KO Magazine Fall 2021 by Kingswood Oxford School

KO M AG A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 2 1

ng i n r a e L , r e h t e Tog Again

In This Issue:

In the Big League

In Good Spirits

Local History Connects Past with the Present

Power of Women

Our Mission: Kingswood Oxford inspires students to excel and to lead lives of integrity and involvement by nourishing their talents in a community of teachers, friends, and family. Editor: Jackie Pisani, Director of Marketing & Communications Contributors: Elizabeth Fahy Bellingrath ’78, Katherine Gianni ’14, Meghan Kurtich, Rob Kyff, Jackie Pisani, Frances van Huystee Morris ’90, Kristen Weldon Graphic Designer: Anne Allen, Allen Design Associates Printing: Allied Printing Services, Inc. Photo Credits: Highpoint Pictures, David. B. Newman ’80, Sattah Phouthakoun ’23, Jackie Pisani, Kristen Weldon Please direct inquiries or general comments to Jackie Pisani at pisani.j@kingswoodoxford.org Class notes or obituary information to Meghan Kurtich, Director of Annual Giving kurtich.m@kingswoodoxford.org Address changes to Hope Cameron cameron.h@kingswoodoxford.org Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students Kingswood Oxford admits students of any race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic predisposition, or national or ethnic origin or other categories protected by Connecticut or federal law to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of these characteristics in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, financial aid programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

In This Issue: From the Head of School 2 Around the Green 4 Alumni 24 Athletics 38 Commencement 44 In the Big League 52

In Good Spirits Local History Connects Past with the Present Power of Women A Man of Purpose The Science of Teaching

56 60 66 72 78

Exploring History Final Mic Drop for the Man Behind the Curtain Planned Giving Class Notes In Memoriam

84 90 96 98 108

From the Head of School

It’s not an exaggeration to say that this has been a year unlike any other in the history of our institution. Although the school had witnessed the hurricane of 1938 that damaged Oxford School and had participated in military drills prepping our young men for the battlefield in WWII, this year offered a different kind of culture shock. Masks obscured big smiles. Plexiglass separated seats in the dining hall tables. Elbow bumps replaced high fives. And six-foot physical distancing between students became the norm. But, the most important things stayed the same. Our mission — to inspire students to excel and to lead lives of integrity and involvement by nourishing their talents in a community of teachers, friends, and families — was alive and in action across campus and in every classroom. We welcomed our students to campus each day for in-person learning, delivered an innovative academic program, and continued to grow and nurture relationships with our students and colleagues. It has not always been easy, but it most certainly has been worth it.

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Our ReOpen Task Force researched in real-time various global responses to teaching in a pandemic and planned for how we could reopen the school safely. We charted a successful path that ultimately led to safely learning on campus throughout the school year. Our facilities team made sure that we had the equipment needed for cleaning and outdoor classrooms. Our library was converted into a space for study and dining. Our dining staff developed a safe plan for serving lunch. Our tech crew ordered cameras and equipment that were needed for concurrent learning. We even organized a KO Micro School for the children of our faculty and staff who would have been home due to the hybrid schedules of the local public schools. But the real heroes, of course, were the teachers. The shift to online learning in March 2020 came abruptly, and the teachers gamely and creatively pivoted to ensure that our students didn’t miss a beat. It was project management at its best, with teams coming together, contacting international schools who had already made the shift, learning from them, researching best practices for how students

learn best online, exploring virtual tools to enhance student engagement online, and designing a schedule that would take into account students’ social-emotional needs, too. And, last September, they courageously went back into the classrooms knowing that face-to-face instruction is still the best, most meaningful way for kids to learn. And just as this year has been one of transformation for our community, we have continued to press forward with our Strategic Vision that engages our students in hands-on, real-world learning experiences, much of which are developed through partnerships with local organizations. Classes such as the Witness Stones Project which is highlighted in this magazine have our students collaborating with area historians in authentic research of enslaved people in the greater Hartford area, bringing to light their untold stories and ensuring that they, too, are part of the historical narrative of our state. And particularly, the murder of George Floyd last summer charged us to reflect on how our school could become a more inclusive

place where all students feel heard, respected, and uplifted. We have broadened the scope of our curriculum and continue to expand our students’ exposure to a variety of authors and artists. Additional perspectives and points of view have led to meaningful conversation as students draw connections between the literature they are reading and the ongoing movement for equity and inclusion. We will continue to seek ways to develop signature programs and courses that will be engaging for our students, prepare them for college and the jobs of tomorrow, and instill in them a deep sense of kindness and empathy as they go out into the world to make a positive difference. As we move forward in our Strategic Vision, we have every reason to be confident. Our foundation is strong and the ongoing support of the community ensures that KO will continue to reach ever greater heights in the years to come.

TOM DILLOW

Around the Green

PERFORMANCES INCLUDED Control Choreographed by Kyle Reynolds Music: You Oughta Know, Alanis Morissette - (String Version) Performers: Frank Pu ’23, Kate Beck ’21, Anna Tippner ’24, Olivia Pear ’21, Faith Potter ’23

Social Experiments Choreographed by Lauren Horn Music: King of Host, Tzusing, Do You, TroyBoi Performers: Victoria Tang ’22, Faith Potter ’23, McKenzie Campbell ’23, Morgan Siegel ’22, Avery Hersh ’24, Anna Tippner ’24, Alice McClure ’23, Mary Kaliszewski ’21

El Debarge, Rhythm of the Night Choreographed by Savana Jones Music: Rhythm of the Night, El Debarge Performers: Olivia Pear ’21, Frank Pu ’23, Kate Beck ’21, Mary Kaliszewski ’21, Serafina Squatrito ’22, Alice McClure ’23, Mckenzie Campbell ’23, Avery Schiff ’23

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Choreographer Showcase: A Masterful Expression of Self Fifteen KO Upper School students, from novices to more seasoned dancers, enjoyed the extraordinary opportunity to work with three local choreographers in the greater Hartford area and perform several virtuosic and sociallydistanced dances in an empty Roberts Theater in keeping with COVID-19 protocols. Despite the lack of an audience to sustain the dancers’ energy, the students presented exceptional and joyful performances, ranging from classical ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, and lyrical. Taking a cue from the school’s Strategic Vision to connect more deeply with the local community, Director of Theater Kyle Reynolds employed the talent of three area dancers who worked with each student, arranged dances, and performed solos themselves. The dancers were JuS Hughes, a self-taught hip hop street dancer, who has worked his way into becoming one of the most versatile choreographers, hard-hitting dancers, and energetic performers in the field today; Lauren Horn, a movement and text-based artist from Windsor whose work explores identity and the ways it can be uncovered, marginalized, highlighted, and erased; and Savana Jones, a native of Hartford

Sanctuary Choreographed by JuS Hughes Music: Believer, Imagine Dragons, Trampoline, SHAED, Kontrol, Maleek Berry, Right Round, Flo Rida, Wavin Flag, K’Naan, Turn Down For What, Lil John Performers: Olivia Pear ’21, Frank Pu ’23, Sattah Phouthakoun ’23, Faith Potter ’23, Avery Schiff ’23, Morgan Siegel ’22

Text Messages Choreographed by Lauren Horn Performer: Lauren Horn The Overthinker Choreographed by Savana Jones Music: The Overthinker, INZO Performer: Savana Jones

Freedom Choreographed by JuS Hughes Music: Radio Active, Imagine Dragons Performer: JuS Hughes

Around the Green who performs an array of styles of dance, including jazz, tap, hip-hop, modern, and social dancing. The range of performances included a Reynolds’-choreographed piece titled “Control” set to an instrumental version of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” A balletic piece infused with modern dance moves, “Control” examined the students’ state of mind during the pandemic. “I used the Alanis instrumental to talk to the kids about how they felt under control this year by the limitations of the pandemic, our government, the election, sexual orientation or by anything they felt constricted by,” Reynolds said. Reynolds described it as a “revolutionary clap back to that control” and a powerful means for students to express, through their solos, how they felt.

Lauren Horn’s text-based choreography in “Social Experiments” explored the perils of social media as a destructive force. Students danced with their cell phones as a “partner” and a phone screen with text scrolling was projected onto the back of the stage. A highly sophisticated piece, this dance employed the use of student voices expressing their relationship with social media and the anxiety that it creates. The dance included a KO international student in China whose image was projected onto the back screen of the stage as the students performed with her in real-time. This dedicated student had taken on the extreme challenges of distance and time by learning the choreography with her fellow students in the wee hours of the night in China.

Not all the dances sought to convey social commentary. Some simply showcased the sheer exuberance of moving. Savannah Jones’s work “El Debarge, Rhythm of the Night” allowed the students to express the fun and joy of jazz dancing to 1980s music. JuS’s explosive hip-hop-infused work “Sanctuary” was perhaps the most difficult piece due to the extreme cardio workout for the dancers over a sustained period of time. The school was very intentional regarding safety protocols in its leadup to the showcase. Over the course of 10 weeks, the students practiced in the dance studio, which had taped out six-foot boxes where each student was required to remain while performing. If the students moved in a number, the entire group moved as well to maintain their distance. Practices were limited to one hour in keeping with CDC guidelines. Although practicing

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2021

with masks proved challenging, the group was deemed a cohort, so they could perform the showcase maskless. The students were thrilled with the opportunity to learn from the choreographers. Olivia Pear ’21 said, “It’s amazing to have this opportunity and have a back and forth with a professional and build a rapport with someone who is as deeply invested in something that you love yourself.” The lessons learned in the showcase transcended technical proficiency in any dance form. Frank Pu ’23 said he learned to relax while dancing to level up his performances. A relative newcomer to dance, Faith Potter ’23 said, “I’m so much more confident in my classes. I don’t care if I get an answer wrong. The emphasis is that you try. Choreographer Showcase really speaks to that element of KO that’s really all about the learning experience.” Reynolds said, “The Choreographer Showcase celebrates diversity by exploring different styles of dance and approaches it in an authentic way. I hope the community sees that the showcase is an artistic outlet for male, female, tall, short, gay, straight, abled, or disabled people. It’s truly a place for everyone to attach themselves to an artistic outlet that is driven through the art of dance.”

Upper School history teacher, razor-sharp editor of the KO Magazine, and “The Word Guy” Rob Kyff ’s book Mark My Words is now being sold on Amazon. The review from the online retailer states, “Mark My Words provides handy tips on punctuation and usage, promising to elevate any reader’s writing skills. But it also puts forth quirky and spirited word games, quizzes, and fun facts that will delight anyone with an interest in language.”

Around the Green

KO Student Named Top Volunteer in Connecticut

“I’m learning in science class that 40 percent of the food is wasted. That’s really mind-boggling. We don’t throw out a lot of stuff at home,” he said.

For his dedication and clocking over 200 hours of service to Foodshare, a regional food bank serving Hartford and Tolland counties, Dhruv Suryadevara ’24 was selected as Connecticut’s top youth volunteer by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for 2020. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. Suryadevara started working with Foodshare when he was 12 and enjoyed the experience, so he continued his involvement with the organization. “I learned there’s a lot of people who struggle with food insecurity,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who work really hard to try to put food on the table, but at the end of the day, they just don’t have enough money to be able to provide for their families. Foodshare really helps with that. They get donations; the volunteers like myself package the food, and then the volunteers deliver to the local food banks which help the needy.” Suryadevara said he finds much satisfaction when he compiles a box filled with produce, bread, and meat, knowing that he is helping even just one family. In addition to working at Foodshare, Suryadevara also has run local food

drives in his neighborhood and has worked in a community garden raising vegetables to send on to Foodshare. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. According to Feeding America, a nationwide non-profit, due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, more than 50 million people in the U.S. may experience food insecurity, including as many as 17 million children. Suyadevara’s interest in food insecurity is dovetailing what he is learning in his science classes where the students are developing composting materials. “I’m learning in science class that 40 percent of the food is wasted. That’s really mindboggling. We don’t throw out a lot of stuff at home,” he said. While Suryadevara was in middle school he submitted an application to the Prudential Spirit Award and was notified that he had won the prize. He was awarded $1,000 and $2,500, which he donated to Foodshare, as well as a trip to D.C., which was unfortunately canceled due to the pandemic. Instead, he attended a virtual recognition event with the other prize winners. Suryadevara said he will continue to work on serving his community and bringing awareness to other young people on giving back to the community, especially during COVID-19. “There has been an increase in the demand for Foodshare,” he said. “I heard that a lot more people are relying on their services because of these tough times.”

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2021

Fellowship Zoom Held with Kingswood School in England When John Welsey founded Kingswood School in England in 1748, little could he have imagined that the staff of his school would be Zooming with its namesake school across the pond. But, indeed, on Sunday, Nov. 15, community members from both schools, Kingswood and Kingswood Oxford, discussed the history of their respective schools as well as educational upheavals and the measures both schools have taken to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic. Zoe Parsons, the archivist at Kingswood School, offered a thorough overview of the history of the English school. Originally known as King’s Wood and located near Bristol, the school was established initially for the sons of local colliers. They were joined by the sons of the itinerant ministers of the Methodist Church. The school moved to its present location on

the northern slopes of Bath in 1851. During World War II, the Kingswood buildings were requisitioned by the government and used by the Admiralty for military planning purposes, so the school was evacuated to Uppingham School where it continued to function. The school now educates 1,000 students from ages nine months to 18 years. Brenda Semmelrock, KO’s archivist since 2012, shared a history of the American Kingswood, which was started by local parents in the Hartford area who wanted a fine day school for their young men. They discovered a young British teacher to serve as headmaster, George Nicholson. Nicholson, who had enjoyed a successful career as a student at the English Kingswood, where

The chapel on the KINGSWOOD SCHOOL campus in Bath, England.

Around the Green Semmelrock said that there is a big concern among all archivists about where to store all the materials, but she has hard copies of all the actions that KO has taken during this time. This file will enable future generations to learn how Kingswood Oxford pivoted under these unique circumstances.

he had held the positions of prefect and captain of the cricket team, later became a respected teacher at the school. Nicholson asked Kingswood whether the new school in Connecticut could adopt its iconography and heraldry, and the head of school granted him permission. Opened in 1916 with 15 students, the new school’s tuition ranged from $200 to $450 per academic year, and lunch was $10 per month. The school adopted many British traditions: Nicholson divided the school into two houses, York and Lancaster, for academic and athletic competitions, introduced a field day, a debating society, an awards ceremony, the designation of prefects, and the offering of afternoon tea. At the end of the first year, Nicholson wrote, “The discipline and spirit of the school are excellent. There’s a great pleasure to see the increasingly keen community among the boys and to know they are happy and more successful in their work.” Fritz Farquhar ’59 P ’83, ’86, whose father, Nelson Farquhar was the fourth headmaster of Kingswood School, attended the fellowship reception and commented that he was deeply grateful to Zoe Parsons and Brenda Semmelrock for preserving the past. He asked how the archivists were chronicling the schools’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in their archives.

Andrew Gordon-Brown, new to his role as headmaster at Kingswood School since September, said he was thrilled with the opportunity for the two schools to connect and strengthen their relationship. “All matter of possibilities come to mind, particularly since the death of distance due to online teaching,” he said. “The world that we have all had to get used to has made these possibilities more. I’d love nothing more than to host people from KO at Kingswood School. There are so many shared values that draw on the founder John Wesley in his often-mentioned quote, ‘An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.’ I can see Kingswood Oxford has taken up that challenge. We both have people who do good in all that we can, give back to the community, and try our best to make a difference.” Gordon-Brown said that despite the challenges of teaching in COVID-19, the pandemic motivated more educators to embrace technology. “What has been a blessing in many respects has been the quality of teaching and learning that’s going on,” he said. “We had to toggle quite quickly with all of the kids in front of us to have all of the kids at home with the teacher delivering online instruction through Microsoft teams. What we found is that teachers had to be a whole lot more intentional in their lesson planning. What was it they wanted to get across? How will they evaluate and assess whether the kids were making progress? Schools all over the land have had to fast-track the deployment of technology in teaching. I reckon we’ve taken our five-year digital strategy and condensed it into a year or 18 months.” The two schools look forward to more opportunities to connect in the future.

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KO Receives Major Estate Gift from James B. Lyon ’48 In December 2020, standing in the shadow of the cupola atop the Nicholson building on the KO campus, John Berman P ’78, ’80, a close friend of Jim Lyon ’48 and executor of his estate, handed Head of School Tom Dillow a check for $1 million, a gift from Lyon to the school that meant so much to him throughout his life. The location was a fitting one; Lyon served as the generous benefactor for the restoration of the cupola in 2017 when he saw it was in need of repair. That was consummate Lyon. When he saw a need, he was there with his magnanimous spirit ready to contribute in his characteristically low-key manner with a handwritten note.

Left to right: GIL KEEGAN ’88 P ’22, ’25, ’27, JOHN BERMAN P ’78, ’80, TOM DILLOW P ’21, ’22, ’26, MARK CONRAD ‘96

Around the Green JIM LYON’S ’48 bequest will impact KO students for decades to come.

“Jim loved life, and one of the things about his life that he loved most was KO,” Berman said. “This was one of the greatest institutions and friends closest to his heart, something that he loved to talk about. Jim felt strongly about KO and in advancing it in every way he could. His response was, ‘How much do you need?’ And then he would do his best to make it happen. It’s a tremendous pleasure for me on behalf of Jim to see his wishes being fulfilled with KO.” Head of School Tom Dillow expressed the enormous appreciation of the school, not only for the monetary gift but also for Lyon’s unwavering presence and support. “In my three years at KO, the name ‘Jim Lyon’ has come up frequently among a handful of other Wyvern icons,” he said, “and always with a great sense of appreciation and respect for his affection for KO. I had the good fortune of getting to know him,

and we talked about football and his fond memories of his teachers and classmates at Kingswood. That love and commitment he has to this school were so clear. It was amazing to see him, even in his final days, still showing up to board meetings active and engaged, despite the toll age and illness had taken on him. When we talk about commitment, about showing up, he lived that until his last days. With this gift, he has found a way to continue to support the school he loves even after he has left us. That is the ultimate example of generosity, and we are forever grateful to call him one of our own.” Lyon’s attentiveness and involvement on the board despite his diminished health impressed KO board member Gil Keegan. “He listened,” he said. “He was a participant. He asked questions. He was involved. He was engaged. For somebody who didn’t have a lot of time left, he made sure that the school was in a good spot.” Berman shared an anecdote from high school days of yore when the Hall High School boys would wade across Trout Brook to play baseball against Kingswood. Hall’s most dynamic player was a powerful sprinter named Bob Cushman.

During one game, Cushman was rounding third base and headed for home: he plowed into Lyon, the second-string catcher, who was guarding home plate, and Jim dropped the ball. The play irked Jim his entire life and taught him a valuable lesson: you don’t stand there waiting for the guy to hit you, you have to go right at him, “Jim was such a competitor,” Berman said, “and he aggressively attacked his illness. That spirit personified who Jim was for his entire life.” Jim’s extraordinary support for KO goes back decades and his gift ensures that his love for the school will extend into perpetuity. “As a former chair of the board of trustees who constantly looked for ways to enrich the lives of every student, Jim was a mentor to me,” said former Board Chair Brad Hoffman ’78. This $1 million gift is only part of the legacy Lyon leaves with KO. As a decades-long member of the Board of Trustees, he provided sage counsel to five heads of school. With his lifetime giving to the school totaling well over $2 million dollars, Lyon improved the experiences of thousands of KO students. His final bequest (which Berman estimated will be close to $1.5 million) ensures he will continue to make an impact on generations of future Wyverns.

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Min Jin Lee Encourages Students to be the Change Kingswood Oxford’s 38th Warren Baird English Symposium author and a National Book Award finalist for Pachinko, Min Jin Lee spoke to the school community in January via Zoom from her cozy New York City office dominated by a wall of shelving spilling over with books, a room where, she said, she “reads and writes and occasionally hides from my family.” Even though she wasn’t able to be physically present on campus, Lee displayed a warmth and generosity of spirit that was part motivational speaker and part therapist to her young audience. Former English teacher Dr. Heather Wayne, the Symposium instructor for this year, introduced Lee and explained that Lee’s stories center on the Korean diaspora and explore themes running the gamut from “triumph, hardship, cruelty, kindness, wealth, deprivation, oppression, resistance, despair, and hope.” Throughout the year, her fortunate class absorbed all of Lee’s works and displayed their understanding and connection to her oeuvre through op-eds, personal essays, blog posts, speeches, essays, literary criticism, and poems, as well as less traditional means like Instagram posts, memes, paintings, board games, food drives, cooking videos, and a fully operational pachinko machine. The students compiled their reflections in a literary magazine that revealed the deep insights and mature thoughts about not only Lee’s writing but their own lives. “What I’d really like you to know about

Around the Green Ms. Lee today,” Wayne said, “is the urgent and unapologetic sense of moral conviction that she expresses in her writing. Min Jin Lee charges us to see others’ full humanity. She invites us to work collectively in community so that we can make the world more just and compassionate for the generations who follow us.” Lee told the students that she had been thinking about them and then enumerated the various anxieties (parents, weight, identity, sexuality, drugs) and desires (love, wealth, fame, dreams, big ideas) of this special age group. She told them she knows things about them because she is paying attention and exhorted the students, in the words of the 19th-century author Henry James, to “Try to be one of those on whom nothing is lost.” “You must try to be someone who notices almost everything,” Lee said. “As you pay careful attention, be someone who is open to ideas, observations, and images. I’m not asking you to be anything or do anything that is harmful. In fact, I want you to have an edge in life. To have an advantage. And you will have this for free if you pay attention to the world. The world needs your attention. And if you pay careful attention you will have what you need to make good decisions to make good relationships and you will be able to create good things from the things that you hold dear in your heart.”

