1794 Magazine, Cheshire Academy, Spring 2023

FROM HERE TO ANYWHERE

Students, athletics teams, and the rest of the Cheshire Academy community are taking full advantage of the new turf field and three additional tennis courts on the northeast section of campus, with varsity softball and tennis using the complex to practice and host home matches during the spring athletics season.

(Photo courtesy of John McDonald/Connecticut Drone Source.)

Board of Trustees 2022-2023

CHAIR

Jennifer Freedman P’15 Westport, Connecticut

VICE CHAIR

Ronald Bergamo Jr. P’13 Cheshire, Connecticut

TRUSTEES

William Ampofo ’92 Flower Mound, Texas

Angelina Casanova ’00 Baltimore, Maryland

Bart A. DePetrillo ’87 Park City, Utah

Mitchell Herman ’68 Silver Spring, Maryland

Drew Kevorkian ’93 Miami, Florida

Suparna Mody ’00 Mumbai, India

TRUSTEE EMERITI

Michael A. Belfonti ’76 Hamden, Connecticut

Dan Gabel Jr. ’56

New York, New York

David G. Jepson ’59

Glastonbury, Connecticut

Michael Mauro P’11

Monterey, Massachusetts

SECRETARY

Catherine Bonneau P’04,’16 Naples, Florida

TREASURER

Jared Pinsker ’97 Orange, Connecticut

SPRING 2023

STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Chris Hunn P’21

Ken Mason

Michael Torelli

ADVANCEMENT

Barbara Davis P’17,’18,’20,’24

Kathleen Houlihan

Kayla Lipsitz ’10

Sasha Russell

Barbara Vestergaard P’96,’02

CONTRIBUTORS

Antonio Alfaiate P’20,’21

Chip Boyd P’10

Dr. William A. Petit, Jr. Plainville, Connecticut

Praveen R. Savalgi ’06 West Hartford, Connecticut

Todd Savage ’98 Alexandria, Virginia

Murali Venkatramen P’18 Chennai, India

Edgar B. Vinal ’86, P’16,’19 Southington, Connecticut

Donald Rosenberg ’67 Snowmass Village, Colorado

Armando Simosa P’08 Rome, Italy

Brett Stuart ’68, P’09,’09,’10 East Hampton, Connecticut

COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? SUGGESTIONS? NEWS?

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

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© 2023 Cheshire Academy

The Art of Argument

A MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF SCHOOL JULIE ANDERSON

As I write to you today, I am in between trips to visit with alumni, and current and past families on both coasts. This spring has afforded me the first opportunity in several years to travel, spreading the good word of all that is happening at Cheshire Academy. Following visits and a gathering in Washington, D.C. this fall, I have made a long-awaited trip out of the country followed by a week of travels on the East Coast which led to visits in the Midwest and West Coast. While I miss the day to day of campus life when I am away, I am always energized by meeting with alumni and families and hearing so many unique stories about their Cheshire Academy experience.

There is a common thread in all the conversations I am privileged to engage in: Cheshire Academy is a place that provided a warm, supportive, and inclusive space to be one’s authentic self. Relationships with classmates, dormmates, teammates, and faculty are the highlights of everyone’s experience. That sense of community, and love and care, is something that we continue to foster and cultivate for today’s students. As the mother of a soon-to-be graduate of the Class of 2023, I echo what I have heard from so many while on the road: Cheshire Academy is a school that can change lives. Our faculty are top-notch and provide an individualized experience with unparalleled support as they guide each student toward discovering their unlimited potential. What a gift it has been for my children to call Cheshire Academy home. To our faculty, I extend my most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation.

Developing character, confidence, and critical thinking is part of the heart of the mission of Cheshire Academy. You will see this in action as you read about our students and their endeavors and accomplishments. Following a two-month closure of the Arthur Sheriff Field House after a winter storm, our student leaders organized and executed a reopening celebration for the entire community, one in which there was something fun and engaging for everyone. Our students are writers, sustainability leaders, entrepreneurs, activists, and leaders of service. Come to campus to hear from them and I promise that you will be so proud of this generation of scholars and leaders.

The spring brings with it the celebrations for the many milestones our students reach. It is a joy to celebrate with them and their families, particularly with our graduates who will become the newest alumni of Cheshire Academy. As we think toward the future and the global perspective with which these young people will leave their CA home, we are proud of the work we are doing to ensure that everyone is recognized for their uniqueness, and for what they bring to this community. Our antiracist work does not imply that we are or were

a racist school. It means that we are doing what we promise to our families: making sure that everyone can reach their goals. Our job at CA is to ensure that our students are safe and cared for, and that each knows that with hard work, they can achieve what they set out to do. Learning, living, playing, and collaborating with students from different backgrounds — racial, socioeconomic, religious, ethnic, gender identity, and more — is part of what has always been a core value of Cheshire Academy and will continue to be in the future. We are truly a microcosm of the world and what we come to understand and appreciate about one another's background has a lasting impact that is immeasurable.

I hope you will continue to engage with us and come to campus when you are able. Stop by and visit a class, watch a game, attend a concert or theater performance. Over the summer and into the new school year, you will see progress toward our building projects and campus enhancements. Our school community remains vibrant, with our students thriving thanks to your continued commitment, engagement, and support. I look forward to seeing you soon, whether you're here or I am visiting your hometown.

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

As we think toward the future and the global perspective with which these young people will leave their CA home, we are proud of the work we are doing to ensure that everyone is recognized for their uniqueness, and for what they bring to this community.

Tennis with a legend

Five CA students spent their spring recess learning about tennis from one of the sport’s greats.

By Chip Boyd P’10

I first met Lenny Simpson ’68 at Cheshire Academy’s bicentennial celebration, held on campus in 1994.

The bicentennial was an important event in our school history, and it drew a large crowd for festivities under a huge tent. When I walked in, knowing Lenny was there somewhere, I saw a large cluster of people off in the corner. For reasons you will readily understand as you read ahead, they were clustered around Lenny, most of them teammates from one of three sports he played at CA. Incredibly, he was named a prep school All-American in all three — soccer, basketball, and tennis — in 1968. Lenny’s warmth and charisma were evident from the start, and I have enjoyed a friendship with him ever since.

Some of my contact with Lenny was during his tenure as a member of the CA Board of Trustees from 2010-2015. He was on campus more often during those years, including one visit when a filmmaker from the International Tennis Hall of Fame (Newport, Rhode Island) was here to interview him before his induction, and another time when he was here as the keynote speaker for our Martin Luther King Jr. Day programming, when he presented his highly celebrated documentary film on legendary tennis player Althea Gibson. Our students engaged deeply in his excellent presentation; many of them were amazed to learn that Gibson was the first professional athlete to “break the color barrier” in not one but two sports: tennis and golf. Many were duly surprised that they had never heard of her. I will leave it to the reader to consider why this was so. I expect there will be a few readers of this article who were present for Lenny’s presentation.

wall through which children would go to hide when the Ku Klux Klan was just outside “protesting” the education and civil rights activism going on inside.

For our team’s stay in Wilmington, some of us stayed at the Ritz; others stayed with Lenny and his wife of 50 years, JoAnn, in their beautifully restored home, which is now a recognized historical site in Wilmington. The house, which you see in the photo at left, was once owned by Dr. Hubert Eaton, a top-level tennis player, a practicing physician, and a courageous civil rights activist. In the backyard there was — and still is — one soft-surface tennis court, one of the important places where Lenny and many fellow Black players trained many years ago. One of those players was Gibson. She lived with Dr. Eaton and his wife for 10 years as she trained to become a world class player. Once in extreme disrepair, 1406 Orange Street is also the home of One Love, Lenny’s nonprofit that serves many Wilmington children of all kinds through expert tennis training and one-on-one academic enrichment experiences.

One particularly vivid moment was during our tour of the education center at 1406 Orange Street — Lenny’s residence with significant historical meaning for the world of tennis and Wilmington area — when Lenny showed us the “hiding place,” a small door in the wall through which children would go to hide when the Ku Klux Klan was just outside “protesting” the education and civil rights activism going on inside.

I have traveled with CA tennis players to many places around the United States during my 35 years of coaching. I had long contemplated a visit to Wilmington, North Carolina, where we could link up with Lenny on his home turf, and this was the year to do it. So, I was excited on March 19, when five student-athletes traveled with me during this year’s spring training recess to Wilmington. We were there for a week and had a memorable and stimulating experience that included demanding tennis, vivid social experiences, and lots of education about American social and athletic history. One particularly vivid moment was during our tour of the education center at 1406 Orange Street — Lenny’s residence with significant historical meaning for the world of tennis and Wilmington area — when Lenny showed us the “hiding place,” a small door in the

Lenny was once ranked as high as 37th in the world and has been an important person in U.S. tennis ever since. As great as this is, there are other facts of his early athletic life that are also remarkable. When he moved from The Hill School (Pennsylvania) to Cheshire Academy to engage in a higher-level athletic program in September 1967, he had just recently been the youngest participant ever in the U.S. Open, competing under 16 years of age. Lenny’s CA soccer coach, a native of Germany, tried to persuade Lenny’s mother to allow him to spend the summer with him in Germany to pursue a career as a professional goalkeeper. Lenny’s mom said “no.” When he went to college, Lenny attempted to play both tennis and basketball at the Division I level, but soon found handling tennis alone was demanding enough.

I could go on about this impressive CA alumnus. You can visit his website (one-love-tennis.org) and you can purchase a recently published book about him on Amazon: “In the Shadows of Tennis Legends: The Lenny Simpson Story.”

What follows are some brief testimonies from the five students who traveled with me. I told each of them they represented their families and our school beautifully. I know that Lenny, a proud CA alumnus, was proud of all of them too, both on and off the court.

ANJALI GURURAJ ’23

Visiting the Simpson family in Wilmington was an incomparable experience. In the week we spent with them, I learned more about myself as a tennis player than I imagined possible. Mr. Simpson taught us how to effectively use court space in doubles matches, a very crucial part of the sport which I am now incorporating into my game.

We trained with local high school kids in the mornings and afternoons, and then spent the evenings hearing about Mr. Simpson’s amazing experiences playing in the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He shared stories about Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe, his personal friends and two of the greatest tennis players of their time who broke the color barrier and changed the face of the game. Mr. Simpson’s love for the sport can be seen in his passion for helping young developing players acquire skills that will take them to the next level.

This trip taught me a great deal about the struggles people of color lived through in the past to ensure that in the future other young players of color just like me are seen as equals every time we step out on the court.

ANNA BLOOM ’24

My experience working with Mr. Simpson and the One Love Tennis Foundation was both an enjoyable and educational experience. Not only did we get some one-on-one time with Mr. Simpson himself to improve our gameplay, we also got the chance to help coach young kids who are new to tennis, and to see them improve. Watching Mr. Simpson coach taught me a lot about what it means to be a leader. He is deeply respected in his community. You can see that from how kids, including myself, look up to him.

DAVID CARROLL ’24

While visiting the Simpson family in Wilmington, we were fortunate enough to meet and play against many great tennis players our age who attend North Carolina high schools. We also had a chance to coach students much younger than us. Everyone had a blast. I saw how Mr. Simpson was an inspiration to not only the little kids playing tennis but to all the kids in the area. When the kids first stepped onto the tennis court, they ran to and hugged Mr. Simpson. He was strict and fierce in a good way when he was coaching us on the court, but right when the little kids came, he showed his true self — he is a big teddy bear who cares about everyone.

