” in October, which covers his observations on six dueling ideologies, including the early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese; following your head versus following your heart; following the rules verus challenging them, and others.

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ALUMNI

Mike Sapol ’61 writes, “After graduating from Cheshire, I lived 45 years in Massachusetts. Many enjoyable years in West Peabody, Plymouth. Three years ago, my wife Carol and I moved out to Denver to be with one of our sons (Robert Murch). We are enjoying our life here in Denver, but we do miss New England. I would love to hear from my classmates from Cheshire. I am of course retired and have ample time to keep in touch with any who respond. I can be reached on Facebook. Anyone out in the Denver area I would love to get in touch with.”

’64

Albert Sweeney ’61 is enjoying his retirement after working as an OMS surgeon.

Arthur Cirkus ’62 is retired, living “the good life” in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Terry McManus ’64 was inducted into the London Music Hall of Fame, while also receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Forest City London of Music (FCLM). The FCLM recognizes outstanding contributions to music, business, education, as well as leadership within the music community. During a virtual ceremony earlier this year, the FCLM recognized McManus for being an iconic artist manager, musician, songwriter, and educator.

Cary Palulis ’64 and Robert Burg ’64 christened Palulis’ 18-foot Sea Ray power

boat at the Congamond Lakes in Southwick, Massachusetts, in May. The two caught eatable rainbow trout, resulting in a successful trip.

’67 Harold Crossley ’67 says, “Finally really

retired and captained our boat home from Ventura, California, to Sequim, Washington. My wife Teresa and I plan to spend a few years cruising the waters of the Pacific Northwest. And after that...who knows!”

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’68

One Love Tennis, a nonprofit organization founded five years ago by Lenny Simpson ’68, held several events in the past year of which Simpson is most proud.

Events included a food distribution event, where over 4,000 pounds of food was given to over 80 families in need; One Love went worldwide on Sept. 6 as part of CBS’s special program “Portraits in Black”; and a weekly Friday night movie night, free of charge. At 1406 Orange St. In Wilmington, North Carolina—where many of the events take place—a Wilmington Historic Society plaque will adorn the front of the house, which was called home by civil rights activist, medical doctor, and tennis advocate Dr. Hubert Eaton and his wife, Celeste Eaton, as well as world champion barrierbreaking tennis player Althea Gibson.

1970s

’77

Richard “Rick” Morris ’73 has been working in broadcast television

and films since 1978. Starting in 2007, he spent 3 years as the documentary producer/videographer for the Census of Marine Life and the Encyclopedia of Life projects. Rick has shot and produced programming for many of the major networks and cable channels as well as for nonprofits and NGOs like The Nature Conservancy, The International Fund for Animal Welfare, the New England Aquarium, Oceana, and the Conservation Law Foundation. Rick was the primary cameraman for the political commentary television show “Countdown with Keith Olbermann.“ During his tenure with the Census of Marine Life, Rick produced and contributed to more than a dozen films and productions for National Geographic, PBS, BBC, and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Rick’s footage has been seen on programs from “Nightline” to “Late Night with David Letterman“ and most recently on the network show “Sunday Morning” on CBS with Jane Pauley. In 2015, Rick was chosen as Scuba Diving Magazine’s Hero of the Sea for September/October.

Paul William Danielsen ’77

has retired to the barrier island on the east coast of Florida after working for 30 years as a trial lawyer, representing catastrophically injured military veterans from around the United States. He credits Ernie Beaulac for propelling him on his legal journey.

Mark Murnane ’77 says, “Hard to believe it’s

been 43 years. Hello to everyone from that great class.

A very special hello to my favorite life changing teacher Karen Smith.”

1980s

Mark Segal ’83

is the owner of a new restaurant called Gravy in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

James Elliman ’85 and Adriene Denker ’86

were married on March 11, 2020 in Boston.

Thomas Ness ’86 is currently living in New York City.

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ALUMNI

’92

1990s

Jun Shiina ’93 and his mother, Dr. Kikuko Shiina, visited Cheshire Academy in February. Dr. Shiina is visiting schools worldwide for a study on bringing creative thinking into Japanese schools. Dr. Shiina and Jun visited classes and had lunch with some of his former teachers including Bevan Dupre ’69, Laura Longacre, and Barbara Vestergaard.

Condolences to Kristin Dupre Flore ’96 and her son, Charlie, on the passing of her husband, Ricky Flores, on October 11, 2020, from a brain tumor.

Ben and Rebekah Ohlsen Lyas ’97 welcomed a second daughter, Ruby EmmaJane “Emmie,” on Oct. 10, 2020.

2000s

Anouk and PJ Yesawich Yesawich, on July 7, 2020.

’01

Katie and Isaac Warshaw Warshaw, on March 5, 2020.