Following her talk, she fielded questions from the student body. One student inquired who Lee’s favorite character was in Pachinko. She said that it was the emotional, unruly, and unscholarly Moses because she believes he is a good, honest person who shows up every day. Another student asked about the role of women in Pachinko who are often depicted as downtrodden. As an avowed feminist, Lee said that the world is unfair to women,

Americans from the COVID-19 crisis. “I think we have to keep thinking about it and talking about it and not taking it for granted,” she said. “And be outraged. We witnessed a coup this week. That was insane. I don’t want young people especially to be cynical about this. It’s a very serious thing. We have to respond to it with emotion and intelligence, and also with strategy. What will we do to make things better? As an adult, I want so much to encourage you to never

“Try to be one of those on whom nothing is lost.” even though great strides have been made. She granted that audiences don’t want to read or hear an angry woman write, so instead she uses her stories to convey the reality of the plight of women. By sharing these stories, Lee said she hopes to galvanize her audience to make changes. Pachinko begins with a poignant and profound first sentence: “History has failed us but no matter.” One student asked who the “us” in the opening line referred to. Without hesitation, Lee responded that the “us” is all of us at this moment in time. “I think history is failing us right now,” Lee said, citing the example of the daily toll of over 4,000 dead

become cynical about the problems that we see. I see too much eyerolling. Memes are great, but history is not a meme. We need to think about what we can do to fix it.” Founded in 1983 by Warren Baird, then chair of the KO English Department, the Warren Baird English Symposium has welcomed some of the nation’s most renowned writers, poets, and playwrights, including Arthur Miller, John Updike, Tony Kushner, Joyce Carol Oates, and Colson Whitehead. To prepare for the author visit, students in all grade levels read at least one work by the writer, and students in the Senior Seminar class read the author’s work exclusively.

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Christopher Conrad ’91 Fund for Social Justice

Kingswood Oxford School continues to focus on ways to support diversity, equity, and inclusion within our school community. This year, the Conrad and Wedeles families, KO families with deep Wyvern roots, created the Christopher Conrad ’91 Fund for Social Justice. This fund, named in honor of their late son and brother, will support faculty professional development, student projects, and curricular innovation. Head of School Tom Dillow said, “This is a wonderful cause, and it will help us become a better, more inclusive school so that all students find a place of belonging. I am incredibly grateful that our faculty will have access to professional

development opportunities to help us become a better version of ourselves moving forward.” The Conrad and Wedeles families chose to support diversity, equity, and inclusion because they knew these areas were important to Chris. The family gathered on May 19, his birthday, to finalize the gift with KO. “I am so thankful to be able to do something wonderful in his name,” Jean Conrad, Chris’ mother said. “He is smiling down on us, and we couldn’t be prouder to be able to do this. It is just perfect, and we are honored to be able to do this on his birthday. This is the best birthday present that he could have ever had.”

KO will add new courses on race and equity for the 2021-2022 school year in the Upper School and will incorporate other curriculum in a VQV course which is required of all students. Additional courses, workshops, and programs will be planned as well. We invite the KO community to support this Fund and the important work it will accomplish. KO is deeply grateful for this generous gift. For more information, please contact Jayne Rotter at rotter.j@kingswoodoxford.org

Around the Green

Jazz Ensemble Straight Ahead Forty years ago, the Kingswood Oxford jazz ensemble released Straight Ahead - a full-length album featuring jazz and pop hits. Directed by KO Music Director, Dr. Wayne Pierce, the album was recorded as a full band in the Roberts Theater on Mar. 12 and 13, 1981. The album was mixed by Doug Kupper at the Tape Works in Hartford, who also served as an engineer and producer along with Pierce. “The idea materialized and came in the shadow of Hall High School who had been doing these recordings for years. We didn’t have anything like that at KO. This was in the early days of videotaping, and there was nothing permanent for any of the ensembles,” Pierce said. Pierce felt that the jazz musicians were solid players to merit an album, and it offered permanence to their efforts. He selected the eight pieces by considering what would make an interesting album while highlighting the talents and of the soloists. Andy Bucknam ’82 P ’17, ’19, a trumpet player who soloed the flugelhorn on “A Child is Born” vividly remembers the experience “as if it was yesterday,” recording multiple takes of the songs to coax the best possible performance and ensuring that no one made any noise between the sets. He even used the album as part of his admissions portfolio to college, and he partly credits his acceptance to Middlebury College on the merits of the recording.

“The idea of recording an album was so exciting for us,” Bucknam said. “It really elevated us and gave us an identity from just going to rehearsals and playing a couple of concerts. It gave us a whole new experience. It wasn’t just the recording, but the whole idea of playing your best, being quiet, and starting and stopping as a unit. And, then physically getting the album. The vinyl. To be handed this album with a cover, it was really cool.” Although the album is student performers, the sound quality and musicianship of Straight Ahead are excellent. Pierce said that he and the engineer spent several days in the studio mastering the album and were very pleased with the final product. “It’s very enjoyable to listen to, a real success artistically.” Bucknam concurs with Pierce’s assessment of the recording and still listens to the album today. On occasion, his iPhone even randomly shuffles a recording of the jazz ensemble’s version of “A Child is Born.” “I can hear every bar in my head since I rehearsed that song so many times. It’s very meaningful. I played the melody from start to finish. It was nice to think that Wayne Pierce thought I had the chops to do it. KO has that amazing ability to give you opportunities that you just can’t find in a larger school. It has a noticeable impact on your confidence.”

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2021

Around the Green

Renowned NigerianAmerican Author Speaks to Global Cities Class KO’s freshman Global Cities class studied Nigeria and issues with structural inequalities due to colonialism, religious conflict, oil corporations, and climate change. In this class, the students examine large issues facing some of the world’s greatest cities and develop real-world solutions based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As a culminating experience for this unit, the class hosted a webinar in May with Dr. Okey Ndibe P ’10, ’12, ’15, a notable, local author and scholar who grew up in Nigeria. He moved to the U.S. in the early 1980s when Chinua Achebe, author of Things Fall Apart, invited Ndibe to the U.S. to edit a publication. Ndibe became a U.S. citizen in 1996 and said, “In a lot of ways I hold the two countries in conversation. I love things about both countries and have harsh conversations with both countries. My American identity and my Nigerian identity are interspersed beautifully.” Ndibe explained the richness of Nigerian culture — a multinational state inhabited by more than 250 ethnic groups speaking 500 distinct languages. After Nigerian independence from England in

1960, there was fierce competition among the groups for control of the country’s newly discovered resource of crude oil as well as political power. “There were issues of ethnic distrust and suspicion — with minor groups also complaining about marginalization. The drama of Nigeria, the tragedy of Nigeria is one of a country that hasn’t been created but has been eaten up,” he said. All of these factors including the colonial articulation of the country drove the country to a 30-month civil war in 1967. Ndibe lived through the toll of the war and shared some of his terrible memories from that time: believing his parents were bombed when he was getting firewood, to witnessing a man collapsing on line for food aid, to seeing cars strafed with bombs and the charred remains inside. But, there are beautiful memories, too, of when his father went hunting for guinea fowl on the shores of a river. “All of these memories have shaped the person

that I am and the writer that I am and the urgency to advocate for my country founded in justice,” he said. Ndibe is an outspoken critic of the corruption that plagues Nigeria which he describes as “a country conceived in hope but nurtured by its leaders into hopelessness.” As the country has swelled in population, its problems have been compounded and its resources have been plundered by corrupt politicians and military dictators. Due to his criticism of the regimes, Ndibe has often been jailed when he returns to the country. He noted that Nigeria has many enlightened and educated people who, unfortunately, do not have the visionary leadership that they crave. Despite the hardships of the country, Ndibe said that Nigeria is a place steeped with a sense of community which “enables people to get on even though the poverty can be crushing.” Ndibe has no time for bitterness, and he faces his life with “radical optimism.”

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Cum Laude Students Pursue Academics with Deep Commitment In his opening remarks for the KO Cum Laude Society Induction ceremony, Upper School English teacher and Cum Laude Chapter President Ron Monroe likened the new members’ academic journey to John Updike’s description of preternatural Red Sox slugger Ted Williams, whose 482 on-base percentage is ranked the highest of all time. In the final game of his career, Williams hit a home run in his last at-bat. Updike viewed Williams’ unremitting dedication to the game as the tissue-thin difference between “doing the thing done well and the thing done ill.” Just like Williams, Monroe said, these honor students pursued their academics with a steady and deep commitment and took personal pride in their work every step of their journey. Caroline Nguyen ’96 was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Currently, she is the acting deputy vice president for Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America for the Millennial Challenge Corporation, a government agency that provides time-limited grants for promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions. She oversees the agency’s $2 billion portfolio of compact investments for that geographic region. In addition, she supervises MCC’s relationships with partner countries and provides oversight and guidance to teams for the

development and implementation of sustainable programs focused on capital investments and policy reforms to ensure the achievement of program objectives. Prior to this position, she worked at McKinsey and Company in Southeast Asia and served as a counselor to the assistant attorney general in the office of legal policy in the U.S. Department of Justice where she advised on and negotiated policy on national security and criminal law matters. Earlier in her career, she practiced law in Washington, D.C. Nguyen earned a B.A. from Harvard College, an M.A. from The

KO CUM LAUDE SOCIETY The following seniors were inducted into the Cum Laude Society in February: Matthew Bzowyckyj, son of Lisa and Daniel Bzowyckyj Shreeya Chalikonda, daughter of Aruna and Srinivasa Chalikonda Huaxu (Tommy) Dan, son of Huifang Zhang and Houjun Dan Brandon DeLucia, son of Deborah and Orlando DeLucia Zeyu (Aaron) Duan, son of Mengying Wang and Hongqi Duan Sloan Duvall, daughter of Leigh and Lane Duvall Ling (Felix) Fei, son of Beilei Zhang and Jia Fei Braden Flowers, son of Tammi and Charles Flowers Kyle Frankel, son of Amy and Glenn Frankel Emma Henry, daughter of Kerrie and Mark Henry Jingyun (Jane) Liang, daughter of Xuelian Lai and Anji Liang Sadie Margolis, daughter of Kim and Scott Margolis Ahana Nagarkatti, daughter of Shikha Sarkar and Durgesh Nagarkatti Olivia Pear, daughter of Patty Flanagan and Brian Pear Ethan Raisner, son of David and Amy Webber Raisner ’87 Snehaa Ram, daughter of Shwetha Ram and Ram Narayan Jacob Schwartz, son of Lisa and Gary Schwartz ’76

Around the Green Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Public Affairs at Princeton University, and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. Nguyen shared three life lessons with the hope that some of her experiences can prove useful and resonate with the inductees. Like them, Nguyen sat in their spot 25 years earlier with the sure thought that she would be a medical doctor, be married by 30, and have a career in Connecticut. After taking more and more classes in the social sciences and running public service organizations, she rethought her path. “All this expanded my worldview,” she told the students. “In each activity, I grappled with challenging issues of the day and defended my position. I learned how to unpack complex issues and how to communicate them. In college, the social sciences gave me a daily opportunity to argue ideas and think about and defend theories. That was where the fun was.” She credits KO as the place that gave her confidence in a smaller, safer, more forgiving space so that she could find her voice. She advocated that the students do as much as they can today so they can do better tomorrow. “Your path and exposures lay the foundation for future success. You can draw from these experiences. Take advantage of clubs, sports even though you may not see an immediate advantage,” she said.

Nguyen remarked that, unfortunately, in very competitive environments, individuals are not always team players nor do they always uphold core values of integrity and honesty. She advised the Wyverns not to give in to base temptations in their careers. She said she followed the KO motto of Vincit Qui Se Vincit - One Conquers By Conquering Oneself - to hold herself to high standards. “It’s about self-discipline. To do what is hard. These are fundamental pillars in life. This is what will set you apart and draw good people to you,” she said. Lastly, Nguyen advised the students to enjoy their journey because there is no perfect job and tradeoffs are inevitable. In Nguyen’s case, she thought working for the Department of Justice would have been her dream job. But she learned that she favors positions and opportunities where she can make a greater impact and a difference. Due to the Justice Department’s farreaching scope and sheer number of players, Nguyen felt her impact was not as significant as she would have liked. “If you focus on only one concrete end goal, you may not consider other possibilities or opportunities that come your way because they don’t fit neatly in the box. Instead of just the job, figure out your values and priorities. The road ahead is winding and long. Take full advantage to grow and be a good person,” she said.

Following the COVID-19 protocols, Kingswood’s founding headmaster GEORGE NICHOLSON sported a facemask during the school year.

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Dr. Susan Emery has been named new Director of Enrollment Management We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Susan Emery has been named the new Director of Enrollment Management at Kingswood Oxford School, effective July 1, 2021. Dr. Emery brings eight years of experience in admissions and enrollment management with a proven track record in a variety of contexts, ranging from

Around the Green

“We are thrilled that Susan and her family are returning to KO. Susan is a strategic and innovative leader who will be a great addition to our Admissions department and Senior Leadership team. While at KO, she always went above and beyond what was needed to help showcase our school, and she was instrumental in building a strong foundation for the Admissions department evidenced by our steady enrollment.” -Tom Dillow boarding schools to day schools in highly competitive markets. With her entrepreneurial zeal, Susan helped establish an international boarding school in downtown Los Angeles. Prior to working in schools, she sat on the other side of the table helping families navigate the admissions process and guiding applicants on selecting mission-appropriate schools as a professional member of Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and certified educational planner. Dr. Emery comes to KO from Whittle School & Studios in Washington, D.C., where she served as the co-head of admissions, director of financial aid, associate director of boarding admissions, and sixth-grade student advisor. While at Whittle, she led recruitment initiatives and built relationships in target markets, including strategic partnerships

with corporations, embassies, feeder schools, and consultants. Prior to Whittle, Emery was the senior associate director of admissions at KO. Head of School Tom Dillow said, “We are thrilled that Susan and her family are returning to KO. Susan is a strategic and innovative leader who will be a great addition to our Admissions department and Senior Leadership team. While at KO, she always went above and beyond what was needed to help showcase our school, and she was instrumental in building a strong foundation for the Admissions department evidenced by our steady enrollment.” Dr. Emery will oversee and be responsible for the day-today operations of the Office of Admissions and partner with our Marketing and Communication department to develop and implement effective enrollment strategies.

Dr. Emery said, “Touring campus with two exceptional Shield & Dragon ambassadors brought back familiar and contagious feelings of pride among Wyvern Nation, especially after an incredibly trying year. I appreciated seeing how KO flourished in spite of the challenges and enjoyed hearing inspiring stories of student, faculty, and staff perseverance. I couldn’t stop smiling as I walked around campus. What excites me about the position is the ability to focus on the journey of a prospective student and enrolled family that highlights the strengths of the KO experience. Additionally, our Strategic Vision, with its emphasis on authentic and interdisciplinary learning, will help prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to be happy, healthy, and successful. The Admissions Office, one of the many touchpoints at KO, offers families and students the opportunity to reflect on which aspects of education are most meaningful to them.” Dr. Emery holds a doctorate (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree (Ed.M.) in International Educational Development from Boston University. She attended George Washington University as an undergraduate where she majored in International Business Administration and minored in Chinese Language and Literature.

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We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Donique McIntosh has been named the new Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging effective August 1, 2021. Dr. McIntosh has extensive experience in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices (DEI) as both an educator and administrator. She earned her doctorate in social justice education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the only program in the country that develops scholars and practitioners in this field at the doctoral level. Her dissertation research on the relationship between culture and perceptions of campus climate for a marginalized population of students provided her with tremendous insight into participants’ experiences and afforded her the opportunity to recommend policies, programs, and practices aimed at creating schools that are more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. In addition to her time working in higher ed, she has worked with non-profits, faith-based organizations, and K-12 schools on their diversity and equityrelated work.

Additionally, she has published in the DEI field and has presented at a multitude of conferences, and advocated for social change at the state and federal level. Head of School Tom Dillow said, “Donique is a most thoughtful and empathetic individual who is a consummate relationship builder. She purposely seeks out opportunities to create diverse and equitable environments

by collaborating with students, administrators, and faculty on new programming and advocating for underrepresented populations. I look forward to her leadership as we create a KO where all students feel a true sense of belonging.” Dr. McIntosh will collaborate with the faculty to ensure the integration of an inclusive curriculum, and design and facilitate workshops and training for the KO community. Dr. McIntosh said, “I’m excited about joining the KO community. I’m looking forward to getting to know people, learning more about KO’s specific needs, and building on the foundation already laid. What excites me most, perhaps, is having the opportunity to support and nurture young people who are passionate about equity and inclusion.” In addition to her doctorate, Dr. McIntosh earned master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Tennessee after graduating from Fisk University as an undergraduate.

Alumni Receptions

On Monday, May 17, 124 KO parents, friends, and alumni gathered at Blue Fox Run in Avon for the 2021 Kingswood Oxford Golf Tournament. Though there have been golf outings organized by the Alumni Council in the past, it has not been held in several years, so this restructured event was a welcome return for many.

CHAS BELLINGRAPH ’03

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The picture-perfect spring day — the first truly warm day of the year — started with a shotgun start after a boxed lunch and ended with dinner and awards outside the clubhouse. When all the scorecards were tallied, the winning team was revealed to be a group of KO Staffers: Director of Facilities Justin Wolfradt P ’22, ’24, Head Baseball Coach Ryan Radmanovich P ’21, ’24, Dean of Students Krista Sahrbeck, and Interim Director of Athletics Josh Balabuch. Radmanovich and Sahrbeck also won the long drive competitions for men and women, respectively. In a special, surprise ceremony, Head of School Tom Dillow presented the inaugural JAMES B. LYON AWARD FOR SERVICE to Brad Hoffman ’78, who ended his term as Chair of the Board of Trustees in June after five years as Chair, and 16 years of service on the Board overall. The award, named for former Board Chair Jim Lyon ’48, recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional leadership and service to the school.

THE WINNING TEAM Director of Facilities Justin Wolfradt P’22, ’24, Baseball Coach Ryan Radmanovich P’21, ’24, Dean of Students Krista Sahrbeck, and Interim Director of Athletics Josh Balabuch.

Head of School Tom Dillow with former Chair of the Board of Trustees Brad Hoffman, after being presented with the inaugural JAMES B. LYON AWARD FOR SERVICE.

Alumni Receptions

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Reunion 2021 took on a different look than in past years. COVID restrictions did not allow for the in-person parties and receptions that we have been used to celebrating in years past, so the Alumni Office created a variety of virtual events for people to celebrate together from their homes.

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KO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

CLASS OF 2021 The weekend started off, as it usually does, with the HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY on April 23, 2021. The hybrid event was the first of its kind for KO as it combined a live ceremony in Roberts Theater with a virtual livestream. Six of the seven inductees were able to receive their awards in person, and the final one accepted her award via live feed from her home in North Carolina. The entire ceremony was also streamed to the alumni community who watched and cheered from as far away as Hawaii.

David Emery ’75 Janet Krevolin ’80 Derek Green ’81 Margot Moses ’91 Coach Dennis Brennan ’71 1966 Boys’ Basketball 1985 Boys’ Basketball 1990 Girls’ Lacrosse

JEFF GITLIN ’85 and ANDY KRUGMAN ’86 are reunited with the KIT Championship trophy from their 1984-85 Hall of Fame season.

Alumni Receptions KO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2021

Four outstanding Kingswood Oxford athletes, two boys’ basketball teams, a girls’ lacrosse team, and a storied coach were inducted into the Kingswood Oxford Athletic Hall of Fame on April 23, 2021. The first-ever hybrid ceremony, emceed by Interim Director of Athletics Josh Balabuch, welcomed 30 inductees and guests in Roberts Theater and was livestreamed to the entire alumni community in real-time. These athletes were chosen for their tremendous athletic achievements as well as their integrity, sportsmanship, and character.

David Emery ’75 Inducted by Bob Bradley ’75

Dave Emery has long ties to Kingswood Oxford. His mother, Hope, was a graduate of Oxford School ’43 and his father, Jack, taught physics for 24 years. Emery played soccer and lacrosse for six years while at KO. Known as a dedicated soccer and lacrosse player, Emery became a role model for his teammates by approaching

every practice as an opportunity to grow as an athlete. His easy-going leadership earned him the position of soccer co-captain, and his talent earned him a position on the AllNew England soccer team in 1974. As a senior, Emery was awarded the Jacobus Prize for excellence in engineering drawing, and the Merritt Prize, which is given to that member of the Sixth Form who best exemplifies the results of a Kingswood Oxford education. After leaving KO, Emery went on to Middlebury College, where he served as captain for both the soccer and lacrosse teams, and won awards in both sports. After his graduation, Emery returned to KO in 1979 to teach science and coach soccer and lacrosse. In 2000, Emery became head coach for both the boys’ varsity soccer and lacrosse teams at Granby Memorial

High School. He approached those teams with the same philosophy he learned in his time as a student athlete at Kingswood Oxford: that more important than the games won or lost is sportsmanship and that conduct on the field of play is the true measure of a game wellplayed and ultimately a life well-led. In the 20 years he coached those teams, he won twice as many games as he lost, and was elected Coach of the Year five times before his retirement In 2020. In 1992, Emery and his wife Jenny purchased a farm in North Granby, raising much of their own meat and produce while selling maple syrup, hay, and firewood. In his retirement he is looking forward to spending time with his many grandchildren and pursuing his many outdoor interests.