Even though it wasn’t intentional, he taught me that I must truly know someone before I can understand what type of person they are. The first day that we arrived in North Carolina, Mr. Simpson came off as a sort of grumpy person who wants to live his way. I thought this was how the entire week was going to go. When we started to play tennis, he sat in his chair, loudly urging us to play with more awareness, focus, and intelligence.

It only took a few days to find out that Mr. Simpson was an amazing person whose only goal this week was to give us a great time and help us become better tennis players. He taught us the value of listening in practice, how to play doubles correctly, and how to get more consistent in hitting ground strokes.

On the last day, Mr. Simpson came to us and gave us a heartwarming speech. He talked to us about the many misfortunes that have happened to him in the past few years, saying that he should be dead right now. He said that, in the past three years, he has had three strokes and is battling cancer. All the doctors said that it is a miracle that he is still alive. He said to us that he never knew why God decided to keep him alive all this time, but he felt sure part of the reason was to meet us and share his amazing story with us. Mr. Simpson then started to tear up while saying how great of a group of kids we are and that he was truly blessed that he got to meet us.

JACK SILANO ’24

My experience with Mr. Simpson and the One Love Tennis Foundation is one I will not soon forget. While I have only been playing tennis for a short time, there are a few names anyone who has played the sport should know, names such as such as Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson, who were Mr. Simpson’s friends and mentors. To play

on the very court where both of those legends trained and to be in the house where they lived — where the Simpson family now lives — was a new way for me to experience American history. To be coached by Lenny Simpson, a man who grew up to be a world-class tennis player after learning from those legends, was just as surreal. I was able to learn techniques and strategies and ways of playing the game I had never even considered or heard of. It is true that professionals like Mr. Simpson have a vast wisdom of the game, I am forever grateful that he was so willing to share all of it with us.

As you have read, the students and I had a wonderful experience in Wilmington. It was a deep pleasure for me to watch a once-world class player with 30 professional doubles titles to his credit coach our players in doubles technique. Lenny and JoAnn made us feel at home and frequently expressed their pleasure in having us there. It is an honor for me and our players to consider Lenny and JoAnn our personal friends.

If you ever travel to Wilmington, be sure to stop in to say hello at 1406 Orange Street. I know for sure that Lenny and JoAnn will welcome you with open arms.

DANNY XUE ’24

It was a great experience to travel with Mr. Boyd and my classmates to Wilmington to meet Mr. Simpson, a tennis legend, and to learn a lot about the sport. Mr. Simpson has many players who have followed him from a young age, who he let us play tennis against and learn from. Some of them played very well; they all had different backgrounds, and it was great to meet all of them. I also participated in volunteer activities to teach young kids who are part of One Love tennis. I feel that this volunteer activity was very meaningful for me because it was the first time I was able to serve as an assistant on the court. I also learned some stories about One Love Tennis and Mr. Simpson’s personal experiences as well.

AUNT FLOW AND OTHER INITIATIVES

he Coleman Group

Cheshire Academy students are more than just learners. They’re global-minded thinkers. They’re driven. They’re citizens. They’re supportive. They’re starters.

And just as important, they’re solvers. Just ask Capri Frissora ’25, and the rest of The Coleman Group members, who identified a problem on campus and worked together to find a solution.

During her 9th grade year, Frissora was encouraged by faculty and classmates to join The Coleman Group. While hesitant, she said she wanted to be part of a group that “made a difference in my community and makes improvements and changes that benefit women on campus.”

At her first meeting, Frissora and her peers were asked if they saw anything around campus that they wished to change. “I immediately thought of the lack of menstrual care product dispensers (on campus). More and more companies and schools are implementing them in their facilities, and I wanted CA to be part of that change.”

One year later and wiser, Frissora revisited the issue with The Coleman Group. Together, they began researching ways to provide menstrual care products to girls on campus throughout the school day. They discovered Aunt Flow, a woman-led organization that has worked with hundreds of businesses and schools across North America — Google, Netflix, and Princeton University, to name a few — to provide free menstrual care products on site. Aunt Flow sells dispensers that provide pads and tampons. Credit to Colleen Altenburger, science teacher and associate dean of students, for connecting The Coleman Group to Aunt Flow.

Below, members of The Coleman Group stand with a menstrual care product dispenser, made available through Aunt Flow. At right, The Coleman Group celebrated International Women's Day in part during lunch, when they provided members of the CA community with a variety of gifts.

“After a successful pitch to Ms. Anderson, we were told that if we could raise a certain amount of money, Cheshire Academy would more than double it. This is when the project that had been a dream became a reality, and I realized that this was going to happen,” Frissora said.

How

continues to give women the resources to make positive change in the world

Through fundraising efforts on campus, the group collected approximately $800, which was applied toward the purchase of four dispensers. Their most significant fundraiser was a snack table at the student versus faculty basketball game prior to winter recess.

Kai Scwhartz ’23 was surprised at how supportive the community was, with one faculty member even donating $100 toward their cause.

“I was so happy that people were willing to support this project with their hard-earned money,” they said. “Not only direct members of the community, but family members and other supporters were critical to making this happen.”

“Capri saw an issue on campus and she worked hard to fix it,” Molly Golden ’24 said. “She was the backbone of this project and these dispensers around campus are a reflection of her hard work and commitment to CA to make it a better place.”

The dispensers were installed in the Arthur Sheriff Field House, John J. White ’38 Science & Technology Center, and the Library & Humanities Building. For The Coleman Group members, seeing the dispensers up and operational elicited pride, and a drive to continue their great work.

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished and what we will accomplish in the future,” Schwartz said. “Though I am graduating this year, I would love for the group to continue this project until every bathroom has a dispenser. Although women’s rights have come a long way since the beginning of the feminist movement, there are still gaps, one of which is equity and accessibility in menstrual care.”

LOOKING FORWARD

Since its start in 2004, The Coleman Group was led by former senior master and faculty member Karen Smith. After her retirement in 2021, Smith passed the reins to Elisa Laudati ’05, director of the Roxbury Academic Support Program and former group member.

“I was one of the first classes of The Coleman Group when it started,” Laudati said, reflecting on her time as a member. “The thing I remember most was just being a community of women, and that was really wonderful.”

Now as an advisor, Laudati follows The Coleman Group’s mission statement, which reads in part that the group “aims to empower young female, female identifying, and gender nonconforming Cheshire Academy students by developing their voice, their leadership skills, and their knowledge of topics that influence their gender.”

This year, Laudati was joined by Madeleine Bergstrom, director of college counseling. Bergstrom has watched the group grow over her eight years at CA, and believes they are in a position of opportunity to celebrate and empower young women on campus.

“We talk about how we’re driven by female leaders here and globally what that means to our students, especially students who come from different backgrounds,” Bergstrom said. “It’s really invigorating and really exciting to see folks take initiative.”

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Celebrated on March 8, The Coleman Group organized a campuswide recognition for International Women’s Day, a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. In recent years, The Coleman Group has hosted alumnae and organized workshops to empower women on campus.

This year, The Coleman Group spread awareness about the day, its history, goals, and this year’s theme of #EmbraceEquity. The group took the opportunity to share information during morning meetings, held activities about gender inequity, and organizations that support women were shared during advisory sessions.

The Coleman Group members also sponsored THK Global Consulting and the Black Girls Achieve Summit, the latter of which was a daylong leadership and networking conference attended by five CA students and Laudati. This was the first year the summit was held, convening 150 Black girls in middle school, high school, and colleges in the state of Connecticut. Not only did the summit serve as a networking opportunity, but aimed to inspire and uplift girls as they learned from likeminded individuals in a space the students may otherwise not have.

A panel and networking opportunity for female leaders and business owners from various fields was also held on May 9.

REPRESENT!

GETTING TO KNOW THIS YEAR’S STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

They spoke. Their peers listened.

Throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, Osajie Imevbore ’23 and Shreeya Gomathinayagam ’24 responded to the concerns, requests, and suggestions of their peers, leaving their mark on Cheshire Academy. And they’ve been successful, to say the least.

A year ago, Imevbore and Gomathinayagam considered their run as student body president and vice president. Both shared a similar passion of wanting to represent their classmates. Acting as delegates of the student body would allow them to use their knowledge and skills to better Cheshire Academy for the entire student body, and students who will follow in the years to come.

But before them was a tough and personal race, as Imevbore and Gomathinayagam had to run against classmates who they also consider their friends. There were heated debates amongst those vying for the elected positions, but Imevbore and Gomathinayagam’s message was heard loud and clear.

For the two, winning was a meaningful experience, especially after having their high school years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking back on the start of his 10th grade year, Imevbore said, “I didn’t really know anyone. I just had my twin brother when I got here.”

Imevbore admitted that he was quiet when he first came to Cheshire Academy, oftentimes seen observing the room and enjoying the company of his peers rather than leading the conversation. Deep inside, though, he had the drive and history of being a leader, having served as a class prefect while in school in the United Kingdom, and in leadership roles in elementary school in Nigeria.

While he was originally considering a run as head prefect, a few of his 12th grade friends persuaded him to run for president. He’s glad he listened; he received several comments from his peers about how good his nomination speech was.

“For someone who didn’t speak at all sophomore year to doing that — it was a huge step for me,” Imevbore said. “I was becoming more comfortable in an environment in which I felt so small before.”

A SECOND CHANCE

Gomathinayagam, who attended a local catholic school prior to coming to CA at the start of her 9th grade year, has had experience serving as a class representative, secretary, and as president of her eighth-grade class. However, her presidency was short lived, as the pandemic impacted inperson learning.

“I never really felt like I properly did my job in a sense because I didn’t have a lot of time to do so,” she said.

Gomathinayagam had the itch to continue to serve her classmates so, during her first year at CA, she ran for the position of class representative. She won. “Knowing that I was able to win people over with a speech and with my personality — it was a confidence boost.”

She’s continued to serve in an elected position since starting high school. When the makeup of student body elections was changed last year to a student body president and vice president leadership, she sought the role of vice president, knowing that she would be able to build up the new program herself.

A PERFECT BALANCE

Both Imevbore and Gomathinayagam have diverse backgrounds; Imevbore a boarding student, and Gomathinayagam a day student. They both have a global mindset — Imevbore was born in Virginia, and has lived in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom, while Gomathinayagam was born in New Hampshire and moved to Connecticut during her fifth-grade year. She attended preschool in India, and used to split her residency each year between living in India with her grandparents and in the United States with her parents.

The two used their strengths as students and individuals to represent a vast majority of the student body. As Gomathinayagam puts it: “We hold a good representation.”

“I don’t think it gets more complicated than that,” Imevbore said, of him being a Nigerian United Kingdom student who was born in the U.S., and Gomathinayagam, “an Indian vice president — who is also female — is about as diverse as it gets.”

AN ACCOMPLISHED YEAR

With the change in elections, Imevbore and Gomathinayagam knew they had a daunting task in front of them to grow the program into something worthwhile. They quickly tapped Head Prefect Eric Benoit ’23 and representatives from The CA Student Section student-run group to include more areas of student life in the decision-making process. It was a goal of theirs to keep the CA community strong, which was a daunting task after the Class of 2022 graduated.

“We had a gap to fill, obviously, with all of our seniors leaving,” Imevbore said. “They were the life of the school last year, so we were given a big responsibility and huge shoes to fill.”

“I feel like we’ve taken some risks and challenged some decisions,” Imevbore said, “and they seem to have paid off, and they’re still paying off.”

The two used their strengths and knowledge to split duties; as a boarding student, Imevbore handled issues concerning life on campus and prefects, while Gomathinayagam worked with peer mentors and day students. And, because of their backgrounds, they appealed to international students as well.