Shari Liu ’92 and Frederick Lawrence Fellows were married on Sept. 25, 2020, in Aspen, Colorado.

welcomed a baby boy, Oliver Henry

’02

’00

welcomed a baby girl, Sloane Evelyn

Jenny Dupre ’02 began pursuing her MS in Interactive Media & Communications in August at Quinnipiac University. She says, “It is both challenging and exciting and I am pushing myself harder than I ever have to be the best student possible. We also adopted an Australian Cattle Dog mix puppy and learning to navigate the world of high energy, high intelligence dogs has been a test of strength of will and character. He has been an excellent hiking and work-from-home companion throughout the pandemic.

I look forward to trying agility and dock diving with him.”

David Brim ’03 was selected one of 2020’s 40 Under 40 by the Orlando Business Journal. In its writeup of Brim, OBJ said, “David Brim truly reflects the vision of Central Florida as an inclusive and diverse business community with innovative young leadership working to make a positive, sustainable impact. As a visionary, Brim has been involved in many early-stage ventures across a variety of industries and has special interest and expertise in online lead generation, Software as a Service (SaaS), e-commerce, private lending, and real estate investment.”

Tess Arntsen ’05,

executive chef at Small Kitchen Big Taste (North Haven, Connecticut), was highlighted in the November 2020 issue of Connecticut Magazine. In the article, Arntsen answered questions on how she got into cooking, her favorite holiday memories, and a recipe for roasted barbecue cauliflower perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

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Amy Barlag Ciba ’00 was promoted to manager, customer success management for the emerging enterprise segment of WeWork in February. Her daughter, Roxanne, turned one in August. Roxanne is a happy, spunky little lady and, this month, she and her husband are celebrating nine years of marriage.

’05

Congratulations to Matthew and Abigail Danziger Kelley ’06 on the birth of their baby boy, Theodore Clifford Kelley, born on Sept. 2, 2020.

Phil Quist ’07 started a new role as investor of Connect Ventures, an investment partnership between leading entertainment and sports agency creative Artists Agency (CAA) and global venture capital firm New Enterprise Associates (NEA), which identifies and accelerates the growth of early-stage consumer-focused businesses. Connect Ventures plans to invest up to $400 million, and launched with $100 million in committed capital.

Milo Abbagnaro was born to Gianna and Steven Abbagnaro ’08.

Proud grandparents, Ana and Pete Abbagnaro, and proud aunt, Amanda

Abbagnaro Gratton ’06.

Cara and Cal Oct. 6, 2020.

Smith ’09 welcomed their daughter, Layla Cherrymae, on

Tyler Hundley ’09, head coach of Worcester State University men’s

basketball, was named Champion’s Choice Coach of the Year in only his second year as head coach, while three Lancers took home All-Conference honors at the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference.

’08

Isabel de Majo ’05

returned to Venezuela after graduating from CA, attending university in Caracas and receiving her architecture degree.

Alexandra Cavaliere ’09 and Joseph Gasser were married on Sept. 26, 2020, at the Chatfield Hollow Inn in Killingworth, Connecticut.

’09

Avery Renee Hayunga was born to Robert and Cori Kubat Hayunga ’08 on May 18, 2020.

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ALUMNI

2010s

’14

Chelsy and Jaimie 2019.

Fry ’11

had a son, Jayden Mikail Fry, born on Oct. 2,

Tom Cavaliere ’15

is moving back to Connecticut after living in Washington, D.C., for over five years. While in D.C., Tom was a foreign policy student at American University, and works (now virtually) as an advisory and advocacy communications consultant at APCO Worldwide. He looks forward to being closer to his family, reconnecting with the local CA community, and taking on some new challenges.

Aliya Catanzarita ’19, CA’s first D1 softball player, was named to the Dean’s List at Hofstra University and to the Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.

Robert Ryan ’14

is currently living in downtown Boston, working as an account manager at RxSense. He tested positive for COVID-19 in March, and also completed his first marathon—the 2020 Boston Marathon—with zero training. He ran as part of Team Zrike, a BikeMS team organized in honor of his uncle, Stephen Zrike. Classmate Jon Bergamo ’13 is also a member of the team.

’16

A graduate of the University of Saint Joseph, Ashley Iadarola ’16 recently received her real estate license and is currently working as an agent for Berkshire Hathaway in Cheshire, Connecticut

Send YOUR Class Note today! Share your news and photos via email to alumni@cheshireacademy.org.

Now Accepting Applications for Four Scholarships Every year, Cheshire Academy enrolls a diverse and promising student body from countless states and over 30 countries, resulting in a truly global experience for all students, as well as faculty and staff. Many students interested in attending CA could be eligible to apply for a variety of merit-based scholarships.