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completed a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin while working full time at an orthopedic company, and was nominated to the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society.

Janet Krevolin ’80

Inducted by Scott Dunbar

Janet Krevolin played soccer at KO throughout her high school years and served as captain as a senior. She played varsity basketball for three years and was captain her senior year. In 1980, she won the Girls’ Athletic Award. After KO, Krevolin attended Wellesley College where she majored in mathematics and computer science. While there, she played soccer and lacrosse and served as co-captain of both teams in her junior and senior years and was awarded an MVP award for soccer. She earned a master’s in biomedical engineering, working in an orthopedics lab at Case Western Reserve. Since then, she has made a career in orthopedic research and product development. She

She lived and worked in Zurich, Switzerland for four years, running European research for Zimmer, now Zimmer-Biomet. Following her stint in Switzerland, Krevolin returned to the U.S. as global vice president of product development of Zimmer. Currently, she is the chief operating officer of Novum Medical, Inc. which designs innovative orthopedic implants using novel biomaterials to provide an enhanced interface between the implant and bone to allow for a more natural healing process and improved performance. She has numerous patents and is also a professor of the practice at Tufts University in the Biomedical Engineering Department. She leads an active life cycling and golfing and won Club Championships in Texas, Indiana, and her current club in Massachusetts. She also participates in many charity bike rides near her home in Somerville, Mass.

Derek“Deke”Green ’81

Inducted by David Green

Deke Green played football, wrestling, and track all four years at KO and served as captain of the track team in his junior and senior years. He held the record for the 100 meters for over 25 years and the 200 meters for four years. Green earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University, where he was elected captain of the track team and became NCAA D3 Northeast champ. In 1985, he was commissioned through Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). He later earned two Master of Science Degrees, his latest in Aerospace Engineering. Green has had a diverse career in management, engineering, acquisitions management, and

Alumni Receptions KO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2021

combat flying operations. He is a command pilot with over 5,000 hours of flying time in 18 different types of civilian and military aircraft and helicopters with over 65 hours of combat time. He is currently the vice president of the jet division for Performance Flight and also the chief operating officer for the startup company, Miracle Mansion. As the general manager of General Electric’s global flight operations division, he managed their global flight operations, set policy for the company, and gave critical input on business direction for jet engine sales and aircraft leasing and financing. He also oversaw all personnel, operational and technical activities of their flight department. Prior to his position at GE, he was the commander, operations support, and DV airlift pilot for the 201st Airlift Squadron at Andrews Air Force base in Washington, D.C. There, he managed the transport of dignitaries from the White House, Congress, and the Department of Defense.

He was the branch chief for fighter aircraft training in the Reserve, and deputy branch chief for the VIP-Special Airlift Missions Branch at the Pentagon, responsible for $4.4 billion dollars in assets; managing aircraft modifications/utilization, funding, aircrew manning and training, capability forecasts for force employment, and flying hours for every VIP aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory to include Air Force One. His other duties included advising the chief of staff of the Air Force on operational requirements for key strategic mobility missions, advocating mobility requirements, and being the point of contact for air staff, secretariat, joint chiefs of staff, other services, and Air Force Major Commands. Additionally, he developed air force positions on combat airlift and mobility issues; as well as fighter training strategies and programs for use by the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force during deliberations with the Joint Chief of Staff and Secretary of Defense.

Margot Moses ’91

Inducted by Whitney Stiehler ’91 While at KO, Margot Moses earned 11 varsity letters in soccer, basketball, ice hockey, and tennis and served as captain of the soccer and tennis teams and assistant captain of ice hockey. She was named MVP in both soccer and tennis, won the Striker of the Year Award as a member of the 1989 girls’ soccer team that became Founders League and WNEPSSA Champions. As a senior, Moses earned All-State soccer honors, and played in the All Star game. Moses went on to play soccer at Trinity College and was a captain in the 1994 season.

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For the past seven years, Moses has served as the assistant principal and dean of students at Carolina Day School in Asheville, N.C., her fifth independent school since her career began over 20 years ago. After earning a master’s degree in educational leadership from Columbia University, she transitioned from teaching and into administrative roles over the last decade. Her desire to coach is what initially led her into the world of teaching. Whether in the classroom or on the athletic field, the lens of the coach has always guided her. Soccer has been her primary sport, but she has also coached, ice hockey, tennis, and track. She believes that the connections made on a playing field, rink, or court are life-changing for the players as well as the coach, and that magic happens when a team comes together. When not at school, Margot, her wife Hadley, and their 10-monthold daughter Edie, can be found hiking, biking, or camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains where they enjoy the freedom from the stresses of a long week at work.

Dennis Brennan ’71 Inducted by Andrew Krugman ’86

Dennis Brennan was an athlete at KO before becoming a coach. He played soccer, basketball, and golf and served as captain of the golf team in 1971 as well as a prefect. He also won the Andrew Blodgett award which is given in memory of Andrew Blodgett III of the Class of 1958 to the student in the Fourth Form who possesses qualities of helpfulness, friendliness, and good citizenship. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1975. After graduation, he taught, coached, and was a dorm master at Salisbury School. In 1978, Brennan returned to KO and taught Spanish, served as director of admissions for several years, worked in advancement, and coached varsity basketball for 14 years. For those who were lucky enough to play for Coach Brennan, practices were met with a combination of excitement and fear. No practice was more physically demanding than his, but as a result, no players were in better condition. As the KO teams watched their opponents tire during a game, they realized that the exhausting practices gave them an edge since they were able to play longer and harder than anyone else.

No one at KO, including Brennan himself, knows his record of wins and losses. Although he coached several dominant seasons, including the 1984-85 team that was also inducted into the Hall of Fame, Brennan believes that some of his most important and meaningful teams were those who had the least successful records. To him, hard work trumps talent, and skill is nothing without integrity. Brennan left teaching for a career in business development and is now retired. He and his wife Maggie have two sons, Patrick ’99 and Tim ’00. Patrick and his wife, Kiley live in Lisbon, Portugal with their son Carrick. Tim travels and performs as a member of the Dropkick Murphys band.

Alumni Receptions KO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2021

The 1964-65 Boys’ Basketball team Inducted by Gerry Dubey ’66

KO coaching legend, Paul “Frosty” Francis, wrote that this team, which netted an 18-3 record and won the KIT Championship, was the most outstanding ones he’d ever coached. Four of the starting five accepted the award: JOSEPH “CUB” KUBUCHKA ’66, ED DUNN ’66, GEORGE “SHORTY” DIXON ’66,

and GERRY DUBEY ’66.

The 1984-85 Boys’ Basketball team

Inducted by Dennis Brennan

led the 1984-85 team to a 16-1 season, missing an undefeated season by one point at Loomis. The highlight of the season was winning the KIT Championship in a game against Suffield, breaking that team’s 39-game unbeaten streak. Coach Brennan presented the award to players JEFF GITLIN ’85 and ANDY KRUGMAN ’86. COACH BRENNAN

1990 Girls’ Lacrosse team

Inducted by Joey Alissi Cosgriff ’90 and Wendy Doran-Paley ’90

The 1990 girls’ lacrosse team had an undefeated season which led to a Founders League Championship. The team was led by seniors Joey Alissi, Wendy Doran, Chantal Lacroix, Melissa Leone, Becky Klein, and Betsy Trowbridge. One-third of the team went on to play lacrosse in college. Accepting the awards were WENDY DORAN-PALEY ’90, JOEY ALISSI COSGRIFF ’90, BECKY KLEIN ’90,

and MELISSA LEONE DELANEY ’90.

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A pril 23-25,2021 Saturday morning featured a STATE OF THE SCHOOL program that began with a video showcasing the work done in the past year to meet the goals of the Strategic Vision (even during a pandemic), as well as the areas of focus for the coming year. After the video, Head of School TOM DILLOW was joined by former Associate Head of School for External Affairs ZAIRA SANTIAGO , Director of Institutional Advancement DINA PLAPLER , and President of the Alumni Council TYLER POLK ’99 for an interactive question and answer session with alumni. In the afternoon, KO Archivist BRENDA SEMMELROCK hosted a video tour of the Oxford section of the school archives followed by a conversation with Oxford alumnae who shared stories and memories of their time together. For those interested in reliving their time in the classroom, perennial favorite teacher, ROB KYFF, gave a virtual class entitled U.S. History through U.S. Art which looked at significant events in history through the lens of paintings from the time. The day ended with a block-style party hosted by Los Angeles-based Party DJ Will Gill.

Alumni Receptions On May 22, Kingswood Oxford was able to welcome 35 members of the OXFORD AND KINGSWOOD CLASSES OF 1951-1971

for a luncheon to celebrate 50 or more years since their graduation.

L uncheon REUNION 2020 + 2021

KINGSWOOD 1960 Row 1 Ned Rogin, Bob Bulkeley, Baker Salsbury, Tim Curtis, Bernie Trafford ’61 Row 2 Tim Shepard, Andrew Shapiro, Deane Berson, Tom Moran

On a picturesque Saturday afternoon, an outdoor tent was erected and set for the occasion. The first event of its kind on campus since the pandemic began, it was a lively and enthusiastic group that gathered to enjoy the company of their classmates as well as a delicious meal.

OXFORD AND KINGSWOOD 1951 Eleanor Coburn Smith, Elizabeth Cook Gabel, Gara Van Schaack, Frances Steane Baldwin, Vivian Hathaway Crouse, Bill Eddy, Bob Raymond

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KINGSWOOD 1970 Alexander Nweeia, Ron Kaplan

OXFORD AND KINGSWOOD 1955-1958

KINGSWOOD 1971 Row 1 Ron Monterosso, Gerry Sack, Dennis Brennan, Rick Fierberg Row 2 Dave Maloy, Rick Watkins, Stuart Peslee, Dave Rosenthal

OXFORD 1970-1971 Boo Morton ’71, Nancy Wood ’70, Kate LeRoyer ’70, Betsy Rockwell Booth ’70, Darby Swan Weigel ’71, Wendy Brown Lincoln ’70

OLD FRIENDS REMINISCED about time spent at both Oxford and Kingswood, and a display from the school archives allowed guests to peruse old yearbooks, programs, and other items from “back in the day.”

Around the Green

SENIORS in college swag.

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KO Athletics 2020-2021

Varsity Athletics 2020-21

We commend our student-athletes for their perseverance, resilience, and positive attitude during a very difficult year. FALL FOOTBALL Head Coach: J.B. Wells Assistant Coaches: Brandon Batory ’10, David Hild ’80, Matt Kocay, Noah Lynd Captains: Michael DeMio ’21, Justin Edwards ’21, Samuel Smith ’21 Seniors: Evan Bygrave, Michael DeMio, Justin Edwards, Elijah Infante, Christopher Morris, Eden Nenshati, Adam Paszczuk, Rasheed Patterson, Samuel Rapp, Samuel Smith VOLLEYBALL Head Coach: Scott McDonald Assistant Coach: Carolyn McKee Captain: Sydney Smith ’21 Seniors: Evan Banning, Lucy Gardner, Sydney Smith FIELD HOCKEY Head Coach: Nicole Blake Captains: Ciara Chagnon ’21, Keegan McMahon ’21, Victoria Swanson ’21 Seniors: Caitlin Budzik, Isabelle Burke, Ciara Chagnon, Shreeya Chalikonda, Margo Dowgiewicz, Cameron Forslund, Keegan McMahon, Snehaa Ram, Victoria Swanson, Niki Taylor

GIRLS’ SOCCER Head Coach: Krista Sahrbeck Assistant Coach: Kathryn McCarthy Captains: Catherine Daniels ’21, Annelise Vaughn ’21 Seniors: Catherine Daniels, Isabel Jacobson, Annelise Vaughn

WINTER BOYS’ BASKETBALL Head Coach: Brad Seaman Assistant Coaches: Ronald Garcia, Peter Jones Captains: Carter Meshanic ’21, Hunter Meshanic ’21 Seniors: Michael DeMio, Ian Givens, Ryan Ignatowicz, John Kinney, Benjamin Merritt, Carter Meshanic, Hunter Meshanic, Christopher Morris GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Head Coach: Quinn O’Brien Assistant Coach: Judy Lindsay Bailey ’82

BOYS’ SOCCER Head Coach: Hikmet Aslan Assistant Coach: PJ Louis Captains: Carter Meshanic ’21, Colin Ruiz ’21, Christopher Sienko ’21 Seniors: William Elliott, Braden Flowers, John Kinney, Benjamin Merritt, Carter Meshanic, Hunter Meshanic, Ethan Raisner, Colin Ruiz, Christopher Sienko, Adam Theodorou, Jaden Weinstein

ICE HOCKEY Head Coach: John Hissick Assistant Coach: Michael Wolff Captains: Mitchell Autorino ’21, Cohl D’Addabbo ’21, Kyle Frankel ’21 Seniors: Mitchell Autorino, Cohl D’Addabbo, William Eliott, Kyle Frankel Four Year Award: Cohl D’Addabbo, William Elliott Five Year Award: Mitchell Autorino, Kyle Frankel

GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY Head Coach: Tricia Watson Assistant Coach: Natalie Lynd Captains: Olivia Reynolds ’22, Stella Risinger ’22 Senior: Sydney Dwyer

BOYS’ SWIMMING Head Coach: Alexander Kraus Assistant Coaches: Kata Baker, Kathleen DiSanto ‘03, Megan Farrell, William Martino Captains: Felix Fei ’21, Walter Kraus ’21, Eden Nenshati ’21 Seniors: Felix Fei, Walter Kraus, Eden Nenshati Four Year Award: Felix Fei, Walter Kraus, Eden Nenshati

BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY Head Coach: Fritz Goodman Assistant Coach: Alexander Hoerman Captain: Matthew Bzowyckyj ’21 Seniors: Matthew Bzowyckyj, Braeden Rose

DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, many sports in the 2020-21 school year were canceled or their schedules were abbreviated. We have noted team captains and coaches when information was available.

GIRLS’ SWIMMING Head Coach: Kata Baker Assistant Coaches: Kathleen DiSanto ‘03, Megan Farrell, Alexander Kraus, William Martino Captains: Risha Ranjan ’21, Stella Risinger ’22, Allison Wildstein ’22 Senior: Risha Ranjan Four Year Award: Risha Ranjan

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2021

Varsity Athletics 2020-21

BOYS’ SQUASH Head Coach: Robby Lingashi Captains: Aidan Dillow ’22, Henry Krieble ’21 Seniors: Henry Krieble, Ethan Raisner, Jaden Weinstein Five Year Award: Henry Krieble GIRLS’ SQUASH Head Coach: Cameron Biondi Captains: Isabel Berckemeyer ’21, Sydney Smith ’21 Seniors: Isabel Berckemeyer, Shreeya Chalikonda, Sloan Duvall, Sydney Smith

SPRING BASEBALL Head Coach: Steve Cannata Assistant Coaches: Peter Jones, Noah Lynd, Ryan Radmanovich Captains: Mike DeMio ’21, Riley Gravel ’21, Samuel Smith ’21 Seniors: Mitchell Autorino, Michael DeMio, Riley Gravel, John Kinney, Eden Nenshati, Samuel Smith, Landon White Most Improved: Riley Gravel Robert S. O’Brien Most Valuable Player: Samuel Smith Coaches Award: Michael DeMio Four Year Award: Samuel Smith

BOYS’ LACROSSE Head Coach: Brett Garber Assistant Coaches: Ted Garber, David Hild ’80 Captains: Christopher Sienko ’21, Patrick Schwab ’22 Seniors: Conor Caneday, Christopher Sienko Most Improved: Michael Bzowyckyj ’24 Connecticut Valley Lacrosse Club Most Valuable Player: Christopher Sienko Coaches Award: Conor Caneday Four Year Award: Conor Caneday, Christopher Sienko GIRLS’ LACROSSE Head Coach: Judy Lindsay Bailey ’82 Assistant Coaches: Erica Bromley, John Hissick Captains: Abigail McLaughlin ’22, Keegan McMahon ’21, Victoria Swanson ’21 Seniors: Catherine Daniels, Isabel Jacobson, Keegan McMahon, Victoria Swanson, Niki Taylor Most Improved: Macey Kotowitz ’25 Most Valuable: Abigail McLaughlin ’22 Coaches Award: Kami Tarantino ’24 Four Year Award: Victoria Swanson

BOYS’ TRACK AND FIELD Head Coach: Alexander Kraus Assistant Coaches: David Baker ’04, Frederick Goodman, Natalie Lynd, SOFTBALL Tricia Watson Head Coach: Jason Bradley Assistant Coaches: Rob D’Agostino, Captains: Matthew Bzowyckyj ’21, Daniel Raymond ’22, David Shi ’22 Kierstan Skinner Seniors: Matthew Bzowyckyj, Captains: Caitlin Budzik ’21, Braden Flowers, Elijah Infante, Olivia Pear ’21, Alexis Vail ’22 Seniors: Caitlin Budzik, Olivia Pear, Chaitanya Karanam, Benjamin Ava Radmanovich, Brieanna Toedt Merritt, Hunter Meshanic Most Improved: Mackenzie Caruso ’22 Most Improved: Marrich Most Valuable: Kyra Dunnirvine ’23 Somridhivej ’22 Coaches Award: Ava Radmanovich Most Valuable: Matthew Bzowyckyj Coaches Award: Hunter Meshanic Four Year Award: Caitlin Budzik, Four Year Award: Matthew Olivia Pear, Ava Radmanovich, Bzowyckyj Brieanna Toedt

GIRLS’ TRACK AND FIELD Head Coach: Tricia Watson Assistant Coaches: David Baker ’04, Alexander Kraus, Natalie Lynd, Frederick Goodman Captains: Ciara Chagnon ’21, Ashleigh Stepnowski ‘22, Annelise Vaughn ’21 Seniors: Ciara Chagnon, Geethika Chandragiri, Christina Lu, Madeline Thiessen, Annelise Vaughn Most Improved: Jordan DiMauro ’23 Most Valuable: Ciara Chagnon Coaches Award: Annelise Vaughn Four Year Award: Ciara Chagnon, Annelise Vaughn GOLF Head Coach: Scott Dunbar Captain: Henry Krieble ’21 Seniors: Evan Bygrave, Cohl D’Addabbo, Kyle Frankel, Henry Krieble, Mark Dixon Most Valuable: Henry Krieble Five Year Award: Henry Krieble BOYS’ TENNIS Head Coach: Andrew Krugman ’86 Captain: Jacob Schwartz ’21, Max-William Kanz ’22 Seniors: William Eliott, Ethan Raisner, Jacob Schwartz, Jaden Weinstein Most Improved: Jaden Weinstein Most Valuable: Jacob Schwartz Coaches Award: Ethan Raisner GIRLS’ TENNIS Head Coach: Ron Garcia Seniors: Shreeya Chalikonda,

Sloan Duvall, Melissa Hasbrouck, Emily Karasik Most Valuable: Stella Dodd ’23 Most Improved: Melissa Hasbrouck Coaches Award: Abigail Baier ’23

109th Commencement May 28, 2021

In a year of chaos and uncertainty, KO’s 109th Commencement on May 28 ended the year on an uplifting note of gratitude and hope. Due to the easing of social distancing restrictions and the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, KO was able to resume our customary graduation ceremony on the Senior Green, although with fewer spectators than in previous years. The chilly temperatures and cloudy skies couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 88 seniors who muscled through a tumultuous end to their high school career: ending their junior year remotely and spending their entire senior year wearing masks and social distancing. Although it was not a year anyone could have ever imagined, the Class of 2021 showed resilience and grace and provided consummate leadership to the rest of the student body.

Upper School history teacher Ted Levine gave the opening Invocation and recalled the previous evening Class Night performances where the students shared their thoughts of their high school years as well as musical and dance performances. He reflected on two of the students’ insights of their changing personas over their times at the school. “With the evolution of new selves, you reminded us how portraits and promises are always changing and how this community embraces an ongoing reinvention of self and celebrates at once who you are and who you will become,” Levine said. Maryellen Carroll ’21 provided the introduction to the day’s commencement speaker former Upper School English teacher Dr. Heather Wayne. For the past several years Wayne served as Carroll’s teacher and advisor who listened to her laughter, cry, and struggle through her senior thesis. Like clockwork, Wayne could expect to receive a Sunday 11:00 p.m. email from Carroll in a panic over chemistry or overdue work which Wayne would always respond to in a calm, measured, and reassuring manner.

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Wayne’s speech was structured around a poem by Seamus Heaney called “Scaffolding” which incidentally was the focus of her high school valedictorian speech as well. To her 18-year old self, the poem was about permanence and impermanence. “I thought I knew which structures in my life would be permanent, and which structures were only temporary

supports, scaffolding that I could allow to fall, leaving a secure stone wall behind,” she said. As Wayne’s life progressed, some of the firm beliefs have been altered while other things have taken their place. In the course of her writing the speech, Wayne asked her students how they have changed over the past year, and most students shared that they have found a stronger

sense of themselves and learned to value their relationships. In a year of much loss, much was also gained. Wayne said that some of the scaffolding that has fallen over this past year has exposed “the crumbling walls of our unequal and uneven health care system; it has exposed the urgency of shoring up our country’s foundational promise that we are all created

You Zoomed. You wore masks. You socially distanced. You played shortened sports seasons and sang in virtual choirs. There were many sacrifices you had to make, but you learned to appreciate things we used to take for granted. You were dealt a bad hand, but you said, ‘It is what it is’ and made the most of what you had. You showed such grace this year, such resilience, such patience. And we are so very proud of you. Take these lessons with you and use them to help you navigate when the seas grow stormy and you are faced with having to make sacrifices again,” Dillow said.

equal and endowed with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; it has exposed the pervasive cement of inequality that wrongly holds so many of our institutions precariously in place.” Wayne invited those assembled to reflect for thirty seconds about the future they want to build individually and collectively. “What walls do you want to tear down? What walls do you want to build? What scaffolds will you let fall? What foundations will you reinforce?” she asked.