According to Gomathinayagam, “It’s worked out,” as they tried to be an approachable team.

“I think we place an emphasis on including everybody and making sure everybody has a say,” Gomathinayagam said. “One on one, personalized; we make sure that we’re friendly and that we are people who our peers feel comfortable approaching and talking to.”

This year, they hosted a faculty versus student basketball game and, when the Arthur Sheriff Field House reopened after sustaining wind damage in December, they organized a reopening day celebration, with basketball, dodgeball, and volleyball tournaments, an open mic session in the Black Box Theater, painting a mural, and yoga in the fitness center. (See more photos from the event on page 25.)

Another major accomplishment was the reintroduction of interdorm visitation. It’s something the two had been working on for much of the year to reinstitute, and they’re proud to say they achieved it. It was well received by students and faculty alike, with open hours at Motter and Markin halls on the weekends.

“I feel like we’ve taken some risks and challenged some decisions,” Imevbore said, “and they seem to have paid off, and they’re still paying off.”

“One on one, personalized; we make sure that we’re friendly and that we are people who our peers feel comfortable approaching and talking to.”

Shreeya Gomathinayagam ’24

Osajie Imevbore ’23

Everybody has a story to tell.

Our institution has a long-established tradition of honoring and acknowledging our young alumni. CA’s reputation rests on the achievements and impact of each student who graduates and goes on to make their individual mark. Our graduates are thriving at locations around the globe, seizing opportunities of growth, learning, and experience. They are pushing boundaries and becoming trailblazers in their fields. We invite you to read their stories and personal reflections below, and draw inspiration from their work in the realms of fashion, food, finance, fundraising, and real estate.

Christian Malerba ’04

Where did life take you after Cheshire Academy?

After graduating from Cheshire Academy, I earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut. I played four years of varsity tennis in the Big East Conference and was captain my junior and senior seasons. After graduating from UConn (the 2023 NCAA Division I Basketball Champions!), I spent time teaching tennis professionally around Connecticut and coaching varsity tennis at Hopkins School.

How did CA prepare you for college, and how did it influence your professional career?

Cheshire prepared me academically, athletically, and socially for college. Campus created an environment similar to that of college, which allowed

me to make a smooth and seamless transition. I never thought I’d be a fundraiser, but my connection to the Cheshire Academy community — specifically former Head of School Jerry Larson — opened the door to a part-time fundraising position in 2011, which then led to a full-time position in 2012. I fell in love with the nonprofit world and continue to enjoy being in the business of giving back.

What are you doing currently?

I am the chief development officer for Project Recover. Project Recover is a collaborative effort to enlist 21st century science and technology in a quest to find and repatriate Americans missing in action (MIAs) since World War II, in order to provide recognition and closure for families and the nation. www.ProjectRecover.org

What are your personal and professional goals? What impact do you want to have on the world?

A personal goal of mine is to find time to thank each person that has had a positive impact on my life or has taken the time to mentor me. One of my professional goals is to continue working for organizations that make a difference in the lives of others.

I’d like to be remembered as a loyal friend, good person, and family man.

Who was your favorite teacher at CA, and why?

Coach Boyd. From day one of middle school and throughout my journey at CA, Coach was always there for me. During my five years at CA, he was a teacher, advisor, coach, and mentor. We made many incredible memories during my academic and athletic career at CA; however, my fondest memories with Coach stem from my time working in the Advancement Office. I will always cherish the long conversations we had in my office reminiscing about tennis and the time we spent coaching together on the tennis court. I continue to stay in touch with Coach and his family.

Why do you think it’s important for you and other alumni to stay connected with — and support — Cheshire Academy? How has your connection to CA helped you?

Cheshire Academy is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in forever. I’ve spent nearly a third of my life on campus as a student or employee and look forward to spending the next phase of my life giving back to the school. I left the Advancement Office in 2019 and was fortunate to work for the United Service Organizations (USO), serving activeduty military members and their families. It was fellow alumnus Brian Whiting ’87 who helped me get my job at USO. Brian continues to serve as a mentor to me and has helped me grow my career professionally.

I continue to be best friends with my core group of Cheshire Academy friends. We’ve spent the last 10 years celebrating weddings and watching our families grow.

I am also grateful and indebted to my colleagues in the Advancement Office — past and present — who have taught me so much about being a fundraising professional.

What was one of your favorite songs to listen to during your time at CA?

"We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel. This was a song that my good friend Anthony Laudano ’04 introduced to me. Anthony knew every word. It was a favorite amongst my group of CA buddies!

Kayla Lipsitz ’10

Where did life take you after Cheshire Academy?

Cheshire Academy provided me with invaluable experiences that served me well on my journey after graduating. Following graduation, I attended Quinnipiac University. I immediately took advantage of all QU had to offer at the time, explored a diverse array of courses, and spent time traveling when I could! A year into school, I specifically loved spending part of my summer traveling throughout the South of France and absorbing the vibrant culture. Upon graduation from QU, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and found myself fully diving into the southern lifestyle where on every corner you discover great art, culture, unique cuisine and, best of all, the southern dialects! Prior to coming back to CA, I served as a marketing director for a boutique

real estate company. It was there I learned how to navigate a fast-paced work environment and grow professionally. In July 2022, I got married in one of my favorite places, Martha’s Vineyard, to my husband Harrison, whom I met at Quinnipiac. Aside from my professional career, I enjoy spending my days playing tennis, reading books, and traveling throughout Connecticut.

How did CA prepare you for college, and how did it influence your professional career?

Learning what it means to be a self-advocate was by far the most valuable tool I gained from Cheshire Academy. At its core, selfadvocacy represents understanding, innovation in action, and strong communication. I am grateful for the rigorous and rewarding academic journey CA prepared me for to enter my undergraduate studies. However, the specific social tools mentioned allowed me to be adaptable well beyond college; in fact, I've been able to adapt and flourish not only in my professional career, but in real-world scenarios as well.

What are you doing currently?

Currently, I am proud to be the director of alumni and family relations at CA. I have the pleasure of connecting with various individuals who have been a part of our beloved community anywhere from 70 years ago to today. My goal is to invest in the stories of others, the mission, and vision of Cheshire Academy.

What are your personal and professional goals? What impact do you want to have on the world?

I believe in Cheshire Academy’s vision of positively shaping our global citizens of tomorrow, so that’s what I will do too! I strive to be a resource and a well of wisdom and knowledge and, most importantly, encourage others to always put empathy first. Moreover, influencing anything in life requires the power of community. Working together as a community is what gives me inspiration and hope for change.

When you reflect on your time at CA, was there a moment or experience that, looking back now, influenced your path to where you are today?

My experience of being a part of such a diverse community is what eventually led me back to CA. Even throughout my travels and residing in various cities, I did not find a place as welcoming and diverse as Cheshire Academy. CA is certainly a special little place that makes a big impact.

Who was your favorite teacher at CA, and why?

It’s difficult to say who my favorite teacher at CA was considering the many important roles they all play — from teacher and coach to dorm parent — and the level of time and dedication they sacrifice to ensure their students are well taken care of, but one special individual sticks out: my advisor, Laura Longacre. She was with me from the first day of CA up until my last moment at graduation. I will always treasure her commitment, passion, and kind personality. My family and I are so grateful for her — thank you, Laura!

Why do you think it’s important for you and other alumni to stay connected with — and support — Cheshire Academy? How has your connection to CA helped you?

As an alumna, I am one of many who consider Cheshire Academy a home away from home. Undoubtedly, our common experiences and aspirations are what hold our community together and make us stronger. Staying connected is the best advice I’d give any CA member for the reason you will always have a community to lean on that’s willing and ready to assist you with anything you need, from networking, forming community groups around the world, and many of other opportunities. Whether you are from the Class of 1967 or 2020, Cheshire Academy has something for you. Because of CA, I can build upon professional skill sets and life achievements.

What was one of your favorite songs to listen to during your time at CA?

“Men Señará!” A beautiful song written by a Spanish artist named Bebe from Valencia, Spain. Shown to me by a friend at the time at CA from Barcelona, Spain. I loved “Men Señará” so much I now have the song forever memorized!

Malik Golden ’12

Where did life take you after Cheshire Academy?

Life took me to Penn State, where I received two degrees: one in broadcast journalism, and another in telecommunications.

How did CA prepare you for college, and how did it influence your professional career?

As a boarding student at CA, the school helped me to adjust to my life away from family. It gave me the fundamental structure to succeed academically.

What are you doing currently?

Right now, I own a real estate company, as well as a restaurant called Soul Bowls in Hartford, Connecticut, which I will be expanding over the next couple of years.

What are your personal and professional goals in life? What impact do you want to have on the world?

My personal goals are to wake up happy and live life on my own terms while also being a positive influence on those around me. My professional goals are to expand my real estate company and to start a restaurant group that is all over the world. I’m not sure about the impact I will have on the world yet, but my goal is to impact everyone around me in a positive and inspirational way.

When you reflect on your time at CA, was there a moment or experience that, looking back now, influenced your path to where you are today?

The success that I had at CA set the standard for the success that I would strive for, for the rest of my life.

Who was your favorite teacher at CA, and why?

My favorite teacher at CA would be Mr. Black, because he had such an infectious personality and cared about his students. Also, Mr. Rogers was one of my favorite teachers, and shout out to Mrs. Nolan too! But the people that I connected with and loved the most were the maintenance and the lunch crews.

Why do you think it’s important for you and other alumni to stay connected with — and support — Cheshire Academy? How has your connection to CA helped you?

Cheshire Academy served as the foundation for many of our lives, so it’s only right that we support and give back.

What was one of your favorite songs to listen to during your time in CA?

I can't remember my favorite song to be exact. However, Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa used to go crazy! Shout out to Mrs. Kubat for putting me on to Adele.

Joe Tacopina ’17

Where did life take you after Cheshire Academy?

Upon graduating from Cheshire Academy, I had always had the vision of starting my own brand and hoping to one day begin my journey and take on the fashion industry, but first, I had the opportunity to challenge myself as a Division I athlete playing football at Temple University. After adapting to a new routine on a new campus, I realized over time

that my true calling and passion was to bring my ideas and vision to life through the expression of clothing, which is what I use to represent who I am. Despite not having a formal education in fashion design, I took on this challenge with my full efforts to self-educate and test my capabilities with trial and error, which is something I inherited by habit and practice as an athlete at Cheshire. Life mimics sports in many ways: developing a good work ethic, perseverance, and keeping focus on my objective, all of which led me to where I am today with Davide, my clothing brand. www.davideclothing.com, and on Instagram @davidedesigns and @joseph.davide_.

How did CA prepare you for college, and how did it influence your professional career?

While at Cheshire, I had a glimpse of what college life consisted of. Living on campus, participating in sports, and the academic curriculum all contributed to my skills managing a healthy and balanced studentathlete life on my own over the years. Being a student in a prestigious and elite school like Cheshire allowed me to surround myself with like-minded people who had aspirations to succeed in life. Many of the friendships I developed over the years opened my perspective of what the world has to offer, which helped me broaden my horizons, chase big goals, and challenge my limits. The diverse backgrounds of many around me opened my eyes to see a bigger picture.

What are you doing currently?

I chose to unenroll from Temple University after one year there, believing it would be for my best interest to put my full efforts into creating and learning about product design as well as understanding the complex world of fashion. I released my first collection of high-end luxury men’s design wear in June 2022 and am currently undergoing production for my second collection, which releases in June 2023. Davide has been worn by countless celebrities and athletes, including A$AP Rocky, Richie Akiva, Garrett Wilson, and Antonio Candreva. I am set to open my first pop-up store in downtown Westport, Connecticut, enhancing direct demand from product to customer.