The Fairfield County Boarding Student Scholarship is available for students entering grades 9-11 who will be participating in the 5- or 7-day boarding program. If awarded, families receive an amount totaling half off the cost of a boarding tuition.

Upcoming 9th-grade students residing in New Haven County may apply for the New Haven County Day Student Scholarship which, if awarded, halves the cost of a day tuition.

Applications are also being accepted for the Town Scholarship.

Originating in 1938, the Town Scholarship awards one Cheshire 9th-grade student with a full four-year scholarship to attend CA. Cheshire Academy continues to offer merit-based legacy scholarships in the amount of $15,000 for children, grandchildren, and relatives of CA alumni. This scholarship, for boarding students, is also available for siblings of currently enrolled students entering grades 9-12 and postgraduate.

For additional information on individual scholarships, visit www.cheshireacademy.org/scholarships.

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IN MEMORIAM

Alumni

1950s

William “Bill” Cushing ’50

1940s

Crandon Clark ’40 died on March 29, 2019 at the age of 98 in

Washington, D.C.

Sanford “Sandy” Levine ’44 died on April 17, 2019, in Marlton, New Jersey. Sandy grew up in Brooklyn and Forest Hills, New York. He graduated from Kent State University in 1949.

He served in World War II aboard the U.S.S. Portland and U.S.S. Sangamon. He worked in the paper industry for 45 years before he and Honi retired to Florida.

Joel Goodman ’45 passed peacefully on June 20, 2019.

Joel started his law career in Houston, Texas, before returning to New Bedford, Massachusetts, to become a partner at Goodman & Goodman, retiring in 2009. Joel was a Korean Conflict Coast Guard veteran, serving stateside.

Malcolm Nichols ’46

of Southington, Connecticut, passed away on June 28, 2019, after a long battle with cancer. He was a commissioned second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and saw action in the Korean War. He was an avid model airplane enthusiast, both building and flying them. He was a life member of the Central Connecticut Radio Control Club of Farmington.

Richard “Dick” Tindall ’47 passed away March 7, 2019.

Dick was a member of the California Air National Guard and retired after 46 years of distinguished service.

Henry “Fred” Fredenburgh ’47

passed away at home on April 1, 2019. Fred was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, having served as a medic in Japan during the occupation. Fred loved classical music, art, literature, history, and fine wine. His lifelong passion was photography, and he was rarely seen without at least one camera around his neck and his signature large camera bag.

A favorite activity of his was exploring the back roads and ghost towns of his beloved New Mexico, often camping with at least one of his dogs.

Frank “Frankie” Russo ’48

died on February 10, 2020.

Best known for his generous heart, his ability to communicate with everyone that he met, and pushing agendas forward that benefited the youth, while challenging others "to do the right thing."

Richard Goeben ’48

died on April 19, 2019.

of Madison and Southington, Connecticut, died March 22, 2019. His unique military service (Army 1955-1956) included over a year in a hotel off Avenue George V in Paris, defending the Madams of the Boi de Boulogne and Mademoiselles of Crazy Horse, touring Europe from Stockholm to the walls of Rome, skiing over Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, and visiting the Allens in Salthill Galway. For many years he led The Cushing Company, an independent insurance agency started by his father.

James Kenney ’53

died on April 11, 2020.

Michael Kahn ’53 died peacefully on July 1, 2020, in Palm Coast, Florida, after a valiant battle with a rare disease called amyloidosis. His devotion to his family and his faith in Judaism supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. From 1957 to 1959, Michael served in the U.S. Army as a cryptologist, delivering top secret messages that he deciphered for military leaders around the world. He was mathematically inclined, with a lifelong passion for technology and working with people. Michael had a keen business sense and built multiple profitable enterprises and, when they failed, he reinvented himself for success. He traveled around the world and made friends with sultans and dignitaries, and people from all walks of life. Mike had many fond memories of his time at Cheshire Academy. He maintained lifelong friendships with his classmates and was a charitable supporter of the school. Michael’s lifelong passions included classical music, opera, and ballet.

Robert Lingblom ’54

died on September 19, 2019, in

Roanoke, Virginia.

Herman Lefkowitz ’54

died on December 4, 2019, in Pensacola, Florida. Herman graduated from Tulane University and spent his career in the jewelry industry. Herman volunteered his time feeding the homeless at Loaves and Fishes, and working on the Veterans Dinner at B’Nai Israel Synagogue.

James “Jim” Frontero ’55 passed away on May 7, 2020.

Jim worked as an adjustment counselor, an English teacher and, for the last 20 years of his career, as the assistant principal at Melrose High School. Jim loved to cook and spent many hours cooking Italian meals for his family while listening to Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. He could sing the first line of any song.

William “Bill” Banister ’55

died on January 17, 2019. Bill was an executive in the marine industry for his entire career. He was active in antique and classic boating circles his whole life.