Head of School Tom Dillow told the graduates that their collective experience during the pandemic will leave them better equipped than most classes that came before to weather the storms ahead and draw strength from the exercise. Rather than lament, become angered by, or resist a trying situation, Dillow said one can find peace when one accepts the new reality. “Class of 2021 did this magnificently this year. You didn’t swim against the current; you didn’t curse fate — as the world spun out of control around you, you went with the flow.

Following the presentation of diplomas by Dillow and Board Chair Brad Hoffman ’78, the new graduates were able to take part in one final part of the ceremony. According to tradition, seniors are not fully graduated from KO until they shake the hand of every member of the faculty and staff who supported them on their journey. This year the receiving line was socially distanced and consisted of fist bumps and elbow nudges and a few customary hugs and handshakes for the vaccinated. It was especially meaningful for the tradition to resume after a year when the student-teacher relationship became even more important.

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Class of 2021

KO CUM LAUDE SOCIETY

members of the class were inducted into the Cum Laude Society. EMMA HENRY

received the Dux Prize for the senior with the highest GPA for the year.

The following student-athletes have committed to PLAY SPORTS AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL:

Salve Regina College, Football, D3 Connecticut College, Women’s Soccer, D3 RONAN DILLOW Georgetown University, Men’s Soccer, D1 JUSTIN EDWARDS Claremont McKenna College, Football, D3 ELIJAH INFANTE Bryant University, Football, D1 WALTER KRAUS Union College, Men’s Swimming, Union College D3 KEEGAN MCMAHON Western New England College, Field Hockey & Women’s Lax, D3 BEN MERRITT St. John Fisher College, Men’s Basketball, D3 CARTER MESHANIC Hobart College, Men’s Basketball, D3 HUNTER MESHANIC Hobart College, Men’s Basketball, D3 AHANA NAGARKATTI College of the Holy Cross, Women’s Tennis, D1 RASHEED PATTERSON Norwich University, Football, D3 COLIN RUIZ Clark University, Men’s Soccer, D3 SYDNEY SMITH Wesleyan University, Volleyball & Women’s Squash, D3 NATHAN CAPODICE

CATHERINE DANIELS

Eight members of the class HAVE PARENTS WHO ALSO GRADUATED FROM KO.

Continuing a longstanding tradition, the graduating seniors who are children of KO Alumni gathered on the steps of Alumni Hall to share a moment before the Commencement Ceremony began.

TOP Maddie Arcaro ’21 and Melissa Rotenberg Arcaro ‘87 RIGHT Isabelle Rome ’21, Stacy Silk Rome ’79, and aunt Courtney D. Silk ’85

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109th Commencement

FRONT ROW John Burke ’84, Isabelle Burke ’21, Kim Karp Krieble ’90, Henry Krieble ’21, Fred Krieble ’91 MIDDLE ROW Bonnie Scranton ’88, Walter Kraus ’21, Henry Mandell ’21, Mark Mandell ’85 BACK ROW Amy Webber Raisner ’87, Ethan Raisner ’21, Jacob Schwartz ’21, Gary Schwartz ’76

Feature

By Katherine Gianni ’14

Most Boston Red Sox fans call the team’s mascot, Wally, “the Green Monster.” Taryn Braz ’14 calls him her co-worker. “I do know Wally personally,” Taryn said, smiling. “He’s an icon.”

What’s perhaps even more iconic is calling America’s oldest ballpark your office. Since 2017, Braz has been working for the Red Sox, first as a Fan Clubs representative intern, and now as special events assistant for fan and youth engagement. “I knew I always wanted to work in sports,” Braz said. “It was almost a non-negotiable for me.” Her passion for professional sports was ignited at a young age by her father, a Rhode Island native who spends half of the year bleeding blue for Duke basketball, and the other half organizing family pilgrimages to Fenway Park. Braz estimates that she’s been to over 100 Red Sox games in her lifetime so far. “My dad really got me good with sports,” Braz said. “But I do think playing sports growing up also led me to want to learn what goes on behind the scenes.” A former KO softball star, Braz captained the team in her junior and senior seasons, earning the MVP honors both of those seasons. Her talent helped the Wyverns win the 2014 Western New England Prep School Girls Softball Association (WNEPSGSA) Championship and qualify as a WNEPSGSA Class B Finalist in 2013.

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TARYN BRAZ at Fenway Park.

ut Braz says her time as a Wyvern athlete taught her so much more than how to hit a home run or push for that final sprint during a tough practice. Rather, the takeaways that continue to guide her personal and professional life are grounded in a strong sense of motivation, self-discipline, and a willingness to step up into any role, on or off the field. “I’ve learned not to be too proud to do the dirty work,” Braz said. “People notice those that show up and don’t complain. Those who are early, work hard, and stay late. It really does get rewarded.” In the spring of 2014, Braz committed to play softball at the collegiate level for Providence College. She stayed with the Friars for two years before transferring to Boston College in Newton, Mass. At BC, Braz took an on-campus job with the campus recreation center and began applying for internship opportunities with her dream team. “I ended up getting a Game Day job, which was a lot of fan-facing interactions and working with the Red Sox’s two loyalty programs,” Braz explained. “I really liked it because there were a lot of relationship-building opportunities as well as the overall experience of enhancing people’s time at Fenway Park.” The internship also provided Braz ample opportunity to collaborate with the Red Sox marketing department and learn about local community engagement initiatives and event planning. As BC graduation approached, so did an open position on the team for a full-time job. Braz leveraged her internship experience, applied, and was accepted, officially becoming the special events assistant for fan and youth engagement.

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“I feel like people who work in sports want to be there. All the people I work with love sports, and I think that it’s a really good environment—especially with this being my first job out of college—to be around people who are genuinely dedicated and passionate about what they’re doing.” She now works alongside a team of six people and is responsible for hiring and training Game Day interns, while coordinating a number of high-level community events throughout the year. One of her favorites takes place for one week each summer, as part of Major League Baseball’s “Play Ball!” initiative, created to inspire youth to play baseball. The Sox partner with the Miracle League of Massachusetts, a baseball league for teens and young adults with disabilities, and create a special atmosphere filled with prizes, World Series trophies, virtual reality experiences, and of course, Wally. “It’s just a really cool event because these are young adults who might not have the opportunity to go to Fenway for a regular game for a variety of reasons,” Braz said. “Being able to connect with them and help them feel like valuable Red Sox fans means everything.” But when it comes to future event planning, the team continues to face challenges due to COVID-19. “Considering that a lot of what we do and plan for is executed face-to-face, that was a big transition for me,” Braz said, reflecting on the pandemic roller-coaster of a year. “I thought, ok, we can’t have these events. So how do we still connect with fans? How do we still keep that same level of engagement?”

As of this writing, due to COVID, the Sox planned on filling the gaps with virtual events and webinars, and limiting the park to 12 percent capacity. However, as restrictions have lifted as of May 29, Fenway can open at full capacity. Masks will no longer be required of vaccinated fans, and unvaccinated fans are strongly encouraged to continue to wear face masks according to the team’s official website. The MLB successfully executed a true league-wide Opening Day, marking the beginning of the new season on April 1. The Sox took on the Baltimore Orioles the following day due to rain, and even though the score was a washout (3-0 Orioles), Braz and her co-workers were up in the stands cheering their team on, as always. “I feel like people who work in sports want to be there. Most people don’t just apply and say ‘I guess I’ll just work for a sports team,’ Braz said. “All the people I work with love sports, and I think that it’s a really good environment – especially with this being my first job out of college – to be around people who are genuinely dedicated and passionate about what they’re doing. I think it makes me a better employee and person wanting to meet them at that level.”

In Good Spirits By Jackie Pisani

CHRISTIAN STROMBERG in Saxtons River Distillery’s tasting room.

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Feature AL CAPONE DID IT WITH VIOLENCE. JAY GATSBY DID IT WITH PANACHE. CHRISTIAN STROMBERG’S ’89 GREAT-GRANDMOTHER DID IT TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

“She was a moonshiner,” Stromberg said. “Her husband died as a coal miner in Pennsylvania, so she took the family to Williamsburg, Brooklyn during Prohibition. She made moonshine in the tub, and my grandfather would sell it on the streets in order to get by.” So goes the Stromberg family folklore and Christian Stromberg’s entree into the world of spirits. He’s the owner of Saxtons River Distillery, located on the outskirts of Brattleboro, Vt., a quaint town with a hippie vibe full of colorful, psychedelic murals, anti-establishment graffiti, and plenty of septuagenarian men in waist-length ponytails. If 1968 were a town, Brattleboro would be it. He’s come a long way from constructing his first still at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) where he tinkered with the family gin recipe that he describes as “nothing fine drinking and very raw.” Now Stromberg produces a boutique suite of handcrafted Vermont-made gin, bourbon, rye, and liqueur: Sapling Maple Bourbon, Sapling Maple Liqueur, Perc Coffee Liqueur, Snowdrop Gin, and Sapling Maple Rye. An engineer by trade, Stromberg worked for 14 years at Pratt and Whitney, Gore-Tex, and an automotive supplier in cramped office cubicles, where he explained sardonically, inheriting a departing employee’s stapler was considered a win because you could barter with your co-worker for other hard-to-find office supplies. Stifled by the lack of creativity in the corporate world, Stromberg wanted to break out on his own and create a place he could look forward to coming to every day.

Of course, there are long days, even longer weekends, and dealing with the headaches when things don’t run according to plan but there are perks too. Now he heads to work wearing the Vermont state uniform of a gray polar fleece vest and a plaid shirt, where he’s greeted by Ginny, the sneaky, always on a fast break tabby cat, who rids the place of critters. “Liquor seemed viable,” he said. “I didn’t have to convince people to buy it. Yes, there’s always brand awareness to contend with, but it was a different landscape 15 years ago when I started. That was a long time ago in the world of this. I didn’t realize everyone and their cousin was going to want to open a distillery. I just knew that I wanted to do it. There were probably 200 distillery licenses at the time and now there are over 2,000.” Saxtons River Distillery moved to a new location in 2018, a sprawling, corrugated-metal warehouse that was formerly a gymnastics studio. In the distillery section of the building, you can still glean the remnants of the original space, complete with the former foam and trampoline pits. In their place are 750-gallon industrialsize stills that Stromberg designed. Finding a new building with a sprinkler system was key because the original place on Route 30 lacked the proper fire codes required for working with highly flammable alcohol. There were unfortunate hiccups along the way; they ended up having to replace 90 percent of the sprinkler system because it wasn’t adequate for the highly flammable spirits. Stromberg believes the true value of his product lies in his unique distilling process. Saxtons distills its Snowdrop Gin in a vacuum still using a lower temperature to avoid cooking the botanicals. This process ensures that the gin retains the natural taste and smell of the fresh herbs used to make it. (He credits some of his knowledge to a KO chemistry class taught by Chuck Glassmire.)

“If you boil them, like you boil anything, you are destroying a lot of those lighter aromatics,” he said. “By doing it cooler, we are able to keep that lightness. It boils in here (he points to a huge metal tank), vapor comes up through here, through this cylinder, and picks up the aroma from these little baskets at the top where we have the botanicals. This is called a ‘vapor infusion.’ Some distillers will put all the ingredients in the pot the night before and let it soak. We’re trying to keep it lighter. I feel that if you’re putting it all in one big tank, you’re going to get a lot of heavier aromatics.” Snowdrop uses 18 aromatics, including cardamom, coriander, and cocoa and employs a lighter touch when it comes to juniper, one of the main ingredients in gin. A heavier presence of juniper produces a pinier, more turpentine taste, Stromberg says. “We strive for a balance,” he said. “It’s not like we want something specifically cardamom heavy. It’s got to balance with the rest of the aromatics. We have more licorice notes, which we like. It gives it a subtle sweetness – a perceived sweetness. What is unique about Snowdrop is that we are making it cool, you are getting all the aromatics. If someone were to use the same botanicals without our process, they would come up with a different gin.” Stromberg produces 20,000 bottles of Snowdrop Gin a year, sold mostly through New England but also as far away as Califonia. He recommends gin cocktails, such as The Floradora (gin, lime juice, muddled raspberry,

and ginger beer) which don’t lose the notes rather than the celebrated favorite of Snoop Dogg, “gin and juice” which drowns the flavor. For his martini, he suggests ½ an ounce of vermouth at most, though he concedes to garnishing it with two olives, even three if patrons insist. Saxtons also produces a barrel version of gin, which is almost exclusively for sipping. But gin is only one product in their lineup. Its Perc Coffee Liqueur, for instance, won the gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Saxtons purchases unaged bourbon locally, which they barrel for a couple of years as bourbon and then season a year more as a maple bourbon. The maple is blended in as a secondary agent. Saxtons has two new products in the pipeline – a honey bourbon and a honey barrel bourbon with a higher proof, a less sweet version of what they normally produce. Stromberg says the most challenging aspect of the business is distribution. “We can make anything,” he said. “It’s just getting people interested is the trick. There is an ongoing effort to stay relevant. We don’t do on-premise promotions like the Tanqueray girls, but fortunately, I’ve been around for a while, so we have brand awareness.

“WE STRIVE FOR A BALANCE. IT’S NOT LIKE WE WANT SOMETHING SPECIFICALLY CARDAMOM HEAVY. IT’S GOT TO BALANCE WITH THE REST OF THE AROMATICS. WE HAVE MORE LICORICE NOTES, WHICH WE LIKE. IT GIVES IT A SUBTLE SWEETNESS – A PERCEIVED SWEETNESS.

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But, he admits that losing the front tasting room in the distillery during COVID was difficult because the brand lost much of its visibility. The tasting room is an eclectic, quirky industrial space filled with a 20-foot long vintage wood shuffleboard table (carted with great difficulty from New Britain, Conn.), a foosball table (which Stromberg says was the real reason he went into the business), a ski lift with a fake alpine backdrop for selfies, and a cool tricked out horse trailer embellished with a gold leaf interior, fairy lights, and copper bar, which will be towed to tasting shows and other outdoor events when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Although the business took a hit during COVID, Saxtons River stayed open the entire time, though it did shutter its tasting room. The business was conducted through a front window, and outdoor heated pods were set up so

people could still enjoy themselves. Stromberg even held a Zoom virtual tasting with fellow Wyverns last year. To stay afloat, Stromberg pivoted to making hand sanitizer with 170-proof gin until they were permitted to produce actual sanitizer, “We didn’t sell any drinking alcohol during that period,” he said. “People were buying cases and cases of sanitizer. In talking to the distributors, they said everyone was buying jug handles of liquor. Everyone was buying value. Our sales eventually recovered, but we lost in restaurants. We lost an entire sector of on-premise consumption. It’s going to take a while to come back.” Saxtons River, like many other businesses, was stalled by the pandemic. But Stromberg is poised for future successes. He seems to have inherited not only his great-grandmother’s moonshine recipe but her resourcefulness as well.

Local History Connects Past with the Present By Jackie Pisani

ALLIE KYFF ’14 sits on the steps of the Old State House.

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Feature

It’s history repeating itself in the best way possible. This spring, Allie Kyff ’14 took to the front of an Upper School history class to teach much like her father, Upper School history teacher Rob Kyff, had done decades earlier. Dressed all in black with a chunky pair of combat boots, Kyff looked much like the KO student she was just a few years earlier but now armed with a deep and wide knowledge of Connecticut history. Kyff is a museum educator at downtown Hartford’s Old State House who engages students in a civics program called “Three Branches” and runs the social media platforms for the organization. Earlier at the State House, she helped curate an exhibit about The Amistad, the famous slave ship that was mutinied by enslaved people from

Mendeland who successfully petitioned the courts to grant their return to Africa. Additionally, Kyff facilitates programs at The Mark Twain House. While at Connecticut College, she found an affinity for American history and double majored in English and American Studies, with a concentration in expressive arts and cultural studies. Her thesis, on the public memory

La Amistad off Culloden Point, Long Island, New York, on 26 August 1839 (contemporary painting, artist unknown)

of slavery in Connecticut, centered on the story of The Amistad and a slave narrative by Connecticut native Venture Smith. Much of Kyff ’s work is driven by the truth, uncovering the multifaceted, sometimes brutish sides of Connecticut’s history. Prior to college, Kyff had an admittedly one-dimensional view of American history. “I thought the North was completely heroic, and the South was all the slave owners upholding racist policies,” she said. “That’s not the case. One of the surprising things I learned was that Black men were actually allowed to vote in Connecticut until 1818. When the state passed a new constitution, it explicitly stated that Black men could not vote. Connecticut

disenfranchised Black voters and didn’t give the vote back until the 1870s. When you peel back the layers, there’s a lot out there that we don’t see.” Over the summer of 2020, former Director of Equity Joan Edwards and the Upper School history department discussed ways of integrating equity work with the School’s Strategic Vision. KO’s recent strategic plan calls for the School to expand student learning beyond the campus and partner with people and institutions in the greater Hartford area. As the curriculum draws deeper and more relevant connections into the local community, Edwards suggested that

Kyff could be a valuable resource for KO’s history department due to her expansive knowledge of local Connecticut history. Her expertise was a natural fit for a school that sees “the city as our campus.” David Baker ’04, Upper School history department chair, said that incorporating Kyff ’s work grew in part to a response from alumni who asked that KO do a better job of teaching a fuller picture of American history. “I thought, ‘What does it mean to go local?’ And, then I realized we had an alum who’s an amazing historian whose job it is to study Hartford’s history,” Baker said. Baker and Kyff had a conversation about developing a partnership,

With Kyff’s connection, she introduced the school to period actors who performed virtual historical narratives, including the story of Sarah Margru, a child on The Amistad. “We wouldn’t have made that link without Allie. She’s grounded us in the history department. There’s a lot here we can do,” Baker said. and Kyff submitted a proposal to facilitate classroom lessons and discussions. Additionally, KO was awarded a local Title 4 grant for professional development, so Kyff ’s programs also serve as training for the faculty to engage with the students as well as to enlighten the student population. With Kyff ’s connection, she introduced the school to period actors who performed virtual historical narratives, including the

story of Sarah Margru, a child on The Amistad. “We wouldn’t have made that link without Allie. She’s grounded us in the history department. There’s a lot here we can do,” Baker said. Working with Edwards and the Upper School history department, Kyff developed a curriculum that brings marginalized stories in history to the center, which are shared at advisee group meetings and in class. The material is organized by theme: “Triumph Stories

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VISITORS look at the plaques of the local enslaved people at West Hartford’s Old Center Cemetery.

not Known,” “Barriers to Thriving, “Sea Change through Activism,” and “Feel Good Narratives That Are Complicated.” Kyff distills the material into short videos that capture the attention of the students and serve as a great jumpingoff point for KO’s history teachers to delve deeper into their classwork. Per the history department’s vision, Kyff uplifts Black voices, all the while crafting the videos from a local perspective. Accompanying the videos is a set of thought-provoking questions designed to spur

challenging and honest conversations among the students about race. “The bottom-up history is important to know - the stories of women and the slaves — of the people who were in the margins,” Kyff said. “All my professors in college had that school of thought. History moves society to be more accepting. To me, slavery is the country’s original sin. It’s the most important part of the American story.” Former Upper School history teacher Katie McCarthy agreed that

telling the stories of underrepresented people is important. “When I think about what my role as a history teacher is,” she said, “it is to provide students with an understanding of historical events so they can put today into context. In order to be able to really do that, one needs to not only tell the story that has always been told but empowering students to ask new questions and finding new voices to get a more complete understanding of the era. When I think about this year, in particular, it’s really about uplifting

the voices of people whose stories have been buried or misrepresented, and oftentimes they are Black and brown voices in our country’s history.” Kyff ’s work dovetails with an essential element in the Upper School history curriculum, the Witness Stones Project, which is taught in the junior year. This is not history in a bubble or knowledge for knowledge’s sake but helping students make sense of the world around them. For instance, in one class, the students researched

REGINA MILLER ’22 AND ISAIAS WOODEN ’22 spoke at a Juneteenth event in West Hartford about the contributions of Peleg Nott and placed a plaque in his honor.

local enslaved persons, one known by the single name “Prut” and the other Peleg Nott, who was a Connecticut Black governor and Revolutionary War hero. As part of this process, KO students have researched church records, runaway slave ads, and original source documents. They have interviewed ministers, teachers, and town leaders. They have made connections to today that involve racial bias, including police brutality, housing and school inequalities, and mass incarceration. Regina Miller ’22 and Aliza Sadiq ’22 petitioned the West Hartford Town Council to rename New Street in Blue Back Square after the aforementioned Nott. By

examining historical documents and taking a closer look at manifestations of racism today, KO students experience an honest and humbling reckoning between our past and present and are making an impact. During a ceremony at the First Church of Christ Congregational in West Hartford Center in 2020, Jocelyn Ram ’20 reflected on the impact of the lesson. “This project pushed our class discussions to new levels as we were able to talk about both historical and modern issues of race in a way where everyone’s voice was respected,” she said. “We were pushed to talk about subjects

that were difficult to talk about. But these are the conversations students need to have with one another. Slavery, being one of the hardest topics to teach and learn in the history curriculum, could either be skimmed over in the textbooks, or we could dive in deep. Our class definitely took that dive, and every time we left the classroom, we were all pondering over new ideas about what we can do to make a difference.” Kyff feels the younger generation is ready to wrestle with our country’s past. “I think in Gen Z there is a hunger to know more about race and how it plays out in our history,” she said.