What are your personal and professional goals?

What impact do you want to have on the world?

When thinking of professional goals, I see Davide continuing to grow and succeed. Five years from now, I see Davide on runway shows, in the global eye, and a competing brand in the top designer retail stores in the country and internationally. I see Davide becoming a fashion house. I visualize those wearing it embodying the meaning of the brand and representing it with pride. I want my customers to fall in love with the product for what it is, I want them to feel connected with the brand, and to truthfully forget about the price point and buy the item of clothing for what the meaning behind Davide stands for. Personal goals involve eventually having a tight-knit family and living part-time in Europe as well as here in the United States to give my family a beautiful life seeing the world.

When you reflect on your time at CA, was there a moment or experience that, looking back now, influenced your path to where you are today?

I think the diversity and blend of cultures allowed me to get a glimpse into the world. Developing friendships with people from different parts of the world and adapting to new and different ideologies helps me appreciate people I work with, their different points of view, and ideas.

Who was your favorite teacher at CA, and why?

My favorite teachers at CA were Dr. Sacco, Mrs. Monahan, and Ms. Simon. All three of them encouraged my independent thinking and strengthened my foundation with the tools I needed to succeed.

Why do you think it’s important for you and other alumni to stay connected with — and support — Cheshire Academy? How has your connection to CA helped you?

Even if you weren’t close with certain people in high school, I believe it’s for your best interest to always keep an open mind. You never know

where opportunities can present themselves. In my instance, two of my investors and customers for Davide are alumni I met at Cheshire Academy.

What was one of your favorite songs to listen to during your time at CA?

What I listened to the most was Lil Uzi Vert’s “The Perfect LUV Tape” album. The songs remind me of my good times at Cheshire as well as my senior football season.

Kate Davis ’18

Where did life take you after Cheshire Academy?

After graduating Cheshire Academy in 2018, I continued my education at Providence College where I majored in business economics and minored in public and community service studies. During my time at PC, I busied myself with work study positions and internships, continued to pursue my passions of exercise and environmentalism, and met lifelong friends. This path led me to my current job as an analyst at JPMorgan Chase.

How did CA prepare you for college, and how did it influence your professional career?

Cheshire Academy prepared me for college by continuously pushing me outside of my comfort zone — I was encouraged to reach beyond what I perceived as my academic, social, or physical limits. This manifested in many ways, but one of the most impactful was being a part of the full IB Diploma Programme. These classes forced me to think outside the box, seek patterns in my learning, remain curious, and prioritize time management/organization. These skills not only prepared me for college but are lessons I carry with me each day professionally as well.

What are you doing currently?

I am currently working as an analyst in the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Corporate Analyst Development Program in Plano, Texas. This two-year rotational program allows me to learn more about bank functions and develop key business skills and competencies through three unique opportunities each aligned to a core discipline: project management, process improvement, and analytics.

What are your personal and professional goals? What impact do you want to have on the world?

One broad professional goal of mine is to use data to drive social change, develop communities, and create a more equitable future. A specific area of interest is climate solutions and public policy — I want to be a part of the global shift toward a green economy. Each day I prioritize living sustainably to the best of my ability, but throughout college I realized that these micro-level actions, although important, are not going to move the needle. On a personal note, I want to prioritize traveling both domestically and internationally. There are many places that I hope to visit one day but at the top of my list is Southern France.

When you reflect on your time at CA, was there a moment or experience that, looking back now, influenced your path to where you are today?

My experience at Cheshire Academy taught me the importance of community. Whether it was participating in the annual international fair where students showcased their culture through food, pictures,

and artifacts, or lining the campus with luminary candles during Lights of Hope each fall, CA always succeeded at bringing people together. These experiences, among others, instilled the importance of community and I seek this feeling out wherever I go. In college, I was drawn to the small class sizes and strong alumni network. Professionally, I decided to work for a company who stresses global thinking and harnesses a culture of inclusion.

In addition to CA’s strong sense of community, I am grateful that an extra help period was strategically placed in our schedules each day. This removed any “shame” around seeking assistance and asking questions. I am learning early on in my career that there is no such thing as a dumb question and being curious goes a long way.

Who was your favorite teacher at CA, and why?

I had a long list of amazing teachers during my time at CA but Mrs. Wright, who taught my math class junior and senior year, was one of my favorites. I always looked forward to her class because the topics were ingestible and interesting, and the two years in her class helped me realize my strength in working with numbers. Lastly, Mrs. Wright exudes confidence — a quality that has proved to be significantly important as a woman in business today.

Why do you think it’s important for you and other alumni to stay connected with — and support — Cheshire Academy? How has your connection to CA helped you?

It is a privilege to belong to a global network of talented, driven, intelligent, and kind people. When looking at my graduating class, it seems as though no two people are on the same path. Some became entrepreneurs, some are pursuing master’s degrees, some work for nonprofit organizations, and the list goes on. Every alumni is unique in their own way and I find comfort in knowing I have people to turn to, to learn about different industries and careers. A Cheshire Academy education reaches far beyond what you learn in the classroom and I continue to support for this reason and want to ensure future students reap the same benefits.

What was one of your favorite songs to listen to during your time at CA?

Any song off of Khalid’s album “American Teen” or the song “Next to Me” by Imagine Dragons.

The Art of Argument

EDUCATING CHESHIRE ACADEMY STUDENTS ON THE IMPORTANCE AND INFLUENCE OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

Think about the last time you attended an event or program where someone spoke before a large crowd.

What was unique about them?

They likely displayed poise and confidence, and exhibited a high level of knowledge in the subject matter they were discussing. They controlled the room. They naturally drew out emotion from the audience.

There is no doubt that public speaking is an important talent when it comes to persuading, motivating, and invigorating groups and crowds. Just ask Bill Mella P’26, creator and teacher of Cheshire Academy’s semester-long The Art of Argument course.

“I love teaching this course,” Mella said, in his classroom. “What’s more important than being able to communicate, and what’s more personable than being able to speak it? No matter what technology is out there, words from someone’s mouth will always be more valuable.”

The class was first offered during the fall semester of this academic year. And there’s no better person to lead the course; Mella, a longtime broadcast journalism veteran, has worked both behind the scenes and in visible roles on both radio and television shows around the country, including ABC News Radio and ESPN. He was also recently appointed head coach of the varsity football program, and is head coach of the varsity boys’ lacrosse team, so he knows the importance of projecting one’s voice, either in a room or across a field.

As part of the course description, The Art of Argument teaches students how to “engage in audience analysis during speech brainstorming, organization, and delivery. Students explore different areas of persuasive speaking including, but not limited to, law, social media, public issues, and policy.”

Throughout the semester, students are tasked with researching topics and issues of both Mella’s and their choosing, crafting their own speeches, and presenting in front of their peers. The students also record themselves presenting, which they later review to see how they can improve.

Eliana Orlinsky ’24 enrolled in The Art of Argument because she loves public speaking, and hoped that the course would develop her skills and provide her with a challenge. “It is such a unique course that many other schools don’t offer, so I knew immediately that I wanted to sign up for it,” she said.

Before she started the class, the thought of memorizing a speech was daunting. When Mella told his students they would be presenting without notes, Orlinsky remembered that she and the rest of the class looked terrified. But with Mella’s guidance, she and her classmates were able to improve upon their memorization and confidence.

Orlinsky’s improvement truly shined during the class’s task to recite a work from Shakespeare by memory.

“I was able to successfully deliver my speech to the class,” Orlinsky said. “It was challenging at first, but after preparing and practicing beforehand as Mr. Mella encouraged us to, it wasn’t too bad.”

Throughout the course, students research and deliver poetry, some of the world’s greatest speeches in history (Churchill’s address to parliament, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Day of Infamy, and others), songs in spoken form (which can be a challenge when you’re familiar with the tune!) and even hold classwide debates. In the beginning of the course, students had to deliver radio commercials in both hard sell (think car sales) and soft sell (think jewelry sales) formats as a way to familiarize themselves with their voice as a tool for public speaking.

For MacKenzie Cristman ’23 — who took the course in the fall — The Art of Argument served her well: she improved upon her public speaking skills, which was the main reason she signed up for the class.

“I gained confidence speaking about topics I’m passionate about,” Cristman said. “Mr. Mella created a space where we were free to creatively speak our mind, which helped everyone to be comfortable. Not only did I take away new public speaking skills from the class, but also a newfound respect for public speaking — that it takes courage for a person to stand up in front of an audience and speak about something they believe in.”

Cristman’s success in class confirmed Mella’s belief that the class could enforce positive change in students’ public speaking skills. “The biggest transformation was in, for most people, their voice,” he said. “It went from students hiding behind their scripts and talking into their papers to the paper being down by their waist, and they were speaking to the back of the room. They were making eye contact and working the room, and referring to notes.”

“Every single student in there just grew,” Mella continued. “There were a few students who, when they stood up, they knew that they delivered.

It was their poise; they just walked different. They knew that they had improved. The way with which they carried themselves at the end of the course was just so much different than the first time that they had to speak in front of the class. As a teacher, that’s the coolest thing on the planet.”

No matter what technology is out there, words from someone’s mouth will always be more valuable.”

Ask any Cheshire Academy alumni who attended

Discovery Week

and you’re likely to bring back fond memories.

From visiting Disney to learning how to cook from renowned chefs around the area, and dog sledding in Canada, there was something for everyone offered at CA’s Discovery Week program.

In the 2005 Discovery Week program booklet, it reads, “Discovery Week is a weeklong program that provides students with the opportunity to explore new activities, fields of study, or areas of interest. The Cheshire Academy faculty sponsor programs that are of personal interest or in which they have expertise that provides students with a meaningful as well as educational experience.”

Programs included trips to locations around the world, college tours, learning new trades and skills — like crafting a handmade bow — and opportunities to grow as learners and global citizens.

Check out some of the photos from Discovery Week from the early 2000s. Recognize anyone from the pictures, or remember some of your experiences if you participated in Discovery Week? We’d love to hear about them! Email us at communications@ cheshireacademy.org to tell us what you did during Discovery Week.

ON CAMPUS

CELEBRATING THE KING

On Jan. 16, the Cheshire Academy community participated in a daylong series of programming celebrating the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Starting off the day was a keynote address from Lex Gillette, Paralympian and World Athletics medalist. During his presentation, Gillette spoke about losing his sight when he was 8 years old and the difficulties he faced as a result. He reflected on the support he received from his mother and high school athletics coach, the latter of whom guided Gillette to become a member of the school’s basketball team, and later an athletic career in the Paralympics.

Gillette noted that King stepped out of his comfort zone and challenged a system that had been in place for years because of a vision he had. Vision, according to Gillette, can be a driving force behind change. For him, it allowed him to be a member of the basketball team, and to get to where he is today.

“A lot of things we experience right now, he saw those things because of a vision he had,” Gillette said. “Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to live his life and see a lot of the things he spoke of.”

Gillette spoke about still having a vision, despite losing his sight. In January 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was training for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games when someone at the San Diego-based training facility tested positive, shutting down group training. His vision had him going to the Games so, in order to train, he woke up early in the morning, and would set up his phone and a Bluetooth speaker as markers on the track to identify where he should start and stop his exercises.

“Vision allows you to see past your current reality,” Gillette said. “Vision allows you to see what you can be, what you can do, where you can go, and who you can become.”