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ALUMNI

Laurence Rappaport ’58 died on February 22, 2020. He attended the University of Rochester and New York University earning degrees in electrical engineering and economics. He served with honor during the Vietnam War. Larry started a career in software development and worked as a software developer around the world before retiring. He was a HAM radio enthusiast and operator, known far and wide by his call sign of "W1HJF." Robert “Bob” Adorno ’58

died on May 22, 2019. Bob was a dedicated real estate and securities broker who valued each opportunity to help families plan for and achieve their dreams. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was an amazing home cook, and always spoke the truth in love.

Martha Gelles Garrity ’76

died on December 14, 2019,

after a long illness.

1980s

Richard “Rich” Mayo ’86 died on May 17, 2020.

1990s

Mikko Ishikawa ’90

died on March 12, 2020 from breast

1960s

cancer.

passed away on March 25, 2019, after a long battle with an autoimmune disease. Chuck’s knowledge of construction made him very skilled in creating innovative designs for modular buildings that could better meet the needs for cities and parks across the country.

March 23, 2020, after a very short illness.

Charles Kaufman ’60

Stephen Palmer ’61

died on March 6, 2019. His classmate Bill Kiger ’62 shared that Steve had a special bond with the members of football team, especially with Frank Motter ’61 and Pete Stanton ’61.

Thomas Taber ’62

of Gates Mills, Ohio, died on October 7,

2019.

David Johnson ’62

passed away on January 9, 2020. He had a passion for reading military history and antique cars.

Patrick Danaher ’64 William Bush ’64

died on August 8, 2019.

passed away on December 6, 2019.

Terence “Terry” Glaser ’65

passed away on October 19, 2017, in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania.

Jeffrey Davis ’69 died on April 20, 2020.

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Arthur “Lee” Green ’90 died from the coronavirus on

Former Faculty Duff Chambers,

long time counselor for Cheshire Academy, died in Tombstone, Arizona, on May 20, 2020. After retiring from the Academy in 2005, Duff and his wife Bobbie went on the adventure of their lives. They sold their home in East Lyme and purchased a 40-foot diesel engine Winnebago, and spent the following 12 years traveling all over the United States, including Alaska, finding themselves in Happy Valley every fall in time for Penn State Football. After years on the road, they decided to hang up the motorhome keys and settle in Tombstone, Arizona, where Duff came out of retirement to become the school counselor at Tombstone High School until his passing.

STRONGER TOGETHER July 1, 2019 – June 31, 2020

Introducing the 1794 Societies Recognizing the generous and loyal benefactors who provide leadership support for the Annual Fund each year.

GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN THE CA COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FACULTY. Amid change and challenge, alumni, parents, and friends answered the call last fiscal year to support Cheshire Academy and its students, resulting in over 170 first-time donors and a new record for parent participation at 42 percent. Nearly $2.7 million was contributed to support the Annual Fund, endowment, the arts, athletic and academic programs, and campus facilities projects.

Each and every gift to CA is a vote of confidence in our mission, a show of support for the community that gives our students the opportunity to learn and succeed, and a belief in the power of a CA education.

As we enter a new year of giving and gratitude, and continue to navigate the challenges of the future, your 2020-2021 Annual Fund gift will help to minimize the impact of COVID-19 and provide direct support for CA’s students and faculty in critical key areas: AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESS through increased financial aid ENHANCED TECHNOLOGY by supporting equipment and infrastructure HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES that allow for in-person teaching and learning and preserve the full student experience CHESHIRE ACADEMY’S GREATEST NEEDS providing resources for school leadership to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges

Please make your 2020-2021 gift today by visiting www.cheshireacademy.org/give

Thank you for your continued generosity.

Founder’s Circle

Gifts of $50,000 or more

Bowden League

Gifts of $25,000-$49,999

Bronson Fellows Gifts of $10,000-$24,999

Arthur Sheriff Guild Gifts of $5,000-$9,999

Roxbury Associates Gifts of $2,500-$4,999

Ich Dien Society

Gifts of $1,794-$2,499 Alumni 10-14 years out: $500+ Alumni 5-9 years out: $250+ Alumni 1-4 years out: $100+

Blue and White Club

Donors who have given to the Cheshire Academy Annual Fund at any level for three or more consecutive years, are celebrated as members of the Blue and White Club. Sustaining donors who commit to recurring monthly or yearly gifts immediately become members of the Blue and White Club.

10 MAIN STREET, CHESHIRE, CT 06410

Students in Karleen Kubat’s Drawing and Painting class were asked to showcase what they have experienced in their environments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. This illustration by Madison Ballentine ’23 reflects inner turmoil and emotional challenges, depicted by a Post-it Note smile covering the male subject’s saddened face..

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID HARTFORD, CT PERMIT #1382