During her lesson with the Upper School history students, she peppered the class with questions about their knowledge of the city of Hartford, explained the earlier roots of redlining, and challenged the students to interrogate the information presented to them. “What do you notice about the census for the people who lived in his area?” she asked the class as she pointed to an 1850 document describing the people inhabiting the area in what is currently now Bushnell Park. The park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, was part of an urban renewal project that displaced the original landowners to the north

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of Hartford and near the river. Later generations of these people didn’t have the same access to Bushnell Park due to its distance from their neighborhoods. Several students noted that most of the individuals on the census were recorded as minorities and lowerskilled laborers. “Who has the best and easiest access to these great public spaces?” Kyff asked the students. Kyff pointed out more recent history from the 1930s Home Owners Loan Corporation developed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt so that families could afford a down

payment for a home. The HOLC gave banks a framework to decode which people were worthy of loans. Neighborhoods were ranked by color code from most desirable (green) to blue, to yellow, to least desirable (red). Looking at a color-coded land survey from 1936, she noted two areas in Hartford: B5 in the north end, ranked as blue, and C9 in the south end, ranked as yellow. The two areas were equally comparable — mostly two-family homes, 15-20 years old in good condition. The only notable difference between

the neighborhoods was the racial composition of the neighborhood. The write-up on the south end neighborhood stated: “The Negro families are confined to Roosevelt Street. Lenders suggest caution.” Kyff hopes that her webinars and class discussions provide a context for the students to explore the world we

are inhabiting now as well as thinking about it from a human perspective. “I really enjoyed teaching the class although it did feel weird, especially since a few years ago I was sitting in their shoes,” she said. “I want the students to look at their own communities and think about what do we do with the information and what conclusions we can make.”

Igniting tomorrow’s leaders. By Kristen Weldon

Students in the POWER OF WOMEN and faculty gathered on the Alumni Hall steps with Jessica Zachs, founder of the non-profit Dignity Grows.

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Feature

“each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.”

Maya Angelou once said,

Put a group of women together, of all ages, backgrounds, and strengths, bound together by a common kinship and cause, and the sky is truly the limit. And that’s what happened on Sunday, April 11, when the third annual Kingswood Oxford Power of Women panel took place via Zoom. With a record number of both student and alumnae attendees, the event featured four accomplished women from a variety of backgrounds and careers who shared their insights and wisdom on many topics, including the workplace, equity and inclusion, the STEM field, and advice (good and bad) they received along the way that shaped them as professionals and as people. The Power of Women is a student-run organization at Kingswood Oxford, the largest club on campus, with over 75 participants. “This organization is truly a collaborative effort of students, faculty, alumni, board members, and the greater community,” founder

and advisor of the organization and Director of Leadership Giving Jayne Rotter said. “The most important aspect of this program is the connection we make between students and these dynamic women. This is incredibly powerful.” Risha Ranjan ’21, a Power of Women co-chair, said fostering a relationship between young women at KO and female role models is invaluable. “The POW works to connect women in the KO community with students to develop an authentic and engaging dialogue around the issues of women’s leadership and empowerment,” she said. Throughout the April 11 online discussion, students and alumnae used the Zoom chat feature to ask the panelists questions. The goal was to make the experience as interactive as possible despite the limitations of the webinar format.

The four panelists were:

JESSICA ZACHS P ’09, ’11 is the founder of the local non-profit Dignity Grows. The organization provides personal and menstrual hygiene products for women who cannot afford them. Because hygiene has been a major issue during this time of COVID, her team has seen an incredible increase in need for its services. In the organization’s first 22 months, they have distributed more than 12,000 Dignity Totes, their signature bag of products, for those in need in the Hartford area so they can attend school and work and participate in community life without interruption. The organization is 100 percent volunteer-driven.

KAREN JARMOC P ’14, ’14, ’17 is the corporate sustainability lead at The Hartford. Jarmoc assists individuals, especially millennials, who want to invest in or support a company that has sustainability as a mission. For the 10 years prior to joining The Hartford, Jarmoc was the CEO at the Connecticut Coalition for Domestic Violence.

CINDY SHI P ’25 is a corporate executive at the Barnes Group, responsible for the company’s digital transformation efforts to capitalize on technologies and innovation and create marketing advantages. Shi has previously served as manager of strategic initiatives at Henry Schein and was an equity analyst with UBS Investment Bank.

TARYN BRAZ ’14 is a special events assistant with the Boston Red Sox in the team’s fan and youth engagement division, which seeks to expand the team’s demographic reach in the Boston area and beyond. Braz helps create, plan, and execute events that engage the community, retain current fans, and find new ones.

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Questions asked by students and alumnae ranged from “How did the interests you had in high school translate into your working life?” to “How can women continue to break down barriers in the STEM field?” to “What advice, either good or bad, have you received along the way that you’ve taken to heart?” Panelists responded to these questions with insight, wisdom, and encouragement. “Really follow your interest and passion,” said Shi. “In the end, a high-paying job is one thing, but you won’t be able to work your whole life doing something you don’t love. You know yourself very well. Figure out what it is you want to do. Help people, make friends, and keep your network alive, and do all of these things early on. It will help you later on. On your journey, be curious and hungry for knowledge. I am still always curious and passionate to learn.” Zachs agreed that connecting with colleagues and mentors is important. “The best piece of advice I ever received was to listen to the story of others,” she said. “Too many of us live in our own world and our own cocoon, and there is so much more that we will learn by listening to those around us. A lot of my philanthropy has been motivated by listening to the stories of others. Each of us should understand

that we can make a difference in people’s lives and we shouldn’t wait for someone else to do it. If you find something and feel passionate about it, bring people in, because an individual’s passion is going to ignite the passion in so many people. And the worst advice ever given? “Hearing ‘you’re just girls,’” Zachs said. “Don’t EVER live in that space.” Braz was asked how a Kingswood Oxford education has influenced her career. “The way you have to get involved in so many things at KO really helped me a lot in college and now in balancing a pretty intense workload in my current job,” she said. “Trying out different things and finding out what you like is so important to do when you are young. Having those opportunities to dial in on what I want to do and what I like doing was a really beneficial part of my KO education.” Jarmoc offered her perspective from a parent lens. “What KO provided for my kids is a sense of community, and this idea of community is really powerful,” she said. “There was a place where they felt safe, and they felt comfortable taking risks. They had the opportunity to build friendships and relationships and to have mentors. All of those things have helped them in college and in their growing careers. It gave them the knowledge and confidence to

know that there is support out there and individuals you can reach out for advice. The friendships they have made at KO are lasting; that is their base. There is so much to be said for Kingswood Oxford and the community that exists there and how transformational and lifelong that impact can be for students.” The Power of Women is continuing to grow not just in the number of participants but also in the impact the women in the program are having on the community. In May over 20 members of The Power of Women including students, faculty, and staff, came together to put together over 125 tote bags for Dignity Grows, the organization founded and led by Zachs that provides individuals with personal hygiene products so that they can attend school and work and participate in community life without interruption. Zachs guided the women through the process of putting a range of different products from shampoo, to toothpaste, to sanitary pads, in each tote. The destination of the shipment was Gifts of Love, a 30-year-old organization dedicated to educational programming on a wide range of initiatives for people in need. This year, for the first time ever, The Power of Women presented

an award recognizing a femaleled non-profit that is making a difference in the lives of women. At the conclusion of the program, the co-chairs announced that this year’s recipient would be Dignity Grows. “Dignity Grows is a powerful organization that is making a difference for women and girls locally and nationally,” Rotter said, “and our KO Power of Women team was so happy to have been able to work with them for an incredible cause. They are making a real and profound impact in an area where there is a great need.” Co-chair Sloan Duvall ’21 said The Power of Women project has expanded dramatically since its creation. “When I first stepped into the project,” she said, “we were a once-a-year annual forum, and now we have grown to be the largest student organization on campus. I love that we are now able to give out an annual award as well.”

As they graduate from KO, Duvall and Ranjan will pass the torch of cochair duties to new student leaders, confident that the organization is stronger than when they took over. “The Power of Women has been influential to me because it has enabled me to be part of such an incredible group of women,” Duvall said. “In particular, the young alumnae inspired me to see how they took their KO education and built on that. As I move into college I hope to join a similar group and be around people who put such an emphasis on women’s rights and enacting change for women. I am eager to watch how the Power of Women organization continues to make an impact and uphold the KO value of ‘caring beyond self.’” Head of School Tom Dillow said the group has already made a significant contribution to the lives of young women at KO. “It truly is a wonder to see the growth of this program

in such a short period of time,” he said. “We had twice the number of registrants than we’ve had in previous years… despite everyone’s prevailing Zoom fatigue!” He noted that the success of the Power of Women should be no surprise, given the ongoing landscape as it pertains to women, in particular in the workplace. “There is a pressing need to celebrate, normalize, and educate students about the incredible impact on women in leadership as well as the obstacles that they’ve had to overcome along the way,” he said. “Despite some progress in closing a gender gap in various industries and executive pay, there is still a way to go. The very purpose of this program is to encourage our KO young women and all of our students to aim high. Our young women and our young men need to become aware of those barriers and also to develop a conviction to dismantle them.”

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Zachs said she’d like to see a reduction in “meanness.” “This incorporates so many emotions and actions and is something that is holding us back as a human society,” she said. “And my hope is that people can find it in their hearts to start to move away from that. Everyone doing a little thing is going to put us in a much better place for humanity.”

“My hope is that the young women of KO, their male counterparts, and this generation continues with their passion to support policies and practices and activities that build a better world for all of us and a better society,” Jarmoc said.

The four panelists also shared their own hopes for the future.

“My hope,” Braz said, “is that there aren’t too many ‘firsts’ left. The Red Sox just hired their first black female coach. I hope this becomes a more recurring trend and that more women and more women of color, especially, get involved in the sports industry.”

Shi said she wants to see more women work in the STEM fields and technology. “I want to see this, particularly in the STEM field, so the next time we all talk about this, we see a 50/50 ratio of females and males working collaboratively to change the world. That is my hope.”

A Man of Purpose By Jackie Pisani

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After serving on the Kingswood Oxford Board of Trustees since 2005 and serving as board chair from 2016-2021, Brad Hoffman ’78 is retiring from the position. As if Brad Hoffman could ever retire! Through his indefatigable energy as board chair, KO has witnessed a remarkable number of advances and transformations from the hiring of new Head of School Tom Dillow, the adoption of a new bold Strategic Vision, increased enrollment, to a new Field House and renovations to the lower level of the Roberts Building and college counseling offices.

We are profoundly grateful for his largesse, his wisdom, and insights, and his showing us how to live a life with purpose and meaning by his constant example. And, he has assured us, that he will always remain active in the school! To honor his impact at KO, Hoffman was awarded the inaugural James B. Lyon Award, named after our beloved late trustee emeriti, at an event in May. The award is given to celebrate an individual who has served Kingswood Oxford School with extraordinary loyalty and service, who personally follows Jim’s commitment to do “Anything to help the School,” and is an inspiration to others to follow his or her example.

Q+A

Leadership is about not only making others better around you but also making sure that impact lasts in your absence. Fortunately, for KO, Hoffman’s legacy will continue to enrich thousands of students through the decades to come. By setting the right tone with his “make things happen” positive attitude, KO is poised for future growth and innovation across its curriculum and campus.

We sat down with Hoffman (virtually) to discuss his tenure at the school, as well as his hopes and desires for its future.

You graduated from KO in 1978. What was the school like at that time? I was, as it was widely called, a six-year vet and attended KO from 7th grade to 12th grade. There was no 6th grade at the time. The first year I was on the main campus, and in my second year, they opened up the Oxford School for 7th and 8th graders so I was bussed back and forth for athletics. I was in the first graduating class of the 8th grade of KO school. At the time, KO was competitive, but it definitely lacked diversity. It was a West Hartford school primarily with a few students commuting from outlying towns. One of the many things I like about KO today is that it is very representative of society as a whole. Many people have worked hard on broadening the school over the years, but we all know there is still work to do.

As students in the ’70s, we probably all thought we were pretty smart back then, but we certainly did not have the aptitude of today’s kids. The students achieve so much on a very competitive level, and the bar has been set for high expectations. I clearly remember when I first joined the KO community, and I met KO teachers like Dorothy Roycroft Gettier who was so well-spoken and meticulous without a hair out of place. She was also my seventh-grade advisor and very intimidating to me. Coming from public school, I thought I left Earth and went to Pluto. The KO environment was very formal, exemplified by the male teachers addressed as “Sir” and boys wearing coats and ties all the time. Much of that, thankfully, began to change by the time I was in my senior year. Additionally, I believe that the school was a less nurturing place than it is today. Your parents weren’t there to support you in the way they support their children now. You were on your own. In terms of the curriculum, the classes were more traditional with a lecture-based environment. The KO of today has many more options and electives offered to students. How did KO impact you? The first thing that comes to mind is independence. Forward-thinking. Being challenged. Being competitive. Although I did well in public school, I was competing against myself. When I got to KO, I was challenged by my teachers to reach higher. There were mandatory study halls that taught me structure and organization. My writing skills have played out in so many ways all because of KO’s strength in this area. One of the biggest impacts that KO had on my career was the emphasis on math and problem-solving. Finally, the ultimate measurement of KO’s success in educating me (and its students) is when you are in your freshman year in college, and you find that the work actually seems easy. We all know that college became much harder as you progressed through the years.

KO also had a profound impact on me as it relates to ‘caring beyond self.’ KO taught me about ways to give without necessarily writing a check - about giving time and helping the world. Foundationally, it’s part of the KO values and it’s what sets the school apart from others. Why is it important for you to give back? I was fortunate to grow up in a family where I didn’t want as a child, and my mother especially instilled in me the importance of being grateful for everything. It’s important for me to look back at my life and say ‘Did I make it count?’ ‘What’s your dash look like?’ I feel fortunate when I am able to change someone’s life, especially children. They are my soft spot, no doubt because they are our future. I have a deep concern for the next generation so I have taken the time and effort to make a difference to certain organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Hartford. Something as simple as taking a child to see a Yankee game which I have done can mean so much to them. To see the expression on a kid’s face just beaming! I’m thinking, ‘I’m going to do this again tomorrow!’ I’m grateful that I can provide this experience to someone, and it makes me feel good. I am also fortunate to have my wife Kathy who has had an amazing impact on my life in terms of time and treasure. Whenever I think I’ve done enough, she pushes me to realize that there’s more to do. And my family, too. We definitely all feed off each other. Another important aspect of giving back is leading by example. We have five children and two grandchildren and close to 500 team members at the Hoffman Auto Group so I strongly believe that walking the walk matters. I know that by inspiring other people to do the same, I have made a small difference in the world. Simply put, one only needs to read our school’s mission statement which talks about living a life of integrity and involvement. That says everything. That’s what it’s

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home as long as the work continues. Our company will not be shifting to a remote model, but what I can say if you work at Hoffman Auto Group and you need to stay home for personal or family demands, we will accommodate those requests and be more flexible. Now, you’ll have an employee who believes that this is a good place to work because you are meeting their needs entirely. This engenders a positive work environment. And at KO, Head of School Tom Dillow, his leadership team, and the faculty adapted seamlessly and saw a way through the pandemic. It proved we can all operate successfully in a different way. I’m very proud of what the team accomplished so that the students could attend school in person and learn with their peers. What are your proudest accomplishments as board chair?

all about. To me, it’s about leading a meaningful life, giving back to others, your community, and the world. Make a difference and instill that in your family. Has this past year in the pandemic taught you any important lessons? The answer is most definitely, and shame on me if it didn’t. I think the pandemic showed us that the worklife balance really matters which everyone knew, but didn’t necessarily abide by. It’s helped us realize that we can accomplish that balance and still make a difference with our family, community, and the world. As an employer, the pandemic has made me more open-minded to how success is achieved. The digital environment has allowed for the flexibility to stay

One of the proudest things we’ve accomplished as a board is that we’ve created an atmosphere of engagement. It’s a diverse board. It’s a talented board. It’s a giving board, both in terms of time and money. And, I think it’s also a creative board. I’ve served on several boards, and I’ve never experienced this level of involvement and concern as I have on the KO board. We’ve navigated the school through arguably some difficult challenges with the best outcomes. We’ve reorganized the committee structures and increased accountability which has led to optimal results. When you listen to the committee board reports at a meeting, you realize these are individuals who are action-oriented and getting results. I believe hiring Tom Dillow as head of school was a very significant achievement. As the head, he impacts and affects all aspects of the school, and one will never know where his influence is going to end. His

impact will be felt 50 years from now by the things he puts in place today. Tom is the right leader for this time. Five years from now, I know we will look back at this difficult period due to the pandemic in our country and our community and realize that it made our school even better although it’s not necessarily the way we wanted to succeed. He’s not only led the school to the top of the mountain, but he’s also leading us to the stars. During my tenure, we also received a National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) reaccreditation. And, while that may seem like business as usual, the auditing team was left fairly speechless. They didn’t offer us too many areas of opportunity to improve and gave us applause for our accomplishments. Another important milestone is the adoption of the Strategic Vision. It’s not just a document. It’s poetry in motion because things are happening with it. Many strategic plans are created by organizations, but nothing ever materializes. In our case, it’s great to see that action is occurring and more will continue to occur.

We’ve seen a lot of campus improvements from the Field House that opened in 2017 to the new turf fields and a new campus security system. Our enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year is in the neighborhood of 520, and KO has clearly become a destination school. In spite of the cost of education, families are willing to make the investment in a KO education for their child. The school’s leadership team has put in motion programming enhancements, and new campus plans are also moving forward. Our Advancement department has been restructured, and they are hitting annual fund records. We’ve received several estate planning gifts which reaffirm the importance of planned giving. The board has created a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee, and although we recognize we have work to do, it speaks volumes about our commitment to make the board and the school more inclusive. I’m also pleased to see how our Alumni Council has been reinvigorated as evidenced by the recent sold-out KO Golf Classic. As the board chair, you don’t know where this journey is going to take you. It’s been an honor and a privilege for me. I truly feel like I benefited, too and made many dear friends along the way. How are important are the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for the school? This work is essential to the foundation of the school and it starts at the top with our leadership. We implemented a standing committee on the board for DEI, headed by Doug Harris ’77 who does this work for a living. You need to have credibility and communicate to the community your SMART goals in this area — specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

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If you look at the school I attended versus the school today, the school has changed positively because it increased in its diversity. In my day, Head of School Bob Lazear was instrumental in opening the school to more diverse students, and he was way ahead of his time. Our new Board Chair Mary Martin ’77 P ’17, ’20, is someone who is very engaged with this work, ensuring that we as a board and community continue to pay close attention. I think it’s a major statement about what our school is about and yet another reason why it’s a good place to send your child. It’s about life, having a purpose, and creating positive change. I will remain engaged and see that there’s action. It has to be happening. When you were awarded The James B. Lyon ’48 Award, you looked very moved. What does that award mean to you? Did you have a personal connection with Jim Lyon? Honestly, I was unaware that the award was even being given out that evening, and it was the ultimate surprise. I knew Jim Lyon very well. The first encounter was in the early ’80s when he approached a friend and KO graduate Jim Healy ’78 and me to join the University Club on Lewis Street. We met him for lunch when we were the ripe age of 24, and we felt important because Jim made us feel important. Anyone that knew Jim knew that he was an extraordinary listener and highly intelligent. He paid attention to everything, especially people. If you thought he wasn’t paying attention, you quickly realized after he was sitting in a board meeting quietly for 35 minutes he would have his one say which could last seven to 10 minutes but contained terrific advice. As a trustee emeriti, he was the best of the best and came to innumerable board meetings. He was a voracious note writer. I have a note that I’ll treasure forever that I received a few months before he passed. First, you needed a United Nations translator to

read it because he had that old-school cursive that was impossible to read. When the letter would come in the mail, you didn’t even have to look at the return address, and you knew from the handwriting that it was from Jim. I would read the note four or five times to fully comprehend it. It was a puzzle. I received at least 10 to 12 notes from Jim that were generally complimentary, but he always sprinkled in a little advice. A few years ago, I opened a box and found my KO diploma and saw his signature at the bottom which he had signed as the head of the board of trustees. (I didn’t even realize he was the board chair at the time.) Everything came full circle for me. It reaffirmed just how active and involved he was in the school for decades. He cared so much about our community. What are your hopes for KO’s future? As a school, we can’t be just relevant. We have to be better than relevant. When families are applying to secondary school, we want every one of them to have KO as their first choice. One of the ways we are going to make it a first choice is to have the best teachers, best programs, top-tier arts, and competitive sports. Actions that will be taken such as the sale of the Children’s Museum will have a tremendous impact on the school for years to come. These actions create financial gains that spin-off dollars from the endowment which will make a significant difference in tuition remission and scholarships. It brings me great satisfaction to know that children who wouldn’t be able to attend KO will now be given the chance. Most importantly, it’s paramount that the school continues to teach the value of community. Especially in the world today, we need to demonstrate care and love for one another.