Head of School Julie Anderson P’19,’23, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Tanasia Lea ’09, Black Student Union advisor Alex Conaway, and senior master Chip Boyd P’10 also spoke about King’s upbringing, life, and vision, as well as Cheshire Academy’s involvement in honoring King. The Cheshire Academy choir sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Workshops led by students, alumni, parents, and special guests followed Gillette's address. The entire CA community enjoyed a BSU-sponsored lunch.

ALL SCHOOL READ

Cheshire Academy’s All School Read returned with a momentous morning of programs, held on Feb. 3.

This year’s novel, “With the Fire on High,” written by New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo, follows high school senior Emoni Santiago as she pursues her passion of cooking, all while she supports her daughter and grandmother.

Starting off the program was a keynote performance from Phil Kaye of Project Voice, a nonprofit organization that has worked with hundreds of schools in 30 countries, promoting empowerment, improving language skills, and spurring creative collaboration in all grade levels, from kindergarten through college.

During his performance, Kaye shared poems he’s written over the years, which cover a range of topics including his childhood, grandparents, mother, and a dog he and his partner acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic. Afterward, he fielded questions from faculty, staff, and students about his writing process and how to overcome stage fright, to name a few.

Students later attended myriad workshops, all of which tied in themes from “With the Fire on High.” Groups cooked empanadas, practiced yoga, adapted book excerpts into creative stage performance, crafted papaya milkshakes, wrote stories, found hope and passion in their names, created care packages to donate to a local shelter, and much more.

Kaye also led a workshop in Bowden Hall’s Blue Room, where attendees built skills and confidence to create and perform written work. Other special guests included poet Sarah Rizzuto, local crafter Diane Nerkowski, and Ayurvedic wellness coach Andrea Rodgers.

Kudos to Allison Bass-Riccio, English teacher and Center for Writing coordinator, and the student and faculty-led All School Read committees for organizing the day’s events, and many faculty members for leading workshops.

YEAR OF THE RABBIT

The Cheshire Academy community rang in Lunar New Year with a week of celebration, including with our Language Department and a themed Community Dinner, held on Sunday, Jan. 22.

LA CHANDELEUR

Ms. Longacre’s French classes celebrated Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 the French way — by participating in La Chandeleur, or Crepe Day. Students of all skill levels took the opportunity to hone their crepe-making skills, or to attempt making their very first thin pancakes before adding various fillings.

THE GREEN COMET

A rare opportunity occurred earlier this year when comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), also known as the Green Comet, was visible from Earth. Students joined members of the CA Astronomy Club as they looked for the comet and enjoyed other sights, such as the moon, by using a telescope gifted to the club by the Westport Astronomical Society.

VALENTINE’S DAY POETRY SLAM

The Cheshire Academy Library was full of snaps during the afternoon of Feb. 14, as many students presented original poetry and works that they love.

NAIMUN LX

FINALLY, SNOW!

The winter season was nearly ending before the Cheshire Academy campus was hit with a bit of New England weather. On Tuesday, Feb. 28, several inches of snow blanketed Cheshire and the rest of the state of Connecticut, resulting in the first weather-related day off. Students, faculty, and families were quick to get outside to build snowmen, go sledding, and have snowball fights.

A group of CA students and faculty were in Washington D.C. from Feb. 16-19 to participate in the 60th annual North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN LX). There, students participated in various committee sessions, visited the Embassy of Namibia, and met with Connecticut Congresswoman Jahana Hayes.

A U.S. SENATE RECOGNITION

Devan Fernando ’23 was recognized by U.S. Senator Chris Murphy on March 17 for Fernando’s high achievement and creativity as a member of Cheshire’s youth. At Senator Murphy’s annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast held at the Cheshire Senior Center, Murphy awarded Fernando with a Certificate of Accomplishment, which notes Fernando’s book, “Stadiums to Streets: An Anthropologic Perspective on the Origins, History, & Impact of Sports,” nonprofit organization Play-On, and donation of used sports equipment to the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries.

FIELD HOUSE CELEBRATION

As the old adage goes, you never know what you have until it’s gone. Students returned from winter recess without access to the Arthur Sheriff Field House due to significant damage from a windstorm prior to Christmas, leaving the CA community without one of the most integral spaces for daily activities. So, when it was announced that the facility would be reopening in early February, student leaders took the initiative to organize an afternoon full of events to celebrate. Students competed in basketball, volleyball, and dodgeball tournaments, painted a mural, performed in an open mic session in the Black Box Theater, and participated in yoga in the fitness center.

INDUCTED

More than 25 students in grades 10-PG were inducted into the Cheshire Academy chapter of the National Honor Society during the annual ceremony held in Richardson Lecture Hall. Parents, families, peers, faculty, and staff were present to celebrate the students’ accomplishments.

“Being part of this organization is a reflection of your character, integrity, and dedication to excellence both in and out of the classroom,” Anjali Gururaj ’23, chapter president, said. “…NHS provides you with a platform to address challenges that face our society and gives us each a responsibility to ensure we are making this school a place to be proud of. It allows you to express your passions and build a community that will help support and encourage you as you strive to achieve your goals.”

COLLEGE FAIR

CA students were able to learn about more than 100 different colleges and universities at this year’s college fair, organized by the College Counseling Office. This annual event is a great opportunity for students in grades 10-11 to find out about new schools, and to hear more about institutions in which they are already interested.

A TALE AS OLD AS TIME >>>

Approximately 50 Cheshire Academy students played a part in the success of this year’s winter musical, “Beauty and the Beast.” Held at the Square Foot Theatre in Wallingford, CA thespians and musicians performed three sold-out shows from March 2-4. The magic of the rose, hospitality of Lumiere and the rest of the inhabitants of Beast’s castle, Gaston’s arrogance, and Belle’s passion were all apparent during the show. Credit to Theater Director and Producer Jennifer Guarino P’18, Music Director Eunyoung DiGiacomo P’19, and all of the faculty, staff, and students who worked on the winter musical despite a change in venue after a heavy windstorm closed the Arthur Sheriff Field House.

Lauren Greco ’24 (Belle) made her presence known from the get-go, projecting her voice and drawing in the audience during the show’s first song, “Belle.” Greco’s on-stage chemistry with Jackson Rafferty ’23, who played the prince and Beast, only made the story more real, and Adia Wolfe ’25, who played Lumiere, certainly made everyone in the theater feel as though they were a guest.

Kamden Denomme ’23, too, demonstrated growth in his acting and confidence on stage as this year’s Gaston, bringing out the antagonist’s cockiness, arrogance, and stubbornness.

Special honors to 12th-grade students, as well as those in supporting roles:

Ava Capuano ’23 – Enchantress and bookseller

Osajie Imevbore ’23 - Narrator

Millie Lanni ’23 – Chip

Lidia Generali ’24 – Lefou

Phil Warren ’24 – Monsieur D’Arque

Paula Esplugues ’25 – Mrs. Potts

Gwen Gersick-Seward ’25 – Cogsworth

Aidan Connor ’26 – Maurice

Abby Frempong ’26 – Babette

Deanna Dixon ’26 – Madame De La Grande

Bouche and a village girl (alongside Natalia

Ranal Moro ’24 and Naomi Wolfe ’25)

A NIGHT FOR KYIV

On Friday, April 14, the Cheshire Academy community and invited guests came together in support of Ukraine.

Organized by Sasha Nikanova ’24, a native of Ukraine, the “A Night for Kyiv” fundraiser featured singing and dancing acts, traditional baked goods, and a lively atmosphere. Performances included members of the CA community and professional musicians from the region. More than $4,000 was raised, which was donated to the Leleka Foundation and Maidan United nonprofit organizations.

State Representative Liz Linehan presented Nikanova with an official citation from the Connecticut General Assembly, celebrating her accomplishments and dedication to supporting Ukraine. The citation was introduced by Linehan and signed by both the Speaker of the House and Secretary of the State on behalf of the legislature.

INVEST IN OUR PLANET

The Cheshire Academy community held its fifth annual Earth Day celebration on Wednesday, April 19, with a panel of guest speakers and a “carbon cutting” ceremony in recognition of the school’s recently installed 229-kilowatt solar array.

This year’s programming was themed “Invest in our Planet,” with guests from across the state and region speaking on how they and their organizations are investing in Earth to ensure a brighter tomorrow for future generations. This year’s keynote speakers were state senator Jan Hochadel, who serves as vice chair of the Environment Committee, and Aziz Dehkan, executive director of the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs.

Following Hochadel and Dehkan’s presentations, students participated in a speaker round robin before enjoying an Earth Day-themed lunch.

Closing out the day was the “carbon cutting” ceremony, attended by the CA community, trustee Dr. William Petit, representatives from Plankton Energy LLC — the company with which CA has a power purchase agreement — and Town of Cheshire officials.

The annual IB Art Show was held in April, attended by students, faculty, and family members. Work of 12 students was on display and these young artists were each given the opportunity to talk about their work, their inspirations, and their intended expressions. Pictured at left, Evelyn Mao ’23 spoke deeply to visitors about the process that she followed to create her drawings, and the meaning behind her art.

The Impact and Legacy of Alumni Support

Your First Gift to the Annual Fund

Your first annual fund gift is meaningful. No matter the amount, this gesture instills confidence in our school community, demonstrates your appreciation of the people and programs of CA, and recognizes the impact CA had on your life.

Consistent Giving Through College

To the extent possible, stay consistent in annual giving even if the amount is not large – every gift makes a difference, every year.

Ongoing Support After College

Increase your gift as personal and professional milestones are achieved such as a new job, promotions, marriages, births, special birthdays, etc. Advance your giving as your career and earnings advance, in fun and meaningful ways. Match your gifts to coincide with your reunion years! For example, your fifth-year reunion gift can be five times your first gift ($17.94 x 5 = $89.70), and for your tenth reunion, go up to ten times.

This is an opportunity to honor and recognize the faculty who, during your time at CA, had a powerful impact on your experience and development.

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25th and 50th Reunions –Legacy Building

As you reach these two significant milestones, be sure to keep CA in your top priorities for contributions. It’s a great time to invest in capital projects or endowment campaigns. Along with your classmates, leave a legacy and make a difference. As appropriate, involve family members in this personal and important philanthropic priority. And consider estate planning with CA in mind, through the Harwood Society.

Alex Cavaliere ’09 first felt “off” in August 2019.

At 27 years old, she noticed slurring of her speech and a sluggishness in her tongue. A corporate attorney, Cavaliere took the logical approach and went to the doctor. The initial checkup resulted in typical results from the MRI and the suggestion by her doctor to seek speech therapy but, a few months later, a nurse friend recommended she get a second opinion.

So, in January 2020, she visited a second doctor, and continued to undergo testing. And, one electromyogram and half a year later — and just two months before her wedding to her now husband Joe Gasser — Cavaliere was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal

ALEX’S STORY

cord. There is currently no cure, and those diagnosed with ALS lose their ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe.

Since her diagnosis, Cavaliere’s physical limitations have increased, which is expected of the disease. “I am now able to walk with a rollator,” she explained. “I use a power wheelchair for any outing outside of my home. I need help with every aspect of daily living: showering, getting in and out of bed, making and cutting food, and getting around. I am still able to type on my phone and can speak. My speech is very hard to understand, but I am generally understood.”

SUPPORT

It was 2021 when Cavaliere became involved with Her ALS Story, a nonprofit organization comprised of women diagnosed with ALS before the age of 35. They’re working to have open conversations about their health, affect needed changes to insurance and Medicare standards, and fight for legislation to speed up the drug pipeline. In addition, they fundraise for ALS research to stop — and cure — ALS.

Today, Cavaliere serves as Her ALS Story’s vice president, working primarily on the organization’s social media outlets and building partnerships with large corporations. And she’s come a long way since being diagnosed almost three years ago. Cavaliere is optimistic, and committed to raising awareness about ALS with the hope that a cure can be found.

“When I’m fighting for others in my community, it gives my life and suffering purpose,” Cavaliere said. “My most loved advocacy work is with our group, Her ALS Story … the group we’ve formed has changed

How one CA alumna is committed to finding the cure to the disease that changed her life.

our lives. We’re now surrounded by people who are going through the same things and we support one another.”

“We partner up with national brands including Steve Madden, Liberare, and Kendra Scott to spread awareness about ALS and to raise money for research,” Cavaliere explained. “We also hold a yearly retreat where we all get together to support one another and enjoy our time together. Social media is one of the things we use to show the world new faces of ALS and that this is not only an ‘old man’s disease.’”

Together alongside Her ALS Story founder Leah Stavenhagen and other members of the group’s leadership team, they continue to work on advocacy and new legislation to help advance ALS research. They host and have been hosted on podcasts, attend countless meetings, and spread their message whenever and wherever possible.

One of the most fulfilling pieces of advocacy work to Cavaliere was speaking at the 23rd annual Project ALS Tonight is Tomorrow gala, held in October 2021. There, Cavaliere, Stavenhagen, and Michele Stellato represented Her ALS Story, speaking about their diagnoses, and how their lives changed after the disease’s symptoms started to intrude on their daily lives.

During their presentation, Cavaliere spoke about how “life has gone from climbing the corporate ladder to being unable to climb stairs,” and how their lives were interrupted when, really, their professional and personal lives were just beginning.

“Being able to show that this disease can affect anyone at any time in their life felt very important to me,” Cavaliere said. “This opportunity meant a lot to me as I was able to spread more awareness. The relationships I have made in the ALS community have been like no other relationship I have had before. You become the closest of friends with people even after knowing them for only a short period of time because you share the same experiences.”

SUPPORTED

While Cavaliere is surrounded by a community of young women dealing with the same disease, the sense of community was prevalent during her time at Cheshire Academy, too. Her experiences at CA helped her, in some ways, prepare for the future.

“CA exposed me to so many different situations and walks of life that I feel like I have been able to adapt to anything that has come my way. Also, CA taught me the value of meaningful relationships, as many of mine started when I was there.”

Two alumnae — Ariel Scalise ’08 and Eleanor Angerame ’09 — remain some of Cavaliere’s closest friends, and they frequently connect.

“I am lucky that Ellie lives in Connecticut, so I see her often,” Cavaliere said. “She’s an amazing listener and is always helping me look forward to the future. From her coming by to cook her delicious tomato pie to getting us tickets to our favorite country music concert, she is truly the definition of a best friend. Neither Ellie nor Ariel have treated me differently throughout my diagnosis and have stuck with me through the good and the bad.”

“It means everything to me to have people support me and love me through everything that I’m going through. It’s rare to have a group of family and friends like I do to always be around to help build me up and help get me through the hard parts.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HER ALS STORY OR HOW YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT ALS RESEARCH, VISIT WWW.HERALSSTORY.ORG.

Top left: Alex Cavaliere ’09.

Bottom left: CA alumni Michael Fiske ’10, Eric Stern ’09, Alex Cavaliere ’09, Ellie Angerame ’09, and Tommy Cavaliere ’15 at the Ales for ALS launch party, held at New England Brewing Company in Woodbridge.

Top right: Gwen Petersen, Andrea Peet, and Alex Cavaliere ’09 at the 2022 White Coat Affair, hosted by the ALS Therapy Development Institute.

Bottom right: Alex Cavaliere ’09 and Tommy Cavaliere ’15.

REUNITING

Before their annual winter meeting on campus, members of the Board of Trustees visited with faculty and staff to learn more about what's going on around campus, and some had a chance to reconnect with former teachers and faculty members who made everlasting impacts on their lives. Trustees also met with students to hear about their experiences at CA today.

RECONNECTING IN FLORIDA

In April, Head of School Julie Anderson P’19,’23 and Interim Director of Advancement Barbara Davis P’17,’18,’20,’24 traveled to Florida to meet with several members of the extended Cheshire Academy community. They shared good news about CA, talked with alumni, parents and families, and friends about all the exciting and great things happening on campus, including the much-anticipated facilities improvements. In addition, Anderson and Davis heard about what’s new in the lives of CA community members, including their alumni and parent experiences.

The Office of Advancement is looking forward to meeting with more members of the CA community when they return to Florida in the near future.

Trustee Todd Savage ’98 and Tanasia Lea ’09, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Trustee Suparna Mody ’00 and Anjali Gururaj ’23.

French teacher Laura Longacre, Trustee Suparna Mody ’00, and Shelly Boyd.

1. A. Lee Hawkins ’63; 2. Adam Prince ’92; 3. Rob Nuell ’05 and husband Tomas Rivera; 4. Joe Church ’71 and Nancy Church; 5. Barry Davis ’74; 6. Tony Argiz P’02; 7. Ken Schlechter ’66

TRAVELING WEST

In April, Head of School Julie Anderson and Interim Chief Advancement Officer Barbara Davis traveled to Oklahoma (for the first time!) and to Los Angeles, California, to reconnect with alumni, parents, families and friends of the Cheshire Academy community.

Julie and Barbara loved spending time with alumni Mickey Cohen ’54 and his wife, Vickey, Jim Travers ’65, Lee Cohen ’78 and his wife, Sheryl Chinowth, and Sam Russell ’13.

DINING WITH TRUSTEES

While attending the Model United Nations conference at Georgetown University in February, students were treated to a special dinner with members of the Board of Trustees: Mitchell Herman ’68, Todd Savage ’98, and Angelina Casanova ’00.

LOVE OF SPORTS

At Cheshire Academy, student-athletes continue to make names for themselves on an annual basis, whether that’s on the field or the court. And, every year, countless graduating students commit to playing their sport of choice at the college level. Many even go beyond college sports, achieving their lifelong dream of playing professionally.

Take a look at some of our young alumni who have embraced hard work, exude determination, and are thriving not only academically, but athletically.

Cole Wissink ’22 Ithaca College Basketball

Liliena Storer ’21 Arcadia University Ice hockey

Andre Carter ’19 Army West Point Football

Cassie Parmelee ’18 ECSU Volleyball

Megan Olmstead ’21 Kings College Basketball

Jaden Shirden ’21 Monmouth University Football

Jack Roberge ’20 Amherst College Football

Ethan Okwuosa ’21 Southern New Hampshire State University Basketball

Tanner Davis ’19 University of Massachusetts Football

Thomas Craley ’21 Lawrence University Fencing

Alex Bjerser ’20 St. Lawrence University Football

Kent Oliver ’20 Tufts University Football

Mella, Ecke appointed to lead varsity football program

Cheshire Academy did not have to look far to find its newest head coach of the varsity football program.

Bill Mella P’26, longtime coach of the sport and collegiate-level offensive lineman, has been appointed head coach of the program. Mella replaces Dan Mehleisen, who served as head coach during the 2022-2023 season and previously as defensive coordinator for the program.

Joining Mella as associate head coach is Mark Ecke P’17, a member of CA’s faculty with more than 30 years of coaching experience at the high school level.

Mella touts an impressive resume, experience of which he will apply to CA’s program. He has more than 35 years of experience coaching at the high school and collegiate levels, including as head coach at Bassick High School (Bridgeport) and Avon Old Farms School, and as assistant coach at Kingswood Oxford School, Wesleyan University, and Trinity College.

At Avon Old Farms, Mella led the team to one undefeated season, three Erickson League Championships, was instrumental in securing 55 student-athletes playtime at the collegiate level, and produced more than 40 All-League players, 15 All-New England players, and several other award-winning players.

While at Trinity, Mella assisted the team to a 22-win streak, which spanned three seasons. At CA, Mella teaches mathematics and computer science courses and is head coach of the varsity boys’ lacrosse program.

Upon his appointment, Mella said, “I’m fired up to make sure that this program is on the tip of everyone’s tongue every year. We’re going to win, and we’re going to win a lot, and it’s going to be because of the kids and the brotherhood that we perpetuate. I’m building on top of the program that Danny O’Day and David Dykeman built, and I just see myself as the custodian — the caretaker — of that. My job is to try and give the young men in the program the same championship experiences that I enjoyed myself as a player.”

Ecke boasts similar experience to Mella, with years as head coach at Capital Preparatory Harbor School (Bridgeport), Danbury High School, and Cheshire High School, and as assistant coach at West Haven High School and Trinity College. Under his tutelage, Ecke was head coach of four state championship teams, seven Southern Connecticut Conference Division champion teams, and a USA Today Super 25 team, and coached many players who went on to receive recognitions and awards, including state Gatorade Player of the Year.

Ecke has also worked as an educator since 2014, currently teaching history and social science courses. He also taught at Capital Prep, James Hillhouse High School, and Danbury High School.

Bill Mella

Mark Ecke

My job is to try and give the young men in the program the same championship experiences that I enjoyed myself as a player.”

– Coach Bill Mella

ATHLETICS

Winter Sports Recap

A mild winter resulted in an undisrupted number of games played during the winter sports season, resulting in growth of many student-athletes’ skills and talents, and positive outcomes for the teams.

Half of the season was spent traveling due to the temporary closure of the Arthur Sheriff Field House, leaving teams at the mercy of the road, being driven around the region for practices and to compete against other teams.

Varsity boys’ basketball closed out February with eight wins and only two losses, finishing the season with a 15-10 record. Notable games include the 83-40 victory versus Saint Luke’s School, 82-53 win against Suffield Academy, and 91-62 victory versus St. Andrew’s School to end the season. A first-year at CA, KC Ugwuakazi ’23 was the team’s leading scorer, second leading rebounder, and first in blocked shots. Tanner Tedesco ’23, a two-year starter in the backcourt, handled the ball well, setting up plays for teammates and securing points on his own. Roderick Jones II ’24, another prolific shooter, made tremendous strides on the defensive end and looks to be a competitive player next season. Similarly, Luke Reynolds ’24 was a standout to the team, competition, and referees, as he set the competitive tone for the team.

Varsity girls’ basketball had a tougher season, ending with a 9-10 record. At home, they beat both The Canterbury School (44-30) and Pomfret School (48-34), while on the road resulted in victories against The Frederick Gunn School (68-38), Miss Hall’s School (42-25), and Canterbury School (52-31), among others. Postgraduate Miabella Diaz ’23 served as a vocal leader, making an immediate impact on the court with lockdown defense and amazing passes. Ava Kijewski ’24 demonstrated consistency and grit, taking on any challenges presented this season. De’Naya Rippey ’24 consistently displayed her intensity and focus, averaging a double-double this season and guarding the strongest players from opposing teams. Cecelia Torres ’26 was one of the team’s most consistent players, showcasing defensive intensity, attention to detail, and rebound abilities.

Coed fencing had a season of first-year fencers doing very well under the tutelage of coach Matthew Socia and leadership of returning student-athletes. First-years Feyza Horuz ’24 placed second in women’s foil at the novice state tournament, Chris Heo ’26 placed fifth in men’s saber at the novice state tournament, and Eliana Orlinsky ’24 closed out the season winning 13 of her last 14 matches in women’s foil. Returning fencers Lily Huang ’24 and Elise Lurix ’24 had successful seasons; Huang placed eighth in women’s saber at states, and Lurix won all but one of her bouts over the entire regular season.

Committed

Cheshire Academy has a longstanding tradition of student-athletes committing to play their sport of choice at the Division I, II, and III levels. After the start of the new year, several students formally announced their commitments to playing at Columbia University, Indiana University, the University of Maryland, Wesleyan University, Yale University, and many others.