Celebrating Retirement

THE SCIENCE OF TEACHING By Kristen Weldon

“It wasn’t a job; it was a lifestyle.”

One could easily begin, and end, this profile with this one sentence spoken by Middle School science teacher Clay Miles, and it would unequivocally sum up his career and his passionate approach to everything he accomplished during his time at Kingswood Oxford. Miles began his teaching career as an intern at the Eagle Brook School in Deerfield, Mass., before going on to become an eighth and ninth-grade teacher there. A talented photographer as well, Miles left the world of academia for just under 10 years to work as a commercial photographer in Boston. In the 1990s, he made the decision to go back to teaching. What brought him to Kingswood Oxford was a twist of fate that, in many ways, came full circle as he retired in June.

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Camp Winona is a boys’ camp in Bridgton, Maine, where Miles has been either a camper or counselor every summer since he was six years old. Founded in 1908, Winona is known for its programming focused on character development for boys and young men. The camp has seen a large Kingswood Oxford contingent of campers and counselors over its long history. Former Head of the KO Middle School Muddy Waters was a Winona counselor, including Miles’ at one point, and while the two were working at the camp during the summer, Waters let him know about a science teaching position opening at the KO Middle School. Intrigued, Miles interviewed, got the job, and the rest is history. Miles wasted no time jumping in feet first… to the deep end. He coached all three seasons of sports, and sometimes two sports in one season, including Upper and Middle School swimming, Upper School JV soccer, and Middle School lacrosse. Former KO Athletic Director and beloved administrator Joe Alissi had his sights set on adding the title of ski coach to Miles’s decorated coaching resume. But fate had a different plan. A man of many talents, in both high school and college, Miles had been recognized as an AllAmerican swimmer. Faculty member Alex Kraus got wind of this and recruited Miles to coach swimming with him. “That was the beginning of a pretty intense marriage,” chuckled Miles. “Alex and I could read each other’s thoughts, and we put our hearts and souls into developing one of the most successful sports programs over that time period at KO.” Not long afterward, Miles became a form dean in the Middle School, a role he has held for almost 25 years. “In a way,” explained Miles, “everything and nothing sticks out all at once. This place has been my way of life. Everything has revolved around KO and the kids here.”

“Quarantine brought out the really hard things, and we had to do it, so I went “fishing” in my backyard,” he said.

Miles’ ethos at KO has been deeply intertwined with his colleagues. “The people I have worked with over the years,” said Miles, “have been my friends. You don’t find that at your workplace very often. Some of my closest friends are the people I have worked with and still work with.” Another special experience for Miles was having his own three kids – Graham ’09, Chris ’11, and Callie ’14 – attend KO as students. He was their form dean, their swimming coach, and the guy they sometimes acknowledged (and sometimes not) as their paths crossed on campus. “My kids going through KO was a fun experience,” he said. “I got to be in their world. Very few dads can say they can be in their kids’ world, without swords being drawn.” Additionally, his wife, Kim, who started at KO in 2013 as the Nicholson Building front desk coordinator has been the first smiling face of the school people see as they come onto campus.

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Larry Boyle, was one of the first recipients,” Miles said. “So many of the people who received this award in years prior were all people I looked up to, so to even be in that grouping was just amazing.” Miles’ positive influence on thousands of young lives over the decades has been immense and far-reaching – and understated in many ways, by design. “My teaching approach was that I speak a lot of truth to the students,” Miles said. “They don’t always want to hear it. But I’ve always been willing to push knowing that I was coming from a place of care and support.” Miles admits he can be tough. “I teach grit and perseverance, which in my mind are still important life skills,” he said. “I want my students to leave this place prepared for college and for life.”

Some might call it grit, or just what needs to be done, but so often people who deserve the most praise want the least of it. In true Miles’ fashion, his memories of teaching involve friends and family instead of awards and accolades. And yet, he has those, too. In 2000, he received The Collins Award for Excellence in Teaching, given to a KO faculty member in recognition of their impact on the institution. The award was established in memory of Charles Collins, who spent 50 years as a teacher, coach and administrator. Miles was also awarded the Joseph and Jo-Anne Alissi Coaching Award in 2014. Miles humbly shrugs when the awards are mentioned. “I did my thing,” he said. “I’m just doing what I do.” He also was the recipient of the New England Prep School Swimming Association Award for Distinguished Service for the impact he has made on his athletes over the years. “This was a huge honor because a former coach of mine,

Miles has nothing but pride, hope, and confidence in his students and the work that he pours himself into. “I tell my students and my kids that working hard sometimes isn’t enough,” he said. “Everyone works hard. You also have to figure stuff out, how to relate to people, how to problem-solve. I don’t care how much science you learn, but when you come out of here, I want you to be able to think on your feet and problem-solve.” Speaking of problem-solving, during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when KO students were remote for the first few months and couldn’t learn in person, Miles devised an ingenious approach to teaching his students about simple machines. From the back deck of his house, donning a fishing hat, with wader boots and a fishing pole, in a series of four videos, he taught his class about levers by using his props. “Quarantine brought out the really hard things, and we had to do it, so I went “fishing” in my backyard,” he said.

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Miles embodies what it means to be a stand-up person in his own life and holds himself to high standards. “Own your screw-ups as much as you do your successes,” he said. “Ownership is crucial. You need to push yourself to own what you do.” And now he can now circle back and finish his career where it started. “I have been at Camp Winona most of my life,” he said. “I started there when I was six as a camper with my brother. And now I get to go back and continue my work teaching in a different capacity.” Miles has accepted the position at the camp as assistant director and director of leadership. In this role, he will develop programs for the staff and oversee all the counselors in training (CITs). Additionally, he plans to incorporate equity work into the camp curriculum as well. Miles describes the camp in good fun as “testosterone with a conscience.” “We help boys become good men,” he said.

“The camp’s faith in me has been uplifting,” he said. “I know I can do a world of good for the campers and the staff.” He takes the role of training and managing camp counselors especially seriously. “Camp counselors don’t always get the recognition they deserve,” he said. “They are managing other people’s children. I want them to come out of Camp Winona knowing and being strong in their people skills from an equity point of view, from a kindness point of view, and from a human point of view.” With that human point of view always in mind, Miles has indeed made his teaching, coaching, and advising at Kingswood Oxford, not just a job, but a lifestyle, earning him the respect, gratitude, and affection of innumerable students, colleagues, and friends.

“Ownership is crucial. You need to push yourself to own what you do.”

Celebrating Retirement

EXPLORING HISTORY By Jackie Pisani

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There’s nothing more nerve-racking for a newbie teacher with less than two years under his belt than to face a group of teens with inquiring minds. Except, of course, to add to the high stakes by having the dean of faculty observe your class. Only to be outdone by a student asking a question that you don’t know the answer to in front of said dean. During Scott Dunbar’s European history class in his first year teaching at KO, one student posed the question, “What was Napoleon’s religion?” Recalling the trauma as if it were yesterday, Dunbar said, “I didn’t know the answer. I started to work my way through it.” Whether through divine invention or beginner’s luck, Dunbar blurted a quote from Leo Tolstoy that he remembered from college: “Religion

is that by which men live,” which elicited a lively discussion with his students. Whew. After the class, the dean approached Dunbar with admiration and said, “I really like the Tolstoy quote.” “And I thought,” Dunbar said after the incident, “that I might be able to teach. This is going to be ok.” After 43 years of teaching at KO, Dunbar retired this spring. He was right. It was better than ok.

And, from that experience with his student, Dunbar learned one of the first rules of teaching: You’re not going to have all the answers. “To a degree, I learned that you can make all the lesson plans that you want, but kids are going to ask you a question you may not know the answer to,” he said. “I tell them that all the time. Look, if I knew everything, I’d be running the world. I encourage exploration. My class is a class of investigation and discovery. We have certain things we hope to find. But we have questions that we want to find answers to with the understanding that we may not find the answers or we may find multiple answers to.”

Dunbar comes from a long line of educators, starting with his grandfather who taught at Phillips Andover for 17 years, followed by his father who taught at Exeter. Even Dunbar’s brother and sister are in the family business, teaching at an array of private schools. This year, 2021, marks 100 years of Dunbars working at independent schools in New England. Even though he grew up as a faculty brat at Exeter, teaching was not necessarily bred in the bone. Dunbar’s advisor wrote in his high school comments, which Dunbar acknowledged were as perceptive as they were accurate, that “he seems to think that classes are something to do in the morning before sports in the afternoon.”

Following graduation from Amherst College, Dunbar, the dyed-in-theflannel Yankee, took a teaching job at an independent school in an unlikely place - New Orleans. Whether due to an overabundance of humidity or beignets, Dunbar was back in the Northeast within a year, where his dad acted as his employment recruiter. While attending his 25th reunion at Exeter, the legendary KO faculty member Stew Lindsay (father of current Middle School Science Department Chair Judy Bailey ’82) mentioned to Scott’s father that KO needed a history teacher because one had just left two days earlier to coach college basketball. Dunbar was called for an interview, and KO offered him a job.

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“And 43 years later, I am still here,” he said. “I never really thought about leaving. I don’t think it’s a job. It’s a lifestyle. This is a fantastic place to come to every day and spend your days with adults and young adults who create new challenges for you every day. No two days are ever the same. You can have the same schedule, but each day is going to be different from the one before.” Dunbar’s mentors and colleagues at KO read like a who’s who of KO’s eminence grise. Faculty emeriti Dick Caley ’62, Stew Lindsay, Joel Lorden (dec.), and Dave Van Dyck (dec.) became role models. Ted Levine arrived at KO the very same

SCOTT DUNBAR with English teacher David Hild ’80 (left) and Science Department Chair Fritz Goodman (center).

year as Dunbar. “There were quite a few people in their 20s,” he said. “There was an interesting mix of ages on the faculty who were very supportive. They told me to develop my own voice, my own style. It’s what we tell the kids. Do what you feel comfortable with. You have to craft that.” During his first years at KO, Dunbar shared an office, located adjacent to the music practice room, with Rob Kyff, whom Dunbar describes as “one of the nicest, kindest people in the world.” A group of ninthgraders practiced rock music next door, which proved challenging as the young teachers were unable to

concentrate on their work. Dunbar recounts that Kyff had a friend who worked at Bradley Airport who gave him a pair of noisecanceling headphones so that they could conduct their work while the cacophony ensued. The two would take turns using the headphones to work, however, the headphones proved a little too efficient. When the phone would ring in their office, they couldn’t hear it, Dunbar chuckled. Dunbar said he has a profound love for his subject because “history is the study of what it means to be human.” He wears it as a personal badge of honor that he doesn’t rely

ve a profound lo s a h e h id a Dunbar s se “histor y is u a c e b t c je b for his su ns to be what it mea f o y d tu s e nal th it as a perso s r a e w e H ely human.” he doesn’t r t a th r o n o h cts to b a d ge o f prefers proje d n a k o o tb anced on a tex and more nu r ie n r o th e ans tackle th of “what hum y r to is h f o one it.” aspects they have d y h w d n a e n have do

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on a textbook and prefers projects to tackle the thornier and more nuanced aspects of history of “what humans have done and why they have done it.” While driving through a town in Maine, he passed a tiny park the size of a classroom with a memorial to a man in the town. “I remember thinking, ‘Why does that person have a park in this little town in Maine?’ I thought, ‘There’s a project in that.’’’ For the past 20 years in Dunbar’s class, KO students have examined memorials in their towns and researched their origins so that the memorials took on a deeper meaning for them. “History is about memory, and it’s all around us,” he said. Dunbar finds the populist movement of the late 1800s particularly compelling because it reveals the cyclical nature of historical movements. He recounts a fascinating discursive of how the Wizard of Oz mirrored the political landscape of the era, with the scarecrow representing the farmers and the tinman representing the industrialized workers.

“I try to impress upon the students when you start using these terms – ‘progressives’ and ‘conservatives’ – that these are all relative terms,” he said. “Today’s liberals could also be tomorrow’s conservatives. As things change and progress, what was once seen as a radical new idea becomes the middle and moderate. To say one philosophy is ultimately liberal or conservative is faulty.” Now in his final year of teaching, Dunbar mixed it up this year, teaching ninth graders for the first time in 35 years and learning Zoom technology to teach some of his online students. “Technology has changed classes, although bricks and mortar still have a place,” he said. “Sitting and watching a screen isn’t sufficient to motivate and help people. The pandemic has created opportunities for me to be more creative. It’s very easy to keep doing the same thing. But when you have a completely different learning environment, you have to change and be prepared for that. It’s offered up opportunities and means and materials that I wouldn’t have done, and that’s been really exciting and fun.”

Another huge lift this year for Dunbar was cleaning out the detritus accumulated in his classroom over the years. Like a true cultural anthropologist, Dunbar found an artifact that recalled a different time and place, including grades and comments that archivist Brenda Semmelrock wrote in 1984 about a particular student Andy Krugman ’86, KO’s Middle School history department chair. Dunbar called Krugman and let him know about the recent discovery. “Brenda was absolutely right,” Krugman told Dunbar. “My parents were furious with me. I said some really stupid stuff.” When September rolls around, Dunbar doesn’t plan on being local, providing that the pandemic allows him to travel to the national parks in the Southwest. “This September will be the first time since Eisenhower that I haven’t gone back to school. That’s a long time ago,” he said.

Final Mic Drop for the Man Behind the Curtain By Kristen Weldon

“I jokingly told the kids, when I ran out of room for the musical posters, then I was going to retire,” he mused. Fittingly enough, he ran out of space this year.

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Celebrating Retirement

When you climb the hidden staircase in the Roberts Arts Center and open the door to the theater technology complex, you can almost feel the character and history come out of the walls. Stage microphones dot the hallways. The trusty sliding window that overlooks the stage stands halfopen, as if waiting in anticipation for someone to call up to make sure the sound is good and the camera is rolling. And perhaps the most iconic touches are the dozens and dozens of posters for past KO musicals that adorn the walls through the room. Some stand with bold colors and boast glossy impeccable lettering, while others are tattered at the corners, with faded print reminiscent of shows from decades ago. Long-time Theater Technical Director Mark Kravetz stares at the wallpaper of memories with an amused smile. “I jokingly told the kids, when I ran out of room for the musical posters, then I was going to retire,” he mused. Fittingly enough, he ran out of space this year. In the late 1970s, after earning an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Hartford and a master’s in theater from the University of Connecticut, Kravetz did what many young theater scholars do after completing their schooling – he moved to the big city of New York, where he worked in theater for several years. Then he left New York to become the artistic director of the Thomaston Opera House in Connecticut. He stayed there for five years, working as their chief director and lighting designer and helping to run a year-round season with professional

actors. Around that same time, he met his wife, Corinne, while acting on the side at the Hole in the Wall Theater in New Britain. She was in education and encouraged him to go into teaching so they could spend their summers off together. Kravetz chuckled at the memory of this. “I thought I would have my summers off, but the problem was I kept doing stuff every summer.” After the Thomaston Opera House, he worked at Hall High School for a year, then filled a temporary position teaching history at Avon High School. It was then that a friend told him about the opening at Kingswood Oxford – a combination of a history teacher and technical director for the theater, which seemed a perfect fit. “They hired me in 1990, and I wasn’t sure how long I would stay,” Kravetz said. Fast forward 31 years, and now he leaves behind him a theater with solid equipment, an office with no more wall

space for posters, and the memory of countless former students whose lives he has deeply touched. Kingswood Oxford Head of School Tyler Tingley ’64 was at the helm when Kravetz was hired, and Kravetz worked closely with drama teacher and director Lud Baldwin, a partnership that would last for 25 years before Baldwin retired. “One of the things they really wanted me to do was develop a true technical theater program and really encourage the students to get involved,” Kravetz said. He wasted no time doing just that. He started with three students eager to learn the technology of theater, with Romeo and Juliet as their first production, and immediately raised the bar. “We built a stage into the middle of the theater,” Kravetz recalled, “so it was Shakespearean in feeling, with people sitting on three sides and the two houses and the church in the middle.” Kravetz achieved such great success with the technical theater program that the administration allowed him to offer technical theater as an afternoon sport, enabling him to build a full program, including the addition of stagecraft and advanced stagecraft, which included lighting and design. Kravetz soon had a large group of students working after school. “It was incredible the amount of things we were able to do,” he said. “One of the things that attracted me to KO was they gave you a lot of autonomy,” he said, “which allowed me to really build the technical theater program and get kids interested in it.” It came as no surprise to anyone that Kravetz was recognized for his accomplishments by receiving The Lazear Chair, which is awarded to a senior faculty member in recognition of outstanding teaching and significant involvement in school life. Among the many elements Kravetz worked to incorporate into his vision, one critical piece that made it so successful was the hands-on

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“When our students do the shows at Kingswood Oxford, they cover all the aspects,” he said. “They do the lightboard, they call the show, they are the ones running the wireless mics and the fly galleries.”

component. When he arrived at KO, students weren’t the ones building the sets or running the lighting or the soundboard. “I marketed this technical theater opportunity to students as woodworking and building things with their hands because that’s what it was,” he said. “I had football players, tennis players, hockey players . . . these athletes doing woodworking and special effects, things that they were never able to do before because they were interested in sports, but now could be a part of.” Years before “student-centric” became a pedagogical term, Kravetz’s program was firmly rooted in this learning concept. “My goal was to teach the kids just that,” Kravetz said. “To give them an appreciation for all of this stuff, so, when they went off to see shows, they would watch and understand them in an entirely different way.” And that they did. “I had lots of students come back after they would see plays on Broadway and tell me that all they could do was look at the lighting during the show and wonder how they did it,” Kravetz laughed.

The result was everything Kravetz had envisioned. “The students loved it,” he said, “because they took ownership of it, and that was really exciting for them to get a taste of what it was like to do real theater, just like a professional. That was my goal. That was what building the program meant. Theater has evolved. We need to continue to evolve with it.” Speaking of evolving, one of Kravetz’s biggest points of pride was the theater itself. “When I got here, the sound system was scrapped together with old pieces of speakers and equipment from Mr. Chiarappa’s basement,” Kravetz laughed. Then came the Roberts Challenge, a fund established by the late Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts to ensure that the theater stayed updated over the course of many years. This fund has been the critical element in Kravetz’s ongoing efforts to keep things current with the fast-changing technology. That’s no easy task when, within a year or two, something that was cutting edge can easily become obsolete. “We have come a long way from having to swap out colors in front of a bulb to get different color palettes,” Kravetz said. “Now we flip a switch on an LED bulb to get a myriad of different colors.”

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Kravetz cherishes a host of favorite moments from his accomplished career, but a few stand out against the rest. “One was definitely when we did Sweeney Todd,” he said animatedly. “There was this spectacular moment when Sweeney came out of the trap door from the floor of the stage, and we had rigged it underneath with a smoke machine and a red light coming up from the bottom. He came out singing, and I remember thinking to myself, you can’t do better than this on Broadway!” Kravetz himself had been fortunate enough to see the original production of Sweeney Todd (in the fifth-row center, no less!) when he lived in New York City, and so it’s fitting that he recalls the KO production of the musical as one of his fondest memories. Another epic moment Kravetz remembers, one that could be considered the exact opposite side of the “aha” moment category, was a scene in the KO production of The Drowsy Chaperone in which the set changes to a bedroom. “We designed a bed that would push through the wall to magically appear,” said Kravetz. “The actors didn’t push it through straight, and instead it went into the wall, and the wall started to come down.” In a brilliant moment of pure adrenaline, several tech students grabbed the wall and proceeded to hold it up during the

entire scene. “If you watch the recording, you will see the hands holding the wall in place,” laughed Kravetz. “It just goes to show in live theater you really never know what is going to happen.” So as Kravetz wraps up an epic and incredible career, the obvious question is: What next for this accomplished teacher/director/mentor? His son and daughter live nearby; his daughter, Olivia ’13 is a retail designer, and his son, Eric ’11, formerly in IT, is now in medical school. Both participated in theater during their time at Kingswood Oxford, as actors and working on the tech crew. Olivia played the lead in Annie, and both Olivia and Eric acted in To Kill a Mockingbird together, which Kravetz said was an especially meaningful moment in time for him. Kravetz also has a second son, Simon, who lives nearby in Canton. Kravetz’s wife, Corinne, a longtime theater director at Conard High School in West Hartford, is also retiring this year. While it was 30 years in the making, the two will finally get to spend the whole summer together. And who knows, maybe they’ll even watch a production, or two, without worrying whether the fly lines are working or if the soundboard is up to par.

Planned Giving

Making A Big Impact With A Future Gift Why do you Support Kingswood Oxford?

BRAD HOFFMAN ’78

I recognize now, at this stage in my life, how my six years spent as a student created who I have become as a person. I learned about people, community, selflessness, and giving to make a difference in the world. Kingswood Oxford was truly a game-changer. Also, I know that the school has done this for thousands of people since while staying true to its mission and being progressive at the same time. Why is a KO education special? An easy question! We hire and train teachers who are also selfless. They care about each and every student. Small classes allow them to focus on the individual educationally and emotionally. Because of this, our kids are challenged to go outside of their comfort zone without the fear of failure. What is your vision for the future of KO? As the former Board Chair, I could easily write pages on this. Simply put, a diverse community that is representative of not only the world in which we live but also, one in which we want to live. Development of amazing talent who will accomplish as much as possible in all fields, and following personal dreams.