Winter Sports Awards

Another season down, another group of Cheshire Academy student-athletes who went above and beyond the role of team player. The Winter Sports Awards, held on Wednesday, March 8, recognized the most valuable players, most improved players, and recipients of the Coaches Award for the basketball and fencing programs. Congratulations to the recipients — they earned it!

The Harwood Society for Planned Giving

Angelina Casanova ’00 Makes Gift of Life Insurance Policy, Showing Her Love for Cheshire Academy by Helping Future Students

Angelina Casanova ’00 wants to ensure that future generations have a shot at the same transformative opportunities she enjoyed at Cheshire Academy, which is why she has included a bequest of a life insurance policy to the school in her estate plan.

Casanova says her years at CA helped her flourish. A favorite memory was stepping outside in the morning to see buses lined up, awaiting eager students for the start of the annual Mountain Day.

“The entire school would spend the day ascending and descending a local mountain,” she recalled. “It was a great way to start the school year and build community.”

Casanova credits her mother with the wisdom of sending her to CA, a choice made possible by funding from the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, of which Casanova is a member. At CA, “I learned the value of education, developed the tenacity and determination to pursue big dreams, honed by leadership skills, and met some incredible people,” she said.

Benefits of Gifts of Life Insurance:

A way to make a gift of life insurance and retain flexibility is to name Cheshire Academy as a beneficiary of all or a percentage of the proceeds payable at the end of your life. If your family circumstances should change, you would be able to alter the named beneficiaries. No charitable deduction is allowed because you can change your mind. However, all proceeds paid to Cheshire Academy would qualify for an estate-tax charitable deduction.

The first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, Casanova today serves as national legislative affairs manager and chair of Command Holdings, a Pequot Company. She remains closely connected to CA, including as a member of the Board of Trustees and as a founding member of the Alumni of Color Mentoring Network.

Casanova urges her fellow alumni to join her in supporting CA.

“It’s one thing to say you love Cheshire Academy, it’s another to show it through action,” she said. “Our beloved school relies on the financial support of alumni and supporters like us.”

To learn more about the ways you can include the Academy in your estate plans, contact:

Barbara Davis P’17,’18,’20,’24

Interim Chief Advancement Officer

Cheshire Academy

10 Main Street

Cheshire, Connecticut 06410

Barbara.davis@cheshireacademy.org

203-439-7228

Dora Dujmic ’16 was randomly chosen from the class notes submitted for the fall 2022 issue of the magazine to receive a Cheshire Academy swag bag.

Be sure to submit your class note for the fall 2023 issue of 1794 magazine. Next issue’s winner might be you!

Hi Cheshire Academy! After my wonderful senior year at CA, I attended Lawrence University and graduated early with a biochemistry degree. I also got into Tulane Medical School, so I live in warm and fun New Orleans now! As an international student from Croatia, CA has always made me feel accepted and was a place I could call home.

What are you most enjoying during your time in New Orleans? The history? The food? The music?

All of the above! New Orleans is a great place to be, especially while in medical school. NOLA has such a rich history, countless museums, and a tremendous number of festivals. The food is absolutely amazing! You can find great food at every corner. I gained a new appreciation for jazz when I moved here. The city has so much life and there is always something to do!

Are you involved in any activities or connected with any cool groups?

My schedule is quite full with medical school classes, but I love discovering new restaurants and bars with my friends. Walking in Audubon Park or the French Quarter is always a good idea! Other than that, I enjoy med school clubs such as the International Students Club, Radiology Interest Group, and hopefully I will get more involved in the music scene here!

What is one of your most cherished CA memories?

There are so many since I had such a good time at CA. I absolutely loved our campus and how close I was to all the wonderful people I met there. I always remember going to Cheshire Coffee on the weekends with everyone and just having a good time! I’m very thankful for all my teachers as well — they were amazing! It was truly a home away from home.

Why do you find it important to stay connected to CA?

CA was my first home in the U.S. Coming from Croatia, I had quite a culture shock, but CA was always there for me and made sure I was doing well! I think people really make the school and I will always be connected to them in some way, we all shared a home at one point after all.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Harry Gordon ’48

Bill Mitchell ’54

Bill Oppenheimer ’62 Talya Vexler ’98

class notes

NEWS? UPDATES? MARRIAGE? BIRTH?

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

1940s

Colonel Paul Ingram ’44 celebrated his 96th birthday on March 5, 2023.

1950s

Richard Page ’50, recipient of the Town Scholarship and former member of the Board of Trustees, is enjoying retirement with his wife, Jane. He is still very active, enjoying all aspects of theater, and serves on the board of his retirement community. In his spare time, he enjoys the company of his children and grandchildren.

Lewis “Skip” Smart ’59 shared a brief bio recently. He is a member of the Class of 1963 from Colgate University (Hamilton, New York), and received his MBA from Louisiana State University in 1965. Smart worked in the fields of community and economic development throughout his professional career, the last 18 years of which were as assistant secretary with Louisiana Economic Development. There, he developed a strategic planning initiative entitled “Louisiana Development Ready Communities.” The program received national recognition from the Southern Economic Development Council and the

International Community Development Society. He retired in 2018. He is married to Julia "Judy" Sutter and they recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. They have six children and 15 awesome grandchildren. Smart is active in his church and other community initiatives in Baton Rouge. He sends his best to his Cheshire alumni.

1960s

Don Scott ’62 wrote that, after graduating from Cheshire Academy, he moved to Alabama and worked at a Chevy dealership at the age of 17. “From there, I went into the military, where I served from 1964-1970, and did two tours all through southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. When I got out, I went to work on the old Penn Central railroad and was an equipment inspector for five years. Then I was transferred to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and worked for the Regional Transit Authority until my retirement in 2017. All told, I lived on the Cape for 43 years. When my wife passed away in 2017, I moved to Burnham, Maine, where I currently own a 42-acre farm. It’s a small town with a population of 900 — way in the boonies, the way I like it.”

Interim Chief of Advancement Barb Davis P’17,’18,’20,’24 with Col. Paul Ingram ’44.

Jane Page and Richard Page ’50.

Rick McGowan ’64 wrote “I enjoyed watching the varsity boys’ basketball team beat St. Andrew's 91-62 in Barrington, Rhode Island, in the final game of the season. Cats sank 19 three-pointers after being down 9-0. I sat with a former college head coach who highly praised Coach Jim McCarthy. He said McCarthy signals out instructions and the players respond accordingly — a coach's dream. We had some fine teams during my four years at CA, but none at the level I witnessed. The Cats just missed qualifying for the New England AA tournament. They would have been a tough out for anyone. I'm dividing my time between Newport, Rhode Island, and Sand Key, Clearwater Beach, Florida, and living an enjoyable life.”

Leonard Fabian ’65 shared “I'm very happily retired, living in Antigua, Guatemala with my wife Maria (soon to celebrate our 35th anniversary) and enjoying a life in this beautiful place of walking, reading, and needlepointing. Fond memories of my three-plus years at Cheshire Academy.”

Lenny Simpson ’68 published his first book, “In the Shadow of Tennis Legends: The Lenny Simpson Story,” earlier this year. He held book signings at the USTA’s annual Hall of Fame event Jan. 27-28. See page 4 for more about Simpson.

1970s

Dr. Jeffrey Rosenblatt ’73 shared “My wife and I live in Freeport, Maine. Adrienne, our oldest daughter, is a construction engineer and commercial real estate attorney in Boston, and Emily and her husband are professional dog mushers and kennel owners at Wildthingz Dog Mushing in Fairbanks and Cantwell Alaska. I recently transitioned from director of cardiac molecular and nuclear imaging at Maine Health, associate clinical professor at Tufts Medical School, and also retired from Maine Air National Guard as colonel and chief of aerospace medicine to VA Maine as a staff cardiologist in an effort to bring things down a notch. I still enjoy running, multi-sport, etc. and hope to have a few more endurance races under my belt in the coming years. As you know I am forever grateful for the priceless experience during my time at Cheshire.”

Dorothy Johnson-Linner ’79 and Barbara Vestergaard had a wonderful phone call recently. Dorothy shared that she is now retired but busy as ever. She drives refugees to appointments, is an active member of a book club, and swims five times a week. She recently visited New York City and spent the time with her daughter and an old CA friend, Barbara Haskell.

Leonard Fabian ’65.

Dr. Jeffrey Rosenblatt ’73 with family.

1980s

Mike Augenblick ’81, David Jacobs ’81, Bill Brodie ’82, and their families gathered for dinner during the holiday season.

1990s

Mary and Adam Prince ’92 welcomed their son, Holden John Prince, on Dec. 22, 2022.

Tory Verdi ’92 is the head coach for the University of Pittsburgh women's basketball team. Previously, Verdi served as head coach of the Massachusetts-Amherst women's basketball team, which he led to defeat George Washington University to earn a share of the Atlantic 10 title and they were #1 seed for their tournament. They went on to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, where they lost in the second round to Harvard University by 2 points.

Mark Gordon ’99 has been named director of client services and distribution at KaVo Dental North America.

2000s

Jeff Czaplicki ’05 was recently named senior manager, commercial east for Foundry, a company that prides itself on having tech be a force for good.

Bridget Thornton ’05 married Cameron Murphy on Sept. 17, 2022, in Long Island, Maine.

Jim Kallinich ’06 has been named director of partner development at the Boston Celtics.

Matthew Nicholson ’06 continues to work as the managing editor and social media manager for George Takei of Star Trek fame. In the last year, Matt accrued over 40 wins and 90 placements in international screenwriting contests, including Filmmatic TV Pilot Awards 2022, WeScreenplay TV Contest 2023, Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices, and The Great American Script Contest. His scripts “New Olympus” and “Pietra Fredda” were both recently featured in the Top 20 scripts on Coverfly's Red List, one of the most competitive digital platforms for screenwriters.

From left: David Jacobs ’81, Bill Brodie ’82, and Mike Augenblick ’81.

From left: Jake Thornton ’02, Jeff Czaplicki ’05, Bridget Thornton ’05, Tess Artnsen ’05, and Adam Mejerson ’05.

Congratulations to Lexi Rodriguez Wheeler ’07 and Steve Wheeler ’07 on the birth of their baby boy, Stephen "Tripp" Wheeler III, on March 1, 2023. Tripp joins four sisters!

Joohee Choi ’08, her husband, and their two sons stopped by on their way to Boston. They were vacationing in the United States.

Tyler Hundley ’09 is the head coach for Worcester State University men’s basketball program. They clinched an automatic bid in the NCAA Division III championship by being named the MASCAC champions. Tyler was voted Coach of the Year for the MASCAC BSN Sports Division.

2010s

Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Tanasia Lea ’09 and Malik Golden ’12 met at Doro Marketplace to discuss ways in which Malik could engage with the CA community as an alumnus. Malik was one of our panelists as part of this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day program.

Brandon Wheeler ’14 is the director of business operations at the NBA Coaches Association.

Tom Cavaliere ’15 was recently promoted to senior business associate at AdvanceCT, where he works in close cooperation with state, regional, and local partners to drive business growth and new capital investment in Connecticut.

Elijah Pemberton ’16 is a professional basketball player for the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Hofstra Pride.

Regina McCoy ’17 wrote “I currently am completing my master’s degree in medical speech pathology and work in the Voice AI sphere. My favorite memory of CA is how students were encouraged to be their best self in the classroom, on the turf and in the dorms.“

Joohee Choi ’08 with her family during a recent visit to CA.

Tanasia Lea ’09, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and Malik Golden ’12.

2020s

Sofia Pfannenbecker ’22, a freshman at George Washington University, recently attended one of the varsity boys' basketball games at CA.

Jack Hu ’22, currently studying at Baylor University, recently came back to visit Cheshire Academy.

Former Staff

Otis Shepard, former head of dining services at Cheshire Academy and famous for his clam chowder, wrote, “I have been having a blast in retirement, except for a little glitch that I was recently diagnosed with cancer so I have another challenge to extend my wonderful life. Faith and trust will give me the courage to recover. God didn't carry me this far to drop me. I've been blessed with a great grandson and a great granddaughter.”

Director of Alumni & Family Relations

Kayla Lipsitz ’10 and Jack Hu ’22.

From left: Sofia Pfannenbecker ’22, Interim Director of Advancement Barb Davis P’17,18,’20,’24, and Griffin Davis ’24.

Tom Cavaliere ’15 (third from left).

IN MEMORIAM

Alumni

1940s

Dr. James Griffin ’42 died on January 6, 2023.

Allan Cannon ’44 died on January 6, 2023. He was beloved by everyone who knew him for his kindness, good humor, and selflessness. "His enthusiasm for life and learning at every age, as well as his unending curiosity of all things, were unparalleled," according to family.

In 1950, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War as an airman first class for nearly two years. He earned a bachelor of science degree in 1948 at the age of 20 from New York University's School of Commerce. He later earned a juris doctor and master of laws degree, both earned from NYU School of Law, which he attended at night while working as a CPA. When he wasn't practicing law or his golf game, he was a jazz piano enthusiast and could be found at his piano, where he skillfully played all of his favorite classics and standards from the 1930s and 1940s, including Gershwin, Porter, Ellington, and many more. Allan adopted many rescue dogs during his lifetime and contributed to a number of animal welfare organizations, as well as veterans' organizations.

Stuart Coven ’44, a longtime banking and real estate entrepreneur based in New Jersey, died on April 29, 2023, in his home in Boca Raton, Florida. After graduating from Colgate University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, his life goal of practicing law changed and, instead, he became a successful entrepreneur in the world of banking and real estate after he enlisted in Officer Candidate School with the United States Air Force during the Korean War.

1950s

Conrad Sawicki ’50 died on February 20, 2022.

John Malcolm Schloss Jr. ’50 died peacefully at home on June 25, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. John attended Cheshire Academy before graduating from Cornell University with a focus in economics. He was also a member of the glee and drama clubs, and rowing team. John was enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and, after college, served as a lieutenant in the United States Army following a short stint as a page at NBC Studios. For over 20 years, John worked for JC Penney in New York City, rising to senior vice

president of merchandising. He concluded his career at Henry I. Siegel, also in Manhattan. In retirement, John settled in Noank, Connecticut, and for the past 20 years was happy to be included in village life and friendships. During the course of his life, John found joy in sailing, traveling, and in music, art, and painting, but he especially loved being surrounded by family and friends.

Bruce Barber ’54 died on March 22, 2023. Bruce graduated from Dartmouth College with an engineering and business administration degree. He was a certified public accountant. He loved to travel having visited all but two state capitals and various foreign countries.

Dr. Joseph Zaientz ’56 died on March 11, 2023, at age 84. Joe (Doc) graduated from Cheshire Academy, Duke University, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry. He leaves an admirable legacy of participation in his community in many areas. He was in the United States Army for three years, including one as captain in the Dental Corps in Vietnam. After he and Fredda married, they settled in Haddam, Connecticut, where Joe established his dental practice. He became a volunteer fireman for the Haddam Neck Volunteer Fire Department and served over 40 years as firefighter, training officer, secretary, captain, chief, certified EMT, and president of the Haddam Fire Department Board of Directors. He was active in Haddam Public Health as treasurer, then as president for three terms. In 1994, he established the Haddam Shad Museum to commemorate and celebrate the history of shad fishing on the Connecticut River. He recently donated the museum to the Haddam Historical Society to ensure its continuation. He also drove for meals-on-wheels delivery for over 12 years.

Dennis Houston ’57 died on August 7, 2021, after a battle with cancer.

1960s

Sidney Klein ’63 died on January 21, 2023.

A fixture of New Albany's and the larger region's legal and historical world, Stephen J. Beardsley, Esq. ’64 passed on to a higher bar peacefully on March 2, 2021. He had just celebrated his 75th birthday the prior weekend with family as he valiantly and gracefully navigated the final stages of a long, private bout with cancer. He was never without his trademark cigar, dapper hat and tie, vintage Jaguar, and old school fountain ink pen, having found them to be his lifelong reliable friends and accoutrements.

Allen Simmons ’64, of Marathon, Florida, died unexpectedly on November 6, 2022, at the finish line of the IRONMAN Florida competition in Panama City, Florida. Allen was raised in Southington and received his mechanical engineering degree from the University of New Haven. Al founded Mustang Motorcycle Products in Terryville, Connecticut, and built it into the largest aftermarket motorcycle seat manufacturing company in the world.

Jay Steinberg ’64 passed away unexpectedly on September 4, 2021.

Peter DeGeorge ’65 died on February 8, 2023. At Cheshire Academy, he excelled as a Connecticut state finalist diving champion. In 1970, he graduated from Quinnipiac College with a degree in business administration. His business career began in earnest when he joined Xerox as a salesman. He quickly distinguished himself and became a top keyaccount sales executive. In 1978, he left Xerox to start his first of many entrepreneurial ventures, founding CopyLease. He went on to join his father and brother, Larry, in a buyout of Times Fiber Communications from Insilco Corporation in 1984 and Amphenol Corporation from Allied Signal in 1986. Peter subsequently led the buyout and spinoff of Miles Homes in 1988, which he grew to become nationally recognized DeGeorge Homes.

An avid sports enthusiast, Peter had a tryout as a place kicker for the New York Jets and competed in triathlons and biathlons over the years. He sponsored professional triathletes and triathlon events, community football and lacrosse in minority communities, and was an advocate for sports programs in schools and colleges. In his later years, Peter resided in Jupiter, Florida, and Beverly Hills, California.

Rev. Christopher Porteus ’65, retired diocesan missioner and parish priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Easton (Maryland), died on December 22, 2021. For 38 years, Father Chris was a priest and served in the dioceses of Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, and Easton.

Bob Rosenberg ’67 died on January 16, 2023. Bob was a graduate of Cheshire Academy and Pace University. He left the bitter winters of New York in 1974 in search of sunshine and love. He found both the very day he arrived in San Francisco, California, at the renaissance faire in Novato, whereby fate and fortune he met the love of his life, Claudette Bergman. They married in 1978 and raised two incredible children. Summers were spent in Tahoe with family and dear friends. Springs and falls were spent making memories in Carmel and Oregon. Winters were spent in basketball gyms!

Nothing brought more joy to Bob than attending his son and daughter's basketball and volleyball games. More recently, he was the number one fan of his grandchildren's basketball and water polo games.

Bob founded Gr8work Builders in 1977 and enjoyed a long career as a contractor helping people create their dream homes. He first volunteered as a firefighter in 1974 with the La Honda Fire Brigade and was chief of the L.H.F.B. for 16 years. He was a construction captain for Rebuilding Together for 20 years. Bob devoted hundreds of hours to these organizations and was awarded the Midpen Media Center's Local Heroes Award in 2019. San Mateo County recognized Bob in 1991 in a resolution honoring him for years of service to the community.

1980s

Sean McNamara ’89 died suddenly while on a run with a friend. Sean was an avid runner, loving husband, and father.

1990s

Christopher ”C.J.” Arena ’97 died on February 20, 2023.

2000s

Michael Nye-Madden ’20 passed away on February 14, 2023.

Former Faculty and Staff

Richard Nolan, former faculty member and beloved husband of Robert Pingpank, passed away in Pompano Beach, Florida, on July 4, 2020.

Karla S. Andersen, former executive secretary to headmaster John Hyslop, passed away on December 12, 2022. She was active in the dog training community in Cheshire and baking came naturally to her. Karla’s pies, cookies, and chocolate cake made mouths water. For Karla, happiness was a budding flower or a dog's wet nose.

Remembering Lt. Col. James Elsner ’37

APRIL 11, 1919 – NOVEMBER 2, 2022

The four brothers remained connected to the Cheshire Academy community throughout their lives, building long-lasting relationships with the faculty, staff, and families who graced campus.

Around James’s 101st birthday, James and Robert received a visit at his home from Interim Director of Advancement Barb Davis P’17,’18,’20,’24. Davis interviewed James about his time at CA, during which he fondly recalled his involvement with the Dramatic Club and his opportunity to fall through a trap door during one of the school’s performances!

In late 2021, James was also interviewed by EAA Chapter 16 members at the New England Air Museum, where he inspected the museum’s Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft and reflected on his time as a newly branded fighter pilot in the 1940s.

The Cheshire Academy community is mourning the loss of alumnus, longtime supporter, and friend Lt. Col. James Elsner ’37, who died on November 2, 2022.

Born on April 11, 1919, James Elsner attended Cheshire Academy from 1934-1937 before attending Hobart College. A longtime employee in the field of finance, specifically credit, he was an avid swimmer, father, devoted husband to Dorothy (Ferris), and brother to fellow alumni Morton ’31, Allan ’34, and Robert ’39. James Elsner was preceded in death by Morton and Allan, and just nine months prior by Robert, who died on January 21, 2022. James and Robert were deeply close, meeting daily in the morning for tea, and once per week for dinner.

During his time at CA, James was the assistant editor of his senior year yearbook and manager of the varsity football team. He was also a member of the Welles Club and Dramatic Club. Similarly, Robert was also involved with the Welles and Dramatic clubs, as well as the Camera Club, Academy Club, and Academy Review.

Both brothers served their country. James was a member of the U.S. Air Force, with full-time service during World War II, and continuation of his service as a member of the Connecticut Air National Guard until his retirement in October 1971. Robert was a medic in Company C 314th Medical Battalion from October 1942 to December 1945, and was stationed in Central Europe from January-December 1945. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star and earned the rank of Sergeant TEC 4.

James leaves behind his son Charles A. Elsner (wife Susan Biren), daughter Mary Moss (husband Michael); grandchildren Michael Moss Jr. (wife Laura Moss), Kimberly Moss, Robert Moss (fiancé Jamie Alexander), Emily Elsner (husband Joseph Reiner), Kathryn Moss, and Theodore Elsner; great-grandchildren Michael III, Gabriel, and Daniel Moss; many nieces and nephews; along with a plethora of cherished friends.

Robert Elsner ’39 and James Elsner ’37.

last look

CRACK!

The spring athletics season started off with all teams and student-athletes showing high energy, eager to showcase their talents and prove themselves against the competition. Varsity baseball had an impressive season, closing out the year with a 14-1 record in the regular season and a trip to the WNEPBL semifinals at home against Salisbury School. The run total for CA in most games was high, with an average of 9 runs per game in 15 games, made possible in part by heavy hitters like Brian Hersh ’24, pictured here.

At press time, softball went 11-4 for the regular season, and advanced to the WNEPSA championship against Cushing Academy. Read more about the spring athletics season in the next issue of 1794 magazine.

Cheshire Academy musicians made some "beautiful noise" for a standing-room-only audience during the Spring Concert, held on the evening of May 17 in Richardson Lecture Hall. Performances included CA's percussion ensemble, jazz band, guitar ensemble, rock band, chorus, chamber orchestra, and The 1794s a cappella group, with hits including Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time,” NSYNC’s “It's Gonna Be Me,” and The Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider.”