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Class Notes 2020-2021

OXFORD 1951

OXFORD 1959

Class Correspondent: Sallie Barr Palmer

Class Correspondent: Zélie Calvocoressi Tourais

Frannie Steane Baldwin writes: “It is with sadness that I have learned of the death of our classmate and good friend Barbara Gowdy Tongue. She died peacefully on Dec. 7, 2020. She is survived by her two children Benjamin (Ben) and Katherine (Katie) and her husband John Bromante. She delighted in her grandchildren Juliet, Katherine, and Elana. Though the Bromantes live in Alaska, Barbara and her family have spent many summers on Swans Island in Maine, where Ben lives year-round.”

Janice Cianci Castillo writes, “2020 was the year of the Pandemic and the thousands of needless sufferings and deaths from COVID-19, which had us hunkered down and changing our way of life. We ended up no longer playing cards with friends, tennis, and such. Instead we took up daily bike riding, boating, walking the beach, etc. Face masks, hand sanitizers, FaceTime, etc., became a part of our lives. During this year we finally bit the bullet and tackled organizing and purging our thousands of hard copy photos. We put this aside after about six months to purge our closets and garage. Thrift stores trembled when they saw us coming. Now we are vaccinated and back to our set-aside activities. Life has gradually become more of how it used to be. The year gave us an opportunity to review our lives, redefine our values, what was really important, and make lemonade out of lemons.”

I recently spoke with Dinny Duffield Whiting. She’s doing well. Her assisted living facility was locked down for quite a while, but when I talked to her, it had reopened. So she was able to go to the dining room for meals, get books, meet up with friends, etc. I just received a note from Gwen Froh, the daughter of our classmate Marcia Keeney Froh. Gwen wrote to tell me that her father, Marcia’s husband Phil Froh, died in February, 2020.

Class Notes are submitted June 2020 through May 2021.

Phil was Marcia’s date at every dance and party during our years at Oxford, and all our classmates knew him. A wonderful, friendly, outgoing person, Phil was practically a class member. He and Marcia were regulars at class reunions, and I think most of the classmates at these reunions had known Phil longer than we’d known our own husbands. Marcia entered Mt. Holyoke with me in 1951, but a couple of years later was whisked away by Phil, first to the altar, then to the golf course. He used to say he fell in love with Marcia because she was such a good golfer. Apparently he remained a good golfer himself — his daughter says that, even in his late 80s, he was known to his friends as “Fairway Phil” because he could always hit the ball straight down the fairway.

Debbie Mahoney Swenson reports, “I am thankful every day for the blessings I have received in the year

1959 Debbie Mahoney Swenson

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1959 Zoom call 2021. In February, Larry Capidilupo and I became life partners in a beautiful ceremony at our church in Chatham. Then, fully vaccinated, we flew off to Vero Beach in Florida, where we spent three delightful months biking, playing golf, beach walking, and watching dolphins and manatees from our porch on the Indian River. A long weekend in Boca Grande with friends celebrating my 80th!! Zoom was a wonderful connection to Oxford friends, book clubs, church services, and friends all over the world! And the joy of daughter Maggie finding the love of her life and marriage. So grateful for it all.” The Class of 1959 had a wonderful Zoom meeting with 11 members attending. It was great to see everyone again (since our 50th) and catch up on our news.

OXFORD 1960 Class Correspondent: Jane Anderson Innerd Jennifer Ripple Akridge’s news from Washington state is that she and Ed sold their winter home in Arizona, and, since mid-January this year, they have been living permanently in Washington. Although they miss their friends, their church, and the milder weather, Jenny says that it was time. She says that it is always good to get back to their house in Washington, where they have lived for more than 30 years. This year she actually got to see the spring bulbs in Washington, and she will be planting more in the fall. Jenny and Ed continue to be grateful for their good health, which is due partly to exercising their toy poodle, Gidget, who is now four-and-a-half years old and 10 pounds of energy. In Arizona, Jenny was very engaged with her Lutheran church and now, thanks to Zoom, she is able to do bible studies with her friends there, to watch the church services on Facebook, and still remain a member of her Stephen

1960 Gidget Minister class, which began in 2019. Jenny is thankful that all her family are doing well, and she sends her best wishes to all our classmates. “As of yesterday, with restrictions being relaxed, I do believe we are finally seeing the light at the end of this tunnel all of us have been crawling through since March of 2020,” writes Scotty Dwyer Benson. Scotty works in a doctor’s office, and the practice has

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Class Notes been open the entire time, although Scotty was furloughed for March and April of last year due to her “ripe old age.” During those two months Scotty learned that she was not ready for full retirement and is thinking of trying part-time. She has been back at work since May of 2020, and business has been getting busier and busier as patients are now getting vaccinated. Scotty got her shots early in January and did not have a severe reaction to either one. Her son, Jim, is still in Richmond but will be relocating to the Bethlehem, Penn., area early in July. He has been dating/FaceTiming/seeing a wonderful woman since right before COVID started. Scotty absolutely loves her and believes that the two are perfect for each other. Although Jim will be a little farther away at least it is not the West Coast! Scotty’s most exciting news is that Ann Faude Newbury is going to visit in early June. The last time she visited was over 20 years ago. Scotty can’t wait to “catch up” face to face. She hopes that everyone else in our class made it through COVID and wishes everyone a much better 2021.

1960 Zoom call

In Boston Prilla Smith Brackett says that it has been hard living alone during COVID. Her husband, George, who has dementia, now feels at home in his loving, caring Rogerson House, which is nearby. Now that she has been vaccinated, Prilla, masked, can visit George in his room, which she says is far better than the once-aweek, 10-minute phone call she was allowed before. She is lucky that her two sons’ families are nearby, enabling them to do a lot of getting together outdoors, even in the winter. Last summer they even had two, one-week-long vacations in a kind of temporary pod, on the Cape and in Vermont. Now Prilla is eagerly planning long and short summer visits in New England to be with friends and family as well as a visit to NYC after not being able to visit for three years. During this past year Prilla has also committed to anti-racism work of various sorts, wanting to achieve whatever small changes she can to dismantle the structural racism that has permeated our country since slavery. Individual actions add up and matter, she says, and are important to Prilla because two of her four

grandchildren (ages 11 and 14) are brown, so she feels that this is very important for her as she thinks about their futures. Recently Nan Sunderland Brown had foot surgery and is now sporting a steel pin, which replaces the joint that was removed. She and her husband have not seen their eight grandchildren (four boys and four girls) except on Zoom since before COVID. Her oldest granddaughter, age 25, is getting married in December, so that is a bright light to look forward to. Nan says she hasn’t any news because she hasn’t been anywhere! She got a new car last May and only just now has it passed the 500-mile mark, so she knows that she hasn’t been anywhere. Nan enjoys Netflix and her piano, even though she has not been able to have a piano lesson in over a year because of COVID, and now she has to wait for her pedal foot to heal before she can have a lesson. Nan sends her best to all of us and our families. “I am good,” says Carolyn Goodrich. She did have a three-way bypass on March 4, 2020, and recovered well.

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Always the athlete, Carolyn is playing tennis and paddle tennis, and she skied this past winter. Carolyn is still working as a therapist in a very small private practice in her home. She is also president of the board of the Rhode Island Weaving Center, a new non-profit organization to promote handweaving and other fiber arts. They have a location in Wakefield, R.I., and will start offering classes in weaving in the fall, along with classes and workshops for tapestry weaving, rigid needle weaving, knitting, felting, and whatever else they can come up with. It is a dynamic group and a very exciting program. Her three kids are all doing well, although all divorced or near divorce. Her oldest lives outside Boston, has three beautiful girls in college, and has a successful cleaning business. He and Carolyn went to Charleston, S.C., for a bowl-turning class after she gave him a lathe for Christmas. They had a great time for three days, both in class and in Charleston. Her next child, a daughter, lives in Newport, and Carolyn sees her often. They play tennis and paddle tennis together besides volunteering at music venues. This daughter’s two kids are now adults, the son in Australia as an officer in the merchant world and the daughter working in environmental type jobs in Portland, Maine. Carolyn’s youngest, also a daughter, lives in West Palm Beach, Fla., with the two children she shares with her ex. They are in high school, and possibly the older may live with Carolyn to finish high school next year. That will add some spice to her life, she says. Carolyn still lives in the same house she has had for 35 years in Jamestown, R.I. It is a beautiful place, and she feels part of the one percenters, even though she has nowhere near their money. They surround Carolyn, and so she benefits through osmosis and just pure luck, all because Tina found the house for her. Carolyn looks forward to hearing about our classmates.

Not much happens while sheltering from COVID-19, writes Jane Keller Herzig. She and Ed managed to stay connected with friends and family and made new connections as well. Jane says that she did not bake bread! Now that they are vaccinated, they tentatively put their noses out the door and are gradually doing things that were once ordinary but now seem extraordinary and still somewhat dangerous. Jane has resumed shopping for groceries, masked, early in the day and as quickly as possible. Sitting unmasked, out of doors with a couple of likewise vaccinated friends, is a new and enjoyable experience but feels funny without a mask on. Jane says that she is forever grateful for Zoom and the good folks at Instacart and all the delivery people who faithfully and diligently served them during the year that flew by in slow motion. Jane’s two children are healthy, as are their son’s three young grandchildren, ages 7, 9, and 11. Soccer, baseball, and softball practices and games were and continue to be lifesavers. Becca, who is 11, spent the year becoming increasingly committed to playing the piano. Her growing abilities reflect the time and energy she spent practicing. Becca and her brothers are thrilled to be back in school full-time, interacting with their buddies. Jane’s fourth, older grandchild, Viola, completed her first year in Teach for America, teaching kindergarten in Prince George County, Md. She also finished her first year at Johns Hopkins, working on her MAT remotely. The double load was challenging. Jane’s daughter, Carolyn will be in Uganda until June 12. Her life of work-related travel is getting back to normal. Jane says that she is grateful that her family is well and says, “our hearts and thoughts go out to all those who did not have our extreme good fortune.” Mary Lew Sterns Kelly and her husband have had a rough few months. On Jan. 28, Bill had a triple

bypass in Boston. While he was in Brigham having pre-ops, Mary Lew was at home getting the house ready for his discharge. Because Bill always likes to light candles in the evening and place them on the kitchen windowsill, she had opened the bottom drawer in the kitchen to check on the candle supply and turned to get something and caught her foot under the drawer. Because she had fallen the previous February when delivering Meals on Wheels and broken her neck slipping on the ice, she twisted around so as not to do more injury to her neck. She fell and broke her hip and had emergency surgery at St. Francis Hospital. After two days and a birthday in the hospital, she was transferred to Mt. Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital for two weeks. Meanwhile Bill’s surgery went very well. Their daughter, Bridget, insisted on having them at her house in Westford, Mass., for several weeks post discharge. It was quite an experience, considering the fact that Bridget has five children doing virtual schooling, two Leonberger dogs and their own Mini Aussie, Kai, and that both she and her husband were working from home. Mary Lew and Bill finally retuned home, where friends and neighbors had taken care of the snow on their property. It has not been easy, but they are now doing well. Bill has trouble walking due to a bad back and a failed knee surgery from several years ago, but he is still managing to get around on his tractor. Mary Lew has a metal rod in her leg, and at times it is somewhat painful, but she manages. She writes, “I thank God every day that I can get up and walk and care for Bill and Kai and tend to my gardens. Our friends and neighbors keep us going, and we are loving our birds, butterflies and flowers, which provide much joy and happiness. I pray that all of our classmates are safe and healthy.”

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Class Notes This has been a very challenging year for Sue Matorin. Her husband died on March 31 (non-COVID). Over the years, Richard overcame many health issues but always recovered and returned to his psychiatry practice and writing. His death at home was a blessing due to horrid hospital deaths but was nonetheless very unexpected and painful. Their son and his family are in Los Angeles, so they were separated for months. Sue was tasked with informing his patients — an amazing experience — and with closing his office to sell. Many wonderful articles have been written about Richard and his work, and their grandchildren, Tess 5 and Theo 1 1/2, are a really happy legacy. Close friends, including Oxford classmates, who wrote have been very kind. Sue’s full-time work at Cornell, which is remote, is a salvation as it does help her to be helpful to others. She knows that others in our class have had this experience and therefore know that the value of family and friends is so vital. She hopes that everyone is safe, vaccinated and about to enjoy a less constricted life. Sue remembers another life when she wore an illfitting uniform, had curly hair, and was always buried in a book. When at Oxford, Sue never expected to have such a wonderful family or career enjoyment. Her Latin and English studies have enabled her to keep writing letters to the editor of the New York Times (the latest on May 29, 2021). She remarks that her friends want her to write about grief, but she has no more to say. Even though Jerry, Tina Wilcox McIntyre’s husband, came down with COVID in March 2020, they feel thankful and blessed. He recovered successfully. They had been going to spend spring break with the whole family in Puerto Rico when their youngest grandson came down with a high temperature and they canceled the trip and are still at home. All three

of their children live in Rhode Island, and so they have been able to walk the dogs and see them on weekends regularly. Sadly, Tina’s sister-in-law, Carrie, who had dementia passed away last June and then her brother, Geer, in July. They had been able to have a wonderful three-day visit with Geer beforehand. Tina has been playing paddle tennis and indoor tennis during the winter, sometimes with Carolyn, to keep active and to socialize. Tina’s oldest, daughter Sam, now over 50-years old, is the lower school literary coordinator at Moses Brown. She teaches and tutors young students with learning difficulties. Her son Ian is a chef and was furloughed during the restrictions but is now back to work. Her youngest, Ward, has a company called Fathom Resources. He contracts for commercial diving and underwater surveys and inspections. Tina says that Carolyn has told her that they have known each other for 65 years which she says is hard to comprehend! She sends best wishes to us all. Even though the New England states have opened up and masks are not required, Ann Faude Newbury is still cautious when she ventures out without protection. She is enjoying being able to see family and close friends again, and she feels fortunate that she will be able to spend time in Maine again this summer. Ann is busy with her many volunteer opportunities, which keep her busy in Farmington, and she is looking forward to our 65th celebration, where she hopes to see many classmates. Sue Lowe Redfield reports that, with COVID, life in West Hartford suddenly became pretty static and boring. Snatched away was the volunteer work she loved. Sue was grateful for her Kindle and her Amazon account. Her family is scattered far and wide. In Denver, N.C., (near Charlotte), Beth and Todd have grown more enamored

of their community, which is bursting with expansion and growth. Todd worked virtually for Allstate, as did their son, Zach. Megan launched her fourth year in Sydney, Australia, as a special ed professional working with autistic young adults who have aged out of the system. Sue regrets that Megan is so far away and unable to leave Australia. Zach, also in Denver, and his lovely fiancée, Valerie, had to postpone their wedding until October 15 when the whole family will all be together again. Maggie, Danny’s daughter, had to delay her first assignment after graduating from West Point because she had hip surgery. She was assigned to monitor the COVID barracks while she recovered. Ironically, she did not get COVID there but caught it at home during the Christmas break! In June she will finish required training and move on to Ft. Carson, Colo., for three years. Trey is half way through Syracuse at the Newhouse School of Broadcasting. Sue enjoys watching him broadcast a game or the weather. After Danny retired as a LTC after 22 years active duty in the Army in 2012, he returned to Ft. Bragg as a civilian to continue his work in Special Ops for a few years. Then the Air Force at next-door Pope Air Force Base recruited him to do the same job for them. In May 2021 he began to work for the Marine Corps at Camp LeJeune, again doing planning and programming with Special Ops but on a larger scale. Sue and Danny often wish Bob Lazear were alive to see how those six KO hellions have succeeded in life! Sue wishes better days ahead for us all. While driving with her husband Michael from their Florida home to their Nantucket home, Cindy Beard Roberts sent news of her family. She is happy to report that their grandchildren, despite challenges, had great school years. Porter at Middlebury had only one class online. He is entering the final year of his college career and will graduate in February 2022. Porter was the only one who visited Cindy and Michael this

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2021

winter. Granddaughter Eliza started her college career from a makeshift office in one of their Nantucket bedrooms and was able to “upgrade” to an apartment with two roommates in Baltimore. Eliza has yet to step foot on the Johns Hopkins campus to go to a class. The fact that she is part of the J.H.U. women’s lacrosse team has made this first year extraordinary. Eliza as a freshman actually saw playing time and Cindy was able to watch her on ESPN. In June 2020 Gay Willcox Squire’s younger son, Billy, and his lovely French girlfriend, Laurance, came to live with Gay and Roger for what turned out to be almost a year. They both worked remotely from Squire House, although Billy was furloughed from his job shortly after arriving. For Gay and Roger, it was an amazingly wonderful year having them for such an extended, unbroken period of time. They took long walks together and had a lot of fun sharing cooking experiments. They all ate better during that year than ever before! Gay highly recommends the “one pot/one pan” main dishes that were published every Sunday in the New York Times “At Home” section. In addition, Laurence had her own stash of favorite French recipes, which were sublime. Billy busied himself with landscape projects around their property. He built stone walls, dredged their pond, cleared underbrush; all such activities will be missed. During the summer they made ice cream on an almost weekly basis, peach and strawberry being the winners. This spring the four took some wonderful backroads motorcycle trips. Laurence has her own motorcycle, which lived in their garage for the year, and Roger’s beloved 1966 BMW is still purring along. Gay and Roger play bridge online at least three times a week. They have noticed that slowly things are opening up. Billy and Laurence packed up and returned to their respective places in

the Boston area at the end of May, and the house seems quite empty and quiet without them: no yoga mats spread about, no laptops or iPads operating in several rooms. After a year of having almost no guests, Gay and Roger’s B&B business is picking up again, and their fall foliage season is as booked as it has ever been. They are looking forward to a return to some kind of normal life. Gay reports that all of their family and friends survived unscathed and she extends her sincerest condolences to anyone who has lost family members or close friends. For Wilf and me it has been a quiet year. We kept in touch with our children via Skype. Jane Eleanor and her family live near St. Louis, Mo. Every Saturday morning we enjoy talking with our two grandsons who are now 12 and 13. They attend school at home, and Jane works at home. Her husband, Sebastian, is a doctor with the Barnes Jewish Christian group of hospitals and for a while lived in a hotel. Our second daughter, Charlotte, is a librarian at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, and works from home. We have seen her only twice during the pandemic. Andrew was in Vancouver but has relocated to Williams Lake, British Columbia, where he enjoys hiking, canoeing, and other outdoor activities. The lockdown was strict in Ontario, and mostly we stayed in our condo. For a year a neighbor did my grocery shopping, and doctors’ appointments were on the telephone. This is a strange way to live! We had to replace the floor in our condo and “enjoyed” several weeks of chaos, which made us appreciate our quiet life. In February my brother, Robert, died of complications from Lyme disease. It was a shock because we thought that he was getting better. His wife, Rose Marie Wright, also has Lyme disease but is not nearly so seriously ill. I look forward to former

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activities, lunch with friends, pickleball, and attending our U.U. Church. One dear friend did not recover from COVID-19, and we miss her. Jane Keller Herzig hosted a Zoom reunion for our class on June 7, which was enjoyed by all 14 who attended. As always, my thanks to all who sent news. I am grateful to you all.

KINGSWOOD 1963 Class Correspondent: Brewster Boyd In talking with classmates, it’s clear that everyone is excited about coming out of hibernation with visits now to family and friends. Hopefully by the time you read this, both the Butler and Moses families will be able to get back across the blocked Canadian border to their lake homes. In other news Bart Rapaport will have a married grandchild for the first time, Jon Batterson is still close to shooting his age on the links, and the Prestleys have sold their West Hartford home and built a home in Martha’s Vineyard. Linda has retired from the bench, and Peter is still doing some labor law remotely. Lastly, Graham Brown passed away at the end of 2020. He had worked in nine independent schools in six states for almost 50 years, mostly as head of school. The Browns lived here in Denver for a few years in the 1980s and then moved here permanently a few years ago. He was very passionate about the benefits of an independent school education, which he first experienced at Kingswood many decades ago. One of his first positions was as middle school head at KO. As he did on the football and lacrosse fields, and wrestling mat those many years ago, he was driven to do his best. Mary and their three daughters were always so supportive as they moved coast to coast for Graham’s next challenge. We will all miss Graham’s smile and sense of humor.

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Class Notes

Kingswood 1972: Left to right: David Bradley ’72, Ken Coco ’72, Bob Bradley ’75, Steve Twitchell ’72, Rob Groundwater ’72

1973 Rick Westerberg

KINGSWOOD 1973

KO 1979

Rick Westerberg has been living in Canada since 2004. In December 2019, he officially became a Canadian citizen. Prior to the pandemic, Rick did the CN Tower Edgewalk, where you stroll around on the highest structure in North America… on the outside.

Lieutenant Steven Rudder was promoted last July to the position of Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

He also reconnected with David Hanrahan ’72 when they got together during a layover he had in Toronto a few years ago. Rick and his wife recently left the Toronto area to settle in a small community along the shore of Lake Huron.

John Kozlowsky is an EMT who is certified nationally and in Massachusetts. He is a part-time EMT for Carver EMS and a member of Team Rubicon Disaster Relief Services.

Rick says, “I’m looking forward to my 50th reunion in two years. By then, the pandemic should be in the past, and we can enjoy an on-campus, in-person reunion, and pose for a group photo with our masks off.” Brad O’Connell has been elected president of the Connecticut Society of Plastic Surgeons.

KO 1987

KO 1990 Michelle Amidon was the recipient of the 2021 Women’s Ice Hockey Founders Award, which honors a member of the hockey community or college coaching profession who has contributed to the overall growth and development of the sport of women’s ice hockey in the United States through their enthusiasm, passion and selflessness. She is currently a member of the Female Hockey

Advisory Committee for the NHL and NHLPA, the NHL female ambassador for the Colorado Avalanche, the community relations specialist for South Suburban’s Sports Complex, and the 8-and-under director for the Arapahoe Hockey Association. Most recently, Michelle spent three years as the firstever executive director of the Boulder Hockey Club.

1979 Lieutenant Steven Rudder

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KO 1996 In May 2021, Jami Silver, director of college counseling at Kingswood Oxford, was awarded the annual IDEAL Award by the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC). As noted on the NEACAC website, “The IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Education, Access, and Leadership) Award recognizes an individual, institution or organization who has demonstrated consistent and long-standing commitment to issues of access including, but not limited to, students of color, first generation college students, low-income students, undocumented students, and LBGTQ+ students.” The award committee considers many factors, including long-standing commitment and positive outcomes for students in post-secondary education.

Skyland Trail, a nationally recognized nonprofit mental health treatment organization for adults and adolescents, has elected Shayan Hussain to the board of directors. Shayan currently serves as the managing director for fixedincome portfolio management at BlackRock in Atlanta, Ga., a multinational investment management corporation, where he is responsible for developing the company’s taxable fixed-income platform, while providing links between the investment team and clients.

KO 1999 Kristina Wolff Singh visited Mt. St. Helens in Washington state with her KO Middle School classmate Katie Schnidman Pelczar and their families. They’ve kept their friendship going for almost three decades and both coincidentally relocated to Washington state.

1999 Alums. Kids left to right- Jusveer Singh, Gavin Pelczar, Maahie Singh, Jamie Pelczar

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Kieran joins his cousins, Jack and Kate, children of Chris Mellen ’97

KO 2005 Julie Mellen Jowaisas writes, “I’d love to share the wonderful news of the birth of my son, Kieran James Jowaisas, on May 20, 2020. My husband Tyler is not a KO grad, but Kieran is the grandson of former faculty member Dave Mellen! Kieran joins his cousins, Jack and Kate, children of Chris Mellen ’97.”

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Class Notes KO 2007

KO 2012

KO 2015

Callie Skiff married Michael Clinch on March 14, 2020, at La Playa Beach and Golf Resort in Naples, Fla. Former KO Head of School Dr. Lee Levison P ’07, ’10, his wife Barbara Levison, former directors of college advising Amy Swords and Kathleen Skiff, Callie Skiff Clinch ’07, Morgan Whitney ’07, Paula Whitney P ’02, ’04, ’06, ’07, and Jim Skiff (former director of admissions) were in attendance.

In April Siobhan Rae McIlhoney (she/ her) was accepted to Kings College in London for a master’s of science in environmental policy and will be fulfilling a lifelong dream by moving abroad for a year in September. She is super excited about this next step, and can’t help thinking of her beginnings at Kingswood Oxford as she begins her final educational journey at Kings. Once a Wyvern, always a Wyvern!

Tristan Morin, majoring in chemistry at Curry College, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2021 semester.

Callie and Michael reside in West Palm Beach Fla., along with their two dogs. Callie works as a licensed therapist, specializing in substance abuse and eating disorders. Her husband, Michael, is an associate at Berger Singerman LLP.

2007 Callie Skiff

KO 2014 John Stepensky graduated from Fordham University in 2018 and from Brooklyn Law on May 21, 2021 in a virtual ceremony.

KO 2017 Celia Jarmoc received a bachelor of arts degree magna cum laude from The College of the Holy Cross. Kayla Glemaud is working as an intern digital media tutor in the Research and Instructional Design Support Center at Hamilton College for the 2021 spring semester. Peyton Moore, a mathematics major at Eastern Connecticut State University, was among 19 students inducted into the Connecticut Beta Chapter of the Kappa Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Society (KME) on April 23. Bonnie Steinberg, an environmental biology major and member of the Colgate University Class of 2021, has earned the fall 2020 Dean’s Award with Distinction.

KO 2018 Abigail Eberle has been inducted into St. Lawrence University’s chapter of the Chi Alpha Sigma honor society for being an outstanding college studentathlete who excels in the classroom in their sport and in the community. Abby, a member of the Class of 2022, is majoring in mathematics and statistics and is a member of the women’s lacrosse team.

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Kevin Augustine, who is enrolled in the computer science program at Rochester Institute of Technology, was named to the dean’s list for the 2020 fall semester. Mackenzie Goldschlager, who is majoring in management engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in the class of 2022, was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled “Jiu Valley Sounds” through the Berlin, Germany, Interactive Qualifying Project.

KO 2019 Rabih Chughtai was named to the dean’s list at Bates College for the fall semester ending in December 2020.

KO 2020 Jackson Wolff’s lacrosse team at Babson College won the NEWMAC league championship this spring by beating Coast Guard 15-7. It was the team’s first championship in 42 years. Other class members have been taking the Big East by storm. Will Layden and Ethan Brown were among the highest-scoring freshmen at the Big East Conference Swim Championships held April 7–10 at the Spire Institute in Geneva, Ohio. Will (Providence College ’24) broke two Providence program records in the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke, respectively, and Ethan (Villanova University ’24) had strong swims in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke events, greatly contributing to Villanova’s secondplace finish at the championships.

Ethan Brown ’20 (L) and Will Layden ’20 (R) at the Big East Conference Swim Championships

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In Memoriam

KO expresses condolences to the families of those who passed away between July 13, 2020 and July 13, 2021 or whose deaths we learned of during that time.

George H. Mason ’48 April 13, 2020 Carolyn Black Underwood ’48 November 17, 2020 Thomas H.S. Brucker ’49 December 27, 2020 Brother of Sydney Brucker Sowles ’48

Alums

J. Morton Dunn ’44 November 10, 2020

1930s

Father of Jeffrey D. Dunn ’73 and Andrew M. Dunn ’75; and grandfather of John T. Dunn ’03

Annette Brewer Deming ’39 December 1, 2020

David B. Reynolds ’44 October 13, 2020

Mother of Charles H. Hamlin III ’62 and Buena Hamlin Chilstrom ’63; spouse of Richard H. Deming Jr. ’35; and sister of V. Chetwood Brewer ’29 Josephine Trull Horn ’39 December 6, 2020

Father of David B. Reynolds Jr. ’73 and Pamela Reynolds Moss ’76; and brother of Harriet Reynolds Glass ’39 Deborah Fogg Lambert ’45 December 31, 2020 Marilyn Morss MacLeod ’45 December 14, 2020

Georgianne Davidson Pollowitz ’49 December 31, 2020 Louise Shepard Walsh ’49 July 18, 2020 Spouse of Raycroft Walsh Jr. ’41; and mother of Melinda S. Walsh ’73

1950s Cynthia Brewster Clifford ’50 February 19, 2021 Mother of James L. Clifford ’78 and Jonathan B. Clifford ’83; and sister of Mary-Bunce Brewster Brooks ’45

1940s

Sister of Sylvia Morss Page ’44

Girard E. Haverty ’50 February 19, 2021

James C. Burbank ’40 December 27, 2020

Shepard W. Baker ’47 October 14, 2020

Father of Elizabeth Haverty Burns ’82

Husband of Laura-Lee Wiley Burbank ’43

Brother of Janet Baker Tenney ’46

Frederick W. McNabb Jr. ’50 February 21, 2020

Nancy Clapp Miller ’47 October 8, 2020

Harriet Robinson Taylor ’50 July 5, 2020

Mother of Sara Cheney ’71; and sister of Dorothea Stedman Stieff ’46

Great aunt of Elijah T. Clapp ’92, and Jacob W. Clapp ’95; and aunt of former KO teacher Jonathan Clapp

Sister of Alice Robinson Lefferts ’45

Susan Hyde Parrish ’42 March 17, 2021

Harold P. Schwerdtfeger Jr. ’47 January 28, 2021

Sister of Harriette Hyde Rowlands ’39

Francis L. Wadsworth ’47 August 13, 2020

Margaret Stedman Doherty ’41 April 28, 2021

Robert J. Catlin ’43 October 9, 2020 Brother of Francis I. Catlin ’43

Husband of June Heard Wadsworth ’53 J. William Healy ’48 July 12, 2021 Father of Nancy Healy Harrington ’85; and brother of James T. Healy Jr. ’45

Ainsworth M. Greene ’51 January 28, 2021 Brother of Richmond K. Greene ’48 and Bancroft F. Greene ’59 Barbara Gowdy Tongue ’51 December 7, 2020 Sister of David E. Gowdy ’55 Joanne Muter Bairstow ’52 March 28, 2021

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Robert G. Hellstrom ’53 January 15, 2021 John H. Underhill ’53 June 9, 2020 Terry B. Fletcher ’54 March 4, 2021 Roxanne Richards Stringer ’54 July 10, 2021 Alicia Dauch Kramer ’55 May 13, 2020 Louise Heublein McCagg ’55 November 26, 2020 Andrew C. Twaddle ’57 December 2, 2020 Horace W.B. Donegan II ’59 June 22, 2020 Brother of Elizabeth Donegan Schultz ’51

F. Graham Brown ’63 November 3, 2020 Brother of Stephen C. Brown ’61, Trevor S. Brown ’66 and Wendy Brown Lincoln ’70; and brother-in-law of Margaret Ferree Brown ’68 Buena Hamlin Chilstrom ’63 August 5, 2020 Daughter of Annette Brewer Deming ’39; sister of Charles H. Hamlin III ’62; and niece of V. Chetwood Brewer ’29 Katherine W. Ellis ’65 December 12, 2020

1980s T. Brian Fahy Jr. ’81 October 5, 2020 Son of Thomas B. Fahy ’55; brother of Elizabeth Fahy Bellingrath ’78; uncle of Charles P. Bellingrath ’03, Samuel M. Bellingrath ’06, Thomas W. Bellingrath ’09 and John M. Bellingrath ’12; and brother-in-law of Charles T. Bellingrath Jr. ’78 Scott M. Bortman ’83 December 27, 2020

Diane Lehrer Frank ’65 September 13, 2020

Brother of Charna Bortman Kaufman ’85; brother-in-law of John Kaufman ’85; and uncle of Caroline R. Kaufman ’14, Isabel G. Kaufman ’17 and Sophia J. Kaufman ’20

Timothy K. Smith ’66 June 2, 2021

Walter J. Gorski III ’86 March 10, 2021

Sister of Barbara L. Ellis-Cascio ’58

Sheila A. Kerrigan ’89 June 3, 2021 1970s

1960s Richard V. Dolce ’60 April 20, 2021 Brother of Paul M. Dolce ’58 Helen E. Krieble ’61 June 26, 2021 Mother of Christopher P. Fusscas ’90, Amanda Fusscas Strain ’91 and Fred J. Krieble ’91; grandmother of Olivia G. Krieble ’19, Henry B. Krieble ’21 and Jack I. Krieble ’25; daughter of Nancy Brayton Krieble ’33; and mother-in-law of Kimberly Karp Krieble ’90 James A. Minges ’61 April 4, 2020 John V. O’Neil ’62 November 29, 2020

David M. Dohl ’72 October 2, 2020

1990s

G. Gregory Keefe ’74 December 31, 2020

Michael B. D’Agostino ’92 December 28, 2020

Son of William P. Keefe ’47; and brother of W. Peter Keefe ’75 W. Peter Keefe ’75 January 19, 2020 Son of William P. Keefe ’47; and brother of G. Gregory Keefe ’74 Walter L. Pearson ’79 January 1, 2021 Brother of Mary Ann Pearson Gianni ’81; uncle of Katherine A. Gianni ’14 and Sarah E. Gianni ’14; and brotherin-law of Joseph R. Gianni ’78

Brother of Ryan H. D’Agostino ’93, Elizabeth C. D’Agostino ’95 and Lindsay D’Agostino Coluccio ’95 Taylor J. Hills ’96 October 22, 2020

2000s Kiki Herndon ’01 November 13, 2020

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In Memoriam

Former Faculty & Staff Robert S. O’Brien July 22, 2021 Father of Stephen O’Brien ’81; grandfather of John J. Kelley ’04 and Christopher O’Brien ’04

Alumni Families Benjamin G. Aibel October 7, 2020 Husband of Nancy Sind Polley-Aibel ’57 Priscilla Bellingrath May 27, 2021 Mother of Charles T. Bellingrath, Jr. ’78 and Elizabeth Bellingrath Seybolt ’82; grandmother of Charles P. Bellingrath ’03, Samuel M. Bellingrath ’06, Thomas W. Bellingrath ’09 and John M. Bellingrath ’12; and mother-in-law of Elizabeth Fahy Bellingrath ’78

Albert H. Crowley June 24, 2021

Rosanne McAboy September 17, 2020

Grandfather of Shane W. Dawson ’20 and Caroline Dawson ’22; and father of KO faculty member Patricia Crowley

Mother of Carolyn McAboy Hall ’80 and R. Scott McAboy ’83

Irene Denuzze December 10, 2020 Mother of Karen Denuzze Dunn ’73; and mother-in-law of Jeffrey D. Dunn ’73

Grandfather of Jacqueline Mendola Susca ’06 and Allison M. Mendola ’12; and father of former staff member Craig S. Mendola

Margaret E. Dimmitt May 25, 2021

Thomas N. Ribadeneyra January 27, 2021

Mother of Robert B. Dimmitt ’72, William F. Dimmitt ’79; grandmother of Christopher R. Hayes ’04 and Eleanor B. Hayes ’13; and mother-in-law of Randall M. Hayes ’74

Father of Thomas A. Ribadeneyra ’77, Timothy J. Ribadeneyra ’78, Carol Ribadeneyra Kashian ’80 and Jane Ribadeneyra ’83

Jed Fierberg December 17, 2020 Father of Mark E. Fierberg ’75 and Eliot L. Fierberg ’77 Philip C. Froh February 18, 2020 Father of Richard T. Froh ’73; and husband of Marcia Keeney Froh ’51

F. Donald Brigham Jr. January 10, 2021

Harold B. Hawkins December 31, 2020

Husband of Kathleen Johnson Brigham ’53

Father of Carolyn Hawkins Lee ’91 and Robert H. Hawkins ’00

Constance D. Callahan June 12, 2021

Walter H. Kunisch May 20, 2020

Grandmother of Matthew Whitney ’02, Brian M. Whitney ’04, Conor M. Whitney ’06 and Morgan K. Whitney ’07

Father of Walter Kunisch ’91, Peter Kunisch ’93, Hans C. Kunisch ’96 and Andrew Kunisch ’98

Michael D. Clifford December 17, 2020 Grandfather of Ryan Clifford ’17 and Sean M. Clifford ’19

Carl R. Pavano January 24, 2021

Benedict P. LaTorre January 26, 2021 Grandfather of Casey LaTorre ’12, John B. LaTorre ’14 and Luke E. LaTorre ’19 S. John Malinowski June 13, 2021 Father of Brenda Malinowski ’76 and Joanne Malinowski Feinberg ’80

Francis A. Romanczuk June 24, 2021 Grandfather of Edward G. Keegan ’22, William Keegan ’25 and Nicholas Keegan ’27; and father-in law of Gilbert E. Keegan III ’88 Paul S. Sherbacow February 17, 2021 Father of Douglas B. Sherbacow ’83, Bryan J. Sherbacow ’87 and Todd A. Sherbacow ’90 Mark R. Silk April 30, 2021 Father of Stacy Silk Rome ’79, Courtney D. Silk ’85 and Kelly A. Silk ’86; and grandfather of Isabelle M. Rome ’21 James A. Swomley April 5, 2021 Father of Mark M. Swomley ’75, Bruce A. Swomley ’77 and Daniel J. Swomley ’81 Betty Ann Zeytoonjian January 31, 2021 Grandmother of Finley B. Zeytoonjian ’24; and mother-in-law of Kellie Burke Zeytoonjian ’90

KO MAGAZINE | FALL 2021

Tribute

Robert ‘O’Bie’ S. O’Brien Faculty Emeritus

Kingswood Oxford mourns the passing of Bob ‘O’Bie’ O’Brien who joined the faculty of Kingswood School in 1955 and taught Latin, Greek, and sometimes Spanish for 40 years and ultimately served as the chair of the classics department.

“Class, dignity, loyalty, and thoughtfulness are accurate descriptions of O’Bie.” Lee Levison, Former Head of School

In an article written in the KO Magazine upon his retirement, former Head of School Lee Levison remarked of O’Brien, “Class, dignity, loyalty, and thoughtfulness are accurate descriptions of O’Bie. For me, his legacy will endure daily for it will be his voice reminding me, always, to stay focused on those fundamentals that are essential at Kingswood Oxford. It will be his voice encouraging balance, moderation, and proportion. O’Bie’s values and his “way” have helped shape the soul of this school.” For those fortunate enough to have been students of O’Brien, they learned that conjugating verbs in classic languages and learning declensions could be great fun, especially if your teacher brought his dry wit to bear during every lesson. So beloved by the students, the Class of 1995 asked him to deliver the commencement address which he did with his characteristic quiet humor, beginning his speech with a self-penned ‘doggerel.’ His tone shifted as he explained to the students the process of forming their identities while at KO and moving forward in life. “You may have expanded your dreams with even wider eyes, and become more cognizant of your own identity, your own being, your own

purpose in existing. You have changed because you are nearer to overcoming yourself and becoming the person you will ultimately be...All of you will experience that beautiful sensation of finally coming to be YOU.” In addition to his teaching and advising responsibilities, O’Brien served as the head varsity baseball coach for 30 years, varsity/JV basketball coach for 20 years, assistant football coach for 25 years, and was inducted into the Kingswood Oxford Athletic Hall of Fame as a coach in 2007. As the head coach for the West Hartford American Legion baseball team for many years, he brought the team to the Legion’s World Series in Idaho in 1973, an event recorded in the Baseball Hall of Fame, and for which he was awarded the West Hartford Outstanding Citizen award. Jack Sitarz ’65, who played for O’Bie at Kingswood said, “O’Bie’s quiet but firm leadership always provided a sense of calm and confidence that helped players perform their best. His focus was on winning, but the victory had to come fair and square. Cutting corners was not allowed. Young people need to have honesty, integrity, commitment, and hard work. And O’Bie always did that exceptionally well.” With calm assuredness and a gentle, and sometimes necessary, firm manner, O’Brien imprinted legions of Wyverns with the importance of both personal and academic integrity. A classic, indeed.

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Board of Trustees

Trustees Emeriti

July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021

Sherry Banks-Cohn ’54, P ’78, ’82

Meg Cahill Becker ’97 Mark D. Conrad ’96, Treasurer Karen Diaz-Meaike P ’19, ’22 Thomas Dillow, Head of School, P ’21, ’22, ’26 Bonnie L. Dobkin P ’19 Helen Eatherton P ’11, ’14 Joseph R. Gianni ’78, P ’14, ’14 Jeffrey S. Gitlin ’85, P ’11, ’13, ’17 Derek P. Green ’81 J. Douglas Harris ’77 I. Bradley Hoffman ’78, Chair Gilbert E. Keegan III ’88, P ’22, ’25, ’27 Fred J. Krieble ’91, P ’21, ’25 Paul A. Lewis P ’05 Patrick J. Maloney P ’11, ’14, ’16 Merrill Mandell P ’21, ’22, ’26 Mary S. Martin ’77, P ’17, ’20, Vice-Chair Kelley Nicholson-Flynn Megan Ouellette P ’18, ’20 Tyler B. Polk ’99, Ex-Officio, President, Alumni Council

Thomas J. Collamore ’77 George L. Estes III ’67, P ’98 Laura R. Estes P ’98 Frederick S. (Fritz) Farquhar ’59, P ’83, ’86 Robert M. Furek P ’96, ’99 Karen Koury Gifford ’62 Marilyn Glover P ’05, ’07, ’11 William H. Goldfarb ’64 Cheryl W. Grise P ’99, ’02 Stephen B. Hazard P ’89, ’92 Alyce F. Hild P ’80, ’82, ’91, GP ’07, ’11, ’14, ’19 Timothy A. Holt P ’99, ’02, ’07 Lance L. Knox ’62 Thomas D. Lips P ’93 Baxter “Bret” H. Maffett ’68, P ’02, ’06 Kimberly Collins Parizeau ’75 Agnes S. Peelle P ’01, ’03 Michael J. Reilly P ’04, ’08 Avery P. Rockefeller III P ’00, ’02 Anne H. Rudder P ’68 G. William Seawright ’59

David R. Quick ’92

Richard J. Shima P ’89, ’00

Ann Coolidge Randall ’73, P ’13, Secretary

Karin A. Stahl P ’95

Garfield and Melissa Vaughn P ’20, ’21, ‘23, Ex-Officio, Co-Chairs, Parent Association

Les R. Tager P ’00, ’03

Lori Satell Wetsman ’85, P ’12, ’15

John A.T. Wilson ’56, P ’84, ’86

Lewis K. Wise ’65 P ’94, ’00

Martin Wolman P ’80, ’82, ’84, ’88

Keith J. Wolff ’91, P ’20, ’23 Mark Wolman P ’14, ’16, ’19

Alden Warner ’76

Joan Safford Wright ’53

Non-Profit Org US Postage PAID Hartford CT Permit 1382 Change Service Requested

170 Kingswood Road West Hartford, CT 